Each year, TORCH honors a rural hospital administrator who embodies this spirit of superior service to their local community. In recognition of two decades of service in healthcare and to rural hospitals, including CEO at Eagle Lake, Cuero and Uvalde, Jim Buckner has been named the recipient of the 2011 “Gordon Russell Merit Award.” This award exists to recognize outstanding achievement by rural and community hospital administrators for their leadership and dedication to the profession.
Gordon Russell, the award’s namesake, was the administrator of Hi-Plains Hospital for over 40 years and a former mayor of Hale Center, TX. Mr. Buckner was selected for his dedication to rural hospital administration, his active involvement in TORCH as a former Board member and Chairman, as well as many other civic and professional contributions.
Mr. Buckner is currently in his sixth year as administrator of Uvalde Memorial Hospital. He has twenty years experience in Hospital Administration and another ten years in public health and education. Before taking the Uvalde position, Jim was at Cuero Community Hospital for eight years and Eagle Lake for another five.
Jim has a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University (1976) and a Master of Science degree from University of Houston – Clear Lake (1989). He enjoys his family, church service, the Rotary Club, fishing, camping, and playing golf.
Jim was an outspoken leader for TORCH and served as its Chairman during the time that the founding CEO, John Boff passed away and the organization transitioned to new leadership. From an EMS volunteer to his service on the boards of TORCH, THA, and the AHA Regional Policy Board, Jim has worked hard to be sure his community has the best access to quality hospital and physician services.
In the nomination letter by John Henderson, CEO of Childress Regional Medical Center, he wrote, “It’s not an overstatement to say that small hospitals and rural patients across Texas have benefitted from Jim’s service.”
