HEALTHCARE
Former Albuquerque mayor lands top role at New Mexico Medical Society
Richard Berry says organization should 鈥榟elp create the conditions鈥� for physicians to succeed
A former Albuquerque mayor has taken the helm of one of the state鈥檚 top physician advocacy groups.
The New Mexico Medical Society said Thursday that Richard J. Berry, who served two terms as mayor from 2009 to 2017, is the organization鈥檚 new executive director and CEO. He started in the role Aug. 18, a spokesperson said.
Dr. Robert Underwood, president of the NMMS and a former executive at the San Juan Regional Medical Center, described the organization鈥檚 enthusiasm for Berry, saying he 鈥渂rings a strong combination of public service, executive leadership, business experience and relationships across New Mexico.鈥�
鈥淗e has already demonstrated his ability to lead effectively, and we believe those same skills will help drive success for NMMS,鈥� Underwood said.
Berry, 63, replaces Annie Jung, who began as executive director of the organization in 2020 right as the COVID-19 pandemic was underway.
Jung had been with the organization for more than two decades in various roles before retiring earlier this year. She helped lead reform efforts related to medical malpractice and Medicaid reimbursements, telling the Journal in a May interview that her focus was on really 鈥渃hanging the practice environment for physicians.鈥�
The organization, founded in 1886, represents physicians in both the allopathic and osteopathic fields. In choosing Berry, also a former lawmaker in Santa Fe, the organization has someone who understands 鈥渆ffective advocacy is built on relationships,鈥� Underwood said.
In the organization鈥檚 announcement, Berry said he has 鈥渆normous respect for the physicians of New Mexico.鈥�
鈥淧hysicians devote decades to their education and training and then accept the profound responsibility of caring for us and our families,鈥� Berry said. 鈥淣MMS should listen to them, stand with them and help create the conditions in which they can succeed.鈥�
Berry added, 鈥淕rowing up in a rural community and later serving as a legislator and mayor in New Mexico鈥檚 largest city taught me that our communities face different challenges but share common hopes.鈥�
Matthew Narvaiz is the Journal鈥檚 business editor. You can reach him at mnarvaiz@abqjournal.com.
