Your clinical practice will encompass the full spectrum of women's healthcare, from routine preventive care to complex surgical procedures, serving a diverse patient population that reflects the unique character of the San Luis Valley. With approximately 60% gynecology and 40% obstetrics, you'll maintain the clinical diversity that keeps your skills sharp while building the kind of long-term patient relationships that define exceptional rural healthcare. The practice volume of 15-22 patients daily provides the perfect balance – busy enough to be professionally stimulating and financially rewarding, yet manageable enough to spend quality time with each patient.
The patient demographic reflects the rich cultural tapestry of southern Colorado, with approximately 50-60% Hispanic patients, including seasonal agricultural workers, along with established families from various backgrounds including Amish, Mennonite, and Mormon communities. You'll also care for patients from the mountain communities who travel down for specialized care, creating a practice that's both culturally diverse and professionally engaging. The payer mix is approximately 75% Medicaid for obstetrics, with a higher commercial mix for gynecologic services, reflecting the community's economic realities while ensuring financial sustainability for the organization.
Your surgical practice will be particularly robust, with access to state-of-the-art Stryker equipment and modern monitoring systems that rival those found in much larger facilities. The hospital's commitment to maintaining excellent surgical resources means you'll have the tools to perform complex procedures confidently, from advanced laparoscopic surgery to high-risk obstetric deliveries. When cases exceed the local capability, you'll have seamless referral relationships with maternal-fetal medicine specialists in Colorado Springs and Denver, who are readily accessible by phone and provide excellent collaborative support.
The practice includes significant urogynecology work since the nearest specialist is in Denver, allowing you to expand your scope and provide services that would otherwise require patients to travel hours over mountain passes. This scope expansion is supported by the nursing staff and organization, recognizing that keeping care local benefits both patients and the broader healthcare system. The collaborative relationship with two experienced nurse midwives means you can focus your time on cases requiring physician-level expertise while still maintaining involvement in routine obstetric care.
Working relationships with consulting specialists are exceptionally strong due to the rural setting – everyone understands the challenges of practicing at distance from academic centers, leading to unusually collaborative and supportive professional relationships. Whether consulting with gynecologic oncology in Denver, maternal-fetal medicine in Colorado Springs, or the rotating urology specialists who visit monthly, you'll find colleagues who are invested in your success and your patients' outcomes.
This clinical environment offers everything needed to practice excellent women's healthcare while maintaining the work-life balance that drew you to consider rural practice in the first place.