Health Care

Paid Leave Bill Clears First Hurdle, But Opposition Remains

By GABRIELLE PORTER
The Santa Fe New Mexican

A proposal to create a state-run paid family and medical leave program in New Mexico cleared its first hurdle Wednesday after passing a committee on a party-line vote.

But if the debate before the House Health and Human Services Committee was any indication, the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act seems poised to face much of the same opposition that has stalled it for the past five years: criticisms that the plan will hurt small businesses, that it’s written too broadly, and that it leaves itself open to abuse.

The proposed program, which has been reintroduced Read More

Tempers Flare At Capitol Between Health Secretary, GOP Lawmaker Over Op-Ed

New Mexico Department of Health Secretary Patrick Allen speaks during a news conference in March 2023 at the state Capitol. Courtesy/SFNM

Sen. Crystal Brantley, R-Elephant Butte, castigates Health Secretary Patrick Allen at the Capitol on Tuesday over an op-ed in which he accused her of “grandstanding” and making ‘wild accusations’ about New Mexico’s child welfare agency. Brantley had falsely asserted more New Mexico children die in state custody than die by gunfire. State data shows 40 children died by gunfire in 2022, compared to two deaths of children in state custody that year. Photo Read More

Kiwanis Hosts Key Club ‘Save A Life’ Presentation

From left, Key Club President Rebeca Li, Lieutenant Governors Uxue Sansinena and Praveen Swaminarayan and National Honor Society President Luke Favorite. Courtesy/Kiwanis Club

 

Kiwanis Club News:

At the Jan. 15 Kiwanis Club meeting, members of the Los Alamos High School Key Club and National Honor Society gave a talk about the “How to Save a Life” event that they previously organized and presented at the SALA Event Center about the dangers of fentanyl.

Key Club President Rebecca Li, Lieutenant Governors Praveen Swaminarayan and Uxue Sansinena and National Honor Society President Read More

LARSO To Hosts Matter Of Balance Classes Feb. 5-March 4

Participants in the 2023 Matter of Balance class. Courtesy/LARSO

A scene from a previous Matter of Balance class. Courtesy/LARSO

LARSO News:

Falls are a threat to the health of older adults and can reduce their ability to remain independent. Falls among adults 65 and older caused over 36,000 deaths in 2020, making it the leading cause of injury death for that group. In 2020, emergency departments recorded 3 million visits for older adult falls. Older adult falls cost $50 billion in medical costs annually, with 3/4 paid by Medicare and Medicaid.

However, falls don’t have to be inevitable as you Read More

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Issues Statement On 51st Anniversary Of Roe V. Wade Decision

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham

From the Office of the Governor:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a statement today, the 51st anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision:

“This date once marked a bright moment in U.S. history, when women were at long last granted autonomy over their own bodies and their own health care. Today, it has become a somber occasion as we are reminded that 18 months ago, the U.S. Supreme Court wrenched those rights away from American women.

New Mexico is a state that will not stop fighting for and supporting women in all aspects of their health care – and those Read More

OB/GYN Dr. Sharon Ransom Joins LAMC On Permanent Basis

Dr. Sharon Ransom

LAMC News:

Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) has announced that OB/GYN Dr. Sharon Ransom has joined the hospital on a permanent basis. Dr. Ransom has been providing services as a temporary provider for nearly three years, offering high quality patient care to the women and families of Los Alamos and Northern New Mexico.

“My practice as an OB/GYN centers on providing the highest quality healthcare to women in rural communities. I am eager to work with LAMC leadership to develop a community-focused women’s health service,” Dr. Ransom said. “Women’s health, from birth to menopause, Read More

Providers Say Health Department Slow To Give Out Funds For School Health Centers

Dan Frampton, board president of Breaking the Silence New Mexico, fears his organization will run out of money by mid-February and says it is owed $50,000 from the New Mexico Department of Health. Frampton, a licensed clinical social worker, provides suicide prevention services and mental health education to students across the state.  ‘We literally save lives by the work we do,’ he said. Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican

By MARGARET O’HARA
The Santa Fe New Mexican

ALBUQUERQUE — Dan Frampton expects his organization will be out of money by mid-February. 

