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Thursday, November 14, 2024 San Juan Regional Medical Center Welcomes Rachel Slade, FACHE, as Chief Operating Officer

San Juan Regional Medical Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Rachel Slade, FACHE, as its new Chief Operations Officer, effective Monday, January 6, 2025. Ms. Slade, who previously served as Pediatric Rehabilitation Coordinator at San Juan Regional Medical Center from 2012 to 2017, returns to the organization with extensive experience, a commitment to community-focused healthcare, and enthusiasm to reconnect with Farmington.

Ms. Slade brings over a decade of experience in executive healthcare leadership, most recently serving as Chief Executive Officer of Covenant Health in Hobbs. There, she led a newly built community hospital to achieve notable advances in patient satisfaction, financial performance, and community engagement, earning recognition for her compassionate leadership and operational improvements.

Along with her return to San Juan Regional Medical Center, Ms. Slade and her family are delighted to rejoin the Farmington community. "My family and I are thrilled to come back to Farmington," said Ms. Slade. "We’re excited to be part of this wonderful community again. My two boys, Hayden and Braxton, are looking forward to experiencing all that Farmington has to offer.”

In this new role, Ms. Slade will work closely with Ruth Brooks, current Chief Operating Officer, who will remain with the organization for an interim period to support a smooth transition. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Rachel back to San Juan Regional Medical Center,” said Jason Rounds, President and CEO of San Juan Regional Medical Center. “Her deep expertise, genuine commitment to our community, and previous connection to our organization make her the ideal choice to lead us forward. We are also profoundly grateful to Ruth for her continued dedication and support during this transition, as her legacy of service to our hospital is invaluable.”

Ms. Slade holds an MBA from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Regis University, and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). Her strategic and compassionate approach to healthcare will support San Juan Regional Medical Center’s mission to deliver personalized, high-quality care in the Four Corners region.

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