Op-Ed: Pass The Rest Of The Health Care Worker Compacts This Year
By FRED NATHAN
Executive Director
Think New Mexico
It was a big bipartisan win for New Mexicans when the legislature and governor enacted Senate Bill 1 to bring New Mexico into the interstate licensure compact for doctors. According to the New Mexico Medical Board, joining this compact will result in an increase of 10-15% in the number of doctors applying to practice in New Mexico annually.
Unfortunately, eight other compacts needed to address shortages of psychologists, counselors, EMTs, physician’s assistants, speech therapists and audiologists, physical therapists, occupational Read More
Youth Summit ‘Lifeline: Tools To Save A Life And Build One’ Empowers Teens With Life-Saving Skills & Community Connection
Los Alamos High School Key Club provides cotton candy for youth summit participants. Courtesy/LAC
Juanita McNiel hosts a silent disco with the courts during the youth summit. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
Local youth gathered after hours at Mesa Public Library on March 6 for Lifeline: Tools to Save a Life and Build One, an interactive and impactful youth summit focused on prevention, connection, and practical life-saving skills.
Sponsored by Anchorum Health Foundation and Los Alamos County, the event brought together a wide range of community partners, including JJAB and the YMCA, to create Read More
Address Update For Local Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings
Los Alamos Group of Alcoholics Anonymous News:
The Los Alamos Group of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) welcomes all who have a desire to stop drinking and anyone interested in learning more about AA.
This is an anonymous program with open meetings nightly at 7 p.m. and morning meetings at 9 a.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m Sundays.
The meetings are at 3547 Pueblo Drive in Los Alamos.
Please use the AA hotline if struggling and need to talk to someone local who understands 1.888.526.5559. Read More
Northern Río Grande National Heritage Area To Host Herbal Remedy Garden Workshop At Los Luceros Historic Site
Northern Río Grande National Heritage Area is hosting a hands-on workshop, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, March 21, at Los Luceros Historic Site. Courtesy/NRGNHA
NMDCA News:
In honor of Women’s History Month this month, Northern Río Grande National Heritage Area (NRGNHA) offers a hands-on workshop that remembers the women who carried seeds from pueblo to village, and farm to ranch.
Learn to plant the same medicinal herbs used by generations of healers and families in Northern New Mexico in a hands-on workshop hosted by Northern Río Grande National Heritage Area (NRGNHA) held 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Read More
Pedestrian In Critical Condition After Being Struck By Truck Near North Road And Urban Street This Morning
LAPD News:
Today, Sunday, March 15, 2026, at approximately 11 a.m., officers from the Los Alamos Police Department (LAPD) and medics from the Los Alamos Fire Department were dispatched to the area of North Road and Urban Street in reference to a crash involving a pedestrian and a vehicle.
Preliminary investigation indicates a truck was making a left turn from North Road onto Urban Street when it struck a pedestrian. The pedestrian, a 68-year-old male, was treated at the scene before being transported to Los Alamos Medical Center.
Due to the severity of his injuries, he was later transferred to Read More
Hantavirus Confirmed In Santa Fe County Resident
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Health reported a Santa Fe County resident was hospitalized with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome – the first case in New Mexico this year – and has since recovered.
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a severe respiratory disease which is fatal in approximately a third of affected people. New Mexico recorded seven cases in 2025, with three of them fatal.
In New Mexico, deer mice are the primary carriers of hantavirus, though it can be found in other rodents. The virus is found in mouse droppings and urine. People are typically exposed to hantavirus Read More
New Mexico Environment Department To Clean Up PFAS-Contaminated Groundwater At Dairies
NMED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department has entered into four agreements with Curry County dairies to investigate and remediate groundwater contaminated by toxic PFAS from Cannon Air Force Base.
The agreements mark a significant step toward full remediation of a four-mile toxic PFAS plume caused by firefighting foam at Cannon Air Force Base. The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is leading this initiative — funding the effort and seeking reimbursement from the United States Air Force.
“We have stood in solidarity with our dairy industry since the toxic PFAS contamination Read More
Reminder: Walk To End Alzheimer’s Open House March 14 At SALA
New Mexico Medicaid Now Covers Traditional Healing Practices For Native American Members
HCA News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico Medicaid now covers traditional healing practices for Native American Medicaid members in participating Tribes, Nations or Pueblos, expanding culturally appropriate health services provided by certified traditional healers.
“Our state’s diverse cultural heritage is one of our greatest strengths. Traditional healing practices have played a vital role in community health and well-being for generations of Native Americans,” Cabinet secretary Kari Armijo said. “We are pleased to be one of the first states to offer this coverage expansion to eligible Medicaid Read More
EM-LA & N3B To Discuss Hexavalent Chromium Campaign March 18
From Los Alamos National Laboratory:
- Environmental Management Cleanup Forum to Pilot New Interactive Format March 18
Do you want to learn more about the legacy cleanup mission at Los Alamos National Laboratory? Join us for a public forum piloting a new format for active participation and interaction.
Starting at 5 p.m., Wednesday, March 18, EM-LA and N3B will provide a presentation on the hexavalent chromium plume, followed by public Q&A. This portion will be available in person and virtually via Microsoft Teams.
