Banner’s Foundations in the Media

Here are recent news items about Banner Health and its Foundations from media outlets around the state and the nation.

Lemonade stand in Mesa raising money for those affected by cancer
MESA, Ariz. - A group of Mesa kids is selling lemonade to raise money for local cancer patients, and it's sparked a larger effort called the "Lemonade Challenge." The kids organized everything and even made their own signs to get people's attention. That day, they raised $20 dollars. Of that $20, half of it went to a foster home, and the other half went to Banner MD Anderson. Emily Rosenhan reached out to Banner MD Anderson and the kids were invited to meet the CEO. It was there when the "Lemonade Challenge" was created to encourage people to donate to the Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Patient Assistance Fund.
Fox 10 Phoenix :: 25 March 2021

Banner Health's chief clinician urges COVID-19 precautions or crisis will worse
PHOENIX—The chief clinical officer at the state’s largest hospital network said Friday that Arizona is headed to a health crisis if residents don’t change their habits to deal with COVID-19. Dr. Marjorie Bessel said the intensive-care units at the Maricopa County hospitals for Banner Health already are at full capacity. And other hospitals in Arizona are rapidly approaching that point. Bessel said that’s no surprise, given the increasing number of cases of the coronavirus. That took a big jump Friday, with 1,579 new cases, bringing the tally in Arizona to 24,332.
Arizona Daily Star :: 6 June 2020

Banner Health launches TeleHealth technology to help stop spread of COVID-19
PHOENIX—Banner Health just launched new Telehealth technology at its 28 hospitals in Arizona and around the country that allows physicians to talk to and examine COVID-19 patients from a different location, with a 2-way audio visual monitor. "We have a fully functional pan-tilt-zoom camera in the room that the physician can use, without having to go in and deploy or retrieve a piece of hardware," said Dr. Michael Simons, Medical Director of Banner's Telehealth services.
AZfamily.com :: 4 June 2020

Diamondbacks announce new partnership with Banner Health
PHOENIX—The Arizona Diamondbacks have teamed up with Banner Health to become a powerhouse leader in the sports medicine and performance industry. As part of the ground-breaking partnership, the D-backs’ facilities at the award-winning Spring Training complex at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick will be renamed the Banner Sports Medicine Performance Center.
AZ BUSINESS MAGAZINE :: 12 February 2020

Banner CEO among 100 most influential people in healthcare
ARIZONA—For the seventh year in a row, Banner Health's President and CEO has been named one of the "100 Most Influential People in Healthcare" by Modern Healthcare. Peter Fine was honored for his leadership and impact in the healthcare community. He ranked number 60 on the list. One thing Fine has been recognized for this year is integrating an academic enterprise in partnership with the University of Arizona.
Modern Healthcare :: December 2019

Banner MD Anderson celebrates ‘one-in-a-million’ milestone
GILBERT—Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Gilbert celebrated its one-millionth patient visit on Friday, Dec. 20, a milestone highlighting the wide variety of life-changing interactions the facility’s doctors and medical staff continue having with patients. Patient visits include surgeries, procedures, many different types of treatments, appointments with medical experts, and routine interactions such as blood draws, among other interactions.
AZ Business Magazine :: 20 December 2019

Why didn't she get Alzheimer's?
COLOMBIA—She was destined to get Alzheimer’s in her 40s, just like thousands of her relatives going back generations in the Colombian family with a rare form of the disease. But remarkably, one woman experienced no cognitive decline until her 70s—three decades later than expected. A research team co-led by Dr. Eric Reiman, Banner Alzheimer’s Institute Executive Director and three of his Harvard and Colombia colleagues, found an answer for why.
The New York Times :: 4 November 2019

The Pulse of the City Soiree
PHOENIX—The Pulse of the City Soiree, Banner Health Foundation's signature fundraising gala, is on the calendar for October events. Set the The Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia, the event's proceeds will help increase pediatric behavioral health services from experts trained specifically to work with this age group.
Patch - Phoenix Local News :: September - October 2019

Diversifying healthy aging
PHOENIX—The Banner Alzheimer’s Institute and Arizona State University’s recently established Center for Innovation in Healthy and Resilient Aging partnered to host the first-ever Hispanics and Alzheimer’s Disease Conference at the Banner Estrella Medical Center in Phoenix. Aside from increasing awareness, the other main goal of the conference was to educate the community about the importance of participating in clinical trials.
Arizona State University :: 17 September 2019

