The new CEO of the Colorado Health Foundation will be visiting Southwest Colorado this week in an attempt to better understand health care and coverage on a local level.
Karen McNeil-Miller was hired as president and CEO of the Colorado Health Foundation in September. New to Colorado, McNeil-Miller is traveling to 11 different regions throughout the state, trying to cover all 64 counties. To date, she’s been to more than half.
“Our goal for the tour is to really give Karen the opportunity to hear directly from the people in the community across the state how they view health,” CHF spokeswoman Taryn Fort said.
“We want to know what people view as assets driving health for the community, and then of course the barriers as well. We’re really interested in understanding how all the communities in Colorado work on the ground. And it’s a great opportunity for her to hear from community members.”
Fort said the visit will be in a traditional “listening tour” fashion, with town hall meetings open to the public and sessions with local health officials throughout the counties.
“In our healthiest Colorado, a community’s health is shaped by those who live, work and play within it,” McNeil-Miller said in a prepared statement.
“Its most valuable influences are the ideas and energy of community members. We want to hear more about each community’s unique blend of history and collaboration, and the different approaches they are taking to improve health.”
The CHF is a state-based organization that gives out grants across the state, totaling about $100 million a year. Fort said CHF focuses on initiatives for healthy living for children, access to affordable health care and assisting health care providers on a local level.
“Our vision is to make Colorado the healthiest state in the nation,” she said.
La Plata County health reportC (PDF)
If you go
Event Tour Schedule:
Monday, Dec. 7
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cortez Integrated Care at 691 E Empire St.
5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. at The Strater Hotel at 699 Main Ave. in Durango
Tuesday, Dec. 8
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Ross Aragon Community Center at 451 Hot Springs Blvd. in Pagosa Springs
Wednesday, Dec. 9
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Boys & Girls Club of the San Luis Valley at 1115 10th St., Alamosa
2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Rio Grande Annex at 965 6th St., Del Norte
