Internal Medicine
Our Providers
Debbie A. Cihak, MD
Debbie A. Cihak, MD, is an internist with more than three decades of experience as both a primary care clinician and a hospitalist. Dr. Cihak earned her bachelor’s in biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and attended medical school at University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria, where she graduated with honors. Her residency was completed at two campuses: Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara and Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix. Internal medicine primary care requires a person who loves listening, connecting and taking the time with people who may have multiple health problems: cardiac issues, diabetes and more. Dr. Cihak loves the challenge and complexity of her work and the interaction with specialties.
Julie C. Cohen, MD
Julie C. Cohen, MD, is a board-certified internal medicine physician. Her education, training and career have taken her from Illinois to California, to a decade-long practice at Colorado Permanente Medical Group in Denver. For Dr. Cohen, relationships are her primary inspiration for her chosen medical specialty. In internal medicine, the length and depth of the patient relationship is most rewarding. Dr. Cohen is an extrovert, and she really value learning from others, having conversations and spending time with people. The trust that patients extend to her is an honor.
Elizabeth Cruse, MD, MBA, FACP
Elizabeth Cruse, MD is an internal medicine primary care physician at Valley View’s Internal Medicine practice. She has served in leadership positions in the Boulder Valley Care Network as well as the medical director of ambulatory quality improvement and population health at Boulder Community Health. She attained her bachelor’s degree from Brown University before moving on to earn her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine. She completed a combined residency in internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Rochester. Most recently, she earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Colorado at Denver in 2020.
Medicine serves as Dr. Cruse’s favorite means for getting out into the world and communicating with other people. She enjoys building relationships with her patients and partnering with them to find solutions to their health issues.
In her spare time, Dr. Cruse enjoys the Colorado outdoors as well as reading science fiction, travel and cooking.
Steven A. O’Brien, MD
When Steven A. O’Brien, MD, was a pharmacist, he realized he wanted to make a greater impact on the wellbeing of people in the community and knew medicine was for him. Internal medicine provides a scope of care that gives Dr. O’Brien an opportunity to work with adults, young and old, through education and treating simple and complex health issues. Building long-term relationships is important to the health of patients. Additionally, considering social and environmental factors are important to providing whole patient care. Dr. O’Brien completed his residency and medical degree from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Denver. He enjoys outdoor activities, photography, dogs and gardening.
Robert Nelson, PA-C, BC-ADM
For Robert Nelson, PA-C, BC-ADM, it’s an honor to provide a broad spectrum of care to the community where he grew up. After earning a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry, Robert completed the Physician Assistant program at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver. In addition to seeing patients for primary care and wellness visits, his clinical focus is caring for people with diabetes. Robert is board certified in Advanced Diabetes Management and provides a variety of solutions, including insulin pump management and continuous glucose monitoring. He also functions as Valley View’s Executive Director of Quality and Patient Safety and is committed to providing care that is truly patient-centered. Outside of work, his family is his first priority. Robert enjoys the many outdoor activities Colorado has to offer.
Lindsay Bennett, FNP-BC
Lindsay Bennett, FNP-BC is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and one of the primary care providers at Internal Medicine at Valley View. Lindsay cares for patients ages 15 years and older for chronic and acute conditions and preventative health coaching. Her special interest is in mental health and the treatment of anxiety and depression; she also has extensive experience and training in heart disease prevention and treatment. Lindsay likes the variety that family practice offers. She also loves learning and continually expanding my knowledge base.
Nicco Long, FNP-BC
Nicco Long is a nurse practitioner working at Internal Medicine at Valley View. She has worked throughout Colorado’s Western Slope since 2019, after earning her degree as a family practice nurse practitioner from Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, Mich. Prior to that, she attended Regis University in Denver, where she attained her bachelor of science degree in nursing and the University of Memphis for her bachelor of arts degree in art history.
Nicco was in the dental field before becoming a nurse, and her experience there showed her the importance of whole-body health. “I learned how just one specific area of poor health can impact a patient’s complete wellbeing,” she says. “The choices we make in each small part of our lives have huge implications for our total health. Every part our lifestyle truly impacts everything else.”
“When I worked in dental medicine, I saw a lot of patients that didn’t have great access to care, so by the time they made it to us they were already very ill,” she continues. “Eventually I decided I wanted to be part of a bigger health picture for my patients and help them make better decisions across the board. My current profession gives me that opportunity, and I love helping my community in that way—building relationships, seeing people reach their personal goals and helping them attain the knowledge and tools to make good health decisions for themselves.”
When she isn’t helping her community to stay healthy, Nicco enjoys gardening and cooking, as well as travel. “I love immersing myself in other cultures and seeing how other people live,” she says. “Really being there—attending local events, visiting schools, eating at local restaurants. It’s an incredible feeling, getting to know people like that.”
Susan Orcutt, MS, FNP-BC
Susan Orcutt, MS, FNP-BC, cares for patients at Internal Medicine at Valley View. With advanced nurse practitioner training and education, Susan serves as a board-certified primary care provider for men and women ages 15 years and up, treats both acute and chronic conditions, and has a special interest in women’s health. Her approach is a very humanistic model of care. Rather than thinking of diseases as problems to solve, Susan perceives the patient-provider relationship as a journey to go on together. Primary care and family medicine are ideal for Her because she enjoys developing a rapport as it evolves over time and being a part of the life events of her patients.
Debra Lyles, LCSW
Debra Lyles, LCSW, is a licensed social worker providing behavioral health services at Valley View’s Internal Medicine. With a master’s in social work from Ohio State University, Debra works closely with Internal Medicine’s interdisciplinary teams, where her primary focus is on delivering targeted treatment services to assist patients with behavioral health, substance use issues and chronic medical conditions complicated by lifestyle factors. By collaboratively addressing their unique needs, she looks to empower patients on their journey to improved well-being and personal growth.
With experience working in various organizations, she has gained a valuable perspective on providing personalized care for patients. After obtaining a bachelor’s in finance at California State University Northridge and enjoying a successful career in global business environments, Debra pursued her true calling, transitioning into a profession dedicated to helping individuals thrive.
In her personal life, Debra finds great joy in spending quality time with her family, nurturing her relationships, and immersing herself in nature through activities like hiking, biking and gardening. Music also holds a special place in her heart; Debra believes in its power to uplift and inspire.
Internal Medicine at Valley View
Valley View Medical Office Building | 1830 Blake Avenue, Suite 101 | Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 | 970.384.6707