Valley-Wide Health Systems is excited to announce the appointment of Dr. Rick Sloan, MD, as its new Chief Medical Officer (CMO), welcoming an experienced physician leader back home to the San Luis Valley. Dr. Sloan began serving in the role on October 5, 2026.
A Colorado native, Dr. Sloan was born in Rocky Ford and moved to Alamosa when he was just three months old. He spent his childhood in the San Luis Valley, attending school in Alamosa before transferring to Sangre de Cristo Schools. After high school, he joined the United States Navy, where he served for 10 years. Following his military service, Dr. Sloan returned to school to pursue his dream of becoming a physician. He began his higher education at Adams State College, now Adams State University, before attending the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center Medical School.
Dr. Sloan brings more than 25 years of experience as a family medicine physician and addiction specialist and is excited to bring that experience to the San Luis Valley. Throughout his career, he has served in senior medical leadership roles, including serving as Medical Director and Chief Medical Officer for large health care organizations. His experience also includes building successful family medicine practices, urgent care centers and addiction treatment clinics, as well as an inpatient detoxification center.
As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sloan will provide leadership and strategic direction for Valley-Wide’s clinical services, working alongside providers, staff and organizational leadership to support high-quality, patient-centered care throughout the communities Valley-Wide serves. In this role, he will help guide clinical priorities, strengthen collaboration across care teams and support initiatives focused on quality, access and positive patient outcomes. Dr. Sloan will also serve as an important connection between Valley-Wide’s clinical teams and organizational leadership, helping ensure the perspectives of both patients and providers are reflected in decisions that shape the delivery of care. His leadership will support Valley-Wide’s continued commitment to meeting the evolving health care needs of rural communities while advancing a strong, collaborative culture across the organization.
“We are very excited to have Dr. Sloan join our team,” said Kristina Daniel, Chief Operating Officer of Valley-Wide Health Systems. “It is wonderful to have someone who was raised here come back to the community in this role. His knowledge, expertise and compassion will be a huge asset to our team and our patients. I know he will bring a lot to our community and our partnerships.”
Dr. Sloan believes meaningful patient care begins with listening, understanding each person’s unique needs and working together to make informed decisions about their health. A self-described “born teacher,” he believes helping patients understand their health and treatment is an important part of the provider-patient relationship. As he steps into his leadership role at Valley-Wide, Dr. Sloan plans to bring that same collaborative approach to working with providers and staff, listening to their perspectives, encouraging open communication and working together to strengthen care for the communities Valley-Wide serves.
For Dr. Sloan, joining Valley-Wide is more than a professional opportunity, it is an opportunity to return to the community that helped shape him. After practicing in Arizona for more than 20 years, he is returning to Colorado and the San Luis Valley to continue his career while giving back to the place he calls home.
“I have been practicing in Arizona for more than 20 years and I am finally coming home to practice and give back to the community that raised me,” said Dr. Sloan. “I feel more than blessed to have this wonderful opportunity to move back to the Valley.”
Returning to Colorado will also bring Dr. Sloan closer to his family, including his two daughters and granddaughter.
Valley-Wide Health Systems is proud to welcome Dr. Sloan home and looks forward to the experience, leadership and deep connection to rural Colorado he brings to the organization as Chief Medical Officer.