By Chuck Slothower
DURANGO Animas Surgical Hospital was named Business of the Year at the Durango Chamber of Commerce's annual awards show.
The physician-owned hospital has 104 employees. It was founded in 2000 as Animas Surgical Center, located at 19th Street and Main Avenue.
In December 2004, the business was rechristened as Animas Surgical Hospital on Rivergate Lane on the Animas River in south Durango. In 2006, ASH sold a majority ownership stake to Symbion Healthcare of Nashville, Tenn. ASH also has 18 physician owners along with CEO Brett Gosney.
"It's a terrific honor, unexpected and we're very humbled and honored by being named Business of the Year," Gosney said in an interview.
ASH is a certified hospital, but it focuses on surgical specialties including orthopedics, total joint surgery and plastic and reconstructive surgery.
"In terms of the hospital market, this is more of a niche part of the industry," Gosney said. "You do one thing
Gosney said the "focused care environment" results in better outcomes and fewer infections.
ASH pays about $5 million a year in salary and benefits, Gosney said. The hospital has worked to recruit surgeons to Durango, successfully recruiting eight surgeons during the past three years, he said.
Additional recruiting is on hold, barring retirements or turnover, Gosney said.
"That'll be my last for a while," he said. "I'm going to take a year off."
ASH this year is resurrecting the Durango Marathon after a five-year hiatus. The last time the running race was held, in 2006, it drew 700 runners, mostly from out of the area. The marathon should prove to be a tourist draw during a quiet time of year, Gosney said.
The marathon is set for Oct. 6-7. Proceeds will benefit local nonprofit groups.
Other winners at the Jan. 19 awards ceremony:
¥ Russell Engineering was named Small Business of the Year. The local engineering firm has hired three new employees at its modern Main Avenue office.
"I have great employees," said owner Michael Russell, who founded the business in 2001 after working as an engineer for La Plata County.
He added, "We couldn't do it without all of our customers and clients we've worked with over the years."
Russell Engineering provides services in land planning, construction administration, civil engineering, environmental engineering, entitlement and project visualizations.
¥ Linda's Local Food CafŽ was named Green Business of the Year. The restaurant, formerly Cocina Linda, has gone perhaps furthest of any restaurant in Durango in using local, organic ingredients whenever possible.
"I am not a business person," owner Linda Illsey said in her acceptance speech. "I love to cook, and I love to feed people."
Illsey thanked people who have helped her obtain financing, including a private couple and Bank of the San Juans.
"We are truly the restaurant that Durango built, and this is my way of giving back, by serving you healthy food," Illsey said.
¥ Christi Zeller, executive director of the La Plata Energy Council, was awarded the Barbara Conrad Award, given annually to an outstanding graduate of Leadership La Plata.
¥ J. Paul and Debbie Brown were named Agriculturists of the Year. They run a sheep farm near Ignacio, and J. Paul Brown is a Republican member of the Colorado House of Representatives. The Browns have long been active in agricultural organizations.
¥ Deborah Uroda, a longtime Durango resident, was awarded the Morley Ballantine Award. Uroda has worked with many local organizations, including Fort Lewis College, Durango School District 9-R, Durango Mountain Resort, Durango Community Access Television and the Women's Resource Center.
¥ The Leland House and Rochester Hotel, a pair of hotels on East Second Avenue that are owned by Kirk Komick, were given the Spirit of Durango Award. The hotels were cited for frequently hosting nonprofit fundraisers and other events, and for reflecting Durango's Western heritage.
"You all have made it so easy to run our business," Komick said.
¥ Susan Smith was named Diplomat of the Year. The Durango Diplomats appear at events such as ribbon cuttings. She was praised for "well over 100-percent attendance" at Diplomats' events.
¥ Terry Fiedler, the "godfather of Snowdown," was given the Outstanding Contribution to the Community Award. Fiedler helped create Durango's popular annual winter festival, scheduled this year for Feb. 1-5.
¥ Local auctioneers Calvin and Pat Story won the Bill Mashaw Volunteers of the Year Award. The Storys often volunteer their services for charity auctions.
Calvin Story joked about his vocation as he accepted the award. "I don't get onstage unless I'm selling something," he said.
¥ Manna Soup Kitchen was named the Nonprofit of the Year. The soup kitchen in west Durango served 62,176 meals in 2011.
¥ FastSigns of Durango, owned by Laurie Sigillito, was named Entrepreneur of the Year. FastSigns secured a contract for signage at the Durango-La Plata County Airport, and FastSigns is also involved with the planned Durango Welcome Center.
¥ Hank Stowers won the "I Love Durango" video contest.
¥ Katharine Roser was named Citizen of the Year. Roser is the founding executive director of La Plata Open Space Conservancy, which has helped protect 24,000 acres in the Durango area, including the popular recreation area Horse Gulch in southeast Durango.
"I'm truly honored that you have found me worthy of this award," she said. "I have worked hard to have some positive contributions to this community. I've made some mistakes, and made some enemies, and we've had some successes."
Hundreds attended the ceremony held at the Fort Lewis College Community Concert Hall. Chamber Executive Director Jack Llewellyn presided in a tuxedo. The lectern was backed by three massive video screens.
"Durango does prove, the more you give, the more you get," Llewellyn said.
Email
Font Resize
