Mountaintop Medicine
Wendy Rigby
Estes Park Health is comprised of skilled, compassionate caregivers. We are a critical resource in our mountain community, providing the full spectrum of care for our friends, neighbors and visitors, from pediatrics to geriatrics. With a persistent dedication to patient-focused care, we continue to score high on key measures in patient satisfaction surveys. Estes Park Health was founded in 1975 as the Elizabeth Knutsson Memorial Hospital per a tax subsidy voted on by the citizens of Estes Park. Today, more 18,000 patients—residents and visitors alike—see our healthcare teams for both outpatient and inpatient services.
Episodes
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: New podiatrist helps EPH patients get back on their feet
A foot injury she sustained while training for the Boston Marathon changed the trajectory of Dr. Jamie Mieras’ career. She did not start out to become a healer.The Boulder native went to school at The University of Colorado for a degree in Biology with an emphasis on plant studies. She moved to Seattle and worked as an IT administrator for a time. That’s when she got into running, one of her big passions.“When I found a podiatrist to help me, I was just in awe of what he could do,” Dr. Mieras remembered. “I was so impressed. I said, ‘Is this what you do all day?’ I decided right then and there that this was a good career path for me.”Dr. Mieras went to DO school at Midwestern University in Arizona. She did clinical internship in Phoenix and San Francisco before heading to San Diego for residency. She worked in Sacramento where she treated a lot of foot and ankle trauma. Then she came back to Colorado and practiced for a year in Boulder before practicing rural health medicine in California. She has the only podiatrist in a 200-mile radius.“Accessibility to this specialty is important,” Dr. Mieras emphasized. “Foot and ankle problems make it hard to drive and difficult to walk around and get to places.”Following that experience, Dr. Mieras worked in Portland at one of the busiest hospital systems in the city. She saw a lot of different pathologies and took part in many surgeries.Why Estes Park HealthAfter growing up in Boulder and being in Colorado for a good portion of her life, Dr. Mieras says Estes Park feels like her second home.“My grandparents moved to Boulder because they loved Estes, but it was just a little bit too high for them,” she noted. “As a young child, I was brought to Estes quite a bit to explore the trails and enjoy the town. It just feels like home. For me to be able to bring more than a decade of experience to home is nice and important to me.”When asked what she thinks she will like best about working at Estes Park Health, Dr. Mieras answered, “the people.”“The people I interact with here are very genuine and authentic,” she said. “Everyone seems so nice and involved. We’re all a part of each other’s lives. I’m very happy to become a piece of that and give back in terms of being able to help people heal. This is extremely rewarding in a small community where we all know each other, and we are integrated. I am so excited to be here. It’s a wonderful place. I started seeing patients in early February.”Kinds of podiatric cases and surgical optionsDr. Mieras believes that a big part of being a doctor is getting patients to understand what is going on. If you understand as a patient, she said, you are most likely to do the right things for it or to understand the healing process.The most common complaints she will be seeing as a podiatrist at EPH include plantar fasciitis, pain around the toes and in the ankle, sprains, fractures, ligament repairs, reconstructions, bunions, hammer toe issues, corns, and callouses.“We see people with diabetes who need a little bit of extra care for their feet and extra monitoring,” Dr. Mieras pointed out. “The high blood sugars can make their immune system less able to respond to problems to being with. We see a decrease in nerve sensation. The ends of the small nerves at the ends of the toes up to the bottom of the foot start to go numb. Then the body is not alerted when something is happening in that area. Things can become worse quickly. It’s very important that we monitor diabetic feet so that the patient is on the path to health. It’s one of the most rewarding things to see a diabetic foot wound heal and for that person to become more mobile.”Dr. Mieras will also be performing surgeries at EPH. She is board certified in both foot and rear foot reconstruction and ankle surgery and can take care of everything from bunions to ligaments.Dr. Mieras on her off timeDr. Mieras has some interesting hobbies, from running long distances to flying airplanes.“I do like adventure,” she commented. “I run ultramarathons, usually on the trail. I’ve run one 100-miler and several 50-milers. I am a pilot of small planes. It’s very fun. I serve as a flight instructor on the weekends. I’ll go down to an airport in Broomfield and help my students learn how to fly.”
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: EPH introduces two newest physicians in the ER
Estes Park Health has two new faces in the emergency department – Dr. Paige Machado and Dr. Zachary Blea. They work for Estes Park Emergency Associates, a small company started about 30 years ago by Dr. Christoper Daley. They contract to staff the emergency room at EPH.Dr. Paige MachadoWhen Paige Machado was a little girl, her family could see her future.“My parents like to joke that I wanted to be a doctor since I was five years old,” Dr. Machado recalled. “I used to watch ‘Rescue 9-1-1’ on the TV and make them record it. I’ve always been interested in medicine. I wanted to do something to help people in a concrete way. I also really enjoy science and biology so that was a natural avenue for me.”Dr. Machado ended up picking emergency medicine because of the fast pace, because every shift is different. She was born in Colorado Springs but completed her schooling and medical education in Boston. It was a total of 13 years including an undergraduate degree, medical school, and residency which was training specifically in emergency medicine.“I like the idea of being a generalist, being a jack of all trades and knowing a little bit about how to handle just about anything that walks through the door,” she noted.Starting her job at EPH in July 2024, Dr. Machado got a taste of the tourist season.“There is no typical week which is part of what I like about emergency medicine,” she explained. “Every week and every shift are completely different. Sometimes it’s super busy. Sometimes it’s a little slower. The patients you see are the full spectrum, from babies to the elderly. We see a lot of physical injuries from car accidents, hiking accidents, people falling, broken bones. We also see medical emergencies like heart attacks, strokes, appendicitis, and gall bladder infections. We see a lot of colds and flu in the winter months, as well as people with asthma exacerbations or pneumonia.”Time is critical when you are experiencing an emergency. EPH stresses if you are having what you feel like is an acute emergency, do not try to drive to a bigger hospital. Even if you think you are having a stroke or a heart attack, call an ambulance, get to Estes Park Health first, and then the emergency physicians can stabilize you, start treatment, and get you to the level of care you need.“We are designated as a Critical Access Hospital,” Dr. Machado explained. “My training has prepared me to handle any emergency. A big part of what we do is triage patients. If a patient comes in and they are having a medical emergency, we do have the resources and the ability to transfer them to where they need to be. My job is to stabilize them and make sure we do that in the safest way possible.”Dr. Machado has enjoyed her first six months living in Estes Park.“I’ve never lived in a super small town,” she said. “Coming from the big city to a rural town, I had some reservations. But I really enjoy the sense of community here. I see patients in the grocery store sometimes. Everyone has been welcoming and very friendly which I appreciate. I grew up in Colorado, so I’m a big fan of hiking. Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park is fun. I didn’t get to do too much of that before. I also like to camp, and I like to go fishing.”Dr. Zachary BleaWhen he was in high school, Dr. Zachary Blea dreamed of becoming a firefighter.“I took an EMT course,” he said. “I got a job on an ambulance. I really fell in love with medicine. I realized I wanted to do more medicine, less firefighting. I got a job in the emergency room working as an ER tech to explore more opportunities in the healthcare field. I worked alongside an ER doc who was a great mentor, someone I really looked up to. And I thought, ‘This is exactly what I want to do.’”Dr. Blea was 22 at the time. He enrolled in college and started working toward becoming a doctor. “Emergency medicine kept all me,” he remembered. “I love the fast-paced environment of the emergency department. You never know what is coming in through the door. You see anything and everything. There is a little bit of excitement, a little bit of spontaneity.”Dr. Blea has worked in the EPH emergency department since July 2024. He has a wife and three children. He completed his emergency medicine residency at a large hospital in Detroit. He said he did not know many of his co-workers or patients. He appreciates the more intimate feel of a smaller hospital.“It has been great,” he emphasized. “I love the small community feel. I love the hospital. I love working with people I know. I like taking care of the community I’m living in. I love that tight-knit feel that you don’t get at a big hospital.”Dr. Blea said the current team of emergency physicians at EPH are topnotch.“The other ER physicians have been here a long time,” he noted. “They know the hospital and the community. I felt at home immediately.”
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Breathing easier with the help of respiratory therapists at EPH
Michael Morton recently underwent a pulmonary function test at Estes Park Health. The 75-year-old Estes Park retiree was hospitalized in 2023 when one of his lungs filled with fluid. He’s recovered now, but his doctor wants to check his lung function.“My pulmonary physician decided he wanted to see how my breathing was doing,” Morton said. “It’s just a test to follow up and make sure I’m still doing well.”Respiratory therapist Bill Christen guided him through the process. The sensitive machine analyzes and test lung volumes, lung capacity, rates of flow, and how gas exchange takes place in the lungs.“It’s a noninvasive diagnostic test to let you know how well your lungs are working,” Christen explained. “All that data, once it’s collected, is then transferred via our electronic health records to a pulmonary physician.”The pulmonary function test can help with a diagnosis of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, known as COPD. The test can also let physicians know how well pharmacological treatments are working.Christen has been working as a respiratory therapist for more than 35 years. He has spent the last three years working with patients at Estes Park Health. He enjoys the hands-on nature of his job and helping people.“There’s a community up here that needs to be served and I’m glad that we’re able to do that,” Christen remarked. “I think it makes it so much simpler for that patient, so they don’t have to leave town.”The respiratory therapists at Estes Park Health perform 25 or 30 pulmonary function tests each month. They also perform what’s called a six-minute walking test to see if patients need to be on supplemental oxygen or if they need their oxygen adjusted.Sam Schwab lives in Big Elk Meadows near Estes Park. His primary care doctor suggested he take the walking test since he has been having some symptoms.“I told him I’ve had shortness of breath,” Schwab commented. “And so, he’s trying to follow up to see exactly why. We walk a loop in our neighborhood. It’s a little over a mile, mile-and-a-quarter. It was getting to where I’d have to stop every two or three minutes to catch my breath. When I start to do physical things, I’m short of breath and my muscles feel fatigued until I warm up and then I can go, go, go. He said you’ve probably got maybe the start of emphysema or COPD. So, we’re just going through the motions to see what we need to do to make my life easier.”Respiratory therapist Michelle Heydenreich is the professional who conducted Schwab’s test. She has been an RT for more than 30 years. She likes her job and says it’s different every day.“Every patient is different,” Heydenreich stressed. “Everyone reacts to everything differently. Something is always changing it seems. And it feels good to make people feel better. Like if they can’t breathe, we’re their best friend because we have the tools to help them breathe.”Along with outpatient lung testing like sleep studies, RTs also help patients in the hospital with breathing treatments, ventilators and emergency care. Having respiratory therapy locally is extremely important.“We’re at 7500 feet,” Heydenreich added. “People might have problems breathing here. But they go down to Loveland, which is 5000 feet, they’re fine. It’s extremely important that you do it where you live because this is where you’re breathing every day.”For Schwab, being able to undergo this simple test where he lives makes a lot of sense.“Estes is much more convenient,” he noted. “We’ve been coming to this facility for 40 years, at least. The personnel are great. And they seem to care.”For sophisticated respiratory therapy to help you breathe easier and get back to your life, think Estes Park Health. Mountaintop Medicine, Quality Care.To watch a video about Respiratory Therapy at Estes Park Health, go to https://youtu.be/V91ncUJDZPI.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Dr. Jennifer McLellan is new EPH Chief of Staff
Dr. Jennifer McLellan took on the job of medical Chief of Staff at Estes Park Health on January 1st. She is the third woman in a row and the third woman ever to hold this leadership position. She takes over from Dr. Bridget Dunn who served in the role in 2023 and 2024. Before Dr. Dunn, Dr. Robyn Zehr served in the role.“I am essentially the lead physician for all the physicians who are medical staff members of Estes Park Health.” Dr. McLellan explained. “I will be a liaison between the medical staff members and the administration as well as the Park Hospital District Board. We do have a lot of women on our medical staff at Estes Park Health. I am excited to have more representation of women at all levels of leadership at our hospital. I think it’s important. Of course, all the men who have served as medical Chief of Staff before us have done a fantastic job, but I think it’s great to have more representation by some women as well.”Dr. McLellan has worked at Estes Park Health since 2019, first working through a rural physicians’ group, now as a general surgeon at EPH since October of 2020.She will continue doing her regular job performing surgeries and seeing patients in the clinic. In addition, as the medical Chief of Staff, she will be running medical staff meetings and medical executive meetings. She will also meet regularly with the EPH CEO and will present quarterly to the Park Hospital District Board.Dr. McLellan said she is excited to take on this position because she has always been interested in leadership and administration.“I’m excited for the challenge,” she noted. “I feel like I’m in a good position to be able to work with the medical staff and the administration. I try to get along with people and I feel like I’m approachable. People can come to me when they have issues. I can help bring issues from the medical staff to the administration as well as to the Board. And vice versa.”McLellan aspires to be a leader in hospitals for the rest of her career. She is looking toward obtaining an MBA.“But I also love being a general surgeon,” she stressed. “I love taking care of patients. I don’t really want to give that up right now.”Dr. McLellan and her partner, Dr. Christine Bogardus, perform the “bread and butter” of general surgery. They offer the full spectrum of general surgeries which includes hernia repairs, gall bladder procedures, appendectomies, surgery on the small and large intestine. They also perform colonoscopies and upper endoscopies. They also provide multiple procedures in the clinic for conditions like lumps, bumps, abscesses, and hemorrhoid issues.She is also a member of the CU Medical Alumni Association and a member of the Estes Park High School Health Science Advisory Committee.Transition to UCHealthDr. McLellan said she is excited that EPH has a pending partnership with UCHealth later this year.“The transition to becoming part of UCHealth is exciting and it’s a little bit daunting.” She commented. “There are a lot of unknowns right now. My tenure as Chief of Staff is going to be unique in that way. I will be part of the leadership dealing with UCHealth and helping them understand the issues and concerns our medical staff have.”She added that UCHealth will be investing in the physical plant and equipment, but UCHealth will also be encouraging and helping staff with education and advancing what types of patients we can take care of at our hospital.“We’ll be able to tap into their intellectual capital,” Dr. McLellan emphasized. “It will be wonderful to be able to utilize all their expertise. I think it is going to be beneficial for our hospital and our community.”The road to becoming a surgeonEven as a child, she enjoyed working with her hands and performing small, complex tasks like origami. When she attended junior high school, her mother had some serious medical problems. The doctors didn’t know what was wrong. It was scary for Dr. McLellan and her family.“During that time, it was interesting to see the different interactions doctors had with my family,” she recalled. “Some were fantastic. Some were lacking. Throughout that time, I kept thinking, ‘I could do this better.’ Maybe that’s just a little bit of the hubris of a child. I thought maybe I could do something different than some of these physicians.”In junior high school, she had a wonderful science teacher who instilled in her a love for science. When she got to college, she decided she wanted to be a doctor. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a concentration in Anatomy at Colorado State University.“I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do surgery or family medicine,” she remarked. “I got into medical school at the University of Colorado. During our rotations, I found out I really liked laparoscopic surgery and general surgery.”Dr. McLellan was able to match into a residency in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she completed a five-year program. After that, she did a one-year fellowship in minimally invasive surgery in Springfield, Massachusetts. After that, she decided she wanted to work in rural surgery. She worked in a small hospital in Wisconsin for six years. Then she decided it was time to come back to Colorado.“I was so happy and elated when I found out that they were hiring at Estes Park Health,” she said. “I was able to become a surgeon here. It has been a dream come true. I hope that I can continue a really long career here.”McLellan is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the Colorado Medical Society, the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.Enjoying mountain life in Estes ParkDr. McLellan and her husband own a home in Estes Park off Highway 7. She lives six minutes away from the hospitals and enjoys here amazingly short commute to work.Her husband is Evan Mallon, a writer who is working on his first novel. They have two dogs, Omi and Bee.She enjoys living near her parents, her sister and family, and her brother and his wife who all live in Colorado.“It’s been wonderful moving back to Colorado,” she noted. “I’m very close to my family. Being able to see them more frequently has been great.”Dr. McLellan said she loves to knit. She started in 2020. She also does a little crochet and plans to learn to sew on a sewing machine she got for Christmas.“I joke that I can sew on people, but I don’t really know how to sew on fabric,” she added.She also likes to hike. “I love the beauty of Estes Park,” Dr. McLellan stressed. “It’s remarkable. I have medical students now who have been rotating with us in general surgery. Just the other day one of my medical students said, ‘It is just so beautiful when you drive to the hospital. It’s amazing.’ You live in a dream here. And I’m so grateful to be here.”
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: EPH unveils new ultrasound with needle biopsy capabilities
The newest piece of equipment in the Diagnostic Imaging department of Estes Park Health was bought through the generous fundraising campaign of the 2024 Mrs. Rooftop Rodeo candidates.The ten candidates for Mrs. Rooftop Rodeo raised a record-breaking amount of money. Altogether, these volunteers gathered more than $118,000 to fund a brand-new ultrasound machine for the hospital. This technology will – among other things – help with finding cancers and evaluating treatment.“The 2024 Mrs. Rooftop Rodeo was extremely successful,” said registered sonographer and radiographer Marcy Kimbro. “They always are in raising the money, making people aware in the community, and now we have yet another state-of-the-art, brand new 2024 ultrasound machine.”This modality uses sound to produce images of the inside of the body. These images help EPH’s onsite radiologist, Dr. John Knudtson, determine if there is an injury or disease process going on. “We can capture images of fatty liver disease or kidney stones or gall bladder disease,” Kimbro explained. “We can possibly find cancers like bladder cancer or prostate cancer or breast cancer. We can do a carotid ultrasound to find plaque in the vessels. We can look for reproductive issues in the ovaries, uterus, IUD placements, and many more things.”Ultrasound technologist Debbie Sells said the old ultrasound machine was not new to begin with and was reaching the end of its life.“Machines become outdated pretty quickly in this day and age,” Sells stated. “The newer functions on this machine will allow us to offer some new services. This piece of equipment will allow us the detail that it takes us to perform needle aspirations and needle biopsies.”A trainer from the company that makes the new ultrasound machine was at EPH last week training the three sonographers who will be using it. The applications specialist works for Philips, the company that makes the EPIQ Elite Diagnostic Ultrasound system now in use. She brainstormed with the people who use the machine to add capabilities they need and take away those they don’t need.The machine is vital in keeping Estes Valley patients from having to drive a long way to get a quick diagnostic test. Now that EPH can perform needle biopsies, local patients can get an appointment – and possibly an answer – more quickly.Sells pointed out that the most enjoyable part of her job performing ultrasounds is the direct patient interaction.“We can teach the patient about something they may see on the screen,” she noted. “They want to know what it is. We can describe certain basic functions of the machine. It helps to educate the community as well as make them feel comfortable.”
