Peak Vista medical providers move closer to unionization after layoffs, alleged retaliation

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — A consortium of medical providers formerly employed by Peak Vista announced they are moving closer to forming a formal union under the Union of American Physicians and Dentists.

Two weeks ago, a federal lawsuit was filed against the nonprofit health care organization, which treats 90,000 patients in the Pikes Peak region and across the Plains, many of whom are underinsured or uninsured. Providers say an atmosphere of intimidation and retaliation was used to force doctors and nurses to take on up to 28 patients a day, giving them 15 minutes to evaluate and make diagnostic decisions.

“We have so many children who are very medically complex, and their biggest concern is, ‘Where do I go now? Who do I go to?’ I worry that Peak Vista is taking something away from this medical center, which would be a disservice to this community and the surrounding area,” said Dr. Michelle Myers, a pediatrician at Peak Vista who was recently laid off.

Diana Wyman, a mother of young children, said she worries about who she can contact now that the pediatrician they had for more than a decade has also been fired.

“They've let go of some very competent doctors, excellent ones in fact, so how are they going to allow more hours to be spent on patients and more patients to be seen if they let go of doctors?”

In response, KRDO13 received this statement from Peak Vista's president and CEO:

“We have received notification from the Union of Physicians and Dentists, headquartered in Sacramento, California, regarding the intent of medical providers to unionize.

Peak Vista has been serving the Colorado Springs community for over 50 years. We are committed to providing exceptional healthcare to those facing barriers to access through clinical programs and education. We are prepared and have the capacity to serve this community from new to existing patients.

Dr. Emily Ptaszek