University of Northern Colorado Cancer Rehabilitation Institute

09/04/2026

09/03/2026

BIG NEWS FROM UNCCRI: our underwater treadmill is back!
For 22 years, our original underwater treadmill helped thousands of cancer patients regain strength and mobility. But after two decades of hard use, the unit finally became obsolete — parts were no longer manufactured, and it could no longer be serviced. Removing it was no small task: it was a true "beast," and getting it out meant repairing the room's floor and plumbing before we could even think about what came next.

We're thrilled to announce that a brand-new HydroWorx RISE is now installed and fully operational. This modular aquatic therapy system features a variable-speed underwater treadmill (0.2–6 mph), adjustable water depth up to 50 inches, and an adjustable resistance jet with a massage hose — giving our clinical team powerful, low-impact tools to help cancer patients rebuild strength and manage treatment side effects.

Getting the new unit in place was its own challenge — it had to be maneuvered through hallways and doorways before final assembly in the room. None of this would have been possible without our amazing UNC crews, who repaired the room, laid new tile, updated the electrical, and worked tirelessly to get everything moved, assembled, and running.

After several years without this service, we are beyond excited to offer underwater treadmill therapy to our patients again. Thank you to everyone who helped bring this project across the finish line!

Learn more: unco.edu/nhs/cancer-rehabilitation-institute

SPECIAL THANKS TO:
UNC Building Trades Manager: John Gifford
UNC Electrical Shop: Jack Bauer, Jason Willis
UNC Moving Crew: Francisco Loera, Alberto Chaparro
UNC Paint Crew: Matt Mondragon
UNC Carpenters: Dan Thompson, Joseph Salazar
UNC Flooring: Tristan Stoos
UNC Locksmith: Chad Dyer
HydroWorx Start-Up Specialist: Mark Peterson

University of Northern Colorado, UNC

08/31/2026

Last but not least, meet Javier!

Q: Where are you from?
A: Longmont CO

Q: What’s a fun fact about you?
A: I’m the second youngest out of 7 siblings

Q: Why did you choose to become a part of the UNC Cancer Rehabilitation Institute?
A: I’ve wanted to work with cancer patients ever since witnessing the effects of cancer on a close family member. That experience inspired me to dedicate my education and future career to helping others through exercise. At first, I wasn’t sure how I could combine my major in Health and Exercise Science with my passion for supporting cancer patients. When I discovered the UNC Cancer Rehabilitation Institute, I realized it was the perfect opportunity for me. Since joining the UNCCRI team, I’ve loved being able to pursue my passion by helping cancer survivors improve their health and quality of life through exercise.

Q: What have you enjoyed the most about your experience?
A: I’ve enjoyed every aspect of my experience at UNCCRI, from working with patients and building meaningful relationships to learning from the staff and playing games during lunch. However, the most rewarding part has been working directly with cancer survivors and making a positive impact in their lives. Hearing about their progress and seeing how excited they are to regain the ability to perform everyday tasks gives me perspective and motivates me to come in every morning. Their enthusiasm and appreciation for the work we do make this experience incredibly meaningful.

Q: How will your experience at the UNC Cancer Rehabilitation Institute impact your future career?
A: My experience at the UNCCRI has strengthened my passion for working with cancer patients. It has enhanced my academic growth and provided a strong foundation of knowledge and hands-on experience. I hope to continue building on what I’ve learned here and dedicate my future career to helping cancer patients and survivors improve their health and well-being.

CSU Health & Exercise Science

08/28/2026

Meet Reece!

Q: Where are you from?
A: Loveland, Colorado

Q: What’s a fun fact about you?
A: I play the kalimba

Q: Why did you choose to become a part of the UNC Cancer Rehabilitation Institute?
A: I chose to become a part of the UNCCRI because I have heard so many great things from both patients and past interns that drew me to the internship. It provided me with the opportunity to improve my clinical skills and get hands on experience with a unique population.

Q: What have you enjoyed the most about your experience?
A: I have most enjoyed getting to know each of my patients on a more personal level, which makes seeing their progress even more important. I have also really enjoyed working with the other interns. The team I am able to work with, along with the patients, make me very excited to come into work everyday.

Q: How will your experience at the UNC Cancer Rehabilitation Institute impact your future career?
A: My experience at UNC Cancer Rehabilitation Institute will have a significant impact on my future career as an occupational therapist. Developing specialized programs specific to individual needs, being able to adapt to and change plans, as well as improving all of my clinical assessment skills, will prove to be very beneficial throughout my career. This opportunity has allowed me to grow my confidence and knowledge in this field that I will carry with me forever.

CSU Health & Human Sciences

08/25/2026

It’s Jack!

Q: Where are you from?
A:I’m from Denver, Colorado

Q: What’s a fun fact about you?
A:I have best Aux at the clinic

Q: Why did you choose to become a part of the UNC Cancer Rehabilitation Institute?
A: I chose to become a part of UNCCRI because I wanted to do fulfilling work that also gives me an insight and understanding of what I might want to do in the future.

Q: What have you enjoyed the most about your experience?
A:What I enjoyed most was the environment of work everyday and the people I was around.

