Healthcare

Wernicke: Donate Life

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Alejandra Wernicke of Los Alamos meets her kidney donor 10 months after her transplant. Courtesy photo

By JAMES WERNICKE
Grateful Husband
Los Alamos

April is National Donate Life Month. For my family, it’s more than an awareness campaign. Organ donation gave my family a future. In 2017, my wife Alejandra’s kidneys were failing. Dialysis was keeping her alive, but just barely—every week was a cycle of exhaustion, nausea, and the creeping fear that time was running out. In 2019, we got the call that she had a living donor match.

Her donor was a former drug addict who had not only turned his own life Read More

Medical Associates Of Northern New Mexico Announces Appointment Of Doug Bishop As Practice Administrator

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MANNM News:

Medical Associates of Northern New Mexico announces the appointment of Doug Bishop as its new Practice Administrator. In this role, Bishop will oversee day-to-day operations, strategic planning, and practice management to ensure continued excellence in patient care and organizational growth.

With more than 30 years of experience in healthcare administration, Bishop brings a strong background in operational leadership, financial management, and team development. Most recently, he served as Practice Administrator at U.S. Oncology, where he led initiatives that improved Read More

Still Time To Register For Los Alamos Public School’s MLSS & SAT Information Night Scheduled For Wednesday April 16

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LAPS News:

There’s still time to sign up to attend the Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) MLSS & SAT Information Night 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 16 in the Los Alamos High School Speech Theater.

Parents and caregivers of students of all ages are invited to attend.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn how the school supports students through the Multi-Layered System of Supports (MLSS) and the Student Assistance Team (SAT) process.

This session is perfect for families who want to better understand how academic, behavioral, and emotional needs are identified and addressed—with Read More

Governor Signs Supported Decision-Making Act

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ALTSD News:

SANTA FE — New Mexicans with disabilities and older adults are one step closer to having greater autonomy in their decision-making after the governor signed SB 535 into law last week. 

SB 535, an omnibus bill addressing various public health, safety and welfare measures, includes the Supported Decision-Making Act, which will establish a new program within the Office of Guardianship dedicated towards supported decision-making agreements, an alternative to adult guardianship. The New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) will collaborate closely with the Read More

McQuiston: What It Really Costs To Go To The ER After A Car Accident In New Mexico

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By ALLEN MCQUISTON
Jemez Insurance Agency
Serving Los Alamos Since 1963

Getting into a car accident is stressful enough — but an ER visit afterward can also hit you with some serious bills.

Here’s what you can actually expect if you need emergency care after a crash in New Mexico.

First: Just Walking Into the ER Costs Money

Even if your injuries seem minor, just stepping into an ER comes with built-in charges.

Triage and Facility Fees:

  • Most New Mexico hospitals charge around $1,200 to $2,500 just for evaluating you and using the ER.

Doctor’s Fee:

  • The ER physician will send a separate bill, usually
Read More

Take Survey For Upcoming Health, Wellness & Resource Fair

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C’YA News:

Champions of Youth Ambitions (C’YA) is sponsoring a Health, Wellness and Resource Survey. It is meant for ages 18 and up. What things would you like to see here? What resources do you need more information about?

Take the survey here: https://forms.gle/UZnQsgw9tq8G5MiA6.

C’YA is not collecting individual information and will not respond. The goal is to have many things to offer at a May 3 Health, Wellness and Resource Fair, which will have information for all ages and stages of life.

Anyone who has additional questions, wants a hard copy or would like to respond in further detail may Read More

Governor Signs Into Law Increase To Top Oil And Gas Royalty Rate On New Mexico’s Best State Lands

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Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard pushed for legislation to increase the top royalty rate offered for new oil and gas development on the best state lands will be signed into law today by the governor. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

STATE News:

  • Offering market rate for premium tracts would generate over a billion dollars in additional value for public schools, universities and hospitals 

SANTA FE – Legislation pushed by New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard to increase the top royalty rate offered for new oil and gas development on the best state Read More

NMDOH: April Is National Alcohol Awareness Month

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NMDOH News:

SANTA FE — Alcohol Awareness Month is an ideal time to educate ourselves and others about alcohol-related risks, such as cancer, chronic liver disease, and death as well as to acknowledge those who are in recovery. 

New Mexico has historically had the highest rate of alcohol-related death in the nation. When comparing the most recently available national data from 2021, the state’s rate of alcohol-related death was more than two times higher than the alcohol-related death rate in the United States. Still, some progress is being made. In 2023, there were 1,896 alcohol-related deaths Read More

New Mexico Primary Care Council Regular Meeting Today

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HCA News:

Notice is hereby given that the New Mexico Primary Care Council will convene for a regular meeting at 10 a.m., today, Thursday, April 10, virtually via Zoom. The public is welcome, and information about how to join the meeting is below.  

Copies of the agenda will be posted and available on the Health Care Authority’s website. Copies may also be obtained by contacting Alex Willey, Staff Manager – MAD at alexandra.willey@hca.nm.gov. An individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified signed language interpreter, or other form of auxiliary aid or service Read More

Los Alamos Medical Care Clinic Welcomes Amy Vandling

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LAMCC Provider Amy Vandling

LAMCC News:

Amy Vandling has joined the Los Alamos Medical Care Clinic (LAMCC) team.

Vandling is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner who originally started at LAMCC as a staff nurse working in multiple positions. She returned to school at the University of New Mexico College of Nursing, graduated with her Master of Science in May of 2024, and has rejoined the LAMCC practice as a provider.

Vandling has lived in Los Alamos for 20 years. She is committed to building lasting relationships with her patients, providing them with high quality, evidence-based care in the Read More