Event Honoring Roth and Hinton Raises Nearly $58,000 for National Jewish Health

Spirit of Achievement Award Dinner Benefits The Leading Respiratory Hospital in the Nation

More than 250 New Mexicans gathered to bestow the Spirit of Achievement Award to Paul B. Roth, MD, MS, of University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center and James H. Hinton of Presbyterian Healthcare Services. The event honors citizens of New Mexico who have built a legacy of contributing their time, talents and resources to the community. Nearly $58,000 was raised at the dinner to benefit charity care and other programs at National Jewish Health.

Between 2013 and 2015, patients from New Mexico who could not afford treatment costs at National Jewish Health, received more than $120,000 in free care.

Several National Jewish Health patients from New Mexico attended the event. Charles L. Daley, MD, chief of mycobacterial and respiratory infections at National Jewish Health relayed the story of one of them.

“Many patients, like Marla Wood, come to National Jewish Health at the recommendation of their local physicians,” said Dr. Daley. “In Marla’s case, her doctors could not figure out why she felt like she was breathing through an ever-shrinking straw. She was referred to National Jewish Health and we diagnosed bronchiolitis, or the inflammation of the lung’s tiniest airways.”

It is important to Marla to ensure that all people have access to world-class care at National Jewish Health, which is why she participates in this event. The dollars raised at the Spirit of Achievement Award Dinner help continue the National Jewish Health mission to treat all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

“Marla told us that she has always received great care from medical professionals in New Mexico, and this time she just needed a little something extra,” said Dr. Daley. “Now that Marla is home, her care has seamlessly transitioned from her team at National Jewish Health to her pulmonologist in New Mexico.”

The event was also about celebrating health care within the borders of New Mexico. Dale Dekker, Dinner Committee member and National Jewish Health trustee, introduced the night’s honorees.

“Jim Hinton serves as president and CEO of Presbyterian Healthcare Services, and is known locally and nationally for his visionary health care leadership and his commitment to community service. He has been active on national, state and local boards and is highly sought after for his insights, thoughtfulness and sense of humor,” said Dekker.

“Dr. Paul Roth, chancellor of the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, CEO of the UNM Health System and dean of the UNM School of Medicine, heads one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers. He is recognized nationally as a leader in emergency medicine and an innovator in medical academic education,” said Dekker.

Adding to the celebration was Miss Albuquerque Stephanie Chavez singing “Hallelujah.” Event co-chairs were Debbie Johnson, CNM Community College; and Sherman McCorkle, Sandia Science and Technology Park Development Corporation and National Jewish Health Trustee. Treasurer was Valerie Dodd of CenturyLink of New Mexico. The three were assisted by Committee Members Adelmo Archuleta, Molzen-Corbin & Associates and National Jewish Health Trustee; Susan Broersma, FRENCH Funerals – Cremations; David Buchholtz, Rodey Law Firm; Dale Dekker, Dekker/Perich/Sabatini and National Jewish Health Trustee; Christine and Joe DiGregorio, Six D Inc. and National Jewish Health Trustees; Joanne Fine; Harris Hartz; Michael Stanford, PayDay, Inc. and National Jewish Health Trustee; Lynn Trojahn, National Jewish Health Trustee; and JoLou Trujillo-Ottino, HALO Branded Solutions.

For more information about New Mexico Spirit of Achievement Award Dinner and bios of the honorees, contact Rebecca Reutlinger at ReutlingerR@NJHealth.org.