After eight years leading the University of New Mexico Hospital, CEO Kate Becker revealed on Wednesday, June 10 that she will be retiring this December after over three decades in healthcare.
Kate Becker, JD, MPH, came to New Mexico in 2018 after serving in executive positions at hospitals in Missouri. Coming from a family of New Mexican pharmacists, Kate was chosen from three finalists for the UNM Hospital CEO position. During a public town hall for finalists, she focused on the hospital’s role in the community, memorably identifying zip code as the demographic factor most strongly correlated with life expectancy: “We have to partner with our communities — we have to listen — and figure out how we’re making sure that access to care is available and affordable.”
In July 2018, Kate assumed the role of CEO. UNM Hospital providers and members of the community have mixed opinions about Kate’s leadership. Supporters credit her with leading the hospital through the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding outreach to New Mexico’s Native American population, and improving the hospital’s safety grades. Following her retirement announcement, UNM Health System CEO Michael Richards wrote that “her commitment to our mission, our people, and our communities has been exemplary, and her legacy will be lasting.” However, many hospital workers criticize persistent staff shortages and poor compensation under Kate’s leadership. One provider believes that leadership is overly credited for the hospital’s successes, arguing that “it’s the nurses and the doctors who do the work.”
Now, after a career in healthcare lasting over 30 years, Kate is stepping down from what she, in her retirement announcement, called “the best job of my life.”
To facilitate this transition, hospital officials have announced accompanying leadership changes in July. Steve McLaughlin, MD, MBA, will assume the role of Interim Vice President of Clinical Affairs. Dr. McLaughlin joined the faculty of the UNM Hospital Emergency Department in 1998 and has served as Chief Medical Officer at UNM Hospital since January 2023. Anna Duran, MD, MBA, a pediatric hospitalist at UNM Children’s Hospital since 2008, will assume the role of Interim Chief Medical Officer.
