St. Mark's Hospital

11/14/2025

Today, November 14th, we remember the immense courage of Ruby Bridges.

On this day in 1960, just six years old, Ruby became one of the first African American students to integrate into a southern Elementary School, bravely walking past crowds to attend class. To honor her historic steps and commitment to equality, students across the nation walk to school together.

St. Mark's Hospital was proud to show up for the students, families, and staff of William Penn Elementary this morning, fueling their powerful walk with donuts and hot cocoa!

Every step taken today reinforces our collective commitment to kindness and inclusion in our community.

Granite School District HCA Healthcare MountainStar Healthcare

11/14/2025

is the leading cause of cancer deaths in America, according to the American Lung Association. And for many people, there are no symptoms until later stages of the disease. That’s why lung cancer screening is so important. Screening can detect cancer early, when it’s most treatable. It’s performed through a low-dose computerized tomography (CT) scan — an X-ray of your lungs that could lead to life-saving care.

Not sure if you should get screened? Follow these guidelines from HCA Healthcare’s Sarah Cannon Cancer Network. If you’re between age 50 and 80 and you meet at least one of the criteria shown here, you’re eligible for a low-dose CT scan. If you have Medicare, you must be 50 to 77 to be eligible. Talk with your doctor to learn more or schedule an appointment with one of our experts: https://bit.ly/3WSiAgx

11/13/2025

As the 2025 hurricane season winds down, HCA Healthcare – known locally as MountainStar Healthcare – continues its long-standing commitment to preparedness, resilience and compassionate care. Through thoughtful planning, partnerships and the dedication of thousands of colleagues nationwide, we stand ready – whenever and wherever we’re needed most.

"I love helping people be better – whether that’s saving a life, training someone to make better decisions or building a stronger process. I believe in leaving people and places better than I found them," said Chad Wilson, Market Director of EMS & Emergency Management for the HCA Healthcare Mountain Division.

READ: https://bit.ly/4pe6gTX

In October 2024, while teams were still supporting recovery efforts in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton began its approach toward Florida’s Gulf Coast. Chad Wilson was deployed to assist. Chad is a licensed paramedic and former firefighter, so it comes as no surprise that he thrives in high-pressure situations. When approximately 200 patients still needed to be transferred from HCA Florida Largo Hospital, Chad and his teammate arrived to find more than 100 ambulances lined up and ready.

"It was a beautiful sight," he recalled, as the team immediately got to work coordinating transfers.

Chad and the team established a modular free-standing emergency department which allowed our clinical colleagues to continue delivering uninterrupted emergency care. The team also stood up a colleague support center where area staff could drive thru to receive basic essentials like gasoline, food and water when these items were largely inaccessible in the community after the storm.

Chad, thanks for all you do to keep our communities safe – in Utah, Alaska, Florida and beyond! We are lucky to have you!

MountainStar Healthcare | HCA Healthcare

11/12/2025

As part of HCA Healthcare – known locally as MountainStar Healthcare – we’re proud to share that HCA Healthcare is giving $150,000 to veteran support organizations in honor of Veterans Day. Since 2012, HCA Healthcare has hired more than 65,000 veterans, active-duty and reserve personnel and military spouses.

This year, HCA Healthcare is contributing $50,000 each to Operation Stand Down, Creativets and The Honor Foundation – organizations dedicated to helping veterans transition to civilian life and thrive through tailored programs and resources.

We are also honored to share that VIQTORY has recognized HCA Healthcare as a Military Friendly® Employer for the 15th consecutive year, earning the Gold designation for the third year in a row. We’re equally proud to be named a Gold-designated Military Spouse Friendly Employer and ranked among the nation’s top 10 employers for military spouses.

Learn more about HCA Healthcare’s commitment to veterans and military families: https://bit.ly/3WLW8pg

11/11/2025

This , we take a moment to honor the courage and profound sacrifices of our nation’s veterans.

At St. Mark's Hospital, we are particularly proud to recognize our own colleagues who have bravely served. Your commitment to service, both in uniform and now in healthcare, strengthens our mission to care for and improve human life every day!

We held a moving tribute this morning, balancing solemnity with heartfelt gratitude. A special thank you to:
- Brigadier General, U.S. Army, Retired, and Chaplain Resident Joey Green
- The Taylorsville High School JROTC
- Bagpiper Alex Morrill
- ACFO Jeremiah Condie

To all veterans and their families: we extend our deepest gratitude.

HCA Healthcare is proud to employ thousands of military colleagues, having hired more than 60,000 veterans, active duty personnel, and military spouses since 2012. St. Mark's Hospital joins our HCA Healthcare family in recognizing the positive impact veterans have on our communities through their service in and outside of the hospital.

Learn more about HCA's commitment to supporting veterans and their families here: https://bit.ly/43ohH2Q

HCA Healthcare MountainStar Healthcare

11/07/2025

Yesterday we teamed up with Millcreek Promise and had the privilege of hosting students from Utah International Charter School for an educational field trip led by multiple teams from across the hospital. Our colleagues used this as an opportunity to collaborate and educate. A trauma case was presented and our teams and walked the students through every aspect of the case - from arrival, to imaging, to EVS, therapy and more. The day concluded with HR discussing different career paths within HCA Healthcare and our hospital.

Their curiosity and excitement made the day one to remember. It was a great opportunity to share what healthcare looks like in action and to show how many different paths exist within our field. Thank you to everyone who helped make the experience meaningful for the students and for our hospital!

