Leadership & Board

Nico joined Howard Head Sports Medicine in 2007 as a seasonal physical therapist. By 2009, he was promoted to clinic director of the Edwards office, where he played a role in the clinic design, as well as the implementation of new processes for the Outpatient Surgery Center. In the fall of 2012, Nico became one of two vice presidents leading the organization’s nine clinics. He holds an undergraduate degree with a double major in environmental studies and Italian from Emory University and a master’s degree in physical therapy from Georgia State University. He is a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, Eagle County Total Health Alliance, and American College of Healthcare Executives. He serves on the board for the Colorado Association of Healthcare Executives and the InteGreat Community Coalition. Nico is also the founder of the SafeFit® Wellness Program, which has provided innovative solutions for keeping Vail Resort’s active workforce healthy in Colorado, Utah, and California.

Mary joined Vail Health as the Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer in 2016 with over 16 years of experience in health care and human subjects research compliance and in clinical ethics.  She has worked with a broad spectrum of health care providers at the local and system level in Colorado, including National Jewish Health, Exempla Healthcare and St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center.  Before beginning her career in health care, Mary practiced law as a municipal attorney, criminal prosecutor and in-house corporate counsel.  She is certified in Health Care Compliance, an active member of the planning committee for the Health Care Compliance Association’s annual regional conference and a past board member of the Colorado Healthcare Ethics Forum.

Barry first became acquainted with Vail Health as a part-time trauma surgeon at Surgical Associates in 2004 and came on as full-time provider in 2006. In addition to his role as CCO, he is the chief medical officer and a trauma surgeon. Barry received his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine and completed his residency and internship in general surgery at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas. Barry served as group surgeon in the 528th U.S. Army Artillery Group in Cakmakli, Turkey; as chief of the department of surgery at Irwin Army Community Hospital in Fort Riley, Kansas; four tours of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom and three tours in Operating Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan; and chief of general surgery at Evans Army Community Hospital in Fort Carson, Colorado. He left the Army in 2006 as a lieutenant colonel after serving 16 years.

Darrell joined Vail Health as chief medical information officer in 2015 with over 20 years of healthcare experience working primarily in community hospitals. In addition to several years of clinical department leadership, Darrell began organizing and leading hospital teams though large information technology projects in 2010. Darrell is an experienced presenter and expert on Healthcare IT and a certified healthcare chief information officer committed to advancing healthcare through process improvement and technology. Keeping up with technology needs in healthcare requires someone who understands patient care and excels at selecting technology solutions to support community health priorities. Darrell has earned undergraduate degrees in psychology as well as anatomy and physiology and holds a masters in physical therapy from Andrews University.  

Luke is the vice president of clinical physical therapy in Vail and the rehabilitation coordinator for Dr. Richard Steadman. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy from the University of Queensland and a master of sports physiotherapy from LaTrobe University. He is a sports certified specialist as recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association. Since joining Howard Head Sports Medicine as a physical therapist in 2002, Luke has focused on the treatment of lower extremity musculoskeletal disorders with a specialization in the treatment of the knee. He has served as an assistant physical therapist for the US Ski Team and as a consultant to teams including Manchester United and Barcelona football clubs, the New York Mets, and the Portland Trail Blazers. Luke has published numerous articles and text book chapters and has an adjunct faculty position at the University of Colorado. 

Dan joined Vail Health in 2014 as the president of the Vail Health Foundation. He has more than 25 years of experience working in both the nonprofit and private sector. Dan earned his bachelor of science in journalism from the William Allen White School of Journalism and mass communications at The University of Kansas and he completed his masters in philanthropic studies at the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. He received his chartered advisor in philanthropy (CAP) certification from The American College of Financial Services. Dan served as the lead fundraiser for Mayo’s Cancer Center as well as the Center for Individualized Medicine—two of Mayo’s top research initiatives. Before joining Mayo Clinic, Dan was the principal and senior consultant of his own fundraising consulting firm. Dan has successfully led fundraising teams, developed strategic plans, implemented campaigns, as well as facilitated engagement of board members and volunteers in the fundraising process. He was also a co-founder of an affinity based loyalty-marketing company, which served the nonprofit market.

Rick has 25 years of human resource and leadership experience with companies such as Vail Resorts, Gerry Baby Products, The Pillsbury Company, and Frito-Lay. He holds an undergraduate degree in business administration from Regis College and a master’s degree in labor and industrial relations from the University of Illinois. Prior to joining Vail Health, Rick was a partner with Pilot Advisors, where he worked with companies across the country, providing advice and service in improving culture, building cohesive leadership teams, and offering leadership training and executive coaching.

Michael has over 30 years of healthcare experience including the last 13 years in a leadership position within the ambulatory surgery center industry. He holds an undergraduate degree in business administration from Pacific Lutheran University, and a certificate in construction management from the University of Washington.  Prior to joining the Vail Valley Surgery Center in January of 2016, Michael served as the executive director of a 5 OR, 6 procedure room ASC in Medford, Oregon, that performed more than 11,000 cases per year.   Michael has also served in numerous positions of senior leadership from small consulting firms to multi-billion company’s over his career.