New health care center in Santa Ana Pueblo to serve central New Mexico tribes

SANTA ANA PUEBLO, N.M. – A new health care facility is set to bring around 500 jobs to Santa Ana Pueblo, offering a range of health services.

Currently an empty lot, the site will eventually house an Indian Health Services facility. Officials say it will serve various tribal communities in central New Mexico, providing services like dental, optometry, diabetes care, and dialysis.

“It’s a full cycle and I think a facility like this is going to prolong the life, not just us living now, but the ones still coming,” said Nathan Garcia, chairman of Tamaya Ventures Pueblo of Santa Ana.

The facility is part of a backlog of construction projects dating back to 1993 that the federal government is working to complete. It is one of eight projects on the list, with plans expected to progress swiftly once federal funding is released.

“This is a big opportunity for the Santa Ana Pueblo community to have culturally responsive health care in meeting the unique needs of their community,” said Mark Cruz, senior advisor to Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Funding and impact

The Pueblo of Santa Ana is receiving more than $20 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Indian Health Center for the project. The facility will host dental, eye care, and various other specialties.

“It is a part of the Make America Healthy movement; having modern, well-equipped facilities to provide top-quality health care is a priority of this administration,” said Cruz.

Rep. Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico emphasized the need for the facility, noting that the primary health care facility in the area is the UNM Sandoval Hospital. She described the new facility as a significant bipartisan achievement representing decades of work.

Currently, plans are still being finalized, and Pueblo leaders have not set a groundbreaking date.