Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital

07/08/2025

It’s almost here! The brand-new Primary Children’s Hospital – Taylorsville Campus is opening in just a few weeks, and we'd love to give you a sneak peek!

Join us for a Community Open House on Saturday, August 23, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
🏥 Tour our beautiful new facility
🌟 See innovative features designed for world-class pediatric behavioral health care
🎨 Explore child-informed spaces filled with color and comfort
💙 Meet the caregivers who will be serving children and families across our region
This is your chance to step inside before we officially open our doors — and see how we’re bringing the nation’s model health system for children closer to home.

Please visit this link to register and learn more:
https://www.eventcreate.com/e/taylorsville-opening-open-house?fbclid=IwY2xjawMCFi5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFwZ0hCSHFyZ3JEaE56WXloAR7fwh0hzKzRFAaPPuZz1uiPPVyhXaYpjeZlZK7kZK9nVeL05yzDDf4HvNUvrw_aem_YRr36Ib8pgX3R1wpDDwcDA

25/07/2025

When one person shares their truth, it gives others permission to do the same. Vulnerability builds connection. And that’s where healing begins.

23/07/2025

When your child is struggling, the silence can be heavy. Make it clear that you are there for them, no matter what.

Join the dialogue that matters. https://connect.intermountainhealth.org/teen-mental-health-nv

01/07/2025

Stay safe this fourth of July! Each year, 85,800 children in the U.S. end up headed to the hospital emergency department with serious injuries from fireworks. According to the American Association of Pediatrics, here are three most dangerous fireworks:
🎇 Sparklers — "Sparklers are dangerous because most people assume they’re the perfect firework for kids," said Brad Morris, PA, who is a physician assistant with Intermountain Medical Center's Level I Trauma Program. "But they burn hot and remain hot even after the sparks stop flying. I strongly recommend dropping burnt-up sparklers directly into a bucket of water."
🎆 Aerials — These can be purchased at most firework stands and retail stores. But that doesn't mean they’re toys. In fact, aerials present many hazardous situations that lead to injuries and burns. "Aerials should always be secured to the ground in some manner," said Morris. "You can use a cinder block or something heavy and non-flammable, which will help prevent the firework from tipping over as explosives are launched up into the air."
🧨 Fountains— "Thirty-eight percent of firework injuries are to the face, head, ears, and eyes," notes Morris. Always stand to the side of the fountain and only have one person light them at a time.

18/06/2025

We’re excited to announce Sarah Zobell, MSN, C-PNP, as the new Senior Advanced Practice Director for Children’s Health at Intermountain Health!

Sarah is a dedicated Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with over 14 years of experience at Primary Children’s Hospital. She currently serves as an Advanced Practice Provider and Program Director in the Pediatric Colorectal Center, where she specializes in treating children with anorectal malformations, Hirschsprung’s Disease, and medically refractory constipation.

Sarah earned her BSN from the University of Utah and her MSN through the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Colorado. She has a strong passion for quality improvement, clinical research, and mentoring the next generation of APPs. Since 2019, she has led as the Advanced Practice Director for Pediatric Outpatient Specialties and expanded her leadership in 2023 to include the palliative care APP team.

Outside of her clinical work, Sarah enjoys reading, hiking, gardening, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends. Please join us in congratulating Sarah on this well-deserved new role!

24/05/2025

Tip #3 for supporting your child's emotional wellbeing is to validate.

Let your child know their feelings matter — no judgment needed.

Help them get ready for big emotions by:
• Naming the feeling
• Finding healthy ways to cope (deep breaths, movement, talking, or a fun activity)
• Knowing when to ask for help

And don’t forget to cheer them on as they take emotional risks — like trying out for a team, sharing their opinion, or speaking up for what they believe in!

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3YsXlTH.

Empowering young minds with emotional resilience for a brighter tomorrow.

20/05/2025

After 43 years of dedicated service to children’s health, Katy Welkie is retiring in August.
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Katy started as a licensed practical nurse in 1982 at Primary Children’s Hospital and rose to become its CEO in 2012. She was named vice president of Intermountain Children’s Health in 2019, the senior-most executive for Intermountain Children’s Health.
Katy has been the driving force behind Primary Promise, our bold vision to create the nation’s model health system for children.⁠
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Her leadership helped bring to life major milestones, from the new Primary Children’s Lehi campus to the behavioral health center in Taylorsville, and the groundwork for Nevada’s first standalone children’s hospital.⁠

Welkie’s dedication to children extends beyond her role with Intermountain Health. She has been active in the Children’s Hospital Association and served asa member of the Children’s Hospital Association Board of Directors and as a member of the Quality and Safety Committee for many years.

Welkie attributes much of her success to her predecessors and mentors, including former Primary Children’s Hospital administrators Joe Mott and Joe Horton.

