Plains Regional Medical Center reports growth, new services and $9 million in facility investments

Bill Priest, chief executive officer of Plains Regional Medical Center, told the Clovis City Commission that the hospital has expanded providers and services, opened a new cath lab and cardiac program, and is investing in new MRI and OB/GYN facilities the hospital expects to open in September. "Our ER is very, very busy for a community our size," Priest said, adding that the hospital handled roughly 28,000–29,000 emergency department visits this year.

The update outlined recent and planned additions: the hospital has grown from about 24 providers to roughly 45–50; added behavioral-health providers including psychiatrists and a psychologist; launched interventional cardiology and performed 56 cath lab cases so far; and expanded oncology, gastroenterology, orthopedics and other specialties. Priest said Plains Regional anticipates about 10,700 patient days and roughly 154,000 clinic visits for the year. He also said births increased from about 733 in 2024 and the hospital now projects closer to 780–800 births in 2025.

Why it matters: The presentation signals an increase in local access to specialty care — particularly interventional cardiology and radiation oncology — that hospital leaders said are uncommon for communities the size of Clovis. Priest said those services reduce the need for patients to travel to Albuquerque for time-sensitive care: "time is muscle," he told the commission when describing the cath lab program.

Details and context: Priest listed members of the administrative and clinical team and said the hospital will add or relocate physical space this year: a new MRI suite on the north end of the hospital (a roughly $4,000,000 project) and an expanded OB/GYN clinic that will grow from nine exam rooms to 24 (a roughly $5,000,000 project), both slated to open in September. The hospital plans an open house for those facilities on Oct. 26.

Priest also described operational challenges and improvements: surgery volumes were slightly down compared with 2024 but expected to recover later in the year; the hospital is supplementing permanent staff with locum clinicians in obstetrics and has added certified nurse midwives; and Plains Regional is launching cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs. He said patient experience scores still need work but that leaders are addressing them.

Commission reaction: Commissioners asked about access to timely OB/GYN care after Plains Regional absorbed patients when another women's medical center closed. Priest said current patients are receiving timely appointments, the hospital is nearly fully staffed for obstetrics and midwifery and additional hires are imminent. Commissioners also asked whether high ER use reflected inadequate outpatient access; Priest said many patients use the ED as primary care and that the hospital and community face a broader trend of ED reliance.

What's next: The hospital will continue recruiting providers, complete the MRI and OB/GYN construction projects this fall, and hold the planned open house. Priest invited commissioners and the public to hospital events including the Derby Day community event at the Curry County Events Center.

Ending: Commissioners thanked Priest for the update and had no formal action tied to the presentation.