I retired in 2022 after a 30-year career in general surgery, including Level 1 trauma, critical care, and minimally invasive procedures. I spent my career at a nonprofit medical center on Chicago’s West Side — a hospital deeply committed to serving vulnerable populations.

Throughout that time, I held leadership roles including:

• Chair of the Department of Surgery

• Chair of multiple key hospital committees

• Program Director of the University of Illinois General Surgery Residency

• Board of Governors, a 200+ physician multispecialty group

I also earned a Master’s in Health Professional Education and mentored generations of young surgeons.

Now, living full-time in Telluride, I’m ready to apply that experience in a way that strengthens our local healthcare system and supports the wellbeing of this community.

Meet

Stephen R. Wise

MD

Why I’m Running

There is currently no physician representation on the Telluride Hospital District Board — yet the board makes critical decisions that impact patient care, provider support, and long-term planning for healthcare access in the region.

I’m running because:

• Our board should reflect healthcare expertise

• I’ve worked across the clinical and administrative divide, finding solutions that respect both sides

• I’ve led in systems where quality, equity, and sustainability are non-negotiable

This isn’t just about policy. It’s about people. I believe deeply in patient-centered care, and I want to ensure that as Telluride grows, its healthcare infrastructure grows with it — thoughtfully, responsibly, and with the right voices at the table.