Main Office
Lynn Borup
Executive Director
As Executive Director, Lynn provides overall leadership to TCHNetwork. Prior to this calling, she held executive positions in the health insurance and multi-specialty medical group fields. Lynn and five peers created a successful start-up Medicaid managed care plan, which currently serves over one million people. Yet her proudest and most challenging role to-date is raising three boys to be responsible, engaged, and independent. Lynn’s dedication and devotion to rural healthcare is grounded in the belief that rural communities should have the same rights as their urban counterparts. Lynn believes that through collaboration the Tri-County region can be a model for systems of improved access, outcomes, and patient experiences for all health related services. When work gets too serious Lynn decompress by skiing, playing hockey, and enjoying Colorado’s beautiful outdoors with her hubby and kids as well as watching her favorite Pittsburgh sports teams – the Steelers and Penguins!
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Rasa Kaunelis
Director of Strategic Initiatives
As Director of Strategic Initiatives with TCHNetwork, Rasa oversees program evaluation, grants, and marketing for TCHNetwork. She also provides direction to several of our programs designed to address the social determinants of health and improve health and wellbeing for residents in our rural region. Rasa received her B.A. from Michigan State University and her Master of Public Administration from the University of Colorado. Involved in the non for profit sector since 2007, her past experience includes program evaluator at the Center for Policy Research and Director of Program Support at Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains. A perk to Rasa’s job is showing program staff, who can sometimes get caught up in the day-to-day, how their work is making a difference in people’s lives using findings from our program evaluations. Rasa is obsessed with the Michigan State Spartans and loves hiking, road biking, and backpacking.
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Paul Reich
Behavioral Health Program Manager
As the Program Manager for Behavioral Health, Paul is excited to work to reduce stigma around mental health, to expand access to care, and provide opportunities to educate our communities on mental health issues. Paul is a trained Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor, a program to educate those who work with youth ages 12 to 18. He also focuses on implementing new solutions in mental health through tele therapy, implementing TCHNetwork’s Behavioral Health Strategic Plan for San Miguel County and facilitating and coordinating the Communities That Care prevention planning system to reduce teen substance use and improve outcomes for all teens in our community. Paul has lived in Telluride since 2001 where he and his wife have raised 5 children. Paul serves on the Telluride School District Board of Education and the Colorado Association of School Boards, and he is a board member for the Center for Mental Health.
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Matt Schroeder
Data Analyst
Leveraging health data to improve patient care and to provide actionable insights for our network members is the core of Matt’s role at TCHNetwork as Data Analyst. He also acts as the point person for all IT related matters for the organization. Originally trained in economics, Matt has a strong background in data modeling, forecasting, and statistical analysis, as well as extensive experience in data visualization. He has a passion for the power of good data analytics to inform decision making and improve people’s lives. Matt has a Master’s in applied economics from John’s Hopkins University, and a Bachelor’s in economics from the University of Colorado – Boulder. When he’s not wrangling data in the office Matt can be found outside hiking, camping, fishing, or snowboarding with his wife and daughter – enjoying all the beauty and adventure that our region has to offer.
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Lily Kiely
Community Health Programs Supervisor
As the Community Health Programs Supervisor, Lily oversees the community health workers, Cooking Matters classes, FoodRx Program, and diabetic retinopathy telescreening (DRT) services. Lily understands the importance of an integrative healthcare system and she is passionate about connecting individuals with services to improve their overall health. She received a B.S. in Biology from the University of Puget Sound. Lily moved to Colorado to serve as a Community HealthCorps member and prior to moving to Telluride was managing a cardiovascular clinical research site. She is now very happy to be living in Telluride! When not working, you can find her skiing, biking with her dog, exploring new hiking trails, and spending time with friends.
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Adrienne Christy
Behavioral Health Coordinator
As Behavioral Health Coordinator, Adrienne is committed to expanding health equity and addressing health related social needs for rural Coloradans. She works on behavioral health programs focused on improving access in San Miguel county. Adrienne received her B.A. from the University of Colorado at Boulder and developed her passion for public health during a semester abroad studying community and public health in Durban, South Africa. Adrienne was born and raised in Denver, Colorado and has lived on the western slope for 7 years. She is passionate about the outdoors, and enjoying all that Colorado has to offer with her friends, family and dog Gus (the cutest golden doodle in all the land).
