Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center has served Alamogordo and Otero County for nearly 75 years. To maintain its vital role in the community and continue for another 75 years, the hospital’s Board of Directors and leadership are embarking on a strategic visioning process to explore opportunities to enhance access to care and meet patient needs long into the future.
The Present
GCRMC is strong and in a unique position for a community hospital right now: we have an excellent workforce, solid financial foundation and operate out of newer and well-maintained facilities. While we are fortunate to find ourselves in this position, COVID-19 taught us the future is difficult to predict.
The Board has engaged industry experts to help research potential partners and explore new business opportunities. The hospital is one of our community’s most vital resources, and it is imperative we take this opportunity now to thoughtfully evaluate our long-term strategic direction. Our work has just begun and will likely continue through the end of the year.
Priorities
The hospital’s main objectives include:
- Expanding and reinforcing clinical capabilities
- Fortifying workforce recruitment and retention efforts
- Increasing services and accessibility within the community
- Investing in capital and IT infrastructure
- Alignment with a long-held commitment to service
Next Steps
For now, nothing will change as we embark on this process throughout the rest of this year.
We are committed to keeping the community informed as we move forward. We will update this website and share additional information in the coming months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this happening now?
Health care is constantly evolving, and the intense pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic made clear to all hospitals – especially those like GCRMC who serve rural communities – that planning ahead is key to surviving and growing. The hospital is financially and operationally strong, which allows for greater leverage in seeking any potential partnership and sets a good foundation for additional expansion and improvement efforts.
How long will the process take and when will we have more information?
We anticipate the strategic visioning process may last through the end of the year. We’re committed to sharing information along the way.
What does this mean for employees?
The clinicians, frontline caregivers and support teams that keep GCRMC running are one of the very reasons the hospital is undertaking this process. The hospital wants to remain an employer of choice in the community for years to come and supporting our dedicated workforce is a key priority. Any decisions impacting the future of the hospital will be made to enhance and build on the strong foundation we’ve established.
Will the hospital remain a nonprofit organization?
Any organization we identify as a potential partner must align with our hospital’s values, our commitment to service, our focus on the evolution of our organization and our dedication to giving back to the people of this region. Until we understand the best options for the hospital’s future we do not know if our tax status will change.
Is the hospital in financial trouble?
No. In fact, we’re stronger than ever before. We’ve worked diligently to establish a solid financial and clinical foundation and, unlike many hospitals in today’s climate, we’re able to execute our process from a position of strength.
