UCHealth Northern Colorado Foundation
We improve lives.
Our not-for-profit hospitals focus on investing resources to improve the lives of our families, friends and neighbors in northern Colorado. Our foundation helps provide value-added services not covered by insurance.
Through the generosity of individual, corporate, and foundation donors, as well as through public grant funding, UCHealth Northern Colorado Foundation provides funding to support innovative research and education, patient financial assistance, community health programs, and enhancements to patient care.
Private donations from community members enable us to bridge gaps in services, accelerate advances in health care, and help thankful patients and families express gratitude. Many critically important services offered to UCHealth patients and families in northern Colorado would not exist without private donations made through the foundation.
100% of every donated dollar goes to the foundation’s philanthropic funds, with no overhead costs or administrative fees.
What’s new
Funding supports local COVID-19 study
Does COVID-19 have lingering effects on survivors? If so, what are they, and how long do they last? Can we modify existing treatments or develop new ones to avoid or minimize the effects? These are just some of the questions scientists and clinicians across the globe have been trying to answer since the early days of the pandemic. Here in northern Colorado, with help from funding donated through the foundation, a team of scientists and clinicians at CSU and UCHealth formed a partnership to work on getting answers.
State of the Hospitals – February 2022
Join us for this free virtual event in which Kevin Unger will review our northern Colorado hospitals’ accomplishments and innovations over the past year and discuss what the future holds for our region’s health care.
WISH funding provides activities and tools to decrease distress of hospitalized dementia patients
The Sunshine Cart program began through WISH funding in 2018 and has grown from three carts in two hospitals to 21 carts in three hospitals. The Sunshine Cart is filled with meaningful activities and tools to help reduce the risk of confusion and to decrease distress in hospitalized persons living with dementia. The items are single-use only for infection control, so each item is a gift to the patient.
Northern Colorado Golf Classic 2022
The 2022 UCHealth Northern Colorado Golf Classic is May 16 and benefits UCHealth Northern Colorado Foundation's mission to deliver and advance world-class health care.
Philanthropy supports specialized training for nurse practitioner working in gynecologic oncology program
Since UCHealth's northern region gynecologic oncology program was established last year, volumes have been higher than forecasted. To help meet the high demand for services, nurse practitioner Kristin Slunecka was added to the staff earlier this year. To support Dr. Christine Walsh with complex GYN-ONC patients, Slunecka needed qualification as a surgical assistant. With full tuition supported by donor contributions to our cancer services fund, Slunecka received the advanced training.
Community support needed year-round to keep food pantry stocked
As the holidays approach, food drives and turkey donations come to mind, but addressing food insecurity is a perpetual need. The UCHealth Family Medicine Center (FMC) food pantry, which partners with Food Bank for Larimer County, helps provide fresh, healthy food to people in need year-round.
WISH funding provides equipment to help treat inner-ear disorders
Inner-ear problems can have a sudden onset, disrupting a person's ability to do basic things such as roll over or walk. These disorders can be treated with physical therapy, including eye, head and balance exercises. To develop a treatment plan customized to the patient’s needs, accurate diagnosis is essential and can require special equipment known as Frenzel goggles. With help from WISH funding, two physical therapists procured this equipment for PVH.
Ptarmigan Ladies Golf Association reaches a decade of raising funds for cancer patient assistance
Each September, the Ptarmigan Ladies Golf Association (PLGA) hosts the Double Cup Golf Tournament to benefit our cancer patient and family assistance fund. This year, the golfers celebrated the event’s 10th anniversary—along with the fact that their event has raised $44,000 over the past 10 years to help cancer patients and their families pay for expenses not covered by health insurance.
Blood donations needed—please sign up to give if you can
Did you know one blood donation could save three lives? The blood you give supports patients at multiple UCHealth hospitals in northern Colorado. Many opportunities to donate are available, listed here with links to sign up.
‘Philanthropy elevates a life of success to a life of significance’
These eloquent words about the power of giving are from Kristi Benningsdorf, who became the new chair of the foundation’s board of directors on July 1. Benningsdorf succeeds Yvonne Myers, whose term ended on June 30. Benningsdorf joined the foundation board six years ago and has an extensive history of service to our community. In this Q&A, she shares what inspires her to serve.
Thank you to our corporate partners for their support:
