To Our Aspen and Roaring Fork Valley Community,
One of the things I appreciate most about living in this remarkable valley is that we celebrate accomplishments—together. Whether they involve our schools, our athletes, our nonprofits or our local businesses, we take pride in knowing that excellence strengthens our entire community.
This month, I would like to share an accomplishment that belongs not only to Aspen Valley Health (AVH), but to everyone who depends on us for their care.
Last week, AVH completed our triennial accreditation survey conducted by The Joint Commission, the nation's leading organization responsible for evaluating the quality and safety of hospitals and healthcare organizations. Over several days, an experienced team of surveyors carefully examined nearly every aspect of our operations. They observed patient care, interviewed physicians and staff, reviewed medical records, inspected our facilities and visited our outpatient clinics to ensure that we consistently meet the rigorous standards that protect patients and deliver safe, effective care.
Although we will not receive our final accreditation decision for several weeks, the survey concluded with comments that are consistent with continued full accreditation and made all of us extraordinarily proud.
Throughout the week, the surveyors consistently recognized professionalism, compassion and teamwork demonstrated by our employees and physicians. During the closing conference, the lead surveyor—who has evaluated hospitals of every size and type across the country—shared a comment that none of us will soon forget, commenting that if she were to return to working in a hospital, Aspen Valley Health would be at the top of her list.
There are few compliments more meaningful than that.
Recognition like this does not happen because of one department or one individual. It reflects a culture that has been built over many years—a culture where every member of our team understands that quality and safety are not initiatives; they are responsibilities. Every medication administered, every surgery performed, every emergency treated, every clinic visit and every conversation with a patient is an opportunity to earn the trust that our community places in us.
Our recent flawless Level III Trauma Center accreditation, our COPPER-certified Emergency Department and now the outstanding feedback from The Joint Commission all point to the same conclusion: AVH continues to provide care that meets—and often exceeds—the highest national standards. While these recognitions are gratifying, they matter most because our patients can have confidence that exceptional care is available close to home.
We were also honored to partner with the Aspen Institute during this year's Aspen Ideas: Health Festival by participating in three sold-out community conversations at the Wheeler Opera House. These sessions brought together nationally recognized experts to discuss some of the most prominent issues shaping the future of healthcare, while making those conversations accessible to our local community. I was privileged to join one panel on the future of rural healthcare, while Dr. Megan Hiles and Michelle Gelroth each represented AVH alongside distinguished leaders from across the country on separate panels discussing, respectively, healthcare delivery in rural settings and digital healthcare. Their participation reflected not only the expertise that exists within AVH, but also our commitment to sharing knowledge, engaging in thoughtful dialogue and helping our community better understand the opportunities and challenges that lay ahead in healthcare. We are grateful to the Aspen Institute for creating this unique partnership and for recognizing that important conversations about the future of health should include the people who live and work here in the Roaring Fork Valley.
July has also been a wonderful reminder that our mission extends well beyond the walls of our medical center and clinics.
Our team was proud to celebrate alongside our community during the Fourth of July festivities, including participating in the parade with an AVH float that reflected the energy and spirit of our organization. At the same time, while many of us were enjoying the holiday, our physicians, nurses, EMTs and support staff were providing patient care for one of the busiest weekends of the year in our Emergency Department. Summer in Aspen brings visitors from around the world, increased outdoor recreation and inevitably a higher demand for acute and emergency medical services. As always, our team was fully staffed, prepared and ready to provide exceptional care whenever it was needed.
Throughout the month, we were also proud to support a number of events that helped make this valley such a special place to live, including local races, youth programs through Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club and several community fundraising galas. On July 22, the Aspen Valley Health Foundation held its annual Gala, where we celebrated the generosity of donors whose support allows us to continually invest in new technology, expanded services and innovative programs that directly benefit our community.
Healthcare is built on relationships. We are privileged to care for our neighbors, our friends, our visitors and our families. Every day and night, our team arrives at work committed to providing care that is not only clinically outstanding, but compassionate, personal and worthy of the trust you place in us.
On behalf of our Board of Directors, physicians, employees, volunteers and everyone at AVH, thank you for allowing us to serve this extraordinary community. We remain committed to continually raising the standard of care, investing in our future and ensuring that the people of the Roaring Fork Valley continue to have access to exceptional healthcare—close to home.
It is truly an honor to care for this community.
Richard Becker, MD
Chief Executive Officer
Aspen Valley Health