Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine Medical March/April 2018

NEW DIMENSION

CHRISTUS SPOHN HEART INSTITUTE COASTAL BEND MEDICAL MAGAZINE

WHERE THE HEART IS

MAR.APR 2018

THE VIERA

MOVING FORWARD CHARLIE'S PLACE RECOVERY CENTER

HEART HEALTH 2018 AHA'S NEW HIGH BLOOD I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M 1 PRESSURE GUIDELINES

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Cornerstone Home Health Cornerstone Home Health can provide a service or a combination of services in your HOME. Along with your physician and our qualified staff, we plan, coordinate, and provide care tailored to your needs.

Services we offered include: Skilled nursing, Physical therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Social Worker, and CNA

If you have any questions or want to make a referral, contact our office at 361-727-2131 or Toll free 1-855-328-2131

2600 Lakeview Dr. Suite 2C | Rockport, Tx 78382

AAdi Home Health & Hospice Services AAdi Home Health is a full service home health and hospice agency. We provide quality nursing services and outstanding support services. The staff at AAdi Home Health has the experience, dedication and compassion needed to provide care in a home environment without sacrificing quality or safety.

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WE WILL PUT YOU BACK IN THE GAME OF LIFE

TREATMENTS AND PROGRAMS FOR: Musculoskeletal Injuries Pregnancy (Pre/Post Natal Care) Diabetes Fall Prevention Neuropathy Cardiovascular Therapy Osteoarthritis Vertigo (Dizziness) Osteoporosis Athletic Rehab (Sport Specific) Thoracic-Outlet Syndrome Orthotic Evaluation/Fabriation Pre-Op/Post-Operative Therapy

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ALL 6 LOCATIONS OFFER CAREFULLY DESIGNED AND SUPERVISED EXERCISE PROGRAMS IN STATE OF THE ART GYMS AND LARGE INDOOR HEATED POOLS:

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CORPUS CHRISTI

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CALALLEN

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ALICE

5026 Deepwood Cir. • 361.854.2278 4040 Five Points Rd. • 361.241.7399 1302 E. 5th St. • 361.664.9675

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PORTLAND 114 Lang Rd. • 361.643.8243

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ARANSAS PASS 2150 W. Wheeler Ave. • 361.758.5199

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ROCKPORT 1811 Broadway (a.k.a. Fulton Beach Rd.) 361.729.8777

CONTENTS MARCH.APRIL 2018

COVER AND TABLE OF CONTENTS PHOTOS BY: THADDEUS HARDEN

16 16 COVER STORY

THE VIERA As part of Sagora Senior Living, this new community is set to offer seniors an oasis they can call home, elevating the standards of retirement living in the Coastal Bend.

26 PROFILE

CHRISTUS SPOHN HEART INSTITUTE Now a training site for cardiology fellows, CHRISTUS Spohn helps train the brightest minds of tomorrow’s cardiac care right here in the Coastal Bend.

PATIENT 10 Put Your Heart Into it!

12 Defining Heart Health EXPRESSIONS OF INSPIRATION 32 A New Start

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MEET THE STAFF COASTAL BEND MEDICAL MAGAZINE

MARCH.APRIL 2018

ADRIAN GARZA

CO-PUBLISHER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SALES adrian@ inspirecoastalbendmag.com 361.548.1044

CO-PUBLISHER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SALES Adrian Garza

CO-PUBLISHER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Holly Lewis Duvall

EDITOR Erin O’Brien

HOLLY LEWIS DUVALL

CO-PUBLISHER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS holly@ inspirecoastalbendmag.com 479.935.0868

ART DIRECTOR Elisa Giordano

SOCIAL MEDIA Morgan Bartel

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Steven Alford Leticia Morales Kathleen Naderer Erin Wilder Nancy Zuniga

Team Silverback Training & Wellness by Hershel Shoats

Physique training Fitness consulting Nutritional guidance Functional movements (athletes) • Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

PHOTOGRAPHY Thaddeus Harden

ERIN O’BRIEN

EDITOR erin.editorial@gmail.com

ELISA GIORDANO ART DIRECTOR thatgirl@elisagiordano.com 210.716.5320

• • • •

silverbackwellness@gmail.com

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www.inspirecoastalbendmag.com For advertising information, please call 361.548.1044 or email adrian@inspirecoastalbendmag.com.

