A MESSAGE FROM THE President
The Craig community is no stranger to change, and in 2025, its pace quickened here at Craig. We felt it in the hum of our campus as we moved from dreaming and planning to breaking ground on our transformative, campus expansion to expand our reach so more patients and families can access our care sooner; to accelerate innovation by growing and integrating translational research; and to strengthen programs and spaces that sustain our whole-person culture of care.
We saw the first stages of this momentous effort bloom in our new North Garden location, completed in October and thoughtfully reimagined with accessible design features created by an interdisciplinary team to nurture healing and connection for patients, families, staff and neighbors. And today, we find ourselves in the thick of construction as the next phase of growth takes shape to support Craig’s future, bolstered by the momentum of the Hope & Homecomings Campaign that is well underway and energizing our mission across the Hospital and Foundation.
We also honored change in our leadership this past year, preparing for the retirements of two extraordinary Craig leaders, Dana Polonsky and Diane Reinhard, whose decades of service helped shape who we are and the excellence we deliver. We welcomed new little ones as the Craig community grew their families, and we navigated a complex external environment with the resilience and compassion that make Craig, Craig
As we simultaneously look back on 2025 and turn to look ahead to 2026, the story is not simply that change is. The story is about the choices we make with intention as we respond to and adapt within a landscape that will continue to evolve. Our charge is to keep the main thing the main thing: our mission to serve patients and families living with spinal cord and brain injury and to care for each other. That means investing in our people, hospital and community in ways that are effective, strategic and transformative, never losing sight of the parts of our culture that endure and sustain.
We will choose, deliberately and together, to keep people at the center, so that every decision strengthens patient outcomes, honors our communities, and strengthens our culture of care.
Our intentional choices will guide how we continue to grow:
• Keeping excellence at the center by advancing quality of care, innovation and research;
• Caring deeply for one another through investments in our teams and community;
• Sharpening our operational practices to ensure safety, impact and stewardship of resources;
• And adapting by design, testing, learning and flexing with humility in a rapidly changing world, all while staying true to the purpose that has defined Craig for generations.
These priorities are not new; they are our through line. What is new is the accelerated growth and intentionality with which we will pursue them in the coming years. Our campus expansion will continue to create new possibilities for rehabilitation, research and life after injury. Our Foundation’s Hope & Homecomings Campaign will deepen our impact and invite more people into this mission. And the legacy of leaders like Dana and Diane will live on in the daily work we do and the choices we make.
To every member of our Craig community — patients, families, grads, friends, donors, volunteers and our extraordinary team — thank you. Your courage, generosity and commitment made 2025 a year of profound progress. As we write the next chapter, together, I am confident that the intentional choices we make will translate into more breakthroughs, more homecomings, and more lives changed for the better.
Onward, Jandel Allen-Davis, MD President & CEO Craig Hospital
CRAIG HOSPITALSnapshot
FY 2025
INPATIENT DEMOGRAPHICS
In FY 2025, inpatients and outpatients traveled to Craig from
46 states
of inpatients traveled from out of state to Colorado for Craig’s care 54%
461 INPATIENTS*
1,387 OUTPATIENTS
*Inpatients discharged in FY 2025
Ages 15-24
Ages 25-34
Ages 35-44
Ages 45-54
Ages 55-64
Ages 65+
BRAIN INJURY
TBI 63% STROKE 28% OTHER 9%
DIAGNOSES WE TREAT
SPINAL CORD INJURY PARAPLEGIA 47% TETRAPLEGIA 53%
MULTIPLE TRAUMA (SCI/BI)
INPATIENT INJURY ETIOLOGY OUTCOMES PATIENT SATISFACTION
82% of patients were discharged to home
74.7% increase in patient ability to perform selfcare after discharge
89.6% increase on average in patient mobility from admission to discharge
2.9 hours
per day of attendant care for patients with a spinal cord injury on average one year after injury
95.9 /100
Average score of inpatients and families who would recommend Craig to others
97.0 /100
Average score of inpatients’ and families’ overall rating of care received
Safety Outcomes: Craig has continued to fall well below the National Healthcare Safety Network goal of a standardized infection ratio of <1 for CDI infections. Central line-associated bloodstream infections rose slightly from zero to 1.02 per 1,000 patient days, and UTI rates improved slightly from 8.66 to 8.42 infections per 1,000 patient days.
YEAR Review IN
OCT. 1, 2024 - SEPT. 30, 2025
OCTOBER 2024
Operation TBI Freedom was selected as this year’s recipient of the Bob Carlone Community Service Award, established by The Home Front Cares, recognizing Colorado organizations that demonstrate exceptional service to veterans, military members and their families.
We celebrated Halloween at Craig, a favorite tradition of both staff and patients.
DECEMBER 2024
OCT 31
We were honored to host Brian K. Kwon, MD, Ph.D., FRCSC, for Craig’s fifth annual Daniel P. Lammertse, MD, Endowed Lectureship for SCI Research. Dr. Kwon shared an insightful talk, “Translational Research in Acute Spinal Cord Injury — Challenges and Opportunities,” from his expertise and vision for advancing SCI care.
Craig Respiratory Therapy Care Department celebrated its 30-year anniversary!
