A Statement from Community Health Corporation and Lovelace Health System
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – April 25, 2024 – Community Hospital Corporation (CHC) and Lovelace Health System (Lovelace) are pleased to partner with the County of Valencia, New Mexico (Valencia County), to expand access to healthcare services through the development of a new state-of-the-art acute care hospital in Los Lunas, New Mexico.
The 15-bed hospital will be located at the intersection of New Mexico State Road 6 and Sandsage Street and will provide essential medical/surgical, imaging and emergency care services. The hospital will be owned by Valencia County and operated by a joint venture comprised of CHC and Lovelace. Under the joint venture arrangement, CHC will be the manager with responsibility for day-to-day hospital operations while Lovelace will provide critical support services, including medical group support and access to its electronic health record. As part of Lovelace Health System, the hospital will reflect the Lovelace brand.
Valencia County Commissioners delegated site selection to the joint venture. Representatives from CHC and Lovelace completed an extensive review of potential sites in Valencia County. The comprehensive evaluation process considered a variety of factors including population growth trends, ease of access, proximity to I-25, and room to accommodate future expansion.
“We are grateful for this invaluable partnership with Valencia County and Lovelace Health System to develop a new local hospital to benefit the community,” said Jim Kendrick, president and CEO of Community Hospital Corporation. “We would like to thank the New Mexico legislature and New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham who made this effort possible. We applaud their vision to foster a healthier local community.”
“We recognize the significant need for healthcare services in Valencia County and look forward to working with the county and local providers to fill this gap,” said Troy Greer, president and CEO of Lovelace Health System. “The construction of a new hospital will allow more citizens of Valencia County to receive care close to home while providing opportunities for more coordinated care for those who require a higher level of treatment. Lovelace is pleased to be part of this critical first step in bringing additional healthcare resources to Los Lunas, Belen and the surrounding areas.”
About Community Hospital Corporation – HELP WHERE HOSPITALS NEED IT®
Community Hospital Corporation owns, manages and consults with hospitals through CHC Hospitals, CHC Consulting and CHC ContinueCARE with the purpose to collaborate with partners and bring innovative solutions to support the vibrancy and accessibility of community healthcare. Based in Plano, Texas, CHC provides the resources and experience community hospitals need to improve quality outcomes, patient satisfaction and financial performance. Visit chc.com.
About Lovelace Health System
Lovelace is comprised of Lovelace Medical Group/New Mexico Heart Institute, Lovelace Women’s Hospital, Lovelace Medical Center, Heart Hospital of New Mexico at Lovelace Medical Center, Lovelace Westside Hospital, Lovelace Regional Hospital and Lovelace UNM Rehabilitation Hospital. Across its six hospitals, 33 health care clinics and seven outpatient therapy clinics, Lovelace has 619 inpatient beds and employs a team of more than 3,200, including over 300 health care providers. Lovelace continues to invest in our community, providing more than $99 million in unfunded care and supporting local nonprofit and community organizations with more than $315,000 in charitable contributions and community support in 2023. From the first and only hospital in New Mexico dedicated to women’s health to the state’s only hospital devoted exclusively to cardiovascular care, Lovelace is a leader in meeting the healthcare needs of this region. To learn more about our state-of-the-art treatment options, innovative health care providers and award-winning quality initiatives, visit lovelace.com.
Media Contacts:
Anne Block Whitney Alcantar
Community Hospital Corporation Lovelace Health System
ablock@chc.com whitney.alcantar@lovelace.com
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