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Peak Vista's Leadership

Peak Vista Community Health Centers has proudly served Colorado communities since 1971. Our center began as an all-volunteer organization − open just two nights a week for walk-in patients. Today, we provide high-quality medical, dental, and behavioral health care to more than 81,000 patients in Colorado's Pikes Peak and East Central regions.

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Emily Ptaszek, PSYD, MBA, FACHE

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

With Peak Vista Since 2022

With 10 years of executive leadership in community health centers, Dr. Emily Ptaszek is committed to advancing health equity, access and whole-person primary health care. She comes to Peak Vista from Southwest Florida, where she most recently served as President & CEO at a Federally Qualified Health Center.  

Dr. Ptaszek is a licensed psychologist and spent over a decade providing direct care before entering executive leadership. Her background has fueled her passion for providing high quality, patient-centered care to all and building competent, compassionate and cohesive teams that drive both community-wide and organizational change.  

Dr. Ptaszek earned her Doctor of Psychology from Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore, Maryland and received her Master of Business Administration with a focus in health care from Florida Atlantic University - College of Business. She is a board-certified clinical psychologist and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). 

Fellows complete a QI project focused on an aggregate population or clinical practice problem. They are also required to attend CME's and work on projects and assignments that may occur outside of working hours. Additionally, Fellows are required to attend provider meetings over the course of the year.

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Robert Nartker, MBA

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

With Peak Vista Since 2019

Robert is originally from Hillsboro, Ohio, however has spent the last 25 years in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Rob completed his Master’s in Business Administration in Healthcare Management from Colorado Technical University. He has 26 years of health care experience that includes executive management of a myriad of specialty and primary care practices, urgent care locations, and oversight of a residency program. Rob is a member of the American College of Health Care Executives, and is also a licensed PTA. He sits on several area boards including the American College of Health Care Executives and Home Front Military Care Network Advisory Board.

During his free time, Rob enjoys spending time with his wife and three sons.

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Ryan Spillane, MBA

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

With Peak Vista Since 2022

Ryan has lived and travelled globally but considers Colorado Springs his home. He is a 20-year career Army Veteran, with half his career flying medical helicopters, and the other half leading healthcare administration through operations and finance.

He most recently served as the COO of Evans Army Community Hospital and concurrently as the CFO of the Colorado Military Health System.

He is a graduate of the University of Colorado here in Colorado Springs and earned his MBA from Western Kentucky University. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and is passionate about influencing operations through the financial lens.

He and his wife focus on their seven children and he enjoys playing jazz guitar and working under the hood of old muscle cars in his spare time.

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Joel Tanaka, MD

CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF HEALTH EQUITY & COMMUNITY EDUCATION 

With Peak Vista Since 2019

Dr. Tanaka is from Idaho and a twenty-six-year Army Veteran. He completed his undergraduate studies at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1992 and went on to graduate from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) in 1996. Dr. Tanaka is passionate about serving people who have access barriers.

“My relationship with patients is based on mutual trust and respect,” comments Dr. Tanaka. “I believe that the majority of the healing process in people happens outside of the medical system – where people live, work, worship, play and socialize.”

During his free time, Dr. Tanaka enjoys spending time with his family and cheering for the Denver Broncos.

2011-2014

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  • 2014: Corporate address officially changed to 3205 N Academy Blvd, Ste 130
  • 2014: Merged with Plains Medical Centers (est. 1978) to serve 5 counties in the Eastern Plains with clinics in Limon, Strasburg, Kiowa (through 2022), and Flagler
  • 2014: Opened Lane Family Health Center (4863 N Nevada Ave) and Health Center at Fountain in a new building (350 Lyckman Dr)
  • 2013: Moved Health Center at Union, Health Center at International Circle, Convenient Care Center, and Developmental Disabilities Health Center to 3205/3207 N Academy campus
  • 2012: The Falcon Peak Health Center within Falcon School District 49 opened part-time and expanded to full-time (through 2022)
  • 2011: Pam McManus named President and CEO
  • 2011: Partnered with AspenPointe to open Moreno Health Center (through 2016)
  • 2011: Opened the Developmental Disabilities Health Center

2008-2010

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  • 2010: Served over 58,000 patients with a staff of 504 employees
  • 2010: Opened Colorado Springs Senior Health Center (722 S Wahsatch) (through 2014)
  • 2010: Unveiled Homeless Medical Van for outreach into El Paso County
  • 2009: Debuted Ronald McDonald Care Mobile in partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Colorado (through 2018)
  • 2009: Cripple Creek-Victor Mountain School-Based Health Center opened (through 2015)
  • 2008: Debuted Logan Refugee Health Center, located at the Myron Stratton Home
  • 2008: Collaborative Clinic established with numerous community partners for diagnosis and treatment of patients with HIV/AIDS at S Union
  • 2008: Opened Family Health Center, Pharmacy, Lab, Registration, and Well-Child Waiting areas at renovated 225 S Union building

