La Academia de Salud 2012-2013

Bienvenidos!  Please welcome Principal G. Antonio Gonzales and new Health Academy Head Diane Russell. New academies also joining AHAHS are Fine Arts, D. Leh-Academy Head and Leadership/JROTC with Col. Jason Seal.

The new on-site AHAHS Community Clinic will open soon! Contact vice-principal Mr. Lindsay and the Family Center for details.

Congratulations to our Health Academy students that graduated from the UNMH Nursing Diversity Summer Program 2012.  Rumor has it that your newly acquired skills were put to use right away when you helped in an emergency situation...great job thinking on your feet!

Best wishes for a great year!

[NOTE: this blogsite will be going down August 31, 2012, go to school website for new site address!]

UNMH offering 1 Day Summer Camp in Nursing-Health Sciences-Medical!

Nursing Diversity Pipeline Summer Camp 2012

• Are you interested in a healthcare career?
• Summer learning has never been more fun!
• Come learn about health care careers
• Learn about nutrition, diseases, the human body and more
• Participate in a trauma demonstration
• Meet local healthcare workers and learn about their jobs
• Obtain your CPR certification

The Nursing Diversity Pipeline Summer Program is designed to give high school students ages 14-17 the opportunity to learn about their overall health, the world of healthcare and enable them to begin a journey towards a healthcare career. In order to participate students must fill out an application and have a consent form signed by their parents.

South Valley Locations:
Schedule for Summer Camp:
June 11, 12, 13 from 9am to 3pm at South Valley Academy
June 18, 19, 20 from 9am to 3pm at South Valley Academy
June 25th from 9 am to 3pm at South Valley Academy
June 26th & 27th from 9am to 3pm at University of New Mexico
June 28th from 9am to 11am at South Valley Academy
 
For UNMH locations or more information call 505-272-1959, email: nedwards@salud.unm.edu
OR see Mrs. Cox, Health Academy Head, in C bldg for forms and details.
[Please note -- you must also complete the "hot pink" form from UNMH volunteer dept.]

Congrats Class of 2012...almost there Class of 2013!

Health & Social Sciences Academy Awards 2012

English, Karen Mercado

Math, Victor Villalba-Perez

Science, Celina Martinez

Social Studies, Nicole Hicks

Future Physician, Matt Lujan

Overall, Vanessa Gonzalez & Samir Gul-Mohammad (Salutorian)

La Academia de Salud

Registration for 2012-2013 is well underway. Courses being offered in the Health & Social Sciences Academy include Sports Medicine & advanced biology, anatomy & physiology, forensics, health ed II, health careers, nutrition, nursing, medical spanish, sociology & psychology. Students in the Classes of 2013 & 2014 will also have the opportunity to pursue real-world experience internships with health/medical professional partners in the greater Albuquerque community. For recent news article with Dr. Griego about new UNMH Atrisco Heritage Center for Family & Community Health go to http://www.abqjournal.com/main/2012/04/14/west/west-news/clinic-possible-at-atrisco-heritage.html

Class of 2012 Health Academy Students win 'Top Ten' GPA

Of the prospective Top Ten graduating seniors (as measured by cumulative GPA) being honored, six are in Health Academy:

Vanessa Gonzalez, Samir Gulmohammad, Jocelyn Gutierrez (pictured), Shannon Larribas, Jessah Mantohac, Rhiannon Mauldin, Karen Mercado, Annahi Munoz, Sarina Ochoa, Maureen O’Donoghue, Amanda Otero, and Iris Rodriguez. Congrats to all. [Many thanks to Mr. Lewis for his continued devotion to all AHAHS students & D.Leh-photo.]

Senior-LPN grad! UNMH & Dream Makers-MESA receive awards!

