McQuiston: Would You Survive A Car Crash From The 1970s Vs. Today?
By ALLEN MCQUISTON
Jemez Insurance Agency
Serving Los Alamos Since 1963
If you’ve ever looked at classic cars from the 1970s, it’s easy to admire the chrome bumpers, solid frames, and heavy steel doors. Many people assume those older cars were “built like tanks” and therefore safer. But when it comes to surviving a serious crash, the reality is the opposite. Modern vehicles give you a far better chance of walking away.
Here’s why:
The Myth of Heavy Steel vs. Real Safety
Back in the 1970s, vehicles were heavier, but weight doesn’t equal protection. Older designs were rigid, meaning the car absorbed
New Mexico Health Care Authority Joins National Observance Of ‘988 Day’ To Raise Awareness Of Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
NMHA News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Health Care Authority is joining the national observance of “988 Day” on Sept. 8, 2025, a day of action to raise awareness about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and its role in supporting mental health across the state.
“Calling, texting or chatting 988 is available to every New Mexican in every moment of need,” said Nick Boukas, director of the Behavioral Health Services Division at the New Mexico Health Care Authority. “Every call, text and chat represents a moment of courage and a chance to connect people with the support they deserve.”
988 Day promotes Read More
Dr. Abouda Reflects On 20 Years Of Care For Our Communities
From LAMC:
Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) is proudly celebrating Mustapha Kamel Abouda, MD, of Espanola Family Care as he marks 20 years of service to our beautiful communities of Northern New Mexico.
A native of Algeria, Dr. Abouda came to the Southwest for a four-year Observership in Santa Fe. He then completed his Residency in Family Practice in Pueblo, Colo. He fell in love with the area and still calls it home.
We recently chatted with Dr. Abouda as he reflected on his inspiring career journey, making meaningful connections with patients and what he finds rewarding as a physician.
Question: Read More
FSN Infant Mental Health Workshop Sept. 10
FSN News:
Los Alamos Early Childhood Collaboration (LAECC) Speaker Series: Infant Mental Health – “If A Brain Could Talk About Learning & Thriving in Early Life”, 6-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, at Family Strengths Network in Los Alamos. Cost is free.
Presenter: Dr. Layne Kalbfleisch, M.Ed., Ph.D. of 2E Consults ® LLC
Transform how you respond to children’s behavior with Dr. K’s dynamic workshop for parents, caregivers, and educators. Discover four of the brain’s neurological imperatives—flexibility, readiness, connection, and unmasking—and learn Read More
New Mexico Extends Flooding Disaster Food Assistance
HCA News:
SANTA FE — Effective immediately, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers in Lincoln, Chaves, De Baca, Guadalupe, Otero, Sierra, Socorro, Torrance, Doña Ana and Luna counties can temporarily use their EBT cards to buy hot, ready-to-eat foods from deli departments at authorized retailers.
This emergency measure remains in effect through Sept. 30.
“Families affected by flooding are still navigating significant challenges,” said Niki Kozlowsi, director for the Income Support Division. “This temporary measure ensures they have access to warm and nutritious Read More
Governor Proclaims September Recovery Awareness Month
HCA News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) proudly announces a series of statewide events in September to mark Recovery Awareness Month and support everyone who is in recovery and those who support them.
“In September and every day, we honor the courage of those in recovery and the dedication of the providers, peers, and advocates who support them,” said SecretaryKari Armijo, of the New Mexico Health Care Authority. “We are here to stand with communities across the state to promote healing, reduce stigma, and expand access to behavioral health services.”
All New Mexicans Read More
Heinrich Introduces Legislation To Ensure Active-Duty Servicemembers & Their Families Receive Reimbursement For Medical Care Travel
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ahead of the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Senate markup, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced the TRICARE Travel Improvement Act, legislation to ensure active-duty servicemembers and their families can be reimbursed for traveling for medical care.
Currently, families stationed at White Sands Missile Range and Holloman Air Force Base travel nearly 100 miles to El Paso, Texas, for medical care, but are denied reimbursement because they are just under the 100-mile threshold. Heinrich’s TRICARE Travel Read More
Los Alamos County Social Services Department Announces 2025 In-Person Evening Office Hours At Mesa Public Library
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Social Services Division is offering convenient evening hours at the Mesa Public Library to better assist people who may not be able to meet during regular business hours.
Community members in need of assistance with housing services, utility payments, food instability, or connections to other resources in the County are encouraged to stop by for a one-on-one meeting to learn how Social Services may be able to help.
No appointment is necessary.
The Social Services staff will be available monthly on Wednesday evening in a study room at the Mesa Public Library. Read More
Health Care Authority Recognizes SNAP’s 61st Anniversary
NMHCA News:
SANTA FE — On the 61st anniversary of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham reaffirmed New Mexico’s commitment to protecting families despite deep cuts to the program under the Republican reconciliation law.
“For sixty-one years, the SNAP program has been one of the most effective tools we have to fight hunger and poverty,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “It keeps children nourished so they can learn, helps older adults stay healthy and allows working families to focus on getting ahead instead of worrying about their next meal.
“Sadly, Read More
UNM Center For Social Police Releases Groundbreaking Report Describing Health Care Billing Frustrations
UNM News:
University of New Mexico’s Center for Social Policy has just released the final findings of focus group interviews with New Mexico health professionals and claims processors.
