FRISCO, COLORADO (May 28, 2026) – St. Anthony Summit Hospital has earned the prestigious Pediatric Advanced designation from the Colorado Pediatric Preparedness for the Emergency Room (COPPER) program.
COPPER is a voluntary pediatric readiness recognition program developed by EMS for Children Colorado in collaboration with statewide partners. The initiative was created to help emergency departments across Colorado achieve higher standards in pediatric emergency care. According to EMS Colorado, 69.4% of children seeking emergency care are cared for in emergency departments (EDs) that see fewer than 15 pediatric patients per day.
"Receiving the COPPER designation is an important recognition of St. Anthony Summit Hospital’s commitment to providing high-quality emergency care for children in our mountain community," said Trixie VanderSchaaff, St. Anthony Summit Hospital President. "As the only acute care hospital in Summit County, we know how important it is for families and visitors to have confidence that pediatric emergency preparedness, training, and care are a top priority. I’m incredibly proud of our emergency department team and all of the caregivers who work every day to ensure children receive safe, compassionate, and timely care close to home."
The program offers two levels of recognition: Pediatric Prepared and Pediatric Advanced, with the Advanced level representing the highest level of pediatric emergency readiness. To reach this level, St. Anthony Summit had to have Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinators (PECCs), both a nurse and a physician. The hospital also has added equipment and increased training around pediatric care.
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