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.

# # #

Intermountain Foundation today announced the appointment of five new members to its Board of Trustees, marking a significant expansion of the leadership guiding its philanthropic efforts across the Intermountain Health system.

The appointments bring together some of the Mountain West’s most respected business, health care, and community leaders. Each one has already shown a deep belief in the Foundation’s mission as a generous philanthropist and active champion of the Foundation's work.

Together, these trustees bring deep experience across finance, real estate, medicine, and large-scale philanthropy, as well as a record of helping bring to life some of the region’s most significant health care initiatives. 

Their addition reflects both the Foundation’s continued focus on strong governance and the growing confidence among regional leaders in the role philanthropy plays in shaping the future of health care.

The new trustees are:

• Scott Anderson, non-executive chair and former president and CEO of Zions Bank; past chair of the American Bankers Association; nationally recognized leader in banking and economic development; chair emeritus of the Intermountain Health Board of Trustees; founding vice chair and recent past chair of Intermountain Foundation Board of Trustees. 

• Christian Gardner, CEO and chairman of the Gardner Group; co-founder of rPlus Energies and Philo Ventures; deeply committed to causes spanning education, the arts, mental health, homelessness, sports, and the environment. 

• Gail Miller, co-founder of the Larry H. Miller Company; chair of the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation and chair emeritus of the Intermountain Health Board of Trustees; recipient of six honorary doctorate degrees and the Congressional Award Foundation’s Horizon Award; previous co-chair of the Intermountain Foundation’s Primary Promise campaign.

• Sandy Modersitzki, dedicated community leader and philanthropist with a longstanding commitment to strengthening families and expanding access to critical resources for youth, single mothers, and veterans; previous executive cabinet member of the Intermountain Foundation’s Primary Promise campaign.

• Dr. Neal Sorensen, longtime internal medicine physician in Billings, Montana, affiliated with Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital; served four decades as a clinical professor of medicine with the University of Washington School of Medicine; chair emeritus of the Board for both the St. Vincent Foundation and the Yellowstone Community Health Plan.

“These are leaders who have built organizations, shaped industries, and strengthened communities, and they joined the Board because they have seen what our mission is positioned to do, and believe how much more is possible up ahead,” said David Flood, chief development officer of Intermountain Health and president of Intermountain Foundation. “From the Nevada Campaign for Kids to our growing work in Montana, this is one of those rare moments when the stars align — and these five leaders will help define what comes next, to the life-enhancing benefit of our communities and countless families.”

The addition of these trustees expands both the expertise and geographic reach of the Board, which stewards philanthropy across the Mountain West.

Their arrival comes at a pivotal moment. The momentum created by the Primary Promise campaign, which raised more than $640 million to build the nation’s model health system for children, is now carrying the Foundation into a new generation of inspired projects, including major campaigns in Nevada and Montana. The Foundation is rising to meet this moment with governance on par with the country’s most accomplished health care philanthropies and vision worthy of one of the country’s most respected health systems. 

“On behalf of the Board, it is my privilege to welcome Gail, Christian, Neal, Sandy, and Scott,” said Bert Zimmerli, chair of the Intermountain Foundation Board of Trustees. “Each of these individuals brings an extraordinary record of leadership and service. More importantly, they share a deep commitment to the children and families at the heart of our mission. Their perspective will sharpen our strategy, deepen our credibility, and help ensure we are equal to the ambition of what we are building together.”

Intermountain Foundation serves as the centralized philanthropic arm of Intermountain Health, advancing charitable giving that strengthens care, expands access, and invests in the communities Intermountain serves. The Foundation Board of Trustees provides strategic and fiduciary oversight of philanthropic assets, ensuring alignment with donor intent and with Intermountain Health’s mission.

###

Intermountain Health and the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games, an outreach department of Southern Utah University, today announced a new partnership that will position Intermountain as the Official Health Partner and Medical Provider of the Games, strengthening support for athletes while advancing health, wellness, and community impact across Southern Utah.

As part of the partnership, Intermountain will serve in a lead health role for the Games and provide on-site athletic training and sports medicine support to help keep athletes safe, supported, and performing at their best throughout the event. 

“This partnership reflects our commitment to showing up in meaningful ways for the communities we serve,” said Jamison Robinett, president of Intermountain Health Cedar City Hospital. “Through this collaboration, Intermountain Health is extending our mission to serve more people by expanding in ways that help individuals live the healthiest lives possible. The Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games is a longstanding and important part of this community, and we are proud to support its athletes, families, and organizers in a shared commitment to health, wellness, and opportunity for all.” 

Jon Oglesby, director of the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games, said, “We are excited to welcome Intermountain Health in this expanded role with the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games. Their support helps strengthen the athlete experience and reinforces our shared belief in the power of sport to improve lives, build community, and create lasting impact.

The 2026 Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games marks the organization’s 40th anniversary, with the Opening Ceremony scheduled for the evening of Friday, June 5, 2026. 

The Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games center their program on “impact and opportunity through sports,” a theme that aligns closely with Intermountain’s mission to help people live the healthiest lives possible.  

                                                                                                                                               ###   

Intermountain Health ha publicado su nueva Evaluación de las Necesidades de Salud Comunitaria (CHNA, por sus siglas en inglés) y las Estrategias de Implementación de Salud Comunitaria (CHIS, por sus siglas en inglés) para Nevada, en las que identifica dónde se encuentran las mayores necesidades de atención médica para las comunidades y las acciones que se deben tomar para mejorar la salud comunitaria.

El nuevo informe de la evaluación indicó que las necesidades de salud más significativas en el condado de Clark son mejorar el acceso a la atención médica conductual, invertir en factores sociales (como vivienda, alimentos y seguridad), aumentar el acceso a la atención y prevenir lesiones y enfermedades infantiles.

"Estas evaluaciones son un proceso basado en datos que nos ayuda a priorizar las necesidades de salud y luego a tomar medidas", dijo Lisa Nichols, vicepresidenta de salud comunitaria en Intermountain Health. "Al combinar los datos con la información personal, podemos centrar nuestros esfuerzos allí donde Intermountain Health puede tener el mayor impacto en la salud de la comunidad; a esto lo llamamos necesidades de salud significativas".

También se presta especial atención a la salud de la primera infancia. Iniciativas como las pruebas de detección en los controles de niño sano, las vacunas y la educación sobre el sueño seguro ayudan a las familias a proteger a sus bebés y a prevenir posibles tragedias. Además, este trabajo incluye la prevención del abuso y la negligencia infantil en nuestros vecindarios y comunidades.

El plan de acción también incluye el fortalecimiento de las coaliciones locales y los grupos de defensa para llegar a la mayor cantidad de personas posible.

"En Nevada, los datos señalan sistemáticamente que la salud conductual es un desafío compartido entre las comunidades", dijo Will Rucker, director de salud comunitaria de Nevada en Intermountain Health. "Estamos trabajando para abordar este desafío a través de un enfoque más estructural, fortaleciendo las condiciones que promueven el bienestar antes de que ocurra una crisis. Eso significa generar confianza, aumentar el acceso a través de colaboraciones comunitarias y ampliar la capacidad de los miembros de la comunidad, como educadores y otros adultos de confianza, para reconocer las señales y conectar a las personas con el apoyo adecuado en el momento oportuno".

En las comunidades del sur de Nevada, el informe concluyó que es fundamental ampliar los recursos de salud conductual y fortalecer las iniciativas de prevención del suicidio. Las medidas incluyen mejorar la seguridad, por ejemplo, al facilitar el acceso al almacenamiento seguro de armas de fuego mediante el uso de candados para armas y la capacitación familiar.

La salud en la primera infancia continúa siendo una prioridad clave en Nevada. Los esfuerzos se centran en prevenir problemas de salud, fortalecer los factores de protección y ofrecer educación para la prevención de lesiones adaptada a cada cultura para ayudar a adoptar prácticas seguras.

"Hemos estado colaborando con varios grupos y organizaciones comunitarias, como RTC, Safe Kids of Clark County y la YMCA, entre otros, para aumentar el acceso a dispositivos de seguridad como cascos de bicicleta y chalecos salvavidas", afirmó Rucker. "Todos tenemos objetivos similares, que son proteger y apoyar a nuestros niños y a las familias".

Intermountain Health está trabajando para que el hospital pediátrico Nevada Children’s Hospital se construya en el Parque de Investigación y Tecnología de la UNLV. Se prevé que este hospital estará terminado para 2030.

La metodología de la CHNA incluye trabajar con organizaciones comunitarias, departamentos de salud y otros para encontrar las mayores necesidades de las zonas aledañas.

El informe y las estrategias de implementación ayudan a Intermountain Health a escuchar, enfocarse y actuar frente a las necesidades de la comunidad.

Para obtener más información, se puede acceder al informe completo en la página web de la CHNA.  

###

Intermountain Health has published its new Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and the Community Health Implementation Strategies (CHIS) for Nevada, identifying where the greatest healthcare needs for the communities and the actions that must be taken to enhance community health.

The new assessment report found the most significant health needs in Clark County are: improvement in access to behavioral health care, invest in social drivers (such as housing, food, and safety), increase access to care, and preventing childhood injury and illness.

“These assessments are a data-driven process to help us prioritize health needs and then take action” said Lisa Nichols, vice president of community health at Intermountain Health. “By combining data with personal insight, we can focus our efforts where Intermountain Health can make the biggest impact on community health, we call these significant health needs.”

There is also a strong focus on early childhood health. Efforts such as screenings at well-child checks, immunizations, and safe sleep education help families protect their infants and prevent possible tragedies. This work also includes preventing abuse and neglect among children in our neighborhoods and communities.

The action plan also includes strengthening local coalitions and advocacy groups to help reach as many as possible.

“In Nevada, the data consistently points to behavioral health as a shared challenge across communities,” said Will Rucker, director of community health in Nevada at Intermountain Health. “We’re working to address this challenge through a more upstream approach by strengthening the conditions that shape well-being before a crisis occurs. That means building trust, increasing access through community-based collaborations, and increasing the capacity of community members, such as educators and other trusted adults, to recognize the signs and connect people to the right support at the right time.”

In southern Nevada communities, the report found that expanding behavioral health resources and strengthening suicide prevention efforts are vital. Action includes improving safety, including increasing access to safe firearm storage through gun locks and family education.

Early childhood health remains a key priority in Nevada. Efforts are centered on prevention, strengthening protective factors, and delivering culturally relevant injury prevention education to help adopt safe practices.

“We have been engaging with several groups and community organizations, such as RTC, Safe Kids of Clark County, and the YMCA, among others, to increase access to safety devices such as bike helmets and life vests,” Rucker said. “We all have similar goals, which are to protect and support our kids and families."

Intermountain Health is working toward the Nevada Children’s Hospital to be built on the UNLV Research and Technology Park. The children’s hospital is slated to be completed by 2030.

The CHNA methodology includes working with community organizations, health departments, and more to find the greatest needs for the surrounding area.

The report and implementation strategies help Intermountain Health listen, focus, and act to community needs.

To find out more, the full report can be accessed here on the Intermountain Health CHNA webpage.  

###

In a moment that captured the heart and soul of Las Vegas, global music icon Bruno Mars announced a $1 million gift to Intermountain Health Nevada Children’s Hospital during a live event at Toshiba Plaza with thousands of people in attendance, marking a powerful milestone in the hospital’s campaign for kids.

The announcement came on April 10 — officially recognized as “Bruno Mars Day” — a citywide celebration honoring Mars’ deep roots and enduring commitment to Las Vegas. Bruno Mars Day festivities celebrated the start of his sold out The Romantic Tour, which kicked off April 10 at Allegiant Stadium.

 The day also coincided with MGM Resorts International naming a Las Vegas street in his honor, a tribute to the artist whose performances have helped define the city’s modern entertainment legacy.

“Today, I'm going to donate $1 million to the future Intermountain Health Nevada Children's Hospital,” said Mars to the jam-packed crowd.

The $1 million gift will directly support lifesaving care, advanced pediatric programs, and expanded access for children and families across Nevada.

“This gift is pure Bruno — bold, joyful, and deeply rooted in community,” said David Flood, president of Intermountain Foundation and chief development officer at Intermountain Health.  “Bruno Mars doesn’t just perform in Las Vegas; he invests in its future. Because of his generosity, more kids will receive the care they need regardless of complexity, and the health trajectory of the entire region will be enhanced. This serves as a spark – one that we believe will ignite even more momentum and generosity for this historic campaign.”

On stage, Bill and Wendy Hornbuckle, Intermountain Health’s Nevada Campaign for Kids Co-Chairs; Mandy Richards, DNP, RN, chief nursing executive for Intermountain Health and president of Children’s Health; and David Flood, accepted the gift from Bruno along with “Super Benji” and his mother, Azalea Sanchez. 

Mars asked Benji to come out on stage when announcing the gift. The crowd chanted Benji’s name, a Las Vegas resident and Intermountain Health patient who has faced cancer three times, and whose strength has inspired caregivers and families alike as a reminder for whom this gift is dedicated.

“Being with Benji and his mom on stage with Bruno made this about more than a donation,” said Wendy Hornbuckle. “It turned the spotlight on the urgent need for more pediatric care in our community and what’s possible when people come together to support kids and families.” Bill Hornbuckle, chief executive officer and president of MGM Resorts International added. “Today served as a reminder of what’s possible when music, generosity, and community come together for kids, Las Vegas style.”

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, which is planned to open in 2030.

Intermountain Health is committed to funding 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. 

Foundation leadership is working closely with the Hornbuckles in building the leadership framework of the campaign, which will provide an opportunity for individuals and organizations at all levels to become a part of this historic endeavor, and to impact the lives of countless families.

###

Intermountain Health hosted a ceremonial ribbon-cutting for the new Intermountain Health District Clinic in Henderson, Nevada. 

This new medical office building brings together five existing clinics and introduces three new ones.

The state-of-the-art 45,000-square-foot facility brings together senior primary care, oncology, and children’s health under one roof—creating a comprehensive and convenient hub for families across southern Nevada.

The District Clinic will also introduce wound care and palliative care, two new service lines, expanding the reach of Intermountain Health’s offerings in the community.

“What the District Clinic provides is a beautiful, single, modern location designed to strengthen access, improve coordination, and support long-term growth,” said Trevor Smith, Intermountain region vice president of Medical Group Operations. “We know that as our lives become busier than ever and our days fill with activities, it is more vital than ever to make world-class care as convenient as possible.”

With this facility, Intermountain Health is increasing access to high-quality, preventive, and specialty care to help meet the growing healthcare needs of the community—ensuring people can receive the care they deserve close to home.

“We are excited about what this means for our community and we’re so appreciative to Intermountain Health for making increased access to care a priority,” said Monica Larson, Henderson Mayor Pro Tem. “With population growth comes the need for services – for employment, for healthcare – and Intermountain is focused on bringing all of these to our community. These investments by Intermountain Health in our community are important for the well-being of our community and future generations.”

The focus on these clinics is to help bring important touchpoints for people to find providers and help get established with regular health visits, important screenings, and more.

“Intermountain Health’s mission is to help people live the healthiest lives possible, and that starts with making sure everyone has access to primary care physicians and that each person is able to see their primary care provider regularly,” said Lana Dawood, MD, associate medical director for Senior Primary Clinics for Intermountain Health. “Establishing preventive care where patients are receiving the right screenings keeps people healthy, out of the hospital, and living their lives to the fullest.”

There are also plans for additional growth, with the Badura Clinic, in southwest area, scheduled to open this summer and a comprehensive stand-alone Nevada Children’s Hospital breaking ground later in 2026 with opening planned for 2030.

For more information, or to find providers /clinics, go to intermountainhealth.org.

###

Intermountain Health unveiled plans today for a new clinic in Washington City that will provide much needed access to urgent and primary care services for residents in Washington County.

The new Intermountain clinic will be located one-quarter mile east of I-15 on Washington Parkway, making care more convenient and accessible for area residents. It will offer several services, including an InstaCare clinic, primary care, and WorkMed, with additional services to be announced.

