Pueblo County is seeing an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. Similarly, Parkview is seeing an increase in hospital admissions over the past few weeks. This places a burden on the overall system as beds cannot be allocated for other patients for elective surgery and procedures.

While we have made great strides in COVID-19 vaccinations, the ratio of vaccinated to unvaccinated is still not where it should be, despite aggressive government support. As physicians, we need to continue to urge our patients to get the vaccine. Patients can now get a vaccine without an appointment at the Centura mass vaccination site at the Colorado State Fairgrounds, 1001 Beulah Ave, Pueblo, CO 81004, Monday through Sunday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. No-appointment vaccinations are also available at Walmart and other major pharmacies. Or find a vaccine provider in Pueblo here. Thank you for your continued work.

While nearly half of the population in the state has received at least one dose of a vaccine and about one-third are fully vaccinated, Pueblo County’s vaccination rate remains dismal in comparison. Less than 20 percent of our entire population has been fully vaccinated so far. This is not due to lack of access or availability. In the last month, hospital admissions have gone up and COVID cases have also risen. We had been in single digits for admitted COVID patients previously and have now more than doubled that volume again. At a time when we are all sick of wearing PPE, new travel restrictions, and trying to stay up on new recommendations, it is easy to become complacent. It is crucial that we as health care leaders continue to set good examples for our community and quell unnecessary fears. Please, encourage your patients to be responsible and educated when making the best decisions for their health and wellbeing. CDPHE and PCMS have been working together to get the latest information out to the public. Please, reach out for more resources.

PCMS is beginning the production of its 2021 ONLINE Medical Directory. Please email directory@pueblocms.org with all updates no later than noon, Friday, July 30, 2021. A suggestion for submitting edits would be to make a copy of your 2020 listing and send us a copy with your updates. We also request color photos. Accuracy is important to us. The Directory is the only comprehensive listing of Pueblo providers and available as an online resource, it could be accessed by more physicians and patients than ever before.

Southeastern Colorado AHEC is currently in need of host homes to house medical students in La Junta. Length of stay can vary from 25 nights to 112 nights, and hosts receive rent income. If you, or anyone you know, are interested in becoming a host home, contact Debra Ball at (719) 544-7833 or debra.ball@secahec.org. More information can be found here.

Pueblo Transit will be providing a continuous shuttle to and from the Covid-19 vaccination site (State Fairgrounds) and the downtown transit center (123 Court Street). Individuals requiring ADA mobility assistance can contact Citi-Lift at 719-546-2484 to schedule a ride to and from the vaccination site and their home.

Vaccination clinic will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pueblo Transit shuttle will be in operation Monday through Saturday, with the first bus leaving the transit center at 8 a.m., and the last bus leaving the transit center at 5:30 p.m.

The shuttle and vaccines are free, and getting vaccinated is critical to protecting your own health, the health of the greater Pueblo community, and to our economic recovery from the Covid-19 crisis.

No registration is necessary! Citi-Lift rides must be scheduled 24-hours in advance.

For more information, please call Pueblo Transit at 719-553-2713.

The Southeastern Colorado Area Health Education Center asks members of the health care community to nominate nurses for the 2021-22 Regional Nightingale Nurse Recognition for the southeastern region. Take this opportunity to recognize a nurse deserving of this honor. Southeastern Colorado AHEC, only, is also accepting LPN nominations to be recognized at a regional level in the Pueblo event. The deadline to submit your nomination has been extended to June 1. Click here for the nomination forms.

Spring Clean-Up Discount Days at Waste Connections Southside Landfill are Monday, May 3 - Saturday, May 15, 2021; hours are Monday - Friday 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. This event is open to Pueblo city residents with valid ID showing a city address or matching name on a current utility bill. Items from businesses will not be accepted. All permitted solid waste is accepted, visit thesouthsidelandfill.com for a list of acceptable waste and additional information.

All puns aside, the next event in the Northern Colorado Medical Society Virtual Education Series is one you do not want to miss. During this event you will hear from a diverse group of panelists giving their insights on medical nutrition as it relates to chronic disease management, hearing perspectives from plant-based diets to carbohydrate restriction and its relation to diabetes management. To learn more about our panelists and register today, please click here.

The next COVID-19 Provider Roundtable will be held May 26. Zoom Meeting URLor join by phone: 888-475-4499; Meeting ID: 990 4340 1663; Passcode: 503580. 1 CME Credit available to providers who attend this presentation. *Evaluation must be returned to receive CME credit* Return to: Sandra Proud - fax 584-4038 or email: sandra_proud@parkviewmc.com.

Additional resources:

Parkview Medical Center is accredited by the Colorado Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Parkview Medical Center designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) ™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

PCMS is planning the 5th Annual Symposium in October 2021. The purpose will be to educate and connect primary care providers with specialists to discuss the latest procedures offered to treat patients. A post-Covid discussion will also be included. The venue will be in-person depending on the pandemic. There will be no cost to attend. More details are coming soon. If you’re interested in participating as a volunteer speaker or have a recommendation for content, contact cheryl.law@pueblocms.org.

The Colorado Medical Society has partnered with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the Colorado Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) to connect primary care physicians who are willing to be COVID-19 vaccinators directly with vaccine supply. Help reach patients who may be unsure of receiving the vaccine or in need of individual counseling by their physician about COVID-19 and each patient's unique health issues. More information here. Vaccine will ship to physician offices starting the end of May.

The Colorado Medical Society is kicking off a new diversity and inclusion learning curriculum, and we need your help! We’re reaching out to all members to get your perspective on diversity and inclusion. Take a 10-minute survey here!

In March of this year, we began our partnership with The Nova Collective, a Black and woman-owned DEI consulting company. This partnership has focused on laying the foundation needed to bring to life a culture of inclusion where our members are celebrated for their diversity because we know our differences are what make us beautiful. We believe that diversity, inclusivity, and belonging will fuel our innovation and growth, both today and for years to come.

MISSION: Facilitating meaningful collaboration of medical professionals in Pueblo County through social networking, education, and advocacy! 

VISION: To create a medical society that serves as a venue for collaboration for the betterment of healthcare in Pueblo County, and improve the practice of medicine and life of medical professionals, locally.

Board Officers: President: Marcel Junqueira, MD; President-Elect: open position; Secretary: Kathleen Brown, MD; Treasurer: Robert Tonsing, MD; Past-President: Tom Greidanus, MD | Directors: CMS Representative Brittany Carver, DO; Teresa Braden, DO; Jacob Mathew Jr., DO; Ross Patrick, MD; Brad Roberts, MD; Cheryl Walker, DO; and Kevin Weber, MD | Chief Executive Officer: Cheryl Law, MA, MNM

Visit our website at www.pueblocms.org