Your weekly roundup of news, bits and bites

4/14/2022

San Juan Regional Medical Center announces leadership change and Nursing Excellence Award, Aztec Speedway to open for 70th year on Friday, April 15. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by ServiceMaster Restore and SunRay Park & Casino

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The Aztec Speedway will open for its 70th season on Friday, April 15, helping to usher in a new generation of racers this summer. San Juan Regional Medical Center's chief executive officer and president steps down, and the chief nursing officer is recognized for her leadership. You're watching the Local News Network, brought to you by ServiceMaster Restore, and SunRay Park & Casino. I'm Wendy Graham Settle. On April 2nd, San Juan Regional Medical Center's chief nursing officer Suzanne Smith received the 2021 Executive Nurse Leadership Award from The New Mexico Center for Nursing Excellence. Smith, a graduate of the University of New Mexico's College of Nursing, has worked at the hospital for the past 38 years. She began her career with the pediatric unit and started as the chief nursing officer in 2008. Smith helped to institute an outpatient nursing clinic, a diabetes education program, and a professional resource team for the hospital, as well as responses to the covid-19 pandemic. The New Mexico Nursing Excellence Awards recognize excellence in nursing practice, and honor nurses for the contributions they make to their organizations, communities, and the state. To learn more about the New Mexico Center For Nursing Excellence, visit nmnursingexcellence.org. San Juan Regional Medical Center has announced that chief executive officer, and President Jeff Bourgeois has stepped down from his position as of march 31st. Bourgeois served as CEO and president of the hospital for the last five and a half years. In an email to hospital staff and employees, Bourgeois said, "It has been my honor to serve as president and CEO. I have truly come to understand the meaning of each of our core values, as I have seen them carried out by each of you, every day." The board of directors has appointed chief financial officer John Mayer as acting administrator, while the board begins a professional search for a new CEO. To learn more about San Juan Regional Medical Center, visit sanjuanregional.com. Aztec Speedway will launch its 70th season on Friday, April 15th. The track, the oldest continually operated dirt stock car track in the state, has a full season of races scheduled, with a mix of old and new drivers looking to compete. Live racing events are scheduled to run through October 8th. Check out the schedule and other important information about the track on its Facebook page, or at aztecspeedway.com. Thank you for watching this week's Local News Roundup. I'm Wendy Graham Settle.

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