How vagus nerve stimulation supports stroke rehabilitation

The therapy is designed for ischemic stroke patients and works using a device that is implanted in the chest which stimulates the vagus nerve. The stimulation when combined with physical therapy builds neuroplasticity in the brain and helps strengthen muscles to improve mobility. Since August 2025, UCHealth has implanted 14 patients and aims to implant at least two patients a month.

Building Colorado's first VNS program for stroke recovery

UCHealth was able to bring VNS to Colorado because of the advocacy work of a UCHealth patient, Kyle Severson of Denver, and with the support of Dr. Bakeman.

Dr. Bakeman notes that VNS is an option for ischemic stroke patients who have previously suffered from a stroke even decades prior. The procedure for the implant is low risk and minimally invasive.

A stroke survivor regains strength and independence

“The implant has done wonders for me,” said Kyle Severson. “I have seen more grip strength from the affected arm.”

Since his procedure, Kyle can now snowboard and participates in indoor rock climbing. He has also been able to find more independence through the ability to perform daily tasks such as cooking, vacuuming, and carrying a laundry basket.

“After getting the implant, my life is opening with freedom with this newfound purpose,” he said.

The annual list highlights hospitals across seven specialties: cancer, heart care, endocrinology, neurology, orthopedics, pulmonology and gastrointestinal care. The 2026 rankings include 1,375 hospitals nationwide.

UCHealth’s nationally ranked hospitals and their recognized specialties include:

• UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora: cancer, heart care, endocrinology, neurology, orthopedics, pulmonology and gastrointestinal care.
• UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins: cancer, heart care, endocrinology, neurology and gastrointestinal care.
• UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland: cancer, heart care, endocrinology and gastrointestinal care.
• UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central in Colorado Springs: gastrointestinal care.

The rankings are based on quality and patient experience scores from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a nationwide survey of doctors and patients, and data from an independent third-party system.

A three-month pilot project on UCH’s Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) unit uses lifelike robotic cats, dogs and birds designed to provide companionship and emotional support for patients with dementia and delirium-related symptoms.

“We immediately saw incredible responses,” said Becky Fehlig, nurse manager of the ACE unit at UCH. “Many of our patients’ moods change entirely once we bring in a pet for them. It’s really powerful to see.”

The robotic pets respond to touch, sound and interaction, mimicking behaviors of live animals while remaining safe and accessible in a hospital environment. Each patient receives their own pet and can keep them once they’re discharged.

The program is designed for patients with moderate to advanced dementia, particularly those who may be disoriented, anxious or at risk for delirium. Some patients tend to become agitated, distressed or even violent while in the hospital, requiring “sitters” or behavioral health technicians to help calm them down and ensure their safety.

Andrea Cervantes, a charge RN on the ACE unit, says robotic pets have already reduced the need for these interventions by creating calming moments, emotional reassurance and a sense of responsibility during what can often be a stressful hospital stay.

“We see patients who come in really agitated, confused and not talking much, until we bring in a pet,” said Cervantes. “These pets are making patients happy, so it’s making nurses happy, because they’re able to do something that brings joy to the patient.”

Richard Walker, a 74-year-old patient who was brought to UCH after wandering out of his retirement home for multiple hours, named his gray robotic cat “Stuffy.” His sister, Donna Delano, says the connection he was able to build with Stuffy has brought her family peace of mind as well.

“He’s talking. He’s interacting. He’s happy. He looks good. He looks healthier than when he came here. We were scared,” said Delano. “Thanks to that cat, I know that even when I can’t be here, he’s still happy.”

The ACE unit’s pilot project began on April 1 and has benefited dozens of patients so far. Because of the positive results and outcomes, UCHealth plans to expand access to the robotic pets throughout the hospital, including for post-anesthesia patients and those on other acute care units experiencing behavioral or dementia-related symptoms.

"At UCHealth, we are committed to finding innovative approaches that enhance patient care and improve outcomes," said Jen Rodgers, chief nursing officer at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital. "This pilot has proven that small interventions can make a significant difference in a patient’s experience. We’re thrilled by the results so far and are excited to bring this program to more patients across the hospital.”

Aurora, Colo. (April 9, 2026) – Neurosurgery experts with CU Anschutz performed Colorado’s first implanted brain‑computer interface (BCI) surgery at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital marking a significant advance for patients with neurological injury or disease. Commonly known as BCIs, the implanted technology can restore lost motor and sensory function by translating brain signals into actions for people with paralysis or neurodegenerative movement disorders. 

The 41-year-old UCHealth patient who underwent the groundbreaking surgery was in an accident approximately 10 years ago that paralyzed him from the neck down. Now, the implanted device will record and interpret his brain’s electrical signals, learning the relationship between the brain’s activity and his intended behavior. This will allow him to regain function and independence through external devices like controlling a robotic arm and using a computer. The research team will also stimulate sensory areas of his brain to restore sensation, aiming to help the patient feel his hand again for the first time since his injury.

