2020 Hero of Health Leroy Silva
CON ALMA News:
SANTA FE — Con Alma Health Foundation announced Wednesday that this year’s Hero of Health is Leroy “Buster” Silva, community coordinator for Notah Begay III Foundation.
The NB3 Foundation is a national, Native-led nonprofit in Santa Ana Pueblo that supports and funds Native-driven, culturally centered programs and provides opportunities for Native youth to live healthy, active lives.
“We are honored to recognize Leroy for making a significant difference in the lives of Native youth,” Con Alma Executive Director Dolores E. Roybal said.
Simone Duran, program coordinator at NB3F, nominated Silva for being “a passionate leader who loves to help communities create positive changes to live healthy, strong and resilient”.
In her nomination letter, she wrote that he led a unique initiative with nine organizations to increase the number of Native American youth participating in physical activity and sports in Albuquerque.
“There isn’t a day where he doesn’t have a new idea of how to make better connections and include communities’ voices, no matter their background,” Duran wrote. “He has created his own movement where he shares stories from all over Indian Country about health and fitness.”
Silva’s philosophy is that everyone has an obligation to protect and nurture the wellbeing of communities.
“As a team member at the Notah Begay III Foundation, I have been able to use my experience to rally community partners around one common goal — to create more opportunities for Native American youth via physical activity, healthy nutrition, youth development, and cultural connections — so that they can live happy and fulfilled lives,” said Silva, who is from Pueblo of Laguna. “Da’wa’eh to all to my family, friends, and mentors: When I shine, You shine.”
For more than 10 years Con Alma has recognized people who diligently work to improve the health of New Mexicans, and contributed to the nonprofit of his or her choice.
This year Con Alma will donate $1,000 to the New Mexico Autism Society on Silva’s behalf. He chose the organization in honor of his late sister LeeAnn Silva, who advocated for people with autism after her 14-year-old son was diagnosed at a young age.
“I hope this donation helps bring comfort and happiness to families during this challenging time,” Silva said.
Con Alma usually honors the selected hero at its annual grantee celebration. This year, the foundation is recognizing Silva and all of the incredible nominees through a special campaign involving print advertisement and social media.
For more information on this year’s nominees, visit: https://conalma.org/2020-hero-of-health/.
“We always learn about so many people making amazing contributions to their communities, and this year we thought it was important to recognize every individual from the frontline health care providers who are working extra hard to care for COVID-19 patients to individuals who recognize and address health needs in their community,” Roybal said.
This year’s nominees:
- Pamela Angell, CEO at St. Luke’s Health Care Clinic (Amador Health Center) in Las Cruces
- Victoria Baca, admissions intake and peer support staff at Rio Grande ATP in Las Vegas
- Glenys Carl, founder/executive director of Scott’s House Inc. in Santa Fe
- Tina Cordova, co-founder of Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium in Albuquerque
- Shakera Crawley, outpatient therapist at Families & Youth Inc. in Las Cruces
- Dr. Michael DeBernardi, PsyD, MS, CEO at Life Link in Santa Fe
- Jessica Delgado, Pathways to Hope program manager at HopeWorks in Albuquerque
- Brenda Dunn, program manager at New Mexico Lions Operation KidSight, Inc.
- Dr. Rebecca Evanko, volunteer at Wilderwood Equine Therapy and Rescue
- David Elliot, education and emergency preparedness coordinator at Holy Cross Medical Center in Taos
- Christopher Lara Jr., respiratory therapist at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces
- Grace Vickers Lassiter, RN, at Membres Memorial Hospital and volunteer at Care Net Crisis Pregnancy Center in La Mesa
- Nancy Laster, assistant chief nursing officer at Lovelace Medical Center in Albuquerque
- Fatima McElveen, medical director at Amador Health Center in Las Cruces
- Lawrence Medina, executive director at Rio Grande ATP in Taos
- Elizabeth Muller and Priscilla Juarez, operations director and office supervisor at UNM School-Based Health Center Program in Albuquerque
- Tram D. Nguyen, registered nurse at Paradise Urgent Care for Presbyterian Healthcare Services in Albuquerque
- Blanca Pedigo, clinic director for One Hope Centro de Vida Health Center in Albuquerque
- Jackie Perez, LCSW at Centro Savila in Albuquerque
- Elais Ponton, BSN, RN, chief nursing officer at Nurses with Heart Home Care in Santa Fe
- Melissa Roberts, RN, at Hobbs Family Health Center for Presbyterian Medical Services
- Rosita Rodriguez, adult services program manager at Las Cumbres Community Services in Española
- Julissa Rubio, CNA, at Mountain View Hospital in Las Cruces
- Gail Stamler, RN, CNM, certified nurse midwife at Cassie Health Center for Women in Silver City
- Tom Starke, board chairman of Santa Fe Recovery Center in Santa Fe
