Five Intermountain Health hospitals in Colorado received recognition in the latest US News & World Report rankings including Saint Joseph Hospital, which was named the No. 2 hospital in Colorado and the Denver Metro Area.  

In addition to the No. 2 ranking, Saint Joseph Hospital was listed as High Performing in pulmonology, lung surgery, and geriatrics, and High Performing in 13 procedures: leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma; colon cancer surgery; lung cancer surgery; abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, heart attack, aortic valve surgery, heart bypass surgery, heart failure, TAVR, maternity care, hip replacement, knee replacement, and pneumonia. 

Other hospitals that were recognized were: 

• Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette. High Performing in five procedures and conditions: colon cancer surgery, prostate cancer surgery, heart attack, stroke, and maternity care 
• Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge. High Performing in three procedures and conditions: heart attack, stroke, maternity care 
• Platte Valley Hospital in Brighton. High Performing in maternity care 
• St. Mary’s Regional Hospital in Grand Junction. High Performing in five procedures and conditions: prostate cancer surgery, heart attack, stroke, maternity care, and hip replacement 

“We are proud of the excellent, high quality medical care our caregivers deliver every day.  While we don’t chase recognition, we appreciate it when national publications recognize the incredible care our professionals deliver on a daily basis,” said Intermountain Health Region President Jim Sheets.   

You can learn more about the rankings at US News & World Report.  

Intermountain Health’s Lutheran Medical Center celebrated Bonnie Hayes on Wednesday for 45 years and more than 20,000 hours of serving the hospital, caregivers, and patients. 

Her tenure equals someone who worked 40 hours a week for 10 years.  

Lutheran Medical Center volunteers and caregivers gathered at the hospital with friends and family members of Hayes for refreshments and sharing.

Hayes got her start as a volunteer thanks to her firefighter husband and hearing calls from his work radio. In the 1970s a person could hear all the radio traffic for first responders. On one call she overheard a responder talking to a sexual assault victim. The treatment of the victim was uncaring, she said.  

“I thought that was wrong and I didn’t want to hear that happen to anyone else,” Hayes said. 

She took a class for people who could provide emotional support to emergency room patients who were victims of sexual assault. That was 1978. The program that was created provided women and a few men on call 6 p.m.-6 a.m. to go to the hospital and support victims. They coordinated with families, provided clothing, arranged transportation, and helped with interactions with law enforcement if victims were hesitant to talk with them.  

Hayes believes the program was the first of its kind in the region. It ended after 25 years with the creation of a sexual assault nurse examiner role. A formal program to serve the entire region was designated at another hospital.  

 Hayes retired from her 30-year teaching career in 2001. Her volunteer work continued. She was chairman of the volunteer leadership committee and coordinated vendor fairs that raise money for hospital projects. She also has managed the lost and found with hospital security.   

Photo cutline: Bonnie Hayes, center, is congratulated by fellow volunteers at Lutheran Medical Center, Mary Taylor and Dave Santiago. The hospital celebrated Hayes on Wednesday for her volunteerism that spanned 45 years. 

Andrea Burch, MS, RN, NEA-BC, has been named president of Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge, CO. 

Burch has been serving as Lutheran’s interim president since February when Scott Peek’s role at Lutheran transitioned to the president at Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver. He is also Intermountain Health’s Front Range Market president.

Burch will continue to support Lutheran’s integration into the Intermountain Health system and will lead Lutheran's move to its new replacement home at Clear Creek Crossing in Wheat Ridge later this summer.

“Andrea’s experience leading Lutheran’s operations and nursing staff, as well as her outstanding leadership of the upcoming move, will serve Lutheran, its caregivers, and the community in a bright new future full of opportunity,” Scott Peek said.  

“Lutheran is near and dear to my heart, with its wonderful caregivers, unique culture, and strong community relationships,” Burch said. “Over the years, we have experienced many challenges and successes, and now look toward an exciting future. It is a deep honor and privilege to be asked to lead the organization through this next phase. I am confident that we will continue to grow and advance the excellent care our community expects from us.”  

Burch attended Regis University for her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing and health care administration. She began her nursing career as a certified nursing assistant in high school and found her calling. 

In 2008, Burch joined Lutheran, excelled as a neurocritical care nurse, and later transitioned into clinical leadership roles, including Clinical Nurse Manager and Director of Critical Care and Emergency Services.  

In 2015, she left the bedside after being appointed the Associate Chief Nursing Officer. A year later, she was appointed Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer. Burch has served as VP, Chief Nursing Officer, and Chief Operating Officer for five years.  

Burch has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including GE Academy of Nursing Fellow Graduate, Colorado State Nightingale Winner in the category of Leadership, West Chamber of Commerce’s Celebrate Women in Leadership, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, and Ross School of Business Executive Education Program at the University of Michigan.  

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Nine Intermountain Health hospitals have been named to Newsweek’s 2024 rankings of the World's Best Hospitals. 

The prestigious list aims to highlight the best facilities each year by using a mix of methodology that evaluates quality and safety measures meant to provide a guide for patients and families in choosing healthcare services in their communities. 

Newsweek looked at data from 2,400 hospitals across 30 countries to compile their list. The final scores were based on surveys from medical experts, patient/doctor ratios, and patient satisfaction surveys, among other metrics. 

“Intermountain is honored to be included among this premier list of hospitals,” said Rob Allen, president and CEO of Intermountain Health. “It represents the tireless work of our caregivers and their focus on exceptional and compassionate patient care.” 

Intermountain Health has put a major focus on providing affordable care while increasing access to services for patients. Thanks to the expansion of telehealth, patients can now get the specialized care they need closer to home, regardless of their location. 

The Intermountain hospitals ranked by Newsweek for the United States are: 

• Intermountain Health Good Samaritan Hospital, Lafayette CO 
• Intermountain LDS Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT 
• Intermountain Logan Regional Hospital, Logan, UT 
• Intermountain Lutheran Medical Center, Wheat Ridge, CO 
• Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, UT 
• Intermountain Saint Joseph Hospital, Denver, CO 
• Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital, St. George, UT 
• Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital, Billings, MT 
• Intermountain Utah Valley Hospital, Provo UT 

To see Newsweek’s full lists of World’s Best Hospitals, click here.

Being a new parent is a lot of work. Bringing your newborn home from the hospital can be both exciting and overwhelming. Families in Jefferson County now have a new, free resource to support them through the many joys and challenges of welcoming a new baby. This program, Family Connects, connects all new parents with a highly-trained registered nurse at no cost. Unlike the traditional post-birth experience, Family Connects nurses visit the family in their home to support everyone’s health and wellbeing in the household. 

Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) and Lutheran Medical Center, part of Intermountain Health, are proud to be a part of the Family Connects pilot program in Colorado, along with Boulder, Eagle, and Denver counties. Families who deliver at Lutheran are contacted at the hospital to schedule a home visit or can schedule on their own online. Family Connects is a natural complement and an important addition to JCPH’s suite of nurse-home visitation programs and other family health support services. 

“It’s great to have a program that focuses on the mother,” said Amanda McCoy, a family ambassador with the Family Connects program. “Up to delivery it’s all about you, and then as soon as the baby is born, it’s all about them and you are left reeling. Family Connects is exactly what I needed, a program that focuses on the mother as well as the baby and helps you understand what is normal to experience as a parent.” 

Nearly all parents need help with a new baby. In fact, 95% of parents said that they needed support after their babies were born, but couldn’t find it. Family Connects aims to help fill that gap. Early studies of Family Connects show that participation is associated with powerful positive outcomes, including: 

• 50% fewer emergency room visits and hospital stays for infants. 
• 28% less reported anxiety by mothers. 
• More positive parenting behaviors. 
• Improved home environments and home safety. 
• Increased community connections. 
• Higher quality childcare choices. 
• 89% reduction in racial disparity for mental health anxiety disorders for children 6 months of age. 
• 14% reduction in racial disparity for emergency medical health needs. 
• 28% and 57% reduction in racial disparity for child welfare system involvement. 

“Our commitment lies in assisting all families with a newborn by ensuring that they have access to in home healthcare support upon returning home from the hospital,” said Chuck Ault, Community Health Manager for Intermountain Health. “This program is entirely voluntary and offers an opportunity for all families to achieve equitable health outcomes for their newborn and families. Finding the right support is important for not just your baby, but also you and your family in the early months and years of life.” 

“When the youngest among us thrive, we all do. Everyone in the community has a responsibility to help our children get off to the best start possible,” said Alix Hopkins, Family Services Director at JCPH. “The Family Connects nurses provide a warm hand-off to existing service providers in the county to ensure that the families are getting what they need.” 

In addition to the emotional, social, and familial benefits, the Family Connects model is offered at no cost to families and allows the health system to deliver the most appropriate care to families in the most affordable and convenient setting possible. 

“Championing initiatives that promote parent’s mental well-being in order to build strong family foundations is important. It improves the child’s resilience and whole health, giving them greater possibilities for success and happiness as they grow,” Hopkins said. The Family Connects approach has been shown to have a positive impact on families and JCPH is thrilled and privileged to help bring it to our community.” 

To learn more about Family Connects, including how to participate as a new parent, please visit the Family Connects Colorado website. 
 

Intermountain Health has announced that Kathy Crabtree, MD, has been named Assistant Chief Medical Officer at Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge effective Jan. 21. 

In this new role, she will support the medical staff at Lutheran to advance the quality and safety of care at the hospital. She also will support Toni Green-Cheatwood, DO, who serves in a dual role as Lutheran’s Chief Medical Officer and has regionwide responsibilities as Associate Chief Medical Officer for Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Kansas. 

“Dr. Crabtree has shown us what an outstanding clinician, leader, and person she is over decades of service, and we are excited to partner with her in this new role. We are grateful for all physicians at Lutheran and their commitment to our community's highest standards of care,” said Scott Peek, president of Lutheran Medical Center. 

Dr. Crabtree has served Lutheran in many ways for 25 years, most recently as its Chief of Staff since 2021. She also serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Midtown Inpatient Medicine. She is an accomplished hospitalist and internal medicine physician and began her career at Lutheran as a tech in the Emergency Department. 

Peek said Dr. Crabtree has proven her leadership abilities over the years in all areas of patient care and patient safety, including helping to guide the medical staff in supporting each other and the community through the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of our commitment to the communities we serve, Intermountain Health is addressing the most critical needs of our patients in the Peaks Region, with emphasis on those who are poor and vulnerable. When several of our care sites began noticing increased numbers of homeless patients coming to the Emergency Departments multiple times for care, the teams knew they had to do something to help.   

Historically, people experiencing homelessness have been harder to serve because it’s difficult to locate and communicate with them post-discharge to encourage their healthy recovery and connect them with the needed post-acute care and resources. These patients also have a higher likelihood of cycling through emergency services due to their resource challenges. 

To combat this, Saint Joseph, St. Mary’s and Lutheran hospitals partner with cross-functional, multi-agency groups that are skilled at working with the homeless population. Through this collaboration, they’re able to connect patients with temporary housing, which ultimately leads to better outcomes, reduced length of stay and reduced readmission rates. 

The teams work with Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs), which are care coordination agencies that work on behalf of Medicaid. They are responsible for coordinating members’ care and ensuring they are connected with primary and behavioral health care. 

“By collaborating with RAEs, our care sites can get a care plan set up for patients experiencing homelessness who often have high readmission rates,” said Alison Keesler, manager of Value-Based Programs. “Ultimately, we’re able to place patients in temporary housing and long-term care facilities. The RAEs we work with include community-based organizations that do navigation work and behavioral health work for hard-to-reach populations.” 

This work is part of Intermountain’s value-based care model and the Hospital Transformation Program (HTP). As part of the HTP, Colorado hospitals must select 10 cost and quality performance metrics based on their community health needs assessments. Readmission rates are one of the metrics the Peaks Region is focused on, so they looked at what populations are readmitting the most; people experiencing homelessness were at the top of the list. 

“We screen for social determinants of health and send positive screens to the RAEs,” Alison said. “We identify barriers that patients have to healthy recovery, whether it's transportation or people being too busy worrying about their housing to address their healthcare needs. We then help get them connected with housing.” 

Transitional care managers, also called navigators, work with patients post-discharge to ensure they have what they need, are in a safe place, keeping up with their medications, and more. 

At St. Mary's, doctors from the Family Residency Program provide free medical care to people experiencing homelessness through a partnership with Grand Valley Catholic Outreach Day Center. Each week they provide patients with basic medical care, preventative healthcare and counseling services at no cost. They also work with those experiencing addiction issues and help set them up with primary care physicians. This partnership with the Center provides the patients with a safe and comfortable place with a home-like feel where they’re much more likely to come in when issues first arise instead of waiting until they’re really sick and have to go to the Emergency Department. 

At Lutheran, they have a two-fold effort to help patients experiencing homelessness. They offer a collaborative working space to Jefferson County homeless navigators on the Lutheran campus that allows the navigators to come together and talk about what they're finding and what their needs are.  After discovering that transitional housing often entails an empty unit with no furniture, the Lutheran team also donated 20 rolling, foldable beds to the Jefferson County program to give to patients so they will have a bed to sleep in.  

They also purchased six medical respite beds through an organization called Recovery Works. When a person experiencing homelessness comes to Lutheran and is treated, oftentimes it requires care at home afterward. Historically, these patients would stay in the hospital for weeks or months, but now Lutheran can discharge them in a normal timeframe to go to Recovery Works. They stay there for 35 days and have their own room, meals, a nurse checking on them, counseling, substance use disorder treatment, and a navigator who connects them with housing. 

