Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Routt County Commissioner Nancy Stahoviak is back in Steam­boat Springs at the Doak Wal­ker Care Center and recovering from injuries suffered in a Feb. 8 car crash, but she’s not quite ready to receive visitors.

“I’m trying to get my pain under control and start rehab,” Stahoviak said Tuesday afternoon.

Stahoviak, a wheelchair user, was injured when an accessible van being driven by her husband, Ron, went out of control while northbound on Colorado Highway 131 near Routt County Road 14 and rolled onto its side. Ron Stahoviak and another passenger in the van were uninjured. No other cars were involved.

Nancy Stahoviak originally had surgery at Yampa Valley Medi­cal Center after the crash to stabilize a broken left femur and subsequently was transferred to Pres­byterian St. Luke’s Med­ical Cen­ter in Denver on Feb. 11.

Stahoviak said Monday that surgeons there performed a procedure called a reverse left shoulder replacement that is intended to increase the stability of the joint.

“I also had a pin placed in my right shoulder,” she said.

The left leg fracture also was further stabilized and is in a partial cast.

“I actually began a little rehab on my left shoulder today, but my right shoulder is immobilized,” Stahoviak said.

She returned to Steamboat via ambulance Friday.

“I didn’t really expect to come home this soon, but when the chance came, I took it,” Stahoviak said. “I was ready to leave that Denver hospital room.”

She has represented Com­mis­sioner District I, which wraps around three sides of Steam­boat Springs and extends south through Oak Creek and Yampa to the Eagle County line, since 1993.

She has endured a lengthy recuperation from previous surgical procedures, when she carried on her duties as county commissioner via conference calls. Sta­ho­viak said Tuesday that she expects to do the same soon.

“I really appreciate everyone’s cards, thoughts and flowers,” Stahoviak said. “I need that.”

People who are determined to pay Sta­ho­viak a visit are urged to called the Doak Wal­ker Care Center at 970-870-1208 and ask to speak to the nurse’s station first.

– To reach Tom Ross, call 970-871-4205 or e-mail tross@steamboattoday.com