Greeley, Colo. (May 16, 2020) – More and more patients who were once very sick with COVID-19 are recovering enough to discharge from UCHealth hospitals.

This week, we had a very special sendoff celebration for a 48-year-old COVID-19 survivor at UCHealth Greeley Hospital who hadn’t seen her family in person for 42 days.

Denise Holscher of Greeley is a wife and mother who has worked as a licensed practical nurse for 27 years. When she fell ill in late March, she had been working at a local nursing home.

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She suddenly felt weak, had no appetite and was having problems breathing. In a matter of just a day or two, her condition worsened to the point where she had to be rushed to the hospital. She was admitted into the intensive care unit immediately and needed to be put on a ventilator to help her breathe.

As a nurse, Denise is used to taking care of others. This time, she was the one who needed to be taken care of. “I like it more the other way around,” she said from her hospital bed a couple days before her discharge.

Dozens of doctors, nurses and other hospital staff members lined the hallway of Greeley Hospital’s acute care unit as well as the main lobby on Wednesday afternoon to applaud and cheer as a nurse helped Denise out.

Just outside the main entrance, Denise’s husband, son and one of her daughters were waiting with their three dogs. It was the first time they had seen her since she entered the hospital six weeks ago.

Denise said that after she spends some time rebuilding her strength and mobility at a rehabilitation center, she is looking forward to going out with her sisters and two daughters to get a pedicure sometime soon.

Denise is one of more than 115 patients with COVID-19 to discharge from the acute care unit at Greeley Hospital.

Across the system, UCHealth has cared for more than 1,200 patients with a COVID-19 infection, and about 900 patients have already recovered enough to leave UCHealth facilities. In northern Colorado, UCHealth hospitals are currently caring for about 30 patients who have COVID-19 or tests pending.

Kelly Tracer
Media Relations Specialist

970.302.3290 (Cell)
970.495.7007 (Media Line)