PHOENIX (Jan. 08, 2008)  – Brent A. Cope has been named Chief Executive Officer of St. Luke’s Medical Center, Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital and Biltmore Surgical & Recovery Care Center. Cope will oversee the clinical and financial operations of the two acute-care hospitals and surgery center.

Most recently, Cope served as the CEO of Mesa General Hospital, a 126-bed facility within the IASIS Healthcare system. He began his career in hospital administration in 1987 in California. Cope has served as CEO of Tooele Valley Healthcare System/Mountain West Medical System in Utah, and as Chief Operating Officer of Columbia North Hills Hospital and Columbia HEB Hospital in Texas.

“As an accomplished healthcare executive, Brent brings strong leadership skills and operational excellence to all facilities,” said Paul Jenson, FACHE, Arizona Market President for IASIS Healthcare. “He will focus on strengthening relationships with physicians and community stakeholders to further grow the services at the hospitals and surgery center.”

Cope has an MBA and bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fullerton. He serves on the Mesa United Way Board of Directors and previously served on the Board of Directors for YMCA Mesa and East Valley Senior Services.

“I look forward to working with the physicians, board of directors, staff, volunteers and key stakeholders at the respective facilities,” says Cope. “Each of these facilities has unique strengths, and I want to continue to develop programs that serve the needs of our community while working to enhance the quality of care we deliver.”

St. Luke’s Medical Center, Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital and the Biltmore Surgical & Recovery Care Center are all part of Tennessee-based IASIS Healthcare. St. Luke’s Medical Center is a 235-bed tertiary care facility offering a full range of medical services and centers of excellence including cardiovascular, orthopedics, bariatrics, cardiopulmonary services, and physical rehabilitation. The 103-bed Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital offers a full range of services including emergency, surgical, maternity, wound care, diagnostics and pain management in a caring, community hospital atmosphere. Biltmore Surgical & Recovery Care Center is an upscale surgical facility in central Phoenix where physicians specialize in general surgery, ophthalmology, orthopedic, plastic surgery, urology, orthognastic, dental and otolaryngology procedures.

Phoenix, Ariz. (September 20, 2007) – Richard Heuser, M.D., FACC, FACP, Chief of Cardiology at St. Luke’s Medical Center, is one of the first  in the Country to offer a new treatment option to people suffering from the debilitating effects of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). With the help of the Diamondback 360˚™ Orbital Atherectomy System – new technology used in the treatment of PAD – Dr. Heuser is able to provide new hope for treating the disease.

Peripheral Arterial Disease is a life-threatening condition where plaque builds up inside the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to legs and arms. The build-up of plaque causes the arteries to harden and narrow creating a condition called atherosclerosis, which reduces blood flow to the legs and feet. PAD can cause claudication; heavy, tired or painful legs or feet. If allowed to progress, PAD can lead to Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI), which may result in amputation of the leg.

Over 12 million people in the US alone suffer from PAD, which can cause debilitating pain in the legs. It is estimated that less than two million people are actually diagnosed with PAD and less than 700,000 are treated each year.

As one of the pioneering physicians dedicated to exploring medical advances to improve the odds for patients with PAD, Dr. Heuser says the new orbital atherectomy system from Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. (CSI) may have come full-circle. The device uses a unique orbital motion with an off-set, diamond coated “crown” to sand away the plaque. As the crown rotates and orbit increases, centrifugal force action presses the crown against the lesion or plaque, removing a small amount of plaque with each orbit. The orbital motion is designed to create a smooth vessel opening or lumen, which may improve blood flow.

By striving to answer the need for a safer, more effective procedure to treat a wider range of disease states including tough, calcified plaque, the Diamondback 360˚™ System optimizes the ability to remove plaque and restore flow for treating the disease  —  ultimately improving the patient’s quality of life and saving limbs.

For further information, please contact Morgan Cooper, Director of Marketing at St. Luke’s Medical Center.
Office 602.251.8890 or Cell 602.689.9420.

 This year, St. Luke’s Medical Center, is celebrating its 100 Year Anniversary.  St. Luke’s Medical Center has a history of many firsts in treating heart disease. St. Luke’s is the first hospital where heart bypass surgery and angioplasty procedures were performed in Arizona. 

Contact:
Morgan Cooper, Director of Marketing
St. Luke’s Medical Center, 602.251.8890
1800 E. Van Buren Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85006
E-mail: mcooper@iasishealthcare.com

April 20, 2007 (Phoenix, AZ) – Mesa General Hospital, Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital, and St. Luke’s Medical Center have partnered with Southwest Ambulance to introduce the “Envelope for Life” program to their neighboring communities on April 20. “Envelope for Life” is a tool allowing the public to share personal health information that could aid EMS personnel when they arrive at a home in the event of a medical emergency.

Media are invited to attend on April 20 as personnel from these hospitals and Southwest Ambulance walk door-to-door through facility neighboring areas to deliver and encourage use of the potentially life-saving “Envelope for Life” kits.

• Mesa General Hospital Main Lobby at 6:00 AM
• Tempe St. Lukes Hospital Main Lobby at 8:30 AM
• St. Lukes Medical Center EMS Entrace for ER at 11:00 AM

The self-contained “Envelope for Life” kit includes a form to share medical information and history, medications, past illnesses, and emergency contact information. The information is then stored in an envelope and placed inside the refrigerator. A magnet with a special logo is then placed on the front of the refrigerator to alert first responders that the “envelope” is inside.

“This tool can speak for patients that are not able to speak for themselves during a medical emergency,” said Josh Weiss, Public Information Officer for Southwest Ambulance. “The kit helps emergency crews learn crucial patient information that may help in diagnosing what the current medical emergency is, or maybe more importantly, what it is not. “We’re very excited to partner with Mesa General Hospital, Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital, and St. Luke’s Medical Center in this potentially life saving tool.”

The kit is offered free to the community and is also available online when clicking on the “Envelope for Life” icon when visiting:

www.mesageneralhospital.com,
www.tempestlukeshospital.com,
or www.stlukesmedcenter.com

John Blenkinsopp, ED Director at St. Luke’s Medical Center said, “Having the right information when an emergency strikes is critical to providing the right care at the right time. At St Luke’s Medical Center ED, we also strive for shorter wait times for walk in patients and to transfer care of our ambulance patients to our qualified ED staff quickly.” Blenkinsopp states that, “The ‘envelope for life’ will make that transfer of care much easier, especially if the patient is unable to speak for themselves due to illness or injury. This initiative will save lives!”

IASIS Healthcare's Arizona operations include St. Luke’s Medical Center, St. Luke’s Behavioral Health, Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital, Mesa General Hospital, and Mountain Vista Medical Center, which is currently under construction in Mesa, Arizona and expected to open Summer 2007, Biltmore Surgical and Recovery Care Center, and Health Choice Arizona, a health plan providing access to over 115,600 Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System members.

Contact:
Morgan Cooper, St. Luke’s Medical Center
602-251-8890

Josh Weiss, Southwest Ambulance
602-739-0546

Feb. 2007 (Phoenix, AZ) – St. Luke’s Medical Center has named Nancy Crabtree, RN, MSN as chief nursing officer. In this position, she will oversee the clinical operations of the 235-bed tertiary care hospital in downtown Phoenix.

Crabtree has a distinguished career in nursing leadership and has served in a variety of management roles. Prior to joining St. Luke’s Medical Center, Crabtree was with Vanguard Health Systems where she served in an executive position since 2001; first as the chief nursing officer/operations officer for Phoenix Memorial Hospital, and as Chief Nursing Officer of West Valley Hospital since 2004.

“As an accomplished nursing executive with nine years experience in the Phoenix area, Nancy brings strong leadership skills and operational excellence to St. Luke’s Medical Center,” said Paul Jenson, CEO of St. Luke’s Medical Center. “She will focus on enhancing the patient experience, the recruitment and retention of nurses, and the professional development of the nursing and clinical staff.”

Crabtree has been a nurse for 30 years, 25 of which she has served in a chief nursing capacity. Crabtree has both a bachelor of science in nursing and a masters of science in nursing from the University of Phoenix. “My vision for St. Luke’s Medical Center is to successfully and collaboratively work with our physicians to provide quality care for all patients with courtesy and compassion. St. Luke’s nursing also supports a belief in a holistic approach to patient care, which includes not only the physical, but also the psychological, emotional, social and spiritual needs of our patients and their significant others.”

ST. LUKE’S MEDICAL CENTER
St. Luke’s Medical Center is a 235-bed, multi-specialty hospital in downtown Phoenix. St. Luke’s offers a full range of healthcare services and programs, with a strong emphasis on surgical services, including cardiovascular, neurological, orthopedic, and bariatric procedures. The hospital utilizes some of the most advanced technology available, including a robotic surgical system for some procedures. In 2005, St Luke’s opened a brand new, state-of-the-art emergency department to ensure quality emergent care. For more information, contact 602.251.8100 or visit: www.stlukesmedcenter.com.

Contact:
Morgan Cooper, Director of Marketing
St. Luke’s Medical Center, 602.251.8890
1800 E. Van Buren Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85006
E-mail: mcooper@iasishealthcare.com

April 20, 2005 (Phoenix, AZ) – St. Luke’s Behavioral Health Center is expanding its care for the growing number of people in the East Valley needing outpatient services for drug and alcohol abuse. The St. Luke’s Outpatient Services center opened its new location at 460 N. Mesa Drive, Suite 110.

“We expanded to accommodate a growing need for care,” says Judy Trammell, Outpatient Services Coordinator, St. Luke’s Behavioral Health Center. “We treat individuals with drug and alcohol abuse issues and the length of our program is 8 to 10 weeks.”

Trammell added that another important feature to this site is the addition of services for teenagers ages 13 to 17. In 2001, nearly 17 million people in the United States, ages 12 or older were dependent on either alcohol or illicit drugs.

Most insurance plans are accepted. For more information about the program, please call 602-251-8535.

St. Luke’s Behavioral Hospital began in 1969 with a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health as a 20-bed unit on the 3rd floor of St. Luke’s Medical Center. Today, the hospital has 85-licensed beds to treat adults, adolescents and children for a wide range of psychiatric conditions and chemical dependency. The hospital utilizes many innovative programs, including recreational therapy in the treatment of its patients.

March 23, 2005 (Phoenix, AZ) – The Easter Bunny along with the help of Volunteers and members of the Food Services Staff at St. Luke’s Medical Center is hosting its annual Easter egg hunt, Saturday, March 26th at 9am on the campus of St. Luke’s Medical Center at 1800 E. Van Buren Street.

Hundreds of children from the Luke Krohn Community Center will be on hand to get a jump on finding hidden candy and Easter eggs. St. Luke’s Medical Center employees are encouraged to join in on the holiday fun as well. Free food will also be served as part of the celebration and the community center is giving away 1,000 Easter baskets.

The annual Easter Egg Hunt provides a great live shot for a morning show.

St. Luke’s Medical Center is a 235-bed, multi-specialty hospital in downtown Phoenix. St. Luke’s offers a full range of healthcare services and programs, with a strong emphasis on surgical services, including cardiovascular, neurological, orthopedic, and bariatric procedures. The hospital utilizes some of the most advanced technology available, including a robotic surgical system for some procedures.

March 7, 2005 (Phoenix, AZ) – St. Luke’s Medical Center’s exciting ER expansion and upcoming 100-year anniversary celebration has the hospital recruiting additional volunteers. Volunteer staff work from just a couple of hours a day to a couple of days a week. One St. Luke’s volunteer says working at the hospital keeps her healthy.

"I had a heart attack awhile back. Volunteering keeps my heart going,” says Dorothy Caudle, who has been volunteering St. Luke’s Medical Center Cath Lab for 15 years. “ I call it a lift of life and the people here are the reason I stay. They take care of me and love me."

There are volunteer positions available in several areas including:

• 2nd floor Surgical Waiting Room
• Emergency Room “Meeter & Greeter”
• Main Reception
• Admitting
• Plant Services
• Human Resources
• Adult Psych
• Dietary
• Medical Staffing
• Generations Senior Health Care for 55+

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please call 602-251-8480.

St. Luke’s Medical Center is a 235-bed, multi-specialty hospital in downtown Phoenix. St. Luke’s offers a full range of healthcare services and programs, with a strong emphasis on surgical services, including cardiovascular, neurological, orthopedic, and bariatric procedures. The hospital utilizes some of the most advanced technology available, including a robotic surgical system for some procedures.

Contact:
Morgan Cooper
Direct: (602) 251-8158
Pager: (602) 450-0209
Cell: (602) 722-9737
E-mail: mcooper@iasishealthcare.com

October 15, 2004 (Phoenix, AZ) – St. Luke’s Medical Center is proud to announce a major medical breakthrough. St. Luke’s Medical Center was the first hospital in the southwest to perform Coronary Bypass using the Da Vinci surgical robot. That means the patient’s heart was fully operated on without the traditional opening of the chest. Patients receiving the breakthrough treatment are expected to recover faster from the operation.

“The trauma to the patient is reduced because you are not breaking the sternum and the heart and lungs are able to still function during the surgery” says Dr. Allen Raczowski, Cardio-Vascular surgeon at St. Luke’s Medical Center. “The da Vinci® robotic surgical system allows surgeons to perform a minimally invasive procedure, the patient is far less likely to suffer complications following surgery.”

Approximately 350,000 people in the United States undergo CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting) each year. In robotic surgery, the surgeon is seated at a console a few feet away from the patient. The surgeon sees a 3-d image of the surgical field while operating through tiny incisions made with small-diameter instruments. The instruments replicate the exact movements of the surgeon’s hands and wrists. Only a handful of Cardio-Vascular Surgeons across the United States have performed dVCR (da Vinci® Cardiac Revascularization) using the Intuitive Surgical (Nasdaq-ISRG) da Vinci®.

