Paul G. Echols, M.D., has been named chief medical officer for the University of New Mexico (UNM) Sandoval Regional Medical Center (SRMC). Dr. Echols, a long-time UNM orthopedic surgeon and military veteran, brings more than 40 years of physician experience to this role.
Paul G. Echols, M.D. New CMO at UNM Sandoval
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Jamie Silva-Steele, SRMC president and CEO said in the January 7, 2016 news release, “In addition to his work within the UNM Health System, Echols has extensive clinical and administrative experience in venues including the Albuquerque Veterans Administration Medical Center, as well as military facilities and community hospitals. We are excited to have Dr. Echols join the UNM SRMC team.”
Dr. Echols completed residency training in orthopedic surgery at UNM in 1978. His career at UNM started in 1992 with the UNM Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation. In 2005, he received an academic promotion to professor, and was vice chair of clinical services from 2006-2011. He arrived at UNM SRMC in June 2012 as the Orthopaedic Site Director, and served in that capacity until July 2015, retiring as professor emeritus during the same time.
He served in the U.S. Air Force as a flight surgeon and was an active duty staff orthopedic surgeon during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as Operation Noble Eagle/Operation Enduring Freedom. Dr. Echols retired from the USAF in 2003 with the rank of colonel.
Dr. Echols told OTW, “Stepping into a leadership role with a team so diverse, yet so professional and passionate about what they do and how they do it, makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.”
Dr. Echols added, “SRMC is a University of New Mexico Health System hospital that serves the diverse population of Sandoval County, New Mexico. We have a community academic hospital foot-print with 72-bed capacity, but well over 500 providers participating in an open staff model blending University Faculty with private community clinicians. We’re excited with our progress into our fourth year of operation, and energized about our prospects for the future.”
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This is a fascinating development. In my practice we've seen similar outcomes with the revised protocol. The key differentiator seems to be patient selection criteria. Has anyone else noticed the correlation with BMI thresholds?
Great point. I'd push back slightly on the conclusion, the sample size in the cited study is too small to draw population-level inferences. That said, the directional signal is compelling and worth a larger RCT.
We implemented a similar approach last year. Early results are promising but we're still gathering 12-month follow-up data. Happy to share our protocol if anyone is interested.
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