Silver City, N.M. – During New Mexico Human Services Department’s (HSD) state-wide tours of all primary care residency programs, Senator Siah Correa Hemphill met with HSD, Hidalgo Medical Services, and the New Mexico Primary Care Training Consortium about the impact of primary care residency programs in New Mexico while at Hidalgo Medical Services’ community health clinic. Senator Correa Hemphill pledged her continued support for the state-wide expansion of graduate medical education programs. 

“It’s important that we work together to do as much as we can to support these initiatives for strengthening primary care services,” said Senator Correa Hemphill. “All New Mexicans deserve accessible and equitable healthcare and supporting these primary care residency programs is a necessary first step toward accomplishing that goal.” 

Last year, HSD published a strategic plan that outlines the expansion of primary care residency programs throughout New Mexico over the next five years. The plan includes initiatives to establish new residency programs throughout the state and strengthen existing programs through faculty recruitment and support.

The plan also includes initiatives aimed at increasing the number of residents allowed per program and retaining residents, so they continue to practice  medicine in New Mexico after graduation. The expansion of graduate medical education training programs in the state is expected to have several benefits, including greater physician coverage for underserved areas of the state, better health outcomes for the population, and positive impacts  on the economy of areas where programs are located. 

Earlier this year, Senator Correa Hemphill awarded HSD $100,000 in junior funds, which was then supplemented through additional federal match funds, to assist with state-wide efforts to support residency programs through recruitment, retention, and faculty development initiatives with the help of the NM Primary Care Training Consortium.  

“We’re incredibly grateful to Senator Hemphill for all of her support in our primary care graduate medical education expansion efforts,” said Alex Castillo Smith, Manager of Strategic Planning & Special Projects for the New Mexico Human Services Department. “At a time when we’re seeing health care provider shortages across the nation, it’s great to have the support of our elected officials who are proactive and committed to ensuring a strong future for New Mexico’s  healthcare system.”