Employee Spotlight

Saving lives: From Clear Creek EMS to Medical School!

Paramedic Field Training Officer Olivia Berger has been there for people on their worst day in Clear Creek County for the past two years. But come May, Olivia is turning the page on her chapter here at Clear Creek EMS, and starting a new one in medical school.

"It's always been the plan. I've wanted to be a doctor since I was 11 years old," she said. "This is my first year applying and I got in and I'm doing it I guess!"

The decision to leave Clear Creek EMS was not an easy one according to Berger. Originally from Maine, she says she at first wanted to become a paramedic because she figured it would help her medical school applications, but then she fell in love with the work and the people.

"I became an EMT because I thought it would be this cute little thing to do for my application. Then it kind of flipped my entire life on its head and I ended up getting my major in emergency medicine and you know, becoming a paramedic and it's been such a huge transformative thing in my life. I'm so happy I had this experience and I think it's going to hopefully translate well to being a

Clear Creek EMS Director Bryon Monseu has seen her grow as a paramedic first-hand, and says he is looking forward to seeing Berger eventually become a doctor.

"What I am proud of her most is that she has turned into a wonderful human being. CCEMS likes when employees become better medical providers, but we love it when employees become awesome people."

Berger says she is thankful for his help and support.

"Bryon is super supportive. He was actually one of my main letters of recommendation writers. He was there for the whole process, which I'm forever grateful for."

Berger says she not only has a great relationship with Monseu, but the rest of the people in the organizations. She explained living with people for days on end during shifts will turn co-workers into fast friends, but here, they also bonded over learning from one another.

"I think the best thing about Clear Creek EMS is the openness we have in terms of, where we're struggling," she said. "Whether it's in our personal life, or on a call, or with a concept, there's this very, very open atmosphere where I don't feel afraid to ask questions. I don't feel afraid to not know all of the answers. I think that showing is how we've been able to grow so much as a company."

And it's those relationships that Berger is looking for when she becomes a doctor.

"I actually don't think I want to be a doctor in the ER. I know I'll get to that clinical rotation and I'll love it and feel comfortable, but I think I want to move towards something more longitudinal where I need to interact with patients for more than an ER visit. I want that longitudinal relationship with my patients."

Berger says although she is looking forward to pursuing her dream back east, she won't forget the things she learned while in the back of ambulances across Clear Creek County.

"I've been looking forward to going to medical school for over a decade, which feels crazy to say. But like I was saying, EMS is such a huge part of my life and I know that it sounds so cheesy--like how much I really enjoy this job and how much it's transformed me as a human being."

Mill City House as seen when utilized as the Dumont post office. Photo: Denver Public Library, X-7744

By Alexis Ehrgott

A New Post Office For Dumont

On March 9, 1967, the Clear Creek Mining Journal published an article with the headline, “Government Asks for Bids for Post Office at Dumont. Mrs. Ray [Mildred] Wagner, postmaster at Dumont, has the blueprints and specifications for a building the post office department will lease if someone builds it. She also has the terms of a lease. The building, if built, will be of brick construction, 32x26.5-foot size, similar to the post office built at Empire last fall. The post office department has an option on a building site that will provide the space required for the building, and the driveway, parking and maneuvering area to serve the building. The site is the northeast corner of the intersection of Mill Creek Road and the highway thru Dumont.”

During Mrs. Wagner’s tenure as postmaster since 1955, the post office had been housed in one room of the old Mill City House, a stage station and boarding house owned and operated by Mrs. Sarah Green that, “When she closed the office Tuesday, Mrs. Wagner turned her face toward the new brick building which is to house the post office for years to come. Mrs. Wagner says she will enjoy the modern convenience of the new building, especially having water in the building. She has hauled water all the years she has worked in the old log building. The new brick building, surrounded by black top parking areas, has natural gas heat, all new equipment, not only water in the building but even hot water for her convenience. She moved nothing but the mail and supplies. All the boxes and other equipment are new and had been previously installed. Formerly a fourth-class post office, Dumont now boasts a third-class post office. Mrs. Wagner reported about 50 boxes in use in Dumont last March but now has about 75 in use.”

On Sunday, March 24, 1968, the new post office was dedicated. Three days earlier the Journal reported, “Mrs. Ray Wagner, postmaster at Dumont, plans to have coffee and cake for those attending the dedication ceremony [at 2 p.m.].

The new Dumont post office had been in use since December 5 of last year. It is an attractive one-story brick building. All equipment is new and it affords a black-top parking area for its patrons.” The newspaper stated that previous to the Mill City House, the post office had been located in “a building in which R.P. (Dick) Chinn had a grocery store (torn down only a few years ago); the railroad depot, and a building on the south side of what used to be U.S. Highway 40 and 6 thru Dumont. Mr. Chinn was one of the early postmasters. Mrs. Stella Hunt was postmaster for several years when the post office was in the C. & S. railroad depot. Mrs. Helen Disque was one of the later postmasters, just before Mrs. Wagner has post

Helpful Links and Resources:

From Page 2: https://www.clearcreekcounty.us/1443/Rabies-Information, https://charliesplaceshelter.weebly.com/

From Page 3: https://www.clearcreekcounty.us/1459/Community-Learning-Series, https://www.codot.gov/projects/ i70floydhill

From Page 4: https://peak--coloradopeak.force.com/peak/s/peak-landing-page?language=en_US, https:// docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdy5B3SdsJWjm28m6WlXGUmwDC9-dZTfm2ENolNnqcnvtI-Og/viewform

From Page 5: https://aincolorado.org/audio-publications/clear-creek/, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clearcreek-county-news/id1673812871, https://open.spotify.com/show/3QxOw987rra5ZpAmqEWFd5, https:// www.clearcreekcounty.us/1379/Communications

From Page 6: visit www.evergreenfirerescue.com, https://mountainyouthnetwork.org/

The Clear Creek County Health and Wellness Center is here for you!

Vaccine Walk-In Wednesday Clinic: Primary Moderna (ages 6 month-5 years), Bivalent Omicron Booster (age 6 months and up), Flu, Tdap, Hepatitis A, and more. All Childhood Immunizations 0-18 years old. No appointment needed! You can preregister by calling 303-670-7528.

Hours: Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Wellness Clinics: By appointment only. You can set up and appointment by calling 303-670-7528. The Clinic can check oxygen levels, temperature, blood pressure, and more!

Lead Testing: Walk-in Wednesday from 10:00 am to 2:00 p.m., or by appointments on other days. You can set up an appointment by calling 303-670-7528.

(WIC): This program is for mothers and infants. It takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information, contact WIC Coordinator Donna Prentner, RD, RN, at 970-409-6907 or dprentner@clearcreekcounty.us.

Dental Clinics: For all ages! Cleanings, X-rays, Fluoride treatments, tooth extractions, and more! Most insurances are accepted including Medicaid. Sliding scale/low cost options are also available. Scholarships available for ages 65 and up with no insurance. Taking place on the last Wednesday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Health and Wellness Center. Call 303-670-7546 to make an appointment. Walk-ins also welcome!

Mammogram Mobile Unit: The Saint Joseph Hospital Mobile Mammography Van is coming soon! the Mammogram Van comes once every few months to the Health and Wellness Center in Idaho Springs. You can call and set up an appointment time at 303-670-7528. Appointments take as little as 15 minutes. There is little or no cost as most insurance plans will cover the entire cost of the screening.It accepts Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurances. Your results are typically back in 72 hours or less. Please make sure to bring your photo ID and insurance card to appointment. We will keep you updated on when the van will be back in the County.

COVID-19 Testing: There is no longer PCR testing. Rapid tests are available for free at the Health and Wellness Center in Idaho Springs or at the Georgetown Library.

Other Services:

• Primary Care

• State and Federal Eligibility Programs

• Mental and Behavioral Health providers accepting Medicaid

• Clear Creek County Public Health

• Other CDPHE and CORE services

• Food Pantry (VOA also does free lunches on Wednesdays at 12:00 at the Georgetown Community Center)

Health and Wellness Center

1969 Miner Street

Idaho Springs, CO 80452

As always, if you have questions, want updates, want to to set up an appointment, or want to leave a message for a nurse, you can call the Public Health Information Line at 303-670-7528.