Lincoln County New Mexico Health and Wellness Guide

2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

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From care for minor illnesses and injuries to comprehensive hospital services, we offer a wide range of medical capabilities. Whether you need primary care, specialty medical services, our same-day access clinic or hospital care, we’re right where you need us. Your story is our story.

HOSPITAL SERVICES:

CLINICAL SERVICES:

· 24-hour Emergency Department

· Dietary Counseling

· Hospital Units: Intensive Care,

· Emergency Medical Services throughout Lincoln County

Medical and Surgical · Labor and Delivery · Surgical Services (general surgery, orthopedics and podiatry)

· Heritage Program – Outpatient Behavioral Health program for senior adults · Lincoln County Community Assistance Program · Primary Care and Specialists

· Pharmacy

· Therapy Center/Rehabilitation Services

· Pulmonary

· Laboratory

· Private Wound Care · Radiology · Laboratory

211 Sudderth Drive, Ruidoso, NM 88345 (575) 257-8200

www.phs.org/ruidoso

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INDEX DIRECTORY LISTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 - 8 Articles:

Lincoln County Medical Center improves access to care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 LCMC, clinics have fully integrated electronic health record . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Effective ways to improve quality of life at work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Balancing our life pie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Who drives your life? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Benefits of massage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 The new trend in destination events . . . 13 Inspired cooking in the mountains . . . . . 13 The captivating and inspiring practice of gentle yoga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Presence in daily life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Injury prevention through yoga . . . . . . . 15 Energy medicine: A new frontier . . . . . . 16 The all-around healer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 ‘I’m so tired’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 What is palliative care? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Inspirational art at Mescalero Dialysis Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 The importance of a great smile . . . . . . . . 21 Therapeutic friendship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 How to keep your veggies fresh . . . . . . . . 23 Should I worry about gambling? . . . . . . . 24 Sexual health and aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Views from a park bench . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Hiking for health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Region IX school-based health center . . 29 Tularosa Creek Discovery Trail . . . . . . . . . 30 Light the Fire youth respond . . . . . . . . . . . 30

he Lincoln County Community Health Council meets monthly regarding issues and events in the health industry and is made up of a volunteer board and membership. This “behind the scenes” group includes individuals and agencies collaborating to support a mission of improving community health in Lincoln County and is a part of the following programs: Lincoln County Community Health Council Mobile Food Pantry – First Thursday of every month at 2 p.m. located at the Horton Complex, 237 Service Road, volunteers and donations accepted.

Health & Wellness Guide – June. Provides updated resource directory and health related articles.

Stepping into a Better YOU! Health Fair – October. Held at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino, this annual health fair is free to the public.

MAZE of Life – End of April/beginning of May. An interactive day for 8th graders from throughout the county & Mescalero to play games of chance, experience real life situations and choices they will face.

Light the Fire Youth Summit – Fall & Spring. Light the Fire is a leadership summit for 40-45 middle and high school students county-wide, chosen to lead the school in a positive direction.

Freshman Toolkits – August. Prevention information and promotional items in a toolkit appropriate for incoming freshman throughout the county.

The intent is to “spark” conversations among parent and teen on issues like, DWI, texting while driving, responsible gaming, school-based health center services, tobacco and other substances, etc.

It is with great pleasure that the Lincoln County Community Health Council (LCCHC) and MTD Media welcome readers to the “2014 Lincoln County Health and Wellness Guide.”

It is through community partnerships that true collaboration can be accomplished.

The LCCHC would like to extend our sincere gratitude to MTD Media for their openness to this partnership.

The 2014 Health and Wellness Guide is a valuable resource to our community and we hope community readers will use it as such. This guide would not be possible without the local writers who filled these pages with their knowledge, the LCCHC membership, community advertisers, and MTD Media staff. We thank them for their time and efforts. Enjoy!

Shannon Dictson, Chair, Lincoln County Community Health Council 2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

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2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness DIRECTORY LISTING Alternative Medicine

Dialysis Fresenius Medical Care Acupuncture (Renal Care Group) . . . . . . . . . 575-437-9731 Alpha and Omega Chiropractic/ or 1-866-434-2597 Dr. Fraley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-5999 Mescalero Dialysis Center . . . . . . 575-464-4802 Dr. Janet La Rosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-630-3739

Eyeglass Assistance Ruidoso Noon’s Lions Club Eye Exams Lion Bill Allen . . . . 575-257-2776 or Lion Curt Dimberg . . . . . . . . 575-630-1947

Financial Assistance Chavez County Community Home-Health Agencies Biofeedback & ENERGY MEDICINE Action Program Inc. . . . . . . . . 575-623-0014 Encompass Home Health Living Energies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-5855 & Hospice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-0028 Good Neighbor Fund Tim Seay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-770-0136 Community Home Care . . . . . . . . . 575-258-1986 (PNM) . . . . . . 575-378-4611 or 575-378-1941 LIHEAP Energy Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-378-1762 Hospice CERTIFIED REFLEXOLOGY Lincoln County Indigent Fund . . 575-258-1232 Morgan Marr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 831-521-4465 Encompass Home Health & Hospice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-0028 Salvation Army . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-378-4611 or 575-378-1941 Chiropractic LONG TERM NURSING Adobe Day Spa Food Assistance & Chiropractic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-630-0515 Casa Arena Blanca Nursing Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-434-4510 County Food Pantries Alpha and Omega Lincoln County Food Bank Chiropractic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-5999 Ruidoso Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-378-8939 long term care planning Chiropractic Associates of Open MWF 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Genworth Financial - Long Term Ruidoso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-3725 Care Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-937-0596 Commodity Supplemental Food Dr. Jon Ogden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-3725 Program . . . . 575-624-2271 / 575-625-2030 Dr. Vickie Peebles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-630-0499 Senior Citizen Centers & Resources Every 1st Thursday on odd months White Mountain Chiropractic Adult Protective Services . . . . . 1-866-654-3219 Ruidoso Downs Food Bank 9 a.m. - 11 p.m. & Neurology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-7970 Alzheimer’s Association San Patricio Senior Citizen 2 - 3 p.m.

NM Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-777-8155 Angus Church of the Healing Centers Help Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-272-3900 Nazarene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-336-8032 2nd & 4th Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m.

High Mesa Healing Center . . . . . 575-336-7777 Free meal to the public every Wed. at 5 p.m.

Parish Health Ministries, Senior Centers: 9a - 1p . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-4170 Capitan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-354-2640 Christian Services of Lincoln County Inc. . . . . . . . . . 575-257-4381 Rejuvenation through Natural Carrizozo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-648-2121 Healthcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-630-3739 Corona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-849-5111 County Mobile Food Pantries Village Wellness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-2258 Hondo/San Patricio . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-653-4405 Lincoln County Community Health Sanctuary on the River . . . . . . . . . 575-630-1111 Ruidoso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-4565 Council Mobile Food Pantry Ruidoso Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-378-4659 Ruidoso . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-3252 ext. 6720 Health foods /Supplements /Herbs/ First Thursday of every month, Heritage Program for Vitamins Senior Adults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-6283 Horton Complex Center 2 p.m.

Rosemary’s Ruidoso Herb Shop 575-257-0333 Meals on Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-378-4659 Capitan Mobile Food Pantry . . . . 575-439-6731 1st Thursday of the month at the The Wild Herb Market . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-0138 Sacramento Mountain Lincoln County fairgrounds Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-2120 Homeopathic

or 575-491-8091 Carrizozo Mobile Food Pantry . . 575-443-4689 2nd Tuesday of every month for 55 and older; Hard Candy/DaVinci Senior Coffee Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-4170 12-2 p.m. at the Assembly of God Church; Teeth Whitening . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-630-0027 4th Tuesday of every month, 54 and younger; Living Energies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-5855 12-2 p.m. at the Assembly of God Church Rosemary’s Ruidoso Herb Shop 575-257-0333 Basic Needs Assistance FREE MEALS The Wild Herb Market . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-0138 Clothing/HOUSEHOLD Assistance Angus Church of the Nazarene, Christian Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-4381 Bonita Park on Hwy 48 . . . . . 575-336-8032 First Baptist Church of Ruidoso Aging & Long Term Care Provides a free meal on Wed. nights Downs Thrift Shop . . . . . . . . . 575-378-4611 during the school year at 5:15 p.m.

Services or 575-378-1941 Open to anyone but geared toward NM Aging & Long Term Services “Joseph’s Workshop” Episcopal Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-432-2080 Church of the Holy Mount . . 575-257-2356 teens and children.

Community United Methodist Church Provides household items at no (Community Warehouse) ALZHEIMER LIVING FACILITIES cost to people in need.

220 Junction Rd. . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-4170 Casa Arena Blanca Nursing Lincoln County Humane Provides a free meal on the 3rd Center (Secured Alzheimer’s Society Resale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-808-8540 Tuesday of every month, from Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-434-4510 Lincoln County Medical Center 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Auxilliary Thrift Store . . . . . . . 575-257-7051 Gateway Church of Christ, Assisted Living Facilities Salvation Army Thrift . . . . . . . . . . . 575-443-0845 451 Sudderth Dr. . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-4381 Casita de Cura . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-336-1312 or 575-622-7126 Provides a free meal on Wednesday Mescalero Care Center . . . . . . . . . . 575-464-4802 Sweet Charity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-378-0041 nights 5:15 - 6 p.m.

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2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

Episcopal Church of the Holy Mount, 121 Mescalero Trail . . . . . . . . . 575-257-2356 Provides a free meal on the 2nd Monday of every month, from 5:30 - 7 p.m.

St. Eleanor’s Roman Catholic Church, 120 Junction Rd. . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-2330 Provides a free meal on the 4th Monday of every month, from 5:30 - 7 p.m.

School Backpack Program Food 4 Kids Backpack Program Capitan, Hondo & Ruidoso Carol Magill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-3495 or Elizabeth Potter . . . . . . . . . . . 575-937-4732 Food items sent home weekly in children’s backpacks.

Senior Food Programs All Senior Center Sites offer Meals on Wheels Capitan - Zia Senior Citizens . . . . 575-354-2640 Lunch served M-F from 12 - 1 p.m. $2 donation for those over 60, $12.35 for those under the age of 60.

Carrizozo Senior Center . . . . . . . . 575-648-2121 Lunch served M-F from 12 - 1 p.m. $2 donation for those over 60, $12.35 for those under the age of 60.

Corona Senior Center . . . . . . . . . . . 575-849-5111 Lunch served M-F from 12 - 12:30 p.m. $2 donation for those over 60, $12.35 for those under the age of 60.

Hondo Senior Center . . . . . . . . . . . 575-653-4405 Lunch served M-F from 12 - 1 p.m. $2 donation for those over 60, $12.35 for those under the age of 60.

Ruidoso Downs Senior Center . . 575-378-4659 Lunch served M-F from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. $2 donation for those over 60, $12.35 for those under the age of 60.

