Doctor on call: Pediatric practice opens
Central New Mexicans wanting a more intimate pediatric care provider now have a new option with the launch of Face to Face Pediatrics, a new direct primary care practice.
Owned and operated by Dr. Dionne Cozier Ross, former medical director of pediatrics at Lovelace Westside Hospital, the new practice forgoes the traditional medicine model involving insurance providers and lengthy waits between appointments in favor of a concierge medicine model that provides around-the-clock access. Ross doesn’t operate inside of a clinic or doctor’s office — instead she offers virtual visits or goes directly to her patients’ homes.
Ross said her practice does not accept insurance. Instead parents can pay a monthly fee of between $150 and $300 for unlimited access to video and in-person appointments, diagnostic tools, vaccinations and general health education.
“The whole goal is to keep kids out of emergency rooms and out of the urgent care. That’s my goal,” she said. “And the way to do that is to have time to educate parents and teach kids how to grow up being healthy.”
While this model of medicine may sound new to some, Ross said it is a part of a growing nationwide trend.
She said she learned about the concept last year and immediately got to work to find ways to make it a reality in Albuquerque.
“I always felt like I wanted to do something like this, I just never knew it was possible,” Ross said. “And I didn’t know that other people were already doing it.”
The practice, which launched in January, has been a success with her clients, she said.
“People are loving it, they love the model,” Ross said. “... They love the attention, they
love that I’m listening.”
Her model of medicine, which includes home visits, allows children, especially those with sensory issues, to have health care in a safe and familiar setting, she said.
“Generally kids are more open and honest when they’re in their own environment,” Ross said. “Even parents, they just feel way more comfortable talking to you.”
Ross said she is still accepting new patients and plans to cap her practice at 200 patients and may end up bringing on an additional doctor if the need is there.
For more information, visit www. facetofacepediatrics.com.
RV store wins in a remote world
Last year wasn’t dismal for all companies. In fact, the need for social distance and an increase in working from home caused some businesses, like Aloha RV, to have its busiest year on record.
“Our industry saw record growth with COVID-19,” said Aloha RV general manager Peter Larson, whose business finished an expansion of the company’s location at 8300 Pan American Fwy NE just before the pandemic hit New Mexico.
Larson said despite a several week closure due to statewide health orders, his company finished 2020 and entered 2021 with record sales thanks to the pandemic.
“Even though we lost the first months of the year as a company we still ended up having our best year in history,” he said. “And we’ve been here for 31 years in Albuquerque.”
Larson said the rise of remote working helped fuel the demand.
“They don’t have to be in town. They felt safer doing that, going into smaller communities or out into the forest as long as they had connectivity and they could get out with their family,” he said.
Larson said the company started the expansion of the lot and its service bay several years ago with construction finishing at the beginning of 2020.
With the expansion, Aloha RV is able to service any size of RV and Larson believes the service bay is the first of its kind to be located at a dealership rather than a manufacturing plant.
Boss Security Screens to open
Boss Security Screens, a Nevada based security screen provider, is set to open an Albuquerque showroom this summer, according to a spokeswoman for the company.
The company specializes in manufacturing pryresistant, shear-resistant and impact-resistant steel screens with a “no break-in guarantee,” spokeswoman Mallory Zito wrote in a news release.
While the showroom will open this summer, Zito said service representatives are already in Albuquerque and are available to give estimations and install the screens.
“Security is a timeless need, and due to the pandemic, people are spending more time at home than ever,” founder James Kerr said. “Our goal is to make people feel safe, comfortable and secure in their own space.”
The Albuquerque location is a part of an expansion into the Southwest with the eventual hopes of expanding nationally, a spokesperson for the company said.
For more information, visit www. bosssecurityscreens.com or call 505-225-3732.
M’tucci’s rolls out private cabanas
While diners looking to enjoy a meal out now have the option of indoor and outdoor dining, M’tucci’s Restaurants has added a third option — private dining cabanas.
The outdoor cabanas are available at all M’tucci’s locations and are available on a firstcome first-served basis, said the spokeswoman for the company, Jamie Dickerman.
“The great thing about these individual cabanas is they are intimate and allow you to enjoy your experience and company with considerable privacy,” said John Haas, M’tucci’s Restaurants managing partner, in a news release.
Taco Cabana raises minimum wage
Taco Cabana is increasing its minimum wage for workers to $12 per hour, according to a news release from the company.
The increase will affect all six of the restaurants in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, said Ed Rodriguez, Taco Cabana president. Employees already earning $12 an hour will receive a raise.
“It is essential that we support our staff and their families in these difficult times,” Rodriguez said in the news release. “Taco Cabana is proud to be able to give back to the people of Albuquerque.”
New Mexico’s current minimum wage for hourly workers is $10.50.
The small chain of restaurants serves a variety of New Mexican foods made from scratch.