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May the joy that you give to others, be the joy that comes back to you.”

–John Greenleaf Whittier

Through the examples of people like Freeman Fairfield and other local leaders, we can see how one effort, one action can forever impact the lives of an individual. And, we can witness how an entire community can come together for the common good. Now we have an opportunity to share such inspiration through the creation of a healthcare foundation our community can call its own. The new Pioneers Healthcare Foundation will help illuminate lives for generations by inspiring hope and supporting quality healthcare in an organized, sustainable and meaningful way into the future.

Based in Meeker, Colorado, the mission of Pioneers Healthcare Foundation, Inc. (PHF) is to raise philanthropic dollars for healthcare programs, services and equipment that will strengthen our community’s healthcare capacity. This will allow for the highest quality medical services and programs. It will provide new programs, improve technologies and allow for enhanced access to cost-effective health care.

While the foundation works closely with Pioneers Medical Center, Pioneers Healthcare Foundation is a separate and independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization with its own Board of Directors.

The vision of Pioneers Healthcare Foundation is focused on how we, together, have the power to illuminate our community and help ignite hope for a healthier today and tomorrow. The Foundation will accomplish that by providing resources to sustain healthcare services, improve access to healthcare, support education, provide scholarships and implement community service programs that support those who live, work and play in the Meeker and White River areas of Rio Blanco County, Colorado.

Board of Directors

The Foundation’s Board of Directors, comprised of local volunteers and healthcare leaders, is responsible for determining the annual budget and priorities. The current Board of Directors for the Pioneers Healthcare Foundation includes:

  • Trina Zagar-Brown as President
  • Steve Wix as Vice President
  • Dr. Elizabeth Buisker as Secretary/Treasurer
  • Blaine Franklin
  • Mike Hoke
  • Dick Welle
  • Christine Halandras
  • Ken Harman as Ex-Officio
  • Margie Joy as Executive Director

The Board of Directors meets quarterly starting at 6:30pm on the third Thursday of January, April, July and October.

Foundation Philosophy

We’ve seen that together we can make a difference. And that was the inspiration to create the Pioneers Healthcare Foundation to illuminate lives for generations and inspire quality healthcare – and most importantly, hope – in an organized, sustainable and meaningful way into the future. The needs in Rio Blanco County continue to grow, making the Pioneers Healthcare Foundation an invaluable resource in addressing the challenges of recruiting quality healthcare professionals, the increased demand for home health and support services (including a new healthcare facility), and the need for specific wellness or treatment programs to ensure the health of our community members.

With the creation of the Pioneering Spirit Campaign in 2014, those providing support to the programs and services of Pioneers Healthcare Foundation are recognized for their accumulative gifts, including

  • “Fairfield” Visionary Level – Greater than $50,000
  • “Walbridge” Legacy Level – $10,000 to $49,999
  • Compassionate “Pioneer” Level – Up to $9,999

As a general rule, non-designated contributions are evenly split among the current programs, unless otherwise directed by the individual donor.

The benefits of supporting the Pioneers Healthcare Foundation, include:

  • Maximizing allowable credits and deductions for tax relief
  • Creating a sustainable mechanism for providing perpetual resources to the community
  • Leading locally with community members guiding the Foundation’s decisions
  • Centralizing resource to aid in awareness of available programs and increase distribution of support to the community
  • Uniting financial contributions to make a bigger impact in the health and well-being of the community

We would like to thank our previous event sponsors for their generosity, including MTech, Falcon Plumbing & Heating, Encore Electric, BCER Engineering, Haselden Construction, Meeker Fire Department, White River Electric, and Pioneers Medical Center for their continued support and outstanding work within our community.

Our History:

Pioneers Healthcare Foundation is Inspired by a Legacy of Compassion
Inspiration comes from many sources, and here in Meeker, we have a perfect example of how one man’s vision brought together an entire community and changed our town forever.

Freeman Fairfield was born to Edwin and Addie Fairfield. His childhood days followed the traditional routine of the young people of Meeker: go to school and help with the farm. After graduating from Meeker’s public school system, he left to pursue business studies in Denver and Grand Junction. It was during these young adult days that Mr. Fairfield lost his mother to illness. But at that time, no one could predict how the influence of a child’s love for his mother would forever impact this community.

Freeman FairfieldMr. Fairfield built a successful business and personal wealth by supplying tools to the oil industry. Although his business activities took place mostly in California, Meeker continued to hold special meaning for him. Mr. Fairfield aspired to provide relief from human suffering and announced his plans to build a hospital as a benefaction to the citizens of Rio Blanco County.

A community project was designed to gather the rock for the building, and volunteers from around the area quarried approximately 20 tons of rock from Monument Mountain located on land owned by D.B. Canafax and hauled it into Meeker. On October 12, 1949, the corner stone of Pioneers Hospital was laid, and in 1950, Pioneers Hospital of Rio Blanco County (currently named Pioneers Medical Center) officially opened.

This story of love for humanity and one’s community shows us the power we all have to make a difference. This is the inspiration for the Pioneers Healthcare Foundation. It is the goal of the Pioneers Healthcare Foundation to continue the legacy started by Freeman Fairfield and his colleagues – to provide the means to aid in the relief from human suffering not only today but for many generations to come.