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Estes Park Health introduces new Occupational Therapist
When people stay in the hospital after injury, illness, or surgery, the Occupational Therapist (OT) is the professional who makes sure these patients can go home and get around their house again. The OT has a very practical job: making sure people can cook, clean, shower, get dressed, and many other activities of daily living.Inna Wines is the newest inpatient OT on the medical/surgical unit at Estes Park Health.“My family and I have been coming to Estes Park since I was born,” Wines explained. “Every year there were family reunions, family vacations. I knew that eventually I wanted to move to Colorado. I wasn’t sure it would be Estes Park specifically. It all just kind of worked out. In June, I was here for a girls’ trip. I decided, ‘I don’t want to leave. I want to stay. I want to figure out how to live here.’ I quit my job. I applied for new jobs and luckily found housing. My manager at EPH called and asked if I wanted a full-time job. I said, ‘Yes. That would be amazing.’”Wines moved to Estes Park two months ago. She has enjoyed the slower pace, and what she describes as a good work/life balance.“I grew up always knowing that I wanted to do some sort of service for others,” Wines said. “I wasn’t sure exactly what it was going to be. Healthcare always spoke to me.”Wines and her brother were adopted from Russia. He has a lot of sensory issues and developmental issues and went to occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy growing up.“He wouldn’t participate in his therapy unless I was part of it,” she noted. “I really got to see what they did, how it contributed to his life, how it changed the way he was able to socially interact with people.”Wines originally thought she would go into pediatric OT because of her experience with her bother. But she did an acute care rotation in Dallas (where she is from) and fell in love with the geriatric population.She earned her undergraduate degree in Public Health from the University of Arkansas. She went to Abilene Christian University (ACU) in West Texas for her master’s degree in occupational therapy. Before she moved to Estes Park, she worked at UT Southwestern in Texas for the last three years.“I kind of got burned out just because I was seeing lots and lots of people throughout the day,” Wines stated. “I just knew I wanted a change.”Since starting at EPH, Wines has helped many kinds of patients, from tourists who have been hiking and have fallen and hurt themselves to people who need hip or knee replacement surgery. OTs also worked with medication management and help patients with fine motor skills.“The big focus is making sure everyone can get home,” Wines emphasized. “But if they can’t, OTs provide social workers, doctors, and nurses the information they need to decide if a patient needs to go to a skilled nursing facility, a nursing home, or assisted living.”The goal of Occupation Therapy is consistent. Keep everybody as independent as possible.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Waves of Hope -- Help the EPH Foundation Fall Campaign
Funds will help buy new cardiac ultrasound machineCarolyne Boettger of Estes Park recently had an important test at Estes Park Health. It’s a cardiac ultrasound, also known as echocardiography. Carolyne has atrial fibrillation. Her doctors are monitoring her condition to see if there are any changes.“I know when I go into A-fib,” she remarked “You can tell that it’s an irregular heartbeat. It’s been on and off. It isn’t all the time. It’s been controlled mostly through medications. I have had two ablations in the past. I have had several cardio versions when it wouldn’t snap out of it. Now there is an a-flutter condition, too, that’s all part of this whole thing. It’s very simple. They just run the stuff where they need to look at things and it comes up on a screen for them. Totally painless.Tonya Fitzpatrick is a cardiovascular sonographer at EPH.“I do ultrasounds of the heart and ultrasounds of the arteries,” Fitzpatrick explained. “We’re looking for narrowing of the arteries, how well the valve is working, the valves in the heart, how well the heart squeezes, so the function of the heart.”The 20-to-30-minute exam yields a wealth of information for cardiologists like Dr. Chad Stoltz at EPH.The cardiac ultrasound machine at Estes Park Health is almost 10 years old. It’s nearing the end of its life. Now the Estes Park Health Foundation is running a campaign to raise money to replace it with a state-of-the-art model.Fitzpatrick performs five to eight of these exams four days a week at Estes Park Health. She said she is excited about the possibility of a brand-new machine.“The images are much better, she noted, “and we’ll have the capability of doing 3D. I’ve seen a lot of patients here in Estes Park. From my experience, they’ve all been very grateful for the work that’s done here in the cardiology department. So, they would benefit from a new machine with optimization, maybe even 3D. They deserve the best of the best.For patients like Boettger, who rely on Estes Park Health for many of their health care needs, she is in favor of the Foundation raising money for a new cardiac ultrasound machine.“For me, it’s very important,” Boettger stressed. “Technology changes so fast that if you’re not keeping up, you really have a problem. One of the reasons we picked Estes Park to retire to was because it had a hospital and because it had a well-rated hospital. I have gotten excellent care all the way through. It is very important to me that I can continue to get that I can continue to get the care up here.The EPH Foundation fall fundraising campaign is called “Waves of Hope.” For more information about this project and to donate, log on to cardiac – Estes Park Health. Estes Park Health. Mountaintop Medicine, Quality Care.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: EPH Rehab Services expanding hours, adding pediatric PT
Estes Park Health Rehabilitation Services is adding hours and expanding services to meet the needs of the Estes Valley Community.The Rehab center at 420 Steamer Drive next to Urgent Care is now open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.“By extending our hours Monday through Thursday, we hope to accommodate patients who need appointments later in the day, after work or after school,” said Kendra Vancil, EPH Rehabilitation Services & Urgent Care Manager.Rehab Services has also hired a new physical therapist with specialized training in pediatrics. Kate Jamis, PT, moved to Estes Park from Kansas City and started working in mid-August.Jamis decided she wanted to pursue physical therapy in middle school.“I had a fascination with how the human body works,” Jamis explained. “I knew I wanted to work with kids. Physical therapy was the perfect opportunity to do both of those things together. I realized I could powerfully impact the lives of someone at such a young age, that was something that really appealed to me.”She attended the University of Missouri where she took part in a five-year combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program. In Kansas City, she worked in several different pediatric facilities, mostly pre-schools, but also some outpatient settings like aquatics and a school district.“A lot more pediatric patients need physical therapy than you might think,” she stressed. “There are many children who are born with challenges that might impact their physical development, like Down’s Syndrome, spina bifida, or prematurity. Children have accidents. They fall and hit their heads and that sometimes warrants therapy. Once the older children get into sports, they can get injured that way.”Jamis said she likes working at the modern EPH Rehabilitation Services facility where she will also be helping adult patients with their physical therapy needs. “I think we’re very fortunate,” she commented. “We have all the space we need and all the things we need. We have individual treatment rooms. There is always a room available for evaluations or talking about things that we don’t want to talk about in the gym with patients. I think we’re a little bit spoiled because it’s all shiny and new and lovely and wonderful.”Having visited Estes Park for many years as a tourist, Jamis is happy to call the Estes Valley home.“I saw the job opportunity and I had always wanted to live here,” she added. “The stars sort of aligned for us and we got to make the move. My drive to and from work is spectacular. Right now, the elk are everywhere, and the leaves are changing. I think we probably couldn’t have timed it better. We’re getting in all the wonderful summer and fall things before winter. My husband is most excited about winter because he is all about snow. We’re loving it.”Jamis will have appointments open each Monday through Thursday at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.“The addition of pediatric physical therapy means that children in the Estes Valley will no longer have to drive to the front range to receive physical therapy,” Vancil noted. “We feel privileged to be able to provide these expanded services to our community.”To contact EPH Rehabilitation Services, call 970-577-4368.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Estes Park Health introduces new registered dietitian
Amanda Ericson is Estes Park Health’s new registered dietitian. She joined the EPH team in August of 2024. Ericson helps patients in and out of the hospital.“A registered dietitian provides education and counseling to patients regarding their nutrition needs and to understand how to adapt their eating patterns to accommodate their new diet or restrictions.”Ericson was a baker for many years. She received a lot of requests from customers to make their favorite desserts gluten free, sugar free, dairy free. She began to learn more about nutrition and what ingredients were appropriate to use. She enjoyed experimenting in the kitchen.Ericson began attending her local community college and taking as many nutrition classes as she could. She got a letter in the mail from Colorado State University to come join their program. She moved to Colorado to attend the program there. Pursuing further education, she attended University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) to get her master’s degree. “At Estes Park Health, I have helped patients manage their GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease),” Ericson noted. “I’ve helped out with wound care and diabetic diets for the outpatient clinic.”Before she worked at EPH, Ericson worked at the Medical Center of Aurora where she helped a wide variety of patients with different needs, from food tube feeding to helping patients in rehab recover from a fall or broken bones.Estes Park Health has introduced outpatient nutrition counseling. This is a great way for people to manage their health by learning more about what to eat and how to eat.“The services that we will offer are geared toward what insurance covers,” Ericson explained. “Medicare covers diabetes and renal diets. I will also work with other insurance companies if patients have GERD or other diseases that could benefit from dietary help. I love that I get the creativity to design nutrition handouts or presentations. I really like seeing how it makes it easier for patients to understand. Most of the nutrition education that is available to people is black-and-white writing. It’s not interesting and the information is ultimately not absorbed. I feel like what I create for them is easier for them to understand and remember.”Ericson believes it is important for a small Community Access Hospital like Estes Park Health to have a registered dietitian on staff.“For a lot of patients, this might be the only opportunity they have to receive this type of education,” she stressed. “They might not receive that when they’re an outpatient or living at home. A lot of what you find on the internet you can’t really trust all the sources. I can use my education and training to collaborate with all these different resources and then make it easy for them to understand.”Ericson still enjoys baking. While she studied at UCCS, she had the opportunity to work with other nonprofits and develop whole grain products. “A lot of the baking I do now is whole grain focused using Colorado-grown grains,” she added. “I’m teaching people while I’m baking how to support their local communities and farmers.”To learn more about outpatient nutrition counseling at Estes Park Health, call the EPH main number at (970) 586-2317 and ask to be connected to the registered dietitian.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: EPH imaging department to offer breast MRIs
Along with traditional yearly mammograms and the occasional ultrasound test, women at risk of breast cancer can also be screened with a sophisticated machine called Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI. Estes Park Health is adding breast MRIs as a new service in the Diagnostic Imaging Department. Technologists use the same machine outfitted with a special breast coil to help create pristine images of the breasts and surrounding tissue.An MRI uses powerful magnets, radio waves and a computer to create images radiologists read.“MRI works with a high strength magnetic field,” explained EPH Radiologist Dr. John Knudtson. “There’s no radiation involved. It uses a totally different way of looking into the tissue. The MRI is better at separating out the different tissue types to determine which ones are normal and which ones are abnormal. It’s by far the most sensitive way to find breast cancer and in the cases of patients who have breast cancer, to be able to find out where the disease is, how much is there, where it all is, and get the patients the appropriate care and staging that they need.”EPH Diagnostic Imaging Manager Jenn Hardin was one of the first women to help try out the new breast MRI scan.“It was very quick,” Hardin observed. “It was comfortable to lay on. There’s a lot of cushioning underneath it. So, my ribs didn’t hurt. My sternum didn’t hurt. Having my arms down by my side really wasn’t too bad.”The breast MRI exam only takes 15 to 18 minutes to conduct. Along with mammography and ultrasound, it provides doctors with a wealth of information.“All those things work together in unison to provide you with the best information possible,” Dr. Knudtson noted.MRI can be especially useful to image women with dense breasts, to gauge the impact of chemotherapy, or to stage a malignancy.“The MRI machine that we have already had all the software and the capability,” Dr. Knudtson said. “We did need a new breast coil which is specifically used just for breast imaging. The breast coil we purchased is state-of-the-art. It’s much more comfortable than some of the older breast coils. It’s about as good as you can get in terms of capability and comfort.”The new test will benefit patients of all ages. That’s important since many Estes Valley women are seniors.“As you age, your risk for breast cancer does increase,” Dr. Knudtson emphasized. “Even if you don’t have any family history, even if you haven’t had any problems previously, the majority of breast cancers still happen in older women who have no family history at all.”Until now, Estes Valley patients would need to travel to other medical facilities in the area to get this important test. Dr. Knudtson says he is excited to offer this test at Estes Park Health.“This is what I love,” he said. “This is my passion. It’s what I’ve done extra training in. It’s really what I’ve enjoyed doing in trying to impact the patients’ lives. I certainly can’t prevent cancer, but I want to try and get as much information to the patient as I can so that they can feel empowered and get as much done here so that it is as convenient and comfortable as it possibly can be. I want to help them get through what is always going to be a very difficult journey.”Hardin echoed Dr. Knudtson’s sentiment.“We are so excited to be able to offer this new service line to our community,” she commented. “Having MRI breast is going to really enhance our breast cancer screening as well as women’s health in general.”For advanced breast imaging conducted by compassionate professionals, think Estes Park Health. Mountaintop Medicine, Quality Care.To watch a video about breast MRIs at Estes Park Health, go to https://youtu.be/Vb5Z6M09wgQ.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: EPH takes part in Hospital Transformation Program
In an effort to control health care costs and improve quality of care for Medicaid patients, the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing is overseeing the Hospital Transformation Program (HTP). Estes Park Health is one of 76 hospitals in Colorado taking part in this state endeavor.Certified Nurse Case Manager Leah Smith is one of a handful of people on the Estes Park Health team handling the Hospital Transformation Program.“HTP started about five years ago,” Smith explained. “It’s an initiative that aims to improve the quality of hospital care provided to Medicaid patients. The program will tie Estes Park Health’s supplement payments to the hospital’s ability to meet certain patient care quality targets, improve the health of priority populations, create meaningful community engagement, and reduce costs.”Estes Park Health will help in several ways:· Aiding patients in obtaining follow-up appointments with physicians· Finding patients a primary care physician if they do not have one· Link patients with other services in Estes Park (Crossroads Ministry, Estes Park Housing Authority)The idea is to help patients use the system more effectively, not just at Estes Park Health, but in the entire community. “It’s not uncommon that people are not aware of the resources right in their backyard,” Smith said. “It’s our goal to help remind our Medicaid patients of what we do have here in Estes Park.”Sometimes patients turn down the opportunity to have a discussion with a case manager or a social worker at the hospital. The Hospital Transformation Program is designed to make patients more open to this help.“Barriers to care we see are really expensive rent, the inability to buy a house, and unfortunately, food insecurity,” Smith stated. “People shouldn’t have to make a choice between paying rent or getting groceries. It is our dream as case managers and social workers to assist people and let them know what kind of services are available to them.”Estes Park Health cares about more than just patients’ acute medical issues. EPH wants people to find a sustainable, healthy lifestyle. “We want individuals to succeed,” Smith emphasized, “whether that means coming into the Emergency Department for your needs or finding a primary care provider here in the area who could take care of your concerns before it turns into that tragedy in the ER. It also means good follow-up care. When you have consistent follow-up care, it could prevent further visits to the hospital.”Social workers and case managers are going to be more involved in Medicaid patient care, from bedside assessment interviews and follow-up phone calls.As with many complicated health care issues, the collection of data will be crucial in gauging the success of HTP.Mayur Nadig is a Quality Analyst for Estes Park Health. He is part of the EPH HTP team.“The goal of HTP is to improve patient outcomes through care design and integration of care across settings,” Nadig said. “HTP also aims to improve the performance of the delivery system by ensuring appropriate care in an appropriate setting. Other goals are to help lower costs for Health First Colorado through a reduction in hospital utilization and increased effectiveness and efficiency in care delivery.”As the Hospital Transformation Program progresses, other states around the country will be looking at Colorado as an example of better care and controlled costs.Colorado has been chosen to be the pilot state for HTP. “It’s exciting to know that our state will be leading and innovating this opportunity to find creative ways to link our clientele with the local resources they need.”
