Alan Spidel, Chief Executive Officer
As CEO, Alan Spidel brings vast experience in finance, operations, and strategic planning to the Colorado Rural Health Center. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Colorado, and his Master of Science in Healthcare Systems from the University of Denver. Mr. Spidel served in leadership roles at CIGNA, Colorado Access, Denver Health, and University of Colorado Hospital. During the past eight years, Mr. Spidel was a regional vice president for an investment banking firm that specialized in healthcare finance, including critical access hospitals.

Grace Ami, Graphic Design/Website Coordinator
As Graphic Design/Website Coordinator, Grace is responsible for maintaining the organization’s website and updating CRHC’s social media and blog sites. She also creates marketing and outreach materials and provides event support. Grace earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies from Colorado State University in Ft. Collins. She has previous experience with nonprofits, including United Way of Larimer County and Rural Community Assistance Corporation. In her free time, Grace enjoys jogging, spending time outdoors, and baking for friends and family.

Shelly Collings, Grants Manager
Shelly has worked in several capacities for CRHC throughout the years, including Events Coordinator, Development Coordinator, Program Manager, Finance Manager, and Administrative Director; she is now CRHC's Grants Manager and focuses on overseeing the Colorado Rural Health Care Grant Program and the CREATE (Colorado Resource for Emergency and Trauma Education) Program. Shelly is a Colorado native and has Master's Degrees in both Health Administration and Business Administration.

Clint Cresawn, Colorado STRIDES Program Manager
Clint Cresawn has joined the CRHC staff as Colorado STRIDES Program Manager, after having served as a consultant to the program.  With interests in rural health, community, economics, and leadership, Cresawn finds Colorado STRIDES – with its focus on enhancing rural Colorado’s ability to recruit and retain healthcare providers through locally-driven asset development – a uniquely challenging and satisfying program.  Though Clint has been a resident of Colorado since 1998, he is originally from North Carolina and has a deep-seated love of sweet tea, pecan pie, and Carolina-style BBQ.

Jennifer Dunn, Critical Access Hospital Program Manager
Jennifer works as the Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Program Manager, organizing training, resources, and information for all of Colorado's CAHs . She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado at Denver. In her free time, Jen enjoys cycling, jogging, volunteering, and traveling.

Cari Fouts, Director of Communication & Development
Cari's 15+ years of healthcare experience in direct patient care, outreach and marketing, and quality and patient safety have prepared her as Director of Communication & Development for CRHC. Cari has worked extensively with rural, urban, local, and national facilities and organizations throughout her career. She earned her BA from Colorado College and went on to receive her MBA in Marketing. Cari is responsible for overseeing membership, outreach, events and business development. She teaches group fitness classes, and enjoys skiing, hiking and biking in the mountains with her family.

Jamie Groy, Recruitment Specialist
As a Recruitment Specialist in the Colorado Provider Recruitment (CPR) program, Jamie is responsible for connecting rural clinics and hospitals with physicians and other medical providers interested in practicing in a rural area. She is originally from Montana, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Communication Studies from the University of Montana. She has previous experience with the Montana AHEC system. Jamie enjoys being in the outdoors, snowboarding, traveling and experiencing new things.

Alicia Haywood, Policy Analyst
Alicia comes to the CRHC as a Policy Analyst after working in healthcare advocacy and policy development in several different capacities.  She originally moved to Denver to serve as a HealthCorps volunteer in a community health clinic.  Afterward, she sought a deeper understanding of the policymaking process in order to better affect change, so she enrolled and subsequently earned her MPA from the University of Colorado – Denver.  Alicia holds a BA in Communication Studies from the University of Missouri.  She enjoys urban biking and playing with her fox terrier, Ramona.

Jennifer Jones, Finance Manager
As the Financial Manager, Jennifer is responsible for all general accounting functions, ensuring that CRHC’s financials are correctly stated, managing the audit and budget processes, and assisting with the implementation of procedures to allow for proper internal controls. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting at the University of Tulsa and later earned her designation as a CPA. Jennifer has worked for several years as a for-profit Staff Accountant and briefly worked as an auditor. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, traveling and is an avid hockey fan.

Sara Leahy, Senior Recruitment Coordinator
As a Recruitment Coordinator in the Colorado Provider Recruitment (CPR) program, Sara is responsible for connecting rural clinics and hospitals with physicians and other medical providers interested in practicing in a rural area. Originally from upstate New York, Sara earned a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from The State University of New York at Oneonta. From there, she gained nonprofit experience at The Community AIDS Research and Education Service, and the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. In her free time, she loves to explore Colorado's great outdoors!

Angela Marino, Quality Improvement Specialist
Angela works with the Rural Health Clinics in the northeastern part of the state, as well as ClinicNET clinics in the Denver Metro area.  Prior to joining CRHC, Angela worked with Health TeamWorks as the Program Coordinator for Improving Performance in Practice, a practice transformation program.  She has a background in nonprofit work and teaching.  While living in Germany and working on her master's degree, she saw how different their healthcare system was and developed an interest in being part of improving healthcare in the US.  Angela moved to Colorado in 1998 from Illinois and loves all things outdoors.

