Dr. Jennifer Gomez-Chavez
Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, UNM Health Sciences Center

Using a Collective Impact (CI) Framework to Grow Equitable and Inclusive Organizations to Address Health Disparities

The terms diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have become popular to address social, health, economic and educational inequities.  Most recently, state and national businesses and organizations are making DEI a top priority to deliver quality programs and services for all.  Health sectors are applying Collective Impact (CI) Frameworks to address large societal problems such as health disparities. The CI model focuses on aligning partners across government, nonprofit, and private companies to eliminate duplication of efforts, honor different perspectives from multiple areas, and share lessons learned. CI framework promotes the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion as a shared responsibility to have greater impact and reach.

Objectives:

• Learn the importance of creating inclusive organizations and environments
• Be introduced to the Collective Impact Framework
• Learn the difference between Collaboration and Collective Impact
• Recognize institutional systemic changes to address disparities
• Gain skills to become an Influential Equity Champion

CEUs:

Click here to access our Google Form evaluation and to request Continuing Education Units.

Community Health Workers/Community Health Representatives: 1.25 CHW CEUs Approved by DOH-OCHW.

Physicians/Nurses: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the New Mexico Medical Society (NMMS) through the joint sponsorship of Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services (RMCHCS) and Constellation Consulting, LLC. RMCHCS is accredited by the NMMS to provide continuing medical education for physicians. This activity was designated for 9.5 AMA PRA Category 1.25 Credits™.

Social Workers: 1.25 Cultural Social Work CEUs Approved by NASW-NM.

About This Presenter:

Dr. Jennifer Gomez-Chavez has 30 years of experience working on issues of diversity and equity through her positions with the LULAC National Educational Service Center and the University of New Mexico (UNM) in Albuquerque. She holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice, a Master’s in Counseling, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Currently, she serves as the Special Assistant to the Associate Vice Chancellor in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at UNM’s Health Sciences Center. In her role, Jennifer is the Executive Director of the Unidos Project, Central Region Director for ENLACE NM, and directs Collective Impact Initiatives. Jennifer is active in the community and has been recognized as a grassroots leader.  She has received countless awards and recognitions for her service including the following: Inducted into the National LULAC Women’s Hall of Fame, Albuquerque Business First Women of Influence, Ohtli Mexican Government Award, UNM Presidential Luminaria Award for Inclusion, Access & Student Success, National Verizon Award – Latina Business Professional, New Mexico Hispano Round Table Legislative Walking the Talk Award, and the National MS Society induction into the Volunteer Advocacy Hall of Fame.  Jennifer is a national speaker empowering individuals to use their voice for self-advocacy on educational and health issues.

Rosa Gallegos-Samora, LCSW
Blue Bird Healing

Healing Emotional Trauma in the Workplace

In this session we discuss what historical trauma is, historical trauma in New Mexico, how we see historical trauma surface in the workplace and with those we serve, and how we can contribute to the healing of historical trauma in our workplace.

Objectives:

Provide a better understanding of what historical trauma is, how it emerges in the workplace, and how we may be able recognize, stop perpetuating, and start healing from historical trauma in the work we do.

CEUs:

Click here to access our Google Form evaluation and to request Continuing Education Units.

Community Health Workers/Community Health Representatives: 1.25 CHW CEUs Approved by DOH-OCHW.

Physicians/Nurses: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the New Mexico Medical Society (NMMS) through the joint sponsorship of Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services (RMCHCS) and Constellation Consulting, LLC. RMCHCS is accredited by the NMMS to provide continuing medical education for physicians. This activity was designated for 9.5 AMA PRA Category 1.25 Credits™.

Social Workers: 1.25 Cultural Social Work CEUs Approved by NASW-NM. 1.25 Cultural CEUs.

