Blogs

Longmont couple’s first baby makes history at city’s new hospital

A little more than two months after opening, more than 100 babies have been born at UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital.

Taylor and Jason Fahlstrom of Longmont are the proud parents of the 100th baby born at the newly opened hospital in Longmont. Lily Dorothy Fahlstrom was born at 8:35 p.m. Nov. 2, 2017, weighing 8 pounds and 6 ounces and measuring 19 ¾ inches.

“I pushed really hard to have the 100^th baby,” Taylor Fahlstrom said jokingly from her recovery room the next day.

Not long after the birth, a soft lullaby echoed in hallways throughout the hospital as a simple and sweet way to announce that a baby had been born. It’s a tradition that plays out with every birth at Longs Peak and brings smiles to faces throughout the facility.

The next day, Lily’s parents gently inked up a couple of their fingers to leave their mark on an art installment that had been a work in progress since the first baby was born at the hospital on Sept. 1. 

Erie artist Marty Peterson worked with the Longs Peak Hospital Foundation on a unique, interactive art project to celebrate the first babies born at the hospital. Peterson donated his time and talents to create the basis of the project, which depicts the trunk and branches of two trees. After each of the first 100 babies was born, parents were invited to add their fingerprints. Each fingerprint -- or thumbprint -- represents a leaf on the trees. Many even added their names and dates next to their prints.

The final pieces represent community growth, teamwork and the celebration of life. They will be framed and permanently displayed in the Birth Center on the third floor.

"The first couple months of Longs Peak Hospital have been exciting for all of us," said Dr. Amy Johnson, the UCHealth obstetrician who helped deliver the 100^th baby. “Our group has more than 85 collective years of caring for women and babies in the community, and we look forward to serving many generations to come here.”

In addition to the birth center, Longs Peak Hospital features an intensive care unit, four operating rooms, a Level III trauma center and emergency department, cardiac services, a special care nursery, a cafe, a gift shop, 24/7 retail pharmacy, radiology and laboratory services, a meditation room and a courtyard. 

About UCHealth

UCHealth is an innovative, nonprofit health system that delivers the highest quality medical care with an excellent patient experience. UCHealth combines Longs Peak Hospital, Memorial Hospital, Poudre Valley Hospital, Medical Center of the Rockies, UCHealth Medical Group, Broomfield Hospital, Grandview Hospital, Yampa Valley Medical Center and University of Colorado Hospital into an organization dedicated to health and providing unmatched patient care in the Rocky Mountain West. With more than 100 clinic locations, UCHealth pushes the boundaries of medicine, providing advanced treatments and clinical trials and improving health through innovation.

During the next five weeks, employees from Larry H. Miller Dealerships will spread cheer throughout Colorado communities in an effort to make the season a little brighter for those in need. Employees from Boulder, Denver Metro and Colorado Springs will share the spirit of giving by presenting more than $60,000 in donations to numerous charitable programs and conducting collection drives throughout the holidays to support children and families.

“We aim to be good citizens and community partners year-round, but we look forward to the opportunity to impact even more charitable programs, individuals and families during the holiday season,” said Ray Reilly, senior vice president, Larry H. Miller Dealerships.   

Local charities and organizations to benefit from the campaign include:

SafeHouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence (Boulder) – This donation will support Safehouse’s Emergency Shelter program, which provides immediate crisis intervention and safe shelter to survivors of interpersonal violence and their children. Shelter residents may stay for up to six weeks, and they receive all basic needs, counseling and advocacy services, access to a therapeutic play area and computer stations, and other services to foster self-sufficiency.

Bags of Fun – (Centennial) – This donation will help to fund the Bags of Fun program, which aims to bring joy, laughter and relief to every child fighting a long-term or life-threatening disease or condition. The brightly-colored, cheery backpacks are filled with fun rehabilitative games and toys that are age-specific and custom built for each child.

Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver (Denver) – Funding will support the programs and operations of the newest Boys and Girls Club in Green Valley Ranch. The new club will provide afterschool programs to approximately 150 youths per year.

