HEALTHCARE News:
ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico Medical Foundation, the charitable arm of the New Mexico Medical Society, recently announced it received a grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico as part of the 2026/2027 Special Beginnings® initiative. This collaboration will help mothers, infants and families in New Mexico, with a focus on expanding access to quality care, reducing health disparities and addressing the social determinants that influence maternal and infant well-being.
Through the Special Beginnings grant, the New Mexico Medical Foundation is developing and delivering physician‑led education focused on prenatal screening updates, including current best practices in infectious disease and genetic screening, to support timely diagnosis, evidence‑based decision‑making, and improved maternal and fetal outcomes. By strengthening clinical knowledge and application, the initiative aims to enhance care delivery, reduce preventable complications, and support high‑quality prenatal care for patients across New Mexico, including those in rural and underserved settings.
“New Mexico Medical Foundation is honored to work with BCBSNM on expanding and improving access to quality health care for New Mexicans,” said Annie Jung, president of New Mexico Medical Foundation. “Medical care for maternity patients is the first step in creating a foundation for healthy individuals and healthy communities.”
The Special Beginnings program is dedicated to implementing quality-based maternal health programs, expanding access to comprehensive health services and increasing public awareness and community engagement to reduce maternal morbidity, mortality and health disparities, with an emphasis on diversifying and expanding the maternal health workforce.
“Through our Special Beginnings initiative and our collaboration with the New Mexico Medical Foundation, we are working to improve access to high-quality, equitable maternal health care,” said Dr. Latha Raja Shankar, VP of health care delivery and chief medical officer at BCBSNM. “By investing in physician-led education and community-based programs, we aim to strengthen New Mexico’s maternal health workforce, address persistent health disparities and build healthier futures for families throughout our communities.”
BCBSNM continues to build on its long-standing maternal and infant care programs, as well as relationships with local community organizations, health care providers and thought leaders. These collaborations leverage collective knowledge, experience and talents to increase access to care, reduce care gaps and educate and engage New Mexicans at a local level.