“These things probably wouldn't happen if they were to stay in the hospital because we don’t have the internal resources or ability to provide that type of much-needed care,” said Chuck Ault, Community Health program manager at Lutheran. “By discharging them to Recovery Works, they have people checking in on them constantly and there are substance use groups several times a day for them to go to. It gives them the chance to be part of a group experiencing the same issues. We’ve seen great success – patients have been discharged from there to sober living communities and temporary and permanent housing. This collaboration means we get to do the right thing for these vulnerable patients to help improve their lives.” 

These models exemplify our commitment to whole-person care, promoting improved health outcomes by ensuring patients’ social, emotional, psychological and environmental needs are met.  

Jerry Kirwin, 71, smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for more than 50 years. Dr. Jason West, D.O., has been Jerry’s family practice physician at Lutheran for 20 years. He recommended Jerry get screened for lung cancer because of Jerry’s smoking history and chronic bronchitis and respiratory symptoms negatively impacting his health and quality of life.  

Jerry got a CT scan in December 2021 and a biopsy in August 2022, and learned he had lung cancer. He underwent surgery to remove a mass in the lower left lobe of his chest, and they found cancer in a lymph node, which moved him up to a higher staged cancer – stage 2b. 

“It was really scary to find out I had cancer,” said Jerry. “My dad was also a smoker and he died of lung cancer.” 

Both Jerry and his wife, Rose, are avid golfers. “We won tickets to the Masters Tournament in 2020 but it was delayed due to the pandemic,” he said. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and my doctors said it would be okay to delay my chemotherapy until we got back.” 

The recommendation for stage 2 lung cancer is four rounds of chemotherapy followed by one year of immunotherapy. Jerry will be rechecked every three months for the next two years, but as of today, he is cancer free. 

“We recommend yearly screening with a low-dose CT scan of the lungs for current smokers aged 55-79 with 30 pack/year smoking history and for former smokers who are within 15 years of having quit,” said. Dr. West. “Jerry's diagnosis and treatment is a testament to the importance of early detection through regular screening. Many disease states are treatable when caught early. This goes for cancer as well as disease states like hypertension or diabetes.”  

“Quitting smoking was the hardest thing I ever did,” said Jerry, who smoked his last cigarette a year after his surgery. “Cigarettes shouldn’t be legal. They are extremely addictive, and everyone knows they kill people. I’m grateful I was able to quit, and that Dr. West recommended I get screened when I did since they were able to catch it early.” 

Dr. West explained that the most common reason people don’t get screened is a combination of stress, fear and denial.  

“It is universally known that smoking is bad for you,” he said. "The problem is tobacco is incredibly addictive and it has a comforting and stress-relieving effect. I commonly hear from smokers that they have too much stress in their lives to quit right now and that’s a very powerful coping/justification mechanism that makes quitting or even getting screening done difficult for people.”    

He added, “All of us are overscheduled and busy and it is too easy to use this to justify putting off regular visits to our doctors, dentists, etc. Don't. We all need to prioritize our health and make time in our busy schedules for ourselves. This can begin with a simple visit to our doctors once a year and following the recommended screening guidelines.” 

Friday the 13th was a lucky day for Amy Rogers, RN, although luck had little to do with it. The Lutheran float pool manager was a proud recipient of the Patriotic Employer Award, “For contributing to national security and protecting liberty and freedom by supporting employee participation in America’s National Guard and Reserve force.” 

The award was presented that day at Lutheran by Todd Riley, representing the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

Amy was nominated for this recognition by Jon Cuzner, RN, Float Pool, to express his sincere gratitude for her support, understanding, and flexibility as he serves his country at the rank of major in the U.S. Army Reserves. 

Although working full-time at Lutheran, Jon fulfills his military duties once a month as the Officer in Charge of a 20-bed unit field hospital. Earlier this summer, he spent several weeks providing combat support and training for a global medic exercise as well. 

Congratulations to Amy and thank you to Jon for his service. 

Danielle Sandusky, MS, RD, CNSC, began her journey to becoming a Registered Dietician (RD) when she enrolled in a unique culinary nutrition program that combined the clinical science of nutrition with the culinary arts.

After graduating from the program, Danielle served an internship at New York-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital, where she realized her passion for clinical nutrition. She later received her master’s degree from Lehman College, in Bronx, NY, and also worked at Stamford Hospital in Connecticut.

After moving to Denver, Danielle feels fortunate to have landed at Lutheran in March 2022. The team of dieticians she works alongside embody an extraordinary legacy here, with many members working at Lutheran for their whole careers, creating a positive and supportive work environment.

The dietician department is not alone in the phenomenon of having career-long caregivers. At Lutheran, we have created a culture of care that helps train and retain high-quality caregivers like Danielle, and it is common to hear stories of caregivers who dedicate their entire careers to this hospital.

Danielle expressed immense gratitude for "working with the incredible group of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and therapists who support efforts to prevent and treat malnutrition in the hospital setting." She appreciates that Lutheran recognizes the importance of nutrition in patient care and that continuing education is encouraged, allowing her to grow her critical care skills with the help of her colleagues.

Danielle is proud to have achieved board certification in Nutrition Support this year and derives joy in helping others. It's been a highlight of her career knowing that she made a real difference in a patient's life, leading to her being honored with a Circle of Care from the Lutheran Foundation's grateful patient program. Congratulations to Danielle and the legacy of a team helping her reach success!

In just over one year, the Lutheran replacement hospital will be open and serving our community. Most of the construction work is now being done inside the walls – nursing stations, flooring, medical and technology support are being installed. We can’t wait to invite the community to the opening celebrations.  

Our teams of caregivers are working through every detail of the move and planning for the transition in Fall of 2024. Below are some interesting and fun facts from our construction partners.  

Lutheran Medical Center, now part of Intermountain Healthcare, has served the Wheat Ridge and Jefferson County communities for more than 100 years. We are building a replacement hospital at Clear Creek Crossing, located at the intersection of I-70 and Hwy 58, about 3.5 miles west of the current campus. It will open in late 2024. 

Why are you building a new hospital instead of renovating the existing hospital?  

The current hospital is an aging structure that cannot be upgraded to include the infrastructure needed to support healthcare of the future. We would need to invest more than $240M in the legacy campus buildings to renovate them. The replacement hospital is more accessible, convenient, and energy efficient. 

Are all of the current programs at Lutheran Medical Center moving to the new campus? 

When the new Lutheran Medical Center opens in late 2024, most operations at the current campus will stop, except for the standalone hospice program. The remainder will likely be sold and developed, guided by the City of Wheat Ridge master planning process. Some of Lutheran’s outpatient clinics are currently located off-campus at Denver West and Red Rocks Medical Center. 

What will happen to the legacy campus? 

We partnered with the City of Wheat Ridge in a master planning process that incorporated extensive community input to ensure a well-defined, coordinated redevelopment strategy that is now part of the city’s master plan. Once hospital operations move to the new campus, the property will be available and a developer will be identified that can implement a long-range vision for the future of the site.   

As Lutheran vacates the current campus, we will remain the stewards of the grounds and hospital-owned buildings until the sale is complete.  

What will happen to the West Pines behavioral health program? 

Intermountain Healthcare has partnered with Acadia Healthcare to expand access to inpatient behavioral health services in the coming years. Programs could include adding more licensed beds, more providers, and building a new inpatient behavioral health facility at a new site.  

What will happen to the Blue House? And the Chapel? 

Decisions about the sale or redevelopment of any part of the current Lutheran Medical Center property, including existing structures, are still in the future and will be guided by the Lutheran Legacy Campus Master Plan. As development plans are created, they will be announced to the community. 

We value the connection and the memories that community members have expressed toward the legacy campus and some of its structures, such as the Blue House and the Chapel. We are hopeful that this will be taken into consideration as part of a developer’s vision for the new property.  

The Blue House is an aging building and as such may not be appropriate for updating for use even as a historic building. Our offer to move it off property so it can be cared for or used for some purpose has gone unanswered to date.  

The Chapel has served the hospital and the community for many years as an integral piece of our legacy. It contains several beautiful and meaningful design elements. 

Both structures were identified as community assets with historic value during the master planning process. It was recommended that both should be targeted for preservation, rehabilitation or restoration, if possible, as laid out in the final master plan.  

For more updates, we encourage you to visit the Lutheran Legacy Campus Master Plan, which City Council adopted after closely collaborating with SCL Health, now Intermountain Health. The master plan document reflects the community's vision and outlines a framework for future development. It is not a site plan, it does not prescribe specific uses, nor is it a zoning document. Ultimately, it communicates to prospective owners the community's expectations 

For information and updates on the move, visit TheLutheranLegacy.org. 

Colorado Gives Foundation and Lutheran Medical Center share a legacy of caring for Jefferson County. In 2007, when the hospital joined what would later become SCL Health and is now Intermountain Health, the proceeds from the transfer of the hospital governing rights were used to help create the Lutheran Medical Center Community Foundation, which is today known as Colorado Gives Foundation. 

These two organizations are pleased to announce that Colorado Gives Foundation has made a gift of $3.2 million to the Lutheran Medical Center Foundation’s Legacy Continues Campaign. This major contribution will support the new replacement Lutheran project at Clear Creek Crossing and advance the health of people in Jefferson County and surrounding communities. 

The new replacement hospital will replace its current, aging facility in Wheat Ridge. The new building gives Lutheran and Intermountain Health an opportunity to design the future of healthcare as an accessible, innovative, and patient-centered facility that will meet the needs of a vibrant, diverse community. 

"Lutheran has served the west metro community for more than 100 years, caring for patients throughout their lives," said Scott Peek, Lutheran President, and Front Range Market President. "We look forward to providing the same high-quality care for this community for many years to come in our new location when it opens in 2024. The replacement hospital will expand access to emergency and critical care and elevate care in our region with a well-designed, efficient, and flexible facility that will help us meet the healthcare challenges of the future." 

Since its creation, Colorado Gives Foundation has invested in a variety of projects to promote community health and has grown into one of the largest community foundations in Colorado. Colorado Gives Foundation operates grantmaking programs that serve the Jeffco community and statewide, works to build capacity for nonprofits and donors. Both Colorado Gives Foundation and Lutheran are committed to community health. 

“We are committed to making good happen by helping our friends and neighbors in Jefferson County stay healthy and thrive,” said Kelly Dunkin, president and CEO of Colorado Gives Foundation. “We are proud to be a long-time partner of Lutheran and to support their efforts to deliver high-quality health services, from emergency care to welcoming babies into our community. We recognize the critical role health plays in our community’s ability to thrive, and we look forward to acontinued partnership in promoting health and wellbeing.” 

To show gratitude and acknowledge the partnership, the hospital will name the new central courtyard and public gathering space for Colorado Gives Foundation. This gift advances the success of the Lutheran Foundation’s capital campaign, which has reached 85 percent of its five-year fundraising goal of $12 million to support the replacement hospital.  

Lutheran’s history is centered around excellence and service to its community. Founded as a tuberculosis sanitarium in 1905, Lutheran Medical Center is Jefferson County’s first hospital. And today, Lutheran operates one of the busiest Emergency Departments in Colorado, provides Jefferson County’s only Labor and Delivery program, and offers unique emergency and behavioral health programs that prioritize the well-being of older adults.  

The Lutheran Foundation has received multiple Circle of Care gifts in honor of Jeri Schmelzel, DPT, CLT-LANA, and it is no wonder. The most recent contribution came from a patient Jeri has cared for over 17 years, which is just shy of the 19 years that Jeri has been with Lutheran. 

The grateful patient commented that Jeri is outstanding, special, and one of the most supportive people at Lutheran, adding that she is loving, caring, and helpful. 

Jeri has been a physical therapist for 34 years and a CLT (Certified Lymphedema Therapist) for 16 years. Jeri says, "I didn't choose the oncology field. The oncology field chose me."

Jeri was instrumental in founding the Lymphedema Clinic, which opened at Lutheran in July 2007. She explains that the dedicated clinic grew from a 20-hour-a-week program to having three full-time PTs who are all Certified Lymphedema Therapists. The clinic also has expanded its care to include oncology rehabilitation. Jeri appreciates that Lutheran Oncology recognizes that physical therapy adds value to a patient's best functional outcome and regards PTs as integral members of the team.

The clinic treats swelling from many causes. About 70 percent of patients are cancer patients; however, not all experience swelling. The team also works with patients after cancer surgeries, like mastectomies, to regain joint range of motion and strength or work to help patients with balance and fatigue issues caused by chemotherapy. Some swelling /lymphedema patients do not have cancer; their swelling is due to trauma and injury to the lymphatic system or circulation problems.

Lymphedema is not a widely known ailment, and while awareness and the specialty are growing, the Lymphedema Clinic is a niche program whose caregivers understand the condition well and continue to educate on what lymphedema is and how to treat it effectively.

When recalling an impactful story during her career, Jeri shared the story of a patient with obesity-related lymphedema who came into her care. The patient, who had wounds and severe swelling in both legs, was losing hope and felt that nobody knew what lymphedema was or how to treat it. 

During the first visit, the patient said, "Every other caregiver has given up on me; I almost died from my leg infections. I hope you don't give up on me." Jeri responded, "You don't give up on me, and I will never give up on you!" She successfully treated the patient, getting the wounds closed and swelling reduced, stating, "And I never gave up on her."

Caregivers like Jeri help patients navigate health challenges and encourage them through tough times. They are often the voice that helps people persevere, making it possible for our community members to strive to live their healthiest lives possible.

