Since its inception in the late 1880s, St. Francis Hospital has been infused with vision and dedicated to clinical excellence, whole person care and serving the unique needs of its communities. Founded by the Sisters of St. Francis and the Sisters of Charity, St. Francis Hospital celebrates the value of each person's life by lovingly offering care to people regardless of who they are, what they believe or where they're from. We seek to combine finely honed medical skills with a compassionate touch to care for the whole person, body, mind and spirit. In this manner, we strive to create healing sanctuaries that carry on the ministry of Jesus Christ.
St. Francis Hospital opened in August 2008. This 317 licensed bed facility is the only full-service hospital in Northern Colorado Springs and features a modern Birth Center, Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Care Unit, Emergency Department, Level III Trauma Center, Imaging Services, Surgical Services and Critical Care Unit. It is also the home base for the Flight For Life Colorado air ambulance helicopter service.
Professional Nursing contributes to care of patients at St. Francis Hospital and the surrounding community through the following services:
Cancer Center:
Penrose-St. Francis Cancer program has received designation as Centers of Excellence from the Commission on Cancer (CoC), National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), National Quality Measures for Breast Centers (NQMBC), National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC), American College of Radiology (ACR), and the Lung Cancer Screening Center of Excellence (LCOE). These Cancer Centers of Excellence demonstrate that our oncology nurses are nationally certified, providing the highest level of expertise in delivering chemotherapy, radiation, medical, surgical and end of life care. Nurse Navigators support the patient throughout their cancer journey from diagnosis to survivorship through education, care coordination, support and facilitating hospital and community resources. Radiation Oncology nurses provide targeted treatments and assist patients in reducing side effects from those treatments. Clinical Research nurses provide care and support patients enrolled in clinical research trials. Palliative Care nurses support end-of-life decision-making and pain management throughout the cancer journey. Nurses facilitate multiple community support groups, integrative therapies, cancer screening, and community events to help patients through their cancer experience.
Intensive care:
ICU nurses specialize in caring for a broad spectrum of patients that require extensive monitoring and an advanced level of care. Our patient population includes medical, surgical, trauma, stroke, and post-operative cardiothoracic patients. Our nurses provide care to trauma patients aged 15 years and older and medical/surgical patients aged 18 years and older. The diverse patient population challenges nurses to continually develop an extensive skill set. ICU nurses encounter a variety of patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG), valve repairs, aortic aneurysm repair, as well as those that require intra-aortic balloon pumps (IAPB), Impella (left ventricular assist device), and continuous venovenous hemodialysis (CVVHD/CRRT) support. Stroke care offers both systemic and intracerebral tPA as well as any needed euro interventional radiology (NIR) procedures. We believe in a multidisciplinary approach to providing excellent patient care. Our interdepartmental relationships allow our staff to treat patients and families holistically. The team works together towards a common goal of excellent patient experience and a welcoming work environment. The ICU leadership and staff promote shared governance through dynamic unit and hospital committee involvement. Nurses are encouraged to further their education and career through certification and continuing education.
Emergency and trauma care:
Our Emergency and Trauma nurses deliver care continuum through all stages of life. The nursing team implements care delivery protocols which are evidence-based and provide superior outcomes for sepsis, geriatric, stroke, cardiac, medical, pediatric, and trauma patients. Nurses utilize evidence-based guidelines for triage which assist in decreasing wait times and provide prompt or immediate emergency care for high acuity patients. Our nursing team has assisted in the achievement of Level I Trauma Certification from the American College of Surgeons at Penrose Hospital and Level III Trauma Certification at St. Francis Hospital; additionally, Primary Stroke Certification from the American Heart Association at both campuses.
Medical/Surgical care:
Nurses care with compassion for patients needing general medical and/or surgical services. Acute Care nurses have protocols to reduce hospital-acquired infections to influence hospital length of stay and increase patient comfort. Advanced training for our patient population has been completed in order to provide proper care for our various medical diagnoses.
Neurology care:
Nurses provide care to patients through the diagnosis, treatment, and surgical intervention process. There are Nurse Stroke Coordinators who lead the Penrose St. Francis Hospital Stroke Certification process, ensuring top-level care for stroke patients.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU):
We are a 54-bed Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit staffed with highly trained neonatologists, advanced practice providers, and nurses who specialize in caring for high-risk newborns. Our amazing nursing team cares for babies from 23 weeks gestation to term infants requiring specialized care. We have a high-risk transition team that is made up of highly skilled nurses who have advanced training. This training includes intubations, UAC/UVC placement, along with arterial sticks with assistance from the APP team. They attend high-risk deliveries, go out on ground transports, and are the NICU PICC team. Our Level III NICU utilizes state-of-the-art equipment to take care of sick and preterm infants, including monitors, ventilators, high-frequency ventilation, nitric oxide therapy, therapeutic hypothermia, and many other services. In addition, we have two couplet rooms in which the mother and infant requiring minor NICU support may board together as patients. Our nursing team is also very involved and has many different opportunities in different performance improvement projects and committees in the NICU.
