Intermountain Health Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver has been recognized by EMS for Children Colorado with a Colorado Pediatric Preparedness for the Emergency Room (COPPER) designation, confirming the hospital’s emergency department is equipped, trained, and organized to deliver high-quality care for infants, children, and adolescents.

Intermountain Health’s Northglenn freestanding emergency department has also earned COPPER designation, becoming the first and only freestanding emergency department in the region to achieve this recognition.

In the United States, approximately 83% of children seeking emergency care are treated in general emergency departments rather than specialized pediatric facilities. 

Research shows pediatric-prepared emergency departments can reduce pediatric trauma mortality by up to 60%, highlighting the importance of readiness in community hospitals.

The COPPER designation reflects a comprehensive review of pediatric emergency preparedness, including specialized staffing, ongoing training, pediatric-focused protocols, and continuous quality improvement efforts.

At Intermountain Saint Joseph Hospital, this work is driven by a multidisciplinary Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator (PECC) team made up of emergency physicians, advanced practice providers, nursing leadership, and frontline nurses. 

The team leads pediatric-specific education, quarterly mock trauma scenarios, and chart reviews to ensure the highest standard of care for young patients.

Simulations regularly bring together physicians, nurses, lab, radiology, and patient access teams, reinforcing that pediatric readiness is a shared responsibility across the emergency department.

“Every child deserves access to exceptional emergency care when they need it most,” said Ryan Paterson, MD, emergency department chairman at Intermountain Health Saint Joseph Hospital. “Achieving this COPPER certification reflects our commitment to clinical excellence and our investment in ensuring our emergency departments are fully prepared to meet the unique needs of pediatric patients. This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our physicians, nurses, and support teams who work every day to provide safe, timely, and compassionate care to the children and families we serve.”

The COPPER designation assures patients, families, and EMS partners that Saint Joseph Hospital and the Northglenn emergency department are prepared to care for children of all ages, from newborns to teens, with specialized equipment, training, and protocols designed to quickly and effectively recognize and treat serious illness or injury.

BILLINGS, Montana — Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital anunció hoy que recibió una extraordinaria donación de $5 millones de parte de la Fortin Family Foundation. Esta inversión clave ampliará el acceso a servicios pediátricos avanzados para niños y familias en Montana, Wyoming y el oeste de las Dakotas. 

“Desde hace muchos años, la Fortin Family Foundation apoya a St. Vincent, y nos honra ser una de las principales aliadas en este proyecto que tendrá un gran impacto”, dijo Danielle Moore, presidenta de la Fortin Family Foundation. “Nos enorgullece ayudar a impulsar esta visión, que marcará el futuro de la atención médica en Montana y garantizará una atención excepcional y compasiva para las próximas generaciones”.  

La campaña de St. Vincent Regional Hospital buscará reunir apoyo filantrópico integral para cuatro áreas fundamentales: el nuevo hospital de última generación, tecnología y equipos avanzados, excelencia clínica y ampliación de servicios y programas transformadores. La campaña está diseñada para que cada donante tenga una oportunidad de apoyar el área de atención médica que más le importe. La Fortin Family Foundation destinó su aporte a ampliar los servicios pediátricos. 

“El generoso apoyo de la Fortin Family Foundation demuestra su profundo compromiso con la salud y el bienestar de nuestra comunidad”, dijo Tyler Wiltgen, director ejecutivo de filantropía de Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital. Esta importante donación fortalecerá nuestra visión de ofrecer atención pediátrica del más alto nivel e inspirará a otros a sumarse a nuestro esfuerzo por construir un futuro más saludable para la región. 

Durante generaciones, St. Vincent Regional Hospital ha acompañado a niños y familias de toda la región como un aliado de confianza, con servicios pediátricos que se han adaptado para responder a necesidades cada vez mayores y más complejas. Los aportes filantrópicos, incluido el apoyo sostenido de la Fortin Family Foundation, han ayudado a que más personas accedan a atención especializada, a fortalecer alianzas y a acercar los servicios a las comunidades rurales. Cabe destacar que donaciones anteriores apoyaron la creación y el crecimiento de la Fortin Pediatric Specialty Clinic, desarrollada en colaboración con Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital y la University of Utah. Gracias a esta clínica, las familias de Montana pueden acceder a especialistas pediátricos de primer nivel sin salir del estado. 

