In this episode of the Only at Craig podcast, we welcome back our first repeat guest Craig Foundation President Serena Bruzgo as well as Foundation Board Chair Maribeth Younger. Together, they share the vision behind Hope & Homecomings, Craig Hospital’s ambitious $100 million campaign to expand access, accelerate research, and enhance life-changing programs for patients and families.

Listeners will get an inside look at the 86,000-square-foot hospital expansion, which includes a new neuromedical unit and additional patient beds, designed to help more people, sooner, and with greater impact. We also explore how community-driven philanthropy—from thousands of gifts ranging from $5 to seven figures—along with growing planned giving opportunities, are fueling this transformative effort.

Whether through one-time contributions, ongoing support, or legacy gifts, there are many ways to get involved and make a difference. Learn more about the campaign’s progress and discover how you can support the future of Craig at hopeandhomecomings.org.

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review to help more people discover these inspiring stories!

Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado, is a world-renowned rehabilitation hospital that specializes exclusively in the neurorehabilitation and research of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and brain injury (BI). Craig is a not-for-profit, free-standing, national center of excellence that has treated more than 34,500 patients with SCI and BI since 1956. https://craighospital.org

For more Information visit: https://craighospital.org/onlyatcraigpodcast

Disclaimer: The content in this podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. Craig Hospital is not affiliated with resources that may be referenced in this podcast. Craig Hospital assumes no liability for any third-party material or for any action or inaction taken as a result of any content or any suggestions made in this podcast and should not be relied upon without independent investigation. Any use of this content by a corporation or other revenue-seeking or -generating organization is prohibited unless first approved by Craig Hospital....

What draws someone back to the place where they experienced one of life's most challenging moments? For Becki Bushnell and Meredith Berkowitz, Craig Hospital represents not only where their spinal cord injury rehabilitation journey began, but also where their professional lives found purpose.

Becki, approaching her 17th anniversary as a clinical care manager, candidly shares how she "hated Craig" during her rehabilitation following an injury at age 15. She describes herself as "the most terrible patient ever," reluctant to participate in therapy and struggling with the adjustment. Yet a chance encounter in the waiting room years later led to a career opportunity that transformed her relationship with Craig entirely. Now, she uses her lived experience to help patients navigate the complex emotional and practical challenges of life after spinal cord injury.

Meredith brings a fresher perspective as the assistant DME coordinator who joined the staff in January after being a patient during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her journey highlights the stark realities of employment barriers for people with disabilities – from inaccessible workplaces to the revealing moment when she removed information about her paralysis from job applications and suddenly received more interview requests. 

Both women offer powerful insights into what makes Craig Hospital unique: it's "a yes place" in what can often feel like "a world of no" for people with disabilities. 

Ready to hear more stories from the halls of Craig Hospital? Subscribe to the Only at Craig podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado, is a world-renowned rehabilitation hospital that specializes exclusively in the neurorehabilitation and research of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and brain injury (BI). Craig is a not-for-profit, free-standing, national center of excellence that has treated more than 34,500 patients with SCI and BI since 1956. https://craighospital.org

For more Information visit: https://craighospital.org/onlyatcraigpodcast

Disclaimer: The content in this podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. Craig Hospital is not affiliated with resources that may be referenced in this podcast. Craig Hospital assumes no liability for any third-party material or for any action or inaction taken as a result of any content or any suggestions made in this podcast and should not be relied upon without independent investigation. Any use of this content by a corporation or other revenue-seeking or -generating organization is prohibited unless first approved by Craig Hospital....

Turning trash into treasure might sound like a fairy tale, but at Craig Hospital, it's everyday reality. For nearly six years, this pioneering healthcare facility has been transforming food waste into "soil-saving gold," diverting an impressive 100,000 pounds of compost annually from landfills.

The magic happens through a grassroots effort led by 44 dedicated staff members who maintain ten strategically placed compost bins throughout the hospital. Media production specialist Tyler Smith and internal communications specialist Scott Adams invite horticultural therapist Mattie Cryer and physical therapist Steph Jackson to uncover the inner workings of this remarkable sustainability initiative.

What makes Craig's program special isn't just the impressive numbers—it's the closed-loop system they've created. Working with Wompost, a woman-owned composting company from Aurora, Craig receives finished compost that patients help spread in the hospital's therapeutic gardens. This creates a perfect circle: cafeteria waste becomes nutrient-rich soil that grows fresh produce and flowering plants, which in turn support patient rehabilitation through horticultural therapy.

The environmental impact extends far beyond waste reduction. As Maddie explains, composting plays a crucial role in climate resilience, preventing harmful emissions, conserving water, preventing soil erosion, and regenerating soil. With the EPA reporting that only 5% of food waste gets composted nationwide—while food waste constitutes nearly a quarter of landfill content—Craig's efforts represent significant potential for broader change in waste management.

Whether you're curious about what can be composted (those green-striped cafeteria containers) versus what can't (ketchup packets and outside food containers), looking to start composting at home, or just want to hear Scott and Tyler's hilariously educational "Compost or Bust" game, this episode delivers both practical knowledge and inspiration. Listen now to discover how one hospital is proving that sustainability and healthcare go hand in hand—and perhaps find yourself motivated to start your own composting journey.

Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado, is a world-renowned rehabilitation hospital that specializes exclusively in the neurorehabilitation and research of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and brain injury (BI). Craig is a not-for-profit, free-standing, national center of excellence that has treated more than 34,500 patients with SCI and BI since 1956. https://craighospital.org

For more Information visit: https://craighospital.org/onlyatcraigpodcast

Disclaimer: The content in this podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. Craig Hospital is not affiliated with resources that may be referenced in this podcast. Craig Hospital assumes no liability for any third-party material or for any action or inaction taken as a result of any content or any suggestions made in this podcast and should not be relied upon without independent investigation. Any use of this content by a corporation or other revenue-seeking or -generating organization is prohibited unless first approved by Craig Hospital....

What if the words you needed vanished just when you needed them most? For nearly 2 million Americans living with aphasia, this isn't a hypothetical—it's daily life.

Aphasia strips away the ability to speak, understand, read, or write without affecting intelligence. Behind every struggle to communicate lies a person who knows exactly what they want to say but can't access the words. This disconnect between thought and expression represents the fundamental challenge people with aphasia face.

In this enlightening conversation with Dr. Kim Frey and Betsy Batts from Craig Hospital's innovative CHAT program (Craig Hospital Aphasia Therapy), we explore how modern aphasia therapy has evolved beyond traditional picture-naming exercises into comprehensive, intensive treatment that creates real-world results. Founded in 2017, CHAT employs Intensive Language Action Therapy that pairs motor and language networks in interactive, game-like sessions that yield remarkable improvements.

Whether you're a healthcare professional, have a loved one with communication challenges, or simply appreciate the gift of expression we often take for granted, this episode offers valuable insights into the puzzle of language and the remarkable resilience of human connection.

Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado, is a world-renowned rehabilitation hospital that specializes exclusively in the neurorehabilitation and research of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and brain injury (BI). Craig is a not-for-profit, free-standing, national center of excellence that has treated more than 34,500 patients with SCI and BI since 1956. https://craighospital.org

For more Information visit: https://craighospital.org/onlyatcraigpodcast

Disclaimer: The content in this podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. Craig Hospital is not affiliated with resources that may be referenced in this podcast. Craig Hospital assumes no liability for any third-party material or for any action or inaction taken as a result of any content or any suggestions made in this podcast and should not be relied upon without independent investigation. Any use of this content by a corporation or other revenue-seeking or -generating organization is prohibited unless first approved by Craig Hospital....

When resilience meets healing, extraordinary stories emerge. This episode unfolds the riveting journey of Craig grad Dave Liniger, the real estate giant who founded RE/MAX. His physical therapist from Craig Hospital, Stephanie Beinecke, joins the narrative, sharing her perspective on the power of therapy and resilience. Together, their testimonies celebrate the transformative encounters at Craig, where patients and staff alike forge an unbreakable bond, channeling unwavering support into every step of recovery.

This episode does not merely capture recovery milestones; it's a celebration of life's unwritten chapters that are redefined through the compassionate lens of Craig Hospital staff.  The tales shared here serve as a poignant reminder of the human spirit's capacity to overcome adversity while underscoring the simple yet profound truth that to give is truly to receive. Join us for a journey through pain, perseverance, and the ultimate triumph of the human heart.

Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado, is a world-renowned rehabilitation hospital that specializes exclusively in the neurorehabilitation and research of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and brain injury (BI). Craig is a not-for-profit, free-standing, national center of excellence that has treated more than 34,500 patients with SCI and BI since 1956. https://craighospital.org

For more Information visit: https://craighospital.org/onlyatcraigpodcast

Disclaimer: The content in this podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. Craig Hospital is not affiliated with resources that may be referenced in this podcast. Craig Hospital assumes no liability for any third-party material or for any action or inaction taken as a result of any content or any suggestions made in this podcast and should not be relied upon without independent investigation. Any use of this content by a corporation or other revenue-seeking or -generating organization is prohibited unless first approved by Craig Hospital....

In the first episode of our "History of Craig" series, we looked at Craig's early days and focused on the man who founded it all - Frank Craig. 

In this episode, we pick up where we left off and dive into Craig's origins. We go from 1914, the year of Frank Craig's passing, up to 1954 and the real start of the Craig we know today. While the focus was still on tuberculosis up until 1954, those in-between years were incredibly important to ensuring Craig could survive as a non-profit institution. We go through newspaper clippings, letters and a few photos to catch up on what happened during this time period – we promise it’s anything but boring!

Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado, is a world-renowned rehabilitation hospital that specializes exclusively in the neurorehabilitation and research of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and brain injury (BI). Craig is a not-for-profit, free-standing, national center of excellence that has treated more than 34,500 patients with SCI and BI since 1956. https://craighospital.org

For more Information visit: https://craighospital.org/onlyatcraigpodcast

Disclaimer: The content in this podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. Craig Hospital is not affiliated with resources that may be referenced in this podcast. Craig Hospital assumes no liability for any third-party material or for any action or inaction taken as a result of any content or any suggestions made in this podcast and should not be relied upon without independent investigation. Any use of this content by a corporation or other revenue-seeking or -generating organization is prohibited unless first approved by Craig Hospital....