Senior Helpings Boxes Community United Methodist Church Maury St. John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-4575

or 575-257-4170 Home delivery once a month for ages 60 or above. Income eligibility required/limited quantity NON-PERISHABLE Food Boxes Angel Ministries (J Bar J Church) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-6899 Food Reimbursement for Daycare Providers Children In Need of Service (CHINS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-434-9588 Housing Assistance Camelot Place Apartment/Low Income Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-5897 Citizenship/Residency – Financial Guidelines Eastern Regional Housing Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-622-0881 HUD Financial assistance for rent Inspiration Heights/Low Income Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-378-4236 Citizenship/Residency – Financial Guidelines Ladera Apt Homes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-378-5262

Medical Assistance Children’s Medical Services . . . . . 575-258-3252 Lincoln County Indigent Fund . . 575-258-1232 Prescriptions Episcopal Church . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-2356 Shriners Hospitals Crippled Children

& Burn Institute . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-237-5055 or Bobby Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . 575-336-2541

Gamblers Anonymous ABQ Hotline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 505-260-7272 www.gamblersanonymous.org High Mesa Healing Center . . . . . . 575-336-7777 Mescalero Responsible Gaming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-464-7106 or 1-800-572-1142 Overeating Anonymous . . . . . . . . 575-437-3761 Senior Coffee Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-4170 Weight Watchers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-651-6000 VISUAL Assistance Woman to Woman W2W . . . . . . . . 575-378-6378 National Federation Support group for victims and survivors of the Blind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-434-8391 of domestic violence

or 575-434-2076 State of NM Commission Churches for the Blind . . Alamogordo 888-513-7967 Angus Church of the Nazarene . 575-336-8032

Ruidoso 888-513-7961 Apostolics of Lincoln County . . . 575-258-4571 Behavioral Health Services Calvary Chapel of Ruidoso . . . . . 575-257-5915 Canaan Trail Baptist Church . . . . 575-336-1979 Counseling Capitan Church of Christ . . . . . . . 575-354-9015 COPE . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-4946 / 1-866-350-2673 Capitan Methodist Church . . . . . 575-354-2288 Crisis Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-634-3666 Christ Church in the Downs . . . . 575-378-8464 Dr. Kenneth C. Kenney . . . . . . . . . . 575-363-8293 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Dr. Paula Land, Psychologist . . . . 575-257-2100 Saints . . . . . . 575-258-1253 or 575-258-1254 Dr. Tonna Pate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-808-8018 Church Out of Church . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-1388 Gerald Champion Sleep Center Community United Mental Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-630-8092 Methodist Church . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-4170 La Frontera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-630-0571 Episcopal Church of Life Transitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-446-5300 Holy Mount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-2356 Lincoln County Community Assistance First Assembly of God Church . . 575-257-2324 Program 24/7 Hotline . . . . 1-800-888-3689 First Baptist Church of Lincoln County Medical Center Carrizozo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-648-2968 Heritage Program First Baptist Church (Senior Program) . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-6283 of Ruidoso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-2081 Mark Ovrick, LISW, LSSW . . . . . . . 575-808-8380 First Baptist Church of Merriken Bryant, MS LPCC . . . . . . 575-937-4349 Ruidoso Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-378-4611 First Christian Church . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-4250 Mirasol Counseling and Consulting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-4708 The Fellowship of Help & Hope . 575-257-6899 Diane Harmon, LISW, RN . . . . . . . 575-937-6183 First Presbyterian Church . . . . . . 575-257-2220 Gary Harmon, PhD . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-937-2507 Foot of the Cross Church . . . . . . . 575-630-8060 Region IX School-Based Ft Lone Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-354-3322 Health Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-2368 Gateway Church of Christ . . . . . . 575-257-4381 Substance Abuse & Mental Health Grace Harvest Church . . . . . . . . . . 575-336-4213 Services of Lincoln County . 575-257-8942 J Bar J Country Church . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-6899 Lighthouse Christian Substance Abuse Services Fellowship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-2539 Al-Anon of Ruidoso . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-430-9502 Mescalero Reformed Church . . . 575-464-4471 Alcoholics Anonymous . . . . . . . . . 575-430-9502 Peace Chapel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-336-7075 Alianza of New Mexico . . . . . . . . . 575-623-1995 Ruidoso Baptist Church . . . . . . . . 575-378-4174 The Counseling Center . . . . . . . . . 575-257-5038 Ruidoso Branch Church . . . . . . . . 575-336-1068 Region IX School Based Sacred Heart Catholic Church . . 575-648-2853 Health Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-2368 Saint Eleanor Catholic Church . . 575-257-2330 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-8942 Santa Rita Catholic Church . . . . . 575-648-2853 Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-4191 Support Groups Trinity Southern Baptist Al-Anon of Ruidoso & Alateen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-430-9502 Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-354-2044

or 1-888-425-2666 Trinity United Methodist Alcoholics Anonymous . . . . . . . . . 575-430-9502 Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-648-2893 Alianza of New Mexico (HIV Support & Harm Reduction) . . . . . . . . . 575-623-1995 Children, Youth & Families Department Alzheimer’s Monthly Support Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-777-8155 Adult Protective Services . . . . . . . 575-257-9217 Bereavement/Grief Support . . . . 575-258-0028 1-866-654-3219 2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

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Child Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-434-9770 Adult Protective Services . . . . . 1-866-654-3219 Child Protective Services . . . . . . . 575-257-9217 American Red Cross 1-855-333-7233 NM . . . . . . . . . 1-800-560-2302/505-265-8514 COPE . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-4946/1-866-350-2673 Crisis Intervention HEAL/Domestic Violence Agora Crisis Center . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-435-7166 Shelter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-378-6378 Cope (Domestic Violence) . . . . . . 575-258-4946 National Domestic Violence 1-866-350-2673 Hotline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-799-7233 The Nest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-378-6378 Crisis Assistance Listening Line . . . . . . . . 1-866-314-6841/575-646-2255 Heal / The Nest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-378-6378 EMERGENCY SERVICES La Fronterra 24/7 Hotline . . . . . 1-855-334-2400 Poison Control Center . . . . . . . . 1-800-222-1222 Lincoln County Community Assistance Support Group Victims of Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-888-3689 Domestic Violence . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-4708 National Center for Missing and Exploited Children . . . . . . . . 1-800-843-5678 Funeral Services National Hotline for Human LaGrone’s Funeral Home . . . . . . . 575-257-7303 Trafficking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-888-373-7888 PCS - Professional Cremation New Mexico Council Services LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-630-0161 on Problem Gambling . . . . 1-800-572-1142

1-800-GAMBLER Gaming New Mexico Crisis Line . . . . . . . 1-855-662-7474 New Mexico Council on Nurse Advice Line . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-877-725-2552 Problem Gaming . . . . . . . . . 1-800-572-1142 Suicide Prevention 1-800-GAMBLER Lifeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-373-TALK (8255) Mescalero Gaming Pregnancy Crisis Center . . . . . . . . 575-258-1800 Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-464-7101 Counseling and Referrals Mescalero Responsible Veterans Crisis Line . . . 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1) Gaming . . . . . . 575-464-7106/575-258-9205 Text to 838255; Online chat: veteranscrisisline.net Health Clubs 575-648-2839

MaxTime Fitness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-808-8282 Southwest Personal Fitness . . . . 575-257-5902 Ruidoso Athletic Club (RAC) . . . . 575-257-4900

575-257-0246 575-257-9053 575-257-5179 575-257-1136 575-258-3388

National Hotline for Human Trafficking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-888-373-7888 New Mexico Organized Against Trafficking Humans . . . . . . . . . 575-630-0015

Dentistry Carrizozo Dental Clinic . . . . . . . . .

Children’s Dental Clinic of Ruidoso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dr. Patrick J. Coyne . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dr. John T Bennett . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dr. Dylan Midkiff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dr. Sally Waters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

DENTISTRY / OrthodontiCs Children’s Dental Clinic of Ruidoso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-0246 OrthodontiSTs Dr. Michael Taylor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-5653

Development Disabilities Services Casa Alegre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-4672 New Horizons Developmental Center . . . . . . 575-648-2379 / 575-648-2120 Region IX Early Childhood Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-2368 (0-3 yrs. Intervention) Special Olympics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-0001

Domestic Violence Police Department Non-Emergency #s Ruidoso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-7365 Ruidoso Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-378-4001 Capitan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-354-2152 Carrizozo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-648-2351

1-800-799-7233 6

Human Trafficking Services

Insurance Affordable Care Act Insurance Coverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-855-996-6449 www.bewellnm.com; www.healthcare.gov Blue Cross Blue Shield Centennial Care . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-689-1523 Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-432-0750 Centennial Care (formerly Salud) www.yes.state.nm.us Apply by phone . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-855-637-6574 General Information . . . . . . . 1-888-997-2583 Genworth Financial - Long Term Care Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-937-0596 Lovelace Health Plan . . . . . . . . . 1-800-808-7363 Lovelace Centennial Care . . . . . 1-800-473-2757 Molina Healthcare . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-580-2811 Molina Centennial Care . . . . . . . 1-800-580-2811 New Mexico Medical Insurance Pool . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-432-0750 Presbyterian Health Plan . . . . . 1-866-388-7737 Presbyterian Centennial Care . . . . . . . . . . . 1-888-977-2333 2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

State Farm Insurance Greg Carey Agent . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-5366

Labs TriCore Reference Laboratories (Outpatient draw site) . . . . . . . . 575-257-0496

Legal Resources Law Access NM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-340-9771 Legal Aide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-541-4800 Probation & Parole Adult Probation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-378-8118

or 575-647-9934

Licensed Massage Therapists & SpaS A Body Balanced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-937-0370 A Body Beautiful Day Spa . . . . . . 575-630-0515 A Touch of Magic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-6435 Bare Essentials Day Spa . . . . . . . . 575-257-5966 Bella Vita Day Spa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-9493 Blue Lotus Healing Arts Center & Day Spa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-4325 Cheryl A Cook LMT . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-808-0935 Dr. Janet La Rosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-630-3739 Healing Art of Massage . . . . . . . . . 575-937-8576 Healing Essence Spa & Therapeutic Bodywork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-973-2092 Healing Touch Journey . . . . . . . . . 575-354-3424 Jennifer Lewicki LMT . . . . . . . . . . . 575-937-0099 Jessica Sherman LMT . . . . . . . . . . . 575-937-5110 Libby Corry LMT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-1315 Linda Schreiber LMT . . . . . . . . . . . . 410-353-5286 Mountain Massage & Healing Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-937-2304 Mountain Meadows Massage School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-4325 Pamela Jamison LMT . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-6435 Patti Gray LMT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-937-2304 Rebecca Forester LMT . . . . . . . . . . 575-937-2075 Rendez Vous Reflexology . . . . . . . 575-257-8000 Tim Stripto LMT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-973-8697 Tresa Moore-Jamison LMT . . . . . 575-937-0518 Village Wellness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-2258 White Mountain Massage & Bodywork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-808-0935 Medical Spa Fusion Medical Spa . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-4772 Dr. Janet La Rosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-630-3739 Spa A Body Beautiful Day Spa . . . . . . 575-630-0515 A Touch of Magic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-6435 Bare Essentials Day Spa . . . . . . . . 575-257-5966 Bella Vita Day Spa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-9493 Blue Lotus Healing Arts Center & Day Spa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575- 257-4325 Fusion Medical Spa . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-4772 Hair We Are . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-1315

