UNM Health System, New Mexico's only academic medical center, is seeing a change in leadership at the very top.
The Albuquerque-based system announced it is replacing its CEO. Mike Richards, MD, is assuming the roles of interim executive vice president of UNM Health Sciences and CEO of the UNM Health System.
The change, effective Aug. 27, replaces Douglas Ziedonis, MD, who is on professional leave until his appointment concludes on Dec. 10, 2024. Dr. Ziedonis served as CEO of UNM Health System since Dec. 1, 2020.
Dr. Richards most recently served as senior vice president for clinical affairs, and previously served as interim executive vice president of UNM Health Sciences, interim dean of the UNM School of Medicine, and as a professor in the department of emergency medicine.
UNM Health System includes UNM Hospital, UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center – A Campus of UNM Hospital, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center and UNM Medical Group. It is the state's only level 1 trauma center with more than 7,000 employees.