Features

Speakers Emphasize Need For Empathy In Addressing Fentanyl Issues

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The public filled Fuller Lodge to take part in the Fentanyl Awareness Harm Reduction event Thursday. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

In addressing something as complex as drug use and drug addiction, it would appear the one most effective response is also the most simple: exercising empathy.

During the Fentanyl Awareness Harm Reduction event held Thursday at Fuller Lodge, participants heard from Los Alamos Police Department Det. Jemuel Montoya and Cpl. Jaime Gonzales and from The Mountain Center’s Harm Reduction Read More

LANL & SNL Face Off On World Blood Day To Save Lives

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LANL employee Martin Ward smiles as he gives blood during the World Blood Day competition with SNL last month. LANL won the competion by one unit and the two labs agreed to a rematch in 2024. Courtesy/LANL

SNL employee Zuzana Patterson, center, chats with Jacquelyn Chavez, left, and donor care tech Santa Vallejos while giving blood as part of the World Blood Day competition last month at SNL. Photo by Craig Fritz

SNL News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)  faced off last month in a friendly battle to see who could bring in the most blood donations Read More

Sen. Heinrich And Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation: Service Dogs Assisting Veterans (SAVES) Act

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) is joining Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) to introduce the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans (SAVES) Act, bipartisan legislation that would establish a program to award grants to nonprofit organizations to assist them in carrying out programs to provide service dogs to eligible veterans.

The legislation builds on the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) for Veterans Therapy Act that Sen. Heinrich helped pass into law.

It is estimated that upwards Read More

State Auditor: Shedding Light On Opioid Settlement Funds … A Path To Transparency And Accountability

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By JOSEPH MAESTAS
New Mexico State Auditor

More than a billion dollars from opioid lawsuit settlements are heading to New Mexico coffers, with some monies already hitting state and local government bank accounts. These funds represent a golden opportunity to mitigate the devastating impacts of the opioid epidemic—but making sure the money is spent the way it is intended is critical to ensuring that this opportunity and money aren’t wasted.

Opioids have taken a heavy toll on our State, claiming the lives of hundreds, shattering families and exacting long-term economic and social damage on Read More

LACF Presents Grant To Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service

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Gathered for a recent grant check presentation from left, LAVNS Executive Director Jack Allison, RN, JoAnn Temple, RN; Danielle Williams, CNA; Julie Banaszek, RN; Poem Swentzell, MSW; Melissa Williams, RN; Stephanie Lucero, MD; Nancy Coombs; Elizabeth Ortega, RN; Steve Laurent and Rebecca Leacock, MFT. Courtesy/LACF

LACF News:

The Los Alamos Community Foundation (LACF) has awarded a $5,000 grant to the Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service (LAVNS) to support their marketing efforts in competing with for-profit corporate home health agencies.

The grant will enable the non-profit Los Read More

Los Alamos County Council Honors Dr. Michael Nichols

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Dr. Michael Nichols, left, holds up his certificate of recognition along with Los Alamos County Councilor Keith Lepsch during Tuesday night’s meeting. Nichols retired this year after 40 years working as a pediatrician. Courtesy/LAC

COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County Councilor Keith Lepsch recognized Dr. Michael Nichols for his 40 years of service as a pediatrician during Tuesday night’s meeting.

Lepsch stated:

WHEREAS, Dr. Michael W. Nichols, having practiced pediatric medicine at the Children’s Clinic in Los Alamos County for 40 years, has retired; and

WHEREAS, during Read More

Leonard: Unveiling The Wonders Of Short-Chain Fatty Acids – The Unsung Heroes Of Gut Health

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By LAURA LEONARD
Doctor of Chiropractic
Los Alamos

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are a group of fatty acids that contain fewer than six carbon atoms and are produced by our resident intestinal bacteria (aka: our microbiome) as a byproduct of dietary fiber digestion. The most prominent SCFAs found in the gut are acetate, propionate and butyrate. 

When it comes to maintaining optimal gut health, we often hear about the importance of a balanced diet, fiber intake and probiotics. However, we now know that SCFA’s might be the most important key to gut health and overall wellbeing. Foods like whole Read More

LARSO Announces First Graduating Class Of Matter Of Balance Program

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Fall Prevention Master Trainer Bernadette Lauritzen, left, with members of LARSO’s first graduating class of the Matter of Balance Program. Photo by Karen Breault

By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Matter of Balance – Master Trainer
LARSO

The Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization (LARSO) recently trained four Master Trainers in Fall Prevention, during the month of May and implemented the new program the following week.

A Matter of Balance (MOB) is an evidence-based program designed to reduce the fear of falling and improve activity levels among community-dwelling older adults.

The Read More