Sharon Huerta, MSW ’95
2015 College of Health and Social Services Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient
Sharon Huerta was selected as the 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient for the College of Health and Social Services. She will be honored at the College’s Annual Scholarship Reception on Friday, September 18th. She will also be recognized during NMSU’s Homecoming week at the Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Dinner and the Homecoming football game on Saturday, October 24th.
Sharon is currently employed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico (BCBSNM). She joined BCBSNM in May 2013 as Vice President of New Mexico Medicaid Operations. In this role, she serves as the Medicaid program Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for overall operations of the New Mexico Medicaid Division. BCBSNM is one of the four managed care organizations (MCO) contracted to perform this work. Sharon was responsible for the implementation and oversight of Centennial Care for BCBSNM. Her role is of great significance as the Affordable Care Act touches every life in America.
Before joining BCBSNM, Sharon was Associate Vice President, Government Contracts and Advocacy at Molina Healthcare of New Mexico. Sharon started her career as a child protective service social worker. Sharon later developed and administered much needed mental and behavioral health programs throughout Southern New Mexico. She has held various positions in government contracts, government relations, community outreach, utilization management, care coordination, quality improvement disease management and behavioral health. She has a successful track record of directing Medicaid procurements and contract renewals; negotiating health plan rates with the state; and ensuring government contracts are free of infractions or monetary sanctions. She led Molina Healthcare of New Mexico to an excellent Medicaid NCQA accreditation in 2006 and 2007 and to a rating by NCQA as the 25th Best Medicaid Health Plan in the United States. Sharon is a licensed social worker. She is also a member of the Health Insurance Company Board of Directors.
Sharon embodies what it is to be an Aggie. While she has left our immediate community, her heart has remained close to NMSU as evidenced by her support of the NMSU School of Social Work; this includes participating in key events, contributing to the annual CHSS Magazine, Vitality, and garnering financial support of important behavioral health scholarships as well as the corporate sponsorships of community events. Our vital relationship with BCBSNM is firmly established due to Sharon’s commitment to our students and their futures in behavioral health.
To learn more about the NMSU Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award, visit: http://advancing.nmsu.edu/alumni/awards-and-programs/distinguished-alumni-award