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: EPH teams with Blood Center for local donations
Donors can give at the hospital every three monthsBlood is essential for life. It’s an elemental medical component for which there is no substitute. That’s why blood donor drives are so important. Estes Park Health teams up with the UCHealth Garth Englund Blood Center once each quarter to host a blood drive at the hospital. Professionals from Fort Collins bring all the equipment they need to make these vital blood draws a success. Dozens of Estes Valley residents show up to help their neighbors in need.Jeff Lindberg, 71, of Estes Park has been donating blood for decades. “It’s just a good habit to get into,” he said. “I think it’s something a lot of people should do regularly, especially when they’re able to come up to Estes and have a session up here. If you’ve got good blood vessels, it’s easy. It doesn’t take too long, and it doesn’t really bother me afterwards.”Others who show up are following in a family member’s footsteps.“I remembered that my dad gave blood pretty much all his life,” noted Bob Hakenewerth. “He made it all the way to the 40-gallon club. It’s very easy. So, it’s a good thing.”Joseph Dunn is the blood donor recruiter for UCHealth. “We love to serve the community,” Dunn emphasized. “We do provide blood to Estes Park Health. So, this is a way to give back, is collecting blood for the community since we provide it to you guys. It’s been a good response, especially since we moved into the hospital. It has doubled what we normally collect. It’s good for your health. You burn 650 calories just lying here in the bed. It’s almost like an oil change for your body.”The blood donated at Estes Park Health goes to support multiple facilities in northern Colorado, including EPH.This precious resource is used for victims of trauma, cancer patients, and people having surgery among many others. Donating is one way Lorraine Darling lives out one of her mottos: Be kind.“People need blood,” she noted. “If I can help, it’s an easy thing to do.”Donors are screened and rewarded with a snack and some branded swag from EPH and the Blood Center. Folks like Don Marshall are happy to step up. It is a community service that doesn’t take long.“I saw it in the paper,” Marshall said. “I live here in town, so it was easy to get over here and drop the blood off and go home. It’s something easy to do. It doesn’t take long. You can feel good about it after you do it.”More than 80% of UCHealth blood products are the direct result of community-hosted blood drives. Estes Park Health is proud to help facilitate this important partnership.The next blood drive at EPH is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024.To watch a video about the EPH hospital blood drives for the community, go to https://youtu.be/TQatqN-Ps7I.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Estes Park Health introduces new urologist
Estes Park Health’s newest specialist to care for patients at EPH is Connie Wolf, M.D., a urologist who offers both medicinal and surgical interventions.“I’m super excited to be up here,” Dr. Wolf stressed. “Everyone at the hospital has been so welcoming and warm. It’s got a really nice close-knit small-town feel. I can’t wait to meet the patients.”Dr. Wolf will see patients every other Tuesday at Estes Park Health. While she works in the Denver area the rest of the time, she is eager to serve in a small hospital setting.“I worked in a similar type of community earlier in my career,” she noted. “Something that I really missed was being in a small hospital setting and getting to know the patients and the providers well.”Urologists deal with a broad range of conditions and treatments, including urinary tract symptoms, prostate problems, and kidney stones.“Some of the tests we can conduct here include urinalyses, flow studies for urination, and procedures like looking inside the bladder which we do in the clinic,” Dr. Wolf explained. “I will be doing some surgeries here, focusing on outpatient surgeries. These include circumcision, hydrocelectomy (removal of a fluid-filled sac around the testicle), and kidney stone surgeries.”When Dr. Wolf went to medical school, she intended on specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. When she went through the OB/GYN rotation, she realized that particular specialty wasn’t for her.“Then I met up with a pediatric urologist and I found the specialty fascinating,” Dr. Wolf recalled. “It’s a way for a physician to perform surgery, but also have a long-term relationship with his or her patients. There is both the medical and the surgical aspect of the practice. If you can help somebody to urinate more easily or just at all, it can really improve the quality of life.”If you are interested in making an appointment with the new urologist at Estes Park Health, contact our front desk at 970-586-2317. They can help guide you through the process. For important specialty care close to home, think Estes Park Health.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: EPH social workers help patients find help for their medical needs
When Estes Park Health decided to close its home health and in-home hospice department in December of 2023, the hospital’s medical social workers stepped in to help patients and their families find the help they need.“I would say the number of people we help has increased,” noted EPH Chief Nursing Officer Pat Samples. “The reality is every person’s journey is different. Part of our vision here is to meet every patient and family where they are, utilize the resources available to them in the best ways we can considering their situation and what other resources they have outside their current situation. The commitment we’ve made with two full-time social workers is they take phone calls from the community, they see patients in the emergency room, in the inpatient arena, as well as partner with our clinic physicians in our outpatient clinic to address the needs that arise for all our Estes Park patients.”Nancy Bell is one of two medical social workers on staff full time at EPH. “We are here to help,” Bell emphasized. “We want to help. We take this very seriously and really want you to know what the options are, what is available, how we can help, and just to talk it through with you. For example, even if your loved one who is dying doesn’t come to the hospital to die, that’s not what this is about. I want to be sure that you know what’s available, if you need the hospital in your situation, how that can work, or if your goal is something else like staying at home how it could be possible to support that. We really want you to know what the options are, what is available, how we can help, and just to talk it through with you.”Retiree Robin Polley lives in Estes Park. She says a social worker was her “backbone” when she needed help. Her husband was in the hospital during the last days of his COPD illness.“It was a hard time for me,” Polley recalled. “She has helped me stay stable because my husband passed away in ’23. We’ve known each other for four years. Right now, she is trying to help me find a place to live. I live at the Olympus Lodge on Big Thompson Avenue. She’s helping me try and get into a senior living facility somewhere. I really needed her, and she really helped me greatly during the difficult time I was going through. She helps me in many more ways. She’s not just a social worker. I feel like she’s a good friend.”Polley said the people at Estes Park Health have been very caring in helping direct her to the resources she needs.As a nurse for 37 years, Samples explained social workers offer a unique component to hospital services free of charge.“They have an amazing ability to manage and coach and teach each individual person based on their needs and their resources from a psycho-social perspective and can find resources and support like nobody else,” Samples stressed. “They are a treasured gem in a hospital. They’re difficult to find. Once you find them, you keep them because they do amazing work for our patients and community.”Doris Alberts of Estes Park relied on EPH’s social work staff when her mother passed away earlier this year.“I went to visit my mother early in the morning and take her to breakfast,” Alberts said. “I entered her apartment, and she was lying on the floor near her bed. Her looks and her inability to talk and use her mouth to swallow and her throat, I could tell she had had a major stroke. So, I called emergency services, and they came and picked her up and I drove separately to the emergency room to follow them over there.”When Alberts arrived at EPH, social worker Bell was one of the staff available to her.“She was so helpful in my time of trouble,” she noted. “I was so upset and tearful. She calmed me down and told me what was going to happen since she communicates well with the other medical people. I am so thankful for her. This is not the first experience I’ve had with her and the skills that she has to offer. I’m so grateful to her and she seems like an old friend because she’s always been there.”Bell had helped Alberts when her father passed away in 2015. She recalled how Bell called her up a few days after his passing to check on her.“She did that this time when my mother died,” Alberts said. “I talked to her on the phone even though I was crying. I’m sure she couldn’t understand half of what I said. It was so important to have somebody to talk to who knew mom and understood how much I felt about my mom. My mom was my best friend as well as my mother. We were very close. Nancy knew this from experience with our family in the past years. She was so supportive and tried to keep me informed. She could interpret for me some of the things the doctors were intending. Nancy was there to explain what was going on. It was great to have her with me. I enjoyed her support. I felt better about myself. With her around helping me, I wasn’t so scared.”To reach EPH social worker Nancy Bell, call (970) 577-4492 or email her at [email protected] Park Health made the decision to close home health care, private duty care, and hospice at the end of 2023 for several reasons. One of the biggest challenges for EPH was volume because Estes Park is a small community. As the regulations for hospice and home health care got tighter, it was hard for EPH to meet those regulations and be able to support the program financially without costing Estes Park Health millions of dollars.For qualified medical social workers to help you navigate through a medical/social issue, think Estes Park Health. Mountaintop Medicine, Quality Care.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: EPH orthopedic surgeon offers anterior hip replacement
Darin Workman recently moved from Kansas to Colorado. The 59-year-old Estes Park man enjoys hiking and fishing, but pain in his hip has been keeping him from many of the activities he loves. He’s a retired tennis coach and music teacher who really wants to feel better.“I’ve had lots of pain,” Workman said. “There’s just no cartilage there. It’s bone on bone.”Workman turned to Estes Park Health orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gavin Bishop for help. Imaging confirmed what Darin was feeling, and he opted for a total hip replacement.“He had significant arthritis in that joint,” Dr. Bishop explained. “He had been dealing with it for a long period of time and he tried everything he could prior to the surgery to make it manageable. He had made the decision that this was the next step for him. For someone who has a joint that has gotten to the end of its life, so to speak, and the cartilage has worn down, we’re replacing the surfaces with metal, plastic, and ceramic.”Implants must be strong, stable, and inert.Workman was a candidate for anterior hip replacement surgery, meaning the surgeon goes in from the front, a little less invasive approach.“We don’t have to take the muscle off and reattach it like we do in other procedures, so the recovery tends to be a little bit easier from that standpoint,” Dr. Bishop noted.The idea appealed to Workman.“There’s less muscle that you go through and so you have less recovery, smaller scar, and so it’s not moving around as much stuff,” he said.While he’s not planning on returning to the tennis court, Workman hopes the surgery will allow him to play pickleball and enjoy all the Rocky Mountains have to offer.“We want to get back into hiking and getting into the park,” he added.In a procedure that takes between two and two-and-half hours, Dr. Bishop heads up a large team of professionals for this major surgery.He marks the surgical site and begins by making the incision and the moving muscle and other tissue out the way to expose the hip joint. Using drills and saws and many other tools, Dr. Bishop makes precise cuts to remove the ball of the hip joint and any damaged bone or cartilage in the socket.Using a C-Arm, which is a portable x-ray device, the doctor can see images during the procedure so he can adjust as he goes. This helps him to know where the implant is and allows him to fine tune its position.The manmade prosthetic hip joint includes holes for the surgeon to insert screws to prevent rotation of the implant. The surface of the implant allows the bone to integrate into it.The surgeon hammers the cap into place. This holds it steady so the patient can put weight on the hip right away.Workman went home the same day as his hip replacement.“Dr. Bishop says he believes in recovery at home more than doing it in the hospital,” Workman said.Dr. Bishop has performed hundreds of anterior hip replacement surgeries over the past seven years.“Ultimately what I enjoy about the procedure is their outcome,” he stressed. “I like seeing people be able to get up, get moving and improve their lives after it. Estes Park Health is a great place to have this done because they can have it done close to home. I think we have a wonderful group of people that work in the hospital in every department, and we all work together well. We have a great team here.”For excellent orthopedic care from experienced surgeons who can help ease the pain and get you back to your life, think Estes Park Health.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Estes Park Health Foundation crowns Mrs. Rooftop Rodeo 2024
Congratulations to 2024 Mrs. Rooftop Rodeo, Elena Nedobukh!What an amazing campaign by Elena and a really extraordinary group of Crowns for the Care candidates, a record-setting year supporting cancer care at Estes Park Health.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Estes Park Health offers surgical repair for hernias
Stan Havlick of Estes Park is a self-described adventurer, speaker, and philanthropist. He has visited every continent around the globe in his 80 years. He’s an active retiree, but a recent pain in his abdomen sent him to the doctor for help.“For a number of months, I had some discomfort in the lower abdomen,” Havlick explained. “I was talking to a doctor friend. He did a little probe and said, ‘You should have that looked at.’ It’s going to hamper my life and it’s uncomfortable a good part of the time, so I said, ‘Let’s just address this and get it out of the way.’”Havlick had a hernia.“An inguinal hernia is a defect in the abdominal wall that can allow either fat or muscle or even bowel to go through,” said Estes Park Health general surgeon Dr. Christine Bogardus. “It can cause pain. It can cause pressure and discomfort. Some people only see it. So they get this little bulge in their groin that keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger. Or some people only feel pain or pressure. They don’t see anything, but it is there. We can see it on CT scans, sometimes with ultrasound depending on the size, or on MRIs.” Men are ten times more likely to develop this type of hernia which, if left uncorrected, can trap the bowel, and cause serious issues. That’s why Havlick opted for surgery at EPH.After Havlick was put under general anesthesia, Dr. Bogardus began the laparoscopic hernia repair. The procedure includes three small incisions. The largest one – about an inch – is at the belly button. An anesthetic block is placed underneath the muscle in the fascia to target the specific nerves that innervate the abdomen. In a one to two-hour procedure, Dr. Bogardus uses a lighted camera inserted through one of the holes to allow her to visualize what she is doing on a screen. The biggest challenge is getting her tools in the right place underneath the rectus muscle.“I do a special procedure called a TEP -- total extraperitoneal repair of the hernia -- in which I don’t actually go into the belly at all,” Dr. Bogardus stated.After the repair of the hernia, Dr. Bogardus placed a mesh, a composite of sheep gut and polypropylene, underneath the muscle and below the layer of the abdominal wall to strengthen the repair and reduce the risk of recurrence. Stan will not need any formal rehabilitation; however, the initial stages of recovery can be painful.“I always tell my patients they’re going to feel like they got kicked by a cow for the first few days,” Dr. Bogardus stressed. “But after that, it tends to get better every day. A lot of people don’t even need narcotics anymore.”Havlick went home the same day as his surgery.“We highly recommend patients to go home because when they are home, they are comfortable,” Dr. Bogardus noted. “They tend to walk more when they’re not attached to things, which we strongly encourage.”More than a million hernia repairs are performed by surgeons in the U.S. each year. It’s a highly effective way to get rid of a nagging and potentially dangerous problem.Havlick was pleased with his experience at EPH, and happy to have his problem resolved. He will be back to enjoying his adventures.“The whole crew was just terrific,” he added.For expert general surgery care from highly trained community-based physicians, think Estes Park Health.To watch a video about hernia repair surgery at Estes Park Health, go to https://youtu.be/sjSbOZIom7I.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Estes Park Health offers low dose lung CT scans to screen for lung cancer
Estes Park resident Jän Rigby is getting ready for a quick, painless test at Estes Park Health that will yield a wealth of information about his lung health.A low dose lung CT (computed tomography) scan can show radiologists if there are any signs of lung cancer.‘I’m getting a low dose CT scan of my lungs as ordered by my physician so that they can have a baseline for my lungs because I’m a heavy smoker and have been for years,” Rigby said.According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Jan qualifies for a low dose lung CT.He is between the ages of 50 and 77, shows no symptoms of lung cancer, has a tobacco smoking history of at least 20 pack years, is a current smoker or someone who has quit in the last 15 years, and has received an order for the test. “I’m trying to take better care of myself,” Rigby commented. “I’m about to turn 70 this month, and I’d like to live to be 100.”Lung cancer is far more detectable and treatable than it used to be.“We now know that it’s not a death sentence,” stated Dr. John Knudtson, Estes Park Health radiologist. “Lung cancer, just like other cancers, can be cured and treated when they’re found in the earliest stages when they’re the most treatable. The problem with lung cancer in the past is that there was no screening ability. And so, usually the cancer wasn’t discovered until the patient was very sick and symptomatic, at which point there really wasn’t much to offer.”The low dose lung CT scan is fast and easy. No contrast is required, so patients don’t even have to have a needle stick. It’s as easy as lying on a table and following directions.“It was absolutely painless,” Rigby stressed. “From the time I checked in until the time the procedure was completed could not have been more than ten minutes. You spend more time getting dressed in the morning than this took.”Dr. Knudtson is the professional who reads the scans. “We’re looking for any kind of nodule of mass,” he explained. “Those are just spots or dots that you see within the lungs, the vast majority of which are benign. We’re looking for new nodules or masses and then masses that have suspicious features like irregular borders or especially any other secondary findings like maybe fluid in the lung or enlarged lymph nodes or anything else that might indicate that this isn’t just a typical benign module or mass. You don’t initially have any symptoms at all. You may have a large and advanced cancer that you don’t even know about. You may have a very small, very curable cancer that you don’t know about. There’s a tremendous amount of information and of course a huge screening benefit to try and find lung cancer early and prevent potentially having something get missed and have a bigger problem down the road.”What makes this test “low dose” is that it exposes the patient to about five times less radiation. That’s important since many people come back multiple times for the screening.“They can come back and should come back every single year until they reach the age limit,” Dr. Knudtson stated. “Now that we know that we can find things, we’re moving on to the stage where the treatment of those things is getting better and better.”For Rigby, the test yielded good news. No sign of cancer. He is glad Estes Park Health is now offering this important screening close to home.“So, like anything that’s hospital-related, if I can have a better experience here than having to drive down the hill, then I’m going to opt for that,” Rigby said. “Every experience that I’ve had here has been a positive one.”Dr. Knudtson is happy to provide this important service for local patients.“I think it’s fantastic,” he added. “As the medical provider for people here in Estes Park and the Estes Valley, we want to provide that kind of care here.”If you think you may qualify for a low dose lung CT scan, talk to your primary care doctor.For important, state-of-the-art cancer screenings, think Estes Park Health.To watch a video about low dose CT lung scans at Estes Park Health, go to https://youtu.be/N-ZNSjeVZwM.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Estes Park man spearheads 45th Run for the Cure
Many people look at a problem and say, “I wish I could help, but I’m just one person.” Stan Havlick wanted to help cancer patients. He went out and did it.“My first wife had acute lymphocytic leukemia,” Havlick explained. “I was motivated to do something. I don’t have a medical background, but I do have a business background. I went to Dr. Bill Robinson who lived in Eldorado Springs at that time. He was the oncologist for my wife. And he helped me decide to put on this race.”This year’s Run for the Cure is August 15th (a Thursday) at 6 p.m. It’s held in Eldorado Springs which is between Golden and Boulder on Highway 93. This year, racers will be in the canyon at Eldorado Canyon State Park.“It’s on a trail and it’s just beautiful,” Havlick added. “There is a modest entry fee for the race. And if people want to throw a little extra into the kitty, they can do that. All the proceeds go to the University of Colorado at Anschutz, the medical center there.”This is an easy way for people to get out and enjoy beautiful nature in the summer when the weather is great. Also, the money they raise stays local. It is all dedicated to Colorado cancer treatment.“To get funding from our foundation, you have to be a resident of the state of Colorado,” Havlick explained. “We have to get a letter from their oncologist about what the prognosis is, what they’re being treated for. Then we provide resources for them if they are destitute, if they need financial help.”“Getting grants today is time-consuming,” Havlick stressed. “It’s laborious. You have to go through corporations or big organizations. There is a lot of paperwork. We sit down with the doctors a couple of times a year. They give us a wish list of their needs, whether it’s a piece of equipment for their lab or they have research needs. We just sit at that table and write them a check.”Just a few months ago, Havlick’s foundation wrote a check for $54,000 to the hospital for some needed equipment. A plaque acknowledging the gift is hung by each piece of equipment Havlick’s group has helped purchase.Over the years, the organization has raised just short of a million dollars and has helped hundreds and hundreds of cancer patients.Havlick, who moved from Boulder to his place in Estes Park full time in 2020, would like his local community to get involved.“Put a team together,” he stressed. “Come down with a couple of carloads. There’s a beautiful swimming pool. It used to be an old resort with a great history. Eisenhower honeymooned with Mimi there at Eldorado Springs as a military lieutenant. It’s a great place for hiking and recreation.”Go to http://www.coloradocancerfoundation.org to register online. Participants can swim free, and food is provided.“It’s a walk and run,” Havlick said. “It’s four miles. It’s an up and back into the canyon. You can do this. We’ve been hosting this for 45 years. Come be a part of it.”