Q: How will your experience at the UNC Cancer Rehabilitation Institute impact your future career?
A:My experience will impact my future because it’s given me an understanding of clinical practices and rehabilitation, as has showed me that oncology is something that I’m passionate about.

DePauw University

08/20/2026

Meet Landry!

Q: Where are you from?
A: Dallas, Texas

Q: What’s a fun fact about you?
A: I’m moving to Italy to be an Au Pair for a few months

Q: Why did you choose to become a part of the UNC Cancer Rehabilitation Institute?
A: I value the emphasis that UNCCRI puts on making true connections with the patients and how that personal connection can be utilized to make a training program that is unique to each person’s abilities and where they are at in treatment

Q: What have you enjoyed the most about your experience?
A: The autonomy that I get as an exercise specialist and how my supervisors trust me to make the best decisions for my patients in terms of programming and modifying weekly training sessions

Q: How will your experience at the UNC Cancer Rehabilitation Institute impact your future career?
A: It has helped me to see how every person that comes to UNCCRI has different goals and I believe this will help me, as a future occupational therapist, to know my patients well enough that I can make a treatment plan that meets them where they are and be able to accommodate as needed.

CSU Health & Exercise Science

08/17/2026

Hey Kevin!

Q: Where are you from?
A: I am from Fort Morgan CO

Q: What’s a fun fact about you?
A: Fun fact is I have a dog with only one eye.

Q: Why did you choose to become a part of the UNC Cancer Rehabilitation Institute?
A:I chose UNCCRI as I wanted to get experience working 1 on 1 with patients and gain skills in rehabilitation. Also saw it as a great opportunity to widen my horizon to what cancer exactly is and how I am able to assist all these amazing peoples in better their lives.

Q: What have you enjoyed the most about your experience?
A: Honestly, overall, everything I do at the clinic has been the most enjoyable time possible. Getting to work with an incredible team, working with the best patients and getting to see how everyone’s work is helping in reforming and enhancing the lives of all the people.

Q: How will your experience at the UNC Cancer Rehabilitation Institute impact your future career?
A: My experience here will carry on with me for the rest of my life. I plan to go to graduate school for Physical Therapy and all the skills I have learned here give me a great headstart on what it is to help people in rehabilitation and a better understanding of what it means to be a specialist in exercise intervention.

08/14/2026

Alex Alex Alex!

Q: Where are you from?
A: Centennial, Colorado

Q: What’s a fun fact about you?
A: I have played volleyball for 10 years.

Q: Why did you choose to become a part of the UNC Cancer Rehabilitation Institute?
A: I chose to become part of the UNC Cancer Rehabilitation Institute because, it provided a unique opportunity to work hands on with cancer patients when most places don’t let you be as hands on as we were to actually build relationships with the patients.

Q: What have you enjoyed the most about your experience?
A: I enjoyed getting to know the patients and watching them progress with my help especially learning how much exercise helps my patients and that coming in makes them feel better.

Q: How will your experience at the UNC Cancer Rehabilitation Institute impact your future career?

A: My experience at the UNC Cancer Rehabilitation institute will help me in my future career as I had always considered PT but I wasn’t sure where to exactly go with it. After spending time here I know that this will be the right path and serve as a baseline for what I want to do in my career.

08/12/2026

Get to know Marley!

 
Q: Where are you from?
A: I am from Belle Plaine, Minnesota and attend the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire

Q: What’s a fun fact about you?
A: I am a heptathlete at UWEC and have three lizards🦎 !

Q: Why did you choose to become a part of the UNC Cancer Rehabilitation Institute?
A: I chose to be apart of the UNC Cancer Rehabilitation Institute because I was drawn to the hands on experience within a cancer-specific rehabilitation field.

Q: What have you enjoyed the most about your experience?
A: I have enjoyed getting to know patients and their journeys as they navigate their diagnoses, meeting and connecting with all the interns and staff, and of course traveling out west and seeing the beautiful Colorado state.

Q: How will your experience at the UNC Cancer Rehabilitation Institute impact your future career?
A: My unique experience at the UNC Cancer Rehabilitation Institute will impact my future career by enabling my one-on-one work with patients of all abilities. Learning more about cancer specifically, also allowed me gain more knowledge about various types of cancer, cancer related concerns, and how to approach working with an individual with varying contradictions; whether it be preparing for pre or post operations, or working through treatment and the effects on the individual.

UW-Eau Claire

08/10/2026

Introducing Malachi!

Q: Where are you from?
A: West Haven, CT

Q: What’s a fun fact about you?
A: I used to play division one football .

Q: Why did you choose to become a part of the UNC Cancer Rehabilitation Institute?
A: I chose to become part of UNCCRI because I wanted to gain more hands-on clinical experience while working with cancer patients, and I was excited for the opportunity to travel out west and learn in a new healthcare setting.

Q:What have you enjoyed the most about your experience?
A:I have enjoyed the holistic experience the most , learning from my patients and hearing their stories, building meaningful relationships, meeting new friends, and having fun while gaining valuable clinical experience.

Q: How will your experience at the UNC Cancer Rehabilitation Institute impact your future career?
A: My experience at the UNCCRI has strengthened my clinical skills, reinforced my passion for patient care, and given me a deeper understanding of oncology rehabilitation. It has helped prepare me for a future career in healthcare.

Central Connecticut State University