Si Hutt, administrator at Heber Valley Hospital (left) receives leadership award from Ashley Moretz from the Utah Department of Health
Congratulations to Si Hutt, Heber Valley Hospital administrator, who has received the 2021 leadership award from the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) Office for Primary Care and Rural Health for his leadership and the hospital’s success during challenging times.
“It’s an honor to recognize Si for his good work at Heber Valley Hospital,” says Ashley Moretz, director of primary care and rural health for the UDOH. “It was under his leadership that Heber Valley was remodeled, and chemotherapy and new TeleHealth services added. The hospital was named the Heber Valley Chamber Business of the Year and partnered with the local health department to respond effectively to the global pandemic. The facility has had a very positive impact on this community.”
Rob Graul, manager of patient experience at Heber Valley Hospital, says, “Si exemplifies servant leadership through his humble and steady commitment to Heber Valley Hospital patients and caregivers each day. He is also a strong ambassador to the community and values his relationships with community leaders.”
“It’s the fabulous and committed caregivers and providers at Heber Valley who’ve done the heavy lifting on these accomplishments,” says Si. “They’ve adapted to a quickly changing healthcare environment and continue to focus on providing extraordinary care to each individual.”
Si has been with Intermountain for nine years, and in his current role since 2018.
Tamara Sheffield, MD
Congratulations to Tamara Sheffield, MD, who will receive the 2021 Romney Institute N. Dale Wright Distinguished Alumnus of the Year from Brigham Young University. The award is given annually to an alumnus of the BYU Marriott Master of Public Administration program who has demonstrated extraordinary service and leadership in public/nonprofit sectors and in their community. Dr. Sheffield is Intermountain’s medical director for community health and prevention and medical director for the community pharmacy immunization program where she oversees preventive medicine efforts for Intermountain.
“Dr. Sheffield promotes health and wellness to the community through advocacy and community partnerships,” says Naresh Agarwal, MD, associate chief medical officer for primary care. “Her contribution in protecting the community through immunization is praiseworthy. She spent the past year as the medical lead for Intermountain’s delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine to the community.”
Dr. Sheffield partners with healthcare administrators, physicians, and community leaders on developing preventive medicine programs for patients and communities. She’s particularly interested in protecting the community through immunization. In addition to being the medical lead for Intermountain’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution to the community, she chairs the Utah Adult Immunization Coalition and co-chairs Intermountain’s Immunization Community Collaborative. She was also involved in the medical planning and distribution of vaccine for the 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza, and co-chairs Intermountain’s Pandemic Planning Committee.
She is a past liaison to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (AICP), representing America’s Health Insurance Plans, and is currently a member of the ACIP Influenza Work Group. She worked with the CDC National Immunization Program Technical Working Group on Immunization Registries and chaired the group that developed the Utah State Immunization Information System (USIIS) registry.
Dr. Sheffield is an alumnus of the University of Utah School of Medicine. She received a master’s degree in public administration from the BYU Marriott School of Management and has a master’s degree in public health from the Medical College of Wisconsin. She’ll be honored at the BYU Conference Center on November 5.
Perry Gee, PhD, RN, (left) and Lauri Linder, PhD
A standing ovation to Perry Gee, PhD, RN, Intermountain nurse scientist, and Lauri Linder, PhD, clinical nurse specialist at Primary Children’s Hospital, who’ve received one of the highest honors in nursing. They were recently inducted in the 2021 Class of Fellows for the American Academy of Nursing (AAN).
They recently joined 225 nursing leaders from across the country as they were recognized for their significant contributions to health and healthcare at the Academy’s annual Health Policy Conference, where attendees participated either in person in Washington, DC, or virtually.
“Achieving the honor as a fellow in the AAN validates the years of service I’ve given to the nursing profession and the tremendous gifts nursing has given me,” Perry says. “I am humbled to become a member of this prestigious group of nurses and hope my future contributions to the profession will live up to their extraordinary standards.”
The Academy is comprised of more than 2,900 nursing leaders who are experts in policy, research, administration, practice, and academia, and who champion health and wellness, locally and globally.
Perry has made significant contributions building innovative practice, policy, and interventions within clinical nursing informatics practice and nurse well-being at the state, regional, and national levels. As the first system nurse scientist for Intermountain, he has created a culture for nursing inquiry and has co-led interdisciplinary mental well-being strategies during the pandemic.
Lauri’s contributions have advanced symptom management and supportive care for children adolescents, and young adults with cancer. Her work has been disseminated nationally and internationally through publications and through clinical practice guidelines.
Cheers and farewell to Alberto Vasquez, who has announced his plans to retire from Intermountain next April, after 35 years with the organization. Alberto is the administrator of Garfield Memorial Hospital, in Panguitch, Utah, a position he’s held since 2003.
“Alberto has been an amazing leader who has helped this rural hospital truly excel and meet the needs of the residents of Garfield County in a meaningful way,” says Jim Sheets, vice president and chief operating officer of Specialty-based Care. “Alberto is smart, resourceful, and one of the kindest individuals I’ve worked with. He has made a big different to this organization and leaves the hospital and his community better places. I’m excited for Alberto to pursue other dreams and passions and wish him and his wife, Meri, well in this transition.”
During his tenure at Garfield, Alberto has overseen significant facility development, including a $6 million remodel of the campus. Garfield has been recognized as one of the top 100 Critical Access Hospitals and have been nationally recognized by Press Ganey’s Guardian and Pinnacle awards for top tier customer service in emergency and outpatient services. The nursing home service, which is unique to the Garfield facility, has been awarded “Best in Class” for multiple years. Alberto has also played a role in helping develop Intermountain’s strategy around neighborhood hospitals.
In 2019, Alberto’s facility was in the national spotlight when a tourist bus was in an accident near Bryce Canyon National Park, killing four and injuring 24 people. Garfield Memorial treated many of those patients—a situation seldom experienced by a small rural hospital—and helped coordinate with other Intermountain facilities for transfers.
Alberto has been active in the community, participating in the Panguitch Prevention Coalition, Southwest Utah Healthcare Preparedness Coalition along with other committees. He has also served as the chair of the Rural Hospital Council of the Utah Hospital Association and is a board member of the Utah Hospital Association.
Prior to taking the assignment at Garfield, Alberto worked at Utah Valley Hospital and was the administrator of Star Valley Hospital in Afton, Wyoming. A search process for Alberto’s replacement will begin in the next few weeks.