In December 2002 a group of about 60 public and private providers, advocates, vaccine manufacturing representatives, and public health people met in Albuquerque to once again discuss the formation of a statewide immunization coalition for New Mexico. Led by national expert, Pat Bakalian, the group agreed that forming a coalition was critical and timely, given New Mexico's failing childhood immunization rates, according to the most recent national surveys.

Follow-up meetings were held in January and February with smaller committees meeting in between to learn about similar coalitions in other states and begin to chart the course for New Mexico. During this same time, as our newly elected Governor, Bill Richardson, was taking office and putting his executive team in place, the new Department of Health Secretary, Patricia Montoya, identified New Mexico's unacceptably low immunization rates as a priority for improvement. Word also got out that the new First Lady, Barbara Richardson, was keenly aware of the issue and wanted to add her voice and energy to the improvement efforts.

It was a great fit and in late March 2003 a key meeting was held in Santa Fe with Mrs. Richardson and about 45 members of the emerging coalition. The First Lady brought a proclamation declaring April as Immunization Awareness Month in New Mexico and things got rolling. The New Mexico Immunization Coalition was selected as the name, Mrs. Richardson agreed to be the Honorary Chairperson, Dr. Mark Whitaker and DOH staffer, Barak Wolff, became C-Chairs, and an initial Steering Committee was named. It was also agreed that there would be a major kick-off for the NMIC and the Done By One Campaign in April and that First Lady Rosalynn Carter and Betty Bumpers, co-founders of the national Every Child By Two advocacy organization would be invited.

In December 2002 a group of about 60 public and private providers, advocates, vaccine manufacturing representatives, and public health people met in Albuquerque to once again discuss the formation of a statewide immunization coalition for New Mexico. Led by national expert, Pat Bakalian, the group agreed that forming a coalition was critical and timely, given New Mexico's failing childhood immunization rates, according to the most recent national surveys.

Follow-up meetings were held in January and February with smaller committees meeting in between to learn about similar coalitions in other states and begin to chart the course for New Mexico. During this same time, as our newly elected Governor, Bill Richardson, was taking office and putting his executive team in place, the new Department of Health Secretary, Patricia Montoya, identified New Mexico's unacceptably low immunization rates as a priority for improvement. Word also got out that the new First Lady, Barbara Richardson, was keenly aware of the issue and wanted to add her voice and energy to the improvement efforts.

It was a great fit and in late March 2003 a key meeting was held in Santa Fe with Mrs. Richardson and about 45 members of the emerging coalition. The First Lady brought a proclamation declaring April as Immunization Awareness Month in New Mexico and things got rolling. The New Mexico Immunization Coalition was selected as the name, Mrs. Richardson agreed to be the Honorary Chairperson, Dr. Mark Whitaker and DOH staffer, Barak Wolff, became C-Chairs, and an initial Steering Committee was named. It was also agreed that there would be a major kick-off for the NMIC and the Done By One Campaign in April and that First Lady Rosalynn Carter and Betty Bumpers, co-founders of the national Every Child By Two advocacy organization would be invited.

Top