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Volume 8| Issue 18| Through March 31, 2015
 
          
              
Country Inn and Suites  
 
 Harney announces retirement Seven years after coming to UCH as chief operating officer and three years after taking over as the hospital's president and CEO, John Harney last week announced his retirement, effective June 30. >>More
                                                               
Organizational makeover continues John Harney's surprise retirement announcement capped a two-week period of changes in hospital leadership and reporting responsibilities. Among them: the decision by Steve Ringel, MD (right) to step down as vice president of clinical effectiveness and patient safety June 30. >>More
 
Does this couch make my butt look fat?
In this month's "Campus Diary": Research proves a cushy sofa makes for a big backside. Or does it? Find the phony study in our version of "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me." Plus: A Cardinals' fan and her lucky red shoes at UCH; what's in a name; a snazzy new campus fashionista; more... >>More
  
                   
Taking it to the streets Starting from zero, a determined group of CU Health Sciences schools students launched and staff the DAWN Clinic, which provides free care for the uninsured in downtown Aurora. The clinic could do much to help UCH by preventing unnecessary ED visits and hospitalizations. Above, left to right: Pharmacy students Suzanne Phong, David Choi, and Katie Derington are among the dozens of students involved in the clinic's team-based care. >>More
Campus providers find a community home
In "This Hospital Life": The newly opened, student-run DAWN Clinic at the Dayton Street Opportunity Center in Aurora is the latest example of a growing effort to increase the involvement of the Anschutz Medical Campus in the health of the surrounding community. As a group staffing the clinic last week discovered, sometimes just being in the right place at the right time can make a difference to people in need. >>More
                  
Keeping an eye on the heart from afar The hospital is the first academic medical center in the region to use CardioMEMS, a new implantable system that allows providers to monitor the health of heart failure patients remotely. >>More
Sidebar: Device helps patient handle his heart 70-year-old Pat O'Brien (left, with daughter Brittany Fisher) has suffered multiple heart attacks and struggles today with heart failure. But he says he's gained peace of mind and avoided trips to the hospital thanks to the CMEMS, implanted in his pulmonary artery at UCH last month. >>More
                     
Around UCH Goings-on, big and small, in and around the hospital. This issue: UCHealth announces plans to build a new hospital in Longmont; Oncology staff challenge cancer to a rematch (right); Blues club plays; Eye-opening event on tap; more. >>More
My Health Connection looks to broaden its reach
Some 112,000 patients have signed up for the Epic patient portal since it launched in 2011. It's been a satisfier for patients looking for quick access to their medical records and ability to make appointments and refill prescriptions online. Next up: virtual office visits and remote monitoring of blood pressure, glucose levels and other key data. >>More
Dean Krugman's news The latest about what's going on at the School of Medicine. >>More
               
Transplant Completes a Colorado First

The hospital last week became the first in Colorado to perform a simultaneous double-lung and liver transplant. The patient, a 30-year-old Nebraskan suffering from cystic fibrosis, spoke with news outlets Monday. Above: Michael Weyant, MD (right), during the lung transplant portion of the procedure. >>Go
                                              
Hospital Forges Post-Acute Care Partnerships

In an effort to tighten transitions of care, UCH has created partnerships with two prominent Denver-area providers of long-term acute care, skilled nursing, hospice, and other services. The aim: improve coordination of care and reduce the number of 30-day readmissions. >>Go
                      
Athletic Trainers Pump up Clinic Efficiency

After introducing certified athletic trainers (ATCs) as physician extenders who handle not only rehabilitation but a wide range of patient-care tasks, the Orthopedics Clinic at UCH greatly increased workflow efficiency, volume, and provider satisfaction. Above: ATC Dan Ruedeman and Practice Manager Laura Nelson helped to implement the change at the Anschutz clinic. >>Go
                     
Cord Blood Bank Enriches Research, Clinical Care

Largely hidden from view, the University of Colorado Cord Blood Bank is one of the nation's leading sources for stem cell-rich blood harvested from umbilical cords. It's quietly expanded its resources, built a new business model, and positioned itself at the heart of clinical care and cutting-edge research at UCH and the rest of the Anschutz Medical Campus. Above: Executive Director Brian Freed, PhD, leads the bank's development plans. >>Go
                                                               
  
Cancer Center Bolsters Emotional Support
Two years of surveys conducted by the Cancer Center showed that patients and caregivers were eager for more assistance coping with the emotional toll of battling the disease. The result: a formalized partnership with Imerman Angels, a non-profit devoted to linking cancer survivors, fighters, and caregivers to mentors who have gone through similar experiences. Above: Psychosocial Oncology Program Coordinator Darcey Sypolt helped launch the initiative in January. >>Go
               
UCH in the News

Canine help for vets dogged by trauma; finding the humans of Denver; turning a deaf ear to high-volume risk; more. Mentions: Carolyn Bremer; Stacie Daugherty; Don Elliman; Cheryl Krause-Parello; Maureen Leehey; Denny Lyu; Robert McGranaghan; Jeffrey Metzner; Cory Portnuff; Tom Purcell; Michael Weyant. >>Go
             
Facetime on Facebook

News, views, and stories of inspiration on the UCH Facebook page. >>Go