Blogs

Today is National Wear Red Day to support the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign to help raise awareness and fight the number one killer of women, heart disease. Lovelace is a proud supporter of Go Red for Women, not only for our patients and health plan members, but also for our employees who have been affected by heart disease. Today we show that support as we Go Red!

Lovelace Westside Hospital CEO Farron Sneed shares his memory of the Boys and Girls Club. He still carries his membership card from the 1970s with him.

When I was growing up in McAlester, Oklahoma, the Boys Club provided the town organized youth sports and a place for kids to go for recreation after school and during summer break. I noticed many kids (including myself) were looking for opportunities to be more active and learn new skills. My son experienced The Boys and Girls Club in Denison, Texas where he too played organized sports and benefited from involvement.

Staying healthy is getting a one-two punch this winter season thanks to widespread cases of the flu followed by a fast-moving stomach bug called norovirus. First reported in Sydney, Australia, last March, this norovirus spread to Europe, then Canada and is now wreaking havoc in the U.S. The bug is especially prevalent in contained spaces like cruise ships, nursing homes and schools. The reason this bug is particularly contagious is because no one is immune to the unique combination of two strains of this year’s norovirus, but there are some ways to protect yourself and your family.

If you or a family member are pregnant, this is both a very exciting time for you and your family, and a very important time for your baby's development. There are many things you can do to help your baby develop naturally. One of the most important steps is to regularly take prenatal vitamins, especially folic acid.

2012 was an amazing year for Lovelace Health System. We take a moment to hear from our CEOs on the accomplishments of 2012 and their thoughts on the year ahead.

Lovelace Health System announced today the system has partnered with Miller Development + Architecture on a proposed hospital in Los Lunas. The hospital will serve the needs of citizens and providers throughout Valencia County. As a trusted health care provider for New Mexicans over the past 90 years, Lovelace continues to invest in services, technology and new facilities to meet the needs of our community.

“I was having a panic attack, really,” says 65-year-old Lovelace Medicare Plan member Kathleen Brown of learning she would either need to find a new provider or health plan after ABQ Health Partners ended its contract with Lovelace Health Plan.

“I had just come on as a Senior Medicare Plan member October 1, 2012,” says Brown.

You may think the holiday season is one of the most difficult times of the year to get into shape. From the eggnog and baked ham to pies and spirits, the end of the year is a time marked with festive parties and more opportunities to indulge. Despite media reports declaring that the average American gains between 5 to 10 pounds, new research shows seasonal weight gain is quite modest. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, in reality we may only gain a pound. So if you’ve been putting off going to the gym because you think you’re efforts will be in vain, think again.

Saint James Palace announced Monday that Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, are expecting their first child. With worldwide attention on the royal couple, news of the pregnancy quickly spread. In addition to the announcement, the Palace released a statement that said the duchess was admitted to a London hospital with severe morning sickness, known as hyperemesis gravidarum.

While most of the country is experiencing a seasonably warm start to December, the flu season doesn’t take a break with warmer temperatures. In fact, the flu season officially started in October, with every state reporting cases to date. The CDC compiles this information in a weekly flu report on its website. With two new strains expected to hit this season, in addition to getting your flu shot, here are suggestions for other ways you can avoid the flu this season.