Middle Park Health has tapped the top executive from another rural Colorado hospital to take over its Chief Executive Officer role in January.

The Middle Park Health Board of Directors on Monday announced Jason Cleckler would take over the CEO position of the hospital district in Grand County starting Jan. 13.

“Jason has a passion for rural health care and is a great fit for what we as a board want to achieve in the coming years to continue to serve our communities,” said a news release announcing the appointment.

---

---

Coming from Delta County Memorial Hospital, a rural nonprofit hospital where Cleckler served as CEO, Cleckler is familiar with building “healthy and flourishing rural communities.” While there, he oversaw growth in facilities and programming, as well as landed the facility on the Top 100 Rural Community Hospitals list for three years in a row.

“It is a true honor to be selected to fulfill this role, and a privilege to join an organization that’s focused on providing access to high quality health care to the communities, residents and visitors throughout Grand County,” Cleckler said in the release. “I’m thrilled to live and work in an area that is blessed with natural beauty, great outdoor recreation and engaged communities, and I am looking forward to joining the journey of promoting health and wellness through the mission, vision and values of Middle Park Health.”

---

---

Prior to becoming CEO, Cleckler worked as a registered nurse in emergency departments, intensive care units and inpatient psychiatric units. He earned his nursing degree at Humboldt State University in California and is currently attending Capella University in Minnesota for a Master of Health Care Administration.

In his spare time, Cleckler enjoys cycling, fly fishing, skiing, rock climbing and spending time with his family.

Cleckler comes into the CEO role following the September retirement of former CEO Jeff Flake, who worked for Middle Park Health for four years and oversaw some of the expansion of the hospital.

While Flake opened clinics in Winter Park and Grand Lake, the Kremmling Wellness Center and took over management of Cliffview Assisted Living, there is more expansion to be done that Cleckler is expected to oversee.

Middle Park Health is amid construction on the Kremmling hospital that will add a new 14,500 square foot wing to house the clinic, hospital and ancillary services, such as radiology and lab space. Hospital officials say construction will begin in the spring and last 12-14 months.

The hospital also hopes to begin construction on the Granby campus’ expansion in the spring corresponding with the Kremmling timeline and continues to plan for its new location in Fraser.