UCHealth Northern Colorado Foundation

Each year, donor generosity enables the foundation to award scholarships to UCHealth northern Colorado employees interested in furthering career-related skills. For our 2021–22 scholarship cycle, $87,000 was awarded to 50 recipients. Since 2014, the foundation has awarded nearly $480,000 in scholarships to 322 UCHealth employees. Employee scholarships transform lives. They have the dual benefit of serving both the recipient and our community. The stories our scholars share in their thank-you messages show how generosity improves the lives of our health care workers while they work to care for—and improve the lives of—our patients.

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.

Grateful Patient Day is a way to show appreciation for the amazing, dedicated people who work in the health care field. Recognizing a health care worker uplifts the recipient and inspires all who hear the story. Expressing gratitude is a powerful part of the healing journey for patients and their families.

The foundation is pleased to welcome three new board members. These individuals expand our regional representation and add wide-ranging expertise and strengths to our governing body.

Dollars from our cancer center and oncology services fund are paying for education to expand the expertise of oncology rehabilitation staff. The training will help meet the increasing need for pelvic floor therapy services.

When our corporate partner Wawanesa Insurance asked us how they could show their gratitude for our health care heroes through a gift to Poudre Valley Hospital, Chief Nursing Officer Julie Nunley shared some ideas that would directly help nurses working in the hospital’s intensive care unit, medical-surgical unit and operating rooms.

One of the many concerning effects of the pandemic has been the public's hesitation in seeking care for stroke symptoms and treatment. When a stroke happens, "time lost is brain lost," notes the American Stroke Association. Amanda Werner, stroke program coordinator for UCHealth Northern Region, explains how a WISH award empowered staff to pursue a massive community education initiative.

UCHealth is preparing to embark on a significant renovation project at Poudre Valley Hospital to enhance the patient experience and care ahead of the hospital’s 100th anniversary in 2025. The transformation includes a new main entrance and lobby, a new heart and vascular care clinic, and a refresh of the birth center, women’s care unit and pediatric areas.

Jill Chambers, an occupational therapist for Children’s Therapy Services at UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital, is passionate about helping kids who have special needs. When she learned of a large and growing body of evidence that supports the use of smartwatches to encourage healthy habits—including self-regulation, nutrition, physical activity and sleep—Chambers knew she had to find a way to add smartwatches to the clinic's toolbox.