Meet Our Leaders

Cody Fitzwater, Chief Operating Officer

Cody earned his BSN from Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah in 2014. Outside of one year in the ER he has spent his entire health care career with Utah Valley Specialty Hospital where he started as a nurse on the med surge floor, then became a clinical liaison, Director of Marketing, and is now proudly serving as the Chief Operating Officer.

He has truly come to love those he works with and the camaraderie that comes from developing relationships and creating partnerships that benefit the community that he serves.

When not at work Cody enjoys spending time working on old cars and loves to be around his grandkids.

Brad Gardner, Director of Pharmacy

Brad is an experienced pharmacist with more than 30 years of successful pharmacy practice. He is a strong leader in clinical pharmacy interventions and drug utilization review for the hospital. His areas of clinical pharmacy expertise include antibiotic stewardship, formulary management, and total parenteral nutrition.

Brad earned a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. He currently is a preceptor of pharmacy for Roseman University in Henderson Nev. He has served as president of the Utah Society of Health System Pharmacists and a state delegate to the American Society of Health System Pharmacists.

Jeff Jennings, Director of Therapy Operations

Jeff is a dedicated physical therapist with a wealth of experience and a passion for helping patients achieve their goals. After graduating from Utah Valley University with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, Jeff went on to complete his doctorate in physical therapy at the University of Utah in 2014. He embarked on his career at Utah Valley Specialty Hospital, where he honed his skills and expertise for three and a half years.

Seeking new challenges, Jeff transitioned to home health care for 6 years.

Jeff has recently returned to Utah Valley Specialty Hospital eager to make a significant impact on the lives of patients at UVSH.

Outside of work, he finds joy in spending time with his wife and three children. Hobbies include cooking, working in his yard, and spending time outdoors.

Leslie Connolly, Human Resources Manager

Leslie is a transplant to Utah from Las Vegas Nevada and has over a decade of experience in Human Resources. With an emphasis on training and development, recruitment, and retention. Leslie strives to enhance the “workplace experience”, and prides herself on a “for the people” approach to measure employee and organizational success.

As a person motivated by improving the lives others, Leslie has also worked in the social service and private education sectors. She received her bachelor’s degree in “Human Services Management” and an MS degree in “Industrial and Organizational Psychology.”

Her hobbies include spending time with family, traveling, watching a good action flick at the movie, and singing karaoke!

Abe Hess, Chief Nursing Officer

I became a nurse because I wanted to make a difference in peoples lives, I love helping people. I’ve worked in multiple different areas of healthcare including home health, hospice, med/surgical, ER, and for the last 8 years I have worked in the ICU at St Marks Hospital. I have loved leading, supporting, and growing nurses to their full potential. I’m married to a wonderful nurse and mother to our 4 boys. In my spare time I love camping, exercising, and coaching my boys in football.

Amy Barzeele, Director of Case Management and Medical Records

With over 26 years of experience as a Registered Nurse, Amy brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to her role as Director of Case Management and Medical Records. Her extensive career in nursing, with a primary focus on advanced wound care, has equipped her with a profound understanding of patient needs and the complexities of medical management.

Amy’s journey in healthcare has been marked by a commitment to excellence and innovation. Her deep-seated passion for patient care and process improvement has driven her to excel in her current role, where she oversees critical aspects of case management and medical records. Her leadership is characterized by a relentless pursuit of superior patient outcomes and a dedication to enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery.

In addition to her clinical expertise, Amy is a successful entrepreneur who has launched and managed multiple businesses, reflecting her passion for innovation and education. This entrepreneurial experience enhances her approach to healthcare management, driving continuous improvement and excellence in patient care.

Outside of her professional life, Amy enjoys spending time outdoors and values the beauty of Utah’s natural landscapes. She is also a proud parent of five grown children, who inspire her dedication and work ethic.

Amy is thrilled to be part of the team at Utah Valley Specialty Hospital and Central Utah Rehabilitation. She is excited about the opportunity to contribute her skills and experience and is committed to enhancing patient care and advancing the hospital’s mission with passion and dedication.

Teremoana Lowry, Director of Compliance

Moana was born in Canada where her transplanted island mother raised her nine children. She started her college education at Brigham Young University-Hawaii and then transitioned to Brigham Young University where she earned 3 degrees. She received her BSN in Nursing, an MA in Recreation Therapy, and an MEd in Educational Psychology. She also earned her MS in Leadership and Management from Western Governors University. She has always been interested in learning and encourages others to increase their knowledge and education through formal and informal avenues.

She spent 32 years in the Newborn Intensive Care field as a bedside nurse, clinical supervisor, clinical trainer, PICC trainer and coordinator, data manager, and clinical educator. She has been involved with teens and adults in the field of psychology over the years. Part of her career has been spent working with top researchers where she was taught that change comes from good data applied at opportune times.

She loves being outdoors but spends most of her time in the pool, gardening, or just chilling in the backyard. Moana has a large family and loves to spend her free time creating memories with them.

Daelynn Hunt, Director of Marketing and Business Development

Daelynn joined the UVSH marketing team in 2006. She has been a nurse for more than 20 years and has recently become the Director of Marketing and Business Development.

Her ultimate passion is to help patients find quality health care so they can regain their independence and return to their lives as soon as possible.

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