UCHealth

Garry Keller looked and felt healthy. He was working, staying active and spending as much time as possible with his family. Then a swollen lymph node led to a diagnosis he never saw coming. At just 40, Garry learned he had mucosal melanoma, a rare and aggressive cancer that develops inside the body. “I didn’t feel sick at all, but the doctors were saying I’m pretty sick,” he said. With low odds of survival and a lot on the line, he made the decision to continue living his life fully while exploring every possible option for treatment. Garry enrolled in multiple clinical trials, including a groundbreaking therapy that uses the body’s own immune cells to fight cancer. After months of uncertainty and setbacks, the approach worked. Today, he has no evidence of cancer and continues to do what matters most, from rafting trips to time with his son, who now calls him a superhero.

“This is exactly what Max was brought into my life for. He came at a time when we all needed him the most.” When a family she knew had to make the heartbreaking decision to rehome their dog, Maxamillion, Karen stepped in, even though she was unsure how their family dog, Floyd, would react. Turns out, she didn’t need to worry at all. They instantly became best friends. After losing Floyd to cancer just five months later, Karen wanted to give back and share the love Maxamillion had brought Floyd and their family with others. She decided to train Maxamillion to be a therapy dog.

When a patient at UCHealth Memorial Hospital North needed urgent surgery, she faced an impossible situation with her young daughter by her side and no immediate support nearby. Jana Welch stepped in to help find a solution, quickly connecting with military resources and care teams to ensure the child would be safe and cared for. Within hours, the patient’s sister was able to step in and plans were set in motion to reunite the family. Jana also helped coordinate efforts to get the patient’s husband home from deployment, bringing the family back together during a difficult moment. What began as a stressful and uncertain situation became one of relief and connection. For Jana, it was simply about doing everything possible to support her patient when it mattered most. Thank you, Jana, for your work to improve lives ♥️

Spencer Keith Jones: 🟢 active now See you in Game 6 Denver Nuggets

Hospital rooms are evolving to better support both patients and care teams. New AI tools like hellocare are designed to enhance safety, improve communication with families and reduce documentation time so nurses can focus more on patient care. With features like real-time monitoring and virtual connectivity, this technology is helping create a more efficient and connected care experience. See how these advancements are shaping the future of care.

Led by Coach Nydia, the DPS Samuels Elementary co-ed soccer team not only got to attend the Colorado Rapids Soccer Club 30th Anniversary match vs. Inter Miami, but we also surprised them with the opportunity to watch warmups right from the sidelines. This is more than a team, they’re a family, or as they like to say, a “Samily.” This was a Samily moment they’ll never forget.

After being diagnosed with double pneumonia, City of Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade went to the hospital expecting treatment for a respiratory illness. Instead, doctors discovered something even more dangerous: two major blockages in his heart, including one in the artery often called the widow maker. For a man who had always stayed active and pushed through long days, the diagnosis came as a shock. After emergency procedures to restore blood flow and a full course of cardiac rehabilitation at UCHealth, Yemi began to recover physically while also rethinking how he cared for himself. What started as a medical emergency became a turning point in how he approached his health, his family and even his leadership. “I have a second chance at life,” he said. “And I’m not going to waste it.” Today, Yemi says he feels healthier than ever. He is exercising regularly, protecting time for recovery and sharing his story to encourage others not to ignore their heart health. His experience is a reminder that serious heart disease can hide even in people who seem fit and strong, and that listening to your body can change everything.

Nearly two decades ago, Aubriana Winters was fighting for her life in the NICU at UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central after suffering a stroke at birth. Today, she stands at the front entrance of that same hospital, greeting patients and visitors with a smile and helping them find their way. Through our Project SEARCH internship, Aubriana is building job skills, confidence and independence as she prepares for the workforce. She works at the registration desk, learning how to support patients, communicate clearly and navigate a fast-paced environment, all while continuing to grow through classroom learning and hands-on experience. “I love being able to help people in any way I can,” she said. For Aubriana, this experience is more than a job. It is a full-circle moment. Inspired by the caregivers who once helped her, she is now finding her own purpose in helping others, one interaction at a time.

When a patient at UCHealth Broomfield Hospital had been waiting more than an hour for an infusion, Lexy Perou stepped in without hesitation. The clinic was at capacity, so she quickly found an open room nearby and transformed it into a comfortable treatment space. From rearranging furniture to gathering supplies, Lexy made sure the patient could receive care without further delay. She then personally administered the infusion, determined to ensure the patient felt seen and supported. What began as a frustrating situation turned into one of gratitude, with the patient later calling back to share her appreciation. For Lexy, it was a simple decision to pivot and meet the moment, putting patient needs first every step of the way. Thank you, Lexy, for your work to improve lives ♥️

We are excited to be expanding our partnership with hellocare.ai to standardize and scale virtual care across hospitals and care settings. By integrating tools like digital whiteboards, patient monitoring and real-time communication, this approach is designed to improve outcomes while supporting care teams more effectively.