Southwest Health System has completed its most recent Community Health Needs Assessment, a comprehensive review of health care usage, practices and needs in its service area.
The survey is required every three years for hospitals that are tax‑exempt under the Affordable Care Act, according to a release from Southwest Health System. It identifies the community’s “greatest health needs” and provides a “blueprint” for addressing those challenges through an implementation plan.
SHS collaborated with Community Hospital Consulting in Plano, Texas, for the survey.
“We studied our hospital’s service area, which includes Montezuma County,” CEO Joe Theine said, who was among the hospital leadership team involved in the study. “The analyses include a careful review of the most current health data available, local demographics and input from several representatives of our community. The CHNA process is very thorough, and culminates in a blueprint CHNA report and implementation plan intended to address our area’s most significant needs over the next three years.”
According to SHS, the survey provided four priority areas of focus: continuing efforts to recruit and retain health care workers, improving access to mental and behavioral health services and providers, emphasizing ways to address preventable conditions and unhealthy lifestyles, and addressing “vital conditions” to reduce health disparities among “specific populations.” These goals are similar to previous assessments.
SHS Chief Nursing Officer Lisa Gates, Chief Medical Officer Jennifer Gero and Quality Coordinator Nikki Young collaborated on questions asked by The Journal.
Addressing mental health challenges, reducing community disparities and promoting education and prevention have been priorities for six years. During that time, SHS has expanded its services through the School‑Based Health Clinic and strengthened its partnerships with Axis, creating “clear referral pathways” for students and community members.
SHS has also worked with the Public Health Department to provide Question, Persuade, Refer trainings and other programs that support health awareness and early intervention.
In emergencies, case managers follow up with patients for mental health visits and coordinate with Axis “to ensure continuity of care.”
Among community members surveyed, 72.2% said mental health access was a priority.
“At SHS, we envision that in three years, mental health access in Montezuma County is strengthened through deep, ongoing collaboration with our local and regional partners. Our goal is to help build a connected network of support that makes services clear, coordinated and welcoming for everyone,” Gates, Gero and Young said. “We hope to expand access through community events, innovative telehealth options and continued partnerships that meet people where they are. Ultimately, we want every resident to feel that mental health care in our county is accessible, responsive and truly part of the fabric of our community.”
In 2026, SHS plans to continue focusing on “expanding education and outreach around preventable conditions and healthy lifestyles,” they said.
A health fair will be offered Saturday, April 18. Diabetes education and support will continue, as will blood drives, sports physicals, annual wellness exams and immunizations.
Through its partnership with the Western Health Alliance’s Community Care Alliance, SHS will support chronic care management for select Medicare patients. The long‑term goal is to “expand access and strengthen preventive care services for more residents in the future.”
Community members can review the survey and submit feedback for the implementation plan at https://bit.ly/SHSsurvey26. Updates on events and implementation steps are available at www.swhealth.org or on the hospital’s Facebook page.
