Alumni
Gary
L.J. Girón, MDiv, MBA
Health, Finance, and Administration, New Mexico
Area of work in public health
I started in public health in 1980 as an addictions counselor at the Southwest Denver Mental Health Center, where, over a period of six years I was promoted through the system to the position of Executive Director. I was a key member of the effort to redesign the Denver mental health community via a Robert Wood Johnson initiative to consolidate the four Denver mental health centers into one entity that provided a full array of services.
I have been the Executive Director of several community-based organizations that range from primary health clinics to children’s residential programs. Prior to being appointed by Governor Bill Richardson to my present position, I was the Executive Director of the New Mexico Rehabilitation Center, a specialty hospital that provides services for persons requiring medical rehabilitation and substance abuse rehabilitation services. I currently serve as the Deputy Secretary for Finance and Administration for the NM Department of Health, where I am charged with the oversight and management of the Department’s budget and administrative services.
Personal Information
I have been married to Kirsten since 1991, we have no children but we have two dogs and one cat. My wife is a CPA with specialties in audit, tax and commercial loan underwriting. I have cultivated many hobbies including fly fishing (wet flies not dry flies), weight lifting, and playing mariachi trumpet.
What I would like to get out of this program
I
would like to learn more about how to
include and validate key stakeholders in
making difficult decisions related to
service
availability and shrinking budgets that
is structured around a clear communication
plan.