Dear Editor,

I appreciated the opportunity given to me to attend the community forum sponsored by Commissioners Billy Billings and Alicia Edwards regarding the Gila Regional Cancer Center (GRCC), and the process in which Gila Regional Medical Center (GRMC) is engaged to keep cancer services in the community. One of the key issues prevailing in a majority of the presentations at the May 16, 2017 forum was the high quality compassionate care that New Mexico Cancer Center (NMCC) caregivers provide each GRCC patient and families that they serve. This is not an issue and never has been an issue. In fact, the GRMC Board is in favor of the current staff remaining at the GRCC after conclusion of the current agreement, including Karen DeGenevieve and Michael Torres. In addition, GRMC will also consider hiring the staff to support cancer services if GRMC and UNMCCC cannot reach an agreement. However, Dr. Willman, UNMCCC, CEO, does not think this will be a problem as long as there aren't any hurdles with the current staff's employment relationship with Dr. McAneny's group or with any NMCC staff hired by UNM following UNM standards.

I feel I need to address another item that was presented by either a patient or supporter. In Commissioner Billing's opening remarks he laid out the "rules" for the presentations. The presenter in question made some remarks regarding Holley Hudgins and didn't say what the issue was. She merely gave Mrs. Hudgins salary and made inference that Mrs. Hudgins was provided employment at GRMC because she is Representative Rudy Martinez's spouse. I believe this was against the "rules" and the presenter should've been admonished by Commissioner Billings for not following the rules. I failed in not jumping up and calling a point of order. Shame on me!

Mrs. Hudgins was a GRMC caregiver long before her marriage to Representative Martinez. I understand she did an excellent job as the Marketing Director. Mrs. Hudgins requested to be given the opportunity to manage and direct the GRMC Cardiology Clinic and was also given the task of acting as the liaison with the NMCC. In addition, one of the tasks given to me by the Board of Trustees was to do a top to bottom review of staff in all departments. Mrs. Hudgins position was reviewed and I determined it was required for the continued success of the clinics assigned to her.

Sincerely,

Alfredo Ontiveros
Chief Executive Officer (Interim)