Advertisement
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080917/LAW006)
Eck, 66, a physician in Vail since 1971, is renowned as one of the topdiagnosticians in Colorado. Early in his practice, he sought expertise fromspecialists and physicians throughout North America and helped create acommunity hospital with big-city resources and expertise. It was among thefirst of Western Slope facilities to have an ICU, obstetrics and gynecologydepartment and evolved quickly to service both the orthopedic-related andmedical incidents from Vail Mountain in the early years. Cardiac-relatedservices soon grew at the VVMC, as did the cancer center and hospice care.
Advertisement
Eck was the first physician to serve on the Vail Ski Patrol. Hisexperience as a flight surgeon in Vietnam in the '70s was used to shapeadvanced orthopedic and medical first responder technique used by Vail SkiPatrol to become leaders in the profession. Eck still skis with the patroleach week and serves as their medical advisor in overseeing all medicalprotocols and training throughout the year.
From the beginning, Eck professed that the young, energetic Vail Communitywas very much in need of quality health care; he worked on a grass roots levelto raise funds and create the facilities and the operational back-up to formthe well-respected VVMC.
Among Eck's initiatives will be the development of clinical programs inthe areas of cancer, genetics, ophthalmology, mental health, wellness and cat-scan technology. Further, he will continue with his work of philanthropy andfundraising efforts in the community.
Ron Davis, chairman of the VVMC Board of Directors, recently asked Jack toserve in the unique role of Executive Vice President Clinical ProgramDevelopment and Community Outreach. "We realize what a sacred trust acommunity hospital is to our residents and guests," said Davis. "When acommunity has an individual as knowledgeable, sensitive, caring and asvisionary as Jack, we would be remiss in not utilizing his talents to create abetter health organization with an eye to the future of our valley. Our entireboard and the medical staff, are thrilled that Jack is taking on this newendeavor. He is truly the heart and soul in initiating health care for thecommunity. He will make a tremendous ambassador."
In his new position, Jack will do what he has always done in envisioningthe big picture of what our community needs and how we facilitate that need,"Davis continued. "He will help us prioritize and develop our plan for thefuture. I anticipate that his duties will be similar to his leadership in thecreation of both the Shaw Regional Cancer Center and Jack's Place.
"The Shaw Regional Cancer Center was born from quiet, effectiveconversations that Jack had with people whose lives he had touched and care hehad given. The Cancer Caring House then grew from an interested group ofpassionate community members -- the Shaw Outreach Team -- who saw a need tohouse families of those being treated at Shaw," Davis explained. "Jack was aninspiration and helped set the direction of the campaign to build the CaringHouse." In his honor, the Team decided to name it Jack's Place.
"As Vail grows, we foresee the need for facilities, expert care, state-of-the art technology and operational acumen that is second to none," said JohnCassin, President and Chief Executive Officer, (CEO) of the VVMC. "As aveteran in health care, I can say that working with Jack is truly a gift thatany CEO would genuinely appreciate on behalf of the commun
