Estes Park Health and UCHealth have finalized the necessary steps for their planned partnership, with Estes Park Health set to join UCHealth on November 1. The decision comes after regulatory and contractual requirements were completed, along with public comment sessions held by the Park Hospital District.
Vern Carda, CEO of Estes Park Health, said, “We’re excited to have reached this milestone as partnering with UCHealth ensures the long-term stability of Estes Park Health and our ability to provide excellent health care to the residents of and visitors to the Estes Valley. I want to thank the community for its support during this process.”
As part of the transition, all current employees of Estes Park Health will become employees of UCHealth on November 1. Both organizations stated they are working to minimize any disruptions in patient care.
Kevin Unger, president and CEO of UCHealth’s northern Colorado region, noted that collaboration between the two organizations has a long history. “The close collaboration between UCHealth and Estes Park Health has been beneficial for decades. Through floods, wildfires, a pandemic and financial challenges, we have worked together to maintain access to excellent health care,” he said. “We look forward to welcoming their employees and providers to UCHealth and continuing to serve the Estes Valley community.”
Carda added that while there will be positive changes for staff through new benefits and options, patient care remains a priority. “While positive changes will begin to occur at Estes Park Health and for our employees and providers with new benefits and other options, our focus remains on our patients,” he said. “Estes Park is a special place, and I want to commend our staff and providers for their dedication to caring for this community.”
