Community Health Benefit Fund distributes AEDs

Yampa Valley Medical Center Foundation's $114,000 investment places life-saving devices throughout the community.
By:
4 minutes ago
Mike Welch and Dominique Welch, two of the co-owners of Backdoor Sports, install their AED cabinet in Backdoors Sports Tuesday morning. Photo: UCHealth.
Mike Welch, right, and Dominique Welch, two of the co-owners of Backdoor Sports, install their AED cabinet in Backdoor Sports on Oct. 7, 2025. Photo: UCHealth.

Yampa Valley Medical Center Foundation, through its Community Health Benefit Fund, has invested $114,00 in automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, that are being deployed throughout the Yampa Valley.

“Every dollar of the Community Health Benefit Fund supports the health of our community, and this project is a perfect example of that fund in action,” said Karen Schneider, executive director of the foundation. “Through the deployment of these AEDs, faster intervention can begin when a sudden cardiac arrest occurs and while first responders are en route. It was heartwarming to learn not only of the desire to be prepared should a medical emergency arise, but of these organizations’ willingness to assist others.”

“Early use of an AED during a sudden cardiac arrest can more than double a person’s chance of survival, making it one of the most critical links in the chain of survival,” said Julie McFadden, registered nurse and manager of trauma services at UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center. “In rural communities, ensuring access to AEDs and providing training in their use is a vital way we protect and care for one another, no matter where a cardiac emergency may occur.”

Owners of Backdoor Sports wanted an AED because they know the device can save lives.

“We’re in the business of adventure. Having an AED on site is no different than taking an avalanche beacon when you venture into the backcountry or making sure you have a throw rope when you’re on the river,” said Mike Welch, co-owner of Backdoor Sports. “With a history of heart disease in my family, I know the importance of having AEDs. UCHealth’s investment in these devices makes Steamboat Springs a stronger community.”

LiftUp Routt County applied for an AED to provide a safer environment for their clients, shoppers, staff, volunteers and donors.

“We’re a community hub that assists people of all ages. We want to be ready if an emergency strikes, and we are so grateful to UCHealth for choosing to improve the safety of our community,” said Sue Fegelein, executive director of LiftUp. “This is an amazing investment. These AEDs will provide so many with the needed peace of mind and a plan of action in case of emergency.”

Bettina Scorzafava (right), Community Health Benefit Fund coordinator with Yampa Valley Medical Center Foundation, provides an AED orientation to Mike Welch (left bottom) and Dominique Welch (middle left), two of the co-owners of Backdoor Sports, and Genevieve Redman (top left), general manager at Mythology Distillery, on Tuesday morning. Photo: UCHealth.
Bettina Scorzafava, right, Community Health Benefit Fund coordinator with Yampa Valley Medical Center Foundation, provides an AED orientation to Mike Welch, bottom left, and Dominique Welch, far left, two of the co-owners of Backdoor Sports, and Genevieve Redman, top left, general manager at Mythology Distillery, on Tuesday morning. Photo: UCHealth.

Forty-nine AEDs are being deployed through this impact initiative. Recipients include:

Steamboat

  • Backdoor Sports
    Each recipient of an AED through Yampa Valley Medical Center Foundation’s Community Health Benefit Fund receives the AED, portable carrying case, wall-mount cabinet, a response kit with necessary supplies and one-year of AED medical direction and program management through Cardio Partners. Photo: UCHealth.
    Each recipient of an AED through Yampa Valley Medical Center Foundation’s Community Health Benefit Fund receives the AED, portable carrying case, wall-mount cabinet, a response kit with necessary supplies and one year of AED medical direction and program management through Cardio Partners. Photo: UCHealth.
  • Big Agnes
  • Café Diva
  • Christy Sports – Central Park
  • Christy Sports – Gondola
  • Elkstone Farm
  • Elzo Rentals
  • First Baptist Church
  • Helm Eye Center
  • Kinetic Energy Physical Therapy
  • LiftUp Routt County
  • Moving Mountains
  • Mythology Distillery
  • One-Stop Ski & Cycle
  • Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp
  • Precision Repair Service & Sales
  • Rakta Hot Studio
  • Replenish IV Therapies
  • Resort Group/Mountain Resorts/Simply Steamboat/MR Realty
  • Resort Group – Chateau Chamonix
  • Resort Group – The Ranch
  • Resort Group – Trappeur’s Crossing
  • Revolve Wellness Studio
  • Saddleback Ranch and Yee Haw Tubing Hill
  • Ski Haus
  • Ski Town Physical Therapy
  • Sloop Enterprises
  • Splash Hounds
  • Steamboat Barbershop
  • Steamboat Climbing Collective
  • Steamboat Pilot & Today
  • Steamboat Soccer Club
  • Steamboat Sotheby’s International Realty
  • Steamboat Springs Chamber
  • Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
  • Sumovia Naturopathic Healthcare, Healing Path Acupuncture, Radiant Skin and Waxing Boutique, Elenz and Strom Law Firm
  • Sweat Equity
  • TBH Plumbing and Heating, Inc.
  • The Timber Axe Lounge
  • Tread of Pioneers Museum
  • Warhorse Ranch
  • Yampa Valley Bank

Clark

  • North Routt Community Charter School Early Childhood Center
  • Steamboat Lake Marina

Hayden

  • Katina’s Wee Care Center
  • Mission of Grace Baptist Church

Craig

  • Barnes Outfitting, LLC
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Colorado
  • Clever Cubs Child Care LLC

AED distribution is one of YVMCF’s 2025 impact initiatives. Other investments include partnerships with Reaching Everyone Preventing Suicide (REPS) to provide suicide education and training and Routt County Riders to improve bicycle safety outreach.

Community Benefits Report Emergency care Steamboat Springs UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center Foundation

About the author

Lindsey Reznicek is a communications specialist at UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. She has spent the last ten years working in marketing and communications in health care, an industry she never considered but one to which she's contributed through her work in media relations, executive messaging and internal communications. She considers it an honor to interact with patients and write about their experiences; it’s what keeps her coming back to work each day.

A native of Nebraska, Lindsey received a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism, with a focus on public relations, from the A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Kansas State University – she bleeds purple.

She could see a Broadway musical every week, is a huge animal lover, enjoys a good shopping trip, and likes spending time in the kitchen. Lindsey and her husband have two daughters and enjoy hiking in the summer and skiing all winter long.