For editorial comments and suggestions, please call 479.935.0868 or email holly@inspirecoastalbendmag.com.

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Copyright 2018 © Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction without the expressed written permission of the publisher is prohibited.

Printed in Mexico

Take a Minute to Save a Life! #CPRSAVESLIVES

It’s easy to learn this lifesaving skill.

Watch the 60-second demonstration video on Hands-Only CPR at heart.org/handsonlycpr and share it with the important people in your life.

For resources in Spanish, go to heart.org/rcp.

If you are called on to give CPR in an emergency, you will most likely be trying to save the life of someone you love: a child, a spouse, a parent or a friend.

CPR CAN: WHY?:

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When a person has a cardiac arrest, survival d e p e n d s on getting

immediate CPR from someone nearby.

DOUBLE or even TRIPLE a victim’s chance of survival.

Chest compressions push oxygen-rich blood through the body to keep vital organs alive.

Hands-Only CPR buys time until EMS arrives.

The American Heart Association’s Hands-Only CPR campaign is supported by an educational grant from the Anthem Foundation.

The AHA still recommends CPR with compressions and breaths for infants and children and victims of drowning, drug overdose, or people who collapse due to breathing problems. Hands-Only CPR training does not result in an AHA Course Completion Card. ©2017, American Heart Association. DS-12068 4/17

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Who Else Wants to Who Else Wants to Who Else Wants to TM TM TM

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PATIENT

PUT YOUR HEART INTO IT! How physical activity can help prevent heart disease and stroke

By: LETICIA MORALES

ing, how much you’re sweating and how tired your muscles feel.

Studies have shown that an individual’s perceived exertion correlates to his or her heart rate. This means that if you feel like you’re working hard, your heart rate is probably higher.

A person can estimate if he or she is reaching the moderate-intensity level of an activity by using perceived exertion. In general, on a scale of one to 20, a moderate-intensity activity would feel like an 11 to a 14. Other clues of this level of exercise include:  Breaking a light sweat at about 10 minutes into the exercise  Quickened breathing, but you’re not out of breath

PERCEIVED EXERTION IS DIFFERENT FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL.

Americans aren’t physically active on a daily basis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only about half of Americans meet the recommended guidelines for aerobic physical activity, which is 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity for five days a week.

Part of this problem might be due to the thinking that “moderate” exercise means heart-pounding exertion and sweat, when in reality, it can be as simple as brisk walking. Understanding how to gauge exercise intensity is important to reaping the benefits.

To monitor exercise intensity, you have to pay attention to your perceived exertion, or how hard you feel like your body is working. Take note of how heavily you’re breath-

 Being able to carry on a conversation while performing the activity Moderate-intensity exercises can include brisk walking, biking, pushing a lawn mower, water aerobics, doubles tennis, gardening and ballroom dancing, among other activities.

What’s important to note, however, is that perceived exertion is different for each individual. The same activity may be easier for one person and harder for another, and that’s OK. Just be sure to do the activity at the level that feels right for you. And remember, doing something is always better than doing nothing.

Leticia Morales is director of therapy operations at Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital. The hospital provides specialized rehabilitative care to patients recovering from disabilities caused by injuries, illnesses or chronic medical conditions. It is certified nationally by The Joint Commission for Stroke Rehabilitation.

For more information, visit www.ccrh.ernesthealth.com, call 361-906-3700 or visit the hospital at 5726 Esplanade Drive in Corpus Christi, Texas.

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MARIDAV/BIGSTOCK.COM, DOLGACHOV/BIGSTOCK.COM

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ccording to Strava, a social network for athletes, most people by now have given up on their New Year’s resolutions (“Quitters’ Day” was officially on Jan. 12). For those whose healthy resolutions may have fallen victim to that day, here is something to consider: According to the American Heart Association, being physically active is important in preventing heart disease and stroke, which are the nation’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers, respectively.

