Senator John Arthur Smith with Aging & Long-Term Services Department Secretary Katrina Hotrum-Lopez at her Senate Rules Confirmation hearing.SANTA FE – Today the New Mexico State Senate unanimously confirmed Katrina Hotrum-Lopez as Secretary of the Aging & Long-Term Services Department.

“When I look at the resume of Katrina Hotrum-Lopez and her experience, the list of experience goes on and on,” said Senator John Arthur Smith. “I’ve yet in my 32-years as a state senator observed such credentials for this job and she has an outstanding reputation with vast experience working with services for senior citizens.”

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham selected Hotrum-Lopez for the position August of 2019.

“Secretary Hotrum-Lopez’s leadership at the Aging & Long-Term Services Department has been vital in helping us meet the needs and ensure the protection of New Mexico’s aging adults throughout the state,” said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “I look forward to working with her to ensure the advocacy and enhancement of resident rights and quality of care in long-term care settings.”

The New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department helps more than 200,000 New Mexicans every year by providing accessible, integrated  services to older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers to assist them in maintaining their independence, dignity, autonomy, health, safety, and economic well-being, thereby empowering them to live on their own terms in their own communities as productively as possible

“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead Governor Lujan Grisham’s initiatives to provide meaningful supportive services for New Mexico’s aging and disabled community members,” said Secretary Katrina Hotrum-Lopez. “I am whole-heartedly committed to be a strong and visible advocate for older adults and people with disabilities by working hard to provide opportunities to help them live with independence and dignity in their communities.”

In 2030 New Mexico is expected to have the fourth largest senior population in New Mexico- so we have a lot of work to do. Thankfully, I have an amazing team and I’m confident we can continue to provide these quality services, while also expanding our programming to accommodate our growing population,” said.

Secretary Hotrum-Lopez has over twenty years of experience working in government public health. She previously served as the director for Bernalillo County Behavioral Health Services and as the director for the Bernalillo County Substance Abuse Programs. She was also a deputy cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Department of Health from 2007-2010. She as a B.A. in psychology from the University of Alaska and a MA in family studies from UNM.