Ladder to Leadership
The Community Foundation was selected to collaborate with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) to implement a national fellowship program in Albuquerque that is training the next generation of community health leaders.
The RWJF Ladder to Leadership program aims to boost the skills and capabilities of early- to mid-level professionals working in health and health-related nonprofit organizations so they will be positioned to lead organizations as many nonprofit leaders retire.
The nonprofit sector, like many industries and sectors, is facing an impending exodus of senior leaders who plan to retire in the coming years. A study by the Bridgespan Group estimated that by 2016, nonprofit groups will need approximately 80,000 new senior managers each year.
Lynn Fick-Cooper, Co-Deputy Director of the program, states “these emerging leaders will learn to accomplish more with less. The resources of nonprofits are stretched as never before—more people are depending on nonprofits as a lifeline. The Fellows selected in Albuquerque will learn to build expertise in collaboration, managing staff, team building, networking and innovation. And that can translate into a broader and deeper impact on the lives of the area’s vulnerable citizens.”
"Some of the most critical elements in healing the sick, preventing disease and enhancing the quality of life in the world of health care are provided by nonprofit organizations. We must invest dollars and intellectual currency in our current young leaders who have a passion for public service. We have to keep building the capacity so they can develop the skills which allow them to inspire and guide our communities. In the future they will continue to speak for those whose voices are too soft to be heard. The investment will pay off by making the lives of communities safer, healthier and richer in every way."
-Dr. Barry Ramo, Cardiologist, New Mexico Heart Institute
Albuquerque is one of nine sites selected across the country to participate in the program. It was chosen because of the unique health care issues arising from a large geographical area being served primarily from one city and because of the state’s high percentage of poverty.
In September 2009, the program selected 30 fellows who work in Albuquerque. An intense 2-day training, team building session took place to kick off the 16-month leadership curriculum. During the first meeting fellows self-selected into five teams each with a local team sponsor (an experienced leader in healthcare selected by the Community Foundation) and a Center for Creative Leadership coach. Each team identified a health challenge to work on and began meeting to discuss a project related to that challenge. Since last September the fellows have had three residential sessions at the CCL’s Colorado Springs campus.
As part of the kick-off program held in Albuquerque in September, fellows learn core leadership skills through intensive training sessions and individual coaching. They build those skills while collaborating with other professionals on real-world health problems in their own communities; and they apply those enhanced skills, connections and confidence every day on the job.
The L2L fellows will graduate on December 2, 2010. Each team will present their project for CCL and RWJ staff. Coaches, community leaders and the public are invited to attend the presentations. For more information and to make a reservation, please contact Nancy Johnson or Kelli Cooper at 505.883.6240.
The Community Foundation would not have been able to partner with RWJF and CCL in bringing this beneficial collaboration to Albuquerque without the support of generous donors who underwrote the kick off event:
Eye Associates Gerald and Alice Rubin Memorial Fund
Frank and Dolores Hines Family Fund, in memory
of Frank Hines
Jack and Donna Rust Family Fund
The commencement is being underwritten by the Edwards Family Education Endowment Fund, in memory of Dr. W. Sterling Edwards and Ann Dudley Edwards. Dr. Edwards was a visionary medical researcher, surgeon and teacher. In retirement, Dr. Edwards worked with people suffering from terminal illnesses to help them better communicate with their health providers. He had a deep concern for strong communication in all areas of the medical field. Because of his passion for bettering the healthcare industry, the advisor of his fund felt this was an excellent sponsorship opportunity to express Dr. Edward's commitment to the health care profession.
Following are the projects and the times they will be presented in December at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque:
9:00 a.m. Opening Remarks
10:00 a.m.
Team: Magnificent 7
Members: Susan Simons, Bernadette Lujan, Brandy Van Pelt, Suzanne Lawson, JoAnna DeMaria, Romelia Walters and Norma Rey Vazquez de Houdek
Team Sponsor: Jenny Metzler
Project Title: New Mexico Drug Recycling Bill
Description: Low-income individuals and families often go without specialized medications as part of a treatment for chronic or long-term illness because of the high and sometimes on-going costs. Even with insurance, co-pays can run $500 or more per month and because of the growing costs of healthcare “drug recycling” has gained attention in recent years. Generally speaking, drug recycling refers to unused prescription medications returned to a doctor or pharmacist to be given out to those needing them. In 2009, the New Mexico Legislature considered a bill to legalize the “recycling” of unused cancer-related prescription medications. While this bill passed the Senate that year, it did not reach the floor of the House.
