La Plata Healthcare Improvement Coalition (LPHIC)

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BE THE

Collaborate with local stakeholders to improve healthcare delivery in La Plata County.

SOLUTION

What the data tells us...

Assessments and surveys conducted by local organizations have clearly identified areas of concern and needs regarding healthcare in La Plata County.

Mercy Hospital’s Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) resulted in a Community Health Implementation Strategy (adopted in November of 2022) that focuses on specific programs and services revolving around mental health, substance abuse, suicide and food security. (See report)

San Juan Basin Public Health assessment resulted in goals relating to community resilience, organizational capacity and public health innovation with specific approaches addressing health behavior, clinical care linkage, communicable disease and emergency preparedness and response. (See report)

The Local First Foundation captured business owner’s concerns with the cost of healthcare and health insurance via a survey and focus group. (See report)

Durangoans for Improved Healthcare instigated the formation of a work group which conducted a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) that focused on healthcare provider adequacy, recruitment and retention issues, and identified gaps in primary and specialty care provider coverage. (See report)

Finally, the League of Women Voters of La Plata County surveyed local residents to gauge satisfaction with area providers, prescription drugs, insurance and healthcare policy and identified issues with affordability, accessibility and complexity. (See report)

These are just some of the numerous local health care organizations and initiatives, local governments and community advocates addressing our healthcare needs. The League of Women Voters of La Plata County (League) supports the view that our community will benefit if these and other groups collaborate, share expertise and increase communication in a coordinated effort to improve the delivery of healthcare services.

La Plata Healthcare Improvement Coalition (LPHIC)

The League is the lead agency facilitating the formation and management of an “ad hoc” coalition called the La Plata Healthcare Improvement Coalition (LPHIC). LPHIC is not a formal organizational entity (e.g. non-profit, NGO, LLC, etc.) but has established its own mission, vision, goals, objectives and strategies. The coalition convened in June of 2023 and has an expected term of 12-15 months.

LPHIC is a consent-driven, ad-hoc group that serves as a community health network and forum for collaboration to identify and address the unmet healthcare needs of our community. The coalition does not act in a regulatory or legislative capacity. Members are not required to do anything other than participate in good faith, share information as appropriate, examine problems, explore solutions that benefit the community, strive for consensus and demonstrate a willingness to resolve conflicts should they occur.

The League’s Healthcare Committee (HC) manages the process of initiating and administering LPHIC with an emphasis on respecting the differences between the coalition’s and the lead agency’s perspectives and positions. The League sees its role as an impartial facilitator, inviting key stakeholders to participate in a structured collaborative process, planning and coordinating meetings, and providing communications including meeting notifications, agendas & minutes, press releases, and community updates.

The HC strives to create an open and accepting environment and process where members can discuss their current efforts and future plans, share perspectives, and collaborate to define and potentially implement ways to improve the delivery of healthcare in La Plata County.

Professional facilitators lead meetings to help foster collaboration and productivity.

Guiding Principles

Purpose

The purpose of the La Plata Health Improvement Coalition (LPHIC) is to understand and promote community decision-making, collaboration and ownership among many different organizations through joint action. LPHIC will engage these organizations to work together to resolve specific community healthcare challenges. LPHIC will provide ongoing reporting and public communication.

Vision

A resilient public health and medical system that collaboratively, effectively, and equitably improves the health and well-being of all La Plata County residents.

Mission

To engage local organizations and individuals who will take collaborative action to preserve and improve healthcare access, quality, affordability, efficiency, and patient experience in La Plata County.

Core Values

We keep the commitments we make to our organizations, the community and to each other.

We seek meaningful and diverse partnerships to improve services and systems. We value communication and believe cooperation between the public and private sectors is essential in meeting the healthcare needs of our community.

Empathy, kindness, understanding, and respect for all drive our day-to-day actions and are the heartbeat of what we do.

We value differences and seek diverse input. We strive to be inclusive and honor the culture and history of our communities and the people we serve. We strive to understand the unique contributions, experiences and perspectives of every person and treat everyone with respect.

We challenge the way it’s always been done. We learn from experience to shape a better future. We use meaningful data as well as personal experiences to initiate change and drive decision-making.

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Work Groups

Work Groups

LPHIC has established specific Work Groups consisting of 8-15 coalition members (organization representatives or individuals). The Work Groups were formed, based on member interest, to address established, evidence-based community healthcare issues and needs.

