Dr. Garnet Blatchford Named Methodist Hospital’s Vice President of Medical Affairs, Chief Medical Officer

Garnet Blatchford, MD, a 30-plus year member of Methodist Hospital’s medical staff, has been named vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer for the hospital. She will begin her duties on June 1.

Dr. Blatchford, who began her medical career in the 1980s, was born and raised in Omaha and is a trailblazer for women in surgery. Her career in colon and rectal surgery has spanned decades in the Omaha community.

“I was the fourth female in our general surgery program to finish,” Dr. Blatchford said. “What I think was awesome is that

I never felt discriminated against. I never felt like they were treating me differently because I was a woman. And that has continued during my career. So I feel fortunate to be able to have done what I’ve done and set the path for women in the future.”

“Dr. Blatchford has dedicated her career to teaching and mentoring others, impressively growing the colon and rectal surgery resident and fellow program,” said Josie Abboud, president and CEO of Methodist Hospital and Methodist Women’s Hospital. “She is passionate about patient-centered care and our community, serving as a Hope Medical Outreach volunteer and the 4-H Council. With her experience, dedication and leadership, Dr. Blatchford is an outstanding appointment for our hospital.”

In her new role at Methodist, Dr. Blatchford will help develop the health system’s strategic plan, implement new developments in medical techniques, assist in recruiting and retaining medical providers, and oversee the leadership and services of the medical staff department. She will continue seeing patients as part of Methodist Physicians Clinic’s colon and rectal surgery program.

”I’m excited for the future working with an outstanding group of physicians and leaders at Methodist,” Dr. Blatchford said. “We will build on the many successes that have already been achieved. I also look forward to welcoming, mentoring and educating new physicians that join our medical staff and Methodist team.”

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate received her medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and completed her fellowship in colon and rectal surgery at Creighton University.