The Las Vegas Raiders and Intermountain Health today announced a $25 million gift to help build Nevada's first stand-alone children's hospital. 

The gift was led by Raiders owners Mark Davis, Egon Durban, and Michael Meldman – each of whom contributed $5 million toward the development – and the Raiders, which committed the additional $10 million.

“The Las Vegas Raiders are making our largest philanthropic commitment in franchise history because we are dedicated to building a healthier future for kids in Nevada,” said Mark Davis, owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. “We want this gift to remind children and families that they have our team backing them and that the support of the entire Raider Nation is in their corner.”  

The hospital, located at the UNLV Harry Reid Research and Technology Park, will be the first of its kind in Nevada, anchoring a new future for kids and families across the state and delivering comprehensive, high-acuity pediatric care. 

The 828,000 square-foot standalone children’s hospital will be located on a 33-acre campus and feature 180 patient beds, with room to grow. It will provide advanced emergency services designed specifically for children and a full spectrum outpatient center alongside inpatient and specialty care. 

“The Raiders are committed to excellence, and this gift is a generational investment that will keep families closer, strengthen our community, and give every kid every chance to thrive," said Mitch Cloward, Intermountain Health region president.

In recognition of this landmark gift, Intermountain Health Nevada Children’s Hospital’s physical therapy and rehabilitation space, along with its bistro – spaces designed for healing and recovery, will be named in the Raiders’ honor.

The future Las Vegas Raiders Bistro, located adjacent to the hospital’s main lobby, will provide nourishment, comfort, and a moment of respite for families. This will be a space where caregivers and parents navigating the complexities of having a child in the hospital can pause. Whether gathering strength for the next conversation, sharing a quiet meal, or seeking a moment of normalcy, families will find support here. 

"Sports remind us that we do our best when we have the right team around us," said Michael Meldman. "Families deserve to feel supported every step of the way. In addition to the experts at Intermountain Health, the Raiders family stands with our community's kids.”

The Las Vegas Raiders Inpatient Rehab Gym will help children heal, grow stronger, and regain confidence through movement and play. Purposefully created to be both innovative and whimsical, the space will feature advanced therapeutic equipment alongside playful design elements. Here, therapy will feel empowering and fun, while supporting physical recovery, nurturing resilience, independence, and joy. 

The Raiders’ commitment to children’s health helps make every developmental milestone possible.

“When we invest in children, we invest in everything that comes next — their education, their opportunities, and their future,” said Sandra Douglass Morgan, president of the Las Vegas Raiders. “We want Nevada’s kids to know that their home team is cheering them on.”

The Nevada Campaign for Kids will strengthen, address, and extend pediatric care for children across the region. Led by co-chairs Bill and Wendy Hornbuckle, this visionary effort will be accomplished through building a broad coalition of philanthropic, clinical, and community partners committed to exceptional care for children.

The Raiders monumental gift will help make that vision possible by expanding access to exceptional pediatric care and creating a hospital experience designed around the needs of children and families.

“This incredible gift honoring Raider Nation is among the largest contributed through an NFL franchise and serves as a pacesetting prelude to the region’s most impactful and galvanizing healthcare campaign for children ever,” said David Flood, president of Intermountain Foundation and chief development officer at Intermountain Health. “This great organization loves these communities, this state, their players and personnel, and of course, their incredible fans. From our very first conversations with the Raiders leaders, this gift was envisioned as a lasting investment in families for generations to come. We are honored, and hopeful, that many will soon be inspired to follow.”

Intermountain Health has been the official healthcare partner of the Las Vegas Raiders since 2019. Construction is expected to start on the hospital in the coming months, with an anticipated opening date in 2030.

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Intermountain Children’s Health has launched a new pediatric asthma initiative designed to help children receive more timely, consistent, and evidence-based care closer to home.

The goal of the new initiative is to help kids breathe easier, avoid unnecessary hospitalizations, and return to the activities they love.

The Intermountain initiative builds on proven asthma care practices at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, where changes in emergency medicine treatment has helped avoid about one in four hospitalizations for children with asthma.

Intermountain Children’s Health caregivers are now working to expand the same standard of care across other emergency departments at hospitals, urgent care clinics, and KidsCare clinics throughout Utah.

Asthma attacks can be frightening for children and their families.

During an attack, airways tighten, swell, and fill with mucus, making it difficult to breathe. Without the right treatment early, children may need emergency care, hospital admission, or transfer to a higher level of care.

To address this condition, Intermountain Children’s Health caregivers developed a standardized approach that helps care teams treat asthma symptoms quickly and consistently, regardless of where a child receives care.

“By acting quickly, caregivers can stabilize symptoms sooner, prevent escalation and transfers that take a child far from home, and reduce the need for hospital admission.,” said Mike Johnson, MD, a pediatrician in the emergency department at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital and an asthma care advocate. “We want caregivers to have every tool they need to start treatment sooner, when it can have the greatest impact.”

The initiative focuses on early treatment for children experiencing moderate to severe asthma attacks.

As part of this care process model, caregivers administer critical medications, including oral steroids, along with breathing treatments such as albuterol, as early as possible to open airways and reduce inflammation before hospitalization becomes necessary.

The work is already improving pediatric asthma care in emergency departments and the urgent care clinics across Utah.

At Intermountain Health, approximately 70% of the children with asthma in emergency departments now receive steroid within 60 minutes of arrival. This early intervention is helping kids get the right treatment closer to home.

In urgent care and KidsCare clinics across Utah, care teams are working to give steroids before albuterol treatment whenever appropriate.

This gives the steroid more time to work, may help reduce vomiting after treatment, and can help prevent a child from needing a transfer to an emergency department or hospital for admission.

More than 80% of children now receive a steroid before other treatments are started.

Together, these changes are helping more children receive the right care sooner and avoid unnecessary hospital stays. As the work expands to more sites, Intermountain Children’s Health leaders expect to prevent about one-fourth of asthma-related hospitalizations and transfers.

“The biggest win is that children across the state of Utah can now receive the same high standard of care in any Intermountain Health emergency department, urgent care clinic, or KidsCare location that they would get at Primary Children’s Hospital,” said Angelene Hunt, pediatric acute care clinical program manager for Intermountain Children’s Health.

The initiative also extends beyond hospital walls. Intermountain Health is partnering with local first responders, including South Davis Metro Fire, to begin treatment even before children arrive at the hospital.

“We’ve partnered with South Davis Metro Fire so children can receive medications like oral steroids and effective breathing treatments before they get to the emergency department,” said Tanner Trujillo, director of respiratory care services operations for pediatrics at Intermountain Health.

The initiative first launched in Intermountain Health clinics in Utah and is already showing promise as a scalable model for pediatric asthma care. 

Leaders now plan to expand the approach across the health system’s multi-state service area, so more children have access to timely, evidence-based care close to home.

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BILLINGS, Montana — Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital anunció hoy que recibió una extraordinaria donación de $5 millones de parte de la Fortin Family Foundation. Esta inversión clave ampliará el acceso a servicios pediátricos avanzados para niños y familias en Montana, Wyoming y el oeste de las Dakotas. 

“Desde hace muchos años, la Fortin Family Foundation apoya a St. Vincent, y nos honra ser una de las principales aliadas en este proyecto que tendrá un gran impacto”, dijo Danielle Moore, presidenta de la Fortin Family Foundation. “Nos enorgullece ayudar a impulsar esta visión, que marcará el futuro de la atención médica en Montana y garantizará una atención excepcional y compasiva para las próximas generaciones”.  

La campaña de St. Vincent Regional Hospital buscará reunir apoyo filantrópico integral para cuatro áreas fundamentales: el nuevo hospital de última generación, tecnología y equipos avanzados, excelencia clínica y ampliación de servicios y programas transformadores. La campaña está diseñada para que cada donante tenga una oportunidad de apoyar el área de atención médica que más le importe. La Fortin Family Foundation destinó su aporte a ampliar los servicios pediátricos. 

“El generoso apoyo de la Fortin Family Foundation demuestra su profundo compromiso con la salud y el bienestar de nuestra comunidad”, dijo Tyler Wiltgen, director ejecutivo de filantropía de Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital. Esta importante donación fortalecerá nuestra visión de ofrecer atención pediátrica del más alto nivel e inspirará a otros a sumarse a nuestro esfuerzo por construir un futuro más saludable para la región. 

Durante generaciones, St. Vincent Regional Hospital ha acompañado a niños y familias de toda la región como un aliado de confianza, con servicios pediátricos que se han adaptado para responder a necesidades cada vez mayores y más complejas. Los aportes filantrópicos, incluido el apoyo sostenido de la Fortin Family Foundation, han ayudado a que más personas accedan a atención especializada, a fortalecer alianzas y a acercar los servicios a las comunidades rurales. Cabe destacar que donaciones anteriores apoyaron la creación y el crecimiento de la Fortin Pediatric Specialty Clinic, desarrollada en colaboración con Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital y la University of Utah. Gracias a esta clínica, las familias de Montana pueden acceder a especialistas pediátricos de primer nivel sin salir del estado. 

Esta nueva donación se suma a ese legado y permitirá fortalecer aún más la atención pediátrica, incluidos la única unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos del este de Montana, una avanzada unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales de nivel III y el único programa de cirugía pediátrica de la región. Estas inversiones reflejan el compromiso continuo de garantizar que los niños y sus familias tengan acceso a una atención compasiva y de alta calidad, reducir la necesidad de viajar y favorecer mejores resultados para los pacientes y sus familias. Esta donación representa una de las inversiones en atención médica más importantes en la historia de Montana y refleja el compromiso de brindar atención integral y de alta calidad. 

La campaña de St. Vincent Regional Hospital representa una visión integral. Esta es una oportunidadúnica‑en‑una‑generación para construir un nuevocampus hospitalariode‑‑vanguardia‑y fortalecer los servicios que salvan vidas en las próximas décadas. Todo esto busca transformar la atención médica, ampliar el acceso a los servicios y garantizar que las personas puedan recibir atención excepcional cerca de sus hogares. 

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Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Billings, Montana, today announced an extraordinary $5 million gift from The Fortin Family Foundation. 

The leadership investment will expand access to advanced pediatric services for children and families across Montana, Wyoming, and the western Dakotas. 

“Building on a longstanding commitment to St. Vincent, The Fortin Family Foundation is honored to serve as a lead partner in this transformational effort,” said Danielle Moore, president of The Fortin Family Foundation. “We are proud to help advance a vision that will shape the future of healthcare in Montana and ensure exceptional, compassionate care for generations to come.”  

The Campaign for St. Vincent Regional Hospital will secure comprehensive philanthropic support for four essential pillars: the new state-of-the-art hospital, advanced technology and equipment, clinical excellence and expanded services, and transformational programs. The campaign is designed to offer every donor a meaningful opportunity to support the area of health care that matters most to them. The Fortin Family Foundation directed their commitment to expand pediatric services. 

“The Fortin Family Foundation’s extraordinary generosity reflects a deep commitment to the health and well-being of our community,” said Tyler Wiltgen, executive director of philanthropy at Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital. “This leadership gift will strengthen our vision for world-class pediatric care and inspire others to join us in shaping a healthier future for the region.” 

For generations, St. Vincent Regional Hospital has been a trusted partner in caring for children and families across the region, continually evolving its pediatric services to meet growing and complex needs. 

Philanthropic investments, including longstanding support from The Fortin Family Foundation, have helped expand access to specialty care, strengthen partnerships, and bring services closer to home for rural communities. 

Notably, prior gifts supported the creation and growth of The Fortin Pediatric Specialty Clinic, developed in collaboration with Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital and the University of Utah, connecting families in Montana to leading pediatric expertise without leaving the state. 

This latest gift builds on that legacy and will further enhance pediatric care, including eastern Montana’s only pediatric intensive care unit, an advanced Level III neonatal intensive care unit, and the region’s only pediatric surgery program. 

These investments reflect a continued commitment to ensuring children and families have access to high-quality, compassionate care, reducing the need for travel and supporting better outcomes for patients and their families. This gift represents one of the most significant healthcare investments in Montana’s history and reflects a commitment to delivering comprehensive, high-quality care. 

The Campaign for Intermountain St. Vincent Regional Hospital represents a comprehensive vision. This is a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to build a new, state‑of‑the‑art hospital campus and strengthen lifesaving services for decades to come. All designed to transform care, expand access, and ensure that extraordinary healthcare remains close to home. 

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La fundación benéfica Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust ha destinado $ 20 millones para que Intermountain Health expanda los servicios especializados en salud conductual pediátrica en Nevada, una de las inversiones filantrópicas más grandes de su tipo en la historia del estado.

Con este apoyo, se respaldará la expansión de servicios de salud conductual pediátrica de categoría mundial, abordando las brechas en el acceso a la atención especializada avanzada en Nevada. Este apoyo también representa un avance importante para garantizar que los niños reciban la atención que necesitan dentro de su comunidad.

Esta colaboración refleja una creencia compartida entre dos organizaciones sin fines de lucro impulsadas por una misión: que el acceso a la atención de calidad nunca dependa del código postal de una familia.

La fundación Helmsley Charitable Trust se ha comprometido de forma sostenida durante varios años para fortalecer la atención médica de Nevada, lo que incluye donaciones que expandieron el acceso a tecnología de oxigenación por membrana extracorpórea (ECMO, por sus siglas en inglés) que salva vidas y proporciona soporte temporal para el corazón y los pulmones de pacientes en estado crítico de todo el estado.

Intermountain Health, reconocida en el país por su excelencia en la atención pediátrica y respaldada por más de un siglo de experiencia en hospitales infantiles, está preparando el terreno para expandir su alto estándar de atención médica para las familias de Nevada. Esto incluye un predio con servicios integrales de categoría mundial y un hospital infantil de 826 600 (ochocientos veintiséis mil seiscientos) pies cuadrados.

Walter Panzirer, un fideicomisario de Helmsley Charitable Trust, anunció la entrega de $ 20 millones, con los que se respaldará el modelo de atención integral de salud conductual que expandirá el acceso, mejorará la continuidad de la atención y entregará tratamiento empírico para toda la gama de salud mental pediátrica. Gracias a este apoyo, se brindará una atención conductual pediátrica de categoría mundial en Nevada, garantizando que las familias se mantengan unidas en su comunidad durante una crisis médica.

Los jóvenes del sur de Nevada se beneficiarán de un sistema de atención conductual integral, indicó Panzirer. Gracias a esta financiación, se podrá establecer una atención centralizada continua con la que se garantice el acceso de los pacientes a servicios y profesionales médicos de primera clase.

“Muchos de nuestros niños y adolescentes atraviesan inconvenientes de conducta, lo que incluye enojo, ansiedad y depresión”, expresó Panzirer. “Al brindar a los jóvenes el acceso a servicios equitativos y apropiados para el desarrollo más cerca de su hogar, Intermountain fortalecerá la intervención temprana y reducirá la dependencia de la atención de emergencia o bajo hospitalización”.

Sobre la base de este apoyo, los líderes de Intermountain enfatizaron cómo la financiación acelera el impulso de la comunidad para expandir el acceso a servicios pediátricos avanzados.

“Este respaldo generoso nos permite definir más y amplificar un momento histórico para la salud infantil de Nevada”, dijo David Flood, jefe de desarrollo de Intermountain Health y presidente de Intermountain Foundation. “Todos los jóvenes se merecen la oportunidad de vivir la vida más saludable posible y, en la actualidad, se trata de enfrentar con intención uno de los mayores desafíos de la atención médica en el país, al tiempo que celebramos el poder y la esperanza que se generan y se fortalecen cuando trabajamos juntos”.

Este apoyo respaldará la campaña emergente de Intermountain Foundation para los niños de Nevada, un esfuerzo histórico presidido por Bill y Wendy Hornbuckle. La campaña apunta a promover la iniciativa más amplia de Intermountain de construir una atención pediátrica especializada continua en toda la región. Al hacerlo, Intermountain ayudará a las familias a permanecer unidas durante crisis médicas y mejorar los resultados médicos.

“Estamos construyendo una atención de salud conductual de categoría mundial, respaldada por nuestros talentosos empleados y desarrollada para los niños de hoy y de las próximas generaciones”, afirmó Mitch Cloward, presidente regional de Intermountain Health. “Este apoyo refleja lo que se puede hacer cuando organizaciones impulsadas por una misión trabajan juntas por los niños y sus familias”.

