The Center for Health Innovations is a division of Hidalgo Medical Services for developing and implementing strategies and models to improve health and quality of life.
In Community and Program Development, the staff empowers communities to improve health equity and wel--being through community assessments, strategic planning and addressing key areas that impact the quality of life. Initiative include patient and community health support systems; Hidalgo County Food Coalition and Southwest New Mexico Food Policy Council; REACH Su Comunidad, a CDC-funded program that addresses health disparities experienced by Hispanics/Latinos; and HERO Trails, a partnership between the National Center for Frontier Communities, managed by HMS-CHI and the University of New Mexico. The program aims to accelerate the dissemination of evidence-based practices for chronic pain management.
A program for healthcare workforce development is called FORWARD NM (Pathways to health careers), which enhances access to quality health care in medically underserved communities by improving the supply and distribution of healthcare professionals.
In resource development, HMS-CHI cultivates programs and partnerships in order to secure resources that support the mission and programs of HMS and its partners.
HMC-CHI also collects, analyzes, evaluates and reports data in order to identify policy, systems and environmental priorities, community needs, trakc improvement and measure outcomes of HMS and partner programs.
The agency also provides support to non-profit organizations with a health and/or social service focus. HMS-CHI is contracted to provide such services to NM Primary Care Training Consortiru, National Center for Frontier Communities and National REACH Coalition.
HMS-CHI is a planning, resource, program and policy development institute.
Photos by Mary Alice Murphy
HMS CHI Open House
HMS CHI Open House
Janelle Lawrence, accounting assistant for Hidalgo Medical Services Center for Health Innovations Inc. was the welcoming face to attendees.
HMS CHI Open House
From left, Chris DeBolt, Grant County Community Health Council coordinator and Marilyn Alcorn of Silver Adult Care Services chat with CHI executive director, Charlie Alfero.
HMS CHI Open House
Silena Richardson stands with her artwork she is selling to help pay for her trip to the National Youth Leadership Forum on Careers in Medicine. She is a Silver High School sophomore. The art, which will be on sale until May, can be found at the CHI facility at 902 N. Santa Rita Street.
HMS CHI Open House
Town Councilor Lynda Aiman-Smith, laughs with Mimi Clark and Abe Villarreal of WNMU public relations, and Danielle Moffett of Forward New Mexico, one of the CHI programs.
HMS CHI Open House
Alisha Herrick chats with Melvyn Gelb, about the Health Extension program.
HMS CHI Open House
Shirin McArthur, left, is in deep discussion with Susan Wilger, CHI director of programs.
HMS CHI Open House
Aiman-Smith chats with Beth Cox, a program specialist with CHI in Lordsburg.
HMS CHI Open House
Dale Housley, Charlie Alfero, Margaret Hadderman and Marcia Stout pose in Alfero's office.
HMS CHI Open House
In the room deemed most fun by participants in the open house, Saskia van Hecke, Rachel Kutcher and Linda Smith talk about the REACH Su Comunidad program .
