SENATE MEMORIAL 32

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Mary Kay Papen

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING FEBRUARY 9, 2017 "BURRELL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE DAY" IN THE SENATE.

     WHEREAS, established in 2013, the Burrell college of osteopathic medicine is an accredited post-secondary medical school located in the New Mexico state university Arrowhead research center in Las Cruces; and

     WHEREAS, the Burrell college of osteopathic medicine is a privately funded medical school in a unique public-private partnership with New Mexico state university; and

     WHEREAS, the doctor of osteopathic medicine program is a four-year osteopathic medical curriculum of clinical and classroom learning that focuses on a holistic view of medicine; and

     WHEREAS, the Burrell college of osteopathic medicine is focused on increasing diversity in the physician workforce and fostering a practice of life-long learning, compassion, respect and excellence in its students; and

     WHEREAS, in 2016, the Burrell college of osteopathic medicine enrolled its inaugural class of one hundred sixty-two students; and

     WHEREAS, the Burrell college of osteopathic medicine has assisted in creating one hundred eight new residency positions, including multiple residencies in psychiatry, neuromusculosketal medicine and internal medicine; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico faces a health care crisis with limited access to primary health care physicians, especially in rural areas and tribal lands; and

     WHEREAS, over the next several years, it is estimated that New Mexico will lose thirty-five percent of its existing primary care physicians to retirement; and

     WHEREAS, the Burrell college of osteopathic medicine's core initiatives include the mission to focus on providing primary care physicians to tribal lands and rural New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the Burrell college of osteopathic medicine has been working with tribal health care providers, including the federal Indian health service and individual tribal health care facilities, and has established a working relationship with the Indian health service Navajo area serving the Navajo Nation; and

     WHEREAS, the Burrell college of osteopathic medicine is striving to create a more culturally, ethnically and socioeconomically diverse physician population;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 9, 2017 be declared "Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine Day" in the senate; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Burrell college of osteopathic medicine be recognized for its commitment to providing quality health care to the rural and tribal communities of New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the chair of the board of trustees of the Burrell college of osteopathic medicine and the president of New Mexico state university.

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