NEWSFLASH: Albuquerque - Senior Celina Martinez graduated from two academic institutions in May 2012! Not only is she receiving her high school diploma from AHAHS, she is also graduating with her LPN from the (highly competitive) APS Licensed Practical Nursing program @ CEC. She is well on her way towards her higher educational and professional goals! Congratulations to Celina and her teachers!
Many thanks to Dr. Griego & Mr. Lewis for supporting Celina at this prestigious event! (photo by S. Lewis)

AHAHS-UNMH Educational Partnership!
20+ senior interns receive certifications at the Diversity Pipeline Graduation ceremony on May 4th, 2012 at UNM Hospital. Congrats to Ms. Harding their teacher supervisor, and special thanks to Ms. Thomas for her continued support.

Congratulations! 

Dream Makers Health Career-MESA Club students, Ms. Russell and Ms. Elwess.

Dream Makers Health Career Program Graduation Ceremony

May 3, 2012 (photo-D.Thomas)

Under the expert guidance of Ms. Russell & Ms. Elwess, approx 70 AHAHS students will be graduating from the prestigious UNM HSC Office of Diversity Pipeline Program.
Special thanks to Ms. Smith and Ms. Leyba for their generous support.

Our goal is to provide students the opportunity to realize that, as individuals, they have unlimited potential for success in the health sciences. Dream Makers is an after-school club that meets twice each month.  Dream Makers is a program that introduces our students to career paths associated with the health sciences. Students work with Teacher Sponsors and health professionals from the UNM Health Sciences Center and the community to stimulate the students' interest in science and math while increasing their knowledge of medicine and health through presentations and hands on activities.

What does Dream Makers offer?

• Dissection of various specimens
• Blood pressure and temperature instruction
• Health professionals panel
• Instructional interaction with UNM medical students
• Activities planned by individual school club advisors
• Year-end awards banquet

Student Eligibility: 2.5 GPA, Teacher Recommendation, History of good attendance and attitude, Desire to learn more about healthcare and medicine.

2nd annual Grandparents Day @ AHAHS! April 18th, 2012

Please join us for a special day to celebrate the important role you have in your grandchildren’s education.
Visit classrooms, meet teachers, and connect with other grandparents dedicated to growing our strong South Valley community.
Call 243-1458, ext. 60167 to RSVP. (Family Center)

Ashley Garcia,Health Academy Senior, Class of 2012 w/ grandparents!

Schedule of Events:
7:30 am Welcome / Continental breakfast with Starbucks
8:30 am Visit classrooms
12 noon Lunch by Golden Corral
1:30 pm Family photos
with performances by the Atrisco Mariachis, Chorus
and much more …

Health Academy Student named APS 'Selfless Senior'

Maureen O’Donoghue is inspired by her mother. “She has overcome so many obstacles in this life that I wouldn’t wish upon anyone. She shown me that with strength and determination you are the only one who can make your dreams come true. If I can become half the women she is it would be a life well spent.” Maureen is involved in both school and community groups including the AHA Student Council, Immaculate Conception Church, and National Federation for the Blind, where she has provided childcare for young blind children while their parents attend workshops. She also has helped raise money to buy Braille books for children and to send them to science camp. Through her church, she has helped sew and tie quilts veterans and premature babies. She also has volunteered as Casa Esperanza and the Ronald McDonald House.

http://www.aps.edu/education-foundation/selfless-seniors/2012-selfless-seniors

Spring 2012: Dream Makers & MESA students toured UNM Medical School. Special thanks to sponsors Russell & Elwess and UNM Office of Diversity!

Words of Wisdom from Class of 2012

Matt Lujan-Presbyterian ER

D. Leh is compiled "words of wisdom" & photos from many Class of 2012 students. Here are a few of our Health Academy seniors involved in the internship program in the greater Albuquerque health-medical community.