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Shouldering the pain --EPH surgeon repairs torn rotator cuffs
When Chuck Varilek is a retired teacher who continues to pursue his love of music by conducting the Estes Park Village Band the Estes Park Jazz Big Band. A recent slip on a patch of ice during a routine morning walk left him with a painful shoulder injury.“I took a fall and messed up my shoulder and it ended up being I destroyed my rotator cuff amongst other things, so I’m getting those repaired,” Varilek explained. “As soon as I hit the ground, I knew I had messed myself up.”Varilek went to Urgent Care for an x-ray. No bones were broken. He was referred to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gavin Bishop at Estes Park Health.“The next imaging was an MRI,” Dr. Bishop said. “And the MRI confirmed our suspicion that he had a full thickness tear of his supraspinatus which is one of his rotator cuff muscles and tendons. And it was retracted.”The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that act to stabilize the shoulder and allow for range of motion. Varilek could barely lift his left arm.“The pain was reasonable for him, but really it was more the lack of function that was his bigger concern,” Dr. Bishop noted.Varilek opted for surgery.“I want my arm back and I’d like to be able to move it without having a lot of pain,” he stressed.In the pre-op area, Varilek was given a regional anesthetic block in his shoulder. The Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist used ultrasound guidance to place the medicine in the right area.Then it was off to the operating room where he was placed under general anesthesia. When dealing with a tight space like the shoulder, Dr. Bishop uses an arm holding device to open up the area for his tools.“We can really see everything we need to arthroscopically,” Dr. Bishop stated. “What that means is that we use small incisions throughout the shoulder.”Working through five tiny incisions about a quarter of an inch in size, Dr. Bishop uses a lighted camera to navigate through the injured shoulder and see what he needs to at multiple angles.The first small device he inserts into the body is an ultrasonic ablator to clean up the tissue.“It doesn’t affect the tissue around it,” Dr. Bishop emphasized. “That’s what we use a lot to help visualize and manipulate tissue and clean up tissue.”The surgeon also uses a small tool called a grasper which allows him to work with a tendon that was inflamed, irritated, and flipping in and out of its normal groove.“We need to manipulate that tissue to make it move over to its original location,” he said.Two of the incisions were for suture anchors. All in all, the procedure took a large team and about two-and-a-half hours. Varilek is expected to make a full recovery.“The smaller holes can heal faster and hopefully have less impact on the soft tissue that isn’t being worked on,” Dr. Bishop explained. “There are different reasons why someone can tear their rotator cuff. Some of it could be slipping and falling. Some of it could be overuse. Some of it could be another type of injury. Patients tend to do well if we have the right diagnosis and do the right procedure. They tend to recover well and have a good outcome.”Varilek went home the same day as his surgery. It will still take weeks of recovery and rehab, but he should be back on the bandstand soon. He’s grateful to get the help he needs close to home.“I’d much prefer this to driving down to the valley and the drive back up and all that,” he added.For convenient, expert orthopedic care close to home, think Estes Park Health.To watch a video about rotator cuff repair surgery at EPH, go to https://youtu.be/nsNwLPROXMc.About Estes Park Health
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Estes Park Health’s CRNAs are healthcare heroes
When it comes to providing pain relief and sedation, Estes Park Health’s advanced practice nurses called CRNAs are a critical part of the healthcare team. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists have a nursing degree, experience in critical care, and a specialized degree to practice anesthesia. The highly educated CRNA team at EPH has 40 years of experience between them.Kaycee Simon is Estes Park Health’s lead CRNA. She said anesthesia is evolving and that’s good for patients.“It’s not just anesthetic gas and lots of narcotics,” Simon explained. “There are different meds now that make patients be able to feel better after their procedure with better pain control without such heavy narcotics. We get them up and moving. That’s what helps them recover sooner.”A CRNA’s job starts before any procedure, as the nurse anesthetist reviews the patient’s chart and explains how the anesthesia will work. Sharon Amaya said part of her task is to ease the patient’s anxiety.“In the short amount of time that you spend with them, trying to ease them in their mind and their physical being for the stressful situation that they’re about to endure is our job,” Amaya said. “We try to make it a pleasant experience instead of a negative experience.”During a procedure in the operating room, CRNAs provide sedation and constantly monitor the patient’s vital signs, making sure they are breathing well, their blood pressure is fine and their response to the anesthesia is normal. Afterwards, they check on the patient to help them manage recovery, as CRNA Alan Hunt explained.“I tell my wife all the time, ‘We get you to sleep, but more importantly we get you awake at the end of it,’” he emphasized.Hunt said educating patients about what will happen during a procedure can set the stage for an easier experience.“We love to have patients be comfortable before they go back,” he noted. “We understand it’s not a normal day. Anything we can do to make you more comfortable, we’re more than happy to do it.”CRNAs often use regional blocks to create long-lasting pain control after a surgery or procedure.“We have a very active patient population,” Simon commented. “I was once a recipient of a regional anesthetic. I know the value of what that did for me. I like being able to offer that to my patients as well.”Hunt added, “A small amount of medication sometimes is all it takes. It provides pretty good pain relief for up to 20 hours sometimes.”CRNAs are key to Estes Park Health’s operation. The staff says they like working in a small hospital setting.“I find that in a smaller community, we tend to see our patients more than once,” Amaya said. “We recognize each other. I think that offers a nice level of comfort for them and for us.”Simon chimed in that she feels like the focus is on the patient more in a smaller hospital setting.“You’re not worried about getting as many patients through the door as you possibly can,” she stressed. “You have the time and the ability to focus on every single patient for their procedure.”When preparing for a procedure that requires anesthesia, CRNAs say don’t rely on the internet. Feel free to call them in advance if you have questions about the kind of sedation they will use. For great anesthesia care from providers who always focus on what’s safest for the patient, think Estes Park Health.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: EPH surgeon provides relief from chronic hip pain
The hip joint is one of the largest joints in the body and is a major weight-bearing joint. When arthritis, inflammation or injury impacts the hip, there are a myriad of interventions doctors can use to help.“For many people, the thought is that the hip is anywhere from the rib cage all the way down to the knee,” said Dr. Gavin Bishop, Estes Park Health orthopedic surgeon. “That is where we think of the hip, but the hip joint itself is actually deep in the groin.”When Dr. Bishop examines a patient with hip pain, he tries to figure out where the pain is coming from and where it radiates to. He takes x-rays and performs a physical exam to identify the range of motion and function of the hip joint.“Sometimes we start with physical therapy and cortisone injections which may help with a lot of the symptoms and may make it manageable for some people to continue being active and doing the things they want to, even if they do have significant arthritis of the hip joint,” Dr. Bishop explained. “Once we’ve exhausted non-operative options, then we can proceed with a total hip replacement. It’s up to the patient when they want to go forward with the procedure.”A total hip replacement procedure involves changing out the hip joint for metal, plastic, and ceramic for the head of the femoral component.Dr. Bishop is bringing a different approach to total hip replacement with a surgery performed with an anterior approach.“The anterior hip replacement surgery is performed through a relatively small incision in the front of the hip which goes through soft tissue,” he noted. “We move it to the side rather than taking it down and needing it to be replaced and repaired afterwards. Many people have a fast and easier recovery with an anterior approach. However, it is patient specific and that would be part of the conversation to figure out if that is the right procedure for you.”Dr. Bishop has years of experience performing anterior total hip replacements in the Longmont area. His patients have been very happy with their outcomes. He is excited to offer this approach in Estes Park.“Patients can recover close to home where their friends and family are,” Dr. Bishop stated. “And I’m happy to offer this procedure that people might have had to travel many miles to get before. We would really like to have patients recover at home. There’s good data to support that patients do very well when they go home the same day as the surgery. We will work hard to provide the services that the patient needs to recover safely and in good comfort.”A total hip replacement can be helpful for many people who are limited in their activities because of the joint’s limitation. Surgery can often offer pain relief and good function of that joint after the procedure that can get them back to the life they enjoy.For comprehensive orthopedic care close to home, think Estes Park Health. Mountaintop Medicine, Quality Care.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Estes Park Health surgeon attacks knee pain on all fronts
Knee pain is an extremely common medical problem that can be caused by injury, wear and tear or arthritis. There are many approaches physicians can take to fix knee issues, from minor treatments to major surgery.“The knee joint, even though it is a hinge joint, is a fairly complex joint that has a lot of different anatomical parts to it that can be fairly complicated,” explained Estes Park Health orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gavin Bishop. “The cause of pain with a knee can be multiple sources. Often people think that it is just arthritis, but there’s also a possibility that it could be a multitude of things.”Some of the more common causes of knee pain include patella femoral syndrome where the kneecap is involved in a significant amount of force on the front of the knee.“When we’re standing, it’s about two times our body weight,” Dr. Bishop noted. “When we’re going up and down stairs or hiking up a mountain, it’s about eight or nine times our body weight.”Patients can also experience ligament or meniscus problems. These create stability and cushion for the knee.When people come to see Dr. Bishop the first time, he must assess what is going on.“The first thing we do is get a story, so we know how or where the pain or discomfort is coming from,” Dr. Bishop said. “We also get x-rays to evaluate the bony structures of the knee and then a good physical exam.”Depending on the diagnosis, specialists have many interventions to try and ease the pain or discomfort.“Physical therapy can be exceedingly helpful as far as strength around the knee and balance in the knee,” Dr. Bishop stated. “There are certain kinds of injections. Cortisone is one we use a fair amount, which is a strong anti-inflammatory which helps dull, aching pain within the knee. Another type of injection which is only approved by the FDA for the knee but is currently used for some cosmetics is hyaluronic acid. That, too, can help with some of the inflammation in the knee. Some people like to think of it as something that can help smooth out the knee. Another approach is a multitude of braces, everything from a neoprene sleeve to a brace that has struts and supports that can be helpful for the specific needs of that knee.”Dr. Bishop also advises certain patients to use heat, ice, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, or Tylenol.A lot of these interventions can make knee problems like irritation or limited range of motion more manageable, especially in the case of osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease where the cartilage is just worn down.“However, we don’t have a way to bring the cartilage back,” Dr. Bishop emphasized. “The only surgical fix for that is a total knee replacement. We can try all those approaches until it isn’t working anymore. Then it’s ultimately up to the patient to decide if the next step is joint replacement.”Total knee replacement is essentially a procedure in which the surgeon removes the old part of the knee and inserts a new device, replacing the joint surfaces with metal and plastic.During the surgery, Dr. Bishop makes an incision right up the front of the knee, right over the patella. Underneath the next surface, he makes a curved incision around the patella to move the patella out of the way. Then he exposes the femur, the tibia, and the patella. He uses special devices to make accurate cuts of those bones. Then he places metal on those bones and then plastic in between at certain stress points so that the ligaments can function the way they are supposed to function.“The ultimate idea is to recreate the alignment and the function of the knee as it was originally designed by taking off as little bone as possible and putting on an implant that will recreate that joint,” Dr. Bishop explained.Patients get up and move on the same day as their procedure. Mobility is important shortly after surgery to maintain that range of motion, so scar tissue does not develop. At two weeks, most people are walking (some with an assistive device). By six weeks, most people are walking without the assistive device.“It’s the outcomes that are most valuable to me,” Dr. Bishop said. “I like it when patients do well and get back to the activities they enjoy doing like hiking and taking part in sports.”One of the many advantages of having your total knee replacement surgery at Estes Park Health is being close to home. If you live in this area and your family and friends are here to support you, that can be extremely valuable in your recovery.“I have years of experience doing joint replacements in Longmont,” Dr. Bishop added. “I have a large group of patients who have been very happy with their procedure. I’m excited to bring that same technology, that same ability, here to Estes Park. Come see me. It starts with a conversation. I’d be happy to see you. We would discuss what the main issues are, what’s bothering you, what things we can offer you to improve your activity and what you want to do in your life.”
