Internal medicine provider nominated for exceptional care
Monica Grafals, MD, MPH, MBA, internal medicine physician at Vail Health, has been named recipient of the Vail Health Elevate Award. Vail Health created the Elevate Award in June 2022 to give patients and their families an opportunity to nominate and thank employees who have touched their lives in some way.
Dr. Grafals was nominated by Susan Scott of Gypsum, CO, for the care provided to her late husband, David Scott, both during and after his kidney transplant. David was a teacher, coach, athletic director, and administrator at Eagle Valley High School for nearly 30 years.
“My husband, David, was well known in our community for his creativity in teaching and exceptional coaching. He was a great father and put family, faith, and love of school and community as a priority each day,” said Susan. “Monica Grafals was kind but firm, loving but realistic, smart, and relatable. She made Dave laugh but still made sure he understood the overwhelming process he was going to go through.”
Dr. Grafals was a provider at UCHealth in Denver, where Dave received a new kidney donated by Heidi McCollum, District Attorney for the entire 5th Judicial District of Eagle County.
“Dave’s transplant was successful. Heidi and Dave were both on the mend,” said Susan. “When we got home, we had several appointments set up. Dave was sad not to have Dr. Grafals by his side anymore, but the entire community was cheering him on, and he remained positive.
One day, we had an appointment at Colorado Mountain Medical in Avon, Colorado. Dave heard her laughter before she walked in. As Monica Grafals walked into her new office, Dave was greeted with her cheerful smile and hugs. His beloved doctor was there.”
Because Dr. Grafals had taken a new job in the community, both Dave and Susan were able to see her regularly.
“Dr. Grafals continued to encourage him, give wise advice, and help him realistically understand his declining health with compassion. She encouraged him to continue enjoying life while being honest about his prognosis,” said Susan. “Dave lived a much longer life because of her incredible skills as a doctor, her ability to help him reflect on the blessings he already had, and her gift for treating him as the most important patient among all her many other patients. Everyone who meets her feels this way.”
One year after Dave’s passing, Susan nominated Dr. Grafals for the exceptional care that allowed him additional time to experience his daughter’s wedding, meet his grandchildren, spend precious time with them, family and friends.
“My entire family is thankful for this opportunity (to nominate her),” said Susan. “Everyone in our community needs to celebrate her exceptional skills. She is exceptional, and we love her like family.”
The Elevate Award directly aligns with Vail Health’s mission of elevating health across our mountain communities. Past Elevate Award winners include: Erin Perejda, a supportive care services manager and licensed clinical social worker at Vail Health Shaw Cancer Center, June 2022; Susan Vickerman, MD, a family medicine physician at Colorado Mountain Medical, August 2022; Meghan Gallegos, a Howard Head Sports Physical Therapist, December 2022; Allie Morgan, a Patient Care Unit Registered Nurse, April 2023; Christi Sewell, RN, OCN in the Patient Care Unit, June 2023; Jacey Hagen, a labor and delivery nurse in the Family Birth Center, September 2023; Joe Drew, a nurse practitioner at Vail Health Behavioral Health, December 2023; Scott McCorvey, MD, a doctor in the Vail Health Emergency Department doctor, March 2024; Elie Sabins, a physical therapist with Howard Head Sports Medicine, May 2024; Maria Sullivan, a post-op registered nurse at Vail Health, Sept 2024; Melissa Cordova, an admissions rep at the Sonnenalp Breast Center, December 2024; Jenna Jacobs, a post-op registered nurse at Vail Health, March 2025; Pamela Goldsten, a physical therapist at Vail Health Howard Head Sports Medicine, June 2025; Cass Barham and Sarah Crabtree, both lab techs at Vail Health Hospital, September 2025; Sarah Drew, MSN, FNP-C, ENP-C, Senior Director of Emergency and Trauma Services at Vail Health, January 2026.
Patients and family members are encouraged to nominate staff who made a meaningful difference in their health care experience. Nominees can work in any area of the Vail Health healthcare system, including admissions, laboratory, surgery centers, Howard Head Sports Medicine, Shaw Cancer Center, Colorado Mountain Medical, Vail Health Behavioral Health, and more.
