New Banner Health plastic surgery clinic to focus on oncological reconstruction
GREELEY, Colo. (Aug. 26, 2024) – Banner Health has welcomed plastic surgeon David Schnur, MD, to the oncology team at the Banner MD Anderson Cancer Centers located at North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley and McKee Medical Center in Loveland as well as Banner Fort Collins Medical Center. With more than two decades of experience, Dr. Schnur will provide oncological reconstruction services to repair and restore physical distortions caused by all types of cancer or its treatments. In addition to seeing patients at these three regional hospitals, Dr. Schnur will lead a new plastic surgery clinic located at 1800 15th St., Ste. 130 in Greeley.
Dr. Schnur’s skills meet a mounting need for breast cancer patients in Northern Colorado with his expertise in deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction surgery which is currently not provided by any other surgeon in Northern Colorado. DIEP breast reconstruction is an advanced microsurgical technique that uses excess living fat tissue from below the patient’s belly button. Because of its ability to preserve the abdominal muscles with less pain and faster recovery, this is an excellent choice for reconstructing the breast after a mastectomy for patients who are candidates.
“Plastic surgery touches so many different aspects of cancer care and reconstruction,” Dr. Schnur said. “With the new clinic in Greeley, plastic surgery is housed under Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, so we can really focus on our cancer patients. Doctors are providing this level of care in Denver but we want our patients in Northern Colorado and Wyoming to have a center of excellence they can come to here.”
Dr. Schnur started performing the DIEP procedure more than 20 years ago and the technique has continued to evolve. Implant technology has also developed over the last ten years, providing viable options for breast cancer patients who may not be good candidates for the DIEP procedure.
With a focus on oncological care, Dr. Schnur and his team will also provide full-service plastic surgery, including amputee care and trauma care. Dr. Schnur will collaborate closely with several providers, both in the clinic and in the greater Banner network across Greeley, Loveland and Fort Collins including Molly Decker, DO and Kelsey Shay, MD, and Michael Miller, MD, FACS, who, prior to Dr. Schnur’s arrival has been traveling from Arizona monthly to support patients.
Dr. Schnur received his medical degree from the University of Arizona College of Medicine in 1995 and completed a combined general surgery and plastic surgery at the University of Pennsylvania in 2001. He was drawn to Northern Colorado and Banner specifically because of their partnership with MD Anderson and the ability to focus on adding breast reconstruction to the comprehensive cancer care MD Anderson is known for.
“My philosophy of care is patient-centric care and a true team approach, where the patient is at the center of their health care team and very much a participant in decision-making and determining the direction of their care,” Dr. Schnur said. “It’s very important to me that both new and established patients coming to me for a consult get to partner in determining the best course of action for them.”
Patients interested in a consultation with Dr. Schnur for breast reconstruction or other full-service plastic surgery needs can self-refer directly by calling (970) 810-3894.
About Banner Health
Banner Health is one of the largest, secular nonprofit health care systems in the country. In addition to 33 hospitals, Banner also operates an academic medicine division, Banner – University Medicine, and Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, a partnership with one of the world’s leading cancer programs, MD Anderson Cancer Center. Banner’s array of services includes a health insurance division, employed physician groups, outpatient surgery centers, urgent care locations, home care and hospice services, retail pharmacies, stand-alone imaging centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation, behavioral health services, a research division and a nursing registry. To make health care easier, 100% of Banner-employed doctors are available for virtual visits and patients may also reserve spots at Banner Urgent Care locations and can book appointments online with many Banner-employed doctors. Headquartered in Arizona, Banner Health also has locations in California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com.