“It’s time for the next generation of leaders to build on our remarkable legacy,” Welkie said. “We have a strong, optimized Children’s Health structure, incredible leaders, talented caregivers, and deep connections with like-minded partner organizations and community leaders, all aligned in a shared dedication to the Child First and Always. I’m proud of our past, and optimistic about our future.”
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Thank you, Katy, for a lifetime of compassion, innovation, and impact. Your legacy will guide generations to come. 💙

10/05/2025

Our second tip this month when it comes to emotional wellbeing, and talking to children is being able to accept how your child is feeling. One of the most powerful messages you can give your child: “All feelings are okay.”

Big feelings, even the tough ones, are normal and temporary. Instead of rushing them to “cheer up” or “calm down,” try this:

• Sit with them.
• Listen without trying to fix it.
• Say things like:
💬 “I’m here with you.”
💬 “It’s okay to feel this way.”
💬 “This feeling won’t last forever.”

Your calm presence helps them feel safe and reminds them they don’t have to face big emotions alone.

05/05/2025

It’s National Nurses Week, and we’re celebrating our amazing team! We’re kicking things off by spotlighting one of our incredible Rockstar nurses: Traci!

Traci has been an RN at Primary Children’s Hospital for 13 years, and her compassion and dedication have made a lasting impact on patients, families, and coworkers alike.

Why nursing?
Traci was inspired by her mom, who was also a nurse in long-term care and rehab. As a child, Traci loved visiting her mom at work and seeing the love and care she showed to her elderly patients. That early experience lit a fire in her to follow the same path.

What does she love most about her job?
Helping kids heal and bringing a little light to their day. Traci says it’s all worth it when she sees a child smile.

A glimpse into her day:
Her mornings start early—4:00 or 4:30 AM—so she can take a little time for herself before heading in. After a drive filled with music or a good book, she kicks off her shift with a team huddle she looks forward to. From there, it’s a full day of compassionate care, helping her team, and finding creative ways to make hospital stays easier for kids—including organizing music, art, and dance therapy to lift spirits!

When the day is done, Traci heads home to unwind, work out, snack, and spend quality time with her husband, daughters, and grandkids.

We’re so grateful for Traci and all she brings to our hospital family. Stay tuned as we continue to highlight the amazing nurses who make a difference every day!

02/05/2025

We love Carlene and everything she does for our patients!

Volunteer Spotlight! Today, we are delighted to highlight Carlene, who has been a dedicated volunteer at Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital for the past year. Carlene, a retired nurse, brings joy and relief to families with the beloved Hospitality Cart, offering hot and cold drinks, fruit, and snacks. Her favorite part of volunteering is seeing the smiles and looks of relief on the parents' faces. Carlene believes in treating her volunteer job with utmost commitment, always showing up and communicating ahead if she cannot. Carlene's advice to volunteers is to treat your little job as a volunteer like it is a real job. When making a commitment, always show up!!

In her free time, Carlene loves to read, play pickleball, sing in a choir, and spend time with her grandkids. Join us in celebrating Carlene’s incredible contributions and achievements! 🎉👏

30/04/2025

We’re so excited to introduce one of our incredible volunteers, Isabelle!

Isabelle is a sophomore at the University of Utah, majoring in Health, Society & Policy, with minors in Pediatric Clinical Research and Psychology. She’s originally from Holladay, Utah, and has been giving her time to Primary Children’s Hospital since high school.

On top of her volunteer work here, Isabelle also assists at the Lung Health Research Center and serves as Director of Philanthropy Events for the Delta Gamma sorority.

Her dream? To attend medical school and become an OB-GYN or Pediatrician.

"My time volunteering at Primary Children's Hospital has been incredibly fulfilling, and I've built meaningful connections that have deepened my passion for both medicine and service. My shifts in the outpatient clubhouse, the NICU, and the inpatient playroom are always the highlights of my week and will continue to be so."

We’re beyond grateful for passionate volunteers like Isabelle who make a real difference in the lives of our patients and families. Thank you, Isabelle! 💖

24/04/2025

After 35 incredible years, we’re honoring Louise Fischman as she retires from Primary Children’s Hospital and celebrating the powerful legacy she leaves behind.

In 1990, Louise was invited to help paint murals with patients at the Children’s Residential Treatment Home. What began as a small pilot program grew into a full-scale Therapeutic Art Education Program that’s now a vital part of our Expressive Therapies Department.

Through the years, Louise worked alongside countless young patients and families, creating art that told their stories, honored their journeys, and brought beauty to spaces throughout the hospital and beyond. From colorful tile murals and symbolic mosaics, to partnerships with community groups and national recognition, her work touched hearts far and wide.

More than just an art teacher, Louise brought a deep understanding of the emotional and therapeutic power of creativity. Her approach helped children find their voice, process difficult feelings, and build confidence through art.

Louise, thank you for filling our halls with light, color, and meaning — and for showing generations of young patients that their stories matter. Your legacy will continue to inspire healing and hope for years to come.