Gunnison Valley Health Welcomes General Surgeon Andrew Salim

Gunnison Valley Health is pleased to announce that on September 1, 2021 Dr. Andrew Salim, MD, MPH joined the medical staff as a full-time general surgeon. Dr. Salim comes to Gunnison Valley Health from Mercy Catholic Medical Center where he recently completed his residency.

Gunnison Valley Health CEO Rob Santilli expressed his confidence in Dr. Salim’s skill and fit with the health system.

“I am pleased to have Dr. Salim continue his career in the Gunnison Valley,” Santilli said. “His training and education are impressive and he comes to us with strong references and a wealth of surgical experience. His enthusiasm, leadership skills and overall healthcare philosophy make him an incredible fit for Gunnison Valley Health and the community we serve.”

Dr. Salim attended Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he received a Master of Public Health - Epidemiology and Biostatistics and a Doctor of Medicine. Throughout his training and residency, Dr. Salim has developed proficiencies in a wide array of surgical procedures.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to join Gunnison Valley Health and work with the surgical services team to meet the needs of the community,” Salim said. “The health system has a history of excellent surgeons on staff and I look forward to continuing to meet those high expectations. Ultimately, my goal is to expand services and keep as many patients in the Gunnison Valley as is safely possible.”

For Dr. Salim, the Gunnison Valley offers an ideal mix of professional satisfaction with quality of life.

“I enjoy skiing, hiking and photography so the opportunity to settle in this beautiful valley and take advantage of everything it has to offer while joining a comprehensive and thriving health care system is an opportunity that I didn’t anticipate, but am grateful to have the chance to pursue,” Salim said.

Santilli reports that the addition of Dr. Salim to Gunnison Valley Health will eliminate the need to continue utilizing temporary surgeons to the benefit of everyone.

“Although we continue to search for a second full-time surgeon, Dr. Salim will join Dr. Steph Timothy thereby increasing our capacity and decreasing our reliance on temporary physicians,” Santilli said. “Having our surgeons on staff means they are familiar with our community, our facility and our health system all of which makes it easier for them to provide high quality surgical care consistently and effectively.”