Remembering John Colloton

I met John soon after I came here in 1955, and I worked closely with him during my 26 years as chairman of the Department of Orthopedics. He spent endless hours at his duties as he became one of the outstanding leaders of academic health systems in the country! He typified the description of leadership articulated by Henry Ford: the ability to read the signs of the times — not of the times that are, but of the times that are to be. He translated his vision into building UI Hospitals & Clinics into one of the best teaching hospitals in the country. I was fortunate to be a part of this.

Reginald R. Cooper, MD

Professor emeritus and former chair, Department of Orthopedics

My first interactions with John were in 1985 when we received our first NIH program project grant to study cochlear implants in patients. He provided space for us to do some of this research within the hospital. We have been able to continue this research and grant over 40 years. He was a visionary that navigated our institution for several decades, developing a facility that enabled us to deliver world-class care. He was very supportive of our educational mission and enabled development of clinical research space within the hospital.

Bruce Gantz, MD

Professor and former chair, Department of Otolaryngology

I was continually struck by the extraordinary contributions JWC made to the transformation of UI Hospitals & Clinics over many decades. He helped build a solid foundation for the national recognition the hospital enjoys today and created a legacy in which we can all take great pride. Working alongside him was always a privilege. His efforts were guided by a steadfast commitment to the well-being of our patients, and he gave of himself selflessly to that mission. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been part of the Colloton team and to have contributed to the work he so passionately championed.

Nancy Kirkpatrick

Administrative assistant to John Colloton

I was privileged to work with John as his director of nursing for 14 years. I knew him as a tough, but always fair, leader. He was a man of integrity, an analytical thinker, and a man who enjoyed developing others. He always kept the patient first in his thinking and in his actions.

Sally Mathis Hartwig, MA, RN

Former director, Department of Nursing Services and Patient Care

John Colloton was a legend in the field of hospital administration and wielded great influence not only locally but on the state and national scenes, as well. His visionary leadership transformed UI Hospitals & Clinics into a contemporary academic medical center, and his campus. He instilled core values of hard work, commitment to excellence, and integrity, among many others. I feel so blessed to have called him my mentor and friend.

Amy O’Deen, BSN, MHA, FACHE

Senior associate director, clinical enterprise, and chief administrative officer, UI Health Care North Liberty campus

In the mid-1970s, John asked me to work with him on a proposal to bring art into the hospital as a way to transform the facility and create a more pleasant, healing environment for patients and visitors. This turned out to be enormously popular, and Project Art was established not long after. This led to a federal grant that allowed us to work with other teaching hospitals around the country that were interested in creating their own arts programs. John was a visionary in this respect. He thought so far ahead in terms of improvements and what was possible. He demanded the best from people, and that’s what he got. He was one of the most intelligent and creative individuals I’d ever been around. Lots of people can be one or the other — he was both!

Joyce Summerwill

Former director, Project Art