Features

New Mexico Higher Education Department Offering Loan Forgiveness For Residents Pursuing Careers In Dentistry, Optometry & Veterinary Medicine

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Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez

NMHED News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) is now accepting applications for a loan-for-service program providing up to 100 percent student loan forgiveness for New Mexico residents who graduate from one of 23 out-of-state graduate and professional programs in dentistry, optometry, and veterinary medicine. 

The Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education (WICHE) Loan-for-Service Program forgives a portion of student loans for each year of service licensed professionals provide in New Mexico after graduating

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New Mexico Health Department Issues Essential Guidance To Address Smoke Impacts From Fires Across State

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DOH News:

SANTA FE — High winds, heat, and extremely dry conditions are contributing to several wildfires and human caused fires across the state in recent days which is putting smoke into the air.

To safeguard residents from potential health hazards posed by the pervasive smoke, the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) has released vital guidelines aimed at providing comprehensive protection.

“Amid the current fire-induced challenges, the health and well-being of our residents remain our top priority,” said Heidi Krapfl, Deputy Director of the DOH Epidemiology & Response Division Read More

Rotary Guest Speaker: LAMC CEO Tracie Stratton

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Los Alamos Medical Center CEO Tracie Stratton speaking to Rotary members recently. Photo by Linda Hull

By LINDA HULL
Rotary Club of Los Alamos

Tracie Stratton, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC), spoke at the July 18 meeting of the Rotary Club of Los Alamos held on the grounds of Los Alamos Public Schools.

During her presentation, Stratton addressed the challenges of the pandemic and the “tough years in healthcare” it presented. Nationwide, there was a “mass exodus” from all categories of clinical staff compounded by those who left their home facilities to travel Read More

Skolnik: Keeping Our Children Healthy & In School

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By RICHARD SKOLNIK
White Rock

Last year, LAPS, like many school districts in the US, faced high levels of absenteeism.

As school opens this year, there are a number of health-related measures that LAPS should take to try to keep our children healthy and in school: 

  • Data on absenteeism – The LAPS should collect information on absences in a consistent way across schools. On a periodic basis, LAPS should also audit attendance data to be sure it is as accurate as possible.
  • Causes of absenteeism – The LAPS should, with the help of an epidemiologist as needed, carry out regular analyses of its data on absenteeism,
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Meadows: Shopping Along The Perimeter

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By JENNIFER MEADOWS 
Deeply Rooted Nutritional Therapy
Los Alamos

Grocery shopping can sometimes feel like a chore. If you’re trying to improve your health and eat differently, it can be downright daunting.  With so many choices available today, it can be hard to know which products really are the best for you. Even the smallest grocery stores have tens of thousands of items, many of which claim to be good for you in some way. It’s a lot to navigate and who has the time to do the research necessary to really know which choice is best?

Hands down, one of the best things we can do for our health is to remove Read More

Governor Announces Rural Health Care Delivery Fund Applications Open In New Mexico

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STATE News:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has announced that providers may apply for the $80 million from the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund created earlier this year as part of the governor’s commitment to expanding health care in New Mexico.

“New Mexicans living in rural parts of our state should have the same access to high-quality and affordable health care, period,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “This fund is a crucial part of our overarching strategy to strengthen our state’s rural health care systems, improve access to care, and advance health equity across New Mexico.” Read More

U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján Fights To Extend Veteran’s Enrollment Deadline Under PACT Act For Health Care Coverage Treating Toxin-Exposure-Related Injuries

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U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) sent a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Friday urging an extension of the enrollment period deadline for veterans applying to retrieve retroactive benefits under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins (PACT) Act.

Last year, the historic PACT Act was signed into law to provide 3.5 million veterans with health care coverage for treating toxin-exposure-related health injuries— marking the VA’s most expansive health care benefits Read More

NACo: Counties Encouraged By White House Action On Mental Health Parity

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NACo Executive Director Matthew Chase

NACo News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — County leaders across the nation Tuesday joined President Biden for the announcement of a new proposed role to reinforce elements of the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA).

Mental health parity is a cornerstone of the work of the National Association of Counties (NACo) Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing.

“Counties are feeling the strain of the rising demand for mental health services and ensuring this crisis is addressed. To achieve our shared goals, a strong intergovernmental partnership Read More

Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández: Over $1.5M Funding To Fight Opioid Epidemic, Substance Abuse In New Mexico

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From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:

SANTA FE – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) announced $1,524,625 in federal funding for the Santa Fe Recovery Center, Inc. from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to combat the opioid epidemic and substance abuse in communities across New Mexico.

The funding will go toward recovery addiction treatment, recovery services, and overdose prevention. It will also expand the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Access program, which the delegation passed Read More

LAPD: West Nile Virus Has Been Confirmed In Dead Bird In Los Alamos County

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LAPD News:

The Los Alamos Police Department’s (LAPD) Animal Control Unit has responded to multiple calls for service related to dead ravens and crows. 

Approximately seven reports have been made to the Los Alamos Consolidated Dispatch Center (CDC) of dead birds in the downtown and western area of Los Alamos over the past week.   

As a precaution Los Alamos County Animal Control sent one of the deceased birds to the New Mexico Department of Agriculture Veterinary Diagnostic Services on July 31 to test for the presence of West Nile Virus. The results of the test were received on Aug. 3 and confirmed Read More