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Sierra Providence Health Network is proud to announce two promotions within our leadership team.

Robin Montoya has been promoted to Service Line Administrator for Bariatrics, Hospice, and Wound Care.  

Robin has been part of Sierra Providence Health Network (SPHN) since 2008. Her successes at Sierra Providence East Medical Center, Providence Memorial Hospital and Providence Children’s Hospital have positioned her to take on the challenge as Service Line Administrator for SPHN’s Bariatrics, Hospice, and Wound Care. Robin’s recent projects have included the community brand efforts for Sierra Providence East, the redevelopment of the Sierra Providence “New Me” Surgical Weight Loss Program, and multiple community connection programs with SISD, EPISD, Creative Kids and Ronald McDonald House. Her efforts led to personal recognition as a 2011 Tenet Hero and inclusion as a team member of the Tenet Healthcare 2012 Circle of Excellence Hospital award. Robin received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Communication from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM. Her professional career spans 19 years, and we look forward to her continued growth and promotion within the Sierra Providence Health Network.

Audrey Garcia has been promoted to Director of Marketing for Providence Memorial Hospital, Sierra Medical Center and Providence Children’s Hospital.

Audrey started with Sierra Medical Center as Director of Marketing in May of 2012. She has eight years of advertising and marketing experience and is a proud graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso with a degree in Organizational Communications. Audrey serves as President for the Advertising Federation of El Paso and mentors and helps UTEP marketing students. Throughout her career, Audrey has executed numerous high profile advertising and marketing strategies that continue to contribute to Sierra Providence Health Network. In her new role, Audrey will support the Providence Memorial Hospital and Sierra Medical Center senior leadership team with strategy development, implementation of key initiatives, community outreach, public relations, and physician and employee engagement. We are happy to have Audrey in our team where we are confident that she will bring development and growth.

The El Paso Community College Intercollegiate Speech and Debate Team is having a historic year of competition.  The team swept the national tournament season by placing first at all three events: the Superior Community College Sweepstakes at PI KAPPA DELTA Nationals, First Place Community College Sweepstakes at the American Forensic Association National Individual Events Tournament and the Top Team in our division at the PHI RHO PI National Tournament!

At the PHI RHO PI National Tournament, just completed in Los Angeles, EPCC won the First Place Gold Individual Events Sweepstakes Award and the First Place Gold Overall Team Sweepstakes Award in our division.  Team members, Jamie Salazar and Mary Hetz, won the Bossard-Twohy Award for Parliamentary Debate.  This award is voted on by the student debaters competing at the tournament and is presented to the team who exhibits the finest qualities in Parliamentary Debate at the national tournament.  This is one of the highest honors bestowed at the national tournament. Also, Speech and Debate Team Coach, Keith Townsend, was awarded the PHI RHO PI Coaching Service Award.

?Adults expected to benefit from new computerized testing

In striving to offer more adults without a high school diploma an opportunity to obtain a high school credential as well as basic technology skills, El Paso Community College is partnering with www.GEDtestingservice.com GED Testing Service to offer the GED test on computer. Online registration and scheduling is now available to test-takers and testing began on April 15, 2013.

“The GED test on computer provides a more flexible and efficient testing experience for adult learners who often need to move very quickly into jobs or training programs,” said Randy Trask, president of GED Testing Service. “Over the past year we’ve found that adults who test on computer score higher and finish the exam faster, and we’re excited that the largest paper-based GED testing center in the country is now offering the test on computer.”

Texas joins 39 states that have begun offering the GED test on computer since early 2012. Adult learners across the country have taken advantage of the new benefits, such as online scheduling and registration, instant unofficial score reports, and increased testing flexibility. GED Testing Service studied results from more than 40,000 computerized GED tests given in 2012 and found significantly  www.gedtestingservice.com/uploads/files/8c34da640e5ed8529060e569e79ab43e.pdf positive results for test-takers. GED Testing Service’s findings included:
Adults who tested on computer had an 88 percent pass rate compared to 71 percent for those who tested on paper.
Adults who tested on computer completed their exams in approximately 5.5 hours compared to 8 on paper.
Adults who tested on computer were also 59 percent more likely to retake a failed test instead of giving up and dropping out of the testing program.

Cindy Compean, EPCC GED Manager said, “The El Paso Community College Testing Center is excited and looking forward in providing the community with the opportunity by now offering the GED Test via computer.  Our first test-taker did extremely well receiving the 800 maximum score a person can obtain on their GED on one of the subject test.”

