Roosevelt Medical Center to Host Farewell barbecue for Jay Lambert

A community farewell barbecue has been planned at Roosevelt Medical Center to bid farewell to Jay Lambert, a long-time provider who has treated thousands of local youngsters, adults and elderly community members. He has made the decision to leave the area after a decade of service, which began in 2005.

The free event is taking place on July 9, at 5:30 p.m. on the patio at RMC.

Lambert, PA-C, made the announcement several months ago that he and his wife, Kayleen, made the decision to return to their home state of Utah to be near their aging parents, while enabling Kayleen to pursue and complete a degree in occupational therapy.

His last day of employment with RMC is July 15.

"There is no doubt that I have learned and grown tremendously during my time here. I am profoundly thankful to my patients and honored for the trust they have given me with providing for their healthcare needs," said Lambert.

Since making that decision, Lambert has been hired at the Huntsman Cancer Institute located on the campus of the University of Utah, in Salt Lake City, where he will be working with hospitalized cancer patients.

"We are sad to see him go. His reputation for commitment to excellence and quality-based care to the hospital and clinic patients and to our long-term-care residents has been outstanding," said Audrey Stromberg, Administrator for RMC.

Leadership at RMC immediately began an aggressive search for a replacement mid-level provider, recruiting through national medical recruitment agencies and locating traveling providers to cover patient needs while that process continues.

"Several people have shown an interest in our facility and we are looking into hiring someone who is not only a good fit for our facility, but also a good fit for the community we proudly serve," Stromberg said.

Lambert and his wife grew up near Salt Lake City, Utah, and will relocate near the area, along with their six children once they find a place to live. Until then, his family will stay in Culberson and he will commute back and forth.

Lambert first came to the area after graduating from Samuel Merritt College, in Oakland California in 2004. After receiving his degree, he returned to Utah to study for his Medical Boards and began searching for a job that could assist him with student loan reimbursement. Of the locations he was interested in, Culbertson was his first choice.