Healing Essence Spa & Therapeutic Optometrists/ Ophthalmologist Mescalero Apache Tribe (Eye care) Body Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-973-2092 (Contact Numbers) Mountain Massage & Family Vision Center . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-5029 Carrizo Boys & Girls Club . . . . . . . 575-464-6814 Healing Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-937-2304 Dr. Fillmore Eye Clinic . . . . . . . . 1-800-323-4764 Carrizo Headstart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-464-3492 Sevilla’s Day Spa & Salon . . . . . . . 575-257-8982 Dr. Paul Gulbas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-915-542-0279 Community Health Spa Botanica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-630-1111 Walmart Vision Center . . . . . . . . . . 575-378-5287 Representatives (CHR) . . . . . . 575-464-9258 Dr. Michelle Yang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-437-9900 Diabetes/Wellness Center LIFE COACHING Leoma Baca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-464-6383 Debbie Haines-Nix . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-630-1111 Orthopedics Dialysis Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-464-4827 Dr. Douglas Dodson . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-7632 Education Department . . . . . . . . . 575-464-4500 Physicians/Hospitals/ Dr. Eric Freeh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-7632 Elderly Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-464-1614 Clinics/ Physical Therapy/ Dr. John Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-7632 Environmental Health . . . . . . . . . . 575-464-8785 Medical Equipment/ Dr. John Hughes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-7632 Families’ First . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-464-0081 Fire & Rescue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-464-3473 Pharmacies Dr. Loren Spencer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-7632 Gaming Commission . . . . . . . . . . . 575-464-7103 Cardiology Health Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-430-2790 Pharmacies/Discount Prescriptions New Mexico Heart Institute . . 1-800-715-6644 575-464-4368 Pharmacy Outreach . . . . . www.rxoutreach.org MATI . . . . . . . . . . . . .

575-464-4039/575-464-1611 Dermatology Lawrence Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-630-8020 Tall Pines Medical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-4061 RX Outreach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-900-769-3880 Mescalero Boys & Girls Club . . . . 575-464-9212 Mescalero Care Center . . . . . . . . . . 575-464-4802 Sierra Blanca Pharmacy . . . . . . . . 575-258-2456 Ear, Nose and Throat Mescalero Headstart . . . . . . . . . . . 575-464-9183 Walgreen Drug Stores . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-0054 Mescalero Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-464-4441 Dr. Timothy Frost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-437-4533 Walmart Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-378-5400 Mescalero WIC Office . . . . . . . . . . . 575-464-0932 Gastroenterology/Digestive Parks & Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-646-4494 Physical Therapy Digestive Disease Institute / Responsible Gaming Program . 575-464-7106 Dr. Frederick French . . . . . . 1-888-353-4175 Lincoln County Medical Center . 575-257-8239 Systems of Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-464-9274 575-623-1442 Ruidoso Physical Therapy . . . . . . 575-257-1800 Youth Development . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-464-0648 Therapy Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-5820 Hospitals and Clinics Quit Smoking Atrinea Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-7712 Podiatry Capitan Medical Clinic . . . . . . . . . . 575-354-0057 Dr. John Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-7632 Smoking Cessation . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-QUIT-NOW Carrizozo Dental Clinic . . . . . . . . . 575-648-2839 Dr. Loren Spencer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-7632 Quitnownm.com Carrizozo Health Center . . . . . . . . 575- 648-2317 Primary Care Physicians/Family Recreational Sports / Parks Carrizozo Medical Clinic . . . . . . . . 575-648-2317 Practice Basketball (Adult) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-5030 Corona Health Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-849-1561 Gerald Champion Medical . . . . . . 575-439-6100 Dr. Arlene M. Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-7712 Disc Golf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-5030 Suzanne Carden, CNS . . . . . . . . . . 575-354-0057 Hiking/Mountain Biking . . . . . . . . 575-257-5030 Gerald Champion Sleep Center and Dr. Michael Clements . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-3811 Lincoln County 4-H . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-648-2311 Medical Complex . . . . . . . . . . . 575-630-8092 Suzanne Dennehy, CNP . . . . . . . . . 575-630-8350 Lincoln County Youth Soccer Indian Health Services . . . . . . . . . . 575-464-4441 Dr. Frank J. DiMotta . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-630-1214 League, Manuel Medrano . . . 575-937-0881 La Casa - Family Health Center . 575-653-4830 Lincoln County Medical Center . 575-257-8200 Dr. Mary Martinez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-630-8350 Lincoln County Adult Soccer Dr. Stephen Otero . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-630-8350 League, Manuel Medrano . . . 575-937-0881 Region IX School-Based Health Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-2368 Dr. Chris Robinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-630-8350 Martial Arts, SW Personal Fitness 575-257-5902 Ruidoso Public Health Office . . . 575-258-3252 Dr. Walter Seidel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-3681 Pickle Ball, Andy Carter . . . . . . . . . . 575-937-3991 Rocks Boxing Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-808-9081 Radiologists Labs Ruidoso Dance Academy . . . . . . . 575-257-3753 Dr. Donald Wolfel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-8292 TriCore Reference Laboratories Ruidoso Gymnastics . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-378-4468 (Outpatient draw site) . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-0496 Ruidoso High Altitude Aquatics School Based Health Centers Swim Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-4900 Medical Equipment & Oxygen Mescalero School Based Health or Sarah Crewe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-336-7030 Frontier Medical Equipment . . . 575-257-2536 Center . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-464-4431 ext. 1143 Ruidoso Little League Baseball LinCo Medical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-7174 Region IX School-Based Nick Lawrence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-808-3302 Health Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-2368 Ruidoso Little League Neurology Basketball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-378-7141 Speech & Language Pathologist NM Brain Institute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-434-0901 Ruidoso Little League Lincoln County Medical Center, Football, Boys & Girls Alison Barton MS, CCC/SLP . . 575-257-8239 Club of Sierra Blanca . . . . . . . . . 575-808-8338 OBGYN Dr. Deborah Hewitt . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-7505 Therapy Associates, Softball (Adult) Page Elissa Cruz CCC/SLP . . . . . . . . . 575-257-5820 Promotions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-378-9810 Dr. Keri Rath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-630-4200 Swim Lessons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 877-248-1872 Surgeons Oncology Village of Ruidoso Parks and N.M. Cancer Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-8068 Dr. Tom Lindsey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-630-4200 Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-5030 2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

7

Youth Track Development Program Sam Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-219-9502

Sexual Assault Resources for Males & Females

Schools/EDUCATION

Lincoln County COPE . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-4946 1-800-350-2673 Lincoln County DA’s Office . . . . . . 575-648-2383 Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-648-2341 1-800-687-2419 If you are hearing impaired please call 911 Ruidoso Counseling Center . . . . 575-257-5038 Ruidoso Police Department . . . . 575-257-7365 Ruidoso Rape Crisis 24 hr . . . . . 1-800-634-3666

Eastern New Mexico University 575-257-2120 or 1-800-934-3668 English as a Second Language/ Citizenship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-1730 ENMU Continuing Education . . . 575-257-3012 GED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-1730 GRADS Program Pregnant and parenting teens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-4910 Lincoln County Cooperative Extension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-648-2311 Lincoln County Head Start . . . . . 575-257-5025 Lincoln County Parents as Teachers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-3157 Mountain Meadows Massage School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-4325 Parents Reaching Out . . . . . . . . 1-800-524-5176 Statewide support Network or parents of children with special needs and education Prepared Childbirth Classes/Lincoln County Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-8275

575-257-6275 Region IX Education Cooperative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-2368 Work Force Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-1730 Schools Capitan Elementary . . . . . . . . . . . .

Capitan Middle/High School . . .

Carrizo Headstart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Carrizozo Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cloudcroft Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Corona Elementary . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Corona High School . . . . . . . . . . . .

Corona Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hondo Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mescalero Headstart . . . . . . . . . . .

Mescalero K-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Nob Hill (Ruidoso) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Region IX Education Cooperative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ruidoso High School . . . . . . . . . . .

Ruidoso Middle School . . . . . . . . .

Ruidoso Public Schools Central Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sierra Blanca Christian Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sierra Vista Primary (Ruidoso) . .

Tularosa Elementary . . . . . . . . . . .

Tularosa High School . . . . . . . . . . .

Tularosa Middle School . . . . . . . . .

White Mountain Elementary (Ruidoso) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

State of New Mexico Offices New Mexico Department of Health www.health.state.nm.us Children Medical Services . . . . . . 575-258-3252 Children, Youth and Family . . . . . 575-257-9217 Environmental Dept . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-3272 Income Support Division . . . . . . . 575-378-1762 Motor Vehicle Division (Ruidoso) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-378-8550 Ruidoso Public Health Office . . . 575-258-3252 State Agency on Aging . . . . . . . 1-800-432-2080 Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-3252

V.A. Information Department of Veteran Services www.dvs.state.nm.us V.A. Alamogordo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-437-9195 V.A. Albuquerque . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-465-8262 V.A. Care Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-888-260-3274 V.A. El Paso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-672-3782 V.A. Regional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-827-1000 Veterans Crisis Line . . . 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1) Text to 838255; Online Chat: veteranscrisisline.net

Veterinary & Pet Services Becky Washburn, DVM . . . . . . . . .

Mobile Carrizozo Animal Clinic . . . . . . . . .

Cloudcroft Animal Hospital . . . .

Franklin Veterinary Clinic . . . . . .

Mobile Mountain View Animal Clinic . . .

Ruidoso Animal Clinic . . . . . . . . . .

575-354-2311 575-430-8614 575-648-2247 575-682-2645 575-378-4708 575-430-8614 575-258-5800 575-257-4027

Service Dogs Laughing Eyes Kennels . . . . . . . . . 575-354-4342

Department of Labor Yoga Instruction Workforce Connection (NM) Blue Lotus Yoga Studio . . . . . . . . . 575-257-4325 www.jobs.state.nm.us . . . . . . . . . 575-802-3013 BuddhaYogaClass.com Department of Workforce Solutions High Mesa Healing Center . . . . . 575-336-7777 www.dws.state.nm.us Sanctuary on the River . . . . . . . . .

