Gigi Darricades has been selected as Woman of the Year for 2019. On May 10, Woman’s Citizenship Club of Alamosa met to honor her efforts and learn more about some of her many contributions to the field of healthcare in the San Luis Valley and beyond in Colorado and New Mexico.

Members unanimously selected Darricades who recently retired from her position as chief executive officer of Valley Wide Health Systems. The club has named a Woman of the Year since 1994.

Darricades began her career as an attorney specializing in the areas of health care, business, non-profit and conservation law, mainly working in New Mexico and Colorado. Early in her career she held various administrative positions in New Mexico hospitals.

Later, serving in several capacities in the statewide Colorado Community Health Network, she helped medically underserved small towns establish many community health centers that are thriving today.

Darricades also served as a board member for the Colorado Foundation for Universal Health Care and the Community Managed Care Network. Her many contributions have influenced, guided and improved healthcare throughout Colorado.

Woman’s Citizenship Club President Linda Cozart said, “Gigi has made invaluable contributions that have improved and broadened health care in the San Luis Valley and throughout the state of Colorado. We are happy and proud to have her as our Woman of the Year!”

Woman’s Citizenship Club is a member of the Colorado Federation of Women’s Clubs and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs. Since its beginning in the 1890s, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs continues to be one of the oldest.