Tuesday, October 11, 2016
San Juan Regional Medical Center COO to Retire Following Four Decades of Service
San Juan Regional Medical Center’s Chief Operating Officer, John Buffington, will retire this month following four decades of service to the hospital and the local medical community. His experience, insight and knowledge have helped shape San Juan Regional Medical Center into the multifaceted healthcare provider it is today, with a Level III Trauma Center, Cancer Center, Heart Center and numerous specialty clinics.
Mr. Buffington has seen tremendous growth at San Juan Regional Medical Center during his career, including the East Tower expansion in 2006, adding 72 private patient rooms and eight new operating suites to the hospital, the opening of the Medical Office Building on South Schwartz Avenue as well as the construction of the new San Juan Regional Cancer Center among many other significant hospital initiatives. During his service his work has helped to greatly expand the medical services offered to Four Corners residents. His most recent efforts and oversight helped in bringing the San Juan Health Partners Walk-In Clinic to Bloomfield. It opened in August 2016.
During Mr. Buffington’s time at SJRMC, he not only served as COO, but was also the acting CEO after Steve Altmiller left in 2009. With the support and respect of physicians, staff and the board, his effective leadership led to a smooth transition for the hospital then, and will again after his retirement.
“John lives and breathes SJRMC’s Core Values and always puts the patients first, demonstrating Sacred Trust,” President and CEO Jeff Bourgeois said. “His focus on providing quality, personalized care has left a lasting legacy on SJRMC and we are grateful to John for his 40 years of dedicated service.”