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Gina Gurreri
Community Programs Development Supervisor
Gina is excited to serve as the Community Programs Development Supervisor, where she will manage and expand the Skippy Dental program and the Teletherapy Behavioral Health program. Her passion for health equity stems from her educational background in social work, and her excitement for managing public health programs is fed by her niche interests in data management, mixed methods research, and mastering Excel keyboard shortcuts and formulas. A 7-year resident of Colorado’s front range, Gina spent the last year traveling the United States, hiking in as many national parks as possible. She was drawn back to the San Juans, where she plans to spend her free time hiking, climbing, doing all the snow sports, and completing craft projects. She collects metrics data on her own travels and has visited 48/50 states, 58% of US national parks, and 22% of US national monuments.
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Marisa Marshalka
Health Equity Coordinator
As Health Equity Coordinator, Marisa will lead the development of TCHNetwork’s health and racial equity advocacy efforts and support health equity initiatives internally and throughout the region. One component of this work includes developing an immigration legal assistance program. Before taking this position, Marisa served as an AmeriCorps VISTA with the Telluride Foundation focusing on rural economic development in the West End of San Miguel and Montrose counties. Marisa earned her undergraduate degree in philosophy, with a concentration in public service and ethics, from Boston College. Marisa traded the ocean for the mountains by moving to Telluride, after having grown up on the South Shore of Massachusetts in Scituate.
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Sami Damsky
Behavioral Health Outreach Coordinator
As Behavioral Health Outreach Coordinator, Sami is responsible for coordinating and facilitating the behavioral health programs administered by Tri-County Health Network. Sami works to support the education outreach of TCHNetwork related to mental health and wellness, including supporting community and youth coalitions, delivering evidence-based educational programs, and conducting outreach activities and presentations. Some of these programs include Communities that Care, Mental Health First Aid, NAMI Family-to-Family, and an annual Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk. After earning her B.S. in Sustainable Technology from Appalachian State University, she traded the Blue Ridge Mountains for the San Juan Mountains surrounding glorious Telluride, CO. Outside of the office, you can find Sami on her yoga mat, dancing to live music, hiking, paddle boarding, or baking something chocolatey.
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Julia Johnston
School Based Program Coordinator
As School Based Program Coordinator, Julia is responsible for coordinating and facilitating the school based programs administered by Tri-County Health Network. Julia oversees all aspects of the existing teletherapy program including developing new venues for delivering teletherapy services in schools and communities. She delivers education and outreach programs including Mental Health First Aid, SafeTALK and NAMI to adult and youth populations. Julia also assists with the Skippy dental program. After graduating from the University of Kansas with a B.S. in Strategic Communications and a minor in Psychology, Julia traveled to Southern Goa, India to study Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga. After India, she traded in the Arabian Sea for the San Juan Mountains. Julia is a local yoga teacher who loves sharing her passion for movement meditation. If she’s not in the office, or at a yoga studio, you can find Julia meandering the mountains and enjoying a world without walls with her dog Scout.
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Justin Fleischer
Office Manager
As office manager, Justin is excited to help increase health care equity and access for under-served and marginalized populations. In this position, he helps clients enroll in various benefit programs, including SNAP, Medicaid, and other health insurance plans. Before taking this position, Justin received a B.S. in Biochemistry from Union College and worked as a clinical trial research coordinator at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Originally from New York, he is excited to be living in the mountains. Outside of work, you can find Justin skiing, climbing or hiking.
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Joshua Feliz Martinez
Cultural Navigator
As the Cultural Navigator for Tri-County Health Network, Joshua will provide direct services to the Spanish language immigrant population in Telluride and the surrounding areas. Joshua’s goal is to become a part of the community and assist anyone within the Hispanic population who faces barriers related to the social determinants of health. Joshua received his B.A in Anthropology and an Associates in Criminal Justice from University of Colorado- Denver. During his free time, he loves to catch up on the latest movies and his favorite shows, enjoy warm weather on a hike, and attend local events all with his girlfriend Chantal and their dog Romeo by their side.
