Presbyterian Healthcare Services

The Presbyterian Healthcare Services Board of Directors today announced that Rishi Sikka, M.D. has been named the health system’s next CEO, effective October 21, 2024. Dr. Sikka will succeed Dale Maxwell, who is retiring after 23 years of dedicated service to Presbyterian. “We are thrilled that Dr. Sikka will join Presbyterian as our next CEO,” said Norm Becker, chair of the Presbyterian Board of Directors. “Dr. Sikka is a compassionate, innovative physician executive with deep knowledge of complex systems and more than 20 years of leadership experience across the healthcare industry.” Dr. Sikka’s most recent role was as president of Village Medical, a leading provider of coordinated primary care services nationally. Prior to that role, he served as president of system enterprises for Sutter Health, an integrated healthcare system, where he managed ambulatory, population health, non-clinical and health plan business. After earning his medical degree, Dr. Sikka practiced as an emergency medicine physician and held clinical and executive leadership positions at Advocate Health Care in Illinois. He has also held faculty positions at Brown University, the University of Illinois—Chicago and Boston University. “It is an honor to join Presbyterian at this pivotal time in healthcare,” said Dr. Sikka. “I’m deeply inspired by Presbyterian’s purpose – to ensure every New Mexican can achieve their best health—and am fully committed to advancing that mission alongside an incredible team dedicated to providing compassionate, quality care for our communities. Together, we will navigate the evolving healthcare landscape, innovate, and strive to deliver on our purpose in new ways for every patient and member we serve.” Dr. Sikka also brings a strong connection to Presbyterian and our community. In 2016, he was appointed to the Presbyterian Board of Directors. “As a member of the Board, he knows us well – and he is already committed to ensuring Presbyterian’s sustainability and continuing our strong legacy of care for New Mexicans,” said Becker. “As healthcare continues to evolve at a rapid pace, Presbyterian must also continue to innovate to meet the needs of our communities. We are confident that a CEO with national experience and vision will complement our existing team as we continue to fulfill our purpose.” (📷: Rishi Sikka, M.D.)

We're #thankful for our incredible team, patients, members and communities we serve! Wishing you a happy and healthy season of gratitude.

"They're an amazing group of people." Presbyterian’s Healthcare at Home team provides exceptional care and support to patients and families living with illness and facing loss. Watch this video to learn more about their incredible work. https://lnkd.in/gjmAG7e9

Presbyterian's Dr. Jill Slominski and other local panelists recently explored work-life balance for clinicians on KUNM’s Let’s Talk New Mexico. Listen here: https://ow.ly/GKcS50UgnGi

Presbyterian Community Health recently held its Happy Healthy Holidays cooking class. Participants made tasty and nutritious recipes and learned strategies to stay healthy this winter season. See all of the fun, free classes offered by Community Health, including our next Healthy Holiday Cooking on Dec. 5 >>> https://lnkd.in/g4eNZvbh

Presbyterian Santa Fe Medical Center (SFMC) has recently acquired a da Vinci XI, an advanced and integrated robot used for minimally invasive surgery, and has started offering robotic-assisted procedures. The da Vinci robotic surgical system has been used in other areas of the organization for more than a decade and is an advancement in minimally invasive surgery techniques. Patients typically have less pain after surgery, as well as a shorter amount of time in the hospital, allowing them to resume normal daily activities more quickly. “We are very excited to have the da Vinci robot at SFMC and to provide excellent tools to care for the community in Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico," said Dr. Thao Marquez, surgery medical director, Presbyterian Santa Fe Medical Center. “Use of the robot offers many benefits to help optimize patient care and outcomes, and we are excited to offer this innovative technology to our patients." Specialties that will use this new system include colorectal surgery, general surgery and urogynecology, with plans to add additional specialties like urology in 2025.

Gratitude is in the air at Presbyterian Health Plan Place where our team created a gratitude tree. Members have been jotting down things they are grateful for and adding them as leaves for the tree -- a creative and fun way to say thanks and share joy. What are you grateful for this season?

Happy Sweet Sixteen to Presbyterian Hospital at Home! Presbyterian’s Hospital at Home program, which launched in 2008, is thriving — and growing. The program, which provides hospital-level care in the comfort of a patient’s home, has provided close to 1,000 patient days in each of the last two years, a five-fold increase from just four years ago. Each Hospital at Home patient day means that a traditional hospital bed is available for a patient with more critical needs. Presbyterian Hospital at Home is for patients whose illness is severe enough to need hospitalization, yet who can receive hospital-level care in their own home. Care is provided by a multidisciplinary team and often involves daily nurse and provider visits, IV medications (such as antibiotics or diuretics), blood work, EKGs or imaging such as ultrasounds or X-rays that can be performed in the home. The program also provides meals and aide services as needed. Hospital at Home has been shown to improve clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction and quality of life, while reducing the risk of hospital-acquired infections and complications. For many, receiving care at home with family and pets around can significantly aid in their recovery process. “It’s a privilege to be able to treat patients in their own home, their base of power,” says Elizabeth De Pirro, medical director for Hospital at Home. “You gain a better understanding of factors that play a role in their health and recovery, and have an opportunity to work with them and their families to help them understand the disease and healing process.”

Presbyterian’s clinical education academic team was recently honored with the 2024 UNM College of Nursing Clinical Partner Site Award. The Clinical Partner Site Award recognizes programs that embrace the learning process and provide opportunities to support the next generation of health care professionals. At the award ceremony in October, Presbyterian was recognized for offering invaluable clinical rotations across all levels of nursing education—from pre-licensure experiences to doctoral projects. “Our clinical education academic team works exceptionally hard to create accessible, engaging learning opportunities for Presbyterian employees and our community partners,” said Zach Fierro, director of clinical education. “I’m so proud of the work they’ve done to enhance and expand partnerships throughout the state. I also appreciate our nursing leaders and front-line staff who are preparing students to be the next generation of healthcare workers.” Presbyterian Healthcare Services has recently expanded its partnership with UNM School of Nursing by collaborating on a grant to expand the reach of workforce-ready nurses to underserved communities throughout New Mexico. The clinical education academic team also supports Presbyterian’s nursing school partnership with Brookline College, conducts Presbyterian ECHO clinics, facilitates all CME activities, and oversees all clinical and medical rotations and preceptors. Congratulations!