“We are thrilled to expand services in Washington County and deepen our commitment to meeting the healthcare needs of this growing community. The remarkable support and growth in Washington City have strengthened our ability to meet patients closer to home, allowing Intermountain Health to deliver extraordinary care where it’s needed most,” said Trevor Smith, regional vice president of medical group operations for Intermountain Health.

“The new clinic will serve as a central healthcare hub for the residents of Washington City, offering expanded access to both primary care and urgent care services. We are honored to support the continued development of this vibrant city and look forward to advancing our efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of this community,” Smith said. 

Washington City has seen remarkable growth for both residential and commercial development. This includes more than 35 percent of population growth since 2020. Currently, the city is growing at roughly 4 to 5 percent annually, making it the fastest growing community in Southern Utah.

Washington City is projected to reach over 50,000 residents by 2030 if current growth trends continue. This growth has made access to health care for residents a critical need.

"Washington City continues to be one of the fastest-growing communities in Southern Utah, and investments like this ensure our residents have access to high-quality services close to home," said Washington City Mayor Kress Staheli. “We are excited to welcome this expansion and appreciate Intermountain Health’s commitment to serving our growing city."

“Approving this new clinic highlights our continued focus on providing high quality care to the people who rely on us every day. Washington City continues to experience tremendous growth, and we value the opportunity to support that momentum in meaningful ways. It’s a privilege to work alongside Washington’s dedicated leaders in promoting the community’s health,” said Natalie Ashby, president of Intermountain Health St. George Regional Hospital and Intermountain’s Southwest Utah Market.

Intermountain Health will announce the clinic’s official name at a later date. The new clinic is scheduled for groundbreaking later this year with an anticipated completion date in early 2028.

###

The RESEP (Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program) clinic from St. George Regional Hospital will be holding public informational meetings in several Utah cities on March 18^th, 19^th, 20^th, 21^st and 24^th. These meetings are to inform the public about the reinstatement and expansion of the RECA program, what areas now qualify and to give applications.

This is a free service. Come receive information regarding what new areas now qualify to apply for the RECA compensation as well as the new increased compensation amount. If you have called asking for an application to be sent and they have not been able to call you back, applications will be available. The online portal will also be discussed. If you are ready to submit your application and would like it reviewed, they will be doing application reviews one hour before and one hour after the Provo, Ogden, Price and St. George meetings. Unfortunately, if you have already been compensated by the RECA program, the law does not allow you to apply for any additional money.

The term “Downwinder” is used to describe people who were exposed to radioactive fallout in Arizona, Nevada and Utah, Idaho and New Mexico during the nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site.  Local residents, and their families, are encouraged to come have their questions answered about the program.

Meetings will be held at the following dates and sites:

Wednesday, March 18, 2026    Provo/Orem—Utah Valley Hospital, Sorenson Tower, Bldg 4,               

                                                                         2nd Floor, Classrooms 1, 2 & 3, 395 Cougar Blvd, 2:00-3:00pm

Thursday, March 19, 2026        Ogden—McKay-Dee Hospital, Thomas Dee Auditorium,

                                                                           4401 Harrison Blvd, 5:00-6:00pm

Friday, March 20, 2026              Moab—Grand County Library, 257 E. Center St, 2:00-3:00pm

Saturday, March 21, 2026         Price—Active Re-Entry Independent Living Center, 10 South   

                                                                          Fairgrounds Rd., 12:00-1:00 pm

Tuesday, March 24, 2026           St. George—Cancer Center, Bldg 7, Classrooms A, B & C,

                                                                          600 South Medical Center Dr, 5:00-6:00pm

For questions, please call 435-251-4760.

                                                                                               ###

Surrounded by community leaders and former and current Intermountain Health presidents, Intermountain Health St. George Regional Hospital unveiled new permanent displays Thursday that bring the region's medical history to life. 
 

The exhibits showcase historic medical instruments, physician keepsakes, and preserved artifacts from those who helped shape healthcare in Washington County.  

The new displays are located on the hospital's main floor and include historical artifacts that trace the evolution of care in the region over the past 100 years. 

Natalie Ashby, president at Intermountain Health St. George Regional Hospital helped unveil the displays with three previous presidents: Mitch Cloward, Terri Kane, and Steve Wilson. 

Ashby said it was an honor to have them together as their vision helped bring the hospital to where it is today. 

“I stand on the shoulders of giants. I am so thankful for what they did,” said Ashby. “We’ve all been blessed, and I know each of them in their tenure had unique challenges. Since I have sat in this chair, each one of them has given me advice, counsel, and shared stories. I can never repay that.” 

The displays include a vintage wheelchair, a preserved nursing uniform, surgical tools, and notes featuring quotes and historical lessons.  

Returning the historical items back to the hospital required time, persistence, and community effort. Some were even discovered by sure luck when community members found them collecting dust in a home garage. 

They reached out Terri Draper, a longtime caregiver at Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital. 

Draper decided to make it a mission to start collecting more memorabilia and historical items.  

Draper, who retired from Intermountain Health in January, was able to work with team members to get them permanently preserved and now on display for the public. 

The origins of healthcare and Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital date back to 1913, when Washington County Hospital first opened their doors to the community. 

Several iterations of the hospital would come as the surrounding area grew. In 1975, the hospital was part of 15 hospitals system operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

The Church donated all the hospitals in Utah, and turned over operations, to the new Intermountain Healthcare system. 

“As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to fully appreciate how difficult it was for those first pioneer families to make a settlement in this desert community. That would have been 1860, back before air conditioning and ice cubes,” said Steve Wilson, former president at Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital. “I appreciate progress. It doesn’t happen easily; it doesn’t happen simply.” 

Now, Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital has a wide, extensive campus located on River Road in St. George. 

Plaques honoring each version of the hospital were created several years ago along the first-floor hallway. The new historical artifact displays are now in place in the same area – creating a gallery dedicated to honor important history.       

###  

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.  

# # #

LAS VEGAS – Intermountain Health anunció hoy que ha finalizado la adquisición de Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging (SDMI), una empresa de diagnóstico por imágenes de radiología para pacientes ambulatorios que cuenta con 12 ubicaciones en todo Las Vegas Valley.   

De esta manera, Intermountain Health incorpora ahora centros de diagnóstico por imágenes a su creciente disponibilidad de servicios de atención médica en el sur de Nevada, lo que constituye una mejora en el acceso a una atención médica más coordinada e integral para los pacientes.  

“La expansión de Intermountain Health de los servicios de diagnóstico por imágenes mediante la incorporación de SDMI refuerza nuestra capacidad de apoyar a los pacientes de Las Vegas en su recorrido de atención”, expresó Scott Stevens, MD, oficial médico jefe en la región del desierto de Intermountain. “Este modelo integral de servicios de diagnóstico por imágenes de alta calidad y rentables en las instalaciones nos permite brindar una atención sostenida y basada en un enfoque personalizado y fluido”.  

SDMI, un Centro de diagnóstico por imágenes de excelencia cuenta con la acreditación de la Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, además de la acreditación como Centro de diagnóstico por imágenes mamario de excelencia por parte del American College of Radiology. SDMI también cuenta con la designación como Centro de detección de cáncer de pulmón por parte del American College of Radiology.  

Todos los radiólogos que están afiliados al SDMI cuentan con la acreditación de la American Board of Radiology y son miembros del American College of Radiology. La mayoría cuenta con una subespecialización en algún área de estudio en la que realizaron su formación fellowship, lo que incluye neurorradiología, diagnóstico por imágenes para mujeres, cardiología, diagnóstico por imágenes del cuerpo, oncología de tomografía por emisión de positrones y por tomografía computarizada (PET y CT por sus siglas en inglés respectivamente), radiología musculoesquelética, radiología intervencionista y radiología pediátrica.  

“Realmente nos entusiasma unirnos a Intermountain Health y llevar nuestro liderazgo en diagnóstico por imágenes, nuestra integridad y nuestra innovación a Las Vegas. Esto es parte de la misión de ayudar a que las personas vivan vidas más saludables mediante una atención proactiva y personalizada”, explicó Mark Winkler, MD, socio fundador y presidente de SDMI. “Ya que compartimos el mismo enfoque en una atención empática y de tecnología de vanguardia, podemos asegurarnos de que los pacientes accedan a los estándares médicos más altos”.   

El equipo de SDMI cuenta con más de 550 radiólogos, técnicos y otros miembros del personal afiliados o en relación de dependencia. Todos ellos cuentan con una formación de especialidad en más de 2000 procedimientos, que incluyen desde mamografías de detección hasta la implantación de puertos para la quimioterapia.  

Desde el año 1988, el SDMI ha brindado atención a los pacientes en todo el sur de Nevada. Los pacientes seguirán recibiendo el mismo nivel de atención al que están acostumbrados por parte del SDMI y de Intermountain. La integración de esta atención conjunta se comenzará a implementar por fases a lo largo del próximo año.  

“Los servicios de diagnóstico por imágenes son fundamentales, ya que permiten obtener imágenes claras y detalladas para lograr un diagnóstico acertado. Esto posibilita la detección temprana de enfermedades, la continuación de tratamientos eficaces y el monitoreo del progreso”, enfatizó el Dr. Ben Gordon, oficial médico jefe asociado, servicios clínicos compartidos, diagnóstico por imágenes de Intermountain. “Estos cambios nos permitirán ofrecer la mejor calidad y seguridad, además de enfocarnos en la experiencia y los resultados médicos de los pacientes”.  

Intermountain es una organización de atención médica sin fines de lucro que brinda atención en más de 80 clínicas en unas 65 ubicaciones en el sur de Nevada a pacientes que necesitan atención primaria, cuidados de urgencia y atención de diversas especialidades, entre ellas, oncología, cardiología, endocrinología, neumología, fisioterapia y salud femenina e infantil.  

Intermountain planea un nuevo proyecto para finales de este año: una instalación de atención médica con 200 camas pediátricas. Se trataría del primer hospital integral e independiente para niños en Nevada. Con su amplia red de proveedores, Intermountain 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.    

###

Intermountain Health today announced it has finalized its acquisition of Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging (SDMI), a leading outpatient radiology imaging company with 12 locations across the Las Vegas Valley. 

Intermountain Health’s addition of imaging centers to its growing availability of healthcare services in southern Nevada enhances patients’ access to more coordinated and integrated healthcare.  

“Intermountain Health’s expansion of imaging services through SDMI strengthens our capacity to support Las Vegas patients throughout their care journey,” said Scott Stevens, MD, chief medical officer for Intermountain’s Desert Region. “This comprehensive model of delivering high-quality, cost-effective imaging services in-house allows us to provide continuity of care with a seamless, person-centered approach.”  

SDMI, a Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence, is accredited by The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care and is an accredited Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology. SDMI is also designated as a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology.    

SDMI’s affiliated radiologists are all accredited by the American Board of Radiology and are members of the American College of Radiology. Most are sub-specialized in areas of study in which they performed their fellowship training including neuroradiology, women’s imaging, cardiology, body imaging, PET/CT oncology, musculoskeletal, interventional, and pediatric radiology.  

“We are thrilled to join Intermountain Heath, bringing our leadership in imaging, integrity, and innovation in Las Vegas to delivering on the mission of helping people live healthier lives through proactive, personalized care,” said Mark Winkler, MD, founding partner and president of SDMI. “Our shared focus on compassionate care and cutting-edge technology ensures that patients encounter the highest standards of medicine.”   

SDMI’s team of more than 550 affiliated or employed radiologists, technologists, and staff are specialty trained in more than 2,000 procedures, ranging from screening mammograms to port placements for chemotherapy.  

Since 1988, SDMI has served patients throughout southern Nevada. Patients will continue to receive the same level of care they have come to expect from both SDMI and Intermountain. The integration of care coordination will be introduced in phases over the next year.    

“Quality imaging services are critical because they provide clear, detailed views for accurate diagnoses that enable early disease detection, guide effective treatments and monitoring of progress,” said Dr. Ben Gordon, associate chief medical officer, Clinical Shared Services, Imaging, for Intermountain. “These changes will allow us to ensure we are delivering the very best in quality and safety while focusing on patient experience and health outcomes.”  

Intermountain is a nonprofit healthcare organization offering patient care at more than 80 clinics at over 65 locations across southern Nevada in primary care, urgent care, and multiple specialties including oncology, cardiology, endocrinology, pulmonology, physical medicine, and women’s and children’s health.  

Intermountain plans to break ground later this year on a 200-bed pediatric healthcare facility, the first-ever stand-alone comprehensive children’s hospital in Nevada. With its extended provider network, Intermountain delivers patient-centered primary, specialty, and urgent care services to approximately 350,000 southern Nevadans in Clark and Nye counties.    

###  

The New Year began with joy and celebration at Intermountain Health St. George Regional Hospital, where Utah’s first baby of 2026 was born. 

At 12:09 am on January 1, Valley Zohner made her grand entrance into the world. Her delighted parents, Kenedi and Zach, are thrilled to welcome their precious daughter to their family.

The Zohners live in Cedar City but chose to deliver at Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital because their OBGYN works there. They had been anticipating the baby's arrival, and wanted to be prepared, so they had been staying Christmas week with family in St. George.

The plan was to arrive on New Year’s Eve to start her inducement, only to be surprised to find that she was already mid-labor when she arrived for her appointment. Kenedi said she  just was not feeling the contractions. With no inducement needed, the baby was near her arrival.

"This delivery was very easy and went very well. Baby came very fast and easy compared to my last baby,” said Kenedi Zohner. “All of the nurses have been nice, and lovely. They are great at their jobs.”

Valley weighed 6 pounds,1 ounce, and measured  20.5 inches long.

In 2025, there were 2,753 babies born at Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital.

The new parents received a prize basket from Intermountain Health to celebrate the New Year's birth which included generous donations from Utah-based baby product vendors: Minky Couture; Loulou and Company; and Over the Moon.

###

SafeNest, Nevada’s largest and most comprehensive nonprofit dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence, today held a housewarming media event in Las Vegas for its new trauma triage center. 

SafeNest purchased the two-story building two years ago with funding from Intermountain Health’s Place-Based Investment portfolio. Intermountain secured for SafeNest a loan of nearly $1 million to allow them to purchase the center with very low interest rates and non-profit center tax credits. 

Intermountain Health Region president and community health lead, Mitch Cloward, shared that SafeNest’s focus on addressing the devastating impact of domestic violence aligns with the nonprofit health system’s mission of helping people live the healthiest lives possible. 

“Domestic violence is a key social driver of health, non-medical factors that can significantly impact the health of a family, neighborhood, and community,” Cloward said. “As a forever anchor institution, Intermountain is committed to serving our communities with the long-term health of all individuals as our top priority. We are honored to have been able to create a sustainable resource for our community partner SafeNest and its clients for years to come.” 

The new center has 10 beds for clients who have been screened through SafeNest’s hotline. Domestic violence survivors may stay at the center for 72 hours and work with a case manager. 

The 2,000-square-foot center is designed to resemble a spa-like refuge for decompressing: quiet, tranquil and calm. SafeNest’s staff reviews the clients’ options for living arrangements. If there are no friends or family to safely take the client, SafeNest moves them into its confidential shelter. 

Downstairs, the center also has a kitchen and children’s library. SafeNest staff and advocates have their offices upstairs to provide immediate accessibility. 

“This is where hope begins,” SafeNest CEO Liz Ortenburger said. 

# # #

En un gran avance para la salud de las mujeres en Nevada, una médica de Intermountain Health realizó la primera ablación por radiofrecuencia Sonata del estado para tratar los fibromas uterinos. Esto evitó que la paciente deba realizarse una cirugía mayor y les brinda nuevas esperanzas a las mujeres de Nevada que padecen esta condición médica común.

Sunwook “Sonnie” Kim, MD, médica obstetra y ginecóloga de Intermountain Health, realizó el procedimiento con éxito. Además, esta fue la primera vez que se llevó a cabo este procedimiento mínimamente invasivo y sin incisiones en Nevada.

“Este es un cambio radical para las mujeres en Nevada”, dijo la Dra. Kim. “Ahora, las pacientes ya no necesitan viajar fuera del estado en busca de atención avanzada para los fibromas. Ofrecemos opciones mínimamente invasivas y de primera clase para las pacientes de nuestra comunidad, aquí mismo”.