Frampton, a licensed clinical social Read More

LAMC Honors Five Physicians With Emeritus Status

Los Alamos Medical Center recently honored five physicians with emeritus status: Drs. Lawrence Goddard, Michael Jackson, Bradley Rowberry, Mike Nichols and David Church (not pictured). “Each of these physicians dedicated over 30 years of their lives to the care and service of the people of Northern New Mexico and Los Alamos Medical Center,” said LAMC Chief of Staff Justin L. Green, MD, PhD, MBA, FACS. “They were and are truly giants in the medical community and exemplify the very finest character and professionalism in our field. Though now retired from active practice, they continue to serve Read More

Santa Fe Community College’s Nurses Association Club To Host Blood Drive With Vitalant Tuesday Feb. 6

SFCC News:

Santa Fe Community College’s (SFCC) Student Nurses Association Club will host a Vitalant Blood Drive, noon to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6 in SFCC Board Room 223, 6401 Richards Ave.

Please bring your photo ID.

To schedule a blood donation, visit https://bit.ly/SNABloodDrive

For more information, email HChase@vitalant.org or call 505.246.1498.

Walk-ins are welcome. Read More

Op/Ed: Excluding Volunteer Firefighters From New Mexico’s Cancer Presumptive Law Poses Serious Health Risks

By JONATHAN SHARP
Chief Financial Officer
Environmental Litigation Group, P.C.

Without a doubt, firefighting is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world. Firefighters are susceptible to smoke inhalation, burns, and crush injuries from collapsing structures. However, a more insidious health threat they regularly face is toxic exposure, which is often responsible for cancer.

When extinguishing blazes, firefighters can breathe in formaldehyde, asbestos, benzene, carbon monoxide, as well as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Often dubbed PFAS or “forever Read More

NMSP: Peñasco Couple Arrested For Abuse Of Newborn

NMSP News:

PEÑASCO — Jan. 11, the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Investigations Bureau was called to a home in Peñasco to investigate child abuse involving a newborn baby.

Agents learned that officers responded to a home in Peñasco after receiving an anonymous report that a child may be in danger. At the house, officers spoke with the mother, Darlene Gonzales, 35, and her husband, Ronald Gonzales, 40.

Darlene told officers she had given birth to a baby boy Jan. 10 in the living room of the home. A doctor had not examined the baby, and the baby had not received any medical care. Officers noticed the baby Read More

New Mexico State Police Ofc. Joe Sierra Prevents Overdose

NMSP News:

SANTA CLARA — At approximately 2:30 a.m., Jan. 16, 2024, New Mexico State Police Ofc. Joe Sierra was dispatched to an address on Fort Bayard Street in Santa Clara in reference to an apparent drug overdose.

Once on scene, Ofc. Sierra immediately recognized a male subject on the ground who was unresponsive but with a pulse. Ofc. Sierra rolled the male on his side and administered one dose of Naloxone (Narcan). The male remained unconscious and a second dose of Narcan was given. 

Ofc. Sierra began giving sternum rubs but they were unsuccessful. EMS arrived on scene and gave two more additional Read More

Key Clubbers To Describe ‘How To Save A Life’ Project At Kiwanis Meeting Monday Evening In Kelly Hall At TOTH

Scene from LAHS Key Club hosting their ‘How to Save a Life’  educational program highlighting the dangers of  Fentanyl held Nov. 14 at SALA. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Scene from LAFD Capt. Robert Fuselier speaking to students about the dangers of Fentanyl during LAHS Key Club’s ‘How to Save a Life’  program held Nov. 14 at SALA. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
KIWANIS News:
Los Alamos High School Key Club leaders will attend a Kiwanis Club meeting next week to describe their “How to Save a Life” educational program, which they presented Nov. 14 at SALA Event Center (link).
The
Read More

State Lawmakers To Join Postcard-Signing Event To Rouse Support For Autism Legislation Jan. 20

STATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Several state legislators – including Representatives Joshua Hernandez, Kathleen Cates, Liz Thompson and Sen. Linda Lopez – will join the Garza owned McDonald’s and Elevate the Spectrum to host a postcard signing-event on Saturday, Jan. 20 in an effort to impact change for those with autism.

