Kate Becker
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — University of New Mexico Hospitals CEO Kate Becker remembers a time late last year when the hospital was overrun with COVID-19 patients.
It was in November and December, around the time of the state’s deadliest surge of the pandemic.
“We converted our urgent care to in-patient spaces. We converted our science clinic to in-patient spaces. We shut down (operating rooms) and made those into (intensive care units),” Becker said while addressing the Economic Forum of Albuquerque Wednesday morning. “We adapted dramatically in terms of staffing, space and equipment across the entire platform. ⦠It was a heroic effort, and there is no other word for it.”