Los fibromas uterinos, también conocidos como miomas o leiomiomas, son crecimientos no cancerosos que se desarrollan en el tejido muscular del útero. Los fibromas uterinos son una condición médica grave y muy común que afecta a una cantidad significativa de mujeres.

Si bien algunas mujeres no experimentan ningún síntoma, otras sufren de períodos abundantes o dolorosos, dolor pélvico, anemia y complicaciones como la infertilidad o problemas en el embarazo, incluido el riesgo de aborto espontáneo.

Entre los síntomas comunes de los fibromas, se incluyen los siguientes:

• Sangrado menstrual abundante o prolongado
• Períodos dolorosos
• Dolor o presión pélvica
• Micción frecuente o dificultad para vaciar la vejiga
• Estreñimiento
• Dolor durante las relaciones sexuales
• Infertilidad o complicaciones en el embarazo

Las opciones de tratamiento varían según la gravedad de los fibromas.  Entre las opciones de tratamiento para los fibromas sintomáticos, se incluyen medicamentos, el DIU hormonal, la miomectomía (extirpación solo de los fibromas), la embolización de la arteria uterina y la histerectomía sin la extirpación de los ovarios a menos que se indique.

Hoy en día, el procedimiento Sonata representa un gran avance en la atención ginecológica.

A diferencia de las opciones quirúrgicas tradicionales, el tratamiento Sonata se realiza por vía transvaginal y sin incisiones externas, lo que permite conservar el útero y las opciones de fertilidad. La mayoría de las pacientes experimentan un tiempo de inactividad mínimo o nulo, y pueden volver a sus actividades normales rápidamente.

La residente de Nevada, Nefertiti Nesbit, acudió al Dr. Kim después de que una ecografía encontrara un solo fibroma del tamaño de una naranja.

Para Nesbit, fue la respuesta a grandes problemas.

“No fue inquietante. Fue un alivio para mí. No podía sentirlo ya que no tenía dolor”, dijo Nesbit, mujer de 39 años de Las Vegas.

Nesbit había estado lidiando con períodos abundantes y debilitantes de forma habitual durante años y creía que así era como funcionaba su cuerpo.

Cuando finalmente se investigaron los períodos abundantes, se descubrió el fibroma. Entonces, la Dra. Kim comenzó a explorar todas las opciones para tratar los fibromas sintomáticos que afectaban de manera negativa su calidad de vida como madre y enfermera.

“La Dra. Kim me habló con mucha sensatez. Me compartió toda la información y me dio materiales para que me lleve a casa e investigue. Fue como hablar con una amiga”, añadió Nesbit.

Ella eligió la opción Sonata, que reduce los fibromas desde el interior con calor suave.

Nesbit dijo que experimentó muy poco dolor durante el posoperatorio, el cual disminuyó rápidamente y, que a las 24 horas ya estaba retomando su vida normal.

Los períodos abundantes desaparecieron en tres ciclos. Ahora, sus ciclos menstruales son normales y está feliz de que ya no causen estragos en su vida.

Las clínicas de salud para las mujeres de Intermountain Health en Nevada han estado a la vanguardia de los avances en la atención de las mujeres durante muchos años. Por ejemplo, con el médico Lamarr Tyler, MD, quien ofrece opciones quirúrgicas avanzadas en el estado, incluida la cirugía vaginal endoscópica transluminal por orificios naturales (vNotes, por sus siglas en inglés).

La Dra. Kim ha sido pionera durante mucho tiempo en la ampliación del acceso a procedimientos ginecológicos mínimamente invasivos avanzados.

Entre sus avances anteriores, se incluye la introducción de la cirugía robótica en 2011 y la vNotes en 2020.

La Dra. Kim es reconocida como una cirujana robótica experta y profesora de vNotes, es decir, que capacita a otros cirujanos en los Estados Unidos.

El creciente número de derivaciones de otros grupos de obstetricia y ginecología destaca la demanda y el impulso detrás de este nuevo servicio.

“Trato a mis pacientes exactamente como quiero que se me trate. Con Intermountain Health, nos aseguramos de tener conversaciones útiles e informadas con las pacientes y de que sepan que tienen el control de su salud”, dijo la Dra. Kim. “Los tratamientos deben ser individuales para cada paciente, según sus síntomas, estilo de vida y preferencias. Es un enfoque en equipo y la paciente es una parte muy valiosa de este”.

Nesbit dijo que su experiencia puede ser una lección para todas las mujeres: “No tengan miedo de hacer preguntas sobre su cuerpo. No tienen que sufrir”.

Para obtener más información o programar una consulta, visite intermountainhealth.org.

###  

In a major advancement for women’s health in Nevada, a physician at Intermountain Health has performed the state’s first Sonata radiofrequency ablation to treat uterine fibroids, sparing the patient from major surgery, and providing new hope for Nevada women who have the common condition.

Sunwook “Sonnie” Kim, MD, Intermountain Health obstetrics and gynecology physician, successfully performed the procedure, marking the first time the minimally invasive, incision-free, procedure has been performed in Nevada.

“This is a game-changer for women in Nevada,” said Dr. Kim. “Now, patients no longer need to travel out of state to places to seek advanced fibroid care. We’re bringing world-class, minimally invasive options right here to patients in our community.”

Uterine fibroids, also known as myomas or leiomyomas, are noncancerous growths that develop in the muscle tissue of the uterus. Uterine fibroids are a serious medical condition that are very common, affecting a significant number of women.

While some women experience no symptoms, others suffer from heavy or painful periods, pelvic pain, anemia, and complications such as infertility or pregnancy challenges, including miscarriage potentials.

Common symptoms of fibroids include:

• Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
• Painful periods
• Pelvic pain or pressure
• Frequent urination or difficulty emptying the bladder
• Constipation
• Pain during intercourse
• Infertility or pregnancy complications

Treatment options have varied, depending on the severity of the fibroids.  Treatment options for symptomatic fibroids include medication, hormonal IUD, myomectomy (removal of only fibroids), uterine artery embolization, and hysterectomy not involving ovaries unless indicated.

Now, the Sonata procedure represents a major step forward in gynecologic care.

Unlike those traditional surgical options, Sonata is performed transvaginally with no external incisions, preserving the uterus and fertility options. Most patients experience minimal or no downtime and can return to normal activities quickly.

Nevada resident, Nefertiti Nesbit, came to Dr. Kim after an ultrasound found a single fibroid that was the size of an orange.

For Nesbit, it was the answer to major issues.

“It was not unsettling. It was a relief for me, I couldn’t feel it as I was not having pain,” said Nesbit, a 39-year-old from Las Vegas.

Nesbit had been dealing with debilitating heavy periods routinely for years and believed that was just how her body worked.

When they investigated the heavy periods finally, that led to the discovery for the fibroid and to Dr. Kim exploring all options to treat her symptomatic fibroids that negatively impacted her quality of life as a mother and a nurse

“Dr. Kim was very down-to-earth speaking to me. She shared all the information and gave me materials to take home and research. It was like talking to a friend,” Nesbit added.

She chose the Sonata option, shrinking fibroids from the inside with gentle heat.

Nesbit said she was in very little pain post-op that diminished rapidly and 24 hours later, she said she was continuing her life.

Those heavy periods disappeared within three cycles. Now, her menstrual cycles are normal and she’s happy they no longer cause havoc on her life.

Intermountain Health’s Women Health clinics in Nevada have been on the cutting edge of advancements of women’s care for many years, with Lamarr Tyler, MD, performing advanced surgical options, including vNotes (vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery), for the state.

Dr. Kim has long been a pioneer in expanding access to advanced minimally invasive gynecologic procedures.

Her previous advancements include introducing robotic surgery in 2011 and vNotes in 2020.

Dr. Kim is recognized as a master robotic surgeon and a VNOTES faculty to teach other surgeons in the United States.

The growing number of referrals from other OB/GYN groups underscores the demand and momentum behind this new service.

“I treat my patients exactly the way that I want to be treated. With Intermountain Health, we ensure to have helpful informed conversations with patients and make sure they know that they are in control of their health,” said Dr. Kim. “Treatments should be individualized for each patient, depending on their symptoms, lifestyle, and preferences. It is a team approach, and the patient is very valuable part of that team.”

Nesbit said that her experience can be a lesson for all women: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions about your body. You do not have to suffer.”

For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit intermountainhealth.org.

###  

Intermountain Health today announced it has signed an agreement to acquire Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging (SDMI), a leading outpatient radiology imaging company with 12 locations across the Las Vegas Valley.

The addition of imaging centers to Intermountain’s growing healthcare services in southern Nevada will enhance patient access to high-quality, cost-effective care. 

“This decision to bring SDMI to Intermountain aligns with our proactive care model in that it will allow us to provide more coordinated and integrated imaging services for patients,” said Eric Liston, chief clinical shared services officer for Intermountain Health. “As the number of people with chronic and complex health conditions continues to grow, ease of access to high-quality imaging services is more important than ever.” 

SDMI, a Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence, is accredited by The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, accredited in Stereotactic Breast Biopsy by the American College of Radiology, and designated a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology. 

SDMI’s affiliated radiologists are all accredited by the American Board of Radiology and are members of the American College of Radiology. Most are sub-specialized in areas of study in which they performed their fellowship training, such as Interventional Radiology, Musculoskeletal, Women's Imaging or Pediatric Radiology.

SDMI’s team of more than 550 affiliated or employed radiologists, technologists, and staff are specialty trained in more than 2,000 procedures, ranging from screening mammograms to port placements for chemotherapy. 

“We’re excited to join Intermountain Health to share our expertise as a leader not only in imaging, but in integrity, service, and vision,” said Mark Winkler, MD, founding partner and president of SDMI. “We are focused on delivering exceptional patient experience and accurate results through compassion and cutting-edge technology. Intermountain’s mission of helping people live the healthiest lives possible aligns with our dedication to the people of our Las Vegas community.” 

Since 1988, SDMI has served patients throughout southern Nevada. Patients will continue to receive the same level of personalized care they have come to expect from both SDMI and Intermountain. The transition of care will take place sometime after January 1, 2026, and will be introduced in phases. 

“We are thrilled to welcome SDMI to Intermountain, expanding our ability to care for patients across their entire medical journey here in Las Vegas,” said Jon Woozley, interim chief medical officer and associate chief medical officer for advanced practice for Intermountain Health's Desert Region. “Increased access to top-notch imaging services will not only contribute to an improved community experience with healthcare but also improve their overall health outcomes.” 

Intermountain is a nonprofit healthcare organization offering patient care at more than 80 clinics at over 65 locations across southern Nevada in primary care, urgent care, and multiple specialties including oncology, cardiology, endocrinology, pulmonology, physical medicine, and women’s and children’s health.

Intermountain plans to break ground next year on a 200-bed pediatric healthcare facility, the first-ever stand-alone comprehensive children’s hospital in Nevada. With its extended provider network, Intermountain delivers patient-centered primary, specialty, and urgent care services to approximately 350,000 southern Nevadans in Clark and Nye counties.  

###

The RESEP (Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program) clinic at Intermountain  St. George Regional Hospital will be holding public informational meetings in several Utah cities on October 13, 16, 17, and 18, 2025. 

These meetings are to inform the public about the reinstatement and expansion of the RECA program and what areas now qualify.

The public is invited to attend abd receive information regarding what new areas now qualify to apply for the RECA compensation as well as the new increased compensation amount. 

If people have called asking for an application to be sent and they have not been able to call you back, applications will be available.

 Unfortunately, for those who have already been compensated by the RECA program, the law does not allow them to apply for any additional money.

The term “Downwinder” is used to describe people who were exposed to radioactive fallout in Arizona, Nevada and Utah, Idaho and New Mexico during the nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site. 

Local residents, and their families, are encouraged to come have their questions answered about the program.

Meetings will be held at the following dates and sites:

 For additional questions, please call 435-251-4760. 

###

Septiembre es reconocido como el Mes de Concientización sobre la Prevención del Suicidio y Las Vegas Raiders e Intermountain Health comparten el objetivo común de priorizar el bienestar mental.

Juntos, El Las Vegas Raiders e Intermountain Health organizaron una jornada deportiva sobre bienestar mental con el tema de Salud para niños denominada “El juego más fuerte: ganar el juego mental, dentro y fuera del campo”. El evento interactivo celebrado en el centro de rendimiento de Intermountain Health se diseñó para que 250 jóvenes y tutores participaran en actividades divertidas, educativas y motivadoras que promueven el bienestar mental.

Las familias pudieron participar en actividades de fútbol, yoga, estaciones prácticas de bienestar, puestos de apoyo al bienestar mental, recursos para llevar un diario personal y recursos nutricionales como parte de la feria de bienestar mental. Esto también incluía una distribución gratuita de candados de seguridad para armas y cascos para bicicletas.

Los cofundadores de The Defensive Line, Chris y Martha Thomas, los atletas alumnos y los expertos en la salud conductual de Intermountain fueron parte de la mesa redonda. Se unieron gracias a Raiders Alumnus Carl Nassib, que habló sobre su propio proceso de bienestar mental durante el evento del panel “El juego más fuerte es pedir ayuda” que tuvo lugar el año pasado durante un partido importante en Las Vegas.

Los fundadores de The Defensive Line fueron Solomon Thomas, liniero defensivo de fútbol profesional y anteriormente Las Vegas Raider, y sus padres, Chris y Martha, quienes han estado difundiendo el mensaje de prevención del suicidio luego del suicidio de la hermana de Solomon, Ella, en 2018.

Solomon y sus padres han dedicado sus vidas a compartir la historia de Ella y a trabajar para ponerle fin a la epidemia del suicidio de jóvenes, especialmente, de jóvenes de color. Para ello, transforman la manera en la que nos comunicamos y conectamos con respecto a la salud mental.

“Lidiar con la pérdida de un ser querido es extremadamente desafiante y abrumador. En 2018, perdimos a Ella por suicidio y no hubiéramos podido sobrevivir al dolor sin el apoyo de la terapia, la familia, la comunidad, fe y la capacidad de compartir nuestra historia”, dijo Chris Thomas, cofundador de The Defensive Line. “Este tipo de programas nos permiten comunicar y conectar con la salud mental y compartir recursos que salvan vidas. Esto contribuye en gran medida a que todos podamos construir un mundo en el que ningún joven de color muera por suicidio. Si alguna vez necesita apoyo, comuníquese y escriba un mensaje de texto que diga 988 o TALK al 741741”.

Solomon y sus padres han dedicado sus vidas en compartir la historia de Ella y en convertir su dolor en un propósito. Como resultado de su pérdida, crearon The Defensive Line con esta misión: ponerle fin a la epidemia del suicidio de jóvenes, especialmente, de jóvenes de color. Para ello, transforman la manera en la que nos comunicamos y conectamos con respecto a la salud mental.

“A través de colaboraciones intencionales, como con The Defensive Line y The Vegas Raiders, pudimos mejorar la salud en nuestras comunidades”, dijo Will Rucker, director de salud de la comunidad de Intermountain en Nevada. “El suicidio sigue siendo una de las causas principales de muerte entre adolescentes, y los jóvenes de color se ven especialmente afectados. Es por eso que es tan importante para nosotros que nos unamos, para conectar a los jóvenes con apoyo, recursos y un mensaje claro de esperanza”.

El suicidio es un problema importante, especialmente en Nevada, ya que el estado está en el decimoprimer lugar en el país en cuanto a las muertes por suicidio en todas las edades. El suicidio es también la novena causa principal de muerte en Nevada y la segunda causa principal a nivel nacional entre los niños de 10 a 24 años, según datos recopilados por la Fundación Americana para la Prevención del Suicidio.

Según el Centro de control de enfermedades, los suicidios entre jóvenes afroamericanos están aumentando dos veces más rápido que entre otros grupos étnicos. Además, también se observa un aumento en los suicidios entre los indios estadounidenses y los indígenas de Alaska, que duplican con creces el índice nacional. 

