VAIL HEALTH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Founder
Chris Lindley is the former director of Eagle County Public Health and Environment. Lindley has been instrumental in leading the local behavioral health initiative by building a collaborative approach to addressing gaps in care. He was recently awarded the local Chief's Community Partnership Award 2019 for vision, passion and can-do attitude in bringing the Hope Center to the Eagle River Valley.
Lindley holds a master's of public health, a master's in the science of epidemiology and a master's of business administration. He was a unit commander and environmental science officer of preventive medicine in the 793rd Medical Detachment of the US Army Medical Reserves. Among many awards and a presidential commendation, he received the Bronze Star Medal for saving multiple lives during a suicide bomber attack that demanded the treatment of 91 injured soldiers while leading troops in Iraq.
Lindley is the founder of two successful fitness and wellness companies across 10 locations, including Endorphin in Eagle. He was a professional firefighter in Denver, where he graduated from the fire academy as class valedictorian and a top recruit. He was assigned to the busiest fire station in the state with more than 6,500 calls a year and was a member of the swift water, high angle, collapse, and underwater rescue special operations, teams. He was also the Prevention Services director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), during which he directed Colorado's wellness, workplace and public health prevention strategies; supported research, educational campaigns, policy efforts and federal/state initiatives; and built strong coalitions with public health professionals, policymakers, CDPHE partners, residents and key stakeholders.
Claire Wilson joined Vail Health Behavioral Health in April of 2020 as the Executive Assistant. Claire grew up in Glenwood Springs, and her love of animals led her to a career in veterinary medicine as a Certified Veterinary Technician. Upon graduation from Colorado State University, Claire worked in Equine Orthopaedic Research, Equine Surgery, and as the foal care manager and technician in Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital's Equine Barn. During her time as a technician, Claire honed her skills as an assistant, which still benefit her today.
As the Executive Assistant to the Vail Health Behavioral Health team, Claire provides support to seven immediate team members, and numerous Vail Health and Colorado Mountain Medical employees. Claire is responsible for administration of the Mountain Strong Employee Assistance and Olivia's Fund scholarship programs, as well as project management and support on various endeavors the VHBH team take on.
During her free time, Claire enjoys spending time in the Eagle River and Roaring Fork valleys hiking, snowshoeing and exploring all there is to offer.
Job Titles:
- Senior Operations Director
- Board Chair for Your Hope Center
As the Senior Operations Director, Dana leads a team of non-clinical staff within the Population Health and Behavioral Health service lines with responsibilities ranging from departmental operations, project management and evaluation, financial and contract management, community engagement, information technology, data reporting, legislative monitoring and human capital. This position assists with population and behavioral health integration efforts across the Vail Health system to improve community access to care, reduced healthcare costs, and community engagement in seeking services to improve the overall physical and behavioral health of the community.
Dana Erpelding is a Colorado native and the former Deputy Director of Eagle County Public Health and Environment. She assisted with the local behavioral health collective impact initiative in 2018 that led to the original formation of Eagle Valley Behavioral Health, now Vail Health Behavioral Health. Dana has over 20 years of experience in strategic planning, project management, fiscal oversight, performance improvement and policy analysis and development. She has a passion for engaging diverse stakeholders to build collaborative approaches to solving complex, systemic challenges.
Prior to moving to Eagle County, Dana worked for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) in various roles including as the Director of the Laboratory Services Division and Director of the Center for Health and Environmental Data. In her various roles at CDPHE she improved operational systems to more effectively implement public health programming, built strong, collaborative relationships with health professionals, policymakers and other key community stakeholders, oversaw data analysis and reporting efforts, developed and evaluated prevention and educational campaigns, developed rules, policies and testified on behalf of legislation to improve the health of Coloradans. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Behavioral Science, a Masters Degree in Information and Learning Technologies, and is in the process of obtaining her Masters in Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Healthcare Management, Innovation and Technology from Johns Hopkins University.
