BSN, MSc , Doctoral (Current)
Wence Asonganyi, BSN, MSc, is a Doctoral Candidate at the New Mexico State University’s College of Health, Education, and Social Transformation, with a research focus on expanding access to treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) in carceral settings. He currently serves as the Director of Health Services Administration within the New Mexico Corrections Department.
In his position, he plays a pivotal role in advocating for and implementing systems that enhance access to FDA-approved treatment options for OUD. With extensive experience across prison health systems ranging from city and county jails to state prison systems, both nationally and internationally, Wence brings a wealth of knowledge to his role. He is passionate about improving health outcomes for marginalized and vulnerable populations as well as dedicated to reengineering systems to achieve better health outcomes within carceral settings.
His leadership led to New Mexico’s selection as part of the pioneer cohort for the Policy Academy on expanding access to OUD treatment, an initiative by the GAINS Center, part of SAMHSA s National Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS). Believing strongly in the critical role that research and advocacy play in advancing the quality of care, Wence has published in the Journal of the National Medical Association and, more recently, in the Journal of Viral Hepatitis. He also champions data-driven decision-making and has been a speaker at the National Conference on Correctional Health Care. Wence has been instrumental in transitioning the NM state prison health system from paper-based medical records to an electronic health record system. His commitment to advancing health equity for minority populations reflects his belief in transformative healthcare solutions for underserved communities.