From July 26, UNM Hospital has taken over the role of the new healthcare provider at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Bernalillo County. This transition, facilitated by the newly formed MDC Health Care Authority, signifies a partnership between Bernalillo County and UNM Hospital to ensure comprehensive medical, dental and behavioral health services for MDC inmates, according to a press release.

"Bernalillo County is immensely grateful for the opportunity to broaden our partnership with UNM Hospital," Bernalillo County Manager Julie Morgas Baca said.

Through the collaboration of the MDC Health Care Authority, Bernalillo County has successfully secured a four-year contract valued at $20.2 million per year with UNM Hospital, enabling the provision of essential healthcare services. This agreement has led to an expansion in the workforce, with the number of medical employees at MDC rising from 106 to 123, the release stated. 

“In just one short week, Metropolitan Detention Center employees and UNM Hospital staff have joined together, in a unified effort, to find new and innovative ways to treat inmates and improve health care outcomes. The passion and energy UNM Hospital staff provide is reverberating across MDC, and we look forward to the opportunity to continue to grow together, in our shared goal, of providing comprehensive and compassionate care to each and every inmate entrusted to us,” Baca said.

Following the establishment of the partnership, UNM Hospital initiated a proactive recruitment initiative, encompassing a comprehensive hiring event, to guarantee the presence of suitable healthcare professionals at MDC, the release stated.

“We know that access to health care across the nation is very challenging right now,” said UNM Hospital CEO Kate Becker. “We also know that health care provided in a correctional setting can be particularly challenging. We are committed to working with Bernalillo County, the warden and the staff at MDC to meet these challenges. Change does not happen overnight, but we are aligned on the work ahead and look forward to continuing improvements.”