A former UNM associate dean said that she is enjoying her leave of absence from the University to work for the Health Department in Washington, D.C.
Cristina Beato, the former associate dean of Clinical Affairs in the UNM School of Medicine was nominated by Sen. Pete Domenici to President George W. Bush last year.
After learning the president had accepted her nomination, Beato accepted the position and took her leave of absence from the University in December 2001.
Beato is now the principle department assistant secretary for health in the office of Public Health and Science.
"I love my job incredibly," Beato said. "It affects the lives of every American."
She said the transition from clinical affairs to federal government was a smooth one because the University Hospital is an "academic microcosm of national health."
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Beato's responsibilities include reviewing policies, initiatives and helping direct the National Institute of Health and the Centers for Disease Control.
The position has also allowed Beato to work with several government officials such as U.S. Health Secretary Tommy Thompson.
She also said, her work has allowed her to work on important national issues such as the potential for bioterrorism.
"There is such an importance of Public Health," Beato said.
Living in Washington D.C. has made Beato homesick for New Mexico for many reasons, one of which she said, was her experience at UNM that is not limited to her work as an administrator.
She received a bachelor's of science in Chemistry and Biology as well as her M.D. from the UNM School of Medicine.
Beato's internship and residency in medicine were both conducted at the UNM Hospital.
Since her graduation in 1987, she has also worked at UNM as an associate professor of Family Medicine and as the hospital's medical director.
"The only reason I'm here is because of UNM," Beato said.
Beato also practices medicine at the National Navel Hospital in Washington, D.C. and plans to return to her position at UNM when her job in Washington, D.C. ends.