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: New Mural at Estes Park Health brings Colorado splendor inside
When you think of healing, life-affirming colors, you think of rich greens and beautiful blue hues. That’s what muralist Michael Young thought when he looked at a plain wall on the second floor waiting room of Estes Park Health and dreamed of something more, something beautiful.“A hospital is just like banks and pharmacies,” Young noted. “They’re all brown, which is fine. That’s what you have to do for a business. But I walked in and the first thing I noticed was there were no light greens or blues. We live where God created the greatest scenery, so I just like to bring it in. You need something to bring up the spirits.”Estes Park Health loved Young’s idea and hired him to turn two walls in the lab and diagnostic imaging waiting area into a tribute to the fauna of Colorado.“Aspen trees take you from the ground and they move you up,” Young said. “You have to have greenery and blue sky.”Donna McCleary works right across the waiting room from the mural project. She’s been with Estes Park Health for 21 years. She loves the idea of public artwork.“Oh, it is amazing how he does things,” McCleary remarked “He starts off with just a white background and it slowly comes together. It’s going to be remarkable once it’s done. He’s done quite a few murals in town. We are very lucky to have it done here. And you know, that’s part of Colorado is the aspen trees, the columbines. Very Estes Park.”McCleary said patients will appreciate the beautiful addition.“I think they’re going to love it,” she added. “It’s something that’s soothing and it’s very peaceful.”As a professional freelance muralist, Young has already created 29 murals in 23 locations. He felt drawn to create an original piece for Estes Park Health. He credits EPH with helping him with two hernia surgeries, treatment for a broken wrist, and an emergency heart problem that earned him a helicopter ride from the ER to another hospital where he had an eight-hour surgery.“The staff here is just incredible,” he stressed. “They’re all good people. You never know when you’re going to need a hospital, but when you do, this place is right here.”Young followed his design and spent his evenings creating his vision. One of the walls features 82 columbines, representing the year he graduated from Columbine High School. Overall, he meticulously painted 135 trees and 148 flowers. “When people I don’t know walk by and say it looks wonderful, it’s like, ‘I’m doing something right,’” he said. “I just love to paint.”Art has been used in hospitals since the 14th century. The integration of art into a healthcare facility not only provides a restorative and pleasant environment, but also reduces stress and provides opportunities for a positive mental escape in a clinical setting.Young’s 27 painting sessions over a month’s time resulted in “Aspen Splendor.” The mural is replete with beautiful details, including some fun hidden Easter eggs for visitors to find, like a moose and an alien.At Estes Park Health, we practice the art of medicine and embrace the power of healing.To watch a video about the painting of the mural, go to https://youtu.be/CK_cPord5vo. Michael Young’s other muralsYou can find Michael Young’s other murals at the following locations:· Redrum Tattoos· Mocha Angelo’s Simply Christmas (3)· Poppy’s· Estes Valley Library children’s section· Bart’s Liquor (4)· Rocky Mountain Pharmacy (2)· Bank of Colorado· Sugar Shack· Riverwalk electrical box behind Mama Rose’s· Bond Park electrical box that looks like a cabin· Raven’s Roast Coffee· Christian Church of Estes Park· Estes Park Museum· Rail Museum in Golden· Cliffhanger Books (2)· KOA Campgrounds· Ice boxes at Ferncliff Food and Fuel· Quality Inn· Faux woodwork in the Macgregor Dining Room at the Stanley Hotel
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: New faces, same great service at Estes Park Health Infusion Center
Ronald Gruber, 83, of Estes Park needs a Lupron injection every three months. After his prostate cancer diagnosis three years ago, he underwent radiation. His doctor suggested he start this therapy to help control his PSA level. He comes to Estes Park Health to receive this hormone therapy. EPH is close to home and provides everything Gruber needs for this treatment.“It’s a lot handier,” Gruber said. “I’d have to drive to Fort Collins or Loveland to receive this medication.”Gruber has used Estes Park Health for much of his medical care over the last 24 years he’s lived in Estes Park. He says he always feels well cared for.“This has always been nice and clean and professional,” he stressed.His nurse in the outpatient Infusion Center is Janelle Boyington, a Pinewood Springs resident who is happy to have a job taking care of her neighbors in the Estes Valley.“Being able to serve in my community is incredibly important,” Boyington commented. “Being able to have continuity of care with my patients here in the Infusion Center was something I was very drawn to. I really appreciate getting to know my patients. Personalized care has been a hallmark of the women’s healthcare I’ve been doing previously so it translates nicely here in serving our community. Every day is a little bit different.”Patients come to the EPH Infusion Center for a myriad of reasons.“Some may be receiving chemotherapy,” Boyington explained. “Most, however, are either receiving antibiotic therapy for an acute illness or biologics for chronic disease which may be an adjuvant to their cancer therapy or various other chronic diseases.”The nurses in the Infusion Center also conduct therapeutic phlebotomies, taking blood from patients who need it for medical conditions. High altitude living can put people at greater risk for excess red blood cells and an increased risk of clots or a stroke.The ability to offer these important services at a small hospital like Estes Park Health is a real boon for local patients.“We want to provide an elevated level of care for them close to home,” said EPH Manager of Pharmacy and Infusion Kate Stephens, PharmD. “Because we are a small hospital, we can offer them a little bit more personalized care. And we really want to give them that great all-around experience. We want them to feel comfortable coming in and seeing smiling faces that they recognize, and they know, and that they know we’re here to give them the best care possible. It’s great to be able to have an infusion within the hospital setting. In theory, a patient can go and see their provider that morning, come and talk about their care, talk about their plan, and then walk right down the hall and get their service from the Infusion Center.”Caprissa Frawley is the Patient Service Access Representative for the Infusion Center. Her job is to expedite the life-saving care provided here.“I help patients have access to the facility by admitting them, registering them, checking that their insurance is in place, and lining them up with the specialty they might need,” she noted.Frawley said having local infusion care is important, since many of the recipients are ill and don’t feel like traveling.“I could not begin to imagine trying to make it down the mountain with the elevation changes for somebody who’s that sick,” Frawley added. “It’s absolutely vital. It’s life-sustaining medicines that people are getting.”Thayne Stacey has been a nurse for more than two decades. He also oversees the care of Infusion Center patients at EPH. “Some people are here for daily infusion of antibiotics,” Stacy explained. “Some people are here once a week. Some people are here once a year. It really varies quite a bit. If you weren’t here, you’d be driving quite a way, so it’s very beneficial to them to not have to drive several hours back and forth.”Like many of the staff who work in the Infusion Center and the patients who come here for treatment, the nurses praise the spacious facility with beautiful artwork and stunning views of the mountains. It’s a peaceful place.“It has a lot of windows facing Lumpy Ridge and toward the lake,” Stacey pointed out. “It’s a great room.”Boyington also marvels at the setting for the Infusion Center.“Between the beautiful artwork on the back wall and the majestic artwork out the window, we’re incredibly blessed to have this space,” she emphasized. “With patients being here sometimes an hour, sometimes a couple of hours for their infusion, being able to be in this peaceful environment, I think, adds to the healing that’s being invited here. We live in paradise. Being able to receive our care here near home is reassuring. It means that our family can be near us. And that a one-hour appointment doesn’t become an entire day by having to drive down the mountain. There are a bunch of new faces here in the Infusion Center. That said, nurses have a high standard of care everywhere I’ve been, and that includes here at Estes Park Health.”For important infusion therapy close to home, think Estes Park Health.To watch a video about infusion services at Estes Park Health, go to https://youtu.be/Ba4JEF0tlTE?si=lx1v3myFAXlxwZYH.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Traveling healthcare workers choose to call EPH home
What does it say about an organization when people sign up to be temporary employees, and then choose to become staff and stay? At Estes Park Health, we think it speaks volumes.Take Angela Waldon who took a job as a traveling healthcare worker at Estes Park Health. She is a CT technologist, conducting important diagnostic imaging scans for patients.“I started working as a traveler after COVID at the end of 2021,” Waldon said.She is from Colorado, but had moved to Florida, traveling to seven different work locations trying to find the right fit for her. When she came to Estes Park Health, she started with a three-month contract, extended it to six, and then realized this is the place she wanted to work permanently. So, she took a full-time job at EPH and moved back to Colorado.“I found my true home,” Walson emphasized. “I walked in, and I immediately knew that. We have time to spend with our patients. We are well staffed. We do have a good work/life balance. We’re treated well. Our equipment is some of the best I’ve ever worked on.”Waldon always gets a great response from her patients when she tells them she is staying at Estes Park Health.“Whenever I tell them that I’ve decided to stay they always say, ‘Welcome home and we’re so glad to have you.’” Waldon shared. “They’re very appreciative as we are of them.”Brandon Letcher has also made the decision to stay at Estes Park Health as a surgical technologist. He said he can spot a good place when he finds one. He should know. Letcher has worked at 28 different hospitals as a traveler.“I decided to come to Colorado,” he said. “And in my career, I always visited Estes Park. I’ve been coming here for vacations for the last 10 or 15 years, staying at The Stanley. I never even knew there was a hospital here. And then when I was looking at jobs for traveling, they had a travel assignment here. So, I decided to take it, fell in love, and here I am.”Letcher calls Estes Park Health a little gem up in the mountains. He said he likes serving the Estes Valley by helping to provide excellent surgical care close to home.“I know my skill, my surgeon,” he noted. “We get them in here and we get them out of here instead of having to send them down the mountain. We can do a lot of surgeries here.”Letcher’s community of co-workers have made him feel right at home.“If you need help, they’re there to help you,” he explained. “One day I was sick on call, and I was off the next day, and I was in a sleep room here. Everybody came and brought me stuff to get better. It was amazing. It was a tear-jerker for me. And I knew right then and there, these are my people. It’s just a blessing to be here.”One of Letcher’s partners in the operating room is surgical technologist Donna Eubank, a traveler who is also planning on becoming a permanent part of the EPH staff. She has spent more than 24 years honing her surgical tech skills.“I love knowing the surgery, knowing the steps, and having everything ready for the surgeon when they need it before they ask for it,” Eubank emphasized.Estes Park Health surgeons perform total joint replacements, arthroscopies, colonoscopies, eye, and foot procedures to name a few. Eubank likes the variety.“Since we’re such a small hospital, we all wear many hats and we do it all,” she said. “That’s fun.”Eubank is considered a local traveler because she commutes to Estes Park from Windsor. She enjoys the small size and the sense of community she has found here.“I worked at a very busy place before, and I do like the small community hospital,” she noted. “I come from a small town and that, for me, is the appeal. It’s nice to slow down but also be involved with the growth of the place, too. You walk down the halls and most of the people know your name.”For dedicated staff with an eye toward the future of healthcare in the Estes Valley, think Estes Park Health.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Long-time employees explain their dedication to Estes Park Health
When she first took a job at Estes Park Health in 1981, nurse Cindy Kingswood never dreamed she would still be working here more than 42 years later.“My goal was to work for the summer and then I’d find someplace else to go,” Kingswood remembered. “After the summer, I decided one year would look good on a resume. And then in that year, I met my husband.”Kingswood lives in Estes Park, close enough that she can walk to the hospital where she works as a nurse in the General Surgery Clinic. She has served in several different roles during her tenure of more than four decades.“My first 27 years, I worked in the hospital doing everything,” Kingswood recalled. “Since we are a rural hospital, we did med/surg, OB, ER, outpatient. Pretty much you name it, we did it. And then I spent 10 years doing home care and hospice before going to the clinic.”Kingswood did not even plan on becoming a nurse, but life had different plans for her. She went to South America for a summer, performed some mission work, and changed her mind.She said her favorite part about working at EPH is seeing patients.“I love patient care,” she stressed. “I love getting to know people or seeing people I’ve known in the community for years. I also love my co-workers. I work with great people. We have a great staff in the clinic and that’s why I come to work.”Donna McClearyFor patients who check in for lab work, diagnostic imaging and surgery, Donna McCleary is a friendly – and familiar – face. She has worked for EPH for more than 21 years.“The HR Director came to me and asked if I wanted to come to work at the hospital,” McCleary explained. “And I told him ‘No.’ I had a job downtown. He said, ‘How about part time?’ Part time lasted three days. And then I was full time from then on.”She started out in Materials Management as a buyer. Then she ran the Specialty Clinic for several years. The past three years, she has worked for Outpatient Registration.“I enjoy the patients,” McCleary said. “You get to know them, especially being here as long as I have. You try to interact with them as much as you can. You get to know their families. You get to know them as a patient. I really like that part. The people who come to Estes Park Health just touch your soul. I hope we can pass that along to them as well.”In her current role, McCleary checks in patients, collects their co-pays, and verifies their insurance. She tries to expedite their visits as much as she can. Her dedication to EPH is palpable.“If we didn’t have Estes Park Health, there would be so many patients who would have to go down the hill and a lot of them just can’t do that,” McCleary stressed. “That’s why I feel like this is where this place needs to be. It’s a very good hospital. If you come in and interact with any of us, we will try and help you any way we can.”How long will she keep working at EPH?“I’m going to work here until they tell me I can’t,” she stated.Kim RamacherWhen you walk through the front doors of Estes Park Health, Kim Ramacher’s smiling face is one of the first things you’ll see. As the person who runs the coffee shop, she is one of the helpful folks in the lobby.“I have been in the coffee shop for more than four years,” Ramacher commented. “I like it because it’s not just about coffee. I greet everybody who comes in. I’ll do anything they ask me to do. And I like that.”“Anything” often includes helping people using canes or wheelchairs, parking cars, even helping people navigate their way through the facility.Ramacher started out as the medical/surgical unit coordinator, then, she worked in the kitchen and the lunchroom. For the past four years, you’ve been able to find her heading up the coffee shop.“I open at 5:30 in the morning to catch the people who have been working all night long,” she explained. “We are open until 2:30 p.m. five days a week. I love the people. And I really love to work. I usually say, ‘I’m a working girl.’ That’s because I like to work 24/7.”Besides coffee, Ramacher also sells specialty drinks, burritos, chips, muffins, ice cream and candy.“I have lived in Estes Park for 20 years now,” Ramacher added. “Estes Park Health is very important to the community. We’re close for people. If there is an emergency, they can get here. If they need something more than that, we can fly them out. It’s very important for us to have this hospital in Estes Park.”To listen to a podcast featuring this long-time Estes Park Health employees, go to
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Specialized physicians take care of EPH hospital patients
If an accident or an illness lands you in the hospital at Estes Park Health, our hospitalists are ready to get you better and get you home.“A hospitalist is a physician that’s supervising and in charge of care of hospitalized patients,” explained Dr. Christopher Ryan who is one of three hospitalists who take care of patients in the inpatient unit at EPH.“We see the kinds of bread-and-butter medicine that can be taken care of at a smaller hospital. So, infections of all sorts, injuries, acute bleeding issues, worsening of heart failure, strokes,” Dr. Ryan said. “I love interacting with patients in a very acute setting, being able to see them start to finish. Coming to the hospital sick and being able to at least go home and finish off the recovery process at home.”Most of the patients are admitted to the hospital through the emergency room. Others, like Warren Wilkewitz, have gotten care or surgery at other facilities and are transferred to Estes Park Health to recover and rehabilitate close to home.“I’m here to get rehab and treatment of a foot,” Wilkewitz stated. “I have had problems with circulation. I have arterial insufficiency to the foot that has caused an infection and some gangrene that forced an amputation. And so, they’ve taken half the foot.”Wilkewitz was admitted to Estes Park Health to try and get his wound to heal. If that goes well, he’ll avoid an amputation below the knee.“So, the stakes are very high,” he noted. “And I’m trusting the care here in Estes because they’re very much dedicated to getting the kind of objective and result that we’re wishing for. We’ve got a good plan.”Dr. Paul Fonken is one of the hospitalists taking care of Warren.“One of the things this hospital is very committed to is taking care of the patients from our community,” Dr. Fonken stressed. “One of my favorite things is continuity. I love the relationships with patients. Many of the patients I know from the community. And then I get to care for them for their whole stay. It is satisfying to see somebody get better quickly. We get to work with them multiple days in a row, see them get better, and then discharge them to home.”Dr. Kenneth Epstein is the other hospitalist who takes care of patients who need to stay at Estes Park Health. He says being a hospitalist allows him to concentrate on cases from start to finish.“I can focus all my knowledge on hospital-based problems,” Dr. Epstein emphasized. “They are my focus. My only focus. It’s a short-term continuity. It may only be three or four days. But I spend all that time and I really get to know the patient and the families. In a town like Estes Park, often I see the same patients, same families come back over the years. So there really is some continuity. They know me. I know them when they come to the hospital. The advantage of admitting them here at Estes Park is they don’t have to go down the hill. We can keep them in their local community. In terms of family, being here in town is huge.”Wilkewitz added that having a hospital in Estes Park is convenient for him and his loved ones.“My family is able to come easily rather than going to the valley to visit me,” he said. “And I’ve been impressed with the way this staff has worked with the surgeon and the staff at the larger hospital. And I feel that I’m getting the kind of care that I need and would hope for. I’m very, very grateful.”For professional and personalized hospital care close to home, think Estes Park Health.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Cataract surgery at Estes Park Health helps patients see clearly again
Peggy Beck of Estes Park recently had brief eye surgery at Estes Park Health that will help change her vision for the better. Like many seniors, Peggy has cataracts. That’s a condition when the lens inside your eye becomes cloudy over time due to protein degradation as the eye ages.“Pretty much everybody gets cataracts,” EPH Ophthalmologist Dr. Sarah Dech said. “It’s just whether they get bad enough that you need surgery. Cataracts are pretty much unavoidable. It’s kind of like getting wrinkles. It just happens with aging. We watch them and once they’re bad enough that they’re impacting your vision, we would go ahead and take them out.”Cataract surgery patients are sedated but awake during the 15-minute procedure. The surgeon preps the eye and holds it open as she operates while peering under a powerful microscope.“I make a very small incision in your cornea which is the front most part of your eye,” Dr. Dech explained. “I enter that small incision with an ultrasound machine. I use the ultrasound machine to break up the lens into multiple little pieces and I use that same machine to vacuum it out. I do some cleaning up and then we insert a lens into the eye.”The lens is folded up like a tiny taco to fit through the slit. The warmth of the eye causes it to unfurl into place. No sutures are used. The eye will heal on its own.Beck is grateful to have this kind of precision eye surgery service close to home.“It’s nice and close,” Beck commented. “The physician is very accessible. And I can call and reach somebody right away. That’s very helpful. Very nice. Dr. Dech is wonderful. I’m sending other people to her.”“You’re taking somebody who wasn’t seeing very well and hopefully giving them very good post-op vision,” she noted. “People are grateful for that. It’s giving them their quality of life back.”Along with cataracts, Dr. Dech also helps patients with macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, retinal detachments, floaters, and acute infections.“I think the patients at Estes Park Health are just incredible,” Dr. Dech added. “Everyone is so grateful to have ophthalmology up here and I really feel that. I feel appreciated and everyone is so kind and so gracious.”For precision eye care by a highly trained surgeon close to home, think Estes Park Health.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Cataract surgery at Estes Park Health helps patients see clearly again
Peggy Beck of Estes Park recently had brief eye surgery at Estes Park Health that will help change her vision for the better. Like many seniors, Peggy has cataracts. That’s a condition when the lens inside your eye becomes cloudy over time due to protein degradation as the eye ages.“Pretty much everybody gets cataracts,” EPH Ophthalmologist Dr. Sarah Dech said. “It’s just whether they get bad enough that you need surgery. Cataracts are pretty much unavoidable. It’s kind of like getting wrinkles. It just happens with aging. We watch them and once they’re bad enough that they’re impacting your vision, we would go ahead and take them out.”Cataract surgery patients are sedated but awake during the 15-minute procedure. The surgeon preps the eye and holds it open as she operates while peering under a powerful microscope.“I make a very small incision in your cornea which is the front most part of your eye,” Dr. Dech explained. “I enter that small incision with an ultrasound machine. I use the ultrasound machine to break up the lens into multiple little pieces and I use that same machine to vacuum it out. I do some cleaning up and then we insert a lens into the eye.”The lens is folded up like a tiny taco to fit through the slit. The warmth of the eye causes it to unfurl into place. No sutures are used. The eye will heal on its own.Beck is grateful to have this kind of precision eye surgery service close to home.“It’s nice and close,” Beck commented. “The physician is very accessible. And I can call and reach somebody right away. That’s very helpful. Very nice. Dr. Dech is wonderful. I’m sending other people to her.”“You’re taking somebody who wasn’t seeing very well and hopefully giving them very good post-op vision,” she noted. “People are grateful for that. It’s giving them their quality of life back.”Along with cataracts, Dr. Dech also helps patients with macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, retinal detachments, floaters, and acute infections.“I think the patients at Estes Park Health are just incredible,” Dr. Dech added. “Everyone is so grateful to have ophthalmology up here and I really feel that. I feel appreciated and everyone is so kind and so gracious.”For precision eye care by a highly trained surgeon close to home, think Estes Park Health.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Estes Park Health installs new DEXA machine
