Don Blackburn

Presbyterian Medical Services

Presbyterian Medical Services (PMS) is the successor to the United Presbyterian Church's Medical Mission work in the Southwest, which began in 1901. In 1969, a New Mexico based 501 (c)(3) nonprofit corporation was formed to ensure continuation of the mission to provide health care services to the underserved communities throughout the Southwest. All told, we provide services in approximately 100 locations throughout New Mexico. Many of the individuals served by PMS live at or below the federal poverty level. PMS programs are in urban, rural and frontier locations. Some areas have geographical barriers which dramatically impact access to services. Our primary care services are focused on helping New Mexicans of all ages. Our dental care includes preventive, restorative and some rehabilitative services. Our behavioral health and developmental disability programs enhance lives and enable the pursuit of personal fulfillment. Our integrated service model provides the highest quality of care at every stage of life. Combined with our services for veterans and childhood education, PMS' services strengthen the fabric of our New Mexico communities by offering a strong safety net of care for people of all backgrounds. PMS is accredited by the Joint Commission, signifying achievement of the highest standard of performance in the industry. Numerous PMS community health centers have achieved recognition from the Joint Commission as Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMH). The PCMH is a way of organizing primary care that emphasizes care coordination and communication to transform primary care for maximized health outcomes. We've also received accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).