Kyler Hijmans
Please tell us a little bit about yourself:
I am a board-certified family nurse practitioner with a doctorate in nursing practice who is passionate about health equity and providing all people in our community with access to quality healthcare. I currently work as the healthcare provider for the Community Health Program at Vail Health, where I have the unique opportunity to work in partnership with the Eagle Valley Community Foundation’s MIRA Bus to deliver free preventative health screenings and
healthcare navigation services to underserved populations in our community and to provide primary care services to patients at Mountain Family Health Centers’ Avon Integrated Care Clinic.
Why do you want to join the ECPS Board of Directors?
I’d like to join the Board of Directors to serve the community and to support the Eagle County Paramedic Services, which I see as an essential part of the healthcare infrastructure in Eagle County. In addition to being the first point of contact for many of our residents and visitors who need emergency medical services, Eagle County Paramedic Services also plays an important role in many of our local population health initiatives. Being on the Board would be an incredible opportunity to learn and contribute meaningfully to the ECPS mission of providing skilled, professional, and compassionate healthcare to our community.
What are some of your prior board leadership experiences?
I have served in various roles on professional councils and leadership committees during my time in healthcare. I was a member of the Professional Nurse Practice Council at Swedish Medical Center and am currently involved in the Government Affairs and Public Policy Committee with the Colorado Nurses Association. I also have a significant background in nursing education, mentorship and facilitating professional development. At Swedish Medical Center, I established training programs, oriented new nurses, and led the implementation of updates to the electronic medical record system. If elected to the ECPS Board of Directors, this would be my first position of this type.
What skills, connections, resources and expertise do you have to offer to our organization?
My background as a nurse and nurse practitioner includes a wide range of healthcare experience, from working in the acute setting in both large and small hospitals to working in the outpatient setting in primary care and community health. I even completed an EMT certification before pursuing nursing, which means that I have some limited knowledge about the important role that prehospital care plays in the patient experience. As a nurse with a doctorate in nursing practice, I have additional training in healthcare leadership, quality improvement, and translation of research into clinical practice.
In my role at Vail Health, I am connected to and work closely with many community partners, including Vail Health’s Behavioral Health service line, Eagle Valley Community Foundation, My Future Pathways and Mountain Family Health Centers. I have strong communication skills and understand the value of collaboration between our organizations to improve the health of our community.
The patients and the community are always at the center of what I do. I understand the principles of preventative healthcare, population health, and health promotion, and I acknowledge the impact of social determinants on the health of individuals and the community. I am skilled in community engagement and I actively work to develop an understanding of the community that I serve. For example, I’ve been studying Spanish for several years and use it
regularly in my work because one of my priorities is ensuring community voice is a central focus of our program design and the care that we provide.
What are your hobbies and interests?
When I’m not working, I like to spend time with my family, drink coffee, read books and practice speaking Spanish. I also enjoy everything that our mountain communities have to offer - running, biking, hiking, camping,and skiing.