ALBUQUERQUE, NM – July 7, 2025 – Lovelace Health System (LHS) today announced the appointment of Cliff Wilson as its new president and chief executive officer, effective August 11. Wilson brings nearly two decades of healthcare leadership experience and a strong track record of operational excellence, clinical performance and strategic growth.

Wilson most recently served as market president and CEO for Lifepoint Health’s Central Kentucky region, where he oversaw four acute care hospitals and led initiatives to improve patient outcomes, expand access to care, and strengthen community partnerships. Under his leadership, the market experienced significant improvements in quality, recruitment and financial performance. During his 14-year tenure with Lifepoint, he held a variety of leadership roles including hospital CEO, COO, and senior director of physician services.

“We are thrilled to welcome Cliff to Lovelace and the Albuquerque community,” said Mike Kueker, interim Lovelace Health System CEO and CEO of Lovelace Medical Group. “His commitment to compassionate, high-quality care and his collaborative leadership style make him an ideal fit for our team. I’m confident he will continue to build on our momentum, advancing our growth, strengthening quality, and expanding access to care across the region.”
Wilson joins Lovelace at a time of growth, as the system has recently added new locations and services and broken ground on new facilities to meet the evolving needs of patients across New Mexico.

“I’m honored to join the Lovelace team and excited to build on our strong foundation,” said Wilson. “I look forward to working alongside a very talented group of providers and team members to deliver exceptional care and enhance the healthcare experience of patients and families across New Mexico.”

A member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Wilson is a graduate of the University of Florida Warrington College of Business and holds an MBA in healthcare management from Western Governors University.


About Lovelace Health System
Lovelace is comprised of New Mexico Heart Institute/Lovelace Medical Group, 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. Across its five hospitals, 33 health care clinics and seven outpatient therapy clinics, Lovelace has 619 inpatient beds and employs a team of more than 3,500, including over 311 health care providers. Lovelace continues to invest in our community, providing more than $106 million in unfunded care and supporting local nonprofit and community organizations with more than $404,000 in charitable contributions and community support in 2024. From the first and only hospital in New Mexico dedicated to women’s health to the state’s only hospital devoted exclusively to cardiovascular care, Lovelace is a leader in meeting the healthcare needs of this region.

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