Lovelace Medical Center

About

Lovelace Health System encompasses Lovelace Medical Group/New Mexico Heart Institute, Lovelace Women's Hospital, Lovelace Medical Center, Heart Hospital of New Mexico at Lovelace Medical Center, Lovelace Westside Hospital, Lovelace Regional Hospital, and Lovelace UNM Rehabilitation Hospital. With six hospitals, 33 healthcare clinics, and seven outpatient therapy clinics, Lovelace offers 619 inpatient beds and employs over 3,450 dedicated professionals, including more than 280 healthcare providers.

In 2022, Lovelace demonstrated its commitment to the community by providing over $81 million in unfunded care and contributing more than $357,000 to local nonprofits and community organizations. As New Mexico's first hospital dedicated to women's health and the state's sole hospital focused exclusively on cardiovascular care, Lovelace leads in addressing regional healthcare needs.

The roots of Lovelace Health System trace back to the 1880s when missionaries and philanthropists from the Midwest extended their mission to Albuquerque. By 1901, they had established the city's first hospital and a sanitarium for tuberculosis patients. In 1912, Dr. William Randolph Lovelace brought his frontier practice to Albuquerque, gaining recognition for his surgical expertise and compassionate care. Together with Dr. Edgar T. Lassetter and other physicians, he founded the pioneering Lovelace Clinic, modeled after Minnesota's Mayo Clinic.

World War II catalyzed technological and social advancements in the American West, prompting a new vision for healthcare delivery. Dr. Randy Lovelace joined the clinic in 1946, following his uncle's legacy. Renowned in aviation medicine, he contributed to developing the BLB mask for high-altitude aviators—the "L" representing Lovelace.

In the late 1950s, during the Cold War era, NASA's Project Mercury selected its Mercury 7 astronauts through rigorous testing at Lovelace Medical Center. Today, Lovelace Health System stands as a pillar of economic vitality in New Mexico and a provider of high-quality care. Embracing change has always been central to our mission, reflected in our dedication to advanced medical technology, patient convenience, and superior healthcare.