575-630-1111 Division of Vocational Rehabilitation www.dvrgetsjobs.com Job Listings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-258-1730 Youth Programs Labor Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-524-6195 Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Unemployment Benefits . . . . . 1-877-664-6984 Lincoln County . . . . . . . . . . . 1-855-382-2227 Boys & Girls Club of Human Services Department Sierra Blanca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-808-8338 Human Services Department Carrizo Boys & Girls Club . . . . . . . 575-464-6814 www.hsd.state.nm.us Mescalero Boys & Girls Club . . . . 575-464-9212 575-257-2368 Child Support Program . . . . . . . 1-800-288-7207 575-630-7901 Income Support Division . . . . . . . 575-378-1762 575-630-7800 575-354-8520 575-354-8500 575-464-9456 575-648-2348 575-682-2361 575-849-1711 575-849-1911 575-849-1911 575-653-4411 575-464-9183 575-464-4431 575-257-9041

575-257-4051

Transportation

Alamo Shuttle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-437-1472 Dollar Cab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-937-6803 575-630-0144 Enterprise Rent-A-Car . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-1154 575-258-4943 575-585-8801 Lincoln County Emergency 575-585-8866 Medical Services . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-8290 575-585-8803 Substations: Capitan, Hondo, Carrizozo and Corona 575-258-4220 Lincoln County Transit . . . . . . . . . . 575-378-5410 Motor Vehicle Division (Ruidoso) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-378-8550 Social Security Assistance Ruidoso Bus Station . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-2660 SAFERIDE (provided by Division of Vocational Rehabilitation . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-888-901-7866 Presbyterian) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-797-7433 Social Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-772-1213 Shuttle Ruidoso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-257-1815 (Call for Medicaid) 1-877-903-7483 8

Superior Transport . . . . . . . . . . . 1-877-735-0111 (Lovelace Salud Transportation) Z-Trans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575-439-4979

2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

VIEW the 2014 lincoln County HEALTH & WELLNESS GUIDE ONLINE AT the FOLLOWING Sites:

Region IX Education Cooperative Rec9nm.org Ruidoso Municipal Schools www.ruidoso.k12.nm.us Village of Ruidoso www.ruidoso-nm.gov Ruidoso Chamber of Commerce www.ruidosonow.com

Lincoln County Medical Center improves access to care Residents can seek primary and specialty care from new providers

L

incoln County Medical Center has successfully recruited six providers serving the county-wide delivery system since September 2013.

Provider name “Healthy lifestyles are a result John Michael Benavidez of having a regular, consistAbhinav Singh ent relationship with a mediHomer Renteria cal provider,” said Al Santos, Rebecca Meunier LCMC Administrator. “LCMC is Amber Watts committed to improving access Christina Bardsley that residents have to primary Toni Hays and specialty care providers so everyone can lead a longer, healthier life,” Santos added.

Dr. Benavidez, Amber Watts and Toni Hays practice at the new Lincoln County Medical Complex which opened in November 2013. The new facility offers more exam rooms with a centralized, convenient location designed in an efficient, lean manner. Dr. Renteria and Christina Bardsley practice in the Emergency Department inside the hospital. Rebecca Meunier practices at the Carrizozo Health Center in Carrizozo.

Santos said more providers are paramount in ensuring residents and patients can be seen in a timely manner.

“LCMC is dedicated to increasing the medical staff at LCMC. We are actively and assertively recruiting additional providers for General Surgery, Family Medicine with Pediatric emphasis and medical specialties including Cardiology, Neurology, Urology and Dermatology,” said Santos.

Credentials

Specialty

Doctor of Medicine Doctor of Medicine Doctor of Medicine Nurse Practitioner Nurse Practitioner Nurse Practitioner Physician’s Assistant

Internal Medicine Hospitalist Emergency Medicine Family Medicine Family Medicine Family Medicine/Emergency Medicine General Surgery

LCMC, clinics have fully integrated electronic health record

L

incoln County Medical Center (LCMC) deployed an electronic health record system throughout every department at the 25-bed hospital on May 3. This system integrates the existing electronic health record system at the hospital-based and rural health clinics.

therapy pool,” added Santos.

This fully integrated electronic health record system will improve patient safety and communication throughout a patient’s Presbyterian Healthcare Services’ care team with an emphasis on evidence-based medicine.

Electronic records enhance privacy and security protection which also provide quicker access to test results for care team members.

“Patients treated at LCMC in the Emergency Department or admitted to the hospital will have the opportunity for all of their hospital records to be easily available to clinic staff during follow up visits,” said Gracie Rheingans, LCMC Site Deployment Leader.

“The electronic health record system deployment represents a significant investment on behalf of Presbyterian to improve the health of the patients, members and communities we serve,” said Al Santos, LCMC Administrator. “More than 100 new devices have been installed throughout LCMC as well as 30 medication scanners and even an aquatic workstation for our 2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

According to the LCMC deployment site leader, the electronic health record system will complement the existing electronic health record system in the primary and specialty care clinics associated with LCMC.

Rheingans added that this fully integrated electronic health record system will enhance communication between the patient and caregivers and reduce duplication of tests with an emphasis on evidence-based protocols and safety checks.

“The creation of the system took thousands of hours by several dozen employees to ensure it will be as efficient as possible for patients,” said Rheingans.

See HEALTH RECORD, continued on pg. 14 9

Effective ways to improve quality of life at work

W

hether a person is settled into a desirable career with their employer or faced with a new and potentially fantastic job opportunity, 75 percent of their waking hours are spent at work. The work environment can play an integral part of a person’s overall quality of life.

Quality of life at work can be developed by applying small but significant changes into the daily routine, especially when working indoors. Artificial light, staring at computer screens and sitting for most of the day can take a toll on a person’s mental and physiological well being.

Time

Quality of life at work is heavily correlated to time management. Americans have a tendency to wear the number of hours worked in a week like an award on the wall or badge of honor.

Improving comfort at the workplace

Conversations outside the office typically contain phrases like “I worked 60 hours last week and 70 hours the week before;” “I’m so tired, and I haven’t taken a ‘real’ vacation in years;” or “I worked all day Sunday and part of Saturday just to catch up.” The statistics on this subject show that even though people work more hours, the overall quality and efficiency of the work diminishes.

Improvements in seating, lighting, temperature, music choice, workspace and desk arrangements help workers feel better while under stress to complete projects. Employers offering benefits that can help ease employee worries such as flexible time for doctor’s appointments and working with school schedules enhances quality of work life. Daycare, flexible hours, work-from-home options and monetary bonuses help solve problems for many employees and improve their ability to concentrate and produce while at work.

Focus on quality work time. When spending that 40 hours, it should be the best quality 40 hours moving businesses forward. That is accomplished by taking inventory of time management, delivering the best work possible during business hours and finally, leaving work at work. Many large companies have been restricting server- and company-issued phone and computer access after business hours.

Simple practices of bathroom and kitchen cleanliness can make working in the office more comfortable. Live trees and plants also improve aesthetics. Discomfort at the workplace can be a distraction that takes away from productivity and overall job satisfaction. A workplace atmosphere that is secure, clean and comfortable demonstrates basic respect for the people and the company.

This simple practice can be enough to spark the innovation and creativity to get better work done. People are frequently interrupted or pulled in different directions at work.

While it is impossible to eliminate these diversions, one can control on how much time is spent on them, versus how much time is spent on thoughts, conversations and actions, leading to successful time management. Working smarter, not harder can relieve stress, allow more time to take breaks or simply get more accomplished by the end of the day.

Encouraging healthy habits

Measuring time as a ratio between busy hours versus quality work hours is the first step in quality time management with tasks a worker needs to or would like to do, versus things that don’t make the best use of professional skills and expertise.

10

Employers who support nutrition, fitness and stress relief of employees reap the rewards of a higher-quality workplace environment. Studies suggest that employers who keep people moving around by getting them to walk to different floors for meetings or hiring health coaches to teach about healthier living improve employee retention and productivity. Offering healthier fresh foods in the break and conference rooms are things employers can do to support better nutrition.

Allowing employees to take breaks before meetings to organize their presentations and review agendas contribute to more productive time spent during meetings. Employ-

2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

Continued on next page

Balancing our life pie

I

n our fast-paced, multitasking world the importance of keeping our life balanced often goes unnoticed until we begin to feel “stressed out,” “on edge,” “irritable,” “tense” – often experiencing concentration problems or forgetfulness, increased sick days, sleep and/or eating problems, excessive worry, physical tension, headaches, relationship issues and/or work related problems, etc…

Maintaining balance in our lives is crucial for a healthy quality of life. Let’s think of our lives like a pie with multiple pieces and each piece represents a different area of our life needed for overall balance. These pieces include physical, emotional, spiritual, psychological, relationship, work, etc. All pieces of our pie are equally important to our general well-being and when we put too much attention on one area the other areas tend to be neglected which can lead to an imbalance resulting in stress related health problems.

To balance our lives we can begin right now doing things that are beneficial for each piece of our life pie such as: Emotional health: Positive self-talk, inspirational reading, gratitude journaling, have fun daily, meditation, relaxation, exercise, day trips, etc.

Physical health: Physical activity, self-care, massages, regular medical checkups, etc.

Psychological health: Enjoy the outdoors, journal, learn something new, hobbies, travel, enjoy non-material things, etc.

Relationship health: Have fun, spend time with people you enjoy, keep in touch with friends and family, etc.

QUALITY OF LIFE, continued from page 10

ers who offer facilities for employees to change clothes so they may take walks on their breaks or lunch hours allow employees to enjoy time during the workday to relive stress, get some exercise and return to work feeling invigorated and ready to make the most of the remaining workday.

Many companies are embracing a rising trend of scheduling occasional wellness days for employees by bringing in a massage therapist, chiropractor or yoga instructor to the workplace for a wellness experience. Supervisors now schedule group walks outdoors, gym breaks or spa days for interested employees. Activity and healthy diets have proven to improve employee creativity and productivity.

Adaptability

A large cruise ship, with all its technology and luxury, is still hard to turn.

Spiritual health: Time in nature, connect to a higher power, participate in a spiritual and/or religious group, listen to uplifting music, read something inspirational, etc.

Work: Organize work space, visit with co-workers, decorate with personal items, say no to extra responsibilities, etc.

Doing things daily from each piece can help us maintain balance. With a balanced life, we can have our pie and eat it too!!!

Contributed by: Misty G. McArthur, MSW, LISW, is a behavioral health therapist for the Lincoln County Community Assistance Program (LCCAP) offered by the Lincoln County Medical Center. LCCAP provides professional and confidential counseling for Lincoln County residents of all ages. To schedule an appointment and/or for immediate assistance call the LCCAP 24-Hour Hotline at 1-800888-3689.

From a small business perspective, the ability to move faster than the competition is often a company’s sole method of survival. Streamlining contractual issues, developing fewer approval processes, can be rather exciting and addictive because people find the ability to move at speed within an industry is critical to digital intelligence.

Resilience, adaptability and flexibility are traits employers are looking for in staff, those who can walk into a changing work arena and adapt to the changes. Small-business owners face a constantly and rapidly changing workplace environment. How adaptable people are in the workplace reflects key personality traits, as well as key competencies for success. Having the necessary intellectual, creative and behavioral flexibility to handle what each workday brings will evolve into a greater overall quality of life experience in the workplace.

Submitted by Eugene Heathman

2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

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Who drives your life?

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re you in the driver’s seat of your life or is life driving you? Life coaches ask this pointed question of clients every day in our fast paced world. It is an important question to KNOW your right answer. You ask, “So who wants to know? And what the heck is a life coach anyway?” A life coach and coaching in general is a bit tricky to describe. Often it’s easier to describe what life coaching is not. So let’s have a quick look at how it compares to counseling, therapy, and a few other disciplines you might be more familiar with.

Imagine you’re learning to drive a car, in fact a shiny red Ferrari.

That’s how I would like my life to be described.

You can hire a counselor, a coach, and a few other similar professionals. How generally do they compare to each other?

• a therapist explores your past experiences of driving a sports car • a counselor listens to your anxieties about driving a really fast sports car • a mentor shares his own experiences of driving a high end sports car • a consultant tells you what to do no matter what kind of car you drive • a life coach asks you questions that lead you to discover how See LIFE COACH, continued on page 14

Benefits of massage

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assage therapy is a medium to channel mind, body, spirit balance. When getting a massage your therapist will take the time assess your body and use specific protocols addressing areas of tension and discomfort.