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Mary Burt
Regional Health Connector
As a Regional Health Connector, Mary works with the communities of Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Delta, Ouray and San Miguel. She supports local community health improvement efforts by building linkages among the various components of the healthcare system, including primary care, behavioral health, governmental agencies, and organizations that address the social determinants of health. Before taking this position, Mary helped organizations in Western Colorado develop and sustain programming for food security, behavioral health, immigrant integration, adult and family literacy, health policy, transportation, early childhood education and access to health care. Originally from the San Luis Valley, Mary was raised in Gunnison and went on to get her bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Western Colorado University. For Mary, Gunnison never lost it’s allure and it is where she currently resides with her husband and teenage son. Outside of work, you will find Mary enjoying the outdoors by bike, foot, ski or paddle board.
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Care Coordination
Amy RowanCare Coordination Supervisor Amy is the Care Coordinator Supervisor overseeing the Medicaid Care Coordination, Aging and Disability Resources for Colorado (ADRC), Palliative, and Accountable Health Communities Model Programs. She has a passion for helping community members access support and services to increase their health and wellness. Amy has worked in an array of fields geared around older adults and adults with disabilities for the past 26 years. Starting as a Certified Nursing Assistant, transitioning to recreation coordination and now care coordination, outreach and resource development. Amy enjoys researching and developing programs to reduce health disparities and empower people to improve their health and independence. She is certified as a REACH (Resources Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregiver Health) Interventionist and certified to teach Healthier Living Colorado classes, she currently is participant in the Colorado Trust Health Equity Leadership Learning Series. Amy says, “Every day I learn something new, if I can take a little bit of what I learn to help someone else the day is complete.” Ask Amy about how to access resources on long-term care supports, services, and benefits. Amy’s favorite thing about our community is the San Juan Mountains and enjoys photographing their beauty.she/her/hersAmber KanicilaCare Coordinator Amber has a goal of advocating and empowering the community in understanding what supports are available to help them achieve wellness. She will be working as the Rocky Mountain Health Plans Medicaid Care Coordination in the City of Montrose and in Ouray County and is the Aging and Disability Resources for Colorado ADRC Options Counselor for Ouray County. Amber completed her Associates and Bachelor’s Degree in Health Care Administration through the University of Phoenix. She have been in Colorado her most of her life and traveled when I was younger all over the states, she also lived in Oregon and Washington for two years and then moved back to Colorado. Amber says “I love to help people any way I can and provide any information for help I can. I have a passion for helping and have always wanted to have a career in a way I can give back to others.” Amber enjoys spending time with her two kids and love the outdoors and the beautiful mountains she lives by.she/her/hers
Community Health Workers
Our local Community Health Workers provide outreach, education, referral, follow-up, case management and advocacy for those at-risk for diabetes and heart disease. Our CHWs offer local residents free diabetes and heart disease screenings that include Cholesterol, Blood Glucose, Blood Pressure, BMI, Height & Weight, Health Information and an action plan for healthier lifestyle choices.
Darlene Mora
Montrose County- Bilingual Assistance
Darlene is a bi-cultural and bilingual Montrose native, with a passion for helping the people of her community. Darlene attended Colorado Mesa University where she received her Bachelors of Applied Science. Prior to working with TCHNetwork, Darlene cared for her father for many years and worked as a Deputy Sheriff at the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office. As a CHW, she enjoys helping people live healthier lives by providing free health screenings and educational information. When not working, Darlene likes to spend her time with her family and seven grandchildren, and vacationing every chance she gets.
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Ruth Homan
San Miguel County
Ruth is excited to join the TCHN team and expand her passion for helping people live healthier lives. A Colorado native, Ruth, her husband and 2 children moved to Telluride in 2005. She considers it a blessing to wake up in the mountains every day and raise her children here. A graduate of Western State Colorado University, Ruth has operated FitLife Personal Training, LLC in Telluride since 2007 as a personal trainer. Working as a Community Health Worker, Ruth hopes to inspire and assist a wider scope in the community towards staying healthy. In her spare time, Ruth enjoys hiking and snowshoeing with her dog, backpacking with family, reading, and just hanging out with family.
