Department of Health Communications

The Communications Office informs the public through the media about the latest health news and services the Department of Health provides, including educating people about how to protect themselves from disease and lead healthy lives. Media and staff can contact the Department's media contacts.

Deborah Busemeyer
Communications Director
Office: (505) 827-2619
Mobile: (505) 470-2290
Fax: (505) 827-2530
E-Mail: deborah.busemeyer@state.nm.us

Chris J. Minnick
Regional Public Information Officer
Office: (575) 528-5197
Mobile: (575) 649-0754
Fax: (575) 528-6024
E-Mail: christopher.minnick@state.nm.us

State and County Officials including staff from the  New Mexico Department of Health, hosted a groundbreaking celebration for the new Fort Bayard Medical on Oct. 27 in Santa Clara.  Fort Bayard Medical Center provides long-term care to 124 residents.  

Click photo for high resolution version. Visit our News Photos section for more Department of Health photos.

Featured Stories

FluMist© Offers Safe and Needle-Free Way to Protect Against the Flu

By Chris J. Minnick

The New Mexico Department of Health and several healthcare providers around the state have two ways to keep you safe from the flu. You can get a traditional flu shot or the newer FluMist©, which is a weakened virus that is sprayed into the nose. 

John Hartoon, chief nurse for the Department of Health in Las Cruces, said even though the FluMist© uses a weakened virus, it is a safe alternative to the traditional flu shot.  The FluMist© is only available for healthy people between the ages of two through 49. 

“You can’t get the flu from the shot or the FluMist©,” Hartoon said.  “Some people might have some very small side effects like a runny nose or some muscle aches after they get the shot or the FluMist©, but that is not the flu.  The flu can be a very serious illness that can cause death in some cases.  The benefits of getting a flu vaccine outweigh any mild side effects you may experience.”  (Read More)

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Department of Health breaks ground on new Fort Bayard Medical Center

By Chris J. Minnick

For the last four years Harvey Robinson has called Fort Bayard Medical Center his home.  And ever since the day he learned a new facility was going to be built he waited patiently for the day to come where the promise of a new home would finally become a reality. 

“When the shovels went into the ground we all breathed a sigh of relief that this is really going to happen,” Robinson said.

The New Mexico Department of Health, Grant County community leaders and the residents and staff at Fort Bayard Medical Center held a groundbreaking ceremony on October 27 for the new state-of-the-art facility.  Fort Bayard Medical Center is a long-term care facility for 124 residents from across New Mexico. 

Robinson, the resident advocate at Fort Bayard, said the new building represents the commitment the state has made to improve the lives of the people who call Fort Bayard home. Robinson said the new facility will also provide a better working environment for the staff and can help the Grant County community attract healthcare workers to the area. (Read More)

Click HERE to see a photo gallery of the groundbreaking ceremony.