A doctor who’s been involved in family medicine and health care administration has been selected as the new president and chief executive officer of Family Health West in Fruita.

Dr. Korrey Klein will succeed Mark Francis, who plans to retire in September after a career in the construction and health care sectors.

“I am incredibly honored and humbled to be able to serve and expand Family Health West’s mission of providing cost-effective, high-value health care to the citizens of Fruita and the surrounding communities,” Klein said. “I am passionate about what we are doing, and I look forward to bring us into a new generation of health care.”

Family Health West operates the Colorado Canyons Medical Center in Fruita and provides a range of health care services through other practices and facilities. Western Valley Family Practice, a group of family medical physicians, recently joined the organization.

Klein will serve as only the fourth CEO of Family Health West in its nearly 75-year history.

“This decision and selection was not made lightly,” said Blaine Buck, chairman of the Family Health West Board of Trustees. “We are excited that Dr. Klein shares the passion of his predecessors and will be ready to hit the ground running from day one.”

Klein joined Family Health West in 2018 as vice president of medical services and chief medical officer. He’d previously practiced family medicine in Western Colorado and been involved in health care administration. He earned his medical degree from the University of Colorado and completed his residency in Grand Junction.

Francis plans to remain on the job to assist Klein with the transition and a 20,000-square-foot medical center scheduled for completion in September.  Francis said he also plans to volunteer with the Family Health West Foundation and its fund-raising activities.

Francis joined Family Health West in 2008 as a consultant and became president and CEO in 2012, succeeding Dennis Ficklin. Francis was involved in the design and construction of Colorado Canyons in 2009 and what was at that time a 16-bed hospital as well as an expansion to 25 beds in 2017 and soon-to-be-completed medical center.

Francis also served as a leader and advisor to other health care organizations, including the Colorado Hospital Association, HopeWest and Western Health Care Alliance.

“I am looking forward to spending more time with my beautiful wife and sweetheart Debb, my six children and six grand kiddos,” Francis said. “I am leaving the organization in the best hands possible, along with the leaders and staff who truly make Family Health West the best place to receive care, to practice medicine and the best place to work.”

Prior to joining Family Health West, Francis also served as president and CEO of Community Hospital. He served as owner representative for HopeWest on a project to construct a new inpatient hospice facility in Grand Junction.

He co-founded and operated with his father and brother Francis Constructors Inc., now known as FCI Constructors, and retired after 25 years in the construction industry.