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Enrollment Navigators
Enrollment Navigators are responsible for educating, processing and enrolling eligible individuals and families efficiently and effectively into programs such as Medicaid/CHP+/SNAP and the state marketplace, Connect for Health Colorado, as well as assisting with TCHNetwork’s mobile school based cavity prevention program known as Skippy.
Carol Schutter
Ouray County
Born and raised in Gardner Massachusetts Carol moved to Telluride in 1972. She had almost every job imaginable in the small ski town from Lift operator to owning her own business. As a licensed practical nurse, Carol had the experience of working several years, at the Norwood Clinic and the Telluride Medical Center, then called Mountain Medical. Empathetic and compassionate by nature, Carol joined TCHNetwork to help the community. She is dedicated to providing the best service possible for anyone who may need her assistance. Ask Carol about: Colorado’s state marketplace for health insurance, CHP+, Medicaid, San Juan Kids Cavity Prevention Program “Skippy”, and the Good Neighbor Fund. On a slow Friday afternoon, you can find Carol on her deck with friends and family.
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Patient Health Navigators
Patient Health Navigators work collaboratively with a clinical team to engage patients in actively managing their chronic conditions and promote patient education and self-management skills through motivational interviewing techniques.
Cyndi Wargowsky
Naturita’s Basin Clinic
When a close family member was seriously injured last year, a TCHNetwork employee reached out to Cyndi’s family and helped coordinate services for them during a very difficult time. This persona was an angel to them and Cyndi now hopes to be the angel to others in the Westend. Outside of work, you’ll find Cyndi and her husband working on their ranch, where they have 68 Suri Alpacas that produce beautifully fine fleece that gets processed into yarns and fabrics. Cyndi also enjoys hiking, off-roading, mountain biking, and spending time with her 6 grown kids and 3 beautiful grandkids.
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Outreach Coordinator
Angela Bullard
Delta Outreach Coordinator
As a native of Colorado and of Delta County, Angela has deep roots connecting her to local communities. Angela earned a Bachelor of Science in Business and Public Administration from the University of Phoenix and has vast experience navigating regional resource. Angela is passionate about serving community members who need help accessing and utilizing resources throughout Delta County. Angela strongly believes that “if we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. …We need not wait to see what others do.” -Mahatma Ghandi. Ask Angela about local resources and programs from human services, medical and non medical transportation and for ideas to meet your need! Angela enjoys cooking new and tasty recipes with her family, reading as often as possible, and keeping her teenage boys busy!
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Skitter Jones
West End Outreach Coordinator
Skitter Jones a local resident of 17 years. She brings years of knowledge and experience navigating regional resources. Skitter is passionate about her community and connecting individuals with services to improve their overall health and well-being. As the West End Outreach Coordinator, Skitter works directly with community members, local stakeholders, and regional organizations to coordinate services for the West End communities. She has raised five children, now adults, who love hiking, exploring and relaxing along a mountain stream in what she calls “the most beautiful countryside in these great United States”. She enjoys cooking, crafting, and an occasional carpentry project.
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AmeriCorps VISTAs
Hope Logan
Community Specialist
Hope joins the TCHNetwork team as an AmeriCorps VISTA Community Specialist. She is ecstatic to gain a deeper knowledge of how policy informs community health through developing programs at Tri-County Health Network, with a focus on Behavioral Health. Hope will provide program support and work to improve processes and workflows for programs including Communities That Care, San Miguel Behavioral Health Collaborative, and Teletherapy. A Maine native, she received her B.A. in Biology and English Literature from Bates College where she also was Captain of the swim team and fostered a keen interest in sustainable food systems. Outside of the office, she is stoked to play in the San Juans and hone her cooking skills.
