Banner - University Medicine Tucson: Care

Expanding access to care

Emergency Department Expansion
Initiative Goal: $2,000,000
The Emergency Department at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson is the busiest trauma hospital in the west. Expansion of the Emergency Department will add 22 adult and pediatric treatment rooms, create more lobby space, add a small play area in the pediatric waiting room, and add 35 additional waiting chairs. The adult and pediatric Emergency Department entry areas will be redesigned to keep these patient populations separated. A dual-sided, shared registration area will allow for both adult and pediatric patients to check in and allow for shared staffing. This expanded capacity will enable more patients to be seen and treated in this busy Emergency Department, reduce wait times, protect patient privacy, and improve the experience patients have when visiting the ED.

Patient Navigation for Women
Initiative Goal: $700,000
The understanding that women have different health care needs than men—combined with research showing that women are often not taken as seriously as their male counterparts when reporting symptoms—has fostered important changes in clinical care for women in recent years. To continue building on this momentum, Banner – University Medicine is committed to meeting the health care needs of women in Southern Arizona with a Women’s Health Navigation Program that focuses on screening as the gateway to women’s health. Initial focus areas will be Banner mammography, gynecology, heart and stroke, and bone density screenings for female patients. If a screening exam is positive, Women’s Health Navigators will be incorporated into the patient’s care team to provide a single point of contact offering support and guidance through every step of their health care journey.

Neurosciences
Initiative Goal: $5,000,000
Banner – University Medical Center Tucson provides comprehensive neurological services through a multi-disciplinary approach to care, while employing the latest technological and research advancements. The Neurosciences division at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson is growing to meet our community’s needs to ensure that both urgent and routine care is always available. Philanthropic investment in the following programs will allow the Banner – University Medicine Neurosciences Clinic to provide the most advanced treatments right here in Southern Arizona:

Center for Brain Health: Age-related brain dysfunction is an epidemic that is growing at an alarming rate. Despite the trillions of dollars spent managing these conditions, we still lack accurate diagnoses and effective treatments. There is a disconnect between the existing care model designed for acute, episodic care and the progressive nature of chronic conditions that develop over lifetimes. This problem is exacerbated further in Arizona, home to a large population over age 65.

Banner – University Medicine will develop an innovative learning health practice that engages patients, caregivers, and providers using state-of-the-art techniques and leveraging AI and data analytics, to advance detection, early intervention, and treatment; and ultimately, provides continuity of care with a suite of comprehensive services.

This bold plan calls for institutional and philanthropic investments in three areas:

1. Creating a best-in-class facility which allows an interprofessional team of clinicians, nurses, data analysts, and scientists to address urgent, unmet clinical needs by leveraging research to better inform care and vice versa;

2. Implementing novel technologies to improve care delivery and quality of life; and

3. Employing community outreach programs to improve the quality of life of patients.

This unique academic-centered network is designed to embrace and support collaboration between providers and patients throughout our region, with a special focus on our large aging population.

Stroke Center of Distinction: Stroke is a prominent, worldwide concern in health care that has a notable impact on people, their families, and communities. It is a medical condition where the flow of blood to the brain is obstructed, either by a clot or the rupture of a blood vessel. This is a serious and potentially lethal condition that requires immediate medical treatment. The influence of a stroke on an individual’s health can result in a range of physical, cognitive, and emotional limitations that differ based on the seriousness and site of the stroke. Stroke also affects families and communities by requiring family members to assume caregiving roles and causing alteration in employment and financial stability, resulting in higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Overcoming these difficulties typically involves a prolonged rehabilitation process and assistance to restore functionality and improve overall mental and physical health.

To address the impact of stroke on individuals and communities, the Banner – University Medicine Stroke Center of Distinction will be dedicated to achieving optimal results for stroke patients by adhering to proven guidelines and employing state-of-the-art treatment methods.