11:00 a.m.
Team: Breaking Ground
Members: Matt Falb, Michelle Melendez, Jennifer Witten, Erin Phipps, Tamara Thiedeman, and Linda Son-Stone
Team Sponsor: Carrie Hamilton
Project Title: ABQ International Southeast Heights Sector Plan: Community Garden
Description: Parallel with nationwide trends, obesity has been increasing in New Mexico at an alarming rate. In New Mexico, the percentage of adults that are overweight has been relatively stable but the percentage of adults that are obese has nearly doubled since 1999.
We also have the 10th highest rate of childhood obesity in the nation. Nearly a quarter of our high school students are overweight or obese. In the Southeast Heights International District (SEID) aggregate data from six elementary schools shows 17.5% are obese.
The burden of disease associated with obesity is growing with diabetes and heart disease reaching epidemic proportions. Although obesity is directly related to physical activity and nutrition, the root causes are complex and multi-factorial. It is crucial to examine social determinants that influence physical activity and nutrition, including community-level policies that impact access to physical activity and healthy, affordable foods.
The SEID is an economically disadvantaged area with attributes of the built environment that inhibit access to physical activity and healthy food options. Between 36% and 48% of families in this area live below 185% of federal poverty level, and median household income is $16,858. But the community has many assets including its rich cultural diversity. The area is home to a vibrant young community of families with strong visions of the future. Families are surrounded by vibrant community ties that form a strong social support network.
The Institute of Medicine recommends a strategy focusing on land use policies that promote community gardens for preventing childhood obesity. Many residents do not have access to land for gardening but at the same time find it difficult to afford fresh fruits and vegetables. Our goal is to improve the built and food environments through the development and adoption of a SEID municipal sector plan that promotes community gardens. By focusing on the sector plan, we will create sustainable changes in land use patterns in this area, increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables while providing opportunities for physical activity through gardening. In order to accomplish the goal, team members have identified preceding steps that need to occur including research of best practices that have already been adopted with existing efforts in Albuquerque.
12:30 p.m.
Team: Upstream ABQ
Members: Amy Whitfield, Sandra Ortsman, Larrea Lavoiscia, Anna Nelson and Crystal Hollon
Team Sponsor: Randy Mascorella
Project Title: Vicarious Trauma: An Organizational Assessment Tool
Description: Gender-based violence is one of the largest social issues affecting New Mexico. The state consistently ranks high in the rates of domestic and dating violence, sexual assaults, and stalking. We have many qualified and specialized services including: crisis hotlines, shelters, legal advocacy, clinical interventions and prevention programming. Many providers face risks of stress and burnout as they are witnesses to the violence and secondarily experience the trauma themselves. A professional’s ability to empathize and connect with clients is affected in addition to their perception of themselves, others and the world.
Vicarious Trauma affects staff turnover, retention and effectiveness. Specifically, we intend to develop an effective and relevant organizational assessment tool that can be utilized to implement change in the overall health of the organizations’ policies, procedures and culture for the benefit of their staff and clients.
1:30 p.m.
Team: Zodiac the Almighty
Members Heidi Rishel Brakey, Reina Chavez, Deborah Hoffman, Steve Searfoss and Jennifer Minarsich-Noble
Team Sponsor: Bettye Pressley
Project Title: Employee Retention
Description: Zodiac the Almighty will help improve employee retention in the nonprofit by designing and managing a seminar at the Center for Nonprofit Excellence. We believe the long-term impact will be to increase the quality and consistency of services and decrease the cost structure of agencies as less time and money are spent on training new employees. More engaged and invested employees will result in higher satisfaction and quality of life and will enhance leadership capability of future leaders by keeping the right people in place which ultimately keeps these programs sustainable. The increase in seniority and experience of the workforce and attracting and retaining highly skilled employees will provide opportunities for innovation in the delivery of services.
2:30 p.m.
