Monthly archive

When Flu Seasons Strikes, Be Prepared

Typically the flu season spikes in the winter months of January and February. Yet, that does not mean it is a good idea to put off getting your flu shot until then. An estimated 180 million doses of the flu vaccine have been produced this year, protecting against three of the four strains of the flu the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts will be the most prevalent. That may sound like a lot flu shots and nasal sprays, but supplies may run low towards the end of the flu season.

Lovelace Rehabilitation Hospital Celebrates 25 Years

Reyes Gallegos can recall the exact day she began her career – August 26, 1969 - at what is today known as Lovelace Rehabilitation Hospital. “I worked in dietary making salads,” she says.

Heartfelt 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration

Johnny Pethoud and his wife Pam Pethoud are grateful they were able to recently celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary at Heart Hospital of New Mexico at Lovelace Medical Center with sparkling grape juice. Just a few days before, while beginning their celebration at Angel Fire, Johnny started to feel tightness in his chest and have shortness of breath.

Lovelace CEO and CFO Accept ALS Challenge

As of Friday, August 29, 2014, the ALS Association is reporting more than $100 million has been raised in the popular Ice Bucket Challenge. Lovelace Health System President and CEO Ron Stern, along with Lovelace Health System CFO Stephen Forney, accepted the challenge in true style!

Lovelace Leadership Accepts ALS Challenge

To date, donations to the ALS Association in response to the viral "Ice Bucket Challenge" have reached in excess of $88 million dollars. Several senior leaders at Lovelace recently made a donation and took the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, including Lovelace Westside Hospital CEO Farron Sneed, Lovelace Medical Center CEO Troy Greer, Lovelace Rehabilitation Hospital CEO Derrick Jones and Lovelace Westside/Women’s Hospital CFO Reuben Murray. We applaud them not only for taking the challenge, but also for being doused in their suits and ties! 

Lovelace Cancer Care Program Will Open Medical Oncology Clinic in Partnership With Hematology Oncology Associates

Lovelace Cancer Care Program is partnering with Hematology Oncology Associates of New Mexico (HOA) to offer medical oncology services starting early 2015. The program will offer the latest in cancer oncology treatment for cancer patients, including medical oncology and radiation treatment.

“We are proud to partner with HOA to offer seamless cancer care to our patients,” said Troy Greer, CEO, Lovelace Medical Center. “Now patients will have a full continuum of care within the Lovelace system.”

Two Lovelace Hospitals Named to Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work 2014

Congratulations to Lovelace Women’s Hospital and Lovelace Westside Hospital for being named by Modern Healthcare as one of the 100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare for 2014.

Lovelace Women’s Hospital and Lovelace Westside Hospital were the only hospitals in New Mexico recognized by Modern Healthcare in 2014.

Discussion of “Breast Cancer Risk in Families with Mutations in PALB2”

Darcy Cooke, PA-C, Physician Assistant at the Breast Care Center at Lovelace Women’s Hospital joins us on the blog today to talk about the genetic mutation PALB2 and breast cancer risk.

Always a Place in Her Heart for Lovelace

Both originally born and raised in Arizona, Marilyn Meister and her husband have spent most of their married life together living in New Mexico. They were loyal to Lovelace Medical Center, then located on Gibson SE. When the hospital moved to the former St. Joseph Hospital on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in 2007, the Meister family had already moved to Tennessee.

Lovelace Women’s Hospital Now Offering Micro-laparoscopy

Lovelace Women’s Hospital is the only hospital in New Mexico offering a new micro-laparoscopy technique for gallbladder removal, hysterectomy, tubal ligation and endometriosis cell removal. This new technique is a virtually scarless laparoscopic procedure using micro instruments.

Inpatient Rehab Provides Better Outcome, Study Finds

The largest study of its kind to date finds that patients who are treated in inpatient rehabilitation hospitals go home faster, stay home longer and live longer than those who are treated at a nursing home, or skilled nursing facility. “This is confirmation of the quality data and outcomes that we have been producing at Lovelace Rehabilitation Hospital,” shares Lovelace Rehabilitation Hospital CEO Derrick Jones.

When Every Minute Matters – Surviving a Severe Heart Attack

Willie Salazar, 59, was scheduled for a stress test following two weeks of chest pain. “It was a stingy pain that wouldn’t let me breathe,” he describes. That stress test never happened. May 16, 2014 Willie was home alone when the chest pain returned and did not go away. “It got stronger and stronger. I got dizzy and didn’t know where I was." 

Lovelace Care Concierge Program Eases Patient Access to Providers

Lovelace Health System launched the Lovelace Care Concierge program in 2014 as a way to help patients connect with health care providers more easily following hospitalization. First available to TRICARE members at Kirtland Air Force Base, followed by Molina, the program is now available to anyone newly insured. Lovelace Westside Hospital CNO and COO Nancye Cole says this program will transform the patient experience and help improve their health care. “The ‘standard’ in the health care arena is for patients to find and make their own appointments with providers,” shares Nancye.

Treating Aphasia and Regaining Communication after Stroke

Speech Language Pathology Manager at Lovelace Rehabilitation Hospital, Jennie Saavedra Duran, M.S., CCC-SLP joins us today to talk about a common communication disorder many stroke patients face to better understand Aphasia and how speech therapy can help both patients and their loved ones.

Gaining Life Back One Step at a Time

Families of loved ones who have suffered from a devastating stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI) remember exactly when life changed for them. All of the sudden the person who was vibrant, talkative and active is now facing the challenge of getting back to that life with an unforeseen path of obstacles in front of them. They may not be able to communicate. They may have lost mobility.

Every 40 Seconds – Recognizing Stroke Month with Award-Winning Stroke Care

Yolanda Alcantar, CNRN, Nurse Manager at Lovelace Medical Center shares Lovelace Medical Center’s recent recognition by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and how this is improving outcomes for stroke patients.

Should you take a daily aspirin during pregnancy?

Could a daily “baby” aspirin help ensure the safe delivery of healthy babies? Recent research examines what role aspirin may play in both reducing the risk of miscarriage, as well as reducing the risk of developing preeclampsia later in pregnancy. However, health care providers also warn expectant mothers, or those who are trying to conceive, not to start taking aspirin daily before talk to their provider. Chief of Women’s Services at Lovelace, Dr. Abraham Lichtmacher explains what this latest research means for women considering getting pregnant.

Skip the ER? Treating Foot and Ankle Wounds in the Clinic

Accidents and injuries happen. In fact, injuries to the foot and ankle are happening more often as our aging population continues to lead active lifestyles.

Lovelace Celebrates Expanded Pulmonary Clinic With Ribbon Cutting Event

Lovelace Medical Group will be celebrating the expansion of pulmonary services with a ribbon cutting event on Thursday, April 10 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Lovelace Medical Towers, located at 500 Walter St. NE, Suite 501. The ribbon cutting will take place at 5 p.m.