October 24, 2025 • 30 mins
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....
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Scott Adams (00:01):
Welcome to the Only at Craig podcast, where we
discuss all things fun only atCraig.
I'm Scott Adams, an internalcommunication specialist here at
Craig Hospital.
Tyler Smith (00:08):
And I'm Tyler Smith, Craig's media production
specialist, and we're your host.
Scott Adams (00:12):
On this podcast, we share interesting, sometimes
unbelievable, and often funnystories about the history and
culture of Craig.
This groundbreaking episode isall about the Open Homecomings
campaign.
Tyler Smith (00:23):
That's right.
For those who haven't heardyet, Open Homecomings is a bold
initiative by the CraigFoundation to deepen and broaden
our impact for individualsliving with brain and spinal
cord injuries here at CraigHospital.
Scott Adams (00:35):
Here's some key facts.
The campaign is aiming to raise$100 million to support three
core priorities (00:39):
expanding access to care, accelerating
innovation and research, andgrowing programs that help
deliver the exceptional outcomesfrom our time-tested
rehabilitation model.
Tyler Smith (00:48):
And not to mention 86,000 square foot campus
expansion.
It's the vision behind openhomecoming that really speaks to
what makes Craig special.
Transforming hope into realhomecomings.
Scott Adams (01:00):
This episode will chat with Craig Foundation
president Serena Brusco andFoundation Board Chair Meredith
Kingdom.
They'll help answer the whybehind the campaign, share some
stories from behind the scenes,and with the groundbreaking this
month, offer their look atwhere the campaign is and how
far it's come.
Tyler Smith (01:14):
Stick around because we're going to explore
what open homecomings means forCraig's future and how you can
help be a part of that term.
Scott Adams (01:25):
Thankfully, we have Serena and Mary Beth here to
inform the rest of us about theOpen Homecomings campaign.
We're honored to have you bothhere.
Maribeth Younger (01:32):
Really excited to be here.
Thank you for having us.
Scott Adams (01:34):
Yeah, and Serena, I understand this is your second
time on the podcast.
Serena Bruzgo (01:38):
My second time.
I cannot believe you invited meback.
It might be my second andfinal.
Tyler Smith (01:44):
Yeah.
Yeah.
We'll see.
We'll see how you do.
Episode 10 was Love Letters toCraig.
And that was awesome just toturn all those uh love letters
that you guys get into thefoundation.
Serena Bruzgo (01:55):
It's 8-15, and I have only cried once today.
And that case that's just I'mway behind where I should be.
Scott Adams (02:03):
Well, I understand the the campaign's been quite a
journey.
And uh to start off with, uhI'd love to hear from both of
you in your own words just tokind of discuss and talk about
uh what it's been like to seethis campaign grow from where it
began and to where it is nowand uh with the groundbreaking
this month of course.
Yeah, what what's it what's itbeen like for both of you?
Maribeth Younger (02:20):
It's it's just been an amazing journey for for
two reasons in my mind.
One is how powerful this willbe when all of the dust settles
and and we finally have thisincredible facility expanded.
And the other piece of it isthat the sense of community, the
group that we are working with,I could not ask for a more
(02:41):
committed team from thedevelopment department as well
as the foundation board.
Um, just a remarkable group ofpeople.
Serena Bruzgo (02:49):
I was thinking back to October of 2022, which
was when we officially launchedwhat we call the leadership
phase of the campaign.
You know, between October 1stof 22 to October 10th of 25,
we've been primarily workingwith people who already love
Craig and who really know Craigand who've been previously
generous.
(03:10):
And this is my seventhcampaign, not at Craig,
obviously, but I've never been apart of a campaign where you
didn't have some sort ofleadership gift of 10 million or
some sort of jaw-droppingnumber where you're like, whoa.
And to know that we're as faras we are through this
leadership phase with gifts offive dollars, a hundred dollars,
(03:34):
a thousand, ten, several giftsof a million dollars or more.
It's just it's so Craig.
You know, we often say likeonly a Craig, you don't like
this podcast, only a Craig wouldwe be over sixty million with
thousands of people comingtogether with their vote of
(03:54):
confidence in Craig's future.
Maribeth Younger (03:57):
I I love that.
And and the piece that I wouldadd to that observation is how
we've been so surprised by theplanned giving.
And so in my world, I'm atrusts and estates attorney, and
uh that's a pretty importantaspect of of what I do and to
see it writ large in thiscampaign that so many people
(04:18):
that we don't have a chance tothank while they are with us,
but after they have passed, havedecided to make Craig a part of
their legacy.
Um and so that's been reallyremarkable and and so rewarding
to see.
Tyler Smith (04:31):
And when when did you come onto the board for a
year?
Maribeth Younger (04:34):
So I joined during the pandemic.
So I did not meet anyone in 3Dfor about a year and a half.
Um, but it was uh it was justan amazing experience.
I joined in 2020, I believe,and served on the board and then
moved into the chair of thedevelopment committee, just uh
an amazing experience there, andthen stepped into the board, a
(04:57):
foundation chair a year and ahalf ago.
My tenure is coming to a close,and I'm actually quite sad
about that.
But I know that theorganization is in such great
hands.
Tyler Smith (05:07):
And Serena, you came in 2021 and you have like
two months on me because I camein 21 as well, but I was in
August.
Serena Bruzgo (05:16):
Oh you're just a little baby.
Tyler Smith (05:21):
Yeah, and in terms of Craig, we are all very much
babies.
Until you get to like 30 plusyears, then you you're not a
baby anymore.
That's about right.
Serena Bruzgo (05:30):
I tell people I'm only 10% of the way in.
I just celebrated my fourthanniversary.
Scott Adams (05:34):
Congratulations.
Serena Bruzgo (05:35):
Thanks.
That's about the right tenure.
Yeah.
That's awesome.
So about right.
Yeah.
I know.
Every day I wake up, I'm like,does my badge work?
Does my badge work?
And then it doesn't.
I'm like, oh, do they keepletting me come back here?
Trevor Burrus, Jr.
Scott Adams (05:46):
We always like to answer the why uh here at Craig.
And in your own words, uh,what's the vision of the
campaign?
Maribeth Younger (05:52):
I I look at it through my lens, which is
foundation chair, and then alsoas a volunteer, a donor.
I I was first connected withCraig about 15 years ago through
friends who were fortunateenough to be able to come to
Craig.
But in my mind, the the mostimportant part of the campaign
is the ability to serve morepatients, serve them longer, and
(06:14):
serve them mo more deeply withthe services that we provide.
I I think it's as simple asthat.
Uh, and uh again, the theresults that we will see will be
remarkable.
Serena Bruzgo (06:25):
Thank you for that.
The only the only thing I wouldadd on to that, Mary Beth, is I
don't know if you call it abyproduct.
Maybe there's another word forit, but it's a way for people to
vote for Craig with somethingthat's discretionary.
So whether that's people withtheir time, right?
Like Mary Beth or theFoundation Board or grads who
live all across the country thatgive Craig their time or nearby
(06:50):
as a peer mentor, there's a waythat people give their
discretionary time or theirtreasure.
You know, my husband and I, wemade a a three-year pledge to
this campaign and we dug deep.
And the conversation that wasaround that gift was actually
more important than the giftitself.
Although I will say the gift isimportant because of exactly
(07:11):
what Mary Beth said.
Because we we have to help morepeople and we have to help them
sooner.
And if not Craig, then who?
Who's gonna do that?
But watching the growth thathappens when someone comes to us
and says this is our biggestdonation we've ever given in our
lives.
Or, you know, we were gonna dothis, but instead we're gonna
(07:34):
give to Craig.
People have really come forwardwith their story about why they
love Craig, and it's a way forthem to vote for Craig's future.
