Summer 2012 Newsletter - Denver Health Foundation > Home

Steven M. Conn (L) and Dr. Philip Stahel,
Denver Health Director of Orthopaedics
Dear Dr. Stahel,
on August 21, 2010
I had traveled to
Vail, Co. to go on a
bike ride with several
of my friends. The
day didn’t go as
planned and I ended
up coming to Denver
Health with a severe
neck injury.
When I arrived at Denver Health I really didn’t know what to
expect or the extent of my injury. I figured it was pretty serious
as I had the attention of many doctors and nurses. So I
focused on the task at hand, which was turning my well-being
over to many people I had never met before. looking back at
the whole ordeal, I consider it a situation where I ended up at
the right place, at the right time, with the right people.
In the emergency room every one was doing their jobs in a
professional and courteous manner. It kept me peaceful and
relaxed as everyone knew what their specific role was and
they showed genuine interest in my situation. No better time
to stay calm, right?
Nationally and at Denver Health, one of the top
causes of injury is falls, specifically falls related to
recreational activities such as skiing, snowboarding,
and bicycling. Falls from a bicycle can be very dangerous,
especially when an individual does not wear a helmet.
The data is overwhelmingly clear – bicycle helmets save
lives and prevent injuries. The Insurance Institute for
Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that in 2009 about 91
percent of the 630 bicyclists sustaining fatal injuries did
not wear a helmet. In most cases, says the IIHS, head
injuries were the leading cause of death. Wearing a bicycle
helmet can reduce your risk of head injury by about 85
percent to 88 percent, according to the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Safety is a priority in ensuring that everyone is able to ride
their bike for many years to come. Bicycle helmets have
changed public safety for bicyclists and it’s important to
have a helmet, wear your helmet, and tell others to make
sure they wear their helmets also. It’s our mission at Denver
Health to help care for you if you are injured – but when
you wear that helmet, you make it less likely that you will
need our help in the future.
~ lauren Croucher, Denver Health Injury Prevention
Coordinator
Then I met you for the first time, the doctor that was going
to make a major difference in my life. You were confident
and optimistic! Your demeanor reaffirmed my belief that
everything was going to be okay in the long run, no matter
what short term obstacles might be in our way. Everything
you told me to expect came true and I couldn’t be more
thankful that I was delivered in to your care. I consider
myself to be a very lucky man.
Please thank all the doctors who assisted during the surgery
and to all of your staff. The nurses who took care of me
during my recovery also deserve a tremendous amount of
thanks as well.
After three months of home recovery I was back to work. Six
months after the surgery I was riding the bike again. My first
bike race was within a year of my accident. This year I have
started my regular bike racing schedule for 2012. You were
right when you said I would go back to doing all the things I
used to do before that day in August of 2010.
Thanks to everyone at Denver Health!
Sincerely,
Steven M. Conn
Dear Denver Health,
I want to thank your amazing team of doctors, nurses,
therapists, social workers and staff who saved my life. There
was a time when they were not sure if I would live. You never
know what your life holds for you, but thank God I was a
patient at Denver Health. I had a road bike accident, I was
riding on a path I had ridden many times before. little did I
know that when I buckled my helmet that morning it would
save my life! Unfortunately I sustained a Traumatic Brain
Injury, crushed Thoracic Vertebrae 7, broke many bones and
was in a coma for weeks.
Your hospital has a group of world renowned trauma doctors
and team that included my family in meetings. At the
meetings the team answered my family’s questions and
informed them of the direction of my health care. My family
and I experienced excellent medical care with compassion.
one and one-half years after my accident I am living a very
full life; I want to thank Denver Health, and my bike helmet,
for my life.
Sincerely,
A Very Thankful Patient
www.denverhealthfoundation.org
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