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| You're Invited To Our 2025 Public Board Meeting
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The Memorial Medical Center Board of Trustees, joined by the MMC Executive Leadership team, invite all area residents to Memorial Medical Center’s public board meeting on Thursday, Nov. 13th from 6-7 p.m. at the hospital Annex (2450 S. Telshor Boulevard, Las Cruces) in Conference Rooms A and B.
This meeting will feature a short presentation on hospital updates as well as a Q&A and interactive session with attendees.
The Board welcomes all those interested in learning more about the hospital and providing input as Memorial proudly celebrates its 75th anniversary of service to the community.
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Welcoming Our New Chief Nursing Officer
We are excited to announce that Catherine “Cathy” Shull-Fernald will join us as Chief Nursing Officer on Monday, November 3, 2025.
Cathy is a seasoned healthcare executive with over 27 years of experience leading clinical operations, nursing, and support services. Her career began in direct patient care and evolved into leadership roles in nursing education, training, and administration. She’s known for driving excellence in safety, quality, satisfaction, and financial outcomes in complex healthcare environments.
Her leadership has spanned innovative care delivery models, capacity management, and academic and community partnerships to strengthen the nursing workforce. Cathy has also served as adjunct faculty at Immaculata University and Assistant Dean at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. She’s a published author and frequent speaker on topics ranging from clinical best practices to emergency preparedness.
Cathy holds NEA–BC and RNC–OB certifications and is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Please join us in warmly welcoming Cathy to MMC!
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The Newest Memorial Difference Video:
Watch Julie's Powerful Story
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Julie Hassman loves giving back to our community, both as an avid MMC Auxilian and founding member of the local American Legion Auxiliary patriotic singing group the Poppies.
After suddenly growing very tired and experiencing chest pressure in 2024, MMC Interventional Cardiologist M. Rizwan Sardar, MD, FACC, FSCAI, broke the news to Julie that she had severe aortic valve failure – and that she likely wouldn’t live to see 2025 if her valve wasn’t replaced.
Traditionally achieved through open heart surgery, Julie’s nerves were calmed by the fact that she qualified for the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure. “I didn’t have fear because I knew that with the minimally invasive surgery, I would be way ahead in recuperation,” she said. “I was in good hands at Memorial.”
Julie was back to feeling normal – and giving back – just six weeks after undergoing the TAVR procedure that is unique to MMC in Southern New Mexico. That's the Memorial Difference.
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| Breast Cancer Awareness Month:
Cancer Warriors Week Raises $172,000
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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to honor survivors, remember those we have lost, and renew our commitment to early detection, education, and compassionate care. At MMC, we are very proud of our breast health program and our strong partnership with the local nonprofit organization Cancer Warriors.
As a premier sponsor for this year's Cancer Warrior Week events, we are thrilled to share that the organization raised $172,000 for local cancer patients. From the NMSU "Pink Game," to Zumba at the Farm and Ranch Museum, to the "Grease"-themed MMC marquee event Bras For A Cause, to luminarias glowing outside our hospital, it was fantastic to see such community involvement for this vital cause. Make sure to check out our social media pages to see more photos and videos from all the activities!
Additionally, late last month Memorial CEO Dennis Knox had the privilege of introducing Cancer Warriors as a Commitment to Community Healthcare Award Recipient at this year’s New Mexico Hospital Association Annual Quality Awards in Albuquerque.
The organization has partnered with MMC to launch the highly impactful Mammo to Answers Expedited Breast Health Diagnostic Program, as well as free yoga classes for cancer survivors and caregivers held twice weekly at our hospital.
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| How We're Making Communities Healthier:
Narcan Dispenser In Emergency Department Lobby
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At MMC, we’re proud to announce a new resource in the fight against opioid overdose deaths. We are the first hospital in our region to have a Narcan (naloxone) nasal spray vending machine in our Emergency Department lobby. Through a partnership with the New Mexico Health Care Authority, we are pleased to offer this life-saving tool free of charge to our community in such a heavily trafficked location.
Having Narcan on hand can make the difference between life and death during an opioid overdose emergency. Preventable opioid overdose deaths have increased 457 percent since 1999 in the U.S., and the public health challenge remains a crisis here in New Mexico.
If you or your business are interested in learning how you can prevent an opioid overdose death in our community, free training is being offered by Doña Ana County Government Center. Call 575-525-5877 or email narcan@donaana.gov to schedule your training.
Together, we can turn the tide against overdose death.
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| Honoring Our Nation's Heroes:
MMC Proudly Supports Honor Flight Mission 20
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As we near Veterans Day, we are very happy to share that Rio Grande Honor Flight Mission 20 was a resounding success, recently sending 34 area veterans to Washington, D.C. to see the monuments and memorials built in their honor. Each trip to our nation’s capital is more than a journey – it is a powerful tribute to service, sacrifice and legacy. It also offers a long-overdue “welcome home” for so many of these veterans.
Two MMC employees, Frank Chase and Andrew Cummins, proudly served as Guardians for Vietnam veterans on this trip to D.C. At Memorial, we continue to take the utmost pride in being a key partner and supporter of our region's Honor Flight program.
Thank you to everyone who attended the powerful homecoming events at the El Paso International Airport and here at Memorial. It was very moving to see such a great, patriotic turnout to properly welcome these heroes home.
We greatly look forward to Mission 21 in April 2026!
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| Junior Leadership Las Cruces Visits MMC
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It was our pleasure to welcome and host this year’s Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce Junior Leadership class on Oct. 15th as part of the group’s Healthcare Day. These area students had the opportunity to hear career path insights from our executive leadership team as well as tour our cutting-edge Radiation Oncology program. Thanks to our wonderful team for being great hosts for these future leaders.
Junior Leadership provides high school juniors with the opportunity to receive hands-on education about Las Cruces’ rich history, opportunities and challenges. We are more than happy to support this program.
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