The launch also allows adults in El Paso to take advantage of a new GED Testing Service offer. Through May 31, 2013, adults in El Paso who begin their GED test on computer will receive one free retake if they fail. To view full details of the new offer visit, www.GEDtestingservice.com/Secondshot

The English- and Spanish-language GED test on computer is the same test currently offered in the paper and pencil format. Whether a candidate takes the test on paper or computer, it must be taken in person at an official www.gedtestingservice.com/testers/locate-a-testing-center GED testing center. The GED test is  www.GEDtestingservice.com/fraud never offered online. States currently offering the GED test on computer are preparing for the new  www.GEDtestingservice.com/assessment 2014 GED test, which will only be available on computer.

For adults interested in taking or learning more about the GED test on computer please visit,  www.GEDcomputer.com.

Gov. Rick Perry today met with state officials to discuss Texas’
response to last night’s explosion and fires at a fertilizer plant in West,
Texas. State officials worked through the night and this morning to assist
local emergency management and law enforcement with health and medical
resources, incident management, search and rescue and environmental quality
monitoring, which are ongoing.

“We are blessed in Texas to have the best emergency response teams in the
nation, and they were certainly at their best last night, quickly and
efficiently taking control of the situation, tending to the wounded and
helping keep a bad situation from getting worse,” Gov. Perry said. “Anyone
who grew up in a small town understands that this tragedy will touch every
family in West and the surrounding communities in some way. I urge all
Texans and Americans to join me in keeping the people of West and our first
responders in your prayers as this situation continues to unfold.”

“Once again, our state’s first responders have run toward disaster, putting
their lives on the line for those they protect and serve,” Lt. Governor
David Dewhurst said. “We will continue to pray for them and the countless
Texans whose lives have been forever changed by this tragedy.”

Activated state resources include:
Texas Department of Public Safety: Helping secure the area for law
enforcement personnel to conduct business and maintain public safety.
Texas Task Force 1 & 2 (TTF1 and TTF2): TTF1 urban search and rescue team,
including damage assessment personnel for collapse structure assessment, and
a search and rescue K-9 Team. TTF2 search and rescue task force has also
been deployed.
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS): Ambulance buses, two
medical incident support team members and mental health and other resources
have been deployed. The DSHS State Medical Operations Center has also been
activated.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ): Providing air monitoring
and technical assistance.
Texas Military Forces (TXMF): The 6th Civil Support Team, with approximately
21 personnel, has been deployed to support of first responders. Additional
resources and personnel from the Texas National Guard Homeland Response
Force (HRF) remain on alert and ready to assist if needed.
Communications Coordination Group (CCG): Activated to provide additional
emergency communication resources and/or support as needed.
Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT): Two 300-gallon fuel trailers
from the TxDOT Bryan District have been sent to West, along with four
personnel and four trucks to assist with mobile fueling; 18 personnel and
nine trucks are closing city streets to block off the affected area. Other
available sites for refueling are the TxDOT Waco District Office and TxDOT
Hill County Area Office in Hillsboro.
Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC): Providing support personnel.
Texas Railroad Commission: Monitoring pipelines in the affected area.
Texas Education Agency: Working with the local school district to coordinate
any immediate needs. Schools in West are closed for the remainder of the
week.
Texas Forest Service: Incident Management Team assisting the Texas Division
of Emergency Management with planning and logistics.
Texas Department of Insurance: State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting
on-site. Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) is also actively assisting
individuals affected by this tragedy. Two members of TDI’s Consumer
Protection Division will be on site to assist individuals as soon as it is
safe to do so.

Individuals looking for information or assistance may dial the Texas
Information Referral Network at 2-1-1. To donate to the Texas Disaster
Relief Fund, please visit www.texasdisasterrelieffund.org or call
1-866-463-7982.

The State Operations Center has been activated to support emergency response
operations, and will continue to monitor the situation.

For information about how you can help, medical and shelter information and
helpful numbers please visit http://governor.state.tx.us/disaster/.

