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

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

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

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

Asthma attacks can be frightening for children and their families.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital invita al público a celebrar la temporada de fiestas y ayudar a los pacientes que lo necesitan en el 55.^o Festival Anual de Árboles (Festival of Trees), una preciada tradición festiva de Utah abierta al público del 3 al 6 de diciembre en Mountain America Expo Center, Sandy.

El Festival de Árboles cuenta con 550 hermosos árboles navideños artesanales que titilan con medio millón de luces, coronas navideñas, pesebres, casas de jengibre, edredones, centros de mesa y más, disponibles para subastar y comprar.

También habrá escones, música en vivo y presentaciones de baile, visitas con Santa Claus, y 5000 libras del fudge (dulce cremoso de chocolate) del Festival de Árboles, famoso a nivel local. Todos los artículos son producidos y donados por voluntarios de la comunidad de Utah y los estados aledaños.

Los fondos recaudados se destinarán para ayudar a Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, brindar atención a los pacientes que la necesiten y seguir construyendo el sistema de salud modelo del país para los niños.

El Festival de Árboles es presentado por Intermountain Foundation y hecho posible gracias a una junta de voluntarios dedicada, generosa y compuesta por 87 miembros. Las entradas y la información acerca de los artículos a la venta y la subasta silenciosa, programada para el martes 2 de diciembre de 4:30 a 9:00 p. m, están disponibles en FestivalofTreesUtah.org.

“No hay nada como el Festival de Árboles para dar comienzo a la temporada de fiestas de manera divertida y significativa”, comentó Dustin Lipson, presidente de Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. “Muchos artículos se han seleccionado con cariño, y cada detalle se eligió en honor a un paciente de Primary Children’s Hospital. Agradecemos la cantidad infinita de artículos donados y el apoyo de la comunidad que ha ayudado a generaciones de niños a sanar y crecer saludables en Primary Children’s Hospital durante 55 años, y esto continúa”.

Asistir al festival ayudará a niños como Livie.

Con tan solo 14 años, Livie fue diagnosticada con leucemia mieloide crónica (CML, por sus siglas en inglés), un tipo extraño de cáncer de médula ósea. Livie empezó el tratamiento con una clase de medicamentos de quimioterapia diseñados específicamente para atacar la CML, pero dejaron de ser eficaces después de un año. Ella necesitaba un trasplante de médula ósea.

El equipo del hospital empezó a buscar un donante de médula ósea a través del Programa Nacional de Donantes de Médula (NMDP, por sus siglas en inglés). También planearon el uso de una técnica innovadora de trasplante de células madre llamada depleción de linfocitos T alfa y beta. Esta técnica utiliza nanoesferas magnéticas para extraer de forma selectiva las células inmunitarias alfa y beta del donante antes del trasplante. El resultado es una reducción significativa de la enfermedad injerto contra huésped (GVD, por sus siglas en inglés) y una menor necesidad de medicamentos después del trasplante.

Livie se convirtió en la primera paciente de Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital en recibir este tipo de trasplante y funcionó. Después de seis semanas en el hospital, pudo volver a casa y empezar el largo proceso de recuperar su sistema inmunitario.

“Mis médicos y enfermeras no solo fueron mi equipo médico, sino que también se convirtieron en mis aliados y amigos más cercanos”, dijo Livie. “Su compasión y profesionalismo hicieron que una travesía tan aislante fuera más llevadera, especialmente durante casi un año en cuarentena”.

Hoy, Livie tiene 17 años, está en su último año de secundaria y ya no tiene cáncer. Le encanta practicar pickleball y pastelería, y leer thrillers. Forma parte de la organización de Futuros Profesionales de la Salud HOSA de su escuela, y es una defensora del Programa Nacional de Donantes de Médula (NMDP), que ayuda a aumentar el conocimiento de la importancia de la donación de médula ósea.

“Es un honor servir como paladín del paciente en el Festival de Árboles y estoy agradecida por la oportunidad de compartir mi historia, y contribuir con Primary Children’s Hospital a cambio de todo lo que se nos dio a mí y a mi familia”, dijo ella. “Si desea ayudar a salvar una vida y convertirse en donante de médula ósea, visite el puesto de NMDP en el Festival de Árboles para que le tomen una muestra y añadirse al registro”.

Al asistir al Festival de Árboles del 3 al 6 de diciembre, la comunidad puede ayudar a niños como Olivia a recibir la atención innovadora, compasiva y experta que necesitan.

