A full‑circle path to supporting patients
For Heather Gropp, giving back has never been a side pursuit; it has been the guiding force of her life, shaped by her own challenges and remarkable recovery.
After receiving compassionate, life-changing support as a patient at UCHealth hospitals and CeDAR (Center for Dependency, Addiction and Rehabilitation), Gropp realized she wanted to dedicate her future to helping others in the same meaningful ways her caregivers helped her.
She first became a CeDAR volunteer in 2024, serving on its Alumni Leadership Board and offering encouragement to people just beginning their journey. She helps build a welcoming environment rooted in empathy, honesty and belonging.
When she was hired at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital in 2025 as a nutrition assistant, she also continued her volunteer service at CeDAR.
“Nutrition was a focal point for me in my recovery, so I wanted to work here and use my experiences to show patients that recovery is possible,” Gropp said.
Her work in the hospital allowed her to connect with patients and deepen her understanding of how meaningful even the smallest moments of care can be. It also strengthened her belief that everyone deserves compassion during vulnerable times.
“My goal is to show that seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but an act of courage and a path toward rebuilding a fulfilling life,” Gropp said.
Gropp focuses her career efforts on supporting patients while balancing weekly volunteering, outreach and community engagement. As a CeDAR volunteer, she devotes time each week to two meetings she personally supports — the Women’s Saturday AA meeting and the weekly alumni meeting — both of which provide consistent, safe spaces for individuals seeking connection.
She also supports her fellow alumni leaders in coordinating CeDAR’s community-wide events, including the annual holiday gift drive for inpatient residents and ‘Movie on the Green,’ a campus gathering that brings together alumni, patients and families. And this year, she is leading CeDAR’s involvement in the Colfax Marathon, alongside the chaplain.
Beyond events and meetings, Gropp is a reliable point of contact for alumni. Many reach out to her for resources, advice or just as someone who understands.
Now, Gropp has taken the next step in her professional journey by joining CeDAR full-time as an admissions and intake specialist while maintaining her volunteer involvement. She is one of the first supportive voices people hear when seeking help, using her personal and professional experience to strengthen collaboration between CeDAR and the University of Colorado Hospital.
Her dedication to CeDAR and the UCHealth community has made a lasting impact, and she continues to demonstrate what it looks like when lived experience becomes service and purpose.