Leadership Los Alamos Health & Wellbeing Session Review
C’YA Executive Director Bernadette Lauritzen leads a discussion during the March 28 Leadership Los Alamos session. Courtesy/LLA
LLA News:
Leadership Los Alamos (LLA) held its Health & Wellbeing session March 28 at the Los Alamos Little Theatre. The engaging event aimed to foster leadership skills and promote community awareness among participants.
The session began with a warm welcome from LLA Board Members, followed by a short breathing exercise designed to center the participants and prepare them for the day ahead. Judith Gordon led the group through their third Leadership Development Read More
What About All Those Ticks Around Town?
A brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). Courtesy/CDC
A rocky mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni). Courtesy/CDC
COUNTY News:
Why is there an increase in ticks in Los Alamos County?
In Northern NM, an increase in tick populations in 2025 is likely due to several factors:
- Climate change: Milder winters and earlier springs, due to climate change, allow ticks to survive and reproduce for a longer period, leading to larger populations. Ticks are exotherms, meaning they don’t regulate their internal temperature, so they thrive in warmer conditions. Changes in precipitation patterns
Los Alamos Uniting For Community Health At SALA May 19
LAMC Names 2025 Mercy Award Winner: Dianne Vandiver
Dianne Vandiver, RN
LAMC News:
RN has made incredible contributions and impacts during her 53-year career
Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) recently announced that Dianne Vandiver, RN, has been recognized as the facility’s 2025 Mercy Award winner.
The Mercy Award recognizes one employee from each of Lifepoint Health’s facilities who profoundly touches the lives of others and best represents the spirit and values on which the company was founded. The award is considered the highest honor a Lifepoint employee can receive.
Vandiver has been a nurse at Los Alamos Medical Center since March 22, Read More
New Virtual Program Trains Public On Overdose Prevention
UNM’s Project ECHO News:
ALBUQUERQUE — In a concerted effort to combat the escalating opioid crisis in New Mexico, Project ECHO at The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center is partnering with the New Mexico Health Care Authority and Bernalillo County to introduce the Community Opioid Response Education (CORE) program.
The program provides free, virtual training on naloxone administration and harm reduction strategies for everyone in New Mexico, equipping them with the knowledge and tools necessary to save lives. Any New Mexican who participates can receive free harm reduction Read More
NMDOH: Measles Cases Diagnosed In Sandoval County
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) confirms the first measles cases in Sandoval County: an adult of unknown vaccination status and an unvaccinated child under the age of four.
People may have been exposed to measles at the following locations, days and times:
- Presbyterian Rust Hospital Emergency Department, 2400 Unser Boulevard SE in Rio Rancho.
- noon – 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 30
- 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Sunday, May 11
- Presbyterian Rust Medical Center Hematology/Oncology Clinic, 2400 Unser Boulevard SE in Rio Rancho.
- 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.,
Los Alamos Wellness & Los Alamos Assisted Living Community Party With Food, Fun, Family At Pond May 27
LAMC Honored For National Quality Leadership
Lifepoint Health corporate leadership and LAMC officials gathered at a special celebration on May 9 to recognize LAMC for its continued quality excellence. Back row from left, James McGonnell CFO, Dr. Chris Frost Chief Quality and Medical Officer, David McCullough Division Medical Group Services, Caryn Iverson western Division VP quality, Dávid Loehr, Division Compliance Director, Jason Zachariah Chief Operations Officer LifePoint Health, Jen Aldefer Western Division President; and Tracie Stratton CEO of LAMC. Front row from left, Debra Temple, Chief Nursing Officer LAMC, Mo Jones Read More
NMDOH: Homeless Face Greater Health Risks
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — People who are homeless are more likely to get sick, hurt or even die from preventable causes.
The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) has published a report titled “A Novel Strategy for Counting Persons Experiencing Homelessness and Describing Their Health Outcomes in New Mexico Healthcare Facilities, 2019–2023.“ The report analyzed statewide hospital data to more accurately estimate the number of people experiencing homelessness (PEH) and to better understand their health conditions. It examined key demographic and clinical factors, including Read More
Scenes Of School Bus And Car Collision On Diamond Drive
Los Alamos police and firefighters responded to the scene of a school bus and car collision early this afternoon on Diamond Drive near Los Alamos High School. LAPD reports that the bus driver was cited for failure to yield, and the juvenile in the other car was transported to Los Alamos Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. Courtesy photo
The school bus involved in a collision with a car early this afternoon on Diamond Drive near Los Alamos High School in which the bus driver was cited for failure to yield, and the juvenile in the other car was transported to Los Alamos Medical Center Read More
More Than 25,000 New Mexicans Get MMR Shots
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH). has announced that between Feb. 1 and May 12 — 27,123 New Mexicans received the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine — roughly twice the number of residents who got the shot during the same time last year.
“The MMR vaccine remains the best tool against the measles virus, and the ever-growing number of New Mexicans getting it speaks to their desire to slow the ongoing outbreak,” NMDOH Immunization Program Manager Andrea Romero said.