Each Work Group has a chairperson and a facilitator to lead meetings. The facilitator follows a defined process for conducting meetings to identify issues for discussion and further research, develop proposed solutions, define goals and objectives, establish action items, report on progress, manage conflict, etc. It is anticipated that Work Group members may meet and/or collaborate outside of coalition meetings on topics of mutual interest.

Estimated Time Commitment: Work Groups set their own meeting schedule, but will likely have 2-hr meetings once a month during the first 3-6 months (6-12 hrs).

Decision Making: The Work Groups operate by a consent decision-making process. Granting “consent” means that each Work Group Member can “tolerate” the decision and support its implementation. There is consent to a proposal when no member of the Work Group has an objection. By definition, objecting requires that the member has a reason to assume that the Work Group cannot achieve its aim adequately if it approves the proposal. In other words, any member can flag an issue in a proposal and make sure the Work Group improves the proposal before passing it.

Members are not expected to make decisions without conferring with their respective organizations.

Accessibility
Affordability
Availability
Community Benefit
Healthcare Data
Legislation & Policy

Accessibility Work Group

The aim of the Accessibility work group is address barriers to health access through identifying equitable solutions and taking action.

Chair: Brandon Mencini

Members

First	Last	Organization	Title
Lauren	Berutich	Local First	CEO
Amber	Beye
Alex	Conrad	Axis Health System	EVP Finance & Operations
Beatriz	Garcia	La Plata Food Equity Coalition	Community Empowerment Coordinator
Luke	Alvey-Henderson	City of Durango	Director – Durango Public Library
Caroline	Hoge	United Way of Southwest Colorado	Team Up Coordinator
Melissa	Knight-Maloney, PhD	Fort Lewis College	Associate Dean
Maggie	LaRose, RN, MSN	Fort Lewis College/CU College of Nursing-Anschutz	Director of Nursing
Karis	Morrall	Animas Surgical Hospital	Communication Program Manager
Enrique	Orozco-Perrez	Companeros	Community Advocate
Janice	Sheftel	Individual	Retired Attorney
Eileen	Wasserbach	Individual	Retired SUCAP ED

Facilitator: Sandhya Atkinson

Affordability Work Group

The aim of the Affordability work group is to identify issues and propose solutions related to the cost of healthcare to consumers, so that healthcare is accessible to La Plata County residents.

Co-chairs: David Solomon & Doug McCarthy

Members

First	Last	Organization	Title
Vanessa	Giddings	Durango School District 9R	Ex. Director of Student Support Services
Kristin	Hoff	Transparent Insurance Solutions	Producer
Bonnie	Kling	City of Durango	HR Director
Sandy	Lane	Sandy Lane Consulting	Consultant
Doug	McCarthy	Local First Foundation	Healthcare Advocate
Heidi	McMillan, MD	Durango School District 9-R	Contracted Medical Director
Suzy	Phare	Durango Network	Leadership Coach
Marsha	Porter-Norton	La Plata County	BOCC
Alex	Schackel	Pediatric Partners of the Southwest	Practice Admin
David	Solomon	Centura Mercy Hospital	CFO
Briggen	Wrinkle	Community Foundation	Executive Director

Facilitator: Cathy Cowles

Availability Work Group

The aim of the Availability work group is to identify key sustainable solutions that address gaps between supply and community demand/need for high-quality local or regional healthcare providers, services and programs.

Chair: Gus Hallin, MD

Members

First	Last	Organization	Title
Terry	Bacon	LPHIC Advisory Council
Shelley	Burke	Axis Health System	CEO
Sheila	Casey	Casey Consulting	Owner
Tuggy	Dunton	Town of Ignacio	Clerk/Treasurer
Cecile	Fraley, MD	Pediatric Partners of the Southwest	CEO/Pediatrician
Pat	Gerstenberger, MD	Individual	Retired Physician
Evelyn	Gorsline-Flamm	Housing Solutions for the Southwest	Programs Director
Gus	Hallin, MD	Individual	Retired Physician
Sandy	Lane	Sandy A Lane Consulting	Consultant
Laura	Lewis-Marchino	Region 9 EDD of Southwest Colorado	Executive Director
Vicki	Maestas	Durango La Plata Senior Center	Executive Director
Doug	McCarthy	Local First Foundation	Healthcare Advocate
Brandon	Mencini	Centura Mercy Hospital	CEO
Joe	Murphy	Individual: Advisory Council	Retired Physician
Janice	Sheftel	Individual	Retired Attorney
Bill	Willson	Durangoans for Improved Health Care	Retired Hospital Administrator

Facilitator: Claire Raines

Community Benefit Work Group

The aim of the Community Benefit work group is to strengthen collaboration among local healthcare providers in order to clarify, prioritize, and act upon community benefit needs.

