Craig Hospital

04/11/2026

Happy National Pet Day! 🐾

Today we’re celebrating three of our therapy dog volunteer teams: Nancy & Junebug, Linda & Sunshine, and Michelle & Dune. Their visits bring comfort, connection and a welcome pause in the day for patients, families and staff.

These teams are part of Craig’s donor-supported Animal-Assisted Intervention Program, which pairs animal volunteers and their human partners with patients to support rehabilitation goals. When integrated into therapy, these visits can help support skills like speech, balance, motor skills and attention.

Craig Director of Volunteers Jill Stelley Virden shares, “Pet therapy volunteers bring an immeasurable kind of comfort and joy to Craig Hospital, making a lasting impact that goes far beyond what words can capture.”

Thank you to our volunteers for showing up with steady care and wagging tails 🦮

04/10/2026

Spring is officially here, and our Horticultural Therapy team marked the season with a fun, hands-on activity.

Staff, patients, families and volunteers were invited to slow down, get creative and make mini flower arrangements together. Whether it was someone’s first time working with plants or a longtime favorite hobby, the activity offered a relaxing moment to connect and enjoy the season. Happy Spring, everyone! 💐

04/08/2026

Our 46th annual John S. Young Lectureship brought former Craig Hospital leaders Dana Polonsky and Diane Reinhard together to reflect on Craig's history and continued pursuit of excellence.

This year’s lecture, “Change Is…A History of Craig’s Excellence,” offered a look back at how Craig has grown, adapted, and continually raised the bar in patient care, culture and community impact.

Their stories were a reminder that while change is constant, Craig’s commitment to excellence remains steady.

04/06/2026

Recently, we recognized Craig Hospital’s certified nurses with a small thank-you and big appreciation.

Certified nurses are RNs who voluntarily earn specialty credentials to deepen their clinical expertise. At Craig, 63% of our nurses hold a specialty certification, compared to the national average of about 39%.

To every certified nurse at Craig, we say thank you for going the extra mile, for raising the bar, and for showing what dedication to craft and compassion truly look like. Your commitment is felt by your team, your patients and this entire community.

04/01/2026

Research Spotlight: Spinal Cord Lesion Characteristics and Walking Recovery After SCI

New research from Craig Hospital and the University of Colorado explores whether a structural feature on MRI, called a midsagittal tissue bridge (MSTB), can help predict walking ability one year after traumatic spinal cord injury.

This retrospective study, published in the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine and led by Wesley Thornton, PT, DPT, PhD, NCS, reviewed 12 years of Craig graduates to determine whether the presence of visible spared tissue adjacent to a spinal cord lesion was associated with self‑reported walking function 12 months post-injury.

Key findings:

→ Individuals with visible midsagittal tissue bridges were 8.5 times more likely to report walking function than those without.
→ Among participants classified as AIS B or AIS C, the presence of a tissue bridge resulted in about 5 times greater odds of walking function.
→ Findings suggest that the presence of this spared neural tissue may be an important factor supporting walking recovery.
→ This type of imaging may help inform plans of care, especially when the clinical picture is complex during the subacute phase.

Read the full study: https://doi.org/10.1080/10790268.2025.2609475

03/31/2026

As Brain Injury Awareness Month comes to a close, we want to pause and listen.

Last week, we shared prompts on our stories and asked members of the brain injury community to share what they’ve learned, what they wish others understood and what they’d say to someone newly injured. The responses were meaningful and real, and we’re grateful to be able to share a few of them here.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond and help broaden understanding of life after brain injury.

03/30/2026

Today is National Doctors' Day, and we’re proud to celebrate the CNS Medical Group physicians here at Craig Hospital!

These physicians dedicate their full-time practice to spinal cord injury and brain injury neurorehabilitation, working on-site as part of the interdisciplinary teams that support every patient at Craig.

Their clinical expertise, thoughtful leadership and steady presence play a critical role in the care we provide and the outcomes our patients achieve.

Thank you to these physicians for the care and expertise you bring to Craig 💙

03/27/2026

When Carissa arrived at Craig, Patti watched her daughter sit upright in a wheelchair for the first time since the accident. After months in the ICU and long‑term acute care, that moment brought a sense of hope back into their lives.

Three months earlier, Carissa was involved in a motorcycle accident and began a long medical journey that lead them to Craig Hospital.

While Carissa started therapy, Patti learned alongside her. Through Craig’s donor-supported Clinical Practice Specialist program, Patti practiced new care routines, learned medical tasks and built the confidence she would need to support Carissa at home.

When discharge approached, Carissa was able to return home, and Patti made the decision to leave her job and become Carissa’s full‑time caregiver.

Patti shares, "My goal was to bring Carissa home. And thanks to Craig, we didn’t just bring her back to her house; we brought her home to experience a rich, full life. I truly consider Carissa’s story to be a success—a story made possible by everyone at Craig.”

This month, we recognize the many family members and care partners who live life alongside individuals with brain injury, offering their presence, skill and steady support.

Find their full story on our blog here: https://craighospital.org/blog/shooting-for-the-stars

03/26/2026

From Craig Hospital to the American Idol stage and now live in Denver.

When Craig Grad Sam Sparks took his original song "Colorado Gray" to an American Idol audition, inspired by a fellow patient he met at Craig Hospital, all three judges gave him a Golden Ticket to Hollywood.

Music has been a powerful part of healing and rediscovery for Sam and fellow Craig Grads David Sample and Jadyn Pump, and on April 10, you can experience their stories and more, live. The Craig Foundation's Impact Celebration: Performing Arts brings together breathtaking performances and the art that helped shape each artist’s journey. Join us for a night of creativity, courage and connection you won’t forget.

Read their stories, learn more about the lineup of performers, and get your ticket here:
https://craighospital.org/blog/striking-the-right-note

03/25/2026

Spring is here, and our MoJo (Moments of Joy) team celebrated its arrival with the return of Craig’s annual Peep scene contest.

Each participating department received a cardboard box and a pack of Peeps and let their creativity take over. The results ranged from a Peep campout to a playful “Wizard of Peep,” and each scene brought plenty of smiles across the hospital.

A big thank you to our staff for sharing their creativity and adding a little extra joy to the season 🐥💐

03/24/2026

Are you or someone you know working in caregiving and looking for specialized training?

Craig Hospital is offering a free, 1.5-day course this April for community members and agency employees who provide care for individuals with spinal cord or brain injuries. Over the course of two days, participants will gain practical care partner skills, learn foundational knowledge from Craig experts, and receive a certificate of attendance, printed course booklet and access to online resources.

The course will take place at Craig Hospital in Englewood, CO, on April 10-11. Spots are limited, so sign up soon:

Learn how to provide care for individuals living with spinal cord or brain injuries.

03/20/2026

Meet John Bohr. John grew up in Massachusetts, moved to Denver about nine years ago and, after an AVM rupture, began his neurorehabilitation journey at Craig. This BI Awareness Month, we’re sharing his story and the support, care and persistence that continue to shape his progress.