February 8, 2018 - Gila Regional Medical Center (GRMC), a 68-bed acute care hospital serving Grant County in southwest New Mexico, today announced the appointment of Richard Stokes, Jr. as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Stokes is relocating from Vernon, Texas, where he served as interim CFO for Wilbarger General Hospital, a 47-bed rural hospital. Prior to his role at Wilbarger General Hospital, Mr. Stokes was at Clarendon Health Systems, an 81-bed hospital with 240-bed long-term facility in Manning, South Carolina, where he began as CFO in 2003 until finishing his tenure as CEO from 2013 to 2016.

Taffy Arias, CEO of GRMC, said, "We were very careful in selecting this candidate because of the importance of the role and the impact that a new CFO can have on the future financial health of our hospital. It was most important for us to find the right person that had not only the right qualifications but also the appreciation for our culture and community. A special thanks to our caregivers and Board of Trustees who were involved in his interview process, and we appreciate the community's patience as we searched for the right candidate."

"I know first-hand the importance of serving the healthcare needs of rural communities and the vital role that independent community hospitals serve. I have made it my objective to help them succeed," said Mr. Stokes when he accepted the offer. "I see so much opportunity here at Gila Regional Medical Center, opportunity for us to be successful."

Current interim CFO, Joanne Vance, will remain at GRMC for an expected 2-month period as consultant to help oversee the transition.

Join GRMC in welcoming Mr. Stokes as the new CFO of Gila Regional Medical Center. His experience and leadership, combined with guidance from the Board of Trustees, will move GRMC into a successful future.

About Gila Regional Medical Center
Gila Regional Medical Center is a county-owned, not-for-profit, 68-bed acute care hospital with a strong commitment to the people they serve. Investments in technology and certified caregivers provide quality care delivery through a patient-centered approach. It is home to the Gila Regional Cancer Center; the Surgical Center of the Southwest and was rated a 4-Star Quality Care Hospital by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services.