Gaia Institute Wellness Center
622 East 8th Street, Pueblo, Colorado 81001 | 719.545.8440
| info@gaiawellnesscenter.org

HISTORY & BACKGROUND

Gaia was founded July 1997, in Pueblo, Colorado. The organization was established in order to meet many of the unmet healthcare needs of the unserved and underserved people in Pueblo and surrounding communities. Gaia's primary purpose is improving the health and enhancing the quality of life of our community's youth, senior citizens, and medically undeserved.Our unique approach of incorporating the healing and fine arts addresses both therapeutic and educational formats providing the forum for positive growth, healing, and change.

Gaia supports, promotes, and utilizes an integrated approach to health care, incorporating conventional western medicine, complementary alternative medicine, and the arts to provide the most comprehensive, best possible treatment plan for each patient. Gaia is progressive, yet realistic in its diverse methods of serving the Pueblo Community.

Gaia is the only non-profit organization in Colorado that offers this vast array of services, allowing patients to receive nearly all of their outpatient care at one location.

Since its inception, Gaia has increased its number of health care providers from four to twenty-five, including a new part-time Medical Director.

All of Gaia's health care providers are highly trained and experienced in their respective fields. Additionally, they are all licensed, registered, certified, and insured as required, or allowed, by law. They come in on an as-needed basis and are affiliated with Gaia as independent contractors. Contracts are negotiated on a case by case basis. most providers donate their time. Others receive a stipend or expense reimbursement, some receive a percentage of the revenue they generate. Health care providers were paid only 4% of the 2001 budget.

Gaia opened its doors offering ten distinct healthcare services. The Wellness Center now offers more than sixty services.

The number of individuals willing to provide administrative and professional support has also grown. Volunteers perform the administrative, office, clerical, receptionist, and housekeeping functions. Consequently, the front office is only "manned" approximately half the time. To date, Gaia has no paid administrative or support staff.

Gaia is involved in or hosts several health-related and public events each year. Some of these events are for fund-raising purposes. Others focus on public awareness, relations, and education. All of these events are coordinated and carried out by a substantial group of highly dedicated volunteers.

©2004 Gaia Institute Wellness Center, All Rights Reserved.

Photography & Web Design by Kenneth Wajda Imaging, Westcliffe, CO