Features

New Mexico Health Officials Announce First Reported Pediatric Flu Death Of 2023-24 Season

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NMDOH News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) announced Wednesday the state’s first reported influenza-associated pediatric death for the 2023-24 flu season.

Regrettably, a child (5-12 years old) in Bernalillo County died from complications associated with influenza (flu). To protect the family’s privacy, NMDOH will not provide any further information regarding this death. 

“We at the New Mexico Department of Health express our condolences to the child’s family,” NMDOH Sec. Patrick Allen said. “The flu is common but can cause serious illness and even death. I urge Read More

Heinrich, Colleagues Call For Legislative Solution To Protect Access To Medicare Services

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) called on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to advance a legislative solution to support access to Medicare services by avoiding a devastating cut to provider reimbursement rates 

Medicare physician payments were cut by 3.4 percent Jan. 1, 2024. The rising cost of practicing medicine has led some health care professionals to limit the number of Medicare patients they serve and exacerbated the already severe health care provider Read More

UNM Weaving Colors: Autism & Native Community March 20

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UNM News:

Alexis M. DeLaCruz, Esq. from the Native American Disability Law Center will present from 1-2:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 20, 2024. 

Title of Session –  Know Your Rights: School Discipline 

This “know your rights” style presentation will provide attendees with an introduction to the education civil rights laws that protect students with disabilities in their schools, including both NM public and charter schools and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools. 

The presentation will ensure attendees understand what school discipline looks like in practice and how to protect Read More

McQuiston: Radon … The Invisible Danger In Your Home

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By ALLEN MCQUISTON
Jemez Insurance Agency
Serving Los Alamos Since 1963

Radon. While maybe not as well-known as it cousins carbon monoxide or natural gas, this colorless, odorless, tasteless gas is just as deadly. Produced naturally from the decay of uranium in soil, rock, and water, it has been proven to be the second leading cause of lung cancer next to smoking. Studies show that radon can also cause emphysema, hardening of lung tissue, pneumonia, and chromosomal irregularities that lead to birth defects.

You don’t have to live near a power plant or travel to a foreign country to have exposure Read More

MANNM Welcomes Leah Ramos, FNP-C

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Leah Ramos, FNP-C

MANNM News:

Medical Associates of Northern New Mexico (MANNM) welcomes Leah Ramos, FNP-C. She graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing from the Grand Canyon University in October of 2023.

She has great ties with the Los Alamos, Española and Santa Fe communities with her living in Los Alamos and her experience working at the Presbyterian Hospital and the College of Nursing.

MANNM is sad to announce the departure of Susan Skelton, saying, “We are grateful for her care and dedication to her patients and MANNM over the years, and we wish her luck in her new adventures.”

Susan Skelton, Read More

Chamber Of Commerce To Host Community Meet & Greet At Los Alamos Assisted Living Monday Feb. 26

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CHAMBER News:

The community is invited to a Meet & Greet at Los Alamos Assisted Living, hosted by the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce 1-3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26. 

Los Alamos Assisted Living, formerly known as Aspen Ridge, is at 1010 Sombrillo Court.

The new management team from Canyon Creek Healthcare will be on hand at Monday’s event to meet community members. Melissa Martinez is the executive director for Los Alamos Assisted Living. She has 35 years of experience in the medical field, including Long Term, Assisted Living, Home Health, Hospice, and Hospital. Martinez was general manager Read More

Op/Ed: Shared Grief

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By DAVID CREMER
Los Alamos

My wonderful wife is a hospice nurse who has had the profound privilege of taking care of and comforting hundreds of patients as their journey on this earth came to an end. She often heard very poignant stories from her patients during their last days. She heard one of those stories from a retired Los Alamos police officer she was taking care of. It was a story that brought heartfelt tears to both her and the old officer as they talked.

Her relationship with her new patient began in the normal way. She came into his home, introduced herself, and started assessing the health Read More

Heinrich Joins Bipartisan Letter Urging HHS To Renew Efforts To Increase Cervical Cancer Screening Rates

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), and 9 colleagues in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) urging the administration to renew its efforts to increase cervical cancer screening rates.

Data from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) shows that cervical cancer incidence in women under the age of 50 has been increasing in recent years, in particular for Hispanic and Tribal communities. In light of these increases in cancer rates, the letter reiterates Read More

Mesa To Mesa Receives Grant From Blue Cross Blue Shield Of New Mexico For Its Low-Income Home Repair Program

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Mesa to Mesa, in collaboration with NM Ramp Project and Global Volunteers, build and install a much-needed ramp for a client with mobility issues. Courtesy photo

MESA TO MESA News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Mesa to Mesa announced that it recently received a $20,000 grant from Blue Cross  Blue Shield of New Mexico’s (BCBCNM) Blue Impact SM initiative. The grant will support Mesa to Mesa’s Home Repair from the Heart Program.

Mesa to Mesa provides no-cost home repairs to low-income homeowners, many of whom are elderly or disabled and living in rural locations. The organization collaborates with volunteers Read More

Dannemann: Medical Leave Might Not Work For Ranches

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By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again
© 2024 New Mexico News Services

Do you think there is workers’ comp insurance coverage on the Yellowstone Ranch? What about paid family and medical leave?

The fictional Yellowstone Ranch is the spectacular starring location of the “Yellowstone” TV series, now running on CBS after first being aired on a streaming network. The show is a 21st-century Western, replete with cowboys, cattle, horses and modern intrigue. People get injured in every episode.

In the last episode of Season 3, several people get shot, but I am more curious about Jimmy, the incompetent Read More