Helmsley Charitable Trust aspira a mejorar vidas respaldando esfuerzos excepcionales en los Estados Unidos y alrededor del mundo en iniciativas de salud y seleccionadas de acuerdo con el lugar. A la fecha, Helmsley ha otorgado más de $900 millones en donaciones para apoyar la salud rural en el Alto Medio Oeste y más allá, así como en dos territorios de los Estados Unidos en el Pacífico.

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Intermountain Health and Shriners Children’s anunciaron una afiliación colaborativa que establece un acceso más conveniente a la reconocida atención especializada sin fines de lucro en ortopedia pediátrica en Nevada. Ambas organizaciones han firmado una carta de intención para formar una nueva afiliación estratégica enfocada en mejorar la vida, el bienestar y la salud de los niños en el estado.

La afiliación une a dos organizaciones impulsadas por su misión con un compromiso compartido de ofrecer atención pediátrica especializada, segura y de alta calidad para todos los niños, independientemente de su capacidad de pago. A través de un liderazgo conjunto, gobernanza, planeamiento estratégico y operaciones coordinadas, la afiliación está diseñada para crear una línea de servicios sostenible e integrada en ortopedia y rehabilitación pediátrica que sirva tanto a las comunidades locales como regionales.

“Esta afiliación refleja nuestra creencia compartida de que los niños y las familias merecen la mejor atención posible cerca de su hogar”, dijo Mitch Cloward, presidente regional de Intermountain Health. “Al unir los recursos de Intermountain, la experiencia clínica y el profundo compromiso con la salud comunitaria con las capacidades especializadas de Shriners Children’s, estamos fortaleciendo un modelo de atención que mejora el acceso, apoya a las familias y ayuda a los niños a recibir la atención adecuada cuando más la necesitan”.

“Cuando servimos juntos, podemos hacer más por la comunidad”, dijo Mandy Richards, DNP, RN, directora ejecutiva de enfermería y presidenta de Children's Health en Intermountain Health. “En el centro de esta afiliación se encuentra un compromiso común en construir un modelo de cuidados médicos que mejoren el acceso al cuidado pediátrico y al resultado de estos cuidados. Al reunir los recursos y la experiencia clínica de Intermountain con las capacidades especializadas de Shriners Children’s, podemos seguir llegando a más niños que necesitan atención”.

Como parte de esta afiliación y como muestra de su compromiso duradero con la comunidad de Las Vegas, Shriners Children’s tendrá una clínica ortopédica pediátrica independiente ubicada dentro de la recientemente construida Intermountain Health Badura Clinic, en el suroeste de Las Vegas, la cual se anticipa abrirá sus puertas este verano, y posteriormente en el Outpatient Services Center en el campus de Intermountain Health Nevada Children’s Hospital. Shriners Children’s también será el proveedor oficial de servicios ortopédicos, empleando personal clínico y no clínico que respalda sus operaciones.

“Shriners Children’s ha servido a los niños de Nevada durante décadas por medio de clínicas de ayuda comunitaria y telesalud”, dijo Leslie Stewart, MD, presidente de la junta directiva de Shriners Children’s. “Esta clínica representa un paso hacia adelante importante al continuar proveyendo nuestro cuidado pediátrico especializado a más niños en una comunidad en expansión. Nos enorgullece expandir nuestra misión en colaboración con Intermountain Health, y servir a más niños y familias en el área de Las Vegas”.

Esta afiliación también incluye planes de explorar un modelo de colaboración clínica. A través de esta estructura, las organizaciones podrán coordinarse en base a protocolos clínicos basados en las mejores prácticas, el uso compartido de datos y la integración clínica en el campo de cuidados médicos. Todo esto con el objetivo de ofrecer servicios de alto valor y costo efectivo a pacientes pediátricos y sus familias.

Para apoyar el éxito a largo plazo de esta afiliación y reforzar el compromiso compartido de mejorar la vida de los niños y las familias en la comunidad, Shriners Children’s proporcionará recursos dedicados y experiencia estratégica para apoyar a Intermountain Health Nevada Children’s Hospital y fortalecer sus servicios de ortopedia y rehabilitación pediátrica, en alineación con la misión de Shriners Children’s de ofrecer atención compasiva y de alta calidad.

Además, Shriners Children’s se comprometerá a proporcionar asistencia financiera para los pacientes de Shriners Children’s que reciban servicios a través del hospital y la línea de servicios, trabajando en coordinación con pagadores externos y con los programas de asistencia financiera de Intermountain.

Esta afiliación se basa en la sólida relación existente entre Intermountain Health y Shriners Children’s en Utah, donde ambas organizaciones están dedicadas a avanzar la atención pediátrica. “Cuando Intermountain Health y Shriners Children’s trabajan juntos en Primary Children’s Hospital, nuestra comunidad se beneficia”, dijo Dustin Lipson, presidente de Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital en Salt Lake City. “Estamos uniendo experiencia, compasión y propósito para asegurarnos de que los niños de toda la región tengan acceso a las mejores innovaciones en atención pediátrica”.

Aun cuando esta sea la primera vez que Shriner’s tenga presencia en las nuevas clínicas de Nevada, ya han formado parte de la comunidad por décadas a través de clínicas comunitarias y proporcionando transporte a sus ubicaciones en el sur de California y Salt Lake City. Además, el torneo de golf Shriners Children’s Open PGA Tour y el juego de fútbol americano universitario East-West Shrine Bowl, han tenido una conexión duradera con el área de Las Vegas.

Juntos, Intermountain Health y Shriners Children’s impulsarán enfoques innovadores en la prestación de atención pediátrica, respetarán y honrarán la historia y misión únicas de cada organización, y colaborarán de manera transparente para ayudar a que los niños de nuestra comunidad vivan sus vidas más saludables.

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Intermountain Health and Shriners Children’s announced a collaborative affiliation that establishes more convenient access to renowned nonprofit pediatric orthopedic specialty care in Nevada. 

Both organizations have signed a letter of intent to form a new strategic affiliation focused on improving the lives, wellbeing, and health of children in the state.

The affiliation brings together two mission-driven organizations with a shared commitment to delivering safe, high-quality, and specialized pediatric care for all children – regardless of the ability to pay. Through joint leadership, governance, strategic planning, and coordinated operations, the affiliation is designed to create a sustainable and integrated pediatric orthopedic and rehabilitation service line serving both local and regional communities.

“This affiliation reflects our shared belief that children and families deserve the very best care, close to home,” said Mitch Cloward, Intermountain Health region president. “By bringing together Intermountain’s resources, clinical expertise, and deep commitment to community health with the specialized capabilities of Shriners Children’s, we’re strengthening a model of care that improves access, supports families, and helps kids get the right care when they need it most.”

“When we serve together, we can do more for our community," said Mandy Richards, DNP, RN, chief nursing executive and president of Children's Health at Intermountain Health. "At the heart of this affiliation is a shared commitment to build a model of care that improves access to pediatric care and advances outcomes. By bringing together Intermountain’s resources and clinical expertise with the specialized capabilities of Shriners Children’s we can continue to reach more children who need care.”

As part of the affiliation, and as a demonstration of their long-standing commitment to the Las Vegas community, Shriners Children’s will own and operate an independent pediatric orthopedic clinic, located within the newly constructed Intermountain Health Badura Clinic in southwest Las Vegas, scheduled to open this summer, and eventually the Outpatient Services Center on the Intermountain Health Nevada Children’s Hospital campus. Shriners Children’s will also serve as the provider of record for orthopedic services, employing clinical and nonclinical staff supporting its operations.

"Shriners Children's has been serving Nevada children for decades through outreach clinics and telehealth," said Leslie Stewart, MD, chairman of the Board of Trustees for Shriners Children's. "This clinic represents an important step forward in continuing to provide our specialized pediatric care to more children in a growing community. We are proud to expand our mission in partnership with Intermountain Health and to serve more children and families in the Las Vegas area."

The affiliation also includes plans to explore a clinical collaboration model. Through this structure, the organizations will coordinate on best practice clinical protocols, data sharing to support quality improvement, and clinical integration across care settings, all with the goal of delivering high-value, cost-effective services to pediatric patients and their families.

To support the long-term success of this affiliation and to further a shared commitment to improving the lives of children and families in the community, Shriners Children’s will provide dedicated resources and strategic expertise to support the Intermountain Health Nevada Children’s Hospital and strengthen its pediatric orthopedic and rehabilitation services in alignment with the Shriners Children's mission of delivering high-quality, compassionate care.

In addition, Shriners Children’s will commit financial assistance for Shriners Children’s patients receiving services through the hospital and service line, working in coordination with third-party payers and Intermountain’s financial assistance programs.

This affiliation builds on the strong existing relationship between Intermountain Health and Shriners Children’s in Utah, where both organizations are dedicated to advancing pediatric care for kids. “When Intermountain Health and Shriners Children’s work together at Primary Children’s Hospital, our community benefits,” says Dustin Lipson, president of Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. “We are uniting expertise, compassion, and purpose to ensure that children across the region have access to the very best innovations in pediatric care.”

While Shriner’s will be new to Nevada in terms of the new clinics, they have been a part of the community for decades through outreach clinics and transportation to their facilities in Southern California and Salt Lake City. Additionally, the Shriners Children’s Open PGA Tour golf tournament and East-West Shrine Bowl college all-star football game have long-standing connections to the Las Vegas area.

Together, Intermountain Health and Shriners Children’s will advance innovative approaches to pediatric healthcare delivery, respect and uphold the unique history and mission of each organization, and collaborate transparently to help children in our community live their healthiest lives.

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Intermountain Health has selected experienced healthcare leader, Russ Williams, as the president of Intermountain Health Nevada Children’s Hospital.   

In his new position, Williams will help lead the development and future operations of Nevada’s first standalone children’s hospital.  

Williams brings more than two decades of leadership experience in pediatric and academic healthcare.   

“The Nevada Children’s Hospital represents one of the most important investments we can make in the future of our region. Families across our state deserve access to world-class, comprehensive pediatric care close to home, and this hospital will transform what is possible for generations to come,” said Mitch Cloward, Intermountain’s region president. “Russ brings the proven leadership, vision, and expertise needed to guide this critical work forward.” 

Most recently, Williams served in senior leadership roles at Texas Children’s Hospital in Austin, Texas, where he supported a rapidly growing pediatric platform and strengthened partnerships across clinical, academic, and community teams.   

Williams has also held leadership positions at Seattle Children’s, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, and the University of Minnesota Medical Center. Across these roles, Williams led system operations, regional programs, patient experience efforts, and major capital philanthropic projects—including the opening of new children’s hospitals.   

“His deep experience in pediatric healthcare and his commitment to community partnership make him the right leader at the right moment. We are proud to welcome Russ, and we look forward to building a stronger, healthier future for Nevada’s children together," said Cloward. “His experience and steady leadership will play a key role as we build and prepare to open Nevada Children’s Hospital.”  

"Russ understands that this extraordinary opportunity to significantly transform pediatric health across Nevada does not happen without community," said Mandy Richards, DNP, RN, chief nursing executive and president of Children's Health at Intermountain Health. "Russ' commitment to partnering with caregivers, physicians, community leaders, philanthropic supporters, and families will increase the access to pediatric care that is needed today and build a healthy future for our children tomorrow."  

Intermountain Health will build the stand-alone children’s hospital at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Harry Reid Research and Technology Park, in southwest Las Vegas. In 2025, Intermountain announced the architects and contractors for the project and subsequently began design work. 

Intermountain Health is committed to fund two-thirds of the $1 billion+ project needed to complete the comprehensive vision for Nevada Children’s Health, including the standalone children’s hospital. Intermountain has commissioned Intermountain Foundation to seek the remaining funding through philanthropic support.  

“This is more than a philanthropic campaign – this is a historic moment,” said David Flood, president of Intermountain Foundation and chief development officer at Intermountain Health. “We are essentially committing two dollars for every dollar of philanthropic support invested by our community because we believe this hospital deserves nothing less than bold, visionary partnership.” 

“Having recently surpassed $640 million in contributions for Primary Children’s Hospitals in Utah, we credit that campaign’s success to the generous Utah donor community who dreamed big and helped us reimagine what pediatric care could be for our communities,” added Flood. “We’re now working with donors, community leaders, and organizations in Nevada to envision and create transformational change that will outlast all of us.”  

Intermountain Foundation announced Bill and Wendy Hornbuckle last fall to lead the Nevada Campaign for Kids – the most ambitious philanthropic effort ever undertaken to launch comprehensive children’s health services in the state.  

“Building Nevada’s first standalone children’s hospital demands bold leadership – and we have that with Intermountain Health and Russ Williams,” said Bill Hornbuckle, chief executive officer and president of MGM Resorts International and Intermountain Health’s Campaign for Kids chair. “Russ understands that life-changing healthcare requires legacy-defining philanthropy. The partnership between Intermountain Health and our community of donors will define what is possible. I am proud to stand beside them and invite our community’s leaders to join us in building something that will change the trajectory of healthcare in Nevada forever.”    

For more information, visit connect.intermountainhealth.org/childrens-health-nevada.  

# # #

Children in Utah and southern Idaho suffering from stroke now can see a pediatric stroke expert via Intermountain Children’s Health’s virtual stroke network – the largest, most robust in the country – and get the rapid, lifesaving diagnoses they need close to home.

The Intermountain Children’s Health Pediatric Telestroke network gives families access to a pediatric stroke expert at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital in partnership with University of Utah Health’s Department of Pediatrics, at a time when every second counts.

Telestroke access is available to kids at any one of Intermountain Health’s 24 hospitals in Utah and Idaho.

“Kids have strokes too,” said Lisa Pabst, MD, pediatric neurologist and stroke expert at University of Utah Health and Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. “But often diagnosis is delayed, or kids get a misdiagnosis, because stroke presents differently in kids than it does in adults. It’s important for emergency rooms to know the signs, and take fast action to save a child’s future mobility and possibly, their life.”

Stroke is caused when blood flow in the brain is blocked, causing parts of the brain to be deprived of oxygen and start to die.

With stroke, the faster the diagnosis and treatment, the better the outcome. This is true for patients of all ages, including infants.

But kids having strokes rarely get the rapid response they need, and have disproportionate rates of disability and death due to stroke.

That’s because stroke is less common in children, and the symptoms look different than they do in adults. Kids having a stroke may have face-drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech or difficulty speaking or understanding speech, vision problems, and confusion – also common symptoms of adult stroke. But infants and toddlers having a stroke may also appear unresponsive or extremely sleepy, have a seizure, or use only half their bodies. Older children may experience dizziness or sudden, severe headaches and vomiting.

That’s what happened to Lucy Merrell, now a high school sophomore and stroke survivor.

In the spring of Lucy’s eighth-grade year, she was gearing up for a two-hour soccer practice when she got a splitting headache. Lying down didn’t help.

“I didn’t know what to do and immediately had a thought in my head to go and find mom,” said Lucy, who lives in American Fork. “I was going down the hall and trying to hold on. I was trying to speak, but couldn’t think of the words. I knew what I wanted to say, but it wouldn’t come out.”

Lucy’s mom Melanie at first thought Lucy was teasing because she didn’t want to go to practice. She quickly realized it was no joke.

“Lucy sat on the floor and then couldn’t pull herself up to the couch. I noticed one side of her face was droopy,” Melanie said. “I’m thinking, why am I seeing signs of stroke in her? Kids don’t have strokes.”

Lucy’s family took her to a local emergency room, where her dad encouraged a doctor to call Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. There, the pediatric neurology team guided the doctor through an exam, ordered at CT scan and MRI, and diagnosed Lucy with ischemic stroke, which is a critical reduction in blood flow to the brain.

Lucy was rushed by ambulance to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City where Craig Kilburg, MD, a board certified endovascular and open vascular neurosurgeon at University of Utah Health and Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, removed two blood clots from her brain.

While recovering in the hospital a few days later, Lucy suffered another stroke. The part of her brain affected by the stroke had briefly worsened, because the vessel supplying blood to it was irritated, Dr. Pabst said. Bed rest, fluids, and medications helped stabilize blood flow and gave the blood vessel time to recover.

While classmates were completing the school year, Lucy focused on physical, occupational and speech therapies.

A few months later, Lucy was able to join her classmates on the first day of high school. She took honors classes and earned all A’s.

The accomplishment was nothing short of a miracle – one of many her parents say they experienced.

“To see how big the stroke was on the MRI, and have it be where she doesn’t exhibit any symptoms of it, that is a miracle,” said Lucy’s dad Randy, also expressing gratitude for the expertise of Drs. Pabst and Kilburg.

Lucy’s April 2024 stroke happened shortly before Intermountain Children’s Health’s Telestroke rollout. Luckily, the local doctor’s phone call to Dr. Pabst’s team prevented what could have been a tragedy.

