Wednesday, October 24, 2018
San Juan Regional Medical Center Announces 2018 Hall of Fame Inductees
San Juan Regional Medical Center’s Hall of Fame is growing by four new members. The inductees will be honored at a ceremony on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at San Juan College’s Little Theater at 7:00 p.m. The community is invited to attend.
The 2018 Hall of Fame inductees are I.J. Coury and Dr. Robert Lehmer (developing era), and Dr. Robert Grossheim and Dr. Robert Stemsrud (current era). These four outstanding individuals were selected by the Hall of Fame Committee for their numerous contributions to San Juan Regional Medical Center over the years, as well as their involvement promoting health to Four Corners residents.
I.J. Coury was a well-known businessman and civic leader in New Mexico. He was known as “Mr. Water of New Mexico” for all of his tireless work and leadership on water matters. An unparalleled expert on San Juan water problems, he spearheaded organization of the San Juan Reclamation Association and served under 11 governors on the Interstate Stream Commission. In March of 1972, I.J. unexpectedly suffered a heart attack and was taken to San Juan Hospital. He passed away a few days later. A trust fund was established in his memory to equip an intensive care unit – the I.J. Coury Coronary Care Unit – for heart patients.
Dr. Robert Lehmer was a founding member of Orthopedic Associates and a member of the hospital’s medical staff for 40 years. He became one of the first surgeons in New Mexico to practice arthroscopic meniscal surgery and was part of an elite group charged with investigating the efficacy of the Ligament Augmentation Device. He created San Juan Regional Medical Center’s Institutional Review Board and still sits on it today. Dr. Lehmer also helped found the River Reach Foundation to reclaim the Animas and San Juan River corridors. The organization puts on one of Farmington’s signature events, River Fest, every year.
Dr. Robert Grossheim served on the Medical Executive Committee; was the Chairman of Surgery; and served on the Board of Directors as the Vice Chief of Staff and the Chief of Staff. As the Chairman of the operating room and Day Surgery Advisory Committee, he participated in the development of both the hospital’s surgical center and the 30th Street surgical center. He was a founding member of San Juan IPA, partnering with insurance companies to improve the quality of care and decrease costs to patients. He represents Bethany Christian Church as a member of the Hospital Corporation and has served on the medical executive board for San Juan Regional Rehabilitation Hospital for 20 years.
Dr. Robert Stemsrud worked with San Juan Regional Medical Center staff to develop the Total Joint program and create a pathway to educate patients about their hospital stay, expectations, physical therapy and rehabilitation. Because of this process, the average length of stay went from around 18 days to just two or three. Dr. Stemsrud served as chairman of the Infection Control and Tissue and Transfusion committees and participated, with his associates, on San Juan Regional Medical Center’s Trauma Team. He has also been a member of the Presbyterian Church choir and has sung with the Caliente Community Chorus for several years.
The community is invited to come and celebrate the accomplishments of this year’s Hall of Fame inductees; refreshments will follow.
What: 2018 Hall of Fame Ceremony
Who: Members of the Community
When: Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: San Juan College’s Little Theater