I have served the State of New Mexico within the Office of School and Adolescent Health for the last twenty years. Our office strives to serve the young people here through five major initiatives, including positive youth development and improving health literacy, the clinical oversight of school nursing, the oversight of school behavioral health services, the oversight of school-based health centers and adolescent suicide prevention. To this end, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise of these content areas, Additionally, I have a passion for system’s thinking/analysis and how our initiatives complement and enhance other adolescent serving organizations including our managed care organizations, our state and local education agencies, and our juvenile justice agencies.
I provide guidance and direction for the day-to-day operations of OSAH including clinical guidance for our school nurses, school counselors and school social workers, school-based health centers and positive youth development programs. I also interact with our Public Education Department to improve the intersection of adolescent health and academics for our state. I am also fortunate to be able to partner with other state agencies, such as, the Children, Youth and Families Department and the Health Care Authority on those issues that affect young people where their health outcomes and academic success connect. I am acutely aware of the role health plays in academic success and conti9nually work to improve this connection.