Physician, Family Medicine

Utah mother's breast cancer battle underscores need for early screening. By Helene Elliott on October 10, 2026 Read Daily News In January 2025, Dani Kurtz felt a lump in her right armpit only weeks before a scheduled mammogram. Although the subsequent mammogram returned a normal result, the persistent lump prompted further investigation. Additional imaging, including an ultrasound and magnetic resonance scan, uncovered seven tumors across both breasts. A biopsy later confirmed the presence of cancer, delivering the diagnosis she had feared. Discover more Optimize Ops Find Suppliers Dense breast tissue can hide tumors. Kurtz, a former labor-and-delivery nurse now working in human resources for Intermountain Healthcare, explained that women with dense breast tissue are often warned that standard mammography may miss tumors. Dense tissue appears white on a mammogram, the same color as cancerous growths, making it difficult for radiologists to differentiate between normal and abnormal tissue. This limitation is a key reason why supplemental tests such as ultrasounds or MRIs are recommended for women with high breast density. Order Calendars Following her diagnosis, Kurtz underwent a bilateral mastectomy and completed sixteen rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, finishing treatment by the end of 2025. She described the journey as challenging but ultimately concluding with a sense of relief, noting, "There was a day I didn't think it would end, but it did." Now an advocate for proactive health care, Kurtz urges other women - especially mothers and caregivers - to prioritize their own well-being. She stresses the importance of listening to one's body, speaking up about any changes, and engaging in open dialogue with physicians who can determine whether further testing is warranted. Utah pushes for higher screening rates. Dr. Jonathan Shakespear, medical director of Intermountain Medical Center's Breast Care Center, highlighted that regular mammography saves lives. He acknowledged that busy schedules often deter women from timely screening, but emphasized that even infrequent mammograms are better than none. According to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, 63.8% of women aged 40 and older in the state have had a mammogram within the past two years. The state has set a goal to raise that figure to 81% by 2030, aiming to catch cancers earlier when they are more treatable. Find Treatments To facilitate easier access, Intermountain Health introduced an online scheduling platform that lets patients compare available mammography appointments across multiple locations and book directly. The tool is designed to reduce wait times, allowing a woman who might face a two-week delay at one site to find a next-day opening elsewhere. Kurtz reflected on life after treatment, noting a family saying that adversity can either make one bitter or better. She chose the latter, expressing gratitude for her experience and encouraging others to adopt a similar outlook. Overall, Kurtz's story illustrates both the personal challenges of a breast cancer diagnosis and the broader public-health imperative to improve screening accessibility, especially for women with dense breast tissue. Helene Elliott is the Lead Science & Space Reporter at News Raise. She reports on aerospace missions, astrophysics discoveries, quantum research, and environmental technology. Helene Elliott Helene Elliott is the Lead Science & Space Reporter at News Raise. She reports on aerospace missions, astrophysics discoveries, quantum research, and environmental technology. Try Science Kits

Intermountain Health opens new Specialty Clinic and Cancer Center in Saratoga Springs. Oct 8, 2026 Expanded services now available, thanks to opening of new Intermountain Health Specialty Clinic and Cancer Center in Saratoga Springs, Utah SARATOGA SPRINGS, UT (PRUnderground) October 9th, 2026 Intermountain Health is expanding access to specialized care close to home with the opening of the new Saratoga Springs Specialty Clinic and Cancer Center. Intermountain Health built the new 48,000-square-foot facility on its existing campus, which also includes emergency services and a surgery center. This expansion creates a connected campus, allowing patients to receive more of their care in one convenient location. The clinic opens Monday, Oct. 12, and will serve Saratoga Springs, Eagle Mountain, west Lehi, and other nearby communities. "We're proud to bring this level of coordinated care closer to the families we serve," said Jason Wilson, president of Intermountain Health American Fork Hospital. "This is one of Utah's fastest-growing areas, and we will help ensure people here have the medical care they need." Services include cardiology, gastroenterology, orthopedics and sports medicine, women's health and pediatrics. The cancer center will offer medical oncology, radiation oncology, infusion therapy, survivorship support and advanced radiation treatment. "When someone is going through cancer treatment, being close to home matters," said Tawnya Bowles, MD, senior medical director for oncology at Intermountain. "This center will help patients stay connected to family, work, and daily life while receiving compassionate, high-quality care." The expanded campus will help reduce barriers to care, including travel times. "Bringing these services together makes it easier for providers to collaborate and for patients to get the care they need in one place," said Lyndsey Russell, market vice president of Medical Group operations for Intermountain. Caregivers and community members are excited for what this will mean in the community. "This is more than a new building," Wilson said. "It represents trusted care and a healthier future for families across this growing community." NOTE TO MEDIA: Additional images available upon request. About Intermountain Health Headquartered in Utah with locations in six states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Health is a nonprofit system of 34 hospitals, approximately 400 clinics, medical groups with some 4,600 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a nonprofit health plan called Select Health with more than one million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. For up-to-date information and announcements, please see the Intermountain Health newsroom at https://news.intermountainhealth.org/. For more information, see intermountainhealth.org/ or call 801-442-2000. Press Contact. Name: Glen Beeby Phone: 801-442-3217 Email: Contact Us Oct 9, 2026 YOUR NEWS, OUR NETWORK. Be it updates about your business or your community, you can make sure that it's heard by submitting your story to its network reaching hundreds of news sites across 6 verticals.

Cone Health hires new chief physician executive. By RICHARD CRAVER, News & Record, Greensboro, N.C. The Tribune Content Agency October 6, 2026 9:42 AM Gift Article Cone Health announced Monday that Dr. Alexander Ramirez has been named as the system's chief physician executive. Ramirez joins Cone from Intermountain Health of Salt Lake City, Utah, where he served as associate chief medical officer for specialty care. He oversaw specialty care across a region spanning more than 20 hospitals and an ambulatory care network. Ramirez also has worked with Kaiser Permanente, the parent corporation of Risant Health, which acquired Cone on December 2024. Ramirez is a board-certified otolaryngologist and facial plastic surgeon. As Cone's chief physician executive, Ramirez's responsibilities include strengthening physician relations and driving the system's performance in quality, safety and patient outcomes.