UCHealth

Jo Daley and Brendan Hackett’s son Sean was diagnosed with autism at age 3 and, despite his intelligence, remains on the low-functioning end of the spectrum. Before Sean turned 15, his behavior began to change dramatically. He became withdrawn, unresponsive and prone to violent outbursts, including punching walls. Over 18 months, he was admitted twice to Children's Hospital Colorado’s psychiatry unit but his condition worsened, leaving his parents scared and uncertain about how to help him. During Sean’s second hospitalization, he attended a day program at Evoke Behavioral Health in Denver where psychologist Sheri Katzman suggested he might be experiencing catatonia. After further research, his parents and therapist presented their findings to his care team who agreed but noted the challenges of finding a doctor willing to perform electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on a patient as volatile as Sean. A recommendation led them to Dr. Christopher James at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital who was open to the treatment. Sean’s first ECT session was in March and the changes were immediate. After just two sessions, his violent outbursts stopped and his verbal skills began to return. Two weeks into the treatment, he climbed the stairs for the first time in over a year and calmly greeted his parents with a simple “Hi.” His transformation brought immense relief to his family. “He wasn’t smiling for years,” Jo said. “Now, his smile is back and we finally have our son back.”

🍽️ Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Many are well-acquainted with the frenzy of getting everything organized, among that prep is one of the most crucial elements - the food. We’re here to help you with that Thanksgiving planning checklist🍗🥧

When a terminally ill patient at UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital shared her one final wish—to see her son graduate with his doctoral degree—nurses Ashley Jones and Julia Anderson made it their mission to help her experience that moment. As graduation day neared, it became clear she couldn't attend in person. Determined to honor her wish, Ashley and Julia transformed her hospital room into a celebratory space, decorating the ceiling, walls and windows. They brought cupcakes and non-alcoholic champagne, and the patient watched the ceremony on a laptop. That evening, when her son arrived in his cap and gown, the night shift lined the hallway to applaud the family's arrival, creating a deeply meaningful moment. Both nurses credit their progressive care unit (PCU) team for the kindness and dedication throughout the experience. "I've never seen a unit work together and care for patients so deeply," Julia shared, reflecting on her colleagues' commitment to their work. Ashley added that honoring this family's precious moment underscored the spirit of the PCU team and their dedication to providing exceptional care, even in life's most challenging moments. Thank you, Ashley and Julia, for your work to improve lives. ♥️

Today, we honor the bravery, dedication and sacrifice of our nation's heroes🇺🇸 We're proud to spotlight our staff, providers and their families who have served in the armed forces. Join us in celebrating and thanking them for their service and commitment.

Michael Sciortino is a distinguished Air Force veteran and Purple Heart recipient who now serves as a physician assistant at UCHealth, specializing in helping patients undergoing knee and hip replacement surgeries. His journey to UCHealth is a remarkable tale of courage and resilience. A month after the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Michael found himself in the heart of Afghanistan and was the first U.S. airman awarded the Purple Heart in that conflict. Injured by a bomb that launched him 40 feet into the air, he reflects on that day with humility, acknowledging that his survival was a stroke of luck. Throughout his military career, Michael showed a tireless commitment to his country, transitioning from an Air Force medical technician to a special operations combat controller—roles that led him on horseback across Afghanistan, aiding in the fight to liberate towns from the Taliban. Raised in a family with a strong tradition of military service, Michael, originally from Oxford, Connecticut, joined the Air Force at just 18 years old. He later trained as a combat controller, a position demanding grueling training and ultimate dedication. His deployment in Afghanistan included dangerous missions with the Northern Alliance, navigating narrow mountain paths and risking encounters with enemy forces. At the famous Battle of Mazar-i-Sharif, Michael and his team faced an overwhelming number of Taliban and al-Qaida forces. Despite the chaos, he displayed remarkable courage by calling for air support to protect his team. After his service, Michael channeled his resilience and dedication into medicine. He pursued education to become a physician assistant, eventually joining UCHealth Orthopedic Center – Grandview. Today, he works with Dr. Jordan Schaeffer to provide compassionate, skilled care to patients seeking relief from hip and knee pain, helping them regain mobility and improve their quality of life. Michael finds fulfillment in hearing stories from patients who, after their operations, can return to beloved activities pain-free. Every day, he brings his unique perspective to his work, sometimes connecting with other veterans and sharing stories of service and sacrifice. This Veteran’s Day, we honor Michael Sciortino and all veterans who have courageously served. Thank you for your sacrifices and dedication.

