Clinical pharmacists who graduated from The University of New Mexico (UNM) College of Pharmacy are providing essential health care services to rural communities in northern and northeastern New Mexico. These pharmacists, many of whom grew up in the regions they now serve, are addressing gaps in primary care by offering a range of medical services and medication management.
Christy Martinez-Vigil, a 1992 graduate of the UNM College of Pharmacy, has worked at El Centro Family Health clinic in Española for nearly three decades. She provides primary care as a clinical pharmacist, treating patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Martinez-Vigil reflected on her connection to the community: “He had been the family physician here in Española, and when I was born at Española Hospital, he was the doctor who delivered me,” she said about one patient. “When he came in, I told him that I knew he had delivered thousands of babies in his lifetime, and I wanted him to know that it was my turn to give back to him.”
Martinez-Vigil emphasized her commitment: “I’ve been able to serve former teachers and some of my relatives, so giving back to the community where I was raised has been a blessing,” she said. “My heart is there to help those patients and to see them want to do better.”
New Mexico allows specially trained pharmacists like Martinez-Vigil to prescribe medications for acute and chronic conditions and perform certain diagnostic tests. They can also provide short-term treatments for illnesses such as urinary tract infections or allergies.
Donald A. Godwin, PhD, Dean of the UNM College of Pharmacy, explained the school’s approach: “We recruit across the across the state, because it's going to be easier to convince someone to return to a rural area than it is for somebody born and raised in Albuquerque or Santa Fe to go to a rural area,” he said.
The college’s Early Assurance Program encourages students from other New Mexico universities who major in pharmacy during their undergraduate studies at UNM or elsewhere two years before pursuing their Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
Martinez-Vigil recently helped Valerie Duran from Sombrillo manage her Type 2 diabetes with new medication regimens and ongoing support. Duran noted: “Every time that I reached a milestone, Christy made me feel very proud of myself. When I reached a plateau, she would help to adjust my medication, or she would get me on a better medication.” Martinez-Vigil added: “When I first saw her, her A1C was over 14%. We were able to get her off insulin. She now doesn't have to poke her finger and get blood checks. She has a sensor that's telling her what her sugars are all the time.”
In Clayton, Quirina Wolfe returned after graduating from UNM’s pharmacy program in 2009 thanks partly to local support during school. Wolfe works as staff pharmacist at Union County General Hospital while also running City Drug—the town’s only pharmacy—with her husband.
Wolfe described challenges faced by rural residents seeking health care access: “We’re very rural out here,” she said. “Our closest next pharmacy would be in Dalhart, Texas, which is 45 miles away. The closest one in New Mexico is in Raton, which is 80 miles away. We’re often the only place where you can walk in and ask questions.” Wolfe continued: “I wanted to come back here and serve the people I grew up with… Right now we need other pharmacists to come into this area too.” She added: “I love what I do… and am proud…to help fill healthcare gaps that rural communities often see.”
Morgan Duval serves as pharmacy director at Holy Cross Medical Center in Taos after prior experience with Kirtland Air Force Base and deployment overseas following graduation from UNM College of Pharmacy in 2018.
Duval highlighted unique obstacles faced by pharmacists working among small towns around Taos: “I've been fortunate where I've gotten to do clinical retail inpatient roles,” Duval said. “…Sometimes you're it – you're the only pharmacist in whole county.” She credits connections formed through UNM for ongoing professional support: “I think UNM College really preps you well for working rural New Mexico… If I have question about how get person’s medication because live very rural area can call someone Santa Fe Albuquerque southern New Mexico they’re going help me because it’s connection from UNM.”
Duval described varied responsibilities at Holy Cross Medical Center: "One day I could be in meetings then responding trauma our trauma bay or code our ICU," she said." Instead seeing challenge think ‘what problem do get solve today where make difference our patients patients rural New Mexico?’ We really are affecting broad population."
The work being done by these graduates reflects efforts by the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy—founded more than seventy years ago—to address healthcare shortages throughout underserved areas statewide.
