LONGMONT, Colo. (Aug. 31, 2018) – UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital is celebrating its first birthday today after caring for patients in more than 24,000 visits and providing advanced care close to home.

“It’s been an amazing first year,” said Dan Robinson, chief executive officer and president of the hospital, which officially opened Aug. 31, 2017. “We are honored to care for all of the patients who choose Longs Peak Hospital and Surgery Center, and we strive to provide an excellent experience for everyone, including family members and visitors.”

The 210,000-square-foot hospital at 1750 E. Ken Pratt Blvd. in Longmont has 51 inpatient beds and room to grow. It features a birth center with Level II special care nursery, an intensive care unit, four operating rooms, a Level III trauma center and emergency department, advanced cardiac services, a café, a gift shop, 24/7 retail pharmacy, radiology and laboratory services, a meditation room and a courtyard.

The adjoining 15,000-square-foot UCHealth Longs Peak Surgery Center opened in October 2017. It features three operating rooms, an endoscopy suite and a pre- and post-operation area for patients preparing for and recovering from surgery.

The hospital already has introduced several new services that were not already offered in the community before, including bariatric surgery, nitrous oxide for pain management for laboring mothers, water birth capabilities, advanced telehealth services and the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program to care for those who have been sexually assaulted.

A few key numbers from Longs Peak’s first year (data as of midnight Aug. 30):

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  More than 670 babies were born.

• More than 13,700 visits to the emergency department.
• More than 2,450 patients admitted to the hospital for care.
• More than 4,500 patients cared for during outpatient visits.
• Approximately 90 volunteers from throughout the community gave of their time and talents to serve patients, visitors and staff.
• 481 employees and 480 credentialed providers.
• More than 40 patients received assistance from the Longs Peak Hospital Foundation – from new prescription glasses and hotel accommodations to a portable crib and newborn clothing.
• Approximately 350 teddy bears given to pediatric patients.

“This has been an exciting year for all of us – our patients and their families and our staff,” said Dr. Amy Johnson, a UCHealth obstetrician/gynecologist at Longs Peak. “It is a privilege to help women bring a life into the world and become a mom. Even at 2 a.m., I am still excited to come to the hospital and deliver a baby. We are looking forward to serving many generations to come here.”

Many of patients and visitors at Longs Peak have had the opportunity to meet Robinson personally in the past year as he and other hospital leaders have visited with patients on a daily basis.

“It’s one of the best aspects of my job. I get to talk with patients and their family members about the care they are receiving, learning what we are doing well or what we could do to make it even better,” Robinson said. “I am inspired every day by the comments I hear during those visits. We hear incredibly positive feedback.”

He’s looking forward to more conversations with patients and others in the community in the future as UCHealth continues to listen to the community about what they need for health care.