When integrating specialized, relaxing massage techniques, along with using 100 percent pure therapeutic grade essential oils, the client will experience deep relaxation, stress relief, balanced energy, increased blood flow, lymph stimulation and a restoration of peaceful calm throughout the body.

Experience a pain- and stress-free life with new found awareness of renewed transformation into a more balanced life.

Therapeutic Healing Massage

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2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

The new trend in destination events

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ccording to The Knot.com, traditional weddings cost couples on an average of $27,000. With the ever increasing cost of planning a traditional wedding, 10 percent of the 2.2 million couples who marry each year plan “destination weddings” – a 200 percent increase over the past decade. This trend, formerly thought of as the exclusive domain of celebrities and the ultra-rich, has become a popular choice for couples.

If you are considering a destination wedding it may sound more expensive, but actually it isn’t. Especially, if you use the professional services of a wedding planner or an event venue that specializes in destination weddings.

You can spend as little or as much as you want. The idea is to create a memorable occasion that will carry you into a happy marriage. “If a guest can go to your wedding and feel as if they have stepped into something very personal and learned a story about two people, that’s what makes a wedding much more unique.”

Says David Tutera, celebrity wedding and party planner.

Tutera goes on to say that the same hold true for corporate events, meetings and training opportunities. Destination professional events have proven to be fertile ground for learning, See DESTINATION EVENTS, continued on page 14

Inspired cooking in the mountains

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he trend in vacationing today is about learning and doing something worthwhile while you are away. Granted, we all like to relax, read a good book and soak up some rays but ultimately we like to feel like our time is well spent too. Experiential vacationing is the new benchmark for time well spent and absorbing the local color in a new country; state or even a new community can be very restorative.

New Mexico has one of the richest palettes when it comes to food diversity and ingredients native to the area. Just think of blue corn tortillas from northern New Mexico, hot green chile from the vast fields of the Hatch Valley and traditional flat red cheese enchiladas with a fried egg on top from Las Cruces.

Now that your taste buds are awake, enter the first of its kind in Lincoln County, a culinary learning experience in the cool pines of Ruidoso. Drive into the rustic coyote fencing entrance surrounding the serene garden setting and enter the blue double doors into a professionally appointed commercial teaching kitchen. Be tutored by a Culinary Institute of America trained chef and experience an intimate evening of culinary instruction spent with ten of your new best friends. Enjoy the sounds, the aromas and the flavors of inspired mountain cooking in Chef JR Contway’s Culinary Kitchen at Sanctuary on the River.

2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

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The captivating and inspiring practice of gentle yoga

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or the curious or new person to yoga, some of the advanced disciplines require greater core body strength and sometimes years of learning. Gentle yoga, taught by Andrea Reed, provides a less intense yet invigorating yet relaxing journey to self-discovery driven by one’s own ability.

Like a refreshing fresh cup of herbal tea, gentle yoga takes place in a peaceful natural setting which provides participants the tools for inner peace and well-being on a journey to overall health and quality of life with very simple techniques in a healing environment. Gentle yoga classes are HEALTH RECORD, continued from page 9

Rheingans acknowledged that there will be about 40 people on LCMC’s campus prior to and after May 3, to assist staff with the transition.

“I think it is important to note that the care LCMC employees and contractors provide is the same as it was prior to the May 3 deployment. The collection of all patient information will now be readily available to all medical providers and caregivers in order to improve the quality of care, efficiency and reduce healthcare costs in the long run,” said Rheingans.

White Mountain Chiropractic, Inc. New and larger office location (Same building next door to previous office)

Dr. Bruce Klinekole, DC, DACNB 500 Mechem Drive, Suite B Ruidoso, NM 88345

(575) 257-7970

Office Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed: 8:30 - 12:00 · 2:00 - 5:30 Thur: 9:00 - 11:00 Fri: 8:30 - 12:00 · 2:00 - 5:00

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designed for those who want a softer, nurturing, slow-paced, well-supported and relaxing practice including carefully orchestrated movements, controlled pressure and range of motion exercises.

Gentle-style yoga classes serve a variety of distinct needs such as those with movement limitations, or stiffness due to lack of activity. Those seeking stress-reduction or weight management benefit from a gentle yoga approach.

DESTINATION EVENTS, continued from page 13

bonding and building company loyalty. Even in times of corporate budget cutbacks, some of the best value for the training dollar can be found at small corporate retreat centers rather than the larger hotel operations of the past.

The days of conventions of 500 to 1000 company employees still happens but the trend is now toward smaller focused groups with a definite goal in mind to be accomplished or at least determined at the end of their destination event experience. Small to mid-sized communities that offer a diverse menu of activities and recreation are prime candidates for destination events.

LIFE COACH, continued from page 12

to drive by yourself if it’s a VW or a shiny red Ferrari From this description, you might think that coaching sounds pretty lame, and for learning how to drive a sports car it would be a poor choice. Just as using a coach for mental health issues or substance abuse is not appropriate nor is it ever encouraged.

Each of these disciplines is very useful in different circumstances. Driving a Ferrari requires a specific skill set with defined rules for the fast lane, so you would probably be best served hiring a consultant or a mentor, or better yet, someone familiar with the European autobahn to teach you how to maneuver at high speeds.

On the other hand, your life has no set rule book. You are different from the person sitting next to you. You have your own unique needs, desires and goals. Also, you have far more knowledge about your life than anyone else would.

That’s why coaching works. You provide your own right answers during the life coaching relationship along with confirmation and direction from your coach. Given this, you are much more likely to act on your own suggestions than on someone else’s vision of your life anyway. Ultimately, taking personal action is the only long lasting way to truly change your life. So, start your engine.

2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

Presence in daily life

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y main philosophy is that Presence or Awareness Heals. In my yoga classes I teach this in every breath. We start with a meditation checking in with the body and all the sensations there. Next we move on to the mind, watching our thoughts and noticing what is happening there. And finally noticing our emotions and mood, just assessing what is true for you in that moment.

This practice helps to bring the attention fully into the present moment. We continue this practice throughout the class, mostly focusing on noticing what is happening in the body as we move it in different ways, as well as noticing what thoughts come up to distract us and what emotions bubble up in each pose.

This is one practice that is really training the mind to be present in every single moment of the day. If you are practicing presence when you leave the house, you will be right there when you lock the door – not thinking about what’s coming next, or worrying about that phone call you just fininshed – but right there, turning the key in the lock. So later when you get where you’re going you won’t fret over “Did I lock the door?!”

One of the most important times we can use presence is with our friends and loved ones. Think back to the last time someone really and truly listened to you – eager to hear what you were going to say next. When that happens we feel really cared for, and very safe. This is the gift you can give to your loved ones. By being truly present with what they are saying

Photo courtesy of Daisy Yokley

– not rushing to tell them about the time that happened to you, or thinking about something else while they’re talking.

Try it next time a friend is telling you a story. Look at them talking. Breathe deeply. Listen to the words they’re saying and hear the emotions that come through the story. Feel the care in your heart for your friend. You are doing Love-asana, my favorite yoga pose.

Submitted by Shiva Reinhart

Injury prevention through yoga

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s an adjunct to your physical practice of running, walking, biking, hiking, or other sport of choice, yoga excels at working out the kinks that accumulate over time from making the same motions over and over again.

When we use the same muscles, in the same way repeatedly it can lead to overuse injuries or strain.

I stretch after my workout. Isn’t that enough?

Usually a quick stretch is not enough to release tight muscles and bring breath and energy to them. Taking five minutes to stretch after a workout is better than nothing, so please keep doing it! What makes yoga different from your basic stretching is the focus and the breath awareness.

As athletes, you are asking your body time and again to ignore the aches and pains and keep going. In yoga, we do the opposite. We attend in exquisite detail to each little ache

and pain, send our breath to those areas, consciously relax the tight spots and let go of the control we’ve been holding over our bodies for so long. Over time your body can lose sensitivity and awareness, from pushing through the pain for so long, that finally when the moment of injury comes, we push through even that and end up in a bad place.

Through yoga awareness of breathing into our bodies, we breathe life back into those places we ignored during that long run. And awareness is one element that allows our body’s own healing mechanisms to come forth. When you can actually feel the tight places that threaten to become injured, the nervous system and brain can take that knowledge of those painful places and adjust your movements or call for rest when needed which can keep you from becoming injured in the first place.

Submitted by Shiva Reinhart

2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

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Energy medicine: A new frontier

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hroughout history, many cultures have believed in the existence of some sort of energy that permeates all living organisms, including human beings. This is universal life energy that circulates throughout the body and in an energy field surrounding the body. Health, according to this model, is the harmonious flow of life energy, While imbalances in this flow (due to unhealthy habits or emotions, for example) may result in disease. Healers in many cultures have used their hands to transmit energy to the sick in order to balance the flow of life energy.

While these ideas may sound foreign to our ears, conventional medicine has long used machines that emit or record various forms of energy to

diagnose or treat disease. For example, x-ray and laser devices give off different kinds of energy, while ECG’s and EEG’s record the electrical activity of the heart and brain.

Now, therapies such as Reiki, Healing Touch/Therapeutic Touch in which the practitioners use their hands to transmit subtler forms of energy, not easily measured by current scientific methods, are being shown to induce relaxation, reduce pain, speed wound healing and even boost immune function.

Energy medicine is available at High Mesa Healing Center in Alto. Speak with Barbara Mader, RN, HTP, RM to learn more about this modernistic program that clears, aligns and balances the human energy system through touch.

575-336 7777, www.highmesahealing.com.

Submitted by Barbara Mader, RN, HTP, RM, High Mesa Healing Center, 133 Mader Lane, PO Box 834, Alto, NM 88312.

Creating an inclusive community for conscious evolution of Being through the integration of body, mind and spirit.

PO Box 834 133 Mader Lane Alto, NM 88312 575-336-7777 Barbara Mader Owner Proprietor 16

Monthly Full Moon Gatherings Equinox and Solstice Celebrations Massage and Healing Touch Tai Chi Pilates Bookstore Supplements and Souvenirs

highmesahc@windstream.net

www.highmesahealing.com

2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

Enjoy walking the labyrinth.

Available at any time.

The all-around healer

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any people don’t realize that physical therapy is capable of treating more than just sprains and strains.

Did you know that physical therapy can also help with incontinence, lymphedema and fibromyalgia? Here are a few quick facts about how physical therapy can treat these various problems and so many more.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, more than 13 million US citizens have incontinence (women and men), but this is not a condition that anyone should have to permanently endure. A physical therapist can help you by teaching you exercises that will target the pelvic floor muscles and strengthen them back to their normal state to support proper bladder function.

Lymphedema, which can cause significant swelling of the upper and lower extremities due to the buildup of excess lymph fluid, is caused by damage to the body’s lymphatic system (such as during cancer treatment). A physical therapist can start off by providing manual lymphatic stimulation and then if necessary fit these patients with compression sleeves that keep the swelling down. They will also teach the patient exercises and motions that will stimulate lymph flow so build up is prevented. The HIVAMAT, a machine which produces electromagnetic pulsed energy, available at the Ruidoso Physical Therapy Clinic, does an amazing job at pushing fluid and inflammation out of the tissue and joints.

