A photo rendering of Banner Thunderbird's new main entrance and patient tower, scheduled for completion in 2009.

The healthcare professionals at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale, Ariz., have served the Northwest Valley for more than 25 years.

Opening in 1983 as Thunderbird Samaritan Medical Center, we have since expanded to 374 beds.

The hospital is currently undergoing construction of a new 200-bed patient tower, a new main entrance, Emergency department, cafeteria and other areas. Construction on the new main entrance will be completed in June 2008, and the patient tower is scheduled for completion in 2009.

Once construction is complete, Banner Thunderbird will become the largest hospital in the Northwest Valley boasting 582 licensed beds in all private rooms.

Employing 2,200 employees, Banner Thunderbird is the fastest growing hospital in the state of Arizona in terms of market share and is the largest employer in Glendale.

Banner Thunderbird offers state-of-the-art technology such as iCare, a telehealth program that provides an extra layer of monitoring for patients in intensive-care units. Banner Thunderbird also offers robotic surgery, which allows for faster recovery times for patients and IPROB, a computerized system that reduces the chances of complications during labor and delivery.

Additionally, Banner Thunderbird houses a 24-bed Children’s Center and a 42-bed Behavioral Health Center.