Health Update - September 2026

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September Health Observances

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Fruits & Veggies Recipes

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September Closures

Caring for Our Community, Supporting Every Journey Welcome to the September Health Update Newsletter. Since 1995, Gila River Health Care (GRHC) has provided self-governed healthcare that honors our patients' culture and needs. By sharing knowledge and support, we strengthen our Community with compassion.

In this issue: September 2026 / Issue 20 Welcome to Health Update, Gila River Health Care's monthly Community newsletter! Published by the Public Relations & Marketing Department, Health Update keeps patients, families, and community members informed with timely health information, organizational news, upcoming events, wellness tips, and stories that matter most to our Community.

Our goal is to share valuable resources and important updates that help you stay connected with Gila River Health Care and the services available to you.

• National Fruit & Veggies Month Recipes • September Health Observances - Suicide Prevention Month: Every Conversation Matters - Childhood Cancer Awareness: Supporting Our Young Warriors - Prostate Cancer Awareness: Take Charge of Your Health - National Recovery Month: Recovery is Possible

• Behavioral Health Services Presents: 988 Fest and Yes To Life! RV Tour • Public Health Nursing Wellness Fair • Closures

September Health Observances Suicide Prevention Month: Every Conversation Matters Mental health is essential to overall wellness. We encourage everyone to check in with friends, neighbors, and family to ensure all feel supported.

Suicide Prevention Month highlights the importance of mental health. Everyone faces challenges, and no one should face them alone. By reaching out to family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers, we help foster a supportive community.

Warning signs include withdrawal from loved ones, feelings of hopelessness, mood changes, or talk of wanting to die. If you notice these signs, reach out compassionately and encourage them to seek professional help.

Gila River Health Care supports the emotional and behavioral health of our community. If you or someone you know is struggling, Behavioral Health Services offers confidential care and counseling. Remember: Asking for help is a sign of strength.

Hau’pal (Red Tail Hawk) Health Center 3042 W. Queen Creek Rd. Chandler, AZ 85286 (602) 528-7100 Ext. 2620 (520) 796-2600 Ext. 2620

Shegoi Clinic 4577 W. Pecos Rd. Laveen, AZ 85339 (602) 528-7100 Ext. 6008 (520) 550-6000

Vechij Shon (New Beginnings) 483 W. Seed Farm Rd-Building 4 Sacaton, AZ 85147 (602) 528-7100 (520) 562-3321 Ext. 7100

If someone is in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health crisis, call 911 or 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, for immediate help.

• Warning signs include withdrawal from loved ones, mood changes, or expressions of hopelessness.

• Asking for help is a sign of strength. Our Behavioral Health Services provides confidential care.

• For immediate help, call 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Childhood Cancer Awareness: Supporting Our Young Warriors This month honors the courage of children with cancer and the resilience of their families.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month recognizes the courage of children with cancer, celebrates survivors, and honors the strength of their families and caregivers.

Although childhood cancers are rare, early diagnosis and timely treatment are crucial.

Parents should discuss any persistent or unusual symptoms with their child's healthcare provider and maintain regular well-child visits.

We can support families by offering kindness, encouragement, and understanding during difficult times.

Every act of compassion strengthens our Community. GRHC Pediatric Services provides preventive care, routine wellness visits, and referrals to specialty care as needed.

Prostate Cancer Awareness: Take Charge of Your Health Prostate cancer is among the most common cancers in men. Early detection through screenings improves treatment outcomes.

• Men should discuss risk factors, including age and family history, with their healthcare provider.

• Healthy choices, such as regular physical activity and avoiding tobacco, support long-term health.

National Recovery Month: Recovery is Possible We celebrate individuals living healthy, meaningful lives in recovery from substance use and mental health disorders.

National Recovery Month celebrates those living healthy, meaningful lives in recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. Recovery is unique for each person, but with support, treatment, and hope, healing is possible.

