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Show i iVeo; Hospital Administrator Garfield Memorial Hospital's new administrator, Eric Packer, hasn't had much time behind the desk yet His time in Panguitch has been filled with meetings and more meetings as gets acquainted with the routine. He will move his wife Sandy and four daughters down to their new home in Panguitch in a few days. New Administrator Now At Garfield Memorial Hospital PANGUITCH Hospital personnel are beginning to get acquainted with Garfield Memorial Memo-rial Hospital's new administrator Eric Packer who was highlighted by Editor Christine Littlefield in this month's hospital publication Good News Newsletter, but, it's time for everyone else in the county to get to know him. too. For a short time, as often happens with career changes, Packer will be shuffling between two jobs and two locations. He terminates Oct. 21 as his present position in Burley, Ida. at Evanston Regional Hospital and begins full time in Panguitch on Oct. 27 barely enough time for Packer to gather up wife, Sandy and four daughters Courtnie 9; Camille 7; Madison 4 and Darci 2 for the move to Panguitch where a house is awaiting their arrival. In accepting this position with Intermountain Health Care (IHC) Packer is following a career-path set years ago by his father Richard, who is currently administrator at Cassia Memorial Hospital. Born in Pomona, Calif, 33- year-old Packer began his career in the financial world as a stockbroker. From there he took a position with a finance company but shifted gears at that point to go into the health care industry. He accepted a position in the business office and as a finance counselor at Cassia Memorial Hospital in Burley, Ida. He followed that up with a position (See ADMINISTRATOR p. 3A) New Administrator Now At Garfield Memorial Hospital From Front Page as manager of patient account services at Wasatch County Hospital in Utah. His latest commitment was to Evanston Regional Hospital where he has been director of outpatient services for the past three years. Packer can trace his interest in hospital administration back to his early family days his father has spent his entire career with IHC, exposing the family to much of the closely knit health care industry. Reared until age 16 in Fillmore, Utah, the Packer family then moved to St. George where young Eric became a graduate of Dixie High School. He began his college days at Dixie College where he received an associates degree in business administration. He completed" an LDS mission to Honduras and returned to continue his business education at Southern Utah University. There he earned a bachelors degree and met wife, Sandy on a blind date. They married in 1986 in the St. George LDS Temple and began their family while in Cedar City. Sandy's parents are Burnell and Velma Hunt of Cedar City. Packer completed his education receiving his masters degree through home study from LaSalle University. While dad worked as in the business office at Cassia Memorial Memor-ial Hospital in Burley, Ida. two more baby girls were added to the household. A fourth girl, Darci, was born while dad worked at Wasatch County Hospital. Mom, Sandy, has the privilege and honor hon-or of rearing the brood and learning learn-ing to adapt quickly to an ever-changing ever-changing health care career. Both parents selected the Panguitch career, coming to Salt Lake City last April to attend a Board of Trustees annual meet, traveling down to southern Utah in June for a family vacation. The position of hospital administrator came open in August of this vear. Up against tough competition, Packer was interviewed three separate times and was presented to the Hospital Foundation Board for their approval on Sept. 24. Packer and wife Sandy say it is the rural community living that appeals to them as well as high moral values exhibited in the area. Packer, who loves hunting, fishing, skiing anything outdoors out-doors is excited to be here. The couple is excited and looking forward to meeting their new neighbors and folks all across the county. |