NM DoH Tribal Liaison Resigns

I want to thank Dr. Reid for all his work and support of our efforts in advocating for healthcare rights of NM Tribes

Dr. Reid Wrote:


Dear Interim Cabinet Secretary Brad McGrath, New Mexico Department of Health

It's been over 6.2 years that I have served as the Tribal Liaison and the Director of the office of American Indian Health that was created by former Secretary Alfredo Vigil, this office and my DOH partners have done alot in improving State-Tribal Affairs compared to the 200 year history of State-Tribal Affairs in this (6) years, it was a shock for me for the reorganization that was made with a new director took place. That reorganization just undid the progress that was made in collaboration and partnership with the tribes, nations and pueblos overnight. It was very sad to see that Dr. Torres hired someone who knows nothing about the tribes, nations and pueblos and had to be corrected several times after calling the President Ben Shelly, "Governor, Governor, Goverrnor".  For the record I have served under Secretary Michele Lujan Grisham, Dr. Alfredo Vigil, Dr. Torres and now under you. I have as the tribal liaison requested to meet you before I was reassigned to give you the State-Tribal update on health but for some reason you never wanted to meet with me, or the request never reached you. That was not in the spirit of SB196 (state-Tribal Collaboration Act). As you know I filed a greviance against Carlotta the 2nd week she was there (as the new director), "o my goodness,she created from my perspective a challenging work milieu," it was not very healthy.Despite the DOH internal grievance policy you never responded to my grievance within 10 days (Step 2), after that it was suppose to go to the Governor's Office. I selected not to pursue that. But thats is all behind me now. Good luck!the deepest heart, I wish you and the NMDOH well in your continued work to improve health services for all citizens and American Indians residing in New Mexico.I did what I could to champion the State-Tribal relations in the (6) years that I have been in this capacity. It was my goal to work toward a win-win relationship to assure both the State and Tribes were highly successful. This past year at the State-Tribal Summit, I gave Governor Martinez some of our publication efforts such as the Vol. 5 DOH Indian Tribal Report Card and the Vol 5 Indian Resource Guide to her and talked highly of the NMDOH actually being at the forefront of State-Tribal relations, alot of that success was due to my efforts (based on relationships with the tribes). Governor Martinez was very receptive and appreciative.

I just want to acknowledge and appreicate the work of the following DOH superstars besides me,  Ms. Jane Peacock, Dr. Michael Landen, Mr.David Vigil, Mr. Ty Ryburn,Ms. Teresa Padilla and Ms. Amanda Romero in working deligently to get me a lateral transfer to another position in Albuquerque. I tried out the position in ABQ and the with uncertainty I had with my continued employment with DOH although I have been verbally gaurantee a position I was not convinced. I was very insecure with the promises that were made to me. One recommendation I will make to you, I hope you follow-through with this, in selecting the next tribal liaison for the NMDOH, in the spirit of SB196, allow that person to have a dotted line to the Secretary of Health not buried under a Division director, and allow the tribes to participate in the hiring and selection of Indian candidates for this important position, its an important position, and your current director (whose on probation) is not going to build those Tribal relations. You got to build trust.

With reluctance because I am on FMLA and have a sick spouse at home, I am tendering my resignation for personal reasons effective today (Friday-1/11/13) at 5:00pm (immediately). Good luck in the challenging job you are in.

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Respectfully,

Dr. Ron A. Reid
Isleta Pueblo & Laguna Pueblo Tribal Member