We teamed up with two members of the Adaptive Transportation Program – Barry Doyle and Natalie Uyeno – to try our skills on the adaptive driving simulator while answering trivia questions aimed to distract us. You’ll hear from Barry and Natalie on how we did on the virtual course (spoiler alert: not great) and learn about why it’s so easy to become distracted on the road, even while engaged in basic things like listening to the radio or talking with someone in the car or on the phone. You’ll also learn some semi-useful trivia knowledge that might come in handy on your next game night.

Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado, is a world-renowned rehabilitation hospital that specializes exclusively in the neurorehabilitation and research of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and brain injury (BI). Craig is a not-for-profit, free-standing, national center of excellence that has treated more than 34,500 patients with SCI and BI since 1956. https://craighospital.org

For more Information visit: https://craighospital.org/onlyatcraigpodcast

Disclaimer: The content in this podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. Craig Hospital is not affiliated with resources that may be referenced in this podcast. Craig Hospital assumes no liability for any third-party material or for any action or inaction taken as a result of any content or any suggestions made in this podcast and should not be relied upon without independent investigation. Any use of this content by a corporation or other revenue-seeking or -generating organization is prohibited unless first approved by Craig Hospital....

We all learned during new hire orientation that Craig Hospital traces its roots back to Frank Craig, who established a tuberculosis colony in Colorado in the early 1900s. You may have also seen his black-and-white photo in the 1W corridor on our history wall. But do you know anything else about him and the founding of our hospital?
It turns out, not so surprisingly, that Craig Hospital was founded by one really impressive person, who might possibly have moonlighted as a comedian in his free time when he wasn’t devoting his energy to helping tuberculosis patients – a disease he also had and eventually died from. We dug through hundreds of pages of photos, newspaper clippings and handwritten letters to bring the humble origins of our hospital to life…and it’s anything but dull!

Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado, is a world-renowned rehabilitation hospital that specializes exclusively in the neurorehabilitation and research of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and brain injury (BI). Craig is a not-for-profit, free-standing, national center of excellence that has treated more than 34,500 patients with SCI and BI since 1956. https://craighospital.org

For more Information visit: https://craighospital.org/onlyatcraigpodcast

Disclaimer: The content in this podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. Craig Hospital is not affiliated with resources that may be referenced in this podcast. Craig Hospital assumes no liability for any third-party material or for any action or inaction taken as a result of any content or any suggestions made in this podcast and should not be relied upon without independent investigation. Any use of this content by a corporation or other revenue-seeking or -generating organization is prohibited unless first approved by Craig Hospital....

To shower you with love on Valentine’s Day, we asked Sereno Bruzgo, president of the Craig Hospital Foundation, to share a few love letters from patients and families.

We’ve always known that many of our patients leave Craig profoundly grateful for the dedicated work our staff put in to helping them achieve their best possible outcomes – and we have it in writing! 

The Craig Hospital Foundation team handpicked a few notes they received that highlight the amazing impact our hospital has on those we serve. If you’re prone to tears, grab some tissues, otherwise sit back and enjoy this dose of happiness on Valentine’s Day (or any day you’re needing a mood boost!).

Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado, is a world-renowned rehabilitation hospital that specializes exclusively in the neurorehabilitation and research of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and brain injury (BI). Craig is a not-for-profit, free-standing, national center of excellence that has treated more than 34,500 patients with SCI and BI since 1956. https://craighospital.org

For more Information visit: https://craighospital.org/onlyatcraigpodcast

Disclaimer: The content in this podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. Craig Hospital is not affiliated with resources that may be referenced in this podcast. Craig Hospital assumes no liability for any third-party material or for any action or inaction taken as a result of any content or any suggestions made in this podcast and should not be relied upon without independent investigation. Any use of this content by a corporation or other revenue-seeking or -generating organization is prohibited unless first approved by Craig Hospital....

We speak with Craig’s director of therapeutic recreation and Operation TBI Freedom about his involvement with adaptive sports for over two decades. We also have some cringe-worthy dad jokes sprinkled in throughout, courtesy of Tom and one of the podcast’s co-hosts.

Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado, is a world-renowned rehabilitation hospital that specializes exclusively in the neurorehabilitation and research of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and brain injury (BI). Craig is a not-for-profit, free-standing, national center of excellence that has treated more than 34,500 patients with SCI and BI since 1956. https://craighospital.org

For more Information visit: https://craighospital.org/onlyatcraigpodcast

Disclaimer: The content in this podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. Craig Hospital is not affiliated with resources that may be referenced in this podcast. Craig Hospital assumes no liability for any third-party material or for any action or inaction taken as a result of any content or any suggestions made in this podcast and should not be relied upon without independent investigation. Any use of this content by a corporation or other revenue-seeking or -generating organization is prohibited unless first approved by Craig Hospital....