Tyler and Scott welcome Jandel Allen-Davis, MD, Craig Hospital’s president and CEO, for a candid look back at 2025 and a clear-eyed preview of 2026 on this episode of Only at Craig.

Jandel reflects on a year that moved at lightning speed — groundbreaking ceremonies, campus expansion, a creative and spirited staff culture (there was a pumpkin pie-eating contest!), and meaningful fundraising momentum that’s already two-thirds toward its goal.

Jandel names the real challenges: rising construction costs, campaign uncertainty, and the leadership choices required to protect Craig’s identity while growing. She underscores the cultural bedrock that must endure – speaking to one another, seeing each other, and keeping patient-centered care at the heart of every decision – and celebrates the many hands that made progress possible. Jandel also outlines priorities for 2026: intentional leadership transitions, steady construction progress, and renewed focus on community partnerships.

Staff will leave inspired, informed, and ready to lean in together.

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 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....