St. Luke’s Medical Center is a 235-bed, multi-specialty hospital in downtown Phoenix. St. Luke’s offers a full range of healthcare services and programs, with a strong emphasis on surgical services, including cardiovascular, neurological, orthopedic, and bariatric procedures. The hospital utilizes some of the most advanced technology available, including a robotic surgical system for some procedures.

Contact:
Morgan Cooper
Direct: (602) 251-8158
Pager: (602) 450-0209
Cell: (602) 722-9737
E-mail: mcooper@iasishealthcare.com

September 30, 2004 (Phoenix, AZ) – It looked like 16-year-old Rafael Gutierrez’ soccer aspirations were over, but thanks to the teamwork of St. Luke’s Medical Center along with Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Michael Lee, the teenager is getting a second chance. The Valley high school student is having much needed knee surgery tomorrow at 10:00am at the Biltmore Surgical and Recovery Care Center at 2222 E. Highland Avenue, Suite 100.

The knee injury happened while Gutierrez was playing soccer. The Gutierrez family is one of several thousand in Arizona who cannot afford medical insurance, but also cannot qualify for assistance. The injury left Gutierrez in a lot of pain and with nowhere to turn.

“We have a physician who works frequently with St. Vincent De Paul in providing medical care to people who can’t afford it, but can’t qualify for assistance either,” says Scott Winslow, Chief Operating Officer at St. Luke’s Medical Center. “Dr. Michael Lee gathered together a team of doctors to perform the surgery on the 16 year old because he was in a lot of pain. The only missing piece was where to perform the surgery and St. Luke’s gladly made arrangements with its sister facility at the Biltmore Surgical Center.”

Media is welcome to speak with the surgeon and the family.

St. Luke’s Medical Center is a 225-bed, multi-specialty hospital in downtown Phoenix. St. Luke’s offers a full range of healthcare services and programs, with a strong emphasis on surgical services, including cardiovascular, neurological, orthopedic, and bariatric procedures. The hospital utilizes some of the most advanced technology available, including a robotic surgical system for some procedures.

June 11, 2004 – St. Luke’s Medical Center announced the construction of a 60,000-square-foot medical office building on its campus that will house 50 new physicians. Additionally, construction of the hospital’s Emergency Department expansion will begin with a ground-breaking ceremony June 14 at 2 p.m.

The $6 million expansion and renovation of the Emergency Department will nearly double the size of the existing ED and increase its service capacity by 60 percent. When complete, the ED will have 27 treatment rooms, including 15 for exams, eight for fast-track urgent care, two for trauma and two for triage. Two vehicle canopies will be built to accommodate ambulances and patient vehicles at separate entrances. The project is expected to take nine months to complete.

The ED construction will change the face of the east side of the hospital campus along 19th Street while the new medical office building will add a high-profile, four-story building to the west side on 18th Street.

The medical building will be dedicated to leased medical office space and be connected to the main floor of the hospital. Construction is scheduled to begin in December 2004 with completion expected in the fall of 2005. Healthcare Development Partners, a national healthcare real estate firm, has been retained by the hospital to develop, market and lease the new building, which has an estimated value of $8 million to $9 million.

The nine-story hospital tower at St. Luke’s Medical Center hospital was built in 1969 and has an existing six-story medical office building adjoining its northwest end that is fully occupied.

“These construction projects will help us keep pace with the growth of our patient volume and give us much-needed room to grow by adding space for new physicians,” said Dolores Horvath, CEO of St. Luke’s Medical Center. “The end result of this expansion will help us serve our patients and community better.”

St. Luke’s Medical Center is a 225-bed, multi-specialty hospital in downtown Phoenix, with specialty centers for heart and vascular services, orthopaedics, and bariatric surgery.

Contact:
Jeff Davis
(602) 251-8158

April 15, 2004 – St. Luke’s Medical Center is hosting a free seminar on a new outpatient treatment for acid reflux on Tuesday, April 27 at 6 p.m. at the Biltmore Medical Mall Education Conference Center, 2222 E. Highland Ave., Suite 204, Phoenix.

Dr. Mohammad N. Kahn, a gastroenterologist and one of the first physicians in the valley to use this treatment, will describe the procedure, called Enteryx®, and answer questions. Enteryx® offers an alternative treatment for acid reflux, particularly for patients using medication to treat their symptoms.

Acid reflux is called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, and it afflicts 15 million people in the United States. The symptoms of acid reflux can affect a person’s quality of life and potentially can result in significant damage to the esophagus.

To register for the seminar, please call St. Luke’s Medical Center at (602) 251-8416.

Contact:
Jeff Davis
(602) 251-8158