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Shanan Ashton
Public Health Analyst
Shanan joins Tri-County Health Network as an AmeriCorps VISTA in the role of Public Health Analyst. She comes from Proctorville, Ohio, a small suburb of Huntington, West Virginia. Shanan earned a BS in Biochemistry from Ohio University and, while in college, fell in love with hiking, camping, and especially with running. Quite the advocate for fresh veggies and coffee, she can usually be spotted at a local farmer’s market. During her VISTA experience, Shanan plans to get to know Telluride, Colorado, and the surrounding region. She will also work to improve Tri-County Health Network’s systems and procedures for gathering data and reporting outcomes on the organization’s wide-ranging programs
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Corinne Cavender
Public Health Marketing Coordinator
As the Public Health Marketing Coordinator AmeriCorps VISTA, Corinne works to expand the reach of Tri-County Health Network’s marketing efforts. Her role includes a focus on digital and print media promotion. Corinne’s goal is to effectively promote programs and initiatives so that the diverse population in Tri-County Health Network’s coverage area can achieve more equitable health outcomes. Corinne received her B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Spanish from Grand Valley State University in her home state of Michigan. During her time as an undergraduate she spent a semester studying abroad in Sydney, Australia, and surfed breaks from Melbourne to Perth and the South Island of New Zealand. In her free time, Corinne enjoys camping, hiking, surfing, coaching volleyball, saving the planet, and feeding her unique obsession with Antarctica.
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Skippy+ Dental Team
Christy Kopasz
Dentist
Dr. Christy Kopasz, is the SKIPPY+ Dental Program dentist for Tri-County Health Network. Dr. Christy graduated from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine and completed additional training in a General Practice Residency at Denver Health Hospital. Before attending dental school, Dr. Christy worked 10 years as a dental assistant in a pediatric dental office and practiced as a registered dental hygienist for 16 years. Dr. Christy uses teledentistry to provide education, dental consultations, and treatment planning for patients during their comprehensive exam with a registered dental hygienist. Using the teledentistry examination data, Dr. Christy goes back into the schools to provide restorative dentistry to treat dental decay without parents missing work or children missing school. Dr. Christy is a native of Colorado. When she is not working in dentistry, she enjoys spending her free time with her 10-year-old son. They love swimming and skiing together.
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Claire Appel
Lead Dental Hygienist
Claire Appel, R.D.H. grew up in Durango, Colorado. She graduated from the Dental Hygiene Program at San Juan College in Farmington, New Mexico in 2011. Claire worked for a private dental practice in Moab, Utah for 6 years. She started working with Tri-County Health Network’s Skippy + dental program upon moving to Telluride in 2017 and is currently working on getting the Adult Medicaid Dental program up and running. Claire is also currently working at both Ridgway Family Dentistry and River Peak Dental part-time as well as a fill-in at the Uncomphadry Medical Center. Claire loves crack climbing, kayaking, running, skiing, surfing, traveling, biking, baking, and above all, her two children.
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Celia Clark
Dental Hygienist
Originally from Texas, Celia graduated dental hygiene school in Jackson, Mississippi, where she met her husband, Jim. After working for National Outdoor Leadership School, they received advanced degrees at the University of Wyoming in Laramie before migrating to Denver. The allure of the mountains brought them to Ridgway in 2002. Celia brings 34 years of dental hygiene experience to Skippy. In her own words, “Teeth are attached to such interesting people! I love connection with folks of all ages and feel like my relationships are a collaboration whereby as I endeavor to brighten smiles, I learn something new each day. I especially enjoy asking the children about what books they are reading and what they want to be when they grow up. Then we talk about the importance of teeth and how to brush.” Celia has a passion for reading, hiking, exploring the mountains and entertaining friends and family.
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Lynsey Marsh
Dental Hygienist
Lynsey is a registered dental hygienist that has been working with Skippy Dental program for the past four years. She attended The Sarah Whitaker Glass School of Dental Hygiene at West Liberty University in West Virginia and has been a practicing locally in Telluride and Ridgway for the last six years. Lynsey started coming to Telluride in the early 90’s with her family to go camping and skiing. She has always wanted to live in the mountains and when she moved to Telluride her dreams became true. Lynsey, and her husband Matthew, enjoy spending time with their two boxer dogs – Bowie and Geddy. Additionally, she likes to snowboard, golf, camp, and she plays competitive disc golf all over Colorado.
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