Chairman of the Board

Tom Westfall, Writer, Parent Educator, Human Services Consultant, Wray, Colorado, Appointed: April 2006 to a four-year term

"Healthy people are the cornerstones of a healthy society," says Tom Westfall, Caring for Colorado Board Chair, who has a personal and historical perspective on the sustainability of societies in Colorado. Westfall is a Colorado native who grew up on the prairie of Yuma County in search of the stone and bone reminders of this land's pre-history. He has written four artifact-related books for collectors and works extensively with the professional archaeology community both in site exploration and excavation. While his fascination with ancient cultures is an avocation, his interests also lie in helping today's societies thrive. "As a lifetime resident of rural Colorado, I have seen many situations where access to quality health care was difficult to obtain. My primary interest is in ensuring access to health care for all Colorado residents," says Westfall.

Westfall worked in Social Services for more than three decades and continues to consult with companies in that field. He has expertise in the areas of program development, strategic planning for non-profit organizations and, "all things rural," he says. Westfall has worked on a volunteer basis with numerous community-based organizations including the Children's Trust Fund, the Centennial Mental Health Center Board, the 13th Judicial Meth Task Force, the State VALE Board, the Yuma County Youth Center Board, CASA of the Plains and the Baby Bear Hugs program.

Key areas of focus for both providers and funders, says Westfall, must be to "remove barriers to access to health care, integrate physical and behavioral health and educate consumers on how to use health care effectively." Westfall is one to ponder and ask tough questions: "When it comes to the cost of basic care for Colorado residents," he asks, "How does Colorado develop an ‘entitlement' to basic care, and how do we sell this in a way that it isn't a ‘universal governmental health care model.'"

When not consulting in the field of social services or providing parent education, Westfall continues writing his archaeology books and now even children's books. He continues sharing his love of the high plains, building strong family ties through his hobby, being a songwriter, storyteller and someone who enjoys the pursuit of all things ancient.