“The new Intermountain Children’s Health virtual network of care gives patients access to the highest quality of care from experts at Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital, regardless of where they live within the network,” said Amy Back, RN, Director of Pediatric Telehealth Services for Intermountain Children’s Health. “This will help improve kids’ health outcomes and lower costs to families. Plus, it’s the right thing to do.”

The Intermountain Children’s Health Telestroke network promises to help kids like Lucy access the same expertise from any of Intermountain Health’s 24 hospitals in Utah or southern Idaho. Here’s how it works:

• Emergency room caregivers use Telestroke to connect to Dr. Pabst and her team at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City.

• Primary Children’s stroke experts see the child through video conferencing and ask questions. They work with the local team to run diagnostics, which may include asking the child to respond to commands like lifting one arm or kicking one leg.

• The physicians in both locations determine next steps for treatment with the goal of restoring blood flow to the brain. This may include having the child lie flat, administering IV fluids and/or blood-thinning medications, or in more severe cases, transferring the child to Primary Children’s Hospital for ongoing care, which may include surgery.

To be successful, the pediatric Telestroke network required collaboration, education, and training with each of the 24 hospitals’ emergency physicians and caregivers working in related areas, including stroke coordinators, Dr. Pabst said.

During its phase-in year, the Telestroke network helped 19 children. Dr. Pabst says the number may rise through 2026 because it is now fully implemented in Intermountain Health’s Utah and Idaho hospitals – and expansion is currently underway, made possible by support from Intermountain Foundation.

In the future, Intermountain Children’s Health leaders want to expand Telestroke access to other Intermountain care sites in Nevada, Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming to help even more kids like Lucy.

Today, Lucy likes to do arts and crafts, design sweatshirts, and bake triple chocolate chunk cookies. She loves to sing and just returned from New York City where she and her school choir group performed at Carnegie Hall. She enjoys working at a local restaurant – her first job – driving and being with family and friends.

On the April 8 anniversary of her stroke, she and her family want to prepare meals for other families at the hospital’s Ronald McDonald Family Room, where they were helped. 

They also plan to continue taking part in the American Heart Association’s annual Utah Heart and Stroke Walk, which has been humbling for Lucy. Her premiere walk team included Dr. Pabst and her care team, family, friends, and two child stroke survivors who at the time used wheelchairs.

“I was the only stroke survivor who could walk,” she said of her first Stroke Walk. “It was hard to see the other kids in wheelchairs, but I know they will all heal because I was healed.” 

                                                                                                                                        ###

Colorado, Montana and Utah are ranked in the nation’s top six states for protecting children against RSV – an achievement that follows Intermountain Health’s intensive efforts to educate expectant mothers and parents of newborns about how RSV protection can prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and even death in a baby's first year of life.  

When protected mothers who pass antibodies to their newborns are included in those numbers, Utah is ranked No. 1 in the country for protecting children against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), according to a Centers for Disease Control summary of the 2024-25 RSV season.

Additionally, Utah babies with RSV protection, either from antibodies passed from their moms at birth or from an RSV immunization, were nine times less likely to be hospitalized, and five times less likely to need intensive care to help them breathe if they were hospitalized, than babies without RSV protection, Intermountain Children’s Health experts have found.  

RSV is a highly contagious virus that causes bronchiolitis, a lung infection that can result in severe illness in infants. Every year in the United States, RSV is linked to thousands of hospitalizations, hundreds of deaths, and millions of clinic visits in children under the age of 5.  

“The ability to keep babies well and out of the hospital with a single shot is a game-changer,” said Carolyn Reynolds, executive director of the Intermountain Children’s Health-Ambulatory Clinical Program. “Having an infant with RSV is very stressful for parents, especially when the child requires hospitalization or ventilation to help them breathe. RSV protection is something that can really improve lives for infants and families and save health care costs.”

RSV season typically begins every fall and continues through early spring. Vaccines to help prevent serious and potentially life-threatening RSV were unveiled in 2023, and became more readily available to expectant mothers and infants beginning in the 2024-2025 RSV season.

Expectant moms in their third trimester of pregnancy (between 32-36 weeks gestation) can get the maternal RSV protection Abrysvo, and pass the antibodies to their babies to help protect them during their first few vulnerable months of life.  

Infants whose moms didn’t receive the shot during pregnancy, as well as those born outside of RSV season (between April and September), can receive the RSV protection in the form of Nirsevimab monoclonal antibodies at the start of every October.

Because many parents didn’t know about the new RSV protection in 2024, Intermountain Health worked with its network of providers and affiliates including pediatricians, obstetricians, and mom-and-baby care providers in Utah, Colorado, and Montana to raise awareness.

Before the 2024-2025 RSV season began, pediatricians’ offices called families whose babies were born between April 1 and Sept. 30, and whose moms didn’t get vaccinated, and offered to make appointments for them to get the shots.

RSV vaccine was offered before newborns went home from the hospital and at well child checkups. Intermountain Health also provided funding to help expand access to RSV protection in local clinics.  

Following those efforts, Utah, Colorado, and Montana – all of which are within the Intermountain Health system of care – are ranked in the nation’s top six states for protecting children against RSV, according to a Centers for Disease Control summary of the 2024-25 RSV season. When protected mothers who pass antibodies to their newborns are included in those numbers, Utah is ranked No. 1.

Additionally, Intermountain Children’s Health gathered data about how RSV protection affected its Utah infant patients and young children in the 2024-2025 RSV season. It found:

·         16,000 Utah Intermountain infant patients and about 20 percent of expectant mothers received RSV protection.

·         Just 1 in 400 babies with RSV protection were hospitalized. By comparison, 1 in 48 babies without RSV protection were hospitalized.  

·         Of those hospitalized, fewer than 1 in 1,000 protected babies needed intensive care to help them breathe, compared to 1 in 200 unprotected babies.

·         So far this RSV season, twice as many expectant mothers – 40 percent – have opted for RSV protection.  

Intermountain Children’s Health is gathering data on RSV protection for its patients in Colorado, Montana, and Utah during the current respiratory season. Reynolds believes results will be similar.

“Families are seeing that this is something that can really boost health for infants, relieve hospitals from overcrowding, and reduce costs for everyone,” Reynolds said. “The data we collected shows that we made a huge difference.”  

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Intermountain Health’s Primary Promise campaign has inspired more than $642 million in community gifts to build the nation’s model health system for children, making it the most significant investment ever made in the health and wellness of children in Utah.

Led through Intermountain Foundation, the transformative five-year Primary Promise campaign exceeded its original goal of $500 million to bring its vision to life through a vital partnership between Intermountain Health and philanthropic members of the community.  

The Primary Promise campaign culminated in a special celebration and announcement that engaged Intermountain Health caregivers and leaders and patient families – including the child receiving Utah’s first fetal surgery while still in her mother’s womb.

She’s now 4 years old and thriving.

"We are grateful for the Intermountain Foundation’s leadership, and the community’s support of Primary Promise, which has transformed how Intermountain Children’s Health cares for our children, created stronger systems of support, and helped every child we serve live their healthiest life," said Mandy Richards, RN, chief nursing executive at Intermountain Health and president of Intermountain Children’s Health. “Our community and generous donors have built a legacy of commitment that opens doors for children in our care today, and for those who will rely on us tomorrow to overcome their challenges and reach their full potential.” 

Primary Promise is the single largest philanthropic initiative in Intermountain Health’s 50-year history. The multi-faceted plan addressed three goals:

• Strengthen Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital.
• Address the emerging needs of children.
• Extend access to comprehensive pediatric care to more communities across Utah and the Mountain West.

As the campaign progressed, so did its financial target – from $500 million to a minimum of $600 million – a bold shift in response to community calls for more behavioral health services that ultimately created the new Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital Behavioral Health Center, Taylorsville Campus.

Primary Promise goals also were addressed by providing robust fetal care including fetal surgery; expanding autism services, lifelong child health and safety initiatives, personalized medicine, and telehealth access to pediatric care; redesigning newborn intensive care and cancer spaces in Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, Salt Lake Campus; and by opening a second hospital campus, named the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Campus, in Lehi, Utah.

Primary Promise was led by four civic and community business leaders:

• Gail Miller, founder, owner, and past chair of Larry H. Miller Company, and chair emeritus of the Intermountain Health Board of Trustees.
• Crystal Maggelet, chair and CEO of FJ Management Inc. and Intermountain Health trustee emeritus.
• Steve Lund, co-founder and executive board chair of Nu Skin Enterprises.
• Spencer Zwick, co-founder & managing partner of Solamere Capital.

“Primary Promise is about being part of something greater,” Lund said. “To everyone who gave in memory of a loved one — as our family has — our hearts are with you, today and always. And your gifts have made a profound difference that honors those we love. Who could ask for a brighter legacy?”

Abigail Rose is a living legacy of Primary Promise.

In 2021, she became the first child ever to receive an in-utero fetal surgery in the state of Utah, through what is now called the Grant Scott Bonham Fetal Center at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. Previously, this complex and often life-saving surgery was available at only a few hospitals nationwide.  

When Abigail Rose’s mom, Alisha, was pregnant, an ultrasound showed that her fetus had spina bifida – a condition that leaves an area of the spine open and nerves exposed.

Doctors performed surgery on the fetus to address the anomaly. At the time, Alisha was around 25-weeks gestation. That gave time so the fetal spine could heal as part of its natural development. 

A month after fetal surgery, Abigail Rose was born.

She has grown to become an energetic, happy, mobile 4-year-old, who lives with her family in Idaho Falls. She loves to play with her Barbies, ride horses, sing songs with her mom, dance with friends, and watch sports with her dad, Nick. Physical and occupational therapy has helped her to achieve milestones that her family never expected to see, from crawling to walking with a walker. 

“We took a leap of faith with fetal surgery, and they saved Abby,” Alisha says. “The future for Primary Children’s patients is already brighter because of our fetal surgery. It’s phenomenal to have this in our region. The people who gave to Primary Promise have helped more kids than they’ll ever know. Abby is living proof.”

Here’s how Primary Promise has helped kids and families:

Autism Services were added to address a rapidly increasing need.

• The Adaptive Care Program launched last year, supporting nearly 500 children with a developmental disability.
• Primary Children's Applied Behavior Analysis clinic opened earlier this year at Intermountain Riverton Hospital to support children with autism and their families. 

Behavioral Health

• Primary Children’s programs have grown by 78% in the last five years, providing care for 40% more children during that time.
• More than 10,000 children served in 2024.
• The new Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital Behavioral Health Center opened in Taylorsville in the summer of 2025, with family-centered care, hospital and clinic programs, and a walk-in crisis center that’s always open. The State of Utah invested $25 million to help build the center.

Grant Scott Bonham Fetal Center is the first of its kind in the Mountain West and is Utah’s only comprehensive fetal care center, offering world-class treatment for high-risk pregnancies, including fetal surgeries.

• 2,000 patients are served each year.
• First fetoscopic laser ablation for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome performed in 2023.

Healthy Kids keeps children safe and healthy in their homes and communities. 

• In 2024, nearly 900 families were referred to the Mom, Baby, and Family Home Visiting Program, which provided more than 550 home visits per month, to help families get off to a great start.
• 92,000 books were given to families through the Reach Out and Read Program during their well-child checkups.
• Triple the number of safety devices, such as infant car seats and helmets, were given to families in 2024.

Network of Care brings Primary Children’s care closer to home through telehealth visits with pediatric experts.  

• 450,000+ telehealth visits since 2021 have connected kids and families with pediatric care experts.
• More than half of the children seen in emergency telehealth visits last year were safely allowed to return home to recover, avoiding unnecessary hospital stays.
• The School-Based Telehealth program launched in 2023, allowing 96% of kids to receive care and return to class, saving an estimated 15,000+ days of school. 

Newborn Intensive Care: A modern, state-of-the-art Level 4 NICU provides newborn babies with the most focused level of specialty care.

• NICU rooms are designed for families to stay with their babies.
• Families who can’t be there in person can access Angel Eye Camera Technology – they did so 78,000 times last year – to check on their baby anytime, from anywhere. 

Personalized Medicine

• 150+ patients with complex medical conditions last year received rapid whole genome sequencing to speed up diagnosis and customize treatment.  
• 4,000+ patients received integrated genetic services in 2024.

Second Hospital Campus

The Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Campus opened in Lehi in February 2024 to serve the rapidly growing pediatric population in southern Salt Lake County and Utah County. This new hospital provided exceptional care for the community during its first year, including the following:

• More than 18,000 patients visited the Emergency Department.
• More than 72,000 clinic visits.
• More than 14,000 patients stayed the night in the hospital closer to home.

Sorenson Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders is a redesigned cancer care space to provide cutting-edge, nationally ranked care at Primary Children's Hospital — Salt Lake Campus.

• 200+ children rang the bell to celebrate the end of their cancer treatment last year.
• 2 academic endowed chairs were created:
  • Ryan and Ashley Smith Presidential Chair
  • FIVE For the Fight Chair in Pediatric Cancer Research.

Teen-to-Adult Care gives teens skills and resources to live their healthiest lives into adulthood.

• The Primary Children's Hospital “You & I Health Club” supports teens as they move into adult care for diabetes, heart, and other chronic conditions.  
• 442 patients supported in 2024.

“Together we’re directly contributing to lifesaving and life-changing advancements for children everywhere,” Zwick said. “It’s truly an honor for us to help write the next page beyond the history of this revered cause.”

Intermountain Health’s work to build the nation’s model health system for children will continue. In Montana, specialty care access for children is expanding. In Nevada, Intermountain is creating a comprehensive campaign for children’s health with plans to build Nevada’s first standalone children’s hospital in Las Vegas.

 “With you, our donor family, we’ve created an enhanced environment to provide the best pediatric care in the world,” Miller said. “Our legacy is that we did not hesitate. And this work will continue to move forward. We invite every member of the community, within and beyond these walls, to partner with us, so that together, we will forever keep The Child First and Always.” 

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Children coming to the hospital for emergency medical care may look and act like small humans, but their needs – especially in a medical emergency – greatly differ from adults. 

That’s the premise behind Colorado Pediatric Preparedness for the Emergency Room (COPPER). 

Intermountain Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette is now recognized as a COPPER Pediatric Advanced designated hospital. Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital in Grand Junction also carries the designation.   

The COPPER designation underscores the hospital’s commitment to providing exceptional medical care to children in emergency situations. The certification, awarded by the Emergency Medical Services for Children program, ensures the highest standards of safety and preparedness for those young patients.  

Intermountain Good Samaritan Hospital caregivers began the journey a year ago by updating policies, obtaining specialized equipment, and ensuring caregivers participated in ongoing education. The team had elements in place to address the unique needs of children in emergencies, and this recognition reinforces that commitment.   

“We are proud of the strides we have made in pediatric care and the positive impact it has on our communities,” said Jannice Juliano, regional service line director for emergency and trauma care for Intermountain Health. 

Juliano is the former emergency department director for Intermountain St. Mary’s Hospital and helped lead that team to achieve the designation.   

Pediatric patients comprise more than 5% of the overall annual volume of patients treated in the Good Samaritan Hospital emergency room, but those patients have unique needs. 

“It’s a lower volume, high risk population for us,” said Marian Dirks, emergency department director at Intermountain Good Samaritan Hospital. “We want to make sure that we are focused on the things we need to do for the pediatric population because they’re not just small adults.”  

Intermountain Health, which has 34 hospitals in six states, continues to support pediatric readiness efforts across the system including regular meetings with the pediatric emergency care coordinators.

Intermountain Children’s Health today unveiled the Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital Behavioral Health Center-Taylorsville Campus, bringing vital family-centered mental and behavioral health services – including an always-open walk-in crisis center – to kids and teens needing support.

The new Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital Behavioral Health Center is a 90,000-square-foot facility made possible by a $25 million investment from the State of Utah and philanthropic donations to Primary Promise, Intermountain Health’s historic campaign to build the nation’s model health system for children.

The Behavioral Health Center’s opening marks a leap forward in expanding critically needed mental health services in a state where suicide remains a leading cause of death for youth.

Built on the former Wasatch Canyons campus at 5770 South 1500 West, in Taylorsville, Utah, the new Center opens to kids and families on Saturday, September 6.

“I remember being really scared and worried. When I started coming to Primary Children’s it really helped me,” said Wren, who marked her 12th birthday by cutting the ribbon on the Center after 300 state, community, and Intermountain Health leaders and caregivers sang the birthday song for her. “I want other kids to know that it’s not just them that have worries, and there’s ways to fix it … they’re not the only ones having the hard times.”

