Center for Health Innovation names Holley Hudgins new executive director

Holley Hudgins ends nationwide search

SILVER CITY, N.M. – After conducting a nationwide search the Center for Health Innovation (CHI) is pleased to announce Holley H. Hudgins has been named the new executive director of the nonprofit that serves as New Mexico’s Public Health Institute.

“We received over 100 applications for the position,” CHI Board Chair, Dr. Magdaleno Manzanarez said. “During the interview process Hudgins had operational leadership with an ability to see how the organization’s individual elements fit together. She is committed to work toward larger outcome for our increasingly complex organization.”

“I am honored to have been chosen for this important position and am grateful to be able to serve in this capacity,” Hudgins said. “Our founder, Charlie Alfero, and recent executive director, Susan Wilger have done so much for New Mexico. I hope to be able to have as much impact as they have on those we are here to serve.”

 “Holley has accomplished great things at CHI in her time as the Director of Workforce Development, and I look forward to seeing her grow the organization in the coming years,” Wilger said. Wilger will continue in an advisory role until the end of the year.

For over a decade Hudgins’ career has been spent on healthcare operations with a proven ability to successfully build strong teams, drive meaningful change, and meet business objectives.

Hudgins plans to continue CHI’s strong presence in statewide health policy advocacy.  “My long-term relationships throughout the state will continue to assist CHI in the work we are doing as the New Mexico’s Public Health Institute,” Hudgins stated.

From its headquarters in Silver City, CHI is one of the few rurally located Public Health Institutes in the nation. The nonprofit offers programs and services in an effort to shift public health policy to a more equitable future for New Mexico residents.

Currently, CHI’s programs include three county coalitions focused on preventing substance misuse; two Area Health Educations Centers which service the southern portion of the state; two county health councils; a statewide effort to grow the behavioral health workforce funded by the federal government; a physicians education program for better painkiller prescribing; and the New Mexico Community Data Collaborative which maps public health data for better community understanding and informed decision-making.

“I am pleased to announce that Lucinda Tecca, our Director of Finance and Human Resources has been appointed as Associate Executive Director,” Hudgins said. “She brings a vast amount of organizational strength to CHI and has been dedicated to our organization since its inception in 2015.”

Manzanarez is pleased to see the growth of the organization’s staff into new leadership roles. “It may sound cliche but people are our most valuable asset at CHI, and we try to maximize their capabilities. Holley is very successful as a health policy advocate, and well known in this community and state. I’m certain she will continue to ensure all voices are heard regarding New Mexico health policy.” 

“I have a passion for empowering employees while supporting personal and professional growth.  One of my goals for the organization is to identify and grow the next generation of CHI Leadership,” Hudgins said.

Look for more program growth and staff expansion at CHI in coming months. According to Hudgins, “We will be posting an additional Leadership position in the next few weeks; this position will support the Community and Resource Development arm of the organization.”

For more information contact CHI at 575-597-0035 or [email protected]  or visit: chi-phi.org.

About the CHI

As New Mexico’s designated Public Health Institute, the Center for Health Innovation (CHI) focuses on bettering community health in underserved and underrepresented populations in the state and beyond. CHI has empowered  groups and individuals at a local, state and national level to determine the future wellbeing of their communities through the development and implementation of innovative policies, strategies and evidence-based models. Founded in 2015, CHI is headquartered in Silver City, with additional offices located throughout New Mexico. For more information, visit http://chi-phi.org/.