Evelyn Wilson of Estes Park took an important step in protecting her bone health this month. She got a DEXA scan. DEXA stands for Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry. Simply put, it’s a quick and painless test using x-ray to help physicians monitor the density of your bones.“It can be your primary, any doctor, an orthopedic doctor, even endocrinologists because they’re interested in thyroid labs and different labs that may leach your calcium from your bones and then distribute that calcium into your bloodstream,” explained Marcy Kimbro, a technologist who administered Wilson’s DEXA test. “We want to keep that calcium in the bone.”Estes Park Health acquired a new DEXA machine in the fall of 2023, thanks to the efforts of Estes Valley women who took part in the Mrs. Rooftop Rodeo competition. The group raised a record-breaking amount of money in this year’s campaign and provided Estes Park Health with enough money to buy the machine and fund the service and maintenance contract.“It really speaks to their motivation to support the hospital, to support the mission, and really to get it done and raise what we needed to raise to get the new machine,” said Dr. John Knudtson, EPH Radiologist. “When a group of women decide that they’re going to get this done, there’s nothing that’s going to stop them.”The new DEXA – a GE Lunar machine – is used multiple times every day at Estes Park Health.“The demand for DEXA scans here is quite high because we have a lot of patients who are at risk for bone density loss and yet they want to remain active and make sure they don’t have any problems with pathologic fractures or osteoporotic fractures that prevent them from doing the things that they want to do,” Knudtson added.For Evelyn, the test made sense.“It was recommended by my doctor,” she said. “I’m guessing because of my age. I know especially in women that we tend to shrink a little bit and our bones do get more fragile. And small things like falls and whatnot can make a big difference. I just want to be proactive about it.”This is Evelyn’s first time to get a DEXA exam. It can be used as a baseline for future testing. The test only takes about 15 minutes. Technologists zero in on specific bones that give doctors a good idea of total body bone health.“The lumbar spine vertebrae are the densest bones in the human body,” Kimbro stated. “We do the hip. We try to do the hip or femur area because that is a high-risk fracture site.”The good news is if a patient shows signs of bone loss, simple interventions like supplements, exercise and diet changes can help. If the problem is more serious, medication for osteoporosis can be prescribed.“It can really change your life,” Kimbro stressed.The new DEXA machine provides fast answers that can yield a wealth of information about both health.“The new machine is all updated with the new computer and the results are quicker, more accurate, and it has all of the latest bells and whistles and all of the good things that we associate with new technology,” Dr. Knudtson emphasized. “You will not find any better equipment anywhere else.”For Evelyn, having the latest technology in Estes Park is convenient.“I’m glad we have this machine here,” she stressed. “This is awesome.”For important diagnostic testing close to home, think Estes Park Health. To watch a video about the new DEXA machine at EPH, log on to https://youtu.be/VQmDzwghbM0.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Gavin Bishop to join Estes Park Health in January
In early January 2024, Dr. Gavin Bishop will join the Estes Park Health team as an orthopedic specialist. He will provide general orthopedic care as well as orthopedic surgeries at the hospital.“With the surgeries I perform, I really like working with the patients and getting them back to health,” Dr. Bishop said. “I enjoy performing them all, but I particularly enjoy performing total hip replacements. I really like how quickly the patients get back to activities. The way we perform this surgery now really allows patients to get up and move right away.”Dr. Bishop will also be performing surgeries on shoulders, knees, elbows, wrists, hands, feet, and ankles. Besides hip replacements, he is also trained in shoulder and knee replacements.He is a big believer in both pre-surgical and post-surgical education, since these types of surgeries are a journey for patients, not just a one-day ordeal.“I take the opportunity to teach and work as a partner with patients,” Dr. Bishop explained. “I spend a lot of time with patients, letting them know what their disease process is and helping them understand what the options are and how we can go forward from there.”Dr. Bishop grew up in Colorado near Littleton. He also spent some of his youth in Northern California outside San Francisco. He earned his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering at the University of California San Diego. He attended medical school at The George Washington University in Washington, DC. And completed his orthopedic surgery residency program at the Boston University School of Medicine in Boston, Mass. He completed a Sports Medicine Fellowship Program at New England Baptist Hospital, also in Boston.“I decided to become a doctor for a lot of reasons,” Dr. Bishop noted. “I didn’t know going into medical school what exact field that I wanted to go into. I was a bioengineer in college. I like the mechanics of the body. As I went through medical school, I enjoyed every rotation, but I really seemed to focus on orthopedics because of the patient care, the biomechanics of the body, and the ability to do what I could to help the body work better.”Along with sports medicine and traditional orthopedic surgery, Dr. Bishop also has experience working with trauma patients and pediatric patients.“I enjoy taking care of young athletes,” he stated. “So, I will be happy to take care of our kids as well.”Dr. Bishop is coming to Estes Park Health from the Orthopedic Center of the Rockies in Longmont. Before that, he had a seven-year stint at Longs Peak Hospital, a UCHealth facility in Longmont.“I am very excited about this opportunity at Estes Park Health,” Dr. Bishop emphasized. “The team here has a long history of taking excellent care of patients. I’ve lived nearby in Longmont and really enjoyed the environment in Estes Park.”In his free time, Dr. Bishop enjoys seasonal outdoor activities like biking, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.His family includes his wife, a 12-year-old son, and their dog which is a Bernedoodle named Eggsy.“I will offer to the community excellent orthopedics near their home to they don’t feel they have to go elsewhere for their medical care,” he stressed.Dr. Bishop is Board Certified in General Orthopaedics and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and the Arthroscopy Association of North America.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Local artists fill EPH Outpatient Infusion Center with healing beauty
For patients in Estes Park Health’s Outpatient Infusion Center, the road to recovery just got a little more scenic. More than 20 artists who live in and around the Estes Valley donated more than two dozen pieces of framed watercolors, oils, photographs, and pen and ink drawings to line the walls of this special patient care area.Gallery Manager Lars Sage of the Art Center of Estes Park helped solicit the donations.“I was looking for a variety of pieces of artwork,” Sage explained. “They are not always the same scenic view. Hopefully as the person sits in the chair, they can look at it and just feel comfortable in having something to look at and enjoy for the time they are there.”The Outpatient Infusion Clinic at Estes Park Health provides a valuable service for patients needing chemotherapy, antibiotics, biologics, and other types of infusions. Patients also undergo therapeutic phlebotomies in this area.The clinic partners with UCHealth for cancer care. Patients can be cared for locally instead of making a long drive to and from chemotherapy.Astrid Paustian is an Artist Member of the Art Center of Estes Park. She donated a piece called “Sunset by the Lake.”As a former nurse, she felt called to donate her work to Estes Park Health.“Art certainly soothes my soul,” Paustian said. “The places I tend to paint are peaceful and uplifting. I don’t like super realistic, dramatic, sad art. There’s enough of that in the world. Personally, I just know that’s what art does for me. It can offer solace, comfort, excitement…all the good things in life.”The local art gives a comforting feel to the spacious Outpatient Infusion Center room with its lovely windows and beautiful views of Lumpy Ridge and Mount Olympus.Some patients visit this room monthly, weekly, or even daily for their treatments.“I always look for opportunities to have the Art Center exposed in the community in different ways,” Sage added. “We have five rotating satellite exhibits up around town in Snowy Peaks Winery, VERT Coworking, US Bank, Bank of Estes Park and second floor lobby of Estes Park Health.”However, these pieces were given to EPH permanently. Each one has a brass plate with the name of the piece of art and the name of the artist so that in the future, people can appreciate what generous local artists donated in 2023.These pieces of art are establishing a sanctuary, providing patients with a place of comfort and inspiration on the journey to recovery. With titles like “Galaxy,” “Joyful Morning,” “Fall at Hallett Peak” and “Dancing Waters,” these creations are keeping the room from having a sterile, impersonal feel.Besides Paustian, other local artists who contributed their work to EPH include Laura Davis, Deborah Jansen, Bruce Boynton, Alan Robertson, Connie Schmidt, Chris Switzer, FI Rust, Andrea Gavel, Bo Cheatham, Nancy Dietz, Gretchen Acharya, Velina Davidson, Diana Wade, Linda Palmer, Anne Sneary, and Charlotte Lloyd.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health -- Through the Looking Glass: MRI provides incredible images of the body
Drew Webb of Estes Park is getting ready for a high-tech imaging test called magnetic resonance imaging or MRI. Estes Park Health installed a new 1.5 Tesla MRI in 2022. It’s an incredible piece of medical machinery.“I’ve been having some issues with my lower back and hip,” Webb explained. “I had some x-rays done. They were negative. Thank goodness. They thought they needed to take an MRI and see if there was anything else going on.”An MRI is a non-invasive test that uses a magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to create incredibly detailed three-dimensional images of the inside of the body. It’s almost like taking a giant magnifying glass to peer into the body’s structures.“MRI is an amazing tool,” EPH Radiologist Dr. John Knudtson said. “You use radio waves to pass through the tissues. And then the tissues give off a signal. Different tissues give off different images and different frequencies as they react to the radio waves within the magnetic field.”MRI Technician Robert Moseley has worked in the field for more than three decades.“The quality of images has gotten better,” he noted. “The time has gotten faster. It’s gotten quieter. Comfort for the patient is night and day different now. We scan everything. If you have a disc in your back, we’re going to see it. If you have a rotator cuff there, you’re going to see it. If you have a lesion on your liver, you’re going to see it. If you have an ulcer on your foot from diabetes, you’re going to see it. If you have a tumor in your bone, you’re going to see it. Without a diagnosis of what the problem is, you’re just running in circles. You must find the problem and diagnose it.”For patients, the new MRI creates less claustrophobia. It’s also quieter than earlier machines. The staff provides the patient’s choice of music to create a calm vibe. Patients must lie perfectly still for the study to produce the best results.Webb is an avid golfer and wants to get back to his best game.“That’s kind of what brought this up for me,” he commented. “Towards the end of the season, I started to get some pain back there so my guess is that was aggravated by maybe playing too much golf.”Webb serves as a Board Member of the Park Hospital District. He also contributed money to the community campaign that helped fund this updated piece of equipment.“We’re very, very fortunate,” Webb stressed. “I mean, a lot of people move to Estes Park because of this hospital. Healthcare here is what I have found to be fantastic. The level of care that people get here is great.”Dr. Knudtson said the MRI at Estes Park Health is convenient for Estes Valley residents who need a study but who don’t want to have to travel to get one.The machine can help diagnose everything from orthopedic problems to cancer to strokes. Along with CT scans and x-rays, it provides doctors with the best imaging possible to diagnose and treat disease and injury.For up-to-date medical imaging close to home, think Estes Park Health.To watch a video about Estes Park Health’s MRI, go to https://youtu.be/0whvrtAEkn8.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: X-rays: The foundation of diagnostic imaging at Estes Park Health
Before the discovery of x-ray technology, the only way physicians could look inside the body was to cut it open. All that changed in the 1890s when x-rays became part of a noninvasive medical revolution.“X-ray is foundation of what we do,” explained Estes Park Health radiologist Dr. John Knudtson. “It’s part of the electromagnetic spectrum. It’s something that we use to transmit through the body and to see the different body parts. It’s still the best way to look inside the body without having to perform surgery.”At Estes Park Health, patients like Patricia Pickering of Estes Park benefit from the state-of-the-art x-ray imaging offered in our diagnostic imaging department. “I have a broken ankle,” Pickering said. “I got up to go to the bathroom, got stuck in a small area where the toilet is and collapsed. I collapsed on both my feet. I’m here for an x-ray and a checkup with the orthopedic surgeon.”Her radiologic technologist was Sheila Shirley.“I like the challenge,” Shirley commented.She emphasized that if a doctor orders an x-ray at EPH, patients don’t even need an appointment. They can walk in for the quick and painless test.“Our scheduling desk opens at 7 a.m. so we’re here early in the morning to get our outpatients seen,” she stressed. “We just try to make it as convenient as we can.”Fractures are just one of the many diagnoses that can be determined by x-ray. Chest x-rays are the most common.“With chest x-rays, we’re looking for pneumonia,” Dr. Knudtson said. “We’re looking for fluid, heart failure. In the case of trauma patients, we want to look and see if there has been any collapsed lung, if there’s been any laceration, if there has been any potentially life-threatening traumatic injury.”Doctors also use x-rays to look for arthritis, bone infections, kidney stones and dozens of other diseases and injuries. Estes Park Health has machines that can perform x-rays on patients lying down, standing, or sitting up.For Estes Valley residents like Patricia, not having to drive to another town is a great advantage.“That would be terrible,” Pickering said. “And I probably would have been hospitalized because going back and forth would probably have been too much for me at that time. We find it to be incredibly efficient and wonderful to live so close to a good facility like this. We support the hospital in everything they do.”Every day of the week and every week of the year, the x-ray machines at Estes Park Health are busy providing excellent, convenient, important medical information.For crystal-clear imaging to help your physician provide the best care possible, think Estes Park Health.To watch a video about x-rays at Estes Park Health, go to https://youtu.be/u5Qs3cuLk4s.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Phlebotomists Practice the Art and Science of Blood Draws at Estes Park Health
It’s an important job with a funny name: phlebotomist. Estes Park Health employs five phlebotomists who draw blood for the thousands of tests the laboratory runs every year. These blood draws are crucial for diagnosing medical conditions and monitoring the effectiveness of medication and treatment.Without lab results, physicians would often be flying blind.Laurie Larricq has worked in healthcare for 18 years. She enjoys being part of the process to provide accurate blood work to doctors treating patients in the Estes Valley.“I love being able to help patients get the results they need in a timely fashion to determine the way they are going to be taken care of by the doctors,” Larricq said.One of her patients this month was 82-year-old Evelyn Thoelcke of Estes Park who has used EPH for her healthcare for two decades. She has had many blood draws here over the years.“I’m getting a blood test today to check my A1C which is for sugar, and liver and kidney and a metabolic panel,” Thoelcke explained. “They’ve been very careful and gracious to me. I bruise very easily, so my first words to any of them when I come in the door are ‘I bruise easily’ so they know.”While phlebotomists want to help patients take the simple test as quickly as possible, they pay great attention to detail, finding out the arm preference and prior blood draw experiences of their patients and carefully labeling the vials before they are sent to the lab. Often, patients will get their results in their My Health Connection app before they get home.MaryBeth Roberds is a phlebotomist and the Laboratory Support Supervisor. She explained that phlebotomists not only work in the outpatient area but also support the Emergency Department and the hospital floor to help take care of all patients. She said working for a small hospital in this capacity is rewarding.“I know just about every patient’s name that comes in,” Roberds commented. “And they’re fun. They hug you. They tell you, ‘Oh, I’m so glad to see you.’ It’s an amazing feeling.”For many patients like Karen Davis, having certified phlebotomists at Estes Park Health keeps them from making a trip down valley to another facility.“Oh, they’ve always been really good and they’re painless,” Davis said.She comes in for blood work about every six months. Those test results are sent to her physician in Loveland, expediting her care.“The physician reads the bloodwork and is able to – on a video call – recommend what she wants, maybe, changes in medication,” she added.Davis’ phlebotomist this month, Nickolas Flatley, said each phlebotomist has their own style for putting patients at ease.“I push the needle into the skin like a dart so that way it’s a lot quicker and more painless,” Flatley said.Besides the blood work, phlebotomists also take swabs for flu and COVID tests, urine samples, sputum samples…plus they send home stool kits if a doctor orders it.Estes Park Health patients are grateful for the personalized care they receive during a phlebotomy.“I think we are very fortunate in this area to have the quality of healthcare that we have,” Thoelcke emphasized. “As I speak to people in other parts of the country, I shake my head. It’s like, ‘Oh, I wish they were here so that they could get the care that they need.’”For fast and efficient blood testing by professionals committed to making the process as painless as possible, think Estes Park Health.To watch a video about phlebotomy services at Estes Park Health, go to https://youtu.be/-okHivUFIDM.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Estes Park Health uses the latest technology to detect breast cancer
October is Breast Cancer Awareness MonthAmerican women have a one in eight chance of developing breast cancer sometime in their lives. Linda Hansen of Estes Park recently took an important step to find out if she could be one of them by having a mammogram at EPH. At age 72, she has been undergoing. screening mammograms for decades.“It’s painless and so far, all of my results have been good so there’s no reason not to,” Hansen said. “It’s just pressure at the most.”Estes Park Health acquired the latest mammography technology in 2020. It’s a machine that produces 3D images of the breasts for radiologists to examine.“All 3D exams still have the original four 2D images,” explained Sheila Shirley, EPH Quality, Training and Mammography Lead Technologist. “But then the machine makes an arc so it’s moving while it’s taking images. And it takes those images and puts them all together into an image that can be manipulated in 3D.”The entire process for a screening mammogram only takes 15 to 20 minutes. However, the yearly exam can detect cancer at its earliest – and most treatable stages – saving many lives.“I like that I am making a difference for women needing a screen,” Shirley added. “I know that nobody looks forward to a mammogram. For me, my job is to make them feel as comfortable as possible so that they come back next year, because if they don’t come back, we can’t fight breast cancer.”Marcy Kimbro is an Ultrasound Technologist who has worked in the field for 30 years. She gets excited when she talks about the technology she uses to help patients.“It’s a different imaging world,” Kimbro stated. “It’s completely different from any of the other modalities where I can peer into the human body and see the different organs and possibly the good things and the bad things that are hiding in there. If it’s a diagnostic mammogram and a lump or an area needs to be followed up, then I do the breast ultrasound on that area. And it will tell us whether something is solid or cystic, benign, or malignant looking by the shape and by the color doppler that is used sometimes. And then at that point the radiologist can determine whether that patient needs to move on to treatment and have a biopsy or have the cyst aspirated.”Ultrasound is sound waves only. No radiation. The technology goes arm in arm with mammography. Kimbro should know. She has been a patient on the receiving end of these important diagnostic imaging tests.“I am also a breast cancer survivor and I am now very sympathetic, empathic to the patient to get the information to put their mind at ease,” she said.This year, Estes Park Health began rewarding women who get their mammograms on time – within 13 months of their last one – by handing them a silk rose to reward them for taking care of themselves. Mammogram technologists say the tests you get at EPH are the same ones you will get elsewhere.“You don’t have to drive to get it, but yet we have the same technology,” Shirley emphasized. “If you go down the hill, a lot of places you have months to wait until you get in. Our wait times to get in here are pretty quick.”Hanson commented that her service at EPH has always been fast, easy, convenient, and thorough.Kimbro said EPH’s 3D mammography, along with ultrasound, is the top of the line the hospital has ever had.“Come in and get your mammograms annually and your ultrasounds if you need them,” said Kimbro to encourage Estes Park women to take advantage of these services. “You will know you’re doing the best thing for yourself. Take care of yourself. Come and see us.”For important cancer screening close to home, think Estes Park Health.To watch a video about breast cancer screening at EPH, go to https://youtu.be/jh-SwPjtMPA.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Think Estes Park Health Urgent Care for your same-day medical needs