Fibromyalgia affects almost 5 million people in the United States; 80 to 90 percent are women. This condition doesn’t usually consist of only one problem; it is often a series of things such as widespread pain throughout the body, headaches, memory problems, fatigue, depression, and anxiety just to name a few.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, extensive research supports the use of education, aerobic exercise, and strengthening exercise to help improve fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, fear of pain often keeps people from beginning an exercise program. Your physical therapist will teach you how to interpret pain signals – and how to manage and decrease your symptoms – through a customized exercise program. Exercise does not have to be harsh! There are many gentle stretches and light exercises that will greatly benefit a fibromyalgia patient.

From headaches to cardiac rehabilitation, physical therapy is an important treatment option to consider for any condition you may be facing. If you are unsure about whether or not physical therapy can help, call your local physical therapist and set up a consultation with them to see what they can do for you.

Lydia C. Radosevich, PT, owner of The Ruidoso Physical Therapy Clinic, has been a physical therapist for more than 30 years and believes that pain is not a lifestyle. Call 575-257-1800 to set up a free 15-minute consultation with one of our therapists. Or email lydia@ruidosopt. com or visit our website at www.ruidosopt.com.

The ONE & ONLY Ruidoso Physical Therapy Clinic

The Ruidoso Physical Therapy Clinic, Inc.

575.257.1800

439 Mechem Drive • Ruidoso, NM 88345 www.RuidosoPT.com Lydia C. Radosevich, P.T. Zeke Morales, MSPT Tanya Barlow, PT, MS Call for your

FREE CONSULTATION (Most Insurances Accepted)

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Back or neck pain Shoulder, wrist or hand problems (Carpal Tunnel) Joint replacement (knee-hip-other) Sports injury Work-related injury Automobile accident Fibromyalgia Lymphedema (swelling/fluid retention) Neurological disorders (i.e. stroke, Parkinson’s, MS, etc.)

Post-mastectomy or re-construction Limitations in mobility Problems with balance or falling Incontinence Headaches or migraines that limit your daily routine TMJ (jaw locking or pain) Knee, ankle or foot problems (flat feet or Plantar Fasciitis) Arthritis Cardiac rehabilitation Chronic respiratory problems

If you experience any of the above, you need physical therapy.

Pain Relief Without Drugs

Please come by to tour our clinic and meet our staff.

FREE TRIAL on the Turbosonic J

2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

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‘I’m so tired!’

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y oldest daughter has one of the toughest jobs in the world – a stay at home Mom! They have five children ranging in age from six months to 13 years of age.

Needless to say one characteristic of a busy parent involves sleeplessness! The problem with counting sheep, as a guarantee against insomnia, is that babies can’t count!

In the United States, approximately 30 - 33 percent of the population has difficulty sleeping on occasion, while 10 - 12 percent identify chronic sleep problems (Hauri 2000). Both older adults and women are more likely to report symptoms of insomnia, as are those who are less educated or unemployed, separated or divorced individuals, and people with a medical or behavioral health illness (Sateia & Nowell, 2004).

These statistics are significant because of the severe consequences for those who have it. Sleeplessness is associated with daytime fatigue; greater use of medical services; use of over-the-counter medication and alcohol; functional impairment; work absenteeism; impaired concentration and memory; decreased enjoyment of relationships; and increased risk of medical illness, traffic and work accidents. Although studies indicate little impairment by insomniacs on tasks that rely on automatic or habitual processing, major impairments were seen on tasks requiring attention and mental effort. Thus, insomnia is

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“Insomnia is what you have when you lie awake all night for ten minutes!” — Milton Berle a debilitating disorder for a large number of people, affecting both social and occupational roles.

There are two main approaches to physical treatment of insomnia: pharmacotherapy and bright light therapy. I would suggest you discuss the pros and cons of these methods with your physician.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the usefulness of CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) in treating insomnia. It is not only useful, it is also quite cost-effective for the client and can be accomplished with ease and in a timely manner. It usually involves certain components: sleep education, sleep hygiene, sleep restriction, stimulus control, and cognitive therapy. Cognitive interventions are based on cognitive therapy used with depression and anxiety. Studies have also confirmed that CBT delivered in different modalities (i.e., face-to-face, individual sessions, group sessions) were all very effective when delivered by specially trained professionals.

James D. Martin is a licensed professional clinical counselor and the program manager of the Heritage Program for Senior Adults at the Lincoln County Medical Center. Heritage is a program designed to improve the quality of life for the older adult. Confidential screenings are available by appointment. If interested please call 575-257-6283.

2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

What is palliative care?

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s they say, “Nothing is certain but death and taxes.� Yet Americans seem to somehow understand and accept the complicated issues mandated by the IRS more than they do the natural processes of palliative care and dying.

As technology and medicine have progressed over the centuries, humans have made a goal of avoiding death and prolonging life.

However, it is becoming more evident that oftentimes, prolonged life comes at a high cost to the patient – quality of life.

Palliative care is a powerful remedy, offering specialized medical care that focuses on relief from symptoms, pain, emotional insecurities, illness and/or treatment side effects. Palliative care is different from hospice; palliative patients can be anyone with a serious, complex illness, whether they are expected to recover fully, to live with chronic illness for an extended time, or to experience disease progression. Hospice patients are required to have a prognosis of six months or less and are no longer receiving curative care. This means palliative care patients do not have to be dying, rather merely seeking relief from pain and suffering.

Traditional medical treatments are centered on curative care and on fixing a specific medical problem or disease. Palliative care is patient-focused, providing care wherever the patient is most comfortable. This can be in a private home, assisted living facility, hospital or clinic. A team of specialists, including pallia-

tive care doctors, nurses, therapists and social workers, provide a variety of treatments and constantly monitor pain levels, stress, fatigue, nausea and more. The focus is on the patient as a whole.

Americans today are often in the position of being under-treated for their pain while being over-treated in curative interventions. Because palliative care is so closely associated with dying, many patients feel that accepting this type of care is equivalent to accepting death. And while death should be accepted as a natural process, palliative care in no way hastens death.

It is critical that patients are able to understand the options available to them. Research has proven that for the elderly, aged 75 years and older, focusing on palliative care and avoiding aggressive treatments for cancer, improves quality of life, and in fact, usually prolongs life an average of 30 days. This shows that aggressive, curative treatments are not always the best choice for patients, yet in our society, they seem to be the most common.

Take a few minutes and talk with family members and friends about final wishes, advanced directives and palliative care.

There are resources available in southeastern New Mexico to assist residents with medical and palliative care options.

Submitted by Lyn Shuler, MSW, Volunteer and Bereavement Coordinator, Ruidoso Home Care & Hospice

2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

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Inspirational art at Mescalero Dialysis Center

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escalero Dialysis Center is the proud owner of an original quilt that was produced by Vickie Conley.

Mescalero Dialysis Center plans to enjoy the quilt and then pass it around to other units to let them enjoy the work that went into the quilt.

Vickie Conley a local artist made the quilt when she was inspired by a story she heard about a neighbor donating a kidney to another neighbor. Conley won numerous ribbons for the quilt and then wanted to donate it to a group that would appreciate it as much as she does.

Conley has an education in physiology and made the quilt with an anatomical kidney.

She had dyed the fabric, showing the sunrise and a new day. The quilt is fabulous and should be viewed by all.

Conley and Mickie Reynolds RN Manager of the unit got together for Vickie to exchange the gift.

This beautiful quilt, depicting two people sharing one kidney, is on display at the Mescalero Dialysis Center. The staff of the center purchased a plaque with the story about Conley’s inspiration written on it.

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‘A Gift of Life’

fter hearing a story on the radio about someone who donated a kidney to a neighbor in need, I was inspired to make this quilt to honor the courage and generosity of all living tissue donors. My past as a scientist inspired me to craft an anatomically realist kidney, overlaid with translucent images of donor and recipient – each with one good kidney. I hand-dyed the fabric in the background to make a sunrise-inspired landscape, one of the many benefits of being given the gift of life.

— Vicki Conley

Let our Pharmacy take care of you!

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575-257-1566 • 138 Sudderth Drive • Ruidoso www.walgreens.com

2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

The importance of a great smile

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id you know that the first thing most people notice is your teeth and smile? A beautiful smile improves appearance and promotes dental health. Additionally, correctlypositioned and shaped teeth can make us look younger and accents our best facial features.

A smile you can be proud of is an obvious benefit of orthodontic treatment. People who are happy with their smile are more confident with themselves and with the people around them.

It is no wonder that parents want to provide their children with the best chances of success and that adults seek treatment for personal and business reasons.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child’s first visit to an orthodontist take place at age seven.

This allows for early identification and treatment of significant dental and skeletal imbalances of the teeth and developing jaw structures. Why age 7? This is when the first molars and incisors usually erupt, establishing the bite. During this time beginning treatment of orthodontic problems between the ages of 7 and 10 can bring about the best result and the least amount of time and expense. At this early age, orthodontic treatment may not be necessary, but an evaluation gives an orthodontist an opportunity to monitor growth and development and begin treatment when it is ideal.

Benefits of Orthodontics

Beyond the cosmetic advantages of straight teeth, there are important medical and psychological benefits as well. Properly aligned teeth and jaws may alleviate or prevent physical health problems.

• • • •

•

Straight teeth are easier to clean, and less likely to decay Orthodontically corrected teeth are less prone to chipping and wear Ideally positioned teeth lessen the chance of gingivitis, recession, and gum disease A good bite results in less strain on jaw muscles/joints. In extreme cases, misalignment of the jaw joints can sometimes lead to chronic headaches or pain in the face or neck.

Early prevention may be less costly than the dental care required to treat more serious problems that can develop in later years.

Psychological Benefits

• •

Increased confidence Improved self-acceptance and well being

•

Enhanced attractiveness

See SMILE, continued on page 23 2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

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Therapeutic friendship “I never try to get even with my enemies. I just treat my friends a little better!” — Milton Berle

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sually when I think of getting ‘therapy,’ my thoughts immediately turn to my need for a ‘safe friend.’ The characteristics of friendship

are nearly identical to the qualities found in a good clinical therapist.

Here are three qualities in friendship that mirror those of a good therapist: 1. A good therapist is a mentor: Being a mentor involves care, concern, constructive criticism, and compassion. A good mentor is someone who has the good intuition to nudge us toward healing with an ‘edge’ that says, “I care.”

Encompass is YOUR local provider

Ruidoso

575.258.0028 f.575.258.2648

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Home Health & Hospice services also available in

Carlsbad, Las Cruces, and Roswell

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2. A good therapist has a healthy stubborn streak: At times when you want to give up, it’s a therapist’s job to refute that notion with encouragement that says, “Oh, no you don’t!” A truly dysfunctional situation is like the movie ‘Antz’ where the main ant character bemoans to his therapist, “I feel so insignificant!” His ant therapist then responds, “Congratulations! You’ve got it! You are insignificant!!” A good therapist (as opposed to an ‘ant’ therapist) has the education and understanding that can help us make sense of our emotions, thoughts and life experiences.