Datos interesantes

·         550 árboles que titilan con medio millón de luces

·         5000 libras del famoso fudge del festival

·         Más de 80 000 (ochenta mil) asistentes anuales

·         3.4 millones de dólares recaudados en 2024

Información del festival

·         Abierto del miércoles 3 al sábado 6 de diciembre en Mountain America Expo Center, Sandy.

·         Subasta silenciosa el martes 2 de diciembre de 4:30 a 9:00 p. m. en FestivalofTreesUtah.org.

·         Entradas a la venta en Mountain America Expo Center o FestivalofTreesUtah.org.

·         Haga sus ofertas o compre regalos del 2 al 6 de diciembre en FestivalofTreesUtah.org.

·         Información disponible en FestivalofTreesUtah.org.

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

Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital invites the public to ring in the holiday season and support patients in need at the 55^th annual Festival of Trees, a treasured Utah holiday tradition open to the public Dec. 3-6 at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy.

The Festival of Trees features 550 beautiful, handcrafted holiday trees twinkling with a half-million lights, wreaths, nativities, gingerbread houses, quilts, centerpieces and more for auction and purchase.

There will also be scones, live music and dance performances, visits with Santa Claus, and 5,000 pounds of locally renowned Festival of Trees fudge. All items are made and donated by community volunteers from Utah and surrounding states.

Funds raised will support Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, provide care to patients in need, and continue building the nation’s model health system for children.

The Festival of Trees is presented by Intermountain Foundation – and brought to life by a dedicated 87-member volunteer board. Tickets and information about sale items and silent auction, scheduled from 4:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, are available at FestivalofTreesUtah.org.

“There is nothing like the Festival of Trees to begin the holiday season in a fun and meaningful way,” said Dustin Lipson, president of Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. “Many items have been lovingly curated, with every detail chosen to honor a Primary Children’s Hospital patient. We’re grateful for the countless donated items and community support that has helped generations of children to heal and thrive at Primary Children’s Hospital for 55 years – and counting.”  

Attending the festival will help kids like Livie.

At just 14 years old, Livie was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), a rare form of bone marrow cancer. Livie began treatment with a class of chemotherapy medications specifically designed to target CML, but after a year, they stopped being effective. She needed a bone marrow transplant.

The hospital team began searching for a bone marrow donor through the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). They also planned to use a cutting-edge stem cell transplant technique called Alpha/beta T-cell depletion. This method uses nano magnetic beads to selectively remove the donor’s alpha/beta immune cells before transplantation. The result: a significant reduction in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and fewer medications needed post-transplant.

Livie became the first patient at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital to receive this type of transplant. And it worked. After six weeks in the hospital, she was able to return home and begin the long process of rebuilding her immune system.

“My doctors and nurses were not only my medical team – they became my closest allies and friends,” Livie said. “Their compassion and professionalism made an incredibly isolating journey more bearable, especially during nearly a year in quarantine.”

Today, Livie is 17, a senior in high school, and cancer-free. She loves pickleball, baking, and reading thrillers. She’s also an active member of her school’s HOSA Future Health Professionals organization and proudly advocates for the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), helping raise awareness about the importance of bone marrow donations.

“I’m honored to serve as a Patient Champion for the Festival of Trees and am grateful for the chance to share my story, and to give back to Primary’s Children's Hospital in return for all that my family and I have been given,” she said. “If you want to help save a life and be a bone marrow donor, please see the NMDP booth at the Festival of Trees to swab and join the registry.”

The community can help kids like Olivia receive the innovative, compassionate, expert care they need by attending Festival of Trees Dec. 3-6.

Fun Facts

·         550 trees twinkling with a half-million lights

·         5,000 pounds of locally renowned Festival of Trees fudge

·         80,000+ annual attendees

·         $3.4 million raised in 2024

Festival Info

·         Open Wednesday, Dec. 3 – Saturday, Dec. 6, at Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy

·         Silent auction Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 4:30-9 p.m. at FestivalofTreesUtah.org

·         Tickets at Mountain America Expo Center or at FestivalofTreesUtah.org

·         Bid on or buy gifts Dec. 2-6 at FestivalofTreesUtah.org.

·         Information at FestivalofTreesUtah.org.

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NOTE TO MEDIA: Images and video available upon request.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The need for care keeps growing.

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

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

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

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

The Center also includes these free services:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To give, visit primarypromise.org.

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NOTE TO MEDIA: Images and video available upon request.

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.

