By Haley Leonard Saunders
After a lengthy due diligence process, months of planning, and close collaboration with state agencies, Axis Health System and The Center for Mental Health have completed a merger of the two organizations.
The Center, which has locations in Montrose, Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, San Miguel and Ouray counties, will now operate as Axis Health System with no disruption to services in these counties. Prior to the merger, Axis served La Plata, San Juan, Dolores, Archuleta and Montezuma counties. Post-merg- er, Axis has more than 400 staff in the combined 11 counties and is projected to serve more than 18,000 people across the region. Axis will remain headquartered in Durango.
The merger will better support the service continuum across the larger region and be positioned to respond more effectively to the state of Colorado’s health care access and outcome goals.
“We believe we can leverage the larger staff and technology to have a greater impact on our patients’ health and quality of life. The merger creates the opportunity to work within our communities with different resources while continuing to look for creative solutions and partnerships to close gaps,” said Shelly J. Spalding, the former CEO of the Center now serving as Axis’ president.
The Axis board now comprises members from both organizations’ respective boards.