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Choose advanced, personalized heart and vascular care from Texas Health.
Every bit of care matters now, whether it’s for your family or the community as a whole. But you can’t care for others without looking out for yourself. That’s why it’s so important to have your heart health in the right place. Heart and vascular specialists on the medical staff at a Texas Health hospital can help you manage your heart and vascular care, from general heart health wellness to advanced diagnostics and procedures. In fact, no one cares for more hearts in North Texas. And, as always, we have protocols in place designed around your safety. Texas Health is right there with you.
Find a heart and vascular specialist or take our heart health assessment at TexasHealth.org/Heart.
64 So Extra Big color, baggy fits, and bold ensembles define this year’s spring fashion trends.
BY JENNY B. DAVIS
76
Breaking the Chains Look beyond Chili’s and Olive Garden and check out the locally owned spots that make Burleson’s dining scene one worth tasting. BY
MALCOLM MAYHEW
90 Light in the Darkness: A Year in the Life of an ICU Nurse
See the COVID-19 pandemic through the eyes of one Fort Worth nurse.
BY SHILO URBAN
95 The Doctor Who’s Saving a Community With COVID-19 disproportionately affecting Hispanic and Latino communities, one Fort Worth doctor is making it her mission to save the lives of the most vulnerable.
BY BRIAN KENDALL
103 Top Doctors 2021
The area’s best physicians, as voted by their peers.
198 Top Dentists 2021 A list of the city’s best in dental care.
know
12 The Lead
A blood center faces emergency circumstances as it reaches one of its lowest supplies in decades.
14 Buzz
A community fridge project sees growth, downtown goes dim, and other news from around the city.
20 Calendar
From FitCon to a photography exhibition, here’s what’s happening around town this April.
24 Fort Worthian
The mix engineer behind some of Fort Worth’s hottest hip-hop artists finds himself in the spotlight.
26 The Great Divide
Perspectives on the ongoing mask debate, as told by local business owners.
28 Trunk Show
As the Fort Worth Zoo gets ready to unveil its new Elephant Springs exhibit, those working behind the scenes are doing what they can to protect a creature on the verge of extinction.
: eat
32 Good Reads
Five questions for the author of 12 Random Words.
34 From Questions to Confidence
50 Spring Thyme
Four picnic-perfect recipes that capture the flavors of spring.
58 Restaurant News
A local doctor looks to clear up confusion about the COVID-19 vaccine.
A tour through the newest eats at Asia Times Square, plus more food news. : live
36 Dream Street
2021: Rendering Us Speechless
Meet the architects and home designers behind our homebuilding project in Montrachet.
42 Burning Man
Getting to know one of Fort Worth’s best-kept secrets, singer/songwriter Simon Flory.
46 Introducing Tracey Kelusky
One-on-one with the new head coach of Panther City Lacrosse Club.
Fort Worth resident Matt Dufrene says he only drives Ford trucks. “Ford trucks deliver the class and refinement and technological features you’ll find on a luxury vehicle but also provide the rugged, off-road capabilities I also demand,” Dufrene says. “I want my truck to look and drive great but also perform in demanding conditions.” As an avid outdoorsman, Dufrene says he frequently uses many of his truck’s working features like towing and four-wheel drive. “I’ve hauled everything from bikes and kayaks to travel trailers and hunting gear,” says Dufrene, a community volunteer and vice president with Texas Health Resources. “But I turn around and drive it to work every day during the week. It’s a hard-working, great-looking, versatile truck.”
Dufrene’s most recent purchase, a 2020 Ford F-150 FX4 from SouthWest Ford, is his fourth truck purchase from SouthWest Ford and fifth purchase from Gilchrist Automotive. “I won’t go anywhere else. From start to finish, they’re the best in the business,” he says. As a longtime customer and repeat buyer, Dufrene says he has worked with a lot of the SouthWest Ford team “from Charlie and Stephen Gilchrist to GM Chris Bonnett to Rick Crawford in Sales and Clinton Ritchey in Service. Their care for the customer is second to none.
PICTURED: Stephen Gilchrist, Dealer Operator; Chris Bonnett, General Manager; Matt Dufrene, Customer.
During a brief conversation with my publisher, Hal Brown, about our April issue, I was told that CRMA, a nationwide magazine association, had data showing that publications with masks or COVID-19-related subjects on the cover did not perform well on newsstands.
While this was far from a giant revelation and hardly shocking, I did find it mildly disappointing. I understand the burnout that comes from being constantly inundated with COVID-related content, but it’s also a once-in-a-multigenerational event that’s affected every facet of our lives.
So, we’re saying, “to hell with the stats” and putting Dr. Bianka Soria-Olmos (you can read her story on page 95) on the cover, in a white coat, and wearing a mask. Why? Because Soria-Olmos’ story is a necessary one to tell, and it’s one we want you to hear. If you totally hate it, feel free to email me (the address is on this page somewhere). I’d love to respond.
I’ve often struggled with the dichotomy of us being both the city’s magazine (where we publish long-form human interest pieces and hard-hitting multisource articles that can help progress the city) and a lifestyle publication (where we cover style, hifalutin society events, and become a resource for life hacks). It’s a balancing act that we’re still perfecting. Like a shakykneed gymnast, we’ll tilt one way or the other from time to time. To be honest, with the shit perpetually hitting the fan these days, it’s impossible not to. But, on occasion, we’ll strike that right balance and — to continue this cliché metaphor — stick the landing.
While this might be a result of my bias or being overcaffeinated on press day, I think we’ve done it with this issue.
Inside, you’ll find an incredible fashion feature by Jenny Davis (page 64), a robust story on Burleson’s latest restaurant boom by Malcolm Mayhew (page 76), and a pair of thought-provoking medical features by Shilo Urban and myself (pages 90 and 95).
Here’s hoping this magazine checks all the boxes.
ON THE COVER:
Dr. Bianka Soria-Olmos, a pediatrician at Cook Children’s Medical Facility, has been educating Hispanics and Latinos on COVID-19 and vaccines in an effort to stop the devastating effects the virus has had on their community.
Photo by Olaf Growald
Corrections? Comments? Concerns?
Send to executive editor Brian Kendall at bkendall@ fwtexas.com.
The Ultimate Home-Buyer’s Guide
Betsy Price Exit Interview
Top Realtors
owner/publisher hal a. brown
president mike waldum
EDITORIAL
executive editor brian kendall
managing editor samantha calimbahin
contributing editor scott nishimura
contributing writers jenny b. davis, tina howard, malcolm mayhew, mary murphy, shilo urban
copy editor sharon casseday
editorial interns isabella delgado, sophia vandewark, jillian verzwyvelt
ART
creative director craig sylva
senior art director spray gleaves
advertising art director ed woolf
contributing photographers olaf growald, crystal wise
ADVERTISING
advertising account supervisors
gina burns-wigginton x150, marion c. knight x135
account executive tammy denapoli x141
territory manager, fort worth inc. rita hale x133
sales support coordinator josh anderson x140
MARKETING
digital marketing & development director robby kyser
marketing strategist sarah benkendorfer
digital marketing specialist brenntyn rhea
marketing interns sydney fleet, jessica weigel-pena
events intern kristian hart
CORPORATE
chief financial officer charles newton
founding publisher mark hulme
Brian Kendall EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Here in DFW, personalized care matters. To USMD urologists, that means one thing, always putting patients first.
So whether our urologists are treating an overactive bladder so you don’t have to plan your days around the bathroom, performing state-of-the-art prostate cancer treatment or helping you understand your care plan, you can be sure they have one singular focus, helping to keep you independently healthy.
USMD has more than 20 urologists at 10 full-service urology clinics across DFW. To learn more or to make an appointment call 817.784.8268 or visit USMD.com.
Online appointment scheduling is available.
So, we can’t have the [MAIN ST. Fort Worth Arts] festival? Don’t get me wrong. I love the golf tournament, but they canceled the festival! Ugh!
-Rhonda Livesay
DIGITAL EDITION: The virtual editions of both current and previous issues are available on our website. Flip through the pages to read more about the great city of Fort Worth by visiting fwtx.com.
I’m a fairly picky non-vegan and always look forward to Pizza Verde. Their pizzas have great flavor and texture. It’s for everyone.
-Linda White
@thelaundromat1989 I love the “don’t worry, it’s completely safe” bit, haha! This is the ad you see in the movie right before there’s an explosion during the maiden voyage and five strangers are forced to work together to get back home to the future, but two of them die along the way, and two decide to stay in the past, so only one makes it back by the end of the movie.
In lieu of our annual Top Doctors reception, we’ll be honoring each of our fine physicians with a virtual presentation on our website. Check it out on fwtx.com.
There’s still time to show appreciation for the A-plus educators in your life by nominating them for our annual Top Teachers list. Submit nominations by April 9. fwtx.com/best-top/top-teachers
Know an exceptional entrepreneur? Nominate them for Fort Worth Inc.’s Entrepreneurs of Excellence awards program. Deadline to apply is July 2. fortworthinc.com/ awards-programs/eoe
Visit fwtx.com for the full story.
» Asian-Owned Businesses You Can Support Right Now
Whether it’s through ordering takeout, taking a cooking class, or purchasing from an Asian-owned shop, here are a few Asian-owned businesses you can support right now.
» Former Café Modern Chef to Launch Pop-Up Dinner Series
Chef Denise Shavandy won’t be back at Café Modern, but she will be headed to the Southside to launch a new culinary venture all her own.
Furniture Shop to Open in The River District
This furniture store, which got its start on Foch Street, is setting up a second location in another burgeoning area of Fort Worth.
follow us for more @fwtxmag
Carter BloodCare is urging donors to give blood as the center faces one of its worst shortages in decades.
BY SAMANTHA CALIMBAHIN
Blood supply has been down for Carter BloodCare due to the COVID-19 pandemic; but after winter storms wreaked havoc on Texas in February, resulting in four straight days without a single donation, the Bedford-based nonprofit is now facing what it’s calling “the worst blood shortage in decades.”
Carter BloodCare is responsible for providing transfusion resources to more than 180 medical facilities in 50-plus counties of North, Central, and East Texas. Offering services like collection, processing, specialized laboratory testing, and storage, the center estimates it delivers more than 450,000 blood products annually.
In ideal circumstances, Carter BloodCare would carry about 2,500 – 3,000 units of blood on its shelves, available for hospitals to use for procedures on patients of various blood types. But according to Veronica Moore, vice president of organizational relations, the blood center now has less than 10% of that, and “it has been like that since the snowstorm.”
“We are exhausted,” she says. “We are trying to fight this challenge every day.”
In March, Carter BloodCare CEO Dr. Merlyn Sayers addressed the shortage in a video posted to the center’s YouTube channel, saying that patients “needed a blood supply, and we could not provide it because we could not draw donors.”
“I’m not urging you to donate because your lives depend on it,” Sayers says. “I’m urging you to donate because the lives of others depend on you.”
The center is especially in need of blood donations from healthy young people, and donors can start giving blood as young as age 16, with their parents’ consent, says director of public relations Linda Goelzer.
But regardless of age, Goelzer says she hopes anyone
who’s eligible will consider not just a one-time donation but regular blood donations during the year.
“If everyone who’s eligible gave two to three times a year, we would never have a shortage,” she says.
Those interested in donating blood can do so at one of Carter BloodCare’s 25 donor centers. Appointments can be scheduled online at carterbloodcare.org or by calling or texting 800-366-2834.
1. DONATE MORE THAN ONCE. According to Carter BloodCare, donors often give blood on a recurring basis. A donor can give whole blood every 56 days, plasma every 28 days, and platelets every 14 days.
2. SPREAD THE WORD. Not everyone is eligible to donate blood, and that’s OK. If you’re unable to donate, Carter BloodCare encourages spreading the word about blood donation, especially among young people — whose blood the center is currently needing the most.
3. HOST A BLOOD DRIVE. To find out how your business or organization can host its own blood drive, email bookablooddrive@ carterbloodcare.org.
A grassroots fridge movement keeps on growing as community members — and a local celebrity — show their support.
BY MARY MURPHY
Funky Town Fridge started with a donation, a few tubes of bright-colored paint, and a woman with a mission. Kendra Richardson watched “community solidarity fridges” open in large cities like New Orleans and Houston throughout 2020, and when a friend gave her their old fridge, she bought some paint and got to work.
“The first and only thing I paid for in the beginning was paint,” says Richardson, founder of Funky Town Fridge. “It takes nothing; it’s very cost-efficient. The goal is to reduce waste of every kind.”
The community-driven fridge (and pantry) is open to anyone who needs food, whenever they need it. Thanks to
food donation guidelines that say “yes” to things like rice and dried fruit and “no” to soda and highly processed food, it is only stocked with nutritious goods and essential toiletries.
In between teaching ninth-grade world geography and running her natural hair product line, Cocoa Butter Queen, Richardson works with a small, unpaid team to run the fridges. Three Funky Town Fridges have opened in Fort Worth’s Southside, Poly, and Como neighborhoods since September 2020.
They use their social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) to update 9,000-plus followers on how the three “fridge babies” are doing. Do they need to be stocked? Something that needs repair? The community never fails to respond.
“They really came behind me and these fridges,” says Richardson. “I’m really grateful.”
Although she had to put a fridge “out there” before people started truly caring about her vision, once she did, Richardson says there was no turning back. All it took was a first step, a little word-of-mouth, and a handful of posts on Instagram searching for host locations and local artists willing to paint the donated fridges. Now Richardson’s phone is “constantly blowing up” with messages about the project.
Though several challenges have come her way — including an old Fort Worth law that’s caused an unresolved legal debate with her team and the city — Richardson isn’t fazed.
“You can’t stop purpose,” she says with a shrug. “I think that Funky Town Fridge is my purpose. Living out your purpose [means] living out the legacy that was given to you, and this is my legacy.”
Richardson remembers how her mother always made sure visitors ate their fill when they came to her house. She says she was “raised to treat people like family at all times and raised to feed people,” which she’s undoubtedly doing through Funky Town Fridge.
Right now, Richardson is looking for locations that are willing to host fridges. These could be local businesses, churches, restaurants, even barbershops. At the time this article was written, she had five fridges in her garage that needed homes.
“This work is constant,” says Richardson. “It’s 24/7 and it’s not easy, but it is rewarding. If people come searching for rewards — physical, spiritual, and emotional — they’ll get [them].”
One of the biggest rewards Richardson says she received since starting this journey was meeting her favorite musician, Kirk Franklin. Richardson spent the day showing him and his wife around Funky Town Fridge locations.
“He filled up every fridge,” Richardson says, “and he got to see people take [the food]. He got to see firsthand how important this is and how much this kind of access is needed in these neighborhoods.”
Even if people don’t get to see how their food donations help others, they can rest assured that they’re doing something meaningful when they give — someone is benefiting from their act of kindness.
“If you can find some good to give, why not give it? That’s what I did, broke and all,” says Richardson. “Everybody has a place in the revolution, so find your place.”
BY SAMANTHA CALIMBAHIN
Construction is officially underway for a Near Southside development that will add additional offices, restaurants, and retail behind Shinjuku Station and Panther City Salon.
Ground broke March 4 for The 701, a mixed-use project led by developers Ryan Dodson and Alex Bryant of newly formed partnership, Dodson Commercial Real Estate (formerly Dodson Development).
The project’s designer also happens to be its anchor tenant — VLK Architects, which will move to The 701 from its current headquarters on West Seventh Street.
Located at the corner of Hemphill Street and West Magnolia Avenue, the 68,000-square-foot development consists of the existing two-story building that houses Shinjuku Station and Panther City Salon; a new 3,700-square-foot restaurant that fronts West Magnolia; and a new three-story office and retail building that will serve as VLK’s new offices on the top floor (about 26,000 square feet), additional business and medical tenants on the second floor, and restaurant/retail space on the ground floor.
The three buildings will connect via a pedestrian plaza, which will feature shop space and patios, plus a 200-car parking garage on-site.
This is Dodson and Bryant’s first project as Dodson Commercial Real Estate. The duo partnered in October and are currently based in Arlington (though they both live in Fort Worth). Dodson was also the developer behind other Near Southside projects like the ABC Flag Building, The Bearded Lady relocation to South Main Street, and 1455 W. Magnolia Ave., which houses several tenants including Salsa Limón.
“[The 701] is definitely our signature project on the Southside,” Dodson says. “We’ve used this project as kind of a launch board for our company ... it’s just a testament to the future of Fort Worth. Seeing this type of infill, high-end development is really exciting for us.”
Construction on The 701 is expected to finish in early 2022.
“We’re taking a new, modern construction project and marrying it with that pedestrian paseo to a historic building that has so much significance on the skyline of Magnolia,” Bryant says.
BY SAMANTHA CALIMBAHIN
DOWNTOWN FORT WORTH’S SKYLINE WILL LOOK A LITTLE DARKER EVERY NIGHT THROUGH THE END OF MAY.
The reason? In short — it’s for the birds.
From midnight to 6 a.m., participating buildings — mainly high-rises like the Bank of America Tower, Pier 1 Building, and 777Main — are dimming their lights for the safety of birds migrating across the U.S. It’s part of a nationwide initiative called Lights Out, which aims to protect birds during one of the largest migrations of the year — one that mostly takes place at night.
According to research done by the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology and Lights Out Texas, approximately one of every three birds migrating through the U.S. fly through Texas. Lights, especially those coming from urban areas, can cause birds to become disoriented and therefore prone to collisions with buildings.
“It’s so important for all of us to act locally to support our global environment, and this is just one small way we can do our part,” said Laura Bird, president of Anthracite Realty Partners LLC., which owns Frost Tower in downtown Fort Worth. “Light pollution causes the habitat loss that affects our bird populations.”
The City of Fort Worth is encouraging other businesses outside of downtown to take part, as an effort to not just help the birds but also save energy and money.
“This is a great educational opportunity for our entire community to take one proactive step to protect these migrating bird populations,” Cody Whittenburg, environmental manager for the City of Fort Worth, said in a statement. “Turning the lights out in other populated areas of the city such as shopping centers and outdoor sports venues will also make a huge contribution.”
INCLUDE:
Bank of America Tower
Burnett Plaza
777Main
The Tower
Trinity Terrace
Cash America First on 7th Fort Worth City Hall Frost Tower Pier 1 Building
Wells Fargo Tower
1
Fort Worth mayoral candidates including City Council members Brian Byrd and Ann Zadeh, Tarrant County Democratic Party chair Deborah Peoples, Mayor Betsy Price’s former chief of staff Mattie Parker, educator Daniel Caldwell, and veteran Chris Rector will participate in a moderated forum held via Zoom on April 14. Those looking to attend can register at business. fortworthchamber.com.
2
An annual report by Insight Research Corp. recently revealed the economic impact of North Fort Worth’s AllianceTexas development in 2020. The number? $8.24 billion, exceeding 2019’s impact by “nearly $1 billion — a remarkable business success story set against the backdrop of a global pandemic,” according to AllianceTexas.
3
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. According to nonprofit Alliance for Children, 6,203 children were victims of abuse last year in Tarrant County alone. To raise awareness, Alliance for Children is hosting four educational sessions about child abuse via Zoom. Learn more at allianceforchildren.org.
4
Hotel Drover in the Fort Worth Stockyards is officially open. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the anchor development of Mule Alley took place March 25, welcoming the hotel’s 200 guest rooms and suites — plus a signature restaurant, 97 West Kitchen & Bar — to the historic district.
5
Another new Stockyards development, Downtown Cowtown at the Isis, is expected to open this spring. The historic, 1900s theater was still finishing renovations as of press time. Once open, the approximately 500seat venue will host music performances among other acts. Scheduled performers include names like Thunderstorm Artis, Sundance Head, and Curtis Grimes.
6
Fort Worth’s Cultural District attractions will soon have a major new neighbor. With the Fort Worth City Council’s approval of a financial incentive package on March 2, the Fort Worth-based Crescent Real Estate and CEO John Goff plan to move ahead on a $250 million luxury hotel, Class A office, apartment, and retail and restaurant project on 4.1 acres along Camp Bowie Boulevard at Van Cliburn Way across from the Kimbell and Modern Art museums. Crescent intends to break ground in the early summer this year, with a targeted June 2023 opening.
7
Architecture firm MEL/ARCH is looking to build an approximately 20,000-squarefoot development at 108 Cromwell St. in Fort Worth’s East Side. Dubbed ArcSpace (a reference to the project’s unique, arch-shaped roof), the 20,000-square-foot development will be a collection of 13, 1,200-square-foot, small-scale makerspaces and residential living. The firm plans to begin breaking ground by June or July of this year and for construction to last around 10 – 12 months.
8
One of the first shops to usher in Fort Worth’s now-booming craft coffee scene, Craftwork Coffee Co., is undergoing major changes as the company shifts its focus toward the hospitality industry. Craftwork is selling its existing cafés on Camp Bowie Boulevard and Magnolia Avenue to longtime employees Joshua Tyer and Katherine Morris, respectively, who will rename and relaunch both shops between April and May. Meanwhile, Craftwork will continue pursuing its new venture as Craftwork Hospitality Co., building cafés and also offering concierge services within apartment communities.
9
The Camp Bowie District continues to boom with the addition of new places to shop and eat. Among them is pop culture shop Fanboys Marketplace, which opened in the former Stein Mart on March 15. Another retail space, The Market at Ridglea, is slated to open at 3400 Bernie Anderson Ave. on May 1. And, on the dining front, vegan-friendly eateries Mariachi’s Dine-In and Pizza Verde announced they would open just steps from each other in a storefront along Locke Avenue.
10
For the first time in over 100 years, a rare Thomas Moran watercolor will finally be available for public view. The Amon Carter Museum of American Art recently acquired the painting, “Mount Superior, as viewed from Alta, Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah (ca. 1879),” and plans to debut it along with other works by Moran in August.
*Please visit each event’s website for information on COVID-19 protocols.
APRIL 2 – 3
2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials –Wrestling
Watch Olympic hopefuls compete for a spot on the U.S. wrestling team that will head to Tokyo for the summer games.
Dickies Arena
1911 Montgomery St. dickiesarena.com
APRIL 4
Pedego Palooza Group ride along the Trinity Trails and connect with fellow bikers at this party celebrating all things Pedego. No Pedego, no problem — those without a bike are welcome to rent
APRIL 9 – 11
Pick a new plant baby from among the Fort Worth Botanic Garden’s curated selection of perennials, bulbs, trees, and shrubs online. Then, head to the garden between April 16 –18 to take your new plants home.
Fort Worth Botanic Garden 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., 817.463.4160 fwbg.org
APRIL 23
’90s Skate
Break out your windbreaker and skate along to ’90s hits at this old-school roller rink in Arlington.
Arlington Skatium 5515 S. Cooper St., Arlington, 817.784.6222 arlingtonskatium.com
APRIL 9 – 18
2021 OscarNominated Short Films
In advance of movies’ biggest night, catch this year’s Oscar-nominated short films at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, hosted by Shorts HD and Magnolia Pictures.
The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth 3200 Darnell St., 817.738.9215 themodern.org
APRIL 10
Run & Brunch 5K
Run the Trinity Trails, then reward yourself with mimosas and a brunch buffet at Pacific Table.
Pacific Table 1600 S. University Drive, Ste. 601 socialruns.com
APRIL 18
Outdoor Brunch Market
Crawfish boil for brunch, baby. The Wild Cajun is bringing the mudbugs while Ginny Mac provides the tunes at this outdoor market featuring goods by local makers.
The Table
120 St. Louis Ave., Ste. 103B, 682.703.1092 thetablemarket.com
APRIL 22 – 24
The largest transportation swap meet in the Southwest (and second largest in the U.S.) heads to Texas Motor Speedway for a showcase of collector cars, automobilia, and hard-to-find vintage goods.
Texas Motor Speedway 3545 Lone Star Circle, 817.608.7293 pateswapmeet.com
APRIL 23 – 24
FitCon Texas
Break a sweat alongside athletes and amateurs alike at this high-energy fitness expo featuring celebrity guests, competitions, and exhibitors.
Panther Island Pavilion 395 Purcey St. fitcon.com/texas
APRIL 23 – MAY 8
Disney’s “Descendants”
The children of iconic fairytale villains like Maleficent and the Evil Queen get a chance at redemption in this stage adaptation of the hit Disney Channel Original Movie.
Casa Mañana 3101 W. Lancaster Ave., 817.332.2272 casamanana.org
APRIL 25
CeCe Godbolt & Company –Gospel Brunch
Head to the Ridglea Room for an uplifting afternoon of gospel music and a New Orleans-inspired brunch buffet.
Ridglea Room 3309 Winthrop Ave., 817.738.9500 theridglea.com
APRIL 27
Come and Grow
Enjoy tacos, beer, and live music while learning about how to help young people in the community through youth organization Project Transformation Central Texas.
Maple Branch Craft Brewery 2628 Whitmore St. projecttransformation.org/ central-texas
APRIL 18
“Photography Is Art”
Showcasing works from the late 19th century onward, this exhibit follows photography’s path to becoming widely accepted as an art form.
Amon Carter Museum of American Art 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817.738.1933, cartermuseum.org
APRIL 28
Community Forum - Mayoral Candidates for Fort Worth
Meet Fort Worth’s mayoral candidates at a Facebook Live forum hosted by CommUnity Frontline.
CommUnity Frontline (virtual) facebook.com/ communityfrontline
MAY 2
Miranda Lambert
Celebrate Billy Bob’s Texas’ 40th anniversary with one of country music’s biggest stars performing on the Main Stage.
Billy Bob’s Texas 2520 Rodeo Plaza, 817.624.7117 billybobstexas.com
BY SAMANTHA CALIMBAHIN
BY
Jose Santiago — or as most folks call him, “Chico” — was never one to enjoy the spotlight. A mix engineer based out of Music in Focus Studio in north Fort Worth, Santiago prefers the comfort of his desk and DAW (digital audio workstation), helping local rap, hip-hop, and other urban-style artists find the fullest potential of their sound.
But lately, Santiago’s been forced out of his comfort zone, especially as the notoriety of his clientele begins to grow. As the DJ behind rising Fort Worth-based rap artist Lou CharLe$, Santiago’s found himself onstage everywhere from South by Southwest to a New Year’s Eve party (pre-COVID) at Sundance Square, where he distinctly remembers the camera crew shouting, “Get more of the DJ!” — to his chagrin.
“[The artists] are the ones out there,” Santiago says. “I’m just behind the scenes, trying to make it sound good.”
Perhaps the limelight is well-earned, though, considering Santiago’s humble beginnings. He moved to Fort Worth from Puerto Rico at age 16, didn’t know any English, but was able to bond with
schoolmates over a love for urban music. It eventually inspired him to start making his own beats, so he bought his first pieces of gear — an Akai MPC1000 pad controller and a Casio keyboard — and began recording friends.
Music in Focus began in Santiago’s garage in 2012; CharLe$ and other artists like Smoothvega and Brandon Marcel have been clients of Santiago since the garage days. In 2018, Santiago moved Music in Focus to its own storefront not far from Meacham Airport; and this year, the studio moved to a bigger space a couple doors down.
Swizz Beatz, hip-hop producer Chico’s favorite beat maker
Manny Marroquin, mix engineer Chico loves Marroquin’s ability to work with any genre
Luny Tunes, Spanish producer Chico’s inspiration when he started producing, representative of his culture
Bruno Mars, Lecrae, Farruko, and Camila Artists Chico listens to for motivation, references, and simply to ease his mind
The success of Music in Focus is in some ways testament to what’s happening in Fort Worth’s hip-hop scene, which Santiago says is not just growing in scale and popularity but also raising the stakes when it comes to talent.
“The city has been opening doors for hiphop,” he says. “It’s not just country and folk — nothing wrong with that — but on the urban side, the whole community’s understanding, and the city is helping, giving opportunity to us.”
After Governor Greg Abbott announced Texas would lift the state-wide mask mandate and left the onus on individual businesses to decide whether or not to enforce mask-wearing, the city of Fort Worth had an outpouring of strong opinions — both for the Governor’s decision and against it. We spoke to some local businesses who stood on both sides of the issue.
BY SAMANTHA CALIMBAHIN AND BRIAN KENDALL
Not everyone who supports the lifting of Texas’ COVID-19 mandates is a staunch anti-masker or conspiracy theorist who believes this was all one big “plandemic.”
For people like Billy Bob’s Texas general manager Marty Travis, bar owner Emil Bragdon, and restaurateur Jon Bonnell, the decision to not enforce masks at their establishments was a matter of giving customers the freedom to make their own choices.
“What I do is none of your business; what you do is none of my business,” Travis says. “We’re not going to break any laws. We’re not going to break any mandates of the government. We’re going to follow the rules as best we can, and after that, it’s about people making choices.”
At Billy Bob’s, to mask or not to mask is entirely up to the patron. The same policy applies to employees; however, backstage staff are still required to wear masks out of respect for the performing artist.
“My daddy always said, ‘There’s a reason there are red cars and blue cars — so we all have a choice,’”
Travis says. “That’s what I try to do here, is to give everybody the best choice they can have.”
Travis says business has been rough during the pandemic, as the Stockyards honky-tonk found its
staff going from 270 employees to 10, with the remaining 10 taking 30% pay cuts. Many returned when live shows returned last August, and with the mask mandate now lifted, Travis says he’s advising staff to respect both those who choose to wear masks and those who don’t.
“We’re keeping artists working, staff working, and giving guests a place to come and hang out and have a good time,” Travis says. “People that are not wanting to be a part of that and stay at home, by all means stay at home, and when the time is right, you’ll decide when it’s safe to come back out again.”
For Bragdon’s West Seventh-area concepts — Reservoir, The Whiskey Garden, and Your Mom’s House — masks are no longer required for neither patrons nor staff. Bragdon says he believes consumers have already made up their minds when it comes to their stance on maskwearing, so he doesn’t anticipate Abbott’s announcement having much effect on business.
He is, however, relieved that staff won’t have to worry about turning away unmasked customers. Bragdon says that some patrons have assaulted employees in the past; one even started throwing punches.
“I’ve had staff punched in the mouth, verbally assaulted. It put a lot of our safety at risk,” he says. “Honestly, by lifting this mask
mandate, it gives everyone the freedom to do what’s best for them and their families.”
Meanwhile, Bonnell — who himself has gotten flack in the past for strictly enforcing masks at his restaurants, Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine, Waters, and Buffalo Bros — falls somewhere in the middle. At all three restaurants, the mask policy remains in place for employees but not for guests, and anyone who walks in without a mask won’t be turned away.
Regardless of policy, Bonnell says he simply asks patrons to show empathy — understand how difficult the pandemic has been for local business and show support wherever you feel comfortable.
“I’m not faulting anybody for the strict policy or for the no-mask policy,” he says. “Hey, everybody’s just trying to find their way through here. All I ask is that everybody show some compassion and understanding for the restaurateurs who didn’t choose this. If you don’t feel comfortable going into a place, just don’t go in. That’s fine. But you don’t need to go online and give somebody a one-star Yelp review.”
It’s not a political statement, it’s not stubborn opposition to Governor Greg Abbott and his policies, and it’s not virtue signaling. According to some local business owners, the purpose of requiring masks is to protect the health and safety of their customers and employees.
“The first thing that I thought of before I even knew how I felt about [the lifting of the mask mandate] was the two young ladies who work at the front desk at my barbershop,” Jonathan Morris, owner of Fort Worth Barber Shop, says. “And I thought to myself, ‘Man, they are about to deal with people that now feel emboldened to not wear their mask.’”
Morris has made the decision to require Fort Worth Barber Shop’s customers and employees to wear masks, even if they put up a fuss. He goes on to explain that, even more harmful to his business than losing a few customers over their requirement to wear masks, is having employees or customers become ill due to a pandemic that is still very much affecting our community.
“My standpoint as a business owner is, if you want to get a haircut but you don’t want to wear a mask, we’re just not the best barbershop for you,” Morris says.