Samir GulMohhamad-Lovato Optical

and

 

Samantha Torres-VA & Hematology

http://wisdomwordimage.blogspot.com

NEW Health Clinic to be built @ AHAHS

Albuquerque -- Join us at the AHA Family Center on January 31st, 2012 5:30pm-7:30pm. Community Health Partners from UNM Medical School and College of Nursing and the University of New Mexico Hospital will profile plans for the new community clinic to be built on campus. These partners recently received a grant to fulfill this purpose. Established educational collaborations with these health and medical partners include: Dream Makers/MESA Health Careers Club (sponsored by the med school's Office of Diversity and Dr. Romero-Leggott) and our senior internships with UNMH's diversity training program which includes medical simulation training. (photo by Richard Pipes/AbqJournal)

Postscript: Felicidades to Brenda Chavez, Priscilla Valdez for hosting this event, and Dr. Karen Sanchez-Griego & VP Matt Lindsey for the opportunity. Congrats to our medical partners who have been diligently working on the clinic plans: UNMH's Dr. Karen Ellingboe-Executive Director Primary Care; Jamie Silva-Steele, MBA, BSN, RN-Administrator, Ambulatory Services; UNM Med School-Dr. John Leggott, Professor & Vice Chair for Education; UNM Office of Diversity Health Sciences Center-Dr. Valerie Romero-Leggott, HSC Vice Chancellor; and last but not least, UNM College of Nursing's Dr. Mary Kay Anderson!

Senior-Community Service

Vanessa Menchaca & Madelin Leal serve homeless @ Joy Junction

More students @ Joy Junction

(all photos by D.Leh, Teacher Supervisor)

Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!

Congrats to this year's Dream Makers & MESA Club! We experienced a huge growth in membership and now have approx. 75 members. During Fall semester students had the opportunity to learn from special guests from the medical and health community such varied topics including forensics, dissection and holistic health & nutrition. Kudos to Ms. Russell, Ms. Leyba & Ms. Elwess. During the holiday break, club sponsors (Russell & Elwess) were invited to present at UNM's Office of Diversity regarding the success of our program. Special thanks to Ms. Smith for media support.

Congrats to Ms. Harding for successful stewardship of 20+ Senior students @ Univ of New Mexico medical-nursing pipeline program. Students completed certified CPR and Wilderness First Aid certifications in Dec. 2011. Go to Dec Albuquerque Journal for more on this program (photo by Richard Pipes/AbqJournal) http://www.abqjournal.com/main/2011/12/13/news/students-learn-at-unmh.html

A big Welcome goes out to new teachers Ms. Williams-Baldonado, Mr. Geib, Ms. Stevens & Mr. Beachy who teach a variety of our Academy courses ranging from Physics & Math, to Forensics & Sports Medicine. Many thanks to our entire team: Mr. Amador, Ms. Harding, (Ms. Hoose,) Ms. Leyba, Mr. Meier, Ms. Pacheco, Ms. Ruiz, Ms. Russell, Ms. Smith and Mr. Trantham.

Remember, only 5 months until our first-ever AHAHS graduation!

Best wishes,

Karen Dz. Cox, Academy Head

UNM Med Students Present @ AHAHS

Albuquerque - Two 4th year UNM med students, Melanie Baca and Maria Montoya, presented to Ms. Cox's AP Government class and Ms. Hoose's Forensics class on 10-20-2011. As part of their coursework med students are required to create and formulate a legislative policy project and a community project.

The soon-to-be doctors presented as follows: Maria Montoya, Policy Project: Teen Health Proposal for State of NM; Ms. Montoya graduated from Valley High School and received her B.S. from UC San Diego, where she was a varsity soccer player! Melanie Baca's community presentation, based upon her own life experience relayed "How to achieve your dream of going to college and becoming a doctor". Ms. Baca is a graduate of Capitol High in Santa Fe and received her B.S. from NMSU, she has interned at Harvard and LANL.

UNMH-AHA Health Academy Collaborative

UNMH Medical Simulation & Certification: a Joint Educational Collaborative w/ Senior Interns

Albuquerque, Fall 2011 – AHAHS’s joint educational collaboratives with UNM continue! As part of their senior internship twenty-three Health Academy senior students’ have been working with UNMH’s nurse-professor Connie Fassler, Program Administrator-Community Outreach @ UNM Hospitals. As part of a special grant, students receive training and certification in: CPR, Bloodborne Pathegens and Wilderness First-Aid. Health & Social Science Academy senior Math teacher, Rosemary Harding, is the group’s Teacher Supervisor: “This is an incredible opportunity for our students to not only receive college-level training, but they graduate with certifications needed to work in the health professions.” Included in this program is lab time at UNMH’s medical simulation lab at the “BATCAVE” where medical students work on “dummies” simulating different health issues.

