Intermountain Health is now offering a national first-of-its kind expansion of CAR-T Cell Therapy, bringing cutting-edge cancer care closer to patients in Southern Utah and Nevada. Intermountain’s new CAR-T Cell satellite clinic in St. George marks a significant milestone to improve access to FDA approved CAR T-cell therapies at a regional clinic – and is the first time in the United States that CAR T-Cell collections are now available at a remote site away from a primary treatment center. Before expanding the CAR T-Cell therapy program, patients in southwest Utah, Nevada and beyond, had to travel hundreds of miles to Intermountain LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City for collection, transplant, and follow-up care. This innovative expansion of stem cell collection and CAR T-cell collection procedures at the Intermountain Health St. George Cancer Center provides advanced cancer treatment options closer to home for patients in the region. "Expanding CAR-T Cell Therapy to Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital is a testament to our commitment to providing accessible, state-of-the-art cancer treatment,” said Brad Hunter, MD, medical oncologist and director of the CAR T-cell program at Intermountain LDS Hospital. “This clinic will significantly enhance the quality of care for patients in Southern Utah and beyond our state boarders, offering them hope and healing without the need to travel long distances."
Having had three of her four children spend time in the NICU, American Fork NICU nurse manager Angela Birrell knows all too well the stresses of having an infant in distress. Angela employs that empathy in her work as she comforts other parents who are having the same experience.
Starting in June, our Intermountain Health Integrated Addiction Medicine Clinic in Grand Junction, Colorado will launch the Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), which is designed to support teens aged 14-18 in their journey toward better mental health and personal growth. This program will run for eight weeks and includes two 2-hour group sessions, individual therapy sessions, and a family component each week. Intermountain Health behavioral health coordinator Jessica Stephen Premo, PhD, said family involvement is crucial, so the program will have both family therapy sessions and multi-family group sessions to help everyone stay connected and supported. “The Adolescent IOP is a significant step toward addressing the mental health needs of adolescents in our community,” Stephen Premo said. “By providing structured support and therapy, the program aims to empower young individuals to navigate their mental health challenges and build a foundation for long-term recovery.”
In an effort to better unify and enhance integration and efficiency of our medical transport programs located in multiple states, we are renaming the program to Intermountain Health Flight & Ambulance Services. This change means unifying current Intermountain Health medical transport programs, including MedX, Life Flight, Classic Air Medical, Platte Valley Ambulance, Cassia Paramedics, and HELP Flight and renaming them all Intermountain Flight & Ambulance Services – the official medical transport department of Intermountain. Existing names and branding of each of the medical transport programs will be phased out over the course of the next several years. “While our name is changing, everything that defines us stays the same – our people, our commitment to excellence, and our mission. Patients and partners will continue to receive the high-quality, responsive care they’ve always known, now delivered under a name that reflects our singular commitment to our mission,” said Adam Hornung, vice president of medical transport, telehealth, clinical command center, and outreach for Intermountain. “This transition marks a new chapter – one that honors our legacy while bringing us together under a single, trusted identity.”
Get to know Dr. Jessica Reissig, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle care at Intermountain Health Butte Clinic - Orthopedics in Butte, Montana. Dr. Reissig has found her little slice of heaven in Butte, where she practices in a close-knit community. The opportunity to connect deeply with her patients and make a meaningful impact is what she loves most about her work. A mother to one daughter, Dr. Reissig lives in a beautiful mountain home with her family, including her mother. Balancing her professional life with family time, Dr. Reissig cherishes the supportive environment and the lasting bonds she creates with her patients.
Happy Caregiver Appreciation Week to all of our incredible Intermountain Health caregivers! Whether you're a nurse providing direct patient care, working behind the scenes to keep a hospital running, or supporting work remotely, you make a difference. Throughout the week, we encourage you to take a moment to celebrate your achievements, reflect on your journey at Intermountain, and take pride in your and your team’s incredible work. Let’s continue to embrace collaboration, support one another, and strive to fulfill our mission.
Intermountain Health has named two new Digital Technology Services (DTS) leaders. Tamara Moores Todd, MD, will serve as chief health informatics officer (CHIO) for the system, while Jason McClellan will serve as chief clinical informatics officer (CCIO). “While Intermountain was searching for a new chief digital and information officer last summer, I had the chance to work closely with both leaders. They are exceptional professionals and even better people,” said Dan Liljenquist, chief strategy officer for Intermountain Health. “In these new roles, Jason and Dr. Moores Todd will continue to drive significant, positive impact at Intermountain Health. We are confident that their leadership will help drive our strategic goals forward and enhance our ability to deliver high-quality care." Both leaders will continue to serve on the Digital Technology Services Executive Leadership Team and report directly to Intermountain’s chief digital and information officer.
At St. George Regional Hospital in St. George, Utah, our structural heart nursing team works in perfect rhythm to provide exceptional patient care. With deep expertise and unwavering dedication, nurses Amie Walton, Delaney Harker, and Cassidie Bowen guide patients through complex cardiovascular interventions, offering support every step of the way. Their collaborative approach and dedication not only strengthen patient trust, but also enhance recovery outcomes. Get to know the team that never misses a beat in the article below.
Utahns who have advanced melanoma cancer no longer have to leave the state to get a groundbreaking new treatment that is showing promise for patients with the deadliest type of skin cancer. Intermountain Health has launched a new program to provide tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy to treat patients with a type of skin cancer called unresectable or metastatic melanoma that cannot be removed surgically or has spread to other parts of the body. As part of the treatment process, doctors use AMTAGVI, the first and only FDA-approved prescription medication for the treatment of advanced melanoma that has not responded to standard therapies. AMTAGVI activates the patient's own immune system to target and destroy cancer cells and represents a different approach compared to other immunotherapies. Instead of broadly stimulating the immune system, it harnesses a patient's own tumor-specific T cells to directly target and destroy cancer cells. This is the first time this therapy has been used to treat patients in Utah. For Utahns, having the therapy program available locally is a major advancement. Not only does Utah have the highest incidence of melanoma in the nation, but until now, Utahns needing TIL therapy had to travel out of state for their care.
American Fork Hospital in American Fork, Utah has reached a major milestone—it’s now officially a Level III Trauma Center! This certification means the hospital is equipped to provide rapid emergency care, including 24/7 physician coverage, surgical support, and critical patient stabilization. With this new designation, American Fork Hospital can handle moderate to severe trauma cases, ensuring our patients receive top-tier treatment close to home.