Los defensores de la seguridad de los niños del Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital observan un aumento en la cantidad de padres que, sin saberlo, compran asientos de automóvil falsos en línea para sus niños, lo que los expone a un mayor riesgo de sufrir lesiones graves, o peores, en caso de un accidente.

 Estos tipos de asientos de automóvil se compran casi siempre en línea y resultan atractivos por sus grandes descuentos en comparación con las grandes marcas. Lo que a menudo confunde a los padres es que estos asientos se encuentran en sitios web de importantes empresas minoristas nacionales a través de terceros.

 “Es difícil determinar si un asiento de automóvil es falso a partir de una pequeña imagen en línea, y muchos padres creen que encuentran una gran oferta de una empresa minorista importante”, dijo Michelle Jamison, jefa del programa de salud comunitaria en el Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. “Cuando comprenden que hay un problema y lo intentan devolver, el sitio de la compra ya fue dado de baja”.

 Durante años, el Intermountain Primary Children’s ha ofrecido revisiones de asientos tanto de forma presencial como virtual para ayudar a educar a los padres sobre la instalación adecuada y el uso correcto de los asientos de automóvil.

 Jamison dice que allí fue donde los cuidadores comenzaron a notar más de estos asientos falsos, o aquellos que no cumplen con las normas de seguridad de EE. UU.

 Los asientos de automóvil falsos que ven los cuidadores del Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital parecen legítimos y pueden costar cientos de dólares. Pero muchos de estos carecen de componentes clave que mantienen seguros a los niños cuando ocurre un accidente, por lo que temen que utilizar estos asientos podría tener consecuencias mortales.

 Uno de estos padres es Jilian Davis.

 Durante el embarazo, un familiar de Davis le regaló un asiento de automóvil que compró en línea de una empresa minorista importante.  Después de dar a luz a finales de junio, su niña tuvo que pasar dos semanas en la Unidad Neonatal de Cuidados Intensivos (NICU, por sus siglas en inglés) del Intermountain LDS Hospital y en el Intermountain Primary Children's antes de volver a casa. Cuando estaban a punto de salir del hospital, un técnico de asientos de automóvil del Primary Children’s Hospital que les estaba ayudando se dio cuenta de que era falso.

 “Es totalmente impactante, porque este es mi cuarto niño y nunca había oído que esto fuera un problema”, dijo Davis. “Da miedo pensar que podría haber estado conduciendo con mi niña en un asiento de automóvil que es peligroso” 

 Los cuidadores de Intermountain Primary Children's regalaron a Davis un asiento de automóvil, pero ahora quiere advertir a otros padres y a sus familias que podrían comprar un modelo falso sin saberlo.

 Los expertos sostienen que la mejor forma de evitar estos asientos de automóvil falsos es comprar directamente del sitio web del fabricante o ir a la tienda en persona a comprar el asiento. Todos estos modelos serán legítimos y cumplirán con las normas de seguridad.

 “Es posible que los padres crean que comprar de forma presencial es más costoso, pero lo que en realidad obtienen es la tranquilidad de que el asiento de su niño es seguro”, dijo Jamison. “Si bien algunos modelos son caros, existen algunos más económicos que se han sometido a pruebas de choque y son seguros”.

 Existen múltiples requisitos para que los asientos de automóvil cumplan con las estrictas normas de seguridad federales, y los padres deben evaluar atentamente si se cumplen todos para saber si es falso.

 Todos los asientos de automóvil deben tener la etiqueta del fabricante, que incluye el nombre del asiento del automóvil, la fecha de fabricación, la marca, el número de modelo y la fecha de caducidad.

 Esta información se utiliza para ayudar a registrar su asiento de automóvil, lo que permite que los fabricantes le notifiquen sobre las retiradas. Los asientos de automóvil falsos no tienen este número, por lo que no son elegibles para el registro.

 Para cumplir las normas de seguridad de los asientos de automóvil en EE.UU., los asientos deben incluir también etiquetas de advertencia en inglés y en español. Estas se pueden encontrar en la parte trasera del asiento de automóvil, pero también se requieren cerca del área donde se apoya la cabeza del bebé, en la parte superior del asiento.

 Los asientos de automóvil falsos suelen carecer de estas etiquetas o tenerlas en otro idioma. A veces, estas etiquetas tienen errores gramaticales y su redacción no tiene sentido.

