HMS employee Amanda Barrett earns statewide primary care honor

At Hidalgo Medical Services, Amanda Barrett’s work sat behind the scenes but touched nearly every patient visit, from the records staff pulled up to the workflow that kept appointments moving. That mix of data analysis and hands-on training helped the New Mexico Primary Care Association name her an Outstanding Team Member on June 10, one of only two healthcare professionals in New Mexico selected for the honor.

Barrett served HMS as a Clinical Data Analyst and ECW Super User and Trainer, a role that placed her at the intersection of patient care, reporting tools, workflow design and staff support. HMS said her work helped improve day-to-day responsiveness to patients and community needs, the kind of operational support that can make a difference for families in Hidalgo County who already travel long distances for care.

The recognition came during the association’s annual conference in Albuquerque, which ran June 4-6 under the theme “Celebrating 100 Years of Route 66: Connecting Healthcare Across New Mexico.” The awards luncheon was held June 5. The association said it represented 22 member organizations operating more than 200 primary care, dental, school-based and behavioral health clinics across the state, giving Barrett’s honor statewide reach even as her work remained rooted in southwestern New Mexico.

HMS said the award fit its broader mission across Grant and Hidalgo counties. The nonprofit said it was established in 1980 and became a federally qualified health center in 1995. Today, HMS reported more than 15,000 unduplicated patients and clients each year, more than 70,000 annual visits and 22 locations, including 15 clinical sites, five senior centers and two administrative locations.

HMS leaders said Barrett helped connect frontline clinical work with technology and operations. Chief Executive Officer Dan Otero said she exemplified dedication, innovation and servant leadership, while Chief Financial and Information Officer Gretchen Cannon described her as a trusted teammate who helped others succeed. Those qualities mattered in a system where staff have to keep schedules, records and clinical tools aligned across multiple sites.

The recognition also came as HMS continued to highlight access and workforce stability. The organization reported a 94% average patient satisfaction rate for calendar year 2025 and year to date, along with an 86.24% employee satisfaction score, up from 81.59% in 2023. In May, HMS said the Health Resources and Services Administration confirmed it was in full compliance with all Federally Qualified Health Center program requirements after a multiday operational site visit.

HMS also said its transportation program provided 547 patient rides from December 2025 through April 2026, and its new Medical Mobile Clinic, funded by New Mexico Rural Health Care Delivery Funds, was scheduled to serve communities at least one day per week. In a rural health system, Barrett’s award pointed to a simple truth: the people who keep the data accurate and the staff trained can shape whether care arrives smoothly at all.