By Richard Burger

A former health-care executive at two New Mexico medical facilities has been named Administrator at Toppenish Community Hospital.

Derrick Yu took over the position effective March 1, bringing more than 20 years health-care management experience to his new position.

Most recently, Yu served as the administrator of Espanola Hospital in Espanola, New Mexico, and prior to that, as the CEO of Mimbres Memorial Medical Center in Deming New Mexico.

Yu said he was attracted to the Toppenish community and to the central valley, which is much like the area where he lived and worked in New Mexico.

He was also impressed with the hospital.

“It’s a good facility,” Yu said. “My goal is to see how we can get the hospital better connected to the community, to be more actively involved in the community.”

He said he believes there are many Toppenish community residents who aren’t aware of all the services the hospital has available. 

The first project planned for the hospital will be a facelift for the family maternity center.

He said the work will include new carpeting, new paint, and new furniture, and he expects the project to begin in about 90 days.

The hospital delivers 600 to 700 babies per years, Yu said, and is expecting 60 deliveries in April, alone.

“We have good obstetricians here,” Yu said.

He also gives high marks to the other members of the hospital staff.

“We are blessed to have the nurses and staff we have,” said Yu.

He said the renovations in the family maternity center won’t interrupt its operation.

“With a small community hospital, you never know when you will be busy,” Yu said. “You’ve got to be prepared all the time.”

Yu received his master’s degree in Health Administration from Duke University, and earned undergraduate degrees in biology and chemistry from The University of Texas at Dallas and at The University of Madras, India, respectively.

He is a certified healthcare executive and a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. His wife, Valerie, is a neonatal nurse practitioner. The couple has a son who is attending Angelo State University in Texas.