LINCOLN COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER

Addressing New Mexico's Healthcare Workforce Shortage

A recent report from Think New Mexico, a bipartisan think tank, highlights the critical healthcare worker shortage in the state. Key findings include:

• Significant shortages in registered nurses, EMTs, physical therapists, and pharmacists.

• A 31% reduction in primary care physicians between 2017 and 2021.

Lincoln County Medical Center’s (LCMC) Response

LCMC is committed to tackling this challenge and ensuring the healthcare needs of the Lincoln County community are met. Their initiatives include:

Supporting Education and Training

• Scholarships for graduating seniors and current employees to pursue healthcare education.

• Stipends for EMTs seeking paramedic licenses.

• Partnerships with ENMU-Ruidoso to provide training opportunities for nursing and EMT students.

  • Hired six graduates of the ENMU-Ruidoso nursing program in the past two years.

  • Ongoing collaboration to create educational programs that address healthcare worker demand.

• In 2023, phlebotomy certification courses were launched in partnership with TriCore Laboratories:

  • Several current employees received certifications.

  • Four new hires resulted from the program.

Expanding the Healthcare Team

In 2024, LCMC successfully recruited:

• Dr. Megan Belcher (family medicine).

• Hospitalists Dr. Kimberly Bell and Dr. Alicia Gonzales.

• Dr. Alexandra Drymon (general surgery).

Commitment to Community Health

LCMC remains focused on:

• Improving healthcare access for Lincoln County residents.

• Continuously evaluating and expanding provider staff to meet community needs.

These efforts underscore LCMC’s dedication to addressing New Mexico’s healthcare workforce shortage while fostering local talent and providing high-quality care.