(pictued above: Laura Flores & Diana Juarez; to right-Amanda Otero w/ Mrs. Cox; all photos by D. Leh)

Health Academy Senior Internships & Community Service Projects

Our pre-qualified Class of 2012 students are participating in community internships all around the Albuquerque area:
doctor's offices, animal shelters, hospitals and non-profit organizations!
Partners include: UNMH, Presbyterian Hospital, American Red Cross, local doctor & veterinarian offices, City of ABQ and the Veteran's Administration.

UNM BA/MD registration: week of 09/26/2011
AHAHS College Fair 09/29/2011

Dream Makers/MESA 2011-2012, meeting E bldg w/ Mrs. Russell & Ms. Elwess 09/26/2011.

Remembrance: 9/11 1st Responders & Shanksville

Bienvenidos 2011-2012

from desk of the Academy Head

Karen Dz. Lucero Cox, M.A.

Welcome back students & teachers.

Welcome to our newest academy team members!

Seniors: What a journey they have had, from those first days at the Bernalillo County Courthouse in downtown Albuquerque to classes in our brand-new multi-million dollar facility on the southwest mesa! Best of luck as you head towards graduation. See link below for more internship or community service information.
Juniors: UNM med students are interested in collaborating a Health Fair with you...more soon.
Sophomores: Welcome to the Health Academy. Many of you will have the opportunity to participate in our 3rd annual UNM Med student educational collaborative.

News: Felicidades Yanitzel Rivas, Daisy Mendoza, Crystal Perez, Vanessa Lopez & Nayeli! Who graduated from UNM Office of Diversity/Med School's Health Careers Academy Summer Program. Congrats to Dr. Sanchez-Griego and UNM health partners who recently received federal funding to build a health facility on the AHA campus...this is wonderful news for future health academy students and community members at large!

Looking towards the future! 2011-2012

Seniors: Internships & Community Service Projects

https://sites.google.com/site/academyheadsaha

Juniors: 1st Annual Community Health Fair Day?

Sophomores: 3rd Annual UNM Med School Educational Collaboration?

Dream Makers 2010-2011

Congratulations goes out to Ms. Russell & Ms. Leyba for a great program this year. As we approach year's end Dream Makers student projects will be on display in Health Academy during Grandparent's Day open house (April) @ AHA's Family Center. Special thanks to MESA & Ms. Elwess for spear-heading a great club collaboration that successfully combined health sciences and math/science program. Students will conclude this school year with a graduation ceremony and banquet at UNM.

Eating Disorders In-house seminar

Health Academy teachers collaborated on a "Eating Disorders" Unit that explored both the scientific and psychology aspects of many disroders. Three classes of students (Hoose-Nutrition, Cox-Psychology & Leh-Psychology) created powerful and emotional powerpoint presentations on the subject matter.

UNM BA to MD Program Presentation

Albuquerque - On March 3rd, 2011, BA to MD Medical School representative, Alex Ribeau, discussed health careers and college preparation foundations with 150 Health Academy students. AHA's College Go-Center counselor, Angelica Padilla, coordinated this informative event and also addressed ACT and SAT questions. Other programs our students have successfully praticipated in included Dream Makers Health Careers Program, Health Careers Summer Academy and MESA.

Spring academic curriculum collaborative include:

+online web-project & focus groups with UNM's CASAA research program on substance abuse

+'Eating Disorders & Media Literacy' with Health Academy Team teachers

Health Student Spotlight

Sock puppets are still cool! This is an awesome presentation from Ms Hoose's 4th Period Nutrition class. Great job Karena and Anette!

La Academia de Salud

Registration for 2011-2012 is underway. New courses being offered in the Health & Social Sciences Academy include Sports Medicine & advanced biology; courses that will continue are anatomy & physiology, forensics, health ed II, health careers, nutrition, nursing, medical spanish, sociology & psychology. The Class of 2012 will also have the opportunity to pursue real-world experience with internships with health/medical professional partners in the greater Albuquerque community.

