New Breast Health Center project at EPH and 2025 Gala fundraiser planned

Floor plan of a Breast Health Center showing areas for mammography, ultrasound, changing rooms, and other facilities in purple shades.

Estes Park Health unveiled an exciting new project for the hospital at a special board meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at Town Hall.

The hospital is planning to upgrade the Diagnostic Imaging Center. Renovations include a designated Breast Health Center.

Ingrid Drouin is a member of the Estes Park Health Foundation and Chair of a new gala event called “An Evening of Mountaintop Medicine.”

She detailed the long and important history of the Estes Park Health Foundation which started in 1986. The EPH Foundation has helped engage the community and obtain philanthropic support. The Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.

Its mission is to “increase community awareness of Estes Park Health, and develop, manage and distribute funds to assist EPH in fulfilling its mission.”

The Foundation’s vision is to create “an environment that fosters wellness and excellent health care for all.”

In highlighting the community impact of the Foundation, Drouin mentioned money that helped fund the 3D mammography unit, the MRI, the ultrasound needle biopsy, and the fluoroscopy machine. She also mentioned the money from the Foundation that helped the construction of negative pressure rooms during the pandemic. She thanked the Elizabeth Guild Thrift Store for its contributions, including money for scholarships for EPH employees wanting to get further medical education. She also mentioned the Trail Ridge Quilters who are part of the Foundation now and raise money with their quilt sales.

Drouin also announced a brand-new event debuting on May 17, 2025. The Foundation will be hosting a fundraising gala called “An Evening of Mountaintop Medicine.” The event will be part of a celebration of Estes Park Health’s 50th anniversary. The gala will take place at The Pavilion at The Stanley and will include cocktails, a silent auction, dinner, inspirational speakers, a live auction, and live music and dancing. The theme is “Boots to Boutonnieres.”

The purpose of the event is to raise $200,000 for a new Diagnostic Imaging Center at Estes Park Health. The upgrade to the DI department will enhance functionality and productivity. The project is also designed to provide emotional comfort in a more private and patient-centered environment. The value of becoming involved in this gala is threefold, Drouin said.

  • Strengthening Patient Care Through Innovation
  • Expanding Access to Diagnostic Imaging Services
  • Celebrating Community-Driven Impact

To contact the Foundation, email giving@eph.org or tbrynard@eph.org. You can also contact Ingrid Drouin directly if you have any questions or you are interested in buying a table, donating an item for auction, or volunteering for the event. Her phone number is (847) 337-7126. Her email address is ingriddrouin@gmail.com. Jacob Schmitz, Senior Director of Support Services at EPH, presented a project overview. Part of the Diagnostic Imaging department will be made into a Breast Health Center. The plan includes:

  • Reconstruct part of the current DI department to add a designated “Breast Health Center.”
  • Modalities: DEXA, Ultrasound, Mammography in proximity.
  • Features: designated waiting rooms, changing rooms, integrated patient experience.
  • Indications: enhanced patient experience, enhanced patient flow, enhanced space planning due to contiguously located modalities.

This revamping is part of a larger Facility Master Plan that includes other areas of interest including the surgical suite, phlebotomy, lower-level outpatient services, and the clinic. Evaluating community needs and service line utilization is part of the master planning process. A look at Estes Park Demographics (2022) tells part of the story:

  • 60.9 years median age in Estes Park (vs. CO median age of 37.9 years)
  • Largest demographic segment is 51 – 75-year-olds

The average age of US women diagnosed with breast cancer is 62 years old. Women who receive regular screenings for breast cancer have a 26% lower breast cancer death rate than women who did not receive screenings.

The Breast Health-related service lines at EPH are growing steadily. EPH now has on-site radiologist Dr. John Knudtson (who joined the hospital in March 2022). The hospital also offers diagnostic mammograms on the 3D machine, MRI breast exams, and a new ultrasound that will allow EPH to start offering ultrasound-guided needle biopsies in mid-2025.

“The Breast Health Center will enhance the patient experience, improve patient flow, and optimize space planning due to contiguously located modalities,” Schmitz said. “The Breast Health Center could serve as ‘phase on’ staging for future DI departmental remodeling.”

EPH is also considering adding a Breast Health Navigator in 2025.

Radiologist Dr. John Knudtson and Diagnostic Imaging Manager Jenn Hardin also addressed the board and the attendees. “It’s a pleasure to see this start to come to fruition,” Dr. Knudtson stated. “This will be a great asset for the entire community. I am super excited about the prospect of this improvement.”

Dr. Knudtson stressed that testing for breast cancer is already a nerve-wracking and anxiety-ridden time for patients. Getting the physical facility to match the excellent imaging equipment will enhance the patients’ experience. Add to that Dr. Knudtson’s fast, accurate and actionable reports, and patients in the Estes Valley will be receiving quality, state-of-the-art care close to home.

Board member Steve Alper said, “This is a great project that will benefit the community and meet the needs of many patients.”

Board Vice Chair Drew Webb commented, “I am happy employees had the foresight to see what we needed.”

Board member Brigitte Foust added, “I am excited to see the progress being made with our state-of-the-art equipment.”

Board Chair David Batey remarked that this project is a good example of the fact that Estes Park Health and the Estes Park Health Foundation have aligned goals.

Board member Cory Workman said, “I appreciate the Foundation and the work that they do. I look forward to seeing this project move forward.”

Webb told the Gala committee he would be the first to buy a table for the May 17th event.

Since the total cost of renovations for this project exceeds the spending authority of the CEO, the board was required to authorize it. By a unanimous vote, the board said it fully supports the plans for the Gala and the special project, which is estimated at $450,000, with up to $250,000 to be contributed from EPH.