 Los expertos indican que la falta del clip para el pecho es un signo inmediato de que un asiento no es seguro. Son obligatorios en los Estados Unidos, pero no en todos los países, por lo que los asientos falsos suelen no tenerlos.

 “Si determina que tiene un asiento de automóvil falso, deje de usarlo de inmediato y póngase en contacto con el minorista para notificarle que vendió un asiento de automóvil falso”, dijo Jamison. “Es posible que recupere el costo del asiento si usó una tarjeta de crédito o lo compró a través de una empresa minorista importante”.

 También puede denunciarlo en STOPfakes.gov, la Administración nacional de seguridad del tráfico en las carreteras (NHTSA, por sus siglas en inglés) o el Departamento de comercio de EE. UU. a través de su formulario de contacto.

También deberían enviar un informe a través de la agencia de protección del consumidor de su estado. 

 Para obtener ayuda con la evaluación o la instalación de su asiento de automóvil, encuentre un técnico cerca de usted o llame al Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital para reservar una revisión virtual o presencial al 801-662-CARS.

 Para obtener más información, vaya a primarychildrens.org/safety.

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

Child safety advocates at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital are seeing a rise in the number of parents unknowingly purchasing counterfeit car seats online for their children, which puts them at higher risk of serious injury – or worse – in case of a crash.

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

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

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

 Jamison says that’s where caregivers started noticing more of these counterfeit seats, or those that don’t meet U.S. safety standards, popping up.

 The counterfeit car seats that Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital caregivers are seeing look legitimate and can cost hundreds of dollars. But many of these are missing key components that keep children safe in a crash, and they worry that using these seats could have deadly consequences.

 One of those parents is Jilian Davis.

 Davis was gifted a car seat during her pregnancy from a family member who bought it online from a major retailer.  After giving birth in late June, her daughter had to spend two weeks in NICU at Intermountain LDS Hospital & Intermountain Primary Children’s before she went home. As they were set to leave the hospital, a car seat tech who was helping them, realized it was counterfeit.

 “It’s completely shocking because this is my fourth child and I’ve never heard of this being an issue,” said Davis. “It’s scary to think I could have been driving around with my child in a car seat that’s dangerous.” 

 Caregivers at Intermountain Primary Children’s gifted Davis a car seat to use, but now she wants to warn other parents and their families who might unknowingly buy a counterfeit model.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 For help with evaluating or installing your car seat, find a technician near you or call Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital to book a virtual or in-person car seat check at 801-662-CARS.

 For more information go to primarychildrens.org/safety.

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NOTE TO MEDIA: Images and video available upon request.

Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital y el Departamento de Salud Pediátrica de la Universidad de Utah están mejorando y ampliando la secuenciación del genoma completo a más niños en toda la región montañosa occidental, gracias a una infusión de $9 millones al Centro de Medicina Personalizada de Intermountain Primary Children’s.

Esta infusión, que es la más grande en la historia del centro, se utilizará para crear “Primary Children’s Gene Kids”, una importante iniciativa genómica pediátrica de tres años de duración para ayudar a niños con condiciones médicas genéticas.

Primary Children’s Gene Kids busca ampliar el acceso a la secuenciación del genoma para bebés y niños de toda la región montañosa occidental. El resultado del genoma se devolvería rápidamente al niño y a su familia, y se convertiría en un recurso de por vida como el “genoma personal” del niño.

Gene Kids ayudará a pacientes jóvenes en cardiología, genética, enfermedades neuromusculares y neurología, así como a los bebés en la unidad de cuidados intensivos para recién nacidos del hospital. Los posibles participantes del programa serán identificados por sus proveedores.

Primary Children’s Gene Kids es posible gracias a una subvención de $4.5 millones de The Warren Alpert Foundation, que estuvo acompañada de generosas donaciones filantrópicas a la campaña Promesa Primary de Intermountain Health para crear el sistema de salud infantil modelo del país.

“Con la ayuda de Gene Kids, nos esforzaremos por llegar a todos los niños y las familias que lo necesiten, independientemente de su ubicación, a través de investigaciones, descubrimientos y terapias innovadoras que conduzcan a mejores resultados”, declaró Dustin Lipson, presidente de Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. “Agradecemos el apoyo de The Warren Alpert Foundation y de otros miembros generosos de la comunidad que nos ayudan a llevar al centro de medicina personalizada al siguiente nivel, sembrar esperanza y hacer avanzar la ciencia para ayudar a los niños en los próximos años”.

