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Campus News - October 15, 2001 |
Family doc committed to state
By Veronica Valencia
For
the past 20 years, Dr. Chris Urbina has been very busy not only as a family
practice physician, but as a community activist as well. He has helped to shape
the future of something he is very passionate about community medicine.
As the director for the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) and the Preceptorship
Office, Urbina, an associate professor at the School of Medicine, tries early
on in medical students careers to spark and maintain their interest in
family and community medicine.
We are committed about motivating students to stay and practice in New
Mexico and to choose primary care specialties, says Urbina.
Through the Preceptorship Program, more than 300 physicians from around the
state participate in the education of medical students by offering real
life experience in community settings. The UNM School of Medicine has
gained international recognition for innovative programs like these that address
the health needs of rural communities.
Aside from the AHEC and Preceptorship Office, Urbina is involved in a plethora
of other activities on the North Campus. Hes the vice-chair of the Department
of Family and Community Medicine, director of the Border Health Education Training
Center, co-medical director of UNM Hospitals 1209 Clinic, and was involved
in starting Highland Highs school-based health care and the Southeast
Heights Family Health Clinic.
But the humble Pueblo, Colo., native is insistent that behind the scenes of
all the programs he is involved in, theres a large group of faculty and
staff who make it all come together.
As he pulls out a brochure, he gingerly points to the names of the support
staff.
Our faculty and staff, he says, pointing outside his office to
the staff on the third floor of the Family Practice Center, they all contribute
to these programs its a team effort.
A graduate of the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Urbina came to
UNM to complete his residency in family practice. While he jokes about growing
up with the mountains on the west side in Pueblo, and having to get used to
them being on the east side of the city, he knew he liked the rural nature of
the state and the culture of New Mexico.
Urbina said his mentors were always community-oriented so thats the reason
he pursued family practice and encourages others to do the same.
He earned his masters in Public Health from Johns Hopkins and served
as the Public Health Director in Las Cruces, where he said he learned about
the dynamics of communities and culture.
Its important to understand different cultures; the language, social
and economic issues. Once you understand that, you can build relationships,
and patients really like that, he says.
Urbina, who is a little uncomfortable talking about himself, has no problem
talking about his kids.
Newspaper clippings hang from a bulletin board in his office, tracking the
success of his teenagers who run on the cross-country track team for Albuquerque
Academy.
Im the photographer thats how I manage to go to all
the meets and not get in the way, he says.
Compassionate and humble are words that describe this family practice doc, while
tough is what students call this School of Medicine associate professor.
Urbina wants you to know your stuff, students say.
Its our responsibility as mentors and teachers to encourage people to be successful, to think for themselves, says Urbina. If weve done that, then weve done our job.
| The
University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico USA Copyright ©1998 The University of New Mexico. Comments to: paaffair@unm.edu |
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