About This Presenter:

Rosa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker currently practicing as a psychotherapist in private practice at Blue Bird Healing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Rosa has a background in providing therapy to children, families, people of color, incarcerated and returning individuals, those experiencing homelessness, LGBTQ+, immigrants and refugees, and those experiencing substance use. Over many years of working in social services and the mental health field, Rosa has obtained advanced training and specialized knowledge in immigration evaluation, in treating trauma, suicide bereavement, racial discrimination, and depression. Rosa is dedicated to community outreach and has partnered with Transgender Resource Center to provide psychotherapy outreach services for the last couple of years. Rosa is a skilled trainer in racial equity, anti-oppression, mental health disorders, and suicide prevention. Rosa serves on multiple community advisory boards and advocacy committees within the city of Albuquerque working with other community advocates to improve behavioral health services and crisis response within the city and throughout the state.

Dr. Laura Parajon
Deputy Cabinet Secretary, NM Department of Health

An Overview of New Mexico's COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Strategy 

Objectives:

• Provide a basic understanding of the logistics involved with distributing COVID-19 vaccines throughout our state.
• Provide an understanding as to how the State is supporting vaccine distribution to New Mexico's priority populations (as defined by the CDC).
• Provide an understanding of the activities that the State is utilizing to build trust with individuals and communities to accept the vaccine when it is available to them

CEUs:

Click here to access our Google Form evaluation and to request Continuing Education Units.

Community Health Workers/Community Health Representatives: 1 CHW CEUs Approved by DOH-OCHW.

Physicians/Nurses: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the New Mexico Medical Society (NMMS) through the joint sponsorship of Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services (RMCHCS) and Constellation Consulting, LLC. RMCHCS is accredited by the NMMS to provide continuing medical education for physicians. This activity was designated for 9.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

Social Workers: 1 Cultural Social Work CEUs Approved by NASW-NM.

About This Presenter:

Dr. Laura Chanchien Parajon is the Deputy Cabinet Secretary for the Department of Health. Parajon has served in a variety of community-based positions, including Medical Director for the City of Albuquerque’s COVID-19 Response for People Experiencing Homelessness, Medical Education Director for Community Health Initiatives, and Executive Director for Community Health at UNM.  Parajon graduated from Brown University and completed her medical degree and residency at the University of New Mexico. She also completed a Master’s Degree in Public Health at UNM.

Captain Wil Darwin, PharmD, CDE, NCPS
Indian Health Services

COVID-19 Vaccine: Prioritizing Equity 

Objectives:

• To formulate concepts surrounding Health Disparities and Health Equity in American Indians Alaska Natives during the coronavirus pandemic.
• To understand the various Priority Phase Groups using CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices categorization.
• Know vaccine acceptance and hesitancies in Native American communities.
• To understand vaccine dose allocations and cadence planning and execution in the ABQ I/T/U Area.

CEUs:

Click here to access our Google Form evaluation and to request Continuing Education Units.

Community Health Workers/Community Health Representatives: 1 CHW CEUs Approved by DOH-OCHW.

Physicians/Nurses: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the New Mexico Medical Society (NMMS) through the joint sponsorship of Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services (RMCHCS) and Constellation Consulting, LLC. RMCHCS is accredited by the NMMS to provide continuing medical education for physicians. This activity was designated for 9.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

Social Workers: 1 Cultural Social Work CEUs Approved by NASW-NM.

About This Presenter:

Captain Wil Darwin is a Commissioned Officer in the United States Public Health Service and has been with the Indian Health Service since 1997. Dr. Darwin completed his Doctor of Pharmacy at the University of New Mexico Health Science Center, School of Pharmacy. Immediately after finishing school, he participated and completed a general pharmacy practice residency at the Albuquerque VA Health System, ABQ, NM. He is currently stationed at the Albuquerque IHS Regional Area Office and is tasked dual role as the Area Pharmacy Consultant and the Area Clinical Application Informaticist for the region. His pharmacy clinical experience are various clinical based programs such are Anticoagulation Clinic, Immunization Pharmacy Driven Clinic, Diabetes Type 2, Hyperlipidemia, Pain Management, and Hypertension disease state management services. In addition to his clinical skills, he has facilitated with healthcare administrative management responsibilities and oversight including clinical quality outcome measures, TJC/AAAHC accreditation survey processes, and facility executive member. As lead Area project manager of the RPMS-EHR technologies and pharmacy programs, he has worked diligently to train, optimize, configure, deploy and sustain best practice standards across the ABQ Area region at federal, tribal, and urban health facilities since August 2010.