Esta nueva donación se suma a ese legado y permitirá fortalecer aún más la atención pediátrica, incluidos la única unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos del este de Montana, una avanzada unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales de nivel III y el único programa de cirugía pediátrica de la región. Estas inversiones reflejan el compromiso continuo de garantizar que los niños y sus familias tengan acceso a una atención compasiva y de alta calidad, reducir la necesidad de viajar y favorecer mejores resultados para los pacientes y sus familias. Esta donación representa una de las inversiones en atención médica más importantes en la historia de Montana y refleja el compromiso de brindar atención integral y de alta calidad. 

La campaña de St. Vincent Regional Hospital representa una visión integral. Esta es una oportunidadúnica‑en‑una‑generación para construir un nuevocampus hospitalariode‑‑vanguardia‑y fortalecer los servicios que salvan vidas en las próximas décadas. Todo esto busca transformar la atención médica, ampliar el acceso a los servicios y garantizar que las personas puedan recibir atención excepcional cerca de sus hogares. 

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Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Billings, Montana, today announced an extraordinary $5 million gift from The Fortin Family Foundation. 

The leadership investment will expand access to advanced pediatric services for children and families across Montana, Wyoming, and the western Dakotas. 

“Building on a longstanding commitment to St. Vincent, The Fortin Family Foundation is honored to serve as a lead partner in this transformational effort,” said Danielle Moore, president of The Fortin Family Foundation. “We are proud to help advance a vision that will shape the future of healthcare in Montana and ensure exceptional, compassionate care for generations to come.”  

The Campaign for St. Vincent Regional Hospital will secure comprehensive philanthropic support for four essential pillars: the new state-of-the-art hospital, advanced technology and equipment, clinical excellence and expanded services, and transformational programs. The campaign is designed to offer every donor a meaningful opportunity to support the area of health care that matters most to them. The Fortin Family Foundation directed their commitment to expand pediatric services. 

“The Fortin Family Foundation’s extraordinary generosity reflects a deep commitment to the health and well-being of our community,” said Tyler Wiltgen, executive director of philanthropy at Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital. “This leadership gift will strengthen our vision for world-class pediatric care and inspire others to join us in shaping a healthier future for the region.” 

For generations, St. Vincent Regional Hospital has been a trusted partner in caring for children and families across the region, continually evolving its pediatric services to meet growing and complex needs. 

Philanthropic investments, including longstanding support from The Fortin Family Foundation, have helped expand access to specialty care, strengthen partnerships, and bring services closer to home for rural communities. 

Notably, prior gifts supported the creation and growth of The Fortin Pediatric Specialty Clinic, developed in collaboration with Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital and the University of Utah, connecting families in Montana to leading pediatric expertise without leaving the state. 

This latest gift builds on that legacy and will further enhance pediatric care, including eastern Montana’s only pediatric intensive care unit, an advanced Level III neonatal intensive care unit, and the region’s only pediatric surgery program. 

These investments reflect a continued commitment to ensuring children and families have access to high-quality, compassionate care, reducing the need for travel and supporting better outcomes for patients and their families. This gift represents one of the most significant healthcare investments in Montana’s history and reflects a commitment to delivering comprehensive, high-quality care. 

The Campaign for Intermountain St. Vincent Regional Hospital represents a comprehensive vision. This is a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to build a new, state‑of‑the‑art hospital campus and strengthen lifesaving services for decades to come. All designed to transform care, expand access, and ensure that extraordinary healthcare remains close to home. 

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Intermountain Health and Shriners Children’s announced a collaborative affiliation that establishes more convenient access to renowned nonprofit pediatric orthopedic specialty care in Nevada. 

Both organizations have signed a letter of intent to form a new strategic affiliation focused on improving the lives, wellbeing, and health of children in the state.

