Eastern New Mexico Medical: A Leader in Regional Health Care

Courtesy of ENMMC

The essence of Eastern New Mexico Medical Center (ENMMC) embraces making a positive impact on the health and wellness of those they serve.

Supporting the Roswell, NM, community for more than a century, the hospital can trace its footsteps back to when its predecessor, St. Mary’s Hospital, was founded in 1906. Today, those who enter its doors are much more than patients, but family, friends and neighbors. From the first cry of a newborn to seniors enjoying their golden years, the hospital provides care to all ages. 

Regional Health Hub

ENMMC, which is the largest hospital in southeast New Mexico with 162 licensed beds, opened at its current campus in early 1955. Over the last 70 years, it has transformed into a regional health care hub, serving nearly a quarter of a million people with the latest in evidence-based medicine. 

ENMMC CEO Warren Yehl says the hospital in Roswell really hits the sweet spot in terms of size, medical specialties and community outreach.

“We are a hospital in a rural community. Everything we do has an impact, and we’re large enough to provide comprehensive medical services to the region,” Yehl says.

Proudly accredited by The Joint Commission, the hospital and lab are the core of an impressive health care organization including three medical office buildings, 16 physician clinic locations and more than 20 partnered providers offering a broad range of fields from family medicine, cardiology, gastroenterology, orthopedics and more. The medical center is one of the few facilities in the state with an inpatient behavioral care unit, which draws patients from across New Mexico to receive the specialized, evidence-based care required to address mental and emotional health challenges. Also, the full scope of women’s health is available from maternity to menopause, with a range of services including free prenatal classes. The hospital’s investments in new equipment and technologies supported the births of over 600 babies last year.

Innovative Robotic Surgery

An exciting innovation making a powerful impact on the community is the advancement of robotic surgery, a minimally invasive surgical approach utilizing robotic-assisted equipment. The new technology allows surgeons to perform more complex procedures using a magnified, high-definition, 3D vision system and tiny instruments, providing greater vision, precision and control. 

Courtesy of ENMMC

“Robotic surgery can offer a faster recovery for most patients as opposed to traditional open or laparoscopic surgery,” says Dr. Ankita Mishra, one of the ENMMC surgeons specializing in robotic surgery. “It is our goal to provide safe and compassionate care. Patients typically experience a shorter recuperation with less intense pain, and many can usually return to their normal routine in a shorter period of time.”

Advanced Emergency Room Services

And when every tick of the clock counts, ENMMC’s emergency services provide peace of mind and medical excellence. The county’s only Trauma, Stroke and Chest Pain Accredited Center, the ER has 23 patient care rooms and provides life-saving care for more than 29,000 patients annually. If you or a loved one is experiencing chest pain, don’t wait. The ENMMC chest pain team is available at all times to help. The first Accredited Chest Pain Center with PCI in southeastern New Mexico, ENMMC offers state-of-the-art techniques and technologies, from interventional cardiac procedures to 3D cardiac CT imaging, in a calm and hands-on welcoming environment.

Training Future Medical Professionals

Another way the hospital is making a lasting impact is by preparing the next generation of medical professionals to help meet the growing demand for physicians and nurses, particularly in underserved rural areas of New Mexico.  

Newly opened, the 2,500-square-foot Eloise Blake Clinical Excellence Center (CEC) celebrates ENMMC’s ongoing education commitment. The on-site space provides students with a conducive environment for working on clinical reports and handling sensitive information, effectively integrating clinical experience and classroom instruction for nursing and other students.

Students from Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell’s health education programs, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine in Las Cruces and residents from the University of New Mexico and Southeast New Mexico College-Carlsbad come for clinical rotations.

“We are deeply committed to help as many future health care professionals as we can, and we recruit extensively from all those programs,” Yehl says. 

Community Impact

Beyond the hospital walls, ENMMC serves as an epicenter of positive change in the community by addressing social issues that impact health in Roswell and the surrounding areas.

One key outreach is the free Senior Circle program. Regularly attended by approximately 75 Roswell locals, activities are available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and may include a friendly conversation over a cup of coffee, entertainment, hands-on activities or physician-led seminars.

Each year, the hospital joins the fight against food insecurity with the donations of hundreds of jars of peanut and other nut butters to the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry. ENMMC serves as the main sponsor of the Chaves County Health Expo and works diligently with the local United Way of Chaves County. Additionally, the hospital provides nearly $35 million in charity and uncompensated care to those in need each year.

“It is humbling and an honor to regularly get to participate in miracles caring for our community,” Yehl says.

For more information about Eastern New Mexico Medical Center, visit enmmc.com.