chris thomas_community hospital

2021 N. 12th Street • Grand Junction, CO 81501 • (970) 242-0920 • 800-621-0926

www.YourCommunityHospital.com

Community Hospital

Great People,Great Care,

Great Choice

May 18, 2012

Modern Healthcare Community Leadership Award Nominating CommitteeDavid Burda, Editor

It is with great pride that the staff of Community Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado, shares with you, and your readership, why we believe our Ironman deserves recognition for his dedication to community leadership. Four years ago, Chris Thomas took the helm of Colorado West HealthCare System dba Community Hospital. It was clear from the moment he stepped aboard that he was not a leader who just steers the ship, but a passionate leader who lives and breathes the organizational mission, bringing it to life within our community.

Our mission, “Community Hospital will improve the health and quality of life of the individuals and communities we serve,” were simply words on a piece of paper until Chris Thomas took the role of Community Hospital’s President and CEO. Chris believes his role as leader of an organization entrusted with such a precious commodity as an individual’s health should be to dedicate himself and hospital resources to reaching far beyond our walls. He has been a leader who explores innovations in healthcare delivery, and educates groups on health care reform and how we can make a difference locally to improve the health and well being of our community. He understands that simply delivering acute care in a hospital setting does not fulfi ll our mission “to improve the health and quality of life.”

Chris has taken his community leadership far beyond the traditional, expected CEO business connections. As an avid cyclist, swimmer and runner, often competing in true “Ironman” competitions, he not only embraced the active community, but also committed to engaging a much broader and less elite athletic group in more active and empowered lifestyles. He has partnered with groups to do community trail building through the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association and supported Girls on the Run (a group dedicated to introducing young girls to running). He has also committed time, energy and fi nancial resources to virtually every tennis and golf tournament, and running and cycling event held in our community.

Supporting youth education and career exploration, particularly focused on healthcare careers, is a strong interest for Chris. Yearly, Community Hospital hosts a career day for over 75 local high school students. We dedicate an entire day so students can visit numerous hospital departments and experience the infi nite variety of careers available in our industry. Chris has also dedicated staff time to support Junior Achievement, taking the entire director team (22 people) into a local elementary school to teach JA in a Day.

Community outreach education on our national healthcare system and how to effect change locally is a passion for Chris. He has a unique ability to connect at the audience level, taking a very complex topic and making it understandable at all education levels.

Modern Healthcare Community Leadership Award



Community Hospital


Great Choice

He stresses personal responsibility for health and healthcare expenses and encourages community members to research, seek and demand value in healthcare services. Chris routinely speaks to business leaders, local employers, employee groups, civic organizations and our own employee groups. Through this outreach process with several local employers, including our local school district, he has established an innovative Primary Care Clinic model to improve access to healthcare for many in our community.

Knowing true solutions to cost effective healthcare delivery are not going to come from national mandates, Chris has lead the innovation of a program where Community Hospital directly contracts with local employers to assure their employees have access to primary care. This program provides employees of contracted businesses, free or reduced rate primary care visits, a panel of 8 common no-cost lab tests, a formulary of 55 no-cost medications and access to a comprehensive wellness program, including health coaching (see attached fact sheet).

In the short time this program has been implemented (three-months), with the 44

schools in our School District, over 600 lives have been touched directly and this number grows daily. Several patients at signifi cant risk have been identifi ed and are being managed pro-actively. The program has made all patients more aware of their health status. These outcomes exemplify the effectiveness of departing from the typical CEO role and reaching out to partner with the patient community.

His pursuit of excellence extends beyond the boardroom through more conventional CEO outreach community volunteer activities. He is on the board of the local Chamber of Commerce, the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, the Western Healthcare Alliance, the Quality Health Network, Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, Colorado Mesa University Advisory Board and serves as the Executive Director of the Community Hospital Foundation. Many connected with these organizations and associated with our Foundation Board have provided their impressions of Chris’s community leadership on the following pages.


Chris Thomas Community Hospital President and CEO

Community Hospital


Great Choice

Grand Junction Chamber of CommerceDiane Schwenke, Executive Director “Chris Thomas has been a member of the Grand Junction Chamber Board of Directors for the past two years. In that role, he provided leadership to this business organization on not just health care but many issues affecting the community business climate. His innovative spirit and keen insights have proved invaluable to our organization.”

The Grand Junction Economic Partnership BoardAnn Driggers- “As the President and CEO of the Grand Junction Economic partnership, I had the good fortune of working closely with Chris Thomas in his capacity as a Board Member of the organization. He was truly committed to our mission of improving the local economy and the well being of the local residents through job creation and income growth. Not only did Chris provide substantial fi nancial support to the organization, but he also

provided leadership to our Health Industry Taskforce and contributed his considerable expertise to growing the local healthcare sector, whether or not it benefi ted his own organization. His focus was always the betterment of the community as a whole, understanding that ‘a rising tide lifts all ships’.”

