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Posted January 23, 2008
Children's Hospital director brings "experience, expertise" to new role
Story by Maurine Jackson Although James Salyer has a wealth of experience in all levels and types of hospital administration, it was the opportunity to return to a children's hospital setting that lured him to the job of director of the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children. A Houston native, Salyer has spent the last three years as senior vice president of corporate services at the Valley Baptist Health System in Harlingen, Texas. However, it was his love of children that made him want to make a change. "I had spent five years at Memorial Hermann Children's Hospital before I was recruited away to Valley Baptist Health System," Salyer said. "I decided that I wanted get back into the children's hospital world. I don't think that there is anything more important than taking care of children." Salyer had heard about the opening at Batson and decided to apply for the job. He joined the University of Mississippi Medical Center on Aug. 1. UMC is very fortunate to have Jim Salyer join us," said Dr. Will Ferniany, associate vice chancellor for health systems and chief executive officer of University Hospitals and Health System. "He has the experience and expertise to partner with the clinical chairs, faculty and staff to enhance the services Batson Children's Hospital provides to the children of Mississippi." Salyer earned a BS in physical therapy at the University of Texas Medical Branch and an MS in hospital administration at the University of Houston, Clear Lake. He spent the first 10 years of his professional career practicing physical therapy before he was recruited into hospital administration. From 1977-1988, he served in multiple administrative roles in the Humana, Inc., health system. During that time, he had the opportunity to get to know the Jackson area when he served a stint here as an administrative fellow. In 1988, Salyer joined Memorial Hermann Healthcare Systems as vice president of various hospitals and joint ventures in Houston. He subsequently served as chief executive officer and vice president of Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital and later became chief executive officer and vice president of Memorial Hermann Children's Hospital, the primary teaching hospital for the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. During his tenure at Memorial Hermann Children's Hospital, Salyer became a strong advocate for improving access to health care for children. He was active in the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and other legislative advocacy. "Children don't get to vote. It is a huge gift to work in a facility to give them a leg up and huge opportunity to work with health care professionals to help them do that," said Salyer. While there, he became very involved in the hospital's fundraising activities and was very active with the Children's Miracle Network. "Children's Miracle Network is a lot of fun," Salyer said. It is a tremendous asset because it not only raises funds, but it is a great way to get people involved with the Children's Hospital. People can make a difference by making a donation or by volunteering their time." "Jim Salyer's experience in the management and operations of a children's hospital will bring new opportunities for the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children," said Dr. Owen Evans, chair of the Department of Pediatrics. "As the only facility of its kind in Mississippi, it is fitting to have someone of this caliber in the leadership role." Salyer said he looks forwrd to working with the staff of Children's Hospital. "Dr. Evans has been very welcoming. He has a tremendous love for this hospital and I am looking forward to working closely with him. "This hospital already has a great reputation, but I think that we can make it even better. Our job is to make it easy for people to use its services and make it as patient, family and physician-friendly as possible." |