“This was an exciting and yet challenging year that helped us build the foundation of Greeley Hospital,” said Marilyn Schock, president of the hospital. “The community will be depending on us for this excellent care for years to come. I am so proud of the work our team has done and all of the lives they’ve touched.”
The hospital officially opened its doors at 7 a.m. July 3, 2019. The first patient arrived just two minutes later, and the first baby was born about 16 hours later. The busy first day was a sign of what was in store for the year to come.
“The demand for the services and care that we are providing on this campus – at both the Greeley Hospital and the Greeley Medical Center – has been strong since the very beginning,” said Dr. Daniel Zenk, a UCHealth internal medicine physician who has been caring for patients in Weld County for nearly 30 years. “Our community is trusting us with their care and the care of their loved ones, and we are honored to serve them in an even greater capacity so close to home.”
The 50-bed hospital features a birth center with Level II special care nursery, an intensive care unit, three operating rooms, a Level III trauma center and emergency department, a café, a gift shop, 24/7 retail pharmacy, radiology and laboratory services, and a meditation room – with room to grow. Just east of the hospital is UCHealth Greeley Medical Center, a multispecialty outpatient facility that opened shortly before the hospital did. It houses services and providers with specialties that range from rehabilitation and primary care to heart care and cancer care.
A few key numbers from Greeley Hospital’s first year (data as of midnight July 2, 2020):
- Babies born – 557
- Medical-surgical admissions – 2,410
- Emergency room visits – 22,062
- Inpatient surgeries – 341
- Outpatient surgeries – 1,222
- Employees – Opened hospital with about 400 employees on staff at Greeley Hospital. Currently have 565 employees on staff at the hospital. They are among about 700 employees on the campus.
- Volunteers – 65. They logged more than 3,500 volunteer hours before the pandemic hit.
- Therapy dogs – 1 (named Oakley).
The first year included a lot of expected challenges and adjustments, according to Schock. Then, just over seven months after opening, the hospital team faced an unprecedented challenge: a worldwide pandemic on its doorstep.
Over the course of three months, the hospital cared for many patients who were confirmed or suspected of having the disease. Most of them recovered enough to go home or discharge to another facility for continued care.
“When you open a new hospital, you expect to run into challenges, but you don’t expect one of them to be a pandemic,” Schock said. “There were some difficult and dark days, but our providers and staff persevered and brought their best selves to the bedside of many very sick patients to care for them and their families with compassion and expertise. They provided outstanding care and were adaptable and flexible with the ever-changing situations. They worked long, hard hours and saved many lives.”
By mid-June, the number of patients with COVID-19 being cared for at Greeley Hospital had dropped significantly. While the hospital remains on alert and prepared to care for an uptick in patients with COVID-19 should that happen, most of the patients there now are being treated for other conditions and injuries. A number of measures are in place to keep all patients, visitors and staff safe, including visitor restrictions, online check-ins and physical distancing in waiting rooms. The hospital also is now testing every hospitalized patient for COVID-19, and anyone who tests positive is cared for in a designated area.
“I am so proud of the response from our system, our doctors, advanced practice professionals, nurses and support staff,” said Dr. James Campain, an emergency physician and chief of staff at Greeley Hospital. “And we all were especially touched by the outpouring of support from the community. They sent meals, equipment and kind messages of thanks. Just knowing that they all were thinking of us and rooting for us during the challenging times meant a lot to every one of us.”
“It was an unbelievable year all around,” Schock said. “I’ve never been prouder to work amongst such an amazing team and in such a wonderful community. I am truly excited for what the future has in store for us.”
UCHealth Greeley Hospital Teddy Bear Hospital
Alexandra Hernadez, left, receives treatment on her teddy bear from UCHealth chief of staff Dr. Jim Campain during the Teddy Bear Hospital event held at the UCHealth Greeley Hospital in June 2019, a couple weeks before the hospital officially opened. Photo by Joel Blocker, for UCHealth.
UCHealth Greeley Hospital Intensive Care Unit
The doctors and staff at the intensive care unit at UCHealth Greeley Hospital cared for many patients who were critically ill with COVID-19 starting in March 2020. The pandemic hit this community a little more than seven months after the hospital opened its doors. Photo courtesy of UCHealth.
UCHealth Greeley Hospital Intensive Care Room
The doctors and staff at UCHealth Greeley Hospital cared for many patients with COVID-19 in its intensive care unit – pictured here – and its Acute Care Unit. The hospital opened July 3, 2019. Photo by Joel Blocker / For UCHealth.
Greeley Hospital opening day staff ER nursing schedule
A staff member looks over the emergency room nursing schedule at UCHealth Greeley Hospital on opening day, July 3, 2019. Photo courtesy of UCHealth.
Greeley Hospital opening day
Greeley Hospital opening day
Greeley Hospital Pharmacy
Pharmacy technician Teresa Avila gathers medications to fill a patient’s prescriptions at UCHealth Greeley Hospital’s retail pharmacy on Aug. 7, 2019. The pharmacy is open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Photo courtesy of UCHealth.
Greeley Hospital first baby born
Mariana Espinoza shares a moment July 4, 2019, with her newborn daughter, Annabrissa, in the Birth Center at UCHealth Greeley Hospital. Annabrissa was born about 11 p.m. July 3, 2019, the same day the hospital officially opened. Photo courtesy of UCHealth.
Greeley Hospital First Baby – Annabrissa’s First Birthday
Annabrissa Espinoza, center, celebrates her first birthday with family in Arizona in 2020. She was the first baby born at UCHealth Greeley Hospital on the day the hospital opened – July 3, 2019. Photo courtesy of the Espinoza family.
Greeley Hospital First Baby – Annabrissa’s First Birthday
Annabrissa Espinoza celebrated her first birthday with family in Arizona in 2020. She was the first baby born at UCHealth Greeley Hospital on the day the hospital opened – July 3, 2019. Photo courtesy of the Espinoza family.
Greeley Hospital First Baby – Annabrissa’s First Birthday
Annabrissa Espinoza, center, celebrates her first birthday with family in Arizona in 2020. She was the first baby born at UCHealth Greeley Hospital on the day the hospital opened – July 3, 2019. From left is brother Javi, mother Mariana, father Francisco and sister Bella. Photo courtesy of the Espinoza family.
Family 100th Baby UCHealth Greeley Hospital
Mayra Villalobos and Adrian Recendiz of Mead are the proud parents of Gael, the 100th baby born at UCHealth Greeley Hospital. He was born on Sept. 21, 2019. Photo by Kelly Tracer, UCHealth.
Crystal Garcia RN UCHealth Greeley Hospital Acute Care
Amanda Johnson RN UCHealth Greeley Hospital Acute Care Unit
COVID-19 Survivor Sendoff Greeley Hospital
UCHealth Greeley Hospital Teddy Bear Hospital
Joel Blocker / For UCHealth Chloe Rae, left, places a sticker on her teddy bear after it was treated by UCHealth House Supervisor, Angela Farrington, during the Teddy Bear Hospital event held at UCHealth Greeley Hospital.