UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center officials gave the Sandoval County Board of County Commissioners an operational update Oct. 22, announcing the permanent appointment of a hospital chief executive, new surgical technology, and recent volume trends for trauma and behavioral‑health services.

Megan Carey Island introduced herself as the hospital’s newly appointed chief executive after serving as interim since May. "I really look forward to serving the community," she said during brief remarks.

Equipment and clinical services
Kate Beckert, delivering the hospital update, said the medical center has added two robotic systems: a Da Vinci surgical platform and a Mako robot for hip and knee replacements. Beckert said the Mako will be used in the UNM center for Orthopedic Excellence with a new joined surgeon already performing procedures. Officials said the addition is expected to increase local surgical volume so more patients can receive care without traveling to larger hospitals.

Quality, labor and mill levy spending
Beckert summarized FY2025 patient‑care statistics and noted trauma volumes rose between 2023 and 2024; she cited roughly 1,656 trauma patients in 2023 and said calendar‑year 2024 showed a substantial increase. The most common trauma cases remain falls among people age 65 and older.

LeapFrog quality grades will be issued next month but hospital officials said the grades now cover the combined license of two hospitals, which complicates interpretation of a single‑hospital score. Beckert also updated the board on collective bargaining: two major unions ratified agreements and discussions continue with other bargaining units.

Behavioral health programs that operate as both a clinic in the medical group and embedded behavioral health in primary care showed steady quarterly increases in visits, hospital officials said.

No formal county action was requested; hospital officials said they will return with periodic updates and that the hospital continues to track quality metrics and labor negotiations.