Yearly Archives: 2020


Two new staff join CHI Finance Department

Thursday, November 5, 2020; Silver City, NM: The Center for Health Innovation (CHI) is pleased to welcome two new staff dedicated to bolster the organization’s finance and administration effectiveness.  The staff additions include new administrative assistant Arlene Salazar and returning staff Erika Burke as human resources and payroll specialist. “We […]


Area Health Education Center welcomes new staff

Wednesday, October 26, 2020; Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico’s Southern Health Education Center (SoAHEC) is pleased to welcome MariaAnna Molina to their team which brings health continuing education and training opportunities to health professionals in 13 counties throughout the southern half of the state. “We are so eager to have […]


CHI welcomes two new board members

Wednesday, Oct 21, 2020; Silver City, NM: The Center for Health Innovation (CHI) pleased to welcome two new board members who are familiar faces to the organization which serves as New Mexico’s Public Health Institute.  After years of serving on committees to shape CHI’s programs, community health leaders John E. […]


Coalition welcomes aboard Michelle Rincon

Thursday, September 17, 2020; Las Cruces, NM:  Native Las Crucian, Michelle Rincon has joined the Center for Health Innovation (CHI), New Mexico’s Public Health Institute.  Her expertise will support CHI’s prevention efforts at the Unified Prevention Coalition for Doña Ana County (UP!C). “Michelle has a history of working with health […]


The History of Marijuana

This article is part of the Unified Prevention Coalition for Doña Ana County’s bi-monthly guest column in the Las Cruces Sun-News. Visit their site to learn more. How did an unassuming agricultural plant, used for rope and textiles, end up classified as one of the most dangerous drugs in the […]


Project ECHO

Human Centered Design: Keeping people the focus while addressing services for opioid use disorder in non-urban communities of New Mexico. Session 1: CHI Project ECHO Series Participant’s Guide Human Centered Design Hosting a Virtual Meeting Using Trauma Informed Principles Tips For Social Distancing, Quarantine, And Isolation During An Infectious Disease […]


In Memoriam: Jerry Montoya

It is with great sadness that the Center for Health Innovation mourns the passing of our friend and colleague Jerry Montoya. Jerry was a loved and highly respected Health Promotion Manager for the Northwest Region at the NM Department of Health and served on CHI’s Leadership Team, which advises us on […]


Program Specialist-Hidalgo County Health Council (HCHC)

The Center for Health Innovation (CHI) is seeking a self-motivated individual to coordinate and lead the Hidalgo County Health Council.  The Health Council Coordinator works with a multi-sector community coalition and is responsible for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating appropriate strategies, community engagement, meeting coordination, data collection, and detailed activity […]


Policy Goals to Support the Healthcare Workforce in Healthy Aging Communities

With funding from the New Mexico Department of Health, the Center for Health Innovation engaged five rural Southern New Mexico counties in research, analysis and discussion about their healthcare workforce development needs now and in the future. The five counties included Grant, Sierra, Socorro, Catron and Valencia. Project participants included […]


Policy Goals to Improve Behavioral Health Needs of Individuals, Employers and Communities in Rural New Mexico

With funding from the New Mexico Department of Health, the Center for Health Innovation engaged five rural Southern New Mexico counties in research, analysis and discussion about their healthcare workforce development needs now and in the future. The five counties included Grant, Sierra, Socorro, Catron and Valencia. Project participants included […]


CHI welcomes new staff for UPDATE NM

Wednesday, August 12, 2020; Las Cruces, NM: After an extensive statewide search, the Center for Health Innovation (CHI) is pleased to welcome new staff to support its medical education programs. Las Crucian Piper Coalson, GCPH, CPS, will support the newly expanding Understanding Provider Demands and Advancing Timely Evidence in New […]


RCORP Southern New Mexico Outcomes

CHI received a grant from the U.S Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Rural Communities Opioid Response Program to engage 16 southern New Mexico counties to meet their prevention, treatment and recovery needs in a community-driven comprehensive assessment process. The southern New Mexico counties in the program include Catron, Chaves, […]


CHI 2019 Annual Report

As New Mexico’s designated Public Health Institute, the Center for Health Innovation (CHI) is dedicated to working with communities to advance health and social justice through innovative and effective policies and programs for all the residents in our state, and beyond. In our 2019 Annual Report you can read about […]


Prescription opioid safety among older adults

by Piper Coalson, Unified Prevention Coalition This article is part of the Unified Prevention Coalition for Doña Ana County’s bi-monthly guest column in the Las Cruces Sun-News. Visit their site to learn more. Saturday, June 13, 2020; Las Cruces, NM – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 130 […]


Racial Equity Statement From CHI

Dear Friends, The Center for Health Innovation, New Mexico’s Public Health Institute,  acknowledges systemic racism as a public health crisis. We understand the protestors calling for police reform and demanding an end to the brutality and racial inequities which have plagued our nation since before its founding. Working towards health […]


Alcohol sales are increasing, and that’s a concern

by Edward M.Rubin, Chair of the Unified Prevention Coalition This article is part of the Unified Prevention Coalition for Doña Ana County’s bi-monthly guest column in the Las Cruces Sun-News. Visit their site to learn more. Saturday, June 6, 2020; Las Cruces, NM: Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, alcohol sales […]


Cibola County Parents Handbook

Collaborating with the community, Cibola Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (CSAPC) created this informative guide for parents, guardians and residents to understand the facts regarding opioid substance misuse and its impact on the county. Click here to download the handbook.


New effort maps alcohol and crime in Doña Ana County

Coalition makes maps public of county’s alcohol outlets in relation to crimes Monday, May 25, 2020; Las Cruces, NM: The Unified Prevention Coalition for Doña Ana County (UP!) has released a report, and accompanying maps, for county residents to explore how alcohol sales impact crime throughout the county. The “Alcohol […]


Center for Health Innovation appoints new director

Monday, May 18, 2020; Las Cruces, NM: After conducting a national search, the Center for Health Innovation (CHI) has named Joy Gomez as the new Director of Prevention and Community Collaborations. CHI Chief Executive Officer Susan Wilger said of Gomez’s appointment, “We are very excited to have Joy join the […]


New executive director takes the helm of CHI

Thursday, May 14, 2020; Silver City, NM: After conducting a nationwide search, the Center for Health Innovation (CHI) is pleased to announce a familiar face will take the helm of the organization. Susan Wilger will step into the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for CHI effective in 2020. CHI […]