2005-2007

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  • 2007: Established an Emergency Department Diversion program, initially at Memorial Central Hospital, to educate patients about the ways in which primary care improves overall health and reduces the need for emergent care
  • 2007: Established a designated Outreach Department to support Peak Vista's focus on working effectively with community agencies and helping individual patients navigate health care systems and processes
  • 2007: Included as a partner in the new Myron Stratton Consortium. With a $1.5 million donation from the Myron Stratton Foundation, dedicated to renovating an existing structure on the property, the new Family Health Center at Myron Stratton opened in July
  • 2006: With federal funding, opened new Divide Health Center building (34 Hybrook Road South)
  • 2006: Purchased 34,000 sq-ft building to expand Family Health, Pharmacy, Laboratory, Enrollment and Well-Child Waiting services (225 S Union)
  • 2005: Inaugural Breakfast of Champions® fundraiser is held featuring Mary Lou Reton and honoring Bishop Richard Hanifen as the 2005 Champion of Community Health
  • 2005: Established Peak Vista Community Health Centers Foundation
  • 2005: Became accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc (AAAHC). NOTE: We continue to achieve these three-year quality assurance certifications

2001-2004

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  • 2004: Changed name to Peak Vista Community Health Centers
  • 2003: Adopted the First Visitor program to work with parents of children ages 0-3 to teach parenting skills, promote positive care-giving and maternal/child health, and to establish links to other community resources
  • 2003: Received a State of Colorado Comprehensive Primary and Preventative Care Grant with funding directed toward our Clinic Re-Engineering Initiative
  • 2003: Opened newly remodeled Women's Health Clinic at 340 Printers Parkway
  • 2002: Southern Teller County Health Clinic opened in Cripple Creek (through 2006)
  • 2002: BJ Scott named new President and CEO
  • 2001: Pediatric Health Center opened on the fourth floor of the Community Health's Springs Center for Women
  • 2001: Opened the Senior Health Clinic at International Circle

1996-2000

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  • 2000: Served over 35,000 patients with a staff of 284 employees
  • 1999: Opened the Fountain Valley Health Clinic (through 2001)
  • 1998: Established our company's first website
  • 1997: Women's Clinic opened in Springs Center for Women including an outpatient birthing facility (through 2001)
  • 1997: Assumed management of Silverheels Health Center in Fairplay (through 2001)
  • 1997: Teller County Health Center opened in Woodland Park before moving to Divide in 1999
  • 1996: Community Health Center celebrated its 25th anniversary
  • 1996: Acute Minor Illness Clinic opened, adding weeknight and weekend hours (renamed Immediate Care Clinic in 1999)
  • 1996: Named a Recipient Agency of the Gazette's Empty Stocking Fund
1990-1995

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  • 1995: Served over 21,000 patients with a staff of 130 employees
  • 1995: Became Colorado's first community health center to receive accreditation through the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO)
  • 1994: CEO William North became one of the original founders of Colorado Access, a Medicaid HMO whose membership included every community health center in the state of Colorado
  • 1993: Dental Program received federal funding for indigent schoolchildren and a training program
  • 1993: Name changed to Community Health Centers
  • 1990: Opened a walk-in clinic to increase access and treat a greater number of patients
1990-1995

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  • 1995: Served over 21,000 patients with a staff of 130 employees
  • 1995: Became Colorado's first community health center to receive accreditation through the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO)
  • 1994: CEO William North became one of the original founders of Colorado Access, a Medicaid HMO whose membership included every community health center in the state of Colorado
  • 1993: Dental Program received federal funding for indigent schoolchildren and a training program
  • 1993: Name changed to Community Health Centers
  • 1990: Opened a walk-in clinic to increase access and treat a greater number of patients
1990-1995

1991.jpeg (1991.webp)

  • 1995: Served over 21,000 patients with a staff of 130 employees
  • 1995: Became Colorado's first community health center to receive accreditation through the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO)
  • 1994: CEO William North became one of the original founders of Colorado Access, a Medicaid HMO whose membership included every community health center in the state of Colorado
  • 1993: Dental Program received federal funding for indigent schoolchildren and a training program
  • 1993: Name changed to Community Health Centers
  • 1990: Opened a walk-in clinic to increase access and treat a greater number of patients
1990-1995

1991.jpeg (1991.webp)

