Since 1955, Valley View has worked to ensure a healthy community, one person at a time. Over time, Valley View has evolved from a small, rural hospital into a regional healthcare organization. As we celebrate our 60th year of service, our commitment to our patients and community remains paramount.
Our beginningAS A HOSPITAL
IN THE EARLY 1950s, contributions from individuals and families across Garfield, Eagle and Pitkin counties raised nearly $340,000 to construct the original hospital building which opened for new admissions on Aug. 30, 1955. That afternoon, the first baby was born to the Hammerich family in the new facility, marking the beginning of Valley View’s role in generations of families and children to come.
Physicians such as Drs. B.E. Nutting, Bruce Lippman, Sr., and Royal Smith served as pioneers. Not only did they care for patients, they broadened the scope and caliber of healthcare in the community. The Valley View Hospital Auxiliary worked dutifully to provide a myriad of services to patients, host blood drives and raise funds to meet the needs of the hospital.
As our community continued to grow and change, Valley View did as well. Outpatient and intensive care were added. The emergency room and number of exam rooms expanded. Technology and equipment were upgraded. New physicians brought new techniques and new expectations for standards of care. Drs. Doug Yajko and Tom Morton were notable in leading the demand for excellence in this era.
In the 1980s, CEO John Johnson infused Valley View with a spirit of camaraderie, bringing together hospital management, physicians and staff. In an era when many hospitals across the nation were closing and managed care was emerging, Valley View made the successful transition from a very basic small country hospital to a thriving, community healthcare facility.
Our Evolution
AS A REGIONAL HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATION.
IN THE 1990s, our community was expanding in every direction. New residents and a gro wing number of tourists brought new healthcare needs. With talented physicians and dedicated staff, Valley View stepped forward with initiatives to meet those needs.
In 2000, with the leadership of CEO Gary Brewer, Valley View partnered with Planetree, an organization advocating a holistic and nurturing philosophy of healthcare. Brewer empowered physicians and staff to create the best possible experience for patients and their families. New resources such as the Connie Delaney Medical Library launched, a 24-hour visiting schedule was adopted and other programs to support the enhanced comfort of our patients were initiated. As this philosophy of care evolved, Valley View became nationally recognized for its work.
The integration of this patient-centered philosophy of care coincided with the adoption of a master plan to build a new campus. The two-story medical office building to house Glenwood Medical Associates and other physician practices was constructed. In addition, a 160,000 square foot new wing of the hospital was built.
Valley View began to develop an array of specialty services to better meet the complex healthcare needs of our patients. A unique partnership with the University of Colorado Medical Center began offering a wide variety of chemotherapy treatments. In 2012, the Calaway • Young Cancer Center opened, bringing radiation treatment to our community as well as expanded medical oncology and complementary therapies. Drs. Bruce Greene, Armando Armas and David Marcus joined long-time area medical oncologist, Dr. Doug Rovira to form a robust oncology team.
Cardiovascular services also launched through the Heart & Vascular Center, hallmarked by the 2007 opening of the area’s only cardiac catheterization lab. Dr. Frank Laws led the expansion of services and technologies and was later joined by Drs. Marcus Howell and Michael Rubinstein. In 2014, Valley View entered the field of cardiovascular research with
the beginning of the Cardiovascular Innovation and Research Institute.
Other sub-specialties such as neurosurgery, urology and pulmonology further broadened the scope of care. Residents and visitors now had to look no further than Valley View to find services that were previously exclusive to urban centers.
The generosity of the community supported the advanced and compassionate care that had come to define Valley View. Through the Valley View Foundation, individuals, families and businesses gave millions of dollars in gifts to help the training of nurses, provide resources to support patients and bring in new equipment.
As the broader landscape of healthcare continued to change, Valley View worked to respond to ensure high-quality community care. Eagle Valley Family Practice, Women’s Health and Pediatric Partners joined the Valley View family. So too did Roaring Fork Family Practice including the opening of a new, state-of-the-art facility in Carbondale in 2014. These long-time community practices expanded our team of skilled, compassionate caregivers to create a full spectrum healthcare organization. Valley View care centers in Eagle, Silt and Willits also meant that people could receive care closer to home.
Looking ahead
TOGETHER.
VALLEY VIEW’S GROWTH and accolades are a reflection of the commitment of our community, volunteers, staff and physicians to great healthcare. We are grateful for this remarkable support enabling Valley View to transform many lives. As we look ahead, the healthcare landscape continues to change, yet our commitment to our patients remains steadfast. So too, does our dedication to our community.
