by Brian Orr
WALSENBURG- Even as the Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center Board prepares for interviews in its search for a new Chief Executive Officer, their interim choice, Gary Dickey, announced at Tuesday’s Board meeting that he would be leaving Sept. 19. His reasons for leaving are personal.
Dickey has been doing double duty, as he is also the State Veteran Center’s Director. He is leaving that position also. Board Director Dr. David Zehring expressed his sorrow at Dickey’s departure, noting he had enjoyed working with him. Zehring noted that their search for a new CEO had resulted in a dozen applicants, and that interviews for a select number of these would happen soon. “I think we’ll find somebody who fit right in.”
Two more resignations were also announced- Mike and Pat Cluggish, and the recruitment campaign to attract more doctors, costing more than $31,000 has resulted in only two applicants, one of whom isn’t really serious. The physician recruiter has also resigned.
In other business, LouRae King and Priscilla Frazier of the Council of Governments discussed with the Board the possibility of sending a bus up to Gardner once a week to bring people with doctor’s appointments to the hospital. Gardner’s medical facility, La Clinica, has been dwindling down in the number of days it was open, and has finally shut its doors. Consequently, there is a significant need for medical care in the Gardner area, and COG hopes to offer the solution. “We want to grow to meet these needs,” Frazier said.
If the program gets grants to fund it, it could also be expanded to La Veta, bringing people with medical needs or senior citizens into Walsenburg.
Finally, the Board announced it was able to provide a cost of living pay raise to its employees this year, even one was not scheduled.