This month also recognizes the families, healthcare professionals, peer support specialists, and organizations supporting recovery.

Gila River Health Care encourages community members to seek help without fear or shame. Whether you are starting recovery or supporting a loved one, you are not alone.

Recovery strengthens individuals, families, and the entire Gila River Indian Community.

PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING

- Join us for presentations.

WELLNESS FAIR

September 24, 2026 10 am - 12 pm District 4 Service Center Call us, for more information, Public Health Nursing (520) 550-6042

- Learn about nutrition.

- Tips for making healthy choices.

- RAFFLES! *must be present to win - Complimentary healthy lunch will be provided for the first 100 attendees!

National Fruits & Veggies Month Recipes For National Fruits & Veggies Month, these recipes work well because they are colorful, simple, family-friendly, and emphasize affordable, nutritious ingredients.

Berry Yogurt Parfait Ingredients • • • • •

1 cup low-fat or plain Greek yogurt ½ cup strawberries, sliced ½ cup blueberries 2 tablespoons granola 1 teaspoon honey (optional)

Directions

Layer yogurt, berries, and granola in a cup or bowl.

Repeat layers and enjoy.

Instructions

Use fresh or frozen fruit and choose unsweetened yogurt to reduce added sugar.

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Ingredients • • • • •

½ cup old-fashioned oats 1 cup water or low-fat milk ½ apple, diced ½ teaspoon cinnamon 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

Cook oats according to package directions. Stir in diced apple and cinnamon. Top with walnuts.

Instructions

Apples add natural sweetness and fiber, so little or no added sugar is needed.

GILA RIVER HEALTH CARE RESOURCES F R E Q U E N T L Y Hu Hu Kam Memorial Hospital Main Number: (520) 562-3321 Behavioral Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 7100 Customer Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 1177 / 4017 Dental. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 1209 Imaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 1232 Infusion Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 1219 Inpatient Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 1218 Laboratory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 1220 Life Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 7940 Optometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 7365 Patient Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 1204 Pharmacy Refill Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 1270 Physical Therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 1230 Podiatry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 1258 Primary Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 1495 Purchased Referred Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 6025 Women’s Health Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 1400

C A L L E D

E X T E N S I O N S

Komatke Health Center Main Number: (520) 550-6000 Behavioral Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 6008 Customer Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 6609 Dental. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 6015 Imaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 6044 Laboratory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 6016 Life Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 6470 Optometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 6012 Patient Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 6006 Pharmacy Refill Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 1303 Physical Therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 6213 Podiatry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 6520 Primary Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 6000 Purchased Referred Care . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 5000 Women’s Health Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 6110

Hau’pal (Red Tail Hawk) Health Center Main Number: (520) 796-2600

Behavioral Health Services Main Number: (602) 528-7100

Audiology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2965 Behavioral Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2620 Customer Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2619 Dental. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2682 Imaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2655 Infusion Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 1219 Inpatient Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 1218 Laboratory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2651 Life Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2657 Optometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2690 Patient Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2737 Physical Therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2715 Podiatry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2664 Primary Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2697 Purchased Referred Care . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 5000 Women’s Health Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 2693

Gila River Indian Community Crisis Line . . . . (800) 259-3449 National Suicide Lifeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 988

Gila River Indian Community District Service Centers District 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (520) 215-2110 District 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (520) 562-3450 District 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (520) 562-3334 District 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (520) 418-3661 District 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (520) 315-3441 District 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (520) 550-3805 District 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (520) 430-4780

Public Health Nursing (PHN) Main Office West-Komatke Health Center, Shegoi Building Main Line: (520) 550-6042 PHN Office Serving District 1 Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (520) 215-2110 PHN Office Serving District 2 Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (520) 562-3450 PHN Office Serving District 3 Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (520) 562-3321 PHN Office Serving District 4 Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (520) 418-2845 PHN Office Serving District 5 Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (520) 315-3826 / 3242 PHN Office Serving District 6 & 7 Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (520) 550-6042