The country doc: Rural health care in Colorado

On 9NEWS, we introduced viewers to Dr. Gary Grasmick. He gave up his successful practice in Boulder to become a "Country Doc" in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado, about 200 miles southeast of Denver.

[dfkeefe]

My name is Dan Keefe. I grew up in Cheyenne Wells where my dad, one of the original country dactors set up practice in 1947, thw year i was born. Today, the Hospital is named after him (Keefe Memorial)for his 55+ years of service to the county and town and surrounding counties and towns (you can also include parts of western Kansas in that group).

I am really pleased to hear that a new doc ("doc" was about the only name I ever heard my father being called out there) and I wish him every success. While growing up out there, time and time again, a new doctor would try his hand at rural medicine only to end up not liking it or his wife found the isolated rural setting a bit too much to stand, so off he would go only to leave my dad alone to take care of , I don't know how many folk. I do know that he was often one tired man, but he remained dedicated, the locals loved him. I think at times he was elevated to some surreal, mythical status.

Anyway, I think that it would have been nice (or would be nice) for the 9 News to have incuded something about my dad and how he kept medicine alive in that part of the State, so that there are good facilities still in place for one to practice. In the early to mid-90's dad was named Doctor of the Year in the State of Colorado (can't remember the year). So Dr. Grasmick has some big shoes to fill.

Here's is wish Dr. Grasmick every success and all the best in his new practice out there. The locals will soon love you I'm sure; and here's hoping that 9 News will consider doing a little piece on my father and some of the other "pioneering" medical folks in that part of the "world"

Thanks for the opportunity to add my two cents worth.

Dan Keefe

[Chris Power Bain]

Thanks for the piece on rural doctors. Medical Education is one way The Colorado Health Foundation is working to make Colorado the healthiest state in the nation. Besides operating 7 residency programs at area hospitals, we also fund a loan repayment program for doctors. For more information about the Foundation and our medical education and loan repayment program, please link to http://www.coloradohealth.org/teaching/educat...