Healthy communities are the bedrock of well-being, impacting every aspect of our lives. A healthy community ensures access to essential services, promotes healthy lifestyles, and fosters a sense of togetherness. However, creating a healthy community is not easy and requires resources, infrastructure, and successful community partnerships to work together to pave the path to health.
We are honored to share that, with the Southwest Foundation for Osteopathic Education and Research (SWFOER) and Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, we will be making the health of our community a top priority. The JF Maddox Foundation board of directors has recently voted to approve a grant for more than $1.5 million to support the development and implementation of a Graduate Medical Education (GME) residency program at Nor-Lea Hospital District and Covenant Health Hobbs Hospital. The team at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine will be instrumental in working with us to execute the plan for the residency program, helping to guide the program and match medical residency students to opportunities in Lea County.
What does a graduate medical education residency mean for Lea County? According to Mathematica, a research company focused on public well-being, GME programs are extremely beneficial for communities. Medical residents can help meet a community’s healthcare needs by filling in gaps in physician shortages and providing healthcare to underserved, low-income populations. They also help to recruit more medical providers to the area. Residency programs create a pipeline for a future workforce because, often, a portion of the graduating class stays in the community to practice. Teaching hospitals will be in a strong position to identify high-quality residents and entice them into full-time employment upon completing their training. ME residency programs also help to elevate the quality of care patients receive and improve the region’s economy.
The multi-year grant from the JF Maddox Foundation will help support operating expenses and administration fees, provide enhanced infrastructure at Nor-Lea Hospital District, and assist with medical resident recruitment and retention. Investing in community health initiatives yields long-term benefits, and by prioritizing our community’s health, we can strengthen our resilience against diseases, reduce healthcare disparities, and improve quality of life in Lea County. By collaborating with healthcare leaders, we can also better determine areas of need and help increase access to services for our region. David Shaw, CEO of Nor-Lea Hospital District, said, “Through education, prevention, and equitable healthcare access, communities thrive economically and socially. This grant from the JF Maddox Foundation will allow our team to work together with our peers and with support from the new medical residents, give us tools to better serve our community.”
We know that each individual’s health contributes to the strength of our community. The JF Maddox Foundation team looks forward to seeing the impact these medical residents will make in the lives of the people of Lea County. To learn more about the grant and the Graduate Medical Education residency program, please call (575) 393-6338 x140 or email mlovas@jfmaddoxfoundation.org.
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Mayra Lovas is the Vice President of Grants at the JF Maddox Foundation, a family foundation in Lea County, New Mexico. Alongside its partners, the foundation invests in education, social services, and community development for a greater quality of life for Lea County residents.
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