Phoenix-based Banner Health has unveiled an innovative approach to academic medicine with an “institute-model” that delivers patients highly-coordinated care with multiple medical specialty services in one central location. 

As the health care industry continues to evolve and strives to find efficiencies and models of care that generate positive outcomes, Banner Health has embraced this approach and launched Banner – University Medicine Institutes and Centers.

In total, there are 12 specialized-care institutes, each with multiple sub-specialty centers. Each institute is made up of medical experts who deliver coordinated and compassionate care that is focused on the individualized needs of each patient and their loved ones. The variety of centers within each institute means that patients and their families can find the care they need in one location. There are two Banner Institutes location, 1441 E. McDowell Rd. and at 755 E. McDowell Rd., both in central Phoenix.

In 2015, Banner Health merged with the University of Arizona Health Network, forming the Banner – University Medicine Division. Guided by a three-part mission of clinical care delivery, education and research, the organization is redefining the health care experience in new, innovative ways that consumers are coming to expect and demand.

“More frequently, our patients are presenting with multiple complex, chronic conditions,” said Steve Narang, MD, CEO of Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix. “One patient could be facing everything from heart failure, diabetes and reflux, to depression and asthma. Coordinating care for these patients is the holy grail of medicine.”

Traditionally, primary care physicians send patients to different specialists, with tests and appointments often spanning several months, visits and locations.  Patients and their families sometimes cannot find the solutions to their health care needs in their own neighborhoods. Under the institute model that Banner – University Medicine is implementing in the Phoenix area, physicians can refer patients to one institute location where a comprehensive team of experts can collectively evaluate and provide care.

“Our Institute model, which includes various clinics focused on specific health conditions, takes a modern approach giving patients what they are looking for – convenient, easy access to team-based medicine,” Narang said.

 “It’s simply all about meeting the needs of our customers, our patients,” added Narang. “The Banner-University Medicine Institutes every day are attracting world class care-teams to meet those needs.”

The Banner – University Medicine Institutes and Centers are:

The institute providers are faculty with the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. Through a 30-year affiliation agreement between Banner Health and the University of Arizona, Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix is the designated academic medical center for UA’s College of Medicine – Phoenix.