The Defensive Line proporciona formación en prevención del suicidio en Las Vegas y a nivel nacional a orientadores, asesores y otros líderes de jóvenes. La formación se centra en la sensibilización y la educación mediante el intercambio de sus historias y las experiencias de otras personas en relación con la salud mental, las enfermedades mentales o la supervivencia o la pérdida de un ser querido por suicidio.

Intermountain Health ha definido la prevención del suicidio como una de las prioridades de salud de la comunidad en los años recientes.

Intermountain ha trabajado para educar a los miembros de la comunidad, junto con los proveedores de atención médica, profesores, personal de primera respuesta y otros, en la capacitación de Preguntar, Convencer, Derivar (QPR, por sus siglas en inglés).

Intermountain ha distribuido 67,000 candados para armas gratuitos a las comunidades de varios estados. Los candados para armas se entregan junto con información sobre prevención del suicidio y constituyen un elemento clave para ganar tiempo entre la crisis y la persona en riesgo, así como para limitar el acceso a medios letales.

Para obtener más información sobre los esfuerzos de bienestar mental de Intermountain y los recursos disponibles, visite intermountainhealthcare.org/behavioralhealth.

También puede ver las iniciativas en las que The Raiders ha trabajado en la comunidad a través de raiders.com/champ.

###

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and the Las Vegas Raiders and Intermountain Health share a common goal of prioritizing mental wellness.

Together, the Las Vegas Raiders and Intermountain Health recently hosted a Children’s Health themed mental wellness field day for adolescent youth titled “The Strongest Play – Winning the Mental Game, On and Off the Field”. 

The interactive event at the Intermountain Health Performance Center was designed for 250 youth and guardians to engage in fun, educational, and empowering activities that promote mental wellness.

Families were able to participate in football activities, yoga, hands-on wellness stations, mental wellness support booths, journaling resources, and nutrition resources as part of the mental wellness fair. This also included the free distribution of gun safety locks and bike helmets.

The Defensive Line co-founders Chris and Martha Thomas, student athletes, and Intermountain behavioral health experts were part of the panel discussion. They were joined by Raiders alumnus, Carl Nassib, who talked about his own mental wellness journey during the “The Strongest Play Is Asking For Help” panel event last year during the big game in Las Vegas.

The Defensive Line was founded by Solomon Thomas, a pro-football defensive lineman and former Las Vegas Raider, along with his parents, Chris and Martha, who have been spreading the message of suicide prevention after Solomon’s sister, Ella, died by suicide in 2018.

Solomon and his parents have dedicated their lives to sharing Ella’s story and working to end the epidemic of youth suicide, especially for young people of color, by transforming how we communicate and connect about mental health.

“Coping with the loss of someone you love is extremely challenging and overwhelming. In 2018, we lost Ella to suicide and we wouldn’t have survived the pain without the support of therapy, family, community, faith, and the ability to share our story,” said Chris Thomas, co-founder of The Defensive Line. “Programs like this allow us to communicate and connect about mental health and share life-saving resources. This goes a long way in helping all of us build a world in which no young person of color dies by suicide. If you ever need support, please reach out by texting 988 or TALK to 741741.”

Solomon and his parents have dedicated their lives to sharing Ella’s story and turning their pain into purpose. Out of their loss, they formed The Defensive Line with this mission: To end the epidemic of youth suicide, especially for young people of color, by transforming how we communicate and connect about mental health.

“It is through purposeful collaborations, such as with The Defensive Line and the Las Vegas Raiders, that we’re able to improve health in our communities,” said Will Rucker, Intermountain’s director of community health in Nevada. “Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among adolescents, with youth of color especially impacted. That’s why it’s so important for us to come together – to connect young people with support, resources, and a clear message of hope.”

Suicide is a significant issue, especially in Nevada, as the state ranks 11th in the country for all ages in suicide deaths. Suicide is also the ninth leading cause of death in Nevada and the second leading cause nationwide for kids aged 10 to 24, according to data from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

According to the Center for Disease Control, Black youth suicides are rising twice as fast as other ethnic groups. In addition, American Indians and Alaskan Natives also see increasing suicides at two and half times the national rate. 

The Defensive Line provides suicide prevention training in Las Vegas and nationally to educators, coaches, and other leaders of young people. The training focuses on awareness and education efforts by sharing their story and the stories of others’ experiences regarding mental health, mental illness, or surviving or losing someone to suicide.

Intermountain Health has identified suicide prevention as one of its community health priorities in recent years.

Intermountain has worked to educate the community members, including healthcare providers, teachers, first responders, and others, on QPR training (question, persuade, and refer for suicidal risks).

Intermountain Health has distributed 67,000 free gun locks to the communities through several states. The gun locks are delivered with suicide prevention information and serve as a key element in putting time between the crisis and the person at risk and limiting access to lethal means.

To learn more about the mental well-being efforts of Intermountain and for resources available, visit intermountainhealthcare.org/behavioralhealth.

You can also view the initiatives that the Raiders have worked through the community at raiders.com/champ.

###

La atención oncológica innovadora de Intermountain Cedar City Hospital está ayudando a un hombre del sur de Utah a superar un diagnóstico de cáncer y le da esperanzas para el futuro.

El habitante de New Harmony, Gary Hugie, de 88 años, conoce de primera mano cómo este método puede marcar una diferencia.

Hugie se niega a que el diagnóstico de cáncer de colon e hígado lo desaliente de alcanzar sus metas para la vida. Él tiene en la mira llegar a los 100 años, acampar más a menudo y valorar el tiempo con su familia.

La determinación inquebrantable de Hugie está alimentada por su optimismo sobre los tratamientos oncológicos que recibe, que incluyen una terapia por bomba de infusión en la arteria hepática (HAIP, por sus siglas en inglés), un tratamiento oncológico innovador que recibe en la actualidad en el centro oncológico Intermountain Cedar City Cancer Center.

La HAIP administra quimioterapia de alta potencia directamente en las células cancerígenas mientras reduce la exposición del resto del cuerpo.

La bomba Intera 3000 HAI, la única bomba implantable aprobada por la Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos (FDA, por sus siglas en inglés), administra la quimioterapia directo en la arteria hepática para garantizar un tratamiento dirigido contra los tumores del hígado.

La bomba se implanta por vía quirúrgica debajo de la piel en la zona baja del abdomen y se alimenta del calor corporal en lugar de baterías, lo que permite la administración continua del medicamento sin falla mecánica.

“En algunos casos, la HAIP puede abrir la puerta a oportunidades para las terapias definitivas como la cirugía, al tiempo que puede permitir a los pacientes mantener una mejor calidad de vida con menos dependencia de la quimioterapia sistémica”, explicó Bryce Perkins, DO, un especialista en cáncer de Intermountain Cedar City Cancer Center.

El Dr. Perkins introdujo a Hugie a la HAIP después de que el cáncer de colon se propagara al hígado.

La quimioterapia ya le había pasado afectado mientras él luchaba contra la debilidad y el dolor que suele acompañar a la quimioterapia contra el cáncer de hígado. El Dr. Perkins creyó que Hugie podría beneficiarse de la mejor calidad de vida que podría ofrecerle la bomba hepática con su tipo de diagnóstico.

En la actualidad, Hugie es el único paciente del sur de Utah con una bomba Intera 3000 HAI que está recibiendo tratamiento.

La experiencia de utilizar este tipo de tratamiento en Cedar City para un paciente de 88 años es un testamento de resiliencia y dedicación.

Se necesitó la colaboración de los empleados de Intermountain Cedar City Hospital, un paciente con espíritu luchador, una familia cariñosa y el trabajo innovador de los empleados de dos establecimientos de Intermountain Health para hacer de este tratamiento una realidad.

Este tratamiento innovador comenzó con personal médico de Intermountain colaborando desde diferentes partes del estado.

El Dr. Perkins es uno de los pocos oncólogos de Intermountain en Utah con la experiencia en implantación de dispositivos HAIP. Trabajó de cerca con Ivan Zendejas, MD, de Intermountain Medical Center en Murray, Utah, para determinar si el paciente cumplía con los requisitos para una HAIP.

El Dr. Zendejas llevó a cabo la cirugía inicial para implantar la bomba en Intermountain Medical Center y el Dr. Perkins pudo continuar el tratamiento en Cedar City, cerca del hogar de Hugie.

Antes de ofrecer esta opción de terapia HAIP, el Dr. Perkins capacitó al equipo oncológico de Intermountain Health Cedar City Cancer Center.

"El personal tuvo que pasar por un proceso extenso de preparación acerca de los calendarios de dosis, la importancia absoluta de los intervalos en el seguimiento e, incluso, la manera de acceder al puerto en un lugar muy poco usual”, indicó el Dr. Perkins. 

Afortunadamente, el Dr. Perkins sabía que los empleados de Intermountain estaban ansiosos por aprender para garantizar la mejor atención para los pacientes locales.

"Nuestro equipo aquí está entusiasmado por dar a los pacientes lo que necesitan para tener éxito, y comenzamos con la capacitación para ayudar a los pacientes que tienen estas bombas”, añadió.

El apoyo para Hugie en el tratamiento comenzó con su familia. Recibió una ayuda extraordinaria de parte de su bella esposa, Dorothy, de 67 años, y sus cinco hijos.

Desde el momento en que comenzó a sentirse mal en un viaje de campamento tras el cual recibió su diagnóstico, pasando por la cirugía de colon, la quimioterapia y las citas médicas, todos han estado al lado de su padre, viéndolo luchar esta batalla.

Después de que le quitaran varias pulgadas de colon durante la cirugía, el cáncer se propagó hasta el hígado y se dificultó la quimioterapia.

“Estaba generándole algunos efectos secundarios graves, así que fue entonces cuando decidimos que la bomba podría ser la alternativa”, dijo Darsena Meeder, hija de Hugie.

Hugie contó que recibir sus tratamientos cerca de casa cada dos semanas marcó toda la diferencia para la decisión de continuar recibiendo estos tratamientos que alteran la vida.

Hugie ha visto una mejoría en su calidad de vida y presenta menos efectos secundarios graves. La HAIP también sirvió para controlar el crecimiento del cáncer en el hígado.

Si bien Hugie sabe que es posible que deba regresar a una quimioterapia más fuerte como parte de este plan de tratamiento, sigue estando agradecido por la oportunidad de tener estos momentos para dedicarse a sus objetivos.

“Agradezco al Dr. Perkins y todo su personal en Intermountain Health por el trabajo maravilloso que están haciendo”, dijo Hugie.

El Dr. Perkins, junto con el equipo de oncología de Intermountain Cedar City Center y sus compañeros en Intermountain Medical Center han estado buscando renovar la esperanza de los pacientes, como el uso de HAIP para representar un avance significativo en el tratamiento oncológico.

“En términos generales, nos enfocamos en mantener a los pacientes seguros y sanos, y a la vez cerca de su hogar”, mencionó el Dr. Perkins.

El Dr. Perkins, junto con su equipo oncológico de Intermountain Cedar City Cancer Center, y sus colegas en Intermountain Medical Center de Murray están dando nueva esperanza para los pacientes oncológicos.

Lo que impulsa su trabajo es ayudar a los pacientes con cáncer, como Hugie, a alcanzar sus metas. Esperan ver a Hugie alcanzar su objetivo de vivir hasta los 100 años.

###  

Innovative cancer care at Intermountain Cedar City Hospital is helping a Southern Utah man overcome a cancer diagnosis and providing hope for the future.

New Harmony resident, Gary Hugie, 88-years-old, knows first-hand how this approach can make a difference.

Hugie refuses to let a colon and liver cancer diagnosis discourage him from reaching his life goals. Hugie has his sights set on reaching 100 years of age, camping more often, and cherishing time with his family.

Hugie’s unwavering determination is fueled by his optimism of his cancer treatments, which includes Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump Therapy (HAIP) — an innovative cancer treatment that he is currently receiving at the Intermountain Cedar City Cancer Center.

The HAIP delivers high-potency chemotherapy directly to cancer cells while minimizing exposure to the rest of the body.

The Intera 3000 HAI Pump, the only FDA-approved implantable pump for HAI therapy, delivers chemotherapy directly into the hepatic artery, ensuring targeted treatment to liver tumors.

The pump is surgically implanted below the skin in the lower abdomen, and is powered by body heat rather than batteries, allowing continuous drug delivery without mechanical failure.

“In some cases, HAIP may open opportunities for definitive therapies like surgery, all while allowing patients to maintain a better quality of life with reduced reliance on systemic chemotherapy,” said Bryce Perkins, DO, a cancer specialist at the Intermountain Cedar City Cancer Center.

Dr. Perkins introduced Hugie to HAIP after his colon cancer had spread to his liver.

The chemotherapy had taken a toll as he fought the weakness and pain that often accompanies liver cancer chemotherapy. Dr. Perkins felt he could benefit from the improved quality of life a Hepatic Pump could provide with his type of diagnosis.

Hugie is now the only patient in Southern Utah with an Intera 3000 HAI pump who is currently receiving treatment.

The journey to utilizing this type of treatment in Cedar City on an 88-year-old patient is a testament to resilience and dedication.

It took the collaboration of caregivers at Intermountain Cedar City Hospital, a patient with a fighting spirit, a caring family and innovative work by caregivers at two Intermountain Health facilities to make this treatment a reality.

This innovative treatment started with Intermountain’s providers collaborating across the state.

Dr. Perkins is one of the few Intermountain oncologists in Utah with experience in implementing the HAIP device. He worked closely with Ivan Zendejas, MD, from Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah, to determine HAIP patients’ eligibility.

Dr. Zendejas performed Hugie’s initial surgery to implant the pump at Intermountain Medical Center – and Dr. Perkins was able to continue the treatment in Cedar City, close to Hugie’s home.

Before offering this option for HAIP Therapy, Dr. Perkins trained the Intermountain Health Cedar City Cancer Center oncology team.

"Our staff had to go through an extensive onboarding process from dosing schedules to the absolute importance of follow-up intervals and even accessing the port in a less-than-usual location," Dr. Perkins said. 

Fortunately, Dr. Perkins knew Intermountain caregiver were eager to learn to ensure the best care for local patients.

"Our team here is enthusiastic about giving our patients what they need to succeed, and we jumped into the training to get pump patients up and going," he said.

Support for Hugie’s journey started with his family. He had tremendous support from his beautiful wife, Dorothy, of 67 years and his five kids.

From the moment he started feeling unwell on a camping trip that led to his diagnosis, through colon surgery, chemotherapy and appointments, they have all been by their father’s side, watching him fight this battle.

After his colon surgery removed several inches of his colon, the cancer spread to his liver, and chemotherapy became difficult.

“It was creating some major side effects for him, so that's when we decided the pump might be the alternative,” said Darsena Meeder, Hugie’s daughter.

Hugie said having his treatments close to home, every two weeks, has made all the difference in his decision to continue receiving this life-altering treatments.

Hugie has seen an improved quality of life and experiences fewer harsh side effects. The HAIP has also helped control the growth of the cancer in his liver.

While Hugie knows that he may have to return to some stronger chemotherapy as part of his treatment plan, he remains grateful for the opportunity to have these moments to pursue his goals.

“I appreciate Dr. Perkins and all of his staff at Intermountain Health for the wonderful job they are doing,” Hugie said.  

Dr. Perkins, along with his oncology team at Intermountain Cedar City Cancer Center and his peers at Intermountain Medical Center, have been looking to provide new hope for patients, such as HAIP that represent a significant advancement in cancer care.

"Overall, we aim to keep patients safe and healthy while keeping them close to home," Dr. Perkins said.

Dr. Perkins, along with his oncology team at Intermountain Cedar City Cancer Center, and his colleagues at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, are providing new hope for cancer patients.

Their work is driven by helping cancer patients, like Hugie, reach their goals and they hope to see Hugie reach his goal of living to 100 years. 

###  

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.

Intermountain Cedar City Hospital invites the community to its first-ever Med Talk with Intermountain Cedar City Hospital, an informative and engaging health event designed to bring patients and medical professionals together.

The first event in the series takes place on Thursday, June 26, from 6-7 p.m. in the Northfield Classroom at Cedar City Hospital (1303 N. Main Street, Cedar City, Utah). 

Ryan Workman, MD, a member of the hospital's medical staff, will speak about the Intracept Ablation Procedure - a minimally invasive technique to treat chronic low back pain. 