When you’re sick or injured but you don’t need the emergency room and you can’t get into your regular physician’s office, Estes Park Health’s Urgent Care Center is close and convenient.Staffed with professionals who know how to take care of everything from bumps and bruises to simple bone breaks and infections, our Urgent Care is ready to take care of business quickly and efficiently.“There are a lot of minor injuries and illnesses that don’t need emergency room attention but simply can be taken care of at urgent care,” said Elise Booth, EPH Urgent Care Family Nurse Practitioner. “We identified a need in the community to fill some gaps for people who were either traveling or locals who couldn’t see their primary care providers. We also saw an opportunity that we could relieve some of the patient care done by the emergency department when people didn’t need to be there.”The Estes Park Health Urgent Care opened in May of 2020. It’s conveniently located off Highway 34 at 420 Steamer Drive. The spacious, state-of-the art facility includes seven exam rooms, an x-ray suite, a pharmacy, an orthopedic room for splinting, testing equipment and – most importantly – a staff of professionals ready for whoever walks in the door.“This is a very nice facility,” Dr. Cynthia DiLauro of EPH commented. “It’s large and the rooms are open and new and modern. Everything’s available to you. It’s accessible. And the staff here is wonderful. Everyone works together very well. I think it’s just a great team.”Dr. DiLauro is one of the internal medicine physicians at EPH. She covers some shifts at the Urgent Care on the weekends. DiLauro and the nurse practitioners, EMTs and paramedics who help patients address many common complaints.“We see a lot of people with a sore throat,” Dr. DiLauro pointed out. “I would say overall probably pharyngitis. And then COVID symptoms have been more popular recently. We can do a rapid strep to rule out strep pharyngitis. We can give you a COVID test. And then we can do x-rays. We do start IVs sometimes because sometimes we see people with altitude related symptoms. Often oxygen if that’s appropriate. Anti-nausea drugs for sometimes related altitude symptoms. And then injuries, many injuries, whether it’s your elbow, your knee, from hiking and falling. Ankle sprains. Fractures. Fishhooks that maybe are caught in someone’s ear lobe.”The staff at EPH Urgent Care says the variety of medical cases keeps them on their toes.“I love the diversity,” Booth emphasized. “I see new people all the time. I see different things all the time. I’m constantly challenged. I’m constantly learning.For patients, the cost and convenience of Urgent Care are huge benefits.“We’re saving people from ER visits that are unnecessary,” Booth added. “We’re open seven days a week. It’s hard these days to get into your primary care provider for same-day appointments. We’re happy to provide that service to our community members as well.”When a bump, bruise or break just can’t wait, think Estes Park Health Urgent Care. Patients receive the same, high-quality care of Estes Park Health delivered at this stand-alone center.To watch a video about EPH Urgent Care, go to https://youtu.be/1iRKNBFv2u4.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Estes Park Health unveils new fluoroscopy
Modern medicine uses amazing technology to look inside the body for diagnosis and treatment. Fluoroscopy – or moving x-ray – is one of the amazing tools radiologists use to peer inside and watch body functions and anatomy in real time. Estes Park Health installed a new fluoroscopy machine in the summer of 2023.“The images are clearer,” said EPH Radiologist Dr. John Knudtson. “You can see the anatomy and the area of interest more clearly. It helps you look through the images and review the study with more detail. You can slow the images down. It makes your job easier. You get more details with your exams. You can see things that might have been more subtle or even missed. That usually translates into a better result and better outcome for the patient.”This new machine – a Simens Luminos Agile Max Fluoroscopy Unit – was purchased with $600,000 provided by the Estes Park Health Foundation which raised the money during its fall 2022 campaign.“I’m so grateful,” said EPH Speech Language Pathologist Annie Boyd. “It’s something that the hospital has needed for a while. We have an incredible community to be able to help us.”Boyd is a Speech Language Pathologist helping conduct a modified barium swallow study for Estes Park patient Steve Mitchell. The new fluoroscopy unit will hopefully provide Steve with some answers to his recent swallowing problems.“I’ve been having problems with my throat,” said Mitchell. “Like if popcorn gets stuck in there, it’s very painful.”The study Mitchell had looks at swallowing from the moment the barium, the food, or the liquids hit the lips to when the substance goes into the esophagus.Mitchell sat upright against the fluoroscopy machine and swallowed different textures of liquids and solids mixed with barium, an imaging agent.The images are crystal clear and show the radiologist and the speech language pathologist exactly what’s going on.“The thing that’s unique about fluoroscopy is that you can observe the body’s movement in real time and how things are actually working,” Dr. Knudtson explained.The images can be still, video, or even slow-motion video so the healthcare professionals can assess what’s going on.The new machine is a big improvement over the former technology that was in place.“Oh, it’s amazing,” Boyd commented. “Such an improvement to be able to see it with such great clarity. The equipment runs so well.“I have never seen in that detail,” Mitchell added. “It is very clear.”Fluoroscopy is considered a vital piece of machinery for every modern diagnostic imaging department. Having it at Estes Park Health is a boon for patients and physicians.“It’s a lot easier for them to come here and come to a smaller community hospital,” Dr. Knudtson stressed. “They travel less distance. We can take care of them right here. When the patient is ready, we can get them in and get them done as soon as it’s convenient for them and then those images and that study will go into the computer system and their doctors can view it from wherever they are.Dr. Knudtson said he’s had numerous patients tell him they don’t want to leave town. They want to get their care in Estes Park.“I like that I don’t have to drive down to the valley,” Mitchell commented.Besides swallow studies, fluoroscopy can be used for esophagus exams, image-guided joint injections, and lumbar punctures, to name a few.The table can be on its side for patients sitting, or horizontal for patients in the prone position.The new fluoroscopy is a piece of equipment that’s used each week at Estes Park Health, and the staff is thrilled to have this important new piece of technology provided by the community.“The biggest thing that I would have to say is number one thank you,” Dr. Knudtson stressed. “It makes a huge difference to be able to offer the kind of services that we can offer here with the quality that we can offer so that people feel like that are getting what they need.”For precision testing using the latest technology close to home, think Estes Park Health.To watch a video about the new fluoroscopy, go to https://youtu.be/9vsL1ExtMc8.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Estes Park Health Laboratory -- The Heartbeat of the Hospital
With an array of massive machines, microscopes, hoods and vials, Laboratory Services at Estes Park Health is the heartbeat of the hospital.Without lab test results, doctors are simply listening to symptoms and guessing.Medical Laboratory Scientists or Medical Technologists -- as they are also referred to – are often called the hidden professionals who save lives. Every sample of blood, urine, stool, or culture winds up in the lab where hundreds of tests can be performed on sophisticated instruments.“So, all the machines you see around here are different platforms for different tests depending on what your doctor orders,” explained Sharon Worack, EPH Laboratory Director. “We run it on a certain machine with certain parameters verifying that the results are accurate before we give them to your provider. And then your provider makes medical decisions off those results.”Some of the myriad of tests run in the lab include metabolic panels, complete blood counts, respiratory cultures, and tests for respiratory viruses like the flu, COVID and RSV.“We do hundreds of tests in house and there are additional hundreds that we send out to Mayo Clinic,” Worack said. “If we don’t do it in house, we collect them still and send them out.”The lab is certified through the American Society for Clinical Pathology. It houses a blood bank to assist in the emergency room in case a patient needs a transfusion to be stabilized.Rachel Galbraith is a Medical Technologist who has worked at Estes Park Health’s lab for eight years.“I just find it really fascinating,” the EPH Laboratory Supervisor stated. “I love science. Problem solving is fun. It’s always a mystery.”One of the biggest challenges the staff here faces is keeping all the instruments running and calibrated.“We have maintenance and quality control we must do every day,” Galbraith emphasized. “Sometimes these instruments will go down and engineers will be walking us through how to fix them over the phone. So, we get to be engineers.”Worack said there’s a lot more that goes into the machines than most people know.While some test results can be run in as little as 15 to 20 minutes, others can take hours or even days if a culture is growing. Prepping samples for the testing can be an extensive, time-consuming process.For the workers in the EPH lab, their love of science is combined with their passion for healthcare. “I like helping people,” Worack remarked. “I try to think about the patient behind the work we’re doing all the time. I came from a bigger city hospital. I like the closeness of the community here a lot more. You get that extra connection in this community that I like.”Laboratory Services is a 24/7 operation. There is always someone working hard to ensure timely, quality test results. For timely, quality lab results to guide your doctor in providing the best treatment available, think Estes Park Health.To watch a video about Estes Park Health’s Laboratory Services, go to https://youtu.be/aSdN5teGpjg.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: EPH podiatrist keeps Estes Park patients on their feet
Our feet are amazingly complex. We have 28 bones in the foot and ankle, 30 joints and more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments, all of which work together to provide support, balance, and mobility.It’s no surprise then that people often experience injury, pain or disease involving the feet and ankles that requires the help of a qualified specialist, like Dr. Paxon Riding of Estes Park Health. He’s a podiatrist who helps patients in the clinic and performs surgery in the operating room.“It’s hard to avoid problems with your feet,” Dr. Riding pointed out. “Anywhere it’s not fun to have pain or problems, but when you have to use both your feet anytime you do anything, it’s tough to get away with not taking care of it for too long.”EPH patient Rhonda Silberberg of Estes Park is a retired speech language pathologist who has lived in Estes Park for the last 16 years. She relies on Dr. Riding to provide routine foot care. As a diabetic, that’s important for her.“Since I have diabetes, I can’t safely clip my toenails by myself,” Silberberg said. “We come To Dr. Riding about every 10 to 12 weeks. Being a diabetic, I’m at risk for neuropathy. You can get infections and then eventually your foot would be numb, and you wouldn’t be able to tell if you had anything wrong with it or not.”Dr. Riding treats conditions like ingrown toenails, plantar faciitis, bunions, hammer toes, lesions, and ankle pain. He sees patients from babies to seniors. Sometimes the fix is almost immediate. Other times it takes time, investigation and trial and error to solve the issue.For patients like Rhonda, not having to travel to see a specialist like Dr. Riding is a welcome convenience.“Oh my gosh,” she noted. “We were going down the mountain. It took us an hour to get there. I’m just glad he’s here. He’s nice. He’s gentle. He’s knowledgeable.”Dr. Riding said his favorite procedures are those he has planned for pre-operatively, set what time and tools he needs, imagined how he wants it to go and it happens that way. He notes that people who live in the Estes Valley are proactive when it comes to wearing the right gear. The right gear includes good shoes and the right socks to prevent fatigue, injury, or accidents. For those who are experiencing foot problems that are nagging, painful or debilitating, Dr. Riding is available to get them back on their feet.“Come see us if your feet hurt,” he said.Rigby: For specialty care to keep you upright and active and enjoying Colorado life at its best, think Estes Park Health.To watch a video about EPH podiatry services, go to https://youtu.be/vylONtBGXs0.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Dr. Bogardus is Estes Park Health’s new general surgeon
For Dr. Chris Bogardus, moving to Estes Park and taking a job at Estes Park Health is a dream come true. She is a Colorado native, born in Colorado Springs, who used to come to Estes Park each Thanksgiving.“We used to come up to Estes Park for the Thanksgiving buffet at the YMCA,” she recalled. “I spent my childhood roaming these hills and I’m glad to be back.”Dr. Bogardus started working as EPH’s new general surgeon in June.“My kids come home dirty from the YMCA every day and are loving it,” she said. “And my husband’s excited to be back in the mountains. My family enjoys hiking and exploring the mountain. My kids are very excited to get into camping.”Dr. Bogardus earned her undergraduate degree at the Colorado School of Mines. She attended medical school at Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine in California and completed her residency as a general surgeon at Hackensack University Medical Center Palisades in New Jersey.Then, she came back to Colorado, working as a general surgeon at Prowers Medical Center in Lamar. “I’ve been practicing on the plains for the last five years and needed to get back to the mountains,” Dr. Bogardus said.She found out about the job at EPH because she knows Dr. Jennifer McLellan, Estes Park Health’s other general surgeon.“I was the Trauma Medical Director at my previous hospital,” Dr. Bogardus explained. “I developed the trauma program there. I’m a surgeon so I’m into that instant gratification. I like being able to fix things and do it quickly. Trauma is quick paced. It’s fast-moving. You get in, fix it, and get out. Plus, you make an immediate difference for the patient.”She will be joining Dr. McLellan in performing upper endoscopies and colonoscopies.“The age is now 45,” Dr. Bogardus added. “Anyone over the age of 45 is encouraged to get their colonoscopy. I’m a big believer in preventative care.”She also performs laparoscopic procedures, laparoscopic appendectomy, cholecystectomies, laparoscopic colon resections, hernia repairs and minor dermatological procedures, among others. She encourages Estes Valley residents who need a procedure to think of Estes Park Health first.“We’ve got a very good operating staff and some beautiful operating rooms so that means a lot of those elective procedures can be performed here,” Dr. Bogardus noted. “Then your family can be around, you’re closer to home, and you’re closer to your surgeon in case something happens.”She said her favorite surgery to perform is laparoscopic cholecystectomies which means taking out the gall bladder.“It’s a fun little procedure,” Dr. Bogardus said. “People usually feel a lot better after it’s out if it’s been bothering them.”When asked why she chose medicine as a career, she joked, “Other than being a lion tamer, being a doctor was the only other thing for me. They don’t have that many lion tamers. There are more doctors than lion tamers, so I ended up being a doctor.”
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Estes Park Health offers important cancer screenings close to home
Deborah Adams of Estes Park recently opted for an important test everyone loves to hate: a colonoscopy. Estes Park Health surgeons perform these colon cancer screenings each week for people like Deborah. Her last test was ten years ago, and she is due for another one.“I’ve always believed in the importance of prevention,” the 69-year-old commented. “But right now, it’s especially important because my husband’s daughter was recently diagnosed with stage-four colon cancer. It really reminds me how important it is to catch it early.”The screening starts a day ahead of time when the patient takes an oral preparation to cleanse the colon so the physician can get a clear view. In the pre-op area, the patient is hooked up to an IV for sedation.“The type of anesthesia we use here is called Propofol sedation,” explained EPH General Surgeon Dr. Jennifer McLellan. “We have a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) who provides that anesthesia to the patient. It’s through the IV.”When the patient is taken to the OR, the team gets ready for the quick procedure.“A colonoscopy is where we use basically a flexible scope, like a small tube that goes inside the rectum. And I can see the entire colon with that,” Dr. McLellan said. “Once the scope is inserted, we’re looking at the screen and we’re able to see very clearly all surfaces of the colon as long as the bowel prep is good.”The live video images are projected onto a large screen where the entire team watches and looks for any signs of growths. Polyps that can turn cancerous can be removed for biopsy at the time of the procedure, making colonoscopies a highly effective diagnostic, screening, and treatment tool.Patients are totally asleep and remember nothing of the process when they wake up.“I have done a lot of work to make sure that I keep my skills up with colonoscopy,” Dr. McLellan emphasized. “We track our quality data to make sure that we’re meeting all the standards that they would receive anywhere else.”The entire process takes about one-and-a-half to two hours from start to finish. Dr. McLellan says it’s important for Estes Park Health to offer this important medical procedure in the Estes Valley. The American Cancer Society recommends that people at average risk of colorectal cancer start regular screening at age 45.“If we weren’t offering the service here, patients would have to go down the mountain to get this service and that’s no fun for anybody, especially after you’ve had to do a bowel prep,” Dr. McLellan said. “Most people don’t want to be driving. I’m really happy that we can offer this here and give people a quality option for their colonoscopy and their colon cancer screening.”Deborah is happy with the convenience and professionalism she encountered when she came in for the test.“It’s wonderful,” she commented. “We were so excited when we heard there was someone here now doing colonoscopies. . . It was a long drive down to Loveland. It wasn’t easy.”Dr. McLellan stresses that colon cancer is one of the few cancers you can actually prevent with regular screenings.“I actually enjoy performing colonoscopies,” Dr. McLellan stated. “Sometimes they can be challenging. What I really like about it is that we can prevent colon cancer.”Deborah’s advice to people who are hesitant to take this important test? Just do it.“Everyone here at Estes Park is so wonderful and loving and kind,” she noted. “It’s just a very positive experience besides being really important.”To watch a video about colonoscopy services at Estes Park Health, go to https://youtu.be/RVUSV8xPj8w.For quality preventive medical care close to home, think Estes Park Health.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Estes Park Health offers therapeutic phlebotomies
Estes Park Health offers therapeutic phlebotomiesHigh altitude living can put people at greater risk for excess red blood cellsLiving in the Rocky Mountains has many advantages including spectacular weather and breathtaking scenery. However, high-altitude can also bring on potential health issues. One of those is a condition called polycythemia which can develop as the body makes more red blood cells to compensate for low oxygen.That’s where therapeutic phlebotomies come in.“Therapeutic phlebotomy is when we’re taking off an amount of blood because someone has either a high hematocrit or high hemoglobin,” said Jennifer Godfrey, RN.At Estes Park Health, therapeutic phlebotomies are performed by registered nurses in the infusion center at the hospital. Eric Anderson is one of the patients who comes to the hospital regularly to have blood drawn. He has suffered from blood clots in his legs and lungs and a recent blood test showed his body was producing a high number of red blood cells.“Having my hematocrit lowered will definitely lower the risk of having more clots develop, so that’s reassuring,” Anderson said.The process is quick, simple, and safe when handled by a professional like nurse Jennifer Godfrey. She begins by setting up a scale for the blood bag like those used at blood donation centers. This piece of technology makes sure no more than 500 milliliters of blood is taken at any one session. Then she cleans the arm and inserts the needle.“It only takes about 15 minutes of having the blood drawn,” Anderson noted. “And then when I’m done, she bandages it up and I’m on my way. I love having it done here. I live five minutes from here so it’s hardly any inconvenience at all for me. I don’t have to go down to Loveland or Fort Collins or anything.Factors that create this blood condition vary, but professionals say people who live at altitude should be aware of the risk.“It can be people who have smoked their whole life, that’s a common contributor to having this,” Godfrey explained. “Living at altitude your whole life. Even eating habits, exercise. A lot of different factors can go into having a high hemoglobin.”When the therapeutic phlebotomy is over, the nurse removes the needle, bandages the arm and the patient can go on his way. The blood is thrown away, however, and not used for any other patients.“I started doing it every week and it’s definitely made an improvement,” Anderson commented. “It’s been steadily coming down. I’ve had more energy I would say. It’s been very helpful.”Godfrey said having a dedicated room where nurses can take care of therapeutic phlebotomy patients has been helpful.“Throughout the time of me doing these so far, being able to talk to them, ask them, ‘How are you feeling from that first visit to now?’ six or seven visits in, and they’re feeling a lot better which is great to see,” she stated.For individualized care close to home -- keeping patients healthy and at their best -- think Estes Park Health. Mountaintop Medicine, Quality Care.To watch a video about therapeutic phlebotomies at Estes Park Health, log on to https://youtu.be/tqJcMcka07E.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Estes Park Health keeps rodeo athletes healthy
Whether it’s wrangling the horses or hanging on to a bull, rodeo participants can put their bodies at risk when they engage in their high energy sports.That’s why the professionals at Estes Park Health are always on site at the Rooftop Rodeo, providing orthopedic, nursing, physical therapy, and emergency care to keep everyone involved in the event safe.“We have a lot of rodeo participants who spend the summer going around to different rodeos and so they have a lot of bumps and bruises and other things and a lot of aches and pains,” said EPH orthopedic surgeon Dr. Aaron Florence. “We try to alleviate that and help them out a little bit. We’ve had some serious injuries, some fractures and dislocations. Rodeo coverage is very similar to any other athletic event where it’s good for the physician to be on the sidelines watching the event, to see the injury happen, optimally. That really facilitates good patient care and continuity as you can immediately help that patient out.”The Rehabilitation Services team also enjoys being part of the Rooftop Rodeo and supporting the athletes.“We’re excited about supporting them in their sport and also giving them the opportunity for a safe ride,” commented Kendra Vancil, EPH Rehabilitation Services Manager. “It’s a beautiful setting and it’s a lot of fun.”Kathy Giesige is one of the EPH Rehabilitation Services physical therapists. She is on site at the rodeo the supply everything from tape to bracing for injury prevention and injury care after the rodeo events.“The riders are quite good athletes as you can imagine,” Giesige pointed out. “And they’re usually very gracious, very humble. They’re looking for not only support, but advice as far as how to treat any of their recurring injuries that they may have. People enjoy coming to this event and we want it to be safe and we want to support the riders.”“Plus, we love their accents,” she joked.EPH also supplies emergency care at the arena with paramedics and EMTs.“We support them with emergency medical services,” said Chip Brownlee, EPH EMS Operations Manager. “If one of the riders or participants in the rodeo gets injured, we are there at the rodeo. We go out into the arena if need be and assist and transport them to the hospital if that is the case. It’s a big community event. We consider ourselves a community emergency service. And so, we like to support those events.”If you see our crew at the Rooftop Rodeo, say hello and thank them!To watch a video about Estes Park Health’s involvement in the rodeo, log on to https://youtu.be/daOKIhNg4u4.