Utah, like many states in the nation, is experiencing a pediatric mental health crisis. 

In 2023, 23 percent of Utah high school students seriously contemplated suicide. Nine percent attempted suicide, and 37 percent felt sad or hopeless.

To help meet the need, Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital has increased its behavioral health programs by 78 percent and has served 40 percent more kids in the past five years.

The need for care keeps growing.

In 2024, Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital behavioral health programs helped more than 10,000 kids. They’re expected to help even more this year.

“Each child in our community is an important part of Intermountain’s mission,” said Rob Allen, president and chief executive officer of Intermountain Health. “Every child deserves the chance to thrive and live their healthiest life. They are the hope and promise of the future. This Center is an important part of providing critically needed behavioral health services to Utah’s children and families.”

The new state-of-the art, family-centered facility features:

• Patient rooms where parents can stay overnight with their child. 
• Family-friendly perks like spacious waiting rooms, and a café.
• 50 percent more inpatient beds than the previous facility that can be adapted to each child’s needs. 
• Large outpatient spaces with natural light, quiet rooms, and sensory spaces. 
• A new Crisis Walk-In Center, which is always open.

The Center also includes these free services:

• The statewide Assessment, Referral, Consultation Service (ARCS) service line that connects families to behavioral health resources or an appointment at 385-478-2400.
• The Stabilization and Mobile Response program, which sends a professional to your home to help a child or teen. It’s available by dialing 988 or using the SafeUT app.

“Family-centered care is critical to kids’ healing, and this building is designed for families,” said Amanda Choudhary, president of the Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital-Taylorsville Campus and leader of the Behavioral Health service line for Intermountain Children’s Health. “Our dedicated teams have been working tirelessly to prepare the facility, and we can’t wait to welcome our first patients.”

Construction on the Center was accelerated thanks to the state’s $25 million appropriation.

“It’s because of the shared commitment of Intermountain Children’s Health, the State of Utah, and supporters of Primary Promise that we are able to answer the emerging needs of a growing pediatric population and open this new Behavioral Health Center,” said Mandy Richards, president of Intermountain Children’s Health and chief nursing executive for Intermountain Health. “We are grateful for the community support that has turned a promise into reality for children across the State of Utah.”

“Children’s behavioral health is one of the most important and challenging issues of our time. The State of Utah is proud to support Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital in this critical endeavor,” Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson said. “The $25 million investment from the state shows that no child or family is alone in their mental health journey. We are all in this together.”

Support of Intermountain Health’s historic Primary Promise campaign to build the nation’s model health system for children created momentum for expanded behavioral health services. Julie and Gregory P. Cook’s family was the first to invest in Primary Promise with a transformational $10 million gift dedicated entirely to enhancing behavioral health services.  

“We have a responsibility to protect kids and provide them with options so that they're not just left to their own devices,” Julie Cook said. “Behavioral Health matters, and a healthy mind starts with a community that cares. All of us can work together to be part of the solution. We knew this was our way to make a difference.”

“If you’ve ever wanted a way to give back to your community and help everyone, this is it,” Gregory Cook said. “We invite everyone to partner with us, and give to Primary Promise. Contribute to lifesaving and life-changing advancements for kids everywhere. Every day we delay is a missed opportunity to help a child thrive. With stakes this high, we cannot hesitate.”

The Behavioral Health Center will provide spaces for clinical expertise, and a “safe place to land” for parents, guardians and family members of patients, said Teresa Glade, whose daughter, Rachel, was helped at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital.

Rachel has had multiple heart, lung, gastrointestinal, and feeding therapies, among other treatments and surgeries from the day she was born and throughout her life. She is also hard of hearing.

“I know this was difficult for everyone around me, but I understand now that I was hurting deeply and needed, somehow, to get that out,” Rachel shared at the ribbon-cutting in American Sign Language. “I had suffered through a ton of medical trauma, and on top of that, I couldn’t hear the voices that tried to comfort me.”

Rachel is now 23. She graduated from cosmetology school and works at her family business. She enjoys doing hair and makeup, hiking, spending time with her boyfriend, and eating her favorite foods. 

“It is incredibly important for kids to receive mental health support when they are young so that they can enter adulthood with life skills,” Rachel said. “I am so thankful for all of the years Primary Children’s has been there for me with my medical and behavioral health needs, and I am so happy this new campus will be able to provide further support for countless children and teens for decades to come.”

For information about behavioral health services, visit primarychildrens.org/behavioralhealth.

To give, visit primarypromise.org.

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NOTE TO MEDIA: Images and video available upon request.

As kids return to school beginning this week in Nevada on Monday, bicycles, scooters, and e-bikes will be increasing around Clark County. This is also at the time that first responders have seen an alarming rise in the number of crashes and fatalities involving these modes of transportations for children and adults. 

The Intermountain West also has the fourth-highest traumatic brain injury hospitalization rate in the country for children. Some of these injuries could be prevented by wearing a helmet. 

Child trauma incidents historically rise in the summer months, and peak in July. 

“I have personally seen the profound impact of the head injuries that can occur in our children here from bikes, e-bikes, scooters, and more,” said Taryn Bragg, MD, pediatric neurosurgeon with Intermountain Health in Las Vegas. “Traumatic brain injuries can be devastating for kids and their families with lifelong aftereffects. Helmets, and proper-fitting ones at that, are vital to our safety for our children, as well as adults.”

Dr. Bragg is the only full-time, board-certified pediatric neurosurgeon in the entire state of Nevada. She sees the effects that head injuries have on families on a near-daily basis.  

 Parents can check the fit of their child’s helmet by making sure of the following:

• The helmet fits snugly and sits level on the child’s head. 
• The helmet fits two finger widths above the child’s eyebrow
• The side strap V-shape fits just under the child’s ears.
• One adult’s finger can fit between the child’s chin and the strap. 

“Helmets are not a one size fits all situation,” said Will Rucker, Nevada Community Health director. “As parents, and as a community, we need to be sure that our vulnerable children are protected as much as possible. Make sure those helmets fit and are being worn properly.” 

Safe Kids of Clark County have been working diligently with communities to get the word out on bike helmet safety.  

“Parents should take the time to ride or walk the route to school with their children, to make sure that they are always following the rules of the road. Also, remember the helmet is the most important piece of equipment that the child must have,” said Jeanne Marsala, MSN, RN, Executive Director Clark County Safe Kids.

Officials in Nevada have been working to help curb the injuries and fatalities over recent years. New e-scooter ordinances that began May 21, 2025, detailing several new restrictions including a speed limit of 15 mph and limits on riding in park areas, and riders under age 18 must wear a helmet.

“Please, slow down in school zones, obey crossing guards, and stay alert for children biking and walking to school,” said Commissioner Michael Naft. “It is a responsibility of drivers to acknowledge and share the road with all road users. By remaining mindful and considerate of all modes of transportation in school zones, we can ensure a great start to the school year.”

Intermountain Health is committed to strengthening collaborations with local organizations, state and local officials, and community advocates working to prevent and decrease injuries for children. This commitment is part of the Intermountain Community Health Needs Assessment.

The bike safety event was held at Amplus Academy and the school participated with several students’ showing proper helmet safety while riding a bike course. Amplus Academy is next to the site where Nevada’s first comprehensive stand-alone children’s hospital will be built to meet growing regional children’s health needs. It will include specialty-based care, such as oncology and cardiovascular services, and others that patients have had to travel out-of-state to receive this care. 

The new children’s hospital, projected to be completed by 2030, is an historic initiative that represents one of the most significant and exciting opportunities to elevate children’s health in Nevada. Philanthropy and community partnerships are critical to make this vision a reality, and campaign planning is underway.      

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Mandy Richards, DNP, RN, directora ejecutiva de enfermería de Intermountain Health, ha sido nombrada la nueva presidenta de Intermountain Children’s Health, un rol desde el que desarrollará el legado de excelencia de Intermountain al expandir e integrar la atención pediátrica en la red de seis estados de Intermountain Health.  

Asimismo, Dustin Lipson, presidente del hospital Primary Children’s Hospital de Intermountain en el predio de Salt Lake, expandirá su rol de liderazgo como presidente del mercado pediátrico para la región Canyons, supervisando los hospitales infantiles y la atención pediátrica ambulatoria especializada desde el sudoeste de Idaho hasta el centro de Utah. 

Tanto Richards como Lipson continuarán ocupando sus roles actuales de liderazgo.  

Los anuncios de liderazgo de Children’s Health reflejan el enfoque continuo y la alineación de la atención pediátrica de Intermountain para atender mejor a los pacientes, las familias y las comunidades, y ayudar a que los niños prosperen. Esto tuvo lugar después tras el anuncio de la jubilación de Katy Welkie como directora ejecutiva de Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital y vicepresidenta de Intermountain Children’s Health.  

“Lo que comenzó como un único hospital pediátrico con Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital en Salt Lake City ha evolucionado a una expansión en el acceso a una atención pediátrica excepcional para los niños y sus familias en varios estados donde Intermountain Health brinda su atención”, expresó Nannette Berensen, directora operativa de Intermountain Health. “Este es un momento emocionante en Children’s Health, y nos complace tener a Mandy Richards liderando el próximo paso en nuestra trayectoria mientras continuamos mejorando la atención para los pacientes y las comunidades”. 

Richards, enfermera certificada con un doctorado en enfermería enfocado en el liderazgo y las políticas del sistema de salud, aporta una carrera distinguida en atención médica al liderazgo de Children’s Health. 

Antes de unirse a Intermountain Health en el 2023, Richards trabajó como vicepresidenta ejecutiva y directora de enfermería en Hartford HealthCare y en Allina Health en Minneapolis. También trabajó en operaciones clínicas y de hospital en el hospital principal de Allina. Comenzó su carrera como enfermera de la sala de cuidados intensivos y aprovecha esa experiencia al lado del paciente para brindar un mejor apoyo a los empleados de Intermountain.  

“Muchos de los empleados de Children’s Health son enfermeros, por lo que he visto de primera mano la empatía y la excelencia que traen al trabajo”, mencionó Richards. “Children’s Health tiene un impacto impresionante en nuestras comunidades; realmente han sentado bases fuertes en la atención pediátrica de calidad. Me siento muy privilegiada de tener esta oportunidad nueva para liderar y defender dos de los frentes ahora, tanto la enfermería como Children’s Health. Me entusiasma dar el próximo paso en nuestra trayectoria porque sé que juntos somos mejores”.  

Lipson aporta experiencia en operaciones, pediatría y salud infantil a su rol expandido. Previo sus 12 años en Primary Children’s Hospital, Lipson trabajó como director de transformación de la atención médica para Intermountain Health y como socio, liderando muchos aspectos de la estrategia de salud poblacional de Intermountain. Lipson también trabajó durante 11 años en GE Capital, ocupando varios roles de liderazgo en finanzas, gestión de riesgos y administración general.  

El nuevo puesto regional de Lipson incluirá la supervisión de los predios de Primary Children’s Hospital’s en Salt Lake Campus, Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Campus en Lehi, y el centro de salud conductual Behavioral Health Center en el predio de Taylorsville, el cual se inaugurará en septiembre, así como la atención pediátrica ambulatoria especializada desde el sudoeste de Idaho hasta el centro de Utah.

“Estoy profundamente comprometido a garantizar el éxito continuo de nuestras operaciones pediátricas dentro de Children’s Health, y me deleita la oportunidad de trabajar juntos para construir el sistema de salud ejemplar que nuestros niños se merecen”, afirmó Lipson. “Nuestro equipo de Children’s Health es excepcional, y es un privilegio enorme trabajar para ellos y para nuestros pacientes y sus familias en esta capacidad expandida”. 

“Me ha sorprendido muchísimo Dustin y el impacto significativo que ha tenido en Primary Children’s Hospital”, comentó Richards. “Se ha ganado la confianza y el respeto de sus colegas y me entusiasma colaborar con él y aprovechar su experiencia al embarcarnos en el próximo capítulo estratégico de Children’s Health”. 

Welkie ocupará su puesto hasta el 25 de agosto para ayudar durante la transición del liderazgo de Children’s Health. 

“He sido bendecida con una maravillosa carrera en Primary Children’s Hospital y como líder de Children’s Health. Los dejo en manos muy capaces”, indicó Welkie. “Hemos sentado bases fuertes para la pediatría en Utah y más allá. Estoy orgullosa de nuestro pasado y siento optimismo por nuestro futuro. Espero con ansias ver el despliegue bajo el liderazgo talentoso de Mandy y Dustin”. 

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Mandy Richards, DNP, RN, chief nursing executive for Intermountain Health, has been named the new president of Intermountain Children’s Health, a role in which she will build on Intermountain’s legacy of excellence expanding and integrating pediatric care across Intermountain Health’s six-state network.  

Additionally, Dustin Lipson, president of Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, Salt Lake Campus will expand his leadership role to children’s market president for the Canyons Region, overseeing the children’s hospitals and specialty outpatient pediatric care from southwestern Idaho through central Utah. 

Both Richards and Lipson will also continue their current leadership roles.  

The Children’s Health leadership announcements reflect Intermountain’s continued focus and alignment of pediatric care to better serve patients, families and communities and help children thrive. This follows the announcement of Katy Welkie’s retirement as chief executive officer of Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital and vice president of Intermountain Children’s Health.  

“What began as a single pediatric hospital at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City has evolved into expanded access to exceptional pediatric care for children and families across multiple states served by Intermountain Health,” said Nannette Berensen, Intermountain Health’s chief operating officer. “This is an exciting time in Children’s Health, and we’re thrilled to have Mandy Richards leading the next step in our journey as we continue to further elevate care for patients and communities.”  

Richards, a registered nurse with a doctorate degree in nursing practice focused on health system leadership and policy, brings a distinguished career in healthcare to Children’s Health leadership. 

Prior to joining Intermountain Health in 2023, Richards served as executive vice president and chief nursing officer at Hartford HealthCare and for Allina Health in Minneapolis. She also worked in clinical and hospital operations at the Allina flagship hospital. She began her career as an ICU nurse and draws on that experience at the bedside to better support Intermountain caregivers.  

“Many of our Children’s Health caregivers are nurses, so I have seen firsthand the empathy and excellence they bring to their work,” Richards said. “Children’s Health has an impressive impact on our communities; they have truly built a strong foundation of quality pediatric care. I am so privileged to have this new opportunity to lead and advocate on two fronts now, both nursing and Children’s Health. I look forward to the next step in our journey because I know we are better together.”  

Lipson brings expertise in operations, pediatrics and children’s health to his expanded role. Prior to his 12 years at Primary Children’s Hospital, Lipson served as the director of healthcare transformation for Intermountain Health and as a fellow, leading many aspects of Intermountain’s population health strategy. Lipson also worked for 11 years at GE Capital in various leadership roles in finance, risk management and general management.  

Lipson’s new regional role will include oversight of Primary Children’s Hospital’s Salt Lake Campus, Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Campus in Lehi, and Behavioral Health Center-Taylorsville Campus, which will open in September, as well as specialized ambulatory pediatric care from southwestern Idaho through central Utah. 

“I am deeply committed to ensuring the continued success of our pediatric operations within Children’s Health, and I relish the opportunity to work together to build the model health system our children deserve,” said Lipson. “Our Children’s Health team is exceptional and it’s a tremendous privilege to serve them and our patients and families in this expanded capacity.”  

“I’ve been incredibly impressed by Dustin and the significant impact he’s had at Primary Children’s Hospital,” Richards said. “He’s earned the trust and respect of his colleagues, and I’m excited to collaborate with him and draw on his expertise as we embark on the next strategic chapter for Children’s Health.”  

Welkie will stay in her role through August 25 to help the transition of Children’s Health leadership.  

“I have been blessed to have such a wonderful career at Primary Children’s Hospital and leading Children’s Health. I am leaving it in very capable hands,” Welkie said. “We have built a strong foundation for pediatrics in Utah, and beyond. I am proud of our past and optimistic about our future. I look forward to watching it unfold under the talented leadership of both Mandy and Dustin.”  

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La apertura de Sophie’s Place es el resultado del apoyo colaborativo de las fundaciones Forever Young Foundation, Intermountain Foundation, y un elenco estelar de miembros de la comunidad y el personal.

Sophie’s Place fue fundado por Forever Young Foundation en honor a la cantante y compositora de Utah, Sophie Barton, quien fue voluntaria en Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital en Salt Lake City antes de fallecer a los 17 años.

