Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center Foundation announced today that Charles "Charlie" Forster will be formally inducted into the HRRMC Hall of Fame.
Forster will be honored at the Jewel Ball, the Founda
tion's annual fundraising gala, on Sept. 24 at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds. The hospital established its Hall of Fame in 2012 to honor individuals who have made an enduring commitment to quality health care in the Upper Arkansas Valley.
A Colorado native and local banker, Forster has worked tirelessly on behalf of the hospital since the early 1990s when he co-chaired the successful 1991-92 capital campaign that raised over $700,000 for the last major addition to the original hospital on First Street. In May 1996, Forster was elected to the Salida Hospital District Board and served eight years in that capacity. He ran again in 2012 and served a third four-year term.
Beginning in 1998, Forster also served as chairman of the HRRMC Foundation, a position he held for 16 years. Under his leadership the hospital raised more than $2.2 million in grants, gifts and pledges for construction of the new hospital.
Forster graduated from Denver University in 1970 with a degree in business administration and moved to the Upper Arkansas Valley in 1985. He has been married to his wife, Connie, for 48 years. They have a daughter, Becky, and son-in-law, Dan, and three grandsons, Owen, Liam and Collin.
"We are honored to recognize such an outstanding individual and welcome all to attend our twelfth annual Jewel Ball on Sept. 24," said HRRMC Foundation Director Kimla Robinson. Sponsorship opportunities are available by calling 530-2218. Tickets go on sale Aug. 1.
The HRRMC Foundation provides the hospital with financial support to facilitate innovative programs and provide state-of-the-art health care services to the Salida Hospital District.
