From music to nursing, welcome aboard
Family Health West is excited to announce the addition of Eric Makovsky to senior leadership. In late July, Eric came on board as the Vice President of Hospital Operations role, which became vacant in June 2024.
Hospital operations is a leadership role that isn’t singular to the inpatient portion of FHW Hospital. Rather, this role encompasses nearly a dozen programs and departments, from nursing education to adult and pediatric rehabilitation, laboratory, respiratory, surgery, the FHW Emergency Department, and more. This role oversees the most fragile of patients in our care from those patients in the hospital to the youngest of pediatric rehab patients. Joining the Family Health West team with a versatile background of experience and the ability to pivot to the ever-evolving needs of those reporting to this vice president role would take a special person.
“We found the unique gift of qualities in Eric when he shared with us his compassion for healing and history of leading teams,” Dr. Korrey Klein, FHW CEO said. “He has such a unique set of skills from a vast variety of experience and training.”
Eric is a United States Navy veteran, having enlisted in 2001. While still serving in the US Navy he attended nursing school at Washington Adventist University School of Nursing earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing and then being commissioned into the Navy Nurse Corps in 2013. He went on to serve as an officer in the Nurse Corps for 11 years, primarily stationed in Portsmouth, VA, and San Diego, CA. During those years he served in many humanitarian deployments.
Eric also earned a master’s degree as a clinical nurse specialist and became certified as an advanced practice nurse and forensic healthcare provider. His Master of Science degree as a clinical nurse specialist along with obtaining a certificate as an advanced practice nurse and a forensic healthcare provider was obtained in 2018 from Point Loma Nazarene University, in San Diego.
“My passion is to bring compassionate, evidence-based care to the bedside and grow leaders at all levels of the medical profession,” Eric said.
Before the military and healthcare, Eric was a music teacher. For stress management and self-care, he is an avid runner – both on roads and trails. He has completed more than 40 marathons, including six Boston Marathon races. His trail running includes ultra trail running with fifteen 100-mile events to his credit. In addition, alongside his sons, he is a certified United States Soccer Federation soccer referee.
Eric, along with his wife Melanie have four children ranging in age from 14 to 26. In 2017, they visited Ouray and fell in love with western Colorado. Their goal then became to move west upon the completion of his military service. They are excited to immerse themselves in the Grand Valley community.
Other Notes–
Accomplishments:
MS – Master of Science (degree)
APRN – Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
ACCNS-P – ACCNS-P® is an entry-level advanced practice board certification for clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) educated at the graduate level to provide advanced nursing care across the continuum of healthcare services
CPN – Certified Pediatric Nurse
SANE-A – Sexual Assault Nurse Exam – Adult