The report, authored by Dr. Melanie Sonntag and Dr. Gabriel Sanchez, describes their frustrations with the complex and time-consuming billing and claims processing system in New Mexico’s hospital and private medical practices.
While there have been many general studies describing the cost and complexity of health payment systems in the United States, this is the first time that a state has collected detailed Read More
U.S. Senators Heinrich And Luján Announce Legislation To Protect New Mexico Workers From Extreme Heat
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As temperatures climbed to historic levels once again this summer, U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), announced legislation that would implement workplace heat stress protections in New Mexico and nationwide.
“Every day, thousands of New Mexicans work to maintain our grid, build our roads, care for our favorite open spaces, farm the land, and do countless other jobs under the heat of the sun — work we all rely on to make our communities function. These folks deserve our respect. And with temperatures hitting higher than ever Read More
Lobby Shop Sale At LAMC Saturday Aug. 30
LAMC News:
The Lobby Shop at Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) is hosting a 20 percent off sale, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30.
Proceeds support LAMC auxiliary projects. Read More
New Helicopter Enhances Emergency Air Medical Services In Northern New Mexico
Crew with new H125 B3E (AS350 B3E) helicopter. Courtesy photo
HEALTHCARE News:
TAOS — Patients needing emergency air medical transport throughout northern New Mexico now have greater access to critical care with the arrival of a new helicopter in Taos. TriState CareFlight 16’s new H125 B3E (AS350 B3E) helicopter went into service in Taos earlier this month, delivering faster response times, improved performance, and advanced capabilities to support patients in need. The program is part of Air Methods, the nation’s leading air medical service provider, which recently entered into a multi-year Read More
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Oct. 4 At Fuller Lodge
First Private ABC Suicide Prevention Training Held Aug. 16
Bernadette Lauritzen speaking Aug. 16 at ABC suicide prevention training. Courtesy photo
COMMUNITY News:
Bernadette Lauritzen (Executive Director of Champions of Youth Ambitions), alongside Brandi Weiss (Program Manager and Anchorum Fellow for Los Alamos Community Foundation), hosted the first ABC suicide prevention training partner class at the Los Alamos Jewish Center on Aug. 16.
ABC suicide prevention training (ask, be present, and connect) recently rolled out in Los Alamos in partnership with Santa Fe Community College.
LAUNCH (Los Alamos Uniting for Community Health) is working Read More
Fencing To Be Installed Around Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Health Research Laboratory
LANL News:
Los Alamos National Laboratory’s (LANL) Health Research Laboratory (HRL) complex, adjacent to Los Alamos Medical Center on Diamond Drive, is being emptied for pre-demolition preparation activities. Fencing around the perimeter of the complex is expected to be installed in the next couple of months.
Most of the parking used by hospital staff and patients between the medical center and HRL will remain open and may continue to be used. Parking will be reassessed for safety prior to construction mobilization. A gate will be installed under the Los Alamos Canyon (Omega) Bridge to prevent Read More
Los Alamos County Council Proclaims September 2025 ‘National Suicide Prevention Month In Los Alamos’
Los Alamos County Council proclaimed September 2025 ‘National Suicide Prevention Month in Los Alamos’ during this evening’s meeting in Council Chambers. Pictured from left, Los Alamos JJAB Executive Director Rachel Mohr-Richards, Los Alamos Community Foundation Program Manager Brandi Weiss, Social Services Manager Jessica Strong, Councilor Melanie Hand, and Los Alamos Community Foundation Executive Director Liz Martineau. Courtesy/LAC Read More
ABC Community Suicide Prevention Course To Debut In Los Alamos Beginning Friday, Sept. 12 At Mesa Public Library
SFCC News:
In response to New Mexico’s persistently high suicide rate, among the top five in the nation, Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) has developed a new suicide prevention course: ABC – Ask, Be Present, Connect.
The program debuts this August in Los Alamos and is free and open to the public.
“The ABC program goes beyond crisis intervention,” said curriculum creator, Marvel Harrison, PhD. “It includes upstream prevention by building a culture where it’s safe to ask someone if they’re thinking about suicide. Talking about suicide saves lives.”
The ABC Suicide Prevention program Read More
CHRISTUS St. Vincent Earns State’s Only 5-Star CMS Rating
CHRISTUS St. Vincent News:
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SANTA FE — CHRISTUS St. Vincent has been awarded the highest possible 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), making it the only hospital in New Mexico to earn the national distinction.
The 5-star rating recognizes hospitals that achieve exceptional performance in patient outcomes, safety, patient experience and overall quality of care.
“This 5-star rating is a testament to the dedication, skill and compassion of our entire workforce,” Read More
Life After 50: What Did You Say…?
By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Executive Director
C’YA
I really wanted to start this column with “Just get over yourself” … but it sounded too aggressive. Let me explain.
Over the last three weeks, at the age of 57, I have been the proud owner of a brand-new pair of hearing aids. Whaaaat? The additional aaa in what are not what because I didn’t hear what I said – it is the what of disbelief – as in “you hear me correctly?”!
After I retired, I noticed tinnitus, a ringing or buzzing in my ears. I was able to navigate it, but did so mostly because some doctors say you can do nothing about it. Then recently, I realized Read More