MountainStar Healthcare

11/07/2025

is the leading cause of cancer-related death according to the CDC. Many people don’t know the hidden risks they may be exposed to every day. Common lifestyle risk factors include:

🚬 Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke
💨 Exposure to radon, a colorless and odorless radioactive gas that occurs naturally in soil
🦠 Inhaling hazardous chemicals like asbestos, uranium and other toxic products
🏭 Exposure to particle pollution, such as inhaling tiny particles from exhaust smoke
🎗️ Prior radiation to treat other cancers

In addition to lifestyle risk factors, a family history of lung cancer may also increase your risk. Fortunately, lung cancer is most treatable when it’s caught early. Across our larger HCA Healthcare system of care, Sarah Cannon Cancer Network treats over 12,000 cases each year, bringing deep experience and compassionate care to every patient.

If you think you may have an increased risk for lung cancer based on these risk factors, talk with your doctor or schedule an appointment with one of our experts: https://bit.ly/3LNxylq

11/05/2025

Are you still feeling the impact of the time change? How are you managing the “fall back” clock adjustment? Although it's typically easier to adapt to the fall time change over the one in the spring, it still has an impact on our health.

According to a new analysis by Stanford Medicine scientists, changing clocks twice a year disrupts circadian rhythms, leading to higher rates of stroke and obesity. Researchers compared permanent standard time, permanent daylight saving time and biannual shifting. The team found that, from a circadian perspective, either permanent standard time or permanent daylight saving time would be healthier than our seasonal shifting, with permanent standard time benefitting the most people.

MountainStar Healthcare's facility Chief Medical Officer for Draper's Lone Peak Hospital joined Dan Evans & Kelly Chapman this week on FOX 13 News' Good Day Utah program to talk about the body’s innate clock and how best to handle the time change.

MountainStar Healthcare | HCA Healthcare

11/04/2025

MountainStar Healthcare is thrilled to announce the FIRST graduating class of nurses at Utah’s Galen College of Nursing! Congratulations, graduates!!! 🎉

We are thrilled to help address the nursing shortage across the U.S. and remain committed to advancing the future of nursing in our state.

On October 21, Utah’s newest nurses accepted their diplomas and walked the stage in front of their loved ones. One of those first-ever Galen Salt Lake City, UT Campus graduates is Shanna Dufner – a long-time Labor & Delivery scrub technician at our MountainStar Healthcare sister facility, Cache Valley Hospital! Shanna spent the past two years working to earn her Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and has plans to continue her education there to receive her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Shanna and Timpanogos Regional Hospital Chief Nursing Officer, Katie King, recently joined Morgan Saxton on Fox 13's The PLACE to talk about their nursing career journeys. WATCH: https://bit.ly/4hLgb0E via FOX 13 News

"HCA Healthcare's support made all the difference for me. The financial and professional support created a space for me to follow this dream... knowing that my company believed in me and wanted to invest in my education made it possible. It showed me that they truly value their nurses and want to see us grow," Shanna said.

MountainStar Healthcare | HCA Healthcare

10/31/2025

Our tiniest trick-or-treaters were ready for their close-up this Halloween!

This year’s lineup features a brave pirate, a beautiful princess, twins dressed as Buzz and Woody, and a sweet little mermaid. Our NICU babies celebrated their first spooky season in style, surrounded by a team that loves cheering them on.

At St. Mark’s Hospital, our Level III NICU provides advanced, compassionate care for newborns who need a little extra support. We’re proud to help these little ones grow stronger every day.

| MountainStar Healthcare | HCA Healthcare

10/29/2025

Today is World Stroke Day 2025.

Stroke remains the second-leading cause of death in the world. There are an estimated 17 million strokes worldwide each year. On January 17, 2024, Silivenusi "Nusi" Tukuafu was just 50 years old and despite thinking he was "too young" to have a stroke, the Utah man became one of those stroke statistics. When he woke up and suddenly couldn’t move his left arm, his wife, Arnetia, knew he needed to get help fast. Thankfully, she called 911 right away and Nusi was taken by ambulance to St. Mark's Hospital – a Comprehensive Stroke Center – near the family's home. Once there, Nusi received an intravenous clot-busting drug 18 minutes after arriving at the ER, putting his "door-to-needle" time well within the 60-minute time frame recommended by the American Heart Association.

READ: https://bit.ly/3LhEuqN via American Stroke Association

Every minute counts to save lives and protect long-term brain function.

Join the stroke community on October 29 to:
➡️ Raise awareness of the serious nature of stroke
➡️ Increase knowledge of risk factors for stroke
➡️ Advance recognition of warning signs of stroke (F.A.S.T.)
➡️ Talk about ways to reduce the burden of stroke
➡️ Advocate for action to improve access to treatment and care

MountainStar Healthcare | HCA Healthcare

Nusi’s quick stroke treatment may have saved his life. Read his survivor story and learn why every second counts when it comes to stroke care.

10/27/2025

Our Trunk-or-Treat was a spooktacular success at St. Mark’s Hospital this weekend! Thank you to all of our colleagues who volunteered and to everyone in our community who joined in on the fun.

As you get ready for Halloween night, don’t let safety give you a fright. Check out these tips to help keep your festivities safe and sweet: https://bit.ly/4qA5EcM

| MountainStar Healthcare | HCA Healthcare