Across the country, more than 2,000 children are waiting for an organ transplant and the need continues to grow. As leaders in pediatric care, we see firsthand how essential timely, size‑matched organs are for young patients whose futures depend on them. This week, pediatric transplant patients and their families came together with clinicians from the Primary Children’s Transplant Program, the only pediatric transplant program in the Intermountain West, to elevate awareness around pediatric organ donation and honor the donors who make transplantation possible. In partnership with University of Utah Health, our teams achieved a record year in 2025, completing 18 pediatric heart transplants and 21 pediatric liver transplants. These milestones reflect not only clinical excellence but also the commitment of multidisciplinary teams who lead with clarity, compassion, and innovation. Still, the most significant challenge remains: a national shortage of donor organs suitable for children. Our clinicians continue advancing the use of technology, evidence‑based practices, and innovative approaches to improve outcomes, including cases where living adult donors can provide lifesaving options. While these advancements matter, increasing donor availability matters even more.
Sara Hafen started as a labor and delivery scrub tech in May 2016 at Intermountain Health Alta View Hospital and was later hired after nursing school in December 2020 as a labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum nurse. She enjoys mentoring new nurses and helping them feel confident in their roles. Sara is focused on keeping patients safe, informed and wants to make them feel at home while in her care. The hospital can feel really scary and Sara encourages patients to ask every question and feel like they are in a safe space to be free to voice concerns. She can't imagine working in a different specialty!
Big news for Washington City! We’re excited to share plans for a brand‑new Intermountain Health clinic designed to bring high‑quality primary and urgent care even closer to home. Washington City is one of the fastest‑growing areas in Southern Utah, and we’re growing right along with it. Our new clinic, located just off Washington Parkway near I‑15, will make it easier than ever for residents to access the care they need, when they need it. We’re honored to support Washington City’s remarkable growth and to continue delivering extraordinary care. Groundbreaking is planned for later this year, with doors opening in early 2028.
When Maureen Morgan put off her colonoscopy, she never imagined an at‑home screening test would be the choice that saved her life. What followed — early detection, advanced robotic surgery, and a remarkable recovery — reflects the power of acting early and the strength of a care team committed to helping patients live their healthiest lives. As we recognize Colon Cancer Awareness Month, Maureen hopes her journey inspires others to take that first step toward screening. A few hours of discomfort, she says, is worth a lifetime of moments still ahead.
When Launice Freeny‑Brown called to cancel an appointment, she didn’t know she was moments away from a life‑threatening emergency. But our Intermountain Health caregivers did what they do best: they listened closely, acted quickly, and put her well‑being first. Thanks to the quick instincts of contact care representative Kim Headley and RN Tonya Hopper, Launice received life-saving help when she needed it most. Months later, she’s back on her feet and reunited with the caregivers who changed her story. At Intermountain, we believe every interaction is an opportunity to support someone’s health journey. This one just happened to save a life. Read more about this story on KUSA-TV, 9NEWS below.
In Pharmacy, even minor delays can ripple into major challenges for caregivers and patients. At Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado, pharmacy technician and buyer Jose Elias saw an opportunity to make care faster, safer, and more consistent, turning a daily frustration into a systemwide win. By partnering with Intermountain’s Acute Care Pharmacy team and Supply Chain Center, Jose helped shift pre‑packing to a centralized, highly reliable service. The result? ✔️ Consistent, professional medication packaging ✔️ Faster turnaround times ✔️ Less waste and lower costs ✔️ More time for caregivers to focus on patient‑facing work What started with 4 medications now spans nearly 100, with significant savings and a smoother experience for nurses, pharmacists, and patients. This is what “better together” looks like: local insight paired with system strength, creating meaningful improvements that everyone can feel.
For St. George ambulatory medical assistant coordinator Alyssa Kalipetsis, mindfulness isn’t abstract — it’s practical, portable, and deeply personal. This year, she and her team assembled and donated 100 first aid grounding kits to the DOVE Center (Southern Utah), offering survivors of trauma a simple way to reconnect with the present through the 5‑4‑3‑2‑1 grounding method. Each kit includes thoughtful, discreet items, from affirmation cards to essential oils to gum, all designed to help someone pause, breathe, and re‑center when life feels overwhelming. Alyssa drew from her own mental health journey to shape the project, turning a technique that once helped her into a resource for women rebuilding their lives.
Intermountain Health Cedar City Hospital today held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community open house for the hospital’s newly expanded emergency department and molecular imaging services center, which are designed to enhance access to care for residents. The new emergency department significantly enhances access to life-saving emergency care at the Level IV Trauma Center. It enables the hospital to serve the growing needs of nearby communities, as well as millions of tourists and outdoor enthusiasts who visit nearby national parks and outdoor recreation areas. The 4,500 square foot, $7 million dollar expansion, has nine more emergency rooms, for a total of 22 rooms, including three dedicated to patients with behavioral health needs. The ability to increase access to vital emergency care enables residents to stay close to home for their care.
For years, Sarah lived with a condition she debated on having corrected, as she felt it wasn't impeding her daily routines. That changed the day she met Intermountain Health urogynecologist Javier Gonzalez, MD. What stood out wasn’t just his clinical expertise: it was the way he listened. Their conversation helped Sarah choose a path forward, and her surgery became one of the most positive care experiences she’s ever had. From timely testing to a team she trusted, Sarah says Dr. Gonzalez “felt like an old friend.” As one of only two urogynecologists serving Intermountain patients in Nevada, Dr. Gonzalez knows how much trust matters, especially when it comes to sensitive women’s health concerns. His approach is simple: lead with empathy, honor patient preferences, and build relationships that last long after surgery.
A routine Friday night game turned into a life‑saving moment, thanks to quick action, expert care, and one determined student‑athlete. When Butte High’s Preston Jensen took two hard hits on the field, certified athletic trainer Christine Mayer trusted her instincts. What she saw — and how fast she acted — helped get Preston to Intermountain Health St. James Hospital before a hidden internal injury became fatal. And today? Preston is back on his feet, training for track, and embracing a new chapter with the same grit that carried him through that night. Learn more about Preston’s story of resilience, gratitude, and the team who helped save his life in the article below.
