Aspen Valley Health recertified as Level III Trauma Center 

Aspen Valley Health announced on Monday its recertification as a Level III Trauma Center from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

State reviewers described the program as the “gold standard” for Level III trauma programs in Colorado, according to a press release. This redesignation followed an intensive multi-day review process by a team of trauma surgeons, emergency medicine physicians, trauma nurses and state representatives evaluating everything from patient outcomes and clinical protocols to staff readiness, equipment, interdepartmental coordination and emergency response systems.

Survey results revealed that Aspen Valley Health met all criteria for redesignation “without a single deficiency or reservation,” the release states, “an uncommon outcome and the second consecutive review cycle in which the hospital has achieved that distinction.”

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment conducts AVH’s Level III Trauma Center review every three years.

“This recognition reflects an enormous multidisciplinary effort and speaks volumes about the depth and breadth of care available at Aspen Valley Health,” Dr. Richard Becker, CEO of Aspen Valley Health, said in the release. “It is emblematic of the coordination and excellence across departments, agencies and clinical teams throughout our organization and community.”

According to the release, Aspen Valley Health’s trauma care systems, coordination with EMS agencies and ski patrol partners and several advanced services not commonly found at Level III trauma centers or in a rural critical access hospital setting were specific review highlights.

“A common misconception is that trauma care is inherently better elsewhere,” Dr. Christopher Roseberry, trauma program medical director and chief of medical staff at AVH, said in the release. “Level III designation reflects which specialty services are available onsite — not the quality of care. The reviewers told us our trauma care was exceptional and even commented that some Level I and II centers could learn from our systems and processes.”

Additional services highlighted during the review include:

• Advanced chest wall reconstruction and rib plating procedures
• Comprehensive traumatic brain injury and concussion rehabilitation programs
• A regional trauma-response partnership with local EMS agencies and ski patrol teams that reviewers described as “highly unusual and exceptional” for its level of integration, training and collaboration
• The use of whole blood transfusion protocols for trauma patients, an emerging best practice which has been shown to improve outcomes

“Trauma care is not just about surgeons or emergency physicians,” Roseberry said in the release. “It requires seamless collaboration with EMS, ski patrol, nursing, radiology, laboratory staff, operating room teams, rehabilitation specialists and administration. Every person involved plays a critical role in delivering exceptional care to our patients.”

AVH’s trauma program team, which includes Trauma Program Manager Jill Kennedy, Trauma Nurse Coordinator Becky Needham and Trauma Registrar Bob Middlecamp, reviews every trauma case treated at the hospital, the release confirms.

In 2025, the release confirms the hospital tracked and reviewed nearly 450 trauma patients.

“Leadership at AVH says the redesignation reflects years of investment in trauma readiness, staff education, quality improvement and coordinated emergency response systems,” the release states.

The redesignation also honors the collaboration between emergency medicine, surgery, nursing, rehabilitation, radiology, laboratory teams, EMS providers and regional public safety partners that the release states is “required” in order to maintain trauma services in a mountain community.

“Trauma care is never the work of one department,” Becker said. “This recognition belongs to an entire network of caregivers and first responders committed to delivering exceptional care close to home.”