Banner Health

12/17/2025

🐾 Paws for a moment of holiday joy! 🎄

We had some very special visitors spreading cheer at Banner Wyoming Medical Center! Meet Oliver James, a handsome black lab, and his wonderful handler Tiffany, along with Maus, a majestic Great Dane, and his dedicated handler Alexys.

These incredible therapy dogs came dressed to impress for the holidays, bringing smiles, wagging tails and so much comfort to our patients, families and staff. From gentle nuzzles to happy greetings, Oliver James and Maus remind us all that healing comes in many forms. We're so grateful for Tiffany, Alexys and their amazing therapy pets who brighten our halls year-round. Their visits bring moments of joy, calm and connection that make such a difference in our patients' recovery journey.

Thank you for sharing your love and compassion with our Banner Wyoming Medical Center family!

12/17/2025

Everyday housework can quietly take a toll on joints, especially when movements are repeated or done incorrectly. Simple adjustments to posture, pacing, and technique can help reduce strain and support joint health during daily tasks. Discover practical tips to help protect joints while keeping up with household chores.

These ergonomic housework techniques can help prevent joint pain. Get expert tips for cleaning, gardening and daily tasks from Banner Health specialists.

12/17/2025

Cold weather can be tricky when it comes to keeping kids comfortable outdoors. Dressing them properly isn’t just about piling on layers—it’s about choosing the right materials, fit, and combinations to help keep warmth in and discomfort out. Get practical tips for dressing kids for cold weather while helping them stay cozy and active.

Keep your children safe and warm this winter. Learn how to dress children for cold weather, layer smartly and protect them from frostbite and overheating.

12/16/2025

Holiday travel can bring so much joy, but it can also introduce added stress and health challenges—especially if you’re managing a chronic condition. From preparing medications and packing a smart travel health kit to planning for unexpected situations and protecting your health on long flights or drives, thoughtful preparation makes all the difference. Check out our latest guide for practical tips that help you travel safely, stay healthy and focus on what matters most this season

Planning to travel during the holidays? Having a chronic condition can make travel more stressful. Learn some easy tips to stay safe this holiday season.

12/16/2025

Heart health isn’t built overnight. Daily habits play a powerful role in keeping arteries clear and supporting long-term cardiovascular strength. From movement and nutrition to sleep and stress management, small lifestyle choices can make a meaningful difference over time. Learn which habits support a strong heart and why consistency matters more than perfection.

Plaque can build up silently in your arteries. Learn how simple lifestyle habits, from diet to sleep, can keep your arteries clear and your heart strong.

12/16/2025

Music has a unique ability to connect and uplift. The Banner Alzheimer's Institute's Shine Your Light Choir, made up of individuals living with dementia and their care partners, continues to show how powerful that connection can be.

This year’s Holiday Community Sing was one of many inspiring moments shared by this group. Thank you to the teams and volunteers who make these experiences possible.

12/16/2025

Testosterone therapy is gaining major traction among women over 40, fueled by social-media influencers who claim it boosts energy, mood, and libido. Although hormone therapy has been popular for a while, testosterone in particular has recently become mainstream—spreading through viral TikToks, podcasts, and online personalities who promote it as a quick fix for various midlife concerns.

Wondering if testosterone therapy could help with your s*x drive, mood or energy? Learn how testosterone may help some women, plus the possible risks.

12/16/2025

The incredible team at Banner Lassen Medical Center came together to make Christmas magical for 45 foster care children participating in the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program. The spirit of the season was alive and well as our dedicated staff gathered in front of our helicopter, surrounded by a mountain of gifts to bring joy to children in need.

We're grateful to every team member who contributed to this meaningful cause. Together, we're not just providing health care – we're building a stronger, more caring community.

12/15/2025

After a spinal cord injury, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and uncertain about the future. Recovery looks different for everyone and depends on factors like the type and level of injury, overall health and available support. While recovery may not mean returning to life exactly as it was, progress is often possible through new strategies for independence, strength-building and purpose. Understanding the recovery process and working with the right care team can help you move forward with confidence, one step at a time.

