Valley-Wide Health Systems’ La Junta team had the pleasure of hosting this month’s Chamber of Commerce Wake-Up Breakfast. The monthly event brings together leaders from all types of businesses, as well as community members from across the Arkansas Valley.
“This monthly breakfast is always well attended and is something everyone looks forward to,” explained Victoria Valdez, Director of Clinical Operations in La Junta. “It is a great opportunity to connect with our community and help them learn more about the great things happening at Valley-Wide.”
Cancer Patient Shares Story
The highlight of the event certainly came when Charlie and Gail Zimmerman took the stage to share their Valley-Wide experience.
Not long ago, Charlie was not feeling well and persistently tried to get a doctor’s appointment. The places he tried were not accepting new patients, so his wife, Gail, drove him to Valley-Wide La Junta Convenient Care. He was seen by Julie Grett, Family Nurse Practitioner, who ordered bloodwork and an abdominal x-ray. She also told him, “You now have a medical home.”
The next day, Charlie was seen by Dr. Charity Reynolds who informed him he had prostate cancer. Charlie was referred to a physician in Pueblo, who then connected him with Rocky Mountain Cancer Center.
Charlie is now in the middle of chemotherapy treatments and reports feeling better than he has in months. These teams were impressed with the quick treatment that was provided by Valley-Wide, which enabled Charlie’ cancer treatment to get started right away.
“We appreciate that Convenient Care was there when we had nowhere to turn for help and answers,” explained an emotional Gail. “You both (Grett and Reynolds) are a blessing in our lives.”