The Warren Alpert Foundation se centra en mejorar la salud del público a través de subvenciones y actividades programáticas que avanzan hacia la consecución o el perfeccionamiento de tratamientos médicos o curas a través de la investigación básica, la investigación traslacional y de resultados, y la educación para la salud. 

Se han descubierto más de 7000 enfermedades genéticas. Sin embargo, solo se ha encontrado cura para unas pocas, y muchos niños con enfermedades genéticas debilitantes y a veces mortales no reciben un diagnóstico debido a la evolución del campo y a los desafíos para acceder a las pruebas y a la experiencia pediátrica especializada.

 Primary Children’s Gene Kids aspira a cambiar eso mediante las siguientes acciones:

•  Proporcionar secuenciación del genoma completo a todos los niños que se sospeche que tengan algún trastorno genético. Esto incluye niños de todas las comunidades, independientemente de su raza, etnia, ubicación o necesidad financiera.
• Llegar a más niños y mejorar su atención médica con la ayuda de herramientas computacionales innovadoras, incluidas las herramientas de información genómica y la inteligencia artificial del departamento de salud de la Universidad de Utah.
• Proporcionar a todos los niños secuenciados y a sus familias su “genoma personal”, para que esté disponible y puedan utilizarlo con fines médicos toda la vida.

Gene Kids también establecerá protocolos centrales de investigación, intercambio y almacenamiento de datos, y contratará personal experto para ampliar el alcance de las pruebas genómicas en clínicas rurales y áreas desatendidas. 

“Esperamos que Gene Kids ayude a reducir la duración de la odisea que los niños y sus familias deben atravesar para conseguir un diagnóstico”, comentó Joshua Bonkowsky, médico y doctor del departamento de salud de la Universidad de Utah y director médico del Centro de Medicina Personalizada de Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. “Cuando no sea posible brindar un diagnóstico inmediato, los datos del niño se volverán a analizar después de un tiempo con la esperanza de diagnosticarlo en el futuro”.

Ese tipo de repetición del análisis fue lo que cambió la vida de Scarlet Hill, de 7 años de edad.

Scarlet nació con un trastorno genético desconocido que causa convulsiones y retrasos en el desarrollo. La secuenciación del genoma completo, llevada a cabo en el Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital cuando era una bebé, no le proporcionó ningún diagnóstico. Sin embargo, le dio a su equipo de atención médica una guía para minimizar las convulsiones y ayudar a Scarlet a caminar, hablar, andar en bicicleta y desarrollar el amor por ir a la escuela.

Este año, el doctor Bonkowsky recomendó que Scarlet se hiciera las pruebas genéticas nuevamente.

Los resultados le dieron el tan esperado diagnóstico: Tubulinopatía del gen TUBB2B, un grupo de condiciones médicas causadas por variantes en seis genes de la tubulina que afectan al desarrollo y la función del cerebro.

“Ahora tenemos más respuestas y una pequeña comunidad de niños con el mismo diagnóstico para brindar apoyo y una mejor comprensión de lo que se puede esperar”, afirmó Cassandra Hill, madre de Scarlet.

“Ha sido maravilloso”.

La familia de Scarlet, que vive en Eden, Utah, se ha conectado con cientos de otras familias con niños como ella alrededor de todo el mundo para compartir experiencias y brindarse apoyo mutuo.

“Estamos aprendiendo mucho acerca de este gen”, expresó la madre. “Es genial poder ver a algunos de los otros niños y sus similitudes y diferencias con Scarlet”.

El Centro de Medicina Personalizada de Primary Children’s es una asociación abierta y colaborativa entre el Primary Children’s Hospital y el departamento de salud de la Universidad de Utah. Lanzado en el año 2019 con la financiación de Intermountain Foundation, el Centro de Medicina Personalizada lidera los esfuerzos por transformar la medicina pediátrica mediante el avance de las pruebas genéticas y el desarrollo de nuevas terapias genéticas. 

El Centro de Medicina Personalizada es parte de la Promesa Primaryde Intermountain Health, la histórica campaña de Intermountain para construir el sistema de salud infantil modelo del país. Esta oportunidad única en la vida de invertir en el futuro la salud de nuestros niños ha superado la meta mínima de $600 millones en una poderosa asociación entre miembros filantrópicos de la comunidad e Intermountain Health.  Los esfuerzos filantrópicos de la Promesa Primary continúan impulsando investigaciones muy necesarias para ayudar a que los niños sobrevivan y prosperen.