Outpatient care:
Gastro-Intestinal Lab: GI Lab Nurses prepare and care for patients needing procedures like endoscopies or colonoscopies. Infusion Services: Penrose-St. Francis provides high-quality short- and long-term infusion services for a variety of illnesses with a focus on comfort, compassion, and convenience. Our Infusion Centers are staffed with Registered Nurses certified in Chemo/Biotherapy administration, Pharmacist, Pharmacy Techs, Phlebotomists, and Schedulers who all specialize in Outpatient Infusion and Chemotherapy services. Therapy is provided in a stress-free and comfortable environment.
Perioperative care:
Nurses work collaboratively with surgeons, anesthesiologists, techs, reps, and other support staff to care for the patient undergoing surgery. Whether preparing patients for surgery, working with them intraoperatively in the operating room, or focusing on their post-operative treatment, nurses remain a vital pillar of patient-centered care. Nurses' primary job functions and interventions in perioperative care include patient education, safety awareness for both patients and staff, infection prevention, and interprofessional communication. Our nurses ensure that they are at the top of their field by achieving certifications including ASPAN, CAPA, CPAN, and CNOR.
Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) team:
The PSF PICC/VA Nurses provide ultrasound-guided vascular access via PICC, midline, and difficult PIV placement. They lead CLABSI prevention efforts by providing evidence-based specialty care, as well as patient and staff education at both Penrose and St. Francis campuses.
Rehabilitation services:
Nurses provide care to individuals who required continued medical services as well as specialized rehabilitation care in collaboration with a multidisciplinary care team in order to create an individualized care plan to assist patients to achieve maximum independence.
Spinal care:
Nurses provide compassionate care to those undergoing spine surgery or treatment for spinal trauma. Alongside a multidisciplinary team, nursing prioritizes early and frequent mobilization, increased pain control, and the education needed to continue healing after discharge.
Women's and children's professional services:
The Birth Center at St. Francis Hospital provides a family-friendly and comforting environment during the most joyous occasion. We offer a variety of classes to prepare you for delivery and beyond. Classes are taught by certified, trained professionals and include Childbirth Preparation, Breastfeeding, Baby Care, Sibling Class, Infant/Child CPR, Car Seat Safety, Support Groups, and more. Baby-Friendly USA, Inc. has declared that The Birth Center at St. Francis Hospital has been designated as a Baby-Friendly Hospital for 2017-2022, the first hospital in Colorado Springs with this designation. The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is part of a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). A Baby-Friendly Hospital must meet guidelines supporting both breastfeeding and mother-baby bonding. Postpartum: Postpartum nurses work with patients who have recently given birth, offering both care and education to help the new mother prepare to care for her baby after she leaves the hospital. They work with lactation specialists to help the patients learn to breastfeed and receive education on proper latch and nutrition. Postpartum nurses are trained to watch for signs of postpartum depression and to provide support and treatment. The nursery nurse assists in the immediate care provided to newborns following their delivery in the Postpartum unit. Many of our Postpartum nurses have earned their specialty certification in Maternal Newborn Nursing (RNC-MNN), demonstrating their advanced knowledge and understanding of patient care needs. As a Baby-Friendly designated hospital, our Postpartum nurses complete 20+ hours of training and education to help support and promote parent-infant bonding and exclusive breastfeeding. This training helps to ensure that our nurses are providing the optimal experiences with their new family member.
Gina Temple, PhD, RN, FACHE, serves as the President of St. Francis Hospital. Gina is a board-certified hospital administrator with more than 30 years of experience. Her work philosophy is centered on ethical leadership and building high-trust relationships based on respect and transparency.
Gina previously served as CEO of HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital in Tampa, Florida. While there, she launched Inpatient Rehabilitation Services; expanded the Emergency Room from 19 to 44 bays; opened a new 102 bed tower; improved physician engagement by 30.7% and increased their Leapfrog rating from a B to A.
Prior to joining HCA, Gina spent three years with Baptist Health System (Tenet) in San Antonio, serving in several executive roles, including CEO of Mission Trail Baptist Hospital. Prior to Mission Trail, she served as the Texas Group Chief Operating Officer as well as the Chief Operating Officer of North Central Baptist Hospital.
Gina earned her PhD in Applied Management & Decision Sciences from Walden University, Master of Public Administration from University of West Florida, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Administration from the University of South Alabama.
