Lovelace UNM Rehabilitation Hospital

Derrick Jones

  1. Senior Leadership

Interim Chief Executive Officer

Lovelace UNM Rehabilitation Hospital

Bio

Derrick Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Lovelace Westside Hospital

Derrick was just named CEO of Lovelace Westside Hospital and previously served as CEO of Lovelace UNM Rehabilitation Hospital (LURH) from 2011 – 2021 where he was vital to the growth and success of the hospital. In 2017, he successfully negotiated Lovelace Rehabilitation Hospital’s joint venture agreement with the University of New Mexico. Derrick led development of the first Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program at LURH in July 2019. Under his leadership, LURH became the only rehab hospital in New Mexico to become CARF-accredited in six programs. During his tenure, the hospital was named to Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work in Healthcare in 2018 and 2019. LURH also played a vital role during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in caring for medical/surgical patients transferred from Lovelace Medical Center and providing vaccine shots to employees and community members.

Derrick was named Ardent CEO of the Year in 2013 and his hospital earned the Ardent Employee Loyalty Award in 2018 and the Ardent Quality Award in 2013. He has 23 years of acute and post-acute hospital experience working with organizations such as Catholic Health initiatives, Ascension Health and HealthSouth. While Derrick served as CEO of HealthSouth Hospital in Midland, Texas, the facility received the highest patient satisfaction award in the Texas region in 2009 and was also recognized as the most improved hospital in 2010 and 2011.

Derrick obtained a bachelor of science degree in healthcare administration from Auburn University and an MBA and MSHA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Career highlights:

  • Recipient of the Modern Healthcare Best Places to Work Award 2018, 2019
  • Recipient of the Ardent award for highest employee loyalty 2018
  • Recipient of the Ardent CEO of the year in 2013
  • Recipient of the Ardent Quality award in 2013
  • Albuquerque’s Business First top CEO nominee 2013
  • Brain Injury Alliance Recognition Award for outstanding contribution and support 2014
  • Recipient of the HealthStream Awards of Excellence: Excellence Through Insight Award for Most Improved Small Hospital in overall employee satisfaction and engagement

 

 

Melissa Owens

  1. Senior Leadership

Bio

Melissa has been with the Lovelace UNM Rehabilitation Hospital (LURH) for eight years, serving as nurse manager for the past four years. She has been instrumental in nurse recruitment and retention efforts while overseeing a team of 75+ RNs, LPNs, patient care technicians and unit clerks. Having worked closely with senior leadership and the quality team, she has assisted in multiple Quality Improvement Plans and helped develop robust interdisciplinary programs. Melissa completed her bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) at New Mexico Highland University and is currently pursuing her master of science in nursing (MSN) from Chamberlain University. She is a member of the American Nurses Association, New Mexico Nurses Association and the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses.

Matt Maes

  1. Senior Leadership

Chief Financial Officer

Lovelace UNM Rehabilitation Hospital

Bio

Matt has over 20 years’ experience in finance, eight of those in healthcare. He came to Lovelace Health System in 2011, serving as the Controller for the Lovelace Health Plan.  In 2013 he concurrently became the Controller over the Lovelace Retail Pharmacy. Matt joined Lovelace UNM Rehabilitation Hospital as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in 2015. He is responsible for the fiscal health for the 62 inpatient beds at Lovelace UNM Rehabilitation Hospital, as well as six outpatient therapy clinics located in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Jemez, and one outpatient pain management clinic. Matt also oversees several operational departments, including Admissions, EVS, Dietary, Plant Operations, Health Information Management, and the Lovelace Pain Clinic.

Prior to joining Lovelace, Matt was the Assistant Controller for Sandia Resort & Casino in Albuquerque, NM and the Director of Reinsurance Accounting for SouthwestRE, also in Albuquerque. Matt also served as the Senior Assurance and Consulting Accounting for REDW, one of the ten largest public accounting firms in the southwest.

Matt completed his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of New Mexico. He is a fellow of The Advisory Board Leadership Program, member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

Matt was also a finalist for Albuquerque Business First’s Top CFO of the Year in 2016.

Community Engagement

  • ARCA-Opening Doors, Current Board President, Board Member since 2012
  • Children's Grief Center of New Mexico, Board of Directors