Community Matters: Sunrise Clinics
Sunrise Clinics
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Listen here
On this episode of Community Matters, we’re joined by Dr. Randal Brown, Founder and CEO of Sunrise Clinics, the 2025 recipient of the Santa Fe Community Foundation’s "Resiliency" Piñon Award. Sunrise Clinics strengthens the health and well-being of rural and frontier communities across New Mexico, including Las Vegas, Santa Rosa, Tucumcari, and Raton. By offering comprehensive primary and behavioral health care on a sliding fee scale, Sunrise ensures that no one is turned away due to cost — building resilience and access in places where care is needed most.
Dr. Brown is a dedicated healthcare professional and a proud native of Santa Rosa, New Mexico. He graduated from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and completed his residency in the UNM Family Medicine Program. Since beginning his practice in Santa Rosa in 1993, Dr. Brown has devoted over 32 years to providing high-quality medical care to the community.
In 1999, Dr. Brown founded Sunrise Medical Group, a pioneering healthcare organization that significantly expanded access to healthcare services throughout Northeast New Mexico. His commitment to education and mentorship is evident in his role as an Adjunct Professor for Rural Medicine at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, where he has guided and mentored over 80 Family Medicine residents, helping to shape the next generation of healthcare providers.
In 2020, in a move to further enhance healthcare access in his community, Dr. Brown donated his practice to Sunrise Clinics, a not-for-profit organization. He currently serves as the CEO of Sunrise Clinics, where he continues to advocate for and implement strategies to improve patient care in Northeast New Mexico.
Dr. Brown’s extensive experience and dedication to rural medicine make him a vital leader in the healthcare landscape of his community, committed to ensuring that quality medical care is accessible to all residents of Northeast New Mexico.
_____
About Community Matters
Our monthly radio show invites subject experts and community leaders to talk about the challenges and inequities our region faces and possible solutions that could contribute to its growth. Hosted by Santa Fe Community Foundation staff, Community Matters airs on the third Wednesday of every month at 6:00 PM on KSFR (101.1 FM). Listen to past episodes here.
Community Matters: Arts, Culture & Our Creative Safety Net
What role do artists play in building a thriving community? On this episode of Community Matters, host Christopher Goett sits down with Raashan Ahmad of Vital Spaces to discuss the importance of supporting New Mexico's creative community. Together, they explore how affordable creative spaces, community partnerships, and programs like Unhoused Art are helping artists thrive, and why a vibrant arts and culture ecosystem is an essential part of our community's safety net.
Community Matters: Equity & Belonging
What does equity look like in practice? On this episode, Dr. Corrine Sanchez, Executive Director of Tewa Women United, reflects on her 30 years of experience in Indigenous justice, healing, and advocacy and shares how equity can show up inside our organizations, communities, and lives.
Community Matters: New Mexico's Healthcare Landscape
New Mexico faces one of the most severe healthcare worker shortages in the country, and the consequences are felt deeply by local communities. In our May episode, host Christopher Goett sits down with Fred Nathan, Executive Director of Think New Mexico, to discuss what’s driving the shortage, what the research reveals about long-term solutions, and which reforms gained traction during the 2026 legislative session.