Kristin Carmichael, LCSW, MBA
Carmichael Consultants

Is Hyper-Activation Your New Normal?
What would it take for public health and advocacy-focused organizations to NOT burnout their staff during the COVID-19 crisis? How can you as a health worker back off the throttle when so many are suffering? In what subtle and overt ways are employers culpable in pushing workers beyond their limits? How can we not hurt ourselves while trying to help others? Within this session, individuals and organizations will confront these difficult questions, and learn how to build resilience and stamina for the road ahead.

Learning Objectives:
- Impacts of chronic stress on the nervous system
- How COVID-19 has stacked the deck against community health workers of all kinds
- Symptoms of going beyond our resilience zones and impacts
- Personal “work-smart” strategies to encourage resilience and efficacy
- How employers can reduce on-the-job exposure to chronic stress and promote staff resilience during and after COVID-19

About This Presenter:

Kristin Carmichael is a former healthcare and social services executive, published author, and independently licensed social worker with 20 years of experience working on the front lines with high-risk, high-reward, complex patients. Kristin now partners with forward-thinking clients to engineer programs and coordinate communities to proactively address social determinants of health and health equity challenges.

Kristin is a thought leader in how behavioral health professionals and organizations can deliver safe, effective, cutting-edge care through the use of digital technologies. This passion arose from Kristin’s earlier work to extend virtual care in healthcare settings and across City and County social service programs prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. She now leverages this pre-pandemic experience to open up opportunities for social service and behavioral health providers to supercharge their teleservices programs with an emphasis on improving outcomes, access to care, and financial performance. As a former direct service provider and director of multiple residential programs, she understands the difficulties experienced by practitioners and organizations on their journey to offer exceptional care via tele-technologies.

Kristin is a sought-after educator and has delivered presentations via TEDx, as a conference keynote speaker and session leader, and graduate-level adjunct faculty member. She has been featured in many media including TV, magazines, newspapers, and radio and has offered her expertise on a number of non-profit and government Boards and Commissions. She has had the pleasure of working with hospital systems, FQHCs, behavioral health systems, fire departments, insurance companies, multiple levels of government, and nonprofits in pursuit of their population health goals.

Vickie C. Bannerman, Ed.D
Deputy Secretary of Identity, Equity and Transformation
NM Public Health Department

Time to Make the Lemonade: Breaking Down Barriers and Reimaging Education Through an Equity Lens

During what sometimes feels like one of our darkest hours in modern-day history, a rainbow of hope streaks boldly across the skies of education. What’s the pot of gold? An opportunity to reimagine and restructure how we ‘do school’ for students. What are we willing to do to better identify and remove barriers that hinder students from learning? Once those barriers are removed, how do we create unique conditions for authentically engaged learning for all students? How do we move from theory to action?

Life gave us a big sack of lemons; it’s time to make the lemonade!

Objectives: 

At the end of this presentation, participants will have a deeper understanding of…

• The impact of COVID on Education (an educator’s perspective)
• At the end of this presentation, participants will have contributed to…
• Ideas Regarding the Development of a Proposed Pathway to Educational Recovery (a community partnership perspective)

CEUs:

Click here to access our Google Form evaluation and to request Continuing Education Units.

Community Health Workers/Community Health Representatives: 1 CHW CEUs Approved by DOH-OCHW.