“A través de Sophie’s Place, el corazón de Sophie sigue latiendo, brindando consuelo, inspiración y sanación a innumerables pacientes jóvenes”, dijo Steve Young, mariscal de campo del Salón de la Fama de la liga profesional de fútbol (NFL, por sus siglas en inglés) y fundador de Forever Young Foundation. “La frecuencia de la musicoterapia indicada por los médicos destaca la importancia de este tratamiento no invasivo para transformar y mejorar las vidas de los niños a quienes tenemos el privilegio de ayudar”.

Young; Barb Young, quien es su esposa y la copresidenta de Forever Young Foundation; y la familia de Sophie Barton, cuyo nombre lleva la sala de musicoterapia, se unieron a los pacientes de Intermountain Primary Children’s y los dirigentes de Intermountain Health para cortar la cinta de la novena sala Sophie’s Place que se inaugura a nivel nacional.

Posteriormente, los pacientes y la comunidad festejaron la gran inauguración con actuaciones de niños, estudiantes y adultos, entre ellos: Adele Storrs, de 10 años; el cantante principal de The Osmonds-Second Generation David Osmond; el cantautor y concursante de The Voice EJ Michels; y los bailarines de Brigham Young University, Katie Williams y Jordan Halterman.

La primera sala Sophie’s Place de la nación se inauguró en 2013 en Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital de Salt Lake.

La nueva sala de terapias expresivas de Sophie’s Place contiene instrumentos que incluyen un piano, batería, guitarras, micrófonos, un estudio de grabación exclusivo y espacios para terapias de arte y danza y movimiento.

“Lo que hace que este lugar sea único es su enfoque vibrante y multidisciplinario para la curación a través de la autoexpresión, el autodescubrimiento y la alegría.,” dijo Lisa Paletta, presidenta de Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital en el predio Miller Family Campus. “Estamos agradecidos con la familia Barton y Forever Young Foundation por su apoyo a este espacio importante para la sanación de los pacientes, inspirado por el hermoso legado de Sophie”.

En 2010, Sophie Barton falleció inesperadamente mientras practicaba senderismo. Tres años después, la familia de Sophie se asoció con Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital para cumplir su visión de sanar el mundo con la música.

“Significa mucho más saber que Sophie’s Place es el lugar de Sophie, habiendo crecido en la zona”, dijo Anne-Marie Barton, la mamá de Sophie. “Significa mucho saber que Primary Children’s en Lehi y Sophie’s Place están aquí para servir a los niños, brindándoles música para sanar. Su alma está aquí en Utah, y esta nueva sala significa que puede inspirar sanación y amor a todos los que visitan estas salas especiales”.

Las terapias expresivas utilizan las artes creativas como herramientas terapéuticas para facilitar el crecimiento y la sanación, y abordar los objetivos del paciente. Financiados íntegramente mediante filantropía, estos servicios se ofrecen a los pacientes y sus familias de manera gratuita.

“Estudios científicos han demostrado con coherencia que la musicoterapia activa e integra múltiples partes del cerebro, de manera que promueve la neuroplasticidad y el desarrollo de nuevas vías neuronales, ayuda a regular las respuestas al dolor, reduce las hormonas de estrés, reduce los síntomas de ansiedad y depresión, y mejora la motricidad fina y gruesa en los niños”, afirmó Barb Young. “Nos enorgullece colaborar con Intermountain Health para brindar estos beneficios medibles y basados en la evidencia mediante la creación de esta sala especializada en musicoterapia, donde ‘la música lo cambia todo’”.

El predio Miller Family Campus abrió en febrero de 2024 como parte de una visión más amplia de Intermountain Health para construir el sistema de salud modelo del país para los niños.

La visión de Intermountain Children’s Health de extender la excelencia pediátrica en la atención a nuevas comunidades y niños en todo el oeste montañoso continúa con los esfuerzos que incluyen el centro de salud mental de Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital en Taylorsville, que abrirá en septiembre; la construcción del primer hospital infantil independiente en Nevada, anunciada en octubre de 2024; y el nuevo hospital de reemplazo completo en Billings, Montana, que contará con un Centro Pediátrico dedicado.

Para más información, visite intermountainhealthcare.org/childrens-health.

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NOTA PARA LOS MEDIOS: Imágenes y vídeos disponibles a pedido.

La selección de estas empresas constructoras proporciona un nivel alto de experiencia a este proyecto único, combinando la pericia y el conocimiento de PENTA en la administración de proyectos de alta envergadura en Nevada y el conocimiento extenso e innovador de Jacobsen en la construcción de instalaciones con fines médicos, el cual incluye la segunda ubicación de Intermountain Primary Children´s Hospital en Lehi Utah, abriendo este último sus puertas a principios de 2024.

“Durante el proceso de selección de la empresa constructora, fue vital encontrar tanto la calidad de construcción como los contactos ya existentes en Nevada”, dijo Lawrence Barnard, presidente de Intermountain Health Nevada Children’s Hospital. “Nevada Children’s Hospital está orientado a ser vanguardista y a darle la bienvenida a las familias cercanas con el servicio compasivo característico de Intermountain”.

El nuevo hospital infantil representa una de las oportunidades más significativas y fascinantes para mejorar la salud de los niños en Nevada. La filantropía y la colaboración con la comunidad son clave para hacer que esta visión se convierta en realidad, y el plan para la campaña está en proceso.

Una vez terminadas, las instalaciones atención médica pediátrica serán parte del primer hospital autónomo en Nevada que esté dedicado en su totalidad a la salud infantil. Esto incluye atención especializada, tal como los servicios de oncología y cardiovasculares, además de otros para los cuales los pacientes tienen que salir del estado.

“Intermountain Health Children´s Hospital será una incorporación increíble para la comunidad de Las Vegas, y The PENTA Building Group está fascinado en trabajar con Jacobson Construction para que se haga realidad”, dijo John Cannito, presidente y director ejecutivo de PENTA. “Al ser una empresa de construcción de Las Vegas, vemos esta oportunidad como algo más que un proyecto de construcción: es una oportunidad de ser parte de algo maravilloso que va a hacer que el sur de Nevada sea un lugar mejor para nuestras familias y amigos. Nos enorgullece haber sido seleccionados por Intermountain Health como socios en esta iniciativa histórica”.

“Para Jacobsen Construction, trabajar con Penta en la construcción y entrega de este proyecto es la culminación de dos décadas de trabajo continuo y estrecho con Intermountain Healthcare para realizar proyectos inspiradores que sirven a las personas más vulnerables de nuestras comunidades”, dijo el presidente y director ejecutivo de Jacobsen, Gary Ellis. “Hemos atesorado los muchos años que hemos trabajado en proyectos de impacto en Primary Children’s y en otras muchas instalaciones de Intermountain. Que hayan confiado en nosotros para este proyecto irrepetible y que podamos basarnos en esa relación duradera para solucionar problemas juntos relacionados a estas instalaciones, es un privilegio maravilloso”.

La dirección de la empresa constructora Jacobsen estará a cargo del vicepresidente Blake Court, cuyo trabajo continuo con Intermountain se extiende a más de 19 años.

En enero, se anunció que las firmas Shepley Bulfinch y Gensler estarían encargadas de la arquitectura del proyecto y, por lo tanto, comenzaron el trabajo de diseño. La semana pasada, Intermountain Health, The Gardner Group y la UNLV Research Foundation firmaron los acuerdos para la construcción de un hospital infantil con servicios de salud completos en la parcela de UNLV Research y Technology Park.

Se espera que la ceremonia de primera palada tenga lugar a principios de 2026 y se planea que el hospital abra en 2030.

Según un estudio de investigación independiente llevado a cabo por Applied Analysis, el hospital, que contará con 200 camas, brindará atención especializada a los niños y las familias de Nevada, dará al estado un impulso económico de 724 millones de dólares durante un periodo de construcción aproximado de cinco años, y proporcionará un beneficio económico anual de 841 millones de dólares una vez que abra.

Intermountain Health brinda atención médica a pacientes en más de 80 clínicas en 65 ubicaciones en el sur de Nevada. Gracias a su extensa red de profesionales de la salud, Intermountain Health brinda servicios primarios, especializados y de urgencias centrados en el paciente a aproximadamente 350,000 residentes de nevada en los condados de Clark y Nye.

Para recibir actualizaciones, siga a Nevada Children´s Hospital de Intemountain Health.

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Intermountain Health has selected The PENTA Building Group in partnership with Jacobsen Construction to build the first-ever stand-alone comprehensive children’s hospital in Nevada.

The selection of these construction firms brings a wealth of experience to the historic project, combining PENTA’s familiarity and expertise in leading large-scale projects in Nevada with Jacobsen’s innovative and expansive knowledge in healthcare construction, which includes the second Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital campus that opened in Lehi, Utah, in early 2024.

“It was vital for us in the contractor selection to bring both ingenuity and craftmanship along with the aspect of homegrown Nevada connections,” said Lawrence Barnard, president of the Intermountain Health Nevada Children’s Hospital. “The Nevada Children’s Hospital is poised to be state-of-art, welcoming families close to home with the compassionate service for which Intermountain is known.”

The new Intermountain children’s hospital represents one of the most significant and exciting opportunities to elevate children’s health in Nevada. Philanthropy and community partnerships are critical to make this vision a reality, and campaign planning is underway.  

When complete, the Intermountain pediatric healthcare facility will be the first stand-alone hospital in Nevada that is fully and comprehensively dedicated to children’s health. This includes specialty-based care, such as oncology and cardiovascular services, among others that patients currently must travel out-of-state to receive.

“The Intermountain Health Children’s Hospital is going to be an incredible addition to the Las Vegas community, and The PENTA Building Group is excited to partner with Jacobson Construction to help make it a reality,” said John Cannito, president and CEO of PENTA. “As a local Las Vegas contractor, we see this as more than just another construction project; it’s an opportunity to be part of something amazing that is going to make Southern Nevada a better place for our families and friends. We are proud to be selected by Intermountain Health as a partner in this historic initiative.”

“For Jacobsen Construction, joining Penta in the building and delivery of this project is the culmination of two decades of continuous close work with Intermountain Healthcare to deliver inspiring projects that serve the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Jacobsen President and CEO Gary Ellis. “We have treasured the many years of working on impactful projects at Primary Children’s and many other Intermountain facilities. To be entrusted by them with this truly once-in-a-generation project, and to be able to draw on that longstanding relationship to solve problems together for this facility is an amazing privilege.”

Jacobsen’s construction leadership will be headed by Vice President Blake Court, whose continuous work with Intermountain spans more than 19 years.

In January, the firms Shepley Bulfinch and Gensler were announced as architects for the project and subsequently began design work. Last week, Intermountain Health, The Gardner Group, and the UNLV Research Foundation signed agreements for a comprehensive children’s hospital to be built on the land at the UNLV Research and Technology Park.

Groundbreaking is expected in early 2026, with the hospital projected to open by 2030.  

The 200-bed hospital will provide highly specialized care for children and families in Nevada, give the state a $724 million economic boost during five years of anticipated construction, and deliver $841 million in annual economic output once the hospital opens, according to an independent research study conducted by Applied Analysis.

Intermountain Health offers patient care at more than 80 clinics at over 65 locations across southern Nevada. With its extended provider network, Intermountain Health delivers patient-centered primary, specialty, and urgent care services to approximately 350,000 southern Nevadans in Clark and Nye counties.   

Follow the Intermountain Health’s Nevada Children’s Hospital for updates.

LAS VEGAS: Intermountain Health, The Gardner Group y la Fundación de Investigación de la Universidad de Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLVRF, por sus siglas en inglés) anunciaron recientemente que firmaron el contrato de arrendamiento del terreno en el Parque de Investigación y Tecnología Harry Reid de la Universidad de Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV, por sus siglas en inglés).  

En octubre, estas tres entidades firmaron los contratos para la construcción de un hospital de niños integral en el terreno. Se celebró una ceremonia de inauguración de un cartel que marcaba esa ubicación con la presencia de los líderes de Intermountain, los líderes de la UNLV, funcionarios locales y estatales, defensores de la comunidad y el gobernador Joe Lombardo. El cartel dice: “Futura ubicación del primer hospital de niños integral independiente en Nevada”.  

Cuando se termine, el hospital de niños de Intermountain Health será el primer hospital independiente en Nevada que se dedique completa y exclusivamente a la salud de los niños. El hospital incluye atención especializada, como oncología y cardiología, además de otros servicios que no se brindaban en el estado. 

El nuevo hospital de niños es una iniciativa histórica que posiblemente represente una de las oportunidades más significativas, transformadoras y emocionantes de promover la salud de los niños en Nevada. La filantropía y las alianzas comunitarias serán fundamentales a la hora de convertir esta visión en una realidad.   

“A medida que damos este paso trascendental, quiero expresar mi agradecimiento hacia la UNLV y hacia los muchísimos otros socios locales de atención médica y organizaciones comunitarias que se han unido a nosotros en este esfuerzo por mejorar el acceso a la atención pediátrica altamente especializada”, dijo Mitch Cloward, presidente de Intermountain Health en la región de Desert, que incluye el sur de Nevada y el sudoeste de Utah. “El hospital es solo una parte de un esfuerzo integral entre Intermountain Health y muchos socios comunitarios apasionados para mejorar la salud y el bienestar general de los niños de Nevada. Otras áreas de enfoque incluyen la mejora del acceso a la atención, la alineación de equipos multidisciplinarios en todo el estado para coordinar mejor la atención y la resolución de problemas, y la proporción proactiva de recursos a las comunidades a fin de preservar la salud de los niños”.   

El diseño del hospital está en marcha, al igual que la planificación clínica y de personal, incluso el reclutamiento sustentable.  Ahora, los arquitectos podrán adaptar el trabajo al sitio específico, y la firma del contrato también representa que se podrá avanzar con los planes de construcción. 

“Mejorar los resultados de salud para los niños de nuestra comunidad es un objetivo que todos compartimos, y este consenso es un paso importante en el camino hacia la construcción de la infraestructura y el apoyo necesarios para cumplir las necesidades de atención médica de nuestra región en crecimiento”, dijo Chris Harvey, presidente interino de la UNLV. “En nombre de la universidad y la Fundación de Investigación de la UNLV, nos emociona formar parte de la llegada de este importante recurso comunitario al sur de Nevada y al Parque de Investigación y Tecnología Harry Reid de la UNLV”.   

“Hoy es un día de celebración, ya que avanzamos con el primer hospital de niños independiente del sur de Nevada. No ha sido un recorrido fácil, por lo que resulta gratificante ver cómo se materializa”, dijo Dan Stewart, presidente de Development Nevada, Gardner Group. “Esto cambia la cara visible de la atención médica en nuestro mercado y les otorga un recurso muy necesario a todos los habitantes de Nevada”. 

En enero, se anunció a las compañías Shepley Bulfinch y Gensler como arquitectos del proyecto y, posteriormente, iniciaron el diseño, un proceso que durará la mayor parte de este año. Los contratistas se anunciarán en un futuro cercano.  

La colocación de cimientos está prevista para comienzos de 2026, y la apertura del hospital para el 2030. El nuevo hospital tendrá capacidad para más de 200 camas.  

El hospital brindará atención altamente especializada para niños y familias en Nevada, generará un impulso económico de 724 millones de dólares para el estado durante los cinco años previstos de construcción y emitirá 841 millones de dólares anuales de rendimiento económico una vez que esté funcionando, según un estudio de investigación clínica independiente realizado por Applied Analysis.   

"Este es un paso significativo tanto para Intermountain Health como para los residentes del sur de Nevada," dijo Michael Naft, comisionado del condado de Clark. “El hospital infantil independiente brindará a las familias acceso a cuidados críticos, y su presencia ayudará en los esfuerzos de nuestra región para reclutar a los médicos capacitados que necesitamos desesperadamente.”

Intermountain Health brinda atención a pacientes de 80 clínicas en más de 65 ubicaciones en todo el sur de Nevada. Con su amplia red de proveedores, Intermountain Health brinda servicios de atención primaria, especializada y cuidados de urgencia centrados en el paciente a aproximadamente 350,000 (trescientos cincuenta mil) personas del sur de Nevada en los condados de Clark y Nye.    

Obtenga más información sobre Intermountain Health en intermountainhealth.org.  

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Intermountain Health, The Gardner Group, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Research Foundation (UNLVRF) recently announced completion of a land lease agreement at UNLV’s Harry Reid Research and Technology Park.  

