Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
The U.S Olympic Committee is recognizing Deming native, Travis Dodson, for his success in the Paralympic games in South Korea, by naming him as a finalist for the “Paralympic Team of the Year” in sled hockey at this year’s “Team USA Awards Best of Games.” Fans are invited to help support their favorite athletes by casting a vote online. The Team USA Awards presented by Dow recognize the outstanding achievements of Team USA athletes year-round. Honored awards such as this are important to athletes like Travis, whose opportunities are limited to leverage their Paralympic performance. Fans of Travis are urged to vote now through April 6th at teamusa.org/awards. Best of luck to Travis and his Paralympic sled hockey team!!
Patients at Fort Bayard Medical Center were treated to a visit by two newly certified therapy dogs from the “Alliance of Therapy Dogs” group. The Alliance of Therapy Dogs is a volunteer organization of dedicated dog handlers and their dogs on a mission of sharing smiles and joy, according to their website. They “provide testing, registration, support, and insurance for members who are involved in volunteer animal-assisted activities.” These activities include, but aren’t limited to, visits to hospitals, special needs centers, schools, nursing homes, and airports.” The two dogs, Lexi, a Yorkie-Chihuahua mix and Destiny, a Dachshund-Chihuahua mix, are owned by Shirley Ortiz. Patients and residents at Fort Bayard were given the opportunity to hold and pet the dogs in addition to people at Ace Hardware and residents of Silver City Care Center. Anyone that would like the services of Lexi and Destiny can contact Shirley Ortiz at 575-537-5116.
A group of local citizens, physicians and activists have formed a grassroots organization named “Keep Our Hospital.” The group has created a website to promote awareness of Grant county’s progress in exploring options that may lead to a possible partnership or sale of Gila Regional Medical Center. The Grant County Commission has contracted the service of Juniper Advisory, an “independent investment banking firm that works exclusively with hospitals and health systems to help plan and execute complex strategic partnerships”. Earlier this month, the Gila Regional Board of Trustees created and approved an official statement in opposition to any change from the current county-owned, board operation status.
Students at Silver High School observed “Kick Butts Day” this week featuring the 24/7 campaign advocating truly tobacco free schools. The students worked with the Evolvement New Mexico program that is a Tobacco Use and Prevention and Control Program at the New Mexico Department of Health. Students who work with the program in their schools are passionate about a tobacco free campus and offered participants surveys, an interactive display, and took photo pledges to show support of a tobacco free school.
