AJC Youth Healthcare Industry Forum - April 23, 2025
- SAWDB Admin
- Apr 9
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 24
Gadsden Independent School District high school students interested in a career in the healthcare industry are invited to attend the Youth Healthcare Industry Forum on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Gadsden Administrative Complex in Santa Teresa from 9AM to 12PM.
When people think about a career in healthcare, they often think of doctors and nurses. At this forum, students will hear from a panel of local healthcare industry professionals about different occupations available in the healthcare industry.
This event is in partnership with America's Job Center New Mexico, Gadsden Independent School District, and Doña Ana Community College.
Students not attending in person will have the opportunity to participate via a Zoom webinar with the following link:
YOUTH HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY FORUM PANELISTS:
Gary Rupp, OMS IV
2nd LT, US Army, HPSP
Gary Rupp is a soon-to-be graduate from the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine in 3 weeks and holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. He is matched to Family Medicine residency at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington. He has had a variety of life experiences, including being enlisted in the Marines, security work, retail, and customer service. In medical school, Gary has trained in every aspect of medicine and completed approximately 4,500 hours of clinical training in the last two years, including Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Surgery, Urology, Dermatology, Nephrology, Pediatrics, Cardiology, Neurology, Radiology, Internal Medicine, Critical Care and ICU, Pulmonology, OBGYN, and more.
As an Army Family Medicine physician, Gary will be providing state-of-the-art care to service members, their families, and retirees. Additionally, his medical mission will include providing medical care in a deployed setting to both deployed service members and the local population, as well as responding to disasters to provide medical care for humanitarian relief. After the military, he hopes to open a practice in a rural area to provide full-spectrum medical care.
CONTACT:
970-556-8636
Stephanie Nuñez
Stephanie Nuñez is a highly experienced clinical sonographer who has worked in diverse healthcare environments. In 2019, she began sharing her expertise by transitioning into sonography education, initially as an instructor, before moving on to her current role as program director in 2021. Stephanie’s teaching philosophy revolves around fostering equitable, responsive patient care and providing holistic support to her students—ensuring the next generation of sonographers enter the field well-prepared and compassionate.
Stefanie Apodaca- Mendoza
Seasoned Nurse, Mortgage Loan Originator NMLS 2577259, Registered Investment Representative and Licensed Income Protection Professional
As a seasoned healthcare professional with over 30 years of experience across clinical, educational, and administrative roles. I began my nursing journey after earning my Associate Degree in Nursing from New Mexico State University and went on to work in medical-surgical care, emergency medicine, behavioral health, surgical services, home health, labor and delivery, and correctional healthcare. My dedication to patient advocacy and care coordination was evident in roles that I took; like Transition of Care Coordinator for behavioral health members and Inpatient Case Manager at major health systems in New Mexico and Texas.
After decades of caring for others, I found myself at a crossroads—my own health and long-term goals had taken a back seat to the demands of bedside nursing. Recognizing it was time for me to make a shift, I made a bold transition into the financial services industry. Having applied core financial principles in my own family’s life—like managing debt, protecting income, and planning for the future—I realized that empowering others with financial knowledge was a natural extension of my caregiving spirit. I now help families understand and take control of their wealth, just as I once helped them navigate their health.
I bring the same compassion, attention to detail, and problem-solving mindset from my nursing career into my work in financial education. Bilingual in English and conversational Spanish, I continue to serve diverse families with integrity, empathy, and purpose—only now, at the intersection of health and wealth.
CONTACT:
1-877-450-7993 or 575-635-1705
