Three Peaks Medical Clinic Annual Appeal Letter

Dear Friends:
For those unfamiliar with Three Peaks Medical Clinic, we are a 501c3 non-profit medical clinic completely independent of the Sugarbush Resort. We occupy a small space Sugarbush has graciously donated to us, cost-free, at Lincoln Peak. We are open 12/15–4/15, Friday through Sunday, and holiday weeks, from 9am-5pm. Our clinic operations are 100% funded by donations from resort guests and our community. We cater primarily to injured guests, but often treat walk-ins, provided we have the available resources. We continue to seek donors as well as volunteer physicians and physician’s assistants who have experience in Emergency Medicine, Sports and Orthopedic Medicine (we have a pretty generous compensation package for our crew of
providers).
Our first season of operation was a success. Over the course of last winter, we treated 388 patients and took over 250 x-rays. The majority of these patients were resort guests who sustained ski and ride related injuries. But we also saw our fair share of non-ski related injuries. Many of these patients would have required a trip to the local emergency room, which we were able to prevent, thus accomplishing our two main goals of providing acute on-mountain health care services as well as reducing the burden on local health care resources. When I watched the Three Peaks physician relocate the first dislocated shoulder I knew we had done the right thing by opening our clinic. Without our services, this patient would have had to wait for the local ambulance
(15–20 minutes) or find a ride to the hospital (45 minutes away) and then wait in the emergency room (who knows how long), all while enduring the pain of a dislocated shoulder. Our physician relocated the shoulder in under a minute. The patient walked out of the clinic with a sling and returned to their home.
This year we have added several new physicians and physician’s assistants to our staff. We have procured a new Cardiac Monitor as well as the ability to deliver nitrous oxide for pain management. We look forward to the upcoming season. For us to grow, operate and purchase new and innovative medical equipment we rely solely on your support. Our business model and fee structure are designed to provide high quality medical care using Orthopedic and Emergency Room physicians at an affordable cost. We do not take insurance and our highest out
of pocket bill for last season was less than $500 (essentially what most people’s deductible would be) for evaluation, multiple x-rays, and splinting. Please take the time to donate what you can regardless of how large or small so that we can continue to provide high quality on-mountain health care services for seasons to come.
Have a safe season and we will see you out on the hill.
Sincerely,
Chad
Executive Director
Three Peaks Medical Clinic