Community Hospital Foundation Board Karen Troester, Foundation Chair “Chris is known for always ‘being there when asked’ and for talking at a level of understanding regarding what is going on in healthcare to the business community. This is a complex subject at a time that is diffi cult. He really gives the average business person an understanding of healthcare that enables businesses to make good decisions.”

Mesa County Board of CommissionersCraig Meis“Chris has played a key role in our community by way of working an innovative and entrepreneurial model to put patients back in control of their healthcare and associated costs with the clinic model. Chris has educated our Board on the State of healthcare in our community and Nation and is a trusted and reliable source of valuable information on anything healthcare related. “

“I have had the opportunity to work with Chris as a leader in the local community; Chris has provided countless hours and signifi cant impact to our community both as a leader and as an outstanding citizen.”

Rocky Mountain Health PlansSteve ErkenBrack, President and CEO“Chris Thomas is passionate about improving the lives of individuals within the Mesa County community. This commitment is evident directly through his outstanding leadership at Community Hospital and through his participation with local organizations, such as his roles on the Board of Directors at Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, the Chairman’s Council of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership and the Mesa County Health Leadership Consortium. Chris brings a dynamic and innovative perspective to Mesa County healthcare.”

provided leadership to our Health Industry Taskforce and contributed his considerable expertise to growing the local




Community Hospital


Great Choice

Business Incubator CenterJon Maraschin, Executive Director “As the former Chair of the Community Hospital Foundation Board, I had the opportunity to work side by side with Chris. Through his involvement, the Foundation was able to raise a signifi cant amount of money which was put to exceptional use across a broad spectrum, including diabetes education and the purchase of radiology equipment which has raised the level of care in our local community.”

“Through his active support of the cycling community in the Grand Valley, Chris has had a hand making our community one of the best places for outdoor recreation in the country.”

Home Loan & Investment Co. James D. Hamilton, Owner“Chris Thomas has embraced this community by giving back quickly in his fi rst years here. His support of Colorado Mesa University, community events such as the Junior College World Baseball series (JUCO) and local bike races, displays his leadership style - get involved, do good work and people will recognize it and the entire community will benefi t. Chris has made an instant positive impact upon Western Colorado.”

West Star AviationRick Brainard, VP Sales “I have known Chris Thomas for about two years. In the time I have come to know Chris, it is clear to me he is a medical leader of the future. Chris engages in his community and the businesses within to take the time to explain, in lay terms, what is happening in healthcare and the future. From his leadership, businesses like West Star can make better healthcare choices which leads to happier employees. I am very thankful to have a healthcare leader like Chris in our community and as a partner.”

Colorado Mesa UniversityTim Foster, President“Chris Thomas is one of the rare community leaders that cares just as much about helping others as he does about the inner workings of his hospital. With Chris at the helm, Colorado Mesa University and Community Hospital have been able to develop creative partnerships that benefi t patients, students and our community at large.”

West Star Aviation




Community Hospital


Great Choice

Hanson International of Western ColoradoDale Rooks, CFO“Chris Thomas has been instrumental in helping our organization take control of our health care costs. His proactive approach to wellness and preventative care fi lls a need that has been lacking in our community. The time he personally took, spending multiple evenings and weekends to educate our employees and their families about the benefi ts of prevention and health care expense management are way above and beyond what we have ever experienced. His innovative approach to health management is exactly what is needed in the health care system.”

Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado Christy Whitney, President and CEO“Chris Thomas has generously shared his leadership as a member of the Board and Executive Committee at HPCWC. Certainly his knowledge and expertise add signifi cant value, but his communication and vision has been the most valuable to the organization. He has participated in transformational leadership that has increased our organization’s capacity to serve our community in the best way possible and assured integration at the patient level between hospice and the hospital. We are most grateful.”

Hilltop Community Resources Michael Stahl, CEO “From Chris’ very fi rst days as the CEO, he brought ‘community’ back to Community Hospital and continues to make Community an integral component of Grand Junction. Chris understands the fabric of a community requires strong leaders and an overall commitment towards improvement. He demonstrates this with his time and leadership on various boards, his fi nancial support of multiple organizations and his commitment to an innovation of services, all with an effort to better our community.”

Mesa County Health DepartmentJeff Kuhr, Ph.D., Executive Director“In response to funding cuts related to health reform, the Mesa County Health Department has had to quickly make adjustments to its family planning and immunization programs. Chris Thomas is helping us through the transition by allowing us to utilize Community Hospital’s medical records software and billing resources. We also see Community Hospital as a place where we can refer clients for procedures we are no longer able to offer. Successful public health efforts are the result of agencies willing to collaborate to address a common goal. With this in mind, the Mesa County Health Department sincerely values its partnership with Chris Thomas and Community Hospital.”




Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado

Chris Thomas Teaching Junior Achievement Scenic Elementary

Community Hospital

To help employees offset their medical costs by providing a resource they may choose to use for routine medical care, generic common prescriptions and common lab tests at significantly reduced prices.

GOAL I

� Access to Primary Care (please see reverse for a list of affiliated physician groups)� Health Coach / Care Coordinator

� Multiple Access Points for Cost-effective Care:• GrandValleyPrimaryCare,8providersallacceptingnewpediatric,adolescentandadultpatientsPhysicianOffice

visits to Grand Valley Primary Care are included in the scope of the contract• Grand Valley Urgent Care, after hours urgent care, open 7 days a week, $25 co-pay

• Community Hospital ED, 24/7 physician care, $25 co-pay for urgent care level visits

� Formulary of 55 No-cost Common Prescriptions are Included in the Scope of the Contract:• Pediatric Formulary - 11 most commonly used pediatric medications

• Adult Formulary - 44 medications most frequently used by District 51 population

� Eight Common Laboratory Tests are Included in the Scope of the Contract:

GOAL II

• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel• Lipid Panel• Urinalysis• Glycosylated Hemoglobin Test (A1C)

• ProstateSpecificAntigen(PSA)• TSH Thyroid Stimulating Hormone• Complete CBC W / Auto Diff WBC• StrepCulture/Confirm

Provide a resource so more individuals will take care of their health and wellness prior to having a significant health issue caused by lack of regular treatment.� Proactive Program to Improve Health and

Wellness Through our Health Management Program:• Onsite Health Screening Services• Health Risk Assessment • Comprehensive On-line Wellness Portal - helps

clients manage their health, set goals and monitor health year after year

Costs for these types of services to remain fl at for the district’s medical plan.GOAL III

� Utilization of Community Hospital’s Services – A Great Value:• Generally services at Community Hospital are 30% less expensive• A coordinated system of primary care has historically been the most cost-

effective care model

This relationship is just the beginning of a partnership to improve the health and wellness of the District 51 employees and lower costs. The next phase includes a major healthcare cost savings on hospital expenses.

PROPOSED OUTCOMES

Providers affi liated with our network are listed below. Employees seeking care with these providers are eligible for the no-cost contracted prescription formulary benefi ts.

COMMUNITY HOSPITAL PHYSICIANS

Family Medicine: James R. Pasterz, DOTarek T. Arja, DOJeffrey W. Bowman, DOThomas A. Moore, DOMelissa A. Schmalz, DOJennifer J. Stroh, DODaniel P. Thompson, DOAndrew W. Winnefeld, MDRichard A. Kingston, DOLynne Bigler, C-FNPSylvia Saunders, C-FNPDebbie Twardowski, NP

Pediatrics:Aurelio (Gene) Etcheverry, DO Jan Leah Lamb, DO Merrilee J. Okey, DO

Grand Valley Primary Care: Physician offi ce visits, contracted prescription formulary and lab tests are all no-cost benefi ts.

Obstetrics & Gynecology:Barry W. King, MD, FACOG Katie J. Mang-Smith, MD Ronald D. Ridgley, DO, FACOG David S. Robbins, MD, FACOG Kevin K. Howell, DO, FACOGNicholas J. Perez, MDAnita Sheetz, CNM

Internal Medicine:Frederic B. Walker, IV, MDBarry W. Holcomb, MDJohn C. Hornsby, MDFlorian D. Seeberger, MDDonald E. Maier, MDMark A. Twardowski, DOKelly A. King, MDKent B. Fryberger, DOCharles A. Rademacher, DO

Physician / Provider Clinical Interests Brian T. DiMarzio, MD Family Medicine, Adolescent and AdultDavid M. Gordon, MD Newborns, Pediatrics, Family Medicine, Men’s & Women’s HealthKatherine E. Howe, DO Pediatrics, Women’s Health, Family Medicine, Prevention and WellnessCharles S. Nowak, DO Family Medicine, Promotion of Health AwarenessDavid W. Terry, DO Family MedicineVicky Mathwig, MD Pediatrics, Family Medicine, Women’s Health, Chronic Illnesses, Health MaintenanceAngela Kurtz, MD Pediatrics, Women’s Health, Family MedicineTerry Villarreal-Golba, PA-C Women’s & Adolescent Health, Family Medicine, Chronic Case Management

Providers affi liated with our network are listed below. Employees seeking care with these providers are eligible for the no-cost contracted prescription formulary benefi ts.

Dr. Vicky Mathwig & pediatric patients

AFFILIATED PHYSICIANS

Costs for these types of services to remain fl at for the district’s medical plan.

This relationship is just the beginning of a partnership to improve the health and wellness of the

Mktg/District 51/2012/ District 51 Fact Sheet

chris thomas_community hospital

Health & Medicine