Sixty-seven-year-old Cynthia “Cindy” Howlett from Evans, Colorado, works in insurance verification and authorization. She is part of a large family, including two sisters, five brothers, two sons, four grandchildren, and two dogs. Cindy enjoys hiking, gardening, decorating, and being active in her church ministry. Her life took an unexpected turn when she was in an automobile accident while driving to a friend’s funeral. The accident resulted in multiple injuries and fractures, causing acute respiratory failure that required a tracheostomy and feeding tube.

Following initial hospital treatments, Cindy needed continued critical care for her recovery. She chose Northern Colorado Long Term Acute Hospital (NCLTAH) based on recommendations from her sister and niece, who had heard positive feedback from others treated there.

While at NCLTAH, the medical team treated Cindy’s complex medical condition. Eventually, she was removed from the tracheostomy and feeding tube. “Dr. Gary Pearson and Dr. Miguel Ruelas-Salgado really cared about me and provided a lot of education on my condition,” Cindy says. “They were very understanding of what I was going through.”

Continuing to reflect on her time at NCLTAH, Cindy says,

“The wonderful staff explained what they were doing. The nurses were kind and very gentle with procedures. Everyone went above and beyond. I loved the way they would braid my hair.”

Cindy has now transferred to Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital (NCRH), where she will receive specialized rehabilitative care to focus on building strength and endurance to return home. She looks forward to regaining independence, walking her dogs, and rejoining her ministry, Bible study, and prayer groups.