Our History | West Mountain Regional Health Alliance

COLLABORATION ON THE WESTERN SLOPE

West Mountain Regional Health Alliance (WMRHA) formed as a regional entity in 2010 to examine the access to care gap of prenatal care for low-income women in western Eagle County. This lead to a collaborative Prenatal Program between Pitkin County and Eagle County. The success of the entity highlighted the need for the group to continue its efforts to identify issues and seek regional solutions. In order to do so, the alliance expanded to a broader community alliance that it is today.

Today the WMRHA consists of members from many sectors of the healthcare industry, including: healthcare organizations, public health, human services, clinical providers, schools, private sector, and community organizations. All of these groups are committed to creating an integrated healthcare system (physical, behavioral and oral health) in Eagle, Garfield, Pitkin and Summit counties.

The Alliance creates a neutral space for "multi-sector and multi-stakeholders" to convene, identify, understand, and work together on regional issues to create solutions. WMRHA works in collaboration with the members to address large, system-level healthcare challenges through alignment of initiatives and efforts and advocates for access to care.

SPOTLIGHT ACHIEVEMENT

West Mountain Regional Health Alliance's Quarterly Meeting, April 9th 2018.

WMRHA honored Nan Sundeen, Pitkin County Human Service Director with the “Community Health Hero” award for her leadership and support of the Alliance as a founder, a board member, and an active collaborative member. Nan continues to be involved in a meaningful way to ensuring championship of efforts to serve the people who are the most vulnerable in the community. We are so grateful to Nan for her vision and continued engagement.

On January 15, 2020 WMRHA attended the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Rural Partnership Development Meeting in Washington, D.C. WMRHA Executive Director, Cristina Gair was a guest speaker and shared a poster presentation titled From Sapling to Tree: Cultivating a network in 3 years

View HRSA Poster Here

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

Development of a common Health Information Exchange through Quality Health Network (QHN)
Integrated physical and behavioral health partnership between Mountain Family Health Centers and Mind Springs Health
Increased access to care through Connect for Health Colorado
Expansion of Mountain Family Health Centers to offer a Basalt clinic
Sharing of Community Health Assessment Planning Study (CHAPS) data led to a shared public health planner and coordinator for tobacco prevention and cessation in Eagle, Garfield, and Pitkin.
Eagle, Garfield and Pitkin counties public health departments collaborating on a regional community health assessment and on developing a regional Public Health Improvement plan
2016, WMRHA was awarded a Network Planning grant from Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA).
Development and implementation of the Pitkin/Eagle Prenatal Program to provide access to prenatal care and deliveries for low-income women in western Eagle County.
2017, WMRHA hired its first executive director.
Four meetings per year for learning, sharing information and collaboration
Forum for Housing & Health (Supportive Housing Initiative)
WMRHA received a SIM ( State Innovation Model)/ENSW (Evidence North South West) grant to hire a Regional Health Connector, one of 21 in the state.
WMRHA became the Community Lead organization for the Accountable Healthy Communities Model (AHCM)
WMRHA is establishing a regional Thriving Colorado data dashboard to align strategies and determine shared metrics for the community to measure for collective impact

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