Team: The Whole Enchilada
Members: Lori Stampley, Ken Lucero, Anita Cordova, Phelosha Collaros, Vicky Palmer, Sandra Herrera, and Yvonne Gabaldon.
Team Sponsor: Jaime Tamez
Project Title: 7-7-7: The Sevens of Social Determinants
Description: The team will expand the knowledge base, raise public awareness, and increase the dialogue of the social determinants of health. The determinants or social, economic and cultural factors at the root of most of the health inequities are: poverty, inequality, racial/ethnic health disparities, social gradient, inequitable healthcare access, stress, early life, social exclusion, work, unemployment, social support, addiction, food, income, transport, family structure and sanitation.
Theoretically, if social determinants were adequately addressed, there would be decreased morbidity and mortality rates, as well as decreased need for emergency treatments. Ultimately the cost of healthcare would significantly decrease. The 7-7-7 project will give agencies tools to easily explain how the services they provide improve health outcomes by addressing social determinants and provide an opportunity to educate clients thus empowering the client. The team will produce a series of educational products describing our vision of creating targeted products that can explain the concept in the span of 7 minutes - a legislative fact sheet; 70 minutes - a brochure; or 7 hours - a workshop.
Public Reception Immediately Following
Teams will be available to answer questions about their projects.
2010 Albuquerque Cohort Ladder to Leadership Fellows:
Reina Chavez, Associate VP Operations
Adelante Development Center
Anita Cordova, Associate Director, Planning and Evaluation
Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless
Matt Falb MHS, Project Coordinator
Albuquerque Area Southwest Tribal Epidemiology Center
Jennifer Witten MBA, Senior Director, Health Alliances & Programs
American Heart & Stroke Association
JoAnna DeMaria, Program Coordinator
American Lung Association of New Mexico
Phelosha Collaros, Program Director
ASRT Education and Reserach Foundation
Romelia Rodriguez Walters, Co-Founder
Asthma Allies
Larrea Lavoiscia, Program Director Maya’s Place
Crossroads for Women
Steve Searfoss, Board Member
Reading Works
Sandra Ortsman, Director, Domestic Violence Services
Enlace Comunitario
Linda Son-Stone, Executive Director
First Nations Community Healthsource
Ken Lucero, Director, Native American Centerr for Health Policy
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Jennifer Minarsich-Noble, Director Treatment Fostercare
La Familia Placement Services
Deborah Hoffman, former Executive Director
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Heidi A. Rishel Brakey, Executive Director
Mandy's Special Farm
Brandy VanPelt, Program Director, NICU Family Support Specialist
March of Dimes Foundation
Suzanne Lawson, Donor Relations, Rio Grande Division
Multiple Sclerosis Society
Sandra Herrera, Program Supervisor
NAMASTE Child & Family Development
Erin Phipps, Health Promotion Specialist
New Mexico Department of Health
Norma Rey Vazquez de Houdek, Logar Institute Program
New Mexico Public Education Department
Lori Stampley, Director, New Mexico Lions Eye Bank
New Mexico Lions Sight Conservation Foundation, Inc.
Anna Nelson, Grant Writer
New Mexico Teen Pregnancy Coalition
Bernadette Lujan, Senior Program Manager
UNM Continuing Education
Amy Whitfield, Manager, Community Outreach
Rape Crisis Center of Central New Mexico
Crystal Hollon, Director, Community Services
S.A.F.E. House
Tamara Thiedeman, Program Director St Joseph Center for Children & Families
Samaritan Counseling Center
Michelle Melendez, Director Community Services
First Choice Community Healthcare
Vicky Palmer, Director Human Resources
St. Martin's Hospitality Center
Susan Simons, Executive Director Central New Mexico Affiliate
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
Yvonne Gabaldon, Unit Director Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
UNM Hospital
2010 Team Project Leaders:
Jenny Metzler, former Executive Director
Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless
Jaime Tamez. Exective Director
Cuidando Los Niños
Randy Mascorella, Executive Director
Special Olympics New Mexico
Carrie Hamilton, MSW, Director of Programs and Services
Jewish Family Service of New Mexico
Bettye C. Pressley, former Executive Director
American Red Cross, Mid-Rio Grande Chapter
