After successfully implementing ePneumonia in the Canyons and Desert Regions with leadership from Dr. Nathan Dean, Dr. Andrew D'Alessandro and Dr. Bill Hilty, emergency department physicians at Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado, are leading an innovative pilot to expand its use in the Peaks Region. Their pilot to expand ePneumonia across the Peaks Region is demonstrating how AI‑enabled decision support can strengthen antibiotic stewardship, enhance workflow, and improve outcomes for patients at risk for pneumonia. This is how we advance care: smart tools, guided by expert judgment, that improve the lives of the people and communities we serve.
When Ron Drake learned he was in total heart failure, he and his family feared the worst. The diagnosis was overwhelming, and the path forward felt uncertain. But Ron’s care team at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah didn’t give up. Instead, they offered him hope through a research clinical trial that ultimately became the key to his recovery. As part of the trial, Ron had surgery to replace his tricuspid valve. The procedure went well, and Ron made a remarkable turnaround — he was singing to his wife in the recovery room and was discharged from the hospital by noon the very next day. Today, Ron feels strong and healthy. He spends time with his grandchildren, enjoys an active lifestyle, sings in a choir, and approaches each day with a renewed appreciation for life. At Intermountain Health, research is more than a component of care — it’s how we create new possibilities for patients today while shaping the treatments of tomorrow. Every clinical trial expands our understanding of disease and helps us discover better, more effective options for people facing serious conditions. Ron’s experience is just one example of how research can open doors that didn’t exist before.
Intermountain Health Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver recently celebrated the opening of its newest cancer center, a major expansion that strengthens access to coordinated, comprehensive oncology care for patients throughout Colorado. The space brings all major oncology services into one central location and offers expanded treatment capacity, updated clinical technology, and a layout tailored to patient needs. As the design came together, Sarah Pike, oncology service line director at Intermountain Saint Joseph Hospital, said the team focused heavily on how patients move through their care. “This center was designed with our patients’ voices at the heart of every decision. Every design choice, from the layout of the infusion bays to the flow between clinics, was made to reduce stress and improve comfort,” she said. “Cancer care is complex, but the experience shouldn’t feel overwhelming.”
We’re proud to partner with Yellowstone County and the Worden and Shepherd Fire Districts to bring dependable, 24/7 emergency medical services to the communities of eastern Yellowstone County. Beginning July 1, Intermountain Health will staff and operate a new ground ambulance service based out of the Huntley Fire Station, helping reduce response times and ensuring timely, lifesaving care when every second matters. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to putting residents first and supporting rural communities with the resources they deserve. Together, we’re building a stronger, more reliable emergency response system for our neighbors. Learn more about how this partnership is expanding access to critical care across the region.
As Heart Month comes to a close, we’re reminded that heart health stories often begin quietly — in the everyday choices and unexpected moments that change a life. For Kelly Royster, an avid runner, that moment came before a marathon she had spent months training for. Born with a bicuspid aortic valve, a congenital heart defect she had lived with her whole life without issue, Kelly decided to get her heart checked at the request of her husband. That simple precaution became a turning point. Within a week, Kelly underwent open‑heart surgery, forever altering the course of her life and deepening her understanding of what it means to face a heart condition with courage and clarity. Today, Kelly brings that lived experience to every patient she serves. As the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Manager at Good Samaritan, she channels her resilience, gratitude, and passion for wellness into compassionate, expert care. This Heart Month, we salute Kelly, not only for the strength of her personal journey, but for the dedication she brings to helping heart patients navigate their own. Her story is an important reminder that awareness, action, and empathy can transform lives, one heartbeat at a time.
We're celebrating a major milestone: a less invasive fetoscopic procedure that allows surgeons to repair spina bifida before birth using just three small incisions. This innovative approach supports safer pregnancies, better long‑term outcomes for children, and keeps families close to home in Utah. From the first successful procedure earlier this year to the growing number of families already benefiting, this advancement reflects the dedication, preparation, and compassion of an extraordinary multidisciplinary team. It’s another powerful example of how the Grant Scott Bonham Fetal Center, a collaboration between Intermountain Health Primary Children's Hospital and the University of Utah Health, which was made possible through the Primary Promise campaign, is helping build the nation’s model health system for children. Read the full story to learn how this breakthrough is changing lives.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) may look like something from science fiction, but for many patients across Intermountain Health’s Desert and Canyons Regions, it’s offering something profoundly real: renewed hope. Our clinicians describe TMS as “bushwhacking a new path” in the brain, helping rewire mood pathways when traditional treatments haven’t been enough. It’s noninvasive, medication‑free, and allows patients to stay fully present and engaged in daily life throughout treatment. From the steady guidance of physicians like Dr. Laura Romer and Dr. Mark Foote, to the compassionate support of caregivers like Corita Menchaca, medical assistant, TMS is more than a therapy: it’s a partnership. A chance to reconnect people with their lives, their relationships, and their sense of possibility.
When a Sunday morning in Great Falls, Montana took a frightening turn, quick action and coordinated care made all the difference. Thanks to fast CPR from his daughter and the expert heart care teams at Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital, Larry Schlepp is back home in Billings and rebuilding his strength through cardiac rehabilitation. Larry’s journey is a powerful reminder of how every link in the chain of survival matters, from loved ones trained in CPR to first responders to the specialized heart experts who guide patients through recovery. At Intermountain, we’re honored to stand beside families like the Schlepps, providing advanced cardiac care and support every step of the way. Their story is a testament to resilience, teamwork, and the lifesaving impact of being prepared. Read more about Larry’s remarkable recovery and why CPR training is a skill that can change everything.
We’re proud to announce that Russ Williams has been selected as the president of the upcoming Intermountain Health Nevada Children’s Hospital, Nevada’s first standalone children’s hospital. With more than 20 years of leadership experience in pediatric and academic healthcare, Russ brings the vision, expertise, and deep commitment to community partnership needed to help shape this historic investment in the future of children’s health in Nevada. As we continue building Nevada Children’s Hospital at the UNLV Harry Reid Research & Technology Park, Russ will help guide the development of a world‑class pediatric destination where families can access comprehensive, compassionate care close to home.
Across our care sites, offices, and home offices, all Intermountain Health caregivers have something in common: their compassion and care for patients. And we all have a reason for our careers in healthcare. For some, it’s personal experiences that encouraged them to pay it forward. For others, it’s the chance to innovate, lead, and experiment. We asked caregivers to share the ‘why’ behind their work. Their stories can inspire us all to reflect on our motivations and how we bring compassion to our work every day.
