Meeker

New Pioneers Medical Center slated for opening in June

Above is the front view of construction on the new Pioneers Medical Center east of Meeker. In the photo are Margie Joy, right, the public information officer for the hospital and the executive director of the Pioneers Healthcare Foundation, and, left, Drew Varland, the hospital’s chief nursing officer, and Derek Smiun, a supervisor for Hazelton Construction, the project contractor. The hospital is slated for a late June opening, ahead of the original opening date in August.
Above is the front view of construction on the new Pioneers Medical Center east of Meeker. In the photo are Margie Joy, right, the public information officer for the hospital and the executive director of the Pioneers Healthcare Foundation, and, left, Drew Varland, the hospital’s chief nursing officer, and Derek Smiun, a supervisor for Hazelton Construction, the project contractor. The hospital is slated for a late June opening, ahead of the original opening date in August.
MEEKER I Just a year ago, Pioneers Medical Center (PMC) broke ground on its new 89,000-square-foot healthcare facility east of Meeker.
The new $47 million medical building will house a Level IV trauma emergency department, critical access hospital, rural health clinic, long-term skilled nursing facility and several supporting ancillary departments.

Construction is running smoothly and the new facility is scheduled to open in late June instead of the original estimate of August.
The new campus will offer the same broad portfolio of services it currently offers and bring new services to better meet community needs.
Hospital CEO Ken Harman said, “Our goals are simple. First, we want to increase local quality to primary and necessary healthcare. Second, we want to minimize the amount of travel and associated costs to the patient and family when they are forced to travel 75 to 100 miles for necessary care.”

A view of the outside of the Walbridge Wing assisted living center shows off two chimneys that will help residents feel at home during their stays. The center features 30 private rooms each with a toilet and sink and air conditioning, whereas the existing Walbridge Wing has only 16 semi-private rooms.
A view of the outside of the Walbridge Wing assisted living center shows off two chimneys that will help residents feel at home during their stays. The center features 30 private rooms each with a toilet and sink and air conditioning, whereas the existing Walbridge Wing has only 16 semi-private rooms.
Through medical staff input, patient feedback and community focus groups, PMC has identified several areas to improve and/or establish better access to local care, meet American Disability Act requirements and respond to evolving community needs, including:
• Flexible, private rooms adaptable to address unique needs like isolation, bariatric or hospice care. The current hospital rooms are not ADA accessible; wheelchairs do not fit in the bathrooms. Two rooms will be designed to better accommodate a patient needing a longer stay or an end-of life care. Currently, only one or two people can comfortably fit in a room to visit a patient. The larger and well-furnished rooms will accommodate families in order for them to be with their loved one. Two other rooms are equipped for isolation care (Flu, MRSA, TB, etc.) as well as bariatric care
• Physical and occupational therapy resources such as kitchen and bathroom learning centers, transitional care beds and stroke recovery support. After a stroke, long illness or surgery, many patients need physical therapy to help them regain their strength. The new rehabilitation department will have an Activities of Daily Living (ADL) area that houses a small kitchen, laundry setting and bathroom. It will provide the therapy to help patients gain strength and return home. Additionally, it will provide restorative therapy for nursing home resident in order for those residents to have maximum independence;
• Improved outpatient treatment, including chemotherapy, pain management, infusion care and surgical recovery options. Meeker has experienced a growing number of cancer patients, need for arthroscopic surgery and chronic disease care in the past two years. Patients are currently referred to Valley View Hospital or St. Mary’s Hospital, each at least an hour away. PMC and Valley View Hospital are partnering to develop a chemo and infusion-therapy program in Meeker. This partnership will allow certain cancer treatments to be administered in Meeker.
“We are very excited about this partnership,” Harman said. “We believe it meets a sadly growing need, and it is fantastic to have the expertise of Valley View on our team.”
• Surgery care is being expanded, and Dr. Kevin Borchard is joining the team to provide orthopedic surgeries in Meeker. PMC’s Surgery Care offers a variety of outpatient services as abdominal surgeries, mastectomy, hernias (laparoscopic and open), endoscopies (EGD and colonoscopy), laparoscopic (gallbladder and appendix), tonsillectomy, dermatology and liver biopsies, surgical care and same-day recovery;
Visitors and patients who walk in will be greeted with a large lobby in the center of the front of the new Pioneers Medical Center. Another feature will be an enlarged clinic, which will feature 14 rooms compared to only nine rooms at the current facility, and there will be a number of expanded services. In the photo are Margie Joy, far right, and Drew Varland, right.
Visitors and patients who walk in will be greeted with a large lobby in the center of the front of the new Pioneers Medical Center. Another feature will be an enlarged clinic, which will feature 14 rooms compared to only nine rooms at the current facility, and there will be a number of expanded services. In the photo are Margie Joy, far right, and Drew Varland, right.
• An expanded Meeker Family Health Center will offer additional exam rooms, three procedure rooms and dedicated pediatric resources. Due to the limited number of exam rooms, the Family Health Center is only capable of seeing 45 patients a day. Additional exam rooms will increase the capability of the center to see 70 to 80 patients a day, increasing access and timeliness. The new clinic will have 14 exam rooms and three procedure rooms (used for skin lesions and minor procedures.) The center will now have a designated pediatric clinic staffed by our own local family medicine physician, with specialty training in pediatrics and adolescent medicine. The clinic will offer the most up-to-date developmental screenings and guidance recommended by the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) and follows the gold standard for pediatric and adolescent care. The physicians at the center have partnered with Rocky Mountain Youth Clinic to develop a pediatrics program for Meeker;
• A redesigned Walbridge Memorial Wing (skilled nursing home) to help aging members of our community stay in a comfortable, home-like environment with private rooms, multiple living and gathering spaces, and new cooking and gardening options. Currently the skilled nursing facility is 50 years old with community showers and shared rooms. Having private rooms will help patients maintain independence longer and create more of a home-like environment. Private rooms also help minimize infection and germs being shared from one person to another.
Why does Meeker need a new hospital?
Pioneers Medical Center is the only healthcare facility within 40 miles. It serves more than 3,500 residents, visitors and workforce members.
After more than six decades, the current facility needs to be replaced in order to be in compliance with current standards of care, patient safety and to meet ADA standards. Additionally, we recognize that having to travel an hour or more for healthcare increases the overall cost to patients and adds burdens to family and friends acting as caregivers.
Having a modern facility with modern technology will set the stage for quality local health care for future decades. This facility and the proposed new services are preparing Pioneers Medical Center to develop strategic partnerships (e.g. Valley View Hospital for chemo/infusion therapy and cardiology care, or HealthONE for Pediatrics and Stroke Care with Swedish Medical Center). Additionally, health care becomes a great asset in the community for attracting economic activity.
The basic approach to sustaining healthcare is to: 1) Recognize the declining assessed valuations in our county, and 2) Provide local healthcare that meet the needs of our residents and creates a diverse portfolio of revenues.
“We anticipated the declining assessed valuation when developing the finance plan for the construction,” Harman said. “Secondly, the new services mentioned will help meet community members’ needs, as well as create diversity in our revenues.”

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  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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  • The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
  • Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
1 day ago
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1/9
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
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The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
9/9

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