UNM-Gallup partners on Asset Mapping for Health Career Pathways

GALLUP, N.M. - The University of New Mexico-Gallup hosted a collaborative meeting in recently focused on improving health career pathways and ensuring New Mexico communities have the health care resources and services they need.

The UNM Health Sciences Center Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and UNM Health Sciences Center Office of the Executive Vice President organized Asset Mapping for Health Career Pathways in the Student Services & Technology Center at the UNM-Gallup branch campus.

"I'm so excited to have all of you here with us today and to be in this community," said Dr. Valerie Romero-Leggott, vice president and executive diversity, equity and inclusion officer for the UNM Health Sciences Center. "We do have huge health care needs. Everybody here lives that. We know that. I'm excited to learn more about what's out there that we don't know and sharing this across the state."

The asset mapping event continues the Health Sciences DEI office's ongoing commitment to health career pathways and workforce development.

Due to an internet outage, only in-person attendance was possible, but the room was filled with people from various organizations who wanted to join the conversation and contribute their knowledge and perspective.

UNM-Gallup Chancellor Sabrina Ezzell opened the meeting with a warm welcome to everyone and a reading of the branch campus' Land Acknowledgement.

"This gathering is a testament to our shared commitment to maintaining and expanding health care resources in our community and our region," Ezzell said. "This is an opportunity to share progress, identify challenges and develop innovative solutions."

The agenda for the day included a look at the landscape of the health care workforce in New Mexico as well as an overview of health career pathways in New Mexico.

UNM-Gallup Nursing Director Jonathan Lumibao shared information about the branch campus' nursing program, which includes a certified nurse assistant certificate, an associate degree in nursing, and a Bachelor of Science in nursing. It now also includes a high school licensed practical nurse program, as of the Fall 2024 semester.

The LPN program is part of UNM-Gallup's recent partnership with the local school district, Gallup-McKinley County Schools, to provide more health career pathways for high school students. The program encourages more students to pursue careers in health care related fields.

"We are in dire need of not only nurses with associate degrees, but bachelor's degrees as well," Lumibao said. "Studies show that nurses with higher degrees have better health outcomes among their patients."

Later in the meeting, participants broke out into six groups for an asset mapping activity. Each group looked at different regions of the state and identified the health care resources and individuals they know about in those areas.

"What we're concerned about here is where are the voids," said Dr. Chenoa Bah Stilwell-Jensen, senior projects manager with the UNM HSC Office of the Executive Vice President. "Where are the gaps? Where are the places that need these programs? How can we honor existing communities that need increased funding support and increased policy support?"

Amy Greene, the director of Communities to Careers, a program under the UNM Health Sciences DEI office, said all the guidance and resources that were shared during the meeting would be incorporated into a digital map, so people around the state will be able to go online and locate the information.

The outcome of the asset mapping will also be shared during the 2024 Health Equity Summit in Albuquerque in October.

"I do appreciate your support today in making this as robust and quality as possible," Greene said.

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