Primary Children’s Gene Kids es una de las varias iniciativas innovadoras adoptadas recientemente por el Centro de Medicina Personalizada.

Intermountain Children’s Health se ha asociado recientemente con Broad Clinical Labs y Fabric Genomics, líderes en la interpretación de secuenciación de próxima generación impulsada por la inteligencia artificial, para ayudar a acelerar el diagnóstico de niños con enfermedades genéticas, comenzando en Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. 

Esta asociación proporciona un servicio genómico de “muestras para reportar”, una identificación de bajo costo, rápida y más precisa de los trastornos genéticos en solo unos días, en lugar de semanas o meses. También le permite a los cuidadores crear planes de tratamiento que se ajusten a la composición genética única de cada niño.

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

Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital and the University of Utah Health Department of Pediatrics are upgrading and expanding whole genome sequencing to more kids throughout the Intermountain West, thanks to a $9 million infusion to the Intermountain Primary Children’s Center for Personalized Medicine.

The infusion, the largest in the center’s history, will be used to create “Primary Children’s Gene Kids,” a three-year, major pediatric genomics initiative to help children with genetic conditions.

Primary Children’s Gene Kids aims to broaden access to genome sequencing for children and infants across the Intermountain West. The genome result would be returned rapidly to the child and their family, and become a life-long resource as their “personal genome.”

Gene Kids will help young patients in cardiology, genetics, neuromuscular diseases, and neurology, as well as infants in the hospital’s newborn intensive care unit. Potential program participants will be identified by their providers.

Primary Children’s Gene Kids is made possible by a $4.5 million grant from The Warren Alpert Foundation, which was matched by generous philanthropic donations to Intermountain Health’s Primary Promise campaign to create the nation’s model health system for children.

“With Gene Kids, we will strive to reach every child and family in need, regardless of their location, through research, discovery, and innovative therapies that lead to better outcomes,” said Dustin Lipson, president of Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. “We are grateful for the support from The Warren Alpert Foundation and other generous community members who are helping us take Personalized Medicine to the next level, inspire hope, and advance science to help children in the years to come.”

The Warren Alpert Foundation focuses on improving the health of the public through grants and programmatic activities that progress toward attaining or perfecting medical treatments or cures through basic research, translational and outcomes research, and health education. 

More than 7,000 genetic diseases have been discovered. However, cures have been created for a few, and many children with debilitating and sometimes fatal genetic diseases do not have a diagnosis due to the evolving field and challenges in accessing testing and specialized pediatric expertise.

Primary Children’s Gene Kids aspires to change that by:

• Providing whole genome sequencing to all children who have a suspected genetic disorder. This includes children in all communities, regardless of race, ethnicity, location, or financial need.
• Reaching more children and enhancing their care by using innovative computational tools, including University of Utah Health genomic data tools and AI.
• Providing every sequenced child and their family with their “personal genome,” available for life-long healthcare use.

Gene Kids will also establish central research protocols, data sharing, and storage, and hire expert staff to broaden the reach of genomic testing in rural clinics and underserved areas. 

“We hope that Gene Kids will help reduce the length of the diagnostic odyssey for children and their families,” said Joshua Bonkowsky, MD, PhD, University of Utah Health and medical director of the Center for Personalized Medicine at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. “In times when an immediate diagnosis isn’t possible, a child’s data will be reanalyzed later in hopes of providing a diagnosis in the future.”

That kind of reanalysis was life-changing for 7-year-old Scarlet Hill.

Scarlet was born with an unknown genetic disorder that causes developmental delays and seizures. Whole genome sequencing, conducted at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital when she was an infant, didn’t yield a diagnosis. But it gave her care team a roadmap to minimize seizures, and helped Scarlet learn to walk and talk, ride a bike – and develop a love for going to school.

Earlier this year, Dr. Bonkowsky recommended Scarlet try genetic testing again.

The results yielded a long-awaited diagnosis: Gene TUBB2B Tublinopathies, a group of conditions caused by variants in six tubulin genes that affect brain development and function.

“We have more answers now and a small community of kids with the same diagnosis to have support and greater understanding of things to expect,” said Scarlet’s mom, Cassandra Hill.

“It has been awesome.”

Scarlet’s family, who lives in Eden, Utah, has connected with a couple hundred other families with kids like Scarlet around the world, to share experiences and support one another.

“We are learning so much about the gene,” the mother said. “It’s so cool to see, some of the other kids and their similarities to Scarlet – and also differences.”

