Patricia "Tricia" Maxon

 

As a board member what do you see your role being in creating a new Med Center?

I am passionate about the Med Center and building a facility that can support the growing needs of this community. I realize we have a lot of projects and needs in Telluride, but I cannot think of anything more important than our medical center. We need a larger facility and importantly, we need to maintain a financially healthy medical center. Our lease runs out in 7 years, therefore we must move with a sense of urgency -  7 years will be upon us in no time.

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Supporting the amazing staff at the Med Center is a critical part of my role.  Without the team we have, we have no Med Center.

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As a board member what role would you play in keeping medical costs low for our community?

We all know medical costs continue to escalate. As a member of this board, I will work with staff to make sure we offer the best care, at a reasonable cost, while also maintaining a med center that is fiscally sound.

 

Given the current administration's challenges to public health policies and equitable healthcare access, how do you see the clinic's responsibility in safeguarding and promoting health equity, particularly for marginalized and underserved populations?

We must provide healthcare to our entire community.

 

What do you believe is the Telluride Regional Medical Center’s role regarding women's reproductive rights?

Women have a right to choose and decide what they want for their bodies. The Telluride Women Give is a phenomenal group, supporting these issues. I was able to attend the recent fundraiser for this group and am proud we have this kind of support in our community. I have 2 daughters, this is important to me. I will add, the Med Center already excels in this arena.

 

What do you see as the Telluride Regional Medical Center’s role in mental health care in our region?

Mental health is as important as physical health and the Med Center plays a critical role. Especially in the mountains, where we have all witnessed mental health issues on many levels, including the loss of friends to suicide.

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What opportunities do you see for the Telluride Regional Medical Center to adapt its current model when moving to a new facility?

​We do a great job of providing medical care in our small community. Being able to provide expanded services for ortho, mental health, pediatrics, heart, infusion, MRI, imaging, blood work, are some of the things we should consider expanding upon, or providing. At the same time, we must recognize that we cannot provide it all, and some medical services are better provided at larger medical facilities.​​

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What type of partners would you want to see TRMC working with?

Continue to partner with Government, Police, Fire, EMT, Schools, Telski, Latino community, LBGT, Telluride Foundation – all organizations here. And, obviously partner with other medical facilities to provide care that is impossible to provide here.​​​

 

Share something about your own experience with the Med Center.

My partner came down with sepsis 14 years ago. He spent weeks on life support, eventually recovering but experiencing total kidney failure. He then had a kidney transplant, but suffered a blot clot followed by a massive heart attack. After recovering from all of this, he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at the Med Center and passed away within a year.  During all of this time, the Med Center provided local medical care, teaming with the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale and many other doctors and hospitals. The team here in Telluride assisted our family in the final weeks of his life, so he could spend Christmas at home in Telluride. He passed away a week after Christmas. The Med Center was amazing and my family and I are forever grateful for the care provided.

 

There was no hospice at the time here in Telluride.  Shortly thereafter, I volunteered with a group of locals, doctors, nurses and leaders on the western slope to set up services to help families going through similar situations.

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What do you see to be the strengths and weaknesses of TRMC?

Strengths – Amazing staff. Access 24/7 to medical care. Financially healthy.

Weakness – Our small facility. A lease that expires in 7 years. Lack of affordable housing for our staff.

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Please share some of your thoughts on the current services offered at the Med Center.

I think we are doing just about everything we can possibly do right now, given the size of our building.

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Tell us about experience you have in Rural Health or running a rural business.

President, The Bank of Telluride.  Director, National Bank Holdings Corporation. I have run a bank in Telluride for 30+ years, and understand the challenges of finding good staff, and housing that staff in a very expensive real estate market.

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Tell us about a successful fundraising experience that you have had.

I have been on the board of the Telluride Foundation for over 15 years. In my role, we have raised millions of dollars from many donors. I was also on the original board of the program which raised money for all the guaranteed flights into Telluride and Montrose. This included raising money from businesses, as well as creating a tax program to fund the airline program.

 

We are going to have to fundraise a lot of money for this project. I have the experience and contacts to help.

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What is the number one skill or experience that you think you bring to board?

40 years in banking, both on Wall Street as well as community banking in Colorado, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Utah, Idaho, New Mexico and Wyoming. Ability to analyze financial statements and budgets, review construction costs, and assist in fundraising.

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Is there anything else you want to tell voters about yourself?

I work well on teams, and have a lot of leadership experience, recently overseeing a staff of over 500 bankers in 8 states.  I moved here in the early 90’s and raised my 2 daughters here. I am a true “local” that brings a broad business background to the table.