Excellent teacher … positive leader … team player. These are phrases Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) employees and medical staff members use to describe Francisco Jaume, DO, YRMC’s 2015 Physician of the Year.

An accomplished orthopedic surgeon and Chairman of YRMC’s Department of Surgery, Dr. Jaume has cared for patients at YRMC since 2004. During that time, he has served as Director of YRMC’s Advanced Wound Care Center. Dr. Jaume is credited with leading the center to its current status as a state-of-the art facility that includes northern Arizona’s only hyperbaric chambers for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Even with an extremely busy schedule, Dr. Jaume is known for the time he devotes to YRMC patients and their families as well as hospital staff.

“He’s always professional and empathic with patients and staff,” said Patricia Coates, RN, Clinical Coordinator, Surgical Services at YRMC. “I appreciate how he treats the surgery staff, communicating his needs and how we can best care for patients. He’s always available and ready to help the nursing team in any way.”

Dr. Jaume is dedicated to YRMC’s values. He strives to put them into action as a physician and encourages others – YRMC physicians, nurses and other healthcare providers – to do so as well.

“I believe working together with everyone involved in the patient’s care is key,” Dr. Jaume said. “Making myself available to the staff brings us together as a team. I also believe promoting a positive attitude is not only good for morale, but it translates to the patient’s attitude toward recovery.”

Dr. Jaume’s career also includes an impressive record of military service. He served in the United States Marine Corps for six years, achieving the rank of sergeant. He also served for eight years in the United States Air Force Medical Service Corps, where he achieved the rank of major.

According to John Amos, YRMC President and CEO, Dr. Jaume’s focus on leading by example is inspiring to the YRMC family.

“Dr. Jaume treats people with respect,” he said. “He embodies our organization’s values and lives them every day. YRMC, and our entire community, is fortunate that Dr. Jaume is here caring for patients.”

YRMC’s Physician of the Year is presented annually to a doctor who:

• provides excellent patient care;
• builds positive relationships with employees and volunteers;
• shows respect for everyone with whom he or she comes in contact;
• demonstrates sensitivity to patients’ needs and desires; and
• takes pride in the hospital as well as the community.