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn how this innovative procedure can improve quality of life for those suffering from persistent back pain. The session will include a discussion of the science behind the procedure, its benefits, and who may be a candidate for the treatment. A Q&A session will follow.

Jamison Robinett, president of Intermountain Cedar City Hospital, emphasizes the significance of the event.

“We are very excited to launch this new speaking series, where members of our medical staff will share valuable insights on pertinent healthcare topics. We look forward to offering these educational opportunities to the community as part of our commitment to helping people live the healthiest lives possible by ensuring patients have access to the best possible care,” he said

This event underscores Intermountain Cedar City Hospital’s commitment to advancing healthcare education and providing patients with access to the latest medical treatments.

To RSVP, please fill out the information at the following link.  

Learn more about Intermountain Health at intermountainhealthcare.org. 

###  

The RESEP (Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program) Clinic at Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital is holding public informational meetings in several southern Utah cities on June 27 and 28. 

These meetings are to inform the public about the status of the RECA program and pending bills that have been submitted to Congress.

At the one-year anniversary of the expiration of RECA, come receive information regarding the program’s status and possible bills to get it reinstated or expanded. They will give general information about the history of RECA and what Congress is currently doing to try to get it reinstated. 

If you or someone you know has cancer and would have qualified for RECA before the expiration, please come and give your contact information so that the Downwinder’s Clinic can contact you when the RECA law is passed and again taking applications.

The term “Downwinder” is used to describe the more than 60,000 people who were exposed to radioactive fallout in Arizona, Nevada and Utah during the nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site.  Local residents, and their families, are encouraged to come have their questions answered about the program and its status.

Meetings will be held at the following dates and sites:

  • Friday, June 27, 2025   Kanab Public Library, 374 North Main Street, 1-2 pm

 •  Friday, June 27, 2025   Panguitch City Office, 25 South 200 East, 4-5 pm

  • Saturday, June 28, 2025   Richfield, Snow College Admin Rm 147 A&D, 10-11 am

  • Saturday, June 28, 2025   Salina, North Sevier Recreation Center, 373 W. 400 N, 2-3 pm

For questions, please call 435-251-4760. Social distancing and masks are optional. 

LAS VEGAS – Los profesionales de la salud de Intermountain Health se unieron hoy a los líderes y subcontratistas de Martin-Harris Construction para celebrar la ceremonia de firma y colocación de la última viga en el primer edificio médico de su clase de 90,000 pies cuadrados jamás construido en Nevada. Este brindará servicios para la salud críticos al suroeste del valle de las Vegas.

Además de Martin Harris Construction y HDR, Inc., el equipo del proyecto de construcción de Badura Cinic también incluye TJK Electrical Engineering y VBFA Engineers.

El martes todos tuvieron la oportunidad de firmar la viga de aluminio final antes de ser alzada y colocada en la parte superior del edificio, junto con otra viga ceremonial, indicando así el final de la construcción vertical de la estructura de color coral.

“Hoy se cumple un paso crucial al ver como este proyecto tan importante llega a su fin y que servirá a tanta gente en nuestra comunidad. Tener acceso a cuidados médicos es fundamental en ayudar a las personas a vivir su vida lo más saludable posible”, dijo Mitchell Cloward, presidente de Intermountain Health Desert Region, la cual comprende el suroeste de Utah y el sur de Nevada. “Estamos agradecidos por la pericia de Martin-Harris, HDR Inc., y los subcontratistas quienes han estado trabajando diligentemente en crear un centro médico para que las futuras generaciones lo usen aquí en el área de Las Vegas”.

“Pronto llegará el día en el que este edificio estará lleno de profesionales de la salud competentes y compasivos listos para atender a nuestros pacientes”, dijo Keyona Cole, director ejecutivo de enfermería en Intermountain Health Desert Region. “Estamos ilusionados de brindar atención primaria y especializada, facilitándola así a nuestra comunidad. Esta ubicación permitirá que nuestros equipos continúen brindando cuidados preventivos proactivos para ayudar a nuestros pacientes a estar preparados de antemano y a controlar afecciones de salud”.

La ubicación en Spring Valley, en el área del suroeste de Las Vegas, se escogió estratégicamente porque mejora el acceso a pacientes en un área que está teniendo un crecimiento rápido.

Los servicios ubicados en la clínica permiten a los residentes recibir atención médica cerca de su casa sin tener que viajar a lo largo del país para recibir ayuda similar.

“Con el evento de hoy, nos complace celebrar a todos nuestros profesionales de la salud quienes brindarán atención médica a los pacientes en las clínicas de esta ubicación y a todos los pacientes que recibirán cuidados médicos aquí”, dijo Jon Woozley, director ejecutivo médico interino y director ejecutivo médico asociado para prácticas médicas avanzadas de Intermountain Health. “Intermountain Health se enfoca en simplificar el proceso de la atención médica a los pacientes y en darle prioridad, al mismo tiempo, a la atención médica proactiva para mantener a nuestras comunidades saludables. Poder acceder no solo a atención primaria sino también a muchas áreas especializadas en una sola ubicación, hace que sea más fácil para los pacientes enfocarse en su salud y bienestar”.

Intermountain Health brinda atención médica a pacientes en más de 65 clínicas a lo largo del sur de Nevada, incluyendo 30 clínicas de atención primaria geriátrica las cuales han ganado premios y han sido reconocidas por brindar una atención excepcional a adultos de 65 años en adelante.

Con la red de profesionales de salud ampliada, Intermountain Health brinda servicios de atención médica centrada en el paciente primarios, especializados o de urgencias a aproximadamente 350,000 residentes de Nevada en los condados de Clark y Nye.

Se espera que Intermountain Badura Clinic abra a principios de 2026. Los profesionales de la salud que estarán ubicados en Badura Clinic se anunciarán más adelante.

Para más información acerca de Intermountain Health visite intermountainhealth.org. 

###  

LAS VEGAS – Intermountain Health caregivers today joined Martin-Harris Construction leaders and subcontractors for a ceremonial beam signing and topping-off ceremony on its first ever new build in Nevada, a 90,000-square-foot medical building that will bring critically needed health services to the southwest valley of Las Vegas.  

In addition to Martin-Harris Construction and HDR, Inc., the Badura Clinic construction project team also includes TJK Electrical Engineering, and VBFA Engineers.

On Tuesday, everyone was given the opportunity to sign the final steel beam before it was raised and placed on the top of the building, along with another ceremonial beam, signifying the end of the vertical raising of the coral desert colored structure.  

“Today marks a key milestone as we see this important project come to fruition that will serve so many people in our community. Access to healthcare is vital to helping people live the healthiest lives possible,” said Mitchell Cloward, president of Intermountain Health’s Desert Region which is comprised of southwest Utah and southern Nevada. “We are grateful for the expertise of Martin-Harris, HDR Inc., and the subcontractors who have been working diligently to create a medical center for generations to use here in the Las Vegas area.”  

The new Intermountain Health clinic will offer pediatric care, women’s health services, radiation therapy, oncology services, adult primary care, and senior primary care services.  

“Soon the day will be here that this building will be filled with compassionate, skilled caregivers ready to help our patients,” said Keyona Cole, chief nursing officer of Intermountain Health’s Desert Region. “We are excited to offer both primary and specialty care creating convenience for our community. This location will allow our teams to continue to provide proactive, preventive care to help our patients stay ahead of and manage health conditions.” 

The Spring Valley location for the new clinic in the southwest Las Vegas-area was strategically chosen, as it enhances access for patients in an area experiencing rapid growth.

The services located in the clinic allow residents to get care near their home that could have taken them across the county for similar help. 

“With today’s event, we are excited to celebrate all of our caregivers who will be providing care for patients in clinics at this location and all of our patients who will be receiving care here,” said Jon Woozley, interim chief medical officer and associate chief medical officer for advanced practice for Intermountain Health. “Intermountain Health is focused on simplifying the healthcare journey for patients while prioritizing proactive care to keep our communities healthy. Being able to access not only primary care but many specialty areas in one convenient location makes it easier for patients to focus on their health and well-being.”   

Intermountain Health offers patient care at over 65 clinics across southern Nevada, including 30 that are award-winning senior primary care clinics recognized for providing exceptional healthcare for adults 65 and older.

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.  

The Intermountain Badura Clinic is expected to open at the beginning of 2026. Providers that will be located at the Badura Clinic will be announced later.  

Learn more about Intermountain Health at intermountainhealthcare.org.   

###  

El viernes los líderes y profesionales de la salud de Intermountain Health llevaron a cabo una ceremonia especial de inicio de construcción de las instalaciones más nuevas del sistema de salud en el suroeste de Utah, la Desert Color Parkway Clinic - Primary Care, la cual aumentará el acceso a servicios médicos fundamentales para los residentes del área.

Rodeados de líderes del estado y del condado, los participantes utilizaron unas palas ceremoniales para dar la primera palada de la nueva expansión de atención médica en el sur de Washington County.

La nueva clínica de atención primaria de Intermountain atenderá las necesidades inmediatas de la comunidad en crecimiento de St. George. La parcela de 35 acres también proporcionará espacio para la expansión de una futura instalación médica la cual incluirá una sala de emergencias autosuficiente después de abrir la clínica de atención primaria.

Jacobsen Construction llevará a cabo el proyecto.

“Este es nuestro continuo compromiso hacia la comunidad, la misión de ayudar a las personas a vivir las vidas más saludables posibles”, dijo Natalie Ashby, presidenta de St. George Regional Hospital y presidenta de mercado de la zona suroeste de Intermountain Health. “Esta área ha estado creciendo inmensamente y estamos trabajado para que los cuidados de salud estén lo más disponibles posible”.

La urbanización Desert Color se está convirtiendo en un área clave de la comunidad con tiendas, establecimientos para el ocio, oficinas, restaurantes y opciones de recreación. Desert Colors ya se está convirtiendo en un eje para el gran crecimiento en población que se ha visto en St. George y en las ciudades de alrededor, y que se ha proyectado para el futuro.

La nueva clínica de Intermountain proporcionará atención médica más cerca de casa a la comunidad en crecimiento.

“Nuestra misión de ayudar a las personas a vivir la vida más saludable posible, empieza con la relación que uno tiene con su médico de cabecera. El enfoque proactivo de atención médica que tenemos empieza por proporcionar cuidados médicos accesibles a las comunidades a las que servimos”, dijo Jeremy Cox, vicepresidente de mercado de operaciones del grupo médico de atención primaria para Intermountain Health Desert Region. “Como su socio en atención médica, nuestros profesionales de la salud están dedicados a asegurarse de que sus necesidades individuales sean atendidas en su paso al bienestar”.

La clínica de atención primaria, la cual se espera que abra en el verano de 2026, brindará más servicios de medicina familiar e interna a la comunidad de St. George. La ubicación de la clínica se encuentra directamente al sureste de la salida 2 de la autopista I-15.

“La misión principal de Desert Color es construir una comunidad mejor. Y, aún cuando tener opciones de recreación increíbles es maravilloso, tener una clínica de atención primaria de Intermountain y una instalación en Desert Color que brindará pronto acceso a la atención médica y a profesionales del bienestar, es un complemento invaluable a la comunidad”, dijo Daniel Lemich, coordinador general de Desert Color.

# # #

Intermountain Health leaders and caregivers on Friday held a special groundbreaking ceremony for the health system’s newest facility in southwest Utah, the Desert Color Parkway Clinic - Primary Care, which will increase access to vital medical services for area residents. 

Surrounded by state and county leaders, participants used ceremonial shovels to turn the first dirt on the new medical expansion in Southern Washington County. 

The new Intermountain primary clinic will serve as immediate need for the growing St. George community. The 35-acre lot will also provide space for a future medical campus to expand to include a freestanding emergency department after the opening of the Primary Clinic.

The project will be managed by Jacobsen Construction.  

“This is our longstanding commitment to the community of our mission of helping people live the healthiest lives possible,” said Natalie Ashby, president of St. George Regional Hospital and the Southwest market for Intermountain Health. “This area has been growing immensely, and we are working to make healthcare as accessible as we can.”  

The Desert Color development is becoming a pivotal community area with retail stores, entertainment, offices, restaurants, and recreational selections. Desert Colors is already building into a hub for the major population growth that St. George, and surrounding cities, have seen and projected to come for the foreseeable future. 

Intermountain’s new clinic will bring care closer to home for the growing community. 

“Our mission to help people live the healthiest lives possible begins with the relationship you have with your primary care provider. Our proactive care approach starts with bringing accessible care to the communities we serve,” said Jeremy Cox, market vice president of medical group operations for primary care for Intermountain’s Health’s Desert Region. “As your partner in healthcare, our caregivers are dedicated to ensuring your unique needs are met on your wellness journey.”  

The primary clinic, which is expected to open by summer of 2026, will offer more family medicine and internal medicine services to the St. George community. The clinic space is located directly southeast off exit 2 on I-15. 

“Desert Color’s primary mission is to ‘build a better community.’ And while having unique recreational amenities is great, having an Intermountain Health Primary Care Clinic and campus in Desert Color that can provide ready-access to health and wellness professionals and services is a priceless value-add to the community,” said Daniel Lemich, general manager of Desert Color.  

“The SunRiver St George Community is excited about the upcoming groundbreaking ceremony for the Intermountain Health Desert Color Parkway Clinic,” said Doug Brown, president of the Board of Trustees for SunRiver St George Community Association, Inc. “We are pleased that this new facility will bring essential healthcare services to the rapidly growing southern region of St. George, enhancing access to medical care for residents of SunRiver and surrounding communities.”

The public can keep up to date with the location and find services at intermountainhealth.org.
 

Intermountain Health is innovating orthopedic surgery in Southern Utah, adding robotic assisted knee replacement surgeries, where computer data is tailored to each patient’s anatomy in preparation for the surgery.

This cutting-edge robotic assisted technology gives surgeons and patients another option for orthopedic surgeries.

Intermountain Health's Southwest Orthopedics/Sports Medicine Clinic in St. George, Utah, is the first in the region to offer VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Surgery for total knee replacements.

This new advanced surgery, introduced in St. George in November 2024, enables a more personalized, precise, and efficient knee replacement experience.

Orthopedic surgeons Robert Jamieson, MD, and Darin K. Allred, MD, were the first to use it complete more than 500 total replacements a year and more than 250 robotic assisted knee replacements to date.

“The key to this technology is it enhances the preparation and accuracy while also better customizing the care for each patient,” said Dr. Jamieson. "It allows us to really know the end from the beginning."

St. George resident Jay Sessions had the VELYS Robotic-Assisted surgery for his knee procedure in January 2025, and called the experience "pure joy".

Before the surgery, Sessions said his mobility was limited to the point where he would fall over, but since his procedure, he's felt no pain.

“Robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty offers several significant benefits for patients undergoing joint replacement surgery," said Dr. Allred. “This advanced technology allows for enhanced precision during the procedure, enabling surgeons to plan and execute the operation with greater accuracy.”

The robot can identify minute differences in the patient’s knee and then assist the surgeons in aligning the implants more precisely to a patient’s unique anatomy, which can improve joint function and increase the longevity of the implant.

“Additionally, robotic assistance can result in smaller incisions, reduced soft tissue damage, and less post-operative pain,” said Dr. Allred. “These advantages often lead to quicker recovery times, shorter hospital stays, and better overall outcomes for patients.”

While the technology is a welcome addition to the orthopedic program, there are still surgeries being done with traditional means and those are discussed on a case by case scenario between patients and physicians.

Learn more about orthopedic needs and find providers at intermountainhealth.org. 

Intermountain Health St. George Regional Hospital is proud to announce the installation of two new monoplace, or single-person hyperbaric chambers, enhancing the hospital’s ability to provide life-saving treatment to patients across the region. 

This expansion comes in response to a growing need for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. During the last year, Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital’s hyperbaric chambers have been at the forefront of care during four major critical incidents, treating nearly 100 patients.

These chambers, often little known to the public, are critical for treating a wide variety of conditions as they use 100 percent oxygen administered in a pressurized chamber at levels greater than sea level pressure, typically twice the atmospheric pressure.