The affiliation brings together two mission-driven organizations with a shared commitment to delivering safe, high-quality, and specialized pediatric care for all children – regardless of the ability to pay. Through joint leadership, governance, strategic planning, and coordinated operations, the affiliation is designed to create a sustainable and integrated pediatric orthopedic and rehabilitation service line serving both local and regional communities.

“This affiliation reflects our shared belief that children and families deserve the very best care, close to home,” said Mitch Cloward, Intermountain Health region president. “By bringing together Intermountain’s resources, clinical expertise, and deep commitment to community health with the specialized capabilities of Shriners Children’s, we’re strengthening a model of care that improves access, supports families, and helps kids get the right care when they need it most.”

“When we serve together, we can do more for our community," said Mandy Richards, DNP, RN, chief nursing executive and president of Children's Health at Intermountain Health. "At the heart of this affiliation is a shared commitment to build a model of care that improves access to pediatric care and advances outcomes. By bringing together Intermountain’s resources and clinical expertise with the specialized capabilities of Shriners Children’s we can continue to reach more children who need care.”

As part of the affiliation, and as a demonstration of their long-standing commitment to the Las Vegas community, Shriners Children’s will own and operate an independent pediatric orthopedic clinic, located within the newly constructed Intermountain Health Badura Clinic in southwest Las Vegas, scheduled to open this summer, and eventually the Outpatient Services Center on the Intermountain Health Nevada Children’s Hospital campus. Shriners Children’s will also serve as the provider of record for orthopedic services, employing clinical and nonclinical staff supporting its operations.

"Shriners Children's has been serving Nevada children for decades through outreach clinics and telehealth," said Leslie Stewart, MD, chairman of the Board of Trustees for Shriners Children's. "This clinic represents an important step forward in continuing to provide our specialized pediatric care to more children in a growing community. We are proud to expand our mission in partnership with Intermountain Health and to serve more children and families in the Las Vegas area."

The affiliation also includes plans to explore a clinical collaboration model. Through this structure, the organizations will coordinate on best practice clinical protocols, data sharing to support quality improvement, and clinical integration across care settings, all with the goal of delivering high-value, cost-effective services to pediatric patients and their families.

To support the long-term success of this affiliation and to further a shared commitment to improving the lives of children and families in the community, Shriners Children’s will provide dedicated resources and strategic expertise to support the Intermountain Health Nevada Children’s Hospital and strengthen its pediatric orthopedic and rehabilitation services in alignment with the Shriners Children's mission of delivering high-quality, compassionate care.

In addition, Shriners Children’s will commit financial assistance for Shriners Children’s patients receiving services through the hospital and service line, working in coordination with third-party payers and Intermountain’s financial assistance programs.

This affiliation builds on the strong existing relationship between Intermountain Health and Shriners Children’s in Utah, where both organizations are dedicated to advancing pediatric care for kids. “When Intermountain Health and Shriners Children’s work together at Primary Children’s Hospital, our community benefits,” says Dustin Lipson, president of Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. “We are uniting expertise, compassion, and purpose to ensure that children across the region have access to the very best innovations in pediatric care.”

While Shriner’s will be new to Nevada in terms of the new clinics, they have been a part of the community for decades through outreach clinics and transportation to their facilities in Southern California and Salt Lake City. Additionally, the Shriners Children’s Open PGA Tour golf tournament and East-West Shrine Bowl college all-star football game have long-standing connections to the Las Vegas area.

Together, Intermountain Health and Shriners Children’s will advance innovative approaches to pediatric healthcare delivery, respect and uphold the unique history and mission of each organization, and collaborate transparently to help children in our community live their healthiest lives.

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EMS for Children Colorado has recognized Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital as a Colorado Pediatric Preparedness for the Emergency Room (COPPER) as a Pediatric Advanced facility—confirming the hospital’s emergency department is equipped, trained, and organized to deliver high-quality care for infants, children, and adolescents. 

Lutheran Hospital, located in Wheat Ridge, achieved a 99/100 pediatric readiness score. 

