UCHealth

When Boulder resident Topher Downham lost the ability to move his legs and hands in a swimming accident nearly three decades ago, nature became his healing instrument. “Whenever I was mad, the best thing I could do was get outside,” he said. Now, Taylor helps others with disabilities enjoy Colorado trails. To help people find accessible trails and natural areas near them, we’ve rounded up trails in Colorado, including state and national parks, monuments and wildlife reserves. You can also discover accessible trails by checking out the Roll Mobility app, a #ReadySetCO partner, to explore nature more easily.

It was nearly dark on a summer day in 2022, when a call about a missing 14-year-old boy came into Allison Yelton, a volunteer for Larimer County Search and Rescue. The boy had been camping with his church group about 6.5 miles from any roadway within the remote Rawah Wilderness in northwest Larimer County. Allison and her crew, including a 10-year-old search and rescue dog named Trouble, had about a 2-hour drive to the trailhead and, from there, another 6.5-mile hike to the group’s camp. “With canines, they’ll spend all their working energy just getting to a scene,” Yelton said. “My dog was already 10, so it wasn’t realistic to hike in 6.5 miles and then have him be effective to search.” This is one of the many examples where Lifeline - shines. Lifeline is the critical care air and ground transport arm of UCHealth Emergency Medical Services. They offer community support by partnering with first responders in Larimer County, helping back up police, the SWAT team and collaborating with Larimer County Search and Rescue. At dawn, some rescuers set out on horseback while Allison, Trouble and other rescue crew members were airlifted by Lifeline to a safe landing area about a mile from the camp. Trouble picked up on the boys sent once they arrived and soon after they came across the boy. He was hungry, thirsty and covered in bug bites, but OK. He traveled out of the wilderness with rescuers by horseback. “Lifeline was so critical to that search,” Yelton said. “Getting us there quickly was huge, saving us drive and hike time. Getting us on scene quicker is important, especially in those remote areas.” Learn more about Lifeline, this incredibly impactful and powerful asset, here: https://bit.ly/4cjt926

UCHealth is hiring an RN Manager of Trauma Services in Aurora! Learn more about this opportunity and the benefits of working at UCHealth: https://bit.ly/3WmKhi2

Payton Wolf was about halfway through a 12-hour shift as a patient care assistant when her patient awoke feeling sad, lost and confused. "I think he needed a lending hand, a friendly face. If it were my grandfather, I would want him to not feel so lost," said Payton. She decided to play the Elvis Presley song, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” on her phone and started singing along, which put the patient more at ease. Payton, who has been with UCHealth since January 2023, aspires to become a nurse, like her mother. “In the best way, she kind of brainwashed me into being in health care. I love it,” she said. “I just like caring for people.” Thank you, Payton, for your work to improve lives. ♥️

We are proud to announce that for the 13th year in a row, U.S. News and World Report has ranked UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital as the #1 hospital in the state of Colorado. Two more UCHealth hospitals are also ranked in the state’s top 5 including Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland (#2) and Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs (#4). A huge congratulations to our staff and providers on this amazing achievement! 🎉👏 This recognition stands as a testament to your unwavering dedication to go above and beyond to ensure our patients receive the best care. Full list of Colorado hospital rankings: https://bit.ly/3otq9ZV

UCHealth is hiring a Radiation Therapist in Pueblo! Learn more about how you can improve lives while UCHealth invests in you. https://bit.ly/3Wc3DGv

A team of CSU biomedical engineering students collaborated with the Trauma Research Department at UCHealth to design a more accurate tool for weighing pediatric patients and calculating their medication doses in emergency situations. The students rode along in an ambulance to get an idea of the paramedics’ work environment and the equipment they used. The students came away understanding the obstacles facing a first responder caring for patients who quickly need a potentially lifesaving medication like epinephrine for cardiac arrest. The students then developed a couple prototypes and got feedback from the UCHealth paramedic team throughout the process. Their final design is a foldable, high-strength plastic scale connected to a mobile app via Bluetooth, which calculates the correct dosage based on the child’s weight. The goal is to be able to administer medication more accurately, and in turn improve patient outcomes. Although the project is still a work in progress, the team successfully moved the idea from a concept to a product with a business model in less than a year 👏 https://bit.ly/4eBIQmN

Three years ago, David Schlicht had his eye on qualifying for the Olympics, but one fateful jump changed everything. David had just landed a cork 720 trick on a mountain-sized inflatable airbag when a gust of wind flung the airbag and him into the air, causing him to plummet 60 feet to the ground. His injuries were serious and extensive. Faced with countless surgeries or a below-knee amputation, David chose to reclaim his active life and had a below-knee amputation of his right foot. “I ultimately decided I would like to continue doing what I love: going on seven- and eight-mile hikes, skiing, fishing, and being outdoors. So, I decided I wanted to get an amputation,��� said David. Now, at 19, David is back doing all the things he loves. Read more about David’s positivity and determination: https://bit.ly/3zDummv

Kelly Tuohy is a charge nurse in the Burn and Frostbite Center at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital. One Sunday morning, Kelly had some extra time to pamper one of her patients who had not been able to shower on her own in several years. She knew she wanted to do something special for her - a personal spa day experience. She worked with colleagues to print calming images to line the shower walls; lavender fields, candles, mountainsides and rock cairns. She rolled up towels and flowers to have on display. The shower was lit with battery-operated candles for the first time in the unit. The room smelled of lavender - the patient’s favorite aromatherapy scent. When the patient discovered that the spa day was set up just for her, she began to cry. The patient told Kelly that the experience was motivating for her to get better, so she could shower on her own and be more active. Kelly credits her whole team for pitching in and executing the experience. “I feel like as a unit, this is just the kind of stuff we like to do,” said Kelly. “I just feel like our patients really appreciate it.” Thank you, Kelly, for your work to improve lives. ♥️

UCHealth is hiring a Telehealth Forensic Nurse Examiner RN! This position requires 3 years of clinical experience in forensic nursing, and a SANE-A certification which must be at the national level. Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/3RKWZ7w