Tyler Smith (07:42):
We are blessed here at the hospital to have a
foundation uh of just amazingteam members and this whole
process of the campus expansionand the campaign and everything,
and how many doors open up topeople getting here sooner with
more beds and the neuromedicalunit and everything.
(08:05):
It it's it's mind-blowing topeople that don't know like a
bed sore is going to keep mefrom coming to Craig or whatever
it is.
Maribeth Younger (08:14):
I'm I'm a metrics person.
I I'm sort of data driven.
It's part of what I do for aliving.
Another aspect that's socompelling to me, not only are
the dollars put to workimmediately, but that there are
measurable results.
There are longitudinal studiesthat show that the patients that
come out of Craig uh return towork or school faster and more
(08:38):
in a position to return to uh ahealthy, uh, independent
lifestyle.
That coupled with the storiesuh is really compelling to me.
Scott Adams (08:48):
Aaron Powell And I can I can only imagine the
stories uh you've heard.
What are some that stand out inyour mind?
Maribeth Younger (08:52):
Oh, Scott, there's so many.
You know, there are there arefamilies that really come home
with us or they travel with meon the weekend and they have no
idea that they've sort of buriedthemselves into my into my
heart, if you will.
And so there's one inparticular that I think of
often.
So we deliver these welcomebags that are the catalyst of
(09:14):
them came from Craig patientsand family members who were
like, I had no idea I was gonnaend up in Colorado.
Boy, I wish I'd have had somechapstick or a deck of cards or,
you know, a water bottle,things like that.
And so we deliver a welcome bagto every new patient when they
arrive and let them know thatthis is on behalf of people who
were once here and they know thejourney that you've traveled to
(09:38):
get here and the journey thatyou're gonna travel on the other
side of Craig.
So I walk into a patient's roomand his shirt's off, and um,
he's getting all taped up by hiswhat I'd imagine is his OT.
And I'm about to deliver thewelcome bag, and I'm like, oh,
um, oops, sorry.
And his wife looks at me andshe's like, Are you kidding me?
It's Craig.
Come on in.
(09:58):
And I immediately was like,Yeah, right, okay, everybody's
right, all the things.
And so his OT's busy, you know,taping them up and getting them
all whatever.
And I said, I'm not gonna takelong.
I just wanted to deliver yourwelcome bag and tell you the
spirit in which it's delivered.
And how are you doing so far?
And he had been here about aweek and he said, Are you
(10:18):
kidding me?
Look at me.
And I was like, Well, uh yourwife is here, so I don't know
who she'd be.
Uh I kid, I kid.
He said, I'm doing great.
And his eyes welled up withtears.
This is this man's probablysix, seven when he's standing,
and you know, you can just tellhe's a really active, physically
fit person.
Um, and he's sitting in a powerchair, and I and I just the
(10:42):
dissonance in there, I was like,okay, what what what?
And he said, you know, a weekago I was looking for a way out.
And uh he mentions thephysician's name from CNS that
came in, and he said, thephysician said to me, I can be
your guide.
You're just looking for aguide.
(11:02):
And he got me out of thathospital, and I'm here.
I'm here, and I'm gonna beokay.
So fast forward it's about ayear later, we've built this
great friendship, obviously.
And um his wife calls me andshe says, He my husband really
wants to bring some some littlesome little things to the night
nurses, and can you help us tomake sure he gets these little
(11:26):
things to the night to the nighttoo and like put me in, you
know, I'm here.
So he pulls one of his nursesaside and he gives her this
little gift, and and I get toobserve this moment that feels
so sacred.
But he says to the the nurse,he said, you know, you didn't
let me give up.
In the middle of the night,when it was just you and me, and
(11:49):
I couldn't move my body, youdidn't let me give up.
So I walked downstairs, I youknow, his wife goes to get the
car, and I'm I'm goingdownstairs with him after he's
done the thing, and I said, Doyou mind if I ask you?
And I remember the very firstcomment you said to me that you
were looking for a way out, andthen you said to this nurse that
(12:09):
she didn't let you give up.
Is there anything you feelcomfortable sharing with me
about that journey?
And he said, You know, Craig,what you do is incredible.
You've got world-classequipment, the paint is always
fresh, the hospital's alwaysclean, the food is so delicious,
you're just the best, andeverybody's got this incredible
(12:32):
expertise.
But what Craig really is isabout what they what they give
you between your two years.
And it's really about a beliefthat that you're gonna be okay.
And I think if we can give thatgift to more people, why
wouldn't we do that?
Or if we could get that gift ofCraig to more people sooner in
(12:54):
their journey, why wouldn't wedo that?
Tyler Smith (12:58):
You should be on more podcasts.
Maribeth Younger (12:59):
That story was way too long.
You're gonna have to edit a lotof that out.
Scott Adams (13:02):
Not a single second.
That was beautifully said.
That was a beautiful story.
Wow, yeah.
Maribeth Younger (13:07):
This is a perfect example of why we are so
lucky to have Serena as ourleader.
She is an inspiration, sheleads with her heart, and
everyone follows her.
And I feel so lucky to beworking with you.
Oh, thank you.
Aren't you her boss?
Right.
I don't think so.
I think who's the real boss ofthe Bernard.
(13:30):
We don't do what Bernard saysor Dwight.
We don't do what they say.
Tyler Smith (13:37):
You want to change a pace real fast?
Scott Adams (13:39):
Sure.
Tyler Smith (13:40):
First Tyler surprise.
You ready?
This is uh staff insideredition of Finish the Sentence.
Okay.
So these are supposed to bereally quick, and you can just
jump in as soon as you think ofsomething, okay?
You too, Scott.
Yes.
Maribeth Younger (13:57):
Excellent.
No buzzer here.
No buzzer here.
Scott Smiles says it all.
Something fun is about to godown right then.
I'm a little I'm a littleapprehensive here.
Tyler Smith (14:07):
My first date at Craig was two days before the
virtual push gala.
That still boggles my mind.
Maribeth Younger (14:16):
Mine too.
Tyler Smith (14:17):
It it is crazy that that got put on, and then you
were you were in it.
Maribeth Younger (14:22):
I was in it.
Yeah.
Yeah.
They had a teleprompter.
Tyler Smith (14:25):
Yeah.
Maribeth Younger (14:25):
But Jandel let me borrow her clothes because I
was like, I don't know what I'mdoing around here.
I probably showed up in pajamasand she's like crazy.
Oh, here, love.
And she gave me this thing, andI was like, oh, it's all gonna
be okay.
See, you slipped into the roleseamlessly.
No one noticed.
This is a teleprompter andJandel.
That's my favorite.
Tyler Smith (14:42):
You don't want me sharing this, but you you always
tell me that you hate being infront of the camera.
And you're so good.
Maribeth Younger (14:49):
Oh, thanks.
Tyler Smith (14:49):
You're so good.
Agreed.
Maribeth Younger (14:51):
Yeah.
Agreed.
Thanks.
I can finish my first day withCraig.
I was on a Zoom call.
So I saw a lot of people insquares uh and could not wait to
get to meet them in person.
Absolutely.
Scott Adams (15:03):
Were you on mute?
Maribeth Younger (15:07):
Probably not.
You can probably hear my dog inthe background, and I was
wearing my pajamas.
Sorry, everyone.
Scott Adams (15:14):
My first day at Craig, I signed up for my first
Trek race.
Oh, there you go.
Tyler Smith (15:18):
Well, Tom Kyle.
Scott Adams (15:20):
Yeah, he had all the newbies in the room and he
just points at us and you.
Yeah, we had a team of rookies,and it was uh it was enriching
to say the least.
Maribeth Younger (15:31):
How did you do?
Scott Adams (15:33):
We had a good team.
We did really well.
Yeah, we almost won the firstrace, but yeah, just first
round.
I wanted to make I wanted tomake a good impression, you
know.
