The seventh annual University of New Mexico (UNM) Health Professions Symposium, the state’s largest health careers networking event, is set for April 15 at the UNM Student Union.
The symposium features 90 different workshops presented by representatives from New Mexico’s primary health professional schools. The goal of the event is to assist high school and college students interested in the healthcare industry.
“We are hosting the event to give students interested in the health professions an opportunity to explore their passions, discover various pathways into the field of their choice and learn about the realities and challenges of a health professions education and a career in healthcare,” a UNM website said. “With many workshops on various topics to choose from, this is a great opportunity to network with individuals and grow professionally.”
The healthcare symposium is an all-day event, beginning with an opening session at 9 a.m. There will be six sessions throughout the day, with 15 workshops.
Any student, interested in any healthcare profession and is currently enrolled in high school, college or post-graduate studies, is eligible to attend. Visit unm.edu to register.
Dr. Angela Gallegos-Macias of the Health Professions Symposium told KRQE the event is important for the health representatives as much as the students.
“It's important because it gives a focal point for leadership and a focal point for getting our students involved.” Gallegos-Macias said. “I’ll be participating with these co-directors in terms of creating an interdisciplinary panel where we’ll have health professionals from pharmacists, clinicians, physicians, nurses and associated individuals who are leaders with MBAs to really show it's important to have that leadership and fellowship.”
According to the website, the workshops feature topics, ranging from getting ready for a pre-health track in college, to having families in medical school. The workshops also offer overviews of numerous professions. Chenoa Bah Stilwell-Jensen, a Ph.D., will serve as a keynote speaker. She completed her doctoral studies in health and cultural communication at UNM in the department of communication and journalism. She focused on diabetes prevention and management in Indigenous communities.
For the past 15 years, Stilwell-Jensen has taught courses at UNM, CNM and IAIA Tribal College. She currently teaches in the HMHV (Health, Medicine and Human Values) and the Pre-Health Scholars Certificate (PHSC) program.