News Release: August 8, 1997

Albuquerque, NM -- Presbyterian Healthcare Services Board of Directors has elected five new statewide community leaders to its Board. The new board members include Tom Battin, John Cushman, Joyce Godwin, Larry Londer, MD, and Maria Raby-Mondragon. The Board of Directors is responsible for governance of Presbyterian, including approving major policies, strategic direction, capitol and operating budgets.

Battin lives in Ruidoso, where he president and CEO for Ruidoso State Bank. Prior to Ruidoso State Bank, Battin was president of Plains National Bank in Lubbock. He has over 30 years experience serving on hospital boards in Southeastern New Mexico and Lubbock. Battin also serves on the Board of Trustees for Lincoln County Medical Center, a facility managed by Presbyterian.

Cushman has been head pastor for Covenant Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque since 1983. He currently chairs the Albuquerque/Bernalillo Land Use Planning Task Force and is involved in other environmental and city planning efforts. Cushman has a Ph.D., in Ministry and prior to becoming a pastor, he spent a number of years as an educator and school administrator.

Godwin worked at Presbyterian for 25 years, until 1993, when she took early retirement. She serves on numerous national and local boards. Local boards include the PNM Board of Directors, chairing the Quality New Mexico Program and current chair of United Way of Central New Mexico's campaign. National boards include Mission Aviation Fellowship, International Students, Inc., and Air Serv International.

Londer, MD, has practiced ophthalmology in Albuquerque since 1974. Currently, he is vice-president for NM Physicians Mutual Liability Company, and the alternate New Mexico delegate for the American Medical Association. He was past president of both the Greater Albuquerque and New Mexico Medical Societies. Londer, as a new board member, will represent the Presbyterian physician network.

Raby-Mondragon is president and principal for Contract Associates, Inc., an Albuquerque commercial interior design firm. She is also a member of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, the UNM Alumni Association Board of Directors, the Albuquerque Arts Alliance Board of Directors and the Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors.

Presbyterian Healthcare Services is the state's largest private, not-for-profit healthcare organization providing New Mexicans with health insurance, home care, rehabilitation and primary, acute and long term care. The Board of Directors is a community based board comprised of 24 members from throughout the state. Board members represent various constituencies in New Mexico including tourism, real estate, financial services, small business, government, education, clergy and healthcare.