New administrator at San Juan Hospital

by Buckley Jensen

Phil Lowe has taken the reigns as administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the San Juan Health Services District. He comes with many years of experience.

A native Utahn, Lowe grew up in Orem and graduated from Orem High School. His first degree was in Business Management at Brigham Young University in l978. He went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Hospital Administration from the University of Colorado – Denver.

Lowe started his administrative career in St. George at the Dixie Medical Center. Since then, he has been a hospital administrator in Idaho, Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas. He now has 22 years of hospital administration on his resume.

Lowe has five children. When asked why he wants to live and work in Monticello, his answer is two fold: first, he loves many of the things San Juan County has to offer, such as hiking and exploring. Second, he wants to be closer to his children; two of whom live in St. George.

When asked what his greatest accomplishments in life are, after family and career, he said without hesitation …playing the piano.

Phil is a classical pianist, and considers one of his greatest memories the night he played a Beethoven piano concerto with the Utah Valley Symphony. He was 13 years old.

Recent memorable experiences include a trip to Capetown, South Africa where he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints more than three decades ago.

Many old timers may remember Dr. Don MaCaffee, who lived and practiced in Monticello in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. Dr. MaCaffee delivered many babies who live in San Juan County today. One of Phil’s daughters married a grandson of Dr. Macaffee. Small world, isn’t it?

Succinctly put, Phil Lowe’s management philosophy is: “Honey is better than vinegar”.

Lowe said that he has been welcome by members of the San Juan County community and hopes his experience here will be long and enjoyable.

San Juan Record

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PO Box 879
Monticello, UT 84535

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