Chris Thomas has demonstrated strong community leadership in his role as President and CEO of Community Hospital over the past four years. He believes in fulfilling the hospital's mission of improving health and quality of life in the community by dedicating resources far beyond the hospital walls. Thomas has partnered with many community organizations to promote active and healthy lifestyles. He also supports education initiatives and speaks regularly to educate the public on healthcare reform and how to effect change locally. Through innovative programs like directly contracting with employers to provide affordable primary care, Thomas is working to improve access to healthcare for many in the community. The Executive Director of the local Chamber of Commerce praised Thomas' leadership and innovative spirit in supporting the community business climate.

1. Community Hospital Modern Healthcare
Community Leadership Award
May 18, 2012
Modern Healthcare
Community Leadership Award Nominating Committee
David Burda, Editor
It is with great pride that the staff of Community Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado, shares with
you, and your readership, why we believe our Ironman deserves recognition for his dedication to
community leadership. Four years ago, Chris Thomas took the helm of Colorado West HealthCare
System dba Community Hospital. It was clear from the moment he stepped aboard that he was not
a leader who just steers the ship, but a passionate leader who lives and breathes the organizational
mission, bringing it to life within our community.
Our mission, “Community Hospital will improve the health and quality of life of the individuals and
communities we serve,” were simply words on a piece of paper until Chris Thomas took the role
of Community Hospital’s President and CEO. Chris believes his role as leader of an organization
entrusted with such a precious commodity as an individual’s health should be to dedicate himself
and hospital resources to reaching far beyond our walls. He has been a leader who explores
innovations in healthcare delivery, and educates groups on health care reform and how we can
make a difference locally to improve the health and well being of our community. He understands
that simply delivering acute care in a hospital setting does not fulfill our mission “to improve the
health and quality of life.”
Chris has taken his community leadership far beyond the traditional, expected CEO business
connections. As an avid cyclist, swimmer and runner, often competing in true “Ironman”
competitions, he not only embraced the active community, but also committed to engaging a
much broader and less elite athletic group in more active and empowered lifestyles. He has
partnered with groups to do community trail building through the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike
Trail Association and supported Girls on the Run (a group dedicated to introducing young girls to
running). He has also committed time, energy and financial resources to virtually every tennis and
golf tournament, and running and cycling event held in our community.
Supporting youth education and career exploration, particularly focused on healthcare careers, is
a strong interest for Chris. Yearly, Community Hospital hosts a career day for over 75 local high
school students. We dedicate an entire day so students can visit numerous hospital departments
and experience the infinite variety of careers available in our industry. Chris has also dedicated
staff time to support Junior Achievement, taking the entire director team (22 people) into a local
elementary school to teach JA in a Day.
Community outreach education on our national healthcare system and how to effect change locally
is a passion for Chris. He has a unique ability to connect at the audience level, taking a very
complex topic and making it understandable at all education levels.
Page 1 Great People,
2021 N. 12th Street • Grand Junction, CO 81501 • (970) 242-0920 • 800-621-0926
Great Care,
www.YourCommunityHospital.com Great Choice