What makes this surgery especially unique is where in the brain the device was placed. The physicians are among the first in the world to implant the technology in higher‑level areas of the brain that allow for more natural and complete sensory and motor control. This approach allows doctors to help restore function in a more complete way, and also allows for rare insight into how the brain turns thoughts into actions.

“This surgery is an important step forward not only for this patient but for neuroscience as a whole,” said Daniel Kramer, MD, assistant professor of neuroscience at the CU Anschutz School of Medicine and a neurosurgeon at UCHealth. “While most BCI procedures focus only on purely motor regions, implanting this device in higher‑level brain areas will offer new insights into how the human brain works during everyday thinking and movement.”

Shaping the future of neurological treatment 

The BCI device will remain implanted for many years, allowing the physicians and researchers to study how brain signals represent complex cognitive tasks, as well as how they change from day to day and respond to stimulation. By gathering unprecedented, detailed data on higher‑level brain functions – such as learning rules, planning, decision‑making, and turning thoughts into action – they aim to lay the groundwork for future treatments for not just pure motor control, but cognition as it relates to control of actions. The hope is that this research will eventually inform new therapies for conditions that affect cognitive control, such as mood disorders or dementia, expanding the potential of brain‑computer interfaces beyond paralysis alone.

“Being able to both perform this surgery and collect and analyze long‑term data from unique areas of the brain places CU Anschutz and UCHealth at the forefront of brain‑computer interface research,” said Luke Bashford, PhD, assistant adjunct professor of neuroscience and neurotechnology at the CU Anschutz School of Medicine. “Movement and cognition are uniquely linked. With this research program, we will begin to investigate the ways in which the brain generates and governs these processes.”

Access to advanced research and the possibility of regaining lost abilities  

By offering this advanced brain‑computer interface study in Colorado, UCHealth and CU Anschutz are bringing a leading-edge opportunity closer to home for patients with spinal cord injuries, neurodegenerative conditions and cognitive challenges. Patients across the Rocky Mountain region now have access to participate in research that could help shape the future of neurological care by developing more innovative treatment options. 

The research is supported by equipment and funding from Blackrock Neurotech and conducted under a consortium led by Richard Anderson, PhD, at Caltech, with Charles Liu, MD, PhD, at the University of Southern California. To learn more about participating in this BCI study, please contact the study team directly by emailing luke.bashford@cuanschutz.edu.

To learn more about other neurological treatment options available at UCHealth, visit UCHealth Neurosurgery.

Estes Park, Colo. – Every second counts when treating a stroke. 

With this urgency in mind, UCHealth Estes Valley Medical Center (EVMC) has introduced telestroke services in its emergency department, transforming care for the Estes Park community. Telestroke connects the local EVMC care team with a virtual neurologist 24/7, enabling rapid diagnosis and treatment for patients.

“The telestroke service enhances collaboration between our local care team and an acute-care neurologist, allowing faster, more thorough care for patients,” said April Kendall, associate nurse manager in EVMC’s emergency department.

Strokes happen when there is a sudden interruption of blood flow to the brain, which can be caused by a blockage of a blood vessel or bleeding in the brain. Reductions in oxygen and nutrients to the brain can cause cell death.

In the U.S., more than 795,000 people have a stroke each year. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), strokes are the leading cause of long-term disability, with some of the most common outcomes being partial paralysis, slurred speech, reduced mobility and death. Although most strokes happen in patients 65 and older, the number of strokes is on the rise in younger patients.

“Every minute a stroke goes untreated can lead to permanent brain injury, and our telestroke service allows us to act quickly, even from a distance,” said Dr. Kelsey Eklund, a UCHealth neurologist with the telestroke service and assistant professor of neurology at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine. “By shortening the time to evaluation and treatment, we help ensure all patients receive high-quality care that can dramatically improve outcomes, recovery and long-term quality of life.”

With the combined expertise of emergency physicians, nurses and now a virtual neurologist, EVMC’s team can diagnose strokes and start treatment within minutes, maximizing patient recovery and minimizing lasting effects.

“The addition of telestroke services will make us more efficient, allowing us to evaluate, diagnose, treat and transfer patients to a higher level of care more quickly,” said Kendall.

In 2025, EVMC received 45 patients in the emergency department who were evaluated and transferred for higher-level neurological care. In 2026, that number is already at 13, highlighting the growing need for efficient diagnoses and treatment.

“The neat thing about telestroke services is having the neurologist right at the bedside getting firsthand information from the patient and family,” said Dr. John Meyer, an emergency physician with UCHealth Estes Valley Medical Center. “The technology of the tablet is set up so the neurologist can do a physical exam alongside the nurse and emergency physician. This also provides a faster diagnosis and treatment plan, which saves neurons in the brain.”

To help Estes Valley residents identify the signs of a stroke, EVMC is offering a free B.E. F.A.S.T. magnet at community events, or residents may pick one up at the hospital main lobby Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information about strokes, visit the UCHealth stroke page.

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