Features

BESC Experiences 3rd COVID Exposure In A Week

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Courtesy/LARSO
LARSO News:
The Betty Ehart Senior Center (BESC) has experienced a third COVID-19 exposure report, within one week. Additional cleaning protocols have been followed, and will continue as usual.
“The cases were all un-related to each other,” said Executive Director Bernadette Lauritzen of the Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization (LARSO). “We always immediately contact those that may have had direct contact with the person of concern. Please, don’t put others in harm’s way, if you are feeling unwell. One instance of exposure sets off a firestorm of fear for those affected,
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ECECD Launches NM Infant Formula Support Network

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ECECD News:

SANTA FE — In response to a nationwide infant formula shortage, the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) launched the NM Infant Formula Support Network, a new Facebook group that establishes a space for New Mexico parents and caregivers to crowdsource access to formula and other nutritional supports for their babies.

“Although New Mexico is not experiencing as acute a shortage as some states, parents who rely on formula for their children are understandably anxious,” ECECD Cabinet Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky said. “To help parents find the formula Read More

Luján Introduces Legislation To Reduce Animal Testing

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U.S. Sen. Ben Ray

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C.– This week, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced The Reducing Animal Testing (RAT) Act to remove the requirement for animal studies in the approval specific biosimilar drug applications.

This change reduces unnecessary animal testing, maintains patient safety, and reduces regulatory burdens of bringing lower cost, biosimilar drugs to market.

Robust scientific evidence states that animal models do not provide necessary information in the determination of safety and effectiveness for biosimilar drugs. The legislation would Read More

Stratton: Honoring Those Who Care For Our Community

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By TRACIE STRATTON
Interim CEO
Los Alamos Medical Center

Each May, it is my honor to take a moment to pause and reflect on the tireless work and dedication that our local healthcare teams exhibit every day of the year as they care for our community.

I’m fortunate to work alongside the many dedicated physicians, nurses, clinical staff, employees and volunteers that make up our talented healthcare team at Los Alamos Medical Center, as well as local EMS personnel who partner with us in delivering exceptional care.

Throughout this month, we will celebrate three important national observances to Read More

Heinrich, Luján Act Urgently To Address Baby Formula Shortage With Legislation Now Heading To President Biden

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congress just passed the Access to Baby Formula Act to make sure families who rely on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) have the baby formula they need.

U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) are cosponsors of the bipartisan legislation, which swiftly cleared the House and Senate and will now go to President Biden for signature.

“It’s been many years now since my boys were infants, but I remember what it’s like to worry about making Read More

Chart 642: Los Alamos Returns To Green On CDC Map

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Chart: Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its weekly update to the COVID-19 community level map. The CDC framework designates community level based on diagnoses and hospitalization levels (link). Masks are recommended indoors in counties with the highest, red, community level. Masks also are recommended for at-risk (for example, immunocompromised) individuals in counties with the intermediate, yellow, risk level. After spending only one week in yellow, Los Alamos returned to green thanks to a sharp decrease in the number of diagnoses: from 206 weekly Read More

On The Job In Los Alamos: FBPLA’s Ellen Specter

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On the job in Los Alamos is Executive Director Ellen Specter gathering gifts for new clients at First Born Program of Los Alamos (FBPLA). FBPLA is a nonprofit organization that provides parents and primary caregivers with education and support to encourage normal growth and development of happy, healthy babies in positive, nurturing families in Los Alamos County. Services are free and may be requested at any time during pregnancy, at the birth of the baby, or until the baby is two months of age, and continue until the child is five years old, or until the family no longer requests program services. Read More

U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján Marks Mental Health Awareness Month, Announces Mental Health Consortium

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) announced that his office will convene a Mental Health Consortium to connect individuals from across New Mexico who work, advocate, and care about behavioral health.

The consortium will meet quarterly to network with local behavioral health officials and advocates to discuss federal policy that impacts mental health and to find solutions to address the needs of all New Mexicans.

Since 1949, May has been observed as National Mental Health Awareness Month, a time when advocates Read More

AFT NM And IAM&AW File For Healthcare Union At Sandoval Regional Medical Center

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AFT NM News:

American Federation of Teachers New Mexico (AFT NM) President Whitney Holland, International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers Lodge #794 (IAM&AW) President Ashley Long, and emergency room registered nurse Jennifer Heckwine issued the following statements to mark the filing of a majority of union recognition cards with the New Mexico Public Employee Labor Relations Board (NMPELRB):

Holland said, “Today is a historic day for our two unions as we work together to support frontline healthcare workers at Sandoval Regional Medical Center as they file cards Read More