Anthony Coldren – Denver Eye Surgeons

Denver Eye Surgeons stands out as the premier multi-specialty vision care practice in Denver, Colorado. It is known for its commitment to providing exceptional patient care in a friendly and welcoming environment. With a team of board-certified eye surgeons who rank among the nation’s leading ophthalmologists, the practice prides itself on its dedication to adopting the latest technologies and maintaining a highly trained staff.

The practice is recognized for its clinical excellence and innovative eye care approach, offering a full spectrum of services catering to a diverse patient population. In recent years, Denver Eye Surgeons became part of a larger organization after Panorama Eye Care’s acquisition. This management services company has brought new opportunities for growth and efficiency.

Within this dynamic environment, Anthony Coldren, the director of facilities, plays a crucial role in aligning the facility’s operations with Denver Eye Surgeons’ mission to offer the best care and services possible. Coldren oversees the maintenance and management of the practice’s physical assets, including two state-of-the-art operating rooms and several other critical care areas. His role is crucial in ensuring that the facilities support the high standards of patient care that Denver Eye Surgeons is known for.

“I work closely with various departments to ensure that all aspects of facility management are streamlined and efficient,” Coldren tells Blueprint magazine. “Collaboration and communication are big keys to our success.”

Optimizing vendor partnerships

One of Coldren’s key initiatives at Denver Eye Surgeons is the ongoing effort to consolidate vendors, a project vital for maximizing efficiency and reducing operational costs. Coldren ensures that these critical areas receive the highest service and reliability by prioritizing the vendors that work with the surgery centers, where most of the practice’s revenue is generated. For smaller offices that do not have surgery centers, the strategy involves working with local vendors who can adequately handle their specific needs. This selective approach to vendor management allows Denver Eye Surgeons to create strong, dependable partnerships that effectively serve as extensions of the team.

“My focus on building and maintaining reliable vendor relationships is an ongoing effort to evaluate and optimize these partnerships to enhance overall efficiency continuously,” he explains.

In addition to vendor consolidation, Coldren is leading an initiative to improve asset management across the organization. This project involves collaborating with the finance team  to develop a more structured approach to managing and tracking assets, including the potential implementation of new software solutions. The goal is to provide better insights into the status and life cycle of the practice’s assets, enabling more accurate budgeting and planning. Having a comprehensive, up-to-date inventory easily accessible to all stakeholders, Coldren ensures that the organization can make informed decisions regarding future investments and maintenance needs. This initiative enhances operational efficiency and supports Denver Eye Surgeons’ strategic focus on growth and sustainability.

Another significant project under Coldren’s leadership is the ongoing evaluation and consolidation of preventive maintenance (PM) agreements. This effort is designed to secure better rates and optimize the maintenance of critical equipment while ensuring cost-effectiveness and risk management. By establishing a hierarchy of assets requiring PM agreements, Coldren’s team can prioritize resources and ensure that essential equipment is adequately protected and maintained.

“This strategic approach to asset management reduces costs and minimizes downtime, enhancing the overall reliability of the facilities,” Coldren says.

An integrated healthcare environment

Coldren also focuses on increasing communication and compatibility across the organization’s equipment portfolio. By collaborating with the IT team, he provides facilities support for implementing compatible platforms that enable seamless communication between devices across different locations. This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve the patient experience, ensuring that patients can receive consistent care regardless of the location or doctor they visit. By enhancing equipment compatibility and communication, Coldren is helping to create a more integrated and efficient healthcare environment, which is crucial for maintaining high standards of patient care and accessibility.

Beyond focusing on technical and operational projects, Coldren also plays a key role in leadership, recruiting, and retention. He understands the importance of building a strong team supporting the organization’s mission and values. To ensure the recruitment and retention of top talent, Coldren collaborates closely with the HR team to identify the needs of each department and find candidates who are skilled and a good cultural fit.

“The organization also offers financial reimbursement for employees pursuing additional education or certifications, which helps attract and retain motivated individuals committed to professional growth and development,” he says.

Coldren’s leadership style emphasizes collaboration and proactive problem-solving, which are essential qualities in healthcare facilities management’s dynamic and fast-paced environment. He recognizes that maintaining a positive and productive work environment is key to achieving the organization’s growth and efficiency goals. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement and encouraging open communication, Coldren ensures that his team is well-equipped to handle the challenges of maintaining a state-of-the-art healthcare facility.

“Our efforts to streamline operations, optimize resources and enhance the patient experience have significantly impacted the success of Denver Eye Surgeons and its ability to provide the highest quality care to its patients,” Coldren notes.

From military service to facilities management

Coldren’s journey is rooted in a strong technical background and a passion for operations. Growing up in a family of mechanics, welders, and technicians, Coldren developed an early interest in understanding electrical and mechanical systems. His fascination with how things work naturally led him to a career in facilities management.

 

After serving over six years in the United States Air Force and gaining hands-on experience working on A-10s and F-16s, Coldren pursued a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at the University of Colorado Denver. This education and military experience prepared him for a role in the healthcare industry, which he finds particularly rewarding due to its focus on patient care.

Coldren joined Denver Eye Surgeons in an operational role, where he quickly demonstrated his problem-solving skills and ability to implement technology to improve processes. His dedication and innovative approach helped him grow into the role of director of facilities, overseeing project management and operations across multiple sites. Committed to professional growth, he has also pursued industry-specific certifications.

“In facilities management, no two days are the same. New and unique situations constantly challenge you, but if you can focus and keep a positive attitude, it is a very rewarding career pathway full of opportunities to learn, grow and interact with individuals in many different professions,” Coldren says.