The Indio High School Health Academy is a comprehensive four-year program dedicated to cultivating the next generation of health care professionals in the Coachella Valley. Through a combination of classroom instruction, clinical simulations and community engagement, students develop essential skills and earn industryrecognized certifications. The program has seen remarkable growth in recent years. The Academy now serves 387 students who share a passion for health, service and making a meaningful impact in their community. Here’s what some of our Health Academy students had to say about their reasons for joining Indio High School’s Health Academy: Myleen Torres (11th Grade): “I want to understand how the body works, and it’s a great opportunity for young people who want to pursue medical careers.” Tyler Rivera (11th Grade): “I like it because my grandma was an RN and my aunt is an LVN, and I find the medical field intriguing.” Angel Piedra-Aispuro (11th Grade): “I was inspired by my brother, who was in the academy before. I dreamed of being a doctor since I was a kid and joining was the best decision I’ve made!” Arissa Chavez (11th Grade): “I joined to learn about different health professions, and ever since I was 13, I wanted to be in the medical field.” Nathaniel Cervantes (12th Grade): “I am following in my family's footsteps – they're all doctors in Mexico!” Xiomara Castro (12th Grade): “I want to be a NICU Nurse to help babies and families. I love learning about the body and patient care. This program helps me get those skills!” Emmanuel Baylon (12th Grade): “I joined because of my curiosity for the medical field and the challenge, but my passion and love for the field continue to grow.” As the Health Academy continues to expand, our mission remains focused on empowering students with real-world health care experience, fostering community connections and developing the next generation of compassionate, skilled medical professionals. For more information on the valley’s medical health academies and how businesses and individuals can support students, visit www.onefuturecv.org. Medical News The Valley's Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 5 www.DesertHealthNews.com November/December 2025 www.palmspringsendodontics.com www.ranchomirageendodontics.com www.palmspringsendodontics.com www.ranchomirageendodontics.com www.jordanptcenter.com www.palmspringsendodontics.com www.ranchomirageendodontics.com Laser Endodontic Treatment Laser energy enhances the effect of disinfectants used in the canals, further eliminating bacterial infection. Ozone Therapy for Endodontics An advanced preventative therapy that fights off bacteria and pathogens which typically cause most oral health problems. Cone Beam CT Scan Cutting-edge 3D imaging of teeth, nerve pathways, soft tissue and bone that allows for a more accurate diagnosis and treatment of dental infections. Surgical Microscope Endodontics require significant attention to detail and precision. This advanced dental microscope is instrumental in providing the best outcomes for our clients. RanchoMirageEndodontics.com PalmSpringsEndodontics.com Offering Biological Root Canal Therapy for Optimal Oral and Whole Body Health We use advanced technology and biological techniques to greatly reduce ambient bacteria and protect the overall health of our patients. Eddie Al Halasa, DDS, MSD Board Certified Endodontist Rita J. Hung, DMD, MPD, MSD Board Eligible Endodontist Advanced Technology Root canal therapy • Endodontic retreatment Apicoectomy • IV and oral sedation dentistry RANCHO MIRAGE (760) 779-0350 71780 San Jacinto Dr., Ste. B3 Rancho Mirage PALM SPRINGS (760) 318-0101 558 S. Paseo Doroteo, Ste. 9 Palm Springs PERSONALIZED CARE FOR THE ENTIRE COACHELLA VALLEY Indio High School Health Academy Student Perspectives: “Why I Chose to be in the Health Academy" Short-term (“acute”) exposure to high concentrations of air pollution can impair public health. Yet long-term (“chronic”) exposure to low concentrations of a pollutant, even at levels not typically considered harmful, can also result in cumulative impacts that impair public health. Just as long-term exposure to low concentrations of a single pollutant can add up to a cumulative impact, the combination of many different physical, chemical and biological components of air pollution–even if they only exist in low concentrations–can also add up to a larger cumulative impact. Other factors, such as heat exposure and limited health care facilities and options in the eastern valley, can further stress human health. The combination of these many factors means that only looking at health impacts during the worst conditions can obscure the ongoing, longterm health impacts felt by many people throughout the valley. Focusing on a different solution Local and state agencies have invested tens of millions of dollars in targeted dust suppression projects, especially around the Salton Sea. Yet the new report finds that, in the context of the many factors leading to poor air quality in the valley, these targeted dust suppression projects are not the most cost-effective means to protect public health. Instead, the report recommends a coordinated effort between state and local agencies, public health experts, and community leaders to direct additional funding toward exposure control strategies to optimize public health benefits. Exposure control strategies—such as weatherizing homes, installing air filters, and issuing public alerts on days with poor air quality — can be more feasible and cost-effective than attempting to manage emissions at the many sources that pollute the air. Many homes, especially in the eastern Coachella Valley, can be very drafty, allowing dust and other pollutants to contaminate indoor air. For example, adding weatherstripping around doors and windows enables indoor air filters to work more effectively. The idea of focusing on exposure control instead of source control sounds counterintuitive, more of a band-aid than solving the root cause of the problem. The challenge is that there is no single source or root cause of the problem. Not only are there multiple sources, but these sources can change over time, as weather conditions (especially wind direction) change. While we have seen significant reductions in the amount of some contaminants, such as diesel emissions from heavy trucks and mercury from the now-closed biomass plant near Mecca, the overwhelming number and distribution of pollution sources around the valley suggest that multiple approaches are needed. Protecting people where they live, work, and play can offer the most immediate and effective public health benefits, complementing other efforts, such as regulations limiting diesel emissions. Although air filters, weather-stripping and N95 masks certainly do not solve the air pollution problem, these methods are faster and cheaper and more effective than projects that reduce emissions from exposed lakebed but do not address the many other sources of emissions in the area. They can also offer multiple benefits beyond improving human health, including the reduction of energy costs and improved quality of life. Michael Cohen is a senior fellow with the Pacific Institute and can be reached at mcohen@pacinst.org. The full Pacific Institute report is available at https://pacinst.org. Air Pollution and Health in the Coachella Valley Continued from page 4
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