Office of Development & Khatali Alumni Relations

2007 La Tierra Sagrada Society Awards

In addition to increasing funding for clinical outreach and research, La Tierra Sagrada Society members are afforded a glimpse into what the UNM School of Medicine is doing to address some of the most pressing challenges facing health care professionals and health care education today. The society’s mission is to promote the excellence of the School of Medicine and to provide financial assistance, fellowship and volunteerism through membership.

The organization raised $75,000 in FY 2007, up from $62,000 last fiscal year. Annual contributions of the society’s members are used to support exceptional programs and cutting-edge research at UNM School of Medicine — all selected through a competitive review process. These programs have the potential to impact health and health care across the nation and throughout the world.

The number of deserving programs selected for grant awards and medical student scholarships depends on the total of the annual gifts made by members.

2007 Medical Student Scholarships

La Tierra Sagrada Society Dean’s Endowed Scholarship

Dustin Richter
Class of 2010 - $5,000

La Tierra Sagrada Society

Andrea King
Class of 2010 - $2,500

Tony Salazar
Class of 2008 - $2,500

Elena Bissell
Class of 2010 - $2,500

2007 Community-Based Research Grants

Walk to Success

Awarded: $4,864
Lisa E. Moore, MD — Obstetrics and Gynecology
Left to right: Diana Clokey, CDE, RPh ~ Lisa E. Moore, MD

This collaborative project between the University of New Mexico and the Center for Prenatal Development seeks to provide a simple, inexpensive intervention to pregnant women with sedentary lifestyles. Gestational diabetes affects 4 percent of all pregnancies, causing complications that affect both the mother and her baby. Numerous studies have shown that exercise helps control blood glucose, and can delay or prevent the onset of type II diabetes after pregnancy. Women in this study will be given pedometers and instructed on walking for success in controlling blood glucose.

Medical Students’ Awareness of Traditional Native American Values during Pregnancy

Awarded: $4,921
Jeanine Valdez, MD— Obstetrics and Gynecology
Left to right: William F. Rayburn, MD ~ Jeanine Valdez, MD

To optimize care and improve pregnancy outcomes, health care providers must understand their patients’ cultures to better address their needs. Non-judgmental advocacy is especially important in aiding underrepresented minorities. This randomized investigation will determine if medical students’ participation in an off-campus clinical experience with the Indian Health Service makes them more comfortable discussing traditional Native American values during pregnancy. Community partners in this project include the Albuquerque IHS, Rehoboth McKinley Hospital in Gallup, and the Navajo Nation IHS.

¿Emergencia? Puedemos Ayudar — Emergency? We can help.

Awarded: $14,950
B. J. Ciesielski — Obstetrics and Gynecology/Maternity & Family Planning
Left to right: Mary Cardona ~ Natalie Hernandez ~ B.J. Ciesielski ~ Daniel Caimi

University of New Mexico Hospital provides services for a large percentage of New Mexico’s indigent population, often resulting in unpaid medical bills. The hospital’s policy is to serve the community regardless of a patient’s ability to pay, but simply writing off these unpaid services has led to financial problems for UNMH. The federal Emergency Medical Services for Aliens program will pay for undocumented patients’ emergency medical needs, but patients are often not aware that the funding exists. This project will use a Spanish language video with English subtitles and a fotonovela to educate community members and medical students about this federal program. Community partners include Community Coalition for Health Care Access and Community Health Partnership’s Block Leader Project.

The Collision of History, Medicine and Public Health: Advancing Research in Families with Cerebral Cavernous Malformations

Awarded: $ 18,600
Tina Petersen, MD — Pediatrics, Neurology, Radiology
Left to right: Leslie Morrison, MD ~ Tina Petersen, MD ~ Blaine Hart, MD

Thousands of New Mexicans are affected by familial cerebral cavernous malformations, or FCM, an inherited disorder characterized by the abnormal growth of clusters of blood vessels, usually in the brain and spinal cord. These clusters can cause headaches, seizures, intracranial hemorrhage, neurological deficits and even death. Current research concerning FCM is inadequate to answer important clinical and surgical management questions. The goal of this study is to develop a comprehensive database of UNM patients diagnosed with FCM through review of imaging and medical records. Medical students, residents and faculty will partner with the New Mexico Angioma Alliance to educate New Mexicans, create physician workshops, and improve medical management practices.