by Fred Hernandez
January 1, 2021

The dawning of a new day in what was originally known as the West Custer County Hospital District was on October 1, 2020, when The Heart of The Rockies Medical Center took over all management and operations for Custer County Health Center (CCHC). Under the leadership of Heather Roberts, Clinic Director and Dr. Gordon Stephens, Medical Director, the new, improved facility has a continuous and regular presence of medical professionals including Nurse Practitioners Maria Duran-Shy and Charlotte Stark. Doctor Stephens is a board-certified family medicine professional with many years of experience and is available four full days from Tuesday through Friday during regular office hours (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) With a full-time staff of eighteen and new digital equipment the CCHC offers a wide range of services not previously provided to the Wet Mountain Valley community.
The services available range from a cardiologist twice monthly, orthopedics every week, gynecologist every month, optometry and audiology monthly and physical therapy daily. Their affordable pharmacy is available and offers same day service. In addition, their courier service delivers blood samples, other transport services and, in the near future, will be available to take patients to Heart of the Rockies in Salida for testing and other procedures.
In keeping up with the latest technological advancements CCHC is capable of offering clients and patients the ability to do telemedicine. Doctors and other professionals based at The Heart of the Rockies can see Westcliffe patients ‘virtually’ through equipment
locally available at the facility.
The local veterans have also benefited significantly since the takeover by the Heart of the Rockies. The Veterans Administration approves of healthcare services for veterans, who have to travel more than a certain number of miles to reach their providers, to instead be treated and or seen at the Westcliffe location.
Other procedures available include prenatal care for pregnant women who can still have their deliveries with their preferred obstetricians but have all the prenatal care and visits in Westcliffe.
The clinic also offers vasectomy, joint injections, minor surgeries, skin cancer treatment and most of the basic necessities for medical care. X-ray machines are now digital and all the physical therapy equipment has been upgraded and includes stress test equipment and echocardiogram machines.
The new management of Custer County Health Center cordially invites everyone in the county and in the towns of Silver Cliff, Westcliffe and Wetmore to come in and experience state of the art medical treatment and services provided lovingly by healthcare professionals. In fact, the uptick in clients has been quite remarkable with Dr. Stephens experiencing a visit from ninety-eight (98) new patients in a short period of sixteen days (four weeks) who came in to establish their accounts for ongoing care. Please visit the website www.HRRMC.com or call for an appointment 719-783-2380.
It is indeed a new day for world class healthcare at the new clinic.