Fruita, CO --- Family Health West is proud to welcome David Kirch and Brian Belnap to the new hospital’s anesthesiology department. “We are fortunate to have professionals like David and Brian providing services to our families in Fruita,” said Family Health West CEO, Dennis Ficklin, “We’re proud of our people and the care we provide. David and Brian fit right in.”

David Kirch and his wife Deborah recently arrived in Fruita from Northern Idaho. David joins Family Health West with nearly 20 years of anesthesia experience. He is a board certified anesthesiologist (ABA), a member of the American Medical Association (AMA) and a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). After completing his anesthesia residency training at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo, he worked at Copley Hospital in Morrisville, Vermont from 1990 to 2008. “The future looks exciting at Family Health West and we are looking forward to meeting new friends, at the hospital, out in town on our motorcycles or on the golf course!” said David.

Brian Belnap and his family moved here from Washington where Brian completed his Anesthesiology Residency at the University of Washington in Seattle. Brian received his Doctor of Medicine from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Originally from Utah, Brian is happy to be back to his roots, “I grew up in Richfield, Utah and wanted to get back to the mountains and raise my family in a smaller community,” said Brian, “I love the small hospital setting and am looking forward to creating relationships with my fellow Family Health West colleagues and building a family atmosphere at the hospital for our patients.” Brian is a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists.

Dr. K.C. Lewis, Medical Director of Surgery, is looking forward to working with the latest additions to his team, “David and Brian are outstanding professionals and will most certainly be assets to Family Health West and the patients we serve.”

Sixty years after its origin as a community project to provide health care to residents of rural Mesa County, Family Health West, a Fruita-based nonprofit, has expanded in the past few years adding a Rehabilitation and Fitness Center, an Urgent Care Clinic, a Diagnostic Imaging Center and is currently constructing a new hospital. For more information about Family Health West, please call 970-858-2104 or visit www.familyhealthwest.org.

Fruita, CO --- Family Health West is proud to announce the opening of their new hospital with a grand opening event July 18th from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. The event is open to the public where visitors can enjoy a self-guided tour and a continental breakfast.

“We’ve been taking care of families for over 60 years,” said CEO, Dennis Ficklin, “The new hospital will allow us to continue to meet the health care needs of our growing community.”

The new hospital, located at 300 W. Ottley Avenue in Fruita, will provide the following:

•Inpatient/Outpatient and Ambulatory Care
•General and Orthopaedic Surgery and Other Physician Specialties
•Physical Rehabilitation Therapy including Speech and Occupational Therapies
•Imaging and Radiology
•Medicare Skilled Nursing
•Emergency Room
•Full-service Laboratory
•16 Private Inpatient Rooms

“Family Health West really is a Tradition of Caring,” said COO, Errol Snider, “We’re sending out that message to remind the staff and community of our dedication to our mission of providing a Continuum of Care enhancing our community’s quality of life.”

“This 'Continuum of Care' ensures that our patients remain with their families as their health care needs change,” said Lori Henderson, Chief Nursing Officer, “We do this by providing on-site nursing and social work assessments, coordinating physical rehabilitative programs within all of our facilities.” Those facilities include the new hospital, two assisted living facilities, nursing home, specialized Alzheimer’s Care, and the Kokopelli Clinics, which include the Rehabilitation Therapy Center, Urgent Care Clinic, and Imaging Center.

Sixty years after its origin as a community project to provide health care to residents of rural Mesa County, Family Health West, a Fruita-based nonprofit, has expanded in the past few years adding a Rehabilitation and Fitness Center, an Urgent Care Clinic, a Diagnostic Imaging Center and is currently constructing a new hospital. For more information about Family Health West, please call 970-858-2104 or visit www.familyhealthwest.org.

Fruita, CO --- Gina Fricks-McLeod and her husband Levi will raise funds for a Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) bike to donate to Family Health West and ultimately help her walk again. The fundraiser will be at the Sports Center Lounge in Delta, CO on July 24th beginning at 8:00 p.m. and will include an auction, Texas Hold ‘Em, Wii bowling tournament, pool tournament and a live DJ.

Gina was out for a typical ride on her dirt bike with her friend when she was critically injured last September. The accident caused her to be a paraplegic. After months of rehabilitation both in Grand Junction and Denver, CO, Gina became frustrated with the consistent message she was receiving that she would never walk again, “I wanted more than wheel chair training and after not getting the support I wanted, I came to Family Health West,” said Gina, “That’s when I met Anouk and Kathy.” Anouk Kinkaid and Kathy Bachlet are therapists at Family Health West’s Rehabilitation and Therapy Center in Fruita, CO. Anouk and Kathy have been working consistently with Gina since February of this year, “It has been such a pleasure working with Gina,” said Anouk, “She has made amazing progress and we are quite proud of her.” Gina is already standing with the aid of braces and is convinced that an FES bike will only speed up her healing, “The FES bike that Gina used in Denver made her feel better, decreased her pain and ultimately helped her to move her toe,“ explained Anouk, “Unfortunately, we do not have an FES bike on the western slope. Patients like Gina have to travel to the other side of the Divide to have that benefit.”

The cost of an FES bike is around $15,000, “My aunt had a yard sale in Georgia 3 weeks ago and raised, $1,500, “ added Gina, “I want to help other people so I can give them hope of a normal life. If I had listened to the messages I received early on, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Don’t give up and you’ll always improve.” Gina wants Family Health West to have the bike once she raises the funds to purchase it, “They have given me hope again”.

Sixty years after its origin as a community project to provide health care to residents of rural Mesa County, Family Health West, a Fruita-based nonprofit, has expanded in the past few years adding a Rehabilitation and Fitness Center, an Urgent Care Clinic, a Diagnostic Imaging Center and is currently constructing a new hospital. For more information about Family Health West, please call 970-858-2104 or visit www.familyhealthwest.org.