Contract coordinator guides blind man to safety

Kim Probst went outside to mail a letter at the UCHealth Harmony Campus when she noticed a man standing with his dog in the middle of the road.

She soon realized the man was blind and potentially in danger.

“I walked loudly toward him so he could hear me coming, so I didn’t startle him,” said Probst, contract coordinator with UCHealth legal services. “I said, ‘Hello sir, I see you’re standing here with your dog.’ He said, ‘Yes, I’m waiting for my ride.’”

She let him know he was in the middle of the road, then she guided him to the sidewalk. The man was very thankful.

“When I saw what was happening, I felt that it had to be handled,” she said, adding that the dog must not have seen the curb, since they were near a wheelchair-accessible entrance.

Shelley Schroeder, receptionist at Harmony Campus, saw Probst help the man and said it was one of the most impressive acts of kindness she’s seen on the campus.

“Her quick reaction prevented what could have been a tragic accident,” Schroeder said. “Kudos to Kim Probst for your heroic gesture. You’re totally awesome.”

Amy Kolczak, senior associate general counsel with legal services, said Probst manages a heavy workload but always takes time to help anyone who may need it. Probst is also pursuing a degree in occupational leadership with a minor in health care management as a full-time student attending Colorado State University Global online.

Kolczak said she wasn’t surprised about Probst stepping up the way she did for someone in need.

“Kim is proactive in all that she does, and we’re proud to have her on our team,” she said.