Rodney Mayo, a 57-year-old Colorado native, recently overcame an aggressive battle with pancreatic cancer thanks to early detection and a skilled healthcare team. Following 10 grueling months of chemotherapy and surgery, he is now cancer-free and excited to return to his woodworking passion, building a dream home and workshop on new land in Loveland, Colorado. A Gulf War veteran and paraplegic from a spinal injury, Rodney has repeatedly shown resilience in the face of adversity. After a severe spinal injury left him paralyzed, he regained mobility through sheer determination, ultimately walking with the aid of braces. Last winter, his vigilance about his health led him to recognize symptoms early, prompting an urgent visit to the hospital where doctors discovered a tumor. Immediate chemotherapy and surgery at UCHealth followed, which he credits with saving his life. Pancreatic cancer remains challenging to detect, often resulting in a low survival rate compared to other cancers. Rodney’s oncologists emphasize that advances in screening and early treatment can improve outcomes and they remain hopeful as research continues to progress. Grateful for the care that helped him overcome the odds, Rodney now looks forward to a new chapter filled with purpose, independence and a return to the hands-on work he loves.

Max Elliot is a Cancer Warrior who is being honored at the Colorado Avalanche Hockey Fights Cancer game tomorrow night. Thanks to groundbreaking research and a life-saving clinical trial, Max is with us today. We're celebrating his courage and medical advancements made possible by the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative. Read more about Max's inspiring journey:

November 9 is now officially…Hockey Fights Cancer Day 🗓️ 💜 Rodney Mayo, we are incredibly grateful to hear your inspiring story and for setting the stage of the lighting of the Denver City and County Building. For the first week of November, the Denver night sky has been illuminated purple as part of the observance for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and Hockey Fights Cancer. 🤝 University of Colorado Cancer Center and Colorado Avalanche #HockeyFightsCancer

Imagine enduring severe burns, multiple surgeries and an extended hospital stay, far from home and in a country where you barely understand the language. This was the reality for a burn patient who spent more than six weeks in the burn unit, undergoing countless painful procedures and fighting off infections. Isolated and discouraged, he found it difficult to advocate for himself, relying on interpreters to express his concerns to the medical staff. That’s when Marysela Vigil, a compassionate burn technician, decided to step in. She had watched the patient struggle alone and as someone who worked closely with him each day, she felt compelled to lift his spirits. Marysela's role is critical to patient care; she bathes patients, carefully cleanses their wounds and re-applies their dressings—a taxing daily process. To ease the pain, caregivers often play music of the patient’s choosing and this patient found solace in the sounds of his favorite band, La Maquinaria Norteña. Marysela, recognizing an opportunity, reached out to her contacts in the band and arranged a surprise video message of encouragement just in time for his birthday. On that special day, Marysela went above and beyond. She decorated a conference room with birthday banners in Spanish and invited other staff members to celebrate with him. As his favorite band’s video played, with a personal message urging him to stay strong, he was overcome with emotion—and for the first time, Marysela saw him smile. This moment of joy rekindled his hope and reminded him he wasn’t alone in his fight. Soon after, he recovered enough to leave the hospital, carrying with him the healing power of music, connection and kindness. Thank you, Marysela, for your work to improve lives♥️

The Visionary📸 Photographer Adonye Jaja almost lost his right eye due to an orbital mass that was pushing up behind it. He was flown to Colorado for treatment that saved his eye. Now, he sees a bright future ahead of him. Watch here: https://lnkd.in/gTxyhgbv