CIR members had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with New Mexico Lt. Governor Diane Denish both at a roundtable breakfast discussion in December and at her Inaugural Breakfast in Santa Fe this January. The meetings further cemented CIR’s strong relationship with Lt. Governor Denish, who was supportive during the organizing of the chapter as well as through the bargaining of the first contract with UNM. At the breakfast discussion in December, CIR doctors joined leaders from AFSCME and AFT, and other non-profit organizations. The talks focused on health care reform at the state level in the upcoming legislative session, as well as issues affecting residents and patients locally.

Before the roundtable meeting began, CIR members met privately with Denish to brief her on the upcoming contract negotiations at UNM. They also presented her with a $5000 donation to be specifically used for voter education in New Mexico.

Dr. Shadi Battah, a Pulmonary & Critical Care Fellow at UNM, conveyed the challenges of working in a system where so many patients are uninsured, and also shared some ideas with the Lt. Governor on how New Mexico can better retain residents in state after their graduation.

“I mentioned to her that providing, through the state, a good package of incentives to the residents (especially those coming from the local community of New Mexico) might be one way to address this issue,” Dr. Battah said.















Dr. Tasha Ludwick, PGY 2 in Family Medicine, said CIR has made major inroads through the meetings.  “The State legislature has been very accessible to CIR,” Dr. Ludwick said.

“Through our meetings, specifically with Lt. Gov Denish, we have developed a great partnership that has broadened our understanding of the political environment and given us a chance to voice what is most important for us in taking care of our patients.”