News

Vail Hospital To Take Over Howard Head

Vail Valley Medical Center will take over management of theHoward Head Sports Medicine clinics later this year. Proaxis VailLLC which had for several years managed the operations at HowardHead will end its role Oct. 31.

Vail Valley Medical Center has owned Howard Head Sports Medicinesince it was founded by a donation from Head in 1986. The medicalcenter owns the facilities and equipment and handles billingservices for Howard Head's patients in Eagle and Summitcounties.

Vail Valley Medical Center has used a service provider for thesports medicine center since 1990. Medical center CEO DorisKirchner said hospital officials now believe patients can be betterserved by not extending the third-party contract.

In an emailed statement Dr. Marc J. Philippon and Dr. J. RichardSteadman The Steadman Clinic's managing partners wrote "TheSteadman Clinic physicians and Steadman Philippon ResearchInstitute staff support the new direction that VVMC has decided totake for therapy at Howard Head and all of our physicians willwork to facilitate an orderly transition. We have receivedassurance from Ms. Kirchner that VVMC will work to the best of itsability with all Howard Head staff who are able and willing tocontinue after Oct. 31 2012 to provide the services for whichHoward Head has become known. It is our desire to maintain HowardHead's intended legacy."