The Grand Berry Theater, an independent movie theater in The Foundry District,
posted almost immediately after Abbott’s announcement that its COVID-19 policies will remain in place after March 10.
Owner Jimmy Sweeney says the lifting of the mandate is too soon, and part of the reason why his business is still running is that moviegoers have felt more comfortable coming to an establishment that takes the pandemic seriously.
The issue now, he says, is dealing with patrons who refuse to wear masks and fault the business, rather than the state, for its policy.
“That’s just not a fun conversation or situation for anyone to be in,” Sweeney says. “It just creates a negative experience for somebody else that’s there, and ultimately, we bear the burden of having to pay our bills as opposed to the person who doesn’t want to wear a mask.”
Meanwhile, music venues — among those hit hardest by COVID-19 restrictions — also debated whether to raise capacity, remove mask policies, or do something in between.
Jason Suder of Tulips will continue to require employees to wear masks but is noncommittal when it comes to enforcing such a rule on customers — preferring a wait-and-see approach. Yet, concerning Abbott’s decision, he firmly believes it was the wrong thing to do and could potentially hurt his business.
“It’s infuriating,” Suder says. “We’ve done everything we can to maintain a safe work environment and a safe place for our customers ... We’ve been enforcing masks and social distancing so that we can return to a sense of normalcy and eventually return to enjoying,
as a community, this international language that we call music. And we were looking forward to May or June of this year when that might happen. But this, this is just too soon.”
Tulips, which opened last November and technically has a max capacity of 600, has been keeping its venue at a max capacity of 125 — well below the current 50% mark — and has been one of Fort Worth’s stricter businesses when it comes to enforcing the mask mandate.
Suder believes that removing the mandate is putting businesses in a precarious position.
“It’s a Catch-22,” Suder says. “No matter what I decide to do, I’m going to lose one part of my clientele or the other. Many people come here because they feel it’s a safe environment, while others couldn’t care less about the masks and just want to enjoy a night out. If I lift the mandate, I’m going to lose those customers who felt safe at our place of business. [Abbott] is basically forcing you to decide and pitting one side against the other.”
The day Abbott announced his intention to lift the mask mandate, our readers responded to an online poll where we asked whether they were “for it” or thought it was a “bad idea.” Here are the results: For it: 28%
The Fort Worth Zoo is getting ready to unveil a swanky new home for its elephants, but that’s not the only thing the zoo is doing to conserve the species on the verge of extinction.
BY JILLIAN VERZWYVELT
Founded from a traveling animal menagerie, or so the story goes, one lion, two bears, an alligator, a coyote, a peacock, and a few rabbits marked the modest beginnings of the Fort Worth Zoo in 1909. Since then, the zoo has grown
to be home to more than 7,000 animals and receive national recognition as the top-ranking zoo across North America by USA Today in 2020.
This month, the zoo is preparing to unveil the next phase of its major enhancement plan, A Wilder Vision. Elephant Springs — the second of four phases of the Wilder Vision campaign — marks the halfway point of the projected 20-year major renovation project launched in 2016. The new exhibit is slated to open to the public on April 15.
Where before guest engagement was fairly limited due to space, the expansion nearly triples the exhibit’s current size to give zoo guests the opportunity to interact with the animals in a never-before-seen way. Avery Elander, assistant director of public relations at the Fort Worth Zoo, says guests will not only be able to observe training demonstrations and stand closer to the elephants than ever before but will also be able to play an active role in the exhibit through spraying a small stream of water onto the animals.
Michael Fouraker, the zoo’s executive director since 2001, is eager for zoo guests to be able to watch the elephants roam across lush green habitats, swim in vast 400,000-gallon private pools, and bathe under a selection of waterfalls at Elephant Springs.
“I’ve been looking at it develop for the last two years,” says Fouraker. “We’re really ready to show it off.”
Behind the scenes, Elephant Springs will be able to largely expand the level of care these animals receive and help accomplish what is not possible in the wild. The zoo’s elephant veterinary staff plays a critical role in global health and behavioral studies of elephants. This, as Fouraker noted, includes the development of new drugs, better tranquilization techniques, vaccines, and even improved management practices.
“Elephants in the wild have a lot of the same issues that a captive elephant might have, but you can’t study or diagnose these animals in the wild,” says Fouraker. “We’re able to do studies here that directly apply to the health and welfare of elephants in the wild.”
Not everyone has been supportive of the zoo’s efforts, however. In March, animal activist group In Defense of Animals (IDA) listed the Fort Worth Zoo as the No. 2 Worst Zoo for Elephants, citing a specific incident in which the zoo had planned to purchase two elephants from African Lion Safari in Canada (which IDA ranked as the No. 1 Worst Zoo). According to the Fort Worth Zoo, IDA’s list contained false information, as the purchase never went through. Still, IDA has remained critical of zoos for keeping elephants in captivity and causing trauma by transferring animals from place to place.
Fouraker, however, contends that zoos may be endangered elephants’ last hope for survival. The Fort Worth Zoo is currently home to seven Asian elephants,
whose species is approaching extinction at an alarming rate. Nearly 25% of the global Asian elephant population, Fouraker says, is under human management.
“If we don’t stop the decline in the wild, zoos are going to be the only place that’s left for the species,” he says.
For the past 25 years, the Fort Worth Zoo has been able to remain at the forefront of conservation efforts for Asian elephants through being one of very few zoos willing to manage multiple male elephants. In doing so, the zoo is able to breed and create family herds. Elephant Springs has nearly doubled the size of the barn, opening up space to house 11-plus offspring to ensure the species for future generations.
A Wilder Vision is only the zoo’s second period of major improvements. From the day it opened its doors until 1991, the Fort Worth Zoo was owned and operated by the City of Fort Worth. But, 1991 was a milestone moment for the zoo when the Fort Worth Zoological Association assumed ownership and temporarily closed the doors for much-needed renovations. Along with this new management came a deeper commitment to conserving elephants.
Not long after the zoo’s privatization, the International Elephant Foundation (IEF) was founded by Fouraker in 1998 at the Fort Worth Zoo. Finding himself frustrated with the inefficient administrative structure of earlier elephant conservation organizations which were unable to successfully fund projects to protect the endangered population, he decided to adopt a different approach.
“We organized a small group of elephant experts across the U.S. — zoos, circuses, universities, private owners — groups of people who didn’t work together for elephants, but we all had the same interest in seeing elephants survive in the world,” Fouraker says.
The efforts of the IEF are far-reaching. To date, the
foundation has invested more than $6 million into hundreds of conservation projects across Asia and Africa, which not only protect elephants from poaching and litigation but conserve the habitat for hundreds of other species, says Fouraker. Projects range from small, grassroots efforts through relationships with surrounding villages, to establishing anti-poaching ranger patrols, to conducting research on diseases and the development of vaccines.
The IEF is one of seven nonprofit organizations originally founded at the Fort Worth Zoo. While each of these organizations has over time come to operate independently of the zoo, the zoo has maintained strong relationships through consistent contributions to the foundations’ efforts.
Over its 112-year history, the Fort Worth Zoo has allocated more than $186 million toward conservation and education projects with the hope of inspiring future animal activists through providing up-close and in-person opportunities to engage with its magnificent creatures.
“It all goes back to conserving species,” says Elander, “as well as providing opportunities for residents and families in Fort Worth to be able to see and experience these animals, hopefully strengthen that bond between human and animal, and encourage them to learn more about their counterparts in the wild and contribute to their conservation.”
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BY TINA HOWARD
1 Tell me a little bit about yourself. I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I graduated with a degree in linguistics and world literature. I am a linguist, a language teacher, and a writer. I speak five languages: Spanish, English, French, Portuguese, and Italian. I have lived and worked in Dallas, Texas, for almost 20 years. I am the author of the bilingual short story collection, 12 Random Words, my first work of fiction, and the podcast and grammar book series “Spanish 360 with Fabiana.” Other short stories of mine were published or are forthcoming in Rigorous Magazine, The Closed Eye Open, Ponder Review, The Halcyone, and Hindsight Magazine. I am currently working on my first novel.
2 How does the writing process typically look for you? Starting the process is not easy for me. I tend to simmer the ideas in my head before transferring them into paper. It took me a while to understand that procrastinating could be a positive piece of the creative puzzle. Most of the time, I find it helpful to concentrate on one specific word and pull the string of all its hidden meanings to develop a story. That is how the stories of 12 Random Words came to exist — from a random word that I had not even chosen. I usually start writing with my eyes closed. I open them back when I am ready to edit. It is a very strange, almost magical
process. I am thankful to be able to struggle along its stages. It resembles the systolic and diastolic movements of the heart, the pain of constriction, and the relief of a speck of literature that wants to transcend who I was before writing it.
3) How did your love of language begin, and how does that influence your writing? One of my first memories is about my dad recording conversations he had with me when I was 3. Some of those recordings still exist. In all of them, I am asking him how to say different Spanish words in English. I was always mesmerized by languages and their power to make us free. I write fiction in my second language. At this moment, English is my language of love and my language of fiction.
4 What have you read recently that you would recommend and why? The last fabulous book I read was Winter Journey by Jaume Cabré. It seems to be just a collection of short stories, but it is something immensely more complex. You need to wait until the end.
RECOMMENDED READS
12 Random Words by Fabiana Martinez Fabiana Martinez was given 12 random words as seeds for a series of short stories that resulted in a collection of bilingual interior vignettes. Each story is a tale of yearning, a fragment of discovery, a treasure. Set in New York, Lima, Buenos Aires, and other cities, these short stories take unexpected turns along the path of remembrance, disappointment, and hope.
The Fountains of Silence by Ruth Sepetys Under the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco, Spain welcomes tourists and businessmen with flowing good wine and the bullfighter’s flair. But under the surface is a dark secret of oppression and silence. Young photographer Daniel Matheson begins to see this undercurrent through his camera lens, and it soon affects both his family and his newfound love.
5 What are you looking forward to this year? Time to read and write. Time to travel and love. Time to grow. Time to be thankful. Time for cats, coffee, and chocolate. The possibility of sharing all that.
Save Me the Plums by Ruth Reichl More than the typical food memoir, Ruth Reichl, the final editor-in-chief of the now-defunct Gourmet magazine, weaves together her personal story of growth from a restaurant critic to magazine leader along with the evolution of the food industry and the culture of the magazine world.
Everything you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines, according to a local doctor.
BY SANJAY OOMMEN, M.D., TEXAS ONCOLOGY – FORT WORTH CANCER CENTER
For the past year, the pandemic has felt out of our control, and in many ways, that’s true. However, COVID-19 vaccines bring new hope and opportunity for us all to do our part to slow the spread of the virus. As vaccines continue to become available, it’s important to understand how they work, why they’re safe for current cancer patients and survivors, and what to expect at your vaccination appointment.
How COVID-19 vaccines work
As of spring 2021, there are three COVID-19 vaccines approved under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) emergency use authorization. Here’s what you should know.
The technologies and techniques used in the COVID-19 vaccines have been studied by scientists and researchers for decades.
• The Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines use the body’s own immune system to produce a special type of protein, called a “spike protein,” to prevent infection with COVID-19.
• The Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is different in that it uses a modified version of an adenovirus to deliver a message to our cells. That message allows the body to mount an immune response
to the COVID-19 virus spike antigen. The adenovirus can’t grow inside our cells or cause illness other than flu-like symptoms.
• While you may experience side effects such as arm soreness, headache, fatigue, or mild fever, you cannot get COVID-19 from the shots.
All vaccines go through rigorous and lengthy processes, including evaluation by an independent review board, before reaching the FDA’s stringent scientific and regulatory process. For example, COVID-19 vaccines were administered to patients as part of clinical trials. If you’re a cancer patient, you may have heard about or participated in a clinical trial focused on innovative new cancer therapies or procedures. Before COVID-19 vaccines were authorized by the FDA, data from large-scale clinical trials confirmed that the benefits of the vaccines are safer than becoming infected with COVID-19. While the process was swift, no steps were skipped. The science is clear: COVID-19 vaccines are safe and recommended for most people, including patients with cancer.
Every patient with cancer responds
to treatment a little differently — the same is true of COVID-19 vaccines. Here’s what you should know before you’re vaccinated:
• Everyone is asked screening questions before getting the vaccine.
• For the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, two vaccine shots, given several weeks apart, are needed to provide the best protection against the virus. Both shots are given in the upper arm. The Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine is given as a single dose.
• Everyone who gets a COVID-19 vaccine is required to be monitored on-site for a minimum of 15 – 20 minutes after each shot.
• If you have a history of allergic reactions after getting shots, contact your primary care physician to discuss whether the vaccine is safe for you.
• You will receive a vaccine card. Keep it in a safe place for your records and, if you’re a cancer patient, share a copy with your oncologist.
• Patients with cancer should talk to their physician before getting the vaccine. Immunocompromised patients may have a diminished response to all three vaccines. Texas Oncology encourages patients and their families to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Talk to your physician if you are unsure about getting the vaccine based on your personal health history. It’s understandable to have questions and concerns. Your physician can provide evidence-based guidance from leading infectious disease experts and discuss whether COVID-19 vaccines are right for you. Together, we can slow the spread of COVID-19.
Encounter the wonders of the world with a membership to the Fort Worth Zoo. A Zoo membership offers exclusive savings and benefits that will expand your family’s view of nature. Learn about the world’s most awe-inspiring animals, be transported to extraordinary places and witness moments in nature that are as beautiful as they are unforgettable. Immersive experiences. Unbeatable value. Open a window to the world with a Zoo membership.
One architect and two home designers have put the master touches on three stunning homes in the new Montrachet community in West Fort Worth.
BY FWTX STAFF
The 2021 Fort Worth Magazine Dream Street, a follow-up to the inaugural 2020 Fort Worth Magazine Dream Street, is set to feature three diverse and jaw-dropping homes from a triumvirate of local builders (HGC Residential Development, Heritage Homes, Windmiller Custom Homes).
Construction on the homes in the new Montrachet development is underway and slated for completion in October, with the homes opening for touring in November. Proceeds from this tour will go toward a Wish with Wings, the magazine’s flagship charity, which grants wishes to local children with life-threatening conditions.
The architects and home designers of each home recently shared their floor plans and renderings, which portray three distinct and magnificent homes. Here, we’re going to introduce you to the architects and home designers and take you on a brief tour of the upcoming houses..
Builder: Heritage Homes
Home designer: Christopher Hough, Heritage Design Studio
Style: Texas Regional Vernacular
Stories: 1
Sq. ft.: 5,914
Bed: 4
Bath: 5 ½
Garage: 3-car
About Christopher Hough: Hough has always been interested in design as a general rule of thumb. Originally from Boston, his family moved to Texas just before he entered high school. “I was used to going through houses up in New England and knowing what those were,” Hough says. “When I came down here, it just opened my mind, and I realized a house can be anything you want it to be.”
Hough graduated from UT Arlington and had an apprenticeship for six years before he started Heritage Design Studio in 2000.
About the house:
Texas Regional Vernacular is a modern take on Texas Hill Country. The one-story home will feature
Here's the deal.
large windows, a metal roof, and a semi-enclosed front yard with a half wall that creates an outside terrace.
Hough explains that it’s a very open and transparent space. You enter the home directly into the family room, get a view of the backyard, and are greeted with a double-sided fireplace.
“It’s a little bit different floor plan,” Hough explains. “It’s a one-story house, which I think is a popular thing. Its game room and study, as opposed to being connected to the rest of the house, you actually have to walk outside to get to the spaces. So, you get to engage with the outside a little bit more.”
Interesting element: Front-yard terrace
Builder: HGC Residential Development
Home designer: Karl Hahnfeld, Karl Hahnfeld Design Group
Style: Tudor
Stories: 2
Sq. ft.: 6,255
Bed: 5
Bath: 6
Garage: 3-car
About Karl Hahnfeld: Architecture and home design runs in Hahnfeld’s family, who’s been in the construction and design business his entire life. Hahnfeld’s father is a retired architect who did a lot of large-scale projects in Fort Worth, and his brother now runs the company, and he has another brother who does home design in Houston. “So, I’ve been designing my whole life,” Hahnfeld says. He started building houses when he started HGC with partners John Giordano and Rob Cocanower in 2000, and he never looked back.
“I just kind of grew from there,”
Hahnfeld says. “I started designing most of the homes we built, and I eventually formed a separate entity [Karl Hahnfeld Design Group].”
About the house: Hahnfeld focuses on a classic, timeless style. “I like 1920s Park Hill, Monticello, Berkeley — that’s the style I admire most,” Hahnfeld says. And he’s certainly channeling this style with his second Dream Home project (Hahnfeld was the home designer for the 2014 Fort Worth Magazine Dream Home). The home is less contemporary and has what Hahnfeld calls classic lines. The Tudor design, which is rarer these days in home design, perfectly captures the timeless look Hahnfeld says he’s going for.
The house also features a bevy of outdoor living spaces, a front porch on the ground floor, and a balcony on the second floor.
Interesting element: Front porch and second-floor balcony
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Here are the Dream Street partners who’ve come on board so far.
Builder: Heritage Homes
Home Plans: Heritage Design Studio
Builder: Windmiller Custom Homes
Architect: Michael Costantino, Montabello Architecture and Design
Style: Cape Dutch
Stories: 1
Sq. ft.: 5,456
Bed: 4
Bath: 5
Garage: 3-car
About Michael Costantino: Originally from San Antonio, Costantino graduated from Texas Tech Architecture School in 2004 before moving to the metroplex and working under an architect in the DFW area for a decade. He then formed Montabello in 2018.
About the house:
The house is a modern take on the Cape Dutch architectural style, which was popularized in South Africa. According to Constantino, the style can get very ornate with curving details. The house was also designed with entertainment in mind with plenty of outdoor living
space and views of the backyard from every room in the house.
“That I know of, there have not been any in this architectural style on the Fort Worth side of the metroplex,” Constantino says. “It’s something that’s going to feel familiar to people, but yet it’s going to be strikingly different. It’s not something that people expect. We want the house to be something people remember.”
Interesting element: Storm shelter
Interior Designer: Susan Semmelmann Interiors
Fireplaces Interior linear plus inserts: Overhead Door Company of Fort Worth
Countertop Materials (all): Levantina
Flooring (tile, wood, and carpet labor): Galvan Floors
Garage Doors/Openers: Overhead Door Company of Fort Worth
Gutters: Loveless Gutters
Builder: HGC Development
Home Plans: Karl Hahnfeld
Design Group
Doors Front: Durango Doors
Plumbing Fixtures: Expressions Home Gallery
Appliances: Expressions Home Gallery
Flooring (tile, wood, and carpet labor): Vintage Floors
Flooring (wood & carpet material): Vintage Floors
Flooring Tile (material all spaces): Interceramic USA
Gutters: Loveless Gutters
Builder: Windmiller Custom Homes
Home Plans: Montebello Architecture & Design
Interior Designer: Amira Windmiller Designs
Countertop Materials (all): Levantina
Gutters: Loveless Gutters
With a poetry film, an accompanying EP, and a new album, local Americana singer/songwriter Simon Flory’s been busy during the pandemic. Then again, wasn’t he always?
BY BRIAN KENDALL
Perusing South Main with a professional photographer in tow, Simon Flory insisted we not do a photo shoot with him on the train tracks. “Come on, man,” Flory says in his Texas-by-way-of-Arkansasby-way-of-Midwest drawl. “You can’t shoot a musician on train tracks.” Calling out my cliché idea, Flory, despite being covered head to toe in denim and having an Americana sound that would seem ripe for a train-track photo shoot, doesn’t want to be placed in a box.
After all, Flory’s musical exploits have been as varied as the menu at The Cheesecake Factory. While his latest solo efforts are full of rustic twang that harkens back to Hank Williams and the Carter Family, he’s toured regionally and the world in groups that classify themselves as everything from bluegrass to dreamgaze to bootgaze
to kindie rock. Flory is equal parts talented musician and stellar songwriter, harnessing the ability to play off others’ grooves while having the creative chops to write his own lyrics and melodies.
We eventually settled on a photo shoot that included a burn barrel. I showed up with everything one would need to make a barrel burn — minus the knowledge of how to start one. Flory, tapping into his days as a construction worker in Arkansas, got the fire blazing in a matter of minutes.
A couple days later, we had a three-hour chat over a couple bowls of Guatemalan soup and what would amount to a six-pack of horchata (Flory hasn’t had a drop of liquor in some time) at one of his favorite local restaurants, El Meson Chapin. Flory, with a Willem Dafoe jaw line and an ageless look — I’m sure people have guessed he’s anywhere from 25 to 47 — waxed poetic about the proper way to kill and
clean a hog and his childhood days wearing raccoon-skin hats while taking part in frontier festivals.
“It was called Rendezvous,” Flory explains. “It’s where you dressed up like pre-French and Indian War — like frontiersmen — and you lived like that for a weekend at a state park.”
His old-fashioned music sounds so genuine because it’s rooted in truth. His experiences growing up weren’t too far from the musicians of the 1930s and 40s who inspire him.
Flory would major in creative writing at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, before going to Chicago to attend the Old Town School of Folk Music — the country’s largest community arts center.
“Chicago is where I really got into folk music,” Flory says. “While I was there, I saw Steve Earle at the Lincoln Park Zoo. He mentioned that he was in town to teach a class about Bruce Springsteen over at the school. My 18-year-old brain exploded all over the stage.”
As a side note, Justin Townes Earle was Steve’s roadie, and at the time, Flory handed him the first CD he ever recorded.
“I didn’t know who he was, so I asked him to give it to Steve,” Flory laughs.
Like many musicians, Flory went on to have a six-year stint in Austin. Dabbling in a solo career and as one-half of kindie rock group, The Que Pastas, Flory eventually landed in bluegrass
supergroup High Plains Jamboree, where he teamed with notable artists Beth Chrisman, Brennen Leigh, and Noel McKay. The band toured extensively, got mentioned in Rolling Stone, and were on their way to a major record deal. But, as Flory perfectly summarizes it in his rustic eloquence, “there was a little cascade of a downfall kind of thing.” Ultimately, like many musicians, his Austin experience left a bad taste in his mouth.
“Austin is too monochromatic for me,” Flory says. “Everybody’s sort of the same. People would say, ‘Well, you can’t really go anywhere else in Texas, right? This is the only cool town.’ I’ve always replied, ‘No, there’s a town that’s cooler than this. It’s called Fort Worth.’
“You got some weird dichotomies
here, man. This place is way weirder than Austin.”
Since arriving in Fort Worth, Flory has been busy with his solo career. He’s released two full-length albums and one EP that accompanied a poetry film, “Paper Thin Lines,” that he also directed and premiered, appropriately enough, at the 2020 virtual Thin Line Fest in Denton.
“I didn’t know what a poetry film was until I made that thing,” Flory says. “I looked it up. It’s either you’re showing the poem on the film or you’re reciting the poem to film.”
Flory shot the entire film, which features a real-life family (the Kirks) in one day.
“[The film] follows the Kirk family, who have seven adopted kids, around in their day. And it’s beautiful,” Flory says. “It’s like a day at their places. They make biscuits; it’s just a day growing up anywhere for anyone.”
Following the debut of the film and its soundtrack EP, Flory released Haul These Blues Away. The album, chockfull of mid-tempo dueling guitars and beautiful vocal harmonies that would feel right at home on the “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” soundtrack, is less a departure for Flory and acts as audio proof of a man who found his voice decades ago. He sings and plays with the confidence of someone comfortable in their own skin.
Concerning his time here and what the future holds in Cowtown, Flory’s clearly found a place where he’s at peace. Despite coming off two recent releases, ever the prolific creator, Flory will be recording for the first time in his new adoptive home.
“Having come here and started playing with all these people [in Fort Worth], everything started making sense,” he says. “Recording started making sense, touring started making sense on my own. What I actually wanted started making sense.”
You can listen to Simon Flory’s latest albums, including Haul These Blues Away, via all your streaming services. You can also follow him on Instagram at @slflory.
BY BRIAN KENDALL
While stereotypes might peg lacrosse as a sport for northeast and mid-Atlantic college kids, this football-crazy town is about to get one hell of an education in the fast-paced and physical sport. The Panther City Lacrosse Club, which will play its home games in Dickies Arena, kicks off its inaugural season this year in the National Lacrosse League.
The team’s first order of business: finding a head coach. On Jan. 25, the club announced Tracey Kelusky to lead the team in its first season. After spending six years in the NLL as an assistant coach, this will mark Kelusky’s first head coaching gig. He previously served as the offensive coach for the Philadelphia Wings, where he led the highest scoring offense in the league. Kelusky also has a 14-year playing career to tack onto his resume.
We chatted with the new coach over the phone, where he waxed poetic on his favorite sport from his home in Canada.
FW: What initially got you interested in lacrosse?
Kelusky: Being from Peterborough, Ontario, I was always a hockey guy. I opted to play lacrosse as a summer sport to keep me in shape for hockey. And then, as it turned out, I went to [the University of Hartford] on a lacrosse scholarship. I then spent 14 years as a player in the National Lacrosse League and had a decent career and won a couple championships.
I’ve been involved in the game, really, my entire life. And between coaching in the NLL, I run a lacrosse company that caters to athletes all the way to high school athletes that are aspiring to play at the highest level, both indoor and outdoor.
FW: How do you build a team from the ground up?
Kelusky: Well, we’re fortunate that we have an expansion draft, and we’re going to be able to pick some players from that. And, as a new team coming in, you get the entry-level picks as well as the entry draft. But, I think our league, as a whole, has grown over the last five or six years. And I think the game itself is becoming a little bit more aligned for a U.S. player — a U.S. field player that maybe hasn’t played a whole lot of box. Primarily, in years past, I would say 80% of our league is made up of Canadian players who grew up playing Canadian box lacrosse and ultimately ended up playing in the NLL because of that experience level. So, we’re certainly going to entertain all players.
And we want to obviously have talent, but finding players that are going to want to be invested in the community is key. We want players who are high-character young men willing to build something pretty special.
FW: Many sort of think of Fort Worth as a football town. How do you get the city to love a sport like lacrosse?
Kelusky: Well, I think there’s no denying that. I know Greg Bibb in our ownership group and even Bob Hamley, our general manager, are actively involved with grassroots lacrosse initiatives in Fort Worth and in Texas.
I think our game has been the best-kept secret in North America. Once people see what it entails and what a game looks like, I think the game itself will win people over. A big part of our success in Fort Worth is to be actively involved. We want to help grow this game and be involved in the community as much as we possibly can be.
FW: How would you describe your sort of coaching style, if it’s possible?
Kelusky: I think, as a coach, people who know me best would say that I’m passionate about the game. I’m a genuine person in that sense, and being part of a championship team as a player, I have an idea of what I want the team to look like. It’s genetic makeup from personalities to systems.
I was a blue-collar guy. I was a hard-work guy. And knowing that we are going to be a young team and maybe not have the star power that other teams have, we will have to be a blue-collar team that goes out and works hard.
Four picnic-perfect recipes that capture the light, floral, and fruity flavors of the season.
BY HILLAIRE BAUMGARTNER
GRAPEFRUIT HIBISCUS SHRUB
A punchy and refreshing drink featuring a homemade grapefruit shrub mixed with hibiscus tea
48 hours, serves 2
Ingredients
• 1 cup roughly chopped grapefruit
• 1 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 cups brewed hibiscus tea
Instructions
1. In a clean, glass jar, add the grapefruit and lightly mash. Add the sugar and seal with an airtight lid. Shake vigorously. Store on your counter at room temperature for 2 – 3 days, shaking vigorously once per day.
2. Open carefully, as pressure may be built up, and strain the juice into a separate jar. Discard the pulp and fruit bits.
3. Add the apple cider vinegar and shake lightly to combine. Refrigerate until ready to use with the drink.
4. Brew the hibiscus tea, let it cool, and refrigerate. Once cold, top 1 cup of tea with 3 – 4 tablespoons of the grapefruit shrub and stir to combine.
5. Keep the shrub mixture refrigerated for up to 6 weeks.
As the world-class leader in Tile, Natural Stone & Countertops , Daltile offers the largest assortment of high-style solutions to elevate any space or design.
A flavorful toast topped with honey-thyme butter and sliced radishes
10 minutes, serves 4 – 6
Ingredients
• 2 – 4 slices of bread
• 1/4 cup softened butter
• 1/2 tablespoon organic honey
• 1/2 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 1 radish, sliced thinly into rounds
• Sea salt to taste
Instructions
1. In a small bowl, mix together the butter, honey, and fresh thyme leaves.
2. Toast your bread, spread on the butter, and top with radish slices. Enjoy immediately.
STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE PHYLLO CUPS
Strawberry cheesecake made simple with a coconut cream filling and strawberry sauce filled into bite-sized phyllo cups
35 minutes, makes 15 cups
Ingredients
• 1, 15-count package of prebaked phyllo cups
• 1/2 cup cream cheese
• 1/4 cup coconut cream
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Juice from 1 lemon
• 3/4 cup chopped strawberries
• 1/2 cup water
Instructions
1. Make the cheesecake filling by combining the cream cheese, coconut cream, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, powdered sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract, and lemon juice in a mixing bowl.
2. Stir together until few or no lumps remain. Refrigerate until ready to use.
3. In a saucepan, bring strawberries, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, and water to a simmer. Stir frequently until most of the water cooks down and you’re left with a slightly jammy consistency. Remove from heat.
4. Preheat oven to 350 F. Bake the phyllo cups on a baking sheet for 3 – 5 minutes. Let cool, then fill each cup with the cream cheese filling. Top with the strawberry mixture.
SPRING VEGETABLE GNOCCHI
An easy spring meal with gnocchi, roasted asparagus, and peas
50 minutes, serves 4
Ingredients
• 16 ounces gnocchi
• 1 small bunch of asparagus, trimmed and cut into thirds
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Heavy pinch of salt, plus more to taste
• Heavy pinch of black pepper, plus more to taste
• 1 cup cooked spring peas
• Zest from 1/2 lemon
• 1/2 cup pesto
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Toss the asparagus with oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
3. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook for 2 – 3 minutes or until they float to the surface. Drain well.
4. In a large bowl, gently stir the gnocchi, asparagus, peas, and pesto together. Top with lemon zest and extra salt and pepper to taste.
For nearly a decade, Grand Prairie’s Asia Times Square has been a hub for hungry neighbors and in-the-know foodies. Now there are five more reasons to visit this unique shopping mall.
BY MALCOLM MAYHEW
Adecade ago, the abandoned Walmart and Sam’s Club buildings on Pioneer Parkway, near the border of Grand Prairie and Arlington, were in such bad shape that razing them may have seemed like a better idea than rehabbing them.
But Matthew Loh and his family saw an opportunity to turn the dilapidated structures into a hub for the surrounding Asian community.
The Lohs purchased the buildings, then, shop by shop, vendor by vendor, built them into Asia Times Square, a community of restaurants, health and beauty shops, retail stores, even law offices, all under one roof.
“We want it to be a one-stop shop, so to speak,” Loh says. “No mat-
what you have to do — eat, buy groceries, pay bills, buy a TV — you can do it here. Especially now, with people not wanting to go to so many places, it makes sense to offer an all-in-one shopping experience.”
Food is the primary component of Asia Times Square’s appeal. Since the complex opened, it has not only become a magnet for those in neighboring communities but also foodies from across North Texas who crave Asian cuisines that are tough or impossible to find elsewhere in the area.
A pilgrimage to Asia Times Square,
Local restaurateur Joseph Be is the owner of three new food spots at Asia Times Square: Apsara Thai and Cambodian, Sakari Ramen, and Meccha Matcha. Many of his restaurants’ recipes come from family members.
Cream puffs from Beard Papa’s come in a variety of flavors, including Oreo Crumble, matcha, and honey butter.
Asia Times Square
2625 W. Pioneer Parkway, Grand Prairie, asiatimessquare.com
for example, isn’t complete without a visit to The Pearl, whose specialty item is dim sum — small plates of Chinese cuisine, from dumplings to chicken feet, wheeled around on carts.