Wintertime Festivities celebrated the season and our staff’s work this year.
JANUARY 2025
Craig Hospital received the 2024 HX Press Ganey NDNQI Award for Outstanding Nursing Quality®.
MARCH 2025
MARCH 06
Craig Hospital named winner of 2025 USA TODAY Top Workplaces, Denver Post Top Workplaces and Energage Top Workplaces Culture Excellence awards.
The Craig team was honored to support Disability Rights Advocacy Day at the Colorado State Capitol again this year alongside advocates, legislators and community members to amplify the voices of individuals living with disabilities.
APRIL 2025
APRIL 03
Impact Celebration: Art Auction at Moss Denver united over 200 guests and raised an incredible $257,454 for Craig Hospital. Every artwork shared a powerful story of resilience and creativity.
MAY 2025
Belair, a construction and sitework company, hosted its annual charity shooting event benefiting Operation TBI Freedom (OTF), a Craig Hospital program that provides support for veterans and active-duty military personnel with traumatic brain injuries. The event has raised nearly $625,000 for Craig since its inception.
MAY 30
Craig hosted its fifth annual Rec at the Res, taking 38 Craig inpatients to Cherry Creek State Park for a day of adaptive fun, including biking, fishing, kayaking, boating, hiking and a horticultural therapy activity. This year, a hospital-wide block party barbecue was held to celebrate the summer with the Craig community.
Nursing Week and Hospital Week celebrated our amazing staff, who make Craig a place of compassion and excellence.
JUNE 2025
JUNE 26
Craig was honored with the Lifetime Business Achievement Award by the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce.
The inaugural Impact Celebration: Adaptive Athletics event featured an exciting wheelchair tennis match between Craig grads Jason Keatseangsilp and Grayson Fox, raising $206,589 to support Craig Hospital.
JULY 2025
JULY
09
Craig Hospital ranked No. 8 rehabilitation hospital by U.S. News & World Report.
The 28th anniversary of the Craig Hospital Golf Tournament, presented by RE/MAX, LLC, offered an exclusive round of golf at Sanctuary, raising $234,676 to fund Craig Hospital’s life-changing programs for patients with spinal cord and brain injuries!
JULY 10
AUGUST 2025
AUGUST 15
Staff, volunteers, patients and families participated in a reflective ceremony to honor our North Garden, learn more about its new location, and help prepare for our campus transition.
Craig hosted its 7th Annual Living Well With Brain Injury Day. From insightful discussions to practical resources and moments of inspiration, this event brought people from all over our community together.
SEPTEMBER 2025
Many of the incredible CNS Medical Group physicians at Craig were named to 5280 Magazine’s Top Doctors 2025 list. Congratulations to Drs. William M. Scelza, Mark R. Johansen, Eric T. Spier, Jeffrey C. Berliner, Morgan Brubaker and Michael Makley on this well-deserved recognition!
Craig Hospital President and CEO Jandel Allen-Davis, MD, was selected as the winner of the Denver Business Journal’s 2025 Most Admired CEO Pinnacle Award, the program’s top honor recognizing an executive whose lifetime of leadership and achievement has driven change in both their organizations and the industry in which they work.
Life After Brain Injury: Returning to Passions and Regaining Independence
On April 4, 2023, Stephanie PorterScheinman’s life changed dramatically when she sustained a hemorrhagic stroke that severely damaged her left temporal lobe. “I should have died when this thing, you know, like, it was all here,” Stephanie recalls, gesturing to her head. “There was a question if I could die either or not.”
Stephanie — a retired microbiologist, skilled mountaineer and telemark skier — first spent a couple of weeks recovering at an intensive care unit in Utah before she was admitted to Craig Hospital to begin her neurorehabilitation 20 days after her stroke. When she arrived, she could not walk, and her communication abilities were severely limited. “People are talk to you and eventually, you know, you could, but I was still sick,” she recalls. Stephanie’s husband, Robert, adds that initially she advanced with her physical therapy far more than her speech. “Speech came later,” Robert says. “Yeah, I think that’s right. So, it takes a long time,” Stephanie adds.
By June 2023, Stephanie made enough progress to transition out of inpatient care, and in November 2023, she returned for Craig’s outpatient program, where she worked on physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy. Though she had regained mobility, her stroke left her with aphasia — a language disorder that impacts a person’s ability to access, use and understand language. While she has difficulty with language processing, her cognitive abilities remain intact.
Determined to continue improving, Stephanie enrolled in the donor-supported Craig Hospital Aphasia Therapy (CHAT) program in October 2024. CHAT is an intensive outpatient therapy for individuals with aphasia as a result of traumatic or other acquired brain injury. Through in-person and telehealth options, this evidence-based, patient-centered program utilizes one-to-one and group therapy, family training, neurologic music therapy, augmentative and alternative communication, and yoga to improve the quality of life of persons living with aphasia.
nearly 80 words. She has also adapted by using assistive technology and alternative communication strategies, such as showing pictures or using gestures to express her thoughts. Robert has learned to navigate her evolving speech. “When she looks outside and it’s blizzarding and says, ‘Wow, it’s hot out,’ I know she means it’s cold,” he explains. “A lot of it is contextual.”
