Community News

November & December Newsletter 2025

Community Response to SNAP Cuts in November

When the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits were cut during the government shutdown, we were uncertain about what to expect and how we, like thousands of other local pantries across the nation, were going to respond to the significant increase in demand.

On December 10th Sheriff Raul Villanueva had the honor of accepting several dozen miniature Law Enforcement vehicle handmade decals to replicate local department.

Geoffrey Bartlett lived in Silver City for over 20 years. He had 24 years of Law Enforcement Service in upstate New York, Frederick Maryland and New Mexico. He had created a hobby of personalizing mini metal Road Champ cars for hundreds of Officers around America.

Bartlett was an Accident Reconstructionist, in the top 7 on the East Coast.  Bartlett wrote his memoir and published Deputy Death in 2022.  Unfortunately he died February 2022, He would be proud to share his collection for Public Viewing. 

He also worked with Fort Bayard Hospital for several years as an Investigator of neglect and abuse.  For many years he worked as security at Gila Regional Medical Center. He was a Security Officer at Western NM University for 3 years and less than a year with the Silver City Police Department.

Please see the PDF below for the Youth Mural Project newsletter of fall 2025

Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) is pleased to announce the launch of its new Patient Transportation Service, made possible by both the dedicated employees at HMS fulfilling its mission and the New Mexico Rural Healthcare Delivery Fund aimed at expanding access to care for underserved communities. This new service will provide eligible HMS patients with reliable, safe, and compassionate transportation to and from their scheduled HMS medical, behavioral health, dental, and Community Health Worker (CHW) appointments.

HMS has added two ADA-compliant transport vans, one dedicated to Hidalgo County and one to Grant County. Each vehicle is equipped with a wheelchair lift and designed to support patients with mobility needs. The program is intended to reduce transportation barriers, ensuring patients can access timely primary care, behavioral health, dental, and other essential services at HMS clinics.

Preceptor Tau members (l to r) Lynn Baca, Molly Healy, Shelley Topmiller (Service Committee Chair), Arlene Sarkela, Leticia Obar, and Maria Elena Sanchez as they donated toys at the Grant County Administration Building. Preceptor Tau, a local chapter of sorority Beta Sigma Phi International, has selected Toys for Tots as their annual holiday service project. Toys for Tots is accepting new, unwrapped gifts for local youth in need. Gifts are being accepted through December 15 and may be placed in specially designated boxes in various locations around Grant County. 

Silver City, NM – Gila Regional Medical Center (GRMC) is pleased to announce the appointment of John Nadone as Chief Financial Officer, effective December 15, 2025. John brings more than 30 years of healthcare experience, including extensive financial and operational leadership roles as both CFO and CEO. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accounting from Western Oregon University.

Prior to joining GRMC, John served as CFO at Pioneers Medical Center in Meeker, Colorado, where he successfully led initiatives that improved financial performance and operational efficiency. His proven track record in rural healthcare finance will support GRMC's continued commitment to strong fiscal stewardship and community-focused care.

Silver City, NM – Gila Regional Medical Center (GRMC) is proud to announce that its laboratory team has been awarded accreditation by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), joining more than 8,000 accredited facilities worldwide that meet the highest standards in laboratory medicine. This recognition highlights the laboratory's dedication to quality, safety, and excellence in patient care.

As part of the accreditation process, CAP inspectors conducted a thorough review of the laboratory's operations. This included evaluating records, quality control procedures, staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety practices, and overall management. The rigorous assessment ensures that GRMC's laboratory meets the highest standards of accuracy and reliability in diagnostic testing.