© 2024
NPR for Northern Colorado
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Respiratory therapist reflects on relationships, trust forged with COVID-19 patients

Marilyn Schaefer, director of respiratory therapy for UCHealth’s North Region, receiving her first COVID-19 vaccine in Dec. 2020.
Courtesy of UCHealth
Marilyn Schaefer, director of respiratory therapy for UCHealth’s North Region, receiving her first COVID-19 vaccine in Dec. 2020.

This week marks the one-year anniversary of COVID vaccines becoming available in Colorado. Last year, frontline healthcare workers became the first group of people to be vaccinated against the virus.

One of those workers is Marilyn Schaefer, director of respiratory therapy for UCHealth’s North Region. She joined us to talk about the year of vaccination, and the role she and other respiratory therapists have played in fighting the pandemic.

As a producer for Colorado Edition, I pitch segment ideas, pre-interview guests, craft scripts and cut audio. I also write tweets, build web posts and occasionally host.
As the host of KUNC’s new program and podcast In the NoCo, I work closely with our producers and reporters to bring context and diverse perspectives to the important issues of the day. Northern Colorado is such a diverse and growing region, brimming with history, culture, music, education, civic engagement, and amazing outdoor recreation. I love finding the stories and voices that reflect what makes NoCo such an extraordinary place to live.