In October, these three entities signed agreements for a comprehensive children’s hospital to be built on the land. A ceremonial unveiling of a sign marking that location was held with Intermountain leaders, UNLV leaders, local and state officials, community advocates and Governor Joe Lombardo. The sign reads: “Future Site of Nevada’s First Stand-alone Children’s Hospital.”  

When completed, the Intermountain Health children’s hospital will be the first stand-alone hospital in existence in Nevada that is fully and comprehensively dedicated to children’s health. This includes specialty-based care, such as oncology and cardiovascular, among other services that patients have had to travel out-of-state to receive.  

The new children’s hospital is a historic initiative that represents one of the most significant  and exciting opportunities to elevate children’s health in Nevada. Philanthropy and community partnerships are critical to make this vision a reality, and campaign planning is underway.   

“As we take this monumental step, I want to express my appreciation for UNLV and our many other local healthcare partners and community organizations who are joining us in these efforts to improve access to highly specialized pediatric care,” said Mitch Cloward, president of Intermountain Health’s Desert Region, which includes southern Nevada and southwest Utah. “The hospital is one aspect of a comprehensive effort between Intermountain Health and passionate community partners to holistically improve the health and well-being of Nevada’s children. Other focus areas include improving access to care, aligning multidisciplinary teams across the state to better coordinate care and problem solving, and proactively providing communities with resources to keep kids healthy.”     

The design of the hospital is well underway, as is clinical and workforce planning, including sustainable recruitment.  The architects will now be able to adapt the work to the specific site, and the completion of the lease also means the ability to move forward with construction plans. 

“Improving health outcomes for children in our community is a vision we all share, and this agreement is an important step on the path to building the infrastructure and support required to meet the healthcare needs of our growing region,” said UNLV Interim President Chris Heavey. “On behalf of the university and the UNLV Research Foundation, we are thrilled to play a role in bringing this important community asset to Southern Nevada and the UNLV Harry Reid Research and Technology Park.”   

“Today is a day of celebration as we move forward with southern Nevada’s first stand-alone children’s hospital. This has been a challenging path, and it is gratifying to see this development come to fruition,” said Dan Stewart, president of Development Nevada, Gardner Group. “This changes the face of healthcare in our market and delivers a much-needed resource for all Nevadans.” 

In January, the firms Shepley Bulfinch and Gensler were announced as architects for the project and subsequently began design, a process that will take most of this year. The contractors will be announced in the near future.  

Groundbreaking is expected in early 2026, with the hospital projected to open by 2030. The new hospital will be sized to accommodate more than 200 beds.  

The hospital will provide highly specialized care for children and families in Nevada, give the state a $724 million economic boost during five years of anticipated construction, and deliver $841 million in annual economic output once the hospital opens, according to an independent research study conducted by Applied Analysis.    

“This is a significant step for both Intermountain Health and for southern Nevada residents,” said Michael Naft, Clark County Commissioner. “The standalone children’s hospital will provide families with access to critical care, and their presence will assist in our region’s efforts to recruit the skilled clinicians we desperately need.” 

Intermountain Health offers patient care at more than 80 clinics at over 65 locations across southern Nevada. With its extended provider network, Intermountain Health delivers patient-centered primary, specialty, and urgent care services to approximately 350,000 southern Nevadans in Clark and Nye counties.    

Learn more about Intermountain Health at intermountainhealth.org.  

The YMCA of Southern Nevada hosted the Y’s annual Healthy Kids Day^® on April 26th from 12pm-2pm located at the Durango Hills YMCA. 

The free, annual event features a variety of family-friendly activities to encourage healthy kids, healthy families and a healthy start to the summer season. With water safety top of mind, registration for our Safety Around Water (SAW) program designed with a specific sequence of skills proven to ensure children have a safe and fun aquatics experience will also begin on Healthy Kids Day. 

The Y offers this program at no cost to youth in our community.

Sponsored nationally by Peanuts, Healthy Kids Day’s mission is to prepare Las Vegas families for a safe, healthy, and fun summer. One of the biggest highlights of the event is early access to the YMCA’s outdoor water park, giving families a head start on summer fun before it officially opens for the season. 

In addition, engaging safety around water demonstrations will be offered, helping parents and kids learn essential tips to stay safe in and around the water. The day also features a variety of community vendors, making it a celebration for the whole family.

"It’s crucial for kids to stay active during the summer, both physically and mentally," said Shene Tracy, Sr, experience director for the YMCA of Southern Nevada. “At the Y, we’re dedicated to providing families with the resources they need to build healthy habits year-round. Healthy Kids Day is a fun, free community event designed to encourage families to explore all the amazing summer activities the Y has to offer.”

Locally, Healthy Kids Day is sponsored by Intermountain Health, and POOLCORP.

Intermountain Health has made children health and safety part of their main health priorities. The critical areas were identified as part of the current Community Health Needs Assessment, which was built from extensive research from local health status, health needs, and assets that allow the nonprofit health system to inform and identify key local area health priorities, including the sustaining health needs of children and families. 

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children in Las Vegas and the surrounding area. The majority of drowning deaths occur in family pools. The most common drowning victim is a child four years of age or younger, occurring between noon and dinner. These tragedies often occur while parents are home and there is a brief lapse in supervision.

“We encourage parents and youth to learn the ABCD’s of drowning prevention: Adult Supervision, Barriers like self-closing gates, Classes, swimming, water safety & CPR and devices like life jackets,” said Will Rucker, community health director for Nevada for Intermountain Health. “There is no substitute for active adult supervision, which is why we recommend an “adult water watcher” be assigned any time children are swimming or around water to prevent drowning.”

Today, Intermountain Health donated 129 life jackets to the YMCA of Southern Nevada to be used for free at the four waterpark YMCA locations. 

Intermountain announced in October, plans to build Nevada’s first comprehensive stand-alone children’s hospital.The facility, set to be located in the UNLV Research and Technology Park, is projected to be completed by 2030, providing specialized pediatric care to meet the growing needs of the region.

For more information, contact the YMCA of Southern Nevada at (702) 240-9622 or visit lasvegasymca.org. 

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Las Vegas. La YMCA del sur de Nevada organizó el Healthy Kids Day^® (Día del Niño Saludable) anual el 26 de abril de 12 p. m. a 2 p. m. en la YMCA de Durango Hills. El evento anual y gratuito ofrece una variedad de actividades familiares para fomentar la salud de los niños, de las familias y un comienzo saludable de la temporada de verano. Teniendo presente la seguridad en el agua, en el Día del Niño Saludable también comenzará la inscripción para nuestro programa Seguros cerca del agua (SAW, por sus siglas en inglés), que está diseñado con una secuencia específica de habilidades probadas para garantizar que los niños tengan una experiencia acuática segura y divertida. La YMCA ofrece este programa sin costo para los jóvenes de nuestra comunidad.

Patrocinado a nivel nacional por Peanuts, la misión del Día del Niño Saludable es preparar a las familias de Las Vegas para un verano seguro, saludable y divertido. Uno de los aspectos más destacados del evento es el acceso anticipado al parque acuático al aire libre de la YMCA, que les permite a las familias disfrutar de la diversión veraniega antes de la apertura oficial. Además, se ofrecerán demostraciones interesantes de seguridad en el agua, que ayudarán a padres y niños a aprender los consejos imprescindibles para mantenerse seguros en el agua y cerca de ella. La jornada también contará con la presencia de distintos proveedores de la comunidad, lo que la convertirá en una celebración para toda la familia.

“Es fundamental que los niños se mantengan activos durante el verano, tanto física como mentalmente”, indicó Shene Tracy, directora sénior de Experiencia de la YMCA del sur de Nevada. “En la YMCA, nos dedicamos a ofrecer a las familias los recursos que necesitan para crear hábitos saludables durante todo el año. El Día del Niño Saludable es un evento comunitario divertido y gratuito diseñado para animar a las familias a explorar todas las actividades estupendas de verano que ofrece la YMCA”. 

A nivel local, el Día del Niño Saludable cuenta con el patrocinio de Intermountain Health y POOLCORP.

Intermountain Health hizo que la salud y la seguridad de los niños sea una de sus prioridades de salud principales. Se identificaron las áreas importantes como parte de la Evaluación de necesidades de salud comunitaria actual, que se creó a partir de una amplia investigación del estado de salud local, las necesidades de salud y los activos que permiten al sistema de salud sin fines de lucro informar e identificar las prioridades clave de salud del área local, incluidas las necesidades de salud sostenibles de los niños y las familias. 

Ahogarse es una de las principales causas de muerte infantil en Las Vegas y sus alrededores. La mayoría de las muertes por ahogamiento se producen en las piletas de las familias. Las víctimas de ahogamiento más comunes son los niños menores de cuatro años y se producen entre el mediodía y la cena. Estas tragedias suelen ocurrir cuando los padres están en el hogar y hay un pequeño lapso en la supervisión.

“Recomendamos a los padres y jóvenes a que aprendan los principios básicos de la prevención del ahogamiento: supervisión de un adulto, barreras como puertas de cierre automático, clases, natación, seguridad en el agua y RCP, y dispositivos como chalecos salvavidas”, informó Will Rucker, director de Intermountain Community Health en Nevada. “No hay nada que pueda sustituir la supervisión activa de un adulto, por lo que recomendamos que se asigne un ‘adulto vigilante del agua’ cada vez que los niños estén nadando o cerca del agua para evitar que se ahoguen”.

Actualmente, Intermountain Health ha donado 129 chalecos salvavidas a la YMCA del sur de Nevada para que se utilicen de manera gratuita en las cuatro sedes de la YMCA de los parques acuáticos. 

En octubre, Intermountain anunció su intención de construir el primer hospital infantil independiente de Nevada. Se prevé que el centro, situado en el Research and Technology Park de la Universidad de Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV, por sus siglas en inglés), esté terminado en 2030 y ofrezca atención pediátrica especializada para satisfacer las crecientes necesidades de la región.

Si quiere obtener más información, comuníquese con la YMCA del sur de Nevada al (702) 240-9622 o visite lasvegasymca.org.  

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LAS VEGAS – Intermountain Health ha seleccionado a Lawrence Barnard, líder durante mucho tiempo en el campo de atención médica, como nuevo presidente del próximo y primer hospital infantil independiente en Nevada.

La selección de Barnard es el resultado de una búsqueda nacional extensa. Barnard empezará su nueva función de inmediato, cambiando de su posición actual como vicepresidente adjunto de Intermountain Children´s Health en Nevada.

“La experiencia tan extensa de Larry cómo líder en el campo de atención médica y sus conexiones profundas con Nevada y Las Vegas, hacen que él sea el primer presidente ideal de Health Nevada Children´s Hospital, el cual se espera que empezará a servir a pacientes y familias en 2030”, dijo Katy Welkie, vicepresidenta de Intermountain Children´s Health. “Esperamos entusiasmados ver los beneficios transformadores que él continuará inspirando en las comunidades que servimos”.

Barnard guiará al hospital durante la construcción y supervisará la gestión después de la gran inauguración. Como parte de ese proceso, desarrollará estrategias a largo plazo, dirigirá el proceso de contratación, dotación de personal y capacitación, ayudará en las gestiones diarias, asegurará la administración financiera y supervisará la colaboración con la comunidad.

Barnard, quien es el antiguo director ejecutivo de University Medical Center en el sur de Nevada, ha priorizado la creación de un hospital infantil completo en el área para servir a los niños y a las familias del estado.

“Por demasiado tiempo, hemos visto como algunas familias han tenido más dificultades de las que debieran al recibir un diagnóstico o una lesión traumática, por las que han tenido que salir del estado para cuidar de su ser querido”, dijo Barnard. “Mi misión personal se ha convertido en asegurarme que ahora puedan recibir la mejor calidad de atención aquí, cerca de su hogar”.

El pasado octubre, Intermountain Health anunció sus planes de construir un hospital infantil en el sur de Nevada. La ceremonia de primera piedra está programada para finales de año.

Barnard se unió a Intermountain en 2021 para dirigir los esfuerzos de expansión de los servicios de y atención médica pediátrica en el estado, en colaboración con líderes y personal médico de la región y del sistema Intermountain Health, así como para poner énfasis en resultados clínicos positivos, calidad, experiencias de pacientes y un mejor acceso para los niños y las familias.

“El compromiso de Larry en mejorar la atención infantil en Nevada es inquebrantable y su visión será clave a medida que continuemos construyendo el sistema de salud modelo de la nación para niños en el estado”, dijo Mitch Cloward, presidente de Intermountain Health´s Desert Region. “Él será clave en inspirar a nuestras familias y nuestras comunidades”.

La trayectoria de liderazgo en el campo de atención médica de Barnard en Las Vegas incluye su servicio como presidente de mercado de Nevada para Dignity Health (CommonSpirit Health).

Barnard es un veterano del ejército de Estados Unidos y se recibió de U.S Military Academy en West Point, New York. Como capitán de U.S Army de 2001 a 2006, Barnard sirvió como oficial general adjunto en aviación.

Para conocer más acerca del próximo Intermountain Nevada Children´s Hospital e Intermountain Health, vaya a intermountainhealth.org.

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LAS VEGAS – Intermountain Health has selected longtime healthcare leader Lawrence Barnard as the new president of the upcoming first stand-alone children’s hospital in Nevada.

The selection of Barnard follows an extensive search. Barnard begins his new role immediately, moving from his current position as associate vice president of Intermountain Children’s Health in Nevada.

"Larry’s extensive experience in healthcare leadership and deep connections to Nevada and Las Vegas make him the ideal first president of the Intermountain Health Nevada Children’s Hospital, which is expected to start serving patients and families in 2030,” said Katy Welkie, vice president of Intermountain Children’s Health. “We look forward to the transformative benefits he’ll continue to inspire in the communities we serve.”

Barnard will guide the hospital through construction and oversee operations after its grand opening. As part of that process, he’ll develop long-term strategies, lead hiring, staffing and training, support day-to-day operations, ensure financial stewardship, and oversee community engagement.

Barnard, who is the former chief executive officer of University Medical Center in Southern Nevada, has made it a priority to bring a comprehensive children’s hospital to the area to better serve children and families in the state.  

“For too long, we have seen families struggle more than they needed to when they get a diagnosis or traumatic injury, where they had to leave the state to care for their loved one,” Barnard said. “It has become my personal mission to make sure that they will now get the best quality care here, near their home.”

Last October, Intermountain Health announced its plans to build a children’s hospital in Southern Nevada. A groundbreaking is planned for later this year.

Barnard joined Intermountain in 2021 to lead efforts to expand pediatric care services in the state by collaborating with leaders and caregiver teams across the region and the Intermountain Health system, as well as focusing on positive clinical outcomes, quality, patient experiences, and improved access for children and families.

“Larry’s commitment to improving pediatric care in Nevada is unwavering, and his vision will be pivotal as we continue to build the nation’s model health system for children in the state,” said Mitch Cloward, president of Intermountain Health’s Desert Region. “He will be instrumental in lifting up our families and our communities.”

Barnard’s journey in healthcare leadership in Las Vegas includes service as market president for Nevada for Dignity Health (CommonSpirit Health).

Barnard is U.S. Military veteran and graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. As a captain in the U.S. Army from 2001 to 2006, Barnard served as an aviation officer/adjutant general officer.

To learn more about the upcoming Intermountain Nevada Children’s Hospital and Intermountain Health go to intermountainhealth.org.  

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Intermountain Health released its Community Health Implementation Strategy, outlining a comprehensive plan to improve health outcomes for southern Nevada’s most vulnerable populations.

The strategy builds on findings from Intermountain’s first Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) in Southern Nevada, which identified mental well-being, social determinants of health, healthcare access, chronic diseases, and improving children and family well-being, as significant health needs.

The CHNA report provided extensive details about local health status, needs, and assets that allow Intermountain Health, a nonprofit health system, to inform and identify key local area health priorities. 

That initial assessment was created by Intermountain after engaging organizations that represented a broad range of interests in the Southern Nevada community.

Participants gave in-depth interviews to share their perspectives on health needs to help prioritize Intermountain Health’s work to collaborate with others in improving community health.

“The implementation strategy provides us with a clear framework as a system to address these significant health needs in collaboration with our community,” said Will Rucker, community cealth director for Intermountain Health in Nevada. “By leveraging our resources and working alongside key stakeholders, we can make a measurable impact on the health and well-being of our most vulnerable neighbors.”

The following are areas of focus and tactics that Intermountain will deploy in collaboration with community partners. The full list is available in the Implementation Strategy document. 