Primary Children’s Center for Personalized Medicine is an open, collaborative partnership between Primary Children’s Hospital and University of Utah Health. Launched in 2019 with funding from Intermountain Foundation, the Center for Personalized Medicine leads efforts to transform pediatric medicine by advancing genetic testing and developing new gene therapies. 

 The Center for Personalized Medicine is part of Intermountain Health’s Primary Promise, Intermountain’s historic campaign to build the nation’s model health system for children. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to invest in the future of our children’s health has surpassed the minimum goal of $600 million in a powerful partnership between philanthropic members of the community and Intermountain Health.  Primary Promise philanthropic efforts continue to fuel critically needed research to help children survive and thrive.

Primary Children’s Gene Kids is one of several innovative initiatives recently adopted by the Center for Personalized Medicine.

Intermountain Children’s Health recently partnered with Broad Clinical Labs and Fabric Genomics, a leader in AI-powered, next-generation sequencing interpretation, to help speed diagnosis of infants with genetic diseases, starting at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. 

The partnership provides a “sample-to-report” genome service, a low-cost, fast, and more precise identification of genetic disorders within days, rather than weeks or months. It also allows caregivers to create treatment plans tailored to the unique genetic makeup of each infant.

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NOTE TO MEDIA: Images and video available upon request.

¿No hay nieve para dar un paseo en trineo? Ningún problema.

Santa Claus le pidió un aventón a la ambulancia aérea “Life Flight” de Intermountain y se dirigió al Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, donde aterrizó en el techo para repartir un saco de adornos navideños con un mensaje enérgico: necesita voluntarios que le ayuden en el evento “Festival of Trees” de este año, evento que beneficia a jóvenes pacientes con necesidades. 

El evento anual Festival of Trees es una tradición navideña y muy apreciada de Utah, impulsada por cientos de voluntarios de este estado y de estados aledaños que donan miles de horas a fin de crear una gran cantidad de árboles, guirnaldas, figuras de pesebres, casitas de jengibre , edredones y demás artículos con el objetivo de recaudar fondos.

El año pasado, el evento recaudó $3.4 millones de dólares para ayudar a los pacientes necesitados del Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, y para cumplir con la promesa principal de Intermountain Health de crear el sistema de salud nacional modelo para niños. 

Si bien el evento “Festival of Trees” tiene lugar en diciembre, el diseño de los árboles, las guirnaldas, las casitas de jengibre y demás artículos donados comienza ahora.

“Queremos darles las gracias a todos los voluntarios talentosos que hacen que el Festival sea posible”, dijo Dana Hussey, copresidenta de “Festival of Trees” y uno de los asistentes de Santa. “Es un verdadero acto de amor de la comunidad. No es necesario ser un decorador profesional para colaborar, divertirse y marcar una diferencia en las vidas de estos niños”. 

Si desea obtener información sobre los diseñadores del evento “Festival of Trees”, y para registrarse como voluntario, visite FestivalofTreesUtah.org.

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No snow for a sleigh? No problem.

Santa Claus hitched a ride on Intermountain Life Flight to land on the rooftop of Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital and deliver a sack of Christmas decorations with one vital message: He needs volunteers to help with this year’s Festival of Trees to benefit young patients in need. 

The annual Festival of Trees is a beloved Utah holiday tradition powered by hundreds of volunteers from Utah and neighboring states, who donate thousands of hours to create hundreds of trees, wreaths, nativities, gingerbread houses, quilts, and other items for the fundraiser.

Last year, the event raised $3.4 million dollars to help patients in need at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, and to deliver on Intermountain Health’s Primary Promise to create the nation’s model health system for children. 

Festival of Trees takes place in December, but designing the trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses, and other donated items begins now.

“We’re thankful for all of the talented volunteers who make the Festival possible,” said Dana Hussey, Festival of Trees co-chair and one of Santa’s greeters. “It really is a labor of love from the community. You don’t have to be a professional decorator to volunteer, have fun, and make a difference in the lives of these kids!” 

For information about Festival of Trees designers, and to apply to volunteer, visit FestivalofTreesUtah.org.

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Intermountain Children’s Health hoy ha “coronado” la construcción del nuevo Centro de salud conductual de Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, centrado en la familia, en Taylorsville. Este acercará los servicios de salud mental que tanto necesitan los niños y adolescentes en crisis.

La última viga de acero del nuevo centro, decorada con firmas y mensajes alentadores de parte de cuidadores, familiares y miembros de la comunidad de Intermountain, se elevó con una grúa y se colocó sobre su armazón estructural ante la ovación de un grupo de autoridades. 

