Blood Donors Vital To Help Patients Through Holiday Season
VITALANT News:
SANTA FE — This December, nonprofit Vitalant asks all those eligible, to schedule a blood donation appointment and help save lives.
Busy schedules and travel during the December holiday weeks typically lead to the lowest donor turnout of the year, but the need for lifesaving blood remains constant and critical for patients.
Jenn Dobson started 2025 with a cancer scare that turned out instead to be severe endometriosis, a painful condition. She endured surgeries and a stint in the ICU, where her heart stopped and it took 25 minutes to revive her. She also needed several units of Read More
LAMC Brings Back Shining Rooftop Christmas Tree!
Since at least 1980, Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) has celebrated the holiday season in a special way — by placing a Christmas tree on the top roof. Over the years, that tree became more than just decoration; it became a symbol of hope and comfort for the entire community. This year, LAMC is proud to announce that the tradition is back! The tree is once again shining from the rooftop, bringing warmth and joy to our community, patients, team members, and neighbors. The hospital hopes this simple gesture rekindles the spirit of togetherness and comfort that has always defined our community. Here’s Read More
NMDOH: Rabid Coyote Bites Hiker In Southwest New Mexico
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — A coyote that bit a hiker in the Gila National Forest near Silver City has tested positive for rabies.
The hiker did not require hospitalization but is receiving routine treatment to prevent rabies infection. Testing by the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Scientific Laboratory Division confirmed the diagnosis. This is the fourth rabid animal identified in southwest New Mexico this year, following a bobcat in Sierra County, a coyote in Catron County, and a dog in Grant County.
“Rabies is preventable, but only if we take it seriously,” said Dr. Erin Phipps, state Read More
LAVNS Appoints Ruben Vasquez As Its Executive Director
LAVNS Executive Director Ruben Vasquez
LAVNS News:
Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service, Inc. (LAVNS), “the community’s trusted not-for-profit partner in home health and hospice care since 1973”, has announced the appointment of Ruben A. Vasquez as executive director.
This leadership transition marks the beginning of a revitalized strategic chapter for LAVNS as it heads into 2026, focused on strengthening its workforce, modernizing operations, and reaffirming its commitment to the community it has served for more than five decades.
A New Chapter for a Historic Institution
As the healthcare Read More
MANNM Announces New Nurse Practitioner Roberto Pardo
Roberto Pardo, AGNP-C
MANNM News:
Medical Associates of Northern New Mexico (MANNM) announces that Roberto Pardo, AGNP-C has joined its provider team.
Pardo is an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner with experience in gastroenterology and urology, bringing a thoughtful and patient-centered approach to adult and senior care. He is committed to helping patients feel comfortable, informed, and supported at every step of their health journey.
With a background in specialty care, Pardo can assist patients with a wide range of concerns, while also focusing on preventive care and long-term Read More
County Library System Brings Back ‘De-Stress December’
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Library System invites the community to unwind this holiday season with the return of De-Stress December, a series of programs designed to promote relaxation, creativity, and connection.
As part of the WinterFest celebration, Mesa Public Library will host a variety of events for all ages, including crafting sessions, mindfulness workshops, Tabletop Game Day, and a popular puzzle competition.
Program highlights include:
- Forest Bathing: An Introduction for Teens and Adults
- Saturday, Dec. 6, 1-3 p.m., Mesa Public Library
Led by Kristine Coblentz, this
- Saturday, Dec. 6, 1-3 p.m., Mesa Public Library
New Mexico Medicaid To Hold Public Meetings For Input On Behavioral Health Needs
HCA News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Health Care Authority is hosting three public forums to gather input on how the state can better support individuals with serious mental illness, severe emotional disturbance, substance use disorder, or brain injuries.
Public input will inform the Behavioral Health Assessment and Feasibility Study report, which will be published in January 2026.
Medicaid members, providers, stakeholders, and interested parties are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming virtual public meetings to learn more about the study and share feedback. Zoom webinar login Read More
Tales Of Our Times: History Recalls The Wisdom In Clean Air Decisions
Tales Of Our Times
By JOHN BARTLIT
New Mexico Citizens
for Clean Air & Water
History Recalls The Wisdom In Clean Air Decisions
A common theme is: “Those who fail to learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.” The history of cleaning polluted air gave us hard-won lessons learned that can spare us from repeating them. As ever, what we don’t know or remember will again cost the continuing effort. So, this column looks back at the early years of clean air rules (the 1970s), when rules were first shaped.
