University of New Mexico's BA/MD Program participants, while on track to become doctors, have been aiding Silver City Gospel Mission this summer. From left are Sally Midani, Isabella Cervantes, Elijah Johnson, and Dang Vu, who helped create a mental health screening for the Mission's clients between their time shadowing doctors at local medical clinicsSilver City, NM: A team of University of New Mexico (UNM) students, on track to become future physicians, worked with the Silver City Gospel Mission while also learning health care essentials from local physicians. On Thursday, the students shared their experiences in Grant and Hidalgo Counties during a presentation at Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) Silver City Community Health Center.

Isabella Cervantes, Elijah Johnson, Sally Midani, and Dang Vu, are enrolled in UNM's Bachelors to Medical (BA/MD) program. The premedical program offers a direct track to medical school for students who are committed to practicing medicine in the state's medically under-served communities. By funding the program, the New Mexico Legislature hopes to send doctors, raised and educated in our state, to where they are most needed to alleviate physician shortages.

As part of the program's summer practicum, students live and learn in the rural communities they may someday serve.

UNM BA/MD Program Specialist, Cynthia Martin, Ph.D., said, "This rural summer practicum is one of the most memorable parts of the program for students."

In Silver City, FORWARD NM coordinates the students' efforts, scheduling their time shadowing doctors at healthcare facilities and guiding them to nonprofits that can make use of their expertise. This year, the students volunteered at the Silver City Gospel Mission, HMS Family Support, the FORWARD NM summer academies and HMS' Jump Into Summer event.

Cervantes has enjoyed her time in Silver City, "The community is quaint, and the people are so nice and friendly to us."

Vu says he enjoyed the ruralness of Silver City compared to his home in Las Cruces. "Here there is a laid back pace, and we see people we know every day!"

They also lent a hand at the Silver City Gospel Mission cooking meals, packing food baskets and organizing clothing for the charity store. By selling mint from the Gospel Mission's garden, they raised enough money to buy over 100 pairs of socks. The socks are distributed at the Gospel Mission's foot care clinic staffed by Western New Mexico University School of Nursing students. They also created a video to urge more people to volunteer at the Gospel Mission.

Johnson said that the effort is part of the program's focus on community service, "We've been working on a mental health screening for the Mission's clients."

According to Silver City Gospel Mission Executive Director, Randy Salars, "A majority of our clients have mental health issues, especially depression due to their economic circumstances. The screening can help raise our client's awareness of the importance of mental health and aid clients to access our extended services, like counseling."

Also, the students have spent time shadowing doctors at HMS and Gila Regional Medical Center, including Dr. Kristan Diaz-Rios, Dr. Okay Odocha, Dr. Joyce Troxler and Dr. Nathan Williams.

"The students are in the early phase of their education," said HMS' Dr. Troxler who spent time the all of the students. "Its's fantastic to teach them and to have an influence in educating them in family medicine."

Cervantes praised Dr. Troxler for taking time to explain medical procedures and protocols.

Vu observed knee and hip replacements surgeries and Johnson an emergency Cesarean section while shadowing at GRMC. Vu said such experience is valuable while in the BA/MD program, "We learn the terminology used in the clinics and make professional connections for the future."

Midani said, "My favorite was working with Dr. Diaz-Rios at Hidalgo Medical Services. She is very personable and has an incredible scope of knowledge she shared with us."

These four BA/MD students will be finishing their undergraduate degrees with curriculums specially designed to prepare them for the rigors of medical school, and ultimately, practicing medicine in New Mexico.

"The program is an excellent first experience to teach students about health care, and is mutually beneficial as each year the students aid our community, like they did this year at the Silver City Gospel Mission," said Alexandra Maus, FORWARD NM Workforce Program Specialist, who schedules the students.

Maus added: "By spending time in our community, the students are more likely to return and practice medicine here."

For more information on FORWARD NM contact Miriam Kellerman at (575) 534-0101 ext. 2114 or email: mkellerman@swchi.org. For more information on FORWARD NM visit http://www.swchi.org/FORWARD-nm.