By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    HIPPA compliance
    How Medical Office Staff Can Make Your Practice HIPAA Compliant
    October 29, 2021
    Everything you need to know about hyaluronic acid treatment
    Everything you need to know about hyaluronic acid treatment
    February 10, 2022
    Which Mushroom Capsules Are Good for Your Health?
    May 5, 2022
    Latest News
    Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
    July 20, 2025
    How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
    July 17, 2025
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Image
    Healthcare Pricing Transparency Gains Momentum
    June 24, 2013
    non-clinical care factors in health outcomes
    Addressing Non-Clinical Care Factors in Health Outcomes
    November 15, 2013
    e interventions
    Healthcare Progress Depends On “E Interventions”
    July 10, 2014
    Latest News
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
    How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
    July 17, 2025
    How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
    July 17, 2025
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Strange Coincidence: When Cancer Strikes Hospital CEO
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Business > Hospital Administration > Strange Coincidence: When Cancer Strikes Hospital CEO
Hospital Administration

Strange Coincidence: When Cancer Strikes Hospital CEO

Andrew Schorr
Andrew Schorr
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

I am just back from the Phoenix-metro area. It’s now the 5th largest in the United States and despite home foreclosures, there is still a feeling of growth in many areas. Gilbert, a nearby suburb, has expanded to over 200,000 people and a growing major medical center. I spent several days interviewing patients and staff about the soon-to-open, Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center. The hope is that by bringing MD Anderson’s world-renowned expertise, clinical trials and processes to this new center, cancer care around Phoenix and the southwest will be improved.

I am just back from the Phoenix-metro area. It’s now the 5th largest in the United States and despite home foreclosures, there is still a feeling of growth in many areas. Gilbert, a nearby suburb, has expanded to over 200,000 people and a growing major medical center. I spent several days interviewing patients and staff about the soon-to-open, Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center. The hope is that by bringing MD Anderson’s world-renowned expertise, clinical trials and processes to this new center, cancer care around Phoenix and the southwest will be improved. Look for my video interviews coming soon.

But, in the meantime, one interview stuck out for me; the one with the Banner Health President and CEO, Peter Fine. Peter is in his late 50s and is a health care industry professional who has been guiding Banner Health and its 23 hospitals well for over a decade. For the past several years, Peter has been strategizing the building of a major cancer center on one of his hospital campuses. Peter knew he would need a renowned partner to make it successful and three years ago he chose MD Anderson Cancer Center, in Houston, consistently ranked as the nation’s #1 cancer center (and where I was treated in a leukemia clinical trial).

Even before the partnership contract was inked, a strange thing happened. Peter found a swollen lymph node in his neck and it didn’t go away. It wasn’t the flu or a sore throat and he had a spot on his tongue. He was soon diagnosed with one of the most serious, disfiguring and often deadly cancers: head and neck cancer. After liking what he seen in Houston and with his life on the line, Peter put his trust in the people at MD Anderson.

More Read

5 Collection Strategies That Won’t Ruin Your Relationship with Patients
Teamwork Improves Surgical Safety and Reduces Mortality
Insurers’ payments vary more than hospital charges, data shows
Interview with Todd Dunsirn of True Process
Do All of Us Really Have to Change?

In his video interview Peter speaks like a business leader. But as he described his surgery, chemo and weeks of aggressive radiation (he lost 40 pounds and had trouble eating) he became less analytical. He described the tough personal fight; the times when it was hard to go on, to overcome the doubts and to marshal the will to survive. Peter Fine is a leader. And with the full support of his wife, Rebecca, he was determined to control the cancer on his terms. He was successful.

Unlike many leaders or celebrities, Peter didn’t hide his diagnosis or the struggle he was going through. He came to work every day that he could. As they continued planning the new $110 million center, he was positive in his decision to partner with MD Anderson both from a business perspective but also having personally experienced exceptional quality of care.

Peter Fine, CEO, Banner Health

Today Peter is doing well and has fully recovered with the exception of a few hair follicles on his neck that were destroyed by the radiation. Peter jokes that it’s a bit of a blessing that makes shaving much faster. After all he has work to do!

The new Banner MD Anderson cancer center opens in just a few weeks and Peter will be one of the first patients for follow-up care.

Peter Fine feels he has much to do as a knowledegable cancer survivor and health care leader to advance the fight against cancer while continuing to live as an example that more and more, we can win. Look for Peter’s story on video soon.

Wishing you and your family the best of health!

Andrew

TAGGED:Banner HealthcancerhospitalsMD AndersonPeter Fine
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

botox certification
Help Improve People’s Skin Health Via Botox Certification
Skin Specialties
July 22, 2025
Telemedicine Apps
Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
Health
July 20, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
Global Healthcare Policy & Law
July 17, 2025
paramedics in surgical gloves and masks
How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
Health care
July 16, 2025

You Might also Like

recruiting - recruitment - talent aquisition concept
BusinessHospital Administration

5 Major Challenges in Healthcare Recruitment Today

March 17, 2016
surgical processes
BusinessFinanceHospital Administration

Is Your Operating Room Leaking Money?

April 10, 2014
spices for nutrition
Wellness

Spice Up Your Diet

September 21, 2013

Head of the DOJ’s Antitrust Division Raises Concerns About Two Proposed Mega-Mergers Between Leading Health Insurers

November 20, 2015
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?