The Gunnison Valley Health Foundation is overseen by a board of community
members who volunteer their time and expertise to help develop, preserve
and provide financial resources to Gunnison Valley Health.
Jenny BirnieVice President of Community Health & Development
I am deeply committed to the health and well being of our community. At
the time, I was winding down on direct medical care and saw this as a
great opportunity to serve. As someone told me years ago, “I am
hardwired to serve.”
Why have you chosen to serve on the Board for such a long period of time?
Our health system is one of the foundational elements of our community
and serves all health care needs. We truly are a premiere health care
system regardless of our size. Helping Gunnison Valley Health serve it
constituencies beings great satisfaction to me.
What are your hopes for the future of the Gunnison Valley Health Foundation?
I would like the Foundation to build a sufficient endowment that will fund
all community health needs without limitation. I would also like to see
our Foundation be the nonprofit of choice for generous people in our community.
Get to Know Alisa Corey
How long have you been on the Board?
5 years
Why did you join the Foundation Board?
I believe our health system is the most valuable asset to our community.
I was actually born in the Gunnison hospital! My son was also born at
the hospital and it was the most amazing experience. Everyone was wonderful
and so committed to taking care of me. You receive a very personal service
where you are cared for in any department at GVH.
Why have you chosen to serve on the Board for such a long period of time?
I really enjoy working with all of the individuals that I serve with. We
each bring a different perspective and everyone’s thoughts and opinions
are heard-I feel like my ideas and opinions are heard and appreciated.
Rob Santilli, our CEO is incredible enthusiastic and passionate-it is
inspiring and invigorating to be with him. I am honored to be involved
and help foster the growth of our health system.
What are your hopes for the future of the Gunnison Valley Health Foundation?
Growing up in Gunnison, I have seen such a remarkable transformation at
Gunnison Valley Health. I would like to be part of the future advancement
of all GVH program and services that meet the needs of all community members.
Get to Know Sarah Otero
How long have you been on the Board?
1 year
Why did you join the Foundation Board?
I was looking for a way to get involved in the community and contribute
my time and skills to something that is good for the entire community.
A friend approached me about the GVH Foundation Board and I thought—what
better way to get involved than through our local health system?
Why have you chosen to serve on the Board for such a long period of time?
Gunnison Valley Health is an award winning rural health system that provides
so many incredible services for our community. I want to do everything
I can to make it stronger and sustainable for many generations to come.
I love working with the Foundation Board members—it is a deeply
committed group of people and it is a pleasure working closely with all of them.
What are your hopes for the future of the Gunnison Valley Health Foundation?
We are in the process of kicking off a capital campaign for a new EMS station
for our paramedic services and I plan to have active involvement with
this effort. Gunnison Valley Health Paramedics serve the largest response
zone in the State of Colorado—4,400 square miles. 911 call volume
has more than doubled from 600 calls a year to approximately 1500 calls
a year due to increased population and tourism in the region. I would
also like to see more mobile health visits available to the veterans of
our community.
Get to know Cathy Steinberger
How long have you been on the Board?
I have served on the board since the Gunnison Valley Health Foundation
(GVHF) started in 2009.
Why did you join the Foundation Board?
A close friend on the Board encouraged me to join the GVHF Board and I
saw an opportunity to make difference for our Community. I've never looked back.
Why have you chosen to serve on the Board for such a long period of time?
Our Board shares comradery and a mutual goal of doing the hard work involved
and I've seen how changes we've made has bettered the lives of the greater
Gunnison Valley in big and small ways like the completion of the new Senior
Care Center, assisting staff with Nursing Scholarships, funding needed
medical equipment helping to build our new Behavioral health Department.
What are your hopes for the future of the Gunnison Valley Health Foundation?
I see GVHF support future capital campaigns like the "Seconds Save
Lives" campaign which will give our EMS/Paramedics a new facility
that houses all emergency equipment and personnel in a modern, easy access
facility which will allow for faster response time to emergencies.
Get to know Carol Ann May
Why did you join the Foundation Board?
I joined the Gunnison Valley Health Foundation Board because the mission
of the organization is extremely important to our community. At some point,
all of us will need health services to support our overall wellness or
to overcome a health challenge and I am thankful that GVH provides these
services to us locally. I also believe my background in development will
be an asset to the EMS capital campaign and future efforts to grow much
needed programs and facilities.
Why have you chosen to serve as the Board President and what are your goals
for the coming year?
I joined the Foundation Board at a time of transition—several founding
board members are coming to the end of their term limits--and I knew this
was an important time to provide stability and help the organization move
forward in a positive direction. I believe the GVH Foundation is one of
the top nonprofits in the Gunnison Valley and I wanted to be part of supporting
an integral organization whose mission is to improve the health of our
community.
My goals are to complete the “Seconds Save Lives” campaign
for a new EMS station in 2023 and continue to support the growth of mental
health services that are so vital to our community. I would also like
to create more awareness about the role of the GVH Foundation and how
we support the development of new and innovative health services in the
Gunnison Valley.
What would you like the community to know about Gunnison Valley Health
and the Foundation?
Gunnison Valley Health is vital to the overall health of our community.
We are fortunate to have a health system that delivers exemplary physical
and mental health services so close to home. The role of the GVH Foundation
is to raise funds for GVH services and to strengthen the operations and
facilities of our health system. We fully support the mission and vision
of the GVH Board of Trustees and strive to inspire the recognition of
Gunnison Valley Health as an innovative, award-winning healthcare system
known for clinical excellence and comprehensive patient care.
What are your hopes for the future of the Gunnison Valley Health Foundation?
My ultimate goal is to establish an endowment to support the sustainability
of existing GVH programs and services. I am also a strong supporter of
the clinical excellence of our staff at GVH, especially our nurses that
have dedicated themselves to taking care of our community for so many
years. Our new Strategic Plan also focuses on support for employee recruitment
and retainment and I would like to see how the Foundation can find creative
ways to retain current medical staff and demonstrate our appreciation
for their incredible dedication.
Get to know Laura Calvin
How long have you been on the Board?
I have been on the Board for two years. The past two years have been challenging.
We have had to cancel events and attend board meetings via Zoom for almost
18 months. It was wonderful to finally meet fellow Board members in person
for the first time last Spring when we could safely meet, still wearing
masks of course.
Why did you join the Foundation Board?
My husband, Jim, and I first visited the Gunnison Valley in 2016. Following
this visit we decided to retire here in 2018 and live in Crested Butte.
We have received excellent care at GVH and I wanted to find a way to give
back in a meaningful way.
A new friend, Lucy Zavala, was the first person to tell me about the GVH
Foundation. She had been on the board for many years. She spoke very highly
of the Board and the work they do to promote excellence in health care
for all here in the Gunnison Valley. As a new resident, I was pleased
to be invited to join the Board. I was interested as a way to get to know
more people and learn about our health care system.
What have you enjoyed during your service on the Board?
It has been encouraging to watch the progress in the areas of Behavioral
Health and Emergency Medical Services/paramedic services in Gunnison and
Crested Butte. We live in a small community, but like all bigger communities
we need doctors and care at the hospital and in the valley for as many
areas of health care as possible. Residents need to know that their illnesses
and emergencies can be treated locally.
What are your hopes for the future of the Gunnison Valley Health Foundation?
I would like to see us continue to focus on needs of the community as our
population continues to grow. I would also like more emphasis on bringing
more specialty services to the Gunnison Valley so that we don’t
have to travel outside of the Gunnison Valley.
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