The COPPER designation reflects a comprehensive, onsite review of preparedness standards specific to pediatric emergency care, including the presence of nurse and physician Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinators (PECCs), regular pediatric education and competencies for emergency staff, and robust, ongoing quality improvement processes that review cases and share targeted guidance with clinicians. 

“The COPPER process helps elevate our standard level of care to a level of expert pediatric care,” said Daniel Cheek, MD, emergency physician and Lutheran Hospital’s trauma and EMS liaison. “Data shows that following COPPER guidelines can save young lives. Studies have shown that hospitals with a pediatric readiness score of 88 or higher can reduce mortality risk by up to 76% for ill children and 60% for pediatric trauma patients.” 

Preparedness—and continuous improvement in everyday practice—has been a major focus for Lutheran’s emergency team. For example, staff now weigh all pediatric patients in kilograms to ensure accurate, weight-based dosing; bed scales are used appropriately and supplemented for younger children; and teams obtain a full set of vital signs, including blood pressure, on every baby or child to help identify serious illness sooner. They also stock pediatric-sized patient gowns and blood pressure cuffs. 

“It’s been a big culture change for us—and it’s been really good,” said Ali Young, RN, pediatric emergency care coordinator at Lutheran. “As a parent, it means there’s an emergency department closer to home that’s equipped to take care of my sick kid.” 

Young added that the team is expanding education to sustain readiness. “We’re putting together a three- to four-hour pediatric specific class for emergency care for all of our staff members.” 

Lutheran Hospital’s emergency department treats approximately 350–400 pediatric patients each month, with seasonal peaks (e.g., 455 pediatric visits in October/November). Teams also respond to 5–10 pediatric trauma activations per month, mirroring broader community trends. 

The COPPER designation assures local EMS partners and families that Lutheran is prepared for children of all ages—from newborns to teens—with the specialized equipment, training, and protocols to recognize and treat serious illness or injury rapidly and effectively.

Intermountain Health’s Primary Promise campaign has inspired more than $642 million in community gifts to build the nation’s model health system for children, making it the most significant investment ever made in the health and wellness of children in Utah.

Led through Intermountain Foundation, the transformative five-year Primary Promise campaign exceeded its original goal of $500 million to bring its vision to life through a vital partnership between Intermountain Health and philanthropic members of the community.  

The Primary Promise campaign culminated in a special celebration and announcement that engaged Intermountain Health caregivers and leaders and patient families – including the child receiving Utah’s first fetal surgery while still in her mother’s womb.

She’s now 4 years old and thriving.

"We are grateful for the Intermountain Foundation’s leadership, and the community’s support of Primary Promise, which has transformed how Intermountain Children’s Health cares for our children, created stronger systems of support, and helped every child we serve live their healthiest life," said Mandy Richards, RN, chief nursing executive at Intermountain Health and president of Intermountain Children’s Health. “Our community and generous donors have built a legacy of commitment that opens doors for children in our care today, and for those who will rely on us tomorrow to overcome their challenges and reach their full potential.” 

Primary Promise is the single largest philanthropic initiative in Intermountain Health’s 50-year history. The multi-faceted plan addressed three goals:

• Strengthen Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital.
• Address the emerging needs of children.
• Extend access to comprehensive pediatric care to more communities across Utah and the Mountain West.

As the campaign progressed, so did its financial target – from $500 million to a minimum of $600 million – a bold shift in response to community calls for more behavioral health services that ultimately created the new Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital Behavioral Health Center, Taylorsville Campus.

Primary Promise goals also were addressed by providing robust fetal care including fetal surgery; expanding autism services, lifelong child health and safety initiatives, personalized medicine, and telehealth access to pediatric care; redesigning newborn intensive care and cancer spaces in Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, Salt Lake Campus; and by opening a second hospital campus, named the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Campus, in Lehi, Utah.

Primary Promise was led by four civic and community business leaders:

• Gail Miller, founder, owner, and past chair of Larry H. Miller Company, and chair emeritus of the Intermountain Health Board of Trustees.
• Crystal Maggelet, chair and CEO of FJ Management Inc. and Intermountain Health trustee emeritus.
• Steve Lund, co-founder and executive board chair of Nu Skin Enterprises.
• Spencer Zwick, co-founder & managing partner of Solamere Capital.

