Dr. David Geiger Thanked for Years of Service

On June 28, 2022, San Luis Valley Health held a retirement party, acknowledging David Geiger, DO, for his 16 years of service to the community. Konnie Martin, the SLVH CEO, thankfully stated, “This is a bittersweet celebration as Dr. Geiger transitions to the next phase in his life. He’s changing his role with SLV Health, staying part-time, which is so appreciated. I’d like to wish him all the best and send him off with a few comments of heartfelt appreciation. I can honestly say he is one of the most outstanding physicians I’ve ever worked with in my career.”

Dr. Geiger has played different roles for SLV Health, mainly, that of a physician. He has cared for thousands of patients and performed many life-saving and life-changing procedures. He held the organization in his solid and capable hands, both in the clinic and the hospital. The amount of call that he dedicated to covering this community, the hours, the days, the weekends, and the holidays, is appreciated by all.

The second role Dr. Geiger has played has been as a mentor and teacher. One can only imagine the number of lives and careers he has touched when considering the number of medical students, residents, those considering medicine as a career, and those whose lives and careers were inspired by David’s teaching and guidance. And very important to SLV Health, he mentored the team of young surgeons, Drs. Carla Christ and Julian Maendel, as new graduate physicians. He consistently models empathy and professionalism with hands-on, practical teaching methods.

Finally, Dr. Geiger has played an instrumental role as a leader for SLV Health. He has been the Trauma Director, the Director for Med Staff, and the Director for Surgery, chaired important committees and took on the challenging role of leading peer review. All of these positions take time and commitment beyond the day-to-day role of providing critical care to patients.

Martin commented, “I want to take a minute to let you know how much that service matters. It matters a lot. It shapes who we are as a hospital, shapes our values, and shapes what we want to be in leadership. Dr. Geiger has been an incredible role model for being a Physician-Leader. A role that truly benefitted me and the other leaders was when he became the Interim Chief Medical Officer for SLV Health at a crucial time. He represented the physicians while still maintaining a full schedule of clinic and surgery. That time he dedicated to us helped shape the strategy of this organization. For that role, I am deeply appreciative.”

Martin went on to say that for many of us, David has demonstrated what it means to be a good husband, a good father, a good brother, and a good son. He has shown how much he values his important family roles as well as his professional life.

In conclusion, Martin said what many in attendance were feeling, “Dr. Geiger has been a trusted advisor, colleague, and friend. He has listened to me, and always provided honest feedback and advice. For that, I am incredibly grateful. With a very appreciative heart, we are forever grateful to have you as a member of this team. Dr. Geiger, we wish you all the best!”

Dr. Geiger shared a story that exemplified the attributes Konnie bestowed on him. On July 4, 2006, he moved into a rental in Alamosa, surrounded by cardboard boxes. On a Sunday afternoon, a knock on the door was surprisingly a policeman. I thought, “I’ve been in this town less than 48 hours, what have I done to get in trouble already?” He opened the door and the policeman asked, “Are you Dr. Geiger? The hospital is looking for you.” He wondered how that could be true since the hospital didn’t even know he was here! His first day of work wasn’t scheduled until Monday. But he answered the call since the emergency room needed his assistance. David said in closing, “I want to thank all of you for your help and support that guided me through these years.”

Dr. Geiger is a General Surgeon who has practiced with SLV Health since 2006. He is a member of several professional groups, including the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons, which has conferred upon him the title of Fellow. He has been Board Certified since 1991. He is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Memorial Hospital in York, Pennsylvania. If you’re out hiking, jeeping, or skiing, you might see him and be able to say “thank you!”