When talking about hospitals in Albuquerque, Presbyterian Hospital is often mentioned alongside UNM Hospital.

At first, I thought that since the name includes Presbyterian, it might be a small religious hospital run by a Presbyterian church, but the reality is quite different. It is the main hospital of Presbyterian Healthcare Services, a large nonprofit healthcare system, and it is one of the oldest and largest medical institutions in New Mexico.

The main hospital, Presbyterian Hospital, is located at 1100 Central Ave SE in downtown Albuquerque.

While UNM Hospital is a university hospital connected to the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and is known for being a Level I trauma center, Presbyterian is a comprehensive healthcare system that the average resident encounters more frequently when visiting the hospital.

As we age, we realize that hospitals are not only needed for major surgeries. We need to get prescriptions for blood pressure medication, cholesterol tests, and sometimes we feel chest discomfort or knee pain. When we are young, we might think, "It will get better in a few days," but as we get older, we feel anxious and need to visit the hospital for peace of mind.

In this regard, the advantage of Presbyterian is its network. It does not just operate a single large hospital in the heart of Albuquerque; it has hospitals and clinics throughout New Mexico. In Albuquerque, you can find a nearby Presbyterian-affiliated clinic for primary care or tests, and if necessary, you can be referred to a larger hospital or specialist.

They provide various specialized services, including cardiology, women's health, and neurology, and they also operate an emergency room and inpatient care. Especially if you plan to retire in Albuquerque, having such a system nearby is more important than you might think. No matter how affordable your home is or how large your backyard is, if you have to drive an hour to get to a hospital, that becomes a significant issue as you age.

Presbyterian Healthcare Services also operates the insurance company Presbyterian Health Plan. This means it is a substantial healthcare system that connects hospitals and clinics with insurance. For those who have lived in New Mexico for a long time, this is why the name Presbyterian is seen in both hospitals and insurance.

Of course, not all appointments at Presbyterian are scheduled quickly. New Mexico itself faces a shortage of doctors and some specialists, so you may have to wait for an appointment depending on the specialty. Not all doctors accept Medicare, so retirees should check their insurance network in advance.

Still, having a large nonprofit healthcare system like Presbyterian that connects the entire region, along with a major university hospital like UNM, is quite reassuring for retirees.

When we are young, having a Starbucks and a few good restaurants nearby seems important, but as we age, our priorities change.

It's not just a saying that having a decent hospital within 10 or 15 minutes of home is better than having ten great restaurants.