Colorado Rural Health Center Hires Alan J. Spidel as Chief Executive Officer

DENVER, Oct. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Robert W. Omer, Chairman of the Board of the Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC), announced today that the Board has appointed Alan J. Spidel as the Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.  "Mr. Spidel brings remarkable experience in finance, operations, and strategic planning to the Center.  His knowledge of the Colorado health care market is a great benefit to rural Colorado and under his leadership, we are confident that CRHC will provide 20 more years of excellent service to rural communities."

Alan Spidel earned his Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Colorado, and his Master of Science in Healthcare Systems from the University of Denver.  Mr. Spidel served in leadership roles at CIGNA, Colorado Access, Denver Health, and University of Colorado Hospital.  He was also the controller for the Medically Indigent and Child Health Plans.  During the past eight years, Mr. Spidel was a regional vice president for an investment banking firm that specialized in health care finance, including critical access hospitals.

"Rural health care providers and facilities are at a critical juncture - the number of medically uninsured continues to increase, there is pressure on revenues, and uncertainty with health care reform," said Spidel.  "We look forward to continuing to provide support to rural health care in Colorado with innovative and timely services including business process assessments, billing/coding assistance, health information technology services, quality improvement consulting, and policy and advocacy work at the state and national level."

About The Colorado Rural Health Center

CRHC was founded in 1991 as Colorado's nonprofit State Office of Rural Health. CRHC works with Federal, state and local partners to offer services and resources to rural health care providers, facilities and communities. CRHC has a diverse and inclusive statewide constituency of over 3,500 people and organizations. For more information on CRHC call 303-832-7493 or go to www.coruralhealth.org.

SOURCE Colorado Rural Health Center