Michelle Lujan Grisham for Congress NM CD-01

by Michelle Lujan Grisham

3
Supporters 625
Raised $
 

Michelle Lujan Grisham has been a leader in the areas of health policy and senior services since she was appointed in 1991 to direct the New Mexico State Agency on Aging.
She took a small program and turned it into a groundbreaking agency that became known nationwide for such innovative practices as undercover evaluations of nursing homes, the use of volunteers to support key services and the development of a collaborative strategy among statewide senior programs that has led to generous support of programs by the state Legislature. Michelle has worked at the national, state and local levels to create a more comprehensive, cohesive system of long-term care that will provide seniors with more options to remain independent.
She was allowed to take that goal further when she was selected in 2002 to serve as Secretary of the newly created Aging and Long-Term Services Department. She oversaw the reorganization of state government programs for seniors and people with disabilities to work toward a system of services that is seamless, efficient and easily accessible.
In August 2004, Governor Richardson named her as secretary of the New Mexico Department of Health, a 4,000-staff department that oversees or provides mental, primary and long-term health services, infectious disease prevention and state health policy planning. Ms. Grisham has applied the same vigorous leadership to push forward efforts to improve the rate of childhood immunizations, raise the quality of long-term care in state-run and privately operated facilities, reduce teen pregnancy and suicide and improve access to medical care.
Before joining state government, Michelle directed the Lawyer Referral for the Elderly Program.
Ms. Grisham received both an undergraduate degree and Juris Doctorate from the University of New Mexico. She is a 12th generation native New Mexican and resides in Albuquerque with her two children.