New Mexico Department of Health Honors Rural Hospitals
The New Mexico Department of Health is honoring rural hospitals in New Mexico for the important role they play in the health of New Mexicans.
The Department’s Office of Rural Health asked New Mexico’s 24 rural hospitals to participate in its Celebration of National Rural Health Day, which is November 20th, by submitting community projects they spearhead. This year’s theme is Celebrating the Power of Rural.
Rural hospitals serve about 700,000 New Mexicans living in rural areas.
“Hospitals in rural areas are very important to the health and safety of New Mexicans, and they play an important role in their communities,” said Department of Health Secretary Retta Ward, MPH. “Many of the hospitals take part in very important projects to make improvements in their community.”
On Friday, November 7th, the Department hosted a day-long celebration in Albuquerque where the 5 hospitals shared their community projects. Then, the participants voted on which project they thought was the best.
Miners’ Colfax Medical Center in Raton was voted by their peers the Best Community Project for “Healthcare Career Pathways.” It provides rural students support and motivation to a two year program for high school juniors and seniors interested in a health care career.
The students are exposed to all facets of healthcare and receive dual credit college courses with hands-on clinical experience, and nurse assistant training.
PHOTO CAPTION: Jeanine Peek from Miners Colfax Medical Center holds a certificate from the Department of Health for the hospital’s Healthcare Career Pathways project.
Other participants included:
- Nor-Lea Hospital in Lovington: “Head Start Fall Festival” worked with children in their community on bike safety and the importance of wearing helmet. The parents were given diabetic screenings and blood pressure checks.
- Dr. Dan C. Trigg Memorial Hospital in Tucumcari: “Dawn” helps out the community by bringing together key members in their community to provide medical nutrition therapy helping diabetic patients lower their A1C levels.
- Holy Cross Hospital in Taos: Through the “Safe Community Coordinated Response to Prescription Drug Overdose,” naloxone kits are being dispensed to reduce opioid overdose in Rio Arriba County in partnership with the Department of Health’s Harm Reduction Program.
- Lincoln County Medical Center in Ruidoso: “Community EMS Program” is a mobile integrated healthcare system that has referrals from local doctors to go to homes of patients that have been released from the hospital and need follow-up attention. They ensure medications are picked up and home safety assessments are completed in order to reduce hospital readmissions.
The Department presented each hospital that participated with a certificate.
The Department’s Office of Rural Health mission is to foster relationships, disseminate information and provide technical assistance that improves access to, and the quality of health care for its rural citizens.
Media Contact
We would be happy to provide additional information about this press release. Simply contact Kenny Vigil at 505-841-5871 (Office) or 505-470-2290 (Mobile) with your questions.
Versión en Español
En un esfuerzo para hacer que nuestros comunicados de prensa sean más accesibles, también tenemos disponibles una versión en español. Por favor presione el enlace de abajo para acceder a la traducción.
El Departamento de Salud de Nuevo México Honra a los Hospitales Rurales