Just What the Doctor Ordered

Long-Time, Local Family Practitioner Retires

Remember in the old movies and television shows, there was usually the compassionate and caring family doctor? The one who was always willing to get up in the middle of the night, with his black bag of supplies, ready to go help whoever in the community with whatever they needed? Fortunately, the Clovis and Portales communities have been absolutely blessed to have that caring physician, Dr. Lonnie Alexander (BS 78), usually only seen in movies, taking care of their women and families.

After a 32-year medical practice, Dr. Alexander retired this August leaving big shoes to fill at Women’s Medical Center (WMC) in Clovis. The providers and professionals at the center have cherished his hard work and dedication, stating that “Dr. Alexander’s wealth of knowledge, compassion and passion for taking care of people is an asset to our community, and WMC is honored he is part of our family.”

If you’ve had the opportunity to visit with Dr. Alexander, you have most likely listened to some fascinating stories, experienced his kindness, and observed the devotion he has to his profession and community.

At 16 years old, Lonnie Alexander left his family’s farm near Espanola, New Mexico to travel the world with Up With People – a global youth organization focused on bring the world together through service and music. In 1969 he was drafted into the Army where he served as a medic in Vietnam until 1971. He then returned home to New Mexico where he began his formal education to become a family physician.

Lonnie and Karen Alexander during a Viking European River Cruise.

“I came to ENMU in 1972 to study agriculture. They had a very good ag program and the number one rodeo team in the country — I used to ride bulls before my brains came in,” Dr. Alexander joked. “Because the GI Bill wasn’t enough to cover school completely, I had to work. I ended up getting a job in the ER in Portales, and while working there, I met physicians who encouraged me to go into medicine.”

Dr. Alexander graduated from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine in 1982 and completed his family practice residency from the University of Colorado. He began his career in Oregon in 1985, but returned to Portales the next year to take over for his friend and local family physician at the time, Dr. Coleman.

Lonnie and Karen with their daughter Michaela, their son Daniel, and their three granddaughters Jaden, Chloe and Mia.

Over the next 12 years, Dr. Alexander became the iconic and beloved doctor of the Portales and Roosevelt County communities. He truly was a family physician. From the delivery of babies and care of women before, during and after their pregnancies, to the care of children, teenagers, men, and the elderly, Dr. Alexander was reliable and steadfast. In 1997 he focused his career on women’s health and joined WMC where he practiced until his retirement this past August.

“Clovis and Portales were wonderful places to practice. I felt like I could – because of the rural communities – practice the full scope of medicine including OB-GYN. Both of our children also grew up in Portales and enjoyed the community.”

Many ENMU alumni may recall their own visits to Health Services on campus where Dr. Alexander tended to their healthcare needs as students. ENMU Foundation Executive Director Noelle Bartl (BS 92) recalls how kind Dr. Alexander was when she was a student, and then nine years later, after she and her husband moved back to Portales, he delivered their first child.

Dr. Alexander with one of the babies he delivered at WMC.

“When I was having my daughter Samantha, he asked me if I used to have ‘the hair,’ Noelle laughed as she motioned to her head. “He was referring to my big 80s hair. It was funny timing, but he remembered my husband Jonn (AA 94) and me.”

When asked what advice he would give to today’s medical students, Dr. Alexander stated: “Take full advantage of every educational opportunity. I felt like the degree that I got at Eastern prepared me very well for medical school. I applied in 1978 along with four other students from ENMU. All five of us were accepted, and all five of us had productive medical careers.”

Dr. Alexander is also a family man, as evidenced by his big smile at any mention of his own family. His wife Karen Alexander (MED 77, BS 74) taught reading education for 13 years at ENMU, and the couple has two grown children and three beautiful granddaughters.

In retirement, Dr. Alexander has been working on various rental properties and things he had been putting off for years. WMC Practice Administrator Lonnie Ray said she “will miss Dr. Alexander’s sense of humor, steadfastness and easy smile. That being said, I envy him the time to do the things that he’s tried to balance over the years while remaining a good-ol’ country doc.”