This involves raising awareness about risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, tobacco use, and obesity, and advocating for lifestyle modifications to mitigate these risks. Additionally, it is crucial to have access to excellent health care services, including specialized stroke centers, to quickly receive accurate diagnosis and treatment, as well as have access to rehabilitation programs that address the specific physical, cognitive, and emotional needs of stroke patients, which can greatly improve their recovery.

Philanthropic investment in stroke prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation will reduce the impact of stroke on individuals and communities, enhance the well-being of survivors, and foster healthier communities in general. Nationally recognized stroke centers are focused on continuous quality improvement, research, and education. These activities require investment in excellent clinicians and a talented support team, including stroke coordinators, data analysts, and quality specialists.

Cardiovascular
Initiative Goal: $5,000,000
Banner – University Medicine Tucson has an unprecedented opportunity to further invest in, and significantly improve, the cardiovascular health and quality of life of Southern Arizonans and patients across the Southwest, now and in the future. Combining our unparalleled expertise within this signature clinical program with a compassionate approach to behavioral and lifestyle interventions, we can improve quality of life, reduce disability burdens, and minimize health disparities in our community.

Rhythm Disorder Center: An estimated 12 million people will have atrial fibrillation by 2030 and an estimated 10% of people will deal with an abnormal heart rhythm during their lifetime. Heart Rhythm Disorders occur when the electrical system of the heart is not functioning properly.

A multidisciplinary Rhythm Disorders Center in Tucson will provide a comprehensive approach to managing all aspects of heart rhythm disorders. Minimally invasive treatments for heart rhythm disorders focus on correcting the abnormal pathway by blocking the pathway or implanting a device to control the heart rhythm. These techniques include percutaneous ablation therapy, where the physician uses heat or extreme cold delivered through a small catheter in the vein to eliminate the abnormal pathway; placement of a pacemaker under the skin to regulate the heart rhythm; and the implantable defibrillator, where a device that will deliver a very small but sufficient shock to the heart to reboot it out of an abnormal, life-threatening rhythm is implanted through a small catheter in the vein.

Philanthropic support will accelerate the creation of this Center and make this expert care available to more Southern Arizona residents.

Structural Heart Program: While an estimated 10% of Americans over age 70 have heart valve issues, 60% of people with heart valve disease have no symptoms or do not recognize the symptoms—making coordinated care by a multidisciplinary team of health professionals key to early identification and successful treatment.

Valvular heart disease occurs when the valves in the heart no longer function as well as they should, impeding the proper flow of blood through the heart. In the past, treatment for these issues required surgery; however, many can now be treated through minimally invasive procedures that focus on improving the function of the heart valve without the impact, risks, and recovery associated with major surgery.

Among the procedures currently performed at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson are trans-catheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), transcatheter mitral valve repair or replacement, Watchman and Amulet procedures to close a left atrial appendage for the approximately 40% of A-fib patients unable to take blood thinners, and correction of various structural defects in the heart like atrial septal defects.

Demand for valvular and structural heart disease care is expected to grow over the next 10 years as our population ages and heart disease becomes more prevalent. Banner envisions creating a multidisciplinary Structural Heart Center to provide comprehensive management of the most complex structural heart issues through minimally invasive techniques, simplifying the continuum of care from initial diagnosis to appropriate intervention—all with the goal of improving cardiovascular health in Southern Arizona. These activities require investment in excellent clinicians and a talented support team, including stroke coordinators, structural program coordinators, research staff, data analysts, and quality specialists.

• 3 to 6 million estimated number of Americans who have atrial fibrillation.
• 10% estimated number of people who will deal with an abnormal heart rhythm during their lifetime.
• 10% estimated number of Americans over age 70 who have heart valve issues.
• 60% of people with heart valve disease have no symptoms or do not recognize the symptoms.

Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Initiative Goal: $5,000,000
Banner – University Medical Center Tucson’s orthopedic program provides advanced orthopedic care and features a comprehensive range of services including trauma care, pediatric orthopedics, sports medicine, and joint replacement.

