Lujan Grisham Resigns as NM Health Secretary, May Run for Congress in NM-01

Governor Richardson announced yesterday afternoon that Michelle Lujan Grisham (right) will be replaced by Dr. Alfredo Vigil as Secretary of the NM Department of Health, effective June 11th. The press release reporting the change said "Grisham is leaving her position to pursue an opportunity involving elected office." In an AP report on KOB.com, the 47 year old Grisham is quoted as saying she's considering seeking the Democratic Party's nomination to run against Republican incumbent Rep. Heather Wilson in CD1. Albuquerque City Councilor Martin Heinrich has also announced his intention to pursue the Democratic nomination to take on Wilson in 2008 in NM-01.

A Santa Fe New Mexican article reports:

Grisham said she resigned to have more time to explore running for a local, state or national office. "I'm going to need time to raise money,'' she said. The position of state attorney general is one of her dream jobs, she said, but she's considering a variety of options. "I want to continue to do public service,'' she said. "I'm good at it.''

... Grisham's heavy-handed management style, which resulted in the departure of several high-level employees, has been unpopular with some in the department.

A March op-ed in the Albuquerque Journal questions Grisham's decisions to fire highly respected infectious disease specialist, Dr. Gary Simpson, and regional director of public health, Albert Esparsen, as well as her alleged mistreatment of the immunization program's Steve Nickell, who resigned.

According to her bio on the NM Health Department site, "Michelle Lujan Grisham was appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Health by Governor Bill Richardson in September 2004. Prior to her work at Health, Michelle was the director of the Agency on Aging, which became the Aging and Long-Term Services during her 14-year career there. A lawyer, Michelle also managed the Lawyer Referral for the Elderly Program with the state bar." Grisham's grandfather, Eugene David Lujan, served on the NM Supreme Court from 1945 to 1959, and was the first Hispanic appointee to New Mexico's top court.

Here's the text of the press release on Grisham's departure and Gov. Richardson's appointment of Dr. Alfredo Vigil as her replacement:

SANTA FE – Governor Richardson announced today a leadership change at the Department of Health, where Secretary Michelle Lujan Grisham is leaving her position to pursue an opportunity involving elected office. Governor Richardson appointed Dr. Alfredo Vigil, Chief Executive Officer of El Centro Family Health, to replace Grisham when she leaves in June. 

“Secretary Grisham has worked hard to guide strategic legislation and overseeing a vast array of health programs,” Governor Richardson said. “I respect her many talents and tireless work ethic, and I am confident New Mexico will continue to benefit from her devotion to the citizens of this state.” 

Dr. Vigil (below right) will replace Grisham effective June 11. Governor Richardson said Vigil’s experience will be a good fit that will allow him to continue to push the Governor’s health policy agenda forward.

“I am confident that with Dr. Vigil’s extensive clinical and leadership experience coupled with his intimate knowledge of health care delivery in New Mexico , we will reinvigorate our public health policies and services and work on other key initiatives such as access to services, workforce development and improving New Mexico ’s health rankings,” Governor Richardson said.

Grisham in 1991 was appointed to direct the State Agency on Aging, known as the Aging and Long-term Services Department. She is now looking into pursuing a political office that will enable her to continue her advocacy work for individual rights.

"In my 18 years in state government working for three governors, I have had the opportunity to lead agencies that improve access to health care and enhance the quality of life of New Mexicans," Grisham said. "I am proud to have worked with a dedicated team of professionals who devote their lives to serving and protecting New Mexicans.”

Dr. Vigil is currently serving as the chief executive officer of El Centro Family Health – a non-profit primary care organization that operates in northern New Mexico. He is a graduate of the University of New Mexico ’s School of Medicine and performed his family practice residency at UNM as well. Dr. Vigil is a fellow of the National Public Health Leadership Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a diplomat of the American Board of Family Practice. 

“I’m honored that Governor Richardson has placed such confidence in my abilities to lead the Health Department at a time when the state is poised to increase access to quality health care.” Dr. Vigil said. “I’m eager to start and move forward.”

Dr. Vigil has extensive clinical and management experience and is an active board member with numerous community and public organizations including the New Mexico Academy of Family Physicians and Voices for Children. He is also a clinical associate professor at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine.  Previously Governor Richardson appointed Dr. Vigil to the Medical Board as well as the Health Coverage for New Mexicans Committee.

The mission of the New Mexico Department of Health is to promote health and sound health policy, prevent disease and disability, improve health services systems and assure that essential public health functions and safety net services are available to New Mexicans.

Governor Richardson appointed Grisham as health secretary in August 2004. Since then, the department focused on improving consumer protection in private health-care settings, improving oversight of long-term care facilities, increasing access to student health care by doubling the number of school based health centers, securing an adequate supply of flu vaccine to protect New Mexicans and investing in facilities such as, a new state laboratory and public health offices throughout the state.