Julie Nunley, MBA, BSN, RN, serves as Market Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) for the Greater Colorado and Kansas market. She is also the CNO for St. Francis Hospital and St. Francis Hospital - Interquest.
Prior to joining CommonSpirit, Julie was the president of the Colorado Visiting Nurse Association, an affiliate of Care Synergy Arvada. She has also served in CNO and CEO positions for UCHealth, Banner Health and Exempla in Colorado and Arizona. Julie has a unique nursing background focused on growth, employee safety and excellence with experience in leading ambulatory, inpatient, and in post-acute settings.
She received her Master in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Julie enjoys spending time in the mountains and nature with her family, friends and two rescue dogs.
Marvin Lee, MD, MBA, serves as the Chief Medical Officer of St. Francis Hospital. He is a board-certified internal medicine physician and hospitalist with experience working in hospital settings ranging from critical access hospitals to tertiary referral centers.
Dr. Lee completed his bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. He earned his medical degree at Morehouse School of Medicine, in Atlanta, Georgia and completed his internal medicine residency at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
Dr. Lee served as an active-duty Air Force physician at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and served in the Colorado Air National Guard at Buckley AFB in Aurora. After serving his country, he completed a master’s degree in business administration from IE Business School in Madrid, Spain. He also served as chief medical officer in Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Dr. Lee completed the Civico Governor’s Fellowship Program in 2023 and has served on several non-profit boards to include the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC Board of Directors, Penrose Saint Francis/Saint Francis Interquest, Court Care, and the Thomas MacLaren School.
Volunteers are the heart of St. Francis hospitals. With every warm welcome, thoughtful gesture, and quiet act of service, our volunteers bring hope and healing to the hallways of our hospitals. Whether offering comfort to a patient, guiding a family through our campus, or supporting our caregivers behind the scenes, their presence leaves a lasting impact. At St. Francis, we believe that every hour given is a thread in the greater fabric of compassionate care — and we are honored to walk alongside individuals who serve with heart, dignity, and purpose.
For more information, contact volunteer services: 719-571-1109 or email.
To apply for the No One Dies Alone Program, please complete a volunteer application. A member of the Spiritual Care team at St. Francis will contact you directly to discuss next steps.
Volunteers are needed seven days a week between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.; later hours are available at the St. Francis Hospital Emergency Department.
Please complete the online application form, and contact Volunteer Services with any questions or for more information. Please note that applicants are required to upload two letters of recommendation with their form.
After completing the online application, the prospective volunteer will learn about the St. Francis Hospital mission, core values, customer service program, volunteer opportunities offered at each site, and the training requirements needed before their volunteer service can begin.
Prospective volunteers will have the opportunity to review all position descriptions that appeal to them. On-the-job training will be provided when the volunteer receives his/her volunteer assignment.
We are currently not taking applications at this time, please check back for updates.
No One Dies Alone (NODA) is a national volunteer-centered program started by Sandra Clarke, CCRN, at PeaceHealth (Eugene, OR) in 2001. Its goal is to provide companionship and support for dying individuals so that no patient dies alone. The program is now a model for compassionate end-of-life programs in hospitals across the country. The program began at St. Francis Hospital in July 2000 and strives to provide compassionate companionship to the dying who have no family or friends to be with them in their last days, to ensure that they do not die alone.
No One Dies Alone trains hospital associates and volunteers to become compassionate companions who offer end-of-life presence and support to patients who are near the end of life and who have no family or friends at their bedside. Trained volunteers provide 24-hour availability to dying patients who do not wish to be alone. During the vigil, companions may hold the hand of the patient, play soothing music, read to the patient and assist in other comfort care measures. They serve patients in shifts, sitting at the bedside until the patient's death or a family member arrives.
The heart of this work is about being rather than doing, about compassionate presence and heartfelt intention rather than fixing, solving, answering, or resolving issues for others. To be a calming presence and truly compassionate with another requires no small amount of personal and spiritual maturity, as well as a capacity for reflection on the volunteer’s life.
No One Dies Alone volunteers receive orientation and training that is more process-oriented with an appropriate amount of content and protocol to provide a framework for the volunteer to be successful. All No One Dies Alone volunteers must be either a St. Francis Hospital associate or a volunteer through St. Francis Hospital Volunteer Services and have been volunteering for at least three months. No One Dies Alone gives associates the opportunity to provide comfort care to patients outside of their regular work day. St. Francis Hospital associates must register with Volunteer Services, complete a No One Dies Alone application, be interviewed and be accepted as a No One Dies Alone volunteer, and complete the No One Dies Alone training prior to beginning to sit vigils.
