Crystal Begay

Crystal Begay has a diverse work experience spanning over several years. Crystal began their career as a Nutrition Educator at PB&J Family Services, Inc., where they provided health services and conducted nutrition activities for at-risk children and their families. Crystal later worked as a Health Educator at Native American Professional Parent Resources, INC (NAPPR), where they supported dental clinics and personnel in the Albuquerque Area, delivered oral presentations, and coordinated outreach events.

Crystal then joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a Program Coordinator, where they played a crucial role in developing a special supplement on improving race classification for American Indian and Alaska Natives. Crystal oversaw authors and ensured timely completion of the project.

In 2012, Crystal joined the New Mexico Department of Health and held various roles, including Health Educator in the Environmental Health Epidemiology Bureau. Their responsibilities included occupational health surveillance, lead poisoning prevention and surveillance, and providing education and recommendations to lower blood lead levels.

Crystal then transitioned to the Office of Primary Care and Rural Health (OPCRH) within the New Mexico Department of Health, where they held positions such as Program Coordinator and Rural Primary Health Care Act Program Manager. In these roles, they managed multiple state and federal programs focused on improving and expanding primary care, coordinating rural health activities, and providing technical assistance to rural communities and primary care centers.

Currently, Crystal serves as the Director of the Office of Primary Care and Rural Health (OPCRH), where they provide supervisory oversight and leadership for several state programs and centers. Their work involves managing the Rural Primary Health Care Act Program, the New Mexico J-1 Visa Waiver Program, the New Mexico Primary Care Capital Fund, and several other initiatives aimed at promoting primary care and rural health in the state.

Crystal Begay received their Bachelor's degree in Community Health from New Mexico State University, where they studied from 2000 to 2005. Crystal then went on to pursue a Masters of Science degree in Health Education at the University of New Mexico from 2006 to 2009. Additionally, Crystal obtained the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) certification from the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc in October 2005. Crystal also completed various additional certifications, including COVID-19 Contact Tracing from Coursera in May 2020, and an Advanced Leadership Training Program from the Regional Institute for Health and Environment Leadership in May 2019. Crystal has also gained expertise in working with youth through their certification in "New Mexico Dept of Game & Fish Working with Youth" from ChildSafe in October 2022. In January 2023, Crystal became a Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor certified by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. It is worth noting that Crystal had a period of enrollment at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville from 2002 to 2003, but the specific degree and field of study were not provided.