The University of New Mexico leadership asked for a deferral of the agenda item relating to the 96-bed adult wing of the UNM Hospital scheduled for action at the New Mexico State Board of Finance meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 18.

The UNM Regents are scheduling a series of community Town Halls to allow for additional public input and to give our doctors and leaders a chance to interact with the community, respond to questions and to educate the public on the ongoing missions of our trauma, cancer, stroke and children's services. The Health Sciences Center leadership will discuss the types of activities that will occur in the facility and the current need for additional hospital beds and services. The Town Halls will be held in community centers in the Bernalillo County area.

In a letter to the New Mexico Finance Board, UNM requested that the Adult Hospital Addition – Phase 1 Lands West be moved from the September State Board of Finance meeting agenda to Oct. 16. This move will allow time for additional public input and provide an opportunity for the medical leadership and University officials to convey the immediate need for additional hospital beds to care for our current patients, who sometimes must wait up to 36 hours to be admitted into the hospital due to a severe lack of hospital beds. This also will allow for education and discussion on the types of activities that will occur in the facility.

The 96-bed Adult Wing Project has been approved in open, public forums by the UNM Hospital Board of Trustees, the Health Sciences Center Board of Directors, the UNM Board of Regents Finance and Facilities Committee and the UNM Board of Regents. The New Mexico State Department of Higher Education also has approved the additional 96 beds.

We look forward to receiving approval for this very important project. We also look forward to sharing the reasons for this project and getting additional comments from the community as part of our ongoing commitment to maintain transparency and respond to community concerns.

Media contact: Billy Sparks (505) 272-8827; cell: (505) 401-1755; email: WSparks@salud.unm.edu