Who We Are
For over a century, Aspen Valley Health has championed community wellness in an environment of excellence, compassion, and trust.
We provide leading-edge medical expertise rooted in exceptional patient experiences.
Aspen Valley Health's culture and approach to patient care are designed to be much more than just a medical center — they comprise an extensive and dedicated network of care focused on the people who call Aspen and the surrounding area home.
We offer a variety of clinics and locations throughout the upper Roaring Fork Valley, in Aspen, Snowmass Village and Basalt. Aspen Valley Health's rich history is one of meeting the changing needs of our community. What began as a hospital in service of the citizens of a pioneering mining town has now grown into a network of care to encompass the needs of the thriving communities throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. We believe healthcare should be compassionate and convenient, which is why many of our providers see patients at multiple locations in specialties that include primary care, rehabilitation services, diagnostic imaging, cardiology and more. Additionally, our telemedicine services allow patients to see their doctors from the ease and comfort of home, or on the go.
Our Mission
To provide extraordinary healthcare in an environment of excellence, compassion and trust.
Aspen Valley Health is a community-owned, independent health system in the heart of Colorado's Roaring Fork Valley. What began over a century ago as a small community hospital has evolved into a comprehensive network of care serving residents and visitors across the region.
Today, our system includes a 25-bed critical access hospital in Aspen, primary care clinics across the valley, specialty and surgical services, and Whitcomb Terrace assisted living — all connected by a shared commitment to whole-person health.
1891
Founded
500+
Team members
6
Valley locations
25
Hospital beds
Awards & Recognition
Aspen Valley Health has been recognized nationally for quality, safety, and patient experience:
- Press Ganey Human Experience Guardian of Excellence Award
- Baby-Friendly USA designation (6+ consecutive years)
- Level III Trauma Center designation
- Epic Electronic Health Records system
Melinda Nagle, MD
Doctor
Dr. Nagle completed her medical degree in 1997 at New York Medical College, before heading off to warmer weather for her residency, which she completed at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. Dr. Nagle serves on the Board of the Aspen Hope Center and the Aspen Valley Health Foundation, and she serves as Chair of the Aspen Valley Health Board of Directors. When she’s not helping her patients or busy with Board activities, Dr. Nagle is likely crushing another Ironman competition (23 and counting!), or hitting the ice as part of the Aspen Mother Puckers hockey team.
Lee Schumacher
Board, Vice Chair
Mr. Schumacher has lived in the Roaring Fork Valley since 1980. He is an attorney specializing in taxation and real estate. His law degrees — J.D. and LL.M. (taxation) — were received from the University of Denver College of Law. With six children (five of them born at Aspen Valley Health), and a law firm that has represented physicians and physician groups for more than 25 years, he has both professional and personal experience with Aspen Valley Health. He also serves on the Board of Aspen Country Day School. In the past, he was on the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club Board of Directors.
Chuck Frias
Board, Treasurer
Mr. Frias has lived in Aspen since 1974. He is an owner of Frias Properties of Aspen, a local property management and real estate company that specializes in real estate sales, rentals, property management and development. Mr. Frias has served on many local organizational boards including: Aspen Chamber Resort Association, Aspen Lodging Association, Aspen Junior Hockey, Aspen School District Financial Advisory Board, Aspen Trout Unlimited, Aspen Child Care Advisory Board, Meadowood Homeowners, and Villa of Aspen Homeowners. Mr. Frias raised his family in Aspen, including two children, both of whom were born at Aspen Valley Health, and currently lives in the Meadowood subdivision with his wife, Marilyn.
John Sarpa
Board, Director
Mr. Sarpa has extensive international, national and local real estate experience, having been responsible for the acquisition, development and sales of over $2 billion of real estate in the U.S., Europe and Middle East over his 40-year real estate career. He has been a major real estate figure in Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley since 1985. He came to Aspen in that year as the head of the development team for The Ritz-Carlton, Aspen which today is the St. Regis Hotel. He also co-chaired the citizens group that master planned and re-developed the Aspen Meadows, home of the Aspen Institute, Aspen Music Festival and School and the Aspen Center for Physics. He was one of the developers and very active in the sales and marketing of the Residences at The Little Nell in Aspen, one of the most successful fractional, private residence clubs in the country.
Joseph J. Ruzbarsky, MD
Board, Director
Dr. Ruzbarsky completed both his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. Following medical school, he completed his Orthopaedic Surgery Residency at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). Post residency he completed two consecutive fellowship programs in sports medicine as well as hip preservation at The Steadman Clinic. He has authored over 110 peer reviewed original research publications, currently serves as the medical director for Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club and is a physician pool member of the US Ski and Snowboard team. In his spare time, he enjoys adventuring in the backcountry and recently summited all 58 of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks.