Friends of New Mexico Fisher House
Helping Military Families
​Friends of New Mexico Fisher House
support service members, veterans and families
receiving care
at the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center with a
“Home Away from Home” .
Friends of Fisher House Conference
Cincinnati Marriott at RiverCenter
July 2026
Jessica Lynch
The Power of Perserverance
Jessica Lynch, the Iraq war veteran, spoke at the Friends of Fisher House Conference on Thursday, July 9.
On March 23, 2003, she was serving as a unit supply specialist with the 507th Maintenance Company when her convoy was ambushed by Iraqi troops during the Battle of Nasiriyah; Lynch was seriously injured during the offensive and captured by Iraqi soldiers. Her subsequent rescue by U.S. Special Operations Forces in April 2003, was the first successful rescue of an American prisoner of war since World War II and the first ever of a woman.
Jessica reflected upon her lengthy recovery during which her family members were able to stay at Fisher Houses in Germany and at Walter Reed Medical Center to aid
her convalescence.
A Family's Love is Good Medicine
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Eligibility for a Fisher House stay generally requires being a family member, caregiver, or active duty/veteran patient receiving care at a nearby military or VA medical center, residing over 50 miles away.
Guests must be self-sufficient and require a referral from a doctor or social worker.
Key Eligibility Requirements:
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Patient Status: Must be an active duty service member or veteran.
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Family/Caregiver: Immediate family or caregivers of the patient.
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Distance: Must live 50+ miles away from the ABQ Fisher House.
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Medical Condition: Patients/guests must be medically stable, able to care for themselves, and not have a communicable disease.
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Referral: A referral from a social worker, case manager, or doctor is required. Check with your VA Care Team.
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House Program Manager:
Carlos Velasquez
House Asst Program Manager:
Vicki Ogilvie