Chair: Sandy Lane

Members

First	Last	Organization	Title
Marlena	deCarion	deCarion Coaching Leadership, Inc.	Owner
Will	Finn, MD	Southern Ute Tribal Health Department	Public Health Physician
Beatriz	Garcia	La Plata Food Equity Coalition	Community Empowerment Coordinator
Evelyn	Gorsline-Flamm	Housing Solutions for the Southwest	Programs Director
Sandy	Lane	Sandy A Lane Consulting	Consultant
Haley	Leonard Saunders	Axis Health System	Director of PR
Katie	Maloney, MS, RD	San Juan Basin Public Health	Behavioral Health Promotion Program Manager
Laurie	Meininger	LWVLPC/Advisory Council	Past President
Andrea	Ryan, DO	Centura Mercy Hospital	Chief Medical Officer
David	Solomon	Centura Mercy Hospital	CFO
Lynn	Urban	United Way of Southwest Colorado	President & CEO
Briggen	Wrinkle	Community Foundation	Executive Director
Erin	Youngblood	Comfort Keepers	General Manager
Lori	Zazzaro	Town of Bayfield	Trustee

Facilitator: Mike Karpfen

Healthcare Data Work Group

The aim of the Healthcare Data work group is to acquire, aggregate, integrate and share local healthcare information and data.

Co-Chairs: Laura Barnes & Doug McCarthy

Members

First	Last	Organization	Title
Laura	Barnes	Federal Contractor for CDC	Data Analyst
Amber	Beye
Nora	Flucke, PhD, RN	Fort Lewis College	Assistant Professor of Public Health
Amanda	Harrison	Pediatric Partners of the Southwest	Practice Admin
Bonnie	Kling	City of Durango	HR Director
Sandy	Lane	Sandy A Lane Consulting	Consultant
Doug	McCarthy	Local First Foundation	Healthcare Advocate
Bryce	Phillips	Hawai’i Pacific Health	Health IT Project Manager
Andrea	Ryan, DO	Centura Mercy Hospital	Chief Medical Officer
Adrian	Uzunian	La Plata County Public Health Department	Public Health Planner

Facilitator: Greg Phillips

Legislation & Policy Work Group

The aim of the Legislation & Policy work group is to provide the community with information on local, state and federal healthcare reform proposals and legislation.

Chair: TBD

Members

First	Last	Organization	Title
Shelley	Burke	Axis Health System	CEO
Gus	Hallin, MD	Individual	Retired Physician
Kristin	Hoff	Transparent Insurance Solutions	Producer
Melissa	Knight-Maloney, PhD	FLC	Associate Dean
Laurie	Meininger	LWVLPC	Past President
Marsha	Porter-Norton	La Plata County	BOCC
Matt	Salka	La Plata County	BOCC

Facilitator: Rachel Turiel

Accessibility

Accessibility Work Group

The aim of the Accessibility work group is address barriers to health access through identifying equitable solutions and taking action.

Chair: Brandon Mencini

Members

First	Last	Organization	Title
Lauren	Berutich	Local First	CEO
Amber	Beye
Alex	Conrad	Axis Health System	EVP Finance & Operations
Beatriz	Garcia	La Plata Food Equity Coalition	Community Empowerment Coordinator
Luke	Alvey-Henderson	City of Durango	Director – Durango Public Library
Caroline	Hoge	United Way of Southwest Colorado	Team Up Coordinator
Melissa	Knight-Maloney, PhD	Fort Lewis College	Associate Dean
Maggie	LaRose, RN, MSN	Fort Lewis College/CU College of Nursing-Anschutz	Director of Nursing
Karis	Morrall	Animas Surgical Hospital	Communication Program Manager
Enrique	Orozco-Perrez	Companeros	Community Advocate
Janice	Sheftel	Individual	Retired Attorney
Eileen	Wasserbach	Individual	Retired SUCAP ED

Facilitator: Sandhya Atkinson

Affordability

Affordability Work Group

The aim of the Affordability work group is to identify issues and propose solutions related to the cost of healthcare to consumers, so that healthcare is accessible to La Plata County residents.

