Keeping patients at the center of every decision
When water damage was discovered in the Center for Dependency, Addiction and Rehabilitation’s (CeDAR) detox patient care and gathering space, nurse manager Diana Boanta knew patients couldn’t afford to lose a place where connection and community are integral to healing.
While facilities handled repairs, Boanta and her team immediately transformed a nearby conference room into a temporary patient gathering space. They rearranged the room, set up a television with a variety of movie options, brought in games and added other communal amenities so patients could continue meeting, socializing and supporting one another throughout their recovery.
This response exemplifies Boanta’s approach to providing care: Work together to solve problems quickly and keep patients at the center of every decision.
“It was truly a team effort,” Boanta said. “Everyone came together with the same goal of making sure our patients and staff were safe and supported. Once the patients are cared for, everything else falls into place.”
In a recent Celebrating You nomination, one colleague described Boanta as “the smooth operator of the unit,” recognizing her ability to keep things running effectively both administratively and clinically.
Another example highlighted in the nomination involved an urgent need for oxygen supplies. During one shift, three patients required continuous oxygen support as the unit’s supply was running low. Recognizing the urgency, Boanta quickly coordinated deliveries from the vendor and secured the equipment needed to ensure all three patients received uninterrupted, life-sustaining care before the next shift began.
Boanta credits CeDAR’s collaborative culture and the many departments they work with daily — including facilities, pharmacy and clinical teams across UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital — for her team’s success.
“We are such a well-connected organization, and everyone we work with at University of Colorado Hospital is incredible,” she said. “Ultimately, we all really care about each other and our patients.”
After more than 20 years in nursing, Boanta’s time as a bedside nurse and watching patients rebuild their lives continue to shape how she leads today.
“Patient progression is such a beautiful thing to watch and support,” she said. “When you’ve worked directly with patients, you understand how frustrating it can be when equipment isn’t working, supplies are unavailable or a space isn’t functioning the way it should. As a leader, I see it as my responsibility to remove those barriers whenever I can.”
At CeDAR, that often means ensuring patients have the people, resources and environment they need to focus on recovery. Whether coordinating repairs, securing supplies or stepping in to help her team, Boanta sees every challenge as another opportunity to support that journey.