3. A good therapist helps you reframe your perspectives: Usually when you’re depressed you will have a tendency to see the ‘underside’ of the tapestry of life (like looking at the knots and threads underneath a knitted garment). When you’re depressed you need someone to help you see the ‘upside’ of life. It’s like Shel Silverstein’s prose entitled, “Falling Up”:

I tripped on my shoe lace – and fell up Up to the rooftops – up over the town – 22

2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

Up past the treetops – up over the mountains Up where the colors blend into the sounds But it got me so dizzy – when I looked around I got sick to my stomach And I threw down!”

Aren’t there times when you need someone in your life who can help you ‘fall up and throw down!?’

Life is about companionship. We are created to walk alongside others in this life. Even though there are ‘down’ times when we are convinced it is best to make life a ‘solo run,’ the truth is there’s more value in a kind word and a kick in the rump from a friend than with only a kind word. There is absolutely nothing in this world that can replace loving, accepting human contact. Don’t get me wrong, there is no antidote that will ever completely free us from the pain of loss or the ‘bumps and bruises’ that accompany life’s journey.

However, the broken road of life is also populated by fellow travelers willing to lend a listening ear and lift a heavy heart.

Why not give someone a chance to lend a helping hand to you? Don’t you need a ‘safe’ objective friend who’s willing to walk in when it seems everybody else is walking out?

James D. Martin is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and program manager of the Lincoln County Community Assistance Program and the Heritage Program for Senior Adults at the Lincoln County Medical Center. Heritage is a program designed to improve the quality of life for the older adult. Confidential screenings are available by appointment. If interested please call 575-257-6283.

How to keep your veggies fresh

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he peak growing season is just around the corner and soon we will be visiting farmers markets, local grocers, our own gardens or maybe even a neighbors’ garden to enjoy the wonderful produce so many of us like to consume. But once we bring home this wonderful produce, how do we keep it to maintain its peak freshness and healthy nutrients?

Most fruits and veggies are easily bruised when not handled carefully. If you are harvesting, treat the produce carefully. Tossing fruits and vegetables into baskets or boxes may not leave visible bruises and damage, but decay can soon begin under the skin. Some produce will not store well if it is bruised.

Understanding how to properly store produce is important to keeping your taste buds happy. The Produce for Better Health Foundation recommends the following: •

•

•

Keep tomatoes, unripe melons, pears, peaches and nectarines at room temperature to ensure better flavor. They will ripen and become sweeter. Once they have ripened you may store these products in the refrigerator, if you slice them they must be refrigerated after two hours. Sometimes as fruit ripens it releases gas, which may impact other fruit near it. It is a good idea to keep different fruit separate from one another to maintain freshness, as long as possible and avoid the ripening process taking place too quickly.

Berries will last longer if kept in a refrigerator at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, they will also have better flavor if they are consumed within three days of purchase. They should be washed in cold, running water just before eating.

Cherries can be handled in this same manner. Grapes will taste best within the first few days of purchasing, but can be kept in the refrigerator up to two weeks. Citrus fruits, oranges, grape fruits, lemons and limes can be stored for a few weeks at room temperature, but last longer if stored in the refrigerator.

Vegetables offer different storage methods. Corn will taste best when eaten right away. Storing corn in the refrigerator for any length of time turns the naturally occurring sugar into starch. Leafy greens should be refrigerated and eaten within two days. Green and yellow beans should be refrigerated and used within three to four days. Lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower and cucumbers need to be refrigerated and consumed within one week. Celery, cabbage and bell peppers can be kept one to two weeks. Onions, garlic, potatoes and winter squash will last several weeks in a cool, dry place. Keep potatoes away from light to prevent greening on the skin.

Keep storage areas clean and well ventilated to help increase quality and food safety. All produce should be stored unwashed, unless it appears very dirty from the field. Washing too soon removes nature’s protective coating and the produce will begin to break down faster and become mushy. Potatoes store

better if they have a fine layer of soil left on the skin to reduce moisture loss and prevent the infestation of water-borne bacteria or fungi (this is why it is important to wash potatoes before peeling them). Lettuce and leafy greens should be washed right away and refrigerated, because they will remain crisper.

A study conducted through the USDA found that 96.4 billion pounds of edible food is wasted by retailers, food service businesses and consumers annually, equating to about 122 pounds of food thrown out monthly by a family of four. Of those 122 pounds, 24 pounds are fruits and vegetables. By following these simple guidelines, you will not only extend the life of your produce and save money, you will enjoy the summer’s bounty even more with its fresh tastes.

Rainbow Wrap Recipe* •

1 teaspoon of chopped chives

•

1 wedge of laughing cow cheese

•

Combine chives and cheese and spread this over a whole wheat tortilla.

Filling the tortilla with crunch and colorful veggies: •

Red tomatoes and red bell peppers, sliced thinly

•

Orange Carrots and orange bell peppers, sliced thinly

•

Green avocados and green lettuce, sliced thinly

•

Purple cabbage, sliced thinly

•

Roll up the tortilla and enjoy *Adapted from Super Healthy Kids

Submitted by Marsha Palmer, County Director, Lincoln County Extension Service. The Lincoln County Extension Service is a field office of NMSU and is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and educator. NMSU and USDA cooperating. If you have any questions call 648-2311 or email palmer@nmsu.edu.

SMILE, continued from page 21

Here’s how to get started: You don’t need a referral from your family dentist to make an appointment. We encourage you to take the initiative to schedule an examination if you think your child can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment So, orthodontic treatment can mean more than just a great smile. And that’s something you can smile about!

Submitted by Kenneth W. Childress, DDS, The Children’s Dental Clinic Of Ruidoso, 721 Mechem Drive, Ruidoso, 575-257-0246.

2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

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Should I worry about gambling?

I

n general, gambling is seen as a social activity and not recognized as a potential addiction. Often, gambling does not pose a problem in a person’s daily life. However, for approximately 125,000 adults and approximately 6 percent of youth in New Mexico, gambling disrupts their personal and work lives, affects their finances and leads to a need for treatment.

The Mescalero Responsible Gaming Program is dedicated to providing education and awareness to all citizens.

Problem gamblers dedicate more time, thoughts and money toward gambling. Problem gambling affects all aspects of a gambler’s life – family, job, hobbies, finances, etc. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, one in five gamblers have attempted suicide. Problem gamblers have the highest rate of suicide among addictions. Approximately three quarters of all problem gamblers have symptoms of depression. Many problem gamblers resort to crime to repay their debts. These crimes are usually non-violent, including tax evasion, forgery and burglary. Additionally, approximately 50 percent of spouses of problem gamblers have been a victim of domestic violence.

Problem gambling doesn’t only affect the gambler. It affects their families, peers, coworkers and communities.

There is help!

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• We take most insurance plans • Medicare / Medicaid • Medication transfers • Medication consultation

•

Advocate for problem gamblers and their families

•

Providing information and referrals to certified therapy and case management counselors

•

Providing gambling support group meetings available for individuals and their families

•

Educate and provide community outreach programs for the general public, businesses and local school systems

• Provide contacts to Gamblers Anonymous and GamAnon

Guidelines for responsible gambling •

Never borrow money to gamble

•

Always gamble with others

•

Never bet more than you can afford to lose

•

Do not gamble as a way to cope with emotional or physical pain

•

Learn about the potential for addiction

•

Learn the warning signs of problem gambling

•

Include a variety of recreational activities in your life

•

Set limits on how much time and money you spend on gambling

•

Do not skip meals or medication while gambling

Problem gambling warning signs

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•

Preoccupation with gambling

•

Need to gamble increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired excitement

•

Repeated unsuccessful efforts to control gambling

•

Restless or irritable when trying to cut down or stop gambling

•

Gambling as a distraction from problems

•

After losing money, returns the next day to try to recoup losses

•

Lies to family members and others regarding the extent of gambling

Mescalero Office: IMGR&C, 287 Carrizo Canyon Rd. Mescalero, NM 88340, 575-464-7106 www.mescaleroresponsiblegaming.org; 1-800-GAMBLER

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2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

  

    

2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

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Sexual health and aging

W

hile most physicians are willing to treat the effects of physical aging, other than my wife, I haven’t run into many that are willing to deal with the sexual effects of aging. “He just doesn’t seem to be that interested anymore” is a common statement that I hear on a regular basis. Mind you, most women also admit that they aren’t very interested in sex either.

Why? They have succumbed to society’s theory that as you grow older sex isn’t that important anymore. Even if you haven’t read about the physical and mental benefits of an orgasm; you have to admit that the orgasm isn’t something that most people willingly give up. The orgasm has benefits that include better mental well-being, anti-depressant properties, and increased ability to handle the daily stressors that everyone experiences.

Why give up the orgasm? It takes too much work and “to be honest, sex is pretty much a chore that I feel I have to try to accomplish on a monthly or semi-monthly basis to keep him happy.” Orgasms become increasingly difficult as we age.

From the guy’s standpoint- “I’m still very much in love with her, but sex isn’t as stimulating as it was when she was younger. I have to try harder to help her reach orgasm and that isn’t easy as my stamina isn’t like it was when I was younger.”

From the gal’s viewpoint- “Sex is something that doesn’t come easy anymore. He doesn’t give me the foreplay I need to achieve an orgasm on a regular basis.”

Gals- give the guys a break. We know that stamina decreases along with the decrease in testosterone (T) production. If he has issues, have him get his T checked! Most docs just check total testosterone, while free T is the number that matters. Show me a guy that has problems with his libido, decreased energy levels, loss of muscle mass, and high cholesterol and I’ll show you a guy that has low or borderline low free testosterone.

What about the ladies? As women age and hormone levels decrease they lose erectile tissue. What does this mean? Breast mass is lost, the clitoris isn’t as pronounced during sex, and the G spot loses volume. Sounds like the perfect storm for less pleasure during sex, right?

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) has a better than 75 year safety history; so I am very comfortable recommending it to my patients. Will that fix all issues? BHRT may revitalize vaginal mucosa and may bring new life to erectile tissue but it won’t fix some of the issues that occur during the aging process that are exacerbated by the trauma of childbirth. While vaginal deliveries are the method of choice (if it is an option) for bringing a new life into the world, they don’t do wonderful things for the vagina in terms of insuring that everything snaps back into place. Many women have told me that sex is never the same after the first kid boldly blazes a trail into a new world through the same organ that is used for sexual pleasure.

Continued on next page

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2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

Views from a park bench…

T

he first unmistakable signs of our summer season are the warm weather. Passersby strolling in short sleeves, sounds of squealing kids coming in through open windows – are greeted with an exuberance reserved for Super Bowl victories in other communities. A gentle delirium overtakes us at the end of a long winter and unreliable spring season. Appointments are cancelled and offices grow empty throughout the afternoon as everyone conspires to spend as much time as possible outdoors in the sunlight and visit one of your local parks.

Sooner or later we all wind up at one of the local village parks.

Impromptu games take root. Walkers & health enthusiasts are packed on Grindstone Trails/Pathways and The Links walking trail as if it was 5:00 p.m. on a southern California freeway. At the local delis, there’s a run on potato salad, coleslaw, chicken, watermelon, lemonade and bratwurst as thousands of picnics in the park are planned for the summer season.

