Denver Health Shines as Unsung Hero of Colorado Healthcare

The public hospital continues to provide exceptional trauma care and support underserved communities, including helping victims of female genital mutilation.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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While new private hospital systems plan expansions in the crowded Broomfield market, Denver Health, a public hospital, has quietly distinguished itself as a regional and national leader in trauma care. The hospital's commitment to serving the indigent and uninsured, as well as its specialized work helping victims of female genital mutilation, have earned it praise from a retired local surgeon.

Why it matters

As large private hospital chains vie to expand their footprint, Denver Health's focus on providing high-quality care to underserved populations, including the uninsured and victims of harmful cultural practices, highlights the important role public hospitals can play in a healthcare landscape dominated by profit-driven entities.

The details

Denver Health has taken on a more modern, welcoming architectural feel in recent years, belying its humble origins. The hospital's Travel Medicine Clinic and its work helping women who have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) have drawn particular praise. A small team of Denver Health physicians have taken on the complex task of reconstructive surgery and psychological support for FGM victims, procedures aimed at restoring the victims' human dignity.

  • Denver Health has provided care to the indigent and uninsured for decades.
  • The hospital's Travel Medicine Clinic was recently visited by the author.

The players

Denver Health

A public hospital system in Denver that has distinguished itself as a regional and national leader in trauma care, with a focus on serving the indigent and uninsured.

University of Colorado Health (UCH)

A nonprofit hospital system that plans to build a new hospital in Broomfield, Colorado, an area that already has more hospital beds than most of America.

Advent Health

A nonprofit hospital system that also plans to build a new hospital adjacent to UCH's in Broomfield.

Dr. Ernest Moore

A physician who has helped establish Denver Health's vaunted Level One trauma service.

Pius Kamau, M.D.

A retired general surgeon, president of the Aurora-based Africa America Higher Education Partnerships, co-founder of the Africa Enterprise Group, and an activist for minority students' STEM education.

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What they’re saying

“Compared to its older 20th century look, Denver Health has taken on a brighter sheen in the 21st century. There is a new more welcoming architectural feel; something I have been able to intuit driving down Speer Blvd or east on Sixth Avenue.”

— Pius Kamau, M.D., Retired general surgeon (denvergazette.com)

“These women's problems include painful coitus, lack of sexual enjoyment; dangerous and difficult parturition, and deep psychological problems. The treatment aims to repair the injury by removing scar tissues, including those around the amputated clitoris, and enlarging the vaginal opening, among other procedures. But perhaps most importantly: restoration of the victims 'human dignity.”

— Pius Kamau, M.D., Retired general surgeon (denvergazette.com)

The takeaway

Denver Health's commitment to serving the most vulnerable populations, including the uninsured and victims of harmful cultural practices, demonstrates the vital role public hospitals can play in a healthcare landscape dominated by profit-driven private systems. The hospital's quiet excellence in trauma care and specialized services deserves greater recognition.