About CHP
CHP exists to improve the health of the Pikes Peak region. By 2028 CHP will pioneer a process of collaborative leadership that results in measurable improvement in health outcomes.
Our values & key drivers
Helping people access health services | Addressing the determinants of health | Being a trusted resource for health policy information
Collaboration
We work jointly with others across sectors and boundaries to address health issues more effectively; we leverage existing resources as we build new ones.
Innovation
We invest in new ways to address immediate needs, incubate ideas, and create systems change. We listen, think, act, and share what we learn.
Boldness
We engage in bold conversations about health that lead to enhanced resources and intelligent policies and actions to help people thrive.
Respect
We believe people make healthier choices when they have access to healthier options – barriers, not impairments, debilitate people. We remove barriers to better health, meet people where they are, and treat people with dignity regardless of their circumstances.
Responsibility
We believe health is local, and it is our responsibility to promote good health in our community. Good health manifests in body, mind and spirit; in creativity and community prosperity.
CHP Leadership
Amber Ptak
CEO
Previous to her appointment as CEO in May, 2020, Amber served as CHP’s Director of Community Partnerships. Her career encompasses more than 20 years of experience developing and managing complex collaborations. She served as UCHealth Memorial Hospital’s Grants Officer, the Gill Foundation’s Director of the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado, and El Paso County’s Greenbook Project Director. She has a passion for data and results and likely spends too much time thinking about theories of change. Amber is originally from the Detroit area and has a BS in community health from Western Michigan University and an MPA from the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs.
Jennifer Mariano
DIRECTOR OF HOMELESS PROGRAMS
Jennifer has been with CHP since July 2018 and has spent over 20 years in the non-profit sector serving the community at Care and Share Food Bank and the American Red Cross Pikes Peak Chapter. Jennifer’s passion for helping people, planning, and bringing organizations together to solve problems is critical to reducing and ending homelessness in the Pikes Peak region.
Devon Kwande
finance director
Devon brings more than 12 years of progressive accounting and management experience to CHP. He has worked in nonprofit organizations, financial institutions, and local government and public accounting. His passion is to improve the business value of organizations and to develop the governance and financial management of non-profit organizations. Devon is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants (COCPA). He was born in Zimbabwe and has a Bachelor’s in Finance and Banking from the University of Zimbabwe and a Masters in Professional Accounting from CSU. In addition, Devon is a Board member of Tariro Hope Inc, a local non-profit that addresses homelessness and is a former Board Treasurer of Bessie’s Hope, a Denver non-profit for elder care.
Taryn Bailey
director of communications and partnerships
Taryn’s background includes nearly two decades of communications experience, and more than ten years of experience in health promotion and education in the Pikes Peak Region. Taryn is passionate about supporting organizations that empower individuals to make the healthiest choices for themselves and their families. Prior to joining CHP, she spent four years in youth advocacy at El Paso County Public Health, managing a community collaboration to reduce risk and increase protective factors commonly associated with youth substance use. She holds a BA in Journalism/Mass Communications from the University of New Mexico, and an MS in Health Promotion from UCCS, where she also taught as adjunct faculty for over two years.
Beth Jewell, MD
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Mary E (Beth) Jewell, MD has practiced Family Medicine in Colorado Springs for the past 26 years. She graduated from Georgetown University Medical School and did her residency training at Andrews Air Force Base. Dr. Jewell is a volunteer physician at Westside Cares Free Clinic. She knows the obstacles our low income neighbors face as they attempt to obtain health care and is passionate to improve the systems providing resources to the Safety Net clinics.
Board of Directors
- Chairperson: Merle Taylor, UCH-Memorial Hospital, COO
- Chair Elect: Mike Ware, El Paso County Medical Society, CEO
- Secretary: Adam Roberts, AspenPointe, President & CEO
- Treasurer: Debbie Chandler, Engage Innovations, LLC & Matthews Vu CEO
- Lance Bolton Ph.D., Pikes Peak Community College, President
- Stein Bronsky MD, CO Springs Fire Department, Medical Director
- Robin Johnson MD, El Paso County Public Health, Medical Director
- Lynne Jones, Commission on Family Medicine, Executive Director
- Pam McManus, Peak Vista Community Health Centers, President & CEO
- Bryan Trujillo MPH, Centura Health, Group Director of Community Health Improvement
- Patricia Yaeger, The Independence Center, CEO
We believe our community is stronger together. That’s why “collaboration in action” fuels our mission to improve the health and wellbeing of our community.
Because everyone deserves access to better health.
Work with us
Job Openings
No new job openings at this time.
Contact us
To see how you can get involved with CHP, please contact us at info@ppchp.org
