Silver City, NM (November 21, 2017) Since taking the helm of Hidalgo Medical Service (HMS) in February 2016, Dan Otero, HMS Chief Executive Officer, has made it a priority for HMS to begin its Quality New Mexico (QNM) New Mexico Performance Excellence Awards (NMPEA) journey. "The NMPEA program is the state’s only awards program, based on the National Malcolm Baldrige Framework for Performance Excellence," stated Otero. Otero added, "As a Piñon Level recipient, HMS has demonstrated initial commitment to long-term process improvement, sustainability, efficiency and excellence. HMS is very proud to receive the Piñon Award at the upcoming Quality New Mexico Learning Summit and NMPEA Awards Ceremony in April 2018."

From Left to Right Front Row: Garrett Olin, QI/IT Director; Dan Otero, CEO; Carmen Acosta, Board Chair; Barbara Trujillo, Board Member; K’Dawn Jackson, Chief Compliance Officer; Barbara Guber, Board Member; Edith Lee, Chief Support Officer
From Left to Right Back Row: Betsy Ward, Board Member; Gilda Baeza-Ortego, Board Member; Pam Archibald, Board Member; Jim Hoy, Chief Financial Officer; Bill Walter, Board Member; Bill Rogers, Board Member; Joe Mazurkiewicz, Board Member; Dr. Neal Bowen, Chief Mental Health Officer; Dr. Darrick Nelson, Chief Medical Officer
Board Members Not Pictured: Frank Chaires, Katy Estrada, Dr. Magdaleno Manzanarez and Priscilla Perea

According to the NMPEA, the Piñon Level recognition is a demonstration of:

1. Evidence that we are in the early stages of identifying and using systematic processes and collecting data to reflect early results in areas of most importance to HMS (People, Quality, Safety, Finance and Growth);
2. Successfully describing our approach for and deployment of our key operational systems and processes, identification and evaluation of improvement activities and demonstrated early coordination and collaboration among organizational units (departments/services); and
3. Beginning our performance excellence journey with a clear vision on how these efforts will benefit our long-term success

Otero stated, "I want to thank every HMS Board of Directors member and every HMS employee for their hard work, commitment, and daily pursuit of true excellence. Additionally, I want to make a special mention to note the efforts of Garrett Olin, HMS Quality Improvement and IT Director, for his leadership in moving this important initiative forward on behalf of the communities that HMS serves."

Please visit www.qualitynewmexico.org/nmpea to learn more about the NMPEA program. Please visit www.hmsnm.org to learn more about HMS services, providers, and locations.