Health Officials Warn Against Baby Poultry As Easter Gifts
Baby chicks require proper care and safe handling. Photo by Todd Johnson/OSU
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — Despite their seasonal appeal, baby chicks and ducklings pose significant health risks as Easter gifts, particularly for young children.
Children who handle, snuggle, or keep poultry inside homes face increased exposure to Salmonella bacteria. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates Salmonella causes about 1.35 million infections in the United States every year. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps.
There are between 100-130 cases of Salmonella reported Read More
Los Alamos Health, Wellness And Resource Fair May 3
C’YA News:
Planning is almost complete for a Health, Wellness and Resource Fair in Los Alamos. The event is scheduled to take place May 3 at 2525 Canyon Road. The United Church of Los Alamos has furnished a large space to allow Champions of Youth Ambitions (C’YA) to host the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. event.
“The idea came as a result about sharing the news about our free suicide prevention trainings,” Bernadette Lauritzen C’YA Executive Director said. “We pitched the idea about getting out a lot of information for health and wellness resources to 100 Men Who Care, and they loved the idea.”
The health Read More
Measles Case Diagnosed In Doña Ana County
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) reports an unvaccinated child in Doña Ana County has been diagnosed with measles – the first measles case in that county.
The Doña Ana County case plus four additional cases among unvaccinated people in Lea County brings the total number of measles cases in New Mexico to 63.
Due to the ongoing risk of exposure to measles, New Mexico Department of Health recommends a dose of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine for infants aged 6-11 months who live in Doña Ana County, or who will be traveling to Doña Ana and Lea Counties.
“Given Read More
Luján Resolution Highlights National Public Health Week
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. SENATE News:
Washington D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced a resolution highlighting National Public Health Week, celebrated April 7 to April 13 this year.
This resolution is meant to raise awareness about the importance of public health amid the firing by the Trump administration of nearly 25 percent of the workforce at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the elimination of critical subagencies at HHS that keep Americans healthy.
Sen. Luján’s resolution also outlines issues facing the U.S. including pandemic preparedness, access Read More
Op-Ed: About Diabetes Risk Check
By BILL HEINMILLER
Los Alamos
Regarding the Diabetes risk check published on March 28 (link), it is understood T2D is very common, and it is managed, not cured. The linked quiz requires less than a minute. It asks 8 questions (9 if a woman) regarding age, sex, family, blood pressure, exercise, race and BMI to determine your overall risk to T2D.
There is no zero risk response. One caution is if one gets a low risk response, they should not conclude low risk means no risk and nothing more need be done. Similarly, one who gets a high risk response should not choose to do nothing because they are not experiencing Read More
State Awarded Competitive Community Care Corps Grant
ALTSD News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico has been selected to receive $100,000 from the National Community Care Corps to strengthen senior services in rural areas of the state.
New Mexico’s Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) is one of 23 organizations chosen from a pool of 122 national applicants to receive funding. Grant recipients were determined through a highly competitive process that prioritized innovation, community need, and a commitment to serving diverse and underserved populations.
The Community Care Corps is a nationwide collaboration between the Administration for Read More
Wernicke: Donate Life
Alejandra Wernicke of Los Alamos meets her kidney donor 10 months after her transplant. Courtesy photo
By JAMES WERNICKE
Grateful Husband
Los Alamos
April is National Donate Life Month. For my family, it’s more than an awareness campaign. Organ donation gave my family a future. In 2017, my wife Alejandra’s kidneys were failing. Dialysis was keeping her alive, but just barely—every week was a cycle of exhaustion, nausea, and the creeping fear that time was running out. In 2019, we got the call that she had a living donor match.
Her donor was a former drug addict who had not only turned his own life Read More
Medical Associates Of Northern New Mexico Announces Appointment Of Doug Bishop As Practice Administrator
MANNM News:
Medical Associates of Northern New Mexico announces the appointment of Doug Bishop as its new Practice Administrator. In this role, Bishop will oversee day-to-day operations, strategic planning, and practice management to ensure continued excellence in patient care and organizational growth.
With more than 30 years of experience in healthcare administration, Bishop brings a strong background in operational leadership, financial management, and team development. Most recently, he served as Practice Administrator at U.S. Oncology, where he led initiatives that improved Read More
Still Time To Register For Los Alamos Public School’s MLSS & SAT Information Night Scheduled For Wednesday April 16
LAPS News:
There’s still time to sign up to attend the Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) MLSS & SAT Information Night 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 16 in the Los Alamos High School Speech Theater.
Parents and caregivers of students of all ages are invited to attend.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn how the school supports students through the Multi-Layered System of Supports (MLSS) and the Student Assistance Team (SAT) process.
This session is perfect for families who want to better understand how academic, behavioral, and emotional needs are identified and addressed—with Read More
Governor Signs Supported Decision-Making Act
ALTSD News:
SANTA FE — New Mexicans with disabilities and older adults are one step closer to having greater autonomy in their decision-making after the governor signed SB 535 into law last week.
SB 535, an omnibus bill addressing various public health, safety and welfare measures, includes the Supported Decision-Making Act, which will establish a new program within the Office of Guardianship dedicated towards supported decision-making agreements, an alternative to adult guardianship. The New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) will collaborate closely with the Read More
McQuiston: What It Really Costs To Go To The ER After A Car Accident In New Mexico
By ALLEN MCQUISTON
Jemez Insurance Agency
Serving Los Alamos Since 1963
Getting into a car accident is stressful enough — but an ER visit afterward can also hit you with some serious bills.