Physicians/Nurses: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the New Mexico Medical Society (NMMS) through the joint sponsorship of Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services (RMCHCS) and Constellation Consulting, LLC. RMCHCS is accredited by the NMMS to provide continuing medical education for physicians. This activity was designated for 9.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

Social Workers: 1 Cultural Social Work CEUs Approved by NASW-NM.

About This Presenter:

Dr. Vickie C. Bannerman is a well-rounded professional with experience and expertise in many different aspects of education. Being the spouse of an Armed Forces Service Member (Air Force) has afforded her the opportunity to live and work both domestically and abroad. For more than 20 years Dr. Bannerman has worked intentionally to develop a diverse, global lens supported through her time spent engaging with students, families and communities in North Carolina, Arizona, Georgia, The United Kingdom and now the GREAT STATE of New Mexico! She has served children and schools as a secondary level classroom teacher, lead teacher, testing coordinator, assistant principal, principal, and zone lead principal. She has also supported students’ continued growth and development in her roles as a university level instructor, program administrator, internship supervisor and special education site coordinator.

Nicole Hall, JD
Assistant Public Defender, Aztec, NM

Intersectional Professionals in Rural vs. Suburban Communities: How Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality Interact in the Professional Setting

Intersectionality refers to the overlapping and interconnected nature of different categories of marginalized people. Alone, each category experiences different forms of inequalities and injustices, especially depending on the geographical region a person resides. In order to fully embrace diversity, we must understand how to have meaningful interactions with each other. We will discuss the various privileges within each minority community and their effect on you, your colleagues, clients, and patients along with legal developments regarding discrimination and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ members in the workplace on Federal and State levels.

Objective:
Participants will learn the dos and don’ts of being an LGBTQIA+ ally and obtain insight on how to have those seemingly uncomfortable and awkward conversations with LGBTQIA+ members in the workplace and social settings.

About This Presenter:

Nicole Hall is an Assistant Public Defender in Aztec, NM and has been licensed to work in this state since December 2018. She started with the Public Defender’s Office in November of 2018, and made the terrible mistake of going to a private firm in March of 2019 only to realize she was a public defender at heart. She returned to LOPD in November of 2019 and has been enjoying every facet of her work since then. In her spare time, Ms. Hall is the president of the local LGBTQ+ community center, Identity Inc!, and has been organizing and leading others in the fight against racial and social injustices. In February 2020, Ms. Hall appeared in a national television show called “We’re Here”, wherein she shared her story as a male presenting lesbian who was continuously misgendered by the local judges. Because of Ms. Hall’s work outside of the office, along with her recent work with clients who were victims of human trafficking, she was nominated and received the Innovator Award in the 2021 NM LOPD Awards Ceremony. She looks forward to continuing her service to the underserved and contributing to her community in any capacity she can.

Panel on Equitable Policy Development facilitated by Melissa Toledo-Ontiveros, Constellation Consulting, LLC

Our panelists will discuss their experiences in developing and advocating for Policy that supports equitable practices and work in New Mexico.

Objectives:

• Provide an understanding of the concepts involved in developing equitable Policy development.
• Provide real-world examples of equitable Policy development in New Mexico.
• Provide attendees with opportunities and tools to engage more in equitable Policy development.

CEUs:

Click here to access our Google Form evaluation and to request Continuing Education Units.

Community Health Workers/Community Health Representatives: 1 CHW CEUs Approved by DOH-OCHW.

Physicians/Nurses: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the New Mexico Medical Society (NMMS) through the joint sponsorship of Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services (RMCHCS) and Constellation Consulting, LLC. RMCHCS is accredited by the NMMS to provide continuing medical education for physicians. This activity was designated for 9.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

Social Workers: 1 Cultural Social Work CEUs Approved by NASW-NM.

About Our Panelists:

Derek Lin joined NM Voices in 2019 and focuses on issues related to health policy and the social determinants of health. Born in Taos and raised in Albuquerque, Derek moved to California to attend U.C. Santa Cruz where he earned a BS in Molecular Biology. After college he worked as a high school math teacher before moving back to New Mexico in 2015 to work as a research scientist at the VA Hospital. Along with working and volunteering in a variety of health care settings, Derek recently earned a Master’s in Public Health at UNM where he has an affiliation with the UNM TREE Center. These experiences have informed his interest in upstream policy to address the social determinants of health and advance health equity.