La construcción del centro de $96 millones de dólares en Taylorsville, Utah, comenzó antes de lo previsto, gracias a los $25 millones de dólares de financiación del estado de Utah y al generoso apoyo de la comunidad a Primary Promise, la histórica campaña de Intermountain para construir el sistema sanitario para niños, modelo en el país.  

“Hoy, nos reunimos para conmemorar un hito, mucho más grande que todos nosotros, y posible gracias a todos nosotros”, expresó Amanda Choudhary, directora sénior de salud conductual pediátrica de Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital.

La región de Intermountain, al igual que el resto del país, está sufriendo una crisis de salud mental pediátrica. En los Estados Unidos, uno de cada cinco niños de 3 a 17 años se enfrenta a un desorden mental, emocional, conductual o de desarrollo. 

El suicidio sigue siendo una de las principales causas de muerte de los jóvenes de Utah. El año pasado, el 43 % de los jóvenes de Utah que se sintieron tristes, desesperanzados o que tuvieron pensamientos suicidas declararon no haber hablado con nadie al respecto. 

“Nuestros niños merecen estar mejor, y la ayuda necesaria está en camino”, expresó la Dra. Lisa Giles, de Universidad de Utah Health, y directora médica de salud conductual pediátrica en Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital.

El nuevo Centro de salud conductual de Intermountain Primary Children’s ampliará el acceso de niños y adolescentes a los servicios de salud mental que tanto necesitan. 

Se inaugurará en 2025 en el actual campus de Wasatch Canyons Behavioral Health de Intermountain Primary Children's en Taylorsville. La infraestructura deteriorada ya no es ideal para satisfacer las necesidades de la comunidad.

“Nos sentimos honrados de ser el socio constructor de confianza de Intermountain Health para este centro único, que tiene el objetivo de atender la salud conductual y el bienestar de los jóvenes de nuestras comunidades”, declaró Gary Ellis, presidente y director general de Jacobsen Construction. “Mientras trabajamos juntos para hacer realidad este campus, estamos creando un recurso sanitario de primer nivel, en el que las familias de Utah podrán confiar durante muchos años.” 

El nuevo Centro de salud conductual de Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, de 90 000 pies cuadrados, aumentará casi el 50 % de camas para atender pacientes internados. También incluirá lo siguiente:

• Un centro de crisis sin cita previa
• La primera unidad para pacientes internados del estado, dedicada a la salud conductual, que proveerá atención de crisis de salud mental adaptada a jóvenes con autismo y necesidades neurodiversas
• Atención médica conductual centrada en la familia, incluida la posibilidad de que los padres se queden a dormir
• Espacios para pacientes ambulatorios diseñados para un tratamiento ambulatorio más intensivo, tratamiento de día y programas de terapia de grupo.

El nuevo Centro de salud conductual de Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital también albergará al equipo del programa de Estabilización y Respuesta Móvil, que acude a los hogares en momentos de necesidad para ayudar a estabilizar a los niños en crisis (1-833-SAFE-FAM). 

Además, albergará la línea de servicio gratuito estatal de Evaluación, Derivación y Servicio de Consulta (ARCS, por sus siglas en inglés) de Intermountain Primary Children’s, 801-313-7711, que ayuda a poner en contacto a niños y adolescentes con los servicios cercanos a sus comunidades.  

Los niños y adultos que tengan dificultades, o que teman que un ser querido esté atravesando una crisis, disponen ahora de recursos adicionales de ayuda, como el apoyo gratuito a través de la Línea de crisis de Utah 988. 

La ampliación del acceso a servicios de salud conductual pediátrica es parte de la misión de Primary Promise, de Intermountain Health, de construir un sistema de salud que sea modelo en la atención de niños en el país. Esta oportunidad única de invertir en el futuro de la salud de nuestros niños ha conseguido el objetivo mínimo de $600 millones de dólares, gracias a una poderosa colaboración entre miembros filantrópicos de la comunidad e Intermountain Health.   

Todavía se necesita apoyo filantrópico para ayudar a completar las nuevas instalaciones, ayudar a que más niños crezcan más fuertes e incluso ayudar a salvar vidas. Para obtener más información o hacer una donación, visite intermountainhealthcare.org/foundation/primary-promise. 

Encuentre más información sobre los servicios de salud conductual pediátrica en primarychildrens.org/behavioralhealth.

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