Experience

1987- present

Psychiatric Nurse Specialist in expanded private practice for psychotherapy. Special focus on adult incest survivors, adult children of alcoholics, addictions, mother/child bonding, post- traumatic stress syndrome, and mental illness.

1976- present

Curandera practicing traditional Mexican/Chicano Folk Medicine. Specializing in Envidia, Susto, Bilis, and Mal Ojo. International speaker / workshop presenter on Curanderismo.

1984- present

University of New Mexico Faculty, Lecturer in Psychiatry, Nursing.

1995- 96

Mental Health Consultant, City of Albuquerque , Department of Senior Affairs.

1991

University of Phoenix , Instructor, Communications in Nursing.

1983 -87

Director, Albuquerque Rape Crisis Center.

1982- 83

Clinical Nurse Specialist, U.C.L.A. Neuropsychiatric Institute, In-patient Child Psychiatry.

1981- 82

Director, Maternal/Child Nursing. R.E. Thomason General Hospital, El Paso, TX.

1977- 81

Nurse Manager of Psychiatry, R.E. Thomason General Hospital, El Paso, TX.
Psychiatric Consultant for VNA (Visiting Nurses Assoc.).
Individual, Family, Couples, and Group Therapist at various institutions and in private practice.

Education

M.S.N., University of Texas at El Paso.
Major: Psychiatric Nurse Specialist.
Minor: Nursing Administration.

B.S.N., University of Texas at El Paso.
R.N., Registered Nurse, licensed in New Mexico.

Achievements & Awards

1999 Community Luminaria, New Mexico Community Foundation, honoring outstanding contributions to New Mexico.

Martin de la Cruz Medal: International award for excellence in Folk Medicine, presented at the 10th International Congress of Traditional and Folk Medicine, Corpus Christi, TX.

10th Annual International Woman's Day Award, University of New Mexico Women Studies Program. "For service to woman and her community."

Hospice of El Paso. Recognition Award.

Keynote speaker for the First N ational Hispanic N urses Association, San Antonio, TX.

UNM Letter of Academic Title.

Recognition Award for Outstanding Service and Leadership, R.E. Thomason Hospital, El Paso, TX.

Elena Avila's Curanderismo workshops and private practice have been reviewed in Wall Street Journal, NY Times, Texas Times, El Paso Today, Albuquerque Woman, Intercarnbios (National Network of Hispanic Women), Vistas, Latina Cuerpo-Mente, (Spain), SEIN, (Berlin, Germany)

The CBS program "Night Watch" highlighted Elena Avila's folk healing techniques in 1988. National Public Radio presented her work in a program on Curanderismo.

Membership

Member, Mexican Academy of Traditional Medicine, A.C.
Member, World Federation of T raditional Medicine.

Bord Member:
Community Advisory Board
Southwest Alcohol Research Group