Memorial Medical Center Welcomes Adrian Larson As New COO

LAS CRUCES, NM (May 15, 2025) – Memorial Medical Center is very pleased to welcome Adrian F. Larson, MBA, FACHE, as the hospital’s new Chief Operating Officer.

With over a decade of experience in senior leadership roles across both for-profit and non-profit healthcare systems, Larson has established a strong reputation for driving operational excellence and fostering organizational growth. At MMC, Larson will be responsible for leading projects and developing service lines, among other duties.

“Adrian is well-known for his exceptional communication and relationship skills, and his adaptable, foundation-building management style,” said Dennis Knox, CEO of Memorial Medical Center. “On behalf of the MMC Board of Trustees and the Executive Leadership Team, I am delighted to welcome Adrian to Memorial and look forward to his contributions to our continued success.”

“I am thrilled to return to Las Cruces and look forward to being part of the Executive Leadership Team here at MMC as we serve patients across Southern New Mexico,” Larson said. “This team has the heart, the talent and the commitment to continue delivering excellent care and services to our community — and I’m truly honored to be a part of it.”

Larson joins Memorial from UNM Hospital Sandoval Campus in Rio Rancho, where he served as COO since June 2023. The Sandoval Campus integrated with UNMH under one license starting in January 2024. Adrian’s focus at the facility was leading the organization with humility, trust, and enhancing service delivery and operational excellence.

Prior to that, he held the position of CEO at STAT Specialty Hospital in Del Rio and Eagle Pass, TX for two years. Larson is very familiar with Las Cruces and our community, as he served as COO at MountainView Regional Medical Center from October 2017 to April 2021.

Highlights in his career as a healthcare leader include managing key facility projects such as an operating room expansion project, the opening of a freestanding emergency department, cardiac cath lab construction, and the transformation of freestanding emergency rooms into fully licensed hospitals. Additionally, Larson has spearheaded many projects that both improve healthcare delivery efficiencies and improve the patient experience.

Larson holds an MBA from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Fluent in Spanish, he is actively involved in various community organizations and chambers of commerce.

Outside of work, he enjoys sports, outdoor activities, and supporting his children’s achievements.