UCHealth

For Adonye Jaja, life has always been about seeing the world differently. As a wedding photographer, he’s built a career on capturing fleeting moments—glances exchanged between newlyweds, golden-hour light spilling over a mountain ridge, the unfiltered joy of a dance floor. His ability to see, quite literally, shapes his art. But just before his 40th birthday, his vision—and his future—were at risk. For over a year, Adonye had battled mysterious health issues. Shortness of breath, fatigue and relentless congestion sent him on a carousel of treatments: inhalers, steroids, allergy shots, antibiotics. Nothing worked. As his symptoms worsened, he found himself struggling to do the things he loved—swing dancing, fly fishing and most alarmingly, photography. Then, in the days leading up to a wedding shoot in Wyoming, something even more concerning happened, his right eye began to swell. At first, he dismissed it as another frustrating symptom. But when his vision blurred and the pain became unbearable, he knew it was serious. An ER visit in Jackson Hole confirmed his worst fear—an abscess behind his eye was placing dangerous pressure on his optic nerve. If it wasn’t treated immediately, he could lose his sight. Within hours, Adonye was on a medical flight to UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, where a team of specialists took over his care. His 40th birthday was spent in a hospital bed, his eye patched as he prepared for emergency surgery. His mind raced with what-ifs: What if he lost his dominant eye? What if he could never hold a camera the same way again? Surgeons worked meticulously to drain the abscess, clearing a severe sinus infection that had gone undetected for months. When Adonye woke up, his vision was intact but his road to recovery was just beginning. It would take weeks for the swelling to subside and longer still to regain his confidence behind the lens. Two years later, Adonye is back doing what he loves—traveling the world, creating breathtaking images and embracing the moments that make life worth capturing. His near-blindness changed the way he sees, not just through his camera but in how he appreciates every frame, every wedding, every perfectly imperfect second. “I almost lost the very thing that defines me,” he says. “Now, I don’t take a single moment for granted.”

Picture yourself on a dynamic team improving lives in a Sonographer role at a variety of locations in Colorado! Find your next role here: https://bit.ly/41XnD2j

It took nearly losing his eye for Adonye to realize his creative vision will never waver. After emergency surgery to remove an orbital mass saved his eye, photographer Adonye Jaja lives like there is a tomorrow. See Adonye’s story: uchealth.org/tomorrow/

"It gives me hope. I have grandchildren and I really want to see my grandchildren grow, so its giving me hope.” #CUAnschutz researchers have been working with researchers across the globe to develop groundbreaking new technology called adaptive deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease patients. On Friday, a UCHealth patient officially became the first in the nation to use this groundbreaking technology to treat advanced Parkinson’s disease, which impacts an estimated 1 million people nationwide.

Curious about a career at UCHealth? Chat live with a recruiter every Thursday from 12-2 p.m. MT to get your questions answered. Register now! https://bit.ly/4eC9o6d

Every health journey is unique—some paths are smooth, others are full of twists and turns. A new initiative is helping patients make informed decisions about their care, ensuring their treatment aligns with their values and goals. Because the best health care is the kind that puts you in control.

A new era in pain management? Journavx, the first FDA-approved non-opioid oral painkiller in over 20 years, offers a promising alternative for treating acute pain. By targeting specific nerve pathways, it may help reduce reliance on opioids while effectively managing discomfort.

Bird flu is making headlines again, spreading from chickens to cows and even house cats. While human cases remain rare, experts are closely watching its movement. If you keep backyard chickens or have outdoor pets, taking precautions is key. Stay informed on what this means for you.

"To Nick, Never Stop Fighting!" - Cale Makar Nick Fioretto is a Cancer Warrior battling T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. A former semi-professional hockey player, he is now a coach for the 10U Jr. Pioneers, specializing in developing goalies. Passionate about mentoring young athletes, he continues to inspire the next generation. Stay strong, Nick—we’re all rooting for you??

For most people, facing one life-threatening illness is enough to define them. But for Rob Masters, illness has never dictated his story. Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at 12, he became an advocate for young patients. Years later, a routine colonoscopy at 34 revealed stage 1 colon cancer, leading to the removal of his entire colon. His challenges didn't stop there—he was later diagnosed with a rare liver disease that progressed to bile duct cancer, requiring a liver resection and chemotherapy. In 2022, cancer struck again. This time, his only chance at survival was a liver transplant. While enduring intense chemotherapy and radiation to qualify, his wife, Heather, was battling breast cancer. As they navigated treatments together, their community rallied around them, providing unwavering support. After two false alarms, Rob finally received the call: a donor liver was available. The complex procedure involved both a liver transplant and a Whipple surgery, removing part of his pancreas, bile ducts and gallbladder to prevent future recurrence. Recovery was grueling, but today, Rob is cancer-free. Now, he's focused on his family, his business and giving back. As a board member for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, he continues his lifelong mission—helping others fight their battles. "I want others to know how to fight, how important it is to put together a support system, how there's life after cancer," Rob said. "You have to fight like hell. That's all you can do."