Maribeth Younger (15:43):
I feel like that's a little rude as the
rookies to show up and win.
Tyler Smith (15:47):
Yeah.
This one is good.
The first time I got lostbetween east and west, I ended
up in the parking garage.
In the parking garage.
Maribeth Younger (15:57):
I wandered for a while.
Uh but the beautiful thing isthere are so many helpful
people.
You just ask for directions andsomeone sends you the right
way.
Scott Adams (16:06):
I think I ended up in the wheelchair clinic, and I
think I think Meg may may or maynot have ended up just showing
me a tour of it and it wasgreat.
So I think it's how we're man,I love that wheelchair clinic.
Yeah, I love it.
Maribeth Younger (16:17):
I love the guys.
I always poke my head in andI'm like, um, I have an
unannounced tour, and they'relike, they nod and smile.
They don't necessarily say,come right in, but you know,
they're here, they're there forit.
Scott Adams (16:29):
Yeah, it's like going to the toy store, you
know, you see all the coolstuff.
Exactly.
Maribeth Younger (16:32):
You could stay there for hours.
Right.
They fill over 7,000 wheelchairorders a year.
That's that team of five.
Unbelievable.
And folks from other rehabcenters will come in and walk
through there and be like, Icannot believe you have all this
talent and all of thisequipment just at at your just
at your fingertips any wholetime you want them.
Tyler Smith (16:54):
It's one of my favorite rooms in the hospital.
So that kind of goes into mynext one.
My favorite hidden spot oncampus is the sewing room.
Oh, sewing room.
Maribeth Younger (17:08):
Mary Beth, have you seen the sewing room?
I have not.
It is well hidden, apparently.
Scott, do you know the sewingroom?
Scott Adams (17:13):
No, there's a sewing room.
Okay.
Maribeth Younger (17:16):
I mean, there are many.
I could also give a shout outto Rehab Engineering and the
Wheelchair Clinic and theWheelchair Fitting Room and the
upper extremity casting.
I mean, there's just so manyplaces that I really love about
this place.
But the sewing room, I thinkwhat speaks to me is like the
love that is put into everyindividual human being for their
(17:41):
own success.
Mary Beth, you said it best,like that lifelong independence.
So somebody comes to us fromrural Idaho and they have their
favorite cowgirl boots, and thesewing volunteers will widen her
jeans so that she can go homewith her favorite jeans in her
favorite cowgirl boots.
Who does that?
Scott Adams (18:03):
It's the little things, right?
Maribeth Younger (18:05):
I love that story.
That's everything.
Somebody's always thinkingabout the little things that
matter.
Scott Adams (18:10):
Any other hidden spots?
Man, I just had one, I forgotit.
Uh you know, I love the green,the greenhouse.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I love just kind of walking inthere.
Um gone there a few times.
Tyler Smith (18:21):
Not so, not so hidden with a whole bunch of
windows, but hey, it's it washidden to me when I found it.
Scott Adams (18:29):
It's very relaxing.
You know, just uh just bearound all of it.
Yeah.
All those plants, they'rebeautiful.
Serena Bruzgo (18:34):
Really?
Maribeth Younger (18:35):
Even the sound changes when you get in there.
Yeah, it totally does.
Scott Adams (18:39):
Yeah.
Maribeth Younger (18:39):
So I'm gonna follow Scott's lead.
Not not hidden, uh hidden inplain sight, but it's the uh
patient uh housing facility, thefront lobby.
And the reason why I love it isthat our our foundation board
will serve dinner every once ina while.
And uh that's where it happens.
And it is our opportunity toactually sit with with the
(19:01):
families and the stories we hearand the love, the outpouring of
love for the the incrediblework that the staff does uh and
uh the experiences that thefamilies have have um is so
moving that I just I lovesitting in the lobby.
So if you see me thererandomly, just know that uh come
(19:23):
say hi.
Yeah, come on.
She's not lost.
Right, I'm not lost.
And she's got her badge too.
Indeed.
Tyler Smith (19:30):
One last real quick one, and then I'll turn it back
over to Scott for morequestions.
But uh my Craig shortcut is goto the cafeteria at 1130.
There is no one there, and itis fast, efficient, and
streamlined.
And so, like Swedish comes overat noon and it gets very busy
(19:52):
and everything.
So go at 11:30.
You'll go right through.
Pro tip.
Pro tip.
Pro tip, pro tip.
Maribeth Younger (19:58):
Love it.
That's a good pro tip.
Yeah.
Mine is totally ridiculous, andyou are welcome to edit this
right on up.
But my favorite uh shortcut isthe foundation.
Bum bum bum.
Right?
Because our whole, our wholegoal is that a clinician can say
yes in the moment, and thenhopefully not have to worry
(20:18):
about how it's gonna get paid.
So from patient assistance tohome modifications to airflight
ambulances to flying withfriends, the goal, the goal is
to just be able to say yes, andthen for the most part, just
send us the invoice.
Uh kind of.
That's perfectly simple.
There's a qualifier on you.
Tyler Smith (20:37):
You know, Dan Frank, our CFO, I think his
answer is the same thing.
His favorite shortcut is thefoundation, too.
Maribeth Younger (20:43):
Is that the truth?
Tyler Smith (20:44):
Well, I mean, he's like, thanks, Dan.
Maribeth Younger (20:46):
Thanks, Dan.
Tyler Smith (20:47):
He loves bragging about the foundation because
he's never worked at a hospitalthat has this type of team just
right there to help us out whenwe are in need, just like
everything you just said.
Maribeth Younger (21:00):
I love that.
You win, Serena.
That's the that's a good one.
Well, it was a little bitimportant thing.
Scott Adams (21:08):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I have a figurative uhshortcut.
Whenever I have questions, Ialways go to Kylie.
She's not always a good thing.
Yeah.
Yeah.
She knows.
She'll know everything.
Uh the staff's probably noticedthat there's been a lot of
construction going on.
86,000 square feet expansion.
Uh I know that's the outside,and we've we've seen the
renderings about what the finalproduct's gonna look like.
It's gonna be absolutelybeautiful.
(21:29):
But uh, what about the inside?
Uh, what's what's what's goinginto Craig?
Maribeth Younger (21:32):
I don't mean to get in front of Candy T for
Tiller.
So she will probably email meand she'll probably need to do a
clarifying email on the otherside of the code.
Tyler Smith (21:40):
She's already giving you a thumbs up.
Hi Candy.
Maribeth Younger (21:42):
Hi, Candy.
Okay, so in this new humanmovement lab, not only will we
have translational research likeoffices and patient exam rooms
and things like that, but thenthere's this human movement lab
component of it as well.
And you know, all theclinicians that are listening to
this podcast are gonna be like,yes, Serena, welcome, well,
(22:02):
welcome to the 2000s.
But it blows my mind that thetechnology is available to us
today to be able to see whatwhat is happening inside of our
bodies while the PT and the OTor the speech therapist or the
neurologic music therapist aredelivering their care.
So the ability to be able tosee how oxygenated blood is
(22:24):
working inside the brain orwhere non-oxygenated blood is
going is gonna begroundbreaking, I think, and
really insightful forpersonalized therapies and
treatments.
And then imagine if we haveforce plates in the floor and 3D
motion capture, and we can lookat gate and we can watch
balance, or if we can um watchwhere the electricity is going
(22:48):
up and down the spinal cord andwe can electronically stimulate
at certain spots.
Tyler Smith (22:53):
And and just put it to use while they're still
here.
Yes.
And not not back home and inother studies across the world
and everything, but like it'sit's happening now.
Yeah.
Maribeth Younger (23:05):
And you don't have to go right now, some of
our patients have to go out ofstate to go get that kind of
care, but now they'll be able toget it here.
The piece of it that was soexciting for me because we uh
Candy did a uh kind of anoverview at our most recent
board meeting, and she showedvideos of some of the work, the
really important work that she'sdoing.