The Orthopedics department is poised for growth including driving advanced surgical techniques, increasing research initiatives, and enhancing educational opportunities for residents and fellows. Philanthropic investment in the following programs will allow the Banner – University Medicine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine team to provide the most advanced care right here in Southern Arizona:

Total Joint Center of Distinction: With the goal of supporting active movement from birth along the span of an entire lifetime, Banner – University Medical Center Tucson aims to create a Total Joint Destination Center of Distinction, which will be one of only two Joint Commission-Certified Programs for Orthopedics in Arizona. Banner – University Medical Center Tucson is uniquely positioned with the capacity and expertise in adult total joint replacement to create this destination program. Banner – University Medical Center Tucson employs the largest group of expert, fellowship-trained total joint replacement surgeons in Arizona and has, to date, trained more orthopedic surgeons than any other group servicing Arizona.

By encouraging activity and eliminating barriers to participating in sports and recreation, we can ultimately lower mortality rates by encouraging and supporting healthy living and movement in our adult and elder communities.

Sports Medicine Injury Prevention Education in Tucson Schools
Educating young athletes about how to prevent injuries is vital to our mission. The Game On: Youth Athlete Support Fund provides preventative care through three distinct assessments proven to reduce injury and promote participation in sports. Sports physicals, ImPACT Assessments, and Fusionetics performance and injury risk assessment are the gold standard of preventative care for youth athletes. With support from the Game On Fund, Banner Orthopedics & Sports Medicine partners with the Arizona Interscholastic Association and school districts across Southern Arizona to schedule on-site sports physical outreach events focused on injury prevention. Philanthropic partners are essential for this work.

Pediatrics
Initiative Goal: $5,000,000
Diamond Children’s Medical Center is the only pediatric facility in Arizona directly connected to an academic medical center. Over the next decade, Diamond Children’s aims to be nationally recognized for providing highly specialized and innovative care, investing in science and technology, and recruiting and retaining top talent. Philanthropic investment in the following programs will allow Diamond Children’s to provide the most advanced pediatric care right here in Southern Arizona:

Fetal Surgery Program: The only fetal surgery center in the southwest, the Fetal Care Center performed the state’s first spina bifida repair surgery on a fetus inutero in early 2024. Two months later, Ramon Alberto Contreras was born at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson. Delivered at 35 weeks gestation, baby Ramon weighed 5 lbs., 6 ounces and immediately took to bottle feeding and normal development, thanks to the highly specialized care received from the multidisciplinary team at Banner and Diamond Children’s Medical Center. Philanthropic investment in this program will allow for growth, while giving families access to exceptional care locally, with experts in Tucson. Philanthropic gifts will change a child’s life forever by advancing treatment options with the hope of reducing or fully eliminating the burden of chronic illness from their lives.

Pediatric Oncology Program: Banner Children’s at Diamond Children’s Medical Center is home to one of Arizona’s leading pediatric cancer programs, offering advanced medical and surgical care, the latest technology to detect cancer, treatment options and a range of support services for patients with all types of cancer. The program is in the onlyone of its kind in Southern Arizona accredited to perform compatible blood, bone marrow, or umbilical cord blood, stem cell transplantation. Philanthropic investment will directly help a child diagnosed with cancer to heal and give families and caregivers the mental, emotional, and psychosocial support they need.

Because hospitals can be scary places for children, Banner Children’s at Diamond Children’s Medical Center offers many special programs and necessary supportive care that help children feel brave, empowered, and in control of their journey. These services are not reimbursable by insurance, making philanthropic gifts from generous donors vital to support staff salaries and modest program expenses:

• Child Life Specialists are the heart of our pediatric medical centers. As psychosocial health care professionals, Child Life Specialists are trained in child development, family systems, and evidencebased supportive interventions, making them indispensable members of the pediatric health care team. These dedicated professionals help children cope with their medical experiences, reduce child and family stress, and support emotional wellbeing through developmentally appropriate play, education, and therapeutic interventions.