Beyond speech therapy, Stephanie remains committed to regaining her independence. One of her major accomplishments happened recently when she passed a driving evaluation with nearly perfect scores. During her driving test, Stephanie was able to respond correctly to anything on the road, including other drivers and pedestrians, and follow directions from her driving instructor.
“Steph made incredible gains during her CHAT program,” says former CHAT Program Coordinator Katie Cassady, MA CCC-SLP, CBIS, C-IAYT. “Her goals in CHAT were to become more consistently able to say high-value words [words she would have a lot of opportunities to say in everyday life] in the moment without cues from her partner. By the end of the program, she was much better able to recognize when words had come out wrong, in addition to being able to come up with those high-value words in the moment.”
After her stroke, Stephanie only had about seven words in her vocabulary, but over time, she has expanded her vocabulary to
Stephanie has also returned to the adventurous activities that have always brought her joy, such as telemark skiing. Unlike a traditional alpine binding, a telemark skier’s boots are attached to the ski only at the toe — allowing the boot to flex at the instep and the heel to lift completely off the ski. “You need a lot more strength and a lot more balance,” Robert explains. To help with Stephanie’s body awareness and balance, she is looking to practice yoga, a skill she exercised with Katie while she was in the CHAT program.
Looking ahead, Stephanie’s future looks bright with endless possibilities. She recently started volunteering at Craig as part of a CHAT group, a program that meets two days a week with current CHAT patients and grads. “Both Steph and Rob will be valuable resources to our patients learning how to live with aphasia,” Katie says. “Connecting with others with aphasia is an integral part of the CHAT program.”
Stephanie is also looking forward to spending more quality time in the outdoors and expanding her vocabulary even further. With Robert’s support and her determination, Stephanie remains focused on regaining even more independence. Robert is confident that with continued adjustment of Stephanie’s seizure medication and returning to the activities she loves, like telemark instruction, she will reclaim even more of her freedom. “You’re on the cusp of being independent again,” he tells her.
A Bright Light at Craig
On April 22, 2025, Aman Deshmukh flew via air ambulance to Craig Hospital from a children’s hospital in Oakland, California.
“I felt very lucky to be going to Craig,” explains 15-year-old Aman. “My doctors believed that Craig was the best place for me to recover because the adolescent program could provide me with peer support, as well as age-specific education and programming.”
Yogini Joglekar, Aman’s mother, adds, “We completely agreed with Aman’s medical team and thought that Craig’s teen-focused rehabilitation program, which promotes camaraderie and support, would help Aman gain the strength and confidence he needed to recover. We were excited to get Aman to Colorado to begin his recovery journey.”
AN UNEXPECTED LANDING
On the afternoon of Thursday, March 6, Aman finished his classes and headed to the Foothill High School track in Pleasanton, California, where he was the pole vault captain.
During practice, Aman, who was working
toward his goal of clearing 11 feet, ran down the runway, planted his pole, and launched himself in the air toward the bar.
“He had a clean jump, cleared the bar, and landed on the mat,” Yogini explains. Unfortunately, Aman sustained a spinal cord injury at C4 and C5.
Aman was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he had three surgeries to stabilize his spine. “After recovering from surgery, we began focusing on getting me to Craig,” he says. “Luckily, all of our efforts paid off.”
HITTING THE BOOKS
When Aman, a sophomore in high school, first arrived at Craig, he was determined to keep up with his schoolwork.
“He immediately began talking about taking the Advanced Placement (AP) World History exam while he was at Craig,” recalls Hannah Pederson, a former teacher in the hospital’s donor-supported School Program. “After taking the yearlong class, he knew all of the content and didn’t want to postpone the AP exam.”
Aman adds, “I knew I could take the exam at a later date, but I did not want to wait and possibly forget the material I had studied all year. Plus, I thought it would be a good challenge
and a great way to focus on something other than my injury and hospital life.”
So Hannah and Laura Magnuson, Craig’s School Program coordinator, quickly got to work helping Aman meet his goal.
The first step was coordinating with his high school team and the College Board (the organization that develops and administers AP exams) to establish accommodations that would enable Aman to successfully take the test.
Hannah was designated as Aman’s scribe and began practicing with him each day. At the same time, Aman’s speech pathologist, Jenna Messier, MS, SLP, worked on helping him strengthen his respiratory muscles so he could dictate the test answers to Hannah.
“Due to Aman’s injury level and time spent in a hospital bed, he experienced shortness of breath and exhaustion, so he needed to improve his endurance in order to take the test,” she says. “We worked on increasing his utterance length and practiced dictating his essay using breath support strategies, such as pacing and pausing.”
She adds, “While Aman felt confident in his knowledge of world history, he, at first, felt less confident in his strength and endurance when it came to speaking for a long period of time. But he was very motivated and worked hard to improve his vocal stamina.”
According to Aman, it was a true team effort: “My entire care team helped me prepare, even the nurses who took turns quizzing me. It was definitely a challenge, but I felt well prepared,” he recalls. “I ended up scoring a 5 on the exam — the highest score you can get — which made me so happy. All of the hard work was worth it.”
