Christian Dean, DO, MS

Dr. Christian Dean is a hospitalist trained in sports medicine who began at Aspen Valley Health in 2025. Dr. Dean has focused much of his training as a physician on supporting athletes and adventurers, with a niche specialty in high-altitude sports. He is actively engaged in clinical research that focuses on advancing care in extreme environments. Dr. Dean practiced as a hospitalist in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Missoula, Montana, before coming to Aspen. He studied medicine at the University of North Texas, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, graduating in 2012, and then completed a residency in family medicine at Methodist Charlton Medical Center in Dallas. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine and earned a diploma in Mountain Medicine through the Mountain Medicine Society of Nepal and the International Commission of Alpine Rescue. Dr. Dean has been the expedition physician on several 8,000-meter climbs, including K2 and Broad Peak and three ascents of Mount Everest. He is also a physician for the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Teams, supporting athletes at FIS World Cup events. In 2025, he completed a fellowship in Primary Care Sports Medicine at St. Anthony North in Denver. He shares his skills and experience by teaching wilderness medicine courses for laypersons and clinicians. He has also worked on ski patrol at Crystal Mountain in Washington, Snow King Mountain in Wyoming and Big Sky Resort in Montana. Dr. Dean was drawn to work at Aspen Valley Health by the local community and its love of the mountains, and the warm reception he received from employees at the Medical Center. An endurance athlete and adventurer himself, he can often be found trail running, backpacking or ski mountaineering in the Rockies and around the world.