West Pines Behavioral Health (now Hospital) has served the West Denver community and its residents needing behavioral health services for more than 30 years. Many patients have benefited from expert care and support through its inpatient programs, partial hospitalization and outpatient programs over the years. It has changed lives and given hope to those in need.  

One such patient is Loren Wollet, who was given the support she needed to overcome a life of drug addiction that tore her family apart. Lauren came to West Pines while she was pregnant with her second daughter. She had already lost custody of her first child due to her drug use during pregnancy.  

“Because of the pain and trauma of losing my daughter, I ended up taking opioids again,” Loren said. Still, she recognized that her next baby and her marriage were at risk unless she faced her addiction.  

Loren checked into West Pines’ 10-day medically supervised detox program in September 2021. “It was four days before my birthday and it was a really tough time because I was pregnant and withdrawing,” she said. 

While Loren was in detox, she was offered a 14-day residential program. There, she participated in art groups, therapy sessions and more. At the time, she was homeless. Her nurse found a bed for her at Aspen Miracle Center, a home for pregnant women in recovery. She went from West Pines to Aspen, where she stayed for 83 days. 

Loren has remained sober since the day she checked in to West Pines. After giving birth to her second daughter in January 2022, she stayed on MAT (medication-assisted treatment) therapy to help curtail her drug cravings and is slowly tapering off them. Her daughter was born healthy and experienced no withdrawal symptoms. She now lives with her husband and daughter in an apartment.  

Loren is grateful for the many facets of support she received throughout her recovery. “The people at West Pines genuinely wanted to help and did everything in their power to make sure I beat my addiction. Life has completely changed this past year and a half, and we are so blessed.”  

Loren completed the training and certification to become a Mandatory Reporter for the Department of Human Services, which runs CPS. She is required by law to report any child abuse or neglect she witnesses. She now attends Lutheran’s Circle of Parents program weekly and remains close with Michelle, the West Pines recovery nurse advocate who helped her turn her life around. 

Recently, Loren and her husband went to Lutheran to talk with the doctors and nurses about the stigma surrounding pregnant women with substance use disorders. She spoke on a panel in hopes of trying to get them to change the language with which they speak about the disease. They bravely shared their stories and answered questions and after, stopped by West Pines to introduce their daughter. 

Loren shares her story to bring hope to other people struggling with substance use disorder and to inspire others to fight for themselves and get clean. She would like people to know that recovery is possible and that if she can do it while homeless and pregnant, and be successful, anyone can.  

“Recovery is a struggle worth fighting every day to stay clean,” Loren adds. “My reward for getting and staying clean is being present for every smile, every laugh, and every milestone my daughter achieves. She is my superhero and my motivation to live a clean and sober life.” 

The Circle of Care donation received to honor Dr. Karng Log demonstrates how appreciated and respected he is among patients. The large group that gathers around the Medical Oncology office to celebrate Dr. Log shows his esteem within the department.

Having a great sense of humor, Dr. Log is known for lightening the mood and putting people at ease. These qualities prove valuable when helping patients navigate their lives through a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

Dr. Log recognizes that such a diagnosis has a way of affecting every aspect of a patient's life.  "Although we treat cancer, my focus has always been more on a patient's quality of life, attempting to provide as much normalcy as possible," he says.

Board certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Dr. Log especially emphasizes quality of life when undergoing cancer treatment. If the situation is terminal, he helps patients discover what they want to accomplish with their remaining time.

Dr. Log shared a story of posing this question with a patient in his care who wanted to visit Hawaii. Following their conversation, the patient booked the trip and turned their dream into reality. Given the testimonies and widespread gratitude expressed for Dr. Log, it is clear he takes great care in his work.

The Legacy Continues Comprehensive Fundraising Campaign, which kicked off in July 2021,  has reached nearly 80% of its five-year goal of $12 million. 

Thank you to all who have graciously supported the campaign and to our Campaign Committee!  

Campaign plans for 2023 include: 

• Creating additional naming opportunities as we learn more about the spaces in the new, replacement hospital 
• Engaging the community more through informational gatherings and events  
• Further involvement of our construction partners 
• Rallying physician support through a designated “sub-campaign” in partnership with Lutheran’s medical executives  
• Involving Lutheran caregivers in the campaign through the Caring Spirit Caregiver Campaign in May 
• Securing additional support from our Board and Leadership 
• Beginning the process of designing a donor recognition piece for the new, replacement hospital 

As we continue to make plans for the move to the new hospital, there is interest in what will happen to the current, legacy campus.  

The Lutheran Hospice will remain on the legacy campus. West Pines Behavioral Hospital, in partnership with Acadia Healthcare, will break ground on a new facility in the coming weeks in Westminster.  

To learn more about plans for the he legacy campus, we encourage you to visit the Lutheran Legacy Campus Master Plan, which the Wheat Ridge City Council adopted after closely collaborating with SCL Health, now Intermountain Health.  

The master plan document reflects the community's vision and outlines a framework for future development. It is not a site plan, it does not prescribe specific uses, nor is it a zoning document. Ultimately, it communicates to prospective owners the community's expectations. 

The redevelopment of this 100-acre parcel in the heart of Wheat Ridge offers a tremendous opportunity for the City to build a bright future for the benefit of its residents and neighbors, while maintaining respect for the history and legacy of Lutheran's role in the community.  

The Donor Alliance flag will fly in front of Lutheran Medical Center through April, to honor and recognize the importance of organ donation.  

Babette Canacari knows first-hand the difference that donation makes. When her 12-year-old daughter, who was born at Lutheran, died several years ago, one decision that was easy to make was to agree for her to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor.  

Brianna was in the ICU for four days following a tragic accident, when it became clear that she was not going to survive. Since she had previously shared that she wanted to sign up to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor when she was old enough, her parents agreed to honor her wishes. 

“It was an easy decision to make – we knew it was what she wanted,” Babette said.  

On April 6, Babette shared her daughter’s story with Lutheran caregivers, Donor Alliance staff, and the news media, as we raised the flag in front of the hospital.  

Babette added: “Brianna helped people when she was alive and now, she was going to give the gift of life in her death. We know that she saved at least three people (and their families) with her organs and now these families have a second chance at life. She also saved and healed many through the gifts of her tissue.” 

Dr. Steven Brown, Vice President, and Chief Medical Officer at Lutheran, spoke about Lutheran’s partnership with Donor Alliance, an organization whose staff he called compassionate and respectful. He shared some statistics about organ donation in the region and at Lutheran in particular: 

• There are about 1,500 people needing organ donation in our region. 
• Coloradans are No. 1 in the country in terms of signing up to donate organs, eyes and tissue at 66% of the population with driver's licenses.  
• In 2022, Lutheran had 15 donors, resulting in 40 organs donated, 85 tissue donations and more than 6,300 people helped or healed.  
• Through Lutheran, Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank recovered eye tissue from 97 donors, restoring sight in people in 11 states and seven countries.  

Jennifer Prinze, RN, BSN, MPH-HPA, and CEO of Donor Alliance, highlighted the partnerships between Donor Alliance and hospitals as we serve grieving families and honor donors and recipients.  

“We are grateful to the staff at Children’s Hospital Colorado and Donor Alliance. I understand what doctors and nurses go through,” Babette said. “You never forget the love you have for your child. I want to share Brianna’s legacy – she is still here, just through me. Thank you for letting me share her story.”  

The American Cancer Society estimates more than 153,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year making it one of the most common cancers in both men and women. 

March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month and updated guidelines make it possible for more people to be screened with a colonoscopystarting at age 45.

If you are over 45 years old, or have a history of colon cancer in your family, talk to your doctor about your options for early detection and prevention.

“Some people are at a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer, especially those over age 45,” said Dr. Joseph Cassara, gastroenterologist at Lutheran Medical Center, now part of Intermountain Health, and Chief Medical Officer at Gastroenterology of the Rockies. “Early detection is critical to catching colorectal cancer and saving lives.”

Intermountain Health experts are working to raise awareness so that people know that colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable with early detection.

Here’s what they want you to know:

1. Know When to Get Screened

Colon cancer is one of the most treatable cancers, but the only way to detect it is through screening. People with an average risk of colon cancer should start their screenings at age 45. 

For most patients a colonoscopy is then only needed once every 10 years, or once every five years if your doctor determines you have an increased risk of colon cancer. Earlier screening may be recommended for anyone with a family history of colon cancer. 

If you have irritable bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or other conditions that affect the gastrointestinal tract, talk with your doctor or a GI specialist to determine when and how often you should be screened.

And don’t delay your colonoscopies.

“Delays in screening could lead to a delayed cancer diagnosis,” said Dr. Merriman. “Screenings are designed to detect cancer early and early detection is more easily treatable, so we have better outcomes.”

A colonoscopy is the most effective method of screening for colon cancer,  precancerous growths, and polyps. If an abnormal mass or polyp is identified, your physician will identify the best course of treatment which may include removing it during the procedure. Finding and removing precancerous growths during a colonoscopy can help prevent cancer from developing. 

A colonoscopy also helps your doctor see other problems that may be causing abdominal pain, weight loss, rectal bleeding or changes in bowel habits. 

2. Know the Warning Signs of Colon Cancer  

Early-stage colon cancer seldom causes any clear or obvious symptoms, so it’s important to know the warning signs, such as: 

• change in bowel habits

• rectal bleeding

• abdominal pain

• unintentional weight loss

• unexplained anemia (iron deficiency)

• fatigue

Many of these symptoms can be caused by something other than cancer, so get to know your body well enough that you can report changes in your overall health to your physician.

3. Know Your Risk Factors

• Age: The risk of developing many cancers increases as we age. Ninety percent of colorectal cancer occurs in adults over age 45, however rates are rising in people who are in their 40’s. By 2030, early-onset colorectal cancer is expected to become the leading cancer related cause of death for people age 20-to-49.

• Family History: If you have a close relative who has had colon cancer or a colon polyp, you may be at higher risk for getting the disease.

• Medical Conditions: Having an inflammatory bowel disease may increase your risk for developing colon cancer.

• Race: Rates of colorectal cancer are higher in African Americans compared with other races. This may be because fewer African Americans get screened for colon cancer.

• Lifestyle: There are some risk factors you can change. These include stopping smoking, improving your diet, keeping a healthy weight, and being active. 

4. Additional Screenings for Colon Cancer Are Available

In the past, one of the only ways to screen was a colonoscopy, which uses a camera system inserted into the colon to look for possible issues. New advancements allow people to screen more often using a Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) kit at home. 

The FIT isn’t set to replace a colonoscopy, but can serve as a vital tool for regular monitoring for those with low to moderate risk of colorectal cancer. Physicians agree, If FIT results come back positive, a colonoscopy should be scheduled.

New research shows non-compliance with a colonoscopy after positive FIT results doubles the risk of dying.

A person can receive a FIT kit by having their doctor to order them one. It is recommended people speak with their doctors to come up with a screening plan that’s right for them.

Always call your insurance company before undergoing any test or procedure to determine coverage and any other questions you may have. If you are 45 years old or older, talk to your doctor about which test is right for you.

For more information on colonoscopies or to find a physician click here.

Well-deserved recognition and praise are given to our clinical caregivers who provide direct care for our patients. However, there are countless behind-the-scenes caregivers who play a vital role in making sure those caregivers have everything they need to provide the world-class care for which we are known at Lutheran Medical Center. The Supply Chain team is our latest group of “unsung heroes,” and we are proud to recognize their incredible work.  

The Supply Chain team is comprised of 20 caregivers and three robots. They manage supplies in 64 rooms, including 41 nursing supply rooms, 15 Surgery rooms, six Cath Lab rooms and two Sterile Processing rooms. Last year, they added two new caregivers to their team, an equipment tech, and a GI lab supply coordinator.  

In 2022, the team received more than 330,000 packages for the hospital, which included everything from cookie dough to medical supplies to pharmaceuticals. The supply handling team of eight people picked almost six million items out of the warehouse and put more than five million of those items away in storerooms.  

There are many caregivers in Supply Chain who have had long careers at Lutheran, including two who reached their 30-year benchmark in 2022 – George (Toby) Martinez and Donna Baker. Multiple members on the team have worked in several departments and in various roles throughout the hospital. There are even two mother/daughter teams working in Supply Chain at Lutheran.  

Rachel Walker joined Lutheran three years ago, and currently serves as the interim director of Supply Chain, but her history with the hospital began when she was in middle school. Rachel’s mom worked in Supply Chain at the time, and Rachel would go to work with her to help organize and alphabetize items. Prior to becoming interim director, Rachel served as an analyst and a manager. She also volunteered at Lutheran’s Breast Care Center when she was in high school. 

“I absolutely love the staff here,” said Rachel. “We have so much fun and even prank each other sometimes. We know each other very well and know what is going on in each other’s lives. Another thing I love about this job is that even though we are not doing clinical work, the work we do has a huge impact in the hospital.” 

Lutheran’s robots play a unique role by carrying supplies and helping with push/pull injuries. The robots can independently use elevators and open doors. Since they were originally identified by numbers that were difficult to read, the Supply Chain team decided to dress them in superhero costumes – Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Not only is Lutheran the only Intermountain Health hospital in Colorado to use robots for supply delivery, but they were also the first hospital in the state of Colorado to use robots for supply delivery. 

“Patients’ eyes light up when they see the robots, and they love taking photos with them,” said Rachel. “They have cameras and sensors so they can get out of the way of people walking by and avoid other obstacles along the way. They have the capability to help with so many things.” 