TOOLS FOR SUCCESS
In addition to studying for the AP exam and working on strengthening his speech, Aman took part in a rigorous physical and occupational therapy schedule, as well as spending time in the PEAK Center and Recreational Therapy.
“I also worked with the Assistive Technology Lab to experiment with the equipment I will need to return to school, such as voicerecognition software and other adaptive devices,” Aman says.
Sarah Sanderman, ORT/L, an occupational therapist in Craig’s Don and Melba Rugg Assistive Technology Lab, adds, “Aman will be using different setups for home and school, including a RollerMouse Go, an adjustable universal cuff, an Echo smart speaker, an iPad Air, and a stylus pen. In addition, he will rely on a center mount tray and a cellphone mount for his power wheelchair made in-house by Craig’s rehab engineers.”
BACK TO SCHOOL
When classes begin in the fall, Aman plans to start as a part-time student, taking some classes in person and some online.
“While I am excited to go back to school, it will be a challenge because so much has changed in my life since the injury,” Aman explains. “But I know I would not be where I am today without Craig. My experience has been absolutely amazing.”
Yogini adds, “Everything at Craig — from Aman’s therapies, the School Program, family housing, and the Craig Foundation to the staff, patients and alumni — has blown us away. I feel like everyone at Craig has been rooting for Aman’s success. There is no question that we plan to stay involved as alumni. While we look forward to getting back to our life in California, we will forever be connected to our new community in Colorado.”
Playing Hard and Working Even Harder
High Intensity Step Training After TBI (B-HIST) Research
On a warm, sunny morning in late July 2024, 34-year-old Michael Murry and his mother, Jenny, drove to a trail in Lone Tree, Colorado, and hiked for 3.6 miles.
“A year ago, I was sitting in a wheelchair, working hard to recover from a brain injury,” Michael recalls. “I never thought I’d be on a hiking trail ever again. But here I am, and I owe it all to Craig Hospital.”
A SOUTH AFRICAN ADVENTURE
“Work hard and play hard” is how Michael describes life before his accident. As a spacecraft system engineer for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, Michael was always extremely active, spending his free time skydiving, skiing, scuba diving and kite surfing around the world. He loved combining his thirst for travel with numerous thrill-seeking hobbies.
On January 5, 2023, he was doing just that in Cape Town, South Africa.
“I was kite surfing off the beach when I had an uncontrolled landing that resulted in me hitting my head,” Michael explains. “About 72 hours later, my mom and my girlfriend arrived to find me in a Cape Town hospital, in a coma with a severe TBI and a fractured C7. They arranged for me to fly to California, where I stayed in a few hospitals over the next several months before transferring to Craig in July.”
RECOVERING IN COLORADO
When Michael thinks back to his time at Craig, he compares it to NASA. “There is no question that Craig is the NASA of rehab hospitals,” he says. “It’s way ahead of the rest.”
Jenny adds, “Before moving to Craig, Michael was at three different hospitals, but none of them had the neurorehabilitation specialty like Craig. Everyone in Denver was so supportive and dedicated. Michael’s entire care team united to help him recover and pushed him every single day to meet his rehab goals.”
And that strong, collaborative community also extended to Craig’s Research team. In fact, when Michael’s physical therapist recommended he participate in one of the hospital’s research projects, he jumped at the chance.
“NASA is basically one huge research facility, so I thought it would be interesting to take on the role of participant instead of researcher,” he explains. “In addition to being able to help others with a brain injury, participating in research also boosted my confidence in my ability to walk and run again. It helped me trust myself that I could recover and be active once again.”
IMPROVING MOBILITY AND BALANCE VIA RESEARCH
Michael took part in research evaluating high -intensity step training for patients with a TBI less than six months from injury.
“The study, High Intensity Step Training After
Traumatic Brain Injury (B-HIST), explores whether the types and intensity of interventions correlate with improvement in mobility, balance and cognition,” explains Haylee Winden, a clinical research physical therapist at Craig. “The long-term goal of this study is to be able to help patients get better faster.”
And for Michael, the results have been extremely encouraging.
“At the beginning of the study, I started walking slowly, and then I was able to move to running forward and backwards,” he says. “It’s been so positive for me, as well as for other patients who hope to be able to walk and run again.”
He adds, “Today, I can hike, run and play pickleball. I’m actually able to return to what I love: living and enjoying my life to the fullest.”
RESEARCH Highlights
FY 2025
In 2025, Craig Hospital’s Research Department continued to grow and evolve, advancing its impact through innovation, clinical integration and a strong commitment to scientific rigor. We expanded our focus on translational research that directly focuses on the priorities of the patients and families we serve at Craig, while also disseminating our findings to the broader SCI and BI communities. This work is made possible through support from federal and state funding agencies, private foundations, and the generous donors of the Craig Hospital Foundation. We continue to strengthen collaboration between our clinical and research teams to advance a clinically relevant research portfolio that supports translational discovery, evaluates long-term outcomes, and promotes innovative care across the rehabilitation continuum.
33 PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
$6.1 MILLION ANNUAL BUDGET
30 STAFF MEMBERS
BIOREPOSITORY
Craig’s Biorepository has rapidly grown into a significant resource for both SCI and BI research, with biospecimens now being banked from both populations. Our goal is to leverage blood-based biomarkers to accelerate scientific discovery and recovery while fostering collaborations with leading academic and industry partners advancing the field. We are grateful for the support of The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Colorado, whose funding has made this work possible.
