PHOENIX (April 27, 2026) – Two Banner Health physicians received Phoenix Fire Department’s inaugural Partner of the Year award for their role in a life-saving ice bag immersion protocol transforming emergency response to heat stroke across the Valley.
Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix toxicologist Jerry Snow, MD, and emergency medicine physician Aneesh Narang, MD, were recognized for their three-year collaboration with Phoenix Fire’s emergency medical services team on the rapid-cooling protocol.
Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition that requires rapid recognition and immediate intervention. Cold water immersion remains the most effective cooling method, and Phoenix Fire implemented the specialized immersion bag protocol in 2024 developed with Banner physicians.
Dr. Snow has led the study of ice water immersion for hyperthermia, an evidence-based treatment long utilized within toxicology at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix.
“These aren’t just partners, they’re teammates in helping us save lives,” said Mark Gonzalez, assistant chief of the Phoenix Fire Department.
The collaboration exemplifies Banner Health's commitment as a nonprofit health system to reinvest in innovative community health initiatives that save lives. In 2025 alone, Banner provided more than $1 billion in community benefit, funding more than 200 programs serving vulnerable populations across the six states it serves.
"I'm proud of this innovative work that exemplifies the collaborative spirit of our team and the commitment to advancing emergency medicine. This ice bag immersion protocol saves lives and represents the kind of evidence-based innovation that makes Banner a leader in healthcare," said Dan Post, chief executive officer of Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix. "We're honored to partner with Phoenix Fire Department in protecting our community, and grateful to physicians like Dr. Snow and Dr. Narang who translate clinical expertise into real solutions that make a difference."
The fire department honored the physicians along with other partners throughout the community. The awards ceremony was held April 9 part of the department's annual acknowledgement of its own staff excellence. This was the first year the department honored outside partners.
About Banner Health
Banner Health's mission is to make health care easier, so life can be better. As one of the nation's largest fully integrated nonprofit health systems, we are pioneering a sustainable care model that prioritizes prevention, manages chronic disease, and reduces health spending – succeeding when patients stay healthy, not when they get sick. We operate 33 hospitals and more than 400 sites across six states, delivering seamless care from primary to quaternary medicine, including health insurance, physician networks, world-renowned specialty services, and behavioral health. Accountable to the communities we serve, we reinvest every dollar into advancing care, research, and facilities, providing more than $1 billion each year in community benefit. Through our partnership with the University of Arizona, we drive clinical discoveries across more than 800 trials and train more than 1,300 residents and fellows annually. Headquartered in Arizona, we serve Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, and Wyoming. Our hospitals are consistently ranked among Arizona's top-performing by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com/about.
Caption: Receiving awards from Phoenix Fire Department were Babette Koenig, DO, of St. Joseph’s Hospital; Jerry Snow, MD, from Banner – University Medical Center; and Jeffrey Stowell, MD, and Geoffrey B. Comp, DO, of Valleywise Health.
For further information contact us at: [email protected]
