WNMU Partners With HMS To Formally Train Community Health Workers
After hearing that Western New Mexico University would offer a community health worker program, Hidalgo Medical Services requested that the training also be offered in Silver City so that HMS employees could participate. In response, WNMU offered an additional section of its brand-new program in fall 2018. “Though HMS has employed community health workers for several years, we felt it was important to support their continued education. Education is one of HMS’ core values, and we know that the knowledge gained in this program will benefit our patients and the community,” said Dan Otero, CEO at Hidalgo Medical Services. WNMU is the only university in southwest New Mexico providing this training. “Hidalgo Medical Service’s request demonstrates the demand for community health workers in southwest New Mexico and underscores the need for formal training of people already doing this type of work,” said Benjamin Jenkins, Ph.D., director of the community health worker...