Across our care sites, offices, and home offices, all Intermountain Health caregivers have something in common: their compassion and care for patients. And we all have a reason for our careers in healthcare. For some, it’s personal experiences that encouraged them to pay it forward. For others, it’s the chance to innovate, lead, and experiment. We asked caregivers to share the ‘why’ behind their work. Their stories can inspire us all to reflect on our motivations and how we bring compassion to our work every day.
At Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado, caregivers recently turned a hospital hallway into something extraordinary: a wedding venue filled with love, music, and community. When patient Muranda “Mandy” Lambert shared that she and her husband Damon had never been able to celebrate their marriage with a formal ceremony, our caregivers didn’t hesitate. Teams across the unit came together—on and off the clock—to create a moment of joy and dignity during one of life’s hardest chapters. From dresses and decorations to hair, makeup, and a homemade cake, this was compassion in action. A reminder that caring for patients means seeing the whole person, honoring their stories, and showing up with heart. Mandy passed away shortly after the ceremony, but her resilience, humor, and gratitude continue to inspire us. Her story is a powerful reminder of the healing impact of human connection.
From magic shows and church hymns to the lights of the local theater, Frankee Angel has always been a performer at heart. But after two unexpected heart attacks and a long road through severe heart failure, she feared her final curtain call had come. With the support of the cardiology and cardiac rehab teams at Intermountain Health St. James Hospital in Butte, Montana — and a life‑saving ICD she lovingly calls Minerva — Frankee regained her strength, her confidence, and her spark. Today, she’s back at the piano and preparing for her next role on stage. Read her inspiring journey and learn how knowing your heart health numbers can make all the difference.
Paul Wolford has spent 25 years as a Clinical Pharmacist at Intermountain Health with the Home Services Team. Paul began helping ShayLee Rae Hunter when she was just two years old when she was reliant on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) to survive. One of the most consistent presences in her care has been Paul who has managed ShayLee’s TPN and participated in her weekly care coordination for 25 years. Despite more than two decades of virtual and clinical connection, the two had never met in person. That changed when ShayLee got a chance to celebrate Paul as he was recognized with an Intermountain Health L.O.V.E. Award that ShayLee nominated him for. ❤️
At Intermountain Health, innovation is about improving outcomes and expanding access, no matter where our patients live. When a rural Montana patient arrived at the St. Vincent Regional Hospital emergency department in Billings with dangerously high blood sugar and a chronic foot ulcer, the outcome could have been life‑altering. Through coordinated virtual and in‑person care, insulin therapy, and continuous glucose monitoring, his average glucose dropped from over 300 to 152. His wound healed. His foot was saved. Led by Justen Rudolph, MD, the St. Vincent Diabetes Center is using telehealth, remote patient monitoring, and advanced diabetes technology to deliver consistent, personalized care across Montana and neighboring states, reducing travel, improving continuity, and helping patients stay closer to home. These tools didn’t exist a decade ago. Today, they’re helping teams deliver world‑class diabetes care while meeting patients where they are. Explore how we are redefining diabetes care for rural communities in the article below.
Meet Kendalyn, a bright light and patient at Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, who’s about to inspire families across the nation. Children’s Miracle Network has named 11‑year‑old Kendalyn as a 2026 National Champion, representing 170 children’s hospitals nationwide. This spring, you’ll even spot her on General Mills cereal boxes and in Costco stores across the country. Kendalyn has faced chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO), a rare gastrointestinal disorder, since birth, but she approaches every day with joy, resilience, and a spark that lifts everyone around her — from her care teams to her classmates to her beloved medical alert dog, Reggie. Her school surprised her with the big announcement, complete with cheers, confetti, and a medal she immediately checked to see if it was chocolate. Her sense of humor is just one of the many reasons she’s such a remarkable ambassador for children’s health. Our Intermountain Children’s Health leaders are excited for Kendalyn to experience the huge honor, representing all the children who are cared for at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital.
When Navy veteran Patrick McHenry needed help navigating complex VA authorizations, lead patient service representative Alison Tripp stepped in and never stopped showing up. Today, she supports nearly 500 veterans at the Intermountain Health Cedar City Clinic, helping them access the care they’ve earned with dignity and compassion. Her dedication is reshaping lives, strengthening trust, and reminding us what it means to serve those who have served. Read how Alison is making a difference, one veteran at a time.
At Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, caregivers are redefining what it means to deliver lifesaving trauma care, starting at the moment a patient arrives. The new Direct‑to‑Operating Room initiative streamlines the path for patients with the most severe penetrating injuries, moving them straight from the ambulance bay or helipad into surgery when every second matters. By eliminating unnecessary steps and uniting trauma teams where they’re needed most, Lutheran is accelerating care, reducing complications, and improving outcomes. This program reflects a shared commitment to clinical excellence and to helping people live the healthiest lives possible. It’s the result of deep collaboration, rigorous preparation, and a clear focus on doing what’s best for patients, especially in their most critical moments.
Our Ambulatory Children’s Health Clinical Program has led a remarkable effort that’s changing outcomes for infants across our communities. What started at Primary Children’s Hospital is now an enterprise-wide best practice, with data showing dramatic reductions in hospitalizations and no immunized infants requiring ICU care. By empowering pregnant mothers with a new vaccine option and giving newborns access to Nirsevimab, our teams helped tens of thousands of babies stay healthier this RSV season. Utah is now ranked first in the nation for infant RSV protection. “This is something that can really turn around RSV for infants,” says Carolyn Reynolds, executive clinical director of the Ambulatory Children's Health Clinical Program. And the impact shows just that. Read how this program is transforming care and what it means heading into the next respiratory season.
Intermountain Health Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver, Colorado has been nationally recognized for excellence in cardiovascular care — a reflection of our caregivers’ dedication to improving outcomes and elevating every patient’s experience. From advanced treatments to compassionate support, this recognition highlights our commitment to helping people live the healthiest lives possible. Read more about this achievement in the article below.