“Our hyperbaric chambers have been instrumental in treating patients for carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen therapy for severe wounds, and even suicide attempts,” said Dallas Wright, MD, wound care and hyperbaric physician at Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital. “These new monoplace chambers will bolster our capacity to deliver critical care, especially as the only facility in the area offering these services. We regularly receive patients from as far away as Las Vegas who rely on our unique capabilities.” 

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy provides benefits by using a large volume of oxygen to saturate the blood and tissues with the oxygen's healing properties. This occurs from wearing a sealed hood or an airplane pilot like mask in the multiplace chamber or by breathing in the oxygen that fills the monoplace chamber. 

The hospital currently operates a large, multi-person chamber that seats twelve people. The addition of the two new monoplace chambers will significantly enhance the hospital’s ability to treat more patients with greater flexibility, ensuring that the hospital remains at the forefront of hyperbaric care in the region. 

Caregivers were given the opportunity to submit numerous creative name options for the new monopods, along with the current multi-person chamber. Then they voted on the final names.

The final voting picked the following names: Zion for the multi-person chamber, then Bryce and Kolob for the new monopods.

“We are deeply grateful for the trust our patients place in us and for the continued support of our community. As we move forward, these new hyperbaric chambers will stand as symbols of our commitment to providing the best care possible, no matter the circumstance,” said Dr. Wright.

Hyperbaric therapy can be offered in ways that don't always provide 100% oxygen.

If you have questions about the benefits of these methods, need more information about Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital’s hyperbaric services or to learn more about the naming process, please visit intermountainhealth.org. 

# # #

Intermountain Health marcó un récord en 2024 por la distribución de kits de naloxona mediante su programa de educación sobre opioides y distribución de naloxona en Utah. Este programa colabora con la organización Utah Naloxone, que ofrece kits de naloxona que se distribuyen en nuestras comunidades con un fin educativo.

Intermountain está trabajando para reducir las muertes por opioides, además de afrontar el estigma y los obstáculos que, a menudo, no permiten que las personas busquen ayuda. Reconocer esto es un problema fundamental al que se enfrentan nuestras comunidades; forma parte de las Evaluaciones de necesidades médicas comunitarias de Intermountain Health.

Las muertes por opioides aún representan una crisis de salud pública importante con consecuencias devastadoras en todo el país. Es por esto que Intermountain Health implementó estrategias comunitarias, y colaboró con organizaciones externas y equipos clínicos en un intento por reducir el uso indebido de los opioides y reducir las muertes por sobredosis. 

“Sabemos que los sistemas de salud pueden tener un papel importante en la prevención de las muertes por sobredosis de opioides”, afirma Lisa Nichols, vicepresidenta de Salud Comunitaria en Intermountain Health. “El trabajo que llevamos a cabo es crucial: campañas educativas para la comunidad, reducción del estigma, distribución de naloxona y modificaciones en las prescripciones”.  

Desde 2015, Utah Naloxone suministra kits de rescate de naloxona de forma generalizada en espacios comunitarios, y estamos orgullosos del trabajo realizado para disminuir las muertes por sobredosis de opioides en todo el estado”, afirma Nichols.

Gracias al incansable trabajo de muchas personas, Utah pasó del puesto nro. 4 (2014) al 42 (2021) respecto a las tasas de muerte por sobredosis en el país.

“Desde hace más de una década, Intermountain Health se compromete y está dispuesto a abordar activamente la crisis de muertes por sobredosis de opioides en Utah. Pocos meses después de que se aprobaran las leyes de acceso a la naloxona, Intermountain unió sus esfuerzos con Utah Naloxone para educar, concientizar y aumentar el acceso a esta herramienta que salva vidas”, indicó Jennifer Plumb, MD, MPH, directora médica de Utah Naloxone. “Desde ese momento, se informaron más de 12,500 (doce mil quinientos) casos en los que se pudo prevenir la muerte.  Miles de personas están vivas gracias a estos esfuerzos, y estamos muy agradecidos por esta importante colaboración”.

La Dra. Plumb mencionó que Intermountain Health trabajó para convertirse en un socio fundamental desde el comienzo cuando apenas se legalizó la naloxona en Utah: el objetivo era convertirse en una pieza fundamental del cambio cultural que modificó la forma en la que Utah ve y trata a las personas que lidian con trastornos por abuso de sustancias.

El programa de naloxona de Intermountain Health también incluye una red de oradores en Utah y Idaho, conformada por cuidadores de Intermountain, quienes se ofrecen como voluntarios para asistir a los eventos comunitarios y proporcionar capacitaciones sobre cómo reconocer una sobredosis por opioides y responder ante ella, además de informar sobre el uso de la naloxona.  

Intermountain incluyó la distribución de naloxona en sus servicios a pedido. Para obtener más información sobre la distribución de naloxona en Utah, Idaho, Montana y Nevada, visite el sitio de naloxona a pedido.  

###

Intermountain Health set a record in 2024 for distribution of naloxone kits, through Intermountain’s Opioid Education and Naloxone Distribution program in Utah. 

The program collaborates with the organization Utah Naloxone, which provides naloxone kits used to educate and distribute in our communities.

Intermountain is working to reduce opioid deaths, along with addressing the stigma and barriers that often prevent people from seeking help. Recognizing this as a key issue facing our communities, it is part of Intermountain Health’s Community Health Needs Assessments.

Opioid deaths continue to be a significant public health crisis with devastating impacts across the country. This is why Intermountain Health has implemented community-based strategies and collaborated with outside organizations and clinical teams in effort to reduce opioid misuse and overdose deaths. 

“We know that health systems can play an important role in preventing opioid overdose deaths,” said Lisa Nichols, vice president of Community Health at Intermountain Health. “The work we do toward community education campaigns, stigma reduction, naloxone distribution, and prescribing practice changes is crucial.”  

Utah Naloxone, a nonprofit organization, has been furnishing life-saving naloxone rescue kits broadly in community spaces since 2015, and Intermountain is proud of the work to decrease opioid overdose deaths statewide, said Nichols.

Utah has gone from 4^th in the nation in 2014 to 42^nd in 2021 for overdose death rates due to the tireless efforts of many.     

“Intermountain Health has been onboard and eager to aggressively address the opioid overdose death crisis in Utah for over a decade. Within months of naloxone access laws being passed, Intermountain joined forces with Utah Naloxone to spread education, awareness, and access to this life saving tool,” said Jennifer Plumb, MD, MPH, medical director of Utah Naloxone. “There have been over 12,500 life-saving reversals reported since that time.  Thousands are alive thanks to these efforts, and we are so grateful for this vital partnership.”

Dr. Plumb said Intermountain Health has worked to become a crucial partner from the beginning when Utah first legalized naloxone – becoming a critical piece of the culture shift that has changed the way Utah sees and treats individuals struggling with substance use disorder.

The Intermountain Health naloxone program also includes a speaker’s bureau of Intermountain caregivers in Utah and Idaho who volunteer to attend community events and provide training on how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose – and how to use naloxone.  

Intermountain has included naloxone distribution as part of its new On-Demand services. 

To learn more about Intermountain’s naloxone distribution in Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada visit the naloxone on demand site.  

                                  ###

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.

###

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.  

###   

 

Intermountain Cedar City Hospital hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking to mark the expansion of the hospital’s emergency department that will increase access to emergency medicine and enhance care for the growing Southwest Utah community.

The new emergency department will add more emergency rooms, including those dedicated to behavioral health needs. 

“We are looking forward to this major milestone for Intermountain Cedar City Hospital and our community as we continue to focus on the growing health needs for this area,” said Jamison Robinett, president of Intermountain Cedar City Hospital. “This is our first major expansion since 2006, and we are excited to expand emergency access for the Southwest Utah community.”

Intermountain Cedar City Hospital's emergency department treated more than 20,000 patients in 2024. As the Southern Utah community continues to grow, this 5,000-square foot expansion is a needed addition, addressing the growing needs of the community and the millions of tourists and outdoor enthusiasts who visit nearby national parks and outdoor recreational areas. 

“Today’s expansion is more than just bricks and mortar. It represents something far greater — it represents a commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of every single person in Iron County and beyond,” said Darin Adams, chief of the Cedar City Police Department.

“Whether it’s responding to a serious accident, assisting a victim of violence, bringing in someone experiencing a medical crisis, or obtaining a medical clearance — our first responders rely on this hospital. They know that when seconds count, Intermountain Cedar City Hospital delivers,” said Adams.

This is the first major expansion for Intermountain Cedar City Hospital since 2006 and is part of the hospital's commitment to provide healthcare close to home for area residents.

As part of the expansion, the emergency department will add nine new rooms, including three additional behavioral rooms, another trauma room, a room with bariatric capabilities, and additional exam rooms. 

"We’re seeing increased volumes and increased sickness in our hospital, and these additional rooms will allow us to more comfortably care for these patients,” said Robinett.  

Intermountain Health caregivers attended the event, alongside community members.

Construction has already begun, and the expansion is expected to be completed in early 2026 by Jacobsen Construction.

                                                                       ###

Intermountain Cedar City Hospital celebró una ceremonia por el inicio de las obras de ampliación del Departamento de Urgencias del hospital, que aumentará el acceso a la medicina de emergencia y mejorará la atención para la creciente comunidad del suroeste de Utah.

El nuevo Departamento de Urgencias tendrá más salas de emergencias, incluyendo salas dedicadas a necesidades de salud conductual. 

“Estamos muy ilusionados con este importante hito para Intermountain Cedar City Hospital y la comunidad, en nuestros esfuerzos por abordar las necesidades crecientes de salud de esta zona”, declaró Jamison Robinett, presidente de Intermountain Cedar City Hospital. “Se trata de nuestra primera gran ampliación desde 2006; y nos entusiasma poder ampliar el acceso a la atención de urgencias para la comunidad del suroeste de Utah”.

El Departamento de Urgencias de Intermountain Cedar City Hospital atendió a más de 20,000 (veinte mil) pacientes en 2024. Mientras la comunidad del sur de Utah sigue creciendo, esta ampliación de 5000 pies cuadrados es necesaria para satisfacer las crecientes necesidades de la comunidad y de los millones de turistas y aficionados a las actividades al aire libre que visitan los parques nacionales y las zonas recreativas del área. 

“La ampliación de hoy es más que solo ladrillos y cemento. Representa algo mucho mayor: un compromiso con la salud, la seguridad y el bienestar de cada persona del condado de Iron y más allá”, dijo Darin Adams, jefe del Departamento de Policía de Cedar City.

“Nuestros socorristas confían siempre en este hospital, ya sea para responder a un accidente grave, asistir a víctimas de violencia, atender crisis médicas u obtener autorizaciones médicas. Saben que, cuando los segundos cuentan, Intermountain Cedar City Hospital cumple”, dijo Adams.

Se trata de la primera gran ampliación de Intermountain Cedar City Hospital desde 2006 y forma parte del compromiso del hospital de ofrecer atención médica cerca de casa a los residentes de la zona.

Como parte de la ampliación, el Departamento de Urgencias añadirá nueve salas nuevas, entre ellas, tres salas adicionales de salud conductual, otra sala de traumatología, una sala con capacidad para pacientes bariátricos y salas de exámenes adicionales. 

“Tenemos un aumento del volumen y de las enfermedades en nuestro hospital; así que estas salas adicionales nos permitirán atender más cómodamente a estos pacientes”, dijo Robinett.  

Los cuidadores de Intermountain Health asistieron al acto, junto con miembros de la comunidad.

Las obras ya han comenzado y se espera que Jacobsen Construction finalice la ampliación a principios de 2026.

                                                                       ###

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women under age 50.

According to the American Cancer Society almost 153,000 individuals in the U.S. were diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer in 2024, and more than 53,000 died from the disease.

March is National Colon Cancer Awareness month and Intermountain Health is working to raise awareness about the disease and the importance of prevention and early detection.

Awareness is crucial, as many cases of colon and rectal cancer can be prevented. In fact, colon cancer has a 90% survival rate when its detected early.

Understanding Your Risks

Colon cancer can affect anyone, but certain factors can increase your risk:

• Age: Most cases occur in individuals aged 50 and older
• Family History: A family history of colon cancer or polyps can increase your risk.
• Personal History: Previous polyps or inflammatory bowel disease heighten your risk.
• Lifestyle Factors: Diets high in red and processed meats, smoking, heavy alcohol use and lack of physical activity can contribute to an increased risk.

However, it’s not just older adults who need to be vigilant. Colorectal cancer incidence has been steadily increasing in younger Americans for the last several decades, with the sharpest rise seen in the incidence of rectal cancer.

In 2020, 11% of all colon cancer and 15% of all rectal cancer diagnoses were estimated to occur in individuals under age 50.

“Waiting for symptoms is too late,” said Christine Hachem, MD, interim medical director of gastroenterology and digestive health for Intermountain Health. “Screening occurs when you have no symptoms and feel well. Early detection is critical to catching colorectal cancer and saving lives.”

This rise is alarming because younger patients often have more advanced cases by the time they’re diagnosed.

Factors contributing to this trend may include environmental exposures, dietary habits, and sporadic genetic mutations, said Dr. Hachem.

“Younger individuals face unique barriers when it comes to colon cancer screenings, such as a lack of awareness about the need for screening, fear or discomfort associated with the procedure and challenges in navigating the healthcare system,” said Priyanka Patel, MD, gastroenterologist for Intermountain Health. “It’s crucial for everyone, regardless of age, to understand their personal risk factors and discuss them with their healthcare provider to determine the best screening plan.”

Updated national guidelines make it possible for more people to be screened with a colonoscopy and stool-based testing starting at age 45.

Colonoscopies are considered the gold standard for colon cancer detection, as it not only detects abnormalities, but removes precancerous lesions. Intermountain Health makes it easier to schedule a colonoscopy with an online system, ensuring you have access to this vital screening option.

For most patients a colonoscopy is then only needed once every 10 years, or once every five years if your doctor determines you have an increased risk of colon cancer.

Earlier screening may be recommended for anyone with a personal history of polyps or family history of colon cancer.

If you have inflammatory bowel disease (with Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis) or other chronic conditions that affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, talk with your doctor or a GI specialist to determine when and how often you should be screened.

“Don’t delay your screenings,” said Dr. Hachem. “It could save your life.”

Other Easy and Convenient Screening Options

Intermountain Health offers home-based tests that are both effective and convenient, allowing you to get what you need, when you need it, without leaving your home.

Individuals who are 45 to 75 years old with average risk may qualify for Intermountain’s on-demand colon cancer screening kits. This is an option that allows you to get a test kit in the mail and send it back to the lab for testing without the need for an appointment.

1. Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT): This simple, non-invasive test detects hidden blood in the stool, an early sign of colon cancer. You can complete it at home, and if the results are positive or abnormal, a follow-up colonoscopy may be necessary.
2. Cologuard: Combining the FIT with a DNA test, Cologuard detects abnormal DNA markers in stool samples. It’s also non-invasive and can be done at home. A positive or abnormal result will require a follow-up colonoscopy.

Why Choose Home-Based Tests?

Home-based tests like FIT and Cologuard offer several advantages:

• Convenience: Complete the test at home without a doctor’s visit.
• Non-Invasive: No preparation or sedation required.
• Accessibility: Ideal for those who may have difficulty scheduling or accessing colonoscopy appointments.

Act Today

Understanding your risks and exploring your screening options are vital steps in preventing colon cancer.

If you are 45 or older, you can order an at-home colon cancer screening kit to have a test kit mailed to you without needing a doctor’s visit. If you have risk factors, like a family or personal history of colon cancer or polyps, talk to your healthcare provider about getting screened. For more information about Intermountain Health’s on-demand services, click here. 

To schedule a colonoscopy, or to find a physician click here. 

###

LAS VEGAS: Intermountain Health y Crovetti Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine (COSM) han decidido embarcarse en una asociación en el área metropolitana de Las Vegas que mejorará la atención ortopédica y de medicina deportiva y aumentará el acceso a la atención ortopédica de alta calidad para los pacientes de Nevada.

