Honoring the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium: Their Fight for Justice for Victims of the Trinity Test

The Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium (TBDC) is a group of activists who seek justice for the victims of the Trinity Test, the first atomic bomb detonation on July 16, 1945. The test exposed thousands of people living in nearby communities, largely Latino communities to harmful radiation, causing cancers and other diseases. The TBDC was founded in 2005 by Tina Cordova and Fred Tyler, along with other residents of Tularosa, to collect data and raise awareness about the health effects of the test.
The Trinity Test was part of a series of 200 atmospheric nuclear tests conducted by the United States between 1945 and 1962. These tests also affected thousands of uranium miners, mostly Native Americans, who provided the raw material for the bombs. The miners and the downwinders were not warned of the dangers of radiation exposure and were not compensated for their suffering.
After decades of lawsuits and advocacy, Congress finally passed a bill in 2023 to amend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), which provides compensation to individuals harmed by nuclear testing and uranium mining. The bill, which was signed into law by President Biden on August 8, 2023, expands the eligibility criteria to include the downwinders of New Mexico and the post-1971 uranium miners/workers. The bill also covers more states and territories affected by nuclear testing, such as Montana, Idaho, Colorado, Guam, Nevada, Arizona and Utah.
The passage of the RECA amendments was a historic victory for the TBDC and the Native American communities who fought for their rights and recognition. HealthCare UnTold honors these groups and asks you to donate to: The Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium.

The Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium (TBDC).
Please send checks directly to:
TBDC c/o Tina Cordova
7518 2nd St. NW
​Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107

​
Sources: July 29,2023/The Washington Post 'No 'Oppenheimer' fanfare for those caught in first atomic bomb's fallout
by Karen Brullard and Samuel Gilbert
trinitydownwinders.com
YouTube: Tina Cordova Excerpts
Oppenheimer

Our guest today is Tracy Weaver, Executive Director of Saranam. Since 2004 SARANAM has served over 180 families offering them opportunities to break the cycles of generational poverty. Saranam’s two-year, residential program, and integrated services – housing, education, and community – help families escape from homelessness and poverty permanently with a proven 88% success rate. Many programs addressing homelessness focus on immediate needs such as shelter, food, or addiction treatment. Saranam works holistically, tackling the causes of homelessness and poverty by working with the entire family over time. In 2022 Saranam broke ground for a new campus housing 20 more families and they are about ready to open this new housing in April of 2024!
HealthCare UnTold honors Tracy Weaver and Saranam families1

DONATE /Volunteer: saranamabq.org
#familyempowerment
#endingpoverty
#treatmentworks

Our guest today is Tylor Taylor who is the Chief Executive Officer of Successful Aging Solutions & Community Consulting (SASCC). SASCC is a nonprofit services provider and consultancy offering an integrated suite of programs for older adults and guiding local government and institutional efforts to build age-friendly communities. As CEO, Taylor leads a dynamic team of professionals to empower communities and elevate the standard of living for older adults.
Taylor’s passion and background in strategic planning, fundraising, partnership development, program management, and marketing communications have enabled him to create and deliver innovative solutions that address the needs and challenges of older adults and their communities.
With over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, Taylor served as County Commissioner of Santa Clara for over seven years, as well as the Chairperson of the Santa Clara County Senior Care Commission. He is also the Executive Editor of The Outlook, an Age-Friendly community newspaper, and the founder and operator of RYDE, a multi-city transportation service that provides affordable rides for older adults. Most recently, he led a county-wide collaboration between SASCC and West Valley and Mission community colleges with the goal of increasing learning opportunities for older adults, such as certificate programs to improve employment opportunities for them.

The Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium (TBDC) is a group of activists who seek justice for the victims of the Trinity Test, the first atomic bomb detonation on July 16, 1945. The test exposed thousands of people living in nearby communities, largely Latino communities to harmful radiation, causing cancers and other diseases. The TBDC was founded in 2005 by Tina Cordova and Fred Tyler, along with other residents of Tularosa, to collect data and raise awareness about the health effects of the test.
The Trinity Test was part of a series of 200 atmospheric nuclear tests conducted by the United States between 1945 and 1962. These tests also affected thousands of uranium miners, mostly Native Americans, who provided the raw material for the bombs. The miners and the downwinders were not warned of the dangers of radiation exposure and were not compensated for their suffering.
After decades of lawsuits and advocacy, Congress finally passed a bill in 2023 to amend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), which provides compensation to individuals harmed by nuclear testing and uranium mining. The bill, which was signed into law by President Biden on August 8, 2023, expands the eligibility criteria to include the downwinders of New Mexico and the post-1971 uranium miners/workers. The bill also covers more states and territories affected by nuclear testing, such as Montana, Idaho, Colorado, Guam, Nevada, Arizona and Utah.
The passage of the RECA amendments was a historic victory for the TBDC and the Native American communities who fought for their rights and recognition. HealthCare UnTold honors these groups and asks you to donate to: The Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium.

The Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium (TBDC).
Please send checks directly to:
TBDC c/o Tina Cordova
7518 2nd St. NW
​Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107

​
Sources: July 29,2023/The Washington Post 'No 'Oppenheimer' fanfare for those caught in first atomic bomb's fallout
by Karen Brullard and Samuel Gilbert
trinitydownwinders.com
YouTube: Tina Cordova Excerpts
Oppenheimer

The Importance of Nonprofits During Disasters:
In the wake of the recent San Diego floods, one nonprofit organization stands out for its unwavering commitment to the community. The Alpha Project, despite facing its own significant challenges—such as the flooding of a facility, vans, and employee vehicles—continues to work tirelessly on behalf of families and individuals affected by the natural disaster. In response to the City of San Diego's they are also responding to housed families whose homes were flooded.
The Alpha Project has been serving the unhoused for over 37 years, their mission is to empower individuals, families, and communities. Through a range of programs, they provide essential services to those motivated to transform their lives and achieve self-sufficiency.
Let's support the Alpha Project, donate to: https://alphaproject.org

In this episode, we have as our guest Tracy Rodden, the Executive Director of Feed New Mexico Kids. New Mexico Kids is a non-profit dedicated to combating childhood hunger in the state of New Mexico. Tracy shares her inspiring journey and the motivation behind leading this organization.

Over 90,000 children in New Mexico are food insecure and Feed New Mexico Kids has been providing weekly snack packs to over 4,000 kids a month at New Mexico schools. Feed New Mexico Kids also depends on over 200 volunteers from local churches to help pack the snack packs for distribution. Additionally, partnerships and collaboration have been established by Feed New Mexico Kids with local schools, businesses, and other non-profits. These partnerships have been instrumental in expanding the reach of the organization and ensuring that no child in New Mexico goes hungry.

As a new Executive Director, Tracy shares with us the importance of volunteers and donations to help with the challenges faced by Feed New Mexico Kids; she describes fundraising efforts, logistical considerations, and the ongoing battle against food insecurity.

HealthCare UnTold honors Tracy Rodden and Feed New Mexico for their efforts to end food insecurity for children in New Mexico. Your donation to Feed New Mexico Kids can make a difference! Donate to: https://feednmkids.org.

Dr. Joshua Lee, MD is a highly accomplished clinician and researcher specializing in medication-assisted treatment of alcohol and opioid use disorders. Josh is passionate about making evidence-based treatment accessible to those seeking to drink less or achieve sobriety. His extensive experience includes conducting clinical trials on naltrexone and buprenorphine in primary care, criminal justice, and community settings. He also treats patients struggling with addiction as a primary care physician. Josh is a Professor of Population Health and Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, directs the ACGME-accredited Addiction Medicine Fellowship, and leads research initiatives focused on justice and community outcomes. He is also Chief Clinical Advisor at Oar Health, a telemedicine platform that makes medication-assisted treatment for alcohol use disorder convenient and private.
HealthCare UnTold thanks Dr. Joshua Lee for sharing his career journey with us and his commitment to helping those with substance use disorders to seek health care and effective medication.
#oarhealth.com
#drjosualee
#NYUgrossmanschoolofmedicine
#aa
#treatmentworks
#healthcareuntold@gmail.com

Our guest today is Danielle Parker, the Associate Director of the community-based, non-profit organization United Voices
for Newcomer Rights (UVNR). UVNR cultivates educational, economic, cultural, social and physical and
mental health resources in partnership with newcomers to empower them to achieve system change
that supports their well-being and integration in their new communities. UVNR uses the inclusive, non-
stigmatized term “newcomers” to include anyone who has migrated to the U.S., including refugees,
immigrants, and asylum seekers, and to build solidary among the groups – recognizing the shared
experiences of migration and resettlement challenges.
Ms. Parker began her career journey when she was an undergraduate student at the University of New
Mexico and participated in the Refugee and Immigrant Well-being Project - a collaborative program run
between UVNR and UNM that trains undergraduate and graduate students as paraprofessional
advocates and then pairs them with newcomer families to engage in 6 months of mutual learning,
mobilization of resources, and advocacy efforts.
On behalf of HealthCare UnTold we honor Danielle Parker and Unite Voices for Newcomer Rights for their incredible work on behalf of newcomers in the New Mexico.

Our guest is Dr. Laura Clapper, the Medical Director of Commonwealth Care Alliance California (CCA). Dr. Clapper has focused her health career on making health care more equitable and aligned with the needs of our communities. She believes that by focusing on the ecosystems of our community care systems and the social determinates of health that we can address health equity gaps. As the CCA California Medical Director -- a position she chose because of CCA's mission she works diligently to ensure that the health plan responds and innovates health care for their members.
HealthCare UnTold honors Dr. Clapper's success and her lifetime commitment to community health.

Our guest today is Dr. Eric Fethke, one of the country’s top pediatric cardiologists. Dr. Fethke is known for successfully treating the most difficult heart conditions in babies, children, and adults. He is also the medical director of one of the nation’s premier cardiac screening programs for children: Heart Screen New York.

Dr. Fethke is the author of a new book called, "The Privilege of Caring: A Doctor's Call to Heal the U.S. Health System."
His book was inspired by one of his heart patients who continued to remind Dr. Fethke over decades of treatment that they were partners and collaborators on his health journey.

Dr. Fetheke is also the host of "The of Pursuit of Health Podcast" which addresses a wide spectrum of ways to improve our health systems.

HealthCare UnTold celebrates Dr. Eric Fethke for his lifetime work as a healer and health advocate.