Co-chairs: David Solomon & Doug McCarthy

Members

First	Last	Organization	Title
Vanessa	Giddings	Durango School District 9R	Ex. Director of Student Support Services
Kristin	Hoff	Transparent Insurance Solutions	Producer
Bonnie	Kling	City of Durango	HR Director
Sandy	Lane	Sandy Lane Consulting	Consultant
Doug	McCarthy	Local First Foundation	Healthcare Advocate
Heidi	McMillan, MD	Durango School District 9-R	Contracted Medical Director
Suzy	Phare	Durango Network	Leadership Coach
Marsha	Porter-Norton	La Plata County	BOCC
Alex	Schackel	Pediatric Partners of the Southwest	Practice Admin
David	Solomon	Centura Mercy Hospital	CFO
Briggen	Wrinkle	Community Foundation	Executive Director

Facilitator: Cathy Cowles

Availability

Availability Work Group

Chair: Gus Hallin, MD

Members

First	Last	Organization	Title
Terry	Bacon	LPHIC Advisory Council
Shelley	Burke	Axis Health System	CEO
Sheila	Casey	Casey Consulting	Owner
Tuggy	Dunton	Town of Ignacio	Clerk/Treasurer
Cecile	Fraley, MD	Pediatric Partners of the Southwest	CEO/Pediatrician
Pat	Gerstenberger, MD	Individual	Retired Physician
Evelyn	Gorsline-Flamm	Housing Solutions for the Southwest	Programs Director
Gus	Hallin, MD	Individual	Retired Physician
Sandy	Lane	Sandy A Lane Consulting	Consultant
Laura	Lewis-Marchino	Region 9 EDD of Southwest Colorado	Executive Director
Vicki	Maestas	Durango La Plata Senior Center	Executive Director
Doug	McCarthy	Local First Foundation	Healthcare Advocate
Brandon	Mencini	Centura Mercy Hospital	CEO
Joe	Murphy	Individual: Advisory Council	Retired Physician
Janice	Sheftel	Individual	Retired Attorney
Bill	Willson	Durangoans for Improved Health Care	Retired Hospital Administrator

Facilitator: Claire Raines

Community Benefit

Community Benefit Work Group

The aim of the Community Benefit work group is to strengthen collaboration among local healthcare providers in order to clarify, prioritize, and act upon community benefit needs.

Chair: Sandy Lane

Members

First	Last	Organization	Title
Marlena	deCarion	deCarion Coaching Leadership, Inc.	Owner
Will	Finn, MD	Southern Ute Tribal Health Department	Public Health Physician
Beatriz	Garcia	La Plata Food Equity Coalition	Community Empowerment Coordinator
Evelyn	Gorsline-Flamm	Housing Solutions for the Southwest	Programs Director
Sandy	Lane	Sandy A Lane Consulting	Consultant
Haley	Leonard Saunders	Axis Health System	Director of PR
Katie	Maloney, MS, RD	San Juan Basin Public Health	Behavioral Health Promotion Program Manager
Laurie	Meininger	LWVLPC/Advisory Council	Past President
Andrea	Ryan, DO	Centura Mercy Hospital	Chief Medical Officer
David	Solomon	Centura Mercy Hospital	CFO
Lynn	Urban	United Way of Southwest Colorado	President & CEO
Briggen	Wrinkle	Community Foundation	Executive Director
Erin	Youngblood	Comfort Keepers	General Manager
Lori	Zazzaro	Town of Bayfield	Trustee

Facilitator: Mike Karpfen

Healthcare Data

Healthcare Data Work Group

The aim of the Healthcare Data work group is to acquire, aggregate, integrate and share local healthcare information and data.

Co-Chairs: Laura Barnes & Doug McCarthy

Members

First	Last	Organization	Title
Laura	Barnes	Federal Contractor for CDC	Data Analyst
Amber	Beye
Nora	Flucke, PhD, RN	Fort Lewis College	Assistant Professor of Public Health
Amanda	Harrison	Pediatric Partners of the Southwest	Practice Admin
Bonnie	Kling	City of Durango	HR Director
Sandy	Lane	Sandy A Lane Consulting	Consultant
Doug	McCarthy	Local First Foundation	Healthcare Advocate
Bryce	Phillips	Hawai’i Pacific Health	Health IT Project Manager
Andrea	Ryan, DO	Centura Mercy Hospital	Chief Medical Officer
Adrian	Uzunian	La Plata County Public Health Department	Public Health Planner

Facilitator: Greg Phillips

Legislation & Policy

Legislation & Policy Work Group

The aim of the Legislation & Policy work group is to provide the community with information on local, state and federal healthcare reform proposals and legislation.

