Public Outcry at Memorial Medical Center’s Board Meeting Amid Legal Investigations

On Wednesday evening, Memorial Medical Center (MMC) hosted a public board meeting in its conference room, attended by dozens of concerned community members. The gathering took place amid an ongoing investigation by the New Mexico Department of Justice (DOJ) into allegations against the hospital, including claims of refusing cancer treatment and a protracted lease dispute between the medical center, the City of Las Cruces, and Doña Ana County.

During the meeting, the hospital’s executive leadership team heard directly from community members, many of whom expressed concerns about public trust, transparency issues, and even incidents of workplace violence within the hospital.

Dennis Knox, who was recently appointed as MMC’s interim CEO after the retirement of John Harris, acknowledged the concerns but refrained from commenting on the specific details of the ongoing investigations. However, he offered some insight into the lease dispute, saying that MMC has initiated special working sessions with the city and county to update and modernize the asset purchase agreement, a 40-year deal that is now in its 21st year.

“We’re working with the Attorney General’s office and are hopeful that we can resolve these issues soon and move forward,” Knox said. He emphasized that the ongoing legal disputes are being handled with collaboration and optimism.

Knox also stressed the importance of public engagement in building stronger partnerships with the community. “We want to improve our services and meet the needs of the community. Transparency is key, and we can only achieve that through open dialogue with the public,” he said.

Yolanda Diaz, founder of CARE Las Cruces, a nonprofit that supports cancer patients with non-medical expenses, was among those who spoke at the meeting. Diaz has long been calling for an investigation into MMC, especially regarding concerns about its billing practices and allegations of turning away cancer patients. While she hoped the board would offer concrete solutions to the issues she raised, she felt the meeting fell short in addressing her concerns.

“I was hoping to hear more about the actions MMC is taking to address these issues,” Diaz said. “I want to see a clear policy in writing that tackles these problems head-on and allows for real action to be taken.” Diaz also expressed frustration with the hospital’s past handling of patient care. “What was done to deny treatment to these patients, and to have it written into policy, is unforgivable. This has been going on for nearly 10 years, and it needs to be corrected,” she added.

Amidst the ongoing legal and transparency issues, Diaz’s primary hope is that community members will have access to reliable and compassionate care without the fear of being turned away. “At the end of the day, this comes down to resources and accountability. Someone needs to pay for it, and that responsibility needs to be addressed,” she concluded.

As MMC continues to navigate its legal disputes and address the concerns of the community, residents are watching closely, hoping that the hospital’s actions will ultimately lead to improvements in patient care and a healthier medical environment for all.

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