ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico State University Foundation received two gifts from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, one for $300,000 to fund a professor of practice in the NMSU School of Nursing for three years, and another for $200,000 for students studying social work or nursing.
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico Professor of Practice position is designed to meet the need for nurses and nurse practitioners in rural counties of New Mexico by engaging in community outreach that focuses on nursing workforce development. This individual will also work to expand the School of Nursing’s teaching capacity and increase undergraduate and graduate nursing student enrollment, thereby adding much-needed nurses to New Mexico’s workforce.
The $200,000 gift helps fund scholarships for students studying social work or nursing who pledge to work in the state of New Mexico for at least one year after graduating. The collaboration with the university’s College of Health, Education and Social Transformation, launched in 2020, was part of a $500,000 workforce initiative grant to increase care access for New Mexico Medicaid beneficiaries.
“Through this partnership, we aim to reduce financial barriers for students interested in pursuing health care careers in our state,” says Nancy Smith-Leslie, vice president of BCBSNM’s Medicaid program. “We are committed to bolstering the growth of the health care workforce to improve access and health outcomes for all New Mexicans.”
NMSU School of Nursing director Alexa Doig said the funding will make an enormous impact on the lives of 20 New Mexico nursing students in their senior year.
“Despite New Mexico’s groundbreaking Lottery and Opportunity scholarship programs, a stark reality persists — many dedicated undergraduate nursing students work a minimum of 20 hours per week to cover living and other essential expenses,” Doig said. “This scholarship serves as a lifeline, allowing senior nursing students to focus on their education and training during the pivotal last two semesters of the program. It is a beacon of support during this crucial phase, facilitating their transition into the demands of nursing practice.”
NMSU’s goal is to create a nursing career pipeline program for rural and tribal communities in New Mexico. The pipeline will include outreach and education about health care careers, recruiting potential nurses for the bespoke nursing programs, providing mentorship to students in the pipeline, and partnering with rural health care organizations to connect students back to their rural communities during their time at NMSU.
“The BCBSNM gift awarded to the NMSU School of Nursing during my years as a nursing student helped fund the foundation of my nursing career,” said Sherri Howeya, a 2022 graduate and registered nurse at Dialysis Clinic Inc. “I primarily serve my tribal community, the Pueblo of Acoma, and its surrounding communities as a dialysis nurse. College education is tough and financial barriers are a disparity to rural communities that I unfortunately had to cross, but fortunately had help in crossing. I am the product of the support that can continue to help future students who may come across similar barriers, and I thank BCBSNM for supporting me and helping me fulfill my dreams.”
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About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico is one of the largest commercial health insurers in New Mexico with approximately 700,000 New Mexicans carrying a Blue Cross and Blue Shield card. Since 1940, BCBSNM has been committed to promoting the health and wellness of its members and communities through accessible, cost-effective, quality health care. BCBSNM is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, the country’s largest customer-owned health insurer. Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.