The public is strongly encouraged to participate. The event will take place 2-4 p.m. at McDonald’s on 5700 McMahon Blvd.

Pre-filled postcards will be made available where the public need only add their address.

Volunteers will then send the postcards to the appropriate Read More

New Mexico Community Experts Urge Lawmakers To Rethink Approach To Crime Amid Renewed Calls For Harsh Penalties

ACLU Public Policy Director Nayomi Valdez

NM SAFE News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Leading experts and advocates associated with the NM SAFE coalition held a press conference Wednesday urging legislators to rethink their approach to crime ahead of the 2024 legislative session.

Amid renewed calls for punitive policies, professionals working to address addiction, homelessness, and youth violence, called on lawmakers to focus on proven solutions that tackle the root causes of crime and invest in families and the future of New Mexico.

“It is our hope that the legislature will commit to bolstering investments Read More

Los Alamos Medical Center Recognized For Excellence With ACC Chest Pain Center Reaccreditation

LAMC News:

  • LAMC provides necessary care, resources to patients with heart attack symptoms

The American College of Cardiology has recognized Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain. The hospital was awarded Chest Pain Center Reaccreditation in November 2023 based on rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack.

As an accredited Chest Pain Center, LAMC has committed to a higher standard of care for emergency cardiac services, Read More

State Releases Results For LAPS Waste Water Drug Testing

Courtesy image

STATE News:

The Governor’s Office and New Mexico Environment Department, to ensure the health and safety of school communities, launched an innovative wastewater testing program in public schools across the state. This program is intended to serve as a proactive measure to detect and address drug use among the school population.

The results for Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) waste water testing for drugs was released Tuesday. 

“­We cooperated with the state in this initiative voluntarily. We know that it is important to gather information on drug use in our community from Read More

NM Environment Department To Offer Voluntary Testing For PFAS For Clovis Residents, Cannon AFB Personnel

Environment Secretary James Kenney

NMED News:

Contractor sought to administer testing program this spring

CLOVIS — This spring, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) will offer Clovis residents living near Cannon Air Force Base and Base personnel the opportunity to have their blood tested for specified per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) free of charge.

NMED issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a contractor to administer the PFAS blood testing program and is seeking to host two events where up to 500 adult volunteers residing within four miles of Cannon Air Force Base Read More

Los Alamos Medical Center Welcomes First Baby Of 2024!

Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) rang in the new year with its first bundle of joy, Adrina! Weighing 7 pounds and 6.5 ounces, she was born to very proud parents Elena and Joshua Wright at 8:59 p.m. on Jan. 2. The LAMC team, including CEO Tracie Stratton, center, and Chief Nursing Officer Don Hislop, right, sent the happy family home with a special gift basket. Courtesy photo

LAMC rang in the new year with its first bundle of joy, Adrina, born at 8:59 p.m. on Jan. 2. Note: The lights are not hot and were used momentarily to enhance the festive occasion. Courtesy photo Read More

Shin: Happy New Year From Los Alamos Family Eyecare – Advanced Technology Improves Eyecare

By LISA SHIN, O.D.
Owner

Los Alamos Family Eyecare

Dear Friends:

Happy new year! This marks 27 years of providing eye care to this amazing community. I am so grateful for the support!

I am thrilled to announce our latest upgrade in eye technology: Icare Eidon, the first TrueColor Confocal imaging device for ultra-high resolution widefield imaging. For years, I had considered another imaging system, but I did not like the color and image distortion and the very high price tag. The Eidon was much more affordable, and we can pass along the savings to our patients. I never imagined myself owning instruments Read More

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