Our latest hospital is enough tomake you sick. Not because it’sbad, but because it’s so incredibly beautiful.It’s enough to turn anyone into ahypochondriac. OK, so we’re exaggeratingabout the whole hypochondriacsyndrome, but, really, this hospital,which opened December 2005, lookslike a mountain retreat. Its two-storystone fireplace, cozy furniture and woodtrim help family and friends find morecomfort while their loved one is admitted.And the rooms offer spectacular,healing views of the mountains.But that’s just the surface stuff St.Anthony Summit Medical Center hasgoing for it. The real gem of the hospitalis the staff. They may work at a bighospital, but they still treat each patientlike they’re in a small town.”The people of Summit County havecome to rely on us for care that’s highlyskilled, compassionate and patient-centered,”said hospital administrator PaulChodkowski in an introductory publicationfor the hospital. “Now – for thefirst time – they have a full-servicehospital in the county.”Before, many patients had to travelto Denver or Vail to receive treatment.Now, with expanded services, the hospitaloffers inpatient acute care, emergencyand trauma care, a birth place,increased imaging services and muchmore. It also has a full-service cafeteria,chapel, gift shop and internet access.The $40 million facility is located at340 Peak One Drive, just above theCounty Commons buildings near Frisco.

The Summit Medical Office Building,next to the hospital, opened in the summerof 2006.The privately-owned half of thebuilding includes an array of specialties:orthopaedics; physical therapy; heart;ear, nose and throat; urology; painmanagement; general surgery; kids’ dentistry;and family medicine includingobstetrics/gynecology and pediatrics.The other half of the building, whichthe county owns, houses the communitycare clinic, mental health servicesof Colorado West, home and hospiceservices of Bristlecone and officesfor county departments, such as thecoroner’s office. The Summit CountyCommunity Care Clinic helps residentswho otherwise couldn’t afford health care.Plenty of great doctors practice outsideof the hospital and medical building.Here are just a few other medicalcenters; look in the phone book or askaround for other physicians.

Breckenridge Medical Center: (970) 453-1010Keystone Medical Center: (970) 468-6677High Country Health Care: Breckenridge (970) 547-9200, Dillon (970) 468-1003

In addition to traditional medicine,alternative health care practitionerscontinue to set up shop in Summit.The first acupuncturist, Lynne Drakos,came to town more than a dozenyears ago. Since then, more Chinesemedicine specialists have moved here- along with a host of massage therapists,chiropractors and naturopaths.Offices near the west end of Frisco’sMain Street offer acupuncture, massageand psychotherapy. Plus, Mountain-River Naturopathic Clinic is owned bytwo naturopaths who provide a wealthof knowledge, in addition to herbs.Again, ask around, look in the phonebook: There are too many specialists tomention here.