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.”
In commitment to community health, The University of New Mexico is permitting employees to use compensated work hours to staff a COVID vaccine clinic at The Pit.
The newly created UNM Health COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at The Pit is enabling UNM Hospital officials to administer vaccinations with guidance and support from the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH). Vaccines will be administered under the phases outlined by the DOH.
To maintain an orderly, efficient and coordinated implementation, UNM is seeking medical and non-medical volunteers to help staff the site.
“We all have been impacted by COVID,” said Kate Becker, CEO of University of New Mexico Hospitals. “Being able to administer vaccines to the most vulnerable members of the public has truly been inspiring and we appreciate every volunteer who serves to make this happen.”