About Us

Portrait of a woman in a black religious habit and white wimple, with a calm expression, looking slightly to the side, set against an oval background—symbolizing compassion at Montrose Health Care.

Our Story

With its canyons and rivers, thriving university, and award-winning wineries, western Colorado is a beautiful place to live, work and enjoy growing up or growing old. What’s even more beautiful is the caring spirit of the people who live here.

PrimeHealth+ is proof of that caring spirit. Supported in part by generous community donations and a wealth of partnerships, PrimeHealth+ offers comprehensive, primary healthcare that is changing lives, easing pain and restoring hope for thousands of neighbors and friends.

Our Marillac Origins

Formerly known as Marillac Clinic or MarillacHealth, the organization is proud of its grassroots origin. In the 1980s an economic bust dealt a staggering blow to the western Colorado economy, hurtling thousands of energy workers into sudden unemployment. While some 15,000 people left the area, the families that remained needed help while they cobbled their lives back together. Local leaders, including many from St. Mary’s Hospital, worked to create Marillac, a safety net clinic, to offer affordable medical, dental and behavioral healthcare—and now pharmacy services—to people who were uninsured or destitute. St. Mary’s Hospital, then a member of the Kansas-based Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth health system, became Marillac’s fiscal sponsor.

Named after the beloved French nun and activist, Saint Louise de Marillac (1591-1660), Marillac Clinic fast became known for its mission of charitable healthcare. In its early days, Marillac operated on a shoestring budget and was staffed primarily by volunteer doctors and dentists. Marillac gained regional recognition as an innovator and early adopter in healthcare solutions.

A modern medical building labeled PRIME HEALTH with large windows and landscaped flower beds in the parking lot, several cars, and a few people walking toward the entrance under a partly cloudy sky, representing quality healthcare in Grand Junction.

Expansion & Growth in Our Community

In 1999 Marillac introduced Integrated Care. Behavioral Health Providers were embedded (integrated) within medical teams so that all patients could choose to receive supportive behavioral healthcare as part of their routine office visits, to address stress, anxiety, sleeplessness, addiction and other challenges. Integrated Care is still in full use today at our sites.

In 2015 Marillac joined the nation’s Community Health Center (CHC) system. After our 2024 merger with The PIC Place of Montrose, Marillac expanded its service area from one county to seven. Renamed PrimeHealth+ in 2025, the organization experienced tremendous growth over the past decade, from 5,546 patients (2015) to 16,426 (2024).

The name PrimeHealth+ was chosen by Marillac’s mission-focused staff and our Board of Directors. It is a name with plenty of meaning. Prime means standing first, in visibility and quality. The word Health implies our focus on well care, not just sick care. And Plus (or +) alludes to the dynamic array of services you can always expect from us. Today, PrimeHealth+ provides the same comprehensive healthcare, and caring spirit, as in years gone by—for the individuals, families and communities we are privileged to serve.

Our Mission & Beliefs

PrimeHealth+ has a straightforward mission: “Together, we deliver exceptional healthcare for all.” Our mission is not just words—it unites us and fuels our commitment to respectful, understandable, affordable healthcare.
PrimeHealth+ offers a great deal of convenience because our care includes medical, dental, behavioral healthcare and pharmacy services. We have worked hard to learn what patients want and what our workforce needs to deliver exceptional healthcare. Every day, across our many service sites, you will find these six beliefs in action:
In our world, all people deserve dignity, sensitivity to their life circumstances and judgement-free healthcare. PrimeHealth+ places the patient at the center of his or her care team, so we can genuinely listen to your concerns and support your goals toward personal health and wellness.