Banner Health and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have brought their vision of excellence to Arizona with the creation of the Banner M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, offering an unprecedented level of cancer care in the Valley.

For 70 years, M.D. Anderson has been defined by a single, powerful idea: to eliminate cancer in Texas. Banner Health’s vision to develop a Cancer Center of Excellence with outstandingprograms led them to the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. The marriage between Banner and M.D. Anderson resulted in a mighty commitment to cancer care in Houston—this commitment has expanded and will now be available to cancer patients in Arizona.

Scheduled to open on Sept. 26 in Gilbert, the new Banner M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (BMDACC) guarantees each patient will experience customized, comprehensive and compassionate cancer care. Chief Nursing Officer at Banner Gateway Medical Center and BMDACC, Sheri Dahlstrom, describes this type of patient care as the multi-disciplinary plan approach. “The care model at BMDACC is one of an entire team approach to patient care that is directed by the primary physician with the support of advanced practice nurses and physician assistants and coordinated by clinical nurse navigators.” In addition to BMDACC’s multi-disciplinary plan approach, in time, the center anticipates to have a survivorship program as well. Dahlstrom says, “The unique component of this care model is the physician partnerships from Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Pathology Radiology and Internal Medicine, who all come together to discuss the best approach and various options to develop a plan of care for each individual patient.” Cancer is a scary diagnosis; however, BMDACC offers hope for its patients, supporting their unique medical and personal needs every step of the way.

When BMDACC opens its doors this month, patients and family members can breathe a sigh of relief thanks to the vast amenities and care philosophy that the facility offers. The center brings patients everything from support group meetings to care planning as well as education and patient/family meetings. Most importantly, there are various spaces for healing, like a quaint garden and an outdoor balcony with mountain views available to infusion patients. Other amenities include The Boutique of Hope, where breast prosthesis can be purchased with the assistance of certified fitters. The Lantern of Hope (pictured) is a four-story metal structure that symbolizes the palo verde tree, often referred to as a “nurse plant.” The sun illuminates the Lantern by day and lights within the structure brighten it by night in honor of all those who fight cancer in their lifetimes.  

The main goal of BMDACC is to provide a holistic, supportive, state-of-the-art patient experience that meets the needs of the individual throughout their diagnosis, treatment and aftercare. “M.D. Anderson’s goal is to eradicate cancer [altogether],” Dahlstrom says. BMDACC has made Houston—and now the Valley of the Sun—beacons of hope for other cities to follow and join in one day finding a cure to cancer.

To Learn More:
Banner M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
www.bannermdanderson.com.