Picabo Street

Many people are not familiar with great champion skier, Picabo Street. That is her real name (pronounced "Peek-a-boo") Truly, that is the pronunciation. Skiing enthusiasts do know her and her international reputation is well deserved, having won races throughout the world and in all competitions. Yet, like most skiers, she has had her share of injuries, some minor, others, unfortunately, major and even life-threatening. Once, during a competition in Vermont, Picabo Street suffered a serious injury in the Giant Slalom. Not only was her career in danger, but her life was also. The injuries were repaired but Ms. Street did have to spend some time in Intensive Care.

When she recovered, she was incredibly grateful for the sophisticated and loving care the doctors and, in fact, the entire hospital staff had given her. Not only had they saved her life, but she soon returned to competitive skiing. As she was again winning competitions and making lots of money, Picabo Street decided to make a donation to the hospital and the staff that had saved her life and career. She donated a million dollars to be used at the discretion of the hospital directors. The directors thought that the hospital's Intensive Care Unit needed to be replaced, so they used the generous donation to finance a new unit. And, of course, that unit is now called ... Picabo I. C. U.