Earlier this year, as part of a new add-on development inside the mall, nearly a half-dozen new restaurant concepts joined the shopping center’s already long list of food vendors.
Among the newbies is Omakase To-Go, a vegan and sushi spot manned by chef Thi Tran, a former sushi chef at Uchi in Dallas. Utilizing fresh veggies and fish sourced from Tsukiji
Market, an internationally acclaimed seafood market in Tokyo, he offers imaginative sushi rolls, nigiri, and rotating small plates.
Tran says he chose to open a to-go spot after finding success selling platters of sushi last year out of his home in Arlington. “It took off on social media,” he says. “It became hard for me to keep up with the demand. But it also gave me the idea for Omakase.”
Impressively, Tran’s menu includes more than a dozen veggie options. Among the choices are the Vegan Caterpillar, a sushi roll made with
grilled tofu skin, cucumber, jalapeño, shiso leaf and avocado, and a vegan sushi burrito filled with edamame, shallots, grilled corn, Sichuan pickled carrots, red bell peppers, and asparagus, all wrapped in pink soy paper.
New tenants also include Apsara Thai and Cambodian, Sakari Ramen, and Meccha Matcha, all of which are owned by restaurateur Joseph Be, who grew up in the Arlington area.
Apsara specializes in Thai and Cambodian food, the latter of which Be holds especially dear. “My family is from Cambodia, and many of the recipes come from my family,” he says. “My mom especially.”
Be’s specialty Cambodian dishes include bai mon, sliced chicken infused with ginger and served with garlic rice and pickled papaya; twa ko, a pork sausage typically made with lemongrass; and lort cha, stir-fried rice pin noodles. Apsara’s menu also includes classic Thai dishes such as pad woon sen.
Sakari offers its namesake dish in a half-dozen varieties, plus small plates including chicken karaage over rice and panko-breaded oyster katsu. Next door is another Be
endeavor, Meccha Matcha, a dessert spot that serves green tea soft serve and unique ice cream floats such as the Yuzu Matcha Float, made with ice cream and a sweet-tart yuzu drink.
Japanese pastry shop Beard Papa’s has also opened a location at Asia Times Square. The chain, which has more than 400 stores around the world, specializes in light and airy cream puffs, in flavors such as Oreo Cookie Crumble, s’mores, and honey butter.
Coming this spring will be two more spots: CM Chicken, a Korean friedchicken stand, and Two Hands, which will specialize in the trendy Korean corn dogs.
Later this year, Loh says, Asia Times Square will be widening its footprint to include a new 11,000-square-foot building to be built from the ground up. It’s all a part of the Loh family’s threepronged vision.
“Our goal is to make sure our businesses are profitable,” he says. “Our mission is to preserve traditions and promote cultures. And our vision is to connect cultures and communities. It’s so important right now, with the violence against us, to come together and support one another.”
For many, this writer included, El Rancho Grande was one of the city’s top Tex-Mex restaurants. After more than 70 years, the family-run spot on the city’s north side closed last year; it struggled during the pandemic, and owner Gilbert Falcon retired last summer. But a new restaurant will soon rise that will pay homage to El Rancho Grande in a small but appreciated way. A second location of Fort Worth Tex-Mex institution The Original Mexican Eats Café will open in El Rancho Grande’s old digs. Called The Original Del Norte, the new spot will feature The Original Mexican Eats’ menu accented with El Rancho Grande’s super-thin chips and excellent corn and flour tortillas. Those were just a few of the calling cards of the restaurant, which owners Juanita and Herculano Falcon originally opened in 1949 in the building next door to its more well-known home at 1400 N. Main St. Look for it in April or May. facebook.com/theoriginaldelnorte
The makers of the immensely popular TX Blended Whiskey and TX Straight Bourbon recently launched Bottled-In-Bond Texas Bourbon, a single barrel expression of TX Straight Bourbon bottled at 100 proof. Bottled-In-Bond is a big deal for whiskey lovers, as it represents a certain level of discipline, patience, and skill to which makers adhere. In order for a product to be labeled Bottled-In-Bond, the alcohol must be a product of one distillation season, by one distiller, at one distillery. It must also be aged for at least four years and bottled at 100 proof. Bottled-In-Bond Texas Bourbon is available at Whiskey Ranch in Fort Worth and local retailers. frdistilling.com/whiskey-ranch
With so many new barbecue joints in town, it’s easy to overlook the veterans who’ve been slinging ‘cue for years. Pay special attention to east side spot Smokey’s BBQ. Owner Paul Calhoun recently unveiled a cool new menu that includes a unique barbecue pizza and brisket-topped burgers. Made with housemade dough, thin-crust pizzas are served on Wednesday and come topped with your choice of rib meat, brisket, sausage, and barbecue sauce. The East Side Funky Town Burger, served on Thursdays, is a real monster: two patties, fried cheddar cheese, and about a quarter-pound of brisket, all squeezed into housemade buns. Mercy. 5300 E. Lancaster Ave., smokeysbbqtx.com
Saddle up for a trio of new bar/restaurant concepts in the Stockyards’ burgeoning Mule Alley development.
BY MALCOLM MAYHEW
Now that Hotel Drover is open, its guests are going to need stuff to do. There’s already a long list of retail shops and restaurants in the burgeoning Mule Alley development, where the Drover calls home, and three more will be opening soon. Arriving in April will be Sidesaddle Saloon, a new cowgirl-themed cocktail lounge and small-plates spot from
Sarah Castillo, Christian Lehrmann, and Glen Keely — the same team behind Taco Heads and Tinie’s Mexican Cuisine.
Over drinks with friends, Castillo hammered out Sidesaddle’s femaleforward concept. “There are already a lot of places in the Stockyards that are geared toward cowboys or are cowboythemed,” she says. “Very little of what’s here has women or cowgirls in mind.”
For the food menu, which Lehrmann developed, think elevated tapas: bison tartare, cheddar and chive biscuits, pork rillettes. Keely developed the cocktail menu; drinks are named after famous cowgirls. The name itself pays tribute to the American cowgirl, too. Before pants were acceptable for them to wear, women rode horses with both legs to one side, or “sidesaddle.”
Also opening in Mule Alley this spring will be Second Rodeo Brewing. This brewpub-slash-live music hall comes from well-known North Texas chef Jason Boso, founder of the Twisted Root chain and creator of the Truck Yard food truck parks in Dallas, Houston, and The Colony (a Fort Worth location of Truck Yard is slated to open this fall at Alliance Town Center).
Second Rodeo will encompass a massive 14,000-square-foot indoor/ outdoor footprint and will tout a retractable roof, scenic views of the nearby Marine Creek, and a stage for live music. Along with housemade brews, Second Rodeo will offer pub grub, such as street-style tacos.
Second Rodeo will mark the second rodeo for Boso and Fort Worth-based brewer Justin Meyers, who worked together on a similar concept in Mansfield, By the Horns Brewing.
Fort Worth-born AVOCA Coffee Roasters will also open a Mule Alley location this spring. The 1,100-squarefoot space was designed by Mitchell Garman, the Dallas-based architectural firm that designed Piattello Italian Kitchen, Taverna, and Clay Pigeon Food & Drink, among other restaurants and businesses. The new AVOCA will have an outdoor area, perfect for springtime sipping.
A little
restaurant and market on Highway 26 in
Colleyville may be serving the best Cajun food this side of Louisiana.
BY MALCOLM MAYHEW
When Phil Tullis opened THE Cajun Market last year, in a former farmers market building on Highway 26 in Colleyville, he wanted to recreate the sights and smells of something he says he misses dearly: home.
Home for Tullis is Houma, Louisiana, a small town in the Acadiana region of southern Louisiana. By all indications, his goal to recreate a restaurant that echoes the upbeat atmosphere and authentic Cajun fare he grew up on has been an unmitigated success.
By the time we arrived on a recent Saturday afternoon, a lively crowd had already gathered. It was one of the first days Phil and co-owner wife Debbie were hosting crawfish boils.
Brought in fresh from various
crawfish shacks scattered throughout Acadiana and the Atchafalaya Basin of Louisiana, mudbugs are Phil and Debbie’s signature item.
“An authentic Louisiana crawfish boil is a lot different than what most restaurants here call crawfish boils,” Phil says. “We boil the crawfish in a very specific way: They’re boiled first, then soaked in seasoned water. That’s the best way to season them. Most places here boil them quickly, then throw on the seasoning. The way we cook them is true to how they’re prepared in Louisiana.”
Many of Phil and Debbie’s cooking techniques, as well as their recipes, are deeply embedded in Louisiana traditions. Some of their recipes, Phil says, date back 100 years.
“The gumbo recipe has been in my family for at least 100 years, maybe
even longer,” he says.
During our visit, zydeco music boomed out of speakers while diners yelled their orders to the friendly help behind the counters.
“This is what it’s like to eat in a little bitty place where I’m from,” Phil would say later. “People sitting around, peeling and eating shrimp and crawfish. There’s fun music in the background, and you can smell the food as it’s cooking.”
The dining experience at THE Cajun Market is as fun as it is bare-bones: You order at the counter, then wait for your name to be called and your food to be delivered to your table.
You can either wait at communal picnic tables, snacking on cracklings, or peruse the shelves for Cajun food cooking products. One unique aspect to THE Cajun Market is that it is, in fact, a market. Next to the cooking supplies is a cooler filled with frozen or refrigerated dishes ready to roll, all cooked in house, including chicken-sausage gumbo, pork chops stuffed with sausage, and crawfish etouffee.
“One thing I wanted to do here is take care of the to-go people,” Phil says. “Not everybody wants to sit in a restaurant these days. If you don’t want to, all you’ve got to do is come in and grab something frozen to go, and you can throw it in the oven or microwave whenever you want.”
Most of what’s on THE Cajun Market’s menu comes directly from Louisiana, from the crawfish to the bread for the terrific po’boy sandwiches to the shrimp, oysters, and frog legs.
“You cannot fool someone from Louisiana,” Phil says, laughing. “They know what Louisiana cooking tastes like. They know exactly how frog legs should taste, how jambalaya should taste. And that’s what I hear from Louisiana natives who come here: ‘This tastes just like the food I grew up on, the food I had at home.’ There’s not a better compliment in the world.”
THE Cajun Market 5409 Colleyville Blvd. thecajunmarket.com
Go big this spring with oversized silhouettes, outsized accents, and over-the-top color.
PHOTOS: JAMIE HOUSE HAIR AND MAKEUP: ASTON EVADA/ART OF ALLURE AT NOVAK HAIR STUDIOS STYLING AND PRODUCTION: JENNY B. DAVIS MODELS: MARY TISH PHILLIPS/CAMPBELL AGENCY VICTORIA/WALLFLOWER MANAGEMENT
On Victoria:
Sweater: Cos, $69. cos.com
Trousers: Cos, $125. cos.com
Clutch: Cult Gaia, $398. Neiman Marcus Clearfork
Pin: Cos, $11. cos.com
On Mary Tish:
Blouse: Rebecca Taylor, $245. rebeccataylor.com
Faux leather trousers: Alice + Olivia, $295. nordstrom.com
Clutch: Top Shop, $39.99. nordstrom.com
Earrings: The Clay Cricket, $14. theclaycricket.com
Dress: Corrine, $45. Prippie. Maxi skirt (under dress): Joy Joy, $105. Monkee’s of Fort Worth
Cross-body bag: Valentino, $1,195. Neiman Marcus Clearfork
Sneakers: Alexander McQueen, $545. Neiman Marcus Clearfork
LOCAL NOTE: Prippie, a just-opened boutique on the Camp Bowie bricks, is a joint venture from Spoiled Pink owner Amy Lively and her daughter, Whitney Churchill. The inspiration for the distinctive name came from the blend of Amy’s preppy style and Whitney’s hippie vibe.
Strike a Pose
Snood: Cos, $59. cos.com
Racer-back T: $28. Free People
Stretch bracelets: $25 each. Monkee’s of Fort Worth
LOCAL NOTE: Fort Worth
native Harriet McKinney fell in love with a Monkee’s boutique in North Carolina, so she decided to bring the concept to her hometown. She opened Monkee’s of Fort Worth in Clearfork in 2019.
On Victoria:
Caped trench: Rebecca Taylor, $695. rebeccataylor.com
Knit top: Michelle, $48. Beehive
Knit shorts: Michelle, $48. Beehive
Earrings: The Clay Cricket, $16. theclaycricket.com
Platform sneakers: Prada, $825. Neiman Marcus Clearfork
On Mary Tish: Maxi dress: Zimmerman, $1,150. Neiman Marcus Clearfork
Kitten heels: Prada, $950. Neiman Marcus Clearfork
Anthropologie
1540 S. University Drive
Fort Worth, 817.870.1842
anthropologie.com
Beehive
4808 Camp Bowie Blvd. Fort Worth, 817.570.0484 lovebeehive.com
Free People
1540 S. University Drive Fort Worth, 817.885.7856 freepeople.com
Monkee’s of Fort Worth 5234 Marathon Ave. Fort Worth, 817.703.8337
monkeesoffortworth.com
Neiman Marcus Clearfork 5200 Monahans Ave. Fort Worth, 817.738.3581 neimanmarcus.com
Prippie
4829 Camp Bowie Blvd. Fort Worth, 682.708.7777 shopprippie.com
Walkin’ on Sunshine
Top: Cos, $59. cos.com
Trousers: Free People, $98. Free People
Sneakers: Kurt Geiger, $150. Dillard’s
Contrary to what you might think as you speed along Interstate 35, there’s more to Burleson’s thriving restaurant scene than just chains. A lot more.
BY MALCOLM MAYHEW | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CRYSTAL WISE
Anyone who has zoomed through Burleson via Interstate 35 has, no doubt, seen them: one chain restaurant after another.
But take the Wilshire or Renfro exits that cut through the heart of the city, and you’ll find a vibrant restaurant community, made up of family-run spots whose cuisines run the gamut from Thai street food to gourmet tacos to Jamaican food to good ol’ fashioned chicken-fried steaks.
The south Fort Worth suburb has experienced massive growth over the past decade, its population blossoming from 36,690 in 2010 to 49,192 in 2020. No surprise that Ol’ South Pancake House,
Heim Barbecue, and Dough Boy Donuts chose Burleson to open new locations (Ol’ South is already open; Heim and Dough Boy are coming later this year).
For the third installment in our Neighborhood Eats series, a series devoted to exploring the independent restaurants in the nooks and crannies of our surrounding communities, we’re zeroing in on Burleson and, hopefully, debunking the myth that the town’s food scene is dominated by chains.
Please note: Some restaurants featured in this story require customers to wear masks; others do not. Call before you go. And now, dig in.
If a food truck lost control and careened into a sports bar, you’d have The Rim. That analogy is accurate in more ways than one. This slick restaurant, opened by the same family of restaurateurs behind Rio Mambo and whose kitchen is manned by former Buttons owner-chef Keith Hicks, has the ambience — not to mention surplus of TVs — of any sports bar. But there’s a cool little detail that makes it stand out from, well, anyone: There’s an actual Airstream food truck inside of the restaurant. Part of the kitchen is inside of the Airstream, and you can watch Hicks and other cooks whip up Hicks’ signature chicken and waffles, plus other hearty Southern dishes, such as a braised pork shank and dynamite pot roast. The extensive menu also includes burgers, brick-oven pizzas, salads, and cheffy bar bites. There are beers and cocktails galore, easy to enjoy on the restaurant’s cool wraparound bar. A second location of The Rim is slated to open soon in Fort Worth’s Waterside area in the old Taco Diner spot.
What to get: Beautifully presented, Hicks’ signature chicken and waffles is one of Fort Worth’s very best dishes. Can’t call yourself a Fort Worthian — or a Burlesonite, for that matter — if you haven’t had this yet.
295 E. Renfro St.
Just over a year old, American Revelry is one of the city’s newest restaurants, and it’s a real beauty, all clinking wine glasses, whiteglove service, and top-notch food. In an attractive, industrial-chic space built from the ground up by local developer Timothy Windmiller and his business partner, Les Vernon, AR touts an unusual concept. The main menu is devoted to chef-inspired, thoughtfully sourced takes on American classics: salmon with an orange marmalade glaze, shrimp and grits in a white wine sauce, balls of cheesecake fried and served with plops of housemade whipped cream. Recently relaunched as the pandemic has started to subside, another menu is steeped in regional fare, encompassing food from one end of the coast to the other. “That portion of the menu changes constantly, depending on what’s in season and what region our chefs want to focus on,” Windmiller says. “As the name says, we are an American restaurant, so we want to shine the spotlight on different types of American cuisine, whether it’s New York or California or somewhere in between.”
The restaurant features a 30-foot bar, cut from quartz, and an attractive outdoor patio dotted with a bar area, fire pits, and misters. American Revelry’s come-as-youare atmosphere belies its five-star service: Astute servers refill drinks with robotic precision and ask you to cut open your steak to see if it’s cooked as requested. But they also do something very Burleson: make small talk. Says Windmiller: “It’s fine dining, but we still want it to have a Texas feel.”
What to get: AR does a great steak — our 12-ounce rib-eye was expertly cooked medium rare. For an appetizer, the beet-infused deviled eggs, topped with specks of bacon and fried chicken skins, are outstanding. There’s a superb wine list, too.
279 W. Hidden Creek Parkway americanrevelry.com
The industrial strip center façade of this new barbecue joint may not look like much, but it masks a huge, nicely landscaped outdoor area filled with picnic tables and kiddofriendly games, making it the ideal setting for families. Opened late last year on a slice of Highway 1187 that straddles Burleson and Fort Worth city limits, Rack Attack is manned by a tiny staff led by owner and pitmaster Brandon Anderson, who cut his teeth in the barbecue biz by hosting pop-up events in Mansfield, his hometown.
Married with two kids, Anderson saw a need for a family-friendly ’cue joint, envisioning parents mowing through brisket, sausage, and ribs while kids run themselves silly in a big open play space. “I built it with my kids in mind,” he says. “Barbecue is all about family anyway — big plates of food and everybody grabbing what they want.” There’s plenty here to grab, from barbecue basics such as brisket and turkey to sides that include hatch pepper mac and cheese and loaded baked potatoes. There are a few inside tables, but most vie for seats along the 3,000-square-foot outdoor area, which also includes a stage for live music.
What to get: The St. Louis-style ribs, swiped with a chipotle glaze, best show off Anderson’s cooking chops. Instead of the usual wood-burning smoker, Anderson uses a less conventional pellet smoker, fueled by wood pellets. He uses a variety of pellets, including cherry, which gives his ribs a mahogany glow, he says.
6620 Storm Cat Lane, Suite 101 rackattackbarbecue.com
Old Town Burleson, a hip, burgeoning retail and restaurant district carved out of antique buildings near downtown, is dominated by Mexican and American food — burgers and tacos and fajitas and chicken-fried steaks. This two-story, fast-casual restaurant offers some tasty respite. Opened by Pook Thothong and her family, the restaurant serves simple and flavorful Thai food to those in the area burned on burgers and barbecue. Choice dishes include kai soi noodles, chicken with yellow curry and egg noodles; stewed pork belly with ginger, shallots, and garlic; and steamed dumplings submerged in a hot chili oil. Pandan also serves Thai tea and Thai coffee, along with seasonal desserts and boba drinks. There’s also a location in nearby Crowley, and last year, Thothong opened a new concept in east Burleson called Burly Bird, which serves chicken wings, freshly made waffles, and iced teas.
What to get: Loaded basil fries are as addicting as they are filling. Pineapple fried rice is another good choice. Wash it all down with a freshly made orange raspberry tea.
114 S. Main St. pandanthai.com
Perched atop the Alsbury exit on the east side of Interstate 35, Our Place is a classic American eatery, the kind of restaurant that used to rule the country’s roadsides. Open for breakfast and lunch only, the restaurant serves American food at its simplest and finest: big plates of eggs and housemade pancakes and grilled sausage and waffles cut in the shape of Texas for breakfast, burgers and jalapeño pork chops and plate-engulfing chickenfried steak for lunch, and freshly made pie for dessert, all served with sass and smiles from fun and attentive servers. “When we opened here, there wasn’t anything else like it around here,” says Otto Arslanovski, who moved the restaurant in 2012 from downtown Burleson to its current home on the highway. “And even with all the other restaurants around us now, there still isn’t.”
Our Place has been an integral part of Burleson’s restaurant community since it opened — where Sammy’s Italian Bistro is now — in the mid-’80s. In the restaurant world, surviving that long is nothing short of a miracle. “We have the highway traffic for sure. That’s been an immense help,” says Otto, who runs the restaurant with his wife, Monica. “But it’s the regulars from Burleson, the people who’ve been with us from day one, who’ve kept this place going. That’s why the name ‘Our Place’ is so fitting. It really is their place.”
What to get: The blackened sirloin steak sandwich is a smoky wonder. For dessert, try a slice of peanut butter and banana pie, and we bet you’ll love us forever.
It’s impossible to miss, the charmingly ramshackle building sitting, practically, in the middle of Renfro Street, wearing a coat of bright yellow paint loud enough to stop traffic. You can’t help but wonder what it’s like inside. Turns out, it’s a lot like the outside, colorful and vivid and unforgettable — much like the food that owner Richard Williams has been serving here since 2016.
A native of Jamaica, he moved to New Jersey, then Texas, hoping to bring his homeland’s recipes to a wide audience. “I thought, Let’s have the most colorful building and colorful culture in this town,” he says. Rehabbing an old coffee shop, he opened one of the only Jamaican restaurants in the area, attracting a small but feverishly devoted crowd. He and his daughter, Kimberly, serve staples of Jamaican cuisine, including jerk chicken, oxtail, and curried goat, along with fresh veggies such as turnip greens, collard greens, and cabbage. Roti, a soft and flaky flat bread, is the perfect accompaniment. Due to the pandemic, his hours are limited, and the restaurant itself is only open for to-go orders.
What to get: The must-try dish here is escovitch, lightly fried, bone-in red snapper served with bell peppers and onions.
217 W. Renfro St. jamaicansummers.weebly.com
Every neighborhood should have a bakery. Burleson is lucky enough to have a few, including this charming spot near downtown, opened last year by sisters Amy Roberts and Staci Clark. The two previously worked in the dental field, then decided, almost on a whim, to open this shop, which also serves snow cones. “We just got burned out on our jobs,” says Roberts. “I had already quit my job and had opened a snow cone stand. My sister has always been a wonderful baker. I just told her one day, ‘Let’s do something together. Let’s open a bakery.’”
Roberts says the recipes for the bakery’s cookies, brownies, johnnycakes, cheesecakes, and pies come from both Clark and the sisters’ ancestors. “Some of the recipes are from our greatgrandmother, which would put them in the 19th century,” she says. History is a big deal here: The 1836 portion of the bakery’s name is a reference to the year Texas won its independence from Mexico. Order a box of sweets, and when you reach the bottom, you’ll find more Texas trivia. “I love, love, love Texas history,” Roberts says. “Since history plays such a role in our recipes and lives — we’re fifth generation Texans — we thought it’d be something unique and fun to put a bit of Texas history in the bottom of each box. It’s a good way to remember us, too.”
What to get: Try the pavlova, a pastry named after Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. Its thin, sweet crust is topped with fresh strawberries and housemade whipped cream.
102 NW Renfro St. facebook.com/BurlesonBakery1836
Celebrating its 26th anniversary this year, Sammy’s Italian Bistro is one of the oldest and most popular restaurants in Burleson. If you live in Burleson and you go to Sammy’s on a Friday night, you are going to see people from work, church, school, and next door, laughing and visiting over big plates of spaghetti, spinach ravioli, and baskets of bread. Everybody in Burleson, sooner or later, becomes a regular at this old-school, red sauce Italian spot. “I have cooks and waitresses who’ve been here since the day we opened,” says owner Steve Salihu, who took over the store after his brother Sammy moved on to other endeavors. “I have customers who came in as kids 25 years ago, and now they bring in their families.” Steve runs the restaurant with his brother, Benji. Over the years, the two have done very little to the menu and décor, leaving things the way they’ve always been. “People love it the way it is,” he says. “The food’s good and fresh; the service is good. So many restaurants are struggling, especially in the pandemic. So, I know we’re doing something right.”
What to get: The piping hot lasagna, filled with beef and gooey cheese; fantastic New York-style pizzas; and freshly made rolls, which ooze steam when you pull them apart.
225 Exchange St. sammysitalianbistro.com
One of Burleson’s best restaurants is this soup and sandwich kitchen, found in a strip mall on Wilshire Boulevard, the main drag that cuts through Burleson. Its homey atmosphere is a good sign of what’s to come: unpretentious food, made with skill and care. Owner Ginger Eccles is adamant about using fresh ingredients — freshly made bread comes in daily from Fort Worth’s Metro Bakery Co., and veggies and meats are hand-cut daily, the oldfashioned way. “Nothing’s pre-made or pre-sliced,” she says. “We start from scratch daily.” Soups rotate daily and include corn chowder, chicken enchilada, and mushroom beer cheese. There are more than a dozen hot and cold sandwiches, and each comes with your choice of cole slaw, pasta salad, or potato salad. At a time when no one blinks at an eye at paying $14 for a BLT, and getting nothing but the BLT, Stone Soup’s prices are an absolute steal; nothing’s over $10.
What to get: Go on Wednesday for the fantastic mushroom beer cheese soup; go anytime for an excellent hot pastrami sammy.
333 SW Wilshire Blvd. stonesouptexas.com
Burleson’s independent restaurant game is strong. Check
Antonio’s Mexican Restaurant: Locals pour into long-running Antonio’s for sizzling fajitas, $8 lunch specials, grilled rib-eyes and all-day breakfast; the migas are outtasite. antoniosmex.com
Asian Café: The Alsbury area is one chain after another, with a handful of exceptions, including this tiny Asian bistro, which serves a mix of Thai, Japanese, and Chinese. A good time to go is during lunch when nothing’s over $9. asiancafeburleson.com
Bennett’s Grocery & Deli: Found on a twisting backroad east of downtown, this gas station and grocery store, whose roots date back nearly five decades, serves the best burgers in Burleson. Some may argue the world. 817.295.8831
Burleson Brunch House: No need to wait for the weekend here. Similar to Snooze, this 2-year-old spot on the far west tip of Burleson serves breakfast and brunch seven days a week. Nutella-banana pancakes will keep you stuffed for a good day or so. facebook.com/burleson-brunchhouse
Busy B’s Bakery: Freshly made kolaches and cream cheese cinnamon rolls are the stars at Busy B’s, open for more than three decades.
It’s a fave of hometown hero Kelly Clarkson. facebook.com/busy-bs-bakery
Dwell Coffee & Biscuits:
Opened by husbandand-wife team Jeff and Stephanie Brannon, this craft coffeehouse in Old Town is as popular for its brews as it is for its buttermilk biscuits, which are made fresh daily in flavors such as sweet potato and cranberry orange. There are also Dwell locations in Fort Worth and a new store in the HEB in Burleson. dwellcoffeeandbiscuits.com
Fresco’s: Along with nearby Babe’s Chicken Dinner House, this upbeat Mexican restaurant helped revitalize Burleson’s Old Town area. Good tableside guac and chicken fajita enchiladas. frescosmexicanfood.com
Grumps Burgers: Burleson outpost of family-run chain serves gourmet burgers in a cool old building. grumpsburgers.com
House of Pho: Hidden among the retail shops in the Alsbury area is this gem, which serves hearty bowls of pho in nearly a dozen varieties. facebook.com/house-of-phoburleson
Miranda’s Mexican Restaurant: No-frills Mexican restaurant offers all the usual Tex-Mex standards, plus curveballs like fried
catfish. Weekend brunch includes breakfast tostadas — flat, round corn chips topped with refried beans, over-easy eggs, and a spicy green chile salsa. facebook.com/mirandasmexican-restaurant
Mojo’s Tex Mex
Smokehouse & Grill: Not many restaurants cook flour tortillas, right before your eyes, the second you order tacos. That’s just one of the many charms of this longrunning, fast-casual Mexicanbarbecue joint, opened nearly a decade ago by the same family that owns the nearby Stone Soup and Hickory Tree in Joshua. You can get those tacos filled with a variety of proteins — expertly smoked by pitmaster cousins Terry and Barry Hodges — but brisket should be choice No. 1. The restaurant offers more than a half-dozen salsas, all made in-house, and they’re all terrific. getsomemojos.com
Moontower Pizza Bar:
Named after the party locale in Richard Linklater’s hit film, “Dazed and Confused,” this far-out pizza joint serves subs, wings, and excellent pizza pies; the jerk chicken pizza is all right, all right, all right. moon-tower.com
Murry Bakery: Quaint bakery, opened last year by Burlesonites Ruthie and Jarod Murry, sells top-notch sweets, made daily by Ruthie,
a professional pastry chef. Pray you’re there when she’s whipped up her chocolate chip oatmeal bread pudding. murrybakery.com
Ol’ South Pancake House: Yes, Ol’ South’s German pancakes are available at this newly opened spinoff of the TCU-area original. So’s just about everything else, like the French crepes, egg skillets, and killer coffee. Burleson never had it so good. olsouthpancakehouse.com
Old Texas Brewing Co.: Big with the biker crowd, this Old Town bar and restaurant specializes in Southern classics. Cool sidewalk patio and rooftop bar. oldtexasbrewing.com
Roscoe’s Smokehouse: Huge — and hugely popular — barbecue joint with excellent slow-smoked burgers. roscoessmokehouse.com
Spice Rack Tapas Bar & Grill: Another restaurant that helped revitalize the Old Town area of Burleson, Spice Rack shines the spotlight on cheffed-up bar food, like mac and cheese topped with smoked pork, poblano peppers, and housemade barbecue sauce. spicerackgrill.com
With 45 years in the brokerage industry, Don always focuses on national and international financial dynamics—applying his analyses to his clients’ portfolios. He is a past Chair of Investment of public accounts totaling 140 billion, including public pension plans and the Texas Permanent School Fund.
Among his major accomplishments are two high-profile legacy transactions: representing oil magnate Eddie Chiles in the sale of his Texas Rangers baseball team to George W. Bush, and taking Bo Pilgrim, one of the largest chicken producers in the U.S., public.
Don is a graduate of the Wharton Securities Industry Institute and has an honorary degree from the University of Moscow.
Don has given over 1,000 fee-paid speeches in 47 U.S. states and 22 countries, including such audiences as the Saudi Central Bank where he spoke about the global economy, the U.S. Treasury Department, U.S. Social Security Administration, and the U.S. Department of Commerce.
He keynoted the Australian IT Summit, advised the heavy equipment industry in Rome and spoke on free markets at the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Don III has extensive experience in the brokerage industry, focusing on financial planning and equities trading. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Rhodes College and a Master’s degree from the University of Memphis.
You are invited to an informal one-on-one discussion with Don II and Don III
Hear about the road ahead, nationally and internationally. Have your general questions answered about today’s financial planning strategies. Call now to schedule a time to visit and talk about the economy and markets.
Call 817-210-0192 for more information or email Aisha.Rada@Ampf.com Must have a minimum of $500,000 to invest.
Where will we go from here? How can we forecast what’s around the corner?
The global economy. International conflicts and treaties. Technology developments. Expanding business sectors. Global warming. Cultural divides. Gold prices and currency values.
When a killer disease arrived in Fort Worth last March, Kristin Jarrell strapped on her mask and plunged into the belly of the beast. The ICU nurse has been battling COVID-19 for a year now, facing down the enemy’s insidious arsenal of uncertainty, ubiquity, and isolation. With the help of her team (and a good pair of running shoes), she has maintained hope and kept her head above water — all while saving precious lives at her post on the front line.
BY SHILO URBAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY OLAF GROWALD
For 17 years, Kristin Jarrell, ICU R.N., has worked in the Medical/Surgical and ICU departments at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth. Last year was the worst. Kristin lives in Aledo with her husband, Kyle, and their two teenage daughters, ages 15 and 17. Like many nurses, her profession is also her calling. She was drawn to a career in the ICU because of its low patient-to-nurse ratio, which fosters deeper connections.
