STANTON - Martin County Hospital board of directors hired Nancy Cooke to take over the position of Chief Executive Officer on April 20.
Cooke is a small town, West Texas girl at heart growing up and graduating from Albany High School and earning her degree from Harden Simmons University.
After college she worked 11 years as a CPA in the public sector and then racked up 30 years of experience as Cheif Financial Officer for Medical City Weatherford. She retired in 2018.
When asked why she came out of retirement Cooke responded, “This opportunity. This hospital is truly exceptional. I met some of the staff and was impressed with the level of expertise and commitment they have to this facility.”
She continued, “I’m excited about what is going on and want to be apart of it. It’s a great environment to be in.”
She has been married to Joe Cooke for 31 years. He is an equine veterinarian and splits his time between Sunland Park in El Paso, Zia Park in Hobbs and Ruidoso Downs in Ruidoso.
Cooke closed with, “We have a great staff of care givers here and this community is in great hands. I look forward to seeing what I can do to make care even better and move forward from this point.”
Cooke officially takes over as CEO for Rance Ramsey who resigned in August of 2019.
In the interim, former hospital CEO Paul McKinney took the wheel and kept everything on track while the board did its job.
“I’m ready for my second retirement and not interested in doing any more hospital jobs,” stated McKinney. “I have really enjoyed my time in Stanton. It’s a great town full of great people.
When asked what he will miss the most McKinney stated, “The hospital staff. They care some of the most caring people I know. They are in good hands.”
Renovations continue as the hospital district gets ready to celebrate the 8th anniversary of the new facility.