“Primary Promise is about being part of something greater,” Lund said. “To everyone who gave in memory of a loved one — as our family has — our hearts are with you, today and always. And your gifts have made a profound difference that honors those we love. Who could ask for a brighter legacy?”

Abigail Rose is a living legacy of Primary Promise.

In 2021, she became the first child ever to receive an in-utero fetal surgery in the state of Utah, through what is now called the Grant Scott Bonham Fetal Center at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. Previously, this complex and often life-saving surgery was available at only a few hospitals nationwide.  

When Abigail Rose’s mom, Alisha, was pregnant, an ultrasound showed that her fetus had spina bifida – a condition that leaves an area of the spine open and nerves exposed.

Doctors performed surgery on the fetus to address the anomaly. At the time, Alisha was around 25-weeks gestation. That gave time so the fetal spine could heal as part of its natural development. 

A month after fetal surgery, Abigail Rose was born.

She has grown to become an energetic, happy, mobile 4-year-old, who lives with her family in Idaho Falls. She loves to play with her Barbies, ride horses, sing songs with her mom, dance with friends, and watch sports with her dad, Nick. Physical and occupational therapy has helped her to achieve milestones that her family never expected to see, from crawling to walking with a walker. 

“We took a leap of faith with fetal surgery, and they saved Abby,” Alisha says. “The future for Primary Children’s patients is already brighter because of our fetal surgery. It’s phenomenal to have this in our region. The people who gave to Primary Promise have helped more kids than they’ll ever know. Abby is living proof.”

Here’s how Primary Promise has helped kids and families:

Autism Services were added to address a rapidly increasing need.

• The Adaptive Care Program launched last year, supporting nearly 500 children with a developmental disability.
• Primary Children's Applied Behavior Analysis clinic opened earlier this year at Intermountain Riverton Hospital to support children with autism and their families. 

Behavioral Health

• Primary Children’s programs have grown by 78% in the last five years, providing care for 40% more children during that time.
• More than 10,000 children served in 2024.
• The new Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital Behavioral Health Center opened in Taylorsville in the summer of 2025, with family-centered care, hospital and clinic programs, and a walk-in crisis center that’s always open. The State of Utah invested $25 million to help build the center.

Grant Scott Bonham Fetal Center is the first of its kind in the Mountain West and is Utah’s only comprehensive fetal care center, offering world-class treatment for high-risk pregnancies, including fetal surgeries.

• 2,000 patients are served each year.
• First fetoscopic laser ablation for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome performed in 2023.

Healthy Kids keeps children safe and healthy in their homes and communities. 

• In 2024, nearly 900 families were referred to the Mom, Baby, and Family Home Visiting Program, which provided more than 550 home visits per month, to help families get off to a great start.
• 92,000 books were given to families through the Reach Out and Read Program during their well-child checkups.
• Triple the number of safety devices, such as infant car seats and helmets, were given to families in 2024.

Network of Care brings Primary Children’s care closer to home through telehealth visits with pediatric experts.  

• 450,000+ telehealth visits since 2021 have connected kids and families with pediatric care experts.
• More than half of the children seen in emergency telehealth visits last year were safely allowed to return home to recover, avoiding unnecessary hospital stays.
• The School-Based Telehealth program launched in 2023, allowing 96% of kids to receive care and return to class, saving an estimated 15,000+ days of school. 

Newborn Intensive Care: A modern, state-of-the-art Level 4 NICU provides newborn babies with the most focused level of specialty care.

• NICU rooms are designed for families to stay with their babies.
• Families who can’t be there in person can access Angel Eye Camera Technology – they did so 78,000 times last year – to check on their baby anytime, from anywhere. 

Personalized Medicine

• 150+ patients with complex medical conditions last year received rapid whole genome sequencing to speed up diagnosis and customize treatment.  
• 4,000+ patients received integrated genetic services in 2024.

