Who We Are: Dr. Michael Neste

Dr. Michael Neste is the medical director of the Department of Radiology and the chief of medical staff at Family Health West in Fruita. Spoke+Blossom asked him some questions about his role in the Grand Valley community.

Courtesy Dr. Michael Neste

Spoke+Blossom: How does your role at Family Health West help you contribute to the community? 

Dr. Michael Neste: I contribute to the community by running a full-service, state-of-the-art Imaging Center for the lower Grand Valley, which includes MRI and CT scans, X-rays, ultrasounds and mammography. Because we are a smaller department, we are able to provide a personalized and efficient experience. Many of our patients drive from outside of the area to receive their medical imaging here, due to the ease of navigating the system and the personal touch we provide. 

The most rewarding aspect of my job is to be able to make a personal difference in the patient’s radiology experience. I realize that no one really wants to visit the clinic because it means they have a health concern or medical issue. So, our goal is to make their experience as pleasant as possible. Our technologists are top-notch and go above and beyond the norm to make the patient feel cared for and important. I am grateful to be in a setting that allows me to spend time with many of our patients and actually help direct their care. 

Additionally, my contribution to the community does not end at the clinic. Annually, I have taken a portion of my salary, and with the backing of Family Health West, we donate to local nonprofits that are generally focused on the arts, including the Art Center of Western Colorado, the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra, High Desert Opera, The Fruita Arts and Culture board and the Dinosaur Museum. We have donated nearly $200,000 over the past six years. I personally feel that the arts are the key to a well-rounded community. 

In Grand Junction, we excel in outdoor recreation; our business and infrastructure are flourishing. We have a small, amazing core of arts and culture in our community, which helps provide an essential balance in life. These places need community support to exist, and I feel compelled to help ensure the success of these entities. 

S+B: Being a healthcare worker during a global pandemic requires strong groundwork. What keeps you grounded? 

MN: The pandemic has certainly been a stressor on the health care system, but it has made us more efficient, focused and nimble. The ability to adapt and change direction on a daily basis is not typical in medicine but has now become the norm. It has also required all different areas of the medical system to work together as a team. As a result, there will be many positive improvements in medical care that come from this pandemic. I stay grounded by enjoying the vast outdoor opportunities that the Grand Valley has to offer. I often go biking, hiking, skiing and fishing with my family. Fortunately, these have not been altered too much by the pandemic. 

Originally published in the Spring 2021 issue