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Don Cook, a newly appointed The Memorial Hospital board member, said he'll have no preconceived notions going into his five-year term on the board, which begins later this month.

"I don't have any axes to grind," said Cook, a long-time Moffat County resident. "I'm going into this with a fresh outlook."

Cook, 53, has been a farmer and rancher for the past 36 years. He said he vied for the hospital board position because he wanted to "try to make a positive influence on the community."

The Moffat County Commission unanimously appointed him Tuesday to fill a TMH board vacancy created by the departure of long-time board member Sue Lyster.

He was one of five candidates who applied for the position.

County Commission chairman Tom Gray said Cook's background was a factor in his appointment.

"He's got good experience as far as business and numbers : and that's one of the things the (TMH) board said was needed," Gray said.

Cook's stance on going into his board term with an open mind also was an attractive prospect, the Commission chairman said.

"He didn't have a personal agenda," Gray said.

He added, "His agenda was to add something. : He's got a vested interest in the hospital succeeding."

Cook comes to the board at a particularly important time for TMH. The hospital currently is in the midst of building a multi-million dollar new facility in west Craig, attempting to decide the future of its current building at 785 Russell St., and recruiting new family practice doctors to shore up a shortage in the community.

In his letter to the County Commission stating his interest in the board vacancy, Cook wrote that a goal of his would be to "try and attract some new doctors to our community," in light of the current shortage.

"That's what I'd like to see," he said. "We need some more doctors here in Craig."

He also wants to do what he can to ensure "our community (has) the best possible health care for its residents," and a new hospital "that the community is proud of."

Cook soon will go through an orientation program for new hospital board members. He said he's eager to get learn more about the hospital and its operations.

"It's going to take a while to get a feel for it," he said.

"I'm going to try and be quiet and listen and learn at first."

Joshua Roberts can be reached at 875-1791, or jroberts@craigdailypress.com.