Healthcare

LAMC’s 2025 Daisy Award Honoree Is Kathy Semelsburger

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Los Alamos Medical Center’s Kathy Semelsburger, RN, left, is the 2025 Daisy Award Honoree shown here Wednesday morning receiving her award from LAMC’s Director of Surgical Services James Maxey, RN. She is honored, ‘In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people.’ Semelsburger is the Charge Nurse in the Ambulatory Treatment Unit (ATU). She has worked in the ATU for 23 years and at LAMC for 24 years. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Los Alamos Medical Center CEO Tracie Stratton, second from left, together with Read More

New Mexico Launches Comprehensive Measles Resource

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NMDOH News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) has launched a dedicated web resource to address the rising measles cases within state boundaries.

The comprehensive web resource hub at measles.doh.nm.gov features: 

  • Current New Mexico case counts (updated Tuesdays and Fridays). 
  • Detailed FAQ section addressing common questions. 
  • Prevention guidelines specific to New Mexico. 
  • Bilingual content in both English and Spanish. 

“While measles outbreaks don’t respect state lines, our response is uniquely New Mexican—comprehensive, bilingual, and accessible Read More

Legislative Roundup: 22 Days Remaining In Session

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The Santa Fe New Mexican Staff:

Senate demands new leaders for WNMU: Senators on Friday called on Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to hasten her selection of new regents to govern the embattled Western New Mexico University.

During Friday’s floor session, senators criticized Lujan Grisham’s delay in appointing new regents after all but one resigned in recent months. The board stepped down amid significant political pressure — including from the governor — following allegations of improper university spending involving former president Joseph Shepard.

“One single student regent is writing Read More

Denish: Building A Barn

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By DIANE DENISH
Corner To Corner

Building a Barn takes a carpenter or a legislature.

I was reminded recently of a quote by former U.S. House Speaker Sam Rayburn: “Any Jackass can tear down a barn. It takes a carpenter to build one.” 

In a recent Senate Rules committee on Feb. 17, Senate Joint Resolution 6, sponsored by Sen. Michael Padilla (D-Bernalillo) had its first committee hearing. This is the Early Childhood Trust Fund Constitutional Amendment. If approved by voters in the next general election, SJR6 will mandate the fund be spent only on prenatal and early childhood programs and services Read More

Heinrich Responds To Latest Developments On Ben Archer Health Center In Southern New Mexico Turning Away Patients Without Birth Certificates On-hand 

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

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

          •  “What Ben Archer was pulling at its health clinics wasn’t just wrong, it was illegal.” –Heinrich

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement today after constituents notified his office that Ben Archer Health Center was denying medical care to individuals unable to provide “proof of citizenship’:

“What Ben Archer was pulling at its health clinics wasn’t just wrong, it was illegal. I am glad they reversed course, and that they did it quickly. Let this be a lesson to all health care Read More

New Mexico Primary Care Council Meeting Feb. 27

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NMHCA News:

Notice is hereby given that the New Mexico Primary Care Council will convene for a regular meeting Thursday, Feb. 27. The meeting will begin at 2 p.m. and will be held 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 Read More

NMDOH Raises Awareness To Keep Kids’ Teeth Healthy

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NMDOH News:

SANTA FE — Throughout February, the New Mexico Department of Health’s (NMDOH) Office of Oral Health Program is raising awareness about the importance of starting healthy dental habits at an early age.

“Healthy teeth are essential to a child’s overall well-being and success in life” said Leisha D. Ortiz, Interim Director of the NMDOH Office of Oral Health. “As we celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month, we want to remind families that dental health outcomes are mainly determined by daily habits. Regular dental visits and healthy habits that begin early in life help to Read More

Chamber Business After Hours & Open House At Los Alamos Medical Center’s Endoscopy Center 1911 Central March 18

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LAMC News:’

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and a perfect opportunity to get to know the Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) Endoscopy Center in downtown Los Alamos.

Everyone is invited to attend the Chamber Business After Hours and Community Open House 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, March 18 for:

  • A tour of our Endoscopy Center;
  • An opportunity to meet providers and staff;
  • Key information on colon & rectal cancer prevention; and
  • Light refreshments.

The Endoscopy Center is at 1911 Central Ave., Suite 100, next to Aspen Copies.

More than 50,000 people die from colon cancer each year in the United Read More

NM Celebrates 20th Annual Behavioral Health Day Feb. 26

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NMHCA News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Behavioral Health Planning Council will host its 20th annual Behavioral Health Day at the State Capitol Wednesday, Feb. 26. 

This year’s theme celebrates “20 Years of Resiliency, Prevention, and Healing Together,” and highlights two decades of advocacy in mental health and substance use recovery.  

Behavioral Health Day takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Capitol Rotunda, bringing together peers, family members, advocates, providers, and policymakers to highlight the importance of mental health and substance use prevention, treatment and recovery Read More

Democratic Leaders Say Children, Youth And Families Dept. Reform, Crime To Be Priorities In Second Half Of Session

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Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, speaks at a news conference on the House floor on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, to discuss the progress lawmakers have made in addressing crime and behavioral health. Nathan Brown/The New Mexican

Sen. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, speaks at a news conference on the House floor on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, to discuss the progress lawmakers have made in addressing crime and behavioral health. Nathan Brown/The New Mexican

Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, speaks at a news conference on the House floor on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, to discuss the Read More