Banner Health

10/29/2026

Your heart has four valves that keep blood flowing in the right direction. When a valve becomes narrowed or starts leaking, your heart may have to work harder to pump blood throughout your body.

The good news? There are several treatment options available, and the right choice depends on your individual needs.

Heart valve disease treatment options like repair or replacement depend on valve type, severity, age and overall health. Learn more with Banner Health.

10/29/2026

Healthy relationships bring us closer together — but they also leave room for us to be ourselves.

Have you ever felt guilty for saying no, struggled to make decisions without someone else's approval, or felt responsible for another person's emotions? Blurry boundaries may be playing a role.

Enmeshment can make boundaries feel blurry in families or romantic relationships. Banner Health explains the signs and tips for setting healthier boundaries.

10/27/2026

Is your little one asking to feed again just minutes after eating? Take a deep breath — you may be experiencing cluster feeding!

Cluster feeding can feel exhausting, but it is often normal in newborns. Banner Health shares why it happens, how long it lasts and when to ask for help.

10/27/2026

Is there one easy way to improve your skin care? Sunscreen. Gurman Dhaliwal, MD, a dermatology provider with Banner Health, shares why this simple step matters for your skin.

10/27/2026

Young patients, their families, and hospital team members are getting to experience a bit of early Halloween cheer thanks to a fun donation from Curtis Orthodontics. Every year, Curtis Orthodontics offices host a contest for creatively decorated pumpkins which are then donated to Banner Children's at Desert. From pumpkins portraying Frozen's Olaf to Kermit the Frog and Pikachu, the creative gourds are sure to bring smiles to all who walk through the halls during Halloween season.

10/26/2026

Protein shakes and powders are everywhere these days! From gym enthusiasts looking to build muscle to people trying to improve their nutrition, these supplements promise plenty of benefits. But are they really necessary? And how do you know which one is right for you?

Protein powders can help some people meet protein needs but they aren’t right for everyone. Learn who may benefit, safety concerns and what to check first.

10/26/2026

One of the best ways to catch signs that you could be developing breast cancer is to practice breast self-awareness. It’s about noticing any changes over time during your daily activities, like getting dressed, showering or stretching, without pressure. When you’re aware of your body, you can quickly spot any new or unusual changes that might need attention.

Breast self-awareness is a key way of staying mindful of how your breasts normally look and feel, so you can spot any changes. Here’s what you should know.

10/24/2026

Cloudy or foamy urine? Don't ignore the signs. Your urine can offer clues about your health and changes in its appearance may be worth paying attention to.

Frothy or cloudy urine isn’t always serious. Learn common causes, what other symptoms to watch for and when urine changes may need medical attention.

10/23/2026

When your child has heart surgery, bringing them home is a major milestone — but recovery doesn’t end at discharge.

From managing activity and medications to recognizing warning signs and attending follow-up appointments, knowing what to expect can help parents feel more confident as their child heals.

Banner Health shares what to expect after a child’s congenital heart surgery, including hospital recovery, home care, activity, feeding and warning signs.

10/22/2026

After a head injury, it’s important to know what to watch for — even if you feel fine at first. Symptoms of a concussion or other serious injury can develop hours or days later.

Head injury symptoms may appear hours or days later. Banner Health shares warning signs like worsening headache, vomiting, confusion and behavior changes.

10/16/2026

👁️ When you need specialized eye care, traveling far from home isn’t always necessary.

Samuel M. Jeng, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist who provides eye care and surgery for patients in Fort Morgan and Brush several times each month.

Dr. Jeng brings more than two decades of ophthalmology experience to his practice. He completed his medical training at the University of California, Irvine, followed by an ophthalmology residency at Mayo Clinic. His areas of care include cataracts, glaucoma and other eye conditions, as well as cataract surgery and other ophthalmic procedures.

By bringing specialty care closer to home, East Morgan County Hospital helps make it easier for patients in our community to access the care they need: bannerhealth.com/locations/brush/east-morgan-county-hospital/eye.

10/14/2026

Not every health concern requires a trip to the emergency room. But knowing when you do need emergency care can make all the difference.
A simple way to think about it:

🚨 Emergency room: For serious or potentially life-threatening illnesses and injuries.
🏥 Walk-in or same-day care: For non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries that need prompt attention.
🩺 Primary care: For routine care, preventive services and ongoing health needs.

When you're unsure, your primary care team can help you understand where to go for the care you need. And if you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.

10/10/2026

Taking care of yourself isn't just about physical health. Making time to check in with yourself, talk with someone you trust and seek support when you need it can be an important part of your overall well-being.

If you're struggling, you don't have to figure everything out on your own. Consider talking with your primary care provider about what you're experiencing and what resources may be available to you.

This World Mental Health Day, let's make space for conversations about mental health and remind ourselves that asking for help is a sign of strength.

For support and more information, visit: www.bannerhealth.com/services/behavioral-health.

10/09/2026

On Saturday, Oct. 3, East Morgan County Hospital’s “Lost but Walking” team joined the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Fort Morgan, raising $2,354 for a cause that is deeply meaningful to our team and the Banner Health community.

Throughout the year, team members raised funds through a bake sale, tamale and empanada sale and individual donations. Their commitment made this incredible total possible.