Second Hospital Campus

The Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Campus opened in Lehi in February 2024 to serve the rapidly growing pediatric population in southern Salt Lake County and Utah County. This new hospital provided exceptional care for the community during its first year, including the following:

• More than 18,000 patients visited the Emergency Department.
• More than 72,000 clinic visits.
• More than 14,000 patients stayed the night in the hospital closer to home.

Sorenson Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders is a redesigned cancer care space to provide cutting-edge, nationally ranked care at Primary Children's Hospital — Salt Lake Campus.

• 200+ children rang the bell to celebrate the end of their cancer treatment last year.
• 2 academic endowed chairs were created:
  • Ryan and Ashley Smith Presidential Chair
  • FIVE For the Fight Chair in Pediatric Cancer Research.

Teen-to-Adult Care gives teens skills and resources to live their healthiest lives into adulthood.

• The Primary Children's Hospital “You & I Health Club” supports teens as they move into adult care for diabetes, heart, and other chronic conditions.  
• 442 patients supported in 2024.

“Together we’re directly contributing to lifesaving and life-changing advancements for children everywhere,” Zwick said. “It’s truly an honor for us to help write the next page beyond the history of this revered cause.”

Intermountain Health’s work to build the nation’s model health system for children will continue. In Montana, specialty care access for children is expanding. In Nevada, Intermountain is creating a comprehensive campaign for children’s health with plans to build Nevada’s first standalone children’s hospital in Las Vegas.

 “With you, our donor family, we’ve created an enhanced environment to provide the best pediatric care in the world,” Miller said. “Our legacy is that we did not hesitate. And this work will continue to move forward. We invite every member of the community, within and beyond these walls, to partner with us, so that together, we will forever keep The Child First and Always.” 

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Children coming to the hospital for emergency medical care may look and act like small humans, but their needs – especially in a medical emergency – greatly differ from adults. 

That’s the premise behind Colorado Pediatric Preparedness for the Emergency Room (COPPER). 

Intermountain Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette is now recognized as a COPPER Pediatric Advanced designated hospital. Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital in Grand Junction also carries the designation.   

The COPPER designation underscores the hospital’s commitment to providing exceptional medical care to children in emergency situations. The certification, awarded by the Emergency Medical Services for Children program, ensures the highest standards of safety and preparedness for those young patients.  

Intermountain Good Samaritan Hospital caregivers began the journey a year ago by updating policies, obtaining specialized equipment, and ensuring caregivers participated in ongoing education. The team had elements in place to address the unique needs of children in emergencies, and this recognition reinforces that commitment.   

“We are proud of the strides we have made in pediatric care and the positive impact it has on our communities,” said Jannice Juliano, regional service line director for emergency and trauma care for Intermountain Health. 

Juliano is the former emergency department director for Intermountain St. Mary’s Hospital and helped lead that team to achieve the designation.   

Pediatric patients comprise more than 5% of the overall annual volume of patients treated in the Good Samaritan Hospital emergency room, but those patients have unique needs. 

“It’s a lower volume, high risk population for us,” said Marian Dirks, emergency department director at Intermountain Good Samaritan Hospital. “We want to make sure that we are focused on the things we need to do for the pediatric population because they’re not just small adults.”  

Intermountain Health, which has 34 hospitals in six states, continues to support pediatric readiness efforts across the system including regular meetings with the pediatric emergency care coordinators.

Born in 2019, Giada Gonzales faced many challenges in her first year of life. 

Nearly six years later, she is thriving, and her mother, Allysa, proudly shares that she is “the princess of her elementary school.” 

Allysa recounts how she now walks through the halls on her way to class saying “hi,” giving high-fives, and hugging whoever is nearby. 

It is hard to imagine the progress that she has made and the challenges she has faced. With a recent procedure to close an opening in her abdomen from her feeding tube by the pediatric surgery team at Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital. 

it closes a long chapter for Giada and her family.  

Giada was born in Billings with Down Syndrome at 30 weeks. At just three pounds, she was considered a micro-premie. 

After spending 78 days in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Giada was finally able to come home. 

