DR. Jesse barnes will be the director of the rural and urban underserved program (RUUP). Duties in the role are defined in the EL pueblo health services INC. Agreement attached to the requisition.

The University of New Mexico is executing a sole-source service contract with El Pueblo Health Services Inc. for Dr. Jesse Barnes to serve as Director of the Rural and Urban Underserved Program (RUUP), a medical student clinical-placement program, with a contract due for posting and 30-day public notice on the New Mexico Procurement website by August 23, 2026.

This is a sole-source procurement justified on the basis of Dr. Barnes' unique expertise, established relationships with community physicians, and familiarity with program operations and student participant coordination. The position represents program leadership continuation following the prior faculty director's retirement on July 31, 2022.

Dr. Barnes will work at 0.30 FTE beginning July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, serving as liaison to community physicians and arranging clinical matches for approximately 140 medical student program participants. El Pueblo Health Services Inc. has agreed to increase its support allocation to 0.30 FTE and enter into a service agreement enabling Dr. Barnes to continue RUUP work while maintaining his primary employment with the healthcare organization.

The contract amount is $75,000 for fiscal year 2026–2027. Dr. Barnes' salary remains unchanged from the prior year. El Pueblo Health Services Inc. is located at 121 Calle Del Presidente, Bernalillo, New Mexico 87004–6091. Under New Mexico procurement law, the completed sole-source form will be posted on the UNM Sunshine Portal and the State of New Mexico Procurement website for a mandatory 30-day review period prior to purchase authorization.