Dr. Matthew Wilks Named Chief Medical Officer at UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center

In his new role, Wilks will work with SRMC leaders, staff and medical staff, Health System leaders, community providers and the UNM School of Medicine department chairs to implement strategic plans, operational goals and hospital policy. The goal is to maintain a culture that puts patients and their families first by ensuring a high-quality zero harm environment, optimal teamwork and operational excellence.

Wilks obtained his BA degree with honors in biology from Oberlin College. He moved to Northern California to pursue graduate studies at Stanford University in theoretical and field marine biology. He then decided to pursue medical school at the University of Arizona, where he obtained his MD from the College of Medicine. He completed his residency in emergency medicine at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

Wilks returned to Arizona and worked at Chandler Regional Hospital near Phoenix as an attending physician, director of the emergency department and medical director for Southwest Ambulance and Chandler Police Department’s SWAT team. He also worked at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix and Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale, Ariz.

Prior to joining SRMC full time, Wilks worked at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira, N.Y., where he was an attending physician and vice chair of the ED. In 2012, he joined SRMC as a part-time provider in the ED and a year later became its medical director. He has served as the vice chief of staff, chief of staff and immediate past chief of staff. He has also been serving as the medical director of the Quality and Patient Safety Department and several other hospital and medical staff committees.

During the COVID-19 preparedness and response efforts, Wilks served as the Medical Branch director for the Emergency Operations Center. He is currently an associate professor with the UNM Department of Emergency Medicine.

UNM SRMC, a community and teaching hospital located in Rio Rancho’s town center, was opened in 2012 with a mission of serving Sandoval County’s diverse communities. The facility includes a state-of-the-art radiology and women’s imaging department and six operating rooms. It includes 60 acute care inpatient beds in medical, surgical and intensive care units.

In partnership with the UNM Health Sciences Center, SRMC will be opening the Center of Excellence for Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation in the fall of 2021.