The West Custer County Hospital District has been chosen to participate in a telemedicine two-year pilot program sponsored by Colorado Health Care Connections, Colorado Hospital Association and Qwest.

An announcement regarding the program  was made during the hospital district’s regular Aug. 20 board meeting.

Medical Center executive director Terry Nimnicht told the board a long-term grant through the nation’s stimulus package would pay for the program.

Provided in the program will be high-speed broadband services and medical specialists.

To complement the telemedicine program, the clinic is also being considered to participate in a Telehealth program sponsored by United Healthcare and Centura Health.

The telehealth program, said Nimnicht, would provide additional equipment, as well as another panel of medical specialists for consultation services.

In other business, the board approved Nimnicht to attend the upcoming Rural Health Clinic conference slated for Oct. 6-9 in Portland, Ore.

The board also heard the clinic had applied for a $25,000 grant through the Colorado Health Foundation. If received, the dollars will be used to form community classes for the self-management of chronic illnesses.

Board members present were chairman Jon Wallestad, Roy Gillmore and Karla Joseph. Absent were Dee Hoag and Trish Leavitt.

The next board meeting will be held tonight, Thursday, Sept. 17, beginning at 6 p.m. in the clinic boardroom.

– Nora Drenner