Dr. Magdalena Avila is a Public Health Expert who brought her expertise and talents to her role as Associate Professor in the Department of Health, Exercise and Sports Science Department at the University of New Mexico. She was the first person of color to serve in that department.
Dr. Magdalena Avila's farmworker parents wanted a better life and education for her and her siblings. Dr. Avila's parents dreams came true; all of their children were college-educated and held long careers in public service.
At the University of New Mexico, Dr. Avila taught her students to work with communities of color and to develop sustainable strategies for effective long term health interventions. She based this work on her expertise in Community Health and Community Based Participatory Research. She describes this type of research as "from the people for the people." Dr. Avila and her students visited communities and Pueblos throughout the state of New Mexico to listen to the communities stories and asses their health needs. This research helped inform Health Impact Assessments (HIA's), which were then utilized by multiple policy groups in the state of New Mexico.
Dr. Magdalena Avila's commitment to the health and wellness of people of color communities and her mentoring and teaching of public health leaders make her one of our HealthCare UnTold Heroes.
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