Welcome to 2011

Health Academy Students Enjoy Two Collaboratives in January!


Albuquerque, January 26th, 2011 - Dream Makers/MESA club members and AHA students participated in pig dissections with UNM medical students. Special thanks to UNM-Office of Diversity's Jeanette Stahn and AHA teachers Diane Russell, Joan Leyba & Jo Elwess for spearheading this educational event.



Albuquerque, January 13th, 2011 - Forensics and Health Sciences teacher, Pablo Gabaldon, hosted Dr. Waldman of UNM-H who lectured our second week into the new year. This lecture was attended by 100+ Health Academy students who enjoyed a unique look into the world of Pathology. A special thank you to our team of teachers who also participated. Gabaldon is also the school's professional Sports Trainer and enjoys incorporating these areas of interest in the classroom and out on the field.




Dream Makers Health Careers Program and MESA (math & science club) combined efforts to promote math and science literacy for our AHA students. Club sponsors and veteran teachers Diane Russell, Joan Leyba and Jo Elwess sat down with UNM Office of Diversity program outreach coordinators Jeanette Stahn and Veronica Harding to collaborate and work out a complimentary curriculum. Great job everyone! Special thank you to Jeanette & Veronica who met with club facilitator and Academy Head, Karen Cox to articulate club successes thus far!

Happy Holidays! And announcing the arrival of ...

...baby boys Zeyd Namdar (Rameen Namdar, Health Academy) & Oliver George (Clover George, Business Academy Head) -- best wishes!

Congrats on Fall 2010 Accomplishments!

from desk of Academy Head:

+Community collaborations: Police Dept. (Namdar), UNM Med School (Cox), UNM Office of Diversity (Cox/Russell), Univ. of St. Francis (Cheryl Brubaker, CNP)

+Tutoring offered: Math, Science, History & English

+Raised student assessment scores - English & Math

+Joint Field Trip to Carlsbad Caverns & Bodies Connections Exhibition: Dream Makers Health Careers Club & MESA Science Club - Special Thanks to Jo Elwess, Diane Russell, Joan Leyba/hubby & Dr. Griego!

+Spirit Activity 11th grade (Namdar)
+Interdisciplinary Curriculum Collaborations: History, Science, Health Sciences, Nursing, Forensics, English, Psychology, Nutrition

+Successful Student Advisory & Parent-Teacher Conferences

Home Visit Collaboration w/ Family Center: Brenda Chavez & Rafael Esparza

+ SBA Contributors, Dept Chairs & Coaches: Rosemary Harding, Val Hoose, Jessica Villalobos, D. Leh, Brigid Smith

+Professional Colleague Presentations: D. Leh, Karen Cox, Val Hoose, Rameen Namdar, Rebecca Brown

+Completetion of Program of Study for course catalog 2011-2012 (Cox)

+Collaboration w/ UNM's CASAA web-based national curriculum re substance abuse (Hoose)

+Academy size tripled 2010-2011

UNM Med Student-HSC Office of Diversity Collaboration

Albuquerque - On October 20, 2010 AHA Health Academy students successfully hosted approximately 70 UNM medical students in their Health classes. Third year med students joined Health Academy teachers Val Hoose (Science/Nutrition), Diane Russell (Health Science), Joan Leyba (Science) and Karen Cox (Psychology) for seminar on Perspectives in Medicine-Health Disparities in the Community.

Some med students also conducted individual interviews with administration, counseling, athletics and the local community including Principal Dr. Karen Sanchez-Griego, Vice-principal John Hammil, Atheletic Director Mark Garcia, Head Boys Soccer Coach Jessica Villalobos, Family Center Liaisons, Sports Trainer Pablo Gabaldon, and School Counselor Helen Trujillo. Among the UNM doctor/professor participants were Dr. Valerie Romero-Leggott, Dr. Felisha Rohan-Minjares and Dr. Margaret Montoya.

Sunrise Over Atrisco, Autumn Equinox, 2010