The team receives and arranges almost everything that comes into the hospital. They are tasked with figuring out if deliveries are missing anything, whom to contact when they arrive, and where the packages go. They manage approximately 1,300 supplies within the warehouse, small equipment, and more. They receive every order that comes in on USPS, UPS, FedEx, and Amazon trucks.  

The coordinators ensure the hospital has the supplies it needs, and they manage substitutes, backorders, recalls and any other potential issues with supplies coming into the hospital. The warehouse typically has $550,000 worth of products on hand, managed by the coordinators. The technicians get orders from the rooms in all 64 locations daily and will pick them and deliver them. On any given day, one shift will get roughly 700 different supplies picked and delivered.  

"We view the nursing staff as our main customers in the hospital,” said Rachel. “When they call us for an item, we figure out what they need. We always keep in mind that caring for the patient is the end goal, so we must make sure we get them the right product and we do it efficiently. We have gotten really good at understanding that our nurses are under an enormous amount of pressure, especially in the last couple of years, and we want to be here for them and be able to get them exactly what they need.” 

During the pandemic, the team received donations from the community to help with the supply chain issues hospitals experienced nationwide. They had to look at how many products were being used each month to determine the best way to use the allocated supplies. A Supply Chain caregiver would round each morning and hand out masks to the staff depending on what staffing levels were in each department. When non-emergency surgeries were temporarily halted, the team helped the OR staff make masks with sewing machines.  

“We had to work with a lot of other departments during that time,” Rachel said. “It was tough on everyone, and we had to help everyone make it work with what we had.” 

The Supply Chain team maintains a cache of extra supplies for the Front Range Intermountain Health hospitals that includes gloves, masks, gowns, and pallets of extra supplies in case anything like a pandemic happens again. 

When asked what Rachel would want people to know about her team, she said, “The work we do is expanding. Our analyst works with a system that weighs supplies and reorders them based on that weight. It allows us to expand to better help people and make sure things are stocked better. This system is quicker, fewer people are involved, and it will allow nurses to focus on nursing instead of having to worry about the supplies they need.”   

We sometimes forget that the amazing work that our clinical teams do would not be possible without all the hardworking and dedicated behind-the-scenes team members here at Lutheran. Thank you to these extraordinary people working in extraordinary times. We are grateful for all that you do! 

It all started in October for John Dallum, with stomach pain. The pain was serious enough that he thought he had pancreatitis and went to an urgent care facility to get checked out. They, however, thought it might be something more and recommended that John go to Lutheran Medical Center’s Emergency Department.

“I almost just blew if off,” John says now. “It’s a good thing I didn’t.” Tests at Lutheran revealed that John, age 59, had blood clots in his spleen and one of his kidneys. And that in fact he was likely in heart failure, with four of his arteries more than 90 percent blocked.

Symptoms of congestive heart disease, which affects about 5 million Americans, can be mild or severe and can include shortness of breath, fluid retention, and rapid or irregular heartbeats, along with dizziness, fatigue, and weakness.

“I really didn’t have any symptoms of heart problems,” John added. “Looking back, I can see that even though I wasn’t having pain before, I had been tired all the time. Because my heart was working so hard, I was throwing blood clots.”

John’s heart needed time and medication to build up enough strength to undergo the surgery he needed to clear his arteries. In early January, he was admitted to Lutheran for a quadruple bypass operation.

“I was up and walking the next day,” he says. He spent one week in the hospital and had to return once to be treated for fluid retention and breathing problems.

Today, John is working hard to regain his strength three times per week in Lutheran’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program, where he exercises and learns more about his condition and how to manage it.

“The hospital staff have been extremely good to me, and the cardiac rehab team takes good care of me,” John says. “What brought me to Lutheran was pretty unusual, and I was the talk of the ER for a while. I know I’ve been very lucky in a lot of ways.”

Last week, Pete Haas retired from Lutheran after 48 years of service. He began his career washing dishes in Lutheran’s kitchen in 1974, when he was in 11th grade. He took the job to save money to buy his first car, and never anticipated what a journey it would become. 

Pete spent a year working in Environmental Services, then decided to go to community college. He continued to work weekends at the hospital and was eventually transferred to Central Distribution where he served in various roles. During this time, he got to know a lot of people who worked in the pharmacy, including the director, because he would deliver IVs to them.  

It was around that time that the pharmacy needed a technician to work the 3 -11 a.m. shift. Pete took the job and stayed in that role for eight years. He transitioned into a pharmacy backup buyer role, but after a year, the full-time buyer moved to Orlando, and they offered Pete the position. He remained Lutheran’s buyer for the next 30 years.  

“I love my job because the people are great and it keeps me on my toes," Pete said. “There’s only one buyer for the entire hospital and about 20 non-specialty clinics so you’re constantly busy. I honestly never thought I would stay for as long as I did. When I was working in the kitchen in high school, there was an older man named Elmer who told us he’d been there for 40 years. We thought that was hysterical. Little did I know, I would surpass him.” 

Pete says the thing he likes the most about working at Lutheran is the people. He also really enjoys working for a non-profit organization. “I felt like I was helping people, even if it was in an indirect way,” he said.  

Over the years, Pete formed many friendships with his fellow caregivers and had too many great times to count. In the 80s and 90s, he played on Lutheran’s intermural softball team. He’s especially proud of the time his team beat the administration team and took the third-place trophy. 

“Working in the pharmacy was my first really good memory because even though I was only a technician, I worked in a department staffed by professionals and that kind of treatment trickled down,” said Pete. “I was treated better there than I’d ever been treated anywhere else. Lutheran truly is like a family.” 

He prides himself on making sure the pharmacy always had the products they needed to do their job, which at times could be challenging. There were drug shortages and drugs that were hard to find, and this was especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

During the height of the pandemic, Pete’s job intensified because there were requests to stock up on many supplies to prevent them from running out, but the pharmacy didn’t have the physical space for it. There were many items that went from being easy to acquire to strictly on an allocated basis, and it was his job to find alternatives.  

“There were times we had to improvise and get creative," explained Pete. “At one point, Pfizer was unable to supply 10-milliliter vials of sterile water, which is what we use to reconstitute antibiotic vials and put them into IVs to give to patients. We ended up buying special syringes and drew sterile water out of a large bag and labeled them. It was an incredible amount of work for our technicians to do, but it was the only way to do it.” 

Over the years, Pete was responsible for buying medications for all of Lutheran’s clinics, in addition to the hospital. At one point there were roughly 50 clinics, and he supplied every item they needed. He was also responsible for buying flu vaccine shots for all employees and patients at the hospital and clinics. In total, he’s charged with buying and distributing approximately 30,000 doses of the vaccine each year. 

As for retirement plans, Pete has recently taken up electric guitar and is teaching himself to play. He plans to visit Moab with his wife and take daily walks and hikes with his two dogs. He’s a voracious reader and is looking forward to having more time to discover new favorite books.  

“One of the things I'm most proud of is that I almost never called in sick in 48 years,” said Pete. “I really felt like it was my duty and responsibility to be here for my department because they depended on me.” 

“As I prepare to leave, I would like to tell my coworkers that it’s been wonderful,” he said. “Everything they’re doing is for a greater cause, which is helping our patients and people who are in need. To quote the Grateful Dead, ‘What a long, strange trip it’s been’ is an understatement. I’ve had quite the journey and I’m looking forward to what the future holds.” 

As the replacement hospital project gains momentum and we look forward to moving to the new campus, there is interest in what will happen to the current, legacy campus.  

The Lutheran Hospice will remain on the legacy campus. West Pines Behavioral Health, in partnership with Acadia Healthcare, is planning to relocate and build a new facility in the northwest metro area with expanded services about the same time as the Lutheran move to the replacement hospital.  

In 2021, SCL Health, now Intermountain Healthcare, partnered with the City of Wheat Ridge and a third-party consultant to undertake a master planning process. That process was completed in the Fall of 2021, with community input and approval from the city’s planning commission and city council.  

There is no further update on the disposition of the property at this time, and it is too soon to know the future of any of the buildings on the Lutheran Legacy campus. The redevelopment of this 100-acre parcel in the heart of Wheat Ridge offers a tremendous opportunity for the City to build a bright future for the benefit of its residents and neighbors, while maintaining respect for the history and legacy of Lutheran's role in the community.  

You can learn more about the master plan at WhatsUpWheatRidge.com/Lutheran. 

Dr. Jennifer Caskey and Zach Urban, co-chairs of the Legacy Continues Campaign, are pleased to welcome Dr. Vernon Ritzman to the Campaign Committee.  

Dr. Ritzman is a retired primary care physician and a strong supporter of Lutheran’s over the years. He brings knowledge of the community and his camaraderie with other physicians to the group. 

Kathie Repola, executive director of the Lutheran Foundation, is excited to announce that Community First Foundation has made a major contribution to the Lutheran Medical Center Foundation’s Legacy Continues Campaign.  

With this $3.1 million gift, the Lutheran Foundation will have raised more than $8.7M, which is 73 percent of the five-year campaign goal. To show gratitude and acknowledge the partnership, the new central outdoor public gathering space in the new hospital will be named in honor of this support and for Community First Foundation. 

“We are grateful for the many years of partnership with Community First Foundation and their support of the health and well-being of the people of Jefferson County,” said Grant Wicklund, President of Lutheran Medical Center. “This generous gift will help us continue the Lutheran legacy and fulfill our mission of helping people live the healthiest lives possible.” 

Kelly Dunkin, president and CEO of Community First Foundation, said: “We are committed to helping our friends and neighbors in Jefferson County stay healthy and thrive. We are proud to be a long-time partner of Lutheran Medical Center and support their efforts to deliver high quality health services, from emergencies to welcoming babies into our community. We recognize the critical role health plays in our community’s ability to thrive, and we look forward to continued partnership in promoting health and wellbeing.” 

The Lutheran Foundation would like to thank all who have made leadership gifts to Campaign: 

• Community First Foundation 
• Rick and Karen Adams  
• Denise Black Andersen  
• Dr. Jennifer Caskey 
• Cathy Chuey  
• Nancy Collier 
• Phyllis M. Coors Foundation  
• Kristi Davis  
• Robert and Elaine Doerksen Fund  
• Estate of Lee Fisher 
• Mr. George Fosha  
• Ron Hagmeyer  
• Sandra Henderson  
• Dr. Douglas and Ardith Hunter  
• The Estate of Robert Irish 
• William J Keller 
• Mark and Carrie Korth 
• Marion Milton Trust  
• Guy Nahmiach and Jane Newman 
• John and Michelle O’Dorsio  
• Wallace Rice Trust 
• Rotary Club of Wheat Ridge  
• Sean Sample Family  
• Schlessman Family Foundation  
• Robert Serkowski  
• Spano Family Foundation  
• Clair Villano  
• Dr. Betsy Brew and Bob Van Wetter  
• Paul R. and Anna Lee White Family Foundation 
• Grant Wicklund  
• Estate of Ms. Gracye Wilhite  
• John and Jeannie Witwer  

We are honored by the generosity of those who invest in the health of our community and inspire others to participate. Every gift counts in the Legacy Continues Comprehensive Campaign and we invite you to join us as we advance healthcare for Jefferson County and West Denver. To get involved and learn more, contact Kathie Repola at 303.467.4802 or katherine.repola@sclhealth.org. 

Lutheran Medical Center’s new replacement hospital is making amazing progress – on time and on budget! - and the project is being recognized already for the many ways it will contribute to the west metro Denver community.  

Recently, the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation awarded Lutheran its Gateways Award for Project of the Year. 

We are proud to be recognized for this project and cannot wait until the new hospital is open and serving our community! Click here (https://www.sclhealth.org/news/project-of-the-year-winner--lutheran-medical-center-2022/) to read the full story.  

In construction news, we have reached several exciting milestones in the past few weeks: 

• The exterior walls are complete, and the building is “weathered in,” meaning most of the glass is in place so crews can concentrate on the interior work over the cold months.  
• The bridge connecting the parking structure to the main hospital was “flown” into place using a large crane. This bridge was built on the ground nearby before the November installation.    
• The helipad on top of the building is complete, and work is ongoing on the ambulance bay near the Emergency Department. 
• Most of the building is now temperature-controlled, floor heating has been installed on the loading dock, which is north-facing and will rarely experience any sunlight during the winter months.  
• Ceilings and walls are being installed in all floors. 
• Groundbreaking for the 6-story Medical Office Building is planned for mid-April.  

Our caregivers are beginning to assess workflows – how patients, visitors and caregivers will access the building, how supplies will flow, how patients will be admitted, discharged and transferred. By the time the move takes place, these processes will be well-tested and running smoothly.   

Here are some more fun facts about construction from one of our construction partners, Encore electric (w/photo below). These miles of cables link our network of IT, medical, office, life safety, and other equipment. 

We are grateful for our trusted construction partners who maintain high standards in their work. The new year will bring many more milestones as this project gets closer to being complete!  

More information, photos, videos, and details on the new Lutheran Medical Center can be found at TheLutheranLegacy.org. 

Lutheran Medical Center, now a part of Intermountain Healthcare, and the Community First Foundation (CFF) are pleased to announce that Community First has made a major contribution to the Lutheran Medical Center Foundation’s Legacy Continues Campaign.  

This gift of $3.1 million will support the replacement Lutheran Medical Center project at Clear Creek Crossing, as well as help advance the health of people in Jefferson County and surrounding communities. 

