Gunnison Valley Health has strategically organized cardiology care to better
serve the needs of the community.
Leading the change is local cardiologist Charles Wilkins MD who has 33
years of extensive experience in interventional cardiology and now resides
in Crested Butte. Joining the team is Cardiovascular Nurse Practitioner
and Clinical Lipid Specialist Judith Collins, who also resides in Crested
Butte. Under Dr. Wilkins’ medical guidance and direction, Gunnison
Valley Health is setting the strategic direction for cardiology care in
the future.
Gunnison Valley Health’s director of cardiopulmonary services Jason
Platzer said the medical direction provided by Dr. Wilkins will complement
the existing cardiopulmonary diagnostic and rehabilitation services available
at the hospital.
“We currently offer a wide range of heart health diagnostic services
such as cholesterol screenings, electrocardiograms (EKGs), cardiac stress
testing and cardiac imagining,” said Mr. Platzer.
“The addition of board certified cardiologists and a board certified
Cardiovascular NP/Clinical Lipid Specialist to our existing cardiac team
ensures that our community has better access to quality cardiac care without
having to travel outside of the Valley,” he said.
Through an expanding partnership with Montrose Memorial Hospital, Charles
Wilkins MD and Judith Collins NP will add to the services provided by
Riley Foreman MD. This team of specialists will provide cardiology clinic
services once a week with more comprehensive support to the diagnostic
testing performed at Gunnison Valley Health. Collectively the group has
85 years of expertise specializing in finding, treating and preventing
a wide range of heart conditions including coronary artery disease (CAD),
heart rhythm disorders and heart failure.
Cardiologist Charles Wilkins MD said he is pleased to lead and help shape
the future of cardiology care in the Gunnison Valley.
“Although people who live in this community tend to live a healthy
and active lifestyle, high cholesterol and high blood pressure are the
main contributing factors to heart disease which often lack obvious symptoms,”
said Dr. Wilkins.
“Gunnison Valley Health is listening to the needs of the community
and is proactively looking at new developments in heart health as well
as preventative care,” said Dr. Wilkins.
“I am delighted to lead the strategic direction and work with a team
of professionals who strive to deliver innovative cardiac care solutions
in this community,” he said.
Gunnison Valley Health’s CEO Rob Santilli said we are thrilled to
deliver a much needed service requested by our community.
“We are fortunate to be surrounded by talented and experienced specialists
who live in this Valley,” said Mr. Santilli. “We aim to deliver
the very best in cardiac care and will continue to look for strategic
innovative developments that will benefit our community.”
For more information on Gunnison Valley Health’s Cardiac Care services, visit
www.gunnisonvalleyhealth.org/cardiac
or talk to your primary care provider.