The piece that was socompelling to me is that she
(23:26):
said, Okay, you're about towatch a video of a patient who,
on all of the metrics that tellus whether we should continue
therapy, was scoring a zero.
And so in the old world, whatthat meant was, okay, the we've
done as much as we can with allof our rehab therapies.
And when she used this newmachine with the ESTEM, she said
(23:50):
we were getting firing, we weregetting messages back that gave
us hard data to say there'scontinued therapy we can still
do.
And that's the hope of the hopeand homecomings.
That is it's opening whole newvistas for us on top of the
additional beds, the LTEC, theneuromedical facility, uh, the
(24:11):
expanded human movement lab, theuh so many more things that
this incredible staff will becapable of doing with this
campaign.
I do have to give a shout out tolike training and development
is gonna get more space, whichpeople often say, How do you
find such incredible people tocome to Craig?
And we're often like, well,Craig found us, first of all,
(24:31):
and like it became irresistible.
But but training anddevelopment, they are a
powerhouse and they are a secretsauce for Craig.
And we'll get to move thetherapeutic rec equipment room
from the basement upstairs.
And if you just think about thelogistics of getting great
equipment, there's a lot ofbikes in that elevator right
now.
A lot of bikes and horses andyou know, so that just feels
(24:55):
like if we can remove anyunnecessary friction for the
clinicians and just to getpeople out of the hospital and
back into their lives, likelet's do it.
Scott Adams (25:04):
Agreed.
Yeah, agreed.
Tyler, are you getting morespace?
Tyler Smith (25:08):
Uh we uh well, we have this amazing podcast studio
that is in this.
Um tune in next week.
Storage closet.
I kind of like it in here.
Maribeth Younger (25:18):
It's very, it's very cozy.
All right.
Tyler Smith (25:20):
My my new space will be upgraded as well.
And we won't necessarily be ina storage closet.
Maribeth Younger (25:27):
We'll be moving to the fifth floor.
Tyler Smith (25:28):
Yeah.
Love it.
Yeah, we get to go to the fifthfloor, so we'll get those nice
views.
Will you get a window or two?
I get as many windows as yousee right now, which is zero.
Maribeth Younger (25:39):
Okay.
All right.
So will we get you newcurtains, I hope.
Tyler Smith (25:43):
Uh yeah.
Okay.
Some acoustic panels orsomething.
Maribeth Younger (25:46):
Excellent.
If only we had a foundationthat could could give you that
kind of stuff.
Great idea.
Great idea, Serena.
Let's work on that.
Scott Adams (25:54):
Good time for us to remind staff to learn more
about the campaign, please visithopeandhomecomings.org, right?
Maribeth Younger (26:00):
Yeah.
That's it.
Scott Ada (26:01):
Hopenhomecomings.org.
And a lot of information too isalso on the new campus
expansion page on Craig Connect.
Be sure to check it out.
Uh what about uh staffinvolvement?
How can staff get get involvedwith the campaign?
Maribeth Younger (26:12):
Oh, thank you for asking.
So in the last campaign wherewe renovated the West Building,
we created the Peak Center, thisbig, beautiful, bright sunshine
coming through those windowsand the bistros that is where
our patients and familiesconnect and break bread
together.
In that campaign, Scott, 97% ofour staff gave to the campaign
(26:38):
from a dollar to more.
And there was a foundation whocaught wind of that out in the
community and they were blownaway.
And their board of trusteessaid if 97% of the hospital
staff are supporting thisfundraising campaign we're into,
and they gave a reallysignificant gift for the West
(26:58):
Building.
And so, you know, I'm I lovethis place.
I want Craig to get every darnresource in the whole wide
world.
And I would love to see otherfoundations be inspired because
we maybe have 98% of our staffgiving anything from a dollar to
more, whatever's on our heart,however, we feel led to
(27:20):
participate.
And I will tell you, I've I'vebeen doing this work for a long
time.
There really is nowhere better,where I literally can watch the
donor dollar come into thefoundation and go out to work so
quickly in such a specific way.
And I I just I inherited that.
I didn't build that, but Ithink that's part of what makes
(27:42):
us so special is I can call MaryBeth and say, your gift did
this.
The other piece that I wouldadd, Serena, you said that so
beautifully, is that everyonecan participate.
But one of the things that Ilove so much about Craig is the
sense of community.
And so what I would say tostaff is join us.
There are so many opportunitiesto see all of the magic uh as
(28:06):
part of the uh donor andvolunteer community.
Tyler Smith (28:09):
One of the other fill-in-the-sentence questions I
had was uh best hidden herorole at Craig.
I think about the last fouryears that I've been a part of
like board retreats and stuff,and the amount of work that has
taken to get to the spot that weare here now, and all the
content and all the decisionsand all the votes and and all
(28:31):
the things.
And the the board of directorsis just it it's it's just
mind-blowing to me.
It gives me shivers of like allthe hard work that has just not
been seen until now.
Maribeth Younger (28:45):
And it's like, yeah.
So good.
Agree.
It's really good, completelyagree.
Tyler Smith (28:51):
All right.
Let's end with lightning round.
Are you ready?
Maribeth Younger (28:56):
Oh no.
Tyler Smith (28:57):
Yeah, very fast, uh, and then we'll let you go.
Very fast answers.
Don't think, just say it.
Just do.
Yeah.
Maribeth Younger (29:05):
Just be.
Yeah.
Tyler Smith (29:06):
Um East Coast or Mountains?
Maribeth Younger (29:11):
Mountains.
Tyler Smith (29:12):
West Coast.
Oh, sorry.
Okay, Mr.
Oregon Duck.
Maribeth Younger (29:17):
Oh no, are you an Oregon duck fan?
I'm a Buckeye fan.
Oh, Rillan?
Scott Adams (29:21):
Okay, well, we'll get we'll get you guys one of
these ears then.
Maribeth Younger (29:24):
Did you did you all see his expression
change remarkably?
I'm glad you didn't know thatat the beginning of the call.
Oh shoot, I blew it.
Tyler Smith (29:33):
Morning meeting or afternoon event.
Maribeth Younger (29:35):
Morning meeting.
Morning meeting.
Tyler Smith (29:37):
Morning meeting.
Maribeth Younger (29:38):
Earlier the better.
Tyler Smith (29:39):
Yeah.
Final answer.
Maribeth Younger (29:40):
Way too many after work events.
Tyler Smith (29:43):
Yeah.
Garden therapy or bridge view?
The new North Garden Therapywalking through there.
I think it's I'm gonna gobridge view of the garden.
Scott Adams (29:55):
I feel like no one can compete with that answer.
Maribeth Younger (29:58):
I'm sorry.
Tyler Smith (29:58):
I can't like that.
They're both so good in theirown chat.
Um quick email or long hallwaychat.
Long hallway chats.
Maribeth Younger (30:07):
Oh love the chats.
Tyler Smith (30:08):
Yeah.
The Craig hallway chats.
You try to leave here and ittakes an hour.
I do I do write some prettyawesome emails though.
I just yeah.
We'll end on this one.
It's it's the best one.
Gala gown or hard hat?
Maribeth Younger (30:23):
Hard hat.
Tyler Smith (30:24):
Hard hat.
Maribeth Younger (30:25):
I love to get in the trenches and do the work.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Scott Adams (30:28):
Can I get an organ duck one?
Wait, hold on.
Tyler Smith (30:32):
Dan said no to that.
He said buffs are good.
Rams kind of.
But bones down.
I'm sorry.
Maribeth Younger (30:41):
I'm gonna have buffs on the I'm gonna give you
a hard no on that one too.
Scott Adams (30:45):
Candel might say yes, though.
So there's still hope for you.
Serena, Mary Beth, thank you somuch for joining us and
listeners.
