GENERAL INTEREST
April 2026
The Round House, our state legsilature
What Happened at the 2026 Legislature?
By Teresa Lange Reinhard
March 18, 2026. Oasis Institute of Albuquerque, a non-profit organization affiliated with the Oasis Institute in St. Lois, Missouri, offered a 90-minute seminar on the New Mexico Legislative Session Recap.
The presenter, Lance Chilton, MD, has been a child advocate for years. As a retired pediatrician, he analyzes bills relevant to children, health, or both. He recapped which bills passed the legislative process at The Roundhouse, the New Mexico State Capitol in Santa Fe, and which bills were signed, vetoed, or pocket-vetoed by our governor.
He focused on our shortage of health care workers, and the fact that over 39% of New Mexico doctors are over 60 years of age and are on the path to retirement. Some good news included the passage of House Bill 99 to reform New Mexico’s Medical Malpractice Act and to expand the medical school class via House Bill 2 and Senate Bill 240.
The legislative effort to join all ten major interstate health care worker compacts was mixed; nurses are already included in the compact, and doctors and social workers are now added. However, nine other types of medical provider compacts are not covered, such as dentists, physical therapists, and audiologists, along with other much needed medical experts. Interstate compacts are legally binding agreements between states that create fast-track, simplified process for medical personnel to obtain medical licenses in multiple states. This would increase telehealth options, help fill rural shortages, and allow for traveling care providers.
To see which bills will become law, visit nmlegis.gov To learn more about the Oasis Institute and their course offerings, call 505-884-4529 or go to www.oasisabq.org.
Profile: Terri Johnson
By Teresa Lange Reinhard
March 6, 2026. You may have seen Terri Johnson, a resident of Mirehaven since 2022, leading physical movement classes at the Sandia Amenity Center. She is the owner of On the Move Fitness, a company she formed in 2017 in Wisconsin, which she then brought here to New Mexico upon her relocation to our community.
She is certified by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) as a Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer. ACE uses evidence-based workouts or training to improve strength, mobility, and cardiovascular health.
Additional certifications include Foundations Integrative Movement Specialist, Cancer Exercise Specialist, and Functional Aging Specialist. She also holds certifications in group classes, including SilverSneakers, Foam Rolling, POUND (exercise with weighted drumsticks!), Stability Ball, TRX bands, Bosu Ball, and ZUMBA. Johnson emphasized, “I believe people should be certified to ensure movements are performed correctly for maximum benefit, and minimum risk of injury.”
She stated, “I always intended to work with older adults. I make modifications for seniors, to make the experience safe and fun.” As a client of several of Johnson’s classes, the author can vouch for her attention to detail and proper body positioning, while ensuring all participants have fun and an enjoyable workout experience.
Her class offerings include up to six fitness classes weekly, including the popular Medium Intensity Interval Training (MIIT), in which clients perform various activities in a circuit with small hand weights, bands, and isometrics.
She creates a weekly newsletter which focuses on exercise tips and techniques demonstrated through videos, as well as delicious, healthy recipes. She also offers workshops focused on a range of topics including foot health, breath work, and healthy eating, as well as contracting private exercise sessions to focus on specific client needs.
When Johnson is not leading exercise classes, she finds time to study guitar and piano, garden, camp, and attend plays and concerts with her husband, Jon. Upon asking about where she gets her energy, she responded with a chuckle, “I’ve always been this way! I must keep moving.” When not offering classes at the Amenity Center and enjoying personal and creative pursuits, Johnson works at the University of New Mexico as the events coordinator.
Johnson may be reached at tljohnso41@gmail.com to receive information on her class offerings or to be placed on her email list to receive her free weekly wellness newsletter.
Albuquerque named EIGhth in the nation for women entrepreneurs
By Cathy Carter
March 23, 2026. A new national report today named Albuquerque as the eighth ranked mid-size city for women entrepreneurs. Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said that women are pushing the city’s economy by creating new jobs, launching projects with new ideas, and strengthening the community.
The city’s press release, sent this morning, quoted Laurene Rodriguez, owner of Mariposa Marketing, who said, "I'm incredibly thankful that I chose to start and grow my business in Albuquerque.”
Frankie Hermosillo, Albuquerque’s Senior Economic Advisor, said that the Albuquerque Small Business Office supports women entrepreneurs throughout the business-building journey. He continued, “It is exciting to watch so many build something meaningful here in Albuquerque.”
The report, from Cowering Cafe, considered more than 200 metro areas nationwide. They said that women-owned business account for nearly 23% of all U.S. businesses.