ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico is proud to announce the 2026/2027 Special Beginnings® grantees. These organizations have demonstrated commitment and innovation in improving health outcomes for mothers and babies across New Mexico, with a focus on expanding access to quality care, reducing health disparities and addressing the social determinants that influence maternal and infant well-being.
“We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with trusted community organizations and clinical leaders dedicated to supporting healthy families throughout New Mexico,” said Dr. Latha Raja Shankar, BCBSNM’s VP of health care delivery and chief medical officer. “By investing in these programs, we are working together to create healthier beginnings and brighter futures for moms and babies statewide.”
The Special Beginnings initiative continues to prioritize health equity, quality improvement in birthing locations and expansion of the maternal health workforce, including doulas and midwives, to reduce perinatal disparities.
The 2026/2027 Special Beginnings grantees include:
- Changing Woman Initiative, providing culturally centered health care for indigenous families across New Mexico.
- Gallup Community Health, connecting women affected by social determinants of health with supportive services throughout their pregnancy.
- Many Mothers, offering compassionate home visiting, family-centered community and basic needs support.
- New Mexico Medical Foundation, providing continuing education to obstetrician-gynecologists to improve patient care across New Mexico.
- Perinatal Associates of New Mexico, increasing providers to address maternal mental health and expanding these services through telemedicine in remote and rural areas.
- Postpartum Support International, providing specialized training to address the shortage of perinatal mental health care in New Mexico.
- University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, developing data-driven quality improvement tools in New Mexico birthing hospitals to address maternal morbidity and mortality.
- University of New Mexico School of Medicine, training psychiatrists to care for patients experiencing psychiatric illness and substance use disorders in the perinatal period.
For more information about BCBSNM’s initiatives and support for health care access in New Mexico, please visit BCBSNM's newsroom and BCBSNM’s 2024 Impact Report.
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About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico is one of the largest commercial health insurers in New Mexico with approximately 700,000 New Mexicans carrying a Blue Cross and Blue Shield card. Since 1940, BCBSNM has been committed to promoting the health and wellness of its members and communities through accessible, cost-effective, quality health care. BCBSNM is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, the country’s largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall. Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.