Regular exercise can help manage known risk factors of heart disease.

Studies have shown that physical activity can help reduce high blood pressure, weight and “bad” cholesterol, while increasing “good” cholesterol in the body.

But despite these benefits, many

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PATIENT

DEFINING HEART HEALTH What you need to know about the new high blood pressure guidelines

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early half of American adults are at risk for major health problems because of high blood pressure, according to a new scientific guideline that redefines the dangerous condition and provides tactics for doctors to detect, treat and prevent it.

People with readings of 130 as the top number or 80 as the bottom one now are considered to have high blood pressure, according to the new guidelines recently released by the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology.

High blood pressure used to be defined as 140/90.

These guidelines, the first update to offer comprehensive guidance to doctors on managing adults with high blood pressure since 2003, are designed to help people address the potentially deadly condition much earlier.

The change means 46 percent of

U.S. adults are identified as having high blood pressure, compared with 32 percent under the previous definition. A blood pressure of less than 120/80 still will be considered normal, but levels at or above that, to 129, will be called “elevated.”

The good news is this guideline is designed to help people take steps to control their blood pressure much earlier, according to the authors.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. By lowering the definition of high blood pressure, the guidelines recommend earlier intervention to prevent further increases in blood pressure and the complications of hypertension.

With the new guidelines in mind, here are some steps you can take now to help reduce and prevent high blood pressure:

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Ask your doctor about the new guidelines, and get your blood pressure checked on a regular basis.

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Eat more fruits and vegetables as part of your overall diet.

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Reduce salt in your diet.

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Exercise (even walking 30 minutes a day can make a difference).

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Quit smoking, and limit alcohol.

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Take your medications properly.

For all in the Corpus community, we hope you might join the American Heart Association’s Check. Change. Control. program, which uses self-monitoring and tracking of blood pressure readings at home to help you achieve and maintain a healthy heart. Currently, 1,568 Corpus Christi residents have registered for our high blood pressure monitoring programs and have seen significant changes in their blood pressure and overall health.

Monitoring blood pressure at home is an important method to conTHESE GUIDELINES ARE firm and manage high blood presDESIGNED TO HELP sure. Patients should be trained by PEOPLE TAKE STEPS TO health care providers to accurately CONTROL THEIR BLOOD monitor themselves at home. If you PRESSURE EARLIER. don’t have a treatment plan or have gone off your high blood pressure plan, it is recommended that you speak with your doctor and create or modify a treatment plan together.

Remember, the best way to know if your blood pressure is in a healthy or unhealthy range is to get it checked. If high blood pressure is diagnosed, regular monitoring can help confirm if you have high blood pressure, detect patterns and alert you to any changes. It will also show you if the changes you’ve made are working.

Managing blood pressure is not a one-time event. Getting blood pressure under control happens with close monitoring and open discussion with your health care provider.

For more information on the American Heart Association’s Check. Change. Control. program, visit https://www.ccctracker.com/aha.

And for patients and caregivers interested in learning more about the newly released guidelines, visit http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/High-Blood-Pressure-or-Hypertension_UCM_002020_SubHomePage.jsp.

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By: ERIN WILDER

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24-Hour Admissions Hotline (361) 205-9677

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COVER STORY

The Viera puts its entire heart into creating a community for seniors By: KATHLEEN NADERER Photos by: THADDEUS HARDIN

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SAVVY SOUTHSIDE SENIORS

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orpus Christi’s popular South Side is expecting a new, unparalleled destination for today’s progressive retirees and their families. The Viera, located at 3010 Airline Road, is devoted to elevating the standards of retirement living in the Coastal Bend.

The Viera will offer 12 cottages, 75 independent living apartments, 60 assisted living apartments and 23 memory care apartments. But the latest retirement community is more than just a residence: The Viera aims to create a community seniors call home.

