New Mexico Hospital Association CEO joins Alzheimer's board

The president and CEO of the New Mexico Hospital Association (NMHA), Troy Clark, has been elected to the board of the Alzheimer’s Association of New Mexico.

A career healthcare executive with experience across New Mexico and Tennessee, Clark formerly served as vice president of Regional Operations for Presbyterian Healthcare Services in Albuquerque where he managed the network’s rural hospitals. Previous positions include vice president of Finance and CFO for UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center and owner of Plaza Health Partners in Albuquerque and Kansas City.

“The New Mexico Hospital Association is focused on helping to improve the access-to-care challenge we have in our state,” said Clark. “As more people are diagnosed with this awful disease, we will have an even greater need for caregivers and providers to treat and care for them.

“We also need to provide training for our healthcare workers, as most are not trained to treat Alzheimer’s and other dementias in conjunction with other medical ailments,” he added. 

Clark noted that in his dual role with NMHA and on the Alzheimer's Association board, he hopes to influence hospitals across New Mexico to both participate in Alzheimer's Association programs and events, and “add persuasion to their recruiting efforts of family practice and neurology physicians to their communities.”

Clark also has personal experience with Alzheimer's disease, having seen his grandmother’s dementia progress for 17 years before she passed away. Clark’s father served as primary caregiver for his own mother for most of that time.

There are an estimated 46,000 New Mexicans among more than seven million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, the seventh-leading cause of death and only leading disease without a prevention or cure.

“We are very excited to add Troy Clark to our board,” said Donald Smithburg, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association of New Mexico. “He brings extensive experience in the healthcare arena and familiarity with the key players in our state. There is a need for greater awareness of Alzheimer's disease and the resources available through the Association, and Troy’s insights and connections will prove to be invaluable.”

To learn more about the information, programs and services offered at no charge by the Alzheimer’s Association, go to alz.org or call the Association’s free 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.