April 30th is Marguerite Salazar day, a special day on which to celebrate the good work of all who serve in the Community Health Center movement. Colorado Community Health Network (CCHN’s) Board of Directors passed a resolution in 2010 honoring Marguerite Salazar, who was departing her position as President and CEO here at Valley-Wide Health Systems, Inc. to become Director of Region VIII for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service. Since then, Marguerite was appointed as the Colorado Insurance Commissioner by Governor John Hickenlooper, a role in which she seeks to bring an inclusive and fair-minded regulatory approach to insurance, including health insurance.
As we celebrate our 40th Anniversary this year, we join in celebrating this special day in her honor. Marguerite gave outstanding service to Colorado’s Community Health Center Movement for more than 25 years here at Valley-Wide Health Systems. She served as president of CCHN’s Board of Directors and served many years on CCHN’s Public Affairs Committee. She was appointed twice to Colorado’s Medical Services Board, which oversees rules for state health care programs. Marguerite was selected by the National Association of Community Health Centers for the 2009 Aaron L. Brown Memorial Public Service Award, given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the community health field in public policy.
