TUCSON, Ariz. (Feb. 27, 2026) — A new mural outside the pediatric emergency department at Banner Health’s Diamond Children’s Medical Center in Tucson has been completed by Tucson-based artist Camila Ibarra.
The mural is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the dedicated pediatric emergency department which opened earlier this year with expanded treatment capacity and sensory-friendly spaces designed specifically for children.
The mural, completed on Feb. 16, features a desert park scene with hidden wildlife elements woven throughout the artwork. Imagery included in the design was developed in consultation with the Tohono O’odham Nation and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe to ensure cultural elements were respectfully represented.
“Public art can have a powerful impact on people’s emotions and daily lives, especially in a hospital setting where visitors often arrive under challenging circumstances,” Ibarra said. “The goal of this mural was to brighten the environment and create an uplifting piece that offers a sense of hope and comfort during their time here.”
Ibarra specializes in desert landscapes and Sonoran cultural themes and worked closely with hospital staff to develop the final design.
“This beautiful mural reflects our commitment to creating spaces that support healing in every sense,” said Alison Flynn Gaffney, chief executive officer of Banner – University Medicine Tucson. “By involving community members and consulting our with local tribes, we ensured this artwork represents all communities we are privileged to serve.”
In January, approximately 100 people — including children, hospital team members and families — participated in a paint-by-number event, helping complete the base layers of the mural before Ibarra finalized the details.
Photos and video of the mural can be downloaded here, courtesy of BG Boyd.
About Banner – University Medical Center Tucson and South
Banner – University Medical Center Tucson and Banner – University Medical Center South are part of Banner – University Medicine, a premier academic medical network. These institutions are academic medical centers for the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson. Included on the two campuses are Diamond Children's Medical Center and many specialty clinics. The two academic medical centers are part of Arizona-based Banner Health, one of the largest nonprofit health care systems in the country. Banner Health is in six states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com/universitytucson or bannerhealth.com/universitysouth.
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