Del Esparza, chairman of the board of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, and Terri Cole, GACC president and CEO, wrote an op-ed published in The Sunday Journal on Sept. 8 supporting the University of New Mexico Hospital mill levy on Nov. 5.
The Chamber leaders explained they and other business leaders understand the vital role a robust health care system plays in attracting, and retaining, quality employees and businesses in our community.
“And as Albuquerque residents, we know we and our fellow New Mexicans deserve great health care,” the pair wrote. “So do all our chamber members; it’s why our board of directors voted unanimously to support the University of New Mexico Hospital mill levy that’s on the ballot this fall.”
Esparza and Cole said the funding will help enable UNMH to continue to provide its unparalleled high-quality health care, including:
New Mexico’s only Level 1 Trauma Center.
- Level 1 traumas are the most serious injuries and require quick response times and treatment. Having a Level 1 Trauma Center and 24-hour emergency room at UNMH are important to individuals, families and businesses. Whether it’s a serious fall or a vehicle wreck, these facilities are lifelines for our residents and our workforce. Having immediate access to top-notch emergency care can be the difference between life and death, between prolonged downtime and swift recovery.
New Mexico’s only dedicated pediatric hospital.
- UNM Children’s Hospital treats thousands of our children every year. The hospital’s cutting-edge technology and specialized care are strong motivators for families moving to, and staying in, New Mexico. Knowing that your children’s health needs will be met at the highest level makes Albuquerque an attractive place to live and work.
A teaching hospital.
- As the only academic health center in New Mexico, UNMH cares for patients with the most complex health needs in the Southwest — regardless of a family’s ability to pay. It is the primary teaching hospital for the UNM School of Medicine, which means providers and their patients are on the cutting edge of medical research, technology, clinical trials and specialty patient care.
The state’s only NCI-designated cancer treatment center.
- The UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center is nationally recognized for breakthrough research in genomics, leukemia, nanotechnology, radioisotopes and drug discovery. This means New Mexicans have access to the latest treatments, providing invaluable peace of mind and ensuring New Mexicans don’t have to leave the state to receive world-class cancer treatment.
Read the full editorial here.