St. John's Health Foundation Leadership Announcement

For Immediate Release: From St. John’s Health Foundation

John Goettler, President of St. John’s Health Foundation since 2013, has announced his resignation effective May 31, 2022. After eight years at the helm of the Foundation, Goettler has decided to return to fundraising consulting with his new company, The Goettler Group.

The highlight of Goettler’s tenure was the campaign he led to build Sage Living. Following the success of a partnership securing SPET support from Teton County and a $9 million contribution from St. John’s Health, the Foundation raised a record-setting $19 million in philanthropic contributions to replace an out-dated facility with a state-of-the-art senior living community and inpatient physical rehabilitation center. Thanks to the generosity of donors, construction required no additional funds from the Town of Jackson or Teton County. “The partnership and the Foundation’s role in raising the remaining funds resulted in a remarkable asset for our community” noted St. John’s Health CEO Dave Robertson.

Goettler’s efforts have increased community awareness and recognition of the reach and value of St. John’s Health. Other significant initiatives under his leadership included campaigns and events that funded the renovation of the hospital lobby, patient admitting area, and Choices Café; the Foundation also funded essential capital equipment including leading-edge surgical robots and mammography machines. Early in the Covid pandemic, Goettler led the campaign to fund protective equipment for hospital employees and provide grants to employees experiencing hardships. In addition, partnering with local mental health providers, Goettler helped create the Mental Health JH program, raising funds from the community and securing the co-sponsorship of the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole. The program provided more than 5,000 behavioral health sessions for community residents and earned the Chamber of Commerce’s Non-Profit of the Year award in 2021.

In his letter of resignation to SJHF Board Chair, Bob Pisano, Goettler wrote, "The opportunity to work with the Foundation Board, St. John’s Health administration, and the extraordinary staff here at the hospital has been one of the most rewarding professional experiences of my life. I intend now to apply myself to consulting with a variety of non-profits with diverse fundraising needs in the greater Rocky Mountain area.”

Following Goettler’s departure, Foundation Vice President, Sheldon Perkins, will serve as acting president of the Foundation while the Board assesses Foundation staffing needs. Perkins will begin planning for the next vital fundraising initiative – the Hitching Post Housing Redevelopment project. This project will ensure that St. John’s can meet the need for community medical services by greatly expanding the number of long-term rental apartments for healthcare workers, overnight rooms for patients and their families and on-call health care staff. Perkins is currently on maternity leave but will return to the Foundation in June.

In accepting Goettler’s resignation, Pisano expressed the appreciation of the entire SJHF Board for the impact Goettler’s work has had on St. John’s Health. “Thanks to John’s fundraising, the hospital has been able to build a best-in-class residence for our community’s aging population, those suffering from memory loss, and those needing residential rehabilitation. In addition, he has positioned us well to support St. John’s Health far into the future.”