Outside of her role with Vail Health Behavioral Health, Dana is the Board Chair for Your Hope Center and she enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling with her family.
Job Titles:
- Behavioral Health Case Manager
As a case manager, Diana helps to navigate behavioral health resources available in the community while also identifying social determinants of health, creating goals, and working alongside her patients to improve overall health.
Diana was born and raised in Costa Rica and moved to the United States in 2020. She is bilingual Spanish-English and loves to provide compassionate care through a Social Justice lens. Diana enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, watching series, and reading good books!
Job Titles:
- Community Behavioral Health Director
Dr. Casey Wolfington is a licensed psychologist and the former Clinical Director of Bright Future Foundation. Dr. Wolfington has been on the forefront of behavioral health workforce development strategies within Eagle County for the past eleven years. During this time, Dr. Wolfington founded, developed, and supervised several student-training programs, including the creation and accreditation of Colorado's only rural APA-accredited Predoctoral Internship Consortium. As of 2018, over 40 masters and doctoral students have completed their clinical training through Dr. Wolfington's behavioral health training programs and under her supervision. Of these, 30% of trainees have either remained in or returned to our community and currently provide mental health services in Eagle County. In 2018, Dr. Wolfington received the Excellence in Training award from both faculty and students at the University of Denver.
Job Titles:
- Behavioral Health Case Manager
As a case manager, Gladys helps to navigate behavioral health resources available in the community while also identifying social determinants of health, creating goals, and working alongside her patients to improve overall health.
Gladys was born in Mexico and moved to the US in 2000. Raised in the Vail Valley, Gladys enjoys snowy days, camping, and the colors of autumn. She is passionate about raising awareness on equity and social justice issues and practicing patient-centered care. On her free time, Gladys enjoys spending quality time with loved ones, true crime podcasts, crime drama television, and cooking.
Job Titles:
- Mountain Strong EAP Coordinator
Jen is the Mountain Strong "concierge" for the patients and providers of the Mountain Strong Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and Olivia's Fund. She assists in making the patient-provider connection process smooth and she builds the provider network to better serve our community.
Jen grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and spent much of her free time working and training on horse farms. She earned her BA in Virginia, moved back to Atlanta and worked in a downtown corporate environment for a few years. She moved to the mountains of Colorado in 1999 and spent 20+ years working for the ski resorts. She joined Vail Health Behavioral Health in 2022.
Job Titles:
- Integrated Behavioral Health Supervisor
Prior to her career in behavioral health, Kala spent 10 years in law enforcement on narcotics interdiction, intelligence analysis and investigation, working for the Vail Police Department, Garfield County Sheriff's Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Seeing gaps in services in our community for those involved in government systems, she switched careers and received two Masters Degrees in Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling. Kala was a Crisis Counselor and Victim Advocate for Eagle County Sheriff's Office, and a Programs Analyst for the Department of Human Services, where she streamlined resource delivery for Child Protective Services and our Veteran population through the Strategy, Partnerships and Performance division. Kala collaborated with Mountain Youth, Economic Services, and local organizations to connect resources and make systems in our valley more smooth and attainable. Kala has been a school counselor at Battle Mountain High School for 3 years, and joined Vail Health Behavioral Health to continue outreach with community partners and stakeholders to promote accessibility to needed care, and integration of clinical program models in a wraparound approach.
Kala enjoys cooking, running, camping, and hiking in our beautiful valley with her husband and two stepchildren.
Job Titles:
- CMHC Program Improvement Director
As the CMHC Program Improvement Director, Kim supports Vail Health Behavioral Health's State of Colorado license as a Behavioral Health Entity (BHE) and VHBH's designation as a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC). She performs internal audits to ensure that all programs and services meet state and Federal regulatory guidelines and ensure that VHBH adheres to all policies and procedures. Kim also supports VHBH partner organizations in their monitoring and compliance. As Vail Health Behavioral Health works to bring new facilities and new services online, Kim works with the project teams to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.
