45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2002

REQUESTING THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DEVELOP A PROGRAM FOR YOUNG PEOPLE DESIGNED TO PROMOTE HEALTH AND ENCOURAGE ENTRY INTO HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONS.

WHEREAS, health care education programs require a solid foundation in mathematics, science and analytical thinking; and

WHEREAS, for the foreseeable future, the demand for health care professionals will continue to grow as the population ages and advances in medical technology continue unabated; and

WHEREAS, careers in health care will continue to broaden in scope, providing numerous opportunities for well-educated and well-trained students; and

WHEREAS, health care professionals and state leaders are in a position to provide young students with opportunities to learn first hand about the challenges and rewards of health care professions; and

WHEREAS, a program modeled on the boys state and girls state experience can supply the motivation, education, mentoring and community involvement needed to develop and maintain a student pipeline for health care professions; and

WHEREAS, exposure to health care professions will allow students a broader education and valuable learning experience; and

WHEREAS, the dropout rate for students in New Mexico is unacceptable, indicating a need to provide programs at levels earlier than high school;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of health be requested to develop a program, in conjunction with the state department of public education and middle schools and high schools throughout the state, to provide students with hands-on learning from mentors in health care professions and then opportunities to share their learning through peer mentoring; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the program include a recruitment and retention approach and a method to identify, at an early age, students who are interested in health care professions and to track their progress, encourage their participation in mathematics and science classes beyond the basic requirements, provide them with mentoring and financial aid information and generally assist them in recognizing the diversity of health care careers; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the department of health and the state department of public education.