Grateful patient shares story of survival as reason to help secure ambulances
January 10, 2024
DENVER – Denver Health CEO Donna Lynne and Chief Paramedic Gary Bryskiewicz were joined by Mayor Mike Johnston and Denver Health patient Jessica Barclay and her husband, Colin, today to showcase 10 new ambulances that will begin serving the Denver community this month.
This is the largest addition of new ambulances to join the Denver Health Paramedic Division (DHPD) fleet at one time.
“These ambulances represent our message to the community that Denver Health will continue to meet the needs of the people of Denver when they are having their toughest days and scariest moments,” Lynne said.
Two of the 10 ambulances were paid for by generous gifts raised by the Barclays and their personal network to the Denver Health Foundation and matched through the Anschutz Foundation. Jessica Barclay shared her story of survival and being taken care of by Denver Health paramedics as the reason why putting their money toward new ambulances was so important.
“You never know when you or your loved ones might need emergency care, and now all of Denver will be able to receive more immediate care when it matters most. It is so important that we each give back, as much as we possibly can, to our community and to the causes that are meaningful to us,” said trauma survivor Jessica Barclay.
Paramedic Steve Colvin and his partner, paramedic candidate Zoe Kutz, were the first crew to take one of these new ambulances out on their shift today. Colvin also played an important role in helping to design the new ambulances to ensure the voice of the front-line crews were part of the process.
“Ambulances are like emergency rooms on wheels, and we took a lot of care in the design and buildout, even bringing in line crews to help guide the decisions on what would enhance and optimize the way the ambulance works,” Chief Bryskiewicz said.
DHPD last received new ambulances in 2020, after which new additions to the fleet were delayed due to supply chain challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new ambulances will begin serving the broader Denver community as DHPD provides 911 Advanced Life Support (ALS) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and ambulance transportation to the City and County of Denver, Denver International Airport, as well as the cities of Glendale, Sheridan, Englewood, and areas of unincorporated Arapahoe County.
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About Denver Health
Denver Health is a comprehensive health and hospital system that provides high-quality care and proudly serves as the city’s safety net hospital. For more than 160 years, Denver Health has been guided by its mission to serve the people of Denver, to educate the next generation of health care professionals and to engage in research and community partnerships to better deliver the health care needs of our patients while strengthening our community.
About Denver Health Paramedic Division
The Denver Health Paramedic Division mission is to provide professional, compassionate and clinically excellent care to every patient, with every encounter, through a culture of integrity and continuous improvement.