Voting is now open for the “Top 20 Most Beautiful Hospitals” in the U.S.” and The University of New Mexico Sandoval Regional Medical Center – A Campus of UNM Hospital (SRMC) needs the community’s help to make it to the top spot!
Vote for SRMC!
The contest is sponsored by Soliant, a top national health care staffing firm. The contest recognizes hospitals for developing and improving their campuses, facilities, staff, and creating holistic and healing environments.
SRMC is competing against more than 70 hospitals across the nation. The Rio Rancho hospital’s spectacular views of the majestic Sandia Mountains from nearly every patient’s room, its floor to ceiling windows, and its critical role as a Level-III Trauma Center for rural and Tribal communities make it a top contender in the contest
SRMC is truly beautiful both inside and out-- from the architecture, art and music to our dedicated team working inside. SRMC is beautiful because its purpose is centered around our patients as well as our staff and providers’ well-being.
“We are so excited and honored to be a finalist for most beautiful hospital in the country,” said SRMC President Jamie Silva-Steele, RN, BSN, MBA FACHE. “SRMC is truly beautiful both inside and out-- from the architecture, art and music to our dedicated team working inside. SRMC is beautiful because its purpose is centered around our patients as well as our staff and providers’ well-being.”
SRMC opened in 2012 with much of the planning around the hospital’s design intentionally focused on healing. Every patient room has a window that lets in natural light and the nearly floor-to-ceiling windows in many places throughout the hospital offer stunning views for all staff, patients and visitors to enjoy.
A gorgeous grand piano, donated to the SRMC Arts-in-Medicine program by State Farm Insurance and Board member Joanna Boothe and her husband Bill, sits in the first floor waiting area at SRMC where local artists regularly come in to play as part of the hospitals Arts-in-Medicine Program. The program centers around research that shows music and art can decrease stress levels and promote a relaxation response.
Stunning pieces of art hang on the walls from artists from New Mexico’s Native American Tribes who created paintings and sculptures specifically for the hospital. The work of very young, upcoming artists is also on display.
“We’ve been partnering with local elementary schools since 2022,” Silva-Steele said. “Three times a year we rotate the artwork and hold a special ceremony for the students and their families to come in and see their pieces up on the wall here at SRMC. It’s so wonderful to see the excitement and pride on the faces of the kids and the artwork is a treat for our patients and staff to see as well.”
It's not just aesthetics that make SRMC a beautiful hospital, Silva-Steele explained it’s also the people who work inside. A close-knit family of dedicated health care workers and staff come together to care for patients every single day. Many of those patients are from Tribal communities, or underserved and rural populations who, without SRMC, may not otherwise receive the health care they need. For the team at SRMC, caring for people is a calling even when they are outside of work. From an SRMC leader who helped save a man’s life at the gym, to a mother who works at SRMC who gave back to her community after her own son received lifesaving care.
“These are the caring hearts that make up the team inside this incredible hospital,” Silva-Steele said. “Our SRMC family, our patients, and our building all make SRMC beautiful and special.”
Voting is open for the “Top 20 Most Beautiful Hospitals” in the U.S. and runs through July 25. The winners will be announced on July 31. The top hospital will receive $5,000 for their foundation.
Click here to vote for SRMC!