As the weather warms and spring activities like gardening and yardwork beckon, many of us may find ourselves experiencing low back pain. For years, many patients went to the emergency department at the first sign of discomfort. However, a new approach is shifting this idea and encouraging most people to manage acute, non-traumatic low back pain at home instead of seeking emergency care, unless there are serious warning signs like signs of a fracture or osteoporosis. Our Neurosciences Clinical Program at Intermountain Health, in collaboration with many other departments, released a new care process model (CPM) to guide the treatment of acute low back pain. This initiative is designed to improve patient outcomes, minimize unnecessary testing and medications, and reduce healthcare costs by providing clear, practical recommendations for providers and patients.
We are expanding access to renowned nonprofit pediatric orthopedic specialty care in Nevada through a new collaborative affiliation with Shriners Children’s. See how this strategic partnership will help us improve the lives, well-being, and health of children throughout the state.
Dr. Rebecca Phillips is a physician of family medicine at the South Cache Valley Clinic. Dr. Phillips is a recent recipient of an Intermountain Health L.O.V.E. award for her care for her patients. After surviving a devastating shooting at age 14, a young woman in Cache Valley and patient of Dr. Phillips, spent years dealing with serious complications from the incident. After a genuine and thorough discussion with Dr. Phillips, the patient had made the decision that if she should become ill or have any new complications, she did not want life-saving treatment. Days later, she was admitted to hospice care. In her final days, Dr. Phillips helped honor her last wish to participate in a horse show, something she had loved doing prior to the incident. With the help of her daughter and close friends, they organized a horse show in just a few days bringing together family, friends and community for a celebration of her life. The patient passed away 5 days later at the age of 22. Dr. Phillips went above and beyond to serve this patient and her family during a very difficult time and is a strong example of our values. ❤️
On April 10 in Las Vegas, during the citywide celebration at Toshiba Plaza, Bruno Mars presented Intermountain Health Foundation with a $1 million gift to support the future Intermountain Nevada Children’s Hospital. Philanthropy at this scale does more than fund a building. It strengthens a community’s ability to deliver lifesaving pediatric care; advancing programs, and expanding access for children and families across Nevada. This moment is a direct reflection of the leadership and relationships our Nevada Campaign for Kids co-chairs, Bill Hornbuckle and Wendy Hornbuckle, are driving every day. Their advocacy, credibility, and connections continue to open doors and bring new partners into this vision in meaningful ways. We’re grateful to every donor and community partner who invests in what’s possible for kids — and to the caregivers who bring clinical excellence, empathy, and teamwork to families every day.
At Intermountain Health Spring Valley Women’s Health Clinic in Las Vegas, Nevada, a simple morning greeting has become a meaningful daily ritual. When caregivers walk in and say “Sabah el kheir,” they’re participating in something more than a language lesson — they’re embracing connection. The tradition began with Peter Aziz, MD, MPH, URPS, whose passion for sharing Arabic words and phrases has sparked curiosity, cultural exchange, and genuine camaraderie among caregivers. What started as a quick explanation on a whiteboard has grown into a shared learning experience that strengthens relationships and deepens trust. Dr. Aziz’s multilingual background, from Arabic and French to English, German, and Spanish, enriches his work as a urogynecologist and helps him meet patients where they are. His commitment to cultural understanding extends beyond the clinic, including international medical missions. This April, we honor caregivers like Dr. Aziz who bring their lived experiences, languages, and cultures into their work. Their contributions help us create welcoming spaces, improve communication, and advance our commitment to close gaps in care for underserved communities. At Intermountain, every voice and every culture strengthens the way we serve.
For more than three decades, Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital and Hilltop Community Resources have worked together to help Mesa County families access the support they need for healthy pregnancies and strong starts. Learn more about how their long‑standing collaboration continues to make a measurable difference for parents and babies across Western Colorado.
Thanks to generous local donors, we have expanded our Diabetes & Endocrinology Clinic location in the Yellowstone Medical Center in Billings, Montana to better meet the needs of patients across the region. The enhanced space supports more providers, more services, and more ways to deliver high‑quality care. Get the full story and see what this expansion means for the greater Billings community below.
We are bringing 10 clinics together under one roof at the new 90,000‑square‑foot Intermountain Health Badura Clinic in Las Vegas, Nevada, creating a true one‑stop model for coordinated, multidisciplinary care. With shared space, standardized technology, and streamlined workflows, our teams can collaborate more efficiently across primary care and multiple specialties. Find out how this model strengthens coordination across the continuum of care.
Thom Forster is a critical care technician at Intermountain Health Alta View Hospital in Sandy, Utah. Thom is an emergency department frontline worker who makes each of his patients feel safe and taken care of. He is known for his warmth, kindness, and contagious smile and helps his patients overcome fear in the face of critical situations. We salute you, Thom, and all those caregivers making a difference!
For many people in Jefferson, Arapahoe, and Douglas counties, the first step toward better health isn’t a doctor’s visit — it’s understanding how to get and use insurance coverage. That’s why Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital in Wheat Ridge, Colorado is proud to partner with Doctors Care Colorado, a safety‑net clinic that treats coverage support as a core part of care. Through enrollment assistance, year‑round case management, and a growing network of community ambassadors, Doctors Care is helping people navigate Medicaid, CHP+, and Marketplace plans with confidence. Families are learning where to go for care, how to keep coverage from lapsing, and what it means to have a trusted primary care provider. Last year, nearly 1,000 community members received this kind of hands‑on support, and together, we’re expanding access even further. This is what it looks like when we remove barriers, build trust, and strengthen the health of our communities.