“With two or three patients, you really get to know those people and know their illnesses, know their families, and know how they’re dealing with everything,” she explains. “That’s what I wanted out of nursing.”
Handling life-and-death decisions is just another day at the office for ICU nurses. The Type-A superhumans must operate in a highly controlled setting with meticulous organization and whip-smart critical thinking. Along with specialized skills and an extensive knowledge of disease pathology, an ICU nurse must have an even-keeled disposition and stay calm, cool, and collected in the intense environment. “It’s not for the faint of
heart,” admits Kristin. “You have to have a very strong core inner strength to watch it day in and day out.”
But even the most experienced ICU nurses found themselves challenged like never before when a tiny viral pathogen appeared on the scene in early 2020.
Tuesday, January 21, 2020: The Centers for Disease Control confirms the first U.S. case of the illness caused by the novel coronavirus. It is not yet named COVID-19. Like most of us, Kristin was not overly alarmed by the early news of an infection spreading out from Wuhan, China. “I thought we might get one or two sick people at our hospital,” she recalls. Even when the virus began to spread in New York City, she had yet to grasp the seriousness of the situation. “They live in such close proximity to each other, I could see why they’re getting so sick. But sweet little Fort Worth? I couldn’t imagine it coming this far.”
But soon the sickness had slipped into the city. In the first week of March, a couple of patients trickled into her hospital who were suspected of having the virus. “I
remember the first one. Everybody was so afraid to take the patient.” The suspected COVID cases were isolated in negative pressure rooms and assigned two nurses each. “We had to put all this PPE [personal protective gear] on, and then make sure the other nurse had all the PPE on correctly. There were all these checks systems.
“It went perfectly … we hit the ground running,” says Kristin. “I feel like [Texas Health Resources] was prepared for the pandemic even before it got here … I feel very safe being in our unit. We have all the PPE we need. I could be covered head-to-toe probably for another year. Anything we’ve needed has been readily available, and I feel like that’s because they’ve been preparing for this since the Ebola incident.” The first Ebola case in the U.S. was confirmed in Dallas in the fall of 2014; although it died down quickly, the experience gave local health workers a blueprint for future outbreaks — and a valuable wake-up call.
Tuesday, March 10, 2020: The first COVID-19 case is confirmed in Tarrant County. The trickle soon became a steady stream of patients who were either
suspected of having COVID or already confirmed positive. It was the week before spring break for Kristin’s daughters, and the family was planning an RV trip together to Big Bend. On her last day at work before she left on vacation, her ICU was transitioned to an all-COVID unit. She spent her entire 12-hour night shift moving 21 regular patients out of the unit and replacing them with 21 new COVID patients. Holy cow, she thought. This is no joke.
During her trip to West Texas, Kristin felt the dark cloud of coronavirus gathering overhead. “It’s my personality to take things day to day. I don’t get worried about what’s to come, I really don’t have a lot of anxiety,” she says. “But you could start to feel the worry from the country. We were down in Big Bend — it’s the most wide-open space you can find — and they were shutting the park down. The little restaurants there were closing down. You could feel this buildup of what was about to come.”
Tuesday, March 17, 2020: Tarrant County announces its first COVID-19 death. Kristin returned to the ICU the following week. “It was almost like walking onto a brand-new floor. I didn’t even recognize the place.” Instead of empty hallways, she saw supply carts and IV pumps lining the walls. Much of the equipment from inside the patients’ rooms had been pulled outside of them to minimize exposure time for the staff. All manner of PPE was stashed in the corridors and slathered on her colleagues. “Everybody was gowned, and we had face shields, goggles, and masks. We wore these surgical caps, so you couldn’t even see anybody’s hair.” She struggled to recognize friends she had worked with for years.
“I just walked around in awe. Like a fish out of water.” Despite almost two decades of experience, it felt like her first day in an ICU. “It was such a sudden change. All this had happened basically overnight, and you didn’t have a chance to gradually become accustomed to what you were about to take on,” says Kristin. “That was probably the most anxiety-provoking issue for me.”
Thursday, April 2, 2020: A stay-at-home order goes into effect across Texas. After a couple of weeks, the initial burst
of chaos and confusion had cooled off as America hunkered down at home. Colleagues clad head-to-toe in PPE were now a familiar site to Kristin, and the cartfilled halls produced no more anxiety. But the virus was just getting started — and the patients were fighting for their lives.
Treating the poorly understood disease was an exercise in uncertainty, and nurses often found themselves powerless to help. “We had no idea what to do to treat these people … it was just a wait-and-see game,” she says. “That was one of the hardest parts. As nurses, we don’t like having our hands tied. We like to be proactive. We’ll do anything we can do to help you improve, and when we can’t do that … that’s when the tears come. The frustration, the anxiety — that’s when it gets us.”
The ubiquitous nature of the pandemic didn’t help. Dealing with death is part of the job description for an ICU nurse, but Kristin had always been able to leave the accompanying stress behind at the end of her shift. “When you have a death, you just want to come home and let it go,” she explains. “Before COVID, you could do that. Nobody talked about the flu on the news. Nobody talked about pneumonia or COPD.” But everyone was talking about the virus. “You come home, and everything everywhere is COVID COVID COVID. You get on social media: It’s COVID. You get on the news: It’s COVID. Your friends, your family, everybody wants to ask how it looks at the hospital and talk about it.”
But Kristin didn’t want to talk about it. She wanted to enjoy her family and grill outside in the sunshine. “You want to have some small corner of the world where you don’t have to think about it. You just have to, for your own mentality,” she says. “It was really hard to get away from it. It still is.”
Giving her brain a break from COVID was crucial because Kristin would need all the mental energy she could muster to confront another new challenge: isolated patients. “The sickest people were young, previously healthy, they didn’t have a lot of underlying conditions … and they’re fighting alone because their family can’t be there,” she says. “It’s really hard to watch a mom talking to her son on the iPad when he’s intubated, and he can’t
talk back.” Nurses had to fulfill the role of the family as best they could. “I can’t imagine what that feels like to be isolated. They’re in a room, the door’s closed for isolation, they’re just stuck there … we did a lot of sitting at the bedside and holding hands, keeping them positive.”
To keep herself positive, she found hope in the rare victories — like the survivors. One patient had been on a ventilator and dialysis for almost a month, and his outlook was grim. “I really never thought for one second that he would survive. But he did.” The unit had a huge celebration when the man was discharged. “It still brings tears to my eyes,” Kristin remembers. “There has to be one to give you hope that there’s going to be a whole lot more. And that was the one.”
Thursday, July 2, 2020: Governor Abbott issues statewide mask mandate. A summer unlike any before had arrived, and as the temperature increased, so did our understanding of COVID-19. “We got smarter. We learned how to treat it better. Kristin also learned how to handle the pandemic’s persistent presence. “I stopped watching TV. I did not get on social media. If I had a bad day and wanted to talk about it, my family was absolutely ready to listen. But they learned really quickly to not ask.” What was once a normal household question — How was your day? — was shelved until future notice. Not shelved: family time, with plenty of precautions. “I wouldn’t even speak to my children or my husband until I had my shower and was clean. I probably should have been doing that for 17 years, with all of the things that I could have been bringing home. But nobody was afraid of the things that have been around for a while. Now there’s this brand-new virus, and we’re all very afraid of it. So, everything becomes very deliberate.” Only after decontaminating herself could Kristin relax. “I could have some breakfast, clear my mind, watch some TV. My kids and I love to watch ‘The Simpsons.’” She didn’t let the pandemic affect her interactions with her husband and daughters. “You’ve got to have some kind of connection or you just lose it altogether,” she says. “I’m not a natural worrier. I do everything I can to prevent
infection or spread, but I’m not going to isolate myself from my family.”
She also found solace by hitting the pavement. “I learned to exercise. A lot,” she laughs. “I’d always been a runner and just got back into it. It’s amazing how far you can go when you are frustrated or irritated. Just put on the shoes and start running. It’s a good way to clear your mind for sure.”
By August, coronavirus cases in North Texas began to drop. “We kind of had a lull.” Her all-COVID ICU had been filled almost to capacity for months — and finally, it wasn’t. They reconfigured half of the unit to a regular ICU, reserving only one-half for COVID patients. “Everybody was ecstatic,” says Kristin. “It was like it was a new day. We were so excited.”
Saturday, September 12, 2020: Tarrant County has 201 hospitalized COVID patients, the lowest number since early June. The excitement didn’t last long. In less than a month, the unit had to switch back to being all-COVID. “It hits you hard … I just thought maybe we had seen the end of it.” The turnaround was difficult for Kristin and her ICU family. “We take care of each other,” she says. “The comfort of having your family there made all the difference in the world. You’re never afraid that you’re by yourself when these patients get worse. You always have somebody to back you up. There’s a support system there all the time.”
Her teammates kept an eye on each other, ready with hugs whenever needed. “We do a lot of talking together. And then sometimes you just say, ‘I’ll be back; I’ve got to have 5 minutes.’ And you have to take some time for yourself and regroup. Clear your mind, walk outside, do something other than sit and watch your patients through a window.”
Still, the situation was better than it had been in the spring. “There was more turnover,” she recalls. “Patients left; we would get new admits; it was kind of a revolving door. But it wasn’t as stressful as it had been. You could still feel that [the numbers were] coming down.”
And then the holidays arrived.
The most wonderful time of the year it was not. “It was really, really tough. December and January hit, and it was just nonstop … [like] a freight train that comes
through and knocks the wind out of you,” Kristin says. “Back in March, we thought 150 or 160 positive patients were a lot. In December, it was 200, 250. Those days were harder because you had already felt like there was an end, and then it just reversed and went right back.”
Wednesday, January 6, 2021: Tarrant County hits its all-time high of 1,528 hospitalized COVID patients. The patients seemed sicker, and recoveries became scarce. Death stalked the hallways. Before COVID-19, if one patient died in a week — it was a really bad week. “Now we’re getting three a day. It really drains your momentum. If we would get one person off the ventilator, we would do a dance of joy. It was the most exciting thing ever. We would stand in the halls; we would clap for them. It was awesome. And then the next day, we’d have two more deaths.”
The unflappable ICU nurses were being pushed to the limits, frustrated by the disease and angered by its unfairness. Kristin didn’t realize how much stress and anxiety she was experiencing until she began seeing it play out in other areas of her life. “I would get angry pretty easily,” she confides. “I would get angry at my husband — you take it out on the people that are standing right there. I have lots of animals in my house, and they got a lot of lectures.”
She found herself struggling to sleep and eat. “I wake up about every three or four hours … there’s never really rest. You always feel like your mind is on,” she says. “I try to have normal food, but sometimes it’s just hard to eat. You’re not hungry, not getting enough fluids, a little bit dehydrated. All those things just compound.”
But even during the darkest days, Kristin fueled her spirit by focusing on the tiniest improvements in her patients’ conditions — and on the lucky individuals who walked out of the hospital. “There are going to be terrible, terrible moments, but there will be a good one that comes. The people who get to leave our unit are those little rays of hope.”
Thursday, February 25, 2021: The number of hospitalized COVID patients in Tarrant County falls to 489, and new
cases and deaths are also trending downward. More than 3 million Texans have received at least one dose of the vaccine. As another spring dawns, so does new optimism in the war against the disease. “It’s looking better and better. Our numbers have come down.” Millions have received the vaccine, but it’s not a cure-all yet, Kristin warns. “We all have to remember that this is a virus, and viruses are very good at surviving.” Still, she adds, “I think there are lots of things in play that shine some light at the end of the tunnel. I do feel like it has to come to an end. We can’t live in fear forever.”
For Kristin, the worst year of her career has not been without a silver lining. She’s a better nurse now. “COVID has made my senses sharper. It’s made me go back to my basics.” She’s also found a new sense of gratitude for the people of Fort Worth, who stepped up to deliver reinforcements to the health care workers on the front lines: meals, snacks, water, Gatorade, cards, and letters.
“Just to know that your community is that supportive — it helps tremendously. When you think that everybody is watching you fight this pandemic and there’s not much you can do to help … you feel useless. But to know that the community is praying for you, it just gives you this sense of honor,” says Kristin. “I’m honored to take care of these people. They’re entrusting their lives with us. It’s an honor, and to know that people actually see that, and recognize it, and support you — that’s huge. Huge. So, thank you to Fort Worth.”
Kristin is saving our loved ones’ lives from COVID-19 while risking her own, returning day after day to the combat zone — and she’s thanking us for it. Add “practicing gratitude” to the list of tactics she uses to find light in the darkness: Celebrate little victories. Take care of yourself and each other. Have a break when you need one — and turn off the news. If this strategy can help an embattled ICU nurse to keep her faith in the victory to come, then it can help us, too. “It’s coming,” she affirms. “Every day I feel like there’s a little more hope.”
The way we experience the pandemic depends largely on our community, and local Hispanics or Latinos have confronted a devastating disease that has disproportionately affected their lives. Dr. Bianka Soria-Olmos, a pediatrician at Cook Children’s, is on a mission to correct this disparity.
BY BRIAN KENDALL
In October 2020, a Fort Worth family traveled to San Angelo to celebrate their daughter’s quinceañera. The entire family — cousins, uncles, aunts, grandparents — arrived to see the 15-yearold in her elegant dress and jewel crown. It was a large family affair where social distancing and masks gave way to hugging, kissing, and dancing.
Less than two months later, every one of the dozens of family members who attended fell ill with COVID-19. And six people — including the birthday girl’s grandmother — died.
This is an all-too-common story among the Hispanic or Latino communities, who have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. And it’s an occurrence that Dr. Bianka Soria-Olmos, a pediatrician at Cook Children’s Pediatrics in Haslet, is fighting to stop.
“I think it was right after the Fourth of July [2020] when I really saw the Texas numbers, and I saw my community numbers really skyrocket,” Soria-Olmos says. “When I found out about that particular ZIP code and how disproportionate the numbers were, that’s when I became alarmed and all I could [do] was [ask], ‘What can I do to help?’ With the misinformation circulating in all languages and the minimal amount of accurate up-to-date information in Spanish, I knew this is how I would help.” The particular ZIP code Soria-Olmos is talking about, where she grew up and once lived — and where her parents still reside — is made up predominately of Hispanics or Latinos.
When you look at a map of Tarrant County that identifies areas in the city most at risk — via a spatial risk assessment report from Esite Analytics — the north and far south sides of Fort Worth are a deep red, almost burgundy, signifying a high-risk area. These are also the areas of the city where the Hispanic or Latino populations are most dense.
According to CDC data from March 10, Hispanics or Latinos make up 46.3% of confirmed COVID-19 deaths in Texas. This, despite Hispanics or Latinos making up 36.6% of the state’s population.
The trend is even worse for Hispanic or Latino children. According to national CDC data, Hispanic or Latinos between the ages of 5 and 17 make up 26.8% of COVID-19 cases in
“It might be easy to tell people within the Hispanic community, ‘Why don’t you do this or this to protect yourself?’ But they can’t. They don’t have that choice or that opportunity. They have to continue doing their jobs to support their families.”
Dr. Bianka Soria-Olmos
that age bracket nationally yet make up only 18.5% of that bracket’s population. Hispanics or Latinos between 0 to 4 years of age, meanwhile, make up 29.8% of the cases in that age bracket.
Locally, the story is equally grim. According to data compiled by Cook Children’s Medical Center in October 2020 — nine months after the first case of COVID-19 in Tarrant County, 53% of the children hospitalized were Hispanic or Latino. Fort Worth’s Hispanic or Latino population sits at 35.5%.
Similarly, JPS released a report in July 2020, which claimed 47% of those hospitalized due to COVID-19 identified as Hispanic or Latino; data on all JPS patients says that 36% identify as Hispanic or Latino.
These high rates of infection among the Hispanic or Latino community has also had a negative impact on the community’s care.
“Not only are there more positives in those communities, as in the positivity rate is higher than in other areas of the city, but you’re also getting reports from hospitals concerning the availability of ICU beds,” Soria-Olmos says. “It’s the county system that predominantly provides some of this care to the underserved, and those hospitals were getting overwhelmed.”
Soria-Olmos’ passion for helping the Fort Worth Hispanic or Latino community during this time infuses every word she utters. When she talks about the need to communicate and get urgent messages out to the community, she speaks with a fervor and intensity that could fool one into thinking she’s talking about her own family.
Soria-Olmos, pictured in her TCU-inspired purple mask, speaks with a fellow medical professional.
Having grown up in Fort Worth, Soria-Olmos has a deep connection with those in specific ZIP codes, where many do not speak English, have the means to purchase personal transportation, or have medical insurance. These are the people she talks to in their native tongue via live streams and Zoom calls set up via nonprofits and Cook Children’s Medical Center. People who would otherwise remain in the dark — unwittingly avoiding vaccines, unaware of COVID-19 symptoms, or unaware of how mask wearing is protective — are
finally receiving up-to-date advice from a medical doctor.
Being the first member of her family born in the U.S. meant that Soria-Olmos became a perpetual first-generation achiever at nearly everything. She was the first in her family to attend college, go to medical school, become a doctor, etc.
Her mother came to the U.S. with her family while she was a school-aged child, and her father came when he was in what would have been his middle school years. Yet, as SoriaOlmos explains, her father went with no siblings and only support from his father — Soria-Olmos’ grandfather — which meant a lot of responsibility fell on him. As is the case with many who come to the U.S., they also helped support family members in Mexico.
too far from home, she went on to attend medical school at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, again remaining in Fort Worth.
“I always knew family was going to be important to me in this new endeavor, that I was always going to be able to rely on them,” Soria-Olmos says. “Even if it was something they knew nothing about, like medical school, I knew they were going to support me regardless.”
Her parents would eventually gain U.S. citizenship and residency — benefiting from work visas, thanks to the political climate of the late 1970s. Her father would become a small-business owner, and her mother initially did clerical work at a medical office and now serves in an administrative role as the executive board liaison for a nonprofit organization.
“I learned so much from seeing how difficult it was when my parents did [come to the U.S.] and seeing how much they achieved on their own,” Soria-Olmos says. “I’m very comfortable using the word humble because, really, that’s where we came from. And I tend to use that as one of the biggest things in driving what I try to remain true to. It’s helped guide the path that I’ve navigated.”
Unlike most children, who are fickle and indecisive, Soria-Olmos was one of those kids who knew what she wanted to do at a young age and managed never to change her mind. Her mother claims she wanted to be a doctor since she was in kindergarten. This might seem like a lofty goal for someone who speaks English as a second language — she started school only knowing Spanish — yet thanks to her academic achievements, she received a scholarship to attend TCU for her undergraduate degree. Refusing to veer
Soria-Olmos received her undergraduate degree from TCU before attending the University of North Texas Health Science Center for her doctorate. She would then spend three years completing her pediatric residency training at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.
Immensely close to her family, Soria-Olmos will occasionally sprinkle in anecdotes about her relatives when the conversation strays in other directions. This love for her family is one of the reasons she takes the war she’s waging against COVID-19 so personally
Toward the beginning of the pandemic, Donald G. McNeil, a science and health reporter for The New York Times who specializes in plagues and pestilences, predicted that, before COVID-19 was all said and done, every person will have lost someone close to them. With the vaccines rolling out and things looking up, his prediction abruptly came true for Soria-Olmos.
Only a few weeks before Soria-Olmos’ grandmother would have received her vaccination, she became ill.
“She didn’t go many places,” Soria-Olmos says. “She and the family understood the risks of becoming infected and always listened to my recommendations. The shopping trips and going out, all that stopped. We were doing a lot of technology-driven interaction; we would not see her in-person.”
Despite the caution, Soria-Olmos pinpoints an instance around late December 2020 when her grandmother likely contracted the virus.
“Regardless of how hard this loss has been for me and family, I think we have to look for the positives,” Soria-Olmos says. “And I think the experience my family had was nothing like some of the stories I’ve heard from friends that are very disheartening. So, for that, we’re thankful because we weren’t in a situation where there was an ICU and having to talk or say goodbye through a Zoom call or a FaceTime/electronic device.
“My grandmother was able to have someone hold her hand at the end.”
Like many medical professionals, Soria-Olmos was at the front of the line to receive her vaccine. She got her first dose on Dec. 18, just before her grandmother was exposed. Though there was never a legitimate possibility for her to trade spots and give her at-risk grandmother her vaccine, Soria-Olmos explains her mind’s natural tendency to wonder, “What if?”
“Unfortunately, it just doesn’t work that way,” Soria Olmos says. “I was offered the vaccine through Cook’s as soon as it was available, and I took it without reservation or hesitation. I don’t know if having given up my vaccine to her would have made a difference, but it’s just part of what the human brain does, you know? When a sequence of events happens in that fashion, you think, ‘With this having occurred, would it have changed anything?’ I don’t know.”
The stakes were always high for Soria-Olmos. She felt that if she could keep just one person from contracting COVID-19, then the hours of Zoom sessions would have been well worth it. Now,
battling the virus that took her grandmother’s life, her already unbending purpose has become even more energized.
It became evident from the outset of the pandemic that the Hispanic or Latino community would be particularly at risk. These risk factors range from health and genetics to lifestyle and economics.
“The Hispanic community has a high prevalence of some of the chronic medical conditions that puts you at high risk for severe COVID-19 disease,” Soria-Olmos says. “Some of them being diabetes, elevated BMI, cardiac issues, and lung and kidney issues … While we know the virus affects people over 65 more gravely, many people in the Hispanic community have these underlying conditions and are not over the age of 65. This puts them at a much higher risk.”
Data from the CDC shows that more than three-quarters of those who die from COVID-19 had at least one preexisting condition, and diabetes was noted as an underlying condition in 40% of patients. Of those who died from COVID-19 and were under 65, half had diabetes.
According to the CDC, Hispanics or Latinos, at 17%, are twice as likely to have Type 2 diabetes as non-Hispanic whites. While genetics is one mitigating factor, authentic foods/cuisine tend to be high in fat and calories has led to higher rates of obesity, which increases the risk of diabetes and being intubated for COVID-19.
and there’s no possible way for you to receive updates or accurate information because you either don’t speak the language or don’t have the means to gather the information. Today, we rely so heavily on consistent, up-to-the-minute notifications to keep us well informed.
And this is precisely where SoriaOlmos comes in. Partnering with nonprofits (Hispanic Women’s Network; MANA, a national Latina organization; and The Concilio) and Cook Children’s, she’s trying to eliminate the communication barrier as one of the mitigating factors contributing to the Hispanic or Latino community being at high risk.
“I think another thing you need to keep in mind is the types of jobs that people hold,” Soria-Olmos says. “A lot of jobs within the Hispanic community do not afford them the opportunity to relocate their job to their house and to work from home, which typically allows for reduction in risk of exposure to COVID-19.”
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the service industry; production, transportation, and material moving industry; and the natural resources and construction industry account for 57% of jobs occupied by Hispanics or Latinos. Only 37% of non-Hispanic whites occupy these same vocations. These specific jobs are not easily done via work from home or social distancing, and Hispanics and Latinos occupy more of these jobs than any other race or ethnicity.
“Ultimately, it might be easy to tell people within the Hispanic community, ‘Why don’t you do this or this to protect yourself,’” Soria-Olmos says. “But they can’t. They don’t have that choice or that opportunity. They have to continue doing their jobs to support their families.”
Finally, having access to accurate, up-to-date information is also a barrier for the Latino or Hispanic community. Many do not speak English, or do not speak it well, and others simply don’t have the means due to economic circumstances to receive information.
“People are of the notion that, ‘well, you should learn English,’” Soria-Olmos says. “They’re right. We’re in the U.S., and our official language is English. But we are a country made up of a wide variety of different groups who don’t speak English. If you do not understand the reason why we’re saying to wear a mask, then you’re obviously going to be at a disadvantage and at a higher risk.”
To put it in perspective, imagine it’s the onset of the pandemic
Using Facebook Live, Zoom, Periscope, Ustream, or any other livestreaming service you can imagine, Soria-Olmos, who once described herself as shy, is using the bullhorn to get her message across.
“As soon as my desire to help began, I sprang into action and eventually found myself as the primary speaker at several different monthly COVID-19 chats,” Soria-Olmos says. “I was there to answer questions and keep everyone aware of what was going on. What is quarantine? What is isolation? Why should I wear a mask? What we talked about evolved as new information came out.”
Soon after, Cook Children’s launched the Spanish version of Checkup Newsroom, which featured Soria-Olmos as its primary writer/contributor. The Checkup Newsroom covers general pediatric medical topics, and pediatric physicians create all of its content. While the pandemic still played a big part in the information discussed in the last year, Soria-Olmos explains that there remained many other health topics that needed to be addressed — kids were still getting everyday ailments, after all. Around that same time, Soria-Olmos also became the hospital’s go-to Spanish-speaking personality for radio and television interviews. This allowed the hospital to communicate to an even wider Hispanic or Latino audience.
“I know I used to see a variety of different doctors on news outlets speaking English, but I hadn’t seen too many in Spanish,” Soria-Olmos says. “So, I
was happy to fill that role.”
Many of those listening to her monthly livestreams or news segments might not have the opportunity to speak to a doctor; they don’t have a physician they can readily reach out to with questions or concerns. SoriaOlmos was filling that role; she became a pediatrician to thousands.
Soria-Olmos is also part of an organization called the Hispanic Women’s Network, an education program that helps Latino girls navigate the college application process. Through this organization, Soria-Olmos attended Zoom meetings/presentations that began in August. While the program’s purpose does not include educating students on COVID-19, Soria-Olmos noticed she was fielding a lot of questions from students about the pandemic.
“I learned many of them had family members that had been affected,” SoriaOlmos says. “So, I became a resource for them and their family members. Without reservation, I offered my guidance and expertise and said, ‘If any of your families need help, I’m here.’”
Soria-Olmos says that she was able to talk to students about having conversations with their parents about the pandemic. If a mother, father, or caregiver showed symptoms and refused to get tested, she was guiding students on how to tell their parents they needed to get tested.
“I’m not entirely sure how many of those students wound up taking my advice,” Soria-Olmos says. “But if I made a difference in just a few of those girls’ family’s lives, I call it a victory.”
“People are of the notion that, ‘well, you should learn English’ … but we are a country made up of a wide variety of different groups who don’t speak English. If you do not understand the reason why we’re saying to wear a mask, then you’re obviously going to be at a disadvantage and at a higher risk.”
Dr. Bianka SoriaOlmos
Despite vaccine rollouts and, as of press time, cases of COVID-19 declining, SoriaOlmos’ war is far from over. Her next battle: ensuring the community gets vaccinated.
“As a pediatrician, I talk about vaccines all the time, so it’s right in my wheelhouse,” Soria-Olmos says. “I answer questions every day from families who have heard misinformation and have become hesitant to vaccinate their children.
“The most common question regarding the COVID-19 vaccine is, ‘why was it so
Despite being labeled as shy by some, Soria-Olmos has become comfortable in her role as a communicator
fast? It was developed so quickly; does this mean it’s safe?’”
According to Tarrant County data, only 9% of Hispanic or Latinos comprise the total number of Tarrant County residents who have received a vaccination. Again, 29.5% of the Tarrant County population identifies as Hispanic or Latino. (Note: This number may be skewed, as 42% of vaccine recipients did not report their race or ethnicity.)
Like COVID-19 itself, there are many mitigating factors to explain why the Hispanic or Latino community has not been vaccinated at the same rate as non-Hispanic whites.
A lack of resources, such as transportation to and from vaccination sites, a fear of deportation for those who are undocumented, and a lack of information and too much misinformation, all contribute.
“I think it comes down to things we already know exist, and it’s health disparities,” Soria-Olmos says. “There’s some information and data I’ve heard that suggests lack of access as a key contributor to the low vaccination rate in these communities. And I think I can vouch. I mean, people were waiting on the order of six to eight weeks to get a response after they’ve put their name on the list when vaccine distribution initially started.
“I think there needs to be an effort to get more sites that are serving those ZIP codes that are considered vulnerable — where more people are suffering from diabetes and obesity. A more targeted approach would be good and important.”
Soria-Olmos refuses to say that those in the Hispanic or Latino community are wary about vaccinations. “I see the same hesitancy in other racial and ethnic groups,” Soria Olmos says. “It’s not that [Hispanics or Latinos] don’t want to get vaccinated, it just may be a little bit harder for them to go through the steps of doing it.”
While the vaccine might signal an end in sight to some, SoriaOlmos remains as vocal as ever, and she’s become comfortable in her role as a communicator.
“I think this past year made a lot of doctors aware of how much it wasn’t just about the science or the medicine, but how much it was about the ability to communicate with people,” Soria-Olmos says. “If you were good at that, I think you were probably more successful at helping build trust with patients and move forward.”
Until every Fort Worthian is vaccinated, and Soria-Olmos witnesses a day when the tally of new COVID-19 cases stands at zero, she will continue to talk. She will use all of the platforms at her disposal to discuss the pandemic with her beloved community, and she will continue to shine a light on a painful disparity that many refuse to see. And she will do so in her native language.
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At SciFit Center, we’re unlike any other place out there, because we focus on helping our clients reach their fitness and wellness goals from every aspect possible.
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From allergy to urology and pediatrics to psychiatry, we asked Tarrant County doctors to nominate their peers for inclusion in our annual Top Doctors list via an online ballot. With over 4,800 votes cast, the magazine staff vetted each physician through the Texas Medical Board and asked a panel of more than a dozen physicians to review our final selection and make recommendations. The result is a list of 552 physicians in 47 specialties whom we deem leaders in their fields.
Cancer is the leading cause of death among Tarrant County women.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among Tarrant County men.
SOURCE: TARRANT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, 2019 DATA BRIEF
Allergy/ Immunology
Susan Bailey
Andrew Beaty
John Fling
James Haden
Bobby Lanier
Rene Albert Leon
Robert Rogers
Sharon Seth
Mudita Shah
Ali Shakouri
Millard L. Tierce IV
Reza Khalafi
Jeffrey Lin
Carlos Macias Cardiology
Farhan Ali
Neeraj Badhey
Rim Bannout
Gurpreet Baweja
Sanjay Bhargava
Paul Bhella
Tyler Bloomer
Sukesh Burjonroppa
Sanjay Chamakura
Anesthesiology
Kathleen Bajaj
Napoleon Burt
Robyn Coleman
Martin Conroy
Michelle Craven
Mark Frankel
Katherine Hege
Benito Irizarry
Maulik Parikh
Cesar Virella
Breast Surgery
Mary Brian
Anita Chow
Amelia Gunter
Jennifer Hecht
Joseph Heyne
Vaishali Kent
Cardio/Thoracic Surgery
James Anderson
Gonzalez-Stawinski
Gonzalo
Louis Cristol
Denzil D’Souza
Vassilis Dimas
Scott Ewing
Fahmi Farah
Matt Fay
Sreeni Gudimetla
Timothy Hadden
Randall Hall
George James
John Vijayakar
Jayachandran
Vijay Kalaria
Sandeep Kamath
George Khammar
Geoff Kline
Darren Kumar
Vinit Lal
Lianxi Frank Liao
Justin Martin
Deval Mehta
Giri Mundluru
Arun Padala
Deepak Patel
Brijesh Patel
Amit Prasad
Alvaro Rios
Mohanakrishnan
Sathyamoorthy
Syed Nayyar Shah
Roger S. Eppstein, MD
Internal Medicine
USMD Fort Worth Clearfork Clinic
817.334.1400
Allen Hornell, MD
Family Medicine
USMD Fort Worth Clearfork Clinic
817.984.1688
Beth Mewis, MD Internal Medicine
USMD Weatherford Clinic
682.804.6202
Manisha Parikh, MD OB/GYN
USMD Mid-Cities OB/GYN Clinic
817.554.0830
Here in the Metroplex, personalized care matters. At USMD that means always putting patients first. Our doctors understand patients are real people. This means they know things like respect, listening, courtesy and giving you their full attention matter. At USMD, we always have one singular focus, helping to keep you independently healthy.