2. Community Hospital Modern Healthcare
Community Leadership Award
He stresses personal responsibility for health
and healthcare expenses and encourages
community members to research, seek
and demand value in healthcare services.
Chris routinely speaks to business leaders,
local employers, employee groups, civic
organizations and our own employee groups.
Through this outreach process with several
local employers, including our local school
district, he has established an innovative
Primary Care Clinic model to improve access
to healthcare for many in our community.
Knowing true solutions to cost effective
healthcare delivery are not going to
come from national mandates, Chris has
lead the innovation of a program where
Community Hospital directly contracts with
local employers to assure their employees
have access to primary care. This program
provides employees of contracted
businesses, free or reduced rate primary
care visits, a panel of 8 common no-cost lab
tests, a formulary of 55 no-cost medications
and access to a comprehensive wellness
Chris Thomas program, including health coaching (see
Community Hospital
President and CEO
attached fact sheet).
In the short time this program has been
implemented (three-months), with the 44
schools in our School District, over 600 lives have been touched directly and this number grows
daily. Several patients at significant risk have been identified and are being managed pro-actively.
The program has made all patients more aware of their health status. These outcomes exemplify
the effectiveness of departing from the typical CEO role and reaching out to partner with the patient
community.
His pursuit of excellence extends beyond the boardroom through more conventional CEO outreach
community volunteer activities. He is on the board of the local Chamber of Commerce, the Grand
Junction Economic Partnership, the Western Healthcare Alliance, the Quality Health Network,
Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, Colorado Mesa University Advisory Board and
serves as the Executive Director of the Community Hospital Foundation. Many connected with these
organizations and associated with our Foundation Board have provided their impressions of Chris’s
community leadership on the following pages.
Page 2
Great People,
2021 N. 12th Street • Grand Junction, CO 81501 • (970) 242-0920 • 800-621-0926
Great Care,
www.YourCommunityHospital.com Great Choice

3. Community Hospital Modern Healthcare
Community Leadership Award
Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce
Diane Schwenke, Executive Director
“Chris Thomas has been a member of the Grand Junction
Chamber Board of Directors for the past two years. In that role,
he provided leadership to this business organization on not just
health care but many issues affecting the community business
climate. His innovative spirit and keen insights have proved
invaluable to our organization.”
The Grand Junction Economic Partnership Board
Ann Driggers-
“As the President and CEO of the Grand Junction Economic
partnership, I had the good fortune of working closely with Chris
Thomas in his capacity as a Board Member of the organization.
He was truly committed to our mission of improving the local
economy and the well being of the local residents through
job creation and income growth. Not only did Chris provide
substantial financial support to the organization, but he also
provided leadership to our Health Industry Taskforce and contributed his considerable expertise to growing the local
healthcare sector, whether or not it benefited his own organization. His focus was always the betterment of the
community as a whole, understanding that ‘a rising tide lifts all ships’.”
Community Hospital Foundation Board
Karen Troester, Foundation Chair
“Chris is known for always ‘being there when asked’ and for talking at a level of understanding regarding what is going
on in healthcare to the business community. This is a complex subject at a time that is difficult. He really gives the
average business person an understanding of healthcare that enables businesses to make good decisions.”
Mesa County Board of Commissioners
Craig Meis
“Chris has played a key role in our community by way of working an innovative and entrepreneurial model to put
patients back in control of their healthcare and associated costs with the clinic model. Chris has educated our Board
on the State of healthcare in our community and Nation and is a trusted and reliable source of valuable information on
anything healthcare related. “
“I have had the opportunity to work with Chris as a leader in the local community; Chris has provided countless hours
and significant impact to our community both as a leader and as an outstanding citizen.”
Rocky Mountain Health Plans
Steve ErkenBrack, President and CEO
“Chris Thomas is passionate about improving the lives of individuals within the Mesa County community. This
commitment is evident directly through his outstanding leadership at Community Hospital and through his participation
with local organizations, such as his roles on the Board of Directors at Hospice and Palliative Care of Western
Colorado, the Chairman’s Council of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership and the Mesa County Health
Leadership Consortium. Chris brings a dynamic and innovative perspective to Mesa County
healthcare.” Great People,
Page 3
2021 N. 12th Street • Grand Junction, CO 81501 • (970) 242-0920 • 800-621-0926
Great Care,
www.YourCommunityHospital.com Great Choice