Here’s what you can actually expect if you need emergency care after a crash in New Mexico.
First: Just Walking Into the ER Costs Money
Even if your injuries seem minor, just stepping into an ER comes with built-in charges.
Triage and Facility Fees:
- Most New Mexico hospitals charge around $1,200 to $2,500 just for evaluating you and using the ER.
Doctor’s Fee:
- The ER physician will send a separate bill, usually
Take Survey For Upcoming Health, Wellness & Resource Fair
C’YA News:
Champions of Youth Ambitions (C’YA) is sponsoring a Health, Wellness and Resource Survey. It is meant for ages 18 and up. What things would you like to see here? What resources do you need more information about?
Take the survey here: https://forms.gle/UZnQsgw9tq8G5MiA6.
C’YA is not collecting individual information and will not respond. The goal is to have many things to offer at a May 3 Health, Wellness and Resource Fair, which will have information for all ages and stages of life.
Anyone who has additional questions, wants a hard copy or would like to respond in further detail may Read More
Governor Signs Into Law Increase To Top Oil And Gas Royalty Rate On New Mexico’s Best State Lands
Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard pushed for legislation to increase the top royalty rate offered for new oil and gas development on the best state lands will be signed into law today by the governor. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
STATE News:
- Offering market rate for premium tracts would generate over a billion dollars in additional value for public schools, universities and hospitals
SANTA FE – Legislation pushed by New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard to increase the top royalty rate offered for new oil and gas development on the best state Read More
NMDOH: April Is National Alcohol Awareness Month
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — Alcohol Awareness Month is an ideal time to educate ourselves and others about alcohol-related risks, such as cancer, chronic liver disease, and death as well as to acknowledge those who are in recovery.
New Mexico has historically had the highest rate of alcohol-related death in the nation. When comparing the most recently available national data from 2021, the state’s rate of alcohol-related death was more than two times higher than the alcohol-related death rate in the United States. Still, some progress is being made. In 2023, there were 1,896 alcohol-related deaths Read More
New Mexico Primary Care Council Regular Meeting Today
HCA News:
Notice is hereby given that the New Mexico Primary Care Council will convene for a regular meeting at 10 a.m., today, Thursday, April 10, virtually via Zoom. The public is welcome, and information about how to join the meeting is below.
Copies of the agenda will be posted and available on the Health Care Authority’s website. Copies may also be obtained by contacting Alex Willey, Staff Manager – MAD at alexandra.willey@hca.nm.gov. An individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified signed language interpreter, or other form of auxiliary aid or service Read More
Los Alamos Medical Care Clinic Welcomes Amy Vandling
LAMCC Provider Amy Vandling
LAMCC News:
Amy Vandling has joined the Los Alamos Medical Care Clinic (LAMCC) team.
Vandling is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner who originally started at LAMCC as a staff nurse working in multiple positions. She returned to school at the University of New Mexico College of Nursing, graduated with her Master of Science in May of 2024, and has rejoined the LAMCC practice as a provider.
Vandling has lived in Los Alamos for 20 years. She is committed to building lasting relationships with her patients, providing them with high quality, evidence-based care in the Read More
Governor Signs Bill To Strengthen Public Safety Response, Mental Health Crisis Hotline, And Support Services
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
NMDFA News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed Senate Bill 535, legislation to strengthen public safety, crisis response, and workers’ compensation through fees and surcharges increases. The bill also establishes a framework for supported decision-making.
“This funding helps local entities with the resources needed to build a modern, equitable emergency communications network statewide,” said Secretary Wayne Propst of the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (NMDFA). “By moving to Next Generation 911, we Read More
Department Of Health Recognizes Public Health Workers
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — This week is the perfect time to recognize the contributions of public health workers and the impact they have on their communities.
That’s because it is National Public Health Week (April 7-13), which The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is using to celebrate our state’s public health workers. One of the key themes is It Starts Here: Your Health is Our Mission.
“The health and wellbeing of every New Mexican remains the top priority for every public health worker in our agency,” said Esperanza Lucero, director for NMDOH’s Center for Read More
LAMC Publishes 2024 Community Benefit Report
LAMC CEO Tracie Stratton
LAMC News:
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- Report outlines hospital’s impact on health and economic vitality of Northern New Mexico
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Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) today published its community benefit report for the 2024 calendar year. This annual report outlines the various ways the hospital is working to support the health and economic vitality of Los Alamos and Northern New Mexico as part of its mission of making communities healthier®.
“As a leader in our community and region, we are committed to providing high-quality care close to home, investing in our region’s overall well-being and making Read More
Enforcement Watch Alert: 78 Enforcement Actions Initiated; 124 Resolved In March 2025
NMED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) released Enforcement Watch updates for the month of March 2025. The Enforcement Watch is a listing of all active and resolved enforcement cases.
Active cases involve an alleged violation of a regulation, rule, permit, license, etc. Resolved cases are those that were adjudicated in court of law or administratively resolved. The Enforcement Watch also provides tools for the public to report alleged environmental or workplace safety violations.
“Our efforts throughout the state significantly enhance the well-being of New Read More
