Intermountain Health

For Melissa C. Banner MBA, MSN, RN, OCN, executive clinical director of the Oncology Clinical Program at Intermountain Health, oncology is personal. When both her children were born prematurely and cared for in the NICU at Primary Children’s Hospital, she saw nurses support her entire family. Later, her husband’s liver transplant reinforced the power of whole-family care. These experiences shaped her calling. Melissa brings deep empathy, gratitude, and resilience to every patient and family she meets. Article written by: Jackie Johnson #WeArePartnersInHealth #TogetherForTheHealthiestLives

At American Fork Hospital in American Fork, Utah, Keith Pennington, maintenance supervisor, saw a drought not just as a challenge, but as an opportunity to reimagine outdoor spaces. His “caregiver courtyard” blends therapeutic landscape design with smart water conservation, creating a sanctuary for staff and patients alike. Read how we are redefining environmental care and human-centered design. Article written by: Lance Frazier #Sustainability #HealthcareDesign #CaregiverWellbeing #WaterConservation #TogetherForTheHealthiestLives

K9 service animal Azula is back to work after a serious injury last month in Tremonton, Utah. Recently, she and her partner got to meet the team that saved her life—all thanks to a brand new program designed to care for public safety animals. After Azula, was injured she was transported in a medical helicopter by an Intermountain Health Flight & Ambulance team to MedVet Salt Lake City animal hospital where specialized veterinarians cared for her. Azula was the first K9 injured in the line of duty to be transported by the program, which includes a unique collaboration between the Intermountain Health Flight & Ambulance service and local veterinarians, specialized animal hospitals, and public safety agencies.  The first of its kind program in Utah – and only the third in the United States.

Suicide can be stigmatizing. James knows (a pseudonym for privacy). His experience as a survivor of a loved one’s suicide puts him at higher risk for suicide himself. That’s why he’s talking about it, both for himself and for anyone else who shares his experience. After two close family members died by suicide, he felt isolated, stigmatized. In the beginning, seeking help felt more like a necessity than a choice. “What inspired me to reach out for support was witnessing the struggles of those around me who weren’t getting any,” said James. “And my own journey through depression made me realize the importance of speaking with someone.” That decision proved profoundly positive – even lifesaving. Survivors grieving a loved one’s loss to suicide are themselves at greater risk. That’s not always clear to the person grieving. In fact, half of patients who die by suicide have no formal mental health diagnosis. They may not realize help is available or even that they need it. “If either of them had reached out, I would have been there for them,” he said. “It took me a long time to accept that I couldn’t read their minds. They didn’t ask. Sometimes, people just can’t.” James used counseling services available through his employer to start the journey of healing. “One of the things you learn in counseling and peer support,” said James, “is that there’s more to your loved ones than what they did at the end. There’s a whole history behind them. You learn to ask open-ended questions: Tell me about your best vacation with your [loved one], things like that, so the focus is on their life rather than their death.” And when he talks about it, he’s continually surprised by how many people respond with a story of their own. “It’s very easy to come out of these situations and think, no one else has had this happen to them. They don’t understand,” he said. “When you talk about it, you see how it touches so many people, and you know you’re not alone.” Call the suicide hotline at 988 or 911 if someone is in immediate danger or experiencing suicidal thoughts. Know how to help someone experiencing thoughts of suicide https://liveonutah.org/.

Dr. Arizmendez was fascinated by the science of the body from an early age. “My father was a mortician technician,” she said, “and he had all these books about pathophysiology, different diseases, and I would flip through them thinking, ‘this is really cool.’” Growing up as a Latina in San Antonio, Texas, she saw the ways bias, disparity, and language barriers influenced outcomes in her community firsthand. In her medical career, she started studying pain treatment in patients on mechanical ventilation during her fellowship, and she’s been studying it ever since. As a self-described “brown, short woman,” she knows the challenges of working in a male dominated field. Practicing jiu-jitsu helps. “Martial arts gyms are very male-dominated spaces,” she said. “So I know how to hold my ground and take up space.” She coaches wrestling for girls and tries to create an environment where her athletes are challenged, but not so much they feel defeated and want to quit. She brings that same ethos to her trainees in IMED’s academic critical care department. “It’s challenging in the current framework for medical education to find balance,” she said. “If we can support our trainees, I think we can make space for women to find themselves, find their voice, and be an advocate for others.”

When Mary first met Dr. Amit Duggal, she was struggling with her health. Ten years later, she walks unaided, takes fewer medications, and lives with renewed energy—all thanks to a physician who listened, believed, and acted. Dr. Duggal’s patient-first approach didn’t just improve Mary’s health—it restored her confidence and independence. Her gratitude led to a heartfelt nomination for a L.O.V.E Award, which he received in recognition of his extraordinary care. This story is a powerful reminder that medicine isn’t just about treatment—it’s about trust, empathy, and transformation. Article written by: Joseph Gaccione #WeServeWithEmpathy #TogetherForTheHealthiestLives

At the heart of our mission of helping people live the healthiest lives possible are our caregivers and the loved ones who support them. That’s why we’re deeply committed to nurturing their personal, professional, and community well-being through a variety of programs and resources, including our Peer Support program. Peer Support is designed for everyday moments, not just major crises. Whether you're facing a difficult case, feeling the strain of balancing work and home, or simply need someone to talk to, our peer supporters are here—offering confidential, judgment-free support from someone who truly understands. To see Peer Support in action, join us for a behind-the-scenes look at a day in the life of Lori Stromness, a nurse practitioner at the Urological Institute at Intermountain Medical Center and a dedicated Peer Supporter. Article written by: Autumn Hamilton #WeServeWithEmpathy #WeAreBetterTogether #TogetherForTheHealthiestLives

The moment Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman in the United States to earn a medical degree in 1849, she opened a door that countless women have walked through. From Helen Brooke Taussig, who led the development of the field of pediatric cardiology, to Virginia Apgar, who invented a simple scoring system to assess the health of newborns, women have driven countless innovations in the medical field. Thanks to the women physicians of Intermountain Health and beyond for your commitment to research, education, and clinical practice. We celebrate you this Women in Medicine Month, and every month, for your profound commitment to helping people everywhere live the healthiest lives possible. #WomenInMedicine #WomenInSTEM

Alta View Hospital is Expanding Behavioral Health Services! We’re growing in Sandy, Utah and we want YOU to be part of it. New Services Opening in Spring 2026:  -33-bed psychiatric inpatient unit (including 12 beds for psychiatric intensive care)   - 6-bed perinatal women’s unit for women navigating mental health challenges during pregnancy and postpartum  - 17-bed medical detox unit (with +6 shelled beds)   - 5-chair Access Center for assessments & triage 🎉 Join us at our upcoming Open House to explore these new services and learn about career opportunities! Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2025  Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. MT  Location: Alta View Hospital - Blanch Family Education Center, 9660 S 1300 E, Building 4, Sandy, UT We will be hiring across multiple roles, including:  - Advanced Practice Providers  - Behavioral Health Specialists  - Patient Navigators  - Health Unit Coordinators  - Occupational Therapists  - Physicians  - Registered Nurses  - Social Workers 📲 RSVP here today to take the next step in your Behavioral Health career: https://lnkd.in/gv9uDvuK  #OpenHouse #UtahJobs #BehavioralHealthJobs #HealthcareCareers 

Our Community Health and Select Health caregivers are rolling up their sleeves to improve health outcomes for our patients, members, and communities. Learn how they meet our mission outside care sites and how they bring healthcare into the communities we serve in the article below. Article written by: Yolanda James #HealthEquity #CommunityHealth #TogetherForTheHealthiestLives