RESEARCH TASK FORCE
This year, the Research Task Force reviewed and approved funding for 10 pilot studies. Support for these projects was made possible by generous donors through contributions to the Craig Hospital Foundation. Each pilot study is a collaborative effort among clinicians, research associates, coordinators and scientists, working together to translate innovative ideas into active research initiatives. Over the years, research conducted at Craig has shaped new and more effective pharmacological, cellular, surgical and rehabilitation-based treatments.
RESEARCH TASK FORCE APPROVALS
IN FY 2024-2025
• Proof-of-Concept: Building Oral Health Data Registry — Spine/Brain Trauma
• Additional Outcomes Associated With HighIntensity Training in TBI: Model Systems SiteSpecific Study
• Phase 1b Study of Andecaliximab in Participants With SCI at Risk for Non-Genetic Heterotopic Ossification
• Midsagittal Tissue Bridges and Walking Recovery in SCI
• Getting Up on the Wrong Side of the Bed: Transition State Disorders Following Moderate to Severe Brain Injury
• Retrospective Chart Review of Digital Photo Diary Use in Moderate to Severe TBI
• Case Series: Diagnosis of Heterotopic Ossification after SCI With Triple-Phase Bone Scan
• Examining the Relationship Between Inpatient Therapeutic Recreation and Functional and Psychosocial Outcomes After SCI and TBI
• Association of Nocturia and Orthostatic Hypotension After SCI
• Recreational Therapy Services and Functional and Psychosocial Outcomes After SCI and BI: Retrospective Chart Review and Model Systems Analysis
Learn more about Craig’s research efforts and current participation opportunities at craighospital.org/research.
NEUROMODULATION AND SPINAL STIMULATION
Craig is nationally recognized for its leadership in noninvasive spinal stimulation research, with multiple ongoing and completed studies focused on improving function in individuals with SCI:
• Up-LIFT Trial: Top enrolling site for this pivotal trial evaluating noninvasive spinal stimulation to improve upper extremity function in individuals with chronic SCI; results published in Nature Medicine. ARC-Ex is now FDA approved for clinical and home use.
• Up-LIFT Home Trial: Evaluated supported home use of noninvasive spinal stimulation for upper extremity recovery; published in Neurology and directly contributed to FDA clearance for home use of ARC-Ex.
• ASPIRE Clinical Study: Evaluated noninvasive spinal stimulation to improve upper extremity function in chronic SCI; enrollment is complete, and results are currently under analysis, with Craig participating in dissemination efforts.
• ASPIRE Home Study: A supported, homebased study evaluating noninvasive spinal stimulation to improve upper extremity function in individuals with chronic SCI; currently in the final phases of enrollment.
• SSTIM UE Recovery: A NIDILRR-funded study evaluating home-based spinal stimulation early after injury (subacute phase) to improve upper extremity recovery, primarily delivered through a telehealth model.
• Empower BP: An industry-sponsored trial and Craig’s first invasive spinal stimulation study focused on improving autonomic function, including blood pressure regulation, in individuals with SCI. This is an international collaboration with sites in the United States, Canada and Europe.
HIGHLIGHTED RESEARCH STUDIES FUNDED IN FY 2024–2025 AND UNDERWAY
• Spinal Stimulation to Improve Upper Extremity Recovery in the Home (NIDILRR)
• Phase 2 Study of Andecaliximab for the Prevention of Heterotopic Ossification After Traumatic SCI (AshiBio Inc.)
• Development and Commercialization of a Weight Monitoring Platform for Wheelchair Users (NuRealm Inc. collaboration/NIH)
• Participatory Community Integration for TBI Survivors: Development of a Computer Adaptive Test (Spaulding Labs)
• Postpartum Depression in Women With Spinal Cord Injuries (Craig H. Neilsen Foundation)
• Testosterone Deficiency and Endothelial Dysfunction in SCI-Related Cardiovascular Disease: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Prospects (DoD)
• Endothelial Dysfunction After SCI: Mechanism and Therapeutic Target for SCI-Related Cardiovascular Disease (Craig H. Neilsen Foundation)
• Empower BP to Manage Symptomatic Blood Pressure Instability Secondary to Chronic SCI (ONWARD Medical)
• Abdominal Functional Electrical Stimulation to Improve Respiratory and Cough Function in Adults With SCI (Liberate Medical/DoD)
MODEL SYSTEMS RESEARCH
Craig participates in the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) Spinal Cord Injury (SCI; 2021–2026) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI; 2022–2027) Model Systems grants, contributing to national databases while leading both local and collaborative research initiatives. Recruitment for both local studies is progressing ahead of schedule and currently exceeds planned targets.
• TBI: Evaluating high-intensity step training and virtual reality to improve balance, mobility and cognition in individuals shortly after traumatic brain injury.
• SCI: Evaluating three interventions, including two types of functional electrical stimulation (FES), to improve upper limb and trunk stability.
