CRAIG INSIDER THE
Donor funding supports success at home
On March 30, 2023, 20-year-old Nate Acunto was driving to work in Emery, South Dakota, when he was involved in a serious car accident. He was rushed to a local hospital and then airlifted to another hospital that could manage his life-threatening injuries.
Nate immediately underwent an occipital-cervical fusion procedure to fuse his skull and spine, and was diagnosed with a C1 complete spinal cord injury.
Nate’s parents knew about Craig Hospital and believed it was the best place for their son’s rehabilitation. While several wounds originally delayed Nate’s transfer to Craig, he medically stabilized after several days and was able to fly to Denver in late April.
“Being at Craig was a great experience during a very difficult time,” Acunto explains. “I participated in physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, and took part in recreational therapy outings. I was unable to talk for the first half of my rehab, but it was still nice to spend time in the Teen Rehab at Craig (TRAC) Program with other people my age.”
He adds, “And while I focused on my rehab, my parents spent a lot of time learning how to take care of me, so my return home would be successful.”
Going Home
When it was time to start preparing to return to South Dakota, the Craig team began suggesting equipment that Nate would need at home. But the equipment was extremely expensive and the family’s insurance did not cover a majority of it.
“While it was clear to us and to Nate’s care team that these devices were vital for Nate, our insurance company did not agree,” explains Sarah Renberg, Nate’s mother.
And that’s where the Craig Hospital Foundation came into play.
Thanks to two donor-sponsored, patient assistance funds — the Assistive Technology Patient Assistance Fund and the SCI Scholars Fund — Nate received all the equipment he needed at home. This included a Tobii Dynavox eye tracker, a QuadStick game controller, Dragon software and microphone, and an attendant call switch and phone mount.
“There’s no way we could have managed to purchase all of this equipment without Craig’s help. It’s been an absolute lifesaver for us,” adds Sarah.
Established in 2016 by the Brotman family, who experienced Craig firsthand, the SCI Scholars Fund provides adaptive technology and tools to support the educational pursuits of patients with spinal cord injuries. In addition, the Assistive Technology Patient Assistance Fund provides adaptive tech equipment scholarships to patients with financial need.
Craig also helped support Nate’s family with their home renovations. “Without financial assistance, we would have struggled to adapt our home for Nate’s wheelchair,” Sarah says. “It has been an overwhelming experience, but Craig has helped us every step of the way. We are so appreciative of their support.”
Thank you to those who joined us at the 27th annual Craig Hospital Golf Tournament presented by RE/MAX, LLC. It was a beautiful sunny day on the course and thanks to your incredible generosity we raised over $285,000 for Craig patients and programs!
Special thanks to our returning co-chairs, Katy Corrigan and Nathan Vandas, and our inspiring Craig grad speaker, Tanner Ifrid.
\\Watch our 2024 Sanctuary highlight video by CLICKING HERE.
Craig Hospital research scientists recognized by the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA)
We are thrilled to announce that Craig Hospital research scientists Susie Charlifue, Ph.D., FASIA, FISCoS, FACRM, and Jenn Coker, Ph.D., MPH, FASIA, have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to the field of spinal cord injury (SCI) research and rehabilitation by the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA). Susie has been inducted as the new president of ASIA, and Jenn has been selected as a Fellow of ASIA (FASIA) award recipient and elected to its board of directors. Founded in 1973, ASIA is a multidisciplinary organization that brings together physicians, researchers, therapists and other health care professionals who are committed to advancing spinal cord injury research, education and clinical practice.
Susie Charlifue, Ph.D., FASIA, FISCoS, FACRM, named 2024 ASIA president
This year, Susie was inducted as the new president of ASIA, marking a historic moment as she becomes the first nonclinician to hold this prestigious position. Susie’s remarkable career at Craig Hospital began in 1976. She completed her doctorate in Health and Behavioral Science at the University of Colorado, Denver in 2004 and has played a crucial role in numerous SCI research initiatives. As Co-Project Director of the SCI Model System (SCIMS) at Craig Hospital and Principal Investigator for both NIDILRR and Department of Defense SCI grants, Susie’s work has driven forward critical advancements in SCI research and clinical trials.
Jenn Coker, Ph.D., MPH, FASIA, selected as 2024 Fellow of ASIA Award recipient and ASIA board member
Since joining Craig Hospital in April 2012, Jenn has made significant strides in SCI research and rehabilitation. As the co-project director of the SCIMS and principal Investigator for several other projects, her work has been pivotal in advancing the understanding of SCI outcomes and improving patient care. Jenn’s dedication to the field is further evidenced by her roles as chair of the ASIA Program Committee and chair of the SCIMS Women’s Health Special Interest Group.
Personalized bike fittings for Pedal 4 Possible
High Plains Raceway is set to host the muchanticipated Pedal 4 Possible event on Oct. 26, and Craig Hospital’s Therapeutic Recreation department is gearing up to ensure Craig graduates and adaptive riders have a bike that fits their needs perfectly.
In partnership with Adaptive Adventures, Therapeutic Recreation provides custom-fitted adaptable bikes at no cost, making the event accessible for inpatients, Craig graduates, and community members. This initiative ensures a smooth and enjoyable ride for all participants.
The week before the event, participants will schedule individual fitting sessions where padding, pedal adjustments, and other customizations are made to tailor the bike to the rider’s needs.
Therapeutic Recreation’s Kelly Secor plays a crucial role in matching riders with the appropriate cycles, ensuring each fit is perfect to prevent pressure sores and other injuries. Handcycles, recumbent cycles, and
tandem cycles are offered for adaptive riders, allowing everyone to participate safely in Pedal 4 Possible.