Marshall Martinez is the Interim Executive Director for Equality New Mexico. Marshall is an organizer, and has been a political strategist for multiple candidates and organizations; from fighting climate change with the League of Conservation Voters to working for fair pay and safe working conditions with AFSCME-the public employees labor union. All personal fights because, like all of us, he has lived a multi-issue life. Born and raised in Alamogordo, New Mexico to a working-class family and a group of particularly strong women (and a few great men, too!) in High School he worked to educate young people about safer sex.  Most recently he was the New Mexico Director of Public Affairs at Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, leading the charge to grow that department in New Mexico. Marshall strongly believes in the African Proverb “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together."

Dr. Jennifer Gomez-Chavez has 30 years of experience working on issues of diversity and equity through her positions with the LULAC National Educational Service Center and the University of New Mexico (UNM) in Albuquerque. She holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice, a Master’s in Counseling, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Currently, she serves as the Special Assistant to the Associate Vice Chancellor in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at UNM’s Health Sciences Center. In her role, Jennifer is the Executive Director of the Unidos Project, Central Region Director for ENLACE NM, and directs Collective Impact Initiatives. Jennifer is active in the community and has been recognized as a grassroots leader.  She has received countless awards and recognitions for her service including the following: Inducted into the National LULAC Women’s Hall of Fame, Albuquerque Business First Women of Influence, Ohtli Mexican Government Award, UNM Presidential Luminaria Award for Inclusion, Access & Student Success, National Verizon Award – Latina Business Professional, New Mexico Hispano Round Table Legislative Walking the Talk Award, and the National MS Society induction into the Volunteer Advocacy Hall of Fame.  Jennifer is a national speaker empowering individuals to use their voice for self-advocacy on educational and health issues.  

Ray Tafoya
Treasurer, Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation Board of Directors

Overcoming Technical Challenges in Rural Tribal Communities

Session focuses on the lack of available Broadband/Internet access in Tribal communities of New Mexico. Special attention will be paid to the need for connectivity with regards to healthcare, education and community awareness in light of the recent COVID 19 pandemic. Examples to include how rural community of Kewa Pueblo has over come the lack of technical infrastructure to create solutions for community members, as well as comparisons to other areas that have varying levels of access.

Objectives: Problem solving, governance strategies and collaboration techniques between Local, State, and Federal partners to achieve mutual success for capacity and access to Broadband/internet.

CEUs:

Click here to access our Google Form evaluation and to request Continuing Education Units.

Community Health Workers/Community Health Representatives: 1 CHW CEUs Approved by DOH-OCHW.

Physicians/Nurses: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the New Mexico Medical Society (NMMS) through the joint sponsorship of Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services (RMCHCS) and Constellation Consulting, LLC. RMCHCS is accredited by the NMMS to provide continuing medical education for physicians. This activity was designated for 9.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

Social Workers: 1 Cultural Social Work CEUs Approved by NASW-NM.

About This Presenter:

Ray Tafoya is a proud Tribal member from the Kewa Pueblo (Santo Domingo). Most of his career has been as an advocate for Tribal Sovereignty and Native American rights.  He has been involved with Tribal Planning, Program Design, as well as contract and budget negotiations with Indian Health Service, Health and Human Services, and other State and Federal agencies. He currently serves as Treasurer for the Board of Directors for the Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation, a Tribal 638 Health Facility in Central New Mexico. His experience has taken him from the field of Finance and Banking with Wells Fargo to Tribal Program Administration with his Pueblo of Kewa. More recently his service to the Kewa Health Corporation has allowed him to gain valuable experience into the design and planning of programs to meet the overall health and wellness needs of multiple Tribal Communities.  He currently works as a Strategy Consultant, helping Tribes build capacity to meet the needs of their residents and communities.

