In February 2011, the Upper San Juan Health Services District board approved a multi-year strategic plan which established a frame work for our future.

Since then, strategic plan tactics are continually being indentified, evaluated and selected by management, and then presented to the board for approval. Our community’s dynamic health care environment not only requires an active management/governance process between the board and staff, but it also demands a vigilant eye to determine the best new ideas for our health district. The goal of being the finest health care provider for the community today, while establishing a sustainable foundation for tomorrow, continues to be the focus.

At a recent board meeting, the board approved the replacement of the hospital’s CT machine. When the hospital opened in January 2008, a used, GE 4-slice CT was purchased from Mercy Regional Medical Center. The original purchase was funded by a grant from the Caring for Colorado Foundation. Now, Pagosa Springs Medical Center can provide more comprehensive scans for patients with an advanced machine.

Over the past three years, the development of faster and better CT equipment has made the 4-slice CT nearly obsolete. Many Archuleta County citizens have been directed to drive to Mercy in Durango for a higher quality scan on their 64-slice CT. However, the board of the Upper San Juan Health Services District approved the acquisition of a 128-slice CT for Pagosa Springs Medical Center!

Better yet, three equipment vendors have made the latest technology available for us to acquire at the same cost as a 64-slice CT. The vendors are motivated to open up the 128-slice equipment market with their new tool, and have selected us (and only a few other smaller markets) to introduce these machines. We are fortunate to be able to provide the latest technology to our community at a reasonable cost, help patients get the best diagnostic screens close to home, and allow an equipment vendor to showcase their latest technology.

By keeping our equipment up to date and offering a quality screening tool, the strategic plan vision to become an integrated delivery system is being successfully met.

Pagosa Springs Medical Center will continue to provide services locally that are clinically sound and convenient for our population. Our new CT machine is just another step in our mission to become a sustainable integrated health care resource system though service, leadership and community partnership.

We take great pride in our part of health service district, and strive to help people with their health needs. Thank you for the opportunity to serve!