Thank you for listening.
Welcome to the Only at Craig podcast, where we
discuss all things fun only atCraig.
I'm Scott Adams, an internalcommunication specialist here at
Craig Hospital.
Tyler Smith (00:08):
And I'm Tyler Smith, Craig's media production
specialist, and we're your host.
Scott Adams (00:12):
On this podcast, we share interesting, sometimes
unbelievable, and often funnystories about the history and
culture of Craig.
This groundbreaking episode isall about the Open Homecomings
campaign.
Tyler Smith (00:23):
That's right.
For those who haven't heardyet, Open Homecomings is a bold
initiative by the CraigFoundation to deepen and broaden
our impact for individualsliving with brain and spinal
cord injuries here at CraigHospital.
Scott Adams (00:35):
Here's some key facts.
The campaign is aiming to raise$100 million to support three
core priorities (00:39):
expanding access to care, accelerating
innovation and research, andgrowing programs that help
deliver the exceptional outcomesfrom our time-tested
rehabilitation model.
Tyler Smith (00:48):
And not to mention 86,000 square foot campus
expansion.
It's the vision behind openhomecoming that really speaks to
what makes Craig special.
Transforming hope into realhomecomings.
Scott Adams (01:00):
This episode will chat with Craig Foundation
president Serena Brusco andFoundation Board Chair Meredith
Kingdom.
They'll help answer the whybehind the campaign, share some
stories from behind the scenes,and with the groundbreaking this
month, offer their look atwhere the campaign is and how
far it's come.
Tyler Smith (01:14):
Stick around because we're going to explore
what open homecomings means forCraig's future and how you can
help be a part of that term.
Scott Adams (01:25):
Thankfully, we have Serena and Mary Beth here to
inform the rest of us about theOpen Homecomings campaign.
We're honored to have you bothhere.
Maribeth Younger (01:32):
Really excited to be here.
Thank you for having us.
Scott Adams (01:34):
Yeah, and Serena, I understand this is your second
time on the podcast.
Serena Bruzgo (01:38):
My second time.
I cannot believe you invited meback.
It might be my second andfinal.
Tyler Smith (01:44):
Yeah.
Yeah.
We'll see.
We'll see how you do.
Episode 10 was Love Letters toCraig.
And that was awesome just toturn all those uh love letters
that you guys get into thefoundation.
Serena Bruzgo (01:55):
It's 8-15, and I have only cried once today.
And that case that's just I'mway behind where I should be.
Scott Adams (02:03):
Well, I understand the the campaign's been quite a
journey.
And uh to start off with, uhI'd love to hear from both of
you in your own words just tokind of discuss and talk about
uh what it's been like to seethis campaign grow from where it
began and to where it is nowand uh with the groundbreaking
this month of course.
Yeah, what what's it what's itbeen like for both of you?
Maribeth Younger (02:20):
It's it's just been an amazing journey for for
two reasons in my mind.
One is how powerful this willbe when all of the dust settles
and and we finally have thisincredible facility expanded.
And the other piece of it isthat the sense of community, the
group that we are working with,I could not ask for a more
(02:41):
committed team from thedevelopment department as well
as the foundation board.
Um, just a remarkable group ofpeople.
Serena Bruzgo (02:49):
I was thinking back to October of 2022, which
was when we officially launchedwhat we call the leadership
phase of the campaign.
You know, between October 1stof 22 to October 10th of 25,
we've been primarily workingwith people who already love
Craig and who really know Craigand who've been previously
generous.
(03:10):
And this is my seventhcampaign, not at Craig,
obviously, but I've never been apart of a campaign where you
didn't have some sort ofleadership gift of 10 million or
some sort of jaw-droppingnumber where you're like, whoa.
And to know that we're as faras we are through this
leadership phase with gifts offive dollars, a hundred dollars,
(03:34):
a thousand, ten, several giftsof a million dollars or more.
It's just it's so Craig.
You know, we often say likeonly a Craig, you don't like
this podcast, only a Craig wouldwe be over sixty million with
thousands of people comingtogether with their vote of
(03:54):
confidence in Craig's future.
Maribeth Younger (03:57):
I I love that.
And and the piece that I wouldadd to that observation is how
we've been so surprised by theplanned giving.
And so in my world, I'm atrusts and estates attorney, and
uh that's a pretty importantaspect of of what I do and to
see it writ large in thiscampaign that so many people
(04:18):
that we don't have a chance tothank while they are with us,
but after they have passed, havedecided to make Craig a part of
their legacy.
Um and so that's been reallyremarkable and and so rewarding
to see.
Tyler Smith (04:31):
And when when did you come onto the board for a
year?
Maribeth Younger (04:34):
So I joined during the pandemic.
So I did not meet anyone in 3Dfor about a year and a half.
Um, but it was uh it was justan amazing experience.
I joined in 2020, I believe,and served on the board and then
moved into the chair of thedevelopment committee, just uh
an amazing experience there, andthen stepped into the board, a
(04:57):
foundation chair a year and ahalf ago.
My tenure is coming to a close,and I'm actually quite sad
about that.
But I know that theorganization is in such great
hands.
Tyler Smith (05:07):
And Serena, you came in 2021 and you have like
two months on me because I camein 21 as well, but I was in
August.
Serena Bruzgo (05:16):
Oh you're just a little baby.
Tyler Smith (05:21):
Yeah, and in terms of Craig, we are all very much
babies.
Until you get to like 30 plusyears, then you you're not a
baby anymore.
That's about right.
Serena Bruzgo (05:30):
I tell people I'm only 10% of the way in.
I just celebrated my fourthanniversary.
Scott Adams (05:34):
Congratulations.
Serena Bruzgo (05:35):
Thanks.
That's about the right tenure.
Yeah.
That's awesome.
So about right.
Yeah.
I know.
Every day I wake up, I'm like,does my badge work?
Does my badge work?
And then it doesn't.
I'm like, oh, do they keepletting me come back here?
Trevor Burrus, Jr.
Scott Adams (05:46):
We always like to answer the why uh here at Craig.
And in your own words, uh,what's the vision of the
campaign?
Maribeth Younger (05:52):
I I look at it through my lens, which is
foundation chair, and then alsoas a volunteer, a donor.
I I was first connected withCraig about 15 years ago through
friends who were fortunateenough to be able to come to
Craig.
But in my mind, the the mostimportant part of the campaign
is the ability to serve morepatients, serve them longer, and
(06:14):
serve them mo more deeply withthe services that we provide.
I I think it's as simple asthat.
Uh, and uh again, the theresults that we will see will be
remarkable.
Serena Bruzgo (06:25):
Thank you for that.
The only the only thing I wouldadd on to that, Mary Beth, is I
don't know if you call it abyproduct.
Maybe there's another word forit, but it's a way for people to
vote for Craig with somethingthat's discretionary.
So whether that's people withtheir time, right?
Like Mary Beth or theFoundation Board or grads who
live all across the country thatgive Craig their time or nearby
(06:50):
as a peer mentor, there's a waythat people give their
discretionary time or theirtreasure.
You know, my husband and I, wemade a a three-year pledge to
this campaign and we dug deep.
And the conversation that wasaround that gift was actually
more important than the giftitself.
Although I will say the gift isimportant because of exactly
(07:11):
what Mary Beth said.
Because we we have to help morepeople and we have to help them
sooner.
And if not Craig, then who?
Who's gonna do that?
But watching the growth thathappens when someone comes to us
and says this is our biggestdonation we've ever given in our
lives.
Or, you know, we were gonna dothis, but instead we're gonna
(07:34):
give to Craig.
People have really come forwardwith their story about why they
love Craig, and it's a way forthem to vote for Craig's future.