Those pioneer struggles for clean air showed us much more than merely the outcomes of lawsuits. To Read More
LACF: Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service Awarded $29,000 Grant For Grief Group
LAVNS Clinical Manager Susan Edwards, left, receives a $29,000 grant from Brandi Weiss on behalf of the Los Alamos Community Foundation, in partnership with the Anchorum Health Foundation in Santa Fe. The grant presentation took place recently in front of the LAVNS offices at 109 Central Park Square. Courtesy/LACF
LACF News:
The Los Alamos Community Foundation (LACF), in partnership with the Anchorum Health Foundation in Santa Fe, has awarded Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service, Inc. (LAVNS) a $29,000 grant to support separate grief group programs, one for adults and one for youth. LAVNS, Read More
Los Alamos National Laboratory Scientists Make New Connections Regarding Hantavirus In Study
A map of 431 hantavirus case reports from 1993 to 2022 used in the analysis from LANL scientists Andrew Bartlow’s and Morgan Gorris’ study. Most of the cases occur in the western half of the U.S. compared to the eastern half. The thick black outlines separate the western and eastern U.S., illustrating the prevalence of the virus in the western part of the country. Courtesy/LANL
Morgan Gorris
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
During their 2024 study on Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) researchers made new connections between Read More
Los Alamos County Monitoring Equine Herpesvirus-1 Outbreak
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Community Services Department (CSD) reports that there are currently no known cases of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) or Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) in the County.
CSD staff is monitoring a multistate outbreak linked to the 2025 PRA World Finals in Waco, Texas (held Nov. 5-9) and the Barrel Futurities of America event in Guthrie, Okla. (held Nov. 17-18) where positive cases were confirmed. As a precaution, County staff is coordinating with local veterinarians and the State of New Mexico to be prepared should the situation change.
Regional Read More
Big Sale Small Business Saturday At Lobby Shop In LAMC
Op-Ed: Vaccines – Who Can You Trust?
By RICHARD SKOLNIK
White Rock
The Republican Trump administration has “gone to war” against vaccines. This includes recently changing the CDC’s website on childhood vaccines at the direct request of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to imply that “vaccines cause autism.” This is despite the complete lack of scientific evidence for this idea.
Secretary Kennedy’s battle against vaccines appears to have four pillars, dealing with trust and the destruction of key vaccine institutions:
- Reduce trust in vaccines
- Take over the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
- Make
Big Sale On Black Friday At Lobby Shop Inside LAMC
Los Alamos County Social Services Welcomes Applications For Certified Forest Therapy Guides
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Social Services Division is excited to announce the opportunity for community members to become a Certified Forest Therapy Guide.
This “train-the-trainer” cohort, hosted by the County and in collaboration with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides (ANFT), introduces the practice which draws on developing connections with nature and creating experiences centered in mindfulness, as ways to help improve physical and mental wellbeing. Applications are open now for the program beginning Jan. 26, 2026.
The program consists of a 6-month remote Read More
Lunch Hour Sale At Lobby Shop Inside LAMC Tuesday
Holiday Gift Guide For People Living With Dementia
AA News:
Holiday shopping can be challenging, especially when selecting gifts for someone living with dementia.
More than 46,000 New Mexicans are among 7.4 million Americans currently living with Alzheimer’s disease and, depending on the stage of dementia, some well-intentioned gifts may no longer be appropriate or practical.
“Choosing a meaningful gift for someone living with dementia requires thoughtful consideration,” said Donald Smithburg, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association of New Mexico. “It’s important to consider the person’s cognitive abilities and select Read More
Dannemann: Affordable Care Act Benefits Must Be Preserved
By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again
“Pre-existing condition.” Remember that term? Fifteen years ago, you heard it all the time on the news. It was the issue that scared the daylights out of millions of Americans who couldn’t get health insurance, or whose insurance was impossibly expensive.
A pre-existing condition might have been asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, a past injury, or any other condition that might increase the patient’s need for future health care.
Pre-existing conditions had been debated in Congress constantly and covered regularly on the news. People Read More
Public Safety Alert: Handling Wild Animals Increases Disease Risk And Violates Law
New Mexico Game & Fish News:
SANTA FE – Picking up wild animals in New Mexico is illegal and dangerous — for both people and the animals.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is issuing an urgent public safety alert, reminding the public that handling wildlife spreads disease and violates state law.
Picking up or transporting protected species of wild animals dramatically increases the risk of disease transmission. Handling wild animals can expose humans and domestic pets to zoonotic diseases such as distemper, rabies, hantavirus and various parasites.
“A person’s instinct is to Read More
Administrative Office Of The Courts Announces Behavioral Health Regional Planning Leaders, Statewide Listening Sessions, And E-SIM Workshops
Courtesy/NMAOC
NMAOC News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) today announced significant progress in the implementation of Senate Bill 3 (SB3), the Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act (BHRIA). Organizations that will lead the regional planning—called Accountable Entities—have been identified, statewide listening sessions are set to begin, and the first E-SIM (Enhanced Sequential Intercept Mapping) workshop will take place next week.
“We are excited to see the SB3 infrastructure taking shape across every region,” said Administrative Office Read More