Director of the Division of Policy and Performance

Dr. Sam Howarth has served as the Director of the Division of Policy and Performance with the New Mexico Department of Health since August of 2006. The Division of Policy and Performance is designated by the Secretary to direct the development of Department policy and strategic planning, coordinate legislative strategy, and to lead efforts to address health disparities among New Mexico’s diverse populations.

Prior to assuming this position, Dr. Howarth served as Director of the Department of Health’s Developmental Disabilities Supports Division where he oversaw New Mexico’s developmental disabilities waiver, medically fragile waiver, Family Infant and Toddler program and the Los Lunas Community Program. In this position, Dr. Howarth also served as one of the Department’s key legislative lobbyists, working with Department leadership and the Executive to develop the Department’s priorities, and with the Legislature to forward them.

Prior to joining the Department of Health, Dr. Howarth served as the New Mexico’s State Director of Special Education where he oversaw all Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part B, programming and directed public policy related to the provision of special education services to school age children in New Mexico.

Dr. Howarth has over 10 years experience developing and forwarding policy, primarily related to health and education. Dr. Howarth is a Native New Mexican. He has a Bachelors degree in history and Spanish, a Masters and a doctoral degree in Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies from the University of New Mexico.