Matt and I met at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in Occupational Therapy School. Matt was in the class above mine, and we hung out in peer groups for a few months before pairing off. Immediately, Matt and I knew we were well suited for one another and started discussing marriage.

Matt and I were inseparable when he left on his fieldwork. He went to New Mexico for 3 months, and I arranged to do some of my training near him so we could be together. New Mexico proved to be a cornucopia of working, camping, hiking, and playing outdoors. Matt and I fell in love with the Western United States and began thinking of where we would live when I graduated. Matt was from Houston, and I was from Western New York. Neither of us was interested in settling in the other’s “home.” Once engaged, we began actively considering where we should make our new home together and start our family.

New Mexico was such a fun adventure, and we thought about living there but there were several drawbacks too. I have an uncle from NY who settled in Utah in the 1980’s. He and his wife loved Utah and still do. He set us up with a recruiter and off we flew to St. George, Utah. We were both offered jobs with Intermountain Healthcare and after considering a few other options we decided to try Utah for at least a year.

Well, that was 1994, and here we are still in Southern Utah. Matt was employed with Intermountain Healthcare for 9 months and started doing home health for other entities. Later Matt was presented with an opportunity to be the OT Director and part owner of Coral Desert Rehab, it was a great opportunity and he made so many friends as colleagues and patients. 

Matt and I had 3 beautiful children here in Utah, and we call them our Ute babies. Zane was our first, then Noah, but of course I wanted a girl so along came Tatum. We bought a home in Apple Valley and set out to raise our 3 little Utes. 

Eventually, the commute to Apple Valley took its toll, and we bought a home in Hurricane, where our lives continued to grow. Matt led a nondenominational Boy Scout troop and coached all three kids in any sport they would play. Coaching was a huge love of Matt’s, and he became known as “Coach” around the Hurricane Community. In 2017, Matt and I lost our family home to a fire and had to rebuild. At this time, I achieved a Yoga teacher training.

In 2019, I got the itch to start my practice, but COVID put a damper on that, like so many other things. However, I had landed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St. George Regional Medical Center for many years and there became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. My desire to learn more and do more was constantly being challenged, and the hospital limited what I could discuss with my clients.

Matt was excited about a practice where he could focus more on lymphedema and sports injuries. Unity Health and Wellness opened in Hurricane, Utah in the fall of 2021. Matt was a little mystified by the lack of NuSteps and treadmills ,but I was thrilled with our aerial fitness studio and set out to learn even more.

Our practice was growing and thriving, and then poor Matt got COVID in 2022, and he was seriously sick. Even when Matt recovered the long haul symptoms persisted. In June of 2023, just a few months after caring for Matt’s terminally ill Mom, Matt had a massive stroke.

I stayed by Matt’s side and documented his stroke rehab from day 1. Matt was so strong, but the stroke took away his ability to sit, stand, and walk. He struggled for many months to walk, drive, and even return to work. We pursued many avenues to assist Matt in a full recovery.

Matt had lost the use of the whole left side of his body. It was very hard for him to function, but he tried very hard. Pain and setbacks were Matt’s constant companions. 

13 months after Matt’s massive stroke, we lost him to suicide. The struggle he underwent is impossible to imagine. However, Matt’s family is lost without him. His big bear hugs, deep laugh, and looming presence will forever be missed. Men’s health and men’s mental health have and will forever hold a place for Unity.

I am trying to keep moving forward. I want his legacy of OT, love, and care to continue! Also, I want to continue my dream of bringing holistic Occupational Therapy to Southern Utah and especially the Hurricane Valley.

Thank you for following our journey!

To see more of where Unity is going in the future, follow this page, our monthly calendar, and our social media @unityhealthutah on IG or Unity Health and Wellness on FB.