Her homecoming would be short-lived. Just three months later she suffered a severe case of Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Rhinovirus that would lead to serious complications with her ability to breathe. 

She was rushed to Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital where she continued to decline, developing fluid around her heart. She was in critical condition and was transferred to a hospital in Denver to receive specialized care. 

After six months in the hospital, she was able to transfer back home to Intermountain St. Vincent’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit to continue to recover. 

“Her care at St. Vincent was amazing. You can really tell the nursing staff loves what they do. They took such good care of Giada,” said Allysa. “Her nurses would make her comfortable by playing with her, doing her hair or singing her songs from her favorite movies. It’s been about five years since her longest stay and to this day, we keep in touch with several of her nurses.” 

After another four months in the hospital, she was finally able to come home. Because of the long period of time in the hospital at the beginning of her life, Giada would need time and support to learn to eat on her own and meet developmental milestones. 

She continued respiratory support and extensive therapies. This included maintaining a tracheostomy (an opening and tube in her trachea or windpipe), a ventilator, and a gastrostomy feeding tube.  

Over the next several years, Giada continued her slow and steady progress, needing additional medical interventions and support from specialized medical teams. 

Shortly after her first birthday, Giada underwent surgery in Denver to close a couple of holes in her heart.  “After that surgery, it gave her body the strength she needed to fully hit vital milestones,” said Allysa. 

Additionally, during a routine tracheostomy change, Giada coughed, suffered a popped lung and was rushed to the emergency room.  

“The pediatric surgery team at St. Vincent was able to take her to surgery to get a chest tube put in. Had St. Vincent not offered those services, Giada would have had to have another emergency flight out of state,” said Allysa. 

Since 2016, Intermountain St. Vincent has partnered with Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital and University of Utah Health to offer 24/7 pediatric surgery services. In 2022, SCL Health and Intermountain Health merged, strengthening the collaboration and access to care for the region's families.  

This specialized team of surgeons are able to keep children and families close to home for care. 

 In 2023, Giada had the tracheostomy removed, and last year, she was ready to have the feeding tube removed. Initially, the Gonzales family thought they might have to travel out of state again for this surgery but were pleased to know that the pediatric surgery team at St. Vincent Regional Hospital could do the procedure, allowing Giada to recover and heal at home.  

“Dr. Barnhart (Giada’s surgeon) is amazing. He was wonderful to work with,” said Allysa. “We want other families to know that you don’t necessarily have to travel out of state for care and that we have a team of surgeons and specialists right here who can do it. It was such a relief knowing we could have her surgery here. Unplanned trips out of state for care, would have been a financial struggle.” 

With that final surgery completed, Giada and her family are looking forward to a happy and healthy future.  

“It has been a long chapter, but with the removal of the feeding tube she is beyond her severe medical conditions from birth,” said Allysa. “So many caregivers have been involved with her care over the last six years, and we are very grateful to everyone at St. Vincent, the PICU and the Pediatric Specialty Clinic. She still has a long way to go as far as ‘catching up’ developmentally but she’s so much stronger now and has a lot of support from the many people in her life who love her.” 

Intermountain St. Vincent Regional Hospital Foundation will hold its 11th annual Call for Kids Mediathon on Wednesday, April 9 to support families in the region and patients like Giada. 

Funds raised will benefit children’s services at St. Vincent, home to the only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Pediatric Surgery program in eastern Montana. The community can tune into Cat Country 102.9 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and tune into KTVQ on April 9 to hear stories of courage, hope and strength. 

“Gifts received through our Call for Kids Mediathon help make it possible for St. Vincent to provide our pediatric patients with a continuum of care that is unparalleled in our region,” said Tyler Wiltgen, Intermountain St. Vincent Foundation executive director . “Philanthropic support for our pediatric programs is making a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable patients and their families and is one way in which we fulfill our mission.”  

By donating, it ensures that the youngest, most fragile patients have access to the best technology, programs and facilities to heal close to home. 

People can call 406-237-KIDS (5437) to donate on Wednesday, April 9, or text KIDS to 32037. Donations can also be made online at svhkids.org 

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