Research Interest

Since starting my career in medicine I have been interested in developing programs and providing direct services to populations who experience challenges in accessing healthcare. Upon graduating in pediatrics my interests began to focus in children with special healthcare needs and disabilities.  Being part of a medical school faculty has given me the avenue to be engaged in medical education with an emphasis in service and social responsibility. I have been fortunate to participate in the development of curriculum for medical and pediatric residents on chronic disease and developmental disabilities, first at the University of Texas in Houston and since 1990 in New Mexico. I joined UNM-SOM faculty when I accepted the position of Director of Pediatrics at Carrie Tingley Hospital. I participated in student and resident teaching within the hospital and in outreach was able to provide on-site consultation to fellow pediatricians around the state while traveling with the orthopedic team from same hospital.  In 1993 became involved in the Los Lunas Hospital and Training School at the invitation of the Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health. This collaboration resulted in the development of the Continuum of Care Program an on-going contract with the Department of Health. Its mission has been to enhance the health related services for persons with developmental disabilities around New Mexico.  After ten years, Continuum of Care Program continues to be an essential part of the state’s plan to serve this population.
Another area of interest has been the development, sustainability and expansion of community-based pediatric programs within a Public Health perspective. Since 1999 as Medical Director of Young Children’s Health Center I have been involved in improving the health of families living in the South East Heights of Albuquerque. In doing so, collaborative agreements have been put in place with other community programs and organizations.
In 2010 I served as interim Chief, Division of General Pediatrics and the following year I assumed the permanent position with the goals of developing a vision to address common issues in general pediatrics, to have programs that represented these priorities and to mentor junior faculty in their professional development. In 2012 I was named Executive Medical Director of Pediatric Ambulatory Services for the Children’s Hospital. My interests in this area relate to the sense of shared responsibility in addressing access and quality of services in the community and the overall health of a diverse pediatric population.
Through these efforts and interests I would hope to have a positive impact in improving the health of these two communities: persons with disabilities and chronic conditions and the underinsured and uninsured living in South East Height of Albuquerque. It is also my hope that the lessons learned in this initiative would be replicable in other equally worthy communities.