Special to KRTN
Sunrise Clinics, a nonprofit healthcare organization with offices in Raton, Las Vegas, Tucumcari and Santa Rosa and dedicated to serving New Mexico’s rural and frontier communities, has been selected to receive the esteemed 2025 Piñon Award for Resiliency, presented by the Santa Fe Community Foundation.
The Piñon Awards, now in their 35th year, are among the most prestigious honors for nonprofits in New Mexico, recognizing exceptional organizations that make transformative contributions to their communities. The Resiliency Award specifically celebrates a nonprofit that has demonstrated unwavering strength, innovation, and adaptability in the face of adversity—a distinction that reflects Sunrise Clinics’ journey.
Founded in 2019 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Sunrise Clinics operates in medically underserved counties including Colfax, San Miguel, Mora, Guadalupe, Quay and Torrance. These regions face significant barriers to healthcare access due to geographic isolation, limited infrastructure, and chronic provider shortages. Sunrise Clinics addresses these challenges through a comprehensive, mission-driven approach: delivering high-quality medical, dental, and behavioral health services on a sliding fee scale to over 15,000 patients annually, regardless of their ability to pay.
“We are deeply honored to receive the Piñon Award for Resiliency,” said Randal Brown, M.D., Chief Executive Officer, Sunrise Clinics. “This recognition is a testament to the extraordinary dedication of our staff, the strength of our partnerships, and the unwavering spirit of the communities we serve.”
Sunrise Clinics was founded by longtime healthcare leaders Dr. Randal Brown and Antje Postl, who transitioned their decades-long practice in Santa Rosa into a nonprofit model to expand access and sustainability. Their generous bridge investment ensured continuity of care during the transition—a commitment that became even more vital when the COVID-19 pandemic struck just a year later. Rather than retreat, Sunrise Clinics expanded services amid the crisis. Notable innovations include:
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A nationally recognized Hub and Spoke model for school-based care, bringing telehealth and diagnostic tools to 24 rural schools across the region.
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A stand-alone Behavioral Health Clinic in Las Vegas, NM, integrating mental health services using evidence-based therapies.
Designated as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Look-Alike, Sunrise Clinics meets all the rigorous standards required of full FQHCs—including providing comprehensive, culturally competent care on a sliding fee scale—without receiving direct federal grant funding. This designation recognizes Sunrise Clinics’ commitment to expanding access, ensuring affordability, and delivering high-quality medical, dental, and behavioral health services to underserved communities across New Mexico. Through this model, the organization continues to advance its mission with resilience, compassion, and equity.
To learn more about Sunrise Clinics, please visit www.sunrisenm.org and for more about Santa Fe Community Foundation’s award https://www.santafecf.org/
