Our Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, in partnership with Assured Imaging, LLC - a Rezolut company and First Choice Community Healthcare, held a mobile mammography event in Albuquerque last week. More than 40 women were screened for breast cancer at this event regardless of insurance status, bringing mammography to their South Valley neighborhood. We’re thrilled to be able to partner with organizations to make breast cancer screening more accessible throughout our state! Call our Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program at 1-833-525-1811 to see if you're eligible for screening and diagnostic services.

Our Lead Disease Intervention Specialist, Mari Mesquita, is sending a special thanks to her colleagues on the SE Region Disease Prevention team for their support. During a Disease Prevention Team Summit in October, her team surprised her with matching shirts in support of Mari being a 4-year breast cancer survivor. 🩷 “I love my job, and this group of ladies are incredibly the best to work with. They deserve to be recognized,” said Mari. Pictured from left to right: Audra Chaves, Janelle Michel, Blanca Moore, Mari Mesquita, Andrew Gans, Maxine Simons, Angel Leyba and Monica Saavedra.

The Project SEARCH interns helped to kick off the holiday spirit at Presbyterian Rust Medical Center. Have you decorated your tree yet?🎄 Adelante is proud to partner with Rio Rancho Public Schools, New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Project SEARCH - New Mexico, Project SEARCH, UNM Center for Development and Disability, Presbyterian Rust Medical Center, and the New Mexico Department of Health on this employment initiative.

Last week the New Mexico State Veteran's Home welcomed residents and their family members for a Thanksgiving event. 🦃 Approximately 200 people were served a Thanksgiving meal of ham, turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, two sweet potato dishes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, buns and choice of pecan or pumpkin pie.  An ensemble from the Butte Church provided entertainment and several door prizes were won by residents and their family members. Thank you to all who attended and a special thanks to our dedicated and caring NMSVH staff that helped make this evening a fun-filled event for all. 

New data reveals promising results on youth mental health and substance use. The New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey (NM-YRRS) shows from 2021 to 2023, adolescent mental health improved after 8 years of worsening. Also in 2023, adolescent alcohol, nicotine and other substance use decreased following years of decline. Read the full news release at https://lnkd.in/gFq5jc9B Information about the survey can be found at youthrisk.org

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced today (11/20) that Patrick M. Allen, secretary of the New Mexico Department of Health will step down from his position. “Pat has been a dedicated public servant, and I’m grateful for his contributions as secretary for the Department of Health. I wish him well in his next endeavor,” said Lujan Grisham. Gina DeBlassie, the governor’s public health advisor, will serve as interim cabinet secretary of NMDOH. DeBlassie brings more than 30 years of healthcare expertise. Prior to joining Gov. Lujan Grisham’s administration, DeBlassie served as chief operating officer for a national All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly provider program. There, she managed multi-state operations spearheading the expansion of programs aimed at bettering the lives of seniors. Read the full news release at https://lnkd.in/gaYJfu5j Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham

We're excited to work with you Karen! Learn more about our Internship Program at https://lnkd.in/gAa5TmiX

Last month, our Bureau of Health Emergency Management (BHEM) carried out a full-scale emergency training exercise in Luna County, called Project SLUDGEM. The exercise – in coordination with the Luna County, City of Deming, Mimbres Memorial Hospital and other local, state and non-governmental partners – practiced for a possible real-world scenario of a traffic collision between a simulated passenger filled commercial bus with a tanker trailer spilling a highly concentrated version of a common pesticide. The simulated collision relied on a school bus and students from Deming Public Schools and a Luna County fire truck. On site, actors and players simulated field decontamination and treatment with many players transported to the local hospital for further decontamination and treatment. Project SLUDGEM refreshed local first responders and hospital partners on the procedures for responding to a hazardous materials incident with many casualties and improve their ability to both provide treatment to patients and mitigate chemical release. The project is named for SLUDGEM syndrome – which is an acronym that describes what nerve agents (including insecticides) untreated can do to the human body. More info: https://lnkd.in/gK6bs-9z Also simulated was the deployment of CHEMPACK antidotes to Deming on a timely basis. The national CHEMPACK program, managed in NM by BHEM, provides antidotes to nerve agents and poisons and is placed strategically for optimal deployment around the state within hospitals and EMS providers. More info: https://lnkd.in/gypqpVFv Thank you to all who participated for your hard work and dedication!

Have a safe Halloween from all of us at NMHealth! 🎃 Find guidance for a spooky and safe Halloween at https://lnkd.in/gS46wVZB

#ICYMI: Litter didn’t stand a chance! 85 NMHealth volunteers worked together to clean up 9 different locations including Runnels and Colgate (Santa Fe), Homestead (Abq), Las Vegas (City of Las Vegas and NMBHI), Las Cruces, Chaparral, Anthony, Gallup, and Los Lunas. From Oct. 19- Oct. 25, we cleaned up a total of 186 large bags of trash in addition to about 7 truckloads of weeds and tree branches! Every piece of trash picked up is a step towards a cleaner, healthier New Mexico. 💜 🧡 #BreakingBadHabits https://lnkd.in/gKtdQrx6 Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham