Through heartfelt stories, the docuseries celebrates the dedication, compassion, and resilience of caregivers who work tirelessly to provide exceptional care for New Mexico’s most vulnerable populations.
Source: New Mexico Health Care Association
Photos: Courtesy “People Worth Caring About”
Cover Photo Caption: Peter Murphy Lewis (left), Felipe “Carta” Vergara (middle) and Valentina Essus (right) comprise the “People Worth Caring About” crew. As a CNN political analyst, a filmmaker, and the director of People Worth Caring About, Peter’s work bridges cultures, industries, and human experiences. Veteran audiovisual storyteller, Felipe, embodies a dedicated cinematographer dedicated to capturing human stories through cultural documentaries and broadcast television features. Trained at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and holding a Master’s in Creative Documentary from the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Valentina has built a career in television journalism—specializing in investigative reporting, cultural programming, and in-depth storytelling for broadcast. (Photo: Courtesy)
For over a decade, documentary producer Peter Murphy Lewis has traveled the country capturing the stories of people quietly shaping healthcare and community care across America. Now, those stories continue in podcast form, and in collaborative docuseries videos.
Peter Murphy Lewis is the creator and director of “People Worth Caring About”. A filmmaker, CNA, and former TV host, Peter’s storytelling career spans two decades and ten countries. He is passionate about exploring the human side of long-term care and showcasing the untold stories of caregivers. He also hosts the People Worth Caring About podcast, where he interviews healthcare association presidents, board members, national award winners and other leaders making an impact in their industries and communities.
“People Worth Caring About” features in-depth conversations with state healthcare association presidents, board members, national award winners and other leaders making an impact in their industries and communities. These are the people behind the scenes, the voices rarely heard but impossible to replace.
The producers of “People Worth Caring About” recently took on a project in New Mexico. In collaboration with the New Mexico Health Care Association, People Worth Caring About: New Mexico was born.
People Worth Caring About: New Mexico is an eight-part docuseries presented by the New Mexico Health Care Association (NMHCA/NMCAL), designed to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes of long-term care across New Mexico. This series premiered on August 22, 2025, and takes viewers behind the scenes of eight facilities spread across the state’s urban and rural communities. Through heartfelt stories, the docuseries celebrates the dedication, compassion, and resilience of caregivers who work tirelessly to provide exceptional care for New Mexico’s most vulnerable populations.
New Mexico Health Care Association
presents
“People Worth Caring About: New Mexico“
Discover the heart and soul of New Mexico’s long-term care community in People Worth Caring About: New Mexico, an inspiring eight-part docuseries that premiered on August 22, 2025, at the Isleta Resort and Casino. Presented by the New Mexico Health Care Association (NMHCA/NMCAL), this series celebrates the remarkable caregivers who bring compassion, dedication, and joy to residents across the state. To showcase the diversity of long-term care providers in New Mexico, eight facilities spanning urban and rural communities were carefully selected. While not every facility is featured, this powerful cross-section represents the extraordinary work of all caregivers in the profession. Each episode highlights their unique stories, revealing the deep connections and unwavering commitment that make these individuals truly special.
“People Worth Caring About: New Mexico reminds us of the humanity, grit, and beauty within these vital communities.”
~Vicente Vargas,
Executive Director, NMHCA
“This is more than a documentary—it’s a celebration of the extraordinary individuals who choose to care for New Mexico’s most vulnerable populations every day,” said Vicente Vargas, Executive Director of the New Mexico Health Care Association/New Mexico Center for Assisted Living. “In a time when long-term care faces staffing shortages and misconceptions, People Worth Caring About: New Mexico reminds us of the humanity, grit, and beauty within these vital communities. We’re proud to partner with creator Peter Murphy Lewis of Strategic Pete [https://strategicpete.com] to bring these stories to a national audience.”
Stream all eight episodes now and witness the impact of those who make a difference every day in New Mexico’s long-term care communities.
The Las Cruces Episode
Ep 1| SEason 3 Notes
Las Cruces Wellness and Rehabilitation
You Won’t Believe What Happens in This Life-Changing Episode. In the emotional premiere of People Worth Caring About Season 3, Peter Murphy Lewis takes you inside Las Cruces Wellness and Rehabilitation in New Mexico — where dedicated healthcare heroes are making miracles happen every single day. Meet Michael, a former military police officer who completely turned his life around to become a nurse and save lives in ways he never imagined. Watch as Michael and his team help Bruce, a man who had no idea how serious his condition was, recover and get his life back thanks to the care that only real heroes can provide. You’ll also witness the inspiring journey of Connie, who thought she’d never walk again, and Larry, who’s fighting to regain his strength, one step at a time. These aren’t just stories about physical recovery; they’re about resilience, hope, and finding new purpose in life.
Why this episode is a must-watch:
- Discover how Michael’s incredible transformation from military police to life-saving nurse is changing lives.
- Watch Bruce’s amazing recovery — you won’t be able to hold back the tears.
- See how Connie beat the odds to stand up again when she thought walking was impossible.
- Get inspired by heartwarming therapy moments that restore independence and dignity.
These are the unsung heroes of long-term care — people worth caring about. If you’re ready to share your industry’s story and shift perceptions, let’s chat! We’d love to help you tell your unique narrative through documentary filmmaking. Reach out to start the conversation: https://peopleworthcaringabout.com/
Other New Mexico Episodes
Each episode is an intimate look into the lives of caregivers, highlighting the deep human connections they share with residents. The series also addresses significant workforce challenges, including staffing shortages, misconceptions about long-term care, and the stigma surrounding caregiving. By showcasing these challenges, the series helps to humanize the profession and change the narrative around it.
The series has already garnered over 310,000 views, with 47% of YouTube viewers under the age of 35. This wide appeal, particularly among younger audiences, demonstrates the power of the stories being told and their ability to resonate with a broad demographic.
In addition to the podcast producers’ goal of telling stories about the underrepresented heroes in our communities, they were tasked with promoting the following ideals:
- Celebrating caregivers: The series emphasizes the humanity, grit, and beauty of those who provide long-term care, showcasing their commitment and personal stories.
- Changing perceptions: By focusing on the real, everyday challenges faced by caregivers, the docuseries seeks to reshape public perceptions of the profession and address the stigma surrounding long-term care.
- Addressing workforce challenges: The docuseries highlights critical workforce issues like staffing shortages, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the increasing demand for caregiving services in New Mexico.
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