Author Archives: Kody Gerkin

Senior Services

How do you plan on aging in place?  Services for older adults are often overlooked and, in many places, almost nonexistent.  There are several reasons for the lack of development of senior services and for the lack of awareness of existing services.    These reasons include:  Many people assume that their health will quickly decline towards the… Continue Reading

Food RX Addresses Upstream Determinants of Health

Upstream def: in the opposite direction from that in which a stream or river flows; nearer to the source.  The Food RX program is an initiative focused on addressing a person’s health issues at one of the sources. Food insecurity and, more specifically, healthy food insecurity is one of the main upstream causes or exacerbators of health issues that develop downstream, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Healthy food insecurity can even cascade into… Continue Reading

American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month. This is a great time to reflect on the effects our diet and physical activity have on our heart health.  The American Heart Association is a great resource when it comes to knowing the most up to date information on cardiovascular health.    At Tri-County Health Network, our Community Health Workers (CHWs) provide heart healthy screenings to community members for free. Our screenings include a blood pressure check, and levels of cholesterol, blood… Continue Reading

A Vital Part of the Community

Inarguably, our undocumented residents are a vital part of this community’s local economy. Undocumented immigrants living in Colorado pay $139.5 million in state and local taxes, which fund services we all benefit from. Immigrants help power major sectors of our economy, driving innovation, creating jobs and boosting economic growth. In our congressional district, immigrants make… Continue Reading

Healthcare Coverage

January 15th, 2019 ended the Open Enrollment period for Coloradans to sign up for health insurance on the state-run exchange, Connect for Health Colorado. A new record-high enrollment was seen in Colorado during this year’s Open Enrollment. More than 169,000 Coloradans enrolled in health coverage for 2019, which was a two percent increase over the Open Enrollment period in 2018. Tri-County Health Network helped enroll… Continue Reading

Skippy in 2018

2018 has been a great year for TCHNetwork’s Skippy Dental Program, we provided preventive dental services to 519 patients! Our staff worked hard to facilitate 49 clinic days at 10 local schools and a few adult clinics for the Mexican American Development Association (MADA) and at a local Latino Wellness Fair.  This past year, we completed a record number of virtual dental… Continue Reading

Mental Health First Aid Agency of the Year

Pictured above: MHFA Instructors Erich Lange, Paul Reich and Ben Marshall of Tri-County Health Network (missing from photo, Kody Gerkin), which was recognized as the 2018 Organization of the Year by Mental Health First Aid Colorado in October.  Mental Health Matters!  To each of us as individuals.  To our families and friends.  To our communities.  And, of course, to… Continue Reading

Somos Uno Telluride

Somos Uno Telluride is a leadership development program that TCHNetwork facilitated with the support from the Colorado Health Foundation. This program aims to improve the health and leadership and advocacy skills of the Latino and Latino ally population in San Miguel County. The most recent graduating class completed the program at the end of last… Continue Reading

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (Guest Post)

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and during this time, not only is it important to raise awareness about the dynamics and prevalence of domestic violence, but also we want to highlight the associations between domestic violence and mental health in order to underscore why Mental Health Matters. The National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma… Continue Reading

Gold Beads and My Dad (Guest Post)

On a beautiful September day in Telluride I chose to wear gold beads as I walked down Colorado Avenue.  Why gold?  I wore the strand of plastic gold beads because I lost my Dad to suicide in August 2014, just before the start of my junior year at college.  The next day, the world learned… Continue Reading

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