Competencies
At St. Francis Hospitals, there’s a place for every heart to serve. From warmly greeting patients and families at our entrances, to helping customers find the perfect gift in our shop, to crafting baby hats and comfort shawls that offer a personal touch of care — our volunteers shine in ways both big and small. Some serve weekly, others seasonally, and many step in for special projects like Mission Outreach. Wherever your passions lie, we’ll help you find a meaningful way to share your time, your talents, and your heart.
St. Francis Hospital's range of clinical specialties provides the expertise you need to manage your health and wellness. Our leading-edge teams deliver remarkable care, high-quality outcomes and unparalleled patient satisfaction among a wide variety of medical specialties, services and programs to help you get well and stay well.
Helping families in our community grow has a special place in our hearts and in our hospital. We offer the highest level of prenatal and pregnancy care, including pregnancy planning and support for healthy pregnancies as well as a maternal fetal medicine program and neonatal intensive care unit should Mom or baby need extra specialty care.
You can count on us to be there for you. We understand that times of illness and injury affect not only our patients, but also their loved ones. The information below will help you before, during, and after you come to our hospital. Our goal is to provide the level of patient experience that enhances your peace of mind and earns your full confidence.
Please read CommonSpirit Health's current COVID-19 visitor restrictions. Contact the hospital directly for additional individual visitor policies that may apply.
All visitors of patients at our hospital enjoy equal visitation privileges consistent with patient preferences and subject to the facility’s clinical restrictions. Visitor policy may be subject to change. Please adhere to any adjustments to permitted visitors, as posted in our facility.
Patients and visitors may park in the parking lot in front of the main inertance and adjacent lots around the hospital. Free parking is available 24 hours a day. Free valet parking is available Monday through Friday from 7 am - 3:30 pm. Please see the security office, located at the emergency department, for assistance after hours.
Location: On the G level
Weekday hours
Weekend hours
Location: On the first floor, next to the information desk
Monday - Friday: 6:30 am - 2 pm
Closed on weekends
Our gift shop is conveniently located on the first floor, to the left of the information desk. Visitors can find a variety of gifts and convenience items for their family members or loved ones in the hospital. Call 719-571-1101 to get the most updated hours.
Letters and packages are delivered to patients Monday - Friday. If you have letters to be mailed, you may give them to your nurse. Flowers addressed to you will be delivered to your room unless you are in the intensive care unit. Only Mylar® balloons are permitted in the hospital. Latex balloons can cause allergic responses and interfere with hospital safety systems.
ATMs are located on the first floor next to registration.
When looking for a place to call home, CommonSpirit St. Francis and St. Francis Interquest President Gina Temple discovered Colorado Springs. Her family military background drew her here and is essential to the way she leads her team in serving the community.
You make the difference for so many. We have the good fortune of meeting many of the patients that are so positively affected by the generous commitment of people in this community and the commitment of care they have received at St. Francis Hospital.
We are truly blessed to have so many caring people who believe in and support our mission. We invite you to read more about the heritage of our hospital as well as the many patients and programs we help to support. We also invite you to join us in our mission to promote the health and well-being of the people in the communities we serve.
At St. Francis Hospital we find it a privilege to support the health of our mountain community. We offer birth classes, community events, volunteer opportunities and give back through other community benefit programs. These resources and opportunities are all part of our mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ by caring for those who are ill and by nurturing the health of the people in our communities.
St. Francis Hospital offers the most comprehensive package of corporate wellness services available throughout Colorado designed to help employers keep employees healthy and productive. Our unparalleled years of experience and expertise in providing quality corporate resources support your employees in every facet of their work and personal environment. These complementary services will empower the employee to always be "at their best" while allowing your budget to breathe.
Your entire company can enjoy the highest-quality corporate wellness programs and create a healthy environment to help your employees succeed. We offer health solutions that span across the entire company, and integrate wellness into your organization's culture.
Our experienced and dedicated administration team partners with you to design and implement our services. This includes a program coordinator and an account manager.
Profile Employee Assistance Program is a full-service employee assistance program headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It began in 1982 by Penrose-St. Francis Health Services and is now backed by the facilities and resources of CommonSpirit Mountain Region. Profile EAP is an employer-sponsored benefit for both the employee and the employer. We provide confidential assessment, short-term counseling, referral and follow-up services for employees and their immediate family members. Our goal is to help your company reduce absenteeism, on-the-job accidents and substance abuse, and to decrease escalating health care costs. Studies have shown that a well-managed EAP reduces absenteeism by 66 percent, health care costs by 86 percent, and worker's compensation claims by 30 percent.
How to submit an engagement request
CommonSpirit hospitals receive many requests each year asking us to engage in community events and programs. Supporting the communities in this way is a reflection of our mission to improve the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Before submitting a request, please consider the following:
