Juanita Sapp

Dr. Juanita Sapp eagerly looks forward to the mail each Wednesday for the delivery of her copy of the New England Journal of Medicine. She hasn’t missed an issue in 45 years.

Chances are that will continue even though Dr. Sapp is retiring May 31 from a career in medicine.

She has been a doctor for 42 years, the last seven years with Heritage Health Center in Powell, which she helped launch in September 2015.

Dr. Sapp was the Chief Medical Officer and the sole provider at HHC when the community health center opened its doors in 2015. She was CMO for five years before stepping away from the administrative role, while continuing as one of five medical providers.

Her last day of seeing patients at HHC will be May 24.  

“One of the things I have enjoyed most about medicine is the opportunity to keep learning,” she says of her love for NEJM.

During her years of practice, she has also enjoyed teaching.

“HHC has provided me great opportunities to teach,” she reflected. “I have taught physician assistant students, nurse practitioner students and medical students.” 

She has been on the faculty of the University of Washington Division of Internal Medicine, and in 2021, she was presented the Richard M. Tucker Regional Internal Medicine Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award.

HHC has succeeded, she believes, because the communities served have been welcoming and generous.  Cooperation has been key.

“We have been fortunate to have close relationships with the administrative team, physicians and staff at Powell Valley Health Care, 307Health and 1st Choice Imaging,” she said. “We have been participating with Park County School District 1 in the grant for counseling in the schools. We have been cooperating with Greybull schools for children’s health. It is these partnerships that will allow our communities to become healthier.”

Dr. Sapp will have a continued role in the guidance of community health centers as she migrates to a seat on the board of One Health. 

“Transitioning from active application of patient care initiatives to formulating the initiatives is a challenge I am looking forward to,” she said. “It will allow me to continue to advocate for patients. Placing patients’ concerns first has always been my goal.”

At the same time, she said she will miss daily contact with patients and staff.  “I have been so fortunate to have been the physician for such wonderful community members in the Big Horn Basin and to have worked with the best staff possible.”