Rio Rancho residents can get expert answers to pandemic-related questions Monday via Zoom with “COVID-19 — What You Need to Know, A Community Education Seminar.”

The free seminar, sponsored by the University of New Mexico Health System and UNM Health Sciences Rio Rancho Campus, will be offered live at noon.

Planning for quarterly community seminars was underway when the pandemic hit, said Laura Burton, associate director for business operations at the UNM Health Sciences Rio Rancho Campus.

“With this seminar, we want to offer a medically grounded session focused on the basics of COVID-19, prevention and the latest treatment, with a Q&A session following,” Burton said.

The seminar will feature three presenters, followed by 15 minutes for questions, said Abby Camacho, provider relations liaison at UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center.

“We know there are so many questions out there about COVID-19, and sometimes just the sheer volume of information can become confusing,” Camacho said.

The 45-minute seminar will feature SRMC health care providers:

  • Dr. Matthew Wilks, Emergency Department and Quality and Patient Safety medical director;
  • Registered nurse Petra Bergenthal, Infection Control program manager; and
  • Registered nurse Jared Bousliman, Occupational Health

The Zoom link for the seminar is https://hsc-unm.zoom.us/j/3256897101, with a passcode of 1234.  For more information, email Camacho at [email protected].

“We are hoping to equip community members so they can make wise choices to help their loved ones and community, as well as reduce some of the angst being felt with the increase in positive cases,” Burton said.