UCHealth

Riley Mulligan, a nurse navigator at the UCHealth Cancer Center, has faced her own battle with stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer over the past year while continuing to care for cancer patients. An avid rower, Riley found peace and focus in the water, which helped her navigate her health journey. Rowing, with its demand for teamwork and concentration, became her metaphor for dealing with cancer—keeping her “head in the boat” allowed her to remain present and resilient despite her diagnosis. This mindset also reinforced her role as a nurse, motivating her to encourage patients to stay active and embrace life despite their diagnoses. Riley’s experience with breast cancer has also deepened her empathy for her patients. She often pushes them to exercise and stay engaged, as she did throughout her treatment, which included a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. Despite the physical and emotional toll of her treatment, Riley continued to work, using her role to support others while drawing strength from her connections with colleagues and loved ones. Her ability to keep working, even on difficult days, gave her and her patients a sense of normalcy and purpose. Reflecting on her journey, Riley offers advice to those facing cancer: stay proactive about health checks, exercise regularly and be open to asking for and receiving help. Her story highlights the importance of personal and professional support systems, as she relied on her friends, family and rowing team to help her stay strong. Now cancer-free, Riley looks forward to continuing her work, traveling and embracing life fully and embodying the same advice she gives to her patients—to live rather than just survive.

Join our team as a Night Shift ED RN in Highlands Ranch! In addition to base pay and night shift differential, full time night shift RNs are eligible to participate in UCHealth's night shift incentive pay program upon completion of orientation. Learn more: https://bit.ly/47ID4wx

Are you seeking to elevate your salad dressing with vibrant flavors? Look no further! These three recipes not only offer healthier alternatives but also promise to add a burst of zest to those mixed greens 🥗

When a patient came to UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital’s outpatient clinic, occupational therapist Carly Van Tine quickly recognized behaviors suggesting autism. After ensuring the patient felt supported, Carly asked if she had considered having autism. This led to a diagnosis that changed the patient’s life, providing access to crucial resources and a new sense of identity. With Carly’s guidance, the patient gained support for social skills, emotional regulation and accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Carly even accompanied the patient to an autism resource fair on her day off, helping her feel safe and connected to her community. Carly’s dedication has given the patient a renewed sense of hope and purpose, empowering her to return to school and pursue her dreams. Thank you, Carly, for your work to improve lives. ♥️

UCHealth is hiring Medical Assistants across the Northern Colorado Region! Explore our available opportunities near you: https://bit.ly/3AYTdlt

Fiestas Patrias is an annual celebration to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month. The community comes together for lively performances, traditional music, dance and an array of delicious and authentic food. Among the festivities were the UCHealth booths with full biometric screenings staffed by nurses, health specialists and others. These screenings are part of Healthy Hearts and Minds, a special community outreach program that brings research-based health interventions directly into schools and community events. "We spend 15 to 30 minutes with each person — as long as they want — going over risk assessments for diabetes, stroke and heart. It's a great way to educate people. If they are pre-diabetec, a simple screening can help people turn things around," nurse Julie Morain said. It is incredible to see people's eyes light up with hope and gratitude when they receive these screenings. A few minutes can help people understand that they have the power to transform their health outlook by incorporating small yet impactful changes into their daily routine.

You Can Do It x Harry Mack Hiba was in a car accident and had to have multiple surgeries to fix her broken femur. Her healing journey led to recovery in more ways than one. Hiba’s message for listeners is clear: “It is possible to recover.” Watch here: https://lnkd.in/gzUZrHzB

On February 5th Diedra Keogh was suddenly overcome by excruciating stomach pain. Her husband, Patrick, wasted no time and rushed her to Pikes Peak Regional Hospital. What she thought were kidney stones turned out to be a large tumor. After surgery, she was home by February 7. But just weeks later, Diedra unexpectedly suffered a stroke. Rushed by helicopter to UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central, doctors vacuumed a large clot from her brain and discovered a heart defect she had unknowingly lived with for 53 years. During her treatment, she met nurse Casey Peat, who designed a game-changing hydration station affectionately named, "Paco the Pack." Paco carries a bladder of three liters of water. A line from the bladder feeds intravenously to a port into the patient's chest. It allows chemo patients like Diedra to stay hydrated through an IV at home, reducing hospital visits. Casey explains, "Oncology patients visit the hospital so often. We wanted to give them more choice in their care when they have so few."

At UCHealth, we improve lives. Join our team in Fort Collins as a Pediatric Medical Assistant! Apply today: https://bit.ly/3Y2hlg6

At 30 years old, Matt Fanning battled sleep apnea and high blood pressure, but those were not his primary health concerns. At nearly 700 pounds, Fanning felt he had "one foot in the grave." His weight gain began spiraling out of control in his 20s, and by the time the pandemic hit, he could no longer walk without the aid of a heavy-duty wheelchair. The turning point came after the death of his mother in May 2023, which pushed him to take control of his health. After a long and discouraging search, he found Dr. Robert Quaid, a bariatric surgeon, more than 1,100 miles away at UCHealth, who agreed to help him. In November 2023, Matt underwent a sleeve gastrectomy, a procedure that removed 80% of his stomach, resetting his body's weight and metabolism. Following a strict diet and exercise plan, he quickly began shedding pounds. He regained his ability to enjoy activities he hadn't done in years, such as fishing, bowling and attending his nephew's baseball games. By July 2024, Matt had lost an impressive 276 pounds, bringing his weight down to 416, with his health vastly improved and his labs showing perfect results. His surgeon praised his dedication to the process and emphasized the importance of hope for patients in similar situations. Matt's transformation didn't stop with his weight loss. By September, he had shed over 300 pounds, marking the first time in decades that he weighed under 400 pounds. Despite challenges, such as loose skin causing back pain, he is determined to continue his journey toward better health. With his surgery behind him and new experiences ahead, Matt's future is bright and he's embracing life like never before.