Summertime marks the opening stanza of exercise outdoors, an eruption of high spirits that goes on until frigid winds blow in with equal suddenness some day in November. Through the warmer months, parks become the local version of a town square or marketplace. They’re the places to which we naturally gravitate, certain that we’ll run into neighbors and friends.

For almost everyone in our country summer makes up a disproportionate share of our best memories – many unfold on the playgrounds, ball fields, swimming pools, flower gardens and benches of Village of Ruidoso parks. One might say that memories are a key product of public parks and recreation agencies – just as much as the number of tulip builds planted or Little Leaguers suited up. It’s a point worth raising at the next public hearing of your park budget, even if quantifiable data is hard to come by. The whole room will nod in agreement, with smiles breaking out and happy sighs filling the room.

The Village of Ruidoso invites each and every one to take a

moment, and build a memory from the view of a park bench.

The unmistakable link between village parks and human memory first hit me when visiting the Millennium Park in Chicago. I was overwhelmed by the place, given the wave of publicity on the internet that came with its grand opening. It felt overdesigned in many areas and had a lot of “look at me” features and items and too few comfortable sites to just sit and enjoy from a park bench. However, this location was another memorable moment taking place in a park for me. I will never forget my view from a park bench in my most favorite season of the year (summer time).

Submitted by Walt Bratton, former director of Ruidoso Parks & Recreation Department SEXUAL HEALTH, continued from page 26

That’s right. Things get stretched! If you have issues with incontinence or urine leak, surgery may be the right choice for you. Is there a less invasive option that will also help make sex more pleasurable? It’s called the O-Shot or Orgasm Shot.

The short procedure involves taking a small amount of your blood, activating your body’s natural healing processes, and injecting it into several places in and around the vagina. The G-spot becomes more prominent and the vagina is a little bit tighter. Sex is more pleasurable for you again and he doesn’t have to work near as hard to achieve the “impossible dream”. Need some help in the bedroom? Look up www.oshot.info and then schedule an appointment!

Disclaimer: Dr Stephen Rath, MD, DABA is a board certified anesthesiologist, Air Force flight surgeon, FAA AME, paramedic, ski patroller and pilot as well as the owner and medical director of Fusion Medical Spa located in Ruidoso. He is committed to making great changes before he is committed. Comments or questions? His email address is: DrRath@FusionMedicalSpa.net.

2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

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Hiking for health

H

iking in and around Ruidoso remains a best-kept secret. While fitness trails at Cedar Creek, Mescalero and The Links are popular, the area is also rife with longer and more strenuous hikes in the Smokey Bear District of the Lincoln Nation Forest and the BLM-managed Fort Stanton Recreation Area and even around Grindstone Lake. Hiking is inexpensive, familyfriendly with benefits for the body and the soul. Gazing out from the Crest Trail for miles in any direction is a sublime experience and one that is easily accessible to anyone.

Photo courtesy of Lisa Maue

In addition to the emotional impact, hiking also has important physical perks. It exercises every major muscle group of the body, leads to improved cardio-respiratory fitness, may lower the risk of certain cancers, high cholesterol and high blood pressure and, as an activity that burns up to 370 calories an hour (for a person weighing 154 pounds), is a fun addition to a cross-training regimen. The benefits for children are similar and include sleeping better at night and awakening a curiosity for nature.

Several websites offer the first-time hiker advice. The National Park Service’s “Hiking Tips” lists several crucial tips, among them not to hike alone, bring plenty of water, remember the sunscreen and a basic first-aid kit, check the weather forecast, know your route and do not overestimate your capabilities. Visitors to the area are often taken aback (literally and figuratively) at the effects of high altitude on even the slightest amount of physical effort. Sudden thunderstorms are also a factor in the mountains, so it is important to be prepared for rain and sudden drops in temperature. Use a map, but recognize that distances on paper can be deceptive. It is best to stop in at the Smokey Bear Ranger Station for advice on trails and conditions before going on even a short hike.

Other sources for information on hiking are ENMU-Ruidoso, the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce and the internet.

ENMU-Ruidoso typically offers classes in hiking. This summer’s class is an all-day Saturday class that lasts eight weeks beginning June 2. The college’s community education department offers Kids’ College that also incorporates physical activity during the month of June. More information on either program may be found by going to www.ruidoso.enmu.edu.

Whether as part of a long-term exercise program or a short afternoon respite, a hike is firstly an opportunity to be immersed in the outdoors and, if only for a moment, to gain a grander perspective from an insular life. By hiking with friends and family, the connectedness to nature, in turn, extends out to others. Visitors and residents of Lincoln County are indeed fortunate to be able to walk outside and be surrounded by the grandeur of the mountains, forests and open plains, but this gift comes with responsibility. It is easy to take advantage of our unique landscape by hiking, but remember to do it in a responsible, informed and respectful way for your sake and those who follow you.

Submitted by Lisa Maue, ENMU-Ruidoso

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2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

Region IX Education Cooperative School Based Health Center

R

egion IX (REC IX) School Based Health Centers (SBHCs) provide physical and behavioral health care and health promotion for students in the REC IX member schools. The Region IX SBHC, which is located on the campus of Ruidoso High School, offers students medical attention when they need it most. The fact that the SBHC is located on the school campus where students can access care easily is a real plus. SBHCs strive to keep students healthy and in class..

The SBHC is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of providers including nurse practitioners, Certified Prevention Specialists, social workers, counselors, psychiatrists and other health professionals. These integrated, accessible and high-quality

services add measurable value to the health of students.

The SBHC coordinates the use of Medicaid reimbursement funds and various grant awards to provide a broad range of health services for all school aged children in the seven member school districts that include Capitan, Carrizozo, Cloudcroft, Corona, Hondo, Ruidoso and Tularosa. The SBHC is located on the Ruidoso High School campus between the gym and the football field and staff based at this site provide services including sports physicals, health education, substance abuse prevention and counseling at all of the Ruidoso schools, as well as in the other member school districts. The SBHC brings the doctor/counselor to the school, improving access to critically needed care right where children learn and grow. Students may access physical, behavioral or substance abuse services at the SBHC either on their own or by referral from their school nurse, counselor, a teacher or a parent/guardian. Although the SBHC asks parents to sign written consents for their children to enroll in the SBHC, according to New Mexico State Law, children Students over 14 years old can access some services with their own informed consent.

Region IX School Based Health Center Providing Health Care for Since 1996

We provide the following services for students:        

Sports Physicals Acute care for illnesses Well-child Check-ups Medication Management Behavioral Health Services Prevention, Education and Youth Engagement Intervention and Substance Abuse Counseling Support for Parenting and Pregnant Teens

We see all children, regardless of Medicaid or insurance status.

There is no charge for our services!!

Staffed by Caring Professionals!

Because Healthy Students Learn Better!

Call 575 630-7974 for information or an appointment—Same Day appointment available

www.rec9nm.org

Region IX Education Cooperative is a service agency committed to supporting students to be Successful in the real world.

2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

Some of the benefits of the SBHC are: •

Decreased absenteeism and tardiness.

Fewer classes are missed in order to seek medical care. Parents miss work less often to take their children for appointments

•

Decline in discipline issues when students have access to behavioral health services.

•

Same day or next day appointments available

•

Students more likely to seek behavioral health services

•

Support for students with chronic health problems

Students perform better when they show up for class, healthy and ready to learn. SBHCs help students avoid health-related absences and support them to succeed in the classroom. It is well accepted that healthier children make better students. The REC IX SBHC is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. For more information, call 575-630-7974.

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Tularosa Creek Discovery Trail Rivers, trails and conservation assistance program

I

ncreasing physical activity among adults, teens and children at the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation is the principal goal of the Tribe’s Community Transformation Grant.

A number of initiatives are underway including healthy eating campaigns and improving walkability within the dispersed residential neighborhoods and the Mescalero Village area.

One of the most important projects is expanding on a trail idea that was created by the Sovereign Nations Service Corps (AmeriCorps and tribal members), managed by the Mescalero Fish Hatchery. The initial Headstart Trail provided a safe way for Headstart School students to take fieldtrips to the Fish Hatchery. The success of that project has inspired other tribal members to extend the trail to the skatepark, tribal store and the Mescalero Community Center.

In preparing the stakeholder working group to consider community health in trail design, RTCA introduced the Parks, Trails & Health Workbook pilot project. This workbook guided the partners through a process whereby they better understood the critical health issues facing Mescalero Apache people, and learned about trail design that could address physical, social and psychological well-being.

In addition, the Sovereign Nations Service Corps, along with community members

completed Rural Active Living Assessments (RALA) and Physical Activity Resource Assessments (PARA) to determine the condition of sidewalks, paths, parks and playgrounds in and near Mescalero Village.

In addition to extensive resource assessment work, the Sovereign Nations Service Corps has reached out to the community through focus groups, surveys and interviews to get local perspectives on the trail idea. Tori Marden, Community Transformation Grant Coordinator and a Mescalero native, considers it a success that elderly tribal members and young people have given her ideas and positive comments about the proposed trail. One idea is to have natural play areas along the trail such as rocks for climbing, logs children can crawl through and teepee frames. “People really bought into the idea because of our culture and how as young kids those were things we played with when there were no playgrounds,” she said.

Using local talent and materials to construct the Tularosa Creek Discovery Trail, the Mescalero Apache envisions multiple generations using the trail, where there will be designated fishing areas, natural playscapes for children and shady oases for adults, connecting people to nature and to each other.

Submitted by Attila Bality, National Park Service

Light the Fire youth respond

T

his fall, 35 high school students and 10 adults from around Lincoln County participated in the seventh annual Light the Fire Youth Summit. Students from high schools in Ruidoso, Capitan, Carrizozo, Mescalero and Hondo attended. The mission of the Summit was to engage youth, build leadership, develop existing assets, and increase community awareness among the youth of Lincoln County. The summit was a collaborative effort of the Lincoln County Community Health Council, Region IX Education Cooperative, the Lincoln County DWI Prevention Program, the Department of Health, Mescalero Responsible Gaming, and the Mescalero Prevention Program.

The summit consisted of the morning spent on the Bonita Park Challenge Course. After lunch, several breakout 30

sessions were developed to address this year’s theme - Perseverance. One group was challenged to develop visual media that could be printed as posters to hang in schools throughout the County. Possible topics were texting and driving, substance abuse, unity, bullying, and judging others.

Some great posters were created from this activity. Each high school was given two to share with all of their students.

Participants are encouraged to “give back to their communities” and this activity is a wonderful example of their leadership skills and philanthropic natures.

Many of the students worked with school counselors during Red Ribbon Week at their schools to bring awareness to alcohol and drug abuse awareness.

2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

Others are very active in student council, SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), and various extracurricular activities. A middle school summit was also held in the fall with 40 participants.

Participants, students and adults, welcome the opportunity to share information about the summit and its ongoing presence in our community. This is a group that is making a difference for all of us.

Submitted by Linda Hand

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2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide

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2014 Lincoln County Health & Wellness Guide