Banner Health

11/12/2025

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month: Are you eligible for screening?

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, yet according to the American Lung Association, less than 6% of people eligible for screening actually get tested. This gap may be due to lack of access, low awareness or limited knowledge among both patients and health care providers.

Early detection saves lives—and screening is a powerful tool in the fight against lung cancer. Even if you don't have any signs or symptoms related to lung cancer, you may be eligible for screening if you:
-Are 50 to 80 years old
-Are a current smoker, or you quit within the last 15 years
-Smoked at least a pack of ci******es a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years

These guidelines can help you decide if screening is right for you. Discuss your medical history, risk factors and concerns with your primary care provider.
Find a Banner Health doctor near you: bannerhealth.com/doctors

Platte County Hospital offers comprehensive medical imaging services, including low-dose lung cancer screening. Learn more about the imaging services available right here in your community here: https://www.bannerhealth.com/locations/torrington/community-hospital/medical-imaging

Don't wait. Early detection can make all the difference. Talk to your doctor about lung cancer screening today.

11/12/2025

Early identification of hearing loss is crucial. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, timely screening and intervention can prevent or reduce adverse consequences associated with hearing impairments. Children who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) benefit from early access to language, which is essential for cognitive and social development.

Please contact our Banner Desert/Banner Children’s Audiology at 480-412-4099 for questions.

11/12/2025

While Thanksgiving may center around togetherness, it’s also a peak time for home cooking fires and food poisoning. Nothing ruins a good Thanksgiving gathering faster than a trip to the urgent care or emergency department. Following a few helpful safety tips can make it a Thanksgiving to remember - in a good way.

Stay safe this Thanksgiving! Discover 10 essential tips to prevent food poisoning and cooking accidents for a memorable holiday gathering.

11/12/2025

🦃 Holiday Hours Update - Thanksgiving Weekend 🦃

Planning ahead for the holiday? Here are our Banner Health Clinic hours for Thanksgiving weekend:

📅 CLOSED:
• Thursday, Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Day)
• Friday, Nov. 28 (Day after Thanksgiving)

📅 OPEN:
• Saturday, Nov. 29, 8 a.m. to Noon

Both the Medical Office Building and Banner Medical Clinic will follow these hours.

For urgent medical needs during our closed hours, please go to the Emergency Department - we're here for you 24/7!

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! 🧡

11/11/2025

Babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Banner — University Medical Center Phoenix celebrated their very first Halloween last week by sporting some fun (and tiny) handmade costumes. From a caterpillar to a respiratory therapist outfit modeled after an actual Banner — University team member, the babies brought smiles and laughs to their families and staff to make for a festive celebration in the hospital as they get closer to being discharged and beginning their healthy lives.

11/11/2025

It’s not always problems in our teeth that trigger toothaches. Conditions that affect nerves, sinuses or the jaw can also cause dental pain. Knowing the difference can help to get the right care and relief.

Tooth pain with no dental cause? Learn how sinus issues, TMJ or nerve issues like trigeminal neuralgia can mimic dental pain and when to see a neurologist.

11/11/2025

Ten years ago, the University of Arizona and Banner Health formed a transformational partnership with a clear purpose: to strengthen health care delivery, medical education and clinical research across the state.

As Arizona’s population grows, so does the demand for physicians and nurses, along with advanced care closer to home. Together, we are working to meet this demand by educating nearly 1,000 medical students annually and training more than 1,300 residents and fellows each year across more than 80 programs and six hospitals — operating one of the largest graduate medical education programs in the country. (via Arizona Daily Star) Read more: https://tucson.com/opinion/column/article_36c3ef52-0786-4eda-8473-b9f0f76060c2.html

11/11/2025

Keeping up a healthy lifestyle is good for your total physical health, helps brain health and may help lower the risk of dementia or slow its progression. Learn more: https://www.bannerhealth.com/services/alzheimers/prevention

11/11/2025

Effective Jan. 1, 2026, the following UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plans will no longer be available in Goshen County:
• UHC Medicare Advantage Patriot No Rx WY-MA01 (PPO)
• AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC WY-0002 (PPO)
• AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC WY-0001 (PPO)

The 2026 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2025. During this time, you may:
• Enroll in another Medicare Advantage plan, or
• Enroll in Original Medicare

If you are impacted by the UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan exits in Wyoming and do not take action to enroll in a new Medicare Advantage plan, you will be moved to Original Medicare beginning Jan. 1, 2026. If your current Medicare Advantage plan includes prescription drug benefits, those benefits will end Dec. 31, 2025, if you do not enroll in another Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug benefits or enroll in a standalone Part D plan.

There may be Medicare Advantage plan options available that provide in-network access to Banner Health doctors, hospitals and medical facilities. To review your coverage options in your area, you may:
• Visit Medicare.gov to compare plans, or
• Contact a licensed insurance agent who can review your plan choices with you.

11/11/2025

Chemotherapy, radiation treatments and hormonal therapy can make bones less dense and more fragile, leading to conditions called osteoporosis and osteopenia. With them, the risk of fracturing a bone is higher.

When you’re treated for cancer, side effects from chemotherapy, radiation, hormonal treatments or surgery could affect your bones and joints.

11/11/2025

Quitting to***co use, whether smoking or chewing to***co, is hard. While difficult, it’s one of the most important and life-changing decisions a person can make. Even for those who have smoked their whole life, stopping today is worth it. Quitting at any age will improve health and quality of life within minutes.

