Why These Health Care Professionals Love Living in Pueblo
Like the beautiful Arkansas River that ambles through the city, living in Pueblo means enjoying life at an easier pace. An abundance of beautiful weather, friendly people and affordability, plus two hospitals – St. Mary-Corwin Hospital and UCHealth Parkview Medical Center – and many practice opportunities make Pueblo a great place to be a medical professional.
Two health care providers share why they chose to live and work in Pueblo.
Dr. Joel Dickerman, DO
Family Medicine St. Mary-Corwin Hospital Chief Medical Officer
It is easy for Dr. Joel Dickerman, doctor of osteopathic medicine, to explain why he loves calling Pueblo home. A warm smile spreads across his face when talking about “quiet evenings enjoying the hundreds of stars and getting to serve the amazing people who live here.”
Dr. Joel Dickerman
A native of Downers Grove, Illinois, Dickerman is excited about recently being named the new chief medical officer for St. Mary- Corwin Hospital. The facility has a long history, dating back to the 1880s, of serving the medical needs of Southern Colorado with compassionate and outstanding, faith-based care. Taking the reins of St. Mary-Corwin in April 2023, Dickerman has been a part of the region for 30 years as a physician, educator, medical director and physician adviser. He completed his medical training at Midwestern University and is board-certified in family medicine, with additional certification in hospice and palliative care.
“I was drawn to this area because of the opportunity to serve the Pueblo community,” Dickerman says. “I enjoy downtown and the Riverwalk area. It is easy to navigate across town, the great weather means a long golfing and cycling season, and I have the best work colleagues.”
His position at the hospital is his second practice in the Pueblo region.
“I had previously taught at the Southern Colorado Family Medicine Family Practice Residency in Pueblo for 10 years,” Dickerman says. “I provided training in ambulatory family practice, osteopathic manipulation and medical acupuncture.”
Dickerman would encourage other physicians to come to Pueblo because of the practice opportunities and an excellent physician community. He and his wife, Susan, have been married for 34 years and during his free time, the physician says he is not a “true handyman” but likes working on and updating their home.
Health Tip From Dr. Dickerman
Practice moderation – whether it be in eating or exercise, don’t overdo it. Enjoy, but don’t regret your actions.
Jan Philson
Mobile Nurse UCHealth Parkview Medical Center
Seared in the mind of Jan Philson, who is part of the UCHealth Parkview Medical Center’s team of mobile nurses, is a vivid memory. The experience took place in the courthouse during a monthly blood pressure screening event.
Jan Philson
“A man came in with his wife, who was there to get her driver’s license. We invited him to get his blood pressure checked. He initially refused but then agreed. We determined the man was experiencing an irregular heartbeat,” says Philson, the program’s clinical coordinator “We called his doctor who instructed us to immediately send him to the hospital emergency department where he experienced a heart attack. Being at the hospital saved his life.”
Most interactions Philson and her co-worker, Kim Dodds, have are not this level of an emergency, but the on-the-go duo of nurses are passionate about promoting health and wellness and make a big impact in Pueblo and the surrounding area. Both are certified in plant-based nutrition from Cornell University.
During a recent year, they touched the lives of more than 27,000 community members at businesses, farmers markets, schools, community events and other public locations, providing health screenings, vaccinations and education.
“We bring true, caring compassion and personal interaction with people,” says Philson, who has been married 40 years to her husband, Greg Philson, a local dentist. They both love living in Pueblo and enjoy the small-town feel.
Parkview recently celebrated a milestone of serving Pueblo and Southern Colorado for 100 years, and Philson says, “the mobile nurses program has really been encouraged and supported by the administration at the hospital. We have a collaborative relationship with other medical providers and often help connect people with a physician.”
Health Tip from Philson
Eat a diet of mostly fruits and vegetables; if it grows out of the ground, eat it. Get out in the sunshine and enjoy some free vitamin D, and it is very important to keep up with your health screenings.
