News Release: February 2, 2009

Española Hospital was named the 2008 Business of the Year by the Española Valley Chamber of Commerce at the Chamber’s Annual Banquet on Saturday, January 24.

 “The Española Valley is fortunate to have such a fine hospital, with state-of-the art equipment, providing quality health care to our residents,” said Alice Lucero, executive director of the Española Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber recognized Española Hospital for making visible improvements in the community in the area of healthcare delivery, quality, access and facility.

“The most rewarding part of receiving this award is that the community we serve chose to nominate us. It’s a great validation in the work we do every day to improve the health of the residents in Española Valley and Rio Arriba County,” said Derrick Yu, administrator of Española Hospital.

In attendance to accept the award with Yu was Ray Chavez, board chairman of Española Hospital, and board members, Josie Lujan and Lloyd Vigil.

Today, Española Hospital has 70 beds and has been managed and owned by not-for-profit Presbyterian Healthcare Services since 1979. Since 2004, Presbyterian has invested more than $2 million in state-of-the-art health care for Northern New Mexico by providing new Labor and Delivery Rooms, new Emergency Department, new CT scanner and remodeled Urgent Care. As Española Hospital marked its 60 year anniversary in 2008, Presbyterian celebrated its 100 year of service to New Mexico last October. In April, the Presbyterian Española Medical Group Clinic and Rehabilitation facility opened with the Presbyterian Healthcare Services investment of $11 million and an $8 million contribution from the Rio Arriba County Mill Levy.