The latest news from the desk of CEO John Harris
The latest news from the desk of CEO John Harris

Friday, January 6, 2023

This new year, I am reminded now more than ever how proud we are to be a part of this great community. We wish you and your loved ones a safe, happy, healthy and bountiful 2023. 
Prioritize Your Health And Schedule Care

Our Community Knows the Memorial Difference

We had a lot to celebrate as we turned our calendars to the new year. Memorial Medical Center has once again been voted Best Hospital in the Mesilla Valley, along with many other notable honors.

We work hard to provide high quality care that’s continuously recognized for excellence. It’s why so many in our community trust us for their care.

Below is a list of Memorial's first-place winners. Congratulations!
Best Hospital: Memorial Medical Center
Best Medical Group: Memorial Physician Practices
Best Cancer Center: Memorial Cancer Center
Best Physician: Mai Oushy, MD, MPH
Best Podiatrist: Raha Mobarak, DPM
Best Surgeon: Carrie Dieker, MD
Best Oncologist: Jason Call, MD
Best Hearing Care Providers: Memorial Ear, Nose and Throat
Best Medical Clinic: Memorial Family HealthCare North Main
Best Weight Loss Clinic/Counseling: Memorial Weight Loss Center
Best Orthopedist: Robert Schwartz, MD
Best Cardiologist: Udit Bhatnagar, MD, FACC, FSCA

It is our privilege to continue providing high quality healthcare to our community and Southern New Mexico.

Introducing New Members of Our Leadership Team

I am very pleased to announce that two very talented individuals are joining the executive leadership team at Memorial Medical Center. Laura Thomas, MHA, joined us as Chief Financial Officer on January 3rd. Dave Schmidt, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, will mark his first day at our facility as new Chief Nursing Officer on January 9th.

Please join me in welcoming Dave, Laura and their families to our wonderful community! Learn more about them below.
Laura Thomas brings nearly two decades of healthcare financial experience to MMC. She describes herself as a nontraditional CFO who thrives in a creative environment.
Laura was most recently the CFO with Boone Health System, a 392-bed hospital in Columbia, Mo., that was a regional referral center in the center of the state. She has worked at healthcare facilities in Texas, Ohio, New Mexico, and the American Territories. Laura earned her bachelor's degree accounting and information systems from the University of Texas – Odessa, bolstered by her Master's in Health Administration from Ohio University.
Laura's husband, Jason, is a special education teacher. They have two children, Hayden, 20, currently in nursing school in Texas, and Hudson, 15, an avid saxophone player.
Dave Schmidt comes to Memorial Medical Center with 30 years of experience in healthcare and an excellent track record of increasing patient and staff satisfaction. He is an experienced, successful nursing leader who is passionate about delivering excellence in patient care.

He has been a nurse for 24 years, working in and holding leadership roles in emergency departments, intensive care units and cardiovascular care units in Pennsylvania. Dave has been a Chief Nursing Officer for the last 11 years, and most recently was the CNO for a 375-bed Level II Trauma Center in Connecticut.

Dave’s wife, Lesley, is also a nurse, and they are moving to Las Cruces with their two dogs, Fred and Wilma.  They have two children, Alyssa and Alex, who live in Baltimore and Denver, respectively.

Making Cardiovascular History at MMC

I am very proud to announce that we have successfully completed Southern New Mexico’s first successful implant of the WATCHMAN Device, a permanent heart implant designed to reduce stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib). The implant is an alternative to the lifelong use of blood thinners for people with AFib not caused by a heart valve problem.

Led by our very talented Interventional Cardiologist Dr. M. Rizwan Sardar and Cardiologist Dr. Annette (Minnsun) Park, I am very proud of our entire Cardiovascular Services team for bringing this life-changing medical technology to our region. This advancement is the latest example of how Memorial is truly elevating heart care in Southern New Mexico.
Learn More About WATCHMAN
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