Aspen Valley Health

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Aspen Valley Health

For more than a century as an independent health system, Aspen Valley Health has championed community wellness.

It's our commitment to making world-class healthcare accessible in an environment of excellence, compassion and trust.

04/10/2026

Protein gets all the hype, but are you hitting your fiber goals? 🌾

Gut health starts with fiber, and most of us aren't getting nearly enough. When Dr. Justin Sonnenburg, NIH-funded microbiome researcher from Stanford University, sat down with our own Dr. Alexandra Kovar, board-certified fellowship-trained gastrointestinal surgeon, he shared a number that might surprise you: you should be aiming for 30–40 grams of dietary fiber every day.

How are you hitting your fiber goals? Drop your go-to high-fiber foods in the comments. 👇

For you. For life.

04/09/2026

Every donation makes a difference. 🩸
Do your part to support patients, our community and the nation by participating in our upcoming Vitalant - Colorado Blood Drive. Sign up today!

📅 April 17
⏰ 10:30 am–3:30 pm
📍 Emergency Parking Lot at Aspen Valley Health

Tap the link to sign up today.
https://loom.ly/QT4JPWQ

04/07/2026

Happy World Health Day! 🌍

This year’s theme, Global Action for Universal Health Coverage, calls on all of us to ensure everyone can access quality care without financial hardship. For Aspen Valley Health, that’s not just a global goal. It’s our local mission.

For over a decade, we’ve partnered with the Valley Health Alliance (VHA), a not-for-profit coalition of employers, doctors and hospitals from Aspen to Parachute, to build a healthcare ecosystem that truly works for our community.

Together, we’re focused on three things:
🩺 Preventative care first: a strong primary care model means healthier outcomes and lower costs for everyone.
📋 More coverage options: expanding insurance access for individuals and small businesses breaks down real financial barriers.
🤝 Stronger connections: uniting local resources around shared health challenges fuels deeper dialogue and awareness across the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond.

Want to learn more about the Valley Health Alliance? Visit ourvha.org.

For you. For life.

04/03/2026

In 2010, Tyler Williams was skiing Aspen Mountain when he looked back and saw his ski pole sitting in the snow 40 yards behind him. He hadn't felt it drop. He couldn't feel anything in his right hand.

For a professional big mountain skier and seven-time X Games competitor, that moment was the beginning of a 15-year journey that would test everything he had.

For years, Tyler's symptoms worsened without a clear diagnosis. He had hand surgery. It didn't help. He lost control of the entire right side of his body. Then in 2017, an MRI finally revealed the truth: a rare cerebral arteriovenous malformation growing in the left side of his brain.

"It wasn't good news," Tyler says. "But at least it gave me something to fight."

What followed was a series of gamma knife radiation sessions, multiple brain surgeries and, in 2024, an emergency airlift by Flight for Life to Denver after a brain-bleed episode. His most recent surgery left him with more than 13 staples in his scalp.

Recovery has not been linear. But Tyler hasn't stopped. He lives directly across from Aspen Valley Health, where his rehab team has become family. Every Wednesday, he works with occupational therapist Krista Fox—who has been by his side for over seven years. He also trains with physical therapist Matt Michael, who recently watched Tyler hit his heaviest squat rack lift since they began working together.

"Krista and Matt are my superheroes," Tyler says, voice cracking. "I wouldn't be where I am without them."

One of Tyler's most powerful tools? The SwimEx pool at AVH. For a man whose right side is largely numb, the water is transformative—buoyancy allows him to jump, move and feel his body in ways gravity won't permit on land.

"In the water, I can feel my right side again," he says. "It's like it wakes up."

This past winter, Tyler skied five runs. He wants more. He wants powder. And with the team at AVH behind him, there's every reason to believe he'll get there.

"Healing isn't about finishing," he says. "It's about continuing. It's about believing there's still more to come." Read Tyler's full story and learn more about the rehabilitation services at Aspen Valley Health.
https://loom.ly/uUjf_F4

For you. For life.

04/01/2026

Happy April! 🌸
This month's calendar image captures the breathtaking Peekaboo Slot Canyon in Kanab, Utah, photographed by Melissa Somers, MD.

Whether you're adventuring near or far this season, we hope it's filled with wonder.

For you. For life. 💛

03/31/2026

Did you know the intense Colorado sun can break down your helmet over time, even if you've never taken a fall? ☀️

In recognition of Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month, Trauma Program Manager Jill Kennedy and Emergency Physician Dr. Nathan McDonald are sharing an important reminder: replace your helmet every 3–5 years, and wear it every time you head out.