Mountain Medicine from Estes Park Health: Estes Park Health invests in New CT Scanner
When it comes to high-tech equipment, the CT scanner is one of the centerpieces of diagnostic imaging, giving radiologists an extraordinarily detailed look inside the body.“There’s no doubt that the CT scanner is the workhorse modality of every radiology department,” explained Estes Park Health radiologist Dr. John Knudtson. “It gets more use than any machine. CT stands for computed tomography. All that x-ray information is then sent to very powerful computers. Hence the name computed tomography. That x-ray data is reconstructed by the computers into an image of the body.”A CT scan is a painless imaging test. Estes Park resident Stephen Gilbert had the test on the order of his doctor.“I had a baseline CT a number of years ago,” Gilbert said. “I’ve had a couple of strokes in my life.”In the spring of 2023, Estes Park Health installed a new CT, a Siemens 128-slice scanner. The images are uploaded to a computer that creates incredible images the radiologist can look through, almost like slicing up a loaf of bread to see what’s inside. The computer reconstructs all the individual snapshots into multiple cross-sectional images of the internal organs and tissues.The new machine is a good upgrade to Estes Park Health clinical equipment.“It’s just an overall big improvement over what we had before,” Dr. Knudtson emphasized. “The image quality, the resolution, the speed, accuracy -- all those things are improved with the new scanner. We can get people in, diagnosed, treated, stabilized. If they need a higher level of care, we can get them to the higher level of care very quickly, very effectively.”The new scanner is used for emergency cases, and for inpatient and outpatient care, giving Estes Park Health experts a way to peer inside the body to see what’s happening. The radiologist and physicians can pinpoint pathology and evaluate the size and location to guide treatment.Patients like Stephen Gilbert are happy for the expert diagnosis and care they receive at Estes Park Health.“We have the best nurses ever,” he commented. “The doctors are fantastic. I’ve always had great care here.”For all your diagnostic imaging needs including CT scans, x-ray, MRI, fluoroscopy, DEXA scans, ultrasound, and 3D mammography, think Estes Park Health.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Estes Park Health’s pediatric providers offer 24/7 care for the community’s children
Four dedicated doctors make up Estes Park Health’s pediatric team. With the departure of long-time EPH pediatrician Dr. Mark Wiesner at the end of March, some parents may be wondering which provider to make appointments with.Pediatrician Dr. Megan Ross sees patients at EPH Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. In addition to Dr. Ross, Family Practice Drs. Robyn Zehr, Paige Dekker and Bridget Dunn also take care of children.“We are here for parents 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Dr. Ross said. “We see a lot of children from the Estes Park community and also Allenspark, Glen Haven, Drake, Pinewood Springs and even a couple of patients who come up from Lyons.”One of the four doctors who make up the pediatric team is at Estes Park Health each weekday. One of them is always on call.“If you have something that comes up at 2 a.m. – your child is vomiting or has a fever, or you have a question that just can’t wait until 8 a.m. – there is always someone who is happy to talk to you no matter what time of the day it is,” Dr. Ross emphasized.If you need help after hours, call (970) 586-2200 and ask for the pediatric provider on call.Dr. Bridget Dunn – who also serves as the Medical Chief of Staff at EPH – is one of the family practice physicians who sees kids of all ages.““I have been seeing more pediatric patients over the last six weeks,” Dr. Dunn noted. “It’s been so wonderful. It fills my cup because I love seeing kids.”Dr. Dunn explained that parents of former patients of Dr. Weisner can call the clinic’s main number at (970) 586-2200 and indicate their choice from among the four pediatric providers. If your child is not in need of an acute-care visit or a well-child visit now, you can tell the clinic who your preference is for your child’s doctor going forward. That change will be made in your child’s electronic medical record.“What we do know through the pandemic, unfortunately, all of us have fallen behind in preventive care,” Dr. Dunn pointed out. “Many people were scared to come in. We do have children who have been seen several times for acute care issues who maybe have not gotten ‘well-child’ care. It’s important to keep up with immunizations and making sure that everything is going well developmentally.”While Estes Park Health no longer provides inpatient pediatric care overnight in the hospital, the pediatric providers work closely with hospitals that provide higher levels of care down valley. Any transfer to one of those facilities would be guided by EPH to enable a smooth transition of care.“We want our community to know we are honored to help take care of your children,” Dr. Ross emphasized.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Reclaim your best life close to home with EPH rehab
Reclaim your best life close to home with EPH rehabWhether you need monitored exercise, deep massage or the right machine to help you reclaim your health and function, the specialists at Estes Park Health’s Rehabilitation Services are ready to help you get back to good.“The help I’ve gotten here has been incredible,” said Shirl Lawrence of Estes Park. She had both knees replaced. Now, she is turning to physical therapist Kathy Giesige of Estes Park Health to work out some of the stiffness that’s been restricting her activity.“She’s top-notch, definitely,” Shirl commented. “Riding a bike is my main goal. And getting in and out of a kayak.”Kathy has worked in physical therapy for four decades. She enjoys working with the patients in Estes Park.“They’re very motivated,” Kathy pointed out. “They have good goals and want to get back into life, enjoying the outdoors. PT is basically treatment of the extremities including the spine. And it’s meant to regain motion, strength, balance.”Recently, one of the patients enjoying the spacious new rehab gym at Steamer Drive is 17-year-old Bram Jackson, a high school senior.“I tore my ACL while wrestling,” he explained.Bram relies on his physical therapist to guide him through recovery from a surgery at Estes Park Health three months ago. He comes to rehab twice a week and says it’s going well.“Recently it’s been a lot of cardio, a lot of squats, lunges,” he said. “My big goal is just to get back to 100 percent.”Seventeen therapists work in outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation at Estes Park Health. Those who work at the Rehab Services clinic enjoy the spacious facility next to the Urgent Care. The Urgent Care opened in 2020 and Rehab Services moved down from the main EPH campus at that same time.“We’re very hands-on, creative people who care about our community,” stated Kendra Vancil, EPH Rehabilitation Manager. “We have a beautiful new facility. Each therapist has their own private room as well as this beautiful, state-of-the-art gym.”Speech language pathologist Annie Boyd uses her decades of experience to help patients like Susan Raso of Estes Park.“I had a stroke ten years ago,” Raso said. “I couldn’t work anymore. I think my brain is still here, but as far as my mouth, it doesn’t seem to be working.”Annie uses her skills to help with communication and cognition.“I see a lot of patients here who are post-concussion,” she noted. “That can be from falls during the winter. It can be young people. It can be people who are in their early 20s all the way up to the elderly.”A speech-language pathologist also helps patients with swallowing issues. Some people take what’s called a modified barium swallow study, providing the experts with a moving x-ray to help determine how to address disorders called dysphagia. Annie said her patients are grateful for specialized rehab close to home.“They’ve gone to, say, Loveland, Longmont, Fort Collins,” Annie said. “And then they get referred here or discover, ‘Oh, you have therapy. You have a rehab facility here in Estes Park.’ And they’re so appreciative of that.”Occupational therapist Paul Asher works with patients who need upper-body strength and coordination. As he puts it, his target area is from the shoulders to the fingertips. Paul has many tools to help people with everything from fine motor skills to dexterity.Paul’s counterpart at the hospital is occupational therapist Therese Cinotto who works with patients recovering from orthopedic issues, strokes or neurological problems like Parkinson’s Disease.“As an occupational therapist, your job is to be a problem solver for the patient,” Therese stressed. “And so you help them work out what is interfering with their ability to complete their roles and their routines that they do throughout their day.”Estes Park Health also offers outpatient cardiac rehab on the main campus.Currently, 85-year-old Lowell Krandell of Estes Park is being guided by Cardiac Rehab nurse Susan Armitage. He had a stent placed in an artery in his heart and his physician referred him for rehab after the procedure.“You won’t believe my tutor,” Lowell said while smiling. “Susan is really a charming person as well as technically proficient. I’m sure I could do it with somebody else, but I’d rather have Susan taking care of me.”Susan explained that she tries to get people to do 30 or 40 minutes of exercise raising their heart rate to a safe level.“That’s what’s going to build up their heart and lungs,” Susan said. “I think the thing I like the best is that they always get better. Usually they’re nervous about, you know, what’s going to happen. And we just take it really slowly. And everyone does at their own pace. By the end of cardiac rehab, everyone feels better.”Lowell is noticing the difference. Like all Estes Park Health rehab patients, he said his amazing views of the mountains serve as a motivation to get better.“I’m spoiled,” he added. “I can’t believe what a view I have and how clean and spacious this room is.”The closeness and convenience of local rehabilitation is a big help to the Estes Valley community.“It just takes me a few minutes to get here from my home,” physical therapy patient Shirl said. “And then to be able to sit and enjoy the sun, the snow or whatever’s happening out there, is very special.”For top-notch physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and cardiac therapy, choose Estes Park Health. Reclaim your best life, close to home. For more information, log on to www.eph.org/rehabilitation-services/.To watch a video, go to https://youtu.be/kjQK4zTtztQ.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Estes Park Health passes Vaccine for Children survey with flying colors
The Vaccines For Children (VFC) program is a federally funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to children who might not otherwise be vaccinated because of inability to pay. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention buys vaccine at a discounted rate for distribution to registered VFC providers. Recently, the Colorado state administrative arm came to Estes Park Health for an annual survey visit.“The annual visit from the VFC program ensure that we are being good stewards of the vaccines provided to us,” said Wendy Ash, RN, Population Health Manager for Estes Park Health. “Our survey was fantastic. We have a great team of people who take care of our vaccines in the clinic. We all work really hard to make sure that we take good care of those vaccines and make sure children get the vaccines they need. The state was very impressed.”To be eligible for the program, children must be younger than 18 years old, part of the Medicaid program or uninsured.When surveyors visit Estes Park Health, they look at records to make sure EPH is documenting immunizations correctly. The records of children who get vaccinated at Estes Park Health or other places in Colorado are uploaded to a state registry. Any child throughout the state who gets these vaccines can have a record of that wherever they travel.The surveyors also look at vaccine storage and handling processes. They watch how providers gives vaccines. They check the vaccine inventory.“Vaccines are one of the most important and also one of the easiest things we can do to keep ourselves and our loved ones and our community safe,” Wendy noted. “We encourage people to get the vaccines that are recommended. That is the way to protect a whole population.”If you have a question about that and you don’t have an appointment coming up, you can call and ask to speak to one of the nurses to check your immunization status.The number for the Physicians Clinic is 970-586-2200. You can ask for the nurse who works with your specific provider.
Mountaintop Medicine from Estes Park Health: Estes Park Health’s occupational therapists help patients regain important life skills
Occupational Therapist Paul Asher’s tools of the trade are different than many healthcare workers. His office is filled with splinting materials, adaptive devices, a paraffin hand bath and plastic pegs and cones. Asher’s job is to help patients regain function after illness, injury, surgery or a new medical diagnosis.“We are the therapy that addresses the upper half of the body, from the shoulder to the fingertips, Including strength and coordination,” Paul explained. “We also are the therapy that looks at what people do in their everyday lives, from the very basic care activities like getting up in the morning, getting dressed, getting safely into the bathroom.”While Paul works in the outpatient Rehab Services clinic located next to the Urgent Care clinic at 420 Steamer Dr, his colleagues help patients in the hospital at Estes Park Health at 555 Prospect Avenue.Therese Cinotto and Lynn Stepaniak work with people recovering in this hospital to regain as much of their function as possible before that leave EPH for home.“Occupational therapy really uses assessment and intervention to help people regain and restore function in their life,” Therese said. “It’s a holistic occupation where we look at their habits, roles and routines and try to get them back to doing the things that are important to them. That could be dressing, bathing, grooming, taking care of pets, going to the grocery store, getting back to work, driving, all kinds of things. In the hospital setting, we see a lot of elderly folks who are really working hard to stay in their homes here in Estes Park. Maybe some kind of diagnosis or disease process has hindered that ability to be successful at home. We set them up so they can be successful at home and be safe and continue to age in place.”The overall goal of occupational therapy is to help people overcoming an adverse life event to be as safe and as independent as they can be in their own environment.“Occupational therapy is a critical part of a patient’s return to function after a life-changing event such as an injury, a surgery or a new diagnosis,” explained Kendra Vancil, Rehab Manager for Estes Park Health. “Our patients need this help to return to their function at home, with family, at work and out in the community.”Occupational therapy is usually performed over a matter of days, weeks or months. Many times, it is a necessary service that is covered by insurance.Along with physical therapy, speech therapy and cardiac rehab, occupational therapy completes the circle of care many patients need.Estes Park Health Rehabilitation Services understands that the road to recovery requires a skilled and personalized treatment plan. At EPH, rehab services coordinates care with medical providers to ensure a comprehensive plan of care that enables patients to meet their goals. We work with every resident of, or visitor to, the Estes Valley to provide options which include occupational therapy.Our specialized treatments include:Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Training: Therapy centered on activities such as personal hygiene, dressing, feeding oneself and mobility.Orthopedic Rehab: Evaluation and treatment of the hand, wrist, elbow or shoulder injuries that may result in loss of motion, function, or cause pain and swelling including carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, writ and elbow fractures, trigger finger or complex regional pain syndrome.Splinting: Fabrication of hand and wrist splints to improve joint positioning, hand function, stability and joint protection. Custom made splints allow us to provide an individualized and unique treatment plan.Cognitive Therapy: Assessment of functional cognition for the treatment of dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, head/brain injuries for the improvement of attention, decision-making, memory, problem-solving and safety awareness.Our outpatient Rehab Services office has one of the best views in Estes Park and provides a calm, professional environment for recovery.“You’ve kind of got to pinch yourself every day,” Paul commented. “It basically looks like a postcard out the window.”Occupational Therapy MonthThe American Occupational Therapy Association celebrates Occupational Therapy Month each April to honor this vital profession and the meaningful difference occupational therapists make in the lives of clients.According to the AOTA, “Occupational therapy is a science-driven, evidence-based profession that enables people of all ages to participate in daily living or live better with injury, illness, or disability. This is accomplished through designing strategies for everyday living and customizing environments to develop and maximize potential.By taking the full picture into account—a person's psychological, physical, emotional, and social make-up—occupational therapy assists people in:Achieving their goalsFunctioning at the highest possible levelConcentrating on what matters most to themMaintaining or rebuilding their independenceParticipating in the everyday activities that they need to do or that simply make life worth living Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are experts in helping people perform the occupations they need and want to do every day.” There are more than 98,000 registered occupational therapists currently employed in the United States. For more information about occupational therapy at Estes Park Health, log on to eph.org.