We’re proud of the team members and family who showed up to walk and support the cause:
- Candice Martin, Supervisor, Brush Family Medicine
- Payton Martin, Candice’s daughter
- Emily Thorpe, daughter of CEO Linda Thorpe
- Linda Thorpe, CEO
- Meg Powell, Patient Financial Services Representative, Brush Family Medicine
- Anthony Powell, Meg’s son, who also joined the walk

Thank you to everyone who donated, participated and helped make this year’s event such a success. We’re already looking ahead to next year!

And if you’d still like to support the cause, donations are welcome. You can scan the QR code on the photos to contribute.

10/08/2026

We’re pleased to welcome Marci Givens as the new Chief Nursing Officer at East Morgan County Hospital!

Marci brings more than 20 years of nursing and health care experience, including 17 years with Banner Health in clinical, quality, risk and infection prevention roles. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at Yuma District Hospital and Clinics, an independent Critical Access Hospital.

As a Certified Rural Hospital CNO, Marci brings valuable experience and a deep passion for rural health care. She’s excited to return to Banner Health and to bring her knowledge of rural health care, Banner and East Morgan County Hospital to her new role.

Marci is passionate about building strong teams and creating meaningful experiences for patients and the people who care for them, and we’re excited to have her back on the Banner team!

A little more about Marci: She was born and raised in rural Northeast Colorado and has called Morgan County home for the past 24 years. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her husband, adult children and dogs, caring for her indoor and outdoor plants and catching a good sunset.

Please join us in welcoming Marci to East Morgan County Hospital!

10/06/2026

A patient’s gratitude turned into a special recognition for five members of the East Morgan County Hospital perioperative team.

Cory Takahashi, RN; Paula Carlson, RN; Amanda Rae Carmin, RN; Mariana Leyva, surgical technician; and Jessica Hernandez, surgical technician, were each recognized with a Banner Health Hero Award after a patient nominated them for the kindness, professionalism and teamwork they demonstrated throughout her care.

“What impressed me most was not only the kindness and professionalism each nurse showed to me, but also the respect they demonstrated toward one another. It was evident that they function as a true team.”

Congratulations to this incredible team, and thank you for helping patients feel safe, heard and cared for at East Morgan County Hospital.

10/05/2026

🫁 October is Healthy Lung Month. A great time to learn more about your lung health and the care available when you need a little extra support.

So, what does a respiratory therapist do?

Respiratory therapists are health care professionals who specialize in caring for the lungs and respiratory system. They may help patients who are experiencing breathing difficulties or managing respiratory conditions, and they can provide treatments and support to help improve breathing.

You may need respiratory therapy if you’re experiencing shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or other respiratory concerns, or if your health care team recommends respiratory care as part of your treatment.

Across our hospitals, respiratory therapy teams are here to help patients breathe easier and receive the care they need, close to home.

If you have concerns about your breathing or lung health, talk with your health care provider about whether respiratory care may be right for you. Schedule an appointment today: www.bannerhealth.com/physician-directory.

Take a deep breath. Take care of your lungs.

10/04/2026

🎉 Happy 5th Banniversary, Kimberly! 🎉

Please join us in celebrating Kimberly Hidalgo, a Medical Assistant with Brush Family Medicine at East Morgan County Hospital, who is celebrating five years with Banner Health!

Since joining the team on October 4, 2021, Kimberly has continued to grow in her career while balancing life as a full-time mom and student. She’s currently working toward her goal of applying to Banner’s nursing program so she can continue her education and grow her career in health care.

Her daughter, Ehlani, is a huge part of what motivates Kimberly to keep working toward her goals.

“I am very grateful for my job and the opportunities Banner has given to me to learn, grow, and do what I love doing.”

We’re so grateful to have you on the team, Kimberly! Congratulations on five years! 💙

10/03/2026

On Saturday, September 26, East Morgan County Hospital sponsored two teams at the Morgan County United Way’s 8th annual event, “United We Race, United We Belong.”

The first team, “Not Today Heifers,” consisted of Thanairy Phillips and Megan Powell from Brush Family Medicine and the second team, “Senioritis,” consisted of Thanairy’s husband, Brenden Phillips and Megan Powell’s son, Anthony Powell (who is a senior in high school, thus the team name).

In the finals, Thanairy and Megan placed 5th, and Brenden and Anthony placed 3rd, after finishing in the top 8 to qualify for the finals.

We are SO proud of all of them for representing East Morgan County Hospital for such a great cause! They were all excited to participate and plan to attend again next year.

10/02/2026

✨ Do you believe in magic? ✨ Don't forget to purchase your tickets for the 15th Annual East Morgan County Hospital Foundation Fall Affair on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at the Morgan County Fairgrounds!

This year's magical theme is all about imagination, so come dressed as your favorite magical character or inspiration. From Harry Potter and Bewitched to Lord of the Rings, Practical Magic, Merlin and more…the possibilities are endless! 🪄

This annual event helps support East Morgan County Hospital's capital needs to continue providing quality health care close to home, while also funding scholarships for employees and high school seniors pursuing careers in health care.

Contact Elise or Wendy at (970) 842-4899 with any last-minute questions.

We can't wait for a magical evening supporting our community!