In these economically uncertain times, when health care can be an especially troublesome issue for low-income New Mexicans, the state Medicaid program is hoping to benefit from its director's participation in a national executive leadership-training program.

Julie Weinberg is one of six state Medicaid directors competitively selected to take part in the Medicaid Leadership Initiative offered by the nonprofit Center for Health Care Strategies. The yearlong training is aimed at helping states transform their Medicaid programs into national models of accessible, cost-effective care.

"The experiences and knowledge gained by Julie in this program will be invaluable to our state as Medicaid modernization moves forward," said New Mexico Human Services Department Secretary Sidonie Squier. Funded by a private foundation, the leadership institute is headed by former New Mexico Medicaid director Carolyn Ingram, a senior vice president at the Center for Health Care Strategies.

The state Human Services Department also recently received three regional awards from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Services' Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The agency earned the Excellence in Program Integrity Award for "continuous dedication and commitment to payment accuracy" by achieving the lowest payment-error rate as averaged over the past three years and the Excellence in Financial Management Award for excelling "in developing accurate budget projections ... to ensure funds requested are in line with needs." The department was also presented an award for Outstanding Performance in Claims Collections.

"These awards demonstrate the commitment to ensuring the delivery of high quality services to those served by the staff of the Human Services Department," said Secretary Squier. Squier credited the staffs of several state offices for the agency's accomplishments: the Human Services Department's Income Support Division, Administrative Services Division and the Office of the Inspector General.


Publishing executive Jodi Vevoda has been named publisher of New Mexico Magazine, a self-supporting division of the state Tourism Department. Vevoda previously served as executive director in corporate sales for Conde Nast, vice president of corporate sales for Time Inc. and vice president of advertising sales for USA Today. She has been a part-time Santa Fe resident for several years. She joined New Mexico Magazine on Aug. 29.


Melville (Mel) Lee Morgan has taken over the position of city finance director from Kathryn Raveling, who retired from the position after more than 20 years. Morgan has served Santa Fe Public Schools as chief financial officer, deputy superintendent, teacher and principal.

If you have news about a public employee, contact Fauntleroy at gussie7@fairpoint.net.