The University of New Mexico Health System is teaming up with the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation (NHCCF) to organize the second annual Día de Salud. In English, it is a “Day of Health” at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in southwest Albuquerque, with booths and activities all geared toward connecting community members with health education and resources they may have been hesitant to seek out on their own.
Jamie Silva-Steele, RN, BSN, MBA, FACHE, is President of UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center—a Campus of UNM Hospital.
“What is really exciting about Día de Salud is it is an opportunity to reach the Hispanic community in a way that embraces our cultural background and allows them to also have this opportunity to receive great information and resources on how to improve their health and overall well-being,” Silva-Steele said.
Día De Salud organizers agree.
“We wanted to make sure that we marketed this free event to those in the community who may be a little apprehensive to go see their physician or go to a clinic, to put those resources in front of them to make it a little less scary,” said Melissa Armijo, chief operations officer for the NHCCF.
The first health fair last fall allowed providers to reach close to 350 community members. That is why organizers decided to host another even bigger health fair alongside the NHCCF’s Cinco de Mayo Run. This time, they hope to reach at least 800 people across Albuquerque.
Día de Salud 2024
When: Sunday, April 28, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 4th St. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
UNM Health is the event’s primary sponsor this year, featuring informational tables with faculty and students from the UNM School of Medicine, UNM College of Pharmacy, UNM College of Nursing and UNM College of Population Health.
“We are going to have medical professionals there doing blood pressure screenings, glucose checks, pediatric immunizations,” said Aimee Hopkins, vice president of marketing and programs for the NHCCF.
“I think it is important to grow upon the things learned from last year, to reach the in a way that is right in their back yard, and to really give those that attend resources that they might not get otherwise.”
Other tables will offer information on health services like free lung screenings, and resources throughout the community. But organizers said this is far from your typical health fair. It is a celebration with live music, family-friendly games, and of course, food.
“Another new exciting thing that we did not have last year is we are going to have a food demonstration,” Hopkins said. “So, food prep and healthy food ideas and recipes.”
During the pandemic, the NHCC opened its doors for health care workers and helped them reach a wider patient-base for health screenings and vaccinations. It became a local hub for health, as well as art and culture. Día de Salud celebrates all of that and more.
Click here to learn more about the event and its sponsors or to register as a vendor.