Banner to Reopen East Campus as High-Tech Orthopedic Hospital in Early 2026

The original story by Nick Perkins for Oil City News.

Banner Wyoming Medical Center is bringing its East Campus back to life — this time as a specialty hospital focused on bones, joints, and everything in between.

The hospital announced Tuesday that the East Campus will reopen in January 2026 as an orthopedic-centered specialty hospital, a move that will significantly expand surgical care options for Casper and the wider region.

“The reopening of our East Campus represents our continued commitment to providing exceptional, specialized care to the communities we serve,” said Lance Porter, CEO of Wyoming Medical Center. “This facility will offer patients a comprehensive, convenient experience where all aspects of their orthopedic care can be managed in one location.”

The East Campus has been getting a serious upgrade over the past few months. Banner says the building has been renovated to serve as “a dedicated specialty hospital,” with a major focus on modernizing its surgical spaces:

• Four fully renovated operating rooms;
• New flooring and state-of-the-art equipment;
• The latest generation of Stryker surgical lighting systems — making it the first hospital in Wyoming and only the eighth in the world to use them.

Those lighting systems are designed to fix common problems in the OR, giving surgeons clearer, more consistent light and improving conditions for both patients and staff.

The ORs are also getting new Stryker surgical tables and a fully integrated video and viewing system, allowing surgeons to display any image on any monitor in the room. That flexibility can help teams work more precisely and efficiently during complex procedures.

The first surgery at the reopened East Campus is expected in early 2026.

Total joint replacement is one of the most common elective surgeries in the US, and Banner is betting big on that trend.

The health system has purchased a ROSA Knee System, a robotic-assisted platform used in knee replacement surgery. Starting early next year, Casper Orthopedics surgeons will be able to use the ROSA system at East Campus to help customize procedures for individual patients.

“The surgeons at Casper Orthopedics are thrilled to have a newly renovated, state-of-the-art facility focused on orthopedic care in the community,” said Dr. Daniel White, orthopedic surgeon at Casper Orthopedics and Banner Wyoming Medical Center. “The advanced technology in a facility dedicated to musculoskeletal care and a focus on exceptional patient experience will allow our surgeons to personalize the care and enhance the outcomes of our patients.”

A big part of the East Campus redesign is convenience. Instead of bouncing between locations, patients will be able to get almost everything done in one place:

• Lab work and blood tests;
• Imaging (through partners like Casper Medical Imaging and Outpatient Radiology);
• A full laboratory and on-site blood products for surgical support.

That setup means faster care and less hassle for patients, especially those traveling in from outside Casper.

Banner also stressed that patient safety standards will match those at the main Central Campus, with all East Campus staff receiving the same rigorous training and following the same protocols.

Once fully up and running, the East Campus will feature:

• 4 fully renovated operating rooms with advanced surgical tech;
• 37 inpatient beds for post-op care and recovery;
• A complete laboratory and on-site blood products;
• Full imaging capabilities;
• A sleep lab;
• A primary care and walk-in clinic;
• Space for key partners like Casper Medical Imaging, Outpatient Radiology, and Precision Surgical, creating a regional medical hub.

Banner says it has invested $6 million into the project.

Before the first patients roll in, the community will get a sneak peek.

On Thursday, Nov. 20, Banner Wyoming Medical Center will host a Casper Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event at the East Campus from 5 to 7 p.m.

Everyone is welcome to register through the Casper Area Chamber of Commerce website.

Guests can tour the facility, learn about new healthcare services coming to the East Campus, and enjoy guided tours, hors d’oeuvres and beverages.

It’s a chance to see up close how Banner is betting on specialized, high-tech orthopedic care as the next chapter in Casper’s medical scene.