CRAIGCommunity IN THE
Craig Hospital extends its mission into the community through advocacy, education and partnership, working to advance independence and inclusion for individuals with spinal cord and brain injuries. In FY25, our community work focused on launching the Craig Hospital Community Advisory Council and aligning community benefit, outreach and government relations to drive collective impact, with targeted investments addressing social determinants of health. As a not-for-profit organization, our efforts emphasize health professions education, research, community health improvement, and charitable care. Through close collaboration with local, state and national government partners, Craig continues to advance policies that strengthen access, equity and outcomes for the communities we serve.
Hosted the City of Englewood Chamber of Commerce Community Breakfast and the Board of Directors for the Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce.
More than 200+ staff members attended and volunteered at different events, contributing 350+ volunteer hours last year.
Received Promoting the Power of Education Award from Arapahoe Community College.
2025 examples of nonprofit collaborations:
• 9/11 Day
• Access Gallery
• Brain Injury Association of Colorado
• Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center
• Chanda Plan Foundation
• Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition
• Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce
• CrossPurpose
• High Fives Foundation
• Home Builders Foundation
• Hunger Free Colorado
• Integrated Family Community Services
• National Sports Center for the Disabled
• Phamaly Theatre Company
The 2025 Guide the Giving program awarded HAAT Force and Magic Moments
$2,500 each from Craig Hospital, based on employee nominations.
Craig facilitated conversations and/or mutual impact work with 300+ community organizations.
Accessibility and Belonging Conversations:
• City of Englewood
• Longer Tables Littleton
• Denver International Airport
• Boy Scouts
• Girl Scouts
• Swallow Hill Music
34 public engagement opportunities for Craig staff
Our FY25 Big Give donation drive resulted in a large donation of personal hygiene products, warm clothing and nonperishable food items being donated to The Englewood Schools Family Resource Center (FRC), which serves 30-60 families monthly, and The Englewood Library Cold Weather Events closet, available to community members in need whenever the library is open. We gave each location 20+ boxes of cold weather items and nonperishable food.
Craig Hosts Its First Care Training Course for Care Partners in the Community
Craig Hospital’s Care Partner Training Task Force proudly hosted the hospital’s first Care Training Course for community members in September 2025. The initiative brought together a group of participants for a free, 1.5day, hands-on learning experience. The course welcomed family members, CNAs, MAs and home health agency staff looking to strengthen their caregiving skills for individuals living with neurological conditions.
This training was made possible by a dedicated team of instructors and organizers from across Craig, including Training & Development, Physical Therapy, Recreational Therapy, Volunteer Services, Craig Foundation, Clinical Care Management, Speech Therapy, and Research. Special thanks to the Rise Fund at the Craig Foundation, whose generous support provided supplies and refreshments that helped create a welcoming and engaging learning environment. The task force also thanks the Craig volunteers and PEAK clients who played an important role in facilitating hands-on learning and meaningful connections throughout the course.
The successful launch of Craig’s first Care Training Course marks an exciting step forward in our commitment to community education and support. We look forward to offering this impactful training again to continue empowering care partners with the knowledge and confidence they need to provide exceptional care to individuals living with spinal cord and brain injuries.
Learn more at craighospital.org/care-training-course
POWERING HOPE Creating Homecomings
CAMPUS EXPANSION BEGINS AT CRAIG HOSPITAL
In 2025, Craig Hospital broke ground on a transformative campus expansion project to expand our buildings and programs to allow us to serve more individuals with SCI and BI; grow and integrate research; and strengthen our whole-person culture of care programs to empower our patients’ outcomes and independence. This vital work is built from strategic planning focused on the patient experience alongside our staff and community, and we’re so excited for what’s next!
EAST BUILDING
STAFF OFFICE EXPANSION
New fifth floor to align and optimize staff offices
INPATIENT EXPANSION
14+ new inpatient beds to expand access to Craig’s SCI and BI neurorehabilitation
TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH & HUMAN MOVEMENT LAB
Addition of dedicated research space and living laboratory
NEUROMEDICAL UNIT
12 new neuromedical inpatient beds
ROOFTOP UTILITY PLANT
Achieving energy independence through infrastructure expansion
FOURTH FLOOR BRIDGE
New fourth floor level added to existing bridge to connect SCI floors
WEST BUILDING
NORTH GARDEN PROJECT
In summer 2025, we relocated our North Garden to its new, larger home at Girard and Clarkson across from the PEAK Center, offering a welcoming, accessible space for patients, families, staff and neighbors. Learn more about the project and watch the construction time-lapse at craighospital.org/north-garden-project
Patients, families, staff, donors and community leaders came together on October 10, 2025, to celebrate a historic moment: Craig Hospital officially breaking ground on its transformative campus expansion. The event marked the first phase of this major expansion project, focusing on our East Building, and the community launch of our $100 million Hope & Homecomings Campaign, the largest fundraising effort in the hospital’s 118-year history.
