As we prepare to step into the summer months, I hope everyone across our community enjoys a healthy, active, and refreshing spring. At Rangely District Hospital, this season has been filled with meaningful progress, strengthening services, deepening community partnerships, and continuing to invest in the people who make rural healthcare possible.

A couple of areas of growth are worth mentioning are the surgery department, our sleep lab, health fair, and community partnerships.

We recently received a notice (waiver) from the State to expand our surgery capacity. Currently we can perform general surgeries, and this waiver will allow us to expand services into Orthopedics. We are super excited about this opportunity. We have strategic planning to do prior to going live with Orthopedics, but it will be a future service we will provide the community.

Another area of growth we are especially proud of is our sleep, which is now fully operational and serving patients right here at home. Quality sleep plays a critical role in overall health, affecting everything from heart health and energy levels to mental wellness and safety. If you or a loved one may be experiencing sleep-related concerns, we encourage you to speak with your primary care provider. Providers can submit a referral directly to Rangely District Hospital, allowing patients to receive high-quality diagnostic care without traveling far from home.

Community engagement remains at the heart of what we do. On April 11, we were thrilled to host our Annual Health Fair, which saw an outstanding turnout from the community. Events like this are only possible because of the volunteers and staff members who generously give their time and energy. I want to extend a sincere and heartfelt thank you to every volunteer, partner, and team member who helped make the day a success. Our laboratory team alone processed approximately three hundred lab draws, reflecting both the strong participation from our community and the dedication of our staff who worked tirelessly throughout the event.

Beyond clinical services, Rangely District Hospital is deeply committed to investing in the future of healthcare in our region. Over the past two years, we have partnered with CNCC and Rangely Junior Senior High School to bring interns into our facility, providing them with firsthand exposure to the career paths available within healthcare. While patient care is at the core of our mission, it is supported by essential departments—including laboratory services, imaging, pharmacy, administration, information technology, finance, environmental services, and more. These behind-the-scenes roles are vital to keeping our hospital running smoothly, safely, and efficiently. These interns are now working for us in various departments.

By opening our doors to students, we hope to inspire curiosity, build awareness, and show young people that meaningful, rewarding careers can begin right here in Rangely. These interns are now working for us in various departments.

As we move into summer, Rangely District Hospital remains committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care while staying intricately connected to the community we serve. Thank you for your continued trust, support, and partnership. We look forward to the months ahead and to continuing to grow together.