Los líderes de ambas organizaciones expresan que la nueva asociación ilustra su compromiso comunitario de satisfacer las necesidades crecientes de los pacientes del sur de Nevada, ya que pretende aumentar el acceso a la atención ortopédica y de medicina deportiva de primer nivel.

Crovetti Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine abarca dos centros de cirugía ambulatoria (uno en Henderson y otro en el área de Summerlin), un laboratorio de cateterismo cardiovascular, un grupo médico ortopédico, una agencia de salud ortopédica a domicilio y salas de recuperación.

Intermountain Health es un sistema de salud sin fines de lucro que se enfoca en reducir los costos médicos generales y proporcionar una atención proactiva mientras alcanza los mejores resultados de salud para sus pacientes.

La colaboración con COSM permite que Intermountain brinde sus servicios ortopédicos a más pacientes en Nevada.

“Nos enorgullece colaborar con Crovetti Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine para ofrecer una atención rentable y de alta calidad a nuestros pacientes”, dijo Mitch Cloward, presidente de Intermountain Health en la región de Desert. “Juntos, podemos continuar con el avance de la atención de maneras significativas para nuestros pacientes”.

Los centros de cirugía ambulatoria se especializan en un conjunto de procedimientos específicos, lo que permite aumentar las eficiencias que abaratan los costos mientras se ofrecen resultados de alta calidad. La mayor preocupación de muchos de los pacientes es el costo, incluso cuando cuentan con un seguro. El centro de cirugía ambulatoria proporciona comodidad y rentabilidad a los pacientes mientras mantiene resultados quirúrgicos de alta calidad.

COSM ofrece atención de nueve proveedores: siete cirujanos ortopédicos, una enfermera quirúrgica titulada de práctica avanzada y un quiropráctico, así como también un equipo de enfermeras tituladas y fisioterapeutas de la clínica.

“Esperamos con ansias la asociación con Intermountain Health con el objetivo de expandir el acceso a una atención ortopédica de alta calidad para más pacientes en el sur de Nevada”, dijo Michael J. Crovetti, Jr., DO, director ejecutivo de COSM. “Nuestra misión es proporcionar atención de calidad mientras cumplimos los estándares quirúrgicos más altos y tratamos a cada paciente con respeto y dignidad antes, durante y después de su operación”.

COSM ha proporcionado calidad y atención ortopédica comprobada en el área metropolitana de Las Vegas por más de 20 años con una tasa de infecciones y complicaciones muy baja, un control del dolor posoperatorio excelente y el uso de tecnologías de vanguardia para el tratamiento de problemas de cadera, rodilla, hombro, codo, pie, tobillo y columna.

COSM se instauró como pionero con el Coronado Surgery Center y las Surgical Recovery Suites, que constituyen el primer centro privado de cirugía ambulatoria y las primera salas de recuperación quirúrgica en Nevada, ubicados en 2779 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway #200, Henderson, que abrieron sus puertas en 2010.

En 2023, COSM inauguró el Queensridge Surgery Center y las Surgical Recovery Suites en 10040 Alta Drive, #140, Las Vegas, que abarcan las siguientes instalaciones:

·      Crovetti Orthopaedics, con diez salas de pruebas, dos salas de procedimiento y un centro de diagnóstico por imágenes. 

·      El Queensridge Surgery Center, con cuatro quirófanos de tecnología de vanguardia y un laboratorio de cateterismo cardíaco. 

·      Las Queensridge Surgical Recovery Suites, con diez salas de recuperación posoperatoria junto con un centro de acondicionamiento físico. 
 

Los pacientes reciben atención personalizada las 24 horas del día y comidas saludables en un ambiente privado y relajante, acompañados por un personal de enfermería y especialistas de fisioterapia altamente capacitados para asistir con la recuperación a fin de que los pacientes regresen a sus hogares dentro de un lapso de 48 horas.

Para obtener más información, visite https://www.crovettiortho.com/.

###   

Intermountain Health and Crovetti Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine (COSM) in the Las Vegas Valley have signed a joint venture partnership. Under the joint venture, COSM will be a preferred partner for Intermountain Health. The COSM organization will continue to be managed by COSM.

Leaders for both organizations say the new partnership illustrates a commitment to strengthening the services provided in this space in Nevada while continuing to increase accessible care for our communities.

Crovetti Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine includes two ambulatory surgery centers – one in Henderson and one in the Summerlin area; a cardiovascular catheterization laboratory; an orthopedic medical group; an orthopedic home health agency; and recovery suites.

Intermountain Health is a not-for-profit health system that focuses on reducing overall medical costs and providing quality, proactive care while achieving the best health outcomes for patients.

The collaboration with COSM allows Intermountain to provide enhanced access to a top tier provider for orthopedic-related services in Nevada.

“We are proud to partner with Crovetti Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in their offering of high-quality, cost-effective care to the patients we serve,” said Mitch Cloward, president of Intermountain Health’s Desert Region. “With this collaboration, we can continue to advance care in meaningful ways for our patients.”

Ambulatory surgery centers specialize in a specific set of procedures, allowing for greater efficiencies that lower cost while providing high-quality outcomes. For many patients, cost is their biggest worry, even when they have insurance. The ambulatory surgery center makes it more convenient for patients as well as more affordable, while maintaining high-quality surgical outcomes.

COSM offers care from nine providers – seven orthopedic surgeons, one surgical advanced practice registered nurse, one chiropractor – as well as a clinic team of registered nurses and physical therapists.

“We look forward to partnering with Intermountain Health to expand access to high-quality orthopaedic care to more patients throughout southern Nevada,” said Michael J. Crovetti, Jr., DO, chief executive officer of COSM. “It’s our mission to provide quality care through the highest standards of surgical techniques and treat each patient with the respect and dignity before, during, and post-operatively.”

COSM has provided quality and proven orthopaedic care for the Las Vegas Valley for more than 20 years, maintaining a very low infection and complication rate, excellent post-operative pain control, and the use of cutting-edge technologies in the treatment of hip, knee, shoulder, elbow, foot, ankle and spine problems.

COSM pioneered the first outpatient private surgery center and surgical recovery suites in Nevada with the Coronado Surgery Center and Surgical Recovery Suites, located at 2779 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway #200, Henderson, which opened in 2010.

In 2023, COSM opened the Queensridge Surgery Center and Surgical Recovery Suites at 10040 Alta Drive, #140, Las Vegas, including:

·      Crovetti Orthopaedics, which offers 10 exam rooms, two procedure rooms, and a digital imaging center. 

·      The Queensridge Surgery Center, which offers four state-of-the-art operating rooms and a Cardiac Catheterization Lab. 

·      The Queensridge Surgical Recovery Suites, which offer 10 post-surgery recovery suites along with a fitness facility. 

Patients receive 24-hour personalized care and healthy catered meals within a private and relaxing setting, with highly trained nursing staff and physical therapy specialists to assist with recovery to get patients back home within 48 hours.

For more information, visit https://www.crovettiortho.com/.

###   

LAS VEGAS. Intermountain Health ha dado a conocer su estrategia de implementación de salud comunitaria, en la que se describe un plan integral para mejorar los resultados sanitarios de las poblaciones más vulnerables del sur de Nevada.

La estrategia se basa en los resultados de la primera Evaluación de las Necesidades de Salud Comunitaria (CHNA, por sus siglas en inglés) de Intermountain en el sur de Nevada, que identificó el bienestar mental, los determinantes sociales de la salud, el acceso a la atención médica, las enfermedades crónicas y la mejora del bienestar de los niños y las familias como necesidades de salud importantes.

En el informe de la CHNA, se proporcionaron amplios detalles sobre el estado, las necesidades y los activos de salud locales que permiten que el sistema sanitario sin fines de lucro informe e identifique las principales prioridades de salud del área local. Intermountain creó esa evaluación inicial después de involucrar a organizaciones que representaban una amplia gama de intereses en la comunidad del sur de Nevada. Los participantes concedieron entrevistas detalladas para compartir sus perspectivas sobre las necesidades sanitarias a fin de ayudar a priorizar el trabajo de Intermountain Health para colaborar con otras personas en la mejora de la salud comunitaria.

“La estrategia de implementación nos proporciona un marco claro como sistema para abordar estas importantes necesidades de salud en colaboración con nuestra comunidad”, comentó Will Rucker, director de Intermountain Community Health en Nevada. “Si aprovechamos nuestros recursos y trabajamos junto con las principales partes interesadas, podemos tener un impacto medible en la salud y el bienestar de nuestros vecinos más vulnerables”.

A continuación, se mencionan las áreas de interés y las tácticas que Intermountain implementará en colaboración con los socios comunitarios. La lista completa está disponible en el documento Estrategia de implementación.

Mejorar el bienestar mental

·       Reducir las muertes por suicidio

·       Reducir los trastornos de salud mental frecuentes en adultos y jóvenes

·       Reducir el impacto del abuso de sustancias

La estrategia de implementación de Intermountain incluye capacitaciones, recursos, educación, financiación para grupos comunitarios y colaboración con coaliciones y grupos de trabajo.

“Un ejemplo de este trabajo es la reducción del acceso a medios letales mediante la distribución de aproximadamente 575 candados para armas desde el pasado mes de junio a los socorristas y a otras organizaciones con el fin de que las entreguen a las familias”, afirmó Lisa Nichols, vicepresidenta de Community Health. “Hemos comprobado que separar en tiempo y distancia a un medio tan letal como un arma de fuego de una persona que atraviesa una crisis puede salvarle la vida”.

Mejorar los resultados sanitarios crónicos y evitables

·       Prevenir la presión arterial alta y la diabetes

·       Aumentar las tasas de inmunización

·       Reducir las lesiones de los niños 

Intermountain Health se ha comprometido a reforzar la colaboración con las organizaciones locales que trabajan para prevenir la diabetes y la presión arterial alta, reducir las lesiones de los niños y aumentar las tasas de inmunización.

El año pasado, Intermountain Children’s Health colaboró con Nevada Highway Patrol, SafeKids del condado de Clark y los socorristas para concienciar a Nevada sobre los peligros de dejar a los niños en un automóvil a temperaturas elevadas. Intermountain también colaboró con SafeKids del condado de Clark, así como con el Healthy Living Institute del University Medical Center (UMC, por sus siglas en inglés), para concienciar sobre el aumento de las peligrosas falsificaciones de sillas de automóviles.

Abordar los determinantes sociales de la salud e invertir en ellos

·       Mejorar el acceso y la coordinación de la atención social

·       Invertir en viviendas asequibles y mejorar la seguridad alimentaria

·       Aumentar la cobertura y el acceso a la atención médica

Una estrategia clave para mejorar la salud comunitaria es reforzar el programa de trabajadores de salud comunitaria (CHW, por sus siglas en inglés) de Nevada. A través de una colaboración con Nevada Community Health Workers Association, estamos apoyando el desarrollo de la fuerza laboral para ampliar este rol vital. Los CHW son profesionales de la salud pública capacitados que sirven de puente entre su comunidad y los recursos sanitarios y sociales esenciales. Gracias a su experiencia vivida y a sus profundos vínculos con la comunidad, ayudan a derribar las barreras que impiden la salud y el bienestar de las personas de mayor riesgo.

Mejorar el bienestar de los niños y la familia

·       Mejorar la seguridad de los niños y las familias

·       Prevenir lesiones

·       Defender a los niños y las familias

Intermountain Health se ha comprometido con la salud física y mental de los niños y sus familias. Este trabajo incluye la colaboración con grupos comunitarios, la interacción con funcionarios locales y estatales y la aplicación de programas basados en pruebas para mejorar los resultados de la salud infantil en todo el sur de Nevada.

Como parte de este compromiso, Intermountain Health anunció el pasado octubre sus planes 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.

La CHNA actual de Intermountain abarca el período de 2022 a 2025. Se está trabajando en la próxima CHNA, que orientará las prioridades de salud comunitaria para los tres años siguientes. El equipo de Intermountain Community Health está colaborando con socios para evaluar las necesidades de salud emergentes con el fin de asegurarse de que la próxima evaluación refleje los activos y oportunidades actuales para el sur de Nevada. 

“Nuestro compromiso con Nevada tiene como base la compasión y la colaboración. Las Evaluaciones de las Necesidades de Salud Comunitaria y la estrategia de implementación nos ayudan a identificar necesidades de salud importantes y a respaldar el increíble trabajo que ya se está realizando. Nuestro rol consiste en conectar las piezas para llenar los vacíos y que nadie quede en las brechas. Nevada, estamos aquí para ayudar. Si trabajamos en conjunto, podemos construir un futuro más saludable para todos”, afirmó Rucker.

Todas las CHNA y estrategias de implementación de Intermountain Health pueden consultarse aquí.
 
 

# # #

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.

# # #

Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital leaders broke ground on a new surgical services tower expansion to help meet the growing needs of area residents and the millions of tourists and adventurers that venture to the national parks and scenic outdoor red rock country.

The new space will house additional operating rooms and state-of-the-art surgical services. The expansion was made possible through generous community donations to the 2023 Jubilee of Trees community fundraiser.

St. George is Utah’s third-fastest-growing city and is in an area with the highest percentage of seniors in the state.

Additionally, Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital is a Level II trauma center, which requires 24-hour trauma services and surgical coverage by general and specialty surgeons, including cardiology, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology, and critical care.

“As we strive to fulfill our mission to help people live the healthiest lives possible, we continuously work to address the changing needs of our community,” said Natalie Ashby, president of Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital. “We’ve seen tremendous growth in our area and are so pleased to begin this expansion of our surgical services to meet the needs of our increasing population.”

“The hospital has been adding up to seven new surgeons every year to meet rising demand for services. Additional space and technology, however, is needed to keep pace and optimally serve the community,” she added.

“We are excited to begin construction on this surgical expansion,” said Patrick Carroll, MD, chief medical officer of Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital. “We have incredible surgeons, anesthesiologists, and surgical staff. This expansion will allow us to care for more patients with shorter wait times. We are committed to the health and wellbeing of our community and always strive to provide access to world class care.”

Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital cares for patients from the community, as well as outdoor enthusiasts from around the globe.

This also leads to numerous trauma events that can send people into the hospital for needed critical surgical care.

Karen Conner of Lander, Wyoming, was one of those.

As a critical care nurse for 28 years, Conner never thought she would be on the other side of trauma care, but that’s exactly what happened in April 2023.

What started out as a leisurely walk that April day along a dirt road in La Verkin, Utah, with her husband and three dogs ended with Conner being flown in an Intermountain Life Flight helicopter to the trauma center at Intermountain St. George Hospital.

Conner had smelled something foul by a cliff side and went to check it out, when she tripped on a rock, fell and slid down the side – headfirst – falling more than 40 feet. Only a small rock and a bush on a ledge kept her from falling further below into the Virgin River.

Her spine and neck were broken in multiple places. She fractured several bones in her right leg and left ankle, as well as receiving a serious head injury, cuts and bruises.

“I felt very grateful I was still alive and not paralyzed,” said Conner. “Intermountain Health did a great job putting a mess back together.”

Conner still drives eight hours for her post-hospitalization care. Including this past September for follow-up surgery on one of her knees.

“I had to have complex surgery. They knew what was performed and it was important to continue the continuum of care,” Conner said. “Trauma surgery is not always the easiest. The trauma program in St. George is pretty advanced compared to other parts of the country.”

Proceeds from the Jubilee of Trees community fundraiser are helping to build the new space, which will improve patient access to needed surgeries. Proceeds also support technology upgrades to allow more precise, less invasive surgical procedures that yield better outcomes and shorter healing times.

“Our community steps up and helps each other,” said Loriana De Crescenzo, executive director of the Intermountain Foundation at Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital. “We are truly blessed to be a part of a community that embodies the spirit of giving.”

The generosity of the community has been vital to the recent opening of the partial hospitalization program for pediatrics behavioral health, neuroscience services, cancer care, and establishing Intermountain Life Flight services in St. George, in additions to numerous other contributions.

The annual Jubilee of Trees, hosted by the Intermountain Foundation at Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital, has raised funds to advance community medical services at the hospital since 1983.