4. Community Hospital Modern Healthcare
Community Leadership Award
Business Incubator Center
Jon Maraschin, Executive Director
“As the former Chair of the Community Hospital
Foundation Board, I had the opportunity to
work side by side with Chris. Through his
involvement, the Foundation was able to raise a
significant amount of money which was put
to exceptional use across a broad spectrum,
including diabetes education and the purchase
of radiology equipment which has raised the
level of care in our local community.”
“Through his active support of the cycling
community in the Grand Valley, Chris has had a
hand making our community one of the best
places for outdoor recreation in the country.”
Home Loan & Investment Co.
James D. Hamilton, Owner
“Chris Thomas has embraced this community
by giving back quickly in his first years here.
His support of Colorado Mesa University,
community events such as the Junior College
World Baseball series (JUCO) and local
bike races, displays his leadership style -
get involved, do good work and people will
recognize it and the entire community will
benefit. Chris has made an instant positive
impact upon Western Colorado.”
West Star Aviation
Rick Brainard, VP Sales
“I have known Chris Thomas for about two years. In the time I have come to know Chris, it is clear to me he is a medical
leader of the future. Chris engages in his community and the businesses within to take the time to explain, in lay terms,
what is happening in healthcare and the future. From his leadership, businesses like West Star can make better healthcare
choices which leads to happier employees. I am very thankful to have a healthcare leader like Chris in our community and as
a partner.”
Colorado Mesa University
Tim Foster, President
“Chris Thomas is one of the rare community leaders that cares just as much about helping others as he does about the
inner workings of his hospital. With Chris at the helm, Colorado Mesa University and Community Hospital have been able to
develop creative partnerships that benefit patients, students and our community at large.”
Page 4 Great People,
2021 N. 12th Street • Grand Junction, CO 81501 • (970) 242-0920 • 800-621-0926
Great Care,
www.YourCommunityHospital.com Great Choice

5. Community Hospital Modern Healthcare
Community Leadership Award
Hanson International of Western
Colorado
Dale Rooks, CFO
“Chris Thomas has been instrumental
in helping our organization take control
of our health care costs. His proactive
approach to wellness and preventative care
fills a need that has been lacking in our
community. The time he personally took,
spending multiple evenings and weekends
to educate our employees and their
families about the benefits of prevention
and health care expense management
are way above and beyond what we have
ever experienced. His innovative approach
Chris Thomas to health management is exactly what is
Teaching Junior Achievement needed in the health care system.”
Scenic Elementary
Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado
Christy Whitney, President and CEO
“Chris Thomas has generously shared his leadership as a member of the Board and Executive Committee at HPCWC.
Certainly his knowledge and expertise add significant value, but his communication and vision has been the most valuable to
the organization. He has participated in transformational leadership that has increased our organization’s capacity to serve
our community in the best way possible and assured integration at the patient level between hospice and the hospital. We
are most grateful.”
Hilltop Community Resources
Michael Stahl, CEO
“From Chris’ very first days as the CEO, he brought ‘community’ back to Community Hospital and continues to make
Community an integral component of Grand Junction. Chris understands the fabric of a community requires strong leaders
and an overall commitment towards improvement. He demonstrates this with his time and leadership on various boards,
his financial support of multiple organizations and his commitment to an innovation of services, all with an effort to better our
community.”
Mesa County Health Department
Jeff Kuhr, Ph.D., Executive Director
“In response to funding cuts related to health reform, the Mesa County Health Department has had to quickly make
adjustments to its family planning and immunization programs. Chris Thomas is helping us through the transition by allowing
us to utilize Community Hospital’s medical records software and billing resources. We also see Community Hospital as
a place where we can refer clients for procedures we are no longer able to offer. Successful public health efforts are the
result of agencies willing to collaborate to address a common goal. With this in mind, the Mesa County Health Department
sincerely values its partnership with Chris Thomas and Community Hospital.”
Page 5 Great People,
2021 N. 12th Street • Grand Junction, CO 81501 • (970) 242-0920 • 800-621-0926
Great Care,
www.YourCommunityHospital.com Great Choice