Learn what spinal cord injury recovery involves, from early days to rehabilitation to daily life, with expert guidance from Banner Health specialists.

12/15/2025

Feeling worn out, wired or stressed? Elevated cortisol—the body’s “stress hormone”—may be the hidden cause. Discover simple, science-backed ways to lower cortisol through better sleep, diet, movement and relaxation.

High cortisol can negatively affect your body, causing weight gain and sleep issues. Here are ways to lower your cortisol levels and improve your health.

12/14/2025

Managing diabetes during the holidays doesn’t mean giving up the fun. Learn how to balance meals, navigate social events and make choices that support your health without missing out.

The holiday season is a time for celebration and joy, but it can make managing your diabetes challenging. Here are tips to keep your blood sugar in check.

12/14/2025

Looking for a meaningful holiday gift for that special someone? Gift the gift of health and wellness by donating in honor of a loved one and notifying them with an eCard and a custom message. You can make the gift even more personal by directing it to the Banner hospital, program, or area of care most meaningful to them. Swipe for more details. Make your gift today: https://secure.bannerhealth.com/site/Donation2?5763.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T&df_id=5763

04/25/2025

We'd like to introduce you to Sarahi, a volunteer at the West Main Information Desk. On top of balancing her time of being a full-time high school student athlete and being in the EVIT program, Sarahi has managed to accumulate a total of 294 hours of her donated time to volunteering at Banner Desert over the span of 5 months. Sarahi gets along with all her fellow volunteers and is one of the first to help someone when they need it. We describe Sarahi as hardworking, reliable, and good-natured. We are very grateful to have a volunteer like Sarahi.

04/24/2025

👋 Karen Anderson has been a dedicated volunteer at Banner Desert Medical Center for nearly 12 years, serving in a variety of roles and contributing an impressive 4,670 hours of service to the hospital. She has driven the golf cart and trains new volunteers. She has served at the information desk and helped with special events, and even help our mascot Banner Bear. Since December 2021, she has been a Cuddler in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where she provides essential comfort to newborns. As one of our "Consistent Cuddlers," Karen goes above and beyond, regularly taking on extra shifts to support our most vulnerable babies. We are deeply grateful for her unwavering commitment and service.
Sign up to join us as a volunteer: https://bit.ly/48F4Wkx

04/23/2025

This is Jeni Pfefferle. Jeni is a great example to staff and volunteers alike with her kindness and compassion. Everyone loves working with Jeni because of her devotion and kind-hearted spirit within the hustle and bustle of the hospital.
Her volunteer journey began when she tried to sign up to be a volunteer at the library. They told her to check the Volunteer Match website, and she found us. She knew it was meant to be because she remembered 20 years earlier a volunteer at this very hospital helped her during a difficult time. She said all he did was smile and point and it was all she needed in that moment. She began volunteering at Banner Desert in spiritual care and the West main lobby in 2016 to 2018. She continues to volunteer because she has a passion for helping others. Her motto is "anybody who needs help, I can help". Her love for volunteering is admired by all. A piece of advice she would give new volunteers would be to keep a positive attitude!


Join us and volunteer at Banner Desert: https://bit.ly/48F4Wkx

04/22/2025

👋 Say hello to Jane Ridgely who volunteers in the gift shop on Monday afternoons. Jane has been with us now for 12 years and 6 months. She has donated 1,631.92 hours of her time. If you have had the pleasure of meeting her, you know she is just a wonderful person. She has filled in many times to support the gift shop and help to take care of our customers needs. We are so grateful to have Jane on our team!