Chair: TBD

Members

First	Last	Organization	Title
Shelley	Burke	Axis Health System	CEO
Gus	Hallin, MD	Individual	Retired Physician
Kristin	Hoff	Transparent Insurance Solutions	Producer
Melissa	Knight-Maloney, PhD	FLC	Associate Dean
Laurie	Meininger	LWVLPC	Past President
Marsha	Porter-Norton	La Plata County	BOCC
Matt	Salka	La Plata County	BOCC

Facilitator: Rachel Turiel

Leadership: Greg Phillips >

Greg Phillips

Greg Phillips is the founder of SOF, Inc., a business consulting firm providing strategic planning, sales and marketing services and Web software development to businesses and non-profits throughout the US. He sold the business in 2019. Greg’s community engagement includes being a member of the Durango Planning Commission in the 90’s, writing the business plan for 4CORE and serving as a founding board member and treasurer, consulting with 9R on establishing school-based health centers, designing and producing the Local First Be Local coupon book, volunteering with the League of Women Voters of La Plata County and recently joining the board of Animas High School.

Greg will serve as the Chair of LPHIC.

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Jan Phillips >

Jan Phillips

Jan Phillips has been involved in health education and health promotion for over 40 years. She’s been a resident of Durango for 33 years and a small business owner of, SOF, Inc., a health education publishing company. For the past 10 years, Jan has been actively involved in advocating for healthcare reform. She’s been a member of League of Women Voters La Plata County for the past 3 years and is the current Chair of the Healthcare Committee.

Jan will serve as the Vice Chair for LPHIC.

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Advisory Council: Terry Bacon >

Terry Bacon

Terry co-founded and was President and CEO of Lore International Institute, a global executive development firm specializing in executive education, assessment, and coaching. Prior to that, he was an adjunct professor at the University of Utah, consultant and vice president for research & development at Shipley Associates, and an office in the U.S. Army with assignments in the 112th Military Intelligence Group, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the 101st Airborne Division. After Lore International Institute was acquired by Korn/Ferry International in 2008, Terry became their Scholar-in-Residence. He retired in 2012 but still actively writes and consults with select clients. He co-founded Durango PlayFest and is currently co-chair of the festival and chair of the Program Committee. He was formerly Chair of the Fort Lewis College Foundation remains on the board, serving as Chair of the Investment Committee.

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Rob Crane >

Rob Crane

Bio coming soon…

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Laura Lewis Marchino >

Laura Lewis Marchino

Laura Lewis Marchino serves as the Executive Director of the Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado, an organization she joined in 2005. She has worked in economic and community development since 2000 and has a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications, a Masters of Business Administration, and is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). Laura serves on numerous boards including the National Association of Development Organization’s (NADO) since 2009 and is the Past Chair of the Economic Development Council of Colorado. Other recognition includes: 2022, Economic Development Council of Colorado Chairman’s Award; 2015, Barbara Conrad Leadership Award; 2008 Economic Development Leader of the Year; and 2004 Extraordinary Woman Award- Women’s Resource Center. Laura is proud to have called Durango home since 1990 where she has raised two sons.

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Kathleen McInnis, RN, MS >

Kathleen McInnis, RN, MS

During her 30-year nursing career, Kathleen has practiced in clinical settings, community & public health, as a leader in the nonprofit sector. She is passionate about improving health and using her experience and skills in strategic planning, team building, facilitation, program planning & implementation, and process evaluation to assist other organizations in achieving their mission. One of her former passions was inspiring young people to pursue health careers through developing and directing the annual high school Health Careers Camp in SW Colorado, which will ultimately expand and improve SW Colorado’s health workforce. She retired from SWC Area Health Education Center (AHEC) in February 2019 and now works part time managing the RN/LPN Refresher Program at Central Colorado AHEC and contracts with Comfort Keepers Home Care as its Director of Nursing. Kathleen is a board member for the Rocky Mountain Health Foundation.

