Correspondent Megan Kamerick interviews Dr. Tracie Collins, UNM’s current dean of the College of Population Health. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed Collins as the new leader of New Mexico’s Department of Health.  The pair talks about the state’s pandemic response, COVID-19's impact on vulnerable communities, and how Dr. Collins will tackle the cabinet secretary position she’ll assume in December. 

Some of Albuquerque’s top doctors held another press conference this week to talk about how to cope with the new stay-at-home order, especially as the holiday season approaches. NMiF presents an excerpt from that meeting. 

Gene Grant and The Line opinion panelists talk about new COVID restrictions that went into effect this week, as New Mexico continues to set ominous new virus records. The Line also discusses the Indian Health Service decision to suspend emergency and in-patient care at the Acoma-Cañoncito-Laguna Hospital. For the final topic, The Line takes a look at how lawmakers may convene for their 60-day session starting in January – and how they might structure their imminent pandemic relief special session. 

New Mexico in Focus is involved, informed, in-depth media airing weekly on New Mexico PBS. The program debuts Friday nights at 7 p.m. on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME-HD) and appears online shortly thereafter. The show rebroadcasts on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME-HD) Sundays at 7 a.m. and on NMPBS 9.1 (WORLD) on Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.     

Host
Gene Grant 

In Focus Interviews

UNM Dean Named Next NM Health Secretary 

Correspondent 
Megan Kamerick 

Guest 
Dr. Tracie Collins, New Mexico Department of Health secretary-designate  

Doctors on Coping with Stay-at-Home Order 

Guests  
Dr. Rohini McKee, chief quality & safety officer, UNM Hospital 
Dr. Denise A. Gonzales, medical director, Presbyterian Medical Group  

The Line Opinion Panel
Dan Foley, former state representative 
Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group PR 
Giovanna Rossi, Collective Action Strategies
Laura Sanchez, attorney 

New Mexico in Focus is the New Mexico PBS prime-time news magazine show covering the events, issues, and people that are shaping life in New Mexico and the Southwest. NMiF takes a multi-layered look at social, political, economic health, education, and art issues, and explores them in-depth with a critical eye to give them context beyond the “news of the moment.”

The producer of New Mexico in Focus is Matt Grubs, with Kathy Wimmer, associate producer. The NM PBS Public Affairs executive producer is Kevin McDonald.

The McCune Charitable Foundation provides NMiF funding, along with viewers like you.

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