Lutheran Medical Center, one of the highest-quality and lowest-cost hospitals in Colorado, is building a replacement hospital to replace its current, aging facility. The new building gives Lutheran and Intermountain Healthcare an opportunity to design the future of healthcare as an accessible, innovative, and patient-centered facility, that will meet the needs of a vibrant, diverse community.  

“We are grateful for the many years of partnership with Community First Foundation and their support for the health and well-being of the people of Jefferson County,” said Grant Wicklund, President and CEO of Lutheran Medical Center. “This generous gift will help us continue the Lutheran legacy and fulfill our mission of helping people live the healthiest lives possible.”  

Community First and Lutheran have a shared legacy of caring for Jefferson County. In 2007, when the hospital joined what would later become SCL Health and is now Intermountain Healthcare, the proceeds from the transfer of the hospital were used to help create the Lutheran Community Foundation, which is today known as Community First Foundation.

Since its creation, CFF has invested in a variety of projects to promote community health and has grown into one of the largest community foundations in Colorado. CFF operates grantmaking programs that serve the Jeffco community. Both CFF and Lutheran are committed to health and wellbeing so all of Jeffco is thriving.    

“We are committed to helping our friends and neighbors in Jefferson County stay healthy and thrive,” said Kelly Dunkin, president and CEO of Community First Foundation. “We are proud to be a long-time partner of Lutheran Medical Center and support their efforts to deliver high quality health services, from emergencies to welcoming babies into our community. We recognize the critical role health plays in our community’s ability to thrive, and we look forward to continued partnership in promoting health and wellbeing.” 

To show gratitude and acknowledge the partnership, the hospital will name the new central courtyard and public gathering space for Community First Foundation.  

This gift advances the success of the Lutheran Foundation’s capital campaign, which has reached nearly 70 percent of its five-year fundraising goal of $12 million to support the replacement hospital.  

Lutheran’s history is centered around excellence and service to its community. Founded as a tuberculosis sanitarium in 1905, Lutheran Medical Center is Jefferson County’s first hospital. Today, Lutheran operates one of the busiest Emergency Departments in Colorado, provides Jefferson County’s only Labor and Delivery program, and offers unique emergency and behavioral health programs that prioritize the wellbeing of older adults.  

The new Lutheran Medical Center will: 

• Expand access to emergency and critical care for families up and down the Jefferson County and West Denver suburbs, with easy and quick access from I-70, Hwy. 93, and U.S. 6/Sixth Avenue. 
• Elevate health care in the region with a well-designed, energy-efficient, and flexible facility designed with the patient and caregivers top of mind.  
• Provide more comfort for patients and families, with all rooms being more open and brighter with floor-to-ceiling glass, making for more natural light in the room.  
• Help drive economic growth in Jefferson County and West Denver, employing 2,000 people in well-paying jobs and contributing more than $1.1 billion. Lutheran remains the largest employer in Wheat Ridge. 

 Learn more about the replacement hospital at TheLutheranLegacy.org. 

About Lutheran Medical Center 

Lutheran Medical Center is a community-based, 338-bed acute-care hospital located in Wheat Ridge, CO. Local and national ratings organizations regularly recognize Lutheran for clinical excellence, patient safety and patient experience. 

Lutheran’s premier services include a birthing center, Heart and Neurovascular Center, robotic surgery, Comprehensive Stroke Center, Cancer Centers of Colorado, Orthopedics, a Level II Trauma Center, and emergency services including a Senior Emergency Room. Senior-focused services also include a dedicated Senior Behavioral Health unit. Lutheran operations include West Pines, Lutheran Hospice, and the Spine Center at Denver West. 

Lutheran Medical Center is part of the Intermountain Healthcare system. Based in Utah with locations in seven states (Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming) and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Healthcare is a nonprofit healthcare system comprised of 33 hospitals, 385 clinics, medical groups with some 3,800 employed physicians and advanced practice providers. To help people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs consistently.  

CONTACT:  

Sarah Ellis, Communications Manager, Lutheran Medical Center 

Sarah.Ellis@imail.org | 720-280-5820 

Cindy Matthews, Communications Director, Community First Foundation 

Cmatthews@communityfirstfoundation.org | 720-898-5909 

• Good Samaritan Medical Center, Lafayette, Colorado 
• Lutheran Medical Center, Wheat Ridge, Colorado
• Saint Joseph Hospital, Denver, Colorado
• Platte Valley Medical Center, Brighton, Colorado
• St. Mary's Hospital and Medical Center, Grand Junction, Colorado
• St. Vincent Healthcare, Billings, Montana 

“This national distinction celebrates our caregivers and their achievements in ensuring our patients receive the best possible care,” said Mark Korth, president of Intermountain Healthcare, Peaks Region. “As we continue to enhance our safety mission, we are united in our commitment to healthcare safety as we advance our mission of helping people live the healthiest lives possible.” 

The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization with a 10-year history of assigning letter grades to general hospitals throughout the United States based on a hospital’s ability to prevent medical errors and harm to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent, and free to the public. Hospital Safety Grade results are based on more than 30 national performance measures and are updated each fall and spring. 

“I applaud the hospital leadership and workforce for their strong commitment to safety and transparency,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “An ‘A’ Safety Grade is a sign that hospitals are continuously evaluating their performance so that they can best protect patients. Your hospital team should be extremely proud of their dedication and achievement.” 

To see Intermountain Healthcare’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in hospitals, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook, and via its newsletter.  

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About Intermountain Healthcare 

SCL Health is now part of the Intermountain Healthcare system. Based in Utah with locations in seven states (Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming) and additional operations across the western U.S. A nonprofit healthcare system, Intermountain Healthcare is comprised of 33 hospitals, 385 clinics, and medical groups with some 3,800 employed physicians and advanced practice providers. To help people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by consistently using evidence-based best practices to deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. 

About The Leapfrog Group

Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps for patient safety. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog's other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. For more, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for our newsletter.

Recently, the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation awarded Lutheran its Gateways Award for Project of the Year. The annual award celebration of Jefferson County businesses and community recognized sponsors, finalists and winners in four categories:   

• Community Partner of the Year, sponsored by Comcast – Manufacturer’s Edge  
• Sustainability Partner of the Year, sponsored by Xcel Energy - Martin/Martin Consulting Engineers  
• Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by Amazon - PharmaJet  
• Project of the Year, sponsored by Martin/Martin Consulting Engineers – Lutheran Medical Center  

Jeffco EDC highlighted this video about the project: Project of the Year Winner- Lutheran Medical Center 2022  

We are proud to be recognized for this project and cannot wait until the new hospital is open and serving our community! We are also grateful for the work of our caregivers and project partners – Barton Malow, Haselden Construction, and the Cumming Group.   

“For many years, Lutheran has consistently received recognition from national ratings agencies for our efforts in providing safe, quality patient care,” said Grant Wicklund, President, Lutheran Medical Center. “We continue to innovate and improve the care that our community deserves and has come to expect from us.” 

The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization with a 10-year history of assigning letter grades to general hospitals throughout the United States based on a hospital’s ability to prevent medical errors and harm to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent, and free to the public. Hospital Safety Grade results are based on more than 30 national performance measures and are updated each fall and spring.  

“I applaud the hospital leadership and workforce for their strong commitment to safety and transparency,” said Leah Binder, president, and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “An ‘A’ Safety Grade is a sign that hospitals continuously evaluate their performance to protect patients best. Your hospital team should be extremely proud of their dedication and achievement.” 

To see Lutheran’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook, and via its newsletter.  

About Lutheran Medical Center 

Lutheran Medical Center is a community-based, 338-bed acute-care hospital located in Wheat Ridge, CO. Local and national ratings organizations regularly recognize Lutheran for clinical excellence, patient safety and patient experience.  

Lutheran’s premier services include a birthing center, Heart and Neurovascular Center, robotic surgery, Comprehensive Stroke Center, Cancer Centers of Colorado, Orthopedics, a Level II Trauma Center, and emergency services including a Senior Emergency Room. Senior-focused services also include a dedicated Senior Behavioral Health unit. Lutheran operations include West Pines, Lutheran Hospice, and the Spine Center at Denver West.  

Lutheran Medical Center is part of the Intermountain Healthcare system. Based in Utah with locations in seven states (Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming) and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Healthcare is a nonprofit healthcare system comprised of 33 hospitals, 385 clinics, medical groups with some 3,800 employed physicians and advanced practice providers. To help people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs consistently.  

About The Leapfrog Group                                                                                    

Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps for patient safety. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog's other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for our newsletter. 

Beginning Nov. 1, Lutheran Hospice will team up with First Call to create a more streamlined and coordinated referral process for patients seeking hospice care.

This partnership gives patients access to an enhanced hospice onboarding process. The union builds a bridge between acute care, physician practices and our community to ensure effective care transitions for hospice patients electing service with Lutheran Hospice in the greater Denver area.

Care Management and providers ordering hospice services through Lutheran Hospice will begin with a phone call to First Call Transfer Center and they will coordinate with hospice. This will ensure the focus is getting the patient the right level of care as promptly as possible. The initial call will begin the referral process to hospice, whether the needs are for specialty inpatient care at the Collier Center or routine level of hospice care wherever the patient calls home.

First Call is an RN-staffed and clinically supported service designed to connect quickly to the physicians and staff of SCL Health, now Intermountain Healthcare, eliminating the need to keep track of multiple numbers or make multiple calls. It’s a fast, efficient, 24/7 transfer center to and from Intermountain Healthcare hospitals and facilities in the Denver area, including:

• Good Samaritan Medical Center in Lafayette
• Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge
• Platte Valley Medical Center in Brighton
• Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver
• Saint Joseph ER in Northglenn

First Call caregivers will:

• Coordinate with the hospice team and manage the logistics for a smooth patient experience

• Coordinate necessary physician to physician consultations to facilitate the prompt exchange of information

• Perform EMR registration, allowing expedited provider order entry for IPU admissions

• Arrange for the appropriate transportation to home or Collier Center, using the established transportation collaborative

• Admit or transfer a patient to an ER, inpatient setting and hospice inpatient at the Collier Center or wherever the patient calls home with Lutheran Hospice

To admit or transfer a Hospice patient in the greater Denver area, contact:

First Call

1-844-504-0004

sclhealth.org/first-call

The hospital, located at I-70 and SH 58 in the Clear Creek Crossing development, is slated to open in late 2024. This major milestone marks the transition from near completion of the external structure to a focus on internal construction and finishes, which will continue over the next two years.

“Our goal is to remain a vital part of this community, by building in a location that will expand access to emergency and critical care for families in the region,” said Grant Wicklund, President, Lutheran Medical Center. “As a Level II Trauma Center, we have the ability to care for some of the most serious injuries and conditions that can occur. And, as the only hospital in Jefferson County that cares for pregnant moms and their babies, we pride ourselves on supporting new families through those first days and months for their best start.”

The beam was temporarily located on the Lutheran legacy campus, where Lutheran and Intermountain Healthcare caregivers had the opportunity to add their names to it before it was moved to the construction site and lifted to the top of the building.

The replacement hospital will continue to offer emergency and trauma services, advanced heart and vascular care, advanced neurosciences, women’s services, comprehensive cancer care and other specialty care. It will have about the same number of inpatient beds, most of which can be converted to ICU beds if needed, and it will accommodate state-of-the-art technology and future medical innovations.

“The replacement Lutheran will be the most well-designed, efficient, and flexible hospital in the Front Range, and will continue its 100-year legacy of providing outstanding healthcare in the Jefferson County community for decades to come,” said Mark Korth, Regional President, Intermountain Healthcare.

Construction at the new campus continues on track and on budget, under the guidance of general contractor Haselden Construction. In addition to the hospital and support buildings, there will be medical office buildings, and a parking garage with an enclosed bridge to the hospital for convenience and protection from weather.

“We are grateful to Lutheran Medical Center, Intermountain Healthcare, Cummings Group, and HDR for the opportunity to create a new healthcare relationship,” said Byron Haselden, CEO and President, Haselden Construction. “This is a project in which we can all take pride in serving our community.”

More information, photos and details on the new Lutheran Medical Center can be found at TheLutheranLegacy.org

About Lutheran Medical Center

Lutheran Medical Center is a community-based, 338-bed acute-care hospital located in Wheat Ridge, CO. Local and national ratings organizations regularly recognize Lutheran for clinical excellence, patient safety and patient experience.

Lutheran’s premier services include a birthing center, Heart and Neurovascular Center, robotic surgery, Comprehensive Stroke Center, Cancer Centers of Colorado, Orthopedics, a Level II Trauma Center, and emergency services including a Senior Emergency Room. Senior-focused services also include a dedicated Senior Behavioral Health unit. Lutheran operations include West Pines, Lutheran Hospice, and the Spine Center at Denver West.

Lutheran Medical Center is part of the Intermountain Healthcare system. Based in Utah with locations in seven states (Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming) and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Healthcare is a nonprofit healthcare system comprised of 33 hospitals, 385 clinics, medical groups with some 3,800 employed physicians and advanced practice providers. To help people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs consistently.

The Department of Defense has honored the Lutheran Hospice and Palliative Care team with a certificate of Vietnam War Commemoration. This certificate reflects a commitment to provide better care and resources to veterans, particularly meeting the unique needs of Vietnam veterans.

Since 2019, the Hospice and Palliative Care team has been partnering with We Honor Veterans (WHV), a National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Lutheran Hospice and Palliative Care’s initiative, led by Sasha Benner, Assistant Volunteer Coordinator, and Ginger Cooley, Volunteer Coordinator, ensures that veterans receive the care that they deserve, and raises awareness of the sacrifices that veterans have made for our country. This program also serves as a referral source for the Veteran Affairs locations throughout the communities we serve.

