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

Nidal Jadalla tests water samples in the Department of Health Scientific Lab’s Radio Chemistry Laboratory.  The Scientific Lab is the sole public health, environmental, and drug laboratory for New Mexico.

Featured Stories

Weight Loss Surgery Has Options to Choose From                                                 

By Chris J. Minnick

(Las Cruces) – When I first considered having weight loss surgery, I had no idea there were different types of procedures that have pros and cons depending on my long and short term health goals. During the last decade there have been several advancements in weight loss surgery that offer me several options to choose from.  

The two types of surgeries I am considering are the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and the adjustable gastric banding. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery is a more invasive procedure where the stomach is cut and made into a pouch that is about the size of a walnut and can hold about an ounce of food. The adjustable gastric banding procedure is less invasive where an inflatable band is placed around the upper portion of the stomach to restrict the amount of food that can be consumed. (Read More)

Bridging Cultures to Improve Behavioral Health Services

By Chris J. Minnick

(Las Cruces) – One of the New Mexico Department of Health’s top priorities is ensuring teenagers across the state have access to behavioral health services.  When it comes to behavioral health services in the Native American communities there is a gap between traditional practices and the modern philosophies and practices of providers.

With support from the Department of Health’s Office of School and Adolescent Health and the University of New Mexico’s Prevention Research Center, community partners from across New Mexico started an initiative called Project TRUST to improve behavioral health services for Native American youths and their families. Project TRUST stands for Truth and Healing, Responsiveness, Understanding, Self Determination, and Transformation. (Read More)