Tyler Smith (07:42):
We are blessed here at the hospital to have a
foundation uh of just amazingteam members and this whole
process of the campus expansionand the campaign and everything,
and how many doors open up topeople getting here sooner with
more beds and the neuromedicalunit and everything.
(08:05):
It it's it's mind-blowing topeople that don't know like a
bed sore is going to keep mefrom coming to Craig or whatever
it is.
Maribeth Younger (08:14):
I'm I'm a metrics person.
I I'm sort of data driven.
It's part of what I do for aliving.
Another aspect that's socompelling to me, not only are
the dollars put to workimmediately, but that there are
measurable results.
There are longitudinal studiesthat show that the patients that
come out of Craig uh return towork or school faster and more
(08:38):
in a position to return to uh ahealthy, uh, independent
lifestyle.
That coupled with the storiesuh is really compelling to me.
Scott Adams (08:48):
Aaron Powell And I can I can only imagine the
stories uh you've heard.
What are some that stand out inyour mind?
Maribeth Younger (08:52):
Oh, Scott, there's so many.
You know, there are there arefamilies that really come home
with us or they travel with meon the weekend and they have no
idea that they've sort of buriedthemselves into my into my
heart, if you will.
And so there's one inparticular that I think of
often.
So we deliver these welcomebags that are the catalyst of
(09:14):
them came from Craig patientsand family members who were
like, I had no idea I was gonnaend up in Colorado.
Boy, I wish I'd have had somechapstick or a deck of cards or,
you know, a water bottle,things like that.
And so we deliver a welcome bagto every new patient when they
arrive and let them know thatthis is on behalf of people who
were once here and they know thejourney that you've traveled to
(09:38):
get here and the journey thatyou're gonna travel on the other
side of Craig.
So I walk into a patient's roomand his shirt's off, and um,
he's getting all taped up by hiswhat I'd imagine is his OT.
And I'm about to deliver thewelcome bag, and I'm like, oh,
um, oops, sorry.
And his wife looks at me andshe's like, Are you kidding me?
It's Craig.
Come on in.
(09:58):
And I immediately was like,Yeah, right, okay, everybody's
right, all the things.
And so his OT's busy, you know,taping them up and getting them
all whatever.
And I said, I'm not gonna takelong.
I just wanted to deliver yourwelcome bag and tell you the
spirit in which it's delivered.
And how are you doing so far?
And he had been here about aweek and he said, Are you
(10:18):
kidding me?
Look at me.
And I was like, Well, uh yourwife is here, so I don't know
who she'd be.
Uh I kid, I kid.
He said, I'm doing great.
And his eyes welled up withtears.
This is this man's probablysix, seven when he's standing,
and you know, you can just tellhe's a really active, physically
fit person.
Um, and he's sitting in a powerchair, and I and I just the
(10:42):
dissonance in there, I was like,okay, what what what?
And he said, you know, a weekago I was looking for a way out.
And uh he mentions thephysician's name from CNS that
came in, and he said, thephysician said to me, I can be
your guide.
You're just looking for aguide.
(11:02):
And he got me out of thathospital, and I'm here.
I'm here, and I'm gonna beokay.
So fast forward it's about ayear later, we've built this
great friendship, obviously.
And um his wife calls me andshe says, He my husband really
wants to bring some some littlesome little things to the night
nurses, and can you help us tomake sure he gets these little
(11:26):
things to the night to the nighttoo and like put me in, you
know, I'm here.
So he pulls one of his nursesaside and he gives her this
little gift, and and I get toobserve this moment that feels
so sacred.
But he says to the the nurse,he said, you know, you didn't
let me give up.
In the middle of the night,when it was just you and me, and
(11:49):
I couldn't move my body, youdidn't let me give up.
So I walked downstairs, I youknow, his wife goes to get the
car, and I'm I'm goingdownstairs with him after he's
done the thing, and I said, Doyou mind if I ask you?
And I remember the very firstcomment you said to me that you
were looking for a way out, andthen you said to this nurse that
(12:09):
she didn't let you give up.
Is there anything you feelcomfortable sharing with me
about that journey?
And he said, You know, Craig,what you do is incredible.
You've got world-classequipment, the paint is always
fresh, the hospital's alwaysclean, the food is so delicious,
you're just the best, andeverybody's got this incredible
(12:32):
expertise.
But what Craig really is isabout what they what they give
you between your two years.
And it's really about a beliefthat that you're gonna be okay.
And I think if we can give thatgift to more people, why
wouldn't we do that?
Or if we could get that gift ofCraig to more people sooner in
(12:54):
their journey, why wouldn't wedo that?
Tyler Smith (12:58):
You should be on more podcasts.
Maribeth Younger (12:59):
That story was way too long.
You're gonna have to edit a lotof that out.
Scott Adams (13:02):
Not a single second.
That was beautifully said.
That was a beautiful story.
Wow, yeah.
Maribeth Younger (13:07):
This is a perfect example of why we are so
lucky to have Serena as ourleader.
She is an inspiration, sheleads with her heart, and
everyone follows her.
And I feel so lucky to beworking with you.
Oh, thank you.
Aren't you her boss?
Right.
I don't think so.
I think who's the real boss ofthe Bernard.
(13:30):
We don't do what Bernard saysor Dwight.
We don't do what they say.
Tyler Smith (13:37):
You want to change a pace real fast?
Scott Adams (13:39):
Sure.
Tyler Smith (13:40):
First Tyler surprise.
You ready?
This is uh staff insideredition of Finish the Sentence.
Okay.
So these are supposed to bereally quick, and you can just
jump in as soon as you think ofsomething, okay?
You too, Scott.
Yes.
Maribeth Younger (13:57):
Excellent.
No buzzer here.
No buzzer here.
Scott Smiles says it all.
Something fun is about to godown right then.
I'm a little I'm a littleapprehensive here.
Tyler Smith (14:07):
My first date at Craig was two days before the
virtual push gala.
That still boggles my mind.
Maribeth Younger (14:16):
Mine too.
Tyler Smith (14:17):
It it is crazy that that got put on, and then you
were you were in it.
Maribeth Younger (14:22):
I was in it.
Yeah.
Yeah.
They had a teleprompter.
Tyler Smith (14:25):
Yeah.
Maribeth Younger (14:25):
But Jandel let me borrow her clothes because I
was like, I don't know what I'mdoing around here.
I probably showed up in pajamasand she's like crazy.
Oh, here, love.
And she gave me this thing, andI was like, oh, it's all gonna
be okay.
See, you slipped into the roleseamlessly.
No one noticed.
This is a teleprompter andJandel.
That's my favorite.
Tyler Smith (14:42):
You don't want me sharing this, but you you always
tell me that you hate being infront of the camera.
And you're so good.
Maribeth Younger (14:49):
Oh, thanks.
Tyler Smith (14:49):
You're so good.
Agreed.
Maribeth Younger (14:51):
Yeah.
Agreed.
Thanks.
I can finish my first day withCraig.
I was on a Zoom call.
So I saw a lot of people insquares uh and could not wait to
get to meet them in person.
Absolutely.
Scott Adams (15:03):
Were you on mute?
Maribeth Younger (15:07):
Probably not.
You can probably hear my dog inthe background, and I was
wearing my pajamas.
Sorry, everyone.
Scott Adams (15:14):
My first day at Craig, I signed up for my first
Trek race.
Oh, there you go.
Tyler Smith (15:18):
Well, Tom Kyle.
Scott Adams (15:20):
Yeah, he had all the newbies in the room and he
just points at us and you.
Yeah, we had a team of rookies,and it was uh it was enriching
to say the least.
Maribeth Younger (15:31):
How did you do?
Scott Adams (15:33):
We had a good team.
We did really well.
Yeah, we almost won the firstrace, but yeah, just first
round.
I wanted to make I wanted tomake a good impression, you
know.
Maribeth Younger (15:43):
I feel like that's a little rude as the
rookies to show up and win.