Volunteer at Desert with us: https://bit.ly/48F4Wkx

04/21/2025

Meet Chopper 🐾
Chopper is a therapy dog who volunteers alongside his owner Darryl, a U.S. Navy veteran. Darryl adopted Chopper as a puppy and named him after his love for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. In addition to his therapy work, Chopper lives with his two cat siblings, Ky and Toshi. In his spare time, he enjoys watching the cats run around while snacking on his favorite treats - popcorn and peanut butter. As a therapy dog, Chopper provides comfort and support to both patients and visitors at Banner. His calm and friendly personality make a great addition to our dog therapy team!

💻 Volunteer at Banner Desert: https://bit.ly/48F4Wkx

04/20/2025

Say hello to Nina! She has been a dedicated volunteer at Banner Desert Medical Center for nearly 8 years, contributing 3,370 hours of service to the hospital. She began her journey as a NICU Cuddler in January 2018 and immediately showed a proactive approach, learning her duties quickly and helping resolve various challenges that arose. Nina takes great care in organizing the laundry room and ensuring that the nurses have the supplies they need to support the babies. Her generosity is evident in the extra shifts she willingly takes on to cover open slots, and her attention to detail is reflected in her meticulous management of the specialized NICU laundry. Nina is such an asset to our campus.

Sign up to volunteer at Banner Desert: https://bit.ly/48F4Wkx

07/19/2024

Banner Health has been impacted by a global system IT outage. Please visit bannerhealth.com for updates.

Banner Health makes health care easier, so your life can be better. Find a provider, schedule an appointment, or find the nearest Banner Health location near you.

01/03/2024

Our volunteers make such incredible contributions to our community. Recently in the halls at Banner Children’s at Desert, Jody McConkey unsuspectingly reconnected with a familiar face. Colleen Virden, now a volunteer at our facility donning the purple scrubs, was a foreign language immersion teacher for Jody’s two kids more than 15 years ago. “Today was such a positive connection to see how she is still using her gifts and talents to support the community, Banner and our littlest patients. It warms my heart in so many ways,” Jody shared.

Interested in seeing what moments you can create as a volunteer? Learn more about the opportunities: https://bit.ly/48F4Wkx

12/25/2023

A heartwarming and magical moment took place at Banner Children's at Desert - our beloved Santa Claus made a special visit to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to spread some holiday cheer and capture an unforgettable snapshot with our beautiful tiny babies!

12/23/2023

On Friday, Fit Body Boot Camp Arizona generously donated an astounding $40,000 worth of toys to Banner Children's at Desert! The thousands of toys will bring joy and comfort to pediatric patients who are undergoing treatment.

"We are incredibly grateful for the incredible generosity shown by Fit Body Boot Camp. This donation will make a huge difference in the lives of our young patients." - expressed Laura Robertson, CEO of Banner Children's at Desert.

Benjamin Jones, owner of Fit Body Boot Camp, shared that this is their 8th year donating to the hospital and each year, they strive to surpass their previous donations. The toys were donated by the company itself, as well as their wonderful staff and supportive clients. Thank you, Fit Body Boot Camp, for your unwavering commitment to giving back to our community and bringing joy to these children's lives.

12/22/2023

Last Tuesday, thousands of toys were donated by the Armer Foundation For Kids to bring joy to our young patients at Banner Children’s at Desert. We want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to the foundation for their donation! These toys will bring smiles to the faces of children undergoing tough treatments, making their hospital stay a little brighter and more enjoyable.

12/10/2023

The American Medical Response (AMR) teamed up with Banner Children’s at Desert to create a one-of-a-kind event that combines the simple gesture of a wave with the illuminating power of hundreds of lights, to bring joy and hope to patients and their families this holiday season.

For a second year, a team of first responders, community partners and members of the community illuminated the hospital surroundings with a light show. Ambulances, emergency vehicles, fire trucks, police cars, and the community held light sticks, flashlights, and glow in the dark lights to create “waves of encouragement and love.”

"Lights of Love is not just a celebration - it is a symbol of solidarity, hope and love in our community" says Laura Robertson, Chief Executive Officer at Banner Children’s at Desert. "We hope this celebration provides comfort and support to the children and families who may be going through challenging times."