University of New Mexico Taos, nominated by Holy Cross Medical Center, Taos

UNM Taos' commitment to supporting and "growing our own" nurses has fostered nursing students choosing to stay in Taos to complete their capstone (final program course project before graduation) at Holy Cross Medical Center. This "Team Taos" partnership with Holy Cross means more Taoseños can achieve their nursing education and employment goals without leaving their hometown and that patients are cared for by those who know the community.

American Lung Association, nominated by Kindred Long-Term Acute Care Hospital, Albuquerque

For close to two decades the American Lung Association (ALA) and Kindred Long-Term Acute Care Hospital (KLTACH) have partnered to together serve New Mexico's residents in preventing and treating lung disease. Most recently the partnership launched two programs that connect patients to resources through Legos for Lungs and the free Lung Screenings Initiative.

Lovington Food Coalition, nominated by Nor-Lea Hospital District, Lovington

The Lovington Food Coalition supports Lovington all those including children, seniors and undocumented residents living in poverty who do not have access to an adequate food supply. The coalition provides a monthly drive-through pantry and distributes thousands of pounds of food through the Backsnack program to support children's nutrition through weekends and summers. Through the partnership with Nor-Lea Hospital District it now has its own building so it may more frequently offer services with plans to start a Food Rx program in which hospital patients who are discharged receive a food "prescription" returning home with nutritional food to support their healing.

San Juan College: Health Sciences Nursing Program, nominated by San Juan Regional Medical Center, Farmington

The over 50-year partnership between San Juan College's Health Sciences Nursing Program and San Juan Regional Medical Center means local nursing students can more easily obtain their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree without leaving the community. From there, these graduates are more likely to stay in Farmington having found a fulfilling career as they play critical roles in hospitals, home health, clinics and long-term care facilities. The Farmington region benefits from growing its own workforce that reflects the community, provides access to culturally competent care and better health outcomes.

• News clip: Investing in Community, Farmington Local News, NMHA: NMHA, San Juan Regional, 10-23-2023 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBkS4lSF_eM

Sierra Vista Community EMS Program, nominated by Sierra Vista Hospital, Truth or Consequences

The Sierra Vista Community EMS Program ties together the multi-generational health education, medical, mental health and social needs of the community. It offers an intro into health careers program with local schools, engages with individuals and families to coordinate mental health and social wellbeing needs, helps seniors with physician appointment scheduling and alleviates strain on the 911 system.

Watch video.

NMHA Espanola 2023_1
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General Acute Care Hospitals

Presbyterian Española Hospital (Winner) - Española - Reducing Stigma and Enhancing Treatments of Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder. Established hospital-wide awareness and ability for all team members to contribute to the compassionate treatment of those with substance use disorders (SUDs), connect with their families and create an ongoing healing environment reflective of the Española community.

Watch video.

NMHA Nor-Lea 2023_1
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Rural/Critical Access Hospitals (CAH):

Nor-Lea Hospital District (Winner) - Lovington - Improve Patient Engagement at the Lovington Medical Clinic. Established mandatory, care team huddles to review and act on patient feedback and experience and provide staff with enhanced quality of care lessons. This resulted in improved patient and staff experience, engagement and wellness that was compassionate, respectful and empowering.

Socorro General Hospital (Honorable Mention) - Socorro - Assessing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH). Established a patient screening process to determine what patients need outside of the hospital that impedes their ability to heal and remain healthy, then worked with community partners to connect patients and their families to community resources available to address those needs.

Watch video.

NMHA Lovelace-UNM Rehabilitation 2023_1
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Specialty Hospitals:

Lovelace UNM Rehabilitation Hospital (Winner) - Albuquerque- Mitigating Medication Errors. Fully engaged staff at all levels in improving how medications are tracked to prevent medication administration errors. While the prior process did not lead to patient harm, hospital leaders wanted to address this before a preventable adverse outcome did occur.

Rehabilitation Hospital of Southern NM (Honorable Mention) – Las Cruces - Impact of Pharmacist-Led Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee. Used evidence-based guidelines to reduce unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics. This reduced patients' risk of experiencing an antibiotic related allergic reaction and helped reduce patients' resistance to the antibiotics needed most to fight life-threatening infections.