Jessie Calero
Development Director, Mandy’s Farm

Disability Inclusion and Accessibility

Professionals from healthcare settings are invited to develop increased knowledge around living as a disabled person in the United States, tenets of disability culture, and the intersections between ableism and racism in modern society. Workshop Competencies.

Objectives

Participants will:

• Understand the history of disability in the United States, including the philosophies, attitudes, and cultural movements that motivated discrimination, institutionalization, and exclusion
• Better understand disability culture, norms, accepted language, and etiquette; Participants will be able to identify accessibility barriers within physical spaces and service design, as well as identify potential solutions to those barriers
• Be able to successfully anticipate, respond to, and accommodate the needs of disabled community members
• Have the skills and resources required to evaluate accessibility within any organization and identify ways to address potential barriers.

CEUs:

Click here to access our Google Form evaluation and to request Continuing Education Units.

Community Health Workers/Community Health Representatives: 1 CHW CEUs Approved by DOH-OCHW.

Physicians/Nurses: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the New Mexico Medical Society (NMMS) through the joint sponsorship of Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services (RMCHCS) and Constellation Consulting, LLC. RMCHCS is accredited by the NMMS to provide continuing medical education for physicians. This activity was designated for 9.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

Social Workers: 1 Social Work CEUs Approved by NASW-NM.

About This Presenter:

Jessie Calero (she/her/hers) is a life-long resident of New Mexico who earned her Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees from the University of New Mexico. With over 15 years of experience in government and nonprofit disability programs, Jessie currently serves as the director of development within a disability organization based in the South Valley of Albuquerque. She enjoys freelance writing and fussing with houseplants in her spare time. As an Autistic woman, Jessie provides training focused on ableism and its impacts to organizations that want to prioritize accessibility, inclusivity, and universal design.

John Ames
Chief Housing Officer, HopeWorks

From Housing to Home: a foundation of health equity

Mr. Ames will guide us in reflection on “home” –what does it give us, and what might we envision for others in this time of inequity and unaffordable housing? We will go deep. Our feelings about “home” guide and challenge us to develop housing that is available and affordable for our patients, clients, and neighbors who are most in need. He will introduce you to one example of such housing currently under construction in Albuquerque. Hope Village designed using “trauma informed architecture”, will house 42 people who have long histories of homelessness and mental illness.

Learning Objectives:

1. To consider what “home” has given you in terms of your health and wellbeing.
2. To imagine how equitable access to housing can improve health outcomes throughout our community.
3. To receive housing resources and ideas to help you in your daily work.

CEUs:

Click here to access our Google Form evaluation and to request Continuing Education Units.

Community Health Workers/Community Health Representatives: 1 CHW CEUs Approved by DOH-OCHW.

Physicians/Nurses: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the New Mexico Medical Society (NMMS) through the joint sponsorship of Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services (RMCHCS) and Constellation Consulting, LLC. RMCHCS is accredited by the NMMS to provide continuing medical education for physicians. This activity was designated for 9.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

Social Workers: 1 Social Work CEUs Approved by NASW-NM.

About This Presenter:

John Ames is Chief Housing Officer at HopeWorks. He grew up in Albuquerque and has a BBA from the University of New Mexico and a M Div. from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. He recently worked at the Supportive Housing Coalition of NM where he managed their “Housing First’ program for 12 years. John’s career is devoted to working with marginalized people through the provision of housing and services. As a Pastor, he encouraged the congregation to open the church doors at night to provide shelter. He coordinated the county-wide, church-based shelter program in Lake County, IL. He worked in an AIDS hospice and was the Executive Director of an AIDS housing organization in Chicago. In 2016 he was awarded “Non-Profit Leader of the Year” by the NM Coalition to End Homelessness and “Industry Champion” by the NM Apartment Association. John is passionate about providing permanent supportive housing and ending homelessness in ABQ.