The Maverick magazine is a great way to stay in touch with current events at your alma mater, old classmates and the bright future of Colorado Mesa University.
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includes task trainers, mannequins and simulators, all of which teach students clinical skills. “We commend Colorado Mesa University for its recognition of the continuing need for trained health care professionals in the region,” said Caring for Colorado President and CEO Chris J. Wiant, PhD, when announcing the grant. Petersen is also appreciative of CMU’s leadership. “The MPAS program puts CMU on the map for producing capable and caring health care providers. Dr. Bronson is an amazing leader and this program has the potential to create compassionate and driven leaders. Grand Junction will benefit so much.” • Editor’s Note: The MPAS program is in the Department of Kinesiology, which is planning to launch additional advanced health care degrees including Master of Science in Athletic Training in 2019 and Doctor of Occupational Therapy in 2021. ALUMNA ONE OF THE FIRST PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS TO OWN AND OPERATE MEDICAL CLINIC When Erica Herrera-Klebold graduated from Mesa in 1999, she had two goals: to become a physician assistant (PA) and to live near her family in Grand Junction. What she didn’t know then, was that in her pursuit of these goals she’d become one of the first, if not the first, PA in Colorado to own and operate a medical clinic. Until July 2010, Colorado PAs were required to work under physicians and couldn’t own medical practices. Unaware of this prohibition, when the physician for whom Herrera-Klebold had worked since 2006 moved on, she saw an opportunity. “I asked myself, ‘why can’t I own this clinic?’” Herrera-Klebold said. When attorneys told her she couldn’t unless pending state legislation was enacted, she decided to go ahead and “bank on the law changing.” Two months after the law changed, Herrera-Klebold and her husband and business partner, Mason Klebold, purchased Work Partners Occupational Health. Work Partners Occupational Health treats work place injuries, 90% of which are muscular and skeletal, which are HerreraKlebold’s preferred emphases. Work Partners has 14 employees, including five CMU graduates. Supporting CMU and working with students via internships, clinical rotations and classroom training are priorities for Herrera-Klebold. As she puts it, “I absolutely want to be involved with CMU in any way I can.” •