Dennis Knox named permanent CEO of Memorial Medical Center

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This story was updated at 4:55 p.m.

Memorial Medical Center announced Friday that Dennis Knox, the Las Cruces hospital’s interim CEO since last summer, would continue as the permanent chief executive starting immediately.

Knox moved to Las Cruces following the abrupt retirement of former CEO John Harris on Aug. 8, 2024, as the hospital reeled from the fallout of an NBC News report and an investigation by the New Mexico Department of Justice into complaints by some cancer patients about denials of services to cancer patients based on their ability to pay and its billing practices.

The city of Las Cruces subsequently launched an inquiry into potential breaches of the private, for-profit hospital’s lease of land jointly owned by the city and Doña Ana County. The status of that inquiry was unclear as of the publication of this article, but the Las Cruces city manager and a county representative both sit on the hospital’s board of trustees. At a public meeting of that board in November, City Manager Ikani Taumoepeau said there had been a “reset” in the hospital’s relationship with the city as city and county staff reviewed documents from the hospital regarding its commitment to providing indigent care for the community.

On Friday, a spokesperson for the city said the matter was "ongoing." 

“Dennis has been a steady and effective leader during his interim tenure at Memorial Medical Center,” Jen Alderfer, president of Lifepoint Health’s western division, said in a statement. “He has shown a genuine commitment to supporting our patients, staff, and community, and I am confident he will continue to drive the hospital forward in meaningful ways.”

The Tennessee-based LifePoint Health operates a nationwide hospital chain and is owned by the private equity firm, Apollo Global Management.

Knox announced in November that he had applied to stay in the position permanently. In a news release, Knox stated, “I have been inspired by the dedication and compassion of our team and look forward to continuing our work together to provide quality care and support the health and well-being of our community.”

Over four decades, Knox has lead hospitals in California, Arizona and Georgia, including a stint as CEO of Lovelace’s Downtown and Gibson Medical Center in Albuquerque.

As the hospital begins its 75th year of operation in 2025, Lifepoint said Knox’s leadership “marks a new chapter for Memorial Medical Center as it continues to focus on delivering high-quality, patient-centered care and strengthening its role as a cornerstone of the community.”

CEO Dennis Knox, Memorial Medical Center

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