Lovelace taps veteran hospital executive Cliff Wilson as new CEO

Lovelace Health System has appointed Cliff Wilson, a health care leader with nearly two decades of experience, as president and CEO, officials announced Monday.

Wilson, who will take the helm on Aug. 11, replaces Troy Greer, who resigned last month after roughly two years on the job.

A Lovelace spokesperson declined to disclose Wilson’s salary.

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

Wilson’s appointment follows a period of frequent turnover in Lovelace’s top leadership role.

Wilson ultimately succeeds Greer, who took the position in late 2023 before announcing his resignation last month. Before Greer, David Schultz led the health system for only a few months after his April 2023 appointment. Schultz had replaced Janelle Raborn, a Lovelace executive who stepped into the role in 2022 following the retirement of longtime CEO Ron Stern.

Wilson comes to New Mexico from Lifepoint Health’s Central Kentucky region, where he oversaw four acute care hospitals and helped improve recruitment and financial performance as the health system’s market president and CEO. Wilson spent 14 years at Lifepoint, including in other roles such as chief operating officer and senior director of physician services. At Lovelace, Wilson will oversee five hospitals, dozens of clinics and more than 3,500 employees.

Wilson joins Lovelace as the company has seen recent growth. The health system last month broke ground on a new urgent and primary care facility in Bernalillo and earlier this year acquired six NextCare Urgent Care locations across Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and Taos as it looks to expand its foothold in the state’s health care ecosystem.

In a statement, Lovelace Medical Group CEO and interim Lovelace Health System CEO Michael Kueker said Wilson’s “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,” Kueker said.