People and Programs On The Move at Banner – University Medical Center

Valley Fever Clinic Opens in April

Banner – University Medical Center Tucson will open a Valley Fever Clinic in April staffed by John Galgiani, MD, director of the University of Arizona Valley Fever Center for Excellence.

Dr. Galgiani, a professor in the UA Department of Medicine, has been treating and researching Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) for the past three decades. In addition to treating patients, he operates a UA research lab focused on the detection of the fungus in the environment, increasing the sensitivity of diagnostic tests for patients, and the development of a vaccine to prevent the disease in both humans and animals.

Two-thirds of all Valley Fever infections in the United States are contracted in Arizona. For an appointment at the outpatient Valley Fever Clinic at Banner – UMC Tucson, please call 520-694-8888.

Hospital Volunteers To Be Feted April 8

Banner – University Medical Center will thank and honor its amazing volunteers at a luau-themed reception Friday, April 8, as part of National Volunteer Appreciation Month in April.

More than 500 volunteers donate their time to assist patients every month at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson, Banner – University Medical Center South, Diamond Children’s Medical Center and the University of Arizona Cancer Center / North. These volunteers donated close to 60,000 hours in 2015.

Head and Neck Cancer Lecture at UA Cancer Center / North, April 14

Banner Health and the University of Arizona Cancer Center are hosting monthly open houses and free public information sessions on cancer-related topics at the UA Cancer Center / North, 3838 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson.

The next open house will be Thursday, April 14, 5:30-7 p.m., and will feature:

• Head and Neck Cancer Awareness | Speaker: Sun Kun Yi, MD, UA radiation oncologist and clinical assistant professor
• Basics of Radiation Therapy in Cancer Therapy | Speaker: Krisha Howell, MD, UA radiation oncologist and clinical assistant professor

Presentations begin at 6 p.m. No reservations are required. There will be light refreshments and music by Celtic harpist Mary Bouley.

Head and neck cancers usually begin as squamous cell cancer in the moist, mucosal surfaces inside the mouth, nose and throat. Less commonly, head and neck cancers can begin in the salivary glands. Treatment depends on the exact location of the tumor, stage of cancer, the patient’s age and general health, and may include surgery, radiation therapy, targeted therapy or a combination of treatments.

Media Contact: Katie Riley