Memorial wants to be the best we can be for our community

By Dennis Knox
Memorial Medical Center Interim CEO

For the last three months, I have had the honor to live and work in Las Cruces as interim CEO of Memorial Medical Center. Thank you for the warm welcome, as this city has quickly become home to me. I am proud to be working alongside so many dedicated and compassionate colleagues at the hospital and being a part of a wider community focused on building healthier families and neighborhoods.

Every day, I enjoy engaging with the citizens of Las Cruces and learning more about this fine city and the surrounding Doña Ana County. From attending NMSU football games and exhibition baseball games and cheering on the Aggies, to attending Cancer Warrior and Chamber events, and soon joining the Rotary Club of Las Cruces, extending my 35 years as a Rotarian, I witness the camaraderie and care that Las Crucens have for each other.

When I am making my regular rounds walking the halls of the hospital, I am inspired by the expertise, compassion and giving spirit of our Memorial family. This team has faced some challenges and had to overcome some obstacles, especially the last four years of the pandemic and its aftermath. I know, though, from working and talking with many of our 1,450+ team members of doctors, advanced practice providers, nurses, support staff and volunteers who make up the fabric of MMC, that they are absolutely committed to caring for their neighbors and making a difference in our community.

The connection to Las Cruces and the surrounding region that so many who work at MMC have is incredibly important to all of us and the work we do every day. We truly value and listen to the input and feedback from local residents. We want to be the best we can be for those we care for.

In that spirit, the Board of Trustees, joined by the MMC Executive Leadership team, invite all area residents to Memorial Medical Center’s public board meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at the hospital Annex (2450 S. Telshor Boulevard, Las Cruces) in Conference Rooms A and B. This meeting will be an opportunity to show how we strive to meet the needs of our community with a short presentation on hospital updates as well as a Q&A and interactive session with the community attendees. We welcome those interested in learning more about our hospital and providing input. We hope to see you there.