Petronella Adomako, MD, celebrates with hospital leadership her new role as medical staff president of McKay-Dee.
Congratulations to Petronella Adomako, MD, the first woman and first Black medical staff president of McKay-Dee Hospital in its 100+ year history. Dr. Adomako is an infectious diseases physician whose leadership has been a calming force during COVID-19. Dr. Adomako and her team worked to make sure the ICU wouldn’t be overwhelmed and helped put a system in place that turned regular hospital rooms into temporary COVID-19 ICU units. The hospital battled a five-month surge, caring for more than 1,100 COVID patients.
“It’s been incredibly reassuring during a pandemic to have Dr. Adomako’s presence,” says Donna Chapman, RN, nurse administrator. “She’s collaborative, knowledgeable, and has conveyed calmness during crucial periods of the pandemic. I really admire and appreciate the way Dr. Adomako interacts with all our caregivers. She is truly an incredible person.”
“Dr. Adomako is able to have a most difficult conversation with you, and you still consider her your friend afterward. She’s a type of leader who can be successful in any position and task,” says Masood Safaee, MD, McKay-Dee medical director.
“Everyone that interacts with Dr. Adomako leaves the interaction feeling better,” says Mike Clark, McKay-Dee administrator. “She’s wise, trusting, helpful, and kind. As the medical staff president, she’s well-respected and thoughtful in her approach to issues we need to address. She has served on the hospital board for two years and has gained the respect and confidence of our board members. She’s an important part of our hospital leadership team.”
Dr. Adomako grew up in Ghana, and her medical career in infectious diseases and her marriage brought her to Ogden, Utah. She shares her cultural experience each year and gives healthcare advice as a speaker at the Ghana Association of Utah on March 6, which is Ghana’s Independence Day.
John Mitchell, MD, rejoins the U.S. Army to give back
A standing ovation to John Mitchell, MD, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Utah Valley Hospital, who’s rejoining the U.S. Army as a way of showing gratitude for the opportunity afforded to him years ago that led to a long career in medicine. Dr. Mitchell will use his professional training and expertise to help treat patients and counsel medical staff during an initial four-year enlistment in the U.S. Army Reserves.
“I hope to be involved in cardiac surgery training in the Army, the enhancement of the Army Medical Corps, and potentially even some degree of recruiting physicians,” Dr. Mitchell says. “And I hope I can give back something that I’ve learned in the civilian world to my partners in the operating room in the Army.”
Sgt. 1st Class William Reese, commander for the Salt Lake City Army Medical recruiting station says, “He’s bringing with him a wealth of experience that’s going to make him a more well-rounded officer, a leader, and a provider.”
Dr. Mitchell adds, “I want to provide some payback for what the Army’s offered me, and hopefully I can be of benefit to others.”