  • 1995: Served over 21,000 patients with a staff of 130 employees
  • 1995: Became Colorado's first community health center to receive accreditation through the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO)
  • 1994: CEO William North became one of the original founders of Colorado Access, a Medicaid HMO whose membership included every community health center in the state of Colorado
  • 1993: Dental Program received federal funding for indigent schoolchildren and a training program
  • 1993: Name changed to Community Health Centers
  • 1990: Opened a walk-in clinic to increase access and treat a greater number of patients
1990-1995

1991.jpeg (1991.webp)

  • 1995: Served over 21,000 patients with a staff of 130 employees
  • 1995: Became Colorado's first community health center to receive accreditation through the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO)
  • 1994: CEO William North became one of the original founders of Colorado Access, a Medicaid HMO whose membership included every community health center in the state of Colorado
  • 1993: Dental Program received federal funding for indigent schoolchildren and a training program
  • 1993: Name changed to Community Health Centers
  • 1990: Opened a walk-in clinic to increase access and treat a greater number of patients
1990-1995

1991.jpeg (1991.webp)

  • 1995: Served over 21,000 patients with a staff of 130 employees
  • 1995: Became Colorado's first community health center to receive accreditation through the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO)
  • 1994: CEO William North became one of the original founders of Colorado Access, a Medicaid HMO whose membership included every community health center in the state of Colorado
  • 1993: Dental Program received federal funding for indigent schoolchildren and a training program
  • 1993: Name changed to Community Health Centers
  • 1990: Opened a walk-in clinic to increase access and treat a greater number of patients
1990-1995

1991.jpeg (1991.webp)

  • 1995: Served over 21,000 patients with a staff of 130 employees
  • 1995: Became Colorado's first community health center to receive accreditation through the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO)
  • 1994: CEO William North became one of the original founders of Colorado Access, a Medicaid HMO whose membership included every community health center in the state of Colorado
  • 1993: Dental Program received federal funding for indigent schoolchildren and a training program
  • 1993: Name changed to Community Health Centers
  • 1990: Opened a walk-in clinic to increase access and treat a greater number of patients
1990-1995

1991.jpeg (1991.webp)

  • 1995: Served over 21,000 patients with a staff of 130 employees
  • 1995: Became Colorado's first community health center to receive accreditation through the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO)
  • 1994: CEO William North became one of the original founders of Colorado Access, a Medicaid HMO whose membership included every community health center in the state of Colorado
  • 1993: Dental Program received federal funding for indigent schoolchildren and a training program
  • 1993: Name changed to Community Health Centers
  • 1990: Opened a walk-in clinic to increase access and treat a greater number of patients
1990-1995

1991.jpeg (1991.webp)

  • 1995: Served over 21,000 patients with a staff of 130 employees
  • 1995: Became Colorado's first community health center to receive accreditation through the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO)
  • 1994: CEO William North became one of the original founders of Colorado Access, a Medicaid HMO whose membership included every community health center in the state of Colorado
  • 1993: Dental Program received federal funding for indigent schoolchildren and a training program
  • 1993: Name changed to Community Health Centers
  • 1990: Opened a walk-in clinic to increase access and treat a greater number of patients
1988-1989

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  • 1989: Opened Health Center with Women's Health, Pharmacy, Lab, Well-Child Waiting area, and Administration at 2828/2840 International Circle
  • 1988: Received a $2.5 million grant from the El Pomar Foundation, believed to be the largest of its kind ever awarded to a private, nonprofit health service agency
  • 1988: With federal funding, opened Sierra Madre Clinic, later being renamed Homeless Health Center and moving to S Wahsatch before being replaced by Health Center at Rio Grande in 2009
  • 1988: Began providing prenatal care thanks to a grant from the El Pomar Foundation
  • 1988: Changed name to El Pomar Community Health Center

1971-1987

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  • 1986: Opened a new satellite clinic on E. Platte Ave (through 1989)
  • 1985: Expanded Wahsatch location to a full, two-story clinic with the help of El Pomar Foundation funding
  • 1983: Karen K. Marczynski named Executive Director
  • 1983: Moved back to 722 S Wahsatch due to funding cuts
  • 1982: Served as a founding member of the Colorado Community Health Network (CCHN)
  • 1981: Received our first United Way allocation
  • 1979: Moved into larger quarters at 1301 S 8 Street (through 1982)
  • 1976: Received our first federal grant and moved into larger space in the Health Department at 501 N Foote St (through 1979) with our first full-time staff physician
  • 1973: Renamed to Community Health Center, serving nearly 7,000 patients a year
  • 1972: Received 501(c)(3) status from the IRS as a nonprofit public charity
  • 1971: A few local community activists, along with a handful of volunteer doctors and nurses, began as the Colorado Springs Free Clinic, open just two nights a week for walk-in patients at 722 S Wahsatch