Gilbert cancer center volunteer retires on his 93rd birthday
GILBERT—Most people in their 90s are no longer working and are enjoying a long-earned rest. But not 93-year-old Bob Gerlach, who has spent the last eight years helping patients as a volunteer for Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Gilbert. “It just seemed like something I should do,” Gerlach said about why he started volunteering in 2011. He has spent the last several years showing new patients around the hospital, helping them with paperwork and taking them to their appointments. He has also answered their questions, and he said has strived to make the hospital “a home away from home.”
KTAR News :: 21 August 2019

Hospital school supply drive helps patients at Banner Children’s
TUCSON—Hughes Federal Credit Union has partnered with Banner Health Foundation for the Hospital School Supply Drive. The effort will bring supplies to the Hospital School at Diamond Children's Medical Center, a program that brings the classroom to patients so they can keep up with their studies.
News 4 Tucson - KVOA :: 19 August 2019

Banner Health Foundation Accepts Hospital Helper Care Packages
SCOTTSDALE—Magnovo Training Group recently facilitated a Hospital Helper charity teambuilding workshop in Scottsdale and the Banner Health Foundation received 25 care packages to use for babies and patients at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix. “Thank you for these care packages that help make life better for our tiniest patients and their families during a stay in the NICU,” said Andy Kramer Petersen, President & CEO of the Banner Health Foundation. “This reminds families they are not alone during what can be a very scary time with their new baby.”
PR Underground :: 11 March 2019

Will We Ever Cure Alzheimer's?
NEW YORK CITY—The scientific establishment has become increasingly open to new theories about the underpinnings of Alzheimer’s. Two teams of researchers, working separately, recently published studies suggesting that viruses, particularly two common types of herpes, could kick-start an immune response that might drive the accumulation of amyloid in the brain. Co-authors of one of the studies included longtime skeptics of a viral role in Alzheimer’s, Dr. Samuel Gandy, associate director of the Mount Sinai Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center in New York, and Dr. Eric Reiman, executive director of the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute in Phoenix.
The New York Times :: 19 November 2018

Local Author Writes Children’s Book to Help Cancer Patients
TUCSON—After suffering the deaths of his brother and mother in the space of two days, Kevin Miller was admitted to the hospital himself, due to liver cancer. Miller took these difficulties and transformed them into a children’s book. Inspired by a family pet rabbit, The Adventures of Jelly Bean Slide helps children learn core materials such as the alphabet and numbers, while also supporting those suffering from cancer.
Tucson Local Media :: 5 November 2018

Banner leader Peter Fine sees continued growth, challenges
PHOENIX—With 43,000 Arizona employees, Phoenix-based Banner Health is the state’s largest health system, nonprofit and private employer. It is continuing to grow, with plans to add 1,500 employees in Arizona. During the past few years, Banner President and CEO Peter Fine has led the company through significant growth and transformation.
Phoenix Business Journal :: 12 October 2018

Most Americans Believe a Cure for Alzheimer’s Will Come in Their Lifetime
LEXINGTON, Ky.—A new survey, co-sponsored by Banner Alzheimer’s Institute in Phoenix, AZ, and pharmaceutical companies Novartis and Amgen, in association with Alzheimer’s Disease International, finds that most U.S. adults (54 percent) are worried that they may develop Alzheimer’s disease, and a majority believe it is likely a cure will be developed in their lifetime (55 percent). However, while 89 percent were confident that the answer lies in medical research, 67 percent had no idea how to get involved. 
University of Kentucky News :: 20 September 2018

Cubs manager cuts ribbon on renovated rooms at Cardon Children's
MESA—Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon was not only in town for this week's three-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Maddon and his wife, Jaye, celebrated the opening of two renovated pediatric outpatient treatment rooms at Cardon Children's Medical Center in Mesa. The couple's Respect 90 Foundation funded the project, which brightened up the rooms to make them more inviting for children who are treated at the facility.
Arizona Republic :: 19 September 2018

