As a result of the generous support of Gunnison Tough (GT), formerly Cattlemen's
Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink (TETWP), and the vision of legendary songwriter
Dean Dillon, Gunnison Valley Health has expanded services so our patients
can receive more of the care they need right here in the Valley.
Since 2006, Gunnison Tough has been a cornerstone of support for the Gunnison
Valley Hospital. Through a shared strategic vision to create the premier
small-town breast cancer facility in the U.S., the organization has donated
equipment and funding to expand local care.
These generous contributions have funded:
State-of-the-Art Technology: Acquisition of essential equipment including
high quality ultrasound machines, ABUS (automated breast ultrasound, Breast
MRI Coils, 3D Tomosynthesis, digital mammography, and stereotactic biopsy tools.
Patient Experience: Comfortable infusion chairs, exam tables, physical
therapy equipment, equipment warmers, and signature "PINK" robes
to ensure comfort during treatment.
Navigation & Support: Funding for 30% of the Oncology Nurse Navigator
position annually, a vital role that helps patients manage the complexities
of insurance, transportation, and treatment across the entire cancer continuum.
Coverage of mammograms, ultrasounds, and biopsies since 2013 for uninsured
or underinsured Gunnison Valley residents
GVH brought in vacuum assisted and stereotactic technology, which works
with the ultrasound to provide better, more exact tissue sampling and
more accurate pathology reports. Additionally, GVH has purchased a computer
aided system alongside the ABUS that better detects issues in women with
dense breasts. Mammography alone proves only 50% effective in detecting
issues in these patients. This technology will increase our detection
ability for patients with dense breast tissue, who are twice as likely
to develop breast cancer.
In the winter of 2016, GVH hired an Oncology Nurse Navigator to assist
with patients undergoing cancer treatment. The nurse navigator walks alongside
patients and assist in any way possible, from providing information on
financial counseling to helping with scheduling. Part of the funding for
the GVH Oncology Nurse Navigator position has been generously provided
by Gunnison Tough.
Gunnison Tough, and the equipment they have generously donated, allows
GVH to expand the services we can provide to our patients. The GT Breast
Care Services, the GVH Oncology Services and Rehabilitation Department,
together allow us to provide greater health care to our community in the
Gunnison Valley and our visitors. And we will continue to grow! The goal
of the Gunnison Tough collaboration with Gunnison Valley Health, says
Dean Dillon, is for GVH to “become the best small hospital in the
country for breast care and breast cancer care.” Thanks to the generosity
of GT and the commitment of GVH we are on our way.
Gunnison Valley Health Foundation
711 North Taylor Street | Gunnison, CO 81230 |
(970) 642-8406
