Gunnison Valley Health Strategically Focuses on Cardiology Services for the Community

Gunnison Valley Health has strategically organized cardiology care to better serve the needs of the community.

Leading the change is local cardiologist Charles Wilkins MD who has 33 years of extensive experience in interventional cardiology and now resides in Crested Butte. Joining the team is Cardiovascular Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Lipid Specialist Judith Collins, who also resides in Crested Butte. Under Dr. Wilkins’ medical guidance and direction, Gunnison Valley Health is setting the strategic direction for cardiology care in the future.

Gunnison Valley Health’s director of cardiopulmonary services Jason Platzer said the medical direction provided by Dr. Wilkins will complement the existing cardiopulmonary diagnostic and rehabilitation services available at the hospital.

“We currently offer a wide range of heart health diagnostic services such as cholesterol screenings, electrocardiograms (EKGs), cardiac stress testing and cardiac imagining,” said Mr. Platzer.

“The addition of board certified cardiologists and a board certified Cardiovascular NP/Clinical Lipid Specialist to our existing cardiac team ensures that our community has better access to quality cardiac care without having to travel outside of the Valley,” he said.

Through an expanding partnership with Montrose Memorial Hospital, Charles Wilkins MD and Judith Collins NP will add to the services provided by Riley Foreman MD. This team of specialists will provide cardiology clinic services once a week with more comprehensive support to the diagnostic testing performed at Gunnison Valley Health. Collectively the group has 85 years of expertise specializing in finding, treating and preventing a wide range of heart conditions including coronary artery disease (CAD), heart rhythm disorders and heart failure.

Cardiologist Charles Wilkins MD said he is pleased to lead and help shape the future of cardiology care in the Gunnison Valley.

“Although people who live in this community tend to live a healthy and active lifestyle, high cholesterol and high blood pressure are the main contributing factors to heart disease which often lack obvious symptoms,” said Dr. Wilkins.

“Gunnison Valley Health is listening to the needs of the community and is proactively looking at new developments in heart health as well as preventative care,” said Dr. Wilkins.

“I am delighted to lead the strategic direction and work with a team of professionals who strive to deliver innovative cardiac care solutions in this community,” he said.

Gunnison Valley Health’s CEO Rob Santilli said we are thrilled to deliver a much needed service requested by our community.

“We are fortunate to be surrounded by talented and experienced specialists who live in this Valley,” said Mr. Santilli. “We aim to deliver the very best in cardiac care and will continue to look for strategic innovative developments that will benefit our community.”

For more information on Gunnison Valley Health’s Cardiac Care services, visit www.gunnisonvalleyhealth.org/cardiac or talk to your primary care provider.