A thirty-year resident of Loveland, Colorado, 80-year-old Gary Grenske has been married for 38 years and has four children and three grandchildren. For 20 years, Gary fulfilled his childhood dream of being a cowboy by working at dude ranches throughout the United States. He loves the outdoors and enjoys activities such as hiking, hunting elk, and climbing mountains. One of his major accomplishments was climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Gary also is an accomplished saxophone player, having played in the Estes Park Jazz Big Band for 30 years. Currently, he is working on a film about the story of his life.

Gary went to an acute care hospital to be treated for norovirus and sepsis. After his wife toured many facilities, he chose to come to Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital (NCRH) for rehabilitation. She raved about how welcoming the NCRH staff was and the cleanliness of the hospital.

Gary quickly became a part of NCRH. He loved how NCRH emphasized socializing and meeting new people. “During my time here, I met many friends by sharing meals and playing games with other patients,” he says. “The food is great, and they give you generous portions.”

Gary speaks highly of the treatment he received at the hospital. “The doctors come daily to see me and are great listeners,” he says. “If medication is changed, the doctors provide education on the changes. The staff goes above and beyond and knows who you are. The nurses are all personable and detail-oriented. We are all friends.”

Gary is excited to return home to be with his wife. He looks forward to traveling with her, walking through the mountains again, and finishing his film. “Every day is a gift, and the power of prayer and friends is so important,” he says.