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Leigh Meigs >

Leigh Meigs

Leigh Meigs has been a Durango resident since 1986, and with her husband has raised a family here. She was elected to Durango City Council in 2007 and was Mayor in 2010. As an attorney, Leigh served in many roles over the years, including Magistrate for La Plata County, Montezuma County, and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Courts. In 2010, Leigh completed her MSW and is licensed as a Clinical Social Worker.

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Laurie Meininger >

Laurie Meininger

Laurie Meininger spent nearly thirty years living and working abroad as a diplomat in countries as diverse as Iraq, Romania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Her true love and passion are inspiring people to achieve their potential and their dreams. Laurie knows firsthand the power of community members working together and is a firm believer in passionate service with integrity. Laurie is the president of the League of Women Voters of La Plata County, a member of the City of Durango Board of Ethics, and a teacher about plants and pollinators through the Master Gardener program. In her spare time, Laurie is trying her hand at improv comedy and loves traveling to the ocean as often as possible, ideally with one or both of her grandchildren along for the adventure.

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Martha Minot >

Martha Minot

Martha has lived in Durango for almost forty years. She previously worked as an attorney in private practice for twelve years and then served as the La Plata County Court Judge for 22 years. She has volunteered for numerous organizations in Durango, helping to write the bylaws for the Family Center of Durango, serving as a board member and past president of Alternative Horizons. In addition, she has served as a board member for the Adult Education Center, a hospice volunteer, and numerous volunteer positions with the Southwest Colorado Bar Association and the County Court Judges Association, and the Judicial Department. She was a board member on the Judicial Discipline Commission for twelve years and the chair for three years. Martha believes strongly in the importance of community service the support of non-profit organizations and is excited to join The Community Foundation.

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Joe Murphy, MD >

Joe Murphy, MD

Joe Murphy was born and raised in Durango. He practiced family medicine here from 1980 through 2019, including experience in private group practice, a Community Health Clinic, and hospital employment.

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Work Group Facilitators: Sandhya Atkinson >

Sandhya Atkinson

Sandhya Atkinson of Sagebrush Ltd. is passionate about facilitating organizational transformation through shared vision, systems change and participatory commitment to develop interconnected and resilient communities.

Sandhya provides engaging virtual and in-person facilitation of meetings, retreats, strategic planning and consulting nationwide. Originally from Santa Barbara, CA, Sandhya has lived in Colorado since 2005 and Durango/Bayfield since 2010, serving as an Executive Director for over five years.

She has volunteered with international sustainable development organizations and served local communities through numerous nonprofit and leadership roles.

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Cathy Cowles >

Cathy Cowles

Cathy Cowles is a Facilitator, Consultant and Trainer who has worked in the nonprofit sector since 1991. She has facilitated challenging conversations, delivered engaging trainings, and helped move things forward with wildly diverse groups, including community coalitions, boards of directors, mountain guides, government employees, corporate groups, AmeriCorps members, and leadership classes. Cathy supports genuine communication by listening carefully, inviting challenge, and digging into her deep toolkit of facilitation techniques. She always makes space for human connection and fun.

Cathy’s circles of community radiate out from her home base on the edge of Durango, Colorado and her winter home in Golden, British Columbia. Prioritizing time spent in deep wilderness, Cathy frequently participates in adventures to remind her that humans are a small part of a very large world.

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Mike Karpfen >

Mike Karpfen

Mike is currently the Chair of Mancos-based, Deer Hill Foundation, providing free access to outdoor education and wilderness experiences with Deer Hill Expeditions. He was the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Shanta Foundation, a Durango non-profit, facilitating community development in rural villages of Myanmar (Burma). Mike is a private practice psychotherapist specializing in relationship counseling. He loves mountain biking, backcountry skiing, paddle-boarding, hiking and exploring North America with his wife Tricia in their tiny camper van.

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Greg Phillips >

Greg Phillips

Greg Phillips is the founder of SOF, Inc., a business consulting firm providing strategic planning, sales and marketing services and Web software development to businesses and non-profits throughout the US. He sold the business in 2019. Greg’s community engagement includes being a member of the Durango Planning Commission in the 90’s, writing the business plan for 4CORE and serving as a founding board member and treasurer, consulting with 9R on establishing school-based health centers, designing and producing the Local First Be Local coupon book, volunteering with the League of Women Voters of La Plata County and serving as board treasurer of Animas High School.