Firefly Autism (Denver) – Funding will allow the organization to provide scholarships to families in need, who have children enrolled or soon to be enrolled in the autism therapy and behavioral support program. Firefly Autism’s comprehensive services include clinical assessments and the development of individual treatment plans for students up to age 21, including school, home and community-based programs.

The Denver Santa Claus Shop (Denver) – Both monetary and toy donations will support the nonprofit’s intention to give “a toy to every girl and boy,” many of whom might not otherwise have a toy to open at Christmas. The organization sets up a giant, temporary toy shop for four days in December; qualified families (referred by social service agencies) are invited to come and select gifts for their children. Larry H. Miller Dealerships in the Denver Metro area will be collecting new and “gently loved” toys at their locations through November, in an effort to help the organization reach its goal of supplying gifts to 13,000 Denver children.

The Rise School of Denver (Denver) – This donation will support the school’s integrated therapy project to provide music, occupational, physical and speech therapy services to students, including those with developmental disabilities.

Kids Crossing (Colorado Springs) – Kids Crossing is a private, nonprofit child placement agency that provides foster care and group facility care, and has served more than 250 children throughout Colorado. A tree filled with ornaments will be displayed in Larry H. Miller Liberty Toyota, and customers and employees may select an ornament and purchase the items requested on that ornament for a foster child.

Marian House (Colorado Springs) – Catholic Charities of Central Colorado provides help and creates hope for homeless and vulnerable individuals and families in Colorado Springs. Employees of Larry H. Miller Toyota Colorado Springs will “adopt” several families for the holidays and provide gifts and essential items.

All financial donations are via Larry H. Miller Charities, the charitable arm of the dealership group. The nonprofit organization disperses donations through a grant program focused on organizations that serve women and children, with an emphasis on health and education. Funding is primarily made up of employee contributions.

Longmont's Circle Graphics donates canvases to Ronald McDonald House of Durham

Stress relief through a creative outlet – that’s what Circle Graphics provides parents and families staying at the Ronald McDonald House of Durham & Wake (RMHDW) in their time of need.

Since the spring of 2016, Circle Graphics has donated over 150 coloring canvases to give more than 50 RMHDW families support while their child is hospitalized and receiving critical medical care. Almost half of the families who stay at the House are immunosuppressed, meaning they are on constant isolation from other people or public places for months, or even a year at a time. 

“No matter how many board games are played or Instagram posts read, this can be a trying and often lonely time for families,” said Stephanie Whigham, Director of Family Care at Ronald McDonald House of Durham. “It’s a struggle to find meaningful activities for those who cannot be out in the common spaces. The canvases were exactly what they needed, parents and older patients alike, to stimulate the mind and calm the body. We are so thankful for Circle Graphics’ generosity!”

Viesta King checked in at RMHDW at the end of August 2016 when her 15-year-old daughter, Jessica, was in need of a heart transplant. King waited on a compatible heart while her daughter was in the hospital on life-saving equipment.

During her almost six week waiting period, King was given a canvas from Circle Graphics. She shared with the staff that the canvas helped her get through one of the most difficult times of her life. When the anxiety became overwhelming, King said she focused her energy on filling in the shapes on the canvas to remain calm and focused.

Jessica now has a new heart and is slowly recovering and growing stronger. King said the canvas she colored will always serve as a reminder of the strength and beauty she sees in her daughter.

“Our team has been volunteering to cook meals for Ronald McDonald House for many years, but we wanted to find a way to do more,” said Gavin Jocius, Executive Vice President of Circle Graphics Art Division. “The coloring canvases were a perfect blend of stress relief and creativity to give families a gift that was truly from Circle Graphics’ heart. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Ronald McDonald House and helping families like Mrs. King’s.”  

Circle Graphics’ canvases offer designs and patterns for a range of skill levels from beginner to expert and include feathers, submarines, peacocks, geometric shapes, quotes and more. These coloring canvases are available online with prices starting at $18. To learn more about Circle Graphics, visit www.circlegraphicsonline.com.