(Pueblo, CO April 23, 2009) – Parkview Medical Center, Health Initiatives Director, Marian Heesaker RN, MA, has been appointed, by Governor Bill Ritter, to sit on the steering committee for the Center for Improving Value in Health Care (CIVHC).
The CIVHC is a core group of consumers, business leaders, health care providers, insurance companies and state agencies created to identify and pursue strategies to improve health care quality and contain costs. CIVHC was established by an Executive Order signed by Governor Ritter on February 13, 2008 and is a part of the governor’s Building Blocks to Health Care Reform plan and as recommended by the Colorado Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform.
Governor Ritter appointed 22 Coloradoans to serve as voting and ex-officio members of the CIVHC steering committee. Heesaker is the only member from Southern Colorado. The steering committee will set the strategic direction, vision and policy initiatives for the CIVHC. It will advise the state on strategies to improve the health care service delivery system, leverage commitments from the public and private sectors, and integrate the work of other public and private entities in the state.
Heesaker has served as Health Initiatives Director since 2005 and has implemented numerous programs and initiatives including Spirit of Women. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Loretto Heights College in Denver and her Masters in Community Health Education from the University of Northern Colorado.
Heesaker has been employed at Parkview since 1998. During that same year she was the recipient of Colorado’s Nightingale award. She is credited for the creation of Kidsville^® Express, Parkview’s traveling injury prevention program for children. Heesaker also introduced the “Great Hospital Adventure” puppet show program to many students throughout Southern Colorado.
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