Aspen Valley Health (AVH) today announced that Aspen Medical Care (AMC), a long-standing independent primary care practice serving the Roaring Fork Valley since 1997, will transition its practice to become part of Aspen Valley Health Primary Care. The move reflects a shared commitment to ensuring continued access to high-quality, community-based care while enhancing coordination across the region’s healthcare system.
Two of AMC’s well-known physicians—internist Dr. Bryan Gieszl and pediatrician Dr. Mary Harris—will join the AVH Primary Care team as full-time providers, assuring continuity for their patients and strengthening access to care for both adults and children. AMC physician Dr. Charlene Guggenheim is also anticipated to join the AVH Primary Care team later this fall.
“This transition represents an important step forward for primary care in our community,” said Dr. Richard Becker, CEO of Aspen Valley Health. “Aspen Medical Care has built trusted relationships with generations of patients and families. By bringing these physicians into Aspen Valley Health Primary Care, we are strengthening access, enhancing coordination and ensuring that care remains local, personal and connected for the long term.”
Aspen Medical Care has been a highly regarded provider in the region for nearly three decades, known for its personalized approach and deep ties to the community. Leaders from both organizations emphasized that preserving those relationships—and supporting patients through the transition—remains a top priority.
“We recognize that changes in care can feel uncertain, especially when patients have longstanding relationships with their providers,” said Dr. Catherine Bernard, Chief Medical Officer of Aspen Valley Health. “Our focus is to make sure every patient feels supported throughout this transition. By integrating care within the Aspen Valley Health system, we can offer a more seamless experience—connecting primary care with specialty services, behavioral health and preventive care in a way that supports the whole person.”
Under the Aspen Valley Health Primary Care model, patients benefit from expanded access to a comprehensive network of services, including cardiology; dermatology; digestive health; ear, nose and throat care; ophthalmology; optometry; orthopedics; pain management; plastic and reconstructive services; pulmonary medicine; urology and a full complement of rehabilitation and sports medicine services—as well as many other clinical services all available close to home. The integrated system is designed to improve care coordination, streamline communication and support better health outcomes across the community.
“This decision was made with our patients at the center,” said Dr. Charlene Guggenheim of Aspen Medical Care. “For years, we have been proud to care for families across the Roaring Fork Valley. Joining Aspen Valley Health allows us to continue that care while giving our patients greater access to resources, technology and a broader network of services. We are grateful for the trust our patients have placed in us and are committed to honoring those relationships as we move forward.”
Aspen Valley Health established its Primary Care practice in 2019 to help ensure long-term access to essential healthcare services in the region. The addition of AMC physicians further strengthens that foundation at a time when access to primary care remains a critical need in rural communities.
Patients can begin scheduling appointments with Dr. Gieszl and Dr. Harris starting April 1, 2026, with visits available beginning May 6, 2026. Walk-in hours will continue at the downtown Aspen location, and patients are encouraged to establish care with a primary care provider for ongoing and urgent needs.
As part of the transition, the AMC practice in downtown Aspen will remain in its current space at Obermeyer Place and will officially become AVH Primary Care on Monday, May 4. The walkable downtown location will complement AVH’s other Primary Care locations at the Medical Center in Aspen on Castle Creek Road and its Midvalley location in Basalt on East Valley Road. For the first two weeks, May 4-15, 2026, AVH will refurbish the downtown clinic space with new technology to streamline care and make the space consistent with other AVH outpatient sites. Patients will be seen at the Midvalley Basalt location during this two-week period. AMC’s office location in downtown Basalt will permanently close on April 30, 2026. Patients in the midvalley will be seen at AVH Primary Care’s Midvalley location in Basalt on East Valley Road.
AMC’s electronic medical records will be securely integrated into Aspen Valley Health’s electronic health record system, Epic, over the coming months to support continuity of care.
Leaders emphasized that the transition reflects a shared vision for the future of healthcare in the Roaring Fork Valley—one that strengthens access, preserves local relationships and enhances the overall patient experience.
“This is ultimately about caring for our community—today and into the future,” Becker said. “By coming together, we are building a stronger, more connected system of care that advances the high-quality, personalized care our patients deserve.”
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