Gunnison Valley Health and Gunnison Valley Family Physicians Announce Integration to Expand Primary Care Services

Gunnison Valley Health (GVH) and Gunnison Valley Family Physicians (GVFP) are thrilled to announce they are nearing completion of GVH's acquisition of GVFP. This strategic move is set to enhance primary care access for Gunnison Valley residents while honoring GVFP’s 82-year legacy of community service. The integration will see GVFP’s physicians, providers and employees join GVH, creating a unified and expanded primary care practice in Gunnison and Crested Butte.

Jason Amrich, CEO of Gunnison Valley Health, emphasized the alignment with GVH’s mission of delivering comprehensive, high-quality healthcare to the region.

“At Gunnison Valley Health, our commitment to community health drives every decision,” Amrich stated. “Integrating Gunnison Valley Family Physicians into our network represents a significant step in our mission to enhance healthcare services. We are excited to welcome their skilled team and work together to improve community health.”

The physician partners at GVFP—Dr. Jay McMurren, Dr. Laurie Garren, Dr. Eric Thorson, Dr. Laura Villanueva and Dr. Megan Tucker—voiced their support for the integration.

“For over eight decades, GVFP has been dedicated to providing personalized, high-quality care,” they said. “Joining Gunnison Valley Health allows us to continue this mission with enhanced resources and support. We are enthusiastic about the benefits this partnership will bring to our patients and staff.”

GVFP will integrate with the GVH Family Medicine Clinic, ensuring patients experience a seamless transition with continued access to their preferred providers and medical records. Existing phone numbers for GVFP will remain in service following the acquisition, making it easy for patients to reach their current healthcare providers. The integration will also expand patient access to GVH’s broader network of specialists and resources.

Amrich highlighted the advantages of the integration: “This acquisition underscores our commitment to top-quality care. It will broaden our primary care services and offer patients access to a wider range of physicians across multiple locations. We are confident that this collaboration will greatly benefit the Gunnison Valley community.”

GVFP will continue operations through September 30, 2024, and clinics are expected to reopen under the Gunnison Valley Health name in the first week of October. Both organizations are working closely to ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption for GVFP patients. Patients can expect to continue seeing their preferred provider at the same clinic location.

“Our top priority is to preserve access to care with minimal disruption,” Amrich added. “GVFP will keep patients informed, and we will provide updates as plans progress.”