San Juan Regional Medical Center has deep roots in the Four Corners, shaped by the same enduring spirit that flows through the San Juan, Animas, and La Plata rivers. Since 1910, when Drs. G.W. Sammons and A.M. Smith opened the first family hospital in San Juan County, we’ve grown in response to the needs of our community—driven by values of sacred trust, personal reverence, thoughtful anticipation, team accountability, and creative vitality.
What makes us truly unique is how we’re structured: we are a community-owned, not-for-profit hospital governed by a volunteer board of community members. We exist to serve the people of this region, not shareholders. That structure ensures our decisions are guided by what’s best for our patients, families, and neighbors—keeping our focus local and personal.
From a modest four-room, eight-bed facility, we’ve expanded steadily thanks to the support of our community, visionary leadership, and dedicated staff. Major milestones include the 1952 construction of a new 40-bed hospital, the addition of intensive care and nuclear medicine in the 1970s, and major technological and service advancements in the 1980s and 1990s—from MRI and Air Care to trauma services and childbirth.
The San Juan Medical Foundation, founded in 1985, has helped fund many of these innovations, including the Cancer Treatment Center—bolstered by the generous support of the Robert W. Umbach Foundation.
Entering the 21st century, we continued to grow with expanded emergency and behavioral health services and the Visioning 2002 initiative, which brought together our board, staff, and community to reimagine healthcare. That effort led to the 2006 opening of the East Tower, a family-centered space featuring private rooms, healing gardens, and a welcoming environment that reflects our values.
Today, more than 1,800 employees, along with a dedicated medical staff and a strong volunteer network, continue to uphold the legacy of our founders. We invest in our people through onsite childcare, staff wellness programs, and a culture of teamwork and accountability. Our commitment extends beyond the hospital with community support groups, outreach programs, and participation in events like the Cancer Walk-a-Thon and Day of Caring.
At San Juan Regional Medical Center, every step forward has been shaped by our commitment to community. Our structure, our values, and our people are all part of a living legacy—one that continues to evolve, just like the rivers that flow through San Juan County, to meet the needs of those we serve.