Tyler Smith (15:47):
Yeah.
This one is good.
The first time I got lostbetween east and west, I ended
up in the parking garage.
In the parking garage.
Maribeth Younger (15:57):
I wandered for a while.
Uh but the beautiful thing isthere are so many helpful
people.
You just ask for directions andsomeone sends you the right
way.
Scott Adams (16:06):
I think I ended up in the wheelchair clinic, and I
think I think Meg may may or maynot have ended up just showing
me a tour of it and it wasgreat.
So I think it's how we're man,I love that wheelchair clinic.
Yeah, I love it.
Maribeth Younger (16:17):
I love the guys.
I always poke my head in andI'm like, um, I have an
unannounced tour, and they'relike, they nod and smile.
They don't necessarily say,come right in, but you know,
they're here, they're there forit.
Scott Adams (16:29):
Yeah, it's like going to the toy store, you
know, you see all the coolstuff.
Exactly.
Maribeth Younger (16:32):
You could stay there for hours.
Right.
They fill over 7,000 wheelchairorders a year.
That's that team of five.
Unbelievable.
And folks from other rehabcenters will come in and walk
through there and be like, Icannot believe you have all this
talent and all of thisequipment just at at your just
at your fingertips any wholetime you want them.
Tyler Smith (16:54):
It's one of my favorite rooms in the hospital.
So that kind of goes into mynext one.
My favorite hidden spot oncampus is the sewing room.
Oh, sewing room.
Maribeth Younger (17:08):
Mary Beth, have you seen the sewing room?
I have not.
It is well hidden, apparently.
Scott, do you know the sewingroom?
Scott Adams (17:13):
No, there's a sewing room.
Okay.
Maribeth Younger (17:16):
I mean, there are many.
I could also give a shout outto Rehab Engineering and the
Wheelchair Clinic and theWheelchair Fitting Room and the
upper extremity casting.
I mean, there's just so manyplaces that I really love about
this place.
But the sewing room, I thinkwhat speaks to me is like the
love that is put into everyindividual human being for their
(17:41):
own success.
Mary Beth, you said it best,like that lifelong independence.
So somebody comes to us fromrural Idaho and they have their
favorite cowgirl boots, and thesewing volunteers will widen her
jeans so that she can go homewith her favorite jeans in her
favorite cowgirl boots.
Who does that?
Scott Adams (18:03):
It's the little things, right?
Maribeth Younger (18:05):
I love that story.
That's everything.
Somebody's always thinkingabout the little things that
matter.
Scott Adams (18:10):
Any other hidden spots?
Man, I just had one, I forgotit.
Uh you know, I love the green,the greenhouse.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I love just kind of walking inthere.
Um gone there a few times.
Tyler Smith (18:21):
Not so, not so hidden with a whole bunch of
windows, but hey, it's it washidden to me when I found it.
Scott Adams (18:29):
It's very relaxing.
You know, just uh just bearound all of it.
Yeah.
All those plants, they'rebeautiful.
Serena Bruzgo (18:34):
Really?
Maribeth Younger (18:35):
Even the sound changes when you get in there.
Yeah, it totally does.
Scott Adams (18:39):
Yeah.
Maribeth Younger (18:39):
So I'm gonna follow Scott's lead.
Not not hidden, uh hidden inplain sight, but it's the uh
patient uh housing facility, thefront lobby.
And the reason why I love it isthat our our foundation board
will serve dinner every once ina while.
And uh that's where it happens.
And it is our opportunity toactually sit with with the
(19:01):
families and the stories we hearand the love, the outpouring of
love for the the incrediblework that the staff does uh and
uh the experiences that thefamilies have have um is so
moving that I just I lovesitting in the lobby.
So if you see me thererandomly, just know that uh come
(19:23):
say hi.
Yeah, come on.
She's not lost.
Right, I'm not lost.
And she's got her badge too.
Indeed.
Tyler Smith (19:30):
One last real quick one, and then I'll turn it back
over to Scott for morequestions.
But uh my Craig shortcut is goto the cafeteria at 1130.
There is no one there, and itis fast, efficient, and
streamlined.
And so, like Swedish comes overat noon and it gets very busy
(19:52):
and everything.
So go at 11:30.
You'll go right through.
Pro tip.
Pro tip.
Pro tip, pro tip.
Maribeth Younger (19:58):
Love it.
That's a good pro tip.
Yeah.
Mine is totally ridiculous, andyou are welcome to edit this
right on up.
But my favorite uh shortcut isthe foundation.
Bum bum bum.
Right?
Because our whole, our wholegoal is that a clinician can say
yes in the moment, and thenhopefully not have to worry
(20:18):
about how it's gonna get paid.
So from patient assistance tohome modifications to airflight
ambulances to flying withfriends, the goal, the goal is
to just be able to say yes, andthen for the most part, just
send us the invoice.
Uh kind of.
That's perfectly simple.
There's a qualifier on you.
Tyler Smith (20:37):
You know, Dan Frank, our CFO, I think his
answer is the same thing.
His favorite shortcut is thefoundation, too.
Maribeth Younger (20:43):
Is that the truth?
Tyler Smith (20:44):
Well, I mean, he's like, thanks, Dan.
Maribeth Younger (20:46):
Thanks, Dan.
Tyler Smith (20:47):
He loves bragging about the foundation because
he's never worked at a hospitalthat has this type of team just
right there to help us out whenwe are in need, just like
everything you just said.
Maribeth Younger (21:00):
I love that.
You win, Serena.
That's the that's a good one.
Well, it was a little bitimportant thing.
Scott Adams (21:08):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I have a figurative uhshortcut.
Whenever I have questions, Ialways go to Kylie.
She's not always a good thing.
Yeah.
Yeah.
She knows.
She'll know everything.
Uh the staff's probably noticedthat there's been a lot of
construction going on.
86,000 square feet expansion.
Uh I know that's the outside,and we've we've seen the
renderings about what the finalproduct's gonna look like.
It's gonna be absolutelybeautiful.
(21:29):
But uh, what about the inside?
Uh, what's what's what's goinginto Craig?
Maribeth Younger (21:32):
I don't mean to get in front of Candy T for
Tiller.
So she will probably email meand she'll probably need to do a
clarifying email on the otherside of the code.
Tyler Smith (21:40):
She's already giving you a thumbs up.
Hi Candy.
Maribeth Younger (21:42):
Hi, Candy.
Okay, so in this new humanmovement lab, not only will we
have translational research likeoffices and patient exam rooms
and things like that, but thenthere's this human movement lab
component of it as well.
And you know, all theclinicians that are listening to
this podcast are gonna be like,yes, Serena, welcome, well,
(22:02):
welcome to the 2000s.
But it blows my mind that thetechnology is available to us
today to be able to see whatwhat is happening inside of our
bodies while the PT and the OTor the speech therapist or the
neurologic music therapist aredelivering their care.
So the ability to be able tosee how oxygenated blood is
(22:24):
working inside the brain orwhere non-oxygenated blood is
going is gonna begroundbreaking, I think, and
really insightful forpersonalized therapies and
treatments.
And then imagine if we haveforce plates in the floor and 3D
motion capture, and we can lookat gate and we can watch
balance, or if we can um watchwhere the electricity is going
(22:48):
up and down the spinal cord andwe can electronically stimulate
at certain spots.
Tyler Smith (22:53):
And and just put it to use while they're still
here.
Yes.
And not not back home and inother studies across the world
and everything, but like it'sit's happening now.
Yeah.
Maribeth Younger (23:05):
And you don't have to go right now, some of
our patients have to go out ofstate to go get that kind of
care, but now they'll be able toget it here.
The piece of it that was soexciting for me because we uh
Candy did a uh kind of anoverview at our most recent
board meeting, and she showedvideos of some of the work, the
really important work that she'sdoing.