To date, NMDOH reports 71 measles cases in the state in 2025. Cases have been diagnosed in five New Read More
Dannemann: Workers’ Comp Task Force Was A Model For Future Legislation
By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again
In 1990, Raymond Sanchez took on the trial lawyers and won. Yes, that Raymond Sanchez. At the time he was Speaker of the House.
Supporting that effort was none other than Marty Chavez. Yes, that Marty Chavez. Chavez was then a state senator.
The challenge was workers’ compensation. Workers’ comp insurance in New Mexico had become so expensive that most businesses couldn’t afford it. Insurance companies were leaving the state. Many businesses could not get insurance at any price.
Sanchez and Chavez are both featured in a 7-minute film, produced by New Read More
Luján, Murkowski Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation To Combat Maternal And Infant Mortality Crisis
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. —U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) reintroduced the Midwives for Maximizing Optimal Maternity Services (MOMS) Act, bipartisan legislation that addresses the maternal and infant mortality crisis by increasing the number of trained midwives in the United States.
The bipartisan legislation would increase funding for midwifery education and increase diversity in the maternity care workforce by recruiting students from minority or disadvantaged backgrounds.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Read More
Los Alamos County Eco Station Services Halted Several Hours Following Radiation Detection Alert Monday May 5
Scene at the Los Alamos County Eco Station Monday afternoon at 3701 East Jemez Road following a Radiation Portal Detector alert after which LAFD and LANL were called to investigate. Courtesy/LAC
LAFD and LANL respond to the scene of a Radiation Portal Detector alert Monday afternoon at the Los Alamos County Eco Station at 3701 East Jemez Road. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Eco Station services were suspended at approximately 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 5, for the remainder of the day, when the Radiation Portal Detectors alerted Environmental Services staff to potential radioactive Read More
DEA Disposes Of 620,000 Pounds Of Unused Medications On 28th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
DEA News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — DEA and nearly 4,500 law enforcement agencies joined forces last month to dispose of more than 620,000 pounds of unneeded and expired medications in an effort to prevent drug misuse and abuse.
The spring collection event marked DEA’s 28th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
Since its inception 16 years ago, DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day has helped Americans safely remove nearly 19.8 million pounds of expired, unwanted, or unused medications from their homes.
“We want to thank our state, local, and tribal partners for their continued support of DEA’s Read More
Community Urged To Support National Association Of Letter Carriers Annual Food Drive To Stamp Out Hunger Saturday!
By MJ BUSTAMANTEFood Drive Coordinator
NALC Branch 4112
This Saturday May 10 marks the 32nd anniversary of the largest one-day food drive in the nation – the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive.
Letter carriers are in the communities they serve every day and often come face to face with a sad reality for too many: hunger. Each year on the second Saturday in May, letter carriers across the county collect non-perishable food donations from our customers.
Over the course of its 32-year history, the drive has collected well over 1.9 billion pounds of food, thanks
May Is The Perfect Time To Celebrate New Mexico Nurses
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — Nurses contribute to health in multifaceted ways as educators, innovators and caregivers, and are an essential part of our healthcare system.
The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) recognizes May as National Nurses Month and May 6-12 as National Nurses Week. In addition, May 7 is National School Nurse Day.
“I want to personally thank all the nurses who work at NMDOH and in other healthcare settings across the state,” Gina DeBlassie, NMDOH Secretary said. “Taking time to offer our gratitude and recognition of the nurses in our communities is the least we can do for Read More
State Encourages Use Of 5-3-1 Visibility Method
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — May is both Asthma Awareness Month and Wildfire Awareness Month and a good time to encourage New Mexicans to use the 5-3-1 visibility method on smoky days to help protect their health
According to the New Mexico Department of Health’s (NMDOH) Asthma Control Program, asthma is one of the most common conditions affecting New Mexican adults and children. In New Mexico, about 10% of adults have asthma – about 162,000 people.
“New Mexicans can take simple steps to protect their health on days when the outdoor air quality is diminished due to smoke from wildland fires,” said Read More
Kuchinsky: Eggo The Guide Dog
By MIKE KUCHINSKY
Member
Los Alamos Canes and Canines
What is warm, golden brown, sweet, and named Eggo? If you are thinking a waffle, you would be mistaken, in this instance Eggo is a Golden Retriever guide dog. I first met Eggo two months ago on my third day as a student at Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines (GDA/TLC). We were in the 432nd class of GDA. From the day we met, through the three-week training course, and through today, Eggo has been with me 24/7, and has changed my life. But let me set the stage and share mybackstory.
My name is Mike, I worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory for Read More
The Silent Struggle: Understanding The Mental Health Effects Of Bullying
STAND FOR THE SILENT News:
OKLAHOMA CITY — May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, making it a great time to put an issue in the spotlight that is leading many of our nation’s youth to suffer mentally.
While some share what they are going through with being bullied or doing the bullying, many others suffer silently, leading to serious issues that may be life threatening. The more we can bring this issue out into the light, the less silent suffering young people will be led to doing.
“Bullying is something that needs to get a lot of attention so that people can prevent and recognize it,” says Kirk Read More
