UNMH Removes Former Gov. Richardson's Name from Pavilion

The University of New Mexico Hospital has removed former Governor Bill Richardson's name from the building it was previously named after.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The University of New Mexico Hospital has removed former Governor Bill Richardson's name from a building on its campus that was previously named after him and his wife, Barbara. The building is now simply referred to as 'The Pavilion'. A UNMH spokesperson stated the name change occurred last year to coincide with the opening of a new Critical Care Tower and to make it easier for patients to navigate the hospital. However, the spokesperson declined to comment on whether the change was tied to Richardson's connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Why it matters

The removal of Richardson's name from the UNMH building raises questions about the former governor's legacy and reputation, particularly in light of his ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein. This decision by the hospital suggests an effort to distance itself from any potential controversies associated with Richardson.

The details

The Pavilion building at the University of New Mexico Hospital was previously named after former Governor Bill Richardson and his wife, Barbara, when it opened nearly two decades ago. However, the signage on the building has now been changed to simply refer to it as 'The Pavilion', with Richardson's name no longer appearing. A UNMH spokesperson stated this name change occurred last year to coincide with the opening of a new Critical Care Tower and to make it easier for patients to navigate the hospital campus. When asked if the change was tied to Richardson's connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the spokesperson declined to comment.

  • The Pavilion building was originally named after former Governor Bill Richardson and his wife, Barbara, when it opened nearly two decades ago.
  • The name change to simply 'The Pavilion' occurred last year, in 2025.

The players

Bill Richardson

Former Governor of New Mexico who had his name previously displayed on the UNMH Pavilion building. Richardson died in 2023 and has been connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in over 800 documents.

University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH)

The hospital that removed former Governor Bill Richardson's name from the Pavilion building on its campus.

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What’s next

It remains to be seen if UNMH will provide any further explanation for the name change or if there are any other plans to address Richardson's legacy and connections to Jeffrey Epstein.

The takeaway

The removal of former Governor Bill Richardson's name from the UNMH Pavilion building suggests an effort by the hospital to distance itself from any potential controversies associated with Richardson, particularly in light of his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This decision raises questions about Richardson's legacy and reputation.