Studying Innovations in Mental Health Care
Pioneering Research and Transformative Treatments to Address the Mental Health Crisis
The Vail Health Behavioral Health Innovation Center (BHIC) was created to address the urgent need posed by mental health challenges that touch more lives than ever. BHIC serves as a hub for developing, testing, and translating innovative treatments that extend beyond the limitations of conventional mental health care. BHIC has moved rapidly with two largescale studies.
CHILL’D Study
Exploring whole-body heat therapy alone versus when paired with cold exposure to address symptoms of depression
OPTIMIZE Study
Examining how psychedelic-assisted therapy, now legalized in Colorado, can be made more effective by pairing it with noninvasive brain stimulation
CHILL’D Study
Exploring whole-body heat therapy alone versus when paired with cold exposure to address symptoms of depression
OPTIMIZE Study
Examining how psychedelic-assisted therapy, now legalized in Colorado, can be made more effective by pairing it with noninvasive brain stimulation
CHILL’D Study
Exploring whole-body heat therapy alone versus when paired with cold exposure to address symptoms of depression
OPTIMIZE Study
Examining how psychedelic-assisted therapy, now legalized in Colorado, can be made more effective by pairing it with noninvasive brain stimulation
Both studies leverage cutting-edge scientific methods available through the expertise of BHIC leadership and its university partnerships. Treatments that support neuroplasticity have shown great promise in treating those with treatment-resistant depression. This compelling evidence highlights both the crisis we face and the transformative potential of the research being conducted at the Vail Health BHIC — work that could dramatically improve outcomes for millions suffering from mental health conditions.
May 2023
Gift from the Shannons
- ▸Vail Health announced the Vail Health Behavioral Health Innovation Center — (BHIC), made possible by a transformative gift from Mary Sue and Mike Shannon. This initiative demonstrates a shared commitment to advancing behavioral health services and fostering regional innovation.
June 2023
Director Hired
- ▸Charles L. Raison, MD, was named Director of the Vail Health BHIC — He is Professor of Human Ecology and Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, along with holding various other appointments. Dr. Raison’s research focuses on the examination of novel mechanisms involved in the development and treatment of major depression, and other stress-related emotional and physical conditions. More recently, Dr. Raison has taken a leadership role in the development of psychedelic medicines as potential treatments for major depression. He was named one of the world’s most influential researchers by Web of Science for the decade of 2010 – 2019.
- ▸Collaborations secured – BHIC established collaborative relationships with researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Emory University, University of California, San Francisco, and the Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI) in Vail on initial studies focused on basic science and preclinical investigations. Future collaborations are envisioned with other institutions.
July 2023
Online Lecture Series Launched
- ▸Online lecture series launched – Novel medical education series hosted by BHIC in collaboration with UW-Madison brought worldrenowned speakers to these online talks.
- ▸BHIC team began their work — The BHIC team was hired and in place, including: Tina Sauder, Director of Clinical Trials and Regulatory Affairs; Dr. Barry Sandler, Chief Investigator for CHILL’D Study; Chloe Sorensen, Clinical Research Supervisor; and Dr. Ashley Mason, Co-Investigator for CHILL’D Study.
- ▸Precourt Healing Center broke ground — The community celebrated the ceremonial groundbreaking of the 50,000-square-foot Precourt Healing Center at the Edwards Community Health Campus. The campus was designed to serve as a central hub for behavioral health services.
August 2023
Learning Labs Introduced
- ▸With generous funding from Pat and Tony McMunn — an educational, in-person lecture series titled Vail Health Learning Lab Health Learning Lab begins. The first talk featured Dr. Giulio Tononi and Dr. Charles Raison speaking about innovative treatments for depression.
May 2024
CHILL’D Study Began
- ▸BHIC initiated its inaugural research project, the CHILL’D Study — (Cold and Heat Investigation to Lower Levels of Depression), aimed at quantifying the therapeutic potential of sauna and cold plunge interventions for individuals struggling with depression. This study examines the effects of Whole-Body Hyperthermia (WBH), a heat therapy using infrared saunas, both independently and in combination with cold water exposure. The objective is to determine whether cold exposure enhances or diminishes the antidepressant effects of WBH and how it interacts with standard antidepressants.
June 2024
- ▸Vail Health Learning Lab featured Ashley Mason, PhD, who spoke about sleep and its connection to mental health.
October 2024
- ▸Vail Health Learning Lab featured Dr. Tracy Balboni and Michael Balboni, PhD, on the topic of spirituality in health care.
January 2025
- ▸Vail Health Learning Lab featured Christof Koch, PhD – in a discussion with Dr. Raison about consciousness, co-sponsored with the Vail Symposium.
- ▸Hired Brandy Nunez, Study Coordinator – to move the CHILL‘D Study forward and help the OPTIMIZE Study through its start-up phase.
March 2025
- ▸Partnered with UW-Madison facilitator trainers – to conduct an in-depth training for over 30 facilitators at Vail Health. This pivotal session laid the groundwork for the OPTIMIZE Study by preparing the local team to deliver the intervention with confidence.
June 2025
OPTIMIZE Study Initiated
- ▸BHIC launched the OPTIMIZE Study – to investigate the effects of psilocybin on major depressive disorder. Participants in the OPTIMIZE Study receive a dose of pure psilocybin at the Wiegers Clinic, where they are supervised by a licensed therapist and a trained facilitator in a comfortable, living-room-style setting. To guide their experience, participants are offered music and an eye mask. The study will continue to monitor participants’ clinical progress through follow-up sessions, contributing valuable insights to research on alternative depression treatments.
July 2025
- ▸Vail Health Learning Lab featured Dr. Christine Whelan – in a session on living with purpose, co-sponsored with the Vail Valley Partnership.