In partnership with the WHV program, the team has worked tirelessly on a collaborative community outreach approach to provide resources and support to veterans in the Colorado region. In Colorado alone, there are over 394,000 living veterans, more than 127,000 of which are Vietnam veterans. 

“During the Vietnam War, there was a political divide that separated America as we fought in the war,” Ginger said. “This was the first televised war that Americans saw. Because of this, soldiers were ostracized and not portrayed or respected appropriately, and once they returned from war, they were not celebrated or honored for their time. They were not thanked for their service, and most importantly, not welcomed home.”

The team has been working to make things right. Their work to honor veterans includes hosting a pinning ceremony for all veteran patients, where they are presented with an American flag pin, a certificate and a star from a retired American flag. Vietnam veterans are also presented with a special lapel pin to honor their service. The team has also hosted a clothing drive for veterans in the community to ensure that they receive the proper clothing and comfort that they deserve.

“Being a part of this program touches my heart because I know how impactful and deserving this is for our veterans,” Sasha said. “They never got to talk about their service or wanted to seek help, which resulted in many taking their own lives. They also experienced the long-term effects of the hazardous chemicals that they were exposed to, causing lifetime illnesses, cancer and death.”

"Veterans face many challenges that are unique and the result of their service to our country,” said Steven Michaels, Technology Support Services Leader and member of the Peaks Region Veterans Resource Group. “The work of the Lutheran Hospice and Palliative team continues to support our mission of supporting those who have served.”

The Road to 5 Stars

In May 2021, the Hospice and Palliative Care team was awarded 4-star recognition from the We Honor Veterans organization. Since being recognized with the 4-star recognition, the Hospice and Palliative Care team has been working towards its fifth and final star. Levels of the WHV program represent the capabilities of the hospice and palliative care resources and commitment to veterans. The higher the recognition, the more dedication is needed to maintain this status. Lutheran Hospice and Palliative Care hopes to grow its veteran recognition and earn its fifth star in 2023.

Organizations that choose to apply for the 5-star level embark on a yearlong journey to meet all requirements. To achieve 5-star recognition, organizations must host a “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans party.” This celebration commemorates the sacrifices that Vietnam veterans, and all veterans, have made.

“When I first began working with the WHV program, I had no prior knowledge of this outstanding organization,” Sasha said. “This program was introduced at Lutheran Medical Center before I began, and my predecessors, one being an Air Force veteran, saw an opportunity to improve care for our veterans and pay special tribute to them. It was also a way to offer education to staff and be a part of a larger community.”

To learn more about the work of the We Honor Veterans program, visit www.wehonorveterans.org.

In November 2021, life changed in an instant for the Arrieta family when they found out their one-year-old son, AJ, had cancer. A month prior, AJ’s parents took him for his one-year checkup to his pediatrician, who used an app called GoCheck Kids, which caught an abnormality in his left eye.

The doctor referred AJ to a pediatric optometrist and said that he would probably need glasses in the future. The optometrist confirmed that there was a mass that was most likely a type of cancer called retinoblastoma. A retinoblastoma specialist at Children’s Hospital Colorado confirmed the family’s fears. It was cancer. In fact, it was one of the rarest cancers that only affects 250-300 kids per year in the U.S. and 20,000 in the world.

Fortunately, the tumor was only in his left eye. It hadn’t invaded the optic nerve or spread to AJ’s brain. His type of cancer and tumor was assessed on an A-E scale with A being the smallest that likely doesn’t require chemotherapy, and E being the worst that would likely require removing his eye. AJ’s was categorized as a Grade C.

AJ began Intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC), which delivers concentrated doses of cancer-killing medicine directly to the affected area of the eye. In IAC, the chemotherapy dose is released into the ophthalmic artery, the primary blood supply at the back of the eye. It’s a relatively new treatment that’s extremely effective in fighting retinoblastoma. This type of treatment targeted the tumor directly so very little chemo spread through his body. 

AJ underwent two rounds of IAC, one in November and one in December, then three rounds of laser treatments. In addition, he underwent multiple exams under anesthesia and experienced one complication, a blood clot in his groin where they injected the AIC, but AJ was a fighter, and his family never gave up hope.

In March his family received the news that the tumor was no longer active and there were no new growths, and by April, AJ was in remission. 

“We are so grateful that it was caught early,” said Veronica Arrieta, AJ’s mom. “This type of cancer can grow and spread fast and we’re so thankful for the doctors who saved him and the treatment options available to us. We’re very fortunate to live in Colorado because Children’s Hospital in Denver is one of about 10 centers in the country that treat this type of cancer.”  

AJ’s grandma, Christina, is also a cancer survivor. In June, AJ and his family attended Lutheran Medical Center’s 35th Annual National Cancer Survivors Day Celebration of Life event at Red Rocks Medical Center, the new home of Lutheran's cancer program.

They celebrated AJ’s amazing survivor journey with more than 200 people who have survived or have recently been diagnosed with cancer, along with their family and friends. The event was sponsored in part by the Lutheran Foundation and Lutheran Volunteers and featured live music, hula dancing, food and prizes, as well as 13 survivor/education resource booths. With survivors ranging in age from two years to 80, AJ was one of the youngest.

“We found out AJ was in remission on April 18, and this was a great opportunity to celebrate him and my mom’s recovery,” said Veronica. “This is a club no parent wants to be in, but we’re so grateful for the care AJ received and that we’re on the other side of it.”

We are excited to announce that Lutheran’s gift shop is now open for business! Due to restrictions imposed by the pandemic, its doors have been closed for more than two years.  

The new and improved gift shop has a contemporary design and lots of amazing products from primarily local vendors. The new vendors were thoughtfully selected to provide a unique selection of affordable, high-quality gifts. The gift shop now offers a wide array of products for all ages that include clothing, home décor, flowers, toys, artwork, games, snacks and more.  

"It was important to me to bring in local artists and vendors and create a fun and unique shopping experience for our caregivers, patients and visitors,” said Heather Speaks, Manager of Integrated Health Services at Lutheran. 

Several new vendors came to Lutheran on Aug. 1 to support the grand opening. Don Nigh, one of the owners of the Devil Dog Group, sells gourmet coffee. He and a group of friends from a men’s bible study started the company 10 years ago. Two are Vietnam veterans who wanted to give back by helping other veterans returning home. They donate a portion of the proceeds from all coffee sales to the Wounded Warrior Project and Hero’s Puppy for Life, an organization that provides service dogs to veterans and emergency first responders. “Lutheran is a fantastic hospital and we’re really lucky to partner with them,” Don said. 

 Another vendor is Creations & Cork, owned by Greg and Kathy Bundick. They collect new and recycled corks from wine and champagne bottles and use them to create fun and unique home décor. Their products include cork boards with uplifting phrases made from Scrabble pieces, cork animals, Lazy Susans, birdhouses and more, all offered at the gift shop. Each year, 17 billion corks are thrown out. Greg and Kathy started the company 13 years ago to promote recycling and help keep corks out of landfills. They have recycled more than one million corks and sell their beautiful products across the state at craft and art shows, wine festivals and retail shops. “We are very honored that we were asked to sell our products at Lutheran and can’t wait to see how it goes,” said Kathy. 

Lawrence Wyzgala owns Lawrence Allen Custom Glass where he makes stained and fused glass art pieces. His work includes 8x10 designs, an ornament line, candle holders and various wall pieces. In addition, he sells flowers and plants at a local garden store. His beautiful orchids are on display and can be purchased at the gift shop. “I worked with Leailia McVoss at Touch of Colorado years ago. We’ve remained friends and when she asked if I was interested in putting my products in Lutheran’s gift shop, I jumped at the opportunity,” he said. Leailia worked closely with Heather Speaks to select the gift shop vendors and assisted with helping merchandise the shop. 

Cheryl Stolz owns and operates Too Wired Women Originals, which makes hand-crafted beaded and wired serving pieces including spoons, forks, tongs, coffee scoops and other gifts. She began the business with a friend in 2003 after reading a book about beading at her local library. It started as a hobby but grew into a successful business after she opened her own store, Gourmet Settings, almost two decades ago. She’s sold her products at various retail stores in Colorado and Florida over the years and is looking forward to the new partnership with Lutheran. “I’m very excited to be a part of the new gift shop venture at the hospital,” she said. “This will be really fun!” 

Mike David has traveled to more than 50 countries around the world capturing beautiful images of his travels, as well as imagery from his home state of Colorado. He prints his photos on vinyl, then puts them on high-quality wood and other materials to create affordable and unique themed gifts and décor. His products include keepsake boxes, plaques, slate coasters, cutting boards, crosses and ornaments. His work is on display at galleries, museums and national parks throughout the U.S., and now in Lutheran’s gift shop. “I’m happy for the opportunity to sell my work at Lutheran and think it’s going to be a great fit,” he said.  

Come on down to the first floor and check out all the great new offerings for gifts, coffees and snacks! 

Two events in Kelly Royster’s life launched her crusade to teach others how to save lives in cardiac events. 

Kelly and her best friend were training for a marathon when her friend went into cardiac arrest and died. Kelly was born with an asymptomatic congenital heart defect, and after her friend’s death, she decided she should see a physician about it. A week later, she was scheduled for open heart surgery. The doctors told her without it she would never have crossed the finish line. 

Some months ago, Kelly was shopping at an Arvada grocery store when a person collapsed in the parking lot. Kelly performed CPR while asking for others to locate an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) with no success. 

Kelly subsequently partnered with the Arvada Fire Protection District to train others, including many of those store employees, how to do hands-only CPR and use an AED.

According to the American Heart Association, 90 percent of people who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest will not survive. However, CPR, if administered immediately, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. Knowing how to properly perform CPR can save your life, your children's or parents' lives or even the life of a stranger.

“CPR is one of those skills you hopefully will never need to use, but if you are in a situation where a loved one or a community member has a cardiac arrest, wouldn't you want to know how to help?” Royster said.

Learning the basics of CPR can be empowering, and is a skill you can use throughout your lifetime. It’s also evolved over the years and is now easier than ever to get trained or certified. It no longer requires mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and it has been proven that hands-only CPR not only works but is more effective.

Recently, Kelly Royster, RN,  Lutheran Medical Center Chest Pain Coordinator, teamed up with professionals from Arvada Fire to teach a class to more than 60 people on how to provide life-saving CPR and use an automated external defibrillator, or AED, in the event of an emergency. The class was held at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities and Arvada Center staff, volunteers and guests, along with members of the Arvada West High School cheer team, participated in classroom-style learning and hands-on demonstrations. Learning the basics of CPR can be empowering, and is a skill you can use throughout your lifetime. It’s also evolved over the years and is now easier than ever to get trained or certified. It no longer requires mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and it has been proven that hands-only CPR not only works but is more effective.

The free educational session included a presentation and short video, then participants broke into small groups to practice simple, hands-only CPR on mannequins and walked through where and how to use an AED.

Royster said: “My goal is to help educate our community on how to perform CPR and use an AED so that they can step in and provide support until EMS arrives. The chances of surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are less than 10 percent. With bystander CPR and the use of an AED, the survival rate increases to 30-40 percent. Knowledge is power!”

Many EMS departments now offer CPR classes for their communities. Several other organizations offer CPR, AED and first aid courses, including American Red Cross. The state of Colorado requires recertification in CPR every two years. For more information or to find a class near you, visit https://www.redcross.org/local/colorado/take-a-class.

Intermountain Healthcare recognizes the value of collaborating with community organizations to further our mission. As a part of its ongoing community benefit program, in March 2022, Intermountain approved $525,000 in Community Contributions to nine partners in Colorado and Montana to support health improvement programming. The funds are being given through one-time contributions to qualified non-profit and governmental partners.  

The Community Contributions are about our hospitals' legacies in the communities they serve, Intermountain Peaks Region's commitment to community, and addressing the community health needs uncovered during our Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs) in 2018 and 2021. The contributions were made in the following categories: Improve Mental Well-Being, Address the Social Determinants of Health and Improve Access. 

On July 15, Intermountain Healthcare Peaks Region President, Mark Korth, visited Good Samaritan Medical Center, Lutheran Medical Center and Mount Saint Vincent to present the financial gifts.  

At Good Samaritan, a $15,000 check was given to Boulder County Area Agency on Aging (BCAAA) in support of its Aging Mastery Program (AMP) which helps older adults make meaningful changes to live well, do well and age well, minimizing their risk for mental stressors like depression and anxiety.   

AMP is a six-week fun, innovative and interactive program that empowers older adults and caregivers in Boulder County to spend more time each day doing things that are good for themselves. The classes are free and are hosted at Good Samaritan.  

“We prioritize giving to align with community health priorities identified by members of our community in order to allow for a broader impact,” said Mark Korth. “One of our priorities is improving mental well-being which includes efforts to decrease frequent mental distress rates and depression rates. The Boulder County Area Agency On Aging is well positioned to help people live healthier and happier lives with the incredible services and resources they provide.”

At Lutheran Medical Center, Chuck Ault, Senior Director of Regional Community Health Improvement for Intermountain Healthcare, joined Calvin Beasley, Lutheran Medical Center VP of Integrative Services, to present a $20,000 gift to the Wheat Ridge Community Foundation to support the Jefferson County Homeless Navigation and the City of Wheat Ridge Homeless Navigation programs.  

