GRMC Chemotherapy Room

July 19, 2017 – The Gila Regional Medical Center (GRMC) Cancer Center enters a new chapter of cancer care with the widely accredited University of New Mexico (UNM) Comprehensive Cancer Center. Starting on Tuesday, July 18, 2017, the transition process began. As part of the transition, two oncologists from UNM are being credentialed to cover patient care once a week at the Cancer Center. This will only be temporary until a full time oncologist can be put in place to cover services Monday through Friday. Patient care will resume as soon as Gila Regional hires a full time nurse practitioner or physician assistant. This provider will also need to go through two weeks of intense training with UNM prior to working at the Cancer Center. The search to identify this person is already underway.

"Now that the contract has been approved we will quickly move forward with assuring the continuance of quality patient care" stated Taffy Arias, Chief Executive Officer at GRMC.

Originally in the contract with New Mexico Oncology Hematology Consultants (NMOHC), there was a provision to provide 90 days of transitional care for the Cancer Center patients. For reasons of their own choosing, NMOHC only agreed to an administrative transition and not to cover clinical services. GRMC will be appointing a liaison to contact all patients and arrange for their individual care until services are restored.

"We take the care of all our patients very seriously," said GRMC Board of Trustees Chair Jeremiah Garcia. "Even with the added transitional challenges we will do everything in our power to ensure patients receive the care that they need."

Gila Regional Medical Center is a county-owned, not-for-profit, 68-bed acute care hospital with a strong commitment to the people they serve. Investments in technology and certified caregivers provide quality care delivery through a patient-centered approach. It is home to the Gila Regional Cancer Center; the Surgical Center of the Southwest and was rated a 4-Star Quality Care Hospital by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services.