Born in Michigan, Kim has lived in Colorado for over 25 years having moved to Crested Butte in the mid-90s and migrating to Eagle in 2008. An avid reader and writer, Kim has published a short story and had a regionally recognized stage play produced. When not working or reading, Kim enjoys running, rafting and traveling the country with her husband in their camper van.
Job Titles:
- Family Nurse Practitioner, DNP
Kyler is a board-certified family nurse practitioner with a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from the University of Northern Colorado. While in school, she participated in a fellowship for nurse practitioners who plan to practice in rural and/or underserved communities and is passionate about make quality healthcare accessible to everyone. She provides the full spectrum of primary care services to patients of all ages, and through Vail Health's Community Health Program, Kyler offers free preventative health screenings to residents of our community who do not have health insurance. Her special interests include health and wellness through nutrition and physical activity, health equity, women's health, and community health.
Kyler is from Colorado and grew up in the Denver metro area. In her free time, she likes to read and garden. You can also find her outside enjoying the outdoors camping, hiking, biking, or snowboarding.
Job Titles:
- Community Outreach & Enrollment Specialist
As the Community Outreach & Enrollment Specialist, Madeline Calel helps with new or renewal applications for Medicaid. She is a community-based enrollment specialist. She can also help you apply for various other government financial assistance programs, including food stamps and Cash Assistance; help you navigate other health insurance options, such as Connect for Health Colorado and Mountain Family Health Center's discount program; and connect or refer you to various other resources and services in our community that support your wellbeing.
Job Titles:
- System Communication Manager
Mike Griffin joined Vail Health Behavioral Health in November 2021 as System Communication Manager to help create a great user experience for the innovative solutions created by the VHBH IT team. His approach is to combine innovation and simplicity to help the team develop effective, user friendly solutions. Mike's focus is to ensure the VHBH technical solutions are well defined, easy to use and clearly communicated to partners, providers, teammates, and the community.
Originally from Iowa, Mike moved to Vail over 20 years ago to ski and find adventure in the mountains. Mike continues to seek out adventures with his wife and two young kids as they explore the outdoors and wonderful community they live in.
Job Titles:
- Data Systems & Analytics Director
has a strong technical spirit and a love of Colorado which he never minds bringing together. Mike is an accomplished technical leader with over 20 years of Management Information Technology experience in both the public and private sector(s). A Colorado native, Mike accepted the opportunity to swim for the University of North Dakota where he received a degree in Management Information Systems. Since graduation in 2002 he has worked and lived in the Vail Valley taking full advantage of everything the area offers. Immediately after graduation he started a successful web development and software consulting company providing unique, relevant and sustainable tech solutions to small and medium sized businesses.
Most recently Mike focused his attention and efforts to public sector solutions specifically for the Town of Vail as a Senior Systems Engineer. Since 2011, Mike has built, managed and deployed numerous custom web applications and web solutions. Additionally, he worked with key decisions makers and relevant vendors to provide technical direction for software applications and technology initiatives. He has an extensive project management list.
Mike has a deep understanding of technology platforms, integration and how things should work. He prides himself on his ability to act as a conduit between highly technical concepts and everyday organizational goals. Mike has a very strong worth ethic and willingness to always go above and beyond in all situations. His experience will be a great asset when tackling Vail Health Behavioral Health technology initiatives.
Job Titles:
- Community Health Care Coordinator
As a care coordinator, Pricilla assists with patient navigation, monitors the care of patients, and provides assistance with social determination of health. Pricilla meets patients' needs and preferences in the delivery of high-quality, high-value health care.
Pricilla was born in Vail, CO. Her hobbies include hiking, biking, and spending time with family and friends. Pricilla is a student at Colorado Mountain College were she is majoring in Business administration. Pricilla is passionate about health and fitness; she loves inspiring people and helping them go through an experience that makes them confident and strong. She became a personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine in 2019 and received her nutrition coach certification in 2022.