Providence Memorial Hospital is proud to announce that it has been awarded the 2013 Tenet Clinical Innovation Award, an honor only given to four Tenet hospitals nationwide. This award recognizes Providence Memorial Hospital’s Patient Care Technician Program, which improved employee satisfaction and reduced turnover by increasing the nursing skill set.
The Patient Care Technician Program was done in conjunction with the El Paso Community College and is easy to replicate, making this a successful and applicable innovative contribution to healthcare in our community.
Tenet Healthcare Corporation’s review found tangible evidence of Providence Memorial Hospital’s commitment to clinical innovation which helps set the standard for other hospitals to follow. Tenet Healthcare Corporation is one of the largest investor-owned health care delivery systems in the nation.
“This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication and tireless devotion of our clinicians and staff to our patients,” said Providence Memorial Hospital CEO, Eric Evans. “As healthcare reform moves forward, our industry will be challenged to innovate, and I am very proud of the fact that our staff is constantly seeking new and better ways to do things for our patients.”

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) issued the following statement after learning of the explosion in West, TX.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the horrific explosion in West, Texas. We grieve for those who are injured and have lost loved ones, and are grateful to the firefighters and first responders who risked their own lives to keep others safe. Today we ask all Texans to keep West in their thoughts and prayers. We remain in communication with Gov. Perry’s office and emergency management officials, and stand to offer whatever support we can.”

The Career Services Department at El Paso Community College (EPCC) presents its annual Job Fair 2013. The job fair will bring numerous employers who will offer job and internship opportunities. The fair will be held from 9am – noon, Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at the Valle Verde campus, Building C Cafeteria Annex, 919 Hunter.

This event is free and open to the job-seeking public.  Only serious job seekers should attend and must dress professionally, bring copies of their resume and be ready to interview on the spot.  EPCC students and graduates can visit the Career Services Department at their nearest EPCC campus prior the Job Fair for job readiness assistance.
The Career Services Department at EPCC promotes awareness of career options, world of work and promotes lifelong career management. Career Services provides comprehensive services for all students and alumni that empowers them to take control of their own professional development.
For more information on the Job Fair 2013, please contact Silvia Dominguez at (915) 831-2636, via email at careerservices@epcc.edu or visit us at www.epcc.edu/careerservices.

Gov. Rick Perry today released the following statement regarding
the Boston Marathon tragedy:

“The scene at the Boston Marathon today is a sobering vision for us all,
especially those who have friends or loved ones competing in today’s race.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all those injured in the explosions, along
with the first responders who braved danger to help get the wounded to
safety.”

Armed Forces Day 2013 comes to Fort Bliss 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, May 18, at BIGGS PARK. It’s FREE and open to the public.

Activities include: equipment static displays, demonstrations by the area high school JROTC Armed and Unarmed Drill Teams, entertainment by the 1st Armored Division Band; Chili Cook-Off, Car Show, East Fort Bliss Build-up Tour and food and drink concessions.

Armed Forces Day at BIGGS PARK is an open house event that provides you the opportunity to meet with service men and women and learn about the equipment they use in support of this nation.

Armed Forces Day 2013, Saturday, May 18, FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC For more information, call the Fort Bliss Public Affairs Office at 568-4505.

The American Association of Blood Banks Task Force on Domestic Disasters and Acts of Terrorism has determined that the current blood supply in the United States is adequate to meet the needs of hospital patients in Boston, Mass. To help ensure that the U.S. blood supply remains sufficient, the task force recommends that eligible donors call their local blood donation center to schedule an appointment for the coming weeks and months.

“U.S. blood banks have enough blood to meet the immediate medical needs of explosion victims in Boston,” said Lawrence Smith, chair of the task force. “The blood community is committed to ensuring a coordinated response to the affected area and will continue to provide updates should additional blood supplies be required.”

“When there’s a tragedy, disaster or emergency, it’s the blood on the shelves right that minute that saves lives”, states Sergio Carrasco, Executive Director of United Blood Services in El Paso and the entire West Texas and Southern New Mexico region. “We never know when something like yesterday’s terrible explosions will happen anywhere in the country. That’s why every community must have a strong local blood supply every single day. O-negative blood is especially important in emergencies—it can be transfused to anyone if there’s no time to do a cross-match”, said Carrasco.

At United Blood Services, we encourage everyone to donate regularly throughout the year, especially as we head into the summer. High school and college donors provide about 30 percent of this area’s blood supply, and we don’t have our school facilities open during the summer months.  So we definitely encourage people to make an appointment to donate between now and Memorial Day and again between the Fourth of July and Labor Day.

You can call and make and appointment to donate toll free 1-877-UBS HERO ( 827-4376) or go to our website and make an appointment at unitedbloodservices.org.

