HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 31

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Harriet I. Ruiz

A JOINT MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO CANCER RESEARCH AND TREATMENT CENTER.

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico legislature established the university of New Mexico school of medicine in 1964 to provide critically needed health care services and to improve the lives of New Mexicans; and

     WHEREAS, in order to best serve the underserved multiethnic populations of New Mexico and to address the significant cancer health disparities in the state and region, the New Mexico legislature established the university of New Mexico cancer research and treatment center at the university of New Mexico school of medicine on April 8, 1971 as New Mexico's official cancer center; and

     WHEREAS, from 1986 to 2005, the New Mexico legislature passed several laws and acts that have provided significant recurring and nonrecurring funds to provide for the development of the center's programs in cancer research, statewide outreach for cancer education, screening, prevention and treatment, for the recruitment of cancer scientists and physicians, for equipment and for the construction of research and treatment facilities; and

     WHEREAS, the university of New Mexico cancer research and treatment center is the state's largest team of cancer specialists, with sixty-two cancer physicians and ninety research scientists dedicated to discovering the causes of cancer and preventing and treating cancer in all New Mexicans; and

     WHEREAS, the physicians and research scientists provide care to over three thousand newly diagnosed cancer patients annually, over fifty percent of whom are ethnic minorities representing over forty percent of the adults and over ninety percent of the New Mexican children diagnosed with cancer each year; and

     WHEREAS, the goals of the university of New Mexico cancer research and treatment center, reflective of the needs of the state, are to:

          A. conduct outstanding cancer research that builds on unique institutional and regional scientific strengths and collaboration;

          B. reduce cancer incidence and mortality by discovering the genetic, environmental, social and behavioral factors that contribute to the distinct cancer patterns in the multiethnic populations of New Mexico;

          C. reduce cancer health disparities in the underserved populations of New Mexico through collaborative community networks with the department of health; New Mexico's pueblos, tribes and American Indian nations; the Indian health service and local communities by developing culturally appropriate cancer education, screening and prevention programs; and

          D. provide outstanding cancer treatment for all New Mexicans by improving access to quality cancer care and innovative therapies through development of programs at the university of New Mexico and formal affiliations and partnerships statewide with community cancer care providers and health systems; and

     WHEREAS, in September 2005, the national cancer institute designated the university of New Mexico cancer research and treatment center as the nation's newest national cancer institute-designated cancer center, joining the ranks of the sixty-one best cancer treatment and research centers in the United States and providing increased federal funding to New Mexico for cancer programs, ensuring that all New Mexicans can access state-of-the-art treatment and benefit from the fruits of cancer research here in their home state;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the university of New Mexico cancer research and treatment center be commended on receiving the national cancer institute's designation as a regional comprehensive cancer center; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be sent to the board of regents of the university of New Mexico and the director of the national cancer institute.

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