In a place where outdoor adventure is part of everyday life, protecting your brain is one of the most important things you can do. If you or someone you know needs a new helmet but cost is a barrier, please reach out to Jill Kennedy directly at jkennedy@aspenvalleyhealth.org.

For you. For life.

03/30/2026

Happy National Doctors' Day to our exceptional medical staff! 💛

To our physicians and allied medical professionals: your expertise, compassion and commitment to the wellbeing of our patients and community is truly inspiring. We are grateful for the positive impact you make on countless lives every single day.

This past Friday we celebrated with a special breakfast. Delicious food, great conversation and a small token of our appreciation. It was a wonderful opportunity to come together and honor the tireless work of this remarkable team.
On behalf of everyone at Aspen Valley Health, thank you. 💐

For you. For life.

03/27/2026

In Part 3 of our gut health series, Dr. Sonnenburg breaks down the link between the microbiome and colorectal cancer, and why nurturing a healthy gut from the very beginning of life matters more than we once thought.

From breastfeeding and avoiding unnecessary antibiotics to eating plant-based, high-fiber and fermented foods—the choices we make early can shape long-term health in powerful ways.

This March, for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, we're committed to sharing the knowledge that helps our community thrive at every stage of life.

For you. For life.

03/26/2026

Our physical therapy team knows firsthand what it takes to heal, recover and get back to doing what you love. That’s exactly why they wear their helmets.

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, and we’re proud to share the voices of the people who help our community rebuild strength every day, because protecting your brain starts before an injury ever happens.

Whether you’re hitting the slopes, the trails or the bike path, a helmet is one of the simplest ways to protect your most important asset.

Wear it for yourself. Wear it for the people who love you. Wear it for life.

For you. For life.

03/25/2026

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month and we're proud to introduce the dedicated team behind our Traumatic Brain Injury rehabilitation program.

From initial recovery to returning to the activities you love, our TBI specialists bring expertise, compassion and a whole-person approach to every step of your journey.

Meet the team:
Paige Henderson, PT, DPT
Krista Fox OTR/L, CBIST
Ellen Barlow, PT, DPT, CBIS
Joe Kagan PT, DPT
Nicole Nelson, PT, DPT, cert. DN
Olivia Vasisko, MOT, OTR/L

Whether you're navigating the road to recovery or supporting a loved one, we're here.
For you. For life.

03/20/2026

How much fiber do you actually need? More than you think.

In Part 2 of our gut health Doc to Doc series, Dr. Sonnenburg gets specific. Aim for 30 to 40 grams of dietary fiber daily from whole plant-based foods like beans, whole grains, vegetables, fruits and nuts. Pair that with 3 to 4 servings of fermented foods per day and you have the recipe for a healthy diverse microbiome.

One thing to watch: not all fermented foods are created equal. Check those labels—high sugar content can work against you.

Part 3 coming soon. Follow along so you don't miss it.

For you. For life.

03/19/2026

Scheduling a screening is one of the most important things you can do for your health—and we're here to make it as easy as possible. 💛

Connect with your primary care provider to schedule your colonoscopy today.

For you. For life.

📍 Aspen | Snowmass | Basalt | Midvalley

Address

401 Castle Creek Road
Aspen, CO
81611

Telephone

+19709251120

Website

https://aspenvalleyhealth.org/

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Our Story

Founded in 1891, Aspen Valley Hospital (AVH) is one of the most sophisticated rural hospitals in the U.S. With twenty-five beds, AVH is designated as a critical access hospital and level III trauma center, meeting the needs of the Aspen and Roaring Fork Valley communities, plus thousands of visitors from around the world every year. Combining the warmth and friendliness of a small town with the technical expertise of a major medical center, AVH has been recognized with numerous awards, including a Five-Star Rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for Patient Experience, among others. AVH offers a full range of services with board-certified specialists in 25 fields of medicine, with expanded expertise in orthopedics and sports medicine. For over 128 years, Aspen Valley Hospital has been working to deliver extraordinary healthcare in an environment of excellence, compassion and trust. SOCIAL MEDIA DISCLAIMER Information posted on any of our social media pages should not be considered medical advice and shouldn’t replace a consultation with a health care professional. AVH adheres to all federal, state and local rules and regulations concerning patient privacy. We suggest that you exercise caution when posting medical information and that you not disclose personal identifiable information (such as name, address, social security, date of birth). A PDF of our Detailed Notice of Privacy Practices use is available online at http://aspenvalleyhospital.org/hospital_services/patient_rights.cfm.