Tracy McDonald, HIT Program Coordinator
As Health Information Technology Program Coordinator, Tracy is responsible for helping meet the HIT needs of safety net clinics in rural and underserved areas of Colorado. Her projects include CRHC's internal HIT network "THE Consortium" and its partnership with CORHIO as a Regional Extension Center subcontractor. Tracy received her Bachelor's Degree in French from Western State College of Colorado in Gunnison. From there, she worked at the Colorado Foundation for Medical Care and more recently at The Women's Foundation of Colorado and Outward Bound as a Database and Events Manager.

Michelle Mills, Director of Hospital and Clinic Programs
As Director of Hospital and Clinic Programs, Michelle comes to CRHC with over 18 years of healthcare experience in quality improvement and patient safety. Michelle has worked extensively with hospitals, nursing homes, and physician offices, and she has been a catalyst for creating synergy for quality improvement and patient safety efforts. Michelle is responsible for the oversight of the CAH, RHC, and EMS/Emergency Preparedness programs. Michelle earned her BA in Communications from Regis University. She enjoys any activity outdoors with her family and is an avid DIYer.

Robyn Purvin, Program Assistant
Robyn supports the workforce department by helping the Colorado Provider Recruitment program place primary care providers, assists the Colorado STRIDES program in doing research on local communities and providers general aid for the director and program as a whole. Before CRHC, Robyn worked for Inner City Health Center as a development associate. She has her bachelor’s degree in social and behavioral economics from the University of Arizona. She is currently enrolled in a master’s program at University of Colorado Denver and enjoys snowboarding, hiking, and going to concerts.

Suzie Rick, Office Coordinator
Suzie comes to CRHC with an architectural background focused on rural healthcare settings. She provided project design, technical production, and construction administration on numerous skilled care and assisted living facilities throughout rural communities of North Dakota. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture and Environmental Design from North Dakota State University. The rural vernacular is a treasure to her, as she grew up on her family’s original homestead in North Dakota. Suzie moved to Colorado in 2001 and enjoys sharing time with family and friends as well as every aspect of sports and outdoor recreation.

Courtnay Ryan, Program Assistant/IPIP Coordinator
Courtnay relocated to Colorado from Washington State after working in healthcare administration for over seven years. Most recently she worked on a support staff team for several Emergency Departments in the greater Seattle area. She worked with the clinical staff to maximize Medicare reimbursement and to advocate both Federal and State policies in the hospital setting. She has a two year degree from the University of North Texas and is working towards a BA in Business Administration. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, traveling, photography and loves the great outdoors!

Amy Salazar, Administrative Assistant
Amy supports the Executive Director and Office Manager as well as providing general office administrative support. She has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Education from Midwestern State University.  She worked extensively in the for-profit sector following three years as a Special Education Teacher. She relocated from Texas in 2000.  She has a deep understanding and personal connection to the issues facing rural communities as she was born and raised in a very small Texas town and still considers it “home”. 

Ron Seedorf, Emergency Preparedness Manager
Ron manages the Hospital Preparedness contract through the CDPHE Emergency Preparedness & Response Section that provides funds to help hospitals, clinics and first responder agencies enhance their capacity to respond in the event of a mass casualty or pandemic event. Ron comes from Yuma, Colorado, where he worked at Yuma District Hospital as their Grants Manager and Trauma Coordinator. With a BS in Business Management and Administration, Ron has over 20 years in private business experience and has worked in Emergency Medical Services as an EMT for almost 20 years.

Kathryn Steele, Quality Improvement Specialist
Kathryn comes to the Colorado Rural Health Center from Montrose, CO, with a varied background in the medical field. She began writing grants several years ago while working in a private practice. It was there that she developed a passion for promoting rural, integrative healthcare. She holds a degree in Medical Administration from the University of Phoenix. She has owned and operated several organic markets. Creative writing, camping, music, family and friends, and one precious grandson contribute to her personal mission to “live an awesome life!”

Danette Swanson, HIT Program Coordinator
As Health Information Technology Program Coordinator, Danette is responsible for helping meet the HIT needs of hospitals in rural and underserved areas of Colorado.   Danette has past experience in the rural hospital and clinic setting and has worked in database management, marketing, sales, contracts, IT, and legal compliance in a variety of industries.   She earned her BA in Organizational Management and Communications from Concordia College.  She loves outdoor activities--especially revitalizing an original Colorado homestead, gardening, planting trees, and playing with her many animals.

Fabian Valle, Director of Workforce Programs
As Director of Workforce Programs, Fabian works to strengthen the healthcare workforce, primarily by increasing the placement of physicians and mid-levels in rural Colorado. Fabian is from Casa Grande, AZ and holds an MS in Mexican American Studies Latino Health, a BS in Nutrition from the University of Arizona, and is a former NIH Project EXPORT Fellow. Fabian previously worked with the Arizona Primary Care Office and as a State AHEC Commissioner, as well as a big brother in the Big Brothers Program of Central AZ. Fabian enjoys being outdoors and involved in community activities.