6. Community Hospital
GOAL I
To help employees offset their medical costs by providing a resource they may choose to use for
routine medical care, generic common prescriptions and common lab tests at significantly reduced
prices.
� Access to Primary Care (please see reverse for a list of affiliated physician groups)
� Health Coach / Care Coordinator
� Multiple Access Points for Cost-effective Care:
• Grand Valley Primary Care, 8 providers all accepting new pediatric, adolescent and adult patients Physician Office
visits to Grand Valley Primary Care are included in the scope of the contract
• Grand Valley Urgent Care, after hours urgent care, open 7 days a week, $25 co-pay
• Community Hospital ED, 24/7 physician care, $25 co-pay for urgent care level visits
� Formulary of 55 No-cost Common Prescriptions are Included in the Scope of the Contract:
• Pediatric Formulary - 11 most commonly used pediatric medications
• Adult Formulary - 44 medications most frequently used by District 51 population
� Eight Common Laboratory Tests are Included in the Scope of the Contract:
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel • Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
• Lipid Panel • TSH Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
• Urinalysis • Complete CBC W / Auto Diff WBC
• Glycosylated Hemoglobin Test (A1C) • Strep Culture / Confirm
GOAL II
Provide a resource so more individuals will take
care of their health and wellness prior to having a
significant health issue caused by lack of regular
treatment.
� Proactive Program to Improve Health and
Wellness Through our Health Management
Program:
• Onsite Health Screening Services
• Health Risk Assessment
• Comprehensive On-line Wellness Portal - helps
clients manage their health, set goals and
monitor health year after year

7. GOAL III
Costs for these types of services to remain flat for the district’s medical plan.
� Utilization of Community Hospital’s Services – A Great Value:
• Generally services at Community Hospital are 30% less expensive
• A coordinated system of primary care has historically been the most cost-
effective care model
PROPOSED OUTCOMES
This relationship is just the beginning of a partnership to improve the health and wellness of the
District 51 employees and lower costs. The next phase includes a major healthcare cost savings
on hospital expenses.
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL PHYSICIANS
Grand Valley Primary Care: Physician office visits, contracted prescription formulary and lab tests
are all no-cost benefits.
Physician / Provider Clinical Interests
Brian T. DiMarzio, MD Family Medicine, Adolescent and Adult
David M. Gordon, MD Newborns, Pediatrics, Family Medicine, Men’s & Women’s Health
Katherine E. Howe, DO Pediatrics, Women’s Health, Family Medicine, Prevention and Wellness
Charles S. Nowak, DO Family Medicine, Promotion of Health Awareness
David W. Terry, DO Family Medicine
Vicky Mathwig, MD Pediatrics, Family Medicine, Women’s Health, Chronic Illnesses, Health Maintenance
Angela Kurtz, MD Pediatrics, Women’s Health, Family Medicine
Terry Villarreal-Golba, PA-C Women’s & Adolescent Health, Family Medicine, Chronic Case Management
AFFILIATED PHYSICIANS
Providers affiliated with our network are listed below. Employees seeking care with these
providers are eligible for the no-cost contracted prescription formulary benefits.
Family Medicine: Obstetrics & Gynecology:
James R. Pasterz, DO Barry W. King, MD, FACOG
Tarek T. Arja, DO Katie J. Mang-Smith, MD
Jeffrey W. Bowman, DO Ronald D. Ridgley, DO, FACOG
Thomas A. Moore, DO David S. Robbins, MD, FACOG
Melissa A. Schmalz, DO Kevin K. Howell, DO, FACOG
Jennifer J. Stroh, DO Nicholas J. Perez, MD
Daniel P. Thompson, DO Anita Sheetz, CNM
Andrew W. Winnefeld, MD Internal Medicine:
Richard A. Kingston, DO Frederic B. Walker, IV, MD
Lynne Bigler, C-FNP Barry W. Holcomb, MD
Sylvia Saunders, C-FNP John C. Hornsby, MD
Debbie Twardowski, NP Florian D. Seeberger, MD
Pediatrics: Donald E. Maier, MD
Aurelio (Gene) Etcheverry, DO Mark A. Twardowski, DO tients
iatric pa
Jan Leah Lamb, DO Kelly A. King, MD ig & ped
y Mathw
Merrilee J. Okey, DO Kent B. Fryberger, DO Dr. Vick
Charles A. Rademacher, DO
Mktg/District 51/2012/ District 51 Fact Sheet