For the remaining part of the meeting, in-person attendees will have an Read More
UH Researcher Disputes Claim That Multilingualism Promotes Better Brain Aging
HEALTH News:
HOUSTON — University of Houston professor of psychology Arturo Hernandez is disputing a high-profile study published in the journal Nature Aging claiming that people who live in multilingual countries show healthier brain aging. Though the study got lots of attention, Hernandez reports in the journal Brain and Language that the findings warrant cautious interpretation and reframing of public health implications.
“We took a closer look and argued that the study’s conclusions go further than the data can support,” Hernandez said.
According to Hernandez, the countries Read More
Gov. Lujan Grisham Signs Medical Malpractice Reform, Other Healthcare Bills Into Law
STATE News:
LOS LUNAS — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed several bills March 6. that will transform New Mexico’s healthcare system by reforming medical malpractice law, health care affordability, patient billing transparency and hospital funding and more.
The bills—HB 99, HB 4, HB 306 and SB 101, among others—represent a historic milestone in the governor’s years-long push to alleviate physician shortages, make healthcare more affordable and improve the long-term financial security of hospitals across New Mexico. The governor signed the legislation at the soon-to-open Read More
Los Alamos High School Hosts ‘Arrive Alive Tour’ To Raise Awareness About The Serious Risks Of Impaired Driving
Two students compare their results after participating in the impaired driving simulator exercise, which raises awareness about the serious risks of impaired driving. Courtesy/LAPS
A student participant receives his ticket after driving impaired as part of the ‘Arrive Alive Tour’ impaired driving simulator hosted by LAHS Feb. 27 to raise awareness about the serious risks of impaired driving. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
Los Alamos High School (LAHS) hosted the “Arrive Alive Tour” impaired driving simulator on Friday, Feb. 27, to raise awareness about the serious risks of impaired driving. Read More
UNM Health To Provide Free Skin Cancer Screenings
UNM News:
The UNM School of Medicine Department of Dermatology and UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center will offer free skin cancer screening events tomorrow, Saturday, March 7, 2026 at two different locations:
Schreiber Family Medicine
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
630 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Suite 125, Taos, New Mexico 87571
Taos Ski Valley Taos Tent
2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
7 Thunderbird Rd, Taos Ski Valley, NM 87525
These events are FREE, and everyone arriving during event hours will be seen. The public is encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity for skin cancer screening without needing a doctor’s appointment Read More
New Mexico Health Care Authority To Host Public Feedback Session On CARA Transition Wednesday April 1
NMHCA News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Health Care Authority will host an online public feedback session Wednesday, April 1, to gather input on the transition of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) program to the agency.
The session will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will focus on the upcoming transfer of CARA administration to the Health Care Authority, which is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026.
The session is intended to provide information about the transition and to hear directly from community members, partners and individuals with direct experience with the Read More
New Mexico Health Department Offers Telehealth Family Planning Services
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) has launched a telehealth family planning program to help New Mexicans access affordable reproductive care from home.
Through the New Mexico Department of Health Helpline, callers can now schedule telehealth appointments for family planning services, including prescriptions for birth control and emergency contraception. Helpline clinical staff are available to counsel patients about family planning options and help them determine which birth control method is right for them.
“We’re excited to offer New Mexicans Read More
Building A Healthier New Mexico: Blue ImpactSM Grants Now Open
BCBSNM News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico’s Blue Impact grant program is accepting 2026-27 applications through May 1. These grants and other BCBSNM community investments directly target the social and economic factors that play a role in health and wellness.
Awarded grants range from $20,000 to $100,000. Requests should stay within this range to be considered for funding. More information about Blue Impact grants and the link to apply are available here.
“At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, our mission is to help ensure that every New Mexican has the opportunity Read More
‘LIFELINE: 2026 Youth Summit’ Friday At Mesa Library
COUNTY News:
“LIFELINE: 2026 Youth Summit” is a free, high-energy event for high school students focused on connection, resilience, and real-world life skills.
The summit is 5-8 p.m., Friday, March 6, at Mesa Public Library, 2400 Central Ave.
Students will enjoy free food trucks, door prizes, and a prevention toolkit for every participant.
The Summit features interactive workshops and short talks on topics like mental health support, suicide prevention, and how to safely administer NARCAN, alongside hands-on activities and creative experiences hosted by the YMCA, JJAB, Los Alamos Read More
Dannemann: The New Malpractice Law
By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again
© 2026 by Merilee Dannemann
Like most New Mexicans, I am deeply relieved that our medical malpractice law has been changed to get rid of unlimited punitive damages, the part of the law that has been scaring the heck out of our doctors and leading too many of them to leave the state.
I have already seen the first attack on the new version of the law – an article by a trial lawyer implying that injured patients won’t receive the compensation they deserve and greedy corporations will have no incentive for safety. Let’s clear this up.
The news coverage has focused Read More
Seeking LAHS Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors To Apply For LAMC’s 2026 ‘Multiple Avenues For Successful Healthcare’ Program
LAMC News:
Continuing a community tradition, Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) and Los Alamos High School are very pleased to once again offer the Multiple Avenues for Successful Healthcare (MASH) program to interested and eligible high school sophomores, juniors and seniors.
The goal of this annual program is to expose local students to the multiple exciting and rewarding career opportunities available in their hometown hospital.
This one-week job shadowing experience will occur on the LAMC campus, at 3917 West Road, June 1-5. The shadowing program is designed to involve interactive Read More