Several former Banner Health employees are returning to work to help the medical team throughout Arizona during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the last month alone, more than 18 employees have rejoined various teams across Banner’s statewide facilities, according to a release.

"We are very fortunate to have eager team members rejoin us in an effort to provide the best care possible for all of our patients," stated Theresa McKay, senior director of talent acquisition for Banner Staffing Services.

Former employees returning to Banner include Jessica Ross, a flight medic in Montana who moved back to Arizona to work as a paramedic, the release states. She jumped at the opportunity to serve again as a poison information provider at the Banner Poison & Drug Information Center, where she’s helping to educate and inform patients on various medical topics.

The Poison Center is currently working with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health by helping run the COVID-19 information line and document the spread of COVID-19.

Jenna Brogdon is a registered nurse who joined the Banner Health team right out of nursing school. She later worked for another Arizona hospital system, but recently returned to Banner as an emergency room nurse.

"I have the opportunity to make a huge impact in the lives of patients presenting with COVID-19 symptoms," Ms. Brogdon stated. "We follow all necessary guidelines to battle this virus, ensuring isolation procedures are in place, and assisting in the care and stabilization, which will, hopefully, lead to a full recovery. I know I will play a vital role in helping our community fight this virus."

Robert Dandurand became a registered nurse in 2015 and is now working full time as a facilities manager at a company that prints election ballots. Many counties are considering a vote-by-mail system, which requires more work to produce more ballots. Even during an election year in which his workload increased, Mr. Dandurand is returning to work with Banner on the weekends in the intensive care unit at facilities that may ask for an extra hand when needed.

"With the ongoing COVID crisis, I feel that it is my patriotic duty to help out," he stated. "As an ICU-trained nurse, I have a skill that can help people and I strongly believe that I should use that skill during this time."

Banner Health welcomes former health care employees to rejoin various departments that need additional staffing support during this time.