On the day of the ride, the Therapeutic Recreation and Adaptive Adventure teams handle the logistics of transporting the bikes to the raceway, eliminating any burden on the riders. Thanks to these thorough preparations, participants can simply hop on and start their journey without the need for any adjustments.
This commitment to inclusivity, safety, and the sheer enjoyment of cycling ensures every rider can fully participate and have a memorable and empowering experience.
P4P is Proudly Sponsored By:
What impact does early physical activity have on healing the brain?
In January 2020, the Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy published an article maintaining that clinicians should provide a walking program to patients with brain injury and incomplete spinal cord injury six months after injury.
But the research team at Craig wanted to understand why patients couldn’t start a walking program prior to six months.
“There are no large studies examining high-intensity step training earlier than six months post-traumatic brain injury, so we decided to embark on a study that explored the efficacy and safety of high-intensity step training to improve balance and mobility after traumatic brain injury,” explains Haylee Winden, a clinical research physical therapist at Craig.
Enter the “High Intensity Step Training After Traumatic Brain Injury” study, which evaluates three therapeutic approaches to improve mobility and balance after a traumatic brain injurty (TBI): conventional gait and balance training, high intensity step training, and high intensity step training with virtual reality.
“The study explores whether the types and intensity of interventions correlate with improvement in mobility, balance and cognition,” Haylee says. “The long-term goal of this study, which began in March 2023 and concludes in August 2027, is to be able to help patients get better faster.”
She adds, “The current physical therapy clinical practice guidelines for walking interventions six months post TBI was published in 2020. Due to the lack of research, clinicians have previously expressed concerns over the safety of significantly increasing one’s heart rate so close to injury. We hope to challenge this belief and look forward to our results. Currently, there are 47 patients enrolled in the study, and we need a total of 99 to complete our data set in 2027.”
This study is a great example of Craig’s investment in accelerating innovation through translational research breakthroughs. In support of innovation, the Craig Foundation is raising funds to build a state-ofthe-art Human Movement Lab — an 8,000-squarefoot living laboratory designed to provide real-time feedback and translate research findings quickly.
For more information on the study, or to learn more about participating in research, visit craighospital.org/research/studies
Donor’s leadership supports whole person care
Six years ago, Charlie McNeil, NexGen Resources Corporation CEO, toured Craig Hospital. As he walked through the halls of the hospital, Charlie became mesmerized by what he saw.
“I watched patients in various therapies, working hard to recover and get their lives back on track,” he recalls. “Seeing the many life-changing programs offered at Craig was amazing. I knew I needed to join
the foundation board to help raise money for research and to fill the gap between what patients need and what insurance actually covers.”
Shortly after Charlie became a board member, he and his wife, Judy, volunteered to chair the 2019 PUSH gala. The event raised $2 million, the highest amount raised since the event’s founding in 2002.
As event chairs, the McNeils led monthly gala table sales committee meetings, sold sponsorships, and assisted with the silent auction committee. In addition to the couple’s leadership on the gala committee, NexGen also provided the event’s title sponsorship.
“Proceeds from the event funded many of Craig’s programs, which are typically not covered by insurance, such as therapeutic recreation, adaptive technology, music therapy, and community reintegration,” Charlie explains. “It is vital to help support the local organizations that make a true difference in their communities.”
He adds, “We are extremely lucky to have Craig Hospital right in our backyard. While many people have never heard of Craig, they quickly learn about Craig’s impressive programs when they find themselves in need of their rehabilitation services. I am no longer a board member, but I plan to always be involved with Craig in some way because supporting the less fortunate is very important to me and to my family.”
Craig Hospital named winner of 2024 Top Workplaces USA and 2024 Denver Post Top Workplaces awards
We are proud to announce Craig Hospital as the recipient of the 2024 Top Workplaces award from both USA TODAY and The Denver Post.
These awards are based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC. The confidential survey uniquely measures the employee experience and its component themes, including whether employees feel respected and supported, enabled to grow and empowered to execute.
This year is also the ninth time Craig Hospital has been awarded a Denver Post Top Workplaces honor since 2012. Craig ranked No. # 11 out of the 31 best companies to work for in Colorado that were recognized in the Large Company category this year.
“We know that taking care of our people is not only the right thing to do but it also empowers our teams to provide the best care for our patients, their families and each other. We’re so grateful for our staff and their contributions to Craig’s culture of compassion and excellence,” Craig Hospital Vice President of People and Culture and CHRO Amie Staudenmaier said.
Jason Regier’s moving journey from patient to world-class athlete inspired over $350,000 in gifts for our patients and families at the Immersive Experience event in June. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
\\You can watch Jason’s incredible story anytime by CLICKING HERE.
Craig Hospital receives 2023 Press Ganey NDNQI Award for Outstanding Nursing Quality®
Craig Hospital recognized for excellence in nursing care in its eighth year receiving NDNQI Award
Craig Hospital has been named a 2023 Human Experience (HX) National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) Award for Outstanding Nursing Quality® winner by Press Ganey, the global leader in healthcare experience solutions and services.
This award is part of Press Ganey’s annual ranking of the top hospitals and health systems in the country according to performance in nursing quality in the category of rehabilitation hospital. The award recognizes the nationally top-performing rehabilitation hospital that has achieved excellence in overall performance in nursing quality indicators, such as total nursing hours per patient, staff education and certifications, RN experience and tenure, quality of care, and patient safety.
“It’s an honor to see our nursing teams recognized for the dedicated care they provide with compassion and excellence for our patients and their families every day,” said Jandel AllenDavis, MD, Craig Hospital president and CEO.
