History
A History of Vail Valley Medical Center
A brief history of Vail Valley Medical Center, featuring one of VVMC's early doctors and a visionary physician, Jack Eck, MD.
Vail Valley Medical Center's history is also chronicled in "Those Were The Days."
1962 As the Vail ski area opens, the founders of the resort contract a doctor for the winter months to provide medical care to skiers, setting up an office in what is now the kitchen at the Red Lion restaurant.
1965 Dr. Tom Steinberg is hired as Vail's first full-time doctor and opens a small clinic in the Mill Creek Court Building.
1967 The clinic moves to West Meadow Drive and the Mill Creek Court Building becomes the central supply and purchasing area. Board members begin fundraising to accommodate the growing needs of the hospital as it serves an ever-increasing population.
1979 Construction of a new wing is completed and the clinic begins to accommodate obstetrics, general surgery and orthopaedics.
1980 Vail's clinic is named Vail Valley Medical Center. In the first year as a full service hospital, 350 surgical operations are performed with 25 full-time physicians on staff.
1987 A $7 million, 40,000 square foot expansion is completed and includes the addition of Howard Head Sports Medicine Center and 20 hospital beds.
1989 Another 30,000 square foot expansion begins, adding four new operating rooms, physician offices, and a parking structure. The hospital becomes a regional medical facility.
1998 Edwards Pavilion opens with offices for physicians, Human Resources, Patient Accounts, Development, Marketing and Public Relations.
2002 The Women & Children's Center opens, doubling the size and scope of the existing OB department and offering a Level II Nursery. The Ambulatory Surgery Center opens.
2006 Avon Medical Center (now named Avon Urgent Care) opens, providing urgent health care in the heart of Avon and the Vail Valley.
2007 Eagle Healthcare Center opens in Eagle Ranch with cardiology, wound care, surgical consultation, occupational medicine, and orthopaedic sports therapy services.
2010 Gypsum Urgent Care opens, providing urgent health care for patients of all ages in a convenient location down valley.
2012 Vail Valley Surgery Center opens a convenient, central valley location in Edwards.