1. Improving Mental Well-Being

·       Reduce suicide deaths

·       Reduce frequent mental health distress in adults and youth

·       Reduce the impact of substance misuse

Intermountain’s implementation strategy includes trainings, resources, education, funding for community groups, and collaborations with coalitions and workgroups.

“One example of this work is reducing access to lethal means by distributing approximately 575 gun locks since last June to first responders and other organizations to get out to the families,” Lisa Nichols, vice president of Community Health, said. “Because we have seen proof that creating time and distance to such a lethal means as a firearm with a person going through a crisis can save their life.”

Improving Chronic and Avoidable Health Outcomes

·       Prevent high blood pressure and diabetes

·       Increase immunization rates

·       Decrease injury for children

Intermountain Health is committed to strengthening collaborations with local organizations working to prevent diabetes and high blood pressure, decrease injury for children, and increase rates of immunization. 

Last year, Intermountain Children’s Health collaborated with Nevada Highway Patrol, SafeKids of Clark County, and first responders to bring vital attention to Nevada about the dangers of leaving children in a hot car. 

Intermountain also worked with SafeKids of Clark County as well as the Healthy Living Institute at UMC to raise awareness about the rise of dangerous counterfeit car seats.

2. Addressing and Investing in Social Determinants of Health

·       Improve social care access and coordination

·       Invest in affordable housing and improve nutrition security

·       Increase healthcare coverage and access

A key strategy in improving community health is strengthening Nevada’s Community Health Worker (CHW) program. Through a collaboration with the Nevada Community Health Workers Association, we are supporting workforce development to expand this vital role. CHWs are trained public health professionals who serve as a bridge between their community and essential health and social resources. With lived experience and deep community connections, they help break down barriers to health and well-being for those most at risk.

Improving Child and Family Well-Being

·       Improve child and family safety

·       Injury prevention

·       Child and family advocacy

Intermountain Health is committed to both the physical and mental health of children and families. This work includes collaborating with community groups, engaging with local and state officials, and implementing evidence-based programs to improve child health outcomes across southern Nevada. 

As part of this commitment, Intermountain Health last October announced plans to build Nevada’s first comprehensive stand-alone children’s hospital. The facility, set to be located in the UNLV Research and Technology Park, is projected to be completed by 2030, providing specialized pediatric care to meet the growing needs of the region.

Intermountain’s current CHNA covers the period from 2022 to 2025. Work is underway on the next CHNA, which will guide community health priorities for the following three years. 

The Intermountain Community Health team is collaborating with partners to evaluate emerging health needs to ensure the next assessment reflects the current assets and opportunities for southern Nevada. 

“Our commitment to Nevada is rooted in compassion and collaboration. The Community Health Needs Assessments and Implementation Strategy helps us identify significant health needs and support the incredible work already happening. Our role is to connect the pieces – filling gaps so no one falls through the cracks. Nevada, we are here for you. By working together, we can build a healthier tomorrow for us all,” Rucker said.

All of Intermountain Health’s CHNA and Implementation Strategies can be found here.

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LAS VEGAS – La construcción del primer hospital infantil independiente de Nevada a cargo de Intermountain Health mejorará la salud y el bienestar infantil, y la economía de Nevada.

Se espera que, con el nuevo hospital, se conserve en Nevada a los niños y sus familias con necesidades de atención médica, y que el estado reciba un impulso económico de $724 millones durante los cinco años de construcción anticipada, y una producción económica anual de $841 millones una vez que el hospital abra, de acuerdo con un estudio de investigación independiente realizado por Applied Analysis.

“Era importante para nosotros desde el inicio completar toda la diligencia debida hacia la meta del primer hospital infantil independiente”, expresó Lawrence Barnard, vicepresidente adjunto de Pediatría de Intermountain Health en Nevada. “Esta labor ha sido multifacética, estratégica, analítica y se requirieron años de trabajo arduo y determinación”.

Intermountain Health contrató a Applied Analysis para que llevara a cabo una investigación independiente antes del anuncio de construcción de un hospital infantil en el sur de Nevada del pasado octubre. Este completo análisis, que se entregó a principios del 2024, incluyó las necesidades de salud de la población pediátrica de Nevada, el impacto económico de construir un edificio, y el tamaño y el alcance de un hospital infantil para satisfacer las necesidades del estado. 

Parte del análisis se incluyó en el informe del Lincy Institute de la de la Universidad de Nevada en Las Vegas (UNLV, por sus siglas en inglés), “Developing a Stand-Alone Hospital in Southern Nevada”, publicado en septiembre del año pasado.  

Estos son algunos de los hallazgos principales:  

Con el nuevo hospital, las familias podrían quedarse en Nevada para recibir atención pediátrica. En 2023, Nevada reportó que 29,802 (veintinueve mil ochocientos dos) niños y jóvenes menores de 21 años recibieron atención afuera del estado. Se pagaron más de $123 millones a profesionales médicos fuera del estado.

“Esto no incluye la inmensa pérdida que las familias deben pagar a nivel económico y el estrés mental para conseguir atención especializada para sus niños en esos estados. A veces, deben estar lejos de casa por días y semanas”, indicó Bernard.

Se proyecta que la construcción genere un impulso económico de $724 millones durante los cinco años que llevará construir el hospital.

Una vez inaugurado, se espera que el hospital genere 1334 puestos de trabajo, incluidos puestos para profesionales de atención médica y otros profesionales clínicos y relacionados.

“Las tareas de reclutamiento y planificación de la fuerza laboral ya se encuentran en marcha en preparación para la inauguración. Estaremos listos”, añadió Bernard.

Se espera que el hospital genere $841 millones en producción económica anual.

Es el momento

Históricamente, un hospital infantil en el estado no ha sido posible por cuestiones económicas. Por ejemplo, los niños representan la mayor parte de la población con el 21.7 por ciento, por encima del promedio nacional. Esta población representa una cantidad desproporcionada de inscritos en Medicaid. Alrededor del 20 por ciento de los adultos están inscritos en Medicaid, mientras que el 52.4 por ciento de los niños de Nevada cuentan con Medicaid y el Programa de Seguro Médico para Niños (CHIP, por sus siglas en inglés).

En Nevada, los reembolsos de Medicaid han sido menores; en el 2021, ocuparon el puesto 47 en el país. Los índices de reembolso de Medicaid en el estado apenas cubrieron un tercio de lo cubierto con las tarifas de las aseguradoras comerciales. Los funcionarios estatales han estado trabajando para aumentar los reembolsos y un reciente impuesto a servicios profesionales ha resultado útil.

“Hemos estado trabajando con los funcionarios estatales para cerrar esta brecha de Medicaid con el promedio nacional para poder conservar a los profesionales, mantener los costos bajos y que las familias se atiendan en el estado en lugar de tener que viajar millas para ello”, dijo Bernard. “Les agradecemos por el esfuerzo y nos complacerá continuar con la labor”. 

Intermountain Health anunció el pasado octubre la construcción de un hospital infantil integral en un terreno que consiguió en el Parque de Investigación y Tecnología Harry Reid de la UNLV. En enero, se anunció que los estudios Shepley Bulfinch y Gensler serán los arquitectos del proyecto. 

 Se espera que el trabajo en los cimientos comience el próximo año, y se proyecta que el hospital abra en 2030. El hospital nuevo tendrá espacio para más de 200 camas.

El Lincy Institute de la UNLV publicó el informe “Developing a Stand-Alone Hospital in Southern Nevada” en septiembre del año pasado, para el que Intermountain contribuyó con información incluida en el estudio de Applied Analysis. En el informe de Lincy, se afirma lo siguiente:

“La financiación y la inversión apropiadas en un modelo de atención médica pediátrica independiente sin fines de lucro son esenciales para garantizar la atención pediátrica coordinada y de alta calidad, y la buena compensación para los profesionales de atención médica. Un modelo organizacional sin fines de lucro con financiación de diversas fuentes (privadas, públicas y filantrópicas) es vital para invertir en la capacitación en residencias, investigación, retención del personal y la atracción de talento nuevo. La inversión en la atención médica para niños y adolescentes ofrece altos retornos a largo plazo mediante la prevención y la detección temprana”. 

Intermountain es un sistema de salud sin fines de lucro enfocado en la atención proactiva en contraste con un sistema de pago por los servicios. Así, el sistema se centra en los esfuerzos preventivos en lugar de las ganancias. 

"Este proyecto es histórico. Es la inversión más significativa en la salud de los niños en Nevada en esta generación. Para que funcione, reconocemos el papel vital que desempeñarán los donantes filantrópicos en la creación de un legado de atención que impactará a los niños ahora y a las generaciones venideras", dijo David Flood, director de desarrollo de Intermountain Health. "Este es realmente un momento en el tiempo para que las personas y las organizaciones tengan un impacto dramático en el bienestar de este gran estado, y más allá".

Intermountain Health cuenta con 34 hospitales, incluidos dos hospitales infantiles Primary Children de Intermountain en Utah. El Hospital Primary Children de Salt Lake City cuenta aproximadamente con 287 camas, incluidas 23 camas de salud conductual, y el nuevo predio Larry H. and Gail Miller Primary Children en Lehi, Utah, cuenta con 66 camas. 

Intermountain también reconoce el trabajo necesario para llegar a este punto. Muchos en el gran valle de Las Vegas y más allá han trabajado con diligencia para un hospital infantil integral.

“Agradecemos a los líderes, pediatras, empleados, hospitales y demás organizaciones que se han dedicado a atender a los niños durante tantos años. Es un privilegio unirnos a ellos para lograr el avance en la atención médica para los niños”, expresó Mitch Cloward, presidente de la región del desierto de Intermountain Health, que incluye al sur de Nevada y el sudoeste de Utah.

Puede obtener más información acerca de Intermountain Health en intermountainhealth.org.  

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Intermountain Health’s construction of the first stand-alone children’s hospital in Nevada stands to boost children’s health and wellbeing – and Nevada’s economy. 

The new hospital is expected to keep children and families in Nevada for health care needs, give the state a $724 million economic boost during five years of anticipated construction, and $841 million in annual economic output once the hospital opens, according to an independent research study conducted by Applied Analysis.  

“It was important for us from the beginning to complete all due diligence towards the goal of the first stand-alone children’s hospital,” said Lawrence Barnard, Intermountain Health AVP of Pediatrics in Nevada. “This work has been multifaceted, strategic, analytical, and required years of hard work and determination.” 

Intermountain Health contracted with Applied Analysis to conduct independent research prior to its October announcement to build a children’s hospital in Southern Nevada. This large analysis, that was returned in early 2024, included the health needs of the pediatric Nevada population, economic impacts from building a facility, and the size and scope of a children’s hospital to fulfill the needs of the state. 

The analysis was included in part in the UNLV Lincy Institute report, “Developing a Stand-Alone Hospital in Southern Nevada” issued last September.  

Here are some key findings:  

The new hospital would help families stay in Nevada for pediatric care. In 2023, Nevada reported 29,802 children and youth under age 21 received care out of state.  The payments to those out-of-state providers were over $123 million.   

“This does not include the immense toll families had to pay financially, and the mental stress, to get their children specialized care in those states – sometimes needing to be away from home for days and weeks,” said Barnard. 

Construction is projected to bring a projected $724 million boost for the five years the hospital is being built.   

Once open, the hospital is expected to create 1,334 jobs including health care providers and other clinical and related professionals.  

“Recruitment efforts and workforce planning are already under way to prepare for when the doors open. We will be ready,” Barnard said.  

The hospital is expected to create $841 million in annual economic output.  

Time Is Now 

A children’s hospital in the state has been historically financially unfeasible. For example, children have a higher share of the population, above the national average, at 21.7 percent of the population. That population represents a disproportionate amount of Medicaid enrollees. Around 20 percent of all adults are Medicaid enrollees, while 52.4 percent of all Nevada children are on Medicaid and CHIP. 

In Nevada, Medicaid reimbursements have been lower; in 2021 they ranked 47^th in the country. The reimbursement rates from Medicaid in the state covered roughly a third of what commercial insurers’ rates covered. State officials have been working to increase reimbursements and a recent provider tax has helped the situation. 

“We have been working with state officials to help bring this Medicaid gap closer to the national average which helps retain providers, keep costs down, and families here in the state versus seeking care miles away,” Barnard said. “We thank them for their efforts and look forward to continue the work.” 

Intermountain Health announced last October that it was building a comprehensive children’s hospital on land it secured in UNLV’s Harry Reid Research and Technology Park. In January the firms Shepley Bulfinch and Gensler were announced as architects for the project. 

 Groundbreaking is expected within the next year, and the hospital is projected to open by 2030. The new hospital will be sized to accommodate more than 200 beds. 

UNLV Lincy Institute released the “Developing a Stand-Alone Hospital in Southern Nevada” report last September, in which Intermountain contributed the information contained in the Applied Analysis study. 

The Lincy report states: “Proper funding and investment in an independent not-for-profit pediatric healthcare model are essential to ensure high quality, coordinated pediatric care and well-compensated healthcare professionals. A nonprofit organizational model with funding from multiple sources — private, public, and philanthropic — is vital for investing in residency training, research, retaining staff, and attracting new talent. Investing in healthcare for children and adolescents offers high long-term returns through prevention and early detection.” 

Intermountain is a not-for-profit health system that focuses on proactive care aimed at reducing overall medical costs. This gives the system the ability to focus on the preventative efforts rather than profits. 

This gives the system the ability to focus on the preventative efforts rather than profits. 

“This project is historic. The most significant investment in children’s health within Nevada in this generation. To make it work, we recognize the vital role philanthropic donors will play in creating a legacy of care that will impact kids now and for generations to come,” said David Flood, Intermountain Health chief development officer. “This is truly a moment in time for individuals and organizations to have dramatic impact on the wellbeing of this great State, and beyond.” 

Intermountain Health has 34 hospitals, including two locations of Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital in Utah. The Primary Children’s Salt Lake City location has approximately 287 beds, including 23 behavioral health beds, and its new Larry H. and Gail Miller Primary Children’s Campus in Lehi, Utah, has 66 beds.  

Intermountain also recognizes the work required to get to this point. There are many across the greater Las Vegas valley and beyond who have worked diligently for a comprehensive children’s hospital. 

“We are grateful for the leaders, pediatricians, caregivers, hospitals and other organizations who have dedicated themselves to caring for children for many years.  We are privileged to join with them in helping to advance healthcare for the children we serve,” said Mitch Cloward, president of Intermountain Health’s Desert Region, which includes southern Nevada and southwest Utah. 

Learn more about Intermountain Health at intermountainhealth.org.  

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Intermountain Health today announced Shepley Bulfinch and Gensler as the two architect firms that will design the upcoming stand-alone children’s hospital in southern Nevada.

The announcement marks a crucial step after the location was unveiled in October at UNLV’s Harry Reid Research and Technology Park.

“The selection of these two firms is a celebration as Intermountain conducted an extensive analysis to bring a state-of-the-art comprehensive children’s hospital here to Nevada,” said Lawrence Barnard, Intermountain Health assistant vice president of pediatrics in Nevada. “Shepley Bulfinch and Gensler both have very impressive backgrounds in designing healthcare facilities around the globe. Our goal of bringing essential specialty care to children, keeping families in state for care, is taking shape for our community.”

The team of Shepley Bulfinch and Gensler approached the Nevada Children’s Hospital with a singular commitment: improving outcomes for patients and their families. The firms share the belief that a patient-centered design approach produces the best environment for not only the patients but also their families, their clinicians, and the hospital staff. 

Shepley Bulfinch brings deep experience in pediatric healthcare design to this project. With a strong focus on patient and family centered solutions, the firm understands how spaces and systems influence patient and staff journeys, as well as daily operations. 

Drawing on its extensive portfolio, including 10 million square feet of recent healthcare projects, four million of which are dedicated to pediatric facility design — Shepley Bulfinch tailors environments to meet the unique needs of children of all ages, from toddlers to teens and their families. 

Shepley Bulfinch's approach prioritizes improved outcomes, productivity, and adaptability, addressing the wholistic well-being of patients in ever-evolving pediatric hospital settings.

“Design approaches must manage anxiety, reduce stress, and promote normalcy for patients and their families through an appropriate sense of scale and need for privacy so potentially intimidating spaces are infused with timeless design and a sense of fun,” said Shepley Bulfinch Principal Andre Kamili, AIA. “We are thrilled to bring this thinking to families throughout the Las Vegas community.”

