Community Hospital announced it will open Grand Valley Retina and Eye Center in January.

The hospital said in a Nov. 4 news release the retina and eye center will ensure continued access to specialized retinal care for residents of western Colorado and eastern Utah following the closure of The Retina Center of Western Colorado.

The news release said the new clinic is another example of Community Hospital’s commitment to identifying and responding to the health-care needs of the communities it serves, preserving access to essential medical services, and reducing the need for patients to travel outside of the region for specialized treatment.

Central to opening the retina and eye center, the news release said, was retaining Dr. C. Kiersten Pollard, a board-certified, fellowship-trained vitreoretinal surgeon who has cared for patients in the Grand Valley since August 2020. Pollard specializes in treating vision-threatening retinal conditions and is committed to providing sight-saving care to patients in western Colorado and eastern Utah.

“When we learned that our community was at risk of losing access to this important medical specialty, we recognized an opportunity and a responsibility to help preserve that care locally,” said Chris Thomas, president and CEO of Community Hospital. “Our commitment to our community goes beyond providing care within the walls of the hospital. It means listening to the needs of our residents, responding when gaps in care emerge, and making thoughtful investments that help strengthen health care access across the region.”

Grand Valley Retina and Eye Center will open in January at 2373 G Road, Suite 270. Dr. Pollard will begin seeing patients at her new practice on Jan. 4. Former patients of The Retina Center of Western Colorado will have the opportunity to continue their care with Dr. Pollard at her new practice.