HOPE & HOMECOMINGS
THE CAMPAIGN FOR CRAIG HOSPITAL
Our $100 million Hope & Homecomings Campaign, supported through the generosity of our community, will ensure that more patients and families have access to the same worldclass rehabilitation, compassion and independence Craig is known for. We will add at least 26 patient rooms, state-of-theart research facilities, and new spaces designed for healing and innovation. Our bold vision will:
EXPAND ACCESS
Our Progress
$70M raised as of Feb. '26 Goal: $100M
Scan to learn about Our Vision
Create Craig’s first-ever 12-room Neuromedical Unit to help medically complex patients get to Craig earlier in their rehabilitation journey
Increase inpatient capacity to serve 13% to 15% more patients annually, reducing our extensive waitlist
Grow and strengthen Craig’s existing holistic programs not funded by insurance
ACCELERATE INNOVATION
Expand translational research at Craig to bridge the gap between research and real-world therapies and move faster from science to solutions
Build our first-ever Human Movement Lab, a “living laboratory” designed to provide realtime feedback that translates research findings quickly to our patients
Increase scientific collaboration to share what we learn widely across the spinal cord and brain injury communities
A MESSAGE FROM THE Foundation President
Dear Friends,
Every day at Craig, we see what love in action looks like. You send encouraging notes, volunteer your valuable time, participate in Craig’s signature events, invite friends to join our important mission, and invest generously so our teams can say ‘yes’ to patients and families when it matters most. Thank you for the way you’ve lifted the Craig community in 2025!
Because of you, more than $70 million has been contributed toward our Hope & Homecomings comprehensive campaign so that we can increase access to Craig and translate research into clinical practice. We believe that each dollar invested at Craig is a reflection of your trust in our teams and a shared commitment to giving the gift of Craig to more people.
The human impact is profound: parents able to bring their children home safely; caregivers trained and equipped to support loved ones; and graduates reclaiming independence in ways both practical and deeply personal.
Over the past year, a loyal supporter reminded me: “The purpose of philanthropy is that it outlives us.”
Indeed. Our donors shape the careers of the people who are serving patients this very day. Craig team members benefit today from people who cared enough, long ago, to invest in a future Craig they would never personally experience.
And the same is true for our patients. Much of the care our families receive today began as ideas funded by compassionate donors of yesterday. Donations are investments in human potential, in moments of transformation, in the belief that someone they would never meet deserves every chance to rebuild a life of possibility.
Generosity is a story of how care accumulates and how generosity multiplies across years. Each generation of donors makes it possible for the next generation of patients and staff to go further. As we look back and ahead, we do so with gratitude for YOU!
Thank you for being part of this remarkable chain of generosity, one that benefits others in the present and builds a legacy that truly outlives us. We promise to honor your trust by stewarding every gift with care, transparency, and impact.
With heartfelt gratitude,
President, Craig Foundation
The Power of Giving: Transforming Lives and Creating Lasting Impact
Back in the fall of 2018, Kevin Canty spent 65 days at Craig Hospital, recovering from a C3 incomplete injury he sustained in a cycling accident.
“Those days at Craig were extremely difficult,” Kevin explains. “It was a traumatic experience that affected my entire family, but we got through it — thanks to the numerous therapies, impressive medical care, and psychological assistance I received. Everybody at Craig celebrates the small gains each and every day — and that’s part of the magic.”
He adds, “Being a patient at Craig taught me the importance of hope and perseverance, as well as the need to give back to the place that helped me recover. Supporting the hospital is a way for my family to say thank you, and a dollar goes a long way at Craig.”
It was a Saturday morning in late October when Kevin, who was 63 years old at the time, embarked on a 25-mile bike ride with a group of friends near his home in Northern California.
“I had just moved up to the front of the pack to take the lead when a car, blinded by the bright sunlight, hit me. After landing on the pavement, I could not feel anything. It was terrifying,” Kevin recalls. “The paramedics quickly arrived on the scene and rushed me to the hospital, where I had surgery to relieve cord compression.”
Kevin spent 11 days in the ICU before a friend, who had previously worked at Craig, recommended the hospital as the best place to do his rehabilitation.
So on November 5, he flew to Colorado to begin the next step of his healing journey.
Gradually, Kevin regained feeling in his extremities, and his mobility began to improve. “I had to relearn how to walk, which I did, after spending many hours in physical, occupational and recreational therapy,” he says. “Thankfully, my family stayed nearby in Family Housing, supporting me every step of the way. I felt blessed because so many people did not think I would be able to recover like I did. Walking out of Craig was a dream come true.”
He adds, “And a year and a half after my accident, I met with the driver who hit me. While I wasn’t ready to see him in the ICU, we finally met for an hour, and we hugged at the end of our visit. I told him that I didn’t want to live with any anger, and I didn’t want him to live with any guilt.”
Four months post-injury, Kevin returned to work as the chief operating officer at a public company. Today, he is biking on an electric trike, logging 3,000 miles in the past four years, and walking about three miles a day.
Since returning home to California, Kevin has become a passionate and enthusiastic donor — serving on the Craig Hospital Foundation Board, and also attending numerous fundraising events, donating adaptive equipment, and raising money for Craig.
“Giving to Craig is a great investment,” Kevin explains. “Spinal cord injuries will continue to happen, and they do not receive a lot of support until they come into your orbit. Because when you need the help, you need it quickly and desperately.”
Kevin insists that he learned a great deal from his time at Craig: “Never ever give up. You must rally because you will make gains, even if they are small. It’s vital to celebrate the improvements and take advantage of everything that Craig has to offer.”