“The Nevada Children’s Hospital is not just a much-needed addition to the healthcare landscape in Las Vegas, and the state of Nevada, but an opportunity to inform and quantify new ideas and approaches to pediatric healthcare,” said Candra Mathis, managing director of Gensler Las Vegas. “In partnership with Shepley Bullfinch and Intermountain Health, Gensler is thrilled to bring our comprehensive knowledge of Las Vegas and our deep cross-disciplinary experience to this exciting project, all in service of improving pediatric healthcare delivery and outcomes.”

“This hospital will greatly reduce strain on families already burdened by emotionally and physically challenging health conditions,” added Barnard. “Nevada’s children deserve to receive comprehensive care close to home.”

Construction, although very important, is just one part of the project. 

The clinical planning, organization, children’s health initiatives, and other workstreams needed for an undertaking of this magnitude began years ago, workforce planning (including sustainable recruitment), and more. 

Intermountain Health operates two children’s hospitals in Utah – Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital Salt Lake and Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital Lehi, which are both known for their high-quality and compassionate care. 

Intermountain Health offers patient care at more than 65 clinic locations across southern Nevada. With its extended provider network, Intermountain Health delivers patient-centered primary, specialty, and urgent care services to approximately 350,000 southern Nevadans in Clark and Nye counties.   

Learn more about Intermountain Health and follow the progress at intermountainhealth.org. 

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Child safety advocates at Intermountain Children’s Health are seeing a rise in the number of parents unknowingly purchasing counterfeit car seats online for their children. Today, advocates from Intermountain Health, the Healthy Living Institute at UMC, and Safe Kids Clark County spoke on this dangerous rise and keeping kids safe in vehicles.

These types of seats are almost always purchased online and are enticing because of the steep discount in price compared to major brands. What often confuses parents is that these seats are found on the websites of major national retailers through third-party sellers.

“It’s hard to tell a car seat is counterfeit from a small picture online, and many parents think they found a great deal from a major retailer,” said Michelle Jamison, community health program manager at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. “Once they realize there’s a problem and try to return it, the site they got it from has already been taken down.”

For many years, Intermountain Primary Children’s has offered both in-person and virtual car seat checks to help educate parents about proper installation and correct use of car seats.

Jamison says that’s where caregivers started noticing more of these counterfeit seats popping up.

The types of counterfeit car seats caregivers are starting to see more of look legitimate and can cost hundreds of dollars. But many of these are missing key components that keep children safe in a crash, and they worry that using these seats could have deadly consequences.

They say the best way to avoid counterfeit car seats is to buy directly from the manufacturer’s website or go to a store in person to purchase the seat. All these models will be legitimate and meet safety standards.

“Parents may think an in-store purchase is more expensive but what they’re really getting is the peace of mind their child’s car seat is safe,” said Jamison. “While some models are pricey, there are less expensive ones that are still crash tested and safe.”

There are several things required on car seats to meet stringent federal safety standards, and parents should look closely to see if any are missing to know if it’s counterfeit.

All car seats are required to have a manufacturers label which includes the name of the car seat, date of manufacture, branding, model number, and expiration date.

This information is used to help register your car seat, which allows manufacturers to notify you of any recalls. Counterfeit car seats don’t have the number and make it ineligible to register.

“Thank goodness we have only seen this a few times, but we really want to make the public aware that this could happen. If you have any questions, you can bring your car seat to one of our local car seat check up events and have it checked by a certified technician. You can find these events by looking on our website at safekidsclarkcounty.org,“ said Jeanne Marsala, executive director of Safe Kids Clark County.

“We also want to remind parents that 8 out of 10 car seats are also installed improperly, so you should always have your seat checked by a certified Child Passenger Safety technician,” Marsala added. “In the last few months, we have seen a rise in serious car crashes involving children. We are finding that in many of these the child has been graduated to the seatbelt prematurely. In other words, they were at an age, weight and height where they should have still been seated in a booster seat. In addition, some of the seatbelt age children have put the shoulder belt portion behind their back or under their arm. It is extremely important for the children to always wear the seatbelt going across their chest to give them optimum protection.”

Parents and caregivers can also schedule complimentary car seat inspections and installations with the Healthy Living Institute at UMC.

The Healthy Living Institute at UMC houses one of the largest car seat programs in Nevada, assisting up to a hundred families per month with vital passenger safety education among other injury prevention programs.

“In addition to the typical installation mistakes, we are starting to see a greater number of these counterfeit and foreign car seats,” said Amy Runge, clinical manager of the Healthy Living Institute at UMC.

“As home to Southern Nevada’s only designated pediatric trauma center, UMC Children’s Hospital sees an alarming amount of children severely injured each year because they are not restrained properly. We are proud to have a robust car seat program with certified passenger safety technicians to assist families both inside the children’s hospital and through daily appointments at the Healthy Living Institute,” Runge added.

To meet safety standards car seats in the U.S. must also include warning labels written in both English and Spanish. They can be found on the back of the car seat but are also required in the area near where the baby’s head goes at the top of the seat.

Counterfeit car seats are often missing the labels, or they’re written in another language. Sometimes these labels have grammatical errors, and the wording doesn’t make sense.

Experts note a missing chest clip is an immediate sign a car seat isn’t safe. They’re required in the United States but not in every country, which is why counterfeit seats usually don’t have them.

“If you determine that you have a counterfeit car seat, stop using it immediately and contact the retailer to notify them that they sold a counterfeit,” Jamison said. “You may be able to recover the cost of the seat if you used a credit card or purchased through a major retailer.”

Parents can also report it through STOPfakes.gov, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the U.S. Department of Commerce via their contact form.

They should also submit a report through their state’s consumer protection agency. 

For help with evaluating or installing your car seat, find a technician near you, schedule an appointment with the Healthy Living Institute at UMC by calling 702-383-SELF or attend a Safe Kid’s event at safekidsclarkcounty.org.

For more child safety tips, go to intermountainhealth.org/childrenshealth.

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Intermountain Health Unveils Sign at Site of Future Stand-Alone Comprehensive Children’s Hospital In Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS – Intermountain Health today unveiled the location for its future stand-alone children’s hospital in Southern Nevada at UNLV’s Harry Reid Research and Technology Park.

This afternoon at the future hospital site, leaders with Intermountain revealed a sign that reads: The future site of Nevada’s first stand-alone children’s hospital. 

“Intermountain Health recognizes comprehensive, subspecialty care for children close to home helps greatly reduce strain on families already burdened by emotionally and physically challenging health conditions,” said Mitch Cloward, president of Intermountain Health’s Desert Region, which includes southern Nevada and southwest Utah. “We are grateful for the pediatricians, caregivers, hospitals and other organizations who have dedicated themselves to caring for children for many years.  We are privileged to join with them in helping to advance healthcare for the children we serve.”

“This is the first step toward our partnership with our community to bring this long-needed, stand-alone children’s hospital to Las Vegas,” Cloward said. 

Design of the hospital has begun as well as clinical activities and workforce planning, including sustainable recruitment. More details will be available at a later date as the project develops.

This effort will only be accomplished through building a broad coalition of philanthropic, clinical, and community partners committed to exceptional care for children. In addition to the design planning, Intermountain Health Foundation will help bring to life our shared vision of the children’s hospital and services by building partnerships with community leaders, key supporters, and philanthropic donors.

“We recognize the vital role philanthropic donors play in creating a legacy of care that will impact kids now and for generations to come,” says David Flood, Intermountain Health chief development officer. “We invite our neighbors and community leaders to be part of something truly transformative that will not only expand access to healthcare but also strengthen the very fabric of our community.” 

Intermountain Health offers patient care at more than 65 clinics across southern Nevada. With its extended provider network, Intermountain Health delivers patient-centered primary, specialty, and urgent care services to approximately 350,000 southern Nevadans in Clark and Nye counties.   

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The $2.5 million project will help Intermountain clinicians expand research-based practices for prescribing antibiotics to treat acute respiratory tract infection in children, avoid adverse side effects, and shrink the growing problem of drug-resistant infections.  

The project will include more than 1,350 Intermountain clinicians who prescribe medications at 249 Intermountain Health pediatric and family medicine clinics, emergency departments, urgent care centers, and telehealth services throughout its service area, which includes Utah, Colorado, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and parts of Arizona and New Mexico.

“For Intermountain Health, this project represents the largest, most complex, disciplined implementation of evidence-based practices in antibiotic stewardship, across all regions and in multiple settings,” said JP Valin, MD, chief clinical officer for Intermountain Health.

Intermountain Health, one of the nation’s leading health systems, is a nationally recognized leader in antibiotic stewardship for both adults and children.

“This project represents a significant springboard from which we can improve the care for more than 270,000 children with acute respiratory tract infections by promoting the adoption of evidence-based antibiotic prescribing practices throughout our system,” said Raj Srivastava, MD, chief clinical programs officer for Intermountain Health, who is leading the project.

“We look forward to the opportunity this initiative holds to continue to improve our clinical practices, and especially, enhance the health outcomes for hundreds of thousands of children who we provide care for,” Dr. Srivastava added.

PCORI is an independent, nonprofit organization authorized by Congress with a mission to fund patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research that provides patients, their caregivers, and clinicians with the evidence-based information they need to make better-informed health and health care decisions.  

Intermountain Health’s multi-year project aims to equitably increase the use of narrow-spectrum antibiotics for the treatment of major respiratory tract infections, including acute otitis media, Group A Streptococcal pharyngitis, acute sinusitis, and community-acquired pneumonia. It also aims to reduce the duration of antibiotic prescriptions for selected respiratory infections.

To achieve these project goals, Intermountain clinicians will implement findings from a PCORI-funded patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) study that demonstrated that narrow-spectrum antibiotics were as effective as broad-spectrum antibiotics in treating acute respiratory tract infections among children, with fewer side effects.  

As part of the project, caregivers will engage in clinician education and support regarding antibiotic use best practices, utilize reminders and feedback opportunities facilitated by technology and face-to-face communications, and draw on ongoing input and support from Family Advisory Committees and frontline clinicians.

“We are thrilled to have PCORI support for this important project, which will enable us to expand Intermountain Health’s antibiotic stewardship efforts into hundreds of pediatric care settings across our system to help ensure that children are receiving the very best care possible when they’re being treated for serious respiratory infections,” said Rob Allen, president and CEO of Intermountain Health. “Intermountain Health is uniquely positioned to advance antibiotic stewardship for children and is honored to partner with PCORI to advance this important work.”

Last year, Intermountain was among 42 health systems nationwide selected to participate in PCORI’s Health Systems Implementation Initiative (HSII). Intermountain was selected for funding for the project through a PCORI funding opportunity recruiting participating systems in the Health Systems Implementation Initiative to promote evidence-based practice, based on findings generated from PCORI-funded patient-centered research studies.

The Health Systems Implementation Initiative aims to reduce the estimated 17-year gap between evidence publication and clinical application. This initiative recognizes health systems’ practical experience and real-world insights are crucial for sustainable, large-scale implementation of practice-changing findings in clinical care.

“What makes this award particularly meaningful is it is based upon the Clinical Best Practice Integration model that has proven to significantly reduce that 17-year gap in multiple settings and populations across Intermountain,” said Katy Welkie, chief executive officer of Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital and vice president of Intermountain Children’s Health. “We’ll use that best-practice integration model to implement this project in all 249 of the non-hospital sites that care for children.”

Intermountain Health’s funding award has been approved pending completion of PCORI’s business and programmatic review and issuance of a formal award contract.

“This project exemplifies PCORI's commitment to advancing the uptake of evidence into health care delivery settings to enable parents, caregivers and clinicians to make informed health care decisions and improve care delivery and health outcomes,” said PCORI executive director Nakela L. Cook, MD. “We look forward to following the project’s progress and collaborating with Intermountain Health to share its results.” 

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Debido al calor del verano, los expertos en seguridad de Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital instan a los conductores a que nunca dejen a los niños en un vehículo, ni siquiera por un minuto, y ofrecen herramientas gratuitas para ayudar a los conductores a evitar lesiones o incluso la muerte por sobrecalentamiento en automóviles con temperatura elevada.

“Queremos que todos ‘Paren, Miren y Cierren’ antes de salir del vehículo para prevenir lesiones accidentales o la muerte de un niño”, manifestó Michelle Jamison, gerente del programa de salud comunitaria infantil del Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. “El interior de su vehículo puede calentarse muy rápidamente. En apenas 10 minutos, la temperatura dentro de un automóvil puede aumentar 20 grados y volverse letal. Es crucial que los conductores estén atentos y usen herramientas visuales este verano para evitar cualquier tragedia”. 

Además, Intermountain Children’s Health está ofreciendo calcomanías gratuitas “Forget Me Not” (No te olvides de mí) para las ventanas, que ayudan a los conductores a recordar la presencia de un niño en el auto. También se ofrecerá una herramienta de escape para vehículos en eventos de seguridad infantil seleccionados este verano, hasta agotar existencias. 

Cada año, mueren casi 40 niños en el país porque los dejaron en un vehículo a temperaturas elevadas. En Utah, murieron 13 niños por quedarse encerrados en vehículos a temperaturas elevadas entre 1998 y 2022, otros fueron salvados a tiempo, pero sufrieron golpes de calor y lesiones.

Las tragedias en vehículos a temperaturas elevadas pueden ocurrirle a cualquiera. A menudo suceden cuando un cuidador olvida que un niño está en el auto, ya sea por agotamiento o cambios en la rutina, factores habituales que las familias viven durante las vacaciones de verano y los viajes. Esto puede hacer que el cerebro de una persona funcione “en piloto automático”, lo que favorece la posibilidad de que se olvide del niño. 

La temperatura corporal de un niño puede aumentar entre tres y cinco veces más rápido que la temperatura corporal de los adultos. Romper una ventana casi no modifica la temperatura interior del automóvil. 

“Los niños elevan su temperatura mucho más rápido que los adultos”, explicó Wyatt Argyle, gerente del programa de traumatología de Miller Family Campus. “El golpe de calor empieza cuando la temperatura corporal central de los niños alcanza unos 104 °F (40 °C). Por eso es vital nunca dejar a un niño en un auto, aunque sea por solo un minuto o dos”. 

Además, 1 de cada 4 muertes en autos con temperatura elevada ocurre cuando un niño sin supervisión accede al vehículo, según la Administración Nacional de Seguridad del Tráfico en las Carreteras. 

“Si alguna vez desaparece un niño, compruebe primero todos los vehículos y lugares con agua cercanos,” recomendó el sargento Kristopher Cope de la Patrulla de Carreteras de Utah. “Si ve a un niño en un vehículo, llame al 911. Si lo ve sufrir por el calor, sáquelo del vehículo y refrésquelo lo más rápido posible”.  

Estas son algunas formas de prevenir lesiones por calor en autos, según el Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital y la Administración Nacional de Seguridad del Tráfico en las Carreteras:

• “Parar. Miren y Cerrar” al momento de estacionar un vehículo. 

• Hay calcomanías Forget-Me-Not/Spot disponibles en Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital a pedido hasta agotar existencias, enviando un correo electrónico a PCHHOTDL@imail.org con su nombre, dirección postal y la cantidad deseada (máximo 10 por persona). 

Estas calcomanías de doble cara se colocan en la ventana de la puerta del conductor para que sean visibles. Recordarán a los conductores divisar al niño (“Spot the Tot”) con solo caminar alrededor del vehículo y buscarlos antes de hacer marcha atrás. En el interior del vehículo, la etiqueta dice “Forget Me Not” (No te olvides de mí), que le recuerda verificar los asientos traseros antes de salir del auto. 

• Las herramientas de escape para vehículos Resqme estarán disponibles en varios eventos comunitarios de seguridad. La herramienta viene con un llavero y un clip para visera, que se pueden quitar rápidamente y usar para romper una ventana o cortar un cinturón de seguridad para liberar a un niño.

Estos son algunos consejos adicionales de expertos para prevenir lesiones por calor en autos: 

• Nunca deje al niño solo en el vehículo, ni siquiera por unos minutos. No hay garantía de que regresará rápidamente.
• Hágase el hábito de mirar siempre los asientos traseros antes de salir de su vehículo.
• Mantenga los vehículos cerrados y las llaves fuera del alcance de los niños.  Los niños curiosos pueden entrar en vehículos abiertos y luego suelen no poder salir por sus propios medios.
• Asegúrese de tener a la vista un objeto que le recuerde que hay un niño con usted, como un peluche o un bolso de pañales en el asiento del copiloto. 
• Coloque algo que necesitará al llegar a su destino, como un teléfono, un bolso o su celular en el asiento trasero. De esa manera, cuando lo busque, verá al niño. 

Para obtener más información acerca del bienestar, la seguridad de los niños y la prevención de lesiones, visite primarychildrens.org/safety.

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