Aspen Valley Hospital Caps Off its Master Facilities Plan Capital Campaign

Construction Anticipated to Begin on Fourth and Final Phase of the Hospital’s MFP This Summer

ASPEN, Colo. (March 14, 2023) — Aspen Valley Hospital announced today it has successfully reached the final fundraising goal for its Master Facilities Plan (MFP) capital campaign, giving the Hospital the green light to complete this important, multi-phase project. Launched in 2005, the MFP encompasses years of careful planning and investment in the community’s healthcare facilities, which includes building improvements, space for expansion of outpatient services, and integration of patient-centric design and state-of-the-art technology.

Eleven million dollars is now fully funded to support the fourth and final phase of the MFP planning and construction. All donations were successfully raised through the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation, the non-profit, philanthropic arm of the Hospital, whose sole purpose is to raise funds to ensure the sustainability of the Hospital, an essential community resource. An anonymous donor successfully closed the final $160,000 fundraising gap. The Foundation closed the last $4.3 million remaining in the campaign in just the last six months also through another anonymous gift, which was contingent on matching new donations made after August 2022. The Roaring Fork Valley community was inspired to raise the remaining funds given this extra supercharged support.

“Without philanthropy, the Hospital would not have been able to accomplish this tremendous and necessary effort,” said the Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Dave Ressler. “Philanthropy is integral to maintaining our community hospital as a strong and vital resource. About a third of the MFP funding came from philanthropy alone, and another third came from bonds repaid by property taxes, which underscores our community’s overwhelming support for local, high-quality healthcare. We are deeply grateful.”

Final Phase of the MFP: The Hospital’s “Front Door”

The fourth and final phase will complete the “front door” of the Hospital, create a centralized registration area, foster better patient flow and connect the two major pavilions on the east and west sides of the facility, making wayfinding easier for patients. This brings the grand total of funds raised as part of the Hospital’s all-inclusive campaign to over $60 million, which was achieved through generous donations from over 340 staff members, many Aspen Valley Hospital physicians and physician groups, and an additional 1,500 individuals in our community.

Phase four construction is anticipated to begin this summer. The Aspen Valley Hospital Board of Directors gave direction to Hospital administration to complete the design process and be “shovel ready” as soon as the Hospital secured the funding. Construction is targeted for completion by end of 2024 with a celebration for the community planned for early 2025.

MFP Timeline and Positive Impacts

“The initial vision for the MFP was established in 2005 by the Board of Directors just as the Hospital was recovering from serious financial challenges,” said John Sarpa, Chair, AVHF Board of Directors and previous Chair of the AVH Board of Directors, 2005-2013. “Despite the challenges of that time, we knew we needed to refocus and prepare our hospital to meet the changing needs of the community and to address the changing expectations around how healthcare is delivered.”

“We are proud to have reached this milestone and to see the original vision come to life,” added Mindy Nagle, MD, current Chair of the AVH Board of Directors.

The scope of the MFP has spanned three phases and 17 years of meticulous rebuilding and remodeling without ever closing or curtailing services. The MFP had already achieved significant improvements in patient care and access at Aspen Valley Hospital:

• Phase I, 2006-2007: Expansion of the Aspen Birth Center included new, upgraded rooms for baby delivery and recovery as well as state-of-the-art infant warmers.
• Phase II, 2010-2015: Achieved construction of 20 employee housing units; a 216-space, multi-level parking garage; cafeteria; Patient Care Unit/Intensive Care Unit rooms; and the rehabilitation services and orthopaedic clinic spaces. Of particular note, inpatient rooms were moved from shared rooms to single patient rooms for patient privacy and comfort in a healing environment. ICU rooms were right-sized to accommodate the equipment needed to care for critically ill and injured patients. Integration of negative pressure rooms in the PCU and ICU proved useful for isolation and treatment of COVID-19 patients during the height of the pandemic. Rehabilitation services were expanded to include speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy as well as a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) program and pediatric rehab services.
• Phase III, 2015-2017: Upgraded and right-sized the emergency department; added a helipad; updated radiology, lab and surgical suites; opened the oncology and infusion center; and finished second floor outpatient clinic space. The new emergency department features right-sized patient rooms for better privacy and a streamlined flow between emergency, radiology and surgery for trauma patients. Following the trend toward outpatient care, the Hospital created appropriate clinic space for Cardiology and Pain clinics, while adding new physicians in Otolaryngology (ENT), Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics and Primary Care.

Transitioning the Foundation’s Focus

“Continued philanthropic support of Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation will ensure the Hospital remains fiscally strong and independent as it meets the healthcare needs of our residents, visitors, family and friends,” said Chief Development Officer and President Diana Bulman. “When someone gives to the Foundation, they are contributing to the health of the region where they have chosen to live, work and play. We want to be healthy and stay healthy. However, if we are sick, we also want to be treated close to home. We are thankful for the community’s support now more than ever.”

Under Bulman’s direction, the Foundation is focused on initiatives that will help the Hospital address its most immediate needs: attracting the best talent to work here; offering more affordable housing to keep the best talent living here; and providing the very best care using the latest technology.

About Aspen Valley Hospital

Founded in 1891, Aspen Valley Hospital is one of the most sophisticated rural hospitals in the U.S. With 25 beds, AVH is designated as a critical access hospital and level III trauma center, meeting the needs of the Aspen and Roaring Fork Valley communities, plus thousands of visitors from around the world every year. Combining the warmth and friendliness of a small town with the technical expertise of a major medical center, the Hospital has been recognized with numerous awards, including a Five-Star Rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for Patient Experience. The Hospital offers a full range of services with board-certified specialists in 25 fields of medicine, with expanded expertise in orthopaedics and sports medicine through partnership with The Steadman Clinic. For over 132 years, Aspen Valley Hospital has been working to deliver extraordinary healthcare in an environment of excellence, compassion and trust. Learn more at aspenhospital.org or 970.925.1120.