(505) 699-9237 Office
Public health pilot project expands services
The historic partnership between the Mescalero Apache Tribe and the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) has resulted in the opening of the Ruidoso Primary Care Clinic, which will offer wellness visits, well child checks, chronic disease, mental health and women’s health care services.
“This bold and necessary step toward health equity reflects our unwavering respect for Tribal sovereignty and a commitment to true government-to-government partnership,” said Janet Johnson, Tribal Liaison for NMDOH. “This initiative will increase provider availability, improve access to care, strengthen local infrastructure, reduce travel and wait times and honor the sovereignty and voice of the Mescalero Apache people.”
The Mescalero Apache Council, Council Members, Community Services Committee and key Tribal programs—especially the Community Health Representative program—guided this work from the start.
Legislative support, including $1.2 million in funding, was instrumental in making the initiative a reality. This endeavor is part of a pilot program that includes clinic locations at both NMDOH’s Ruidoso and Albuquerque (Southeast Heights) public health locations.
State partners include NMDOH, the Ruidoso Public Health Office and Center for Access and Linkage to Healthcare and the Mescalero Primary Care Advisory Committee. This coalition ensured that Tribal, agency and local healthcare voices were central in shaping the Primary Care pilot program.
Federal and local partners are the Indian Health Service, including the Albuquerque Area Leadership and Mescalero Service Unit, Presbyterian Lincoln County Medical Center, Lincoln County Community Health Council, and local school-based health centers. NMDOH’s primary care team is working with these entities to ensure continuity of care.
Primary care services will be provided and integrated in the existing public health office facility, which will offer evening and seasonal weekend hours for the benefit of rural and Tribal communities.
For more information or to contact the new Ruidoso primary care clinic please call 575-545-6789.
Media Contact
We would be happy to provide additional information about this press release. Simply contact David Barre at (505) 699-9237 (Office) with your questions.
Versión en Español
En un esfuerzo para hacer que nuestros comunicados de prensa sean más accesibles, también tenemos disponibles una versión en español. Por favor presione el enlace de abajo para acceder a la traducción.