The piece that was socompelling to me is that she
(23:26):
said, Okay, you're about towatch a video of a patient who,
on all of the metrics that tellus whether we should continue
therapy, was scoring a zero.
And so in the old world, whatthat meant was, okay, the we've
done as much as we can with allof our rehab therapies.
And when she used this newmachine with the ESTEM, she said
(23:50):
we were getting firing, we weregetting messages back that gave
us hard data to say there'scontinued therapy we can still
do.
And that's the hope of the hopeand homecomings.
That is it's opening whole newvistas for us on top of the
additional beds, the LTEC, theneuromedical facility, uh, the
(24:11):
expanded human movement lab, theuh so many more things that
this incredible staff will becapable of doing with this
campaign.
I do have to give a shout out tolike training and development
is gonna get more space, whichpeople often say, How do you
find such incredible people tocome to Craig?
And we're often like, well,Craig found us, first of all,
(24:31):
and like it became irresistible.
But but training anddevelopment, they are a
powerhouse and they are a secretsauce for Craig.
And we'll get to move thetherapeutic rec equipment room
from the basement upstairs.
And if you just think about thelogistics of getting great
equipment, there's a lot ofbikes in that elevator right
now.
A lot of bikes and horses andyou know, so that just feels
(24:55):
like if we can remove anyunnecessary friction for the
clinicians and just to getpeople out of the hospital and
back into their lives, likelet's do it.
Scott Adams (25:04):
Agreed.
Yeah, agreed.
Tyler, are you getting morespace?
Tyler Smith (25:08):
Uh we uh well, we have this amazing podcast studio
that is in this.
Um tune in next week.
Storage closet.
I kind of like it in here.
Maribeth Younger (25:18):
It's very, it's very cozy.
All right.
Tyler Smith (25:20):
My my new space will be upgraded as well.
And we won't necessarily be ina storage closet.
Maribeth Younger (25:27):
We'll be moving to the fifth floor.
Tyler Smith (25:28):
Yeah.
Love it.
Yeah, we get to go to the fifthfloor, so we'll get those nice
views.
Will you get a window or two?
I get as many windows as yousee right now, which is zero.
Maribeth Younger (25:39):
Okay.
All right.
So will we get you newcurtains, I hope.
Tyler Smith (25:43):
Uh yeah.
Okay.
Some acoustic panels orsomething.
Maribeth Younger (25:46):
Excellent.
If only we had a foundationthat could could give you that
kind of stuff.
Great idea.
Great idea, Serena.
Let's work on that.
Scott Adams (25:54):
Good time for us to remind staff to learn more
about the campaign, please visithopeandhomecomings.org, right?
Maribeth Younger (26:00):
Yeah.
That's it.
Scott Ada (26:01):
Hopenhomecomings.org.
And a lot of information too isalso on the new campus
expansion page on Craig Connect.
Be sure to check it out.
Uh what about uh staffinvolvement?
How can staff get get involvedwith the campaign?
Maribeth Younger (26:12):
Oh, thank you for asking.
So in the last campaign wherewe renovated the West Building,
we created the Peak Center, thisbig, beautiful, bright sunshine
coming through those windowsand the bistros that is where
our patients and familiesconnect and break bread
together.
In that campaign, Scott, 97% ofour staff gave to the campaign
(26:38):
from a dollar to more.
And there was a foundation whocaught wind of that out in the
community and they were blownaway.
And their board of trusteessaid if 97% of the hospital
staff are supporting thisfundraising campaign we're into,
and they gave a reallysignificant gift for the West
(26:58):
Building.
And so, you know, I'm I lovethis place.
I want Craig to get every darnresource in the whole wide
world.
And I would love to see otherfoundations be inspired because
we maybe have 98% of our staffgiving anything from a dollar to
more, whatever's on our heart,however, we feel led to
(27:20):
participate.
And I will tell you, I've I'vebeen doing this work for a long
time.
There really is nowhere better,where I literally can watch the
donor dollar come into thefoundation and go out to work so
quickly in such a specific way.
And I I just I inherited that.
I didn't build that, but Ithink that's part of what makes
(27:42):
us so special is I can call MaryBeth and say, your gift did
this.
The other piece that I wouldadd, Serena, you said that so
beautifully, is that everyonecan participate.
But one of the things that Ilove so much about Craig is the
sense of community.
And so what I would say tostaff is join us.
There are so many opportunitiesto see all of the magic uh as
(28:06):
part of the uh donor andvolunteer community.
Tyler Smith (28:09):
One of the other fill-in-the-sentence questions I
had was uh best hidden herorole at Craig.
I think about the last fouryears that I've been a part of
like board retreats and stuff,and the amount of work that has
taken to get to the spot that weare here now, and all the
content and all the decisionsand all the votes and and all
(28:31):
the things.
And the the board of directorsis just it it's it's just
mind-blowing to me.
It gives me shivers of like allthe hard work that has just not
been seen until now.
Maribeth Younger (28:45):
And it's like, yeah.
So good.
Agree.
It's really good, completelyagree.
Tyler Smith (28:51):
All right.
Let's end with lightning round.
Are you ready?
Maribeth Younger (28:56):
Oh no.
Tyler Smith (28:57):
Yeah, very fast, uh, and then we'll let you go.
Very fast answers.
Don't think, just say it.
Just do.
Yeah.
Maribeth Younger (29:05):
Just be.
Yeah.
Tyler Smith (29:06):
Um East Coast or Mountains?
Maribeth Younger (29:11):
Mountains.
Tyler Smith (29:12):
West Coast.
Oh, sorry.
Okay, Mr.
Oregon Duck.
Maribeth Younger (29:17):
Oh no, are you an Oregon duck fan?
I'm a Buckeye fan.
Oh, Rillan?
Scott Adams (29:21):
Okay, well, we'll get we'll get you guys one of
these ears then.
Maribeth Younger (29:24):
Did you did you all see his expression
change remarkably?
I'm glad you didn't know thatat the beginning of the call.
Oh shoot, I blew it.
Tyler Smith (29:33):
Morning meeting or afternoon event.
Maribeth Younger (29:35):
Morning meeting.
Morning meeting.
Tyler Smith (29:37):
Morning meeting.
Maribeth Younger (29:38):
Earlier the better.
Tyler Smith (29:39):
Yeah.
Final answer.
Maribeth Younger (29:40):
Way too many after work events.
Tyler Smith (29:43):
Yeah.
Garden therapy or bridge view?
The new North Garden Therapywalking through there.
I think it's I'm gonna gobridge view of the garden.
Scott Adams (29:55):
I feel like no one can compete with that answer.
Maribeth Younger (29:58):
I'm sorry.
Tyler Smith (29:58):
I can't like that.
They're both so good in theirown chat.
Um quick email or long hallwaychat.
Long hallway chats.
Maribeth Younger (30:07):
Oh love the chats.
Tyler Smith (30:08):
Yeah.
The Craig hallway chats.
You try to leave here and ittakes an hour.
I do I do write some prettyawesome emails though.
I just yeah.
We'll end on this one.
It's it's the best one.
Gala gown or hard hat?
Maribeth Younger (30:23):
Hard hat.
Tyler Smith (30:24):
Hard hat.
Maribeth Younger (30:25):
I love to get in the trenches and do the work.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Scott Adams (30:28):
Can I get an organ duck one?
Wait, hold on.
Tyler Smith (30:32):
Dan said no to that.
He said buffs are good.
Rams kind of.
But bones down.
I'm sorry.
Maribeth Younger (30:41):
I'm gonna have buffs on the I'm gonna give you
a hard no on that one too.
Scott Adams (30:45):
Candel might say yes, though.
So there's still hope for you.
Serena, Mary Beth, thank you somuch for joining us and
listeners.
Thank you for listening.
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