The Homeless Navigator is part of a county-wide navigation model that works directly with people experiencing homelessness or who are at imminent risk of homelessness find stable housing and connect them with services and resources to maintain that housing. The funds will be used for move-in kits, transportation and motel vouchers, housing deposits, hats, mittens and gloves.  

“As part of our mission to help people live healthier lives, we support community organizations that provide services that align with Intermountain’s mission and values,” said Mark Korth. “We are committed to helping support organizations like the Wheat Ridge Community Foundation and others in the communities that previously were served by Legacy SCL Health across Colorado and Montana.”  

A $50,000 check was given to Mount Saint Vincent to help support its innovative programs that provide foster care services for children and families recovering from trauma, abuse and neglect, as well as a high-quality early childhood learning center to help all children develop age-appropriate social and academic skills. 

“For more than 130 years, Mount Saint Vincent has transformed the lives of thousands of young people,” said Mark Korth. “We look forward to continuing to partner with them as we continue to evolve and create a model for the future of healthcare that focuses on keeping young people healthy and proactively provides behavioral health treatment, foster care services, individualized training, and trauma-informed training. Mount Saint Vincent is an important part of the Intermountain family, and we are proud to be able to help support the continuum of care for children and families recovering from trauma.

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Intermittent fasting has many health benefits, including lowering the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Now, researchers from Intermountain Healthcare have found that people who regularly fast are less likely to experience severe complications from COVID-19.

In a new study published this week in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, Intermountain researchers found that COVID-19 patients who practiced regular water-only intermittent fasting had a lower risk of hospitalization or death due to the virus than patients who did not.

“Intermittent fasting has already been shown to lower inflammation and improve cardiovascular health. In this study, we’re finding additional benefits when battling an infection of COVID-19 in patients who have been fasting for decades,” said Benjamin Horne, Ph.D. director of cardiovascular and genetic epidemiology at Intermountain Healthcare.

In the Intermountain study, researchers identified patients enrolled in the INSPIRE registry, a voluntary health registry at Intermountain Healthcare, who had also tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between March 2020 and February 2021 — before vaccines were widely available. They identified 205 patients who had tested positive for the virus. Of those, 73 said they regularly fasted at least once a month. Researchers found that those who practiced regular fasting had a lower rate of hospitalization or death due to coronavirus. “Intermittent fasting was not associated with whether or not someone tested positive for COVID-19, but it was associated with lower severity once patients had tested positive for it,” Dr. Horne said.

In the Intermountain study, participants who said they regularly fasted did so for an average of more than 40 years. Intermountain researchers had the opportunity to closely study this specific cohort of long-time intermittent fasters because a significant portion of its patients fasts regularly for religious reasons. Nearly 62 percent of Utah’s population belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members typically fast on the first Sunday of the month by going without food or drink for two consecutive meals.

While Dr. Horne said that more research is needed to understand why intermittent fasting is associated with better COVID-19 outcomes, he said it’s most likely due to a host of ways it affects the body. For example, fasting reduces inflammation, mainly since hyper inflammation is associated with poor COVID-19 outcomes. In addition, after 12 to 14 hours of fasting, the body switches from using glucose in the blood to ketones, including linoleic acid. “There’s a pocket on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 that linoleic acid fits into – and can make the virus less able to attach to other cells,” he said. Another potential benefit is that intermittent fasting promotes autophagy, which is “the body’s recycling system that helps your body destroy and recycle damaged and infected cells,” Dr. Horne added.

Dr. Horne stressed that these results are from people who have been practicing intermittent fasting for decades – not weeks – and that anyone who wants to consider the practice should consult their doctors first, especially if they are elderly, pregnant, or have conditions like diabetes, heart, or kidney disease. Researchers also stressed intermittent fasting shouldn’t be seen as a substitute for COVID vaccination. “It should be further evaluated for potential short and long-term preventative or therapeutic use as a complementary approach to vaccines and anti-viral therapies for reducing COVID-19 severity,” Dr. Horne said.

Lutheran Medical Center, now part of Intermountain Healthcare, and its communications manager can arrange an interview with Dr. Horne and Caitlin Coughlin, registered dietitian. Please contact Sarah.Ellis@imail.org or 303-403-3059 to schedule an in-person and virtual interview.

The Legacy Continues Campaign is off to a great beginning. In July 2021 and following a feasibility study, the Lutheran Foundation Board of Directors announced approval to move forward with a five-year, $12M comprehensive fundraising campaign. Co-chairs of the campaign, Dr. Jennifer Caskey and Zach Urban, along with Executive Director of the Lutheran Medical Center Foundation, Kathie Repola, are pleased to report that the campaign was at 39 percent  to goal at the end of May! The photo to the left shows Foundation caregivers ringing the donor bell.

This is exciting news and we would like to acknowledge with much appreciation some of our very generous supporters who have kicked off this campaign with their leadership gifts: 

• Dr. Jennifer Caskey 
• The Estate of Lee Fisher 
• Dr. Betsy Brew and Bob Van Wetter 
• Dr. Doug and Ardith Hunter 
• Ron Hagmeyer 
• The Estate of Robert Irish 
• Guy Nahmiach and Jane Newman 
• John and Michelle O’Dorsio 
• The Spano Family Foundation 
• John and Jeannie Witwer 
• The Schlessman Family Foundation 
• The Estate of Ms. Gracye Wilhite 
• The Marion Milton Trust 
• Mr. George Fosha 
• Rick and Karen Adams 
• The Phyllis M. Coors Foundation 

We are honored by the generosity of those who invest in the health of our community and inspire others to participate. Every gift counts in the Legacy Continues Comprehensive Campaign and we invite you to join us as we advance healthcare for Jefferson County and West Denver. To get involved and learn more, contact Kathie Repola at 303.467.4802 or katherine.repola@sclhealth.org. 

SCL Health and Intermountain Healthcare have merged to form a new organization serving patients and communities in Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Kansas, Utah, Idaho, and Nevada. 

The scope and scale of the merger will enhance care provided at SCL Health’s legacy hospitals and clinics. Patients can access the same excellent providers and facilities, and use their same insurance plan with trusted caregivers. 

It’s also important to note that the names and focus of SCL Health’s hospitals, such as Lutheran Medical Center, will remain the same – to improve the health of the people and communities they serve and help them live the healthiest lives possible.  

The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth found creative ways to provide healthcare in Colorado, Kansas, and Montana more than a century ago. Intermountain Healthcare will continue working through strong community partnerships, evidence-based programs, and services to help people outside the hospital walls. (link to rest of story: https://www.sclhealth.org/blog/2022/04/the-future-of-healthcare-is-here-scl-health-and-intermountain-healthcare-have-merged). 

On time and on budget! We’re pleased to share that construction of the Lutheran Medical Center replacement hospital is moving quickly toward completion. Although it is still more than two years away, we are looking forward to the exciting day when we can move all of our caregivers and our patients into the beautiful new space at Clear Creek Crossing.  

You read that right - all of our patients will be moved, by ambulance, in ONE DAY, sometime in the summer of 2024 - it’s still a bit early to predict the exact day. That is some months earlier than the original timeline, thanks to our construction partners and contractors, who have navigated supply chain disruptions and taken advantage of innovations in construction such as prefabricated restrooms, as one example.  

In a few weeks, hospital officials will hold a ceremonial event to place the topmost steel beam on the building. The approximately 400-member construction team (and growing!) on site have already begun to enclose the building and soon most of the work to be done will be on the interior spaces. Crews are installing mechanical, electrical and plumbing, in addition to the exterior glass and parking garage foundations and coordinating medical equipment.  

Once completed, the new Lutheran Medical Center will offer updated state-of-the-art medical facilities for Wheat Ridge and Jefferson County residents to meet their healthcare needs for decades to come. The replacement hospital will be approximately the same size as the current facility but will be designed to be more flexible, efficient, and easier to access. Key services will include:  

• Emergency Care & Level II Trauma Services  

• Neurosurgery & a Comprehensive Stroke Center  

• Multidisciplinary Heart & Vascular Care  

• Women's Services & Birthing Suites  

• Comprehensive Cancer Care  

In addition, the new hospital will: 

• Elevate health care in the region with a facility designed with the patient and staff top of mind. Most rooms will have the ability to be converted to ICU standards if needed.   
• Maximize workplace efficiencies, including cutting down on the number of steps needed to get to a patient room, and decentralization of nursing pods so nurses are closer to the bedside.  
• Provide more comfort for patients and families, with all rooms being more comfortable and brighter with floor-to-ceiling glass, allowing for more natural light in rooms.  
• Provide new and dedicated areas in the hospital to find respite - including a beautiful new atrium for patients and caregivers.  
• Be one of the most energy-efficient facilities in the region. 
• Help drive economic growth in Jefferson County and west Denver, employing 2,000 people in well-paying jobs and contributing more than $1.1 billion in annual local economic impact. Lutheran remains the largest employer in Wheat Ridge.  

Please visit thelutheranlegacy.org to see the most recent photos and other updates.  

As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end, and it seems like the perfect phrase to describe Sue McKellips’ retirement from Lutheran Medical Center. Sue dedicated her life to serving others, and spent 35 of her 50 years in the field of nursing at Lutheran, where she took outstanding care of her patients and those around her. 

When Sue was 12 years old, she would grocery shop with her mother and since it was a small town at the time, she would always see nurses while she was there. She recognized their white uniforms and Lutheran badges and told her mom that one day she was going to be one of them. After college, she applied at Lutheran, but was told they weren’t hiring new grads. As a result, Sue worked the first 10 years of her career on Telemetry and then on Pediatrics in a hospital in Denver. When Pediatrics at that hospital closed, she decided to apply at Lutheran. Her perseverance paid off in March 1987, when she was hired as a clinical nurse in Telemetry. 

Over the years, Sue has held a variety of nursing positions, including many leadership roles. She was a primary preceptor for new caregivers, an SSC on Telemetry, then the Manager of Telemetry for 15 years, and for the next five years, the Director of Nursing, Acute Care Services. Most recently, she served as the Interim Associate Chief Nursing Officer. 

“Working at Lutheran has been an amazing honor,” said Sue. “Thirty five years has gone by so fast and I’m grateful to have been part of an organization that allowed me to grow in ways I never thought possible. We’re truly a family here and this place has been my home away from home.”

Grant Wicklund, Lutheran President and CEO, recalls the time when Sue was one of the first people to seek him out when he started at Lutheran in 2010, telling him that she needed something for her patients. She took him on a tour of her unit to show him the aging, unreliable and defective old TVs in patient rooms that needed to be replaced. 

When he told her it wasn’t in the budget, Sue said, “Okay, I’m going to have to remind you about this every time I see you, though.” He knew she meant it, and he found a way. Over time, she pressed him to provide other important upgrades on the units, including lighting, new floors, new paint and more, all because she needed it for her patients. 

“I love that about her,” Grant added. “We should all be more like Sue, every day.”

Sue says the thing she likes most about working at Lutheran is the people. “There’s such a wide diversity of people with a variety of ages, backgrounds and experience levels, but everyone is here for the same mission and purpose, and that is to take care of our patients,” she said. “We all want to provide the best care possible to patients and to the community. I love how collaborative our providers are. You don’t have to look far to see opportunities all around you, and there’s always a space to challenge yourself and to grow.”

One of the biggest things Sue says she’ll miss is the long-term relationships she’s formed with her teams and with leadership over her decades of service.

“Our senior leaders are so committed to us and what they do here,” Sue said. “They’re unbelievably responsive and present, and support us in so many ways.”

Grant echoed the sentiment, saying, “Sue epitomizes the culture here. I knew when I first met her that she would be kind, smiling, gentle and relentless in doing the right things for patients. I have been a fan ever since.”

Like all healthcare workers, COVID-19 had a dramatic impact on the work Sue and her team did. “It was an extraordinary challenge for everyone on earth,” she explained. “We learned during that time that none of us knew what tomorrow would bring and that it takes an entire team working together to get through it. It made us stronger because we really rallied together, and people from all different departments stepped in to help.”

One of Sue’s proudest career accomplishments was bringing the inpatient teams together to work as one cohesive unit. “We built this remarkable team,” she said. “All the units used to be separated and it took five or six years to fully change that, but the barriers were finally removed. Now, all the members of the inpatient units are represented equally and we all take care of each other because we know we’re all here for the same reason. I hope that never goes away, even long after I’m gone.”

When asked what advice she would give to new nurses starting out in the field, Sue said, “Don’t be afraid and know you’re never alone. You need to ask questions and lean on each other. If you don’t know the answer to something, no one is going to think any less of you. You’re all on the same team and you’re safe here.”

Sue admits retirement will be an adjustment. After all, it will be the first time in her adult life that she’ll have nothing to do workwise, but says that her first order of business will be to learn how to become comfortable with that. She and her husband, Nick, have several trips planned in the coming months across the country and to Canada and she’s very much looking forward to her first vacation where she can fully relax. 

“To all the caregivers I’ve worked with throughout my long career, thank you,” Sue said. “It doesn’t feel like thank you is enough, but from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your undying commitment to our patients and our community and for the hard work you do every single day. You all work magic every time you walk through our doors. Keep up the great work.”

Sixty-six-year-old Gary Spahn was at work when he experienced a stroke. He was talking with a group of colleagues when he suddenly found that he couldn’t speak. He felt fine and wanted to participate in the conversation but physically couldn’t. He explains that although he knew the words he wanted to say, they simply wouldn’t come out. A coworker noticed something wasn’t right and asked him if he was okay. He tried to say, “I’m fine, I just can’t talk,” but the only words that came out were, “I’m fine.” Fortunately for Gary, another coworker sensed something was off and quickly dialed 9-1-1.

