Dannemann: There’s No Mystery About Malpractice
© 2025 By MERILEE DANNEMANN
We can’t take action on the medical malpractice issue, said Rep. Liz Thomson, because we don’t have data.
You’ve got to be kidding, I muttered.
Thomson made this comment to a standing-room-only audience at a pre-legislature town hall where she was one of eight legislators on stage. It was almost the end of the event, which had until that moment been pretty cordial.
Instead of asking for closing statements, the moderator asked for each legislator’s final comments to be his or her proposed solutions on the issue of healthcare, which all had agreed was a major concern. Read More
Health Care Authority Launches New Office Of Data And Analytics To Drive Improvements Across New Mexico
HCA Cabinet Secretary Kari Armijo
HCA News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) has announced the launch of its new Office of Data and Analytics (ODA), a pioneering team dedicated to leveraging data-driven strategies to improve health outcomes across New Mexico.
“We’re excited to launch the Office of Data and Analytics bringing on talented professionals who are ready to make a real difference,” HCA Cabinet Secretary Kari Armijo said. “The data office will allow us to leverage advanced analytics to support decision-making that leads to better, more equitable health outcomes Read More
DEA Announces Three New Telemedicine Rules That Continue To Open Access To Telehealth Treatment
DEA News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is announcing three new rules to make permanent some temporary telemedicine flexibilities established during the COVID-19 public health emergency while also establishing new patient protections.
In developing these rules, DEA has focused on the patient to ensure telemedicine is accessible for medical care. Importantly, these rules do not apply to telemedicine visits in which a patient has already been seen in-person by a medical provider. Once a patient has had an in-person visit with a medical provider, the medical Read More
LARSO To Host ‘A Matter Of Balance’ Fall Prevention Program At BESC Beginning Monday Jan. 27
Instructors Judy Lovejoy, second from left, and Kate Cleveland, front, with October 2024 graduates. Courtesy/LARSO
By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Certified MOB Trainer
The Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization (LARSO) will offer another session of A Matter of Balance (MOB) starting later this month. This evidence-based fall prevention program is designed to reduce the fear of falling and improve activity levels of older adults.
The classes are designed for seniors age 60 and older. The program is FREE and completed in eight two-hour sessions, twice a week.
The new classes are 9:30-11:30 Read More
Vitalant To Hold First White Rock Blood Drive Of 2025 Friday
LAMC Welcomes Debra Temple As Interim CNO
Debra Temple, LAMC Interim Chief Nursing Officer
LAMC News:
Los Alamos Medical Center is pleased to announce the arrival of Debra Temple, MHA, BSN, RN as the hospital’s Interim Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). Debra has more than 14 years of medical executive leadership, spanning inpatient rehabilitation, long term acute care and acute care settings.
“Quality is our top priority at LAMC, and Debra has shown her commitment is to high quality patient care, safe patient care and safe nursing practice,” Tracie Stratton, CEO of Los Alamos Medical Center. said “As a healthcare leader in our region, Read More
Kiwanis Club Of Los Alamos Speaker Elizabeth Martineau Discusses Importance Of Community Nonprofit Support
LACF Executive Director Elizabeth Martineau discusses importance of supporting non-profit organizations. Courtesy/Kiwanis
By BROOKE DAVIS
Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos
At its Jan. 7 meeting, the Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos heard a presentation from Executive Director Elizabeth Martineau of the Los Alamos Community Foundation (LACF). She started off by asking the audience to remember where, when and from whom did they learn about giving and why do they give today.
Her own story includes coming from a military family with a dedication to service and a desire to always be part of a community. She Read More
Touro College Of Dental Medicine In New Mexico Names Exec. Assistant Dean Dr. Joseph Parkinson To Lead College
Dr. Joseph Parkinson
TOURO COLLEGE News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Touro University, a leading New York-based non-profit institution of higher and professional education, announces the appointment of Joseph Parkinson, DDS, MPA, FAGD as Executive Assistant Dean at Touro College of Dental Medicine (TCDM) in Albuquerque.
Dr. Parkinson will serve as the highest-ranking professional at the New Mexico campus, leading all aspects of the dental college’s operations and clinical training programs. He will report directly to Dr. Ronnie Myers, DDS, Dean of the Touro College of Dental Medicine, and will Read More
NM House Democrats Preview Priorities For 2025 Session
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
STATE News:
- “You deserve to feel safe in your home and your community…” –House Speaker Javier Martínez (D-Albq.).
- “There is nothing more fundamental to the well-being of our families and communities than public safety.” –Rep. Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos)
ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico House Democrats (NMHD) shared a preview Friday of select policy priorities for the upcoming 60-day Legislative Session, which begins Jan. 21.
Key areas of focus include:
- Improving public safety;
- Supporting the well-being of New Mexico’s children;
- Relieving
Benson: Be A Hero
By JODY BENSON
Los Alamos
What if you were offered a quick, easy, inexpensive way to clean up litter, lower chemical pollution, and reduce endocrine disruption affecting sexual development and obesity? What if I told you that this action contributes to a healthier, cleaner future for you and your kids? Would you think about it, or dismiss the offer out of hand? (Remember, it’s quick, cheap, easy.)
What is this tiny little action? Just bring your own shopping bags wherever you go.
First let’s clarify what is meant by single-use carry-out disposable plastic shopping bag. These are the brown-Smiths/white-Walmart Read More
New Mexico Raises Medicaid Rates For Services Supporting Individuals With Disabilities
NMHCA News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) received federal approval to increase Medicaid rates for services provided to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Provider rates in three different programs will increase in mid-January.