NMHA Distinguished Service in Healthcare 2023
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Each of the 14 New Mexicans list below were recognized by the New Mexico Hospital Association for their dedication to patient care and the joy they bring to their teams, patients and families. They make a difference in the lives they touch.

To learn more about the Distinguished Healthcare Worker Awardees, please view this short, inspirational video. See list below for the video start time for each awardee, each running 30 seconds.

Please feel free to reach out to your constituent awardees to congratulate them and learn more about the work they do to serve your district.

Awardee

Hospital

Start Time

Award Summary

Mary E. Perez, ACNO

University of New Mexico Hospital

Start

Adolescent, behavioral health, nurse leader changed culture and improved care in child psych center, creating a safe, judgment-free environment for staff, patients and families.

Terah Condrey, Physical Therapist

Lovelace UNM Rehabilitation Hospital

:35

Individual care with a focus on identifying early signs of complications allowing patients with limb-loss to get emergency care more quickly resulting in better outcomes.

Dara Jenkins, Clinical Education Specialist

Lincoln County Medical Center

1:08

Teaches intensive care nursing skills in rural NM, coordinated health fair for underserved, and developed a horse therapy program.

Rebekah French, Certified Nurse Practitioner

San Juan Regional Medical Center

1:33

Initiated the Covid-to-home program allowing patients to recover at home which has helped save lives.

Loriella Haden, Supervisor-Outpatient Clinical

Dr. Dan C. Trigg Memorial Hospital

1:58

Puts patients experience first with personal attention and a smile for all patients from the time they enter the clinic to the time they leave, local 4H youth leader.

Melva Lujan, Patient & Financial Advocacy

Nor-Lea Hospital District

2:23

Passionate about reaching out to the most vulnerable populations, led the indigent drug affordability program so they may obtain live saving and otherwise expensive drugs for cancer treatment, developed a private pay program for behavioral health, a transportation program, advocates for patients with agencies and connects immigrants to resources.

Kelli Rivera, Director of Surgical Services

Lovelace Women's Hospital

3:13

Led effort to become the first hospital in NM to become a Center for Excellence for hernia and robotic surgery and minimally invasive gynecology and invasive surgery. Organized community event to provide others including local children with firsthand knowledge of robotic technology.

Ben Gerke, Rehab Services Manager

Presbyterian Espanola Hospital

3:38

Staff leader who supports his peers, and is a model in engaging the team in respectful and fun ways to improve their performance which in turn improves patient outcomes.

Ron Green, Director of Clinic Operations

Gila Regional Medical Center

3:56

Strategic, humble leader whose efforts saved the hospital's cancer center, tirelessly recruited providers, raised up staff and is a fierce patient advocate.

Dr. Frank Walker, General Surgeon

Sierra Vista Hospital

4:21

Touched the lives of over 443 patients since Dec. 2022, providing access to endoscopic and laparoscopic surgical expertise and care close to home, promotes colonoscopy screening awareness in the community and participates in an elementary school tutoring program.

Clayton Putney, Surgical Tech V

Holy Cross Medical Center

4:55

Introduced a surgical tech trainee program allowing the hospital to fill open positions with permanent staff. Goes above and beyond to promote an environment of transparency, collegiality and quality clinical experience.

Gabriela Renteria, Patient Relations Representative

Kindred Rehabilitation Hospital Albuquerque

5:25

Takes the time to hold patients' hands, recognize their progress and celebrate the milestones of healing. Creates a success story for each patient on how far they have come and as inspiration for new patients.

Melissa Phillips, Emergency Services Director, RN, MSN

Roosevelt General Hospital

5:51

Instrumental in developing policies and processes to reduce medication errors, improved sepsis times and decreased the use restraints in the ER to zero. Created a culture of collaboration among all staff.

Mario Pena Munoz, LPN

Haven Behavioral Health

6:19

Ensures excellent patient care with is "wonderful people style" and "never wavering kindness", allowing patients to focus on their recovery. His ability to capture detailed information on admitted patients leads to personalized treatment plans and high-quality patient experience. Facilitates nursing groups, is a trainer and educator for new hires who feel more comfortable because of his guidance.