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New program treats mental and physical health By Elizabeth Sanchez @Beth_A_Sanchez Many patients facing both physical illness and behavioral issues often go untreated. Their physical ailments can disqualify them from being admitted to a behavioral care facility, according to UNM psychiatry associate professor Davin Quinn, while their behavioral complications can disqualify them from physical treatment facilities. The all-new Sandia Ridge Mental Health and Recovery Unit works to alleviate these obstacles, through its unique-to-NewMexico, high-intensity medical and behavioral care. Quinn is also division chief of
Behavioral Health Consultation and Integration and the medical director at Sandia Ridge Psychiatric Consultation Service. Quinn said the program allows patients to stay at the skilled nursing facility for “up to 90 days” after being referred by hospitals, psychiatric facilities, rehabilitation centers and the like. Held at Sandia Ridge Center, the unit opened in January, and 11 patients were admitted within the first month, he said. While participating in the program, patients will receive psychiatric evaluation, medication adjustments if needed, and a psychosocial rehabilitation program run by social workers and behavioral specialists, he said, adding that
they will also receive a medical evaluation and physical therapy. Jeremy Miller, who works under Quinn as a fourth-year psychiatry resident at Sandia Crest Ridge, said the program has been an “education in systems integration.” Miller is referring to the space the unit provides for individuals with different hierarchies, patient populations and electronic medical records so as to collaborate and communicate with each other, which helps “provide the best possible patient care.” Quinn said the key to the program’s effectiveness lies in its capability to care for those with medical and physical disabilities, while also caring for those experiencing emotional and behavioral issues.
“This was not possible at this level before a patient could either have their physical health treated, or their mental health, but it was very difficult to have both treated together,” he said. Miller said he has gained more than just the ability to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of healthcare systems outside of the University. “It has been important for me to see the continuity of care,” he said. “We discharge patients from the UNM hospital to this facility, and I get to help bridge them through rehabilitation and to their outpatient appointment with their doctors. That bridge was a piece I never got to see in my first three years of psychiatry training. I was either the doctor taking care of them in the
hospital or the doctor taking care of them in the outpatient clinic.” Quinn said he hopes the program will encourage society to view emotional and behavioral issues the same as medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart failure. “This means that insurance coverage for these issues would be the same, access to treatment programs would be the same, and our respect and compassion for these issues would be the same,” he said. Elizabeth Sanchez is a reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Beth_A_Sanchez.
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Farewell night for seniors gets emotional NM bill aims to protect victims’ privacy By Brendon Gray
@notgraybrendon.
April Torres / Daily Lobo / @i_apreel
Lobo senior Devon Williams tears up during the Saturday night senior ceremony at WisePies Arena. William ended his college basketball career early last season when he suffered a neck injury while playing against New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Williams has been a part of the team despite his injury by helping prepare the team and as an acting coach.
By Isabel Gonzalez @cisabelg Four seniors were honored after a season-high crowd of 13,958 witnessed the Lobos take a 64-59 win over San Diego State on Saturday night. Two of the seniors are current players while the other two are not on the roster.
Still, each of them brought something special to the program in his own way. Estevan Sandoval Sandoval is a student manager for the men’s basketball team. He is pursuing a degree in marketing and operations, and is also an as-
On the Daily Lobo website Martinez: Cartoons for adults are having a Renaissance Cook: Low attendance is squeezing the budget of the Athletic Department
piring basketball coach. Neal on Sandoval “I couldn’t thank you enough for our players, my staff, for everything that you managers do. You’re really part of the team and part of the family. It will always be that way.”
Devon Williams Williams ended his college basketball career as a forward last season after being diagnosed with spinal stenosis. He took the microphone during Senior Night and began by saying how much he appreciated everyone who was present
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Senior page 2
Newly proposed state legislation looks to keep confidential the names of victims and witnesses of certain crimes including rape, stalking and harassment. But some critics argue that these changes decrease transparency and could hinder journalists and other public investigators from seeing all the facts of a case. UNM was among the top supporters for the legislation, which would change some processes for UNMPD reports. “We want to create an environment where victims and witnesses feel comfortable coming forward and reporting a crime,” said Nasha Torrez, Dean of Students. As dean, Torrez is responsible for campus sexual assault support programs and assisting student victims in navigating the legal process. After amendments, the bill received unanimous approval by the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the legislation was heard on the Senate floor. The amendments refined the scope of the legislation, and
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Narvaiz: Lobo baseball swept the series against Air Force Check out the Lobo’s online Music section for two new album reviews!