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.)

Listen to Brenda Romero, administrator at Presbyterian Espa?ola Hospital, discuss the methods for accessing treatment and the importance of the hospital's innovative and community-focused work in the American Hospital Association's Advancing Health Podcast. https://ow.ly/iwJ350TImpa

It's #NationalPhysicalTherapyMonth, and we'd like to say thank you to our physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and physical therapy students who help make a difference in the lives of our patients. You help individuals maintain, restore, and improve movement, activity and functioning, thereby enabling optimal performance and enhancing health, well-being and quality of life. ?Thank you for being determined to make a difference for our team and community! Interested in joining our rehab services team? View opportunities here: https://ow.ly/TyvM50THpyp #PhysicalTherapist #PT #PhysicalTherapistAssistant #PTA #RehabJobs #PTJobs #Rehabilitation

Check out Albuquerque Business First's interview with Presbyterian's Lauren Madigan to learn more about her work and the successes and challenges that our health care system faces in New Mexico. https://ow.ly/l1j250TG6C5

Spooky season is officially here! Help support the Presbyterian Child Life program through the annual #SpiritoOfChildren fundraising campaign. Now through October 31, use the coupon below to save 10% on your online and in-store purchases. For every purchase using this coupon, Spirit Halloween gives 10% to Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation for Child Life. Just present the coupon at any Spirit Halloween or enter promo code DONATE24 at checkout when shopping at SpiritHalloween.com. Help us spread the word by sharing this post with your friends and family. #GivingBack #Philanthropy #CommunityImpact #NewMexico #Healthcare

From finding a primary care provider to getting a mole checked, Presbyterian's telehealth services are helping New Mexicans access care quicker. An improved site makes it simpler to find what you're looking for and schedule an appointment. ?Virtual care options are listed on phs.org instead of on a separate site. ?The virtual care page lists all services offered, and options for Presbyterian Health Plan members are grouped together. ?The scope of care for each option is explained upfront, with listings for hours and ages accepted. Check it out now: phs.org/virtual

Our Presbyterian Medical Group, urgent care and community health teams at Las Estancias Dr. recently celebrated five incredible years of serving the communities of Southwest Albuquerque. Congratulations and thank you for your incredible care!

We're celebrating our advanced practice clinicians this week. Meet Colin Williams, a pharmacist clinician with our Complete Care Program. Q: What drives your passion for practicing medicine as an APC? A: We have an opportunity to make a real difference in our patients' lives. Whether it's sharing our knowledge or advocating for them, or sometimes simply listening - what we do can really help people, and that's a great feeling! Q: What is the number one question you are asked as an APC in your specialty? A: My diabetic patients frequently ask, “what can I eat?" Maintaining a healthy diet can be difficult for many people but when you throw in extra parameters like carb counting or salt restriction it can be a real challenge. Q: What personal strengths do you feel you bring to your current role? A: I think it's enthusiasm and not being afraid to try new things! Q: What's the best advice you've ever received? A: You should treat everyone the way you'd like to be treated. Q: Tell us something about yourself that most people don't know? A: My go-to karaoke song is “Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen. Q: What do you like to do outside of work? A: I'm probably up for trying just about anything! But most of all I love to cook, read, and spend time with my family.

We're celebrating our advanced practice clinicians this week. Meet Lauren Soules, a certified physician assistant with our Cancer Care team. Q: What drives your passion for practicing medicine as an APC? A: The patients are amazing and inspiring. I also love that practicing medicine allows me to learn and see something new every day. Q: What is the number one question you are asked as an APC in your specialty? A: “How often should I get a mammogram, or why do my breasts hurt?" Q: What personal strengths do you feel you bring to your current role? A: I'm hard-working, organized, kind and motivated. Q: What's the best advice you've ever received? A: Be mindful, be present and be curious—try to approach each situation as if you were seeing or doing it for the first time ever. Q: Tell us something about yourself that most people don't know? A: I played college soccer. Q: What do you like to do outside of work? A: Exercise, read and spend time with my family. (??: Lauren with her husband and daughter. )

We're celebrating our advanced practice clinicians this week. Meet Alex Vining, a certified physician assistant in the Emergency Department at Presbyterian Espa?ola Hospital. Q: What drives your passion for practicing medicine as an APC? A: I've always enjoyed connecting with and helping people. Both of my moms were physicians, and their dedication was inspiring. Marge Vining retired as the director of palliative care for Presbyterian. Sally Bachofer was a faculty member for the University of New Mexico's (UNM) Family Medicine residency program. My own professional journey started in a bike shop. I struggled academically as a teenager and dropped out of high school to pursue bicycle racing in Belgium. I later moved to Albuquerque to work as a bicycle mechanic. My boss advised that I'd need a long-term career, and that serving as a paramedic might be a good fit. I did my training at Center New Mexico Community College and the University of New Mexico. It was the first time I'd ever excelled academically because it felt meaningful. I patrolled at Ski Santa Fe's Ski Patrol for 10 years before joining Presbyterian in 2018. One year later, I decided to pursue physician assistant certification so I could work more closely with patients. Q: What is the number one question you are asked as an APC in your specialty? A: The range of questions I get reflects the diversity of patients I see—but the most common is “Can I get an excuse for work?" Q: What personal strengths do you feel you bring to your current role? A: I'm passionate about meeting people where they're at, and about harm reduction for substance abuse disorder. When I was at the University of New England for PA school, I volunteered for the Portland needle exchange program doing community outreach. It kept me connected to patient care when I was steeped in academics, and it helps me connect to patients today. Q: Tell us something about yourself that most people don't know? A: I'm a triplet. My sister, brother and I were the first triplets born at Lovelace Hospital on Gibson. (??: Alex, his wife Wyndham and their son Keats. )