Dr. Jonathan Tashkin is a board-certified emergency room physician and the chief of medical staff for St. Vincent Health.

Dr. Tashkin’s healthcare career began with his EMT certification, which he obtained while he was a climbing guide so he could handle wilderness emergencies. That sparked his affinity for prehospital medicine and emergency medicine. He completed medical school at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and residency at Denver Health Emergency Medicine.

Now he works for CarePoint, the group of physicians who staff the emergency room at St. Vincent Health. “CarePoint has been delivering quality care in emergency departments throughout the Denver metro area for over 20 years,” says Dr. Tashkin. “Our providers bring that experience to Lake County and also influence prehospital and emergency medical services direction for the hospital, and search and rescue education for the community.”

His patient care philosophy is to offer compassionate and quality care to every patient who comes through the doors of the emergency department. And in his leadership role as chief of medical staff, he extends that philosophy to overseeing the physicians and advanced practice providers at St. Vincent Health to ensure both quality care, and expansion of policies and procedures as the medical services rapidly grow.

Dr. Tashkin is passionate about rural healthcare; it’s central to his desire to serve Leadville and Lake County.

“I became incredibly impressed with the essential services that critical access facilities provide local communities through my work as a trauma reviewer for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment,” says Dr. Tashkin. For six years, he traveled throughout the state helping with trauma programs at critical access hospitals.

“I’ve seen the difference these programs can make in the lives of the people in the communities they serve. When I was offered the opportunity to work at St. Vincent, I eagerly jumped at the chance to offer my services to this amazing community.”

When Dr. Tashkin isn’t caring for patients or guiding the medical staff at St. Vincent, he’s likely spending family time with his wife Mary and the couple’s two elementary-aged children. He still loves to climb. The family also bikes, bakes, skis and plays music together.