YOUR AD HERE »

Vail Daily letter: Amazing care

For quite some time, my husband and I dreamed of living in Colorado. Two years ago, we relocated to Denver and last year bought a home in the Vail Valley that we use on weekends. The locals were warm, welcoming and gracious. We looked forward to the day we could live in the Vail Valley all of the time.

Last week, I had the opportunity to experience the warmth of some locals in a very different way when I had a ski accident at Beaver Creek. I did what is commonly known as a face plant, lost consciousness and suffered brain trauma and facial fractures. Although I have little memory of the Ski Patrol response, I am told they were on the scene rapidly, assessed the situation efficiently and professionally prepared to transport me. All I remember is that I felt safe.

From the ski hill, I was transferred to an ambulance with paramedics Myles Sibley and Grant Graves who took me to the Vail Valley Medical Center. I was awake by that point and greatly appreciated Myles’ calm and steady reassurances, not to mention his skill inserting an IV as the ambulance was moving, during the drive to Vail.



At Vail Valley Medical Center Dr. Emanuel Podgorny, Dr. Jason Moore and Nurse Mary Jastrab made me comfortable, evaluated the situation and determined my injuries, since there was a brain bleed involved, would be best treated in Denver.

I spent the most time that day with paramedic Susan Straub in the back of the ambulance driven by Rachel VanSloun down to Denver. During the drive, there was a lot of time to be scared and anxious, but Sue made sure that I was calm and prepared me for what was to come at the hospital.

Support Local Journalism



I cannot imagine getting better care from these dedicated, qualified people. I am incredibly grateful to the people above and to the others who helped me that day. I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service, and let you know it is greatly appreciated.

Vail Valley is an amazing community full of wonderful people. I am proud to call it my home, and to be — in some sense of the word — a local.

Sara Bittorf


Support Local Journalism