Dear Community Members,

I hope this letter finds you well. As the CEO of Memorial Regional Health I feel compelled to address some critical issues facing our community and the broader landscape of rural healthcare in Colorado, as well as share some of the initiatives we are implementing to ensure access to healthcare for all.

Colorado’s rural areas play a vital role in our state’s healthcare system, comprising 73% of all hospitals, yet they face unique challenges. Did you know that 21% of our rural hospitals are at risk of closing, with 10% facing immediate closure?  Additionally, the life expectancy of older adults in rural areas is over three years lower than their urban counterparts, with higher rates of suicide being a significant contributing factor. This scarcity of healthcare and behavioral health resources contributes to higher rates of suicide, with rural and frontier communities experiencing rates well above the state average.

In light of these challenges, I am pleased to share with you some of the proactive steps Memorial Regional Health is taking to continue access to quality healthcare. Our team has been working tirelessly to maintain our financial stability, and I am proud to report that we ended last year with a net income of over $2 million, adding almost 5 days of cash to our savings. This financial strength enables us to invest in initiatives that benefit our community’s health and well-being.

Recognizing the difficulty many of our community members face in traveling for care, we have expanded our list of visiting specialties to include more cardiology and oncology services. This expansion makes it possible for patients to receive specialized care close to home, reducing the burden of travel and associated expenses.

Moreover, we are prioritizing the expansion of behavioral health services to address the growing mental health needs in our community. This year, we are introducing a new behavioral health provider and a psychiatric nurse practitioner to enhance access to mental health care. Additionally, our emergency department will be staffed with a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and behavioral health technicians, ensuring that individuals in crisis receive the support and treatment they need.

At Memorial Regional Health, we remain committed to serving our community and overcoming these challenges together. We are dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality healthcare services while advocating for policies and initiatives that support the sustainability of rural healthcare. Our 2023 Community Report is now available.

Thank you for your continued support, and please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.