# # #

CredibleMind, Inc., la empresa de bienestar mental, e Intermountain Health, un innovador en la atención médica y un sistema de salud sin fines de lucro en el oeste, anunciaron un acuerdo para ofrecer un recurso digital con el fin de abordar mejor las inquietudes de salud mental.

Como parte de esta nueva sociedad, ahora Intermountain ofrece la plataforma exclusiva de cuidado personal de CredibleMind para comunidades dentro de sus áreas de servicio. La plataforma personaliza decenas de miles de recursos seleccionados por expertos que cubren más de cien temas. 

Crea una experiencia digital altamente personalizada para cada persona en la que se combina el cuidado personal con base en pruebas y evaluaciones validadas con recursos de prestación de atención para brindar una mejor salud mental a la población. 

CredibleMind ofrece recursos para todas las edades al cubrir una amplia gama de etapas de la vida, como la escuela, el trabajo, la paternidad y maternidad, y las relaciones. El sitio web y los recursos también están disponibles en español.

Conforme a los datos de Mental Health America, uno de cada cinco adultos tiene una enfermedad diagnosticable de salud mental cada año. Utah ocupa el puesto más alto en los EE. UU. con más de uno de cada cuatro. El 46 % de los estadounidenses padecerá al menos una enfermedad de salud mental y la mitad de ellos la desarrollará para los 14 años. Más de la mitad de los adultos no recibe tratamiento.

"En los Estados Unidos, se está viviendo una crisis de salud mental en expansión, lo que genera la necesidad urgente de abordar este desafío con soluciones creativas que escalen rápido, con constancia y la calidad más alta”, dijo Mason Turner, MD, director médico sénior del programa clínico de salud mental de Intermountain Health. “Con esta herramienta digital, se ofrecen más maneras de ayudar a las personas de nuestra comunidad a controlar la ansiedad, dormir mejor, aliviar el estrés, vencer el síndrome de desgaste profesional y más. En definitiva, queremos ayudar a las personas para que vivan la vida más saludable posible. Con esta plataforma, estamos brindando recursos gratuitos y de alta calidad para la comunidad”.

“Encomiamos el liderazgo de Intermountain al enfocarse en la salud mental de la comunidad”, expresó Deryk Van Brunt, DrPH, fundador y director ejecutivo de CredibleMind. “La mayoría de los sistemas de salud han clasificado la salud mental como una de sus tres prioridades, pero pocos han encontrado una manera rentable de abordar estas necesidades, a nivel superior y a escala. Creamos CredibleMind para ayudar a organizaciones como Intermountain a lograrlo de manera orientada hacia la comunidad y personalizada para cada paciente”. 

Las personas dentro de las áreas de servicio de Intermountain Health ahora pueden obtener CredibleMind como una herramienta digital de salud mental autodirigida y gratuita desde el sitio IntermountainHealth.CredibleMind.com.

###

Acerca de CredibleMind 
Planes de salud líderes, proveedores de programas y más de 100 comunidades alrededor de los EE. UU. confían en CredibleMind para empoderar la salud mental de sus miembros en cualquier momento y en cualquier lugar. Nuestra plataforma digital de salud mental poblacional con base en pruebas escala estudios de detección, prevención, derivaciones e intervención temprana. Al utilizar reglas y recursos personalizados para cada entorno y adaptados a cada persona, creamos un mejor acceso hacia la salud mental. Para obtener más información, visítenos en crediblemind.com. 

CredibleMind, Inc., the Mental Wellbeing Company, and Intermountain Health, a healthcare innovator and not for profit health system in the Intermountain West, today announced an agreement to offer a digital resource to better address mental health concerns. 

As part of this new partnership, Intermountain is now offering CredibleMind’s unique self-care platform to communities across its service areas. 

The platform personalizes tens of thousands of expert-curated resources across over one hundred topics. It creates a highly tailored digital experience for each person, blending evidence-based self-care and validated assessments with care delivery resources to deliver better population mental health. 

CredibleMind offers resources for all ages, covering a wide range of life stages such as school, work, parenting, and relationships. Website and resources are also available in a Spanish version.

According to data from Mental Health America, one in five adults have a diagnosable mental health condition each year. Utah ranks the highest in the US with over one in four. 46% of Americans will have at least one mental health condition with half of those developing by the age of 14. Over half of all adults do not receive treatment. 

"America is experiencing a growing mental health crisis, creating an urgent need to address this challenge with creative solutions that scale quickly, consistently and with the highest quality." said Mason Turner, MD, senior medical director for the Intermountain Health’s Behavioral Health Clinical Program. "This digital tool provides more ways to help people in our communities manage anxiety, sleep better, relieve stress, beat burnout, and more. Ultimately, we want to help people live their healthiest lives possible. With this platform, we are providing free, high-quality resources to our community.”

“We applaud Intermountain’s leadership in focusing on community-wide mental health,” said Deryk Van Brunt, DrPH, founder and CEO of CredibleMind. “Most health systems have ranked mental health as a top three priority, yet few have found a cost-effective way to address these needs, upstream, and at scale. We created CredibleMind to help organizations like Intermountain do so, in a community-oriented, and patient-customized way.”  

Individuals in Intermountain Health’s service area can access CredibleMind now as a free self-directed digital mental health tool by visiting IntermountainHealth.CredibleMind.com

###

About CredibleMind 
Leading health plans, program providers, and over 100 communities across the U.S., rely on CredibleMind to empower member mental health anytime, anywhere. Our evidence-based, population digital mental health platform scales screening, prevention, referral, and early intervention. Using rules and resources customized for each setting and tailored for each individual, we create a better front door to behavioral health. For more information, visit us at crediblemind.com. 

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.  

###   

Intermountain Health welcomed the community and caregivers today at the Intermountain Washington Fields Clinic to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of Intermountain’s newest outpatient ambulatory care clinic that will enhance care for patients in Washington County.

The 15,232-square-foot clinic is located at 2947 East 1450 South in St. George and brings primary care and pediatrics closer to home for residents of Washington County.

“Intermountain Health is committed to clinical excellence and increasing access to exceptional, quality care,” said Mitch Cloward, president of Intermountain Health’s Desert Region, which includes southern Nevada and southwest Utah. “With the continued expected growth in Washington County and surrounding communities, this new clinic will offer access to family medicine and pediatric care to more families and current patients, closer to home.”

The ribbon-cutting, attended by dozens of dignitaries, community members, Intermountain leaders, providers, and clinic team caregivers, was held at the clinic doors with an official ceremony.

Intermountain Health Desert Region Board of Trustee Cyndi Gilbert, Washington County Commissioner Adam Snow, St. George Mayor Michele Randall, and Jeremy Cox, Intermountain Health market vice president of medical group operations for primary care in the Desert Region, were among those who participated in the festivities.

Following the event, tours and an open house provided visitors with an early look at the clinic.

Family medicine providers Dr. Matt McIff and Dr. Sheldon Moon will be caring for patients at the new Intermountain Washington Fields Clinic.

“We are thrilled to introduce to the community our providers and clinic team who will be caring for patients at this new location,” said Steve Clark, MD, Intermountain’s senior medical director for primary Care for Southwest Utah. “Our commitment to our patients starts with ensuring each person has access to primary care and can see their primary care provider regularly. Establishing preventive care keeps people healthy, out of the hospital, and living their lives to the fullest.”

Dr. Gary Bosshardt and Dr. Eric Wilson will be caring for pediatric patients at Washington Fields Clinic, where lab and X-Ray services also will be available.

“This clinic will help parents keep their children healthy by providing them with preventive services, care when they are sick, mental health care, screening, referrals to specialists when needed, and other outpatient services,” said Tim Larsen, MD, medical director for pediatrics for Southwest Utah for Intermountain Health. “Children will make up a little over 50 percent of the patients that come to this clinic but 100 percent of our future community. So, we are super excited to partner with parents to help our community be healthier into the future.”

Jacobsen Construction and HKS Architects are the lead firms on the project.

“Intermountain Health invests in our communities because it is the right thing to do,” said Shey Grossen, executive director for primary care for Intermountain Health’s Desert Region. “This state-of-the-art clinic closer to home for many Washington County residents ensures access to quality care is more convenient than ever. Thank you to our patients for entrusting Intermountain with your care.”

To learn more about Intermountain Health and to make an appointment, visit intermountainhealth.org.  

###

The last thing a marathon runner and mother of six wants to hear at a doctor’s appointment is that she has breast cancer. But Amanda Roberts knew she was in good hands with the experts at Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital, which is located near her home.

“I can’t say enough good things about our cancer center here in St. George,” said Roberts, who underwent whole genome sequencing at diagnosis and recently completed her individualized breast cancer treatments.

“Having this treatment here has been incredible and made my journey so much easier. I can’t imagine having to travel, or that I’d receive better care than the care I received at Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital,” she added.

In November, the community can help more patients like Amanda access expanded, advanced, and personalized cancer treatments at Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital by participating in the 41^st annual Jubilee of Trees.

Jubilee of Trees, hosted by the Intermountain Foundation, is open to the public Nov. 21-23, with a Gala Dinner and Auction on Friday, Nov. 22, at the Dixie Convention Center in St. George. Tickets can be purchased at visit intermountainhealthcare.org/foundation/jubilee-of-trees.

Individuals and families are invited to join in an open-house style holiday event celebrating the spirit of charitable giving. All proceeds benefit patients at Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital.

“We are committed to ensuring anything that can be done with cancer, from screening to treatment to support for survivors, can be done here with expertise and compassion, and ease the strain on families,” said Derrick Haslem, MD, medical oncologist at Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital.

“Community philanthropy at the Jubilee of Trees has a huge impact on our work,” Dr. Haslem added. “We invite the community to participate in the Jubilee of Trees this year, and rally around this cancer center, which has become emblematic of our community’s fight against cancer.”

Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital serves Utah’s third-fastest-growing city. Now more than ever, cancer patients need access to its leading clinical experts, complex and unique cancer treatments, and survivorship care.

Doug Adams is one of those patients.

While living in Colorado eight years ago, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer. The prognosis he received was grim. He traveled the country searching for effective treatments.

Adams found the oncologist he was looking for at Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital Cancer Center. He moved to St. George, where he was able to get doses of Pluvicto, a treatment that, at the time, was scarcely available nationwide outside of New Jersey. It worked.

“Eight years ago (doctors) said, basically, at 52, my life would be over in the next 18 to 24 months. Now it’s been 8 years. We’re thriving in St. George. God bless Intermountain,” Adams said.

Because of the treatments he received at the Cancer Center, Adams was able to celebrate his 60^th birthday and continue the activities he enjoys, like cycling, in St. George. “Amazing place, amazing people,” he said. “Wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

Autum Marie Rasmussen, age 22, also hopes to celebrate her 60^th birthday and beyond, thanks to the treatment she received at the Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital Cancer Center.

Rasmussen’s cancer journey began during an exercise workout. She thought she’d pulled a muscle in her leg.

When the pain progressed to her lower abdomen and became unbearable, she went to Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital for emergency care. Soon, scans and tests would confirm Rasmussen had Ewing sarcoma around her pubic bone, hip socket, and femur.

News of the diagnosis was tough, but Rasmussen is tougher. She has been documenting her journey in social media.

“It makes it a little easier, to make light of a really daunting situation,” she said.

Oncologists designed a treatment plan for Rasmussen, taking extra steps to help preserve her future plans to start a family. The plan allowed her to receive expert care without being hospitalized, and at the Cancer Center just 15 minutes away from her home.  

“It’s been such a huge blessing that I’m able to be outpatient and be so close,” she said. “At the end of a day of treatments, I get to go back to the comforts of home and rejuvenate. I get to sleep in my own bed, be with my family, and have friends come over. Then, I am blessed to be able to come back to the Cancer Center and get life-saving treatments.” 

By supporting in the Jubilee of Trees, the community can fuel the advancements that have helped Amanda, Doug, and Autum, and bring new hope to the spectrum of cancer patients served at Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital.

“Philanthropy is critical to the advancement of our expertise and the patient experience for how we deliver proactive care for people at risk for cancer, provide multi-disciplinary care for patients on the urology-oncology cancer journey as well as the gynecology-oncology journey, and meet the needs of those in survivorship,” said Loriana De Crescenzo, executive director of the Intermountain Foundation. “We urge our community to step forth in support of this cause and are grateful for their example and generosity."

For more than 40 years, Jubilee of Trees has engaged community members from Southwest Utah and beyond in support of the most urgent needs at St. George Regional Hospital. The generosity of our community has been vital to the expansion of surgical services, pediatric and adolescent mental and behavioral health services, neuroscience services, and establishing LifeFlight services in St. George, in additions to numerous other contributions.

For tickets and information, visit intermountainhealthcare.org/foundation/jubilee-of-trees.

                                                                                  ###

On October 29, Utah Business and Roseman University announced their annual Healthcare Heroes Awards with two notable recipients: Lisa Nichols, from Intermountain Health, and Dawn Wright, from Select Health.

This annual award celebrates individuals making significant contributions to improving healthcare in Utah. Both Nichols and Wright were honored among five recipients in the Community Outreach category for their involvements to help improve community health through their advocacy and outreach throughout Utah

Nichols has more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit healthcare, where she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to addressing health disparities and ensuring access for underrepresented communities.

As Vice President of Community Health, Nichols leads the Community Health portfolio, which includes Intermountain’s Community Health Needs Assessments. The work focuses on addressing social determinants of health and health disparities through community-based collaborations and strategic philanthropy.

In addition, Nichols supports Intermountain’s initiatives to serve as an anchor institution, ensuring the organization deploys its assets to address Intermountain’s mission of helping people live the healthiest lives possible through local hiring, local sourcing, impact investing, and sustainability.

“This recognition reflects the dedication and hard work of the Intermountain Health team and the strong collaborations built within our communities,” said Lisa Nichols. “I am grateful for the opportunity to lead initiatives that make a meaningful difference in the lives of so many. Thank you for this honor and for recognizing the importance of our work in creating a healthier, more equitable future."

Throughout her career, Dawn Wright has combined leadership, compassion, and a deep commitment to expanding healthcare access. Her early career began with leading marketing efforts at the Salvation Army in Southern California, where she amplified the organization's mission to support vulnerable populations. Later, as Director of Marketing & Communications for Shriners Children’s Salt Lake City, she continued her advocacy for children with orthopedic conditions.   

Currently, as the Director of Community and Public Relations at Select Health, the nonprofit insurance arm of Intermountain Health, Wright oversees charity giving, community programs, and partnerships that increase healthcare accessibility. In 2023 alone, her leadership helped direct more than $1 million in contributions for initiatives addressing housing, food security, access to care, positively impacting lives across Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah. 

Under her guidance, Select Health has collaborated with more than 200 community organizations and businesses to promote healthcare initiatives, expanding its programs to new markets. Her efforts have reinforced the importance of community giving as a core value within the healthcare system. 

Wright has also driven key initiatives such as the Select Health Awards, which annually supports ten Utah organizations dedicated to health, and Brain Body Boost, a school-based program promoting healthy behaviors. Additionally, she oversees the Select Health Scholarship Program, providing financial aid and mentorship to Salt Lake Community College students pursuing healthcare careers. 

"Dawn has an exceptional ability to mobilize people and resources to drive meaningful change in communities we serve," said Nate Foco, Select Health chief marketing and strategy officer. "Her leadership has expanded access to care, resources, and support services for countless individuals across the Mountain West. She has elevated our outreach efforts and created lasting relationships that have significantly strengthened our impact in the region.” 

In 2023, Wright produced Select Health’s first-ever Community Impact Report, highlighting the success of her team’s initiatives. She exemplifies how a strong leader can mobilize resources and partnerships to create lasting change in healthcare. 

"I am deeply honored to be recognized as a Healthcare Hero by Utah Business. This acknowledgment reflects not just my passion for service, but the collective effort of my team and our community in striving for better health and well-being,” said Dawn Wright, Select Health director of community and public relations. “By fostering strong community relations and supporting accessible healthcare, we can empower individuals to lead healthier lives. Together, we can create a supportive environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive." 

Nichols and Wright will be a part of the October 2024 issue of Utah Business magazine with the other winners. The digital edition can be viewed when published at utahbusiness.com.

###