Jill and Dave Mertens are passionate about giving back to the communities they are part of. Inspired by Vail Health’s mission and staff, they contribute through philanthropy, volunteering, and board service to advance healthcare in our valley.
Jill volunteers in The Borgen Family Emergency Department and Trauma Center. “Being part of the Volunteer Corps fills me up because it is something productive I’m doing,” she says. “People are so appreciative when you take the time to add a little hospitality.”
Dave recently joined the Vail Health Foundation Board, drawn by the organization’s transparency and clarity of mission. With a long career in investments, he brings financial expertise to his board work and is focused on helping the foundation grow its impact.
A Life Built Around Giving
Jill grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, while Dave was raised in Muncie, Indiana. Throughout their childhoods, they watched their parents support their communities through church, the Rotary Club, and local organizations, which cultivated that same spirit of generosity in them.
When their careers brought them to Atlanta—Jill working for an airline and Dave starting out in investments—a mutual friend introduced them at the gym. They got married, started a family, and true to their upbringing, found ways to give back however they could.
“When you have young families, you’re not always financially able to give, but we’ve always found a way, even if it was just our time,” says Jill.
Putting Down Roots in Vail
Dave eventually took a job in Denver, and the family visited East Vail in 2000. They enjoyed their visit so much that they decided to purchase a second home just down the street from where they stayed, spending weekends there for years. Dave’s work later brought them to Oregon. There, they deepened their commitment to healthcare—Jill joined the Randall Children’s Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees, and Dave became involved with Legacy Health.
In 2017, the Mertens made Vail their primary residence, spending time hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing here. They also maintain a home in Lake Oswego, Oregon, where they enjoy time on the water, gardening, and keeping in touch with friends. But for Jill and Dave, staying active and involved has never been just about the activities—it’s about the connections those activities foster and the communities they strengthen along the way.
From Gratitude to Impact
The Mertens have seen firsthand the exceptional care that Vail Health has provided over the years. A few years back, when their son Jack faced hemolytic anemia, Scott McCorvey, MD, and his team provided lifesaving treatment that strengthened the couple’s dedication to the organization. Their own experiences reinforced their respect for the staff’s warmth and professionalism, inspiring the couple to get more involved.
“I think it’s pretty powerful what Vail Health is doing, and we are happy to be a part of it,” says Dave.
Together, they have made generous gifts supporting Eagle Valley Behavioral Health, My Future Pathways, and the Behavioral Health Innovation Center—reflecting their belief in addressing immediate needs while also investing in research.
“We really like the combination of efforts going towards research, but also towards treating people now,” says Jill. “We’ve seen the value in doing it while we’re able to be engaged and see the outcomes,” adds Dave.
I think it’s pretty powerful what Vail Health is doing, and we are happy to be a part of it.”– Dave Mertens