To learn more or to make an appointment with Dr. Eppstein, Dr. Hornell, Dr. Mewis or Dr. Parikh, call their clinic directly.
USMD also has more than 100 primary care physicians and more than 20 OB/GYNs across DFW. Visit USMD.com to find a doctor near you. Online appointment scheduling is available. facebook.com/USMDHealthSystem
Physicians in order from L to R: Standing – Arun K. Padala, M.D., FACC, FSCAI; Deepak H. Patel, M.D.; Amit Prasad, M.D.; Sukesh C. Burjonroppa, M.D., FACC, FSCAI; S. Nayyar Shah, M.D., FACC, FRCP, FHRS; George C. James, M.D., FACC; Sanjay Bhargava, M.D., FACC, FSCAI; Deval Mehta, M.D., FACC; Steve, Simpson, M.D. Seated – J. Vijay Jayachandran, M.D., FACC, FHRS; Louis S. Cristol, M.D., FACC; Denzil G. D’Souza, M.D., FACC, FSCAI; Alvaro S. Rios, M.D., FACC, FASNC; L. Frank Liao, M.D., PhD, FACC; Vijay G. Kalaria, M.D., FACC, FSCAI
Steve Simpson
Balaji Veerappan
Venkatesan Vidi
Rajesh Vrushab
Sreedevi Kodali
Stephen Maberry
Diego Marra
Saira Momin
Laura Morris
Betty Rajan
Allison Readinger
Child/Adolescent
Psychiatry
Alesha Hill
Prema Manjunath
Amelia Villagomez
Colo/Rectal Surgery
Michael Bryan
Eduardo Castillo
Lori Gordon
Glen Hooker
Augustine Lee
Paul Senter
Robin Roberts
Kathrene Tajnert
Heather Volkman
Stephen Weis
Dustin Wilkes Emergency Medicine
Pamela Capik
Richard Dixon
Robert Gullinese
Christopher Houston
Adam Jennings
Curtis Johnson
Richard Linsky
Terence McCarthy
Angela Straface
Critical Care Medicine
Zakraus Mahdavi
Mohamed Osman
Prashanth Sankara
Jocelyn Zee
Dermatology
Amir Aboutalebi
Sanober Amin
Stacy Beaty
Gabriela Blanco
Angela Bowers
Fred Ghali
Sara Greer
Catherine Harrell
Boris Ioffe
Patrick Keehan
Endocrinology
Chris Bajaj
Madhuri Devdhar
Vani Kotha
Darren Lackan
Imran Patel
Anjanette Tan
Foot and Ankle
Surgery
Glen Beede
Marc Delara
Michael Downey
Alan Garrett
Greg Jaryga
1 out of 6 Tarrant County adults have been diagnosed with a depressive disorder.
SOURCE: TARRANT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, 2019 DATA BRIEF
Travis Motley
Dalton Ryba
Christopher Werner Gastroenterology
Vinay Antin
David Bass
Mike Bismar
Heather Branstetter
Balu Chandra
Adil Choudhary
Virat Dave
Thomas Dewar
Manjushree Gautam
Josh George
Stevan Gonzalez
Jody Houston
Scharles Konadu
Arthi Kumaravel
Thomas Lyles
Jeffrey Mills
Susan Moster
Mark Murray
James Nackley
Nandini Nagaraj
Peter Naus
Murali Pathikonda
Jessica Shah
Joe Shelton
Karen Steffer
Monte Troutman
Craig Womeldorph
Kenneth Yang
Jay Yepuri General Surgery
Hossein Bagshahi
John Birbari
Lee Scott Bloemendal
Tai Do
Annette Elbert
Our memories are precious treasures. They bring us joy and connect us with those we love. That's why innovative research is underway at HSC to detect Alzheimer’s disease earlier and develop novel treatments to stop its progression before it’s too late. Such a breakthrough could improve and extend the quality of life for people impacted by Alzheimer’s. Help us make memories last a lifetime.
unthsc.edu/memories
Ronny Ford
Wesley Marquart
Ashley Mekala
Long Nguyen
Jay Patel
Denish Patel
Leslie Reddell
122 Patients were identified as possible human trafficking victims during a pilot study at JPS in Tarrant County from May to December 2018.
SOURCE: TARRANT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, 2019 DATA BRIEF
General/Family Practice
A. Elizabeth Bailey
Basil Bernstein
Kalan Bobbitt
Daniel Chadwick
Todd Cowan
Michael Dotti
William Drake
Didi Ebert
Melanie Gray
Daria Greer
James Harvey
John Higginbotham
Jennifer Hinkle
Allen Hornell
Al Hulse
David Jordan
Craig Kneten
Shaun Kretzschmar
Clark Meador
Sarah Meredith
Beth Mewis
Cody Mihills
Brighton Miller
James Murphy
Angela Nguyen
Dante Paredes
Hetal Rana
Erica Sails
Matthew Stine
Richard Stuntz
William Thomas
David Wilson
Geriatrics
Janice Knebl
Alvin Mathe
Sarah Ross Gynecological Oncology
Noelle Cloven
Kenneth Hancock
DeEtte Vasques Hand Surgery
Barnard Barragan
Nathan Lesley
Ryan Reardon
Eric Wroten Hematology
Timothy McCavit
Mary Skiba Infectious Diseases
Daniel Barbaro
Nikhil Bhayani
Anupama Chennupati
Cheryl McDonald
Vivek Ramarathnam
Priya Subramanian
Ceres Tiu
Susanne Whitworth
Bryan Youree Internal Medicine
Olutoyin Abitoye
We Congratulate Our
Breast Oncology Surgery
Dr. Anita Chow
Dr. Joseph Heyne
Cardiology
Dr. Scott Ewing
Colon & Rectal Surgery
Dr Eduardo Castillo
Dr. Lori Gordon
Dr. Glen Hooker
Dr. Paul Senter
General Surgery
Dr. John Birbari
Dr. Lee Scott Bloemendal
Dr. Annette Elbert
General/Family Practice
Dr. James Harvey
Internal Medicine
Dr. Charles Carlton
Dr. Alan Davenport
Dr. Craig L. Dearden
Dr. Jason Ledbetter
Dr. Amber Lesley
Dr. Lynne Tilkin
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Dr. Taylor Bradley
Dr. Lindsay Breedlove Tate
Dr. Cynthia English
Dr. Ashita Gehlot
Dr. Sunny Glenn
Dr. Martha Guerra
Dr. Mickey Hooper
Dr. Ingrid Kohlmorgen
Dr. Beatrice Kutzler
Dr. Alicia Larsen
Dr. Rachel Lusby
Dr. Jennifer McLeland
Dr. Andrea Palmer
Dr. Martin Read
Dr. Elisabeth Wagner
Dr. Ruth Wiley
Dr. Robert Zwernemann
Ophthalmology
Dr. Mark Alford
Dr. Matthew Hammons
Orthopedic Surgery
Dr. James Bothwell
Dr. Stephen Brotherton
Dr. Donald Dolce
Dr. Joseph Milne
Dr. Torrance Walker
Hand Surgery
Dr. Nathan Lesley
Dr. Ryan Reardon
Dr. Eric Wroten
Spine Surgery
Dr. James Brezina
Otolaryngology
Dr. Sean Callahan
Dr. Yadranko Ducic
Dr. John Fewins
Dr. John Brad McIntyre
Dr. Jesse Smith
Dr. Jeremy Watkins
Pain Management
Dr. Chris Pratt
Dr. Thomas Ratino
Rheumatology
Dr. Rajni Kalagate
Sports Medicine
Dr. Gregory Bratton
Dr. Steven Meyers
Enedina Alcantara
Theresa Brown
Charles Carlton
John Darren Clark
Alan Davenport
Craig Dearden
Sumeesh Dhawan
James Kevin Eldridge
Roger Eppstein
Donald Frusher
Sreevani Gudiseva
Lalitha Jagadish
Priya Jimmy
Allan Kelly
Paul Kim
Andy Le
Jason Ledbetter
Amber Lesley
Rey Marquino
Mahammed Mughal
Gregory Phillips
Saji Pillai
Mo Rezaie
Mai Sharaf
Meenu Sharma
Sakthiraj Subramanian
Lynne Tilkin
Radhika Vayani
Basanti Vrushab
Angelo Vu
Maternal Fetal Medicine/ Perinatology
April Bleich
Tracy Papa
Bannie Tabor
Neonatology
Russell Lawrence
Jonathan Nedrelow
Terri Weinman Nephrology
Koshy Abraham
Oladapo Afolabi
Samatha Chandupatla
Ira Epstein
Abdul Hafeez
Nishant Jalandhara
Prasad Kannaeganti
Shane Kennedy
David Martin
Patrick Nef
Smitha Pamulaparthy
Raju Patil
Geethanjali
Ramamurthy
Daniel Richey
Dar Shah
Sandeep Shori
Raghuveer Vanguru Neurology
Claudia Perez
Nirav Shah Neurosurgery
Olaide Ajayi
Anita Bhansali
Thomas Ellis
Atif Haque
Anthony Lee
Abdolreza Siadati
SOURCE: TARRANT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, 2019 DATA BRIEF
Obstetrics/ Gynecology
Ruth Arumala
Linda Bernstein
Laura Bradford
Taylor Bradley
Lindsay Breedlove
Tate
Shanna Combs
Cynthia English
Noushin Firouzbakht
Julia Flowers
Ashita Gehlot
Sunny Glenn
Martha Guerra
Pattyann Hardt
Mickey Hooper
Ingrid Kohlmorgen
Beatrice Kutzler
Alicia Larsen
Rachel Lusby
Jennifer Mcleland
Heather Neville
Andrea Palmer
Manisha Parikh
Martin Read
Cynthia Robbins
Elisabeth Wagner
Ruth Wiley
Rita Wood
Robert Zwernemann
OMM/NMM
Matthew Barker
Kendi Hensel
Yein Lee
David Mason
Meaghan Nelsen
Katherine Pederson
Jay Roop
Katrina Roop
Ryan Seals
Sajid Surve
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Focused on primary care and improving health outcomes for all to build a healthier community, HSC Health has 10 unique clinics on the HSC campus including family medicine, pediatrics, geriatric primary care, cardiology, gastroenterology, geriatric psychology, geriatric neurology, osteopathic manipulative medicine and dermatology. HSC Health also includes an obstetrics and gynecology clinic in the heart of the Fort Worth Medical District. 817-735-DOCS | unthsc.edu/patient-care
Priya Bui, DO Pediatrics
Didi Ebert, DO Family Medicine
John Fling, MD *retired Allergy and Immunology
Toyya Goodrich, DO Pediatrics
Nusrath Habiba, MD Pediatrics
Raheela Hafeez, MD Pediatrics
Kendi Hensel, DO OMM/NMM
Geoff Kline, DO Cardiology
Janice Knebl, DO Geriatric Medicine
Yein Lee, DO OMM/NMM
David Mason, DO OMM/NMM
Sarah Matches, DO Pediatrics
Meaghan Nelsen, DO OMM/NMM
Dante Paredes, DO Family Medicine
Katrina Roop, DO OMM/NMM
Sarah Ross, DO Geriatric Medicine
Ryan Seals, DO OMM/NMM
Sajid Surve, DO OMM/NMM
Monte Troutman, DO Gastroenterology
Stephen Weis, DO Dermatology
Oncology
Cristi Aitelli
Prasanthi Ganesa
Heidi Jordan
Mary Milam
Latha Neerukonda
Sanjay Oommen
Alberto Parra
Mrugesh Patel
Vinaya Potluri
Bibas Reddy
Henry Xiong
Robyn Young
Ophthalmology
Mark Alford
Ronald Barke
Richard Chu
Courtney Crawford
Brian Flowers
Matthew Hammons
Amy Hong
Michael Hunt
Aaleya Koreishi
Shaam Mahasneh
Hiren Parekh
Patricia Ple-Plakon
Jawad Qureshi
Ann Ranelle
Brian Ranelle
Tosin Smith
Johnathan Warminski
Joshua Zaffos
SOURCE: TARRANT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, 2019 DATA BRIEF
Orthopedic Surgery
John Badylak
Gurpreet Bajaj
Eric Barcak
Bret Beavers
Michael Boothby
James Bothwell
Stephen Brotherton
James Burnett
Curtis Bush
Thad Dean
Donald Dolce
Kerry Donegan
Von Evans
Carson Fairbanks
Kristen Fleager
Keith Meister
Joseph Milne
Bryan Ming
Jeffrey Moffett
Gregory Todd Moore
Arvind Nana
Steven Ogden
Di Parks
Josh Payne
Mayme RichieGillespie
Hugo Sanchez
Cezar Sandu
Bantoo Sehgal
Steven Singleton
Donald Stewart
John Thomas
Daniel Wagner
Russell Wagner
Torrance Walker
Brian Webb
Otolaryngology
Mary Ashmead
Sean Callahan
Opeoluwa Daniyan
Yadranko Ducic
John Fewins
Dana Gibbs
Christopher Lee
John Brad McIntyre
Timothy Ragsdale
Tyler Scoresby
Jesse Smith
Stuart Thomas
Ceisha Ukatu
Jeremy Watkins Pain
Management
Robert Menzies
Chris Pratt
Thomas Ratino
Pediatrics
Diane Arnaout
William Frederic Bonnell
Priya Bui
Yvet Cisneros
Jamye Coffman
Michael Deitchman
Candace Gamble
Toyya Goodrich
Nusrath Habiba
Raheela Hafeez
Eriel Hayes
Mark Jones
Suzanne Kelley
Ramon Kinloch
Kathryn Mandal
Devona Martin
Sarah Matches
Bradley Mercer
Lindsay Newton Huggins
Jenica Rose-Stine
Hannah Smitherman
Bianka Soria-Olmos
Kara Starnes
Dennis Tanner
Jason Terk
Amani Terrell
Andrea Wadley
Ben Worsley
Kevin Wylie
Cristi Lynn Aitelli, D.O. • Noelle Gillette Cloven, M.D. • Ajay K. Dubey, M.D.
Kenneth Hancock, M.D. • Heidi A. Jordan, M.D. • Sanjay Philip Oommen, M.D. Mrugesh P. Patel, M.D. • Kathleen L. Shide, M.D., FACR
When you’re treated at Texas Oncology, you can be sure you’re getting leading edge cancer care. In fact, Fort Worth Magazine recently recognized our expertise by presenting eight of our physicians with the “Top Doctors” award. These physicians are part of our knowledge base of cancer specialists. That means at every Texas Oncology location you have access to a network of award-winning experts. For more information on Texas Oncology or to find a location near you, please call 1-888-864-4226 or visit us at TexasOncology.com.
“Best Doctors in Tarrant County.”
Introducing the 2021 “Best Doctors in Tarrant County,” as voted by the doctors in Tarrant County.
Plastic Reconstructive Surgery
Robert Anderson
Michael Bogdan
Steven Camp
Dustin Derrick
Nabil Habash
Jonathan Heistein
Kelly Kunkel
Jon Kurkjian
Danielle LeBlanc
Emily McLaughlin
Max Pekarev
Larry Reaves
Jordan Rihani
Vishnu Rumalla
Louis Strock Podiatry
Steve Lund
Brady Rhodes Psychiatry/ Neurology
Tim Adams
Nanette Allison
Helene Alphonso
Debra Atkisson
Jamie Benjamin
Joseph Burkett
Yamini Chennu
Dustin DeMoss
Brian Dixon
Marija Djokovic
Justin Dyniewski
Gary Etter
James Haliburton
Charlece Hughes
Sheri Hull
Cheryl Hurd
Ashley Johnson
Hamid Kadiwala
Cynthia Keator
William Lawrence
Thomas Leavens
Rebecca Luke
Carol Nati
Alan Podawiltz
The average life expectancy for a man in Tarrant County is 75 years; for women, it’s 79.
SOURCE: TARRANT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, 2019 DATA BRIEF
Garrick Prejean
Paul Schneider
Doug Segars
Dave Shahani
Leslie Smith
Erica Swicegood
Ross Tatum
Delwin Williams
Pulmonology
Sherif Al-Farra
Razaq Badamosi
Hisham Bismar
Naishadh Brahmbhatt
Kevin Connelly
Steven Davis
John Hollingsworth
Salam Jarrah
Madhu Kollipara
David Maldonado
Stuart McDonald
John Pender
Kerim Razack
Jason Seiden
Harpreet Suri Radiation/ Oncology
Jerry Barker, Jr.
Ajay Dubey
Kathleen Shide
Nabila Waheed
Methodist Mansfield Medical Center provides quick and convenient treatment for emergencies. At QuickER.org, you can select a treatment time and wait at home instead of the waiting room. With easy, online check-in, Methodist Mansfield is not only one of the area’s most convenient ERs, it’s also QuickER. Trust. Methodist.
to Jawad A. Quereshi, MD, MBA and Johnathan Warminski, MD for being selected a 2021 Fort Worth Magazine Top Doctor, by their peers.
At Retina Center of Texas, we are dedicated to providing individualized, cutting-edge care in a caring and supportive environment. The staff at Retina Center of Texas strives to treat all of our patients like family, and provide the compassionate, technical expertise necessary to achieve the best outcomes.
Radiology/ Diagnostic/ Interventional
Stuart Aronson
Jeffry Brace
Adam Chandler
Matt Fiesta
Ron Gerstle
Rajesh Gogia
Craig Harr
Jeffrey Leitko
Thomas Livingston
Matthew Mitchell
Jason Pond
Abdul Quadeer
Rob Reeb
William Gregory Reese
Kanwar Singh
Glen Wilbert Rehabilitation/ Physical Medicine
Lan Le
Ryan Reeves
Omar Selod
Neha Shah
Austen Watkins
Benecia Williams
Michael Wimmer
is the third leading cause of death in Tarrant County.
SOURCE: TARRANT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, 2019 DATA BRIEF
Rheumatology
Sonia Bajaj
Priyanka Jalandhara
Rajni Kalagate
Rosy Rajbhandary
Spine Surgery
James Brezina
Douglas Dickson
Chris Happ
Neil Patel
Jeffrey Phelps
Jeffrey Ratusznik
Mark Wylie
Sports Medicine
Elizabeth Batterton
Greg Bratton
Daniel Clearfield
Sarah Kennedy
Steven Meyers
Urology
F.H. “Trey” Moore III
Robert Stroud
Scott Thurman
Reproductive Endocrinology
Ravi Gada
Robert Kaufmann
Laura Lawrence
Anna Nackley
Robin Thomas
Vascular
Surgeon
Saadi Halbouni
A team that works together to deliver your best experience
Over 250 years of practice experience | Over 100,000 Well Woman Exams
Over 30,000 babies delivered | Over 2,400 hysterectomies performed Experience complete women’s health at Andrews Women’s Hospital Baylor All Saints Medical Center. WWW.MYTEXASHEALTHCAREOBGYN.COM
NOTE: All doctors featured in the following pages adhere to CDC guidelines and continue to practice the highest safety standards. Despite recent state-wide changes to COVID-19 regulations, doctors and medical staff continue to wear masks within their offices and when seeing patients. The following photos, which may not include doctors wearing masks, are not necessarily representative of an office’s safety protocols.
The doctor-patient relationship is one of life’s most important partnerships, and choosing the right practitioner can make a marked difference. To help you select a practitioner who will meet your needs, the following doctors want to tell you more about themselves, their practices, and how partnering with them will improve the quality of your life.
The information in this section is provided by the advertisers and has not been independently verified by Fort Worth Magazine.
Cosmetic Surgery Center and Medical Spa
Y. Anthony Nakamura, M.D., P.A.
SPECIALTY: Plastic Surgery. EDUCATION: B.A., UT Austin; M.D., UTMB, Galveston; Intern resident and general surgery, LSU School of Medicine, Charity Hospital New Orleans; Plastic Surgery resident, UTMB, Galveston. CERTIFICATION: Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, Texas Medical Association, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Dallas Society of Plastic Surgeons, Fort Worth Society of Plastic Surgeons. WHAT SETS US APART: My concentration in the body contouring part of aesthetic surgery, as well as 30-plus years of experience in knowing what works and what doesn’t. COSMETIC SURGERY CENTER SERVICES: Breast enlargement, breast lift, liposuction body contouring, waist tuck and mommy makeover. MEDI SPA SERVICES: Cosmetic fillers, Restylane/ Juvederm, Botox®/Dysport®, medical grade facials/ chemical peels, microdermabrasion, SkinPen ® , CoolSculpting®, AquaGold®, and vitamin B12 shots. PATIENT CARE: My goal is to create a beautiful and natural appearance. To ensure the highest level of care possible, our beautiful facility combines a surgery center that is fully accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. with a medical spa. We are one of very few surgery centers that has a private, one doctor, fully accredited facility. CHARITABLE WORK: Boys & Girls Club, Wounded Warrior, and CWC.
3030 S. Cooper St. Arlington, Texas 76015
817.417.7200 Fax 817.417.7300 accentonyou.com
SPECIALTY: We are award-winning specialists caring for all your bone and joint health needs. We offer General Orthopedics with subspecialties including Adult Reconstruction/Total Joint Replacement, Electrodiagnostics/EMGs, Foot and Ankle, Hand/ Upper Extremity, Oncological Surgery, Spine, Sports Medicine and Trauma Reconstruction. TRAINING: Our providers include M.D.s, D.O.s, and DPMs. Many are members of the teaching faculty at JPS Health Network, TCU, and the UNT Health Science Center, which means they stay current on the latest innovations in patient care. AWARDS: Our physicians and specialists are recognized by their peers as the best in their fields and have been honored with the following awards: 2020 Top Docs – Drs.
Barcak, Garrett, Ming, Motley, Nana, Rhodes, Sandu, Wagner, Webb, and Wimmer. AFFILIATIONS: Our physicians are credentialed at most Fort Worth area hospitals. INNOVATIONS: From diagnosis to rehabilitation, we provide all phases of bone and joint care in our office. We offer many patient conveniences: same- and next-day appointments for initial assessments; free validated parking directly across the street from our office; availability of every orthopedic subspecialty in one location; the latest technology, including musculoskeletal ultrasound, electrodiagnostics (EMGs), concussion testing and management; and on-site access to durable medical equipment such as splints and braces. PATIENT CARE: We accept all major
insurance plans and Workers’ Compensation. ADVICE: This team of providers and staff collaborates to provide comprehensive care of all musculoskeletal problems in a caring environment while utilizing modern surgical techniques and technologies. When possible, our team starts with a nonsurgical approach and noninvasive treatments and offers surgery when needed.
PICTURED: (standing, left to right) Brady Rhodes, D.P.M; Travis Motley, D.P.M.; William F. Pientka II, M.D.; Lena Levine, D.P.M.; Eric Barcak, D.O.; Hannah Kim, M.D.; Michael Wimmer, M.D.; Russell Wagner, M.D.; Arvind Nana, M.D.; Brian Webb, M.D.; Alan Garrett, D.P.M.; Cezar Sandu, M.D; Bryan Ming, M.D.; NOT PICTURED: Dong Nguyen, D.P.M.
Acclaim Bone & Joint Institute at Ben Hogan
800 Fifth Ave., Ste. 400 Fort Worth, Texas 76104 817.702.9100 teamacclaim.org
SPECIALTY: Nephrology. PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: For more than 45 years, Dallas Nephrology Associates, including DNA Fort Worth Kidney Centers, has been providing expert care and evaluation of kidney disorders to patients and referring physicians throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Area. INNOVATIONS: Extensive patient educational programs; outpatient transplant care facilities; clinical research department; outpatient interventional vascular facilities. BEDSIDE MANNER: Comprehensive care for patients throughout their kidney disease process. EDUCATION/ CERTIFICATIONS: Bista – IM, Jahurul Islam Medical College and Hospital, Bajitpur, Bangladesh; Fellowship, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Certifications – IM, Nephrology; Clark –
MSN, University of Texas, Arlington; FNP-C Certification, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP); DiNubila – MSN, Acute Care Adult Nurse Practitioner, University of Texas, Arlington; ACNP-BC Certification, American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC); Fischbach – IM, Creighton University, Omaha; Fellowship, Nephrology/Nephrology Transplant, Vanderbilt Medical Center, Nashville; Certifications - IM, Nephrology; Medical Director, Kidney/ Pancreas Transplantation, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas; Koganti – IM, John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Chicago; Fellowship, Nephrology, University of Illinois, Chicago; Certifications - IM, Nephrology; Machado – IM, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens; Fellowship,
University of Texas at Houston, Houston, University of Alabama, Birmingham; McLemore – B.S. Physician Assistant’s Studies, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston; CertificationsNational Commission on Certification of Physician Assistant; Richey – IM, UNT Health Science Center - Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine; IM/Nephrology Fellowship, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas; Certifications - IM, Nephrology, Clinical Hypertension Specialist; Yager – IM, Universdade de Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; Fellowship, Nephrology, Baylor University Medical Center; Certifications - IM, Nephrology; Yango – IM, Medical Director, Kidney/Pancreas Transplantation, Baylor, Scott & White All Saints, Fort Worth, Albert Einstein College of
Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, New York; Fellowship, Transplant/Transplant Nephrology, Brown University, Providence; Certifications - IM, Nephrology. PICTURED: (left to right) Mariana B. Yager, M.D.; Daniel S. Richey, D.O.; Asa Deep Koganti, M.D.; Bipin Bista, M.D.; Shana M. Machado, D.O.; Bernard V. Fischbach, M.D., C.C.R.P.; Teresa McLemore, PA-C; Michelle DiNubila, ACNP-BC; Angelito F. Yango, Jr., M.D.; Alexandra Clark, ANP.
DNA Fort Worth Kidney Centers
1250 Eighth Ave., Ste. 135 • Fort Worth, Texas 76104 817.921.2153 • Fax 214.579.6993 dneph.com
SPECIALTY: Dr. Robert Myles – Board-Certified, Fellowship-Trained Orthopedic Spinal Surgeon. His certified physician assistant, Dovie McVean – Certified Physician Assistant also specializing in Orthopedic Spine Surgery. EDUCATION: Myles – Undergraduate, University of California, Riverside; Medical Degree at University of California, Irvine; Internship and Residency earned at Tulane University Medical Center; Spine Fellowship, Baylor College of Medicine at Houston. McVean – Undergraduate, University of Oklahoma; Master of Science in Nutrition and Management, University of Central Oklahoma; P.A., Bachelor of Physician Assistant at Lutheran College of Health Professionals. HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Fort Worth Medical City, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Trophy Club, Baylor Scott & White Medical CenterGrapevine; Medical City North Hills in North Richland Hills. INNOVATIONS: Myles has created and patented a surgical system that allows doctors to use very small incisions to treat spinal disorders. The incision can be so small it only requires a Band-Aid. This minimally invasive surgery decreases blood loss, muscle damage, infection rate, recovery time, and overall pain. The Institute of Spinal Disorders provides patients with a better way for spine care by offering a personalized mix of treatment solutions. Myles and McVean, as a collaborative effort, have provided top-notch surgical care and treatment for the past 20 years. McVean is an active member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and has performed as a first assistant in the operating room with Myles for over 20 years. By utilizing an integrated delivery system for state-of-the-art surgical and nonsurgical options, the team at The Institute of Spinal Disorders brings together a comprehensive approach to spine care for the community. PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Myles holds the sixth-degree black belt in Shotokan Karate, a third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and was a member of the USA Karate Team, winning the U.S. National Heavy Weight Fighting Champion Title in 1990. FREE ADVICE: Living with pain is not living a full and active life. If a patient will seek treatment in the first few critical weeks after back problems begin, he or she can often avoid a cycle of pain and have more choices for treatment without the need for surgery. Take back your back! PATIENT CARE: At the Institute of Spinal Disorders, every patient is treated like family. PICTURED: Robert Myles, M.D.
Institute of Spinal Disorders
3600 West Seventh St. • Fort Worth, Texas 76107 729 West Bedford-Euless Road, Ste. 206 • Hurst, Texas 76053 817.288.0084
instituteofspinaldisorders.com
Robert Myles, M.D., FAAOS Dovie McVean, M.S., PA-C
SPECIALTY: Ophthalmology – adult eye care including treatment for cataracts, glaucoma, diabetes, and dry eyes. Also offering laser vision correction and high-tech lens implants for reduced dependence on glasses and contacts, as well as cosmetic eyelid surgery.
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: Chian-Huey “Amy” Hong, M.D. – cum laude, Columbia University; B.A., pre-med and economics; medical degree, UT Southwestern Medical School; internship, ophthalmology residency and glaucoma fellowship, Tulane School of Medicine. Ronald Barke, M.D. – undergraduate and medical school, University of Southern California; internship, Los Angeles County University of Southern California Medical Center; fellowship, Jules Stein Eye Institute in lens and cataract biochemistry; training, UT Southwestern Medical School, fellowship in oculoplastics and residency in ophthalmology; currently on staff as a clinical volunteer at UT Southwestern Medical School. Leslie Pfeiffer, M.D. –Duke University, B.A., pre-med and Public Policy Studies; medical degree, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston; two-year fellowship in oculoplastics at the Eyesthetica and USC Roski Eye Institute at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles. WHAT SETS THEM APART: Key-Whitman is one of the few eye centers that offers the full range of options to improve your vision, with customized LASIK and high-tech lenses for cataract procedures.
INNOVATIONS: The advances in high-tech lenses like the Vivity, PanOptix, Symfony, Tecnis Multifocal, Trulign, Crystalens, ReSTOR, and the Toric lens using the latest techniques with Femtosecond laser, which give many patients a wide range of vision for near or far distances with less dependency on glasses or contacts. FREE ADVICE: Everyone needs to have regular eye health exams. Oftentimes, permanent vision loss can be easily prevented with early diagnosis and treatment of conditions before any symptoms are present.
PICTURED: (front) Leslie Pfeiffer, M.D.; C. Amy Hong, M.D.; Ronald Barke, M.D.; (back) Alfred Humphrey, M.D.; and Tara Hardin, O.D.
Key-Whitman Eye Center
910 N. Davis Drive • Arlington, Texas 76012
400 W. Arbrook Blvd. • Arlington, Texas 76014
817.460.2272 • Toll-free 1.800.442.5330 • Fax 817.265.9684
patientservices@keywhitman.com • keywhitman.com
MEDICAL SPECIALTY: General Surgery, Trauma Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Robotics, Minimally Invasive, Bariatrics, Vascular Surgery, and Colorectal Surgery. AWARDS/HONORS: Several doctors are Trauma Medical Directors, Chief of Surgery, and on the Board of Directors. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/ AFFILIATIONS: Texas Medical Association, FACS, Board Certified, ASCRS, ASMBS. HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Medical City Fort Worth, Medical City North Hills, Medical City Alliance, Medical City Arlington, Medical City Las Colinas, Medical City Weatherford, THR Fort Worth, THR Alliance, THR Southwest Fort Worth, THR Mansfield, Baylor Scott & White All Saints, Dallas Medical Center, Carrollton Regional Medical Center, Hills Regional Medical Center. INNOVATIONS: North Texas Surgical Specialist doctors are trained in the latest Robotics, Laparoscopic, General Surgery, Endo Vascular and Colorectal techniques. Our surgeons, includ-
ing colorectal surgeons, use the DaVinci Surgical Robot, which allows surgeons to perform procedures with more control and precision. The benefits of robotic surgery include shorter hospitalization, faster recovery time, minimal scarring, reduced pain and discomfort. With regard to Vascular, this is a surgical subspecialty that manages a variety of conditions like carotid stenosis, peripheral arterial disease, aneurysms, leg swelling, and varicose veins. We emphasize the role of conservative measures with medical therapy and lifestyle modifications prior to proceeding with an intervention. Our vascular surgeons can perform minimally invasive catheter-based interventions as well as open surgical procedures to provide the best outcome for the patient. Another subspeciality within the practice is Colorectal which manages a variety of benign and malignant conditions such as diverticulitis; colon, rectal and anal cancer; inflammatory bowel disease such
as Crohn and ulcerative colitis; and wide spectrum of perianal disease such as anal fistula, fissure and hemorrhoids. Our colorectal surgeons are also experts at rectal prolapse surgery. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: North Texas Surgical Specialist doctors tailor a unique treatment plan for each patient. They allow patients to have an active role in planning and carrying out the treatment plan. Our surgeons facilitate this by thorough explanation of the disease process and surgeries. FREE ADVICE: The patient’s relationship with the surgeon is crucial. Our surgeons provide a patient-centered approach, which is key to the patient’s overall health and better outcomes. PICTURED: Dr. Jay Patel, Dr. Long Nguyen, Dr. Ashley Mekala, Dr. Tai Do, Dr. Denish Patel, Dr. Leslie Reddell, Dr. Saadi Halbouni, Dr. Hyungmin Jung, Dr. Nezar Jrebi, Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim, Dr. Besem Beteck, Dr. Peter Grays, Dr. Andre Graham.
