Pictured from left to right: Dan Otero, HMS CEO, Dr. Neal Bowen, HMS CMHO and Behavior Health Faculty, Dr. Kristan Diaz-Rios, Associate Program Director, Amanda Castillo, Program Coordinator, Dr. Neel Patel, Third Year Resident, Dr. Darrick Nelson, HMS CMO & FMRP Program Director, Dr. Susan Bauer, Second Year Resident, Dr. Virginia Hernandez, Core Faculty, Dr. Brandon Ferguson, Third Year Resident, and Dr. Pedro Armendariz, Second Year Resident. Not Pictured: Dr. Roberto Aguero and Dr. Rory Keys, both first year residents located in Las Cruces.

Silver City, NM (October 31, 2017) – The Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) Family Medicine Residency Program was notified recently that it has received continued accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The ACGME is an independent, not-for-profit, physician-led organization that sets and monitors the national professional educational standards essential in preparing physicians to deliver safe, high-quality medical care. The ACGME accreditation process for programs and sponsoring institutions, such as HMS, includes periodic on-site visits to assess compliance with ACGME program and institutional requirements.

"On behalf of the HMS Family Medicine Residency Program, we are very proud to have received this continued accreditation status from the ACGME," stated Darrick Nelson, MD, HMS Chief Medical Officer and Family Medicine Residency Program Director. Added Nelson, "HMS Family Medicine Residency Program faculty and resident physicians provide regular, primary healthcare services to HMS patients and clients. I am very grateful for the exemplary efforts of our team. It is a true honor to lead the HMS Family Medicine Residency Program – each and every day."

"As a regional and national leader on many levels, the HMS Family Medicine Residency Program is a true benefit to HMS and the communities that we serve," stated Dan Otero, HMS Chief Executive Officer. "HMS family medicine resident physicians complete extensive training beyond medical school in order to be able to provide the best possible patient care. Thanks to the continued support of other southwestern New Mexico providers, Dr. Nelson encourages excellence and innovation and provides an environment of quality patient care and safety through our Family Medicine Residency Program," added Otero.

As Hidalgo and Grant Counties’ only federally qualified community health center, HMS provides healthcare services to more than 16,000 individuals every year. To learn more about the ACGME, please visit http://www.acgme.org. To learn more about the HMS Family Medicine Residency Program, please visit http://www.hmsnm.org/family-medicine-residency-program.