Kayla Gallegos, NMDHA President 2021-2022
President's Message
Facing the Future - Together
It is my pleasure to be your 2021-2022 NMDHA President. I am excited for the year ahead. I had the pleasure to serve as the New Mexico Dental Hygiene Association Education & Research Chair and Delegate over the last 4 years. I began my journey with the association right out of dental hygiene school in 2017. I know that seems like a very short time to come to leadership, but my service to District IX and our state association has given me the ability to lead as this year’s President. Our profession requires constant advocacy, collaboration, and advancement so that we must all progress forward! Presidents before me have begun to pave that path and I intend to continue building it. The past two years have been a whirlwind for not only our careers, but our community. I believe that the work we do, whether in education, private practice, community health, etc., is going to greatly change. My theme for this coming year is ‘Facing the Future - Together’. Nothing is more important than coming together as a profession and as an association during these challenging times. As this year brings change, we are here to serve you and the needs of our profession. I want to encourage those who are not members, new professionals, and soon to be graduates to be a part of the ADHA and support NMDHA in advocating for and protecting all of the important things you do. Membership is vital in advocating for our profession and scope of practice. I would also like to thank our current members for your continued support and partnership. I , along with the rest of the NMDHA Board look forward to the year ahead serving YOU and the work we have vowed to do today and tomorrow. Thank you for granting me the privilege and honor to serve as your 2021-2022 President!
The following is a list of the current Board of Trustees for the NMDHA. NMDHA represents the interests of over 1,300 dental hygienists in New Mexico. This board is elected in the fall of each year and serves a one-year term in most offices. The position of Secretary, Treasurer, and Delegate is a two-year commitment.
The Councils are appointed or re-appointed by the current President. If you are interested in serving your profession, please contact the current President. We are always happy to see new faces and get input on keeping our profession at the forefront of oral healthcare in New Mexico.
Questions or comments for any Board member can be directed to the President, who will forward your email to the intended Board member.
| President | Kayla Gallelgos |
|---|---|
| Immediate Past-president | Diana Aboytes |
| Vice-president | Whitney Compton |
| Secretary | Vivian Barker |
| Treasurer | Jennifer Martinez |
| President Elect | Kerri Willert |
| Delegate Chair | Kandice Lewis |
|---|---|
| Delegate | Brittany Tripp |
| Alternate Delegate | Kayla Gallegos |
| High Desert | Cathy Sovereign |
|---|---|
| Southern | Rebecca Sanchez |
| Tres Rios | Valoree Althoff |
| ADHA District IX Trustee | LeeAnn Winkler |
| Administration | Kayla Gallegos |
|---|---|
| Education and Research | Kayla Gallegos |
| General Membership Meetings | Christine Nathe |
| Member Services | Justine Ponce |
| Public Relations | Cindy Vigil |
| Regulation and Practice | Barbara Posler |
| Committee Member | Robin Gatlin |
|---|
Regulation & Practice Committee
| Committee Member | Kandice Lewis |
|---|---|
| Committee Member | Brittany Tripp |
Nominating Committee
| Committee Member | Diana Aboytes |
|---|---|
| Committee Member | Robin Gatlin |
| Committee Member | vacant |
| Newsletter/E-news | Kelly Valdez-Ayres |
|---|---|
| Social Media Manager | Cindy Vigil |
| Website Manager | Cindy Vigil |
| Committee Member | Vivian Barker |
| Committee Member | Barbara Poser |
|---|---|
| Committee Member | vacant |
| HYPAC Chair | Christie Baca-Garcia |
|---|---|
| HYPAC Treasurer | Valoree Althoff |
| HYPAC Director | Erik Smith |
| HYPAC Director | Kelly Valdez-Ayres |
| HYPAC Director | Trang Lucero |
| NMDHA ADHA IOH Liaison | Kelly Valdez-Ayres |
| Parliamentarian | Barbara Posler |
| Volunteer Coordinator | Kitty Rivera |
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To represent dental hygienists in continuing to improve the oral health of our community by being innovative in increasing access to quality oral healthcare.
To elevate the dental hygiene profession by promoting education, expanding the opportunities for practice, and enhancing access to quality oral healthcare.