John Graham, member of Banner Health Foundation's Board of Directors, is honored by ONE Community
PHOENIX—ONE Community, the coalition of socially responsible businesses, organizations and individuals moving diversity, inclusion and equality for all Arizonans forward, announced the 2018 Honorees for the eighth annual Spotlight on Success Awards to be held in October. Presented by PetSmart and PetSmart Charities, this year’s Unity Agent honor is awarded to John Graham, President and CEO of Sunbelt Holdings.
AZ Big Media :: 23 August 2018

Tempe Fire Department undergoes dementia awareness training
TEMPE—Banner Alzheimer's Institute and Dementia Friendly Tempe provided training for the Tempe Fire Department to raise awareness about dementia. First responders wore headgear to muffle their hearing, heavy gloves to limit their motion, and glasses to obstruct their vision before completing a simulation exercise of five tasks. “We’re trying to help firefighters and paramedics understand what it feels like to be living with dementia – to experience the confusion and frustration of everyday life,” said Jan Dougherty, special projects consultant with Banner Alzheimer’s Institute.
KTAR News :: 12 July 2018

Women's and Children's Garden opened
PAYSON—Banner Payson Medical Center opened its Women’s and Children’s Garden. The enclosed space, created with donations to the Banner Health Foundation and gifts from the Banner Payson Medical Center staff, is for patients during labor. The newly created space aims to help relieve stress and anxiety for moms-to-be.
Payson Roundup :: 12 June 2018

100+ Women Who Care donate $9,100 to Banner Health Foundation
PHOENIX—myCancerConnection, offering one-on-one support by connecting patients to a cancer support community of survivors and caregivers, received a generous gift from 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun. Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center provides for a patient’s clinical needs, while also tending to their heart and soul needs.
AZ Business Magazine :: 1 June 2018

Banner-UA partnership wins $60M NIH award — largest in Arizona history
PHOENIX—A partnership between Phoenix-based Banner Health and University of Arizona has won a $60 million award from the National Institutes of Health for its role in the national All of Us Research Program. The goal of the All of Us Research Program is to collect health information and blood samples from 1 million Americans to accelerate research and improve health, and to create medical treatments based on patients' individual genetic composition.
Phoenix Business Journal :: 3 May 2018

Banner – UMC hospital tower nearly complete
TUCSON—The 670,000-square-foot tower at Banner – University Medical Center is on schedule to welcome its first patients in April 2019, and Banner is offering a series of free public tours of the new nine-story tower. See photos from the first tour.
Arizona Daily Star :: 30 March 2018

Making a Difference Through The Medical Transportation Grant Program
ARIZONA—In 2007, Southwest Airlines proudly launched the Medical Transportation Grant Program (MTGP) to help provide nonprofit hospitals and medical organizations across the nation with roundtrip tickets for patients and/or caregivers in need. The 2018 MTGP recipients include 79 hospitals across the United States. [Transplant teams at the Banner - University Medical Centers in Phoenix and Tucson are MTGP grant recipients]
Southwest Airlines Blog :: 27 March 2018

The power of music: Teen leukemia patient at Mesa hospital uses ukulele to stay positive
PHOENIX—A 14-year-old girl battling leukemia at Banner Health Cardon Children's Medical Center learned how to play the ukulele in Sophie's Place, a music therapy program funded by philanthropy. See her azcentral story and hear her perform with her favorite night nurse.
The Arizona Republic :: 20 March 2018

This hospital system is the largest nonprofit in Arizona
PHOENIX—Banner Health is the largest nonprofit in Arizona, according to a report released by Kittleman, an executive search firm for the nonprofit industry. Banner Health is also the largest hospital system in Arizona and the state's largest private employer and was ranked No. 5 on Kittleman's list of the largest nonprofits nationwide. 
Phoenix Business Journal :: 16 March 2018

Phoenix-area teens get crash course in distracted, drunk driving prevention
PHOENIX—Banner Health has launched a program that aims to teach Phoenix-area high schoolers about the dangers of distracted and drunk driving. However, the program does not involve getting behind the wheel of a car, but rather strapping on a pair of goggles that simulate the experience instead. 
KTAR NEWS :: 2 March 2018

McCarthy completes play space at Cardon Children’s Medical Center
MESA—McCarthy Building Companies recently completed “The BIG Outside,” a 10,000-square-foot outdoor play space and healing garden for Cardon Children’s Medical Center at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa. 
AZ Big Media :: 27 February 2018