“Increasing provider rates strengthens the workforce and helps to ensure members receive the quality health care services they need,” Dana Flannery, Medicaid director said. “These programs allow individuals to remain in their homes and communities, avoiding institutional care. Improved compensation Read More
Council Adopts Comprehensive Health Plan
Social Services Division Manager Jessica Strong
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
While Los Alamos County Council unanimously approved a comprehensive health plan during its regular meeting Dec. 17, Social Services Division Manager Jessica Strong revealed that steps were already taken to improve the physical and mental health of Los Alamos residents.
She explained that before the final plan was presented there was a short-term action plan.
“We have made really good progress on several of the items,” Strong said.
For instance, she reported that Social Services Read More
Healing America’s Heroes Has New Home; Winter Programs
CEO Eddie Crain with his favorite horse Cowboy. Courtesy photo
By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Executive Director
Champions of Youth Ambitions
Eddie Crain is the Founder and CEO of Healing America’s Heroes (HAH), founded in 2014 in Northern New Mexico. They started in the Chama, Tierra Amarilla area, and conducted summer programs there through 2021. They have networked with Champions of Youth Ambitions (C’YA) in Los Alamos in the past to spread the word to local Veterans about free, available services.
HAH made a big move in 2021 to Fort Stanton, N.M. The change has allowed them to expand their services Read More
Enterprise Bank & Trust Partners With Self Help, Inc. To Promote Basic Needs Access In Northern New Mexico
Self Help Inc. News:
Self Help, Inc. has received a sponsorship of $4,700 from Enterprise Bank & Trust to support its core Emergency Basic Needs program. For more than 30 years, this program has offered emergency microgrants and information and referral services to more than 500 households annually in Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Taos and northern Santa Fe counties.
This program supports community members in meeting their basic needs for housing, health care (including mental health care), transportation and food.
While anyone can experience an unexpected loss of income or short-term Read More
New Mexico Department Of Health Encourages Residents To Participate In ‘Dry January’ Month-Long Commitment To Go Alcohol-Free, Focus On Wellness
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — Start the new year with a healthy reset by joining the growing movement of Dry January, a month-long commitment to go alcohol-free and focus on wellness.
Dry January is a global public health initiative encouraging people to take a break from alcohol for the entire month of January.
While no amount of alcohol is healthy, even just taking a month off can lead to improved health benefits such as better sleep, weight loss, improved mood and energy, healthier eating, improved liver function, saving money and reduced cancer risk. The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is Read More
Little Bird Yoga Studio Celebrates Two-Year Anniversary! Community Invited To Open House Saturday Jan. 11
Little Bird Yoga Studio at 2101 Trinity Drive, Suite A3. Courtesy photo
YOGA News:
Little Bird Yoga Studio is celebrating its 2-year anniversary and invites the community to an open house Saturday, Jan. 11 at 2101 Trinity Drive, Suite A3 (new location).
The open house runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature free classes, healthy snacks and prizes.
Schedule of Free Classes during Open House:
- 9 a.m.: Barre Flow
- 10 a.m.: Saturday Sloth
- 11 a.m.: Simply Yin
- 12 p.m.: Lunch Express Flow
- 1 p.m.: Foundations and Function
- 2 p.m.: Seated Stability and Strength
Participants are encouraged to sign up for classes Read More
Los Alamos Family Council: New Year – New Movies!
Courtesy/LAFC
LAFC News:
Los Alamos Family Council (LAFC) has released its monthly movie series for 2025 held at SALA Event Center.
This year LAFC is providing a variety of movie eras and genres to entertain the community.
2025 Movie Line Up:
- January 14 – Monty Python and the Holy Grail
- February 11 – Singin’ in the Rain
- March 11 – Darby O’Gill and the Little People
- April 8 – The Big Lebowski
- Sunday May 11 – Kubo and the Two Strings (Mother’s Day free family movie event)
- May 13 – The Breakfast Club
- June 10 – The Sound of Music
- July 8 – Pulp
New Mexico Environment Department Reports Quarterly Accomplishments And Community Investments
NMED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) released its first quarter performance assessment report for fiscal year 2025 (FY25) that offers the public, stakeholders, and legislators the opportunity to track the department’s progress in protecting public health and the environment between July 1 and Sept. 30, 2024.
The beginning of the FY25 saw a diverse range of achievements for NMED, with innovative and essential PFAS initiatives taking center stage. The department also took decisive action against out-of-compliance drinking water systems throughout the Read More
UC Riverside Scientists Develop Nanopore-based Tool That Could Transform Diagnostics Of Illnesses
The sensor, a glass tube that is melted at the tip to form a sharp needle-like structure, is dipped into a fluid containing molecules. Photo by Kevin Freedman/ImageFX/UCR
By
UC Riverside
UC Riverside scientists have developed a nanopore-based tool that could help diagnose illnesses much faster and with greater precision than current tests allow, by capturing signals from individual molecules.
Since the molecules scientists want to detect — generally certain DNA or protein molecules — are roughly one-billionth of a meter wide, the electrical signals they Read More
Los Alamos Medical Center Honors Five Providers With Emeritus Status For Decades Of Service
From left, Dr. Alan Heilpern, ED Physician and LAMC Chief of Staff; Dr. Jacqueline Krohn, Pediatrician Private Practice; Jeffrey Sauer, DPM Emeritus; LAMC CEO Tracie Stratton and Seth Felice, DPM Private Practice. Courtesy/LAMC
From left, Bethany Wooten, CRNA at LAMC; Dr. Justin Green, General Surgeon and LAMC Vice Chief of Staff; Joe Griffin, CRNA retired Emeritus; Mark Martineau, CRNA at LAMC; Dr. Steve Evans, Anesthesiologist at LAMC and owner of Pueblo Anesthesia Group; LAMC CEO Tracie Stratton and Dr. Alan Heilpern, ED Physician and LAMC Chief of Staff. Courtesy/LAMC
LAMC News:
Los Read More
