Mission Medicine: The Partnership Between Aprendamos and Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
At Aprendamos Family of Services, we believe in shaping the future. From serving families in the prenatal stage to celebrating young adults as they move into adulthood and beyond, we are committed to being a resource for children and families in our community.
However, our dedication to shaping the future does not stop with the families we serve. On Wednesday, October 25, our Chief Executive Officer, Abel Covarrubias, and Chief Operations Officer, Celina Waller, were honored to present to a group of 200 medical students at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM). The presentation was unique in that this was the first step towards educating the next generation of osteopathic physicians on the services offered through the Aprendamos Family of Services and how we can be a resource for them and their patients.
To add to the day’s significance, it was also the beginning of a true community partnership between BCOM and Aprendamos. Beginning in the spring of 2024, Burrell medical students will begin assignments at Aprendamos through the college’s Mission Medicine program. During their time with us, they will have the opportunity to shadow and work alongside Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapists, Nurses, Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), Nutritionists, and Family Service Coordinators to immerse themselves in the world of Early Intervention, Autism services, children’s therapy, home visiting, and more. We hope that when their time with us is complete, they will have gained first-hand experience in supporting families from the prenatal stage to adulthood. We also look forward to Mission Medicine students providing meaningful and constructive feedback on how we can make an even broader impact for our families and strengthen the relationships with the children and families we have the honor of serving.
Abel and Celina were also joined by Fatima McElveen, Medical Director, and Maribel Vazquez, Program Coordinator, for Amador Health Center. The Center will also be a site for Burrell medical students, allowing them to make a meaningful difference in the health and wellness of our community members. A comprehensive community health organization, Amador Health Center welcomes all people, regardless of background or ability to pay. The Center fulfills the dire need for primary care that many have gone without and the Center’s medical doctors and specialists ensure that all receive the individual, passionate care they deserve.
As their Medical Director, Fatima McElveen, kept close watch of the clock during the presentation, she said, “Well, at 2 p.m. my son will actually be receiving services from the Aprendamos team,” surprising everyone in the room and showing just how interconnected our community truly is.
Partnerships like these keep us looking toward the future and inspire us to continue forming meaningful connections in our community. Thank you, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine and Amador Health Center for the impact you are making in Las Cruces!
For more information on the Aprendamos and Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine partnership, please contact Celina Waller at cwaller@aitkids.com.