The Viera is part of Sagora Senior Living, a Texas-owned and operated company headquartered in Fort Worth that provides customized lifestyles and care for independent senior living, assisted living and memory care in Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Alabama and, soon, California.

The name, Sagora, is a combination of sage (“wisdom”) and agora (“community”), which reflects the company’s philosophy of working side-by-side with the residents of their communities to create a campus culture that truly captures each city’s unique lifestyle.

While all Sagora communities share similar foundational elements and values, each community is designed to meet the specific needs and expectations of individual locations.

This Resident First philosophy serves as the deciding factor in all Sagora’s business decisions. While hiring associates, Sagora focuses on finding the most qualified industry professionals who have the heart to provide Resident First care in a senior living environment.

Bryan McCaleb, President of Sagora Senior Living, describes Sagora’s operations as friendly, similar to a small,

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family business. “We choose to operate only the senior living communities we own, instead of managing someone else’s real estate. When opening a residence in a new city, our hope is that retirees will want to continue living in the community they already know.

Now with The Viera, they have a new level of continuum of care: an all-inone campus with independent living, assisted living and memory care,” McCaleb explained.

Once open and operating at or near capacity, The Viera could employ up to 110 associates who embody the company values of commitment, communication, empowerment and excellence. Along with the residents, these associates will help shape The Viera community into one that captures the spirit of South Texas.

Dara Brown, Sagora Senior Vice President of Operations and Sales, is enthusiastic about the quality of associates Sagora will be hiring to work with residents at The Viera. “The associates working at The Viera will help change the lives of many people by providing their expertise and caring attention to each resident’s individual needs,” Brown said. “We are convinced we will have the best of the best working in this community.”

The layout and design of The Viera emphasize the coastal lifestyle of Corpus Christi. Site-specific elements such as numerous outdoor courtyards, walking trails, verandas, a dog park, an outdoor kitchen, a pool and a pool house let residents and their families take advantage of the balmy weather.

Additional touches like the chic nautical theme and décor, as well as the abundance of natural light flowing throughout the common spaces and

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“The Viera will become what the residents

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want their retirement experience to be.�

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Robert Bullock President, CGI Construction

Donny Edwards President, TCG Development

Bryan McCaleb President, Sagora Senior Living

Dara Brown SVP of Operations & Sales, Sagora Senior Living

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apartments, give the senior living campus a resort-like atmosphere.

“Our common spaces are often where families like to spend time with our residents, and we want their visits to be as special as possible,” Brown noted. “We included fireplaces in common areas and oversized patios with ceiling fans, and our outdoor areas are all very family-friendly.”

Options are important at The Viera. Residents are encouraged to create their favorite schedules and choose their own daily activities from an extensive list of options. There will be a wide variety of on-campus amenities seniors and their families can enjoy, including a salon, pub, theater, fitness center and restaurant-style dining area serving chef-prepared meals. Other onsite options will include health and wellness programs, an aquatics program, special interest classes

and many more fun, social activities.

“The Viera will become what the residents want their retirement experience to be,” McCaleb said. “It’s much more than brickand-mortar to us. It will be operated with the purpose of providing individualized care and service to each of our residents and their family members.” McCaleb anticipates that The Viera’s intimate, family-owned atmosphere will enrich the lives of seniors and their families.

The Viera will also offer community outings and chauffeured transportation to help residents remain involved with the greater Coastal Bend community. They can go to the movies, plan shopping trips and more with the help of The Viera associates.

The senior living campus strives for a happy home environment, and that includes provid-

ing the best-quality care for residents. Potential residents can choose from several different floor plans, as well as custom levels of care.

For instance, some retirees prefer the pet-friendly cottages and independent living apartments. Both options give residents the freedom to pursue their individual lifestyles in the Coastal Bend area while still receiving their requested levels of daily assistance. For instance, The Viera provides laundry and housekeeping services and takes care of utilities and maintenance, allowing residents to enjoy their retirement without worries.

While privacy and independence are always encouraged at The Viera, some seniors may need a little more assistance. With 24hour support, the assisted living apartments are an excellent choice for those seeking a personalized plan for their medical needs that allows them to retain an independent lifestyle. Comprehensive assisted living care is also available for those needing more advanced levels of care.

