Two San Juan County residents are currently being “actively monitored” after returning from areas of China where the coronavirus is actively spreading.
Officials state that the two local residents are not infected with the virus, but are being monitored due to their potential exposure to the virus.
Based on the information currently known about the patient’s activities, there is no immediate health risk to the general public.

Weston Duke Whipple wasted little time in his rush to be the 2020 New Year’s Baby for San Juan County. The son of Aunika Hunter and Dustin Whipple was delivered by Dr. Michael Nielson at 6:17 a.m. on New Year’s Day. The delivery was at San Juan Hospital in Monticello.

You probably don’t think about Tuberculosis all that often. You probably don’t think about San Juan County all that often either.  Out of site is out of mind, so they say.  
I never thought much about San Juan County until I brought my family here a few years ago.  Even for a guy who  grew up in Fairview, moving here was eye-opening.

The San Juan Health Service District plans to build a new rural health clinic in Spanish Valley.  The district has purchased land and secured funding for the $6.4 million facility, which will be constructed on what is set to become one of the main intersections in the growing community.
The district will provide nearly $1 million for the project, with $400,000 for the property and $600,000 for the furnishings and fixtures.

San Juan Hospital will celebrate National Hospital Week with special events and recognitions throughout the week of May 12-18. The theme of the 2019 event is “Celebrating Health and Healing.”
According to San Juan Hospital CFO Farley Crofts, the hospital has participated in the annual celebration for at least 15 years.

by Rhett Sifford
For many years, military veterans in San Juan County haven’t had many options for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare for which they qualify.

Kyla and Jonathan Brewer celebrated the birth of their son Allen Paul Brewer Jan. 3, 2019, at 4:09 a.m. at the San Juan Hospital in Monticello. Allen is the 2019 San Juan County New Year’s baby. Courtesy photo

by Rhett Sifford
Utah Navajo Health System (UNHS) administrators, providers and staff completed their move to the new Montezuma Creek Community Health Center and were in operation on July 27.
The 52,000 square-foot, two-story clinic was constructed by Korte Company at a cost of $18 million, according to Project Superintendent Chuck Eubanks. 

San Juan Health Service District and Blue Mountain Hospital recently teamed up to award $7,500 in scholarships to local residents who are pursuing higher education degrees in healthcare-related fields. Funds were raised through the annual golf tournament and generous donations from supportive businesses.

by Rhett Sifford
The San Juan County Commission considered the pros and cons of creating a special service district for the county public health department at their July 25 meeting.

by Rhett Sifford
Dr. Mario La Giglia’s 22-year desire to return to San Juan County is officially reality, as he becomes the newest surgeon in the area. He will serve as a surgeon at San Juan Hospital in Monticello and Blue Mountain Hospital in Blanding.
Dr. La Giglia grew up in San Juan County and graduated from Monticello High School in 1996.

A local man was seriously injured in an April 26 fall while hunting for antler sheds alone near Montezuma Canyon.
Jared Crane, age 39 of Monticello, spent the night in the canyon before he was discovered by Search and Rescue volunteers the following day. It was nearly 24 hours after his fall before he was found. Two helicopters assisted in the search before Crane was found at the base of a large talus slope.

The new San Juan County health care facility in Blanding celebrated a grand opening at a health fair on March 3. The new facility houses San Juan Counseling, San Juan Public Health, and the Blanding clinic of San Juan Health Service District. Participating in the ribbon cutting are: (left to right) Blanding Mayor Joe B.

The San Juan Public Health District recently held a board meeting at their new headquarters in Blanding.

The San Juan Health Service District board met in new facilities as they reviewed 2017 and looked to the future.
The board met at the new San Juan Clinic in Blanding on February 15. After touring the facility, they discussed an agenda that included a review of 2017 financial reports and the district’s vision, values, and goals.