If you would like to donate without an appointment feel free to visit our centers.
424 S. Mesa Hills Dr.  El Paso  79912
1338 N. Zaragosa Dr. El Paso  79912
1200 Commerce Dr.   Las Cruces, NM 88011

HOURS OF OPERATION:
Wednesday  10AM – 5PM   Thursday Noon – 7PM   Friday 8AM – 2PM    Saturday 8AM – 3PM
Monday and Tuesday Open for Platelet donations only 9AM – 2PM
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Please feel free to donate at these mobile drives this week and weekend:

Wednesday, April 17    Franklin High School         8:00 – 5:00

Thursday, April 18             Bowie High                9:00 – 3:00
El Paso Zoo               10:00 – 2:00

Friday, April 19        Cielo  Vista Mall                              Noon – 5PM
Del Sol Medical Center                   7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
EP Police Dept. Pebble Hills         10:00 – 1:30 PM

Saturday, April 20     Cielo Vista Mall                                    Noon – 5:00 PM
West Valley Fire Dept                         11:00 – 3:00
Comm.  Of Deming @ Wal – Mart     9:00 – 1:00

Sunday, April 21        Cielo Vista Mall                    Noon – 5:00
Cielo Vista Church              10:00 – 2:00
Christ the Savior Church     9:00 – 1:00
West Valley Fire Dept         Noon – 4:00
Wal Mart Silver City            10:30 – 2:30

The City of El Paso Department of Transportation (EPDoT) is reminding the public to enjoy the great outdoors by participating in Scenic Sundays.

Scenic Drive – the popular roadway that cuts along the southern slope of the Franklin Mountains – is closed to vehicle traffic on Sunday mornings to allow for outdoor recreational activities. The public is encouraged walk, jog, hike, skate or bicycle along Scenic Drive between Richmond and Robinson avenues.

Event hours for this Sunday, April 14, 2013, are from 6 a.m. to noon.

“Yesterday reports surfaced on social media regarding an alleged attempt at kidnapping alleged to have occurred on Fort Bliss on April 10th. As more facts came in yesterday, it became evident that a kidnapping attempt likely did not take place. The Military police, Criminal Investigations Division, and El Paso Police Department, remain vigilant, however, at this time we do not believe that an actual kidnapping attempt took place.

The conjecture, rumors, and hyperbole surrounding this attempt have heightened emotions in a manner that is unhelpful to a communal understanding of this event in particular and safety on Fort Bliss in general.  We ask that the community allow the Criminal Investigation Division do its job in fully investigating this incident.”

– Major Joe Buccino, Fort Bliss Spokesman

UPDATE:

“As of 10 am on April 12th, the incident initially reported as a kidnapping attempt on Fort Bliss on the evening of 10 April appears to be a hoax. The Criminal Investigation Division continues to investigate, however, the report appears to have been entirely fabricated.”  – Major Joe Buccino, Fort Bliss Spokesman

Geologists from The University of Texas at El Paso will use this weekend’s explosions to demolish ASARCO and City Hall to their advantage.

Led by Hector Gonzalez-Huizar, Ph.D., research assistant professor of geological sciences, 45 seismometers – devices that measure ground movement – will be set up between the demolition sites downtown and at the ASARCO site near UTEP.

“It’s a great opportunity for us because, of course, we can’t set up our own explosives in the area to make these kinds of studies,” said Gonzalez-Huizar, who expects some seismometers to be as close as 600 feet to the demolition zones.

Data gathered by the seismometers will help researchers gauge where seismic waves travel faster and slower in the ground to help map sub-surface characteristics in the El Paso area.

The data also will help make researchers aware of any other previously unmapped structures below ground, and to see whether or not the east Franklin Mountain fault terminates below downtown El Paso, or continues into Juárez.

“By knowing the physical properties of the ground, we’ll be able to figure out how downtown will respond to an earthquake,” he said. “We’ll have a better idea of the kind of motion that could be generated.”

Carlos Montana and Galen Kaip, supporting staff of the department, as well as undergraduate and graduate students, will assist Gonzalez-Huizar on the project. He will also receive expert seismology consultation from geological sciences professors Diane Doser, Ph.D., andAaron Velasco, Ph.D.

The team plans to set up the seismometers on Friday, April 12, and take them down on Monday, April 15. The John W. Kidd Memorial Seismological Observatory located on campus also will be used to measure waves during the demolitions.

Although it is not yet confirmed, Gonzalez-Huizar believes faculty at the Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juárez will help with the project by setting up their own seismometers on the south side of the border.

He expects the data processing and results to be completed in several months, at which point they hope to publish their results and inform the public about what to expect if a large earthquake ever does occur in El Paso.