Univ. of Colo. Health leaders outline future of Memorial Hospital

After voters approved a leasing agreement for Memorial Hospital by a landslide, University of Colorado Health officials outlined what patients should expect from the hospital in the future.

Voters approved the measure by an 83 percent margin Tuesday night.

Rulon Stacey is the president of University of Colorado Health. He said patients should not see any significant changes when operations officially change hands on Oct. 1.

He said patients should feel a sense of transparency. Stacey pointed out the only noticeable change should be the signage that includes University of Colorado Health.

All staff will remain the same at Memorial Hospital for at least the next six months and then Stacey said UCH hopes to expand.

He said there are no plans to move employees around or lay off employees.

Stacey pointed out that patients should see some long-term benefits of being part of a major health care organization that spans the Front Range.

He said UCH will continue to strive to be more efficient, reducing costs while increasing levels of care.

Stacey also said that by the end of next year, UCH hospitals and health care providers will have access to a central system of patients’ medical records.

He said that will allow patients to seek the best care possible through a range of resources, including Memorial Hospital, Poudre Valley Health and the University of Colorado Hospital.

A board of directors is expected to be selected in the coming weeks. Stacey said seven of the 11 will be local community members.

Mayor Steve Bach said that the board of directors will be responsible for determining how to spend revenue from the leasing agreement.

He said he hopes that most of the money will go toward helping the neediest in our community and focusing on wellness programs.