Collins last fall accepted Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s request that she serve the state in an official capacity and lead the Department of Health through a perilous and challenging portion of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the understanding she might elect to return to her previous career as an academic after operationalizing and overseeing the agency’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts.
“I am grateful to my colleagues at the Department of Health and to the governor for her faith in me,” said Dr. Collins. “Our partnership has been the foundation of an incredibly successful vaccination drive. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to protect New Mexicans, especially with our emphasis on equity and reaching underserved populations. Although it’s time for me to return to my academic career, I look forward to continuing to work hand in hand with the governor and her administration to enhance public health throughout our state.”