North Texas Surgical Specialists
800 Eighth Ave., Ste. 306 Fort Worth, Texas 76104
682.224.3748
Fax 682.841.0039
ntxsurgical.com
SPECIALITY: OB/GYN. EDUCATION: Bradford – SMU, Texas Tech University; Neville – Austin College, UT Medical School San Antonio; Robbins – UT Arlington, UT Medical School Houston; Wiley – UT San Antonio, UNTHSC; Hardt – Old Dominion University, UTMB Galveston; Firouzbakht – University of Dallas, UT Medical School Houston; Wood – Tulane University, UNTHSC; Hughes – TCU, UNTHSC. AWARDS/HONORS: All voted “Top Doc” Fort Worth Magazine; Patient Choice Award; “Top Docs” Texas Monthly; Compassionate Doctor Award, “Top Docs” 360 West Magazine HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Texas Health Harris Methodist, Baylor Scott & White Andrews Women’s. Eighth
Avenue Obstetrics and Gynecology is not a physician partnership agreement. PRACTICE INNOVATIONS: DySIS Digital Colposcopy, bioidentical hormonal replacement, endometrial ablation, 3-D sonogram, Viveve for women’s intimate health. UNIQUE EXPERIENCES : Our goal is to become your health care partner for a lifetime. We can help you make the best decisions about contraception, fertility, pregnancy, menopause and gynecological care. FREE ADVICE: Participate in your health care and seek a physician who is interested in you as an individual. PICTURED: Patty Hardt, Rita Wood, Laura Bradford, Natalie Hughes, Noushin Firouzbakht, Heather Neville, Ruth Wiley, and Cynthia Robbins.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Robbins, Bradford, Hardt and Wood
1425 Eighth Ave. • Fort Worth, Texas 76104
817.926.4118 • obgynson8th.com
Neville, Wiley and Hughes
1307 Eighth Ave., Ste. 602 • Fort Worth, Texas 76104
Firouzbakht
1125 S. Henderson St. • Fort Worth, Texas 76104 817.878.2667 • drfobgyn.com
Texas Eye and Laser Center
Texas Eye Surgery Center
Texas Eye Research Center
Jerry G. Hu, M.D.; Brian D. Ranelle, D.O.
WHAT SETS THEM APART: Texas Eye and Laser Center (TELC) has been a mainstay in Tarrant County for more than 40 years. They were among the first to offer LASIK and PRK in Tarrant County in 1997 and have remained at the forefront of laser vision correction ever since. In 2011, TELC introduced LenSx® Blade-Free Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery to the metroplex. As clinical investigators in numerous FDA studies, they have also pioneered in each generation of intraocular lenses for the treatment of cataract, presbyopia, and astigmatism, including the latest PanOptix trifocal implant, Vivity extended-depthof-focus lens, Tecnis Toric II lens, and light-adjustable-lens by RxSight. In 2019, they brought to Fort Worth the most advanced laser vision correction — SMILE (aka no-flap LASIK). Advanced technologies aside, what makes Drs. Hu and Ranelle truly special is their emphasis on personal touch and exceptional patient experience. When you walk through the door, you’re part of the family. AREAS OF SPECIALITY: TELC offers a complete range of eye care services including Blade-Free Customized LASIK; SMILE (no-flap LASIK); LenSx® Blade-Free Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery; premium cataract implants including PanOptix, Vivity, Tecnis Symfony, toric IOLs, light-adjustable-lens by RxSight, Visian™ Phakic ICL; cornea collagen crosslinking (CXL), Intacs intracorneal rings, corneal transplants; glaucoma care; treatment of macular degeneration, and diabetic eye disease. EDUCATION: Jerry G. Hu, M.D. – Duke University School of Medicine; fellowship in Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA; Certified, American Board of Ophthalmology. Brian D. Ranelle, D.O. – University of Texas, Austin; Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences Medical School; Certified, American Board of Ophthalmology. INNOVATIONS: TELC is nationally recognized as a leading investigational site for numerous FDA clinical trials of advanced intraocular lens implants including the latest PanOptix trifocal IOL. Drs. Hu and Ranelle are early adopters of many diagnostic and surgical devices including ORA Intraoperative Wavefront Aberrometry. TELC offers a full range of advanced technology packages that enable patients to see clearly at all distances with little to no dependency on glasses after cataract surgery. Their state-of-the-art facilities include an on-site Laser Vision Correction Suite, the AAAHC-accredited Texas Eye Surgery Center, as well as Texas Eye Research Center where many patients can become proud participants of FDA clinical trials and benefit first-hand the technologies of tomorrow. PICTURED: (left to right) Keith Head, O.D.; D’Laine Heisterkamp, O.D.; Brian D. Ranelle, D.O.; Stacey Webb, O.D.; Jerry G. Hu, M.D.
Texas Eye and Laser Center
1872 Norwood Drive • Hurst, Texas 76054
3405 Locke Ave. • Fort Worth, Texas 76107
817.540.6060 • Fax 817.571.9301
texaseyelaser.com
James Haden, M.D., P.A.
SPECIALTY: Board certified in allergy and immunology, treating adult and pediatric patients. HONORS: Consistently named a “Top Doc” in Fort Worth Magazine. Dr. Haden also has been frequently quoted in newspapers and has been featured on local and national news discussing the impact and control of allergies. PRACTICE PHILOSOPHY: Tailored, individualized care for allergies, asthma and related conditions. Treatment regimens are customized to the patient’s needs and lifestyle. Few conditions affect quality of life more than allergy-based symptoms, resulting in missed days of school and work, lost productivity due to distraction and misery, and fatigue due to the impact of allergies on quality of sleep. Allergies can impact almost every facet of a person’s life. Our practice empowers patients to take control of their symptoms.
INNOVATIONS: RUSH immunotherapy. RUSH is a “jump start” to the allergy shot process that provides relief months faster than traditional allergy shots. CONDITIONS TREATED: Allergies (nasal and eye), asthma, food allergy, recurrent infections, sinusitis, headache, medication allergy, hives, chronic cough and many others. If you (or your child) have allergy symptoms, get evaluated and get help. You’ll be surprised what a difference it can make in your life.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
1000 College Ave.
Fort Worth, Texas 76104
817.336.8855
Fax 817.336.4228
allergyfortworth.com
SPECIALTY: Founded in 1996, AOA Orthopedic Specialists has grown to be the largest orthopedic provider in North Texas. Offering nine offices conveniently located throughout the metroplex in Arlington, Mansfield, Irving, Dallas, Midlothian, Southlake, Fort Worth, Cleburne, and Joshua. Specializing in sports medicine, orthopedic surgery, spine care, joint replacement and reconstruction, foot and ankle, hand, and the care of bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves in adults and children. SERVICES: Additional services include physical medicine and rehabilitation, as well as state-of-the-art imaging and diagnostics services, robotic assisted knee replacement, and stem cell therapy. Team Physicians for XFL’s Dallas Renegades. PICTURED: (left to right) Dr. James Burnett, specialized in orthopedics and sports medicine; Dr. Thad Dean, specialized in joint replacement, complex joint revision, and orthopedic oncology; Dr. Donald Stewart, fellowship trained foot and ankle orthopedic subspecialist.
AOA Orthopedic Specialists
2801 E. Broad St. • Mansfield, Texas 76063
800 Orthopedic Way • Arlington, Texas 76015
4100 N. Collins St., Ste. 200 • Arlington, Texas 76005
2005 W. Park Drive, Ste. 100• Irving, Texas 75061
6900 Harris Parkway, Ste. 310 • Fort Worth, Texas 76132
7999 W. Virginia Drive • Dallas, Texas 75237
1441 S. Midlothian Parkway • Midlothian, Texas 76065
220 N. Ridgeway Drive • Cleburne, Texas 76033
3517 SW Wilshire Blvd. • Joshua, Texas 76058
817.375.5200
arlingtonortho.com
SPECIALTIES: Basil Bernstein, M.D. – Family Practice; Linda Bernstein, M.D. – OB/Gyn FACOG; Crystal Trahan, CNM. EDUCATION: Basil – M.D., The University of Cape Town; Residency, Tygerberg Hospital. Linda – B.A., Biology and Spanish, minor in Sociology, TCU; M.D., St. George’s University School of Medicine; Residency, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York. Crystal – B.S.N., UT Arlington; MSN and Midwifery degrees, Frontier University. AFFILIATIONS: Basil – Plaza Medical Center; Linda – Texas Health Harris Southwest; Crystal – Texas Health Harris Southwest. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Basil - Having been in family practice for over 40 years, his greatest satisfaction continues to be spending each and every day impacting the health of his patients. Linda – Founding a practice on the principle of empowering women of all ages throughout their healthcare journey. INNOVATIONS: Basil – Utilizing patient’s DNA information to customize medications to patient’s specific needs. Linda – Utilizing minimally invasive office procedures. Crystal –full-service Midwifery. FREE ADVICE: Basil believes people should always put their health first as it is their most important asset. Linda believes her patients should take time to engage in conversation with their physician to address their questions and concerns regarding their healthcare needs. PICTURED: Basil Bernstein, M.D.; Linda Bernstein, M.D.; Crystal Trahan, CNM.
7016 Bryant Irvin Road, Ste. 100 Fort Worth, Texas 76132
Basil: 817.377.8820
Fax 817.377.8450
basilbernsteinmd.com
Linda & Crystal: 817.377.8988
Fax 817.377.8450
hercompletehealthcare.com
Cityview Audiology & Hearing Aids, Inc.
SPECIALTY: Audiology and hearing aids prescription and fitting for 25-plus years. Expert advice in hearing aid product comparisons and technologies; tinnitus evaluation and treatment. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: Doctor of Audiology, A.T. Still University for Health Sciences; M.S. Communication Disorders, UT Dallas, Callier Center for Communication Disorders. MEMBERSHIPS: Board-Certified by American Board of Audiology; Fellow, American Academy of Audiology; Academy of Doctors of Audiology; Member, Christian Medical and Dental Association; Adjunct Faculty, Callier Center for Communication Disorders and University of North Texas. GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT: When a patient refers a family member or friend into her care. INNOVATIONS: We have hearing instruments with artificial intelligence using integrated sensors, allowing the hearing aid to track several brain and body activities including sensing your heartbeat and detecting falls with messages sent to your chosen contacts. Tinnitus sufferers can have relief with a custom tinnitus treatment program in the hearing aid. PATIENT CARE: Blaising takes the time needed to listen to patients’ concerns and formulates a unique treatment plan for each one. FREE ADVICE: Cognitive Decline – Those with untreated hearing loss experience a 30% to 60% greater decline in thinking abilities compared to those without hearing loss. It is always a good idea to treat your hearing loss with hearing aids.
PICTURED: Dr. Diane Blaising.
7801 Oakmont Blvd., Ste. 109 Fort Worth, Texas 76132
817.263.1800
MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Physical Therapy. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: All of our therapists are licensed in Texas and hold Doctorates in Physical Therapy. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Opening a competitive physical therapy private practice in Fort Worth. This has allowed us to treat our patients with the upmost care and empathy which allows for a better patient experience with optimal outcomes. INNOVATIONS: All of our doctors strive to go above and beyond standard education requirements and stay updated on the latest research and practices. Dryneedling, advanced manual therapy, and progressive exercises are among the multiple techniques we offer. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: Simple, we listen. Each patient is their own individual and is treated based on their specific needs. At Bonnette Elite, we treat the individual, not the diagnosis. FREE ADVICE: Find some form of physical activity you enjoy daily. Exercise and movement are key for a healthy and balanced lifestyle and will lead to less surgery, less pain, and a more prosperous life. PICTURED: Phil Edwards, PT, DPT; Omar Saavedra, PT, DPT; Alex Bonnette, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS; Corey Hughes, PT, DPT, CSOMT, RRS; Jarred Tobin PT, DPT.
Bonnette Elite Physical Therapy
6930 Harris Parkway
Fort Worth, Texas 76132
817.862.9665
Fax 817.862.9667 fortworthphysicaltherapy.com
Bowers, M.D. Southlake Dermatology
SPECIALTY: Dermatology. EDUCATION: Texas
A&M, summa cum laude; M.D., U.T. Southwestern Medical Center; Internship, Baylor University Medical Center for Internal Medicine; Residency, U.T. Southwestern Medical Center. AWARDS/ HONORS: Texas Monthly Super Doctor; Fort Worth Magazine Top Doc; Healthcare Hero; Medical Honor Society-AOA; Chief Resident in Dermatology. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/ AFFILIATIONS: Past president, Dallas Dermatological Society; American Society of Dermatological Surgery; Texas Dermatology Society; American Academy of Dermatology. AFFILIATIONS: Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Grapevine and Methodist Hospital.
GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS: Started Southlake Dermatology in 1999 and mother of two sons. HOPES FOR THE FUTURE OF MEDICINE: Keep government and insurance companies out of medical decision-making. INNOVATIONS: One of the first offices in DFW to offer Emsculpt and Emsella, which help improve muscle tone and decrease fat. ONE THING I’D CHANGE ABOUT MEDICINE: Patients would have incentives to make healthy choices and consequences if they don’t. BEDSIDE MANNER: We offer the latest in dermatological care in a serviceoriented practice. CHARITABLE WORK: Grace Community Medical Clinic, Gatehouse, and supporting charitable organizations financially. OUTSIDE THE OFFICE: I watch or play sports with my sons and am active at Gateway church. FREE ADVICE: Wear sunscreen on a daily basis.
431 E. State Highway 114, Ste. 300 Southlake, Texas 76092
817.251.6500 • Fax 817.442.0550 southlakedermatology.com
SPECIALTY: Infertility. HONORS: Parents Magazine’s Ten Best Fertility Centers for Innovation 2019, Rutledge Cancer Foundation “Heart of Gold” Award 2018, Fort Worth Magazine Top Docs since 2001; Texas Monthly Super Doctors since 2004. AFFILIATIONS: American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), Society for Male Reproduction and Urology and RESOLVE Physicians Council. SERVICES: Fertility testing including semen analysis, hysterosalpingogram (HSG) and egg reserve screening. Fertility treatment including in vitro fertilization (IVF), effortless IVF®, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), egg freezing, egg donation, gestational carrier/surrogacy, intrauterine insemination (IUI) and family building for LGBTQ. Fertility surgery including endometriosis, fibroids and tubal reversal. Telehealth consultations. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: CARE Fertility has a long history of being a pioneer in treating infertility from both a local and global perspective. CARE Fertility’s innovative approach and focus on increasing access to IVF care resulted in their revolutionary effortless IVF® solution using the INVOCELL® device. CARE Fertility is a network provider and “Center for Excellence” for most insurance plans. CARE Fertility’s goal is to help you make your dream come true. Take the first step toward your future by calling CARE Fertility today. PICTURED: Anna C. Nackley, M.D.; Kevin J. Doody, M.D.; Kathleen M. Doody, M.D.; Robin L. Thomas, M.D.
1250 Eighth Ave., Ste. 365 Fort Worth, Texas 76104
817.924.1572
1701 Park Place Ave. Bedford, Texas 76022
817.540.1157 embryo.net
Robin Carson, Au.D.
SPECIALTY: Audiologist. EDUCATION: Master’s degree, Speech and Hearing Sciences; doctorate degree in Audiology. AWARDS/HONORS: Great Woman of Texas award; Top Docs, previous years; Entrepreneur of Excellence 2019; Elite Outstanding Patient Care award 2020. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Starting a private practice and growing it from the ground up. Defining a culture and core values for our team and creating, leading, and inspiring my team to always look for opportunities to continuously improve our process, the experience for our patients, and themselves. INNOVATIONS: We are always looking for new innovative products that will improve the quality of our patients’ lives. Having my own practice with no affiliation with specific manufacturers has separated me from the competition. I can work with any product I believe in, and we try everything! We have exceptional solutions for our hearing-impaired patients, those who suffer from tinnitus, and for those looking for hearing protection to prevent loss. PATIENT CARE: We care so much about what we do. I have a hearing loss myself, and the first-hand understanding helps me to put myself in my patients’ shoes. It’s also allowed me to try all products on myself before I make a recommendation to a patient. Our goal is always to educate and inform. PICTURED: Jan Hurn, Aimee Plummer, Dr. Lydia Sancer, Dr. Robin Carson, Melinda Bronstad, Dr. Erich Gessling.
Carson Hearing Care
5104 Camp Bowie Blvd. Fort Worth, Texas 76107
817.737.4327
Fax 817.737.4328
carsonhearing.com
rcarson@carsonhearing.com
FOCUS: Central Park ENT is dedicated to being a premier provider of extensive/all-inclusive pediatric and adult ear, nose, throat, head, neck, audiology, and allergy care. WHAT SETS US APART: Central Park ENT & Surgery Center is committed to compassionately providing our patients at a reasonable cost the highest quality medical services and to constantly improve and strive for excellence in the best interest of patient care.
SERVICES: A few of Central Park Ear Nose & Throat services and medical procedures offered include adenoid and tonsillectomies, allergy testing and treatment, audiological testing and hearing aids, balloon sinuplasty, ear tubes, ear wax removal, head and neck cancer surgery, hearing and balance disorders, minimally invasive nasal and sinus surgery, salivary gland disorders, sinus disorders, snoring and sleep apnea treatment, thyroid and parathyroid surgery, voice and swallowing disorders. PICTURED: Rene M. Pena, M.D.; Stuart N. Thomas, M.D.; Tyler W. Scoresby, M.D.; Dana B. Gibbs, M.D.; Chris T. Lee, M.D.
409 Central Park Drive • Arlington, Texas 76014
817.261.9191
4300 N. Central Expressway, Ste. 110 • Dallas, Texas 75206
972.884.5606
3430 W. Wheatland Road, Ste. 209, Bldg. 1 • Dallas, Texas 75237
972.780.1496
800 Eighth Ave., Ste. 618 • Fort Worth, Texas 76104
817.335.6336
221 Regency Parkway, Ste. 111 • Mansfield, Texas 76063
817.261.9191
centralparkent.net
Aaleya Koreishi, M.D., and Patricia Ple-plakon, M.D.
SPECIALTY: Dr. Koreishi and Dr. Ple-plakon are fellowship-trained, board-certified ophthalmologists providing compassionate, cutting-edge specialty care in cornea transplantation, cataract and refractive surgery. They are experienced in the newest cornea transplant techniques, advanced cataract surgery and intraocular lenses, and LASIK surgery. They perform the only FDAapproved corneal crosslinking procedure for keratoconus.
EDUCATION: Dr. Koreishi — B.S. and M.D., University of Michigan; ophthalmology residency, Johns Hopkins Hospital; fellowship in Cornea, External Disease and Refractive Surgery, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Dr. Ple-plakon — B.A., Rice University; M.D. and ophthalmology residency, University of Michigan; fellowship in Cornea, External Disease and Refractive Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. PATIENT CARE: Drs. Koreishi and Ple-plakon are committed to providing quality and state-of-the-art care in a comfortable and friendly atmosphere. They believe patient education is the key to successful treatment and strive to educate their patients so that they can play a more active role in their treatment and recovery. Dr. Koreishi and Dr. Ple-plakon are humbled by the trust their patients put in them and honor that trust by providing the best care possible. The entire Cornea Consultants of Texas team strives to provide exceptional and individualized care to every patient.
3455 Locke Ave., Ste. 220 • Fort Worth, Texas 76107 817.529.3100 • Fax 817.529.3101
707 N. Fielder Road, Ste. B-1 • Arlington, Texas 76012 817.987.1248 • Fax 817.987.2475
4825 Alliance Blvd, Ste. 100 • Plano, Texas 75093 469.246.1824 • Fax 469.246.1826
corneaconsultantstx.com
Marc DeLara, DPM
DeLara Foot & Ankle, PLLC
MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Foot/Ankle Surgery. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: Chief Resident, Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital Podiatric Medicine and Surgery; Preceptorship, Weil Foot & Ankle Institute; Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, Rosalind Franklin University Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine; Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Honors Alpha Epsilon Delta. AWARDS/HONORS: Southlake Style Top Docs; Downriver Community Clinic’s Giving Hearts Volunteer Award Recipient; ACFAS Annual Scientific Conference Poster Presenter. HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Texas Health HEB; Texas Health Southlake. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Since Dr. DeLara began working in the HEB and Fort Worth area, he continues to perform surgeries on underprivileged patients at the Texas Health HEB hospital in addition to his other patients. INNOVATIONS: Gait analysis on treadmill, minimally invasive surgery, bunion procedures, wound care, foot/ankle reconstruction, custom inserts and diabetic shoes. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: Dr. DeLara is devoted to his patients and does his best to personalize every patient encounter. This includes a very thoughtful and conservative approach to treatment and surgery. Here are a few of Dr. DeLara’s patient reviews: “Dr. DeLara took the time to explain my choices, and together we decided on the best plan for me.”– M. “Dr. DeLara is very caring and careful when treating my condition.”– R. “Dr. DeLara made me feel welcome, listened carefully, and provided a plan of care.” -N.
DeLara Foot & Ankle, PLLC
1604 Hospital Parkway, Ste. 309 Bedford, Texas 76022
844.743.FOOT Fax 817.928.5512 delarafoot.com
Dr. Catherine Harrell, Dr. Heather Volkman, Dr. Robin Roberts
MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Dermatology. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: Dr. Harrell – B.A., Baylor University; M.D., UT-Houston; internship, UT-Houston; residency, UT-Houston; board-certified, dermatology. Dr. Roberts – B.A., summa cum laude, UT; M.D., UT Southwestern, internal medicine; dermatology, University of Virginia Medical School; board-certified, dermatology. Dr. Volkman – B.S., Emory University; D.O., UNTHSC-TCOM; internship/residency, Case Western Reserve University - Case Medical Center; board-certified, general and pediatric dermatology. AWARDS/HONORS: Dr. Harrell – Baylor University, Phi Beta Kappa; Mensa; Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society; Chief Resident, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Roberts – UT - Phi Beta Kappa; Alpha Lambda Delta Honorary Society; Dermatology Chief Resident, University of Virginia Medical School; Health Care Hero, Fort Worth Business Press; YWCA Tribute to Women in Business Award. Dr. Volkman – UNTHSC-TCOM Student Doctor of the Year; President’s Scholar; Sigma Sigma Phi Honors Society; Case Western Reserve University - Case Medical Center - Research Recognition Award. HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Dr. Harrell – Consultant, Baylor All Saints; Dr. Roberts – Consultant, Harris Methodist Hospital; Dr. Volkman – Consultant, Harris Methodist Hospital, Cook Children’s Medical Center. INNOVATIONS: Dermoscopic evaluation of suspicious skin lesions; PRP (protein rich plasma) injections for hair and collagen stimulation. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: Our physicians and nurse practitioner, Cheryl Elmore, MSN, FNP-C, provide the highest quality care for all patients with skin conditions and understand the suffering that often accompanies skin diseases. PICTURED: Dr. Catherine Harrell, Dr. Heather Volkman, Dr. Robin Roberts.
Dermatology Specialists of Fort Worth
6100 SW Blvd., Ste. 100 Fort Worth, Texas 76109
817.989.1221
Fax 817.989.1175
fwdermatology.com
Nikhil K. Bhayani, M.D., FIDSA
Priya Subramanian, M.D.
SPECIALTY: DFW Infectious Diseases is part of an integrated health care delivery system comprised of physicians, hospitals, case managers, community clinics, managed care partners, and other health care professionals, all of whom work together as a team to deliver the integrated care that is more effective to managing patient infections. MISSION: Our mission is to develop and maintain a patient care environment that enhances our ability to provide comprehensive care in a sensitive and caring setting. PHILOSOPHY: Our philosophy is to approach each patient as an individual, address his or her concerns through proper research and examination, effective and accurate diagnosis, proper treatments, early prevention and up-to-date education. We constantly strive to significantly improve the health and quality of life of our patients, decrease the duration of illness, and have more positive outcomes. PICTURED: Dr. Nikhil K. Bhayani and Dr. Priya Subramanian
DFW Infectious Diseases, PLLC
1615 Hospital Parkway, Ste. 200 Bedford, Texas 76022
817.916.8877
Fax 817.527.2969 dfwid.com
SPECIALTY/CERTIFICATIONS: All of our physicians are board-certified by The American Board of Internal Medicine in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism. Drs. Bajaj, Lackan, and Tan are Fellows of the American College of Endocrinology and are Endocrine Certified Neck Ultrasonographers. OUR PRACTICE: DTC remains humbled to be proudly serving our community with the highest quality endocrinology care in Fort Worth. WHAT SETS US APART: Our providers deliver compassionate patient care with the most medically advanced treatments available. State-of-the-art and personalized care includes in office thyroid ultrasonography, ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy, radioactive iodine treatment, bone density measurement, and continuous glucose monitoring. DTC’s active clinical research trials in the fields of diabetes, lipid and osteoporosis management provide our patients with access to the newest therapies available. APPROACH: Our clinic specializes in a treatment philosophy built around a team approach to manage and prevent the complications of diseases including diabetes, osteoporosis, pituitary, adrenal and thyroid disorders. DTC continues to answer the needs of our patients with facilities in Southwest Fort Worth and Southlake. Our physicians are excited to share that DTC is in the planning stages of building a patient-centered state of the art facility to better serve our community.
PICTURED: (left to right) Chris Bajaj, D.O.; Stefanie Addington, M.D.; Anjanette Tan, M.D. (@ anjanettetanmd); Darren Lackan, M.D.
Diabetes and Thyroid Center of Fort Worth, PLLC
7801 Oakmont Blvd., Ste. 101 Fort Worth, Texas 76132
817.263.0007
Fax 817.263.1118
info@dtc-fw.com
dtc-fw.com
MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. EDUCATION/ CERTIFICATION: University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio; Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency, Texas Tech University; Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Fellowship, UT Southwestern Medical School.
AWARDS/HONORS: Texas Monthly Super Doctors. MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Society of Reproductive Endocrinology, Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology, Texas Medical Association. HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Baylor Scott & White All Saints - Fort Worth; Baylor Scott & White - Frisco. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Having one of the top infertility clinics in the U.S.; serving on the faculty of Southwestern Medical School; practicing state-of-the-art reproductive medicine for over 30 years. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: “I truly care about my patients and love helping to make their dreams of a family come true. I always place myself in their position, empathizing with their difficulties and offering hope.” FREE ADVICE: Do not delay in seeking infertility treatment because the age of the patient is the most important variable in fertility success. PICTURED: Janelle Dorsett, M.D.
1250 Eighth Ave., Ste. 245 • Fort Worth, Texas 76104 817-662-4FST • Fax 214.618.7838 fertilitytexas.com
SPECIALTY: Otolaryngology. EDUCATION: Watkins – Louisiana State University of Medicine; Residency, University of Tennessee. McIntyre – University of Oklahoma Health Science Center; Residency, University of Texas Southwestern at Dallas. Callahan –University of Texas Southwestern at Dallas; Residency, University of Texas Southwestern at Dallas. AFFILIATIONS: Baylor All Saints, Medical City Fort Worth, Cook Children’s, THR Harris Southwest. MEMBERSHIPS: Texas Medical Association, American Academy of Otolaryngology, American Board of Otolaryngology, American Rhinologic Society. GREATEST INNOVATIONS: In-office balloon sinuplasty, minimally invasive sinus surgery, minimally invasive thyroid surgery, comprehensive allergy management (medications, allergy shots, and allergy drops), state-of-the-art hearing aids. PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: To maintain devoted relationships between physicians and staff, as well as their patients. BEDSIDE MANNER: We strive to care for each patient from a multidisciplinary perspective and treat each patient as if they were our own family.
PICTURED: Sean M. Callahan, M.D.; Jeremy P. Watkins, M.D.; and J. Brad McIntyre, M.D.
5751 Edwards Ranch Road, Ste. 200
Fort Worth, Texas 76109
817.332.8848
Fax 817.335.2670
fortworthent.net
SPECIALTY: Our physicians provide a wide range of services including comprehensive eye exams for children and adults, LASIK, TECNIS® Symfony and Symfony Toric IOLs, advanced cataract surgery, contact lens fitting, eye muscle surgery, glaucoma care, diabetic eye exams, and dry eye treatment. The doctors also provide cosmetic injections including Botox®, Kybella® Voluma XC® and Volbella® EDUCATION: Ann Ranelle, D.O. – Saint Mary’s University, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, pediatric ophthalmology fellowship at Children’s Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Tyler Moore, M.D. – University of Texas, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Kacy Pate, O.D. – University of Oklahoma, Northeastern State University College of Optometry. AWARDS/HONORS: Ann Ranelle – Past-President, Tarrant County Medical Society. MEMBERSHIPS: Ann Ranelle – boardcertified member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Academy of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. AFFILIATIONS: Baylor Medical Center of Fort Worth, Baylor Surgicare of Fort Worth, Cook Children’s Medical Center, Texas Pediatric Surgery Center. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Serving the greater Fort Worth area for over 40 years. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: Warm, friendly, compassionate, and professional. FREE ADVICE: Be an active participant in your health care – ask questions! PICTURED: Ann Ranelle, D.O.; Tyler Moore, M.D.; Kacy Pate, O.D.
Fort Worth Eye Associates
5000 Collinwood Ave.
Fort Worth, Texas 76107
817.732.5593
Fax 817.732.5499
ranelle.com
SPECIALTY: Obstetrics and Gynecology. EDUCATION: Bradley – B.A., University of Texas at Austin; M.S., D.O., University of North Texas Health Sciences Center; Residency, University of Texas at Houston, Board Certified. English – B.S., University of North Texas; D.O., University of North Texas Health Sciences Center; Residency, Texas Tech University HSC, Board Certified. Gehlot – B.S., University of Delaware; M.D., Medical College of Georgia; Residency, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Board Certified. Jones – B.S., Abilene Christian University; D.O., University of North Texas HSC; Residency, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Burnett – B.S., University of Texas at Austin; P.A., University of North Texas Health Sciences Center. AFFILIATIONS: Texas Health Resources - Harris Methodist Southwest; Baylor Scott & White Surgicare Oakmont. INNOVATIONS: Leading the community in opioid-free, gentle cesarean deliveries and providing minimally invasive procedures both in office and in hospital setting. PRACTICE PHILOSOPHY: Our team is dedicated to advocating for the best health plan for our patients and providing compassionate individualized care. The trust our patients place in us to help guide their care is something we value immensely. FREE ADVICE: Be good to yourself, so you can be there for others. PICTURED: (front) Dr. Ashita Gehlot, Dr. Taylor Bradley; (back) Dr. Cynthia English, Dr. Timothy Jones, Katie Burnett PA-C.
