Grand River Health (GRH) in Rifle is not closing. That’s the word from CEO Jim Coombs in a July 11 letter to The Sopris Sun. Coombs said media coverage, at the time of proposed Medicaid cuts included in the Big Beautiful Bill Act (BBB), was incorrect. “The criteria used to identify at-risk hospitals included having […]
health
Posted inColumns
From diagnosis to dreaming: How community, art and connection have shaped my path through illness
Six years ago, I joined The Sopris Sun as a part-time employee, not knowing this place — and community — would become a lifeline and family during some of my darkest days. What began as a job soon became a calling, deeply woven with stories of resilience, strength and the transformative power of connection. My […]
Posted inNews
Dr. Kim Spence to retire from Roaring Fork Family Practice
On Sept. 1, after more than three decades of service, Dr. Kim Spence will retire from Roaring Fork Family Practice in Carbondale. But Spence doesn’t necessarily see it as a permanent end of his career. “I’m officially unemployed on Sept. 1,” he said. “But I’m kind of gonna view it more as a one-year sabbatical. […]
Posted inEducation
Dr. Jim Withers to present at Albert Schweitzer Days, June 30 and July 1
“The only thing of importance, when we depart, will be the traces of love we have left behind.” –Albert Schweitzer It is difficult to describe Albert Schweitzer briefly. The man lived more in both years and actions than most people do. In his 90 years, he was a classically-trained organist who performed across Europe, a […]
Posted inBusiness
Community acupuncture offers affordable holistic healthcare
Acupuncture, the practice of physical treatment by placing small needles at specific points in the body, is one of the oldest healing practices in the world. While it is sometimes met with skepticism by Western medicine, it has been a pillar of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. In recent decades, Western medicine has […]
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Valley View’s High Risk Breast Clinic expands early detection
Brigid O’Holleran, MD grew up in Western Nebraska, where she also underwent her medical training at the University of Nebraska School of Medicine. Since January, she has served as the oncological surgeon and medical director at Valley View’s Breast Center. She moved from Durango with her family, all of whom enjoy the outdoor recreation opportunities […]
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VOICES Radio Hour: How I found IFS
This month on VOICES Radio Hour — Friday, March 14 at 6pm on KDNK — we kick off our Common Ground series by discussing the ways we can bring our best self to the table for hard conversations. In a conversation with Paul Dankers, who is a psilocybin harm reduction specialist, we discuss Internal Family […]
Posted inLocal Government
Mind Springs cites funding shortfall and surprise federal regulations leading to detox closure
The recent news that Mind Springs Health will be closing its Withdrawal Management Facility (detox center) in Glenwood Springs on March 10 came as a surprise to the nine entities that contributed funding toward the project. The detox center had just opened its doors in June of last year. The recent news coincided with the […]
Posted inEducation
Valley View Hospital increases accessibility through women’s health webinar series
Over the past five years, Valley View Hospital has explored creative options to provide information resources to the community. Proactive health knowledge can make a difference for patients and help individuals understand what they can do to boost their wellness. The webinars fall under the umbrella the hospital calls Valley View University (VVU), and started […]
Posted inNonprofits
Basalt’s School-based health centers to close end of December
After nearly four years of operation, the School-Based Health Centers (SBHC) at Basalt middle and high school are closing at the end of December. As an extension of Mountain Family Health Centers (MFHC), patients from the Basalt SBHC can seamlessly transfer care to MFHC’s Basalt Integrative Health Center located at 123 Emma Road, less than […]