Article by Julie Waechter, special assignment for ԹϹ State
The ԹϹ Foundation will present its highest honor, the Willis Fassett Jr. Award, to Valley-Wide Health Systems, Inc., in appreciation of its support of ԹϹ State over the last two decades. Valley-Wide will be honored at the university’s Donor & Student Recognition Dinner on October 22.
Named in honor of the late Willis Fassett Jr., a long-time president of the ԹϹ Foundation Board of Directors, the award is given yearly to strong supporters of the University. Over the last 20 years, Valley-Wide has donated $268,950 to ԹϹ State, with the majority of that supporting Grizzly Athletics.
Foundation President Dr. Ed Crowther noted, “The Foundation is delighted to recognize Valley-Wide Health Systems as this year’s Willis Fassett award winner. Like ԹϹ, Valley-Wide’s mission targets supporting underserved populations. Valley-Wide has contributed annually to ԹϹ State since 2004, especially supporting the Grizzly Club. They also provide support to our Nursing program and employ an ԹϹ State student as a McDaniel Fellow in a paid internship.”
Valley-Wide President/CEO Dr. Jania Arnoldi said, “We have been working with ԹϹ State in numerous ways for many years. We have a long relationship with and donate on a regular basis to the Grizzly Club. We also collaborate with ԹϹ State and La Puente on the annual Share the Magic theatre performance and fundraiser.”
ԹϹ State Athletic Director, Katelyn Smith, said, “We are so appreciative of Valley-Wide and their continued support of ԹϹ State Athletics. It has been a great partnership; being in a small community, it is essential for us to have these great relationships. They are so deserving of this award, and we are proud to be partners with Valley-Wide.”
Valley-Wide also worked with SLV Health and ԹϹ State to develop the university’s Student Health and Wellness Center. Valley-Wide’s physical therapy department devotes one day a week to treating Grizzly athletes. In addition, Dr. Arnoldi teaches health care administration in ԹϹ State’s School of Business.
“We will continue our long history of supporting ԹϹ State. When there is a need or a cool, innovative idea, we always come to the table,” Dr. Arnoldi added.
Valley-Wide Health Systems, Inc., is a non-profit, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that focuses on medically underserved populations. It serves populations at 34 service sites strategically located throughout multiple rural counties in southern Colorado.