•  Hospital School Services pair teachers and trained volunteers with hospitalized children to ensure they stay on track with their studies and don’t fall behind their peers because of missed school—the top concern children express when asked what worries them most about their illness. Hospital School teachers work with students one on one, assist with homework and test preparation, liaise with their home school and teacher, and even help teen patients study for college entrance exams.

•  Music, art, and pet therapy are additional supports that brighten the day of hospitalized children. Recreation spaces like the Diamond Children’s Play Zone allow children to relax away from their hospital rooms, host visiting performers and birthday celebrations, work with Child Life Specialists, and encourage movement and self-expression to speed healing and reduce trauma.

Cancer
Initiative Goal: $5,000,000
Banner – University Medicine, University of Arizona Cancer Center is the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center headquartered in Arizona. With a focus on research to discover new treatments through its robust clinical trials program and provision of excellent clinical care, the UA Cancer Center also prioritizes community outreach on cancer prevention and promotion of routine screenings to reduce the incidence of cancer, particularly in Southern Arizona’s underserved communities and Tribal Nations.

Philanthropic investment in the following programs will allow our cancer patients to receive the most advanced cancer treatment right here in Southern Arizona:

Oncology Clinical Support: Oncology Clinical Support: Philanthropic investment will support our cancer program in improving clinical outcomes through enhanced screening and interdisciplinary care with a focus on five priority cancers: breast, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, melanoma, and lung. Additional goals include becoming a trusted partner of communities with high disparities in cancer, particularly Latino and Tribal communities, attracting and training cancer care providers while fostering a culture of inclusion and diversity, and enhancing infrastructure to optimize resources, capabilities, and investments.

Cancer Center Infrastructure:Enhancements to the built environment include renovation of the oncology inpatient care areas to create a refreshed healing environment, as well as the Hematopoietic Cellular Therapies and Transplant program, where patients spend extended time—often 30 days or beyond receiving care and treatment. Funding will also support renovation of the Infusion Center in the Cancer Center. This renovation expands clinical exam and infusion space, adding 6 exam rooms, 1 procedure room, 7 infusion bays (17 treatment chairs), and 3 private infusion rooms. This expansion will allow timely treatment for more patients.

Center for Integrative Oncology: Cancer doesn’t just affect the body; it impacts every aspect of a person’s life—their physical and mental health, emotional wellbeing, and sense of self. Integrative oncology complements traditional treatments to address the unique needs of each patient. Integrative therapies like massage, yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and music therapy can help soothe the body and nourish the soul. Workshops that foster self-expression, support groups where patients can spend time with those who share their experiences, and psycho-oncology services to address mental and emotional health— all of these offerings help patients manage physical symptoms and find peace and respite. Supportive care and survivorship programs are a lifeline for patients navigating the challenges of life after cancer, offering personalized support and resources to help them navigate physical and emotional changes. Through survivorship programs, psycho-oncology services, and patient navigation, we empower survivors to reclaim their lives and find hope and healing beyond cancer. As these offerings fall outside the traditional model of care delivery and reimbursement, philanthropic investment is vital in our ability to sustain them for the benefit of patients and families.

The infusion center renovation adds 27 new treatment areas, including:

• 6 exam rooms
• 1 procedure room
• 7 infusion bays (17 treatment chairs)
• 3 private infusion rooms

This expansion will allow timely treatment for more patients.

Cancer Patient Lodging: Each year, patients travel to Tucson for care at the Cancer Center, sometimes requiring them to stay nearby—at their own expense—for weeks or months of treatment, surgery, and recovery. While many patients can afford a short hotel stay, few are prepared to pay for long-term lodging. For many, affording a place to stay during treatment can mean the difference between receiving care or not. Philanthropic investment will offset the cost of local lodging for patients who travel from outside the Tucson metro area, alleviating a significant barrier and giving them a bit of comfort and peace during their cancer journey.