Brian Davidson, an anesthesiologist who realized his aspiration to become both a doctor and hospital administrator, plans to step down as president of St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction.

Bryan Johnson, chief operating officer at St. Mary’s, will serve as interim president starting June 15.

Davidson stated in a news release he plans to return with his family to Denver. His wife, Amy Gagnon, plans to resume her practice in maternal and fetal medicine with Colorado Permanente Medical Group.

“Dr. Davidson has done excellent work in moving St. Mary’s forward, establishing trust and strong working relationships throughout the Western Slope and Eastern Utah,” said Grant Wicklund, regional president for SCL Health, which operates St. Mary’s. “Brian has served effectively on community boards and task forces, helping to extend community services and behavioral health to many families in need across the Western Slope. Brian’s contributions have been many and will not be forgotten.”

Davidson joined St. Mary’s as chief medical officer in 2014 and became president in 2016. He previously worked at the University of Colorado Anschutz medical campus in several positions, including vice chairman of the anesthesiology department and medical director of the operating room.

He earned both a medical and master’s of business administration degree from the University of Colorado. He completed an internship in general surgery at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Denver. He completed a residency in anesthesiology and fellowship in health care administration at the University of Colorado Hospital.

During Davidson’s tenure at St. Mary’s, the hospital completed the last two floors of a 12-floor patient tower and opened a heart and vascular center. St. Mary’s joined Family Health West in Fruita on a collaborative effort to treat transitional patients. In addition, SCL Health entered into a care affiliate agreement with Memorial Regional Health in Craig.

Along with his duties at St. Mary’s, Davidson served on the boards of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce and Grand Junction Economic Partnership. He was co-chair of a fund-raising campaign to expand the West Springs psychiatric hospital in Grand Junction.

Johnson joined St. Mary’s in 2016 as chief operating officer and has been responsible for overall operations, physician contracting, service line development and financial performance.

He previously worked with Intermountain Healthcare, most recently as administrator of Intermountain Alta View Hospital in Sandy, Utah. 

“On behalf of our SCL Health leadership team and the St. Mary’s Medical Center Board of Directors, we welcome Bryan Johnson to his new role and sincerely thank Dr. Davidson for his many contributions to our work at St. Mary’s and throughout Western Colorado.” Wicklund said, “Under Dr. Davidson’s leadership, we have made significant progress in building partnerships with our regional hospitals and health care leaders. His work has helped to increase patient access to high quality care, alongside our partners, and with the ongoing goal of improving close-to-home care.”