Chaves County Emphasizes “Care” in Healthcare

The pandemic of 2020 added strain to America’s healthcare system, as it did to other industries that were directly affected. Since the subsiding of the pandemic, America has been working hard to rebound its healthcare system in every way. Chaves County is doing its part to emphasize care in healthcare. 

Unifying Healthcare

Chaves County being such a populated county, one might expect a rebound to be unnecessary. However, such is not the case due to the unifying spirit within Chaves County’s healthcare entities. Words from Zachary Tyler Hedgecock, multi-manager at Trans Aero Medevac, “With the county as large as it is, it can be very difficult for the citizens of the county to get the health care they need. One of the ways the county has learned to cope with this is by working together when needed. There is not much bureaucracy between organizations in Chaves County; if one organization needs help, all it takes is a phone call, and help is on the way. … teamwork exists throughout the county. Trans Aero Medevac … and multiple other agencies in Chaves County regularly work together to provide services that are high-quality and meet the needs of the patients and community.” To back Hedgecock’s claim, CEO Nicholas Shirilla at Lovelace Regional Hospital says, “We have great doctors and providers that want to care for this community” and sentiments echoed by CEO Warren Yehl at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center says, “We are a regional healthcare hub for Southeast New Mexico and our local communities benefit from the investments made in our community.”

Some of the top challenges America’s healthcare system faces are:

• Lack of hospitals and healthcare services in rural areas
• Expensive pharmaceuticals
• Rising costs of overall healthcare with and without insurance
• Systemic racism
• Diminished quality of care
• Management of chronic conditions/diseases 
• Lack of qualified staff and management
• Diminished empathy

Chaves County addresses the above concerns daily by ensuring a cohesive healthcare network that tends to all residents equally.

Without empathy, most health concerns would be ignored. We sat down with Hedgecock, Shirilla, and Yehl to discuss the strengths and positives of healthcare that each business offers and provides to the Chaves County community. Beaming with joy, it was obvious of their drive and dedication to see people healthy.

Eastern New Mexico Medical Center

Eastern New Mexico Medical Center (ENMMC) is a 162-bed acute care hospital guided by a mission to be a great place for employees to work, physicians to practice, and patients to receive compassionate and quality care. 

ENMMC provides emergency services with designations in Trauma level III, Stroke and Chest Pain Center, medical and surgical inpatient and outpatient care. Additionally, the hospital and affiliated 25 and growing clinic providers include invasive and interventional cardiology, cancer treatment, women’s services, gastroenterology, mental health services, advanced diagnostic imaging, and one of the largest primary care networks in the community.

“Why Roswell?” we asked CEO Warren Yehl. “Roswell is a great community to raise a family. My wife’s family has generational roots in Southeast New Mexico and as we looked for a community where we could feel the difference we could make professionally and personally… Roswell checked all of the boxes” Yehl stated.

ENMMC believes it is our job to help build our future and take care of those caregivers who positively impact our patients' experience.  “We serve as the teaching hospital for Eastern New Mexico University – Roswell students, as well as, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine medical students out of Las Cruces, NM in a joint effort to increase medical access throughout Southeastern New Mexico”, said Warren Yehl, CEO of ENMMC.   “We also offer enhanced benefits to help team members achieve their personal and professional goals, including assistance with student loan repayments, reimbursement of licensure and certification expenses, as well as tuition reimbursement. We appreciate our team and are creating pathways for their success.” To join the over 500+ healthcare professionals at ENMMC check out their hiring gateway.

Lovelace Regional Hospital

“Working to expand services, such as urology and primary care, Lovelace Regional Hospital (LRH) offers the best care in Southeast New Mexico, and it is done with compassion, respect, accountability, and responsibility,” says Shirilla. Lovelace Health System is the parent company that encompasses LRH and seven other healthcare entities:

• Lovelace Medical Center
• Heart Hospital of New Mexico at Lovelace Medical Center
• New Mexico Heart Institute
• Lovelace UNM Rehabilitation Hospital
• Lovelace Women’s Hospital 
• Lovelace Westside Hospital
• Lovelace Medical Group/Southwest Medical Associates (multiple locations)

As one of New Mexico’s largest employers, Lovelace Health System also offers multiple outpatient locations and other services throughout Chaves County and the state.

LRH provides labor and delivery care, orthopedics, sports medicine, and emergency care.

When asked about his inspiration to work for LRH and why he chose Chaves County for residence, Shirilla said, “The ability to offer a positive patient experience at a vulnerable time. I enjoy connecting with a community. It’s more genuine when you see patients running errands on the weekend.”

LRH is currently looking for leaders in every department and Shirilla says, “You can never have enough nurses. We’re in need of individuals that want to care for the community they live in.” If you are a resident seeking employment, or looking to relocate to Chaves County, search their Careers Page and apply.

Trans Aero Medevac

Trans Aero Medevac (TAME) is a Critical Care air medical transport company that puts care first. “ We are the only company in America that flies doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses side-by-side with paramedics. Providing such a higher level of care equals a higher level of life-saving skills providers can utilize in and outside the hospitals, like ultrasound, lateral canthotomy, thoracotomy, field amputations, blood administration, and central lines,” says Hedgecock. TAME operates out of four locations to better serve Southeastern New Mexico and Western Texas.

As a Roswell native, when asked about his inspiration to work for TAME, Hedgecock said, “There’s nothing more frustrating in healthcare than wanting to help someone and not having the resources or skills to do so. I was inspired to be a Flight Paramedic with TAME because of the level of care they provide to the community. I jumped at the opportunity of multi-manager to make meaningful contributions and changes to day-to-day operations that continue to improve the level of care we provide and to give back to our employees.”

TAME is expanding and recently signed a contract with the City of Roswell and Roswell International Airport and is currently hiring. TAME  keeps resumes on file for six months, so if there is no posting for the position you’re seeking, please submit “your resume today in order to be considered for any current or future positions.”

It’s Easy to Grow Here

Consider Roswell and Chaves County as your relocation destination. Chaves County is the economic and cultural hub of Southeastern New Mexico. Being steps away from Roswell International Airport, we are a leader in the aviation industry with room to grow. Contact Roswell-Chaves County Economic Development Corp to learn more about growth opportunities.