While Kevin’s accident was life altering, he says that he feels extremely happy and positive: “I can still make a difference, and for this, I am extremely grateful. Having lived through a spinal cord injury, I have unique insight in the life-changing work that happens at Craig, and supporting the hospital has been an absolute joy.”
2025
$20.54M TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS HOSPITAL
$169M OPERATING REVENUE
$166M OPERATING EXPENSES
$360M TOTAL ASSETS
$10.9M ENDOWMENT FUNDS FOUNDATION
3,085 DONORS
8,160 GIFTS
SOURCES OF FOUNDATION SUPPORT
Foundations and Trusts
Individuals, Alumni and Alumni Family
Corporations and Organizations
IMPACT OF FOUNDATION FUNDS
Patient Assistance
Area of Greatest Need*
Special Purpose
Capital/Equipment
Culture of Care (Hospital Programs)
Research
Operation TBI Freedom
Endowment Distributions
$1,404,593 • 13.5%
$850,072 • 8.2%
$738,684 • 7.1%
$627,498 • 6.0%
$416,270 • 4.0%
$341,023 • 3.3%
*Supports Craig’s most pressing needs, including critical programs, equipment, and $500K+ to advance innovation through research
Total Funds Distributed $10,393,486 $3,145,711 • 30.3% $2,869,635 • 27.6%
PATIENT ASSISTANCE BREAKDOWN
Durable medical equipment
Home and vehicle modifications
Scholarships for going back to school, Recreational Therapy or the PEAK Center
Air ambulance for patients
Transportation for patients and families
Mortgage and rent assistance
Dental or medical assistance
Caregiver training and support
Technology Other
Outpatient services
$1,095,193 • 34.8%
$807,773 • 25.7%
$325,140 • 10.3%
$254,379 • 8.1%
$243,764 • 7.7%
$134,335 • 4.3%
$102,191 • 3.2%
$97,512 • 3.1%
$32,507 • 1.0%
$28,766 • 0.9%
$24,150 • 0.8%
Total PA Funds Distributed $3,145,711
THANK YOU TO OUR 2025 BOARD MEMBERS
Members serving during fiscal year 2025
CRAIG HOSPITAL BOARD
Bruce Schroffel
Hospital Board Chair
Healthcare Executive (Retired)
Jandel Allen-Davis, MD
President and CEO
Craig Hospital
Joan Henneberry
Hospital Board Chair through March '25
State Health Policy Leader (Retired)
Angela Oakley
Hospital Board Treasurer WellPower
Justin Cooper*
Hospital Board Member
Saunders Construction
Arturo Elizondo*
Hospital Board Member The EVERY Company
Sean Gelsey
Hospital Board Member Copic
Kari Goerke*
Hospital Board Member
Regis University
Vijay Ijju*
Hospital Board Member
Falcon 5 Capital
Christopher Kelley
Hospital Board Member FirstBank
Gerry Lewis-Jenkins
Hospital Board Member Copic (Retired)
Jim Miles
Hospital Board Member Foley & Lardner LLP
Lisa Morris
Hospital Board Member
Swedish Medical Center (Retired)
William Scelza, MD
Medical Director and Medical Staff President Craig Hospital
Deron Swaby
Hospital Board Member Butler Financial
Brad Wentz
Hospital Board Member Turner Construction Company
Maribeth Younger
Foundation Board Chair Williams Weese Pepple & Ferguson
*Board term completed during FY 2025
CRAIG FOUNDATION BOARD
Maribeth Younger Foundation Board Chair Williams Weese Pepple & Ferguson
Jandel Allen-Davis, MD President and CEO Craig Hospital
Serena Bruzgo President Craig Foundation
Emily Robinson Foundation Board Secretary/ Treasurer Community Volunteer
Steve Baker Foundation Board Member Community Volunteer
Ryan Beiser Foundation Board Member PNC Bank
Ryan Berry Foundation Board Member Ernst & Young, LLP
Dan Campbell Foundation Board Member Community Volunteer
Kevin Canty Foundation Board Member Community Volunteer
Christina Caulkins Foundation Board Member Patina Management
Lisa Cohn* Foundation Board Member Apartment Income REIT Corp.
Thomas Corley Foundation Board Member Community Volunteer
Katy Corrigan Foundation Board Member DPR Construction
Matt Crowe Foundation Board Member UV Angel
Dan Dye* Foundation Board Member Community Volunteer
Mark Eller Foundation Board Member KPMG LLP
Brian Graff Foundation Board Member railbender.io
Pete Holst Foundation Board Member Oblong, Inc.
Alexander Okano Foundation Board Member AlixPartners
Patricia Parkhouse Foundation Board Member Community Volunteer
John Robb* Foundation Board Member The Stone Creek Group
Jason Romero Foundation Board Member SouthState Bank
Whitney Sunderland Foundation Board Member Community Volunteer
Teresa Van De Bogart* Foundation Board Member Community Volunteer
Nathan Vandas* Foundation Board Member Wells Fargo Advisors
Jake Vanderslice Foundation Board Member VanWest Partners
Elena Wuchner Foundation Board Member EON Workplace
*Board term completed during FY 2025
