Los Alamos Medical Center kicks off free ACL health seminar Feb. 12

Los Alamos Medical Center is launching a free community health seminar focused on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) health, offering residents practical information and direct access to local orthopedic expertise. The first talk, titled "Active Lifestyles And ACLs," will be presented by Tania Pence, DO, at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12 at SALA Event Center, 2551 Central Ave.

The event is the inaugural presentation in a new free health seminar series intended to increase health literacy and connect residents with clinicians who treat musculoskeletal injuries. Attendees can expect refreshments, prizes, and an opportunity to socialize while learning about injury prevention, diagnosis and treatment options. The seminar setting at SALA emphasizes community engagement in health topics that matter to families, recreational athletes and older adults in Los Alamos County.

Dr. Pence is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist who treats Northern New Mexicans and is accepting new patients ages 2 and older at Los Alamos Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, located on the second floor of Los Alamos Medical Center. Appointments can be scheduled by calling (505) 661-9118. Her clinical practice includes fracture care both operative and nonoperative, total knee replacement, total shoulder replacement and reverse total shoulder replacement, arthroscopy of the knee including ACL reconstruction and repair, shoulder arthroscopy, rotator cuff repair and carpal tunnel release.

Public health implications for the county include improved access to early information about ACL injuries, which can reduce delays in care that lead to longer rehabilitation or chronic joint problems. By hosting a no-cost seminar in a familiar community space, Los Alamos Medical Center is reducing common barriers to health education such as cost, transportation and lack of local specialty access. Local events may be especially consequential for parents of youth athletes, weekend hikers and older adults managing joint health, who often face choices about where and when to seek specialist evaluation.

Residents interested in attending are asked to RSVP via SurveyMonkey. Bringing questions about symptoms, recovery timelines and rehabilitation options will make the session more useful for individual needs. The seminar also serves as a reminder that keeping specialty care available inside the county can limit the need to travel for consultations, helping households with limited resources and those balancing work and caregiving responsibilities.

For readers, this event is an immediate chance to get expert guidance close to home; beyond the evening at SALA, callers can book appointments at Los Alamos Orthopedics and Sports Medicine by calling (505) 661-9118.