The health benefits are almost immediate when you quit smoking. Learn how kicking the habit can lower your risk for cancer and improve your overall health.

11/10/2025

Antiviral medications are prescription drugs that help the body fight the flu virus. Generally, these medications are used for those that have been diagnosed with the flu and are at high risk for complications. Antivirals work best when taken within the first day or two after noticing flu symptoms.

Flu antiviral medications can help reduce symptoms and complications, but you need to start taking them quickly. Here’s who might benefit from flu treatment.

11/10/2025

Pneumonia is a common illness that targets the lungs. It affects millions of people each year but for many of us, pneumonia remains a mystery. It’s important to distinguish between what we think we know and what science tells us.

Pneumonia is a common illness that affects millions of people a year. Here are the truths that you should know so you can stay on top of your health.

11/09/2025

Banner – University Medical Center Tucson held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new pediatric emergency department (ED) lobby.

The new Warden Family Pediatric Waiting Room will create a welcoming, family-centered experience where children and families feel prioritized. The project builds on the vision of the Banner Health Foundation and community partners who helped establish Banner Children’s at Diamond Children’s Medical Center.

Starting Nov. 5, families will enter the pediatric ED through a dedicated lobby and check-in process, separate from the adult ED.

This event celebrated progress toward the planned early 2026 opening of a new pediatric emergency department, which represents a major investment in children's health and safety for families.

Bert W. Martin Foundation funds are also being used to expand the emergency department, adding 22 pediatric and adult treatment rooms and creating more lobby space with 35 additional waiting chairs. The adult and pediatric entry areas have been redesigned to keep these patients separated. The increased capacity will optimize the care, quality, safety and experience for all patients visiting this busy emergency department.

“An investment in the renovated pediatric emergency department at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson is deeply aligned with the Bert W. Martin Foundation’s core values,” said Chandler Warden, board member of the Bert W. Martin Foundation. “Every child deserves access to compassionate, specialized care when they need it most. We are honored to help make that possible for families in Southern Arizona.”

Diamond Children’s serves as the regional referral destination for children requiring advanced or specialized emergency care.

“From triage to treatment, families are cared for by our dedicated pediatric team that understands children’s unique needs," said Nathaniel Fox, MD, pediatric emergency department medical director. “As Southern Arizona’s only Level II pediatric trauma center, our teams provide expertise and subspecialties not available elsewhere in the region. We are especially grateful for the philanthropic investment from the Bert W. Martin Foundation to optimize our care approach.”

The completed facility will serve as the regional destination for advanced pediatric emergency and trauma services, connecting families to the full spectrum of pediatric subspecialties available through Diamond Children's Medical Center.

11/09/2025

Eccentric exercise focuses on the lowering phase of a lifting movement, when a muscle lengthens. These controlled, lengthening movements help muscles handle more load and build strength, which is especially important as we age. By adding eccentric exercise into a routine, people can build strength, stay independent and improve their health span.

Eccentric exercises help muscles get stronger. Learn how eccentric movement helps adults over 50 build and maintain muscle and support healthy aging.

11/09/2025

For most people, muscle pain is a common reason for back or neck soreness, but nerves can also be involved. If something presses on a nerve, like a herniated disk, bone spur or inflammation, it can cause sharp, shooting pain or numbness. If someone isn't sure what type of pain they have, talking to a health care provider is recommended. Muscle pain might get better with home treatment, but nerve pain usually needs professional care.

Not sure if your back or neck pain is caused by sore muscles or nerves? Learn the difference, get tips for each type and find out when to get medical care.

11/09/2025

Heart disease remains one of the major causes of death worldwide. While the average person is diagnosed later in life, some symptoms can happen decades earlier. Understanding these early warning signs can save lives.

While heart disease is often diagnosed later in life, you could have signs years earlier. Here are some early signs of heart disease to watch out for.

11/07/2025

Some people might think lung cancer only affects smokers. But thousands of people in the United States who have never smoked, not even a single cigarette in their lifetime, are diagnosed with lung cancer each year. People who have never smoked or quit a long time ago can learn more about what steps to take to reduce their risk.

If you’ve never smoked, you may still be at risk of lung cancer. Learn the causes of lung cancer other than smoking and learn the means of prevention.

11/07/2025

Find your future at Banner Health! Learn more or apply for our medical assistant position here: https://bit.ly/47ttM9t or our LPN here: https://bit.ly/47DCOPT

11/06/2025

A broken bone is never ideal. But for adults 65 and older, a fracture isn’t just a break. It can be life-altering. As we age, bones tend to heal more slowly and health conditions like osteoporosis or limited mobility can make recovery more complicated. With early treatment and expert support, seniors can heal stronger and stay more independent.

Fractures can be more serious for older adults. Learn why fast care helps seniors recover faster and more safely and regain mobility after a broken bone.

11/06/2025

Need weekend health care? Our Saturday Clinic in Torrington is here for you!

🗓️ Every Saturday
⏰ 8 a.m. to Noon
📞 By appointment only
☎️ Call 307-532-8758 to schedule

Don't let weekend health concerns wait until Monday. Our caring team is ready to help when you need it most!

11/03/2025

Most of us trust our memories. But research shows they’re not always as reliable as we believe. Our brains can be influenced by what we see, hear or are told afterward, changing how we remember the past. This is known as the misinformation effect, and it happens more than we realize.

Can your memories change based on what someone says or shows you? Learn how suggestions can shape memory and affect your brain and emotional health.