At 79 years old, Sue Barnett from Broomfield, Colorado, is a retired speech therapist who has been married for 32 years. An active individual, she enjoys gardening, reading, knitting, attending her church, and spending time with her dogs. However, she faced a critical health crisis after a heart surgery resulted in complications, including a tracheostomy and feeding tube. Sue became critically ill and doesn’t recall the details of her hospital stay.

Following her initial treatment, Sue continued to receive critical care at Northern Colorado Long Term Acute Hospital (NCLTAH). Her treatment goals were clear: she wanted to regain her independence and strength.

At NCLTAH, Sue found herself surrounded by a supportive healthcare team. “It’s been an amazing experience!” she says. “The physical and occupational therapists were very encouraging. I loved how they celebrated small achievements; it’s very motivating.”

Sue says she benefited from the one-on-one care from the registered nurses, respiratory therapists, and patient care technicians.

“Every member of the staff has been very kind, skilled, and knowledgeable,” she says. “The hospitalists have been great, too. They have a wonderful sense of humor, are very honest, and really have gotten to know me.”

Sue’s next stage of recovery will be to receive rehabilitative care. She looks forward to healing fully and indulging in her favorite activities once again—making simple meals, bird watching, and enjoying quality time with her dogs and family.