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HHS Official To Speak At NMSU

  Frank Cantu, director for the Health Resources and Services Administration's Dallas Field Office, is the latest speaker to take part in New Mexico State University's Jeffrey E. and Mary T. Brandon Distinguished Lecture Series on Health Disparities. The event is designed to increase awareness of health disparity issues along the U.S.-Mexico border. It will take place at 6 p.m. April 3 at the College of Health and Social Services Auditorium.

"I'm excited because it is rare that we have a person of this caliber and experience provide us this kind of insight," said Mark Kittleson, department head for NMSU's Department of Public Health Sciences. "This is an opportunity to hear first-hand from one of the key people in border health issues. Mr. Cantu will talk about the past efforts to improve border health, current initiatives, and will make projections on what the future holds."

The Health Resource and Services Administration is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission is to provide access to health care to the underserved. Cantu directs HRSA's Border Health Division, collaborating and coordinating with health care organizations and stakeholders along the U.S.-Mexico border to improve access to health care services. He has worked in federal service for 48 years.

"I hold Mr. Cantu in the highest esteem and respect," said Jeffrey E. Brandon, a retired professor and former dean of the college and cofounder of the speaker series. "He has been the lead advocate on U.S.-Mexico border programs and services for many years, and one whom I have always respected and enjoyed collaborating with since my early days of involvement on border health starting in 1990."

In 2000, Cantu was selected to simultaneously serve as HRSA's acting associate administrator in Rockville, Md., and the field director in Dallas. In this capacity as acting associate administrator, he was responsible for the guidance, direction and assessment of the staff members who conduct the operations of HRSA's 10 regional offices across the United States.

A native Texan, Cantu attended Southern Methodist University where he studied financial management, personnel administration and public administration, earning both a bachelor's and master's degree.

The event is free and open to the public. Free parking is available after 4:30 p.m. in lots near the College of Health and Social Services Auditorium, including near the intersection of University Avenue and Solano Drive. For more information, contact Kittleson at 575-646-8194.