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Claire Raines >

Claire Raines

Claire Raines is co-author of The Art of Connecting: How to Overcome Differences, Build Rapport and Communicate Effectively with Anyone. She pioneered the study and discussion of generations in the workplace. With 34 years of experience as a speaker, facilitator and workshop leader, Claire owned a business and published seven best-selling books helping people of different generations work together more successfully. She was one of the founders of Colorado Timberline Academy.

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Rachel Turiel >

Rachel Turiel

Rachel Turiel’s mission is to inspire and support both personal and community growth by offering tools of collaboration, communication and transformation. She has facilitated trainings at many schools, organizations and businesses, locally and nationally. In 2019 she won the Durango Women’s Resource Center Extraordinary Woman Award: Champion of Peace and Nonviolence. She is trained in nonviolent communication, convergent facilitation (a decision making process), restorative circles, and mediation. She has been published in the New York Times, is raising two teenagers and one dog, runs on coffee, reads novels as a survival strategy, and does it all with a flip phone.

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News & Updates

LPHIC Final Summary Report (Nov. 2024)

November 12, 2024

Since convening in June of 2023, the La Plata Healthcare Improvement Coalition (LPHIC) has has traveled, as Paul McCartney sang, “a long and winding road.” Over the past seventeen months, some 65 coalition members and volunteers have come together to identify and address the healthcare needs and challenges of our community. Through six months of…

Healthcare Literacy & Advocacy Survey Report (June 2024)

June 30, 2024

The LPHIC Healthcare Literacy & Advocacy Task Force recently surveyed 26 organizations in May 2024 to evaluate the availability of, need for and capacity to provide Healthcare Literacy and Advocacy (HL&A) support services in La Plata County. HL&A services provide residents with support and assistance accessing and navigating our local healthcare system and include healthcare…

Interest in a Proposed Community Care Hub in La Plata County

March 12, 2024

This executive summary provides an overview a key informant interview study conducted by LPHIC to evaluate community interest in establishing a community care hub (CCH) in La Plata County.

LPHIC Task Force Progress Report (Mar. 2024)

March 12, 2024

Beginning this past January 2024, LPHIC convened task forces to further flesh out and develop action plans based on the priorities established by LPHIC work groups. This progress report summarizes the work of these task forces to date.

LPHIC Work Group Progress Report (Nov. 2023)

November 12, 2023

LPHIC members have been meeting monthly in five work groups – Accessibility, Affordability, Availability, Community Benefit, and Healthcare Data – with facilitated discussions focused on strengthening and improving our local healthcare system. The following is a brief update of each group’s progress to date.

Community Care Hub Proposal

October 12, 2023

A Community Care Hub (CCH) is a community-focused entity that organizes and supports a network of community-based organizations providing services to address health-related social needs. This LPHIC proposal outlines what a CCH might look like in La Plata County.

Contact Us

The application period for joining LPHIC has now ended. If you are interested in being added to our waiting list, or have questions or comments about LPHIC, please contact us.

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What the data tells us...

La Plata Healthcare Improvement Coalition (LPHIC)

Guiding Principles

Purpose

Vision

Mission

Core Values

Work Groups

Accessibility Work Group

Affordability Work Group

Availability Work Group

Community Benefit Work Group

Healthcare Data Work Group

Legislation & Policy Work Group

Accessibility Work Group

Affordability Work Group

Availability Work Group

Community Benefit Work Group

Healthcare Data Work Group

Legislation & Policy Work Group

The LPHIC Team

Greg Phillips

Jan Phillips

Terry Bacon

Rob Crane

Laura Lewis Marchino

Kathleen McInnis, RN, MS

Leigh Meigs

Laurie Meininger

Martha Minot

Joe Murphy, MD

Sandhya Atkinson

Cathy Cowles

Mike Karpfen

Greg Phillips

Claire Raines

Rachel Turiel

Greg Phillips

Jan Phillips

Terry Bacon

Rob Crane

Laura Lewis Marchino

Kathleen McInnis, RN, MS

Leigh Meigs

Laurie Meininger

Martha Minot

Joe Murphy, MD

Sandhya Atkinson

Cathy Cowles

Mike Karpfen

Greg Phillips

Claire Raines

Rachel Turiel

News & Updates

LPHIC Final Summary Report (Nov. 2024)

Healthcare Literacy & Advocacy Survey Report (June 2024)

Interest in a Proposed Community Care Hub in La Plata County

LPHIC Task Force Progress Report (Mar. 2024)

LPHIC Work Group Progress Report (Nov. 2023)

Community Care Hub Proposal

Contact Us