Substance use during pregnancy is a rising public health challenge, but at Lutheran Hospital in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, caregivers are transforming fear and stigma into connection, trust, and hope. Lutheran was just recognized by the Colorado Perinatal Care Quality Collaborative as the only hospital in the state to achieve 100% success in providing social work consultations for mothers with substance use disorder. This milestone is part of the Turning the Tide initiative, a statewide effort to improve care for pregnant and postpartum women impacted by substance use. For many patients, labor and delivery is one of the few moments they feel safe, supported, and ready to seek help. Lutheran’s Care Management team is using that window to build relationships, start treatment, and connect families to long‑term support — work that can change the trajectory of two lives at once. And they’re not doing it alone. Platte Valley Hospital in Brighton is also leading the way, earning the initiative’s Quality Improvement Award earlier this year. Read the full story to see how these teams are making a lasting impact.
SafeNest, Nevada’s largest and most comprehensive nonprofit dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence, this week held a housewarming media event in Las Vegas for its new trauma triage center. SafeNest purchased the two-story building two years ago with funding from Intermountain Health’s Place-Based Investment portfolio. Intermountain secured for SafeNest a loan of nearly $1 million to allow them to purchase the center with very low interest rates and non-profit center tax credits. Intermountain Health Region president and community health lead, Mitch Cloward, shared that SafeNest’s focus on addressing the devastating impact of domestic violence aligns with the nonprofit health system’s mission of helping people live the healthiest lives possible. “Domestic violence is a key social driver of health, non-medical factors that can significantly impact the health of a family, neighborhood, and community,” Cloward said. “As a forever anchor institution, Intermountain is committed to serving our communities with the long-term health of all individuals as our top priority. We are honored to have been able to create a sustainable resource for our community partner SafeNest and its clients for years to come.”
At Intermountain Health, we believe that supporting our communities means meeting people where they are — in clinics, in classrooms, and sometimes right on the practice field. That’s why we’re proud to have registered dietitian Sara Harcourt from Intermountain Sevier Valley Hospital serving as the dedicated sports nutritionist for Snow College–Richfield athletes. From personalized nutrition plans to practical fueling tips and community connections, Sara is helping nearly 90 student athletes train smarter, recover better, and build healthy habits that last long after college.
When a 19‑year‑old with uncontrolled diabetes and depression refused emergency care, Megan, a social worker in the Primary Children’s Hospital Diabetes Clinic, stayed by their side for hours. She offered emotional support, collaborated with crisis teams, and helped the patient feel safe and heard. This is Care Management in action, and it continues beyond the hospital doors. Through Select Health's Healthy Connections team, care managers partner with members like Maria as they manage chronic conditions, coordinate care between doctors, specialists, and community resources, address barriers such as transportation, housing, and food security, and navigate the healthcare system. Together, Intermountain Health and Select Health ensure patients and members receive the right care at the right time in the right setting, with dignity and hope at the center of every story. Read more about how our caregivers are transforming lives every day in the article below.
What if a simple text message could help save a life? In just six weeks, our Denver area pilot screened over 1,400 patients for depression and anxiety, identifying urgent needs and connecting patients to life-saving care, including one individual in crisis who received immediate support. Thanks to our Behavioral Health and Primary and Preventive Care Clinical Program team and innovative tech partners like NeuroFlow, we’re retooling how mental health is identified, treated, and supported.
For patients in Eastern Montana, long drives for treatment are becoming a thing of the past. Intermountain Health’s Holy Rosary Cancer Center is saving families thousands of miles of travel and bringing advanced cancer care right into the heart of the community. This is more than convenience: it’s hope, healing, and support delivered where it matters most.
Addressing food insecurity requires support. It’s about communities coming together and honest conversations around access, nourishment, and culturally relevant foods. We want to join you at the table and be part of your circle of care. It’s time for real conversation about food insecurity, which is why we brought together five strangers from Colorado who have seen the impact. Care and complete well-being happens together. Dive deeper into this discussion and watch the full conversation to learn about how support and care can help you live your healthiest life possible.
Carrie Jaworski, MD, sports and exercise medicine physician at Intermountain Health Park City Hospital, is making major strides in promoting movement and wellness globally since being elected the President of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). As a part of her new role as president of the world’s largest sports medicine and exercise science organization, Dr. Jaworski has been speaking to audiences around the globe about the importance of physical activity in the prevention and management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, mental health disorders, and certain cancers. “I’m honored to be able to represent ACSM and Intermountain Health in this important work as I collaborate with global experts to advance the latest science as it relates to the promotion of physical activity,” said Dr. Jaworski. “Park City is a world-renowned destination for year-round outdoor activity and elite sports training and competitions. This environment provides us with many avenues to inspire people of all ages to include movement in their daily routines.
Women who experience hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia or gestational hypertension, face a higher risk of heart disease after giving birth. Yet many aren’t getting the long-term care they need. Now, a groundbreaking collaboration between our Women’s Health and Cardiovascular Clinical Programs is changing that. Discover how a new care model is closing gaps, strengthening provider support, and safeguarding women’s heart health well beyond pregnancy.
Intermountain Health President and CEO, Rob Allen, has been named on Modern Healthcare’s 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare list for the third year in a row! This prestigious recognition honors the most influential individuals in the healthcare industry based on their leadership and impact. Intermountain is committed to advancing healthcare innovation, improving patient outcomes, and leading with compassion. We are honored by this recognition.
