NEWS

Ben Archer, La Clinica recognized for school-based centers

Sun-News Reports
lcsun-news.com
Lorraine Sanchez, Lydia Macklin and La Clinica de Familia staff receive the Champion Award at the state conference of the New Mexico Alliance for School Based Health Care in Albuquerque.

ALBUQUERQUE - The New Mexico Alliance for School Based Health Care at its annual meeting in Albuquerque on April 20 presented Champion Awards to Ben Archer Health Center and La Clinica de Familia. The two public health providers were selected from the 65 sponsors of student health centers in New Mexico. LCDF manages student health centers at Gadsden, Chaparral, Santa Teresa and Centennial High Schools and at Rio Grande Preparatory Institute. Ben Archer manages student health centers at Mayfield, Las Cruces and Oñate High Schools.

The two health providers were selected for the awards for taking on the responsibility of providing health care at Oñate, Las Cruces, Gadsden and Chaparral High Schools in November. The four centers faced closing on Dec. 31 because the former sponsor of these centers, the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, unexpectedly cancelled the management contract.

"This would have been disastrous for approximately 5,000 students," said Earl Nissen, a member of the New Mexico Alliance for School Based Health Care's board of directors. "The two health providers were recognized for their efforts to keep health services at the health centers in place by becoming the new sponsors."

Francis Scappaticci from Ben Archer Health Center received the Champion Award at the state conference of the New Mexico Alliance for School Based Health Care in Albuquerque.

Nissen, who attended the award ceremony, said he feels the Champion Awards were properly titled.

"The two health providers are community champions for taking on the responsibility, for filling a gap in health services created by an egregious decision by the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico," Nissen said. "Congratulations to La Clinica and Ben Archer and we look forward to their top quality services to our students."