What we do

Hospital philanthropy harnesses the power of generosity to transform the health and well-being of our community. It gives our patients and families a way to express gratitude and give back, and a means for community-minded individuals, corporations, and foundations to invest in our vision to move the needle from healthcare to health.

While the Foundation facilitates support for all areas of UCHealth in Southern Colorado, we currently have a special emphasis on the priorities listed here.

Scholarships and Education

Through philanthropic support we are proud to provide more than $60,000 in nursing scholarships each year to employees that are pursuing advanced nursing degrees. In addition to nursing scholarships, we also support students of the UCHealth School of Radiologic Technology to help build the healthcare workforce and provide career advancement for residents of Southern Colorado. Learn more about scholarships here. 

Patient Assistance Programs

It’s no secret that healthcare costs are on the rise, the financial burden of co-pays, coinsurance, missed work and travel can often push patients to delay, or even forego care. To ease this financial burden, patient assistance for; medications, nutrition, transportation, lodging and more are made available by philanthropic contributions. Our Social Work and Care Management teams work together to serve patients in need. Learn more about our Oncology Patient Assistance programs here. 

Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit (MSTU)

In 2022 the Foundation embarked on a campaign to secure the future of stroke care for Southern Colorado. The MSTU is a specialized ambulance that reduces the time between stroke onset to treatment by 36 minutes on average, saving millions of brain cells.  The MSTU brings CT imaging to diagnose a stroke, and tPA (a clot-busting medication) to patients wherever they may be. Patients treated with tPA on the MSTU are 2.5 times more likely to have a good outcome. The dedicated full-time MSTU will double access to this innovative service for your friends, family, and neighbors throughout Southern Colorado, with service beginning early 2024. Learn more about the MSTU here. 

Forensic Center of Excellence (FCOE)

On April 24th, UCHealth opened a first-of-its-kind Forensic Center of Excellence (FCOE) embedded within the Emergency Department of UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central.  This space enables the Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE) team to provide direct patient care in an environment that incorporates trauma-informed design elements with dedicated space for advocacy services and access to law enforcement. In addition, this space allows for education and preceptorship opportunities and a dedicated telehealth space in order to expand access to expert forensic care throughout Colorado. Learn more about the FCOE here. 

Athletic Training Program

The UCHealth Athletic Training Program improves the lives of athletes by promoting and providing a culture of safe play on and off the playing surface. In partnership with local school districts, athletic trainers provide injury prevention education to athletes, coaches, and parents, as well as preform on field evaluations and concussion assessments. This partnership reduces injuries for student athletes and provides prompt care when it’s most needed. Learn more about the Sports Medicine Athletic Training Program here.