“I don’t know what I would have done had I not been around other people,” said Gary. “I could think clearly and my mind was working fine, I just couldn’t talk. I was very lucky my coworker recognized this as a sign of a stroke.”

An ambulance arrived within minutes and Gary was taken to a nearby hospital. There, the doctors in the Emergency Department were quickly treating him for a stroke. They gave him an IV thrombolytic to break up the clot and discovered he had a large vessel occlusion, which means a big artery in the brain was blocked. Therefore, he was transported by helicopter to Lutheran Medical Center. When he arrived at Lutheran, Gary went for an emergent procedure called neuroendovascular thrombectomy. As Gary recalls, they inserted a “vacuum” tube (known as mechanical aspiration), into an artery that went through his heart and to his brain in order to remove the clot. 

A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is blocked, called an ischemic stroke, or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, which is a hemorrhagic stroke. In either case, the brain cells are starved of oxygen-rich blood and a stroke occurs because those brain cells die. Stroke can lead to brain damage, disability, and death. 

“I was conscious when they transported me to the hospital and I was told I was being taken to Lutheran because their stroke specialists provide superior care,” said Gary. “They were right. The doctors were great. I’m really glad they were there and knew what to do.”

The doctors told Gary there was no way of knowing how long the clot was in his brain and that he was lucky he was with other people who recognized the signs of a stroke and called for help so quickly. 

When it comes to a stroke, every second counts. Each minute a large vessel occlusion stroke remains untreated, nearly two million brain cells die, and rapid access to medical treatment can often make the difference between a full recovery and a permanent disability. Some treatments only work if given within the first three hours after symptoms start, and a delay in care can increase the risk of permanent brain damage or death.

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. and a leading cause of severe long-term disability. Each year, about 800,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke, and about one out of four of those strokes are recurrent. According to the American Heart Association, someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds. 

Knowing the signs is key, and the acronym B.E.F.A.S.T. is a useful tool to remember what to look for and what to do if you suspect you or someone you know is having a stroke. B.E.F.A.S.T. stands for sudden trouble with your balance, eyes (change in vision or trouble seeing), face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty and time to call 9-1-1.

Gary spent four days in the hospital, including two days in the ICU for observation. 

“I’ve been out of the hospital for two weeks and am getting stronger and feeling good,” said Gary. “I’m a little more tired than normal, but the doctors put me on new medications, including a blood thinner, and it’s helping me to feel better.”

Having one stroke increases a person’s risk of having another. Although there are several factors that are beyond your control that can increase your risk, like age, sex and ethnicity, there are many factors you can control that will help reduce your risk. Unhealthy habits, such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol, having a poor diet and not getting enough exercise all increase your chances of having a stroke. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity can also increase your risk. However, treating these conditions can greatly reduce your risk. It is important to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, limit foods high in fat, cholesterol and salt content, get enough exercise, limit alcohol consumption and if you smoke, quit. 

May is National Stroke Awareness Month and a reminder that, while a stroke can happen to anyone at any age, 80 percent of all strokes are preventable through healthy lifestyle choices. 

The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over thirty national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm. 

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital rating program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harm to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring. 

“As our healthcare system continues to feel the strain of the pandemic, I thank the workforce and leadership of the legacy SCL Health System, now Intermountain Healthcare, for sustained commitment to patient safety, day in and day out,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “An ‘A’ Safety Grade is an outstanding achievement and one that is impossible without a 24/7 effort by the entire healthcare workforce to protect patients from harm. This community should be proud.” 

To see the top-grade details and access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org. 

About The Leapfrog Group 

Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward for patient safety. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. 

About Intermountain Healthcare 

Good Samaritan Medical Center, Lutheran Medical Center, Saint Joseph Hospital, Platte Valley Medical Center, St. Mary’s Medical Center, and St. Vincent Healthcare iis part of the Intermountain Healthcare system. Based in Utah with locations in seven states (Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming) and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Healthcare is a nonprofit healthcare system comprised of 33 hospitals, 385 clinics, medical groups with some 3,800 employed physicians and advanced practice providers. To help people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs.

The Lutheran Medical Center Foundation has announced members of The Legacy Continues Comprehensive Campaign Committee. The committee is charged with the responsibility of overseeing the campaign process  including:

●     Campaign objectives, goals and strategy

●     Ensuring the recruitment of key donors, particularly leadership donors

●     Participating in solicitations and stewardship activities when appropriate

●     Committing to be financially supportive of the campaign

Leading the group are co-chairs Zachary Urban and Dr. Jennifer Caskey. Urban is a prominent Wheat Ridge community member and a recent past City Council member. He has been an active participant on the Lutheran Foundation Board for six years. Urban recently accepted the role of Director of the Office of Public Housing for Region 8 with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Dr. Caskey is a devoted supporter of Lutheran and the Foundation. She is a retired Lutheran oncologist and has been a member of the Foundation board since 2017. Lutheran is her number one organization to support and she is looking forward to inspiring others to do the same.

Members of the committee include:

●     Dr. Betsy Brew - Dr. Brew is a surgeon with Surgical Specialists of Colorado. She has been a member of the Lutheran Foundation for six years and chaired the Board for the last few years. She now provides guidance as past chair and is committed to the success of the campaign.

●     Dr. Steve Brown - Dr. Brown served on the Foundation board for six years and continues as a member of the finance and investment committee. He is the Chief Medical Officer at Lutheran. He is a radiologist and was previously with Rocky Mountain Radiologists. He is a third-generation Coloradan and lives in Golden.

●     Dr. Doug Hunter - Dr. Hunter is a retired radiologist from Rocky Mountain Radiologists. He joined the Lutheran Foundation Board of Directors in 2020. He is a past chair of the Lutheran Medical Staff Quality Improvement Committee. Dr. Hunter is excited to be a part of the campaign committee and the new, replacement Lutheran project.

●     John O’Dorisio - O’Dorisio has been a Lutheran Foundation Board member since January of 2020. He is an attorney and co-managing shareholder and director with Robinson, Waters & O’Dorisio, P.C. He has been a part of the Wheat Ridge, Golden, Lakewood community since 1960 and he and his family call Lutheran their hospital.

●     Guy Nahmiach - Nahmiach is a senior broker, productivity coach, and recruiter with KellerWilliams. He is an engaged and involved citizen of Wheat Ridge, having served on numerous boards and commissions within the city and Jefferson County. Nahmiach recently acquired The Neighborhood Gazette, a popular local newspaper circulating in Wheat Ridge and Edgewater. His wife, Jane Newman, is an ICU nurse at Lutheran. Nahmiach believes the new Lutheran will bring many opportunities to Wheat Ridge and its surrounding communities.

●     Diane Nyberg Ericsson - Diane grew up in the Wheat Ridge area. She recently retired from a career at Xerox in Sales, Sales Management, and Finance. Diane and her sister consider Lutheran their family hospital and have established a Lutheran junior volunteer scholarship endowment in their parents’ name. They have also funded the refurbishment of the gardens at Collier Hospice. Diane has been volunteering with the Foundation for the last three years and is excited to work on the Legacy Continues Campaign.

If you haven’t passed by the site at Clear Creek Crossing lately, the Lutheran  replacement hospital has passed a couple of construction milestones. 

A recent decision by the SCL Health Board of Directors has directed us to build out some of the planned shell space to add even more flexibility in the number of available inpatient beds. This will allow us to slightly increase the number of beds, all of which can be converted to ICU beds in the event of future need, such as another pandemic. 

Once complete, the capacity for inpatient, ER, OR and other services will still be similar to the capacity we now have at the current hospital. 

This also means that the topmost steel beam will be raised onto the structure in August, in what is called a “topping off” milestone. After that, the entire building will begin to be enclosed and interior work can start in earnest.

We are well on our way to creating the hospital of the future in Wheat Ridge, with better access, even more efficiency and a more flexible design to meet future healthcare needs. 

In early April, SCL Health and Intermountain Healthcare expect to finalize a merger agreement begun last year. During the two-year transition process, our logo may change, but our mission and our commitment to building a brand-new replacement hospital remain the same. Lutheran Medical Center plans to deliver high-quality care, dedicated to patients and the community for many years to come.  

As the hospital building takes shape, the rest of the first phase of the medical campus will be built out, to include a parking garage and the first medical office building, which will break ground in the coming months.

The current, legacy campus will remain largely as it is until the move to the new site. After the move, Lutheran Hospice at Collier Center will remain on the legacy campus, as will the current medical office buildings. 

West Pines Behavioral Health will relocate to a new site that has not yet been determined. SCL Health, in partnership with Acadia Healthcare, is building a new 144-bed inpatient behavioral health hospital to serve the northwest metro community, with expanded access to inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services. We anticipate this facility will open in 2023. 

Lutheran Medical Center has an ongoing mission to care for Jefferson County and West Denver families, and it always will.

At SCL Health, now Intermountain Healthcare, we are dedicated to engaging with our communities to better understand how we can provide healthcare and services to meet local needs.

Please join us for an hour and a half virtual public meeting to learn more about our community impact on health and wellness from Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge, Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver, Platte Valley Medical Center in Brighton, St. Mary's Medical Center in Grand Junction and Good Samaritan Medical Center in Lafayette.

To register for Saint Joseph Hospital/Lutheran Medical Center:

Please join us for an hour and a half virtual public meeting on Monday, November 14, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. to learn more about our community impact on health and wellness from Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge and Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver.

Visit https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAlde2upzssHNXc_B6Cp-z7swsmwYxfjNXe to register.

To register for Western Colorado:

Please join us for an hour and a half virtual  public meeting on Tuesday, November 15, from 5:00- 6:30 p.m. to learn more about our community impact on health and wellness from St. Mary’s Medical Center in Mesa County. 

Visit https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZApc--tpzMoGNHtNrnT3A2ULAGAfuQllqgS to register.

To register for Good Samaritan Medical Center/Platte Valley Medical Center:

Please join us for an hour and a half virtual public meeting on Thursday, November 17, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. to learn more about our community impact on health and wellness from Good Samaritan Medical Center in Lafayette and Platte Valley Medical Center in Brighton.

Visit https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEucuuuqjMoGNIfi40QSMd660OfCJExtARJ to register.

Effective March 1, the following Cancer Centers of Colorado-Lutheran Medical Center Medical Oncology services moved to a new location in Golden. 

• Outpatient Medical Oncology Clinic
• Cancer Rehabilitation, including Lymphedema Clinic
• Infusion Center
• Oncology Support Services
• Genetic Counseling

Radiation Oncology moved to this new location last May. Patients will access these cancer services at the new address: 

New Address: 400 Indiana St., Golden, CO 80401 
Cancer Centers of Colorado-Lutheran Medical Center-Medical Oncology, Cancer Rehabilitation, and Genetic Counseling

Dr. Karng Log, Dr. Jeff Owsley, and Samantha Cinadr NP
Suite 300  
Medical Oncology Phone: (303) 403-7333  |  Lymphedema Clinic Phone: (303) 425- 2314

Cancer Centers of Colorado-Lutheran Medical Center-Infusion Center, Oncology Support Services
Suite 310  
Infusion Center Phone: (303) 425-8264  |  Oncology Support Services Phone:  (303) 403-3608

These departments will remain a part of Lutheran Medical Center and they will continue to offer all the same state of the art cancer  services and quality care. Their patients will receive the same level of personalized care they have come to expect and will be cared for by the same outstanding team. 

The Circle of Care program seeks to recognize and celebrate caregivers who work endlessly to provide exceptional care every day. The Foundation has been honored to share the appreciation from grateful patients and their families to our amazing caregivers. 

Many times patients contribute financially to support the Foundation because they are grateful for the amazing care received at Lutheran. And many times, these gifts are accompanied by a letter from the patient or family, which indicates their gratitude for the clinicians who cared for them. 

The first three ceremonies recognized Lutheran Hospice at Collier Center, Lutheran Heart and Vascular Care and Environmental Services, and Lutheran Medical Center Radiation Oncology. These groups received Circle of Care pins and cookies, including sugar cookies from Cakes by Karen, a local bakery with which the Foundation has partnered, during recognition ceremonies.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our donors and caregivers, helping us make gratitude come full circle. The Foundation looks forward to many more Circle of Care awards!

Lutheran Hospice at Collier Center

A note of gratitude came from the husband of a patient who recently passed away while being cared for at home by our hospice team.

The grateful patient mentioned Jean Meyers, RN, in a note saying, "Jean, please accept our donation on behalf of all of your associates who took care of my sweet wife. She loved to see each and every one that came into our home."

Lutheran Heart Center and Environmental Services

Dr. Bohuslav Finta, a clinical cardiac electrophysiologist, and the Heart Center staff received a donation in their honor from a grateful patient who thanked them for their care during her recent heart surgery. 

This patient also wrote an extraordinary letter applauding the housekeeping staff for their daily cleaning, fresh linens and kind gestures during her stay at Lutheran. “The housekeeping staff members represent the values of Lutheran Medical Center well,” she said.

Lutheran Medical Center Radiation Oncology

The Foundation traveled to the Red Rocks Medical Center to visit the relocated office of the Cancer Centers of Colorado – Lutheran Medical Center Radiation Oncology. 

Dr. Tyler Kemmis of the Radiation Oncology team was recognized by a patient through a donation made on Colorado Gives Day. Dr. Kemmis and the team embody our values of Excellence and Caring Spirit by providing exceptional care to patients and their families that are facing the challenges of cancer.