Fort Worth Obstetrics & Gynecology
6317 Harris Parkway, Ste. 400
Fort Worth, Texas 76132
817.423.2002
Fax 817.423.2004
fortworthobgyn.com
MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Obstetrics and Gynecology. AWARDS/HONORS: Grace Obstetrics & Gynecology is excited to announce that four of our providers have earned the DFW Child designation of “Mom Approved Doctor.” UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: Grace Obstetrics and Gynecology offers a modern model of health care for women. Whomever you prefer to work with on our staff of providers, you will experience consistent, compassionate, evidence-based care. Our providers serve women at three office locations (in Southwest Fort Worth, Granbury, and Cleburne) and provide delivery and hospital care at two locations. GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS: Everyone participating in client care at Grace Obstetrics & Gynecology has expertise in their field and contributes to an environment of safe and respectful care. As care providers, it is a privilege to be invited to be a part of the experiences that women have bringing their baby into the world. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Texas Health Southwest, Texas Health Cleburne*. PICTURED: Steven A. Suba, M.D.; Alyson B. Pico, D.O.; Madeline Manning, D.O.; Elise Rex, M.D.; Michael Glover, D.O.*; Jennifer Juve, CNM*; (not pictured) Leslie Phillips, M.D.
Grace Obstetrics & Gynecology, PLLC
6100 Harris Parkway, Ste. 140
Fort Worth, Texas 76132
817.776.4722 • Fax 817.984.5434
201 Walls Drive, Ste. 502 Cleburne, Texas 76033
817.556.3606 • Fax 817.677.6139
1200 Crawford Ave., Ste. A Granbury, Texas 76048
817.776.4722 • Fax 817.984.5434
graceobgyntx.com
Drs. Christopher Bates, Jonathan Guevara, Brian Tobias, and Nathan Lesley
SPECIALTY: Orthopedic Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery. EDUCATION : Our physicians have trained at prestigious programs including the Cleveland Clinic, Brown, and Wake Forest University. CERTIFICATIONS: Our physicians have all completed subspecialty fellowships focused on the upper extremity including Hand, Elbow, and Shoulder Surgery. MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: Our physicians are members in several national and international societies. PATIENT CARE: We provide expert care from the fingertip to the shoulder. If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, a broken wrist, elbow pain, a rotator cuff tear, or anything in between, we have fellowship trained Orthopedic Surgeons at your disposal. INNOVATIONS: The Hand to Shoulder Center was designed from the ground up to improve care for the people who matter most, our patients. This includes in-office radiology, on-site therapy, same or next day appointments, custom splint fabrication, newer and minimally invasive techniques to speed up your recovery, and even in-office procedure rooms for some surgeries. OUR ADVICE: Expect to have a custom treatment plan built for you. We do much more than repair damaged or painful extremities. We tailor treatment to meet the unique demands of each patient. Whether your goal is returning to professional sports or working in your garden pain-free, The Hand to Shoulder Center will help you accomplish your goals. PICTURED: (left to right) Drs. Christopher Bates, Jonathan Guevara, Brian Tobias, and Nathan Lesley.
5612 Edwards Ranch Road, Ste. 200 Fort Worth, Texas 76109 817.420.9238 handtoshouldertexas.com
MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Dr. Haque is a boardcertified and fellowship-trained neurosurgeon who focuses on minimally invasive and motion preserving spine surgery, artificial disc replacement/arthroplasty, spinal fusion, and herniated discs, along with numerous other brain and spine conditions. EDUCATION/ CERTIFICATIONS: Undergraduate – Duke University, Pratt School of Engineering; M.D. –University of Mississippi School of Medicine; Internship – General Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center; Residency – Neurological Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center; Fellowship – Spine Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center. HONORS: He has held several leadership positions at DFW hospitals, including former Chief of Neurosurgery at Texas Health Resources Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital and former Medical Director of Neurosurgery at Baylor Scott & White All Saints Fort Worth Hospital. Dr. Haque is also on the faculty at the TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine, and he regularly mentors medical students and physician assistant students. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Having the privilege of taking care of former patients’ family members and friends. INNOVATIONS: I try to perform the least invasive and most motionpreserving procedures whenever surgery is indicated. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: Call me old-fashioned, but all my patients see me at all clinic visits — not an assistant.
Baylor Scott & White Neurosurgery
Associates – Fort Worth
1400 Eighth Ave., Ste. A1131 Fort Worth, Texas 76104
469.800.9260
neurosurgeryassociates.com
Physician is an employee of HealthTexas Provider Network, a member of Baylor Scott & White Health. ©2021 Baylor Scott & White Health.
SPECIALTY: Hormone Balance/Women’s Health/ Sexual Wellness. EDUCATION/ CERTIFICATIONS: Dr. Mandy Cotten – Texas Christian University, Bachelor of Nursing; Loyola University New Orleans, Doctorate of Nursing Practice; Certified by American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) as a Family Nurse Practitioner; BioTE Medical Advanced Hormone Certification; O-Shot, Priapus Shot Certified; BTL Emsella and Femme360 Certified. AWARDS/HONORS: BioTE Practitioner of the Year 2018; BioTE Clinical Advisory Team; BioTE Platinum Provider; Living Top Doc; Living Magazine “Best of” Hormone Center; Fort Worth Magazine Top Doc. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Being named BioTE Practitioner of the year in 2018. INNOVATIONS: PRP treatments to include O-Shot, Priapus Shot, Vampire Facial; Emsella FDA-approved chair for urinary incontinence; Femme360 radiofrequency device for skin tightening and vaginal rejuvenation; BioTE method for hormone optimization. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: Passion, I am passionate about what I do every day; each patient deserves an individualized care plan and individual attention to their needs. FREE ADVICE: Patients are often told that “nothing” is wrong or what they are feeling is just part of “aging.” If you feel “off,” something most likely is not right. Find the provider that will try to help you feel like yourself again and listen to your concerns. PICTURED: Mandy Cotten, APRN, FNP-C, and Dr. Gary Donovitz, Medical Director.
Institute for Hormonal Balance & BioTE Medical
4224 Park Springs Blvd., Ste. 100 Arlington, Texas 76016
817.467.7474
Fax 817.468.8643
donovitz.com
mandy.cotten@biotemedical.com
SPECIALTY: Internal Medicine. EDUCATION: Angelo Vu, D.O. – B.A., Austin College; D.O., UNTHSC; Internal Medicine Residency, Medical City Fort Worth; Board Certified Internal Medicine, AOBIM. Morgan Thomas, PA-C – B.S., Abilene Christian University; MA in Physician Assistant Studies, UNTHSC; Certified Physician Assistant. AWARDS/HONORS: Fort Worth Magazine Top Docs for multiple years; 360 West Magazine Top Doctors; Patient’s Choice Award, Compassionate Doctor Recognition. HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Texas Health Huguley, Baylor Scott & White All Saints. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Starting The Internal Medicine Center of Fort Worth from nothing to where we are now. Building a practice with high-quality care that lets our reputation speak for itself. INNOVATIONS: We invest in electronic records and provide a safe and more efficient management of health-related information. While offering the benefits of the latest technology, the providers at IMC also develop personal relationships with their patients, providing care in an outpatient clinic as well as nursing home settings. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: We limit the number of patient visits in a day so we have the time to spend with each person. We don’t want anyone feeling rushed and want to take our time to explain all aspects of a patient’s care.
PICTURED: Angelo Vu, D.O.; Morgan Thomas, PA-C; Adrienne Soto; Stephanie Cobb; Chandra Massey; and Scott Dunson.
The Internal Medicine Center of Fort Worth
12001 South Freeway, Ste. 307 Burleson, Texas 76028
817.568.8700
Fax 817.568.8704
theinternalmedicinecenter.com
SPECIALTY: Compassionate and life-enhancing care for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia disorders. The West Center offers free dementia care training for family caregivers and clinical rotation programs for medical professionals. Dr. Janice Knebl is the medical director, and Dr. Sarah Ross is a co-medical director. EDUCATION/ CERTIFICATIONS: Janice A. Knebl, D.O., MBA, FACP, MACOI – B.S., biology, St. Joseph’s University; D.O., Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine; Internal Medicine residency, Geisinger Medical Center; two-year Geriatrics fellowship, Philadelphia Geriatrics Center; board certified in Internal Medicine with Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Geriatrics; MBA, TCU; CAQ in Palliative Medicine and Hospice, American Board of Internal Medicine; DSWOP Endowed Chair in Geriatrics and Professor of Medicine; Interim Chair of Department of Internal Medicine at UNTHSC. Sarah E. Ross, D.O., CMD, M.S. – B.S., chemistry, minor in music, Brigham Young University; M.S., clinical research, University of North Texas Health Science Center; D.O., University of North Texas Health Science Center, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine; Family Medicine residency, John Peter Smith Hospital; Geriatrics fellowship, John Peter Smith Hospital; Certified Medical Director; board certified in Family Medicine with a CAQ in Geriatrics and Palliative Care. PICTURED: Janice A. Knebl, D.O., MBA, FACP, MACOI; Sarah E. Ross, D.O., CMD, M.S.
James L. West Center for Dementia Care 1111 Summit Ave.
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
817.877.1199
Fax 817.877.1414
jameslwest.org
Robert A. Kaufmann, M.D., HCLD
MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Reproductive Endocrinology. AWARDS/HONORS: Most Comprehensive Fertility Treatment Provider - Texas, 2020; Fertility Clinic of the Year - Texas, 2019; Top Doc Fort Worth Magazine, 2005-2021; Top Doctors 360 West Magazine, 2017-2021; Mom Approved Doctor in Fort Worth Child Magazine, 20172020; Patient’s Choice Award, 2009-2020; Most Compassionate Doctor Award, 2009-2020.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS: American Society for Reproductive Medicine and American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Baylor Scott and White - All Saints, Baylor Surgicare Fort Worth, Texas Health Resources Surgery Center, Harris Methodist Fort Worth.
GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Contributing to the research and advancement of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, resulting in better pregnancy rates for our patients going through in vitro fertilization. INNOVATIONS: Fort Worth Fertility leads the way in pre-implantation genetic diagnosis for patients at risk of passing on genetic disease or wanting to screen embryos for genetic abnormalities. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: Fort Worth Fertility provides specialized patient care from the moment you walk through the door through graduation to your OB/GYN after successful treatment. Our staff greets you by name, and our physicians perform ultrasounds each time you visit.
Robert A. Kaufmann, M.D., HCLD
1800 Mistletoe Blvd. Fort Worth, Texas 76104
817.348.8145
Fax 817.348.8264 fwivf.com
SPECIALTY: Plastic Surgery, sub-specializing in cosmetic surgery of the face and body.
EDUCATION: Aesthetic surgery fellowship, Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital; plastic surgery residency, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas; medical school, UT Southwestern Medical School, summa cum laude; undergraduate, University of Oklahoma, B.S., microbiology, summa cum laude. SPECIAL INTERESTS: Face lift, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, nonsurgical facial rejuvenation. CERTIFICATION: Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. AFFILIATIONS: UT Southwestern, Clinical Assistant Professor; Baylor All-Saints Medical Center; Harris Methodist Fort Worth; Baylor Surgical Hospital; Texas Health Surgery Center Fort Worth Midtown. PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Building a busy clinical practice from the ground up while maintaining a focus on academic pursuits including the education of both current and future plastic surgeons. UNIQUE BEDSIDE MANNER: We always aim to fulfill the golden rule: Treat every patient as we would want to be treated ourselves. The rest falls into place.
5825 Edwards Ranch Road, Ste. 200 • Fort Worth, Texas 76109
817.870.5080 • Fax 817.870.5064 jkplasticsurgery.com doctor@jkplasticsurgery.com
Le Blanc, M.D., F.A.C.S.
SPECIALTY: Board Certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. EDUCATION: B.S., University of Texas at Austin; M.D., University of Texas Southwestern Medical School; Residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
SPECIAL INTERESTS: Breast reconstruction featuring direct to implant and pre-pectoral breast reconstruction, revision reconstruction, breast augmentation, breast lift and body contouring, fat grafting and facial injectables.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Medical Association, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Texas Medical Association, Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons, Tarrant County Medical Society, Fort Worth Plastic Surgery Society. HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Harris Methodist Fort Worth; Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center; Texas Health Surgery Center Fort Worth Midtown. BEDSIDE
MANNER: I offer a realistic female perspective and enjoy taking the time to develop a relationship with my patients in order to fully address their concerns and goals. DURING OFF HOURS: I find my joy in spending time with my husband and our 11-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter. I also enjoy fly-fishing, hiking, traveling, and photography. PHILOSOPHY: “Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.” – Aristotle.
Le Blanc Plastic Surgery
800 Eighth Ave., Ste. 406 Fort Worth, Texas 76104
817.698.9990
Fax 817.698.9997
info@drleblanc.com drleblanc.com
SPECIALTY: Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: The American Board of Plastic Surgery; The American Board of Surgery. AWARDS/HONORS: Fort Worth Business Press Health Care Heroes, 2017; Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Community Advocate, 2017; consistently appearing on the Fort Worth Magazine Top Doctors list since 2007. MEMBERSHIPS: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, Fort Worth Plastic Surgery Society. HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: West Magnolia Surgery Center, Texas Health Resources Fort Worth Hospital, Baylor Scott & White/Andrew’s Women’s Hospital, Gulfstream Surgical Fort Worth. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: My personal experience with breast cancer gave me an enlightened perspective for my cosmetic and reconstructive patients. INNOVATIONS: West Magnolia Surgery Center and The Retreat Med Spa are part of my physical office. The capacity to be on-site for surgery and have medical spa services available to clients is tremendous. UNIQUE BEDSIDE MANNER: As the first female plastic surgeon in Fort Worth, I’ve been able to build a practice over the past 17 years with a focus on breast and body surgery from a female perspective. My style is very relaxed while maintaining a very professional, dedicated commitment to my patient’s safety and satisfaction. FREE ADVICE: Seek answers to your questions and don’t be afraid to question what you’re told. Knowledge is power.
1200 West Magnolia Ave., Ste. 110 Fort Worth, Texas 76104
817.870.4833
mclaughlinmd.com
SPECIALTY: Board Certified Dermatologist. EDUCATION: David Hensley – undergraduate, University of Texas, Austin; M.D., Texas Tech University; residency, Geisinger Medical Center; P.A., fellowship, University of Texas, Houston. Stephen Blum – Southwestern Medical School.. Richard Brandt –Doctorate, Texas Tech University; P.A.-C, Hahnemann University; MPAS, University of Nebraska. Debbie Slay – undergraduate, Texas A&M; MPAS, University of North Texas Health Science Center; master’s in dermatology, University of Nebraska Medical Center. Heather Le – Master of Science in Nursing, Texas Woman’s University; Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Texas in Arlington. Josie Karl (not pictured) – Dermatologic P.A., University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston. Jana King – B.S. in Nursing, Texas Christian University MEMBERSHIPS: American Academy of Dermatology, DFW Dermatology Society, Tarrant County Medical Society, Texas Dermatologic Society, Arlington Chamber of Commerce. AFFILIATIONS: Texas Health Resources Arlington. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Serving patients and their families locally and abroad on our medical mission outreach. INNOVATIONS: Xtrac Laser, Blue-U (PDT) for medical treatments, BodySculpting, Hydrafacial, and new state-of-the-art Lasers. FREE ADVICE: Be smart when enjoying outdoor activities – wear sunscreen and protective clothing. Watch for new and changing spots on yourself and loved ones. PICTURED: (left to right) Heather Le, MSN, APRN, FNP-C; Stephen Blum, M.D.; Jana King, RN, BSN; Richard Brandt, P.A.-C, Ph.D.; Debbie Slay, P.A.-C; David Hensley, M.D.
Metroplex Dermatology
300 W. Arbrook Blvd., Ste. D Arlington, Texas 76014
817.704.4777 Fax 817.701.2323 metroderm.com info@metroderm.com
SPECIALTY: Plastic and reconstructive surgery with a focus on cosmetic procedures of the breast, body and face. EDUCATION/ CERTIFICATIONS: B.S., Stephen F. Austin State University (summa cum laude); Medical School, St. George’s University School of Medicine; Plastic Surgery Residency, University of Oklahoma; Board Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery (since 2010). AWARDS/HONORS: Fort Worth Magazine “Top Docs” 2014 – 2020; Fort Worth Magazine Top Plastic Surgeons. MEMBERSHIPS: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, Tarrant County Medical Society, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. AFFILIATIONS: THR Alliance, North Hills Hospital, Medical City Alliance, Parkway Surgical and Cardiovascular Hospital, Wise Regional Hospital, Wise Health Surgical Hospital at Argyle. SURGICAL SERVICES: Body contouring, breast reconstruction, breast reduction, Brazilian butt lifts, breast augmentation, breast lift, liposuction, tummy tucks, arm/thigh lifts, face lifts, brow lifts, neck lifts, eyelid rejuvenation, otoplasty, mommy makeovers, etc. SPA SERVICES: FaceTite; BodyTite; laser services for brown spots, vessels, hair removal, cellulite, skin tightening and skin resurfacing. Also, skin care products, Botox®, facial fillers (Juvederm®, Restylane ®, Voluma® Vollure ®, Volbella®, etc.), KYBELLA®, eyelash/brow services, wraps, medical-grade chemical peels, microdermabrasion, etc. BEDSIDE MANNER: We combine compassion, confidentiality, experience and safety with personalized attention to your individual needs.
New Leaf Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
4400 Heritage Trace Parkway, Ste. 200 Fort Worth, Texas 76244
817.380.1087
Fax 817.380.1088
information@newleafplasticsurgery.com
newleafplasticsurgery.com
Amir Aboutalebi, M.D., FAAD
Nicole Strickland, M.D., FAAD
Christine Read, P.A.-C
MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Medical, Surgical, and Cosmetic Dermatology. EDUCATION/ CERTIFICATIONS: Dr. Amir Aboutalebi – M.D., Baylor College of Medicine (AOA member); residency, Harvard Medical School. Dr. Nicole Strickland – M.D. and residency, UT Southwestern Medical School (AOA member). Christine Read – PA-C, UNT Health Science Center. AWARDS/ HONORS: Fort Worth Magazine Top Docs for four years. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/ AFFILIATIONS: American Academy of Dermatology, Texas Dermatologic Society.
GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Having built a practice that boasts the talents of the most exceptional and compassionate providers and staff. This in turn has endowed us the privilege and honor of serving an absolutely amazing patient population. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: Given every individual’s unique genetic background and varying environmental exposures, we recognize each patient’s skin as inherently different, meriting personalized medical attention. We emphasize evidencebased medicine but also maintain an eye to the human aspect of health care. We treat you like family. FREE ADVICE: Invest in your skin now for visible returns in the future. Whenever possible, seek to prevent conditions before they arise; wear sunscreen, use retinoids, maintain a healthy diet. Don’t waste time, money, and energy on fads; seek the expertise of a Board-Certified Dermatologist. It’s your skin; wear it proudly.
PICTURED: Nicole Strickland, M.D.; Christine Read, P.A.-C; Amir Aboutalebi, M.D.
Northstar Dermatology
5320 N. Tarrant Parkway, Ste. 200
Fort Worth, Texas 76244
817.427.3376
Fax 817.427.3379
northstardermatology.com
MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Glaucoma Consultation and Surgery, Cataract Surgery. EDUCATION/ CERTIFICATIONS: M.D., The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Residency, Washington University/Barnes Hospital; Glaucoma Fellowship, University of California - San Francisco. AWARDS/HONORS: 2021 American Glaucoma Society Surgery Day Lecturer; American Academy of Ophthalmology Senior Achievement Award, 2019; American Academy of Ophthalmology Achievement Award, 2006; 30 papers published in peer-reviewed journals; hundreds of presentations given nationally and internationally. Tennis: Ranked #7 in the U.S. in singles and was the #1 doubles player in the country as a youth. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/ AFFILIATIONS: Examiner - American Board of Ophthalmology, Board Member - American Glaucoma Society Foundation, Fellow - American Academy of Ophthalmology. HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Fort Worth Surgery Center, Cook Children’s Hospital - Director Glaucoma: Child Vision Center. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Awarded the 12th Surgery Day Lectureship at the annual American Glaucoma Society meeting this year. This keynote address is awarded to the “individual who has contributed to the excellence and advancement of glaucoma surgery.” INNOVATIONS: Our practice is one of the leading glaucoma research centers in America. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: We care deeply about our patients, and because of our standing, we are able to offer tomorrow’s technology today. FREE ADVICE: The options for glaucoma and cataract care today are truly incredible. Excellent vision, less dependency on glasses and eyedrops are all possible.
Ophthalmology Associates of Fort Worth 1201 Summit Ave.
Fort Worth, Texas 76102 817.332.2020 fortworth2020.com
SPECIALTY: Orthopedic Surgery; Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Surgery of the Knee, Shoulder and Hip; Shoulder, Hip and Knee Replacements. CERTIFICATIONS/MEMBERSHIPS: Board
Certified ABOS, Fellow AAOS. AFFILIATIONS: Baylor Surgicare Fort Worth and Mansfield; Park Hill Surgery Center; Baylor Surgical Hospital Fort Worth; Texas Health Downtown Fort Worth and Southwest; Methodist Hospital Mansfield; Wise Health Surgical Hospital Argyle. INNOVATIONS: Dr. Bret D. Beavers specializes in minimally invasive arthroscopy of shoulder, hip, and knee with expert skill in shoulder replacements. PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: With humble thanks for all the support of many patients, physicians, and the entire community, OSMI celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2021. OSMI expanded into Decatur with Dr. G. Keith Gill in 2018 and into Midlothian in 2019 with Dr. G. Todd Moore, adding to his established Fort Worth practice. WHAT SETS OSMI APART: Orthopedics Today, its walk-in clinic for same-day treatment of orthopedic injuries, provides convenient expert care on-site at OSMI. Physical therapy at Fort Worth and Willow Park delivers expert rehabilitation by highly experienced therapists. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: The OSMI family treats all patients like family, from youngsters and student athletes to adults. BEDSIDE MANNER: OSMI doctors and staff listen, and patients come first. PICTURED: G. Todd Moore, D.O.; Bret D. Beavers, M.D.; Michael H. Boothby, M.D.; G. Keith Gill, M.D.
The Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute
2901 Acme Brick Plaza
Fort Worth, Texas 76109
817.529.1900
Fax 817.529.1910
OSMIFW.com
MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, M.D.; Board Certified with the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery; Southern Methodist University, B.A. AWARDS/HONORS: Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society; numerous best doctor awards. MEMBERSHIPS: Texas Orthopedic Society, Alamo Orthopedic Society, and North American Spine Society. HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Medical City North Hills, Medical City Alliance, Calloway Creek Surgery Center. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Building a world-class spine center, bringing together multiple specialties under one roof to concentrate on spine patients. Being the only Spine Center of Excellence™. INNOVATIONS: We take care of all spinal issues, but we are very proud of our same-day cervical surgery program. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: You have to be approachable. Spine problems can be scary, and it is important for people to feel comfortable and confident about their doctor. FREE ADVICE: Take care of yourself now. Exercise every day, and do not allow your weight to become an issue. It is far harder to take off weight than it is to prevent it from being put on.
Spine Works Institute
8801 North Tarrant Parkway North Richland Hills, Texas 76182
817.616.0700
Fax 817.616.0708 dfwback.com
SPECIALTY: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Our physicians specialize in all aspects of rehabilitation including neck and back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, sports medicine, orthopedic rehabilitation, amputee care, and occupational medicine. Our physicians perform EMG and nerve conduction studies, baclofen pump management, botulinum toxin injections, peripheral joint injections, and viscosupplementation. We provide comprehensive inpatient and outpatient therapeutic management. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION: Omar Selod, D.O. – Residency, Baylor University Medical Center; Internship, Osteopathic Medical Center of Texas; Medical School, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. Austen Watkins, D.O. – Residency, UT Southwestern Medical Center; Internship, Plaza Medical Center; Medical School, UNTHSC, TCOM. Benecia Williams, D.O. – Sports Medicine Fellowship, John Peter Smith Hospital; Residency, Baylor University Medical Center; Internship, John Peter Smith Health Network; Medical School, UNTHSC, TCOM. AFFILIATIONS: Medical City Fort Worth, Baylor Scott & White, Texas Health Harris Methodist Fort Worth, Kindred Southwest. PICTURED: Omar Selod, D.O.; Austen Watkins, D.O.; Benecia Williams, D.O. (NOT PICTURED: Lan Le, D.O.; Neha Shah, D.O.)
PMR Fort Worth New Office: 5632 Edwards Ranch Road, Ste. 100 Fort Worth, Texas 76109 817.336.7188
Fax 844.231.8865 pmrfortworth.com
MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Dermatology –Medical, Surgical, Cosmetic. EDUCATION/ CERTIFICATIONS: Betty Rajan, M.D. – M.D., Baylor College of Medicine - Houston; Dermatology Residency, Texas Tech Health Science Center. Jennifer Gamez – N.P. Karen Moreland – P.A. PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS: American Academy of Dermatology, Texas Dermatological Society, Tarrant County Medical Society, Cornerstone Assistance Network volunteer.
UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: Dr. Rajan has been practicing in Fort Worth for over 20 years and is proud to have a dermatology practice with two other bright, caring, and extremely talented professionals at Rajan Dermatology. Dr Rajan’s interests and expertise include the prevention, detection, and treatment of skin cancer; acne; medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. “I strive to provide excellent and comprehensive dermatologic care for my patients of all ages. Everyone is unique and has their own story. I believe in a team-based approach with my patients and tailoring each patient’s treatment plan to fit their unique needs to reach their treatment goals.” INNOVATIONS: Facial rejuvenation in the form of radiofrequency, lasers, fillers, Botox®, Dysport®, SkinCeuticals® skin care products, and HydraFacials. FREE ADVICE: Be preventative and proactive about your own health. PICTURED: Jennifer Gamez, N.P.; Betty Rajan, M.D.; Karen Moreland, P.A.
Rajan Dermatology
6600 Bryant Irvin Road Fort Worth, Texas 76132 817.820.0011
bettyrajanmd.com rajandermatology.com
Jennifer Ratner, PT, DPT, MS, OCS
MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Physical Therapy. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: University of Arizona, BS; UT Southwestern, BS; Texas Woman’s University, MS; Drexel University, Doctorate in Physical Therapy; Board Certified Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Opening a private practice that has changed the lives of so many. INNOVATIONS: All of our practitioners stay on the cutting edge of rehabilitation techniques. We provide dry needling, myofascial release, ASTYM®, visceral release, joint mobilization, mechanical decompression therapy, Lightforce™ Laser, orthopedic rehab, vestibular/concussion rehab, wheelchair evaluation, and personal fitness/wellness programs. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: At Ratner Center, we believe in treating the whole person. Our team of therapists and fitness specialists each have individual specialties to provide tailored care for every client’s varying needs to get them back to feeling like the best version of themselves both physically and emotionally. FREE ADVICE: Moving your body in a regular and mindful way is fundamental to physical and emotional health. Trust your journey and keep moving. PICTURED: (left to right) Anna Moore, PT, DPT; Shelly Layton, PTA; Christina Bearden, PT, MS; Jennifer Ratner, PT, DPT, MS, OCS; (center) Kathryn Bergsma, PT, DPT; Angela Zalesak, PT, DPT; Leanna Campbell, PT, DPT, MPT.
Ratner Center for Physical Therapy and Wellness
5500 Overton Ridge Blvd., Ste. 228 Fort Worth, Texas 76132
817.259.1255
Fax 817.764.9008 ratnerpt.com ratner@ratnerpt.com
SPECIALTY: Ophthalmology: Cataract Surgery, Premium Lens Implants (Crystalens, PanOptix, Tecnis, Toric Lens), Laser Refractive Surgery, Diseases of the Retina and Vitreous, Diabetic Retinopathy/Lasers, Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma Treatment. EDUCATION: B.A., magna cum laude, Harvard University, 1986; M.D., University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, 1990; Ophthalmology Residency, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, 1995; Vitreoretinal Fellowship, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, 1997. CERTIFICATIONS: Board Certified, American Board of Ophthalmology. AWARDS: Physician’s Recognition Award, American Medical Association. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Texas Ophthalmological Association, Texas Medical Association, Tarrant County Medical Society. AFFILIATIONS: Baylor Scott & White Surgical Hospital - Las Colinas, Baylor Scott & White - Irving, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Texas Health Arlington Surgery Center. PATIENT CARE: A commitment to excellence in eye care is enhanced by our outstanding, caring staff. Dr. Reinke is a uniquely talented surgeon who personally provides all preoperative and postoperative care.
Martin Reinke, M.D.
1310 N. White Chapel Blvd. • Southlake, Texas 76092 817.310.6080 • Fax 817.310.6014
1916 Central Drive • Bedford, Texas 76021 817.283.6607 • Fax 817.283.2674
reinke.southlake@gmail.com dfwlasercataract.com
Musa Abdelaziz, M.D.
Johnathan Warminski, M.D.
Jawad Qureshi, M.D.
SPECIALTY: Retina Specialist; Board-Certified, Fellowship-Trained Ophthalmologists specializing in the most advanced treatments for medical and surgical diseases of the retina including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular occlusions, retinal detachment, macular holes, epiretinal membrane and intraocular tumors.
EDUCATION: They have had the opportunity to train at leading institutions for their ophthalmology training, including the Johns Hopkins Hospital Wilmer Eye Institute, Duke University Eye Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, University of California San Francisco, and the Georgetown University/Retina Group of Washington.
PATIENT CARE: We believe the most important qualities of the doctor-patient relationship are communication, trust, and compassion. As physicians, we should know more than our patients about their disease; our goal is to have them understand their disease at least as well as we do. With communication, we strive to educate our patients every day. We are humbled by our patients’ trust and feel that trust is a strong foundation upon which our relationship is built. Finally, much of being a good physician is providing compassionate care to our patients. Our goal is to heal; often, that healing comes from soothing the mind or the heart through compassion. We advise our patients to take an active part in their treatment.
Retina Center of Texas
3455 Locke Ave., Ste. 310 Fort Worth, Texas 76107
305 Morrison Park Drive, Ste. 100 Southlake, Texas 76092
3804 W. 15th St., Ste. 130 Plano, Texas 75075
817.865.6800
Fax 817.865.6790
retinacentertx.com
SPECIALTY: Both Drs. Heistein and Rumalla specialize in plastic and reconstructive surgery, including breast augmentation, breast lift, lipo-suction, tummy tuck, mommy makeover, facelift, eyelid lift and more. Dr. Rihani specializes exclusively in plastic and reconstructive surgery of the face including facelift, rhinoplasty, eyelid lift, skin cancer reconstruction, skin resurfacing, and injectable fillers and Botox. CERTIFICATION: Both Heistein and Rumalla are board certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Rihani is Board Certified by the Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. OUR FACILITY: The Southlake Surgery Center is a state-of-theart, AAASF-certified ambulatory surgery center designed to cater to the needs, desires and privacy of our patients. INNOVATIONS: We are proud to offer BodyTite, one of the latest and most advanced technological treatments to enhance liposuction and body contouring procedures. BodyTite uses radiofrequency to reduce fat AND tighten the skin. It can be used in any area of the body including the abdomen, flanks, back rolls, buttocks, thighs, arms and neck. Spring is the perfect time to have your makeover, so you will be ready for summer! PICTURED: Vishnu Rumalla, M.D.; Jordan Rihani, M.D.; Jonathan Heistein, M.D.
Southlake Surgery Center
521 W. Southlake Blvd., Ste. 175 Southlake, Texas 76092
Dr. Heistein 817.820.0000
Fort Worth and Southlake offices drheistein.com
Dr. Rumalla 817.334.0030
Fort Worth and Keller offices tarrantplasticsurgery.com
Dr. Rihani 817.529.3232
Fort Worth, Southlake, and Keller offices facialplasticsurgeryinstitute.com
Matthew H. Steele, M.D.
Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
SPECIALTY: Plastic Surgery. EDUCATION: B.S., M.D., University of Florida; Board Certified, American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, LSU Health Sciences Center; Board Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine. AWARDS/HONORS: Top Doctor, Fort Worth Magazine, 2013-2016; RealSelf 100 Award; Exemplary Teacher Award, University of Florida, College of Medicine; Outstanding Young Alumnus, University of Florida Alumni Association. MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS : American Society of Plastic Surgeons; American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Being accepted into a prestigious accelerated medical school program at the University of Florida and teaching young residents and medical students at my alma mater. INNOVATIONS: We offer virtual reality 3D breast imaging so that patients can get a more realistic visualization of their results after breast augmentation. Additionally, Dr. Steele stays up to date on the latest, cutting-edge techniques for breast and body plastic surgery through journals and national meetings.
UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: Our team prides itself on providing an individualized, firstclass experience. We take the time to build a trusting, collaborative relationship with each patient. FREE ADVICE: Always check for board certification and get a few opinions from several plastic surgeons. PICTURED: Matthew Steele, M.D.
Matthew
H. Steele, M.D.
5656 Edwards Ranch Road, Ste. 202 Fort Worth, Texas 76109
817.731.5330
drsteeleplasticsurgery.com info@drsteeleplasticsurgery.com
MISSION: To provide excellent, evidence-based care for each patient we serve, while advancing cancer care for tomorrow. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: We provide comprehensive care to women with cancer including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, genetic counseling, nutrition assessment and social services. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: Noelle Gillette Cloven, M.D. – Gynecologic Oncology; M.D., Baylor College of Medicine; Residency/Fellowship, University of California Irvine; Board-Certified in Gynecologic Oncology. Jennifer Hecht, D.O., FACOS – Breast Surgical Oncology; D.O., Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Oklahoma State University Medical Center; Fellowship, Breast Surgical Oncology, Grant Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Board-Certified in General Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons. Cristi Aitelli, D.O. – Medical Oncology; D.O., UNT-HSC; Residency, BUMC; Fellowship, BUMC; Board-Certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology. Kathleen L. Shide, M.D. – Radiation Oncology; M.D., University of Texas Southwestern Medical School; Internship, Baylor University Medical Center; Residency, Mayo Clinic; Board-Certified in Radiation Oncology. INNOVATIONS: Minimally invasive surgery, genetic counseling and testing, molecular profiling to allow for targeted therapy, clinical trials through NCI and Gynecologic Oncology Foundation. MOTTO: More breakthroughs. More victories.® PICTURED: Jennifer Hecht, D.O., FACOS; Noelle Gillette Cloven, M.D.; Cristi Lynn Aitelli, D.O.; Kathleen L. Shide, M.D.
Texas Oncology - Southwest Fort Worth – Aitelli and Hecht 6500 Harris Parkway Fort Worth, Texas 76132
817.263.2600
Fort Worth Cancer Center – Cloven and Shide
500 S. Henderson St. Fort Worth, Texas 76104 817.413.1500 texasoncology.com
Mayli Davis, M.D.
SPECIALTY: Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery. EDUCATION: Undergraduate, University of Kansas; M.D., University of Kansas; Ophthalmology Residency, Mayo Clinic; Ophthalmic Plastic Fellowship, UT Southwestern. AWARDS/HONORS: “Top Docs” 2005–2007, 2009, 2012, 2014 and 2018, Fort Worth Magazine. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: American Medical Association, American Academy of Ophthalmology, Texas Medical Association. AFFILIATIONS: Plaza Day Surgery Center, Medical City Fort Worth, Calloway Creek Surgery Center. INNOVATIONS: Dr. Davis is pleased to offer a variety of treatments to help you look your best. In addition to our specialty, eyelid and brow surgery, we offer Botox, Xeomin, and dermal fillers including Sculptra. Dr. Davis further enhances your personalized treatment plan with laser treatments and our newest addition, Genius, which combines microneedling and radio frequency energy to tighten skin.
Advanced Eyelid Surgery and Laser Center
6208 Colleyville Blvd., Ste. 100 • Colleyville, Texas 76034 817.329.4480 • Fax 817.488.5993 drmaylidavis.com
Baylor Scott & White Family Medicine - North Fort Worth
MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Family Medicine. EDUCATION/ CERTIFICATIONS: Dr. Dieu and Dr. Rahman attended the UNTHSC Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed internships and residencies at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. Dr. Rahman is boardcertified in family medicine. HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Dr. Dieu – Provider who helped initiate Baylor Scott & White Family MedicineNorth Fort Worth startup clinic in 2018. Dr. Rahman – My greatest achievements include finishing family medicine residency, doing medical mission work in Costa Rica and Guatemala, teaching and working with students, and working for Baylor Scott & White. PICTURED: Ngoc B. Dieu, D.O.; Rezwana Rahman, D.O.
Baylor Scott & White Family Medicine - North Fort Worth
7260 Blue Mound Road, Ste. 144 • Fort Worth, Texas 76131 817.912.9100 • bswhealth.com
Physicians are employees of HealthTexas Provider Network, a member of Baylor Scott & White Health. ©2021 Baylor Scott & White Health.
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care - Willow Park
MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Family Medicine. EDUCATION: Texas Christian University; medical school – University of North Texas Health Science Center College of Osteopathic Medicine; internship and residency – Family Medicine, Texoma Medical Center. AWARDS/HONORS: Baylor Scott & White Primary Care Lead Physician - Willow Park. HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Providing comprehensive primary care to the patients of Fort Worth, Aledo, Willow Park, Weatherford, and surrounding areas. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: We are courteous, friendly, and welcoming. It is our priority to be prompt in communication with patients, making sure to address all questions and concerns. We are attentive and focused on listening. We provide professional compassionate care that makes patients feel comfortable and not rushed.
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care - Willow Park
410 Shops Blvd., Ste. 300 • Willow Park, Texas 76087 817.912.9200
Physician is an employee of HealthTexas Provider Network, a member of Baylor Scott & White Health. ©2021 Baylor Scott & White Health
MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Optometry: precise digital state-ofthe-art prescriptions/measurements for glasses, contact lenses, and multifocals, cutting edge dry eye therapy, retinal and diabetic eye exams, eye and lid infections, cataract and glaucoma evaluations. EDUCATION: Doctorate with honors from Northeastern State University and awarded the distinguished Vision Science award. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: What started out as a dream turned “CHROMA” into a reality; we built the most modern, state-of-the-art building in all of Texas to care for the eyes of our patients and to make the community of Fort Worth proud of our new home on Montgomery Street. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: We take pride in listening to and achieving each patient’s unique vision needs and goals. MOTTO: CHROMA stands for the purity of color. After visiting CHROMA, we are confident our patients see the world in a new, clearer, and more colorful light.
CHROMA modern Eyewear Eyecare
1700 Montgomery St. • Fort Worth, Texas 76107
817.737.6281 • Fax 817.569.7736 chromamodern.com
Cosmetic Surgery of DFW
MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: University of Texas at Austin, BA Biology, BS Kinesiology; University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, M.D.; University of Texas Southwestern/Parkland Memorial Hospital Program, General Surgery Residency; Summa Health System, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship. AWARDS/ HONORS: Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, UNTHSC; 360 West Magazine 2021 Top Doctor; 76092 Magazine 2021 Top Doctor; Medical Director of Hand Surgery, Texas Health Harris Southwest Hospital. HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: THR Harris Methodist Fort Worth, THR Harris Southwest, Baylor Scott & White All Saints Fort Worth, Cook Children’s Hospital, Medical City Weatherford, Medical City Fort Worth. GREATEST
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Restoring form/function to a man who lost his nose, upper lip, and teeth after a horrific work-related traumatic injury over the course of a year and approximately six operations.
Cosmetic Surgery of DFW
800 Eighth Ave., Ste. 206 • Fort Worth, Texas 76104 817.952.5340 • Fax 817.334.0491 • cosmeticsurgeryofdfw.com
MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Internal medicine. EDUCATION/ CERTIFICATIONS: B.S. in molecular biology, University of Texas - Dallas; D.O., UNT Health Science Center - Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine; board-certified in internal medicine, hospice/palliative medicine; certified hospice medical director. AWARDS/HONORS: Fellow, American College of Osteopathic Internists; Top Doc, Fort Worth Magazine, 2010-2021; Top Doc, 360 West Magazine 2018-2020. HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Medical City Fort Worth, Texas Health Resources - Fort Worth, Baylor Scott and White Medical Center - Fort Worth. GREATEST
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Opening my own private primary care practice — forever a dream that came to fruition almost three years ago. INNOVATIONS: We are well-versed in preventive screenings and, thanks to the pandemic, have become well-accustomed to telemedicine. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: Many patients, new and established, comment on my willingness to listen — truly listen — and hear what they have to say so I can better care for them.
Fort Worth Primary Care
800 Eighth Ave., Ste. 626 • Fort Worth, Texas 76104 817.243.7995 • fortworthprimarycare.com
MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Cosmetic & Medical Dermatology. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: M.D., Baylor College of Medicine; Board-Certified Dermatologist, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. AWARDS/HONORS: Top Doc, Best Dermatologist, Best Place for Botox. INNOVATIONS: Layering treatments gives our patients amazing results. The science of great skin is optimal using multiple treatments in combination. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: We believe patients deserve the highest-level experience in our office, from the moment they call to when they walk out our doors. Caring for each patient with respect and honesty allows us to give them gorgeous and natural-looking improvements to their skin beauty and health. FREE ADVICE: Great skin begins now; it’s not defined by age!
1200 N. Carroll Ave. • Southlake, Texas 76092
817.631.0310 • Fax 817.631.0340 greerdermatology.com
Ryan Reeves, M.D., Neil Patel, M.D., FAAOS
MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Dr. Reeves – Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation/Interventional Pain. Dr. Patel – Spine Surgery, specializing in minimally invasive and navigated spine surgery. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: Dr. Reeves – Fellowship in Interventional Spine Care and board certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Patel – Fellowship in Combined Neurosurgery & Orthopaedic Spine Surgery and board certified by American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (Diplomate status).
AWARDS/HONORS: Both doctors have been recognized as Top Doctors in several publications including Fort Worth Magazine Southlake Style 360 West Magazine Dallas Morning News, and Texas Monthly INNOVATIONS: Innovations include Intracept, Superion, and Regenerative Biologics. Our practice is constantly researching and adding innovative treatment options for our patients, to be able to effectively treat our patients’ symptoms in the most conservative and minimally invasive manner. PICTURED: Ryan Reeves, M.D.; Neil Patel, M.D., FAAOS.
1545 E. Southlake Blvd., Ste. 100 • Southlake, Texas 76092 817.442.9300 • Fax 817.416.0108 • spineteamtexas.com
Rosy Rajbhandary, M.D.
SPECIALTY: Rheumatology. EDUCATION: Internal Medicine Residency at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey; Fellowship in Rheumatology at Los Angeles County+ University of Southern California. AWARDS/ HONORS: Top Doc 2017 – 2020; Texas Super Doctors Rising Stars 2020, 360 West Top Doc 2020 – 2021; Medical Honoree for the Arthritis Foundation; Barbara Sloan Patient Comfort Award for outstanding compassion and care of patients; Assistant Chief Medical Resident, Certified in Medical Humanities, Drew University; certified in rheumatological procedures under ultrasound guidance by the Ultrasound School of North American Rheumatologists (USSONAR).
INNOVATIONS: Dr. Rajbhandary specializes in treating both common as well as rare rheumatic conditions, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, gout, fibromyalgia, sarcoidosis, Bechet’s disease, and osteoporosis. She does steroid and viscosupplementation injections, trigger point injections, injections for treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger and bursitis.
Rosy Rajbhandary, M.D.
Texas Health Huguley Hospital, MOB 2 11803 S. Freeway, Ste. 210 • Fort Worth, Texas 76115 817.551.3812 • TexasHealth.org/THMA
Melvin P. Simien, M.D.
MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Interventional Endoscopy. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS: M.D., LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport; Internship, University Medical Center, Lafayette; Residency, Internal Medicine, Methodist Health System, Dallas; Fellowship, GI and Hepatology, UTMB Galveston, Therapeutic Endoscopy, GI Associates, Milwaukee; Board Certifications, American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology. PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Dr. Simien performed some of the first advanced endoscopic GI procedures in Tarrant County. INNOVATIONS: Performs interventional procedures only available at a few centers in the country for challenging cases. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: A dual board-certified specialist and advanced therapeutic endoscopist, Dr. Simien believes in utilizing his unique skill set to optimize his patient’s health and well-being.
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases - Fort Worth
1307 Eighth Ave., Ste. 406 Fort Worth, Texas 76104 817.912.9180 bswhealth.com/digestivediseasesfw
MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Family Practice. EDUCATION/ CERTIFICATIONS: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, UNT Health Science Center; internship at Osteopathic Medical Center of Texas; board-certified in Family Practice and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. AWARDS/HONORS: Team doctor for Burleson High School, 25 years. MEMBERSHIPS/ AFFILIATIONS: American Osteopathic Medical Association; Texas Osteopathic Medical Association, District II; Texas Medical Association; American College of Family Practice; Johnson County Medical Association.
HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Texas Health Huguley Hospital Fort Worth South. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Serving the Burleson community through family medicine for 39 years. FREE ADVICE: Your No. 1 asset is your health. Take care of it now. If you wait, it may be too late to get it back.
Wilshire Family Medicine Clinic 220 SW Wilshire Blvd. Burleson, Texas 76028
817.447.8080 • Fax 817.447.7627 wilshirefamilymedicineclinic.com
PRINT IS MEMORABLE.
Print creates an emotional connection.
Print builds relationships.
Physical material is more “real” to the brain, involves more emotional processing, is better connected to memory, with greater internalization of ads — all important for brand associations. (FORBES)
The research for the Top Dentists list was created by PRS (Professional Research Services) and is based on an online peer-review survey sent out to certified dentists within the Fort Worth area. Many votes were cast honoring excellence in all fields of dentistry. Inclusion in Fort Worth Magazine’s Top Dentists is based solely upon one’s standing among peers.
The professionals listed herein were selected by their peers in a survey conducted by Professional Research Services Company of Troy, Michigan. Professionals may be screened and selected through the verification of licensing and review of any infractions through various applicable boards, agencies, and rating services. For further information, visit prscom.com or email PRS at sshevin@prscom.com.
If you are a Top Dentist and would like to purchase your plaque, please visit prsawards.com.
Chad R. Allen
Sayeed Attar
Charles “Trey” E. Brown III
Joseph Creasy
Steven Dazey
James A. Elliott
Lee A. Fulsaas
Ray C. Gillespie
Pei Kang
John W. Loeffelholz
Deborah Loth
Miguel Martinez
Francisco J. Nieves
Jill Peterson
Todd W. Remmers
John B. Struble
Casey L. Turner
Ryan M. Walsh
Kevin M. Altieri
Stephen Anderson
John Barroso
Amy N. Bender
Jessica H. Brigati
Stephen Brogdon
Jacob S. Brown
Kent R. Brown
Sean M. Cerone
Johnny Cheng
Michael Colangelo
Katie Coniglio
William Cook III
Gerald F. Cox Jr.
Thomas Dawson
Lee C. Dodson
Chad C. Duplantis
Jason Fowler
James B. Getz Jr.
Mark Givan
Michael J. Goulding
Gary R. Granger
Nikki Green
Erin R. Greer
Justin B. Harlin
Chris Hawkins
Brent Hicks
Lindsey Horwedel
Timothy Huckabee
Garrett Johannsen
Christopher Kim
James R. King Jr.
Kenneth D. Kirkham
Tim S. Knight
Justyna S. Laska
J. Bradley Loeffelholz
Gregory D. Martin
Keith Metzger
Sarah J. Morris
Partha Mukherji
Ashley Murrey
Karen Neil
Brett Nielsen
Thomas J. Novak
Tim Oakes
Depal Parikh
Sahil Patel
Chad Perry
Brit Phillips
Edward N. Reiter
Brent Robinson
J. Michael Rogers
David J.W. Sorokolit
Robert Sorokolit
Brent A. Spear
Gregg H. Tillman
Abby Fenn Treesh
Eric Wear
Gary L. White
William D. Whittle
Saam Zarrabi
Brandon R. Brown
Craig E. Buchmann
Mazen Duraini
Eduardo A.C. Humes
David K. Hunter
Haroon Ismaili
Herman Kao
David W. Kostohryz Jr.
Todd A. Kovach
Diana Reyes Lois
James Macholl
David Parmer
Charles R. Payerle
Robert B. Peak
William F. Runyon Jr.
Gregory B. Scheideman
Michael D. Sheppard
John P. Stella
Chris L. Tye
Michael R. Warner
Fayette C. Williams
J. Moody Alexander
Daniel Bekish
Sheila Birth
Jae Brimhall
Jose G. Chow
Monte Collins
Thuy Do-deLatour
Brian Dugoni
Ron D. Groves
Bradley S. Hall
Cameron Jolley
Lester H. Kuperman
Jeremy Lustig
David McReynolds
David Mikulencak
Scott Myser
Mike Obeid
Anthony Patel
Evan Perkins
Nicholas Ridder
Paul Robinson
Christopher A. Sorokolit
Aaron Swapp
Shane Rex Tolleson Pediatric Dentistry
Sandra Armstrong
R. Nelson Beville III
Jerod Brazeal
Austin Church
Julie Colwick
Debra C. Duffy
John R. Gober
Elizabeth Gold Rector
Drew Jamison
Jennifer P. Ketchel
Elizabeth Laborde
Mark C. Lantzy
E. Dale Martin
Bridget McAnthony
Jack Morrow
Janell I. Plocheck
Stan Preece
Robert Casey Stroud
Meghan Thorburn
Chris Walton
Amy Watts
John B. Witte
Danny Wright
Jason Zimmerman
Steven R. Alspach
Scott Bedichek
Farhad Boltchi
Steven K. Britain
Brent F. Gabriel
William M. Grover
Cindy H. Hsu
Rishika Kapoor
N. Joseph Laborde III
Shelby Nelson
Paula Ortiz
George D. Pylant III
Matthew Steffer
Elise Woody
Daniela A. Zambon
Khaldoun Ajlouni
James C. Fischer
Steven Fuqua
Jorge Gonzalez
Virgil Vacarean
NOTE: All dentists featured in the following pages adhere to CDC guidelines and continue to practice the highest safety standards. Despite recent state-wide changes to COVID-19 regulations, dentists and medical staff continue to wear masks within their offices and when seeing patients. The following photos, which may not include dentists wearing masks, are not necessarily representative of an office’s safety protocols.
When asked their biggest fear, many people reply, “Going to the dentist.” It seems that there is something about sitting alone in a huge chair surrounded by unknown gadgets and the shrill of machinery that undoubtedly makes the stomach uneasy. However, the intention of dentists is not to scare you but to leave you with a dazzling smile. To help ease your mind, local dentists have purchased space to not only inform you of their skills but to gain your trust.
The information in this section is provided by the advertisers and has not been independently verified by Fort Worth Magazine.
SPECIALTY: Rodeo Dental & Orthodontics is one of the premier multi-specialty dental groups in the country. Born with roots in the Fort Worth Stockyards, the company’s team of 120-plus award-winning doctors provides a full range of general dentistry, orthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, and pediatric dental services in 29 Rodeo locations throughout the state of Texas. Rodeo fuels its brand reputation by providing a high-end Patient Experience. AWARDS/HONORS: The dentists and the company have won numerous awards including Best Place to Work in Fort Worth; 2014–2020 Fort Worth Magazine Top Dentists; 2019 Entrepreneur of Excellence Winner (Dr. Saam Zarrabi); and
2014–2020 D Magazine Best Dentists. INNOVATIONS: Rodeo has the largest production stages in the health care industry, with themed lobbies, upscale audio/visual equipment, and colorful window graphics that set the mood and experience backdrop. Additional color, music, fashion, and team vibe are mixed in to create an interactive pop art experience that sparks emotion and fuels one-of-a-kind interactions that patients share and remember. Patients are fanatical about the Rodeo brand and have submitted over 50,000 five-star Google and Facebook reviews! PICTURED: (left to right) Dr. Jinny Kim, Dr. Javier Ortiz, Dr. Sahil Patel, Dr. Saam Zarrabi, Dr. Brian Dugoni.
3204 N. Main St., Ste. 120 • Fort Worth, Texas 76106
817.380.5574
3330 Mansfield Highway, Ste. B • Fort Worth, Texas 76119
817.727.4189
2540 Gus Thomasson • Dallas, Texas 75228
469.325.1515 Coming Soon! 3557 N. Beltline Road • Irving, Texas 75062 RodeoDentalTexas.com
SPECIALTY: Orthodontics. We specialize in straightening teeth with braces and Invisalign, as well as specializing in the treatment of TMJ/TMD, facial pain, and persistent headaches caused by dental and muscle imbalance. We also offer simple orthodontic appliances for sleep apnea for patients that cannot tolerate or do not like the CPAP.
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS:
Both Drs. Sheila Birth and Cristi Fletcher have Board Certification in Orthodontics. AWARDS/ HONORS: Both doctors are Invisalign Diamond+ providers, which means that they treat more patients with Invisalign than 99 percent of other Invisalign providers. MEMBERSHIPS/ AFFILIATIONS: American Board of Orthodontics, American Association of Orthodontists, Texas Dental Association, American Dental Association, Fort Worth Dental Association. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Dr. Birth is now starting to treat a third generation of patients with continued satisfaction of treatment. INNOVATIONS: We use a scanner and 3D X-ray, which are more accurate and more comfortable, replacing “gooey” impressions. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: We treat all patients like they are family. MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to create “Better Smiles Forever.” FREE ADVICE: Always do your best for your patients. PICTURED: Drs. Birth and Fletcher.
Orthodontics by Birth & Fletcher:
4420 Heritage Trace Parkway, Ste. 300 Keller, Texas 76244
817.776.4118
109 W. Renfro Burleson, Texas 76028
817.349.6070
3060 Sycamore School Road Fort Worth, Texas 76133
817.402.3157
2011 W. Bardin Road Arlington, Texas 76017
817.406.5329
bsfortho.com
Evan Perkins D.D.S., M.S.D. Perkins Orthodontics
MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. EDUCATION/ CERTIFICATIONS: Southwestern University, Bachelor of Science in biology; Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry, Doctor of Dental Surgery; Saint Louis University - Center for Advanced Dental Education, Orthodontic Certificate; Master of Science in Dentistry. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: One of my greatest professional achievements is the honor of working every day with an exceptional and compassionate team to serve the wonderful patients of Fort Worth. INNOVATIONS: Our office is at the forefront of technology utilizing the digital platform in as many ways as possible: digital scans, 3D CBCT imaging, and digital models to highlight a few. Our goal is to be forward thinking, forward moving, striving to improve and deliver the best patient care utilizing evidence-based practice, up-to-date technology, and innovation. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: At Perkins Orthodontics we strive to make your time in our office as one of the highlights of your day. Dr. Perkins loves to educate and build relationships with patients and parents. We treat patients and parents as family, and we love adding to the Perk Pack. FREE ADVICE: My dad’s advice to me was always “find something you love to do and do it with all your heart.” It’s not really work if it’s your passion. PICTURED: Mel Smith; Shelly Wright, Sana Raheem, Jessica Quinn.
Perkins Orthodontics
4763 Barwick Drive, Ste. 107 Fort Worth, Texas 76132
817.294.5021
Fax 817.294.9310 orthobyperkins.com
MEDICAL SPECIALTY: Periodontics/Dental Oral Surgery. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION: Specialists – Periodontics. HONORS/AWARDS: Best of D Magazine, Best of Denton County. MEMBERSHIPS/ AFFILIATIONS: Director of Seattle Study Club of Fort Worth and Director of Seattle Study Club of Dallas, Texas Dental Association. GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: ROOT™ has seven locations throughout DFW — one of the largest privately owned dental surgery groups in the United States. INNOVATIONS: Navigation-guided implant surgery, 3-dimensional imaging, l aser gum surgery. UNIQUE PATIENT CARE: Our main purpose is to care for you as family so you feel loved. FREE ADVICE: Make sure to take care of your oral health as it also affects your systemic health and psychological well-being. PICTURED: Dr. Amit M. Patel, Dr. Steven Alspach, Dr. Gretchen Stern, Dr. Asfia Husain, Dr. Praveen Parachuru.
ROOT ™ Periodontal & Implant Centers
3409 N. Tarrant Parkway, Ste. 117 Fort Worth, Texas 76177
817.242.7668 (ROOT)
ROOTdfw.com
Other locations: Argyle, Carrollton, Dallas, Denton, Flower Mound, and Frisco
SPECIALTY: Dr. Green’s expertise is in the intricate details of creating a customized, beautiful smile for every patient. She provides a gentle touch, listening ear, and spends time to truly understand the goals of each patient. Dr. Green’s extensive clinical training has been primarily in the realm of Cosmetic Smile Makeovers, Full Mouth Rehabilitation, Implant Dentistry and same-day crowns. INNOVATIONS: Dr. Green insists on staying on the cutting edge of dental technology and keeping up with the latest dental advances. Whether it’s their state-of-the-art facility, the experience of a porcelain crown prepared and placed in a single appointment, or watching your implant be virtually placed on a computer screen with greater precision, you know Dr. Green and her team will change the way you experience dentistry!
5720 Locke Ave. • Fort Worth, Texas 76107
817.653.8879
ngreendental.com
APR. 2-5
Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival
Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation
APR. 3
Lunch with the Girlz
Colleyville Woman’s Club
APR. 3
Roadhouse
Ronald McDonald House
APR. 4
The Gold Standard
Texas Center For Arts + Academics
APR. 8
Puttin’ on the Pink Kupferle Health Board of Texas Health
Resources Foundation
APR. 16
Project Goodwill
Goodwill Fort Worth
APR. 16
Night of Champions Banquet
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
APR. 18
Diamonds Are Forever Casino Night
Meals On Wheels of Tarrant County
APR. 25
Taste of Fort Worth
NICA
APR. 27
Jewel Charity Invitational Cook Children’s
May 2
Heart Ball
American Heart Association
May 2
BBQ Cook Off
Parenting Center
May 3
Prominade Garden Tour
Colleyville Garden Club
May 9
Beat Leukemia Ball
Leukemia Texas
May 13
Doing the Most Good Luncheon
Salvation Army
May 16
Evening of Hope
AIDS Outreach Center
May 18
Charles Schwab Challenge
Colonial Country Club
There’s nothing more rewarding than giving back and making a difference in the lives of people in this great community. As the city’s magazine — which has the eyes and ears of some of Fort Worth’s most affluent and philanthropic citizens — we feel a responsibility to give back to the people of the city that is our namesake, which is why Philanthropy is one of our core values.
Every year, Fort Worth Magazine sponsors more than 100 charity events, which range from luncheons to black-tie galas. The following promotional section is devoted to these charities and their fundraisers. We invite you to consciously peruse and consider lending a helping hand by either making a donation or attending these events.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR BUTTERFLY WISHES SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS FOR STICKING WITH US THROUGH THESE DIFFICULT TIMES!
Although we have canceled Butterfly Wishes 2021, thanks to your support, we are Still Granting Magical Wishes for young Texans with life-threatening medical conditions. We look forward to celebrating our 40th Anniversary with you in 2022!
PRESENTING
Paul Dorman & Terri Anderson
ANONYMOUS
LIFE OF THE PARTY
Kim & JC Johnson
Loretta & Don S. Marable
B&H Engineers, Inc.
Rebecca Barksdale
Blend West & Broadie’s Aircraft
Cook Children's Health Care System
Defender Outdoors
Lindy Eubank/Cheryl & Tom Spencer
Joy & John Little
Dan Lowrance
MedStar Mobile Healthcare
Honorable Mike & Rosie Moncrief
Pantego Lions Foundation
O'Neal Oil & Gas
Mary Phillips
Prim Construction
Cynthia & Scott Prince
Susan Semmelmann Interiors
SKU2U Fulfillment, Inc.
Lei & Frank Testa
The Landscape Partners
Garner Koch & Betty Dunlap
Deborah & Brock Stevenson
GOLD
Karen & Larry AnfinAmon G. Carter Foundation
UNDERWRITING SPONSORS
Sophie
Bagwell
The Annual “It’s in The Bag” Dinner and Auction, is the perfect blend of fun & philanthropy! Each year you have the opportunity to bid on luxury designer bags, unique experiences, and provide victims of domestic violence and low -income individuals the support and tools they need to take steps towards success.
This year, “It’s in the Bag” will have over 100 exciting silent auction items, excursions, hunts, meet & greets, and more! Included in your ticket purchase is a delicious seated dinner, an open ba r, photo opportunities with a longhorn and miniature horse! The night will be hosted by Justin Frazell from 95.9 The Ranch so you won’t want to miss this!
All COVID-19 safety precautions will be in place and temperatures will be taken upon enter the event.
Media Sponsors:
100% of the proceeds from the event will go to support the important work of The Ladder Alliance. All of this is in support of our mission to provide women victims of domestic violence, and low income with the tools to lead self-reliant, successful, and independent lives.
Tickets, Tables and Sponsorships can be purchased at: events.readysetauction.com/ladderalliance/orgeventsits-in-theladderalliance.org
For questions, please call Katie Purcell at (214) 621-0448
On a foggy Saturday afternoon downtown, artist Matthew Miller found himself inspired upon seeing the towering skyscrapers blanketed in mist, so he decided to whip out a camera and attempt to catch air. “Since my vertical is about an inch and a half, I had my wife hold the camera at the ground and tilt up just slightly,” he says. “We settled on a shot that was both tremendous in its sense of boundlessness and balanced in composition. No hands were flailing wildly, feet weren’t oddly askew, butt tucked just enough as to not be distracting. Perhaps when I am older, I will be able to jump like a grown man.”
So you’ve snapped a cool pic of the city. We want to see it. Tag your photos on Instagram with #fwtxmag. The winning image will get published on this page — so hit us with your best shot. main line 817.560.6111 | subscriptions 800.856.2032 | website fwtx.com
¡ SouthWest Promise which includes:
- 2 years of oil changes, tire rotations, & multipoint inspections.
¡ SouthWest Valet Service which includes:
- Online or over the phone sales purchase and delivery
- Service pick-up and delivery
Morgan Jackson, a nutritionist, chef, and 500-hour registered yoga teacher, needed a vehicle with lots of space. The mother of three, who owns MoJack Yoga, says her 2017 Yukon Denali from SouthWest Volkswagen checks all the boxes. “There’s a lot of interior space for my three car seats, and the back storage and mobility of the third row make road-tripping a breeze,” she says. “Besides working directly with Stephen Gilchrist, GM Dustin Rogers and Dakota Jones, Service Advisor, have been my go-to contacts for all my needs,” Jackson says. “What I love about SouthWest Volkswagen is their above-and-beyond customer service and their inventory of hundreds of pre-owned vehicles of all makes and models.”
“We will work hard to earn your business for life.”
Stephen Gilchrist, owner Gilchrist Automotive
Family Owned and Operated since 1986. We tailor the purchase experience to fit your needs, not ours; because we don’t just want to sell you a vehicle, we want to build a relationship and become your trusted advisor for all purchases and service.
Keller resident John Davis, an engineer and volunteer pilot who flies rescue dogs for nonprofit Pilots N Paws, is a Lexus devotee. He and his late wife purchased their first car, a 2001 Lexus RX300, from Park Place Lexus Grapevine in 2001. The Davis fleet has included a 2005 Lexus GX470, 2006 Lexus RX330, and 2010 Lexus RX350, which his daughter, Caitlin, a UNT freshman, now drives. Davis currently drives a 2020 Lexus GX460, a luxurious family SUV. “I appreciate the luxury and quietness of my vehicle in my daily commute — or at least when I was commuting prior to COVID,” Davis says.
“Through the years, we have been responsible for 20 cars leaving the Park Place dealership, either through direct purchase or referrals,” he says. “The dealership provides very good customer service along with excellent vehicles.” Davis praises Park Place Lexus Grapevine Sales Manager Becky Gustafsson, who has assisted the Davis family purchase vehicles through the years. “[When] I lost my wife in 2017 to breast cancer, Park Place and Becky worked with me to close out her lease in the easiest manner for both of us. She has been very good to me and my family,” Davis says. “Park Place is My Place because they care about me and my family.”