Thanks to two gifts from Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico — one for $300,000 to fund a professor of practice in the School of Nursing for three years, and another for $200,000 for students studying social work or nursing — HEST’s commitment to bolster and transform the health care workforce continues.
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.
The $200,000 gift helps fund scholarships for students studying social work or nursing who pledge to work in the state for at least one year after graduating. The collaboration with HEST, launched in 2020, was part of a $500,000 workforce initiative grant to increase care access for New Mexico Medicaid beneficiaries.
“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.” says Sherri Howeya, a 2022 graduate and scholarship recipient who serves as a registered nurse at Dialysis Clinic Inc. in her tribal community, the Pueblo of Acoma.
The 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, mentorship opportunities, and partnering with rural health care organizations to connect students back to their rural communities during their time at NMSU.
1220 Stewart Street
O'Donnell Hall, Suite 301
Las Cruces, NM 88003
