On June 1st, 2026, Holy Cross Medical Center will launch a new Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system across the hospital and clinic network. This system-wide upgrade is part of a multi-year project and represents a major investment in the future of care for patients throughout the Holy Cross healthcare system.
The new EMR is being implemented across Holy Cross Hospital, Holy Cross Cardiology, Holy Cross Primary Care, Holy Cross Surgical Specialties, Holy Cross Women’s Health Institute, Taos Clinic for Children and Youth, and Holy Cross Orthopedics.
“This is an important milestone for Holy Cross Medical Center and the communities we serve,” said James Kiser, CEO of Holy Cross Medical Center. “I am incredibly grateful to our teams across the hospital and clinics for the dedication, planning, and hard work they have put into this transition. The new Electronic Medical Record system and patient portal reflect our continued commitment to improving care, strengthening communication, and meeting the needs of our community now and into the future.”
As part of the multi-year planning process, Holy Cross Medical Center carefully reviewed three leading EMR options for rural hospitals to determine the best fit for its patients, providers, staff, and long-term goals. After thoughtful evaluation, Holy Cross selected MEDITECH Expanse for its ability to support a more connected healthcare experience across hospital and clinic settings, strengthen care coordination, and provide patients with a more modern portal experience.
Preparing for a transition of this size has required significant planning, coordination, training, and collaboration across the organization. Teams throughout Holy Cross have worked together to review workflows, support staff education, update processes, and help ensure the hospital and clinics are ready for the June 1st, 2026 launch.
“Implementing a new EMR system of this scale is a major undertaking, and it has taken teamwork from across Holy Cross Medical Center and our clinics,” said Mike Rael, IT Director at Holy Cross Medical Center. “I want to recognize the incredible work of our IT team and thank every department, provider, and staff member who has helped make this transition possible. I am genuinely grateful for the time, effort, and collaboration everyone has put into this project. This is a great example of teamwork at its best.”
This robust upgrade will improve how Holy Cross providers and care teams access information, coordinate care, and communicate across the healthcare network. Over time, the new system will help create a more connected experience for patients, allowing care teams to access important health information more efficiently, including medical history, medications, allergies, lab results, imaging, and other details that support informed decision-making.
The upgrade will also improve communication between Holy Cross and other local care providers. Better connection between the hospital’s EMR and other provider systems is expected to support smoother referrals, stronger follow-up, and improved coordination for patients who receive care from multiple providers. This is especially important for patients who move between hospital care, primary care, specialty care, and other health services.
For Holy Cross staff and providers, the new system is designed to reduce duplication, improve workflows, and support safer, more efficient care. The EMR includes tools that can assist with clinical decision-making, patient safety, care coordination, and managing the needs of patients with chronic or complex conditions. This upgrade will help Holy Cross continue building a more connected and responsive health care network.
Patients will also see a major improvement with the launch of a new patient portal. The new portal will be available across the Holy Cross system, giving patients one access point for the hospital and participating clinic locations.
Through the new portal, patients will be able to request and schedule appointments, review upcoming appointments and location details, complete registration forms before visits, securely communicate with physicians and medical teams, attend virtual visits, request prescription renewals, review test or exam results, access current stay and discharge information, and pay bills online.
This new portal is intended to make it easier for patients to stay connected to their care team and manage important parts of their care from a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
As Holy Cross completes this transition, some visits, calls, or registration processes may take a little longer than usual. Patients may also be asked to confirm personal information, insurance details, or payment methods. These steps will help ensure that patient records are accurate and complete in the new system. Holy Cross appreciates the community’s patience and understanding during this important improvement.
Patients who currently have a patient portal with Holy Cross should be aware that their past records will not transfer into the new portal. The current portal will remain available for a limited time after the June 1 transition, but patients are encouraged to download or save any information they would like to keep from their current portal as soon as possible.
Patients will not be able to sign up for the new portal until they receive an email invitation from the system. For most patients, this invitation will be sent after their first visit to the hospital or one of the clinics once the new system goes live. Some clinic patients with upcoming appointments may receive an invitation before their appointment.
Holy Cross Medical Center appreciates the community’s patience and support as this important upgrade is completed. The new EMR and patient portal represent a significant step forward in improving care, communication, and access for patients across the Holy Cross healthcare network.
For more information about this transition, visit https://holycrossmedicalcenter.org/electronic-medical-record-transition/
