New Mexico’s Healthcare Professionals Honored

New Mexico’s healthcare professionals worked tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic, often endangering their own lives to save others. On Tuesday, August 16, Albuquerque Business First hosted Reflections: Looking back | Moving ahead. Reflections honored members of this community from across New Mexico. The event, presented by the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH), New Mexico Hospital Association, Real Time Solutions, Western Sky Managed Care, UNM Health Sciences, area hospitals, and others, gathered at the Clyde Hotel in downtown Albuquerque.

Governor Lujan Grisham spoke at the event, commemorating the Herculean efforts made statewide. made poignant, pride-filled, inspirational remarks.

“To the best of my knowledge, we’re the only state that responded in collective that held together — even when, frankly, we were too exhausted to hold it together,”

she said, then thanked lauded the audience for saving hundreds of thousands of lives. Attendees included members of the Governor’s office, and representatives from almost every agency including the Departments of Health, Human Services, and Indian Health Services. They were joined by members of the Medical Advisory Team and partners from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of New Mexico, Syncronys, the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, PNM, and KW Consulting. Healthcare workers honored at Reflections included nurses, lab technicians, first responders, and public health officials. Over 90 individuals were nominated by peers to be honored for their commitment, dedication, and professionalism. Awardees traveled from Roswell, Alamogordo, and Laguna Pueblo.

DOH’s Deputy Cabinet Secretary Laura Parajón, M.D. and Dr. Miranda Durham provided both a retrospective and future outlook. Appreciation flowed from Dr. David Scrase, Human Services Department Cabinet Secretary and Acting Secretary for Department of Health. The event honored not only healthcare workers, but all those who contributed to the challenge COVID-19 continues to pose to the state. Reflections gave attendees the opportunity to grieve together, mourning the thousands of lives lost over the past two and a half years. Additionally, people were reminded we have reason to hope. Dr. Scrase mentioned that all New Mexicans contribute to fight the virus, and he reminded the audience that we’ve entered a new phase of the pandemic, with tools like vaccines, boosters, tests, and oral treatments that we didn’t have in the beginning. Altogether attendees left Reflections: Looking back | Moving ahead with a hopeful, thankful feeling. We can all continue to honor New Mexico’s healthcare workers using #NMHealthHero. For more information about the event, visit Albuquerque Business First. 

From left to right (Carmela Sandoval, Elias Paredes, Lea Harrison, Dr. Miranda Durham, Dan Burke, Dr. David Scrase, Aryan Showers, Andrea Romero, Dr. Laura Parajon, Madison Schaeffer, Jeff Lara, Breanna Henley)

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