The Viera also offers a memory care program designed to meet the needs of families and seniors dealing with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other memory-related diseases. Specially trained staff closely monitor the community’s memory care residents while implementing the practices for the best aid to residents.

One wonderfully therapeutic activity memory care staff members use is Sagora’s Pathways Program, which invites participants into a non-threatening, warm and respectful creative experience, in addition to several other peaceful, calming engagements.

The decision to create this community in the Coastal Bend was purposeful. Sagora searched the state of Texas to find the best location for their next development before choosing Corpus Christi. “It’s not just another place that ended up on our list – it’s a place we chose specifically,” McCaleb said. “Corpus Christi residents who are looking for a meaningful and engaging senior living experience don’t have to move away. They can get that at The Viera, and it’s all in one place.”

Sagora Senior Living has grown significantly since it began in 2005 through parent company, The Covenant Group. Currently with 34 occupied communities across the country, they only choose to create senior living residencies in places that match their hands-on, individualized, Resident First culture.

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The Viera is much more than brick-andmortar to us.”

The care and patience behind these decisions has led to a confident growth in the company. McCaleb believes The Viera will be an excellent addition to the Sagora family of communities.

Like many businesses in the Coastal Bend, The Viera has been working through the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Many of the contractors and construction crews in the area are still busy working on repairing their own homes and communities, which caused a few delays. Despite the hurdles added by the storm, McCaleb carefully estimates that The Viera will be ready for occupancy in late spring. “I’m happy to report that our Charter Resident reservations have already been sold,” he said. “And the good news is, we have room at The Viera for their friends, too!”

If you or a loved one are interested in learning more about The Viera or scheduling a tour of the community, call 361-392-4000 or visit www.thevieralife.com

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At the Institute of Precision Pain Medicine we are committed to providing patients with innovative pain management services. We strive to deliver the most advanced, minimally invasive, diagnostic and therapeutic services to enable our patients to restore function, relieve pain and renew hope.

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PROFILE

WORLD-CLASS CARDIAC CARE Bringing a new dimension to the CHRISTUS Spohn Heart Institute, CHRISTUS Spohn is proud to offer a state-of-the-art training site for cardiology fellows.

THE BRIGHTEST MINDS of tomorrow’s cardiac care are being trained today right here in the Coastal Bend. CHRISTUS Spohn Health System has partnered with the University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHSC) of Houston, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, to offer cardiology fellows a community-based hospital setting for their cardiology training.

The program is the first of its kind in the region, and adds a new dimension to the CHRISTUS Spohn Heart Institute, according to David LeMonte, president of CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Memorial and Shoreline.

“Making the CHRISTUS Spohn Heart Institute a world-class heart program is our goal,” LeMonte said. “We want South Texans to receive the very best cardiac care, and we will continue to elevate our heart program by teaming up with world-class partners like the University of Texas Health Science Center of Houston.”

Last fall, CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Shoreline welcomed its first cardiology fellow who began training rotations with the cardiac team. Each fellow trains with four top CHRISTUS Spohn cardiologists, including:

 Shamim Badruddin-Mawji, M.D.  Srikanth Damaraju, M.D.  Ray Graf, M.D.  Stephen Turner, M.D.

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“

WE WANT SOUTH TEXANS TO RECEIVE THE VERY BEST CARDIAC CARE.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRISTUS SPOHN

By: Steven Alford

All of these highly trained physicians also serve as faculty members to the UTHSC’s Division of Cardiovascular Medicine.

The cardiac fellows spend between two and four weeks at CHRSITUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Shoreline, caring for patients, assisting in advanced procedures and learning about the community. Their rotations in Corpus Christi are in addition to their usual rotations at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Memorial Hermann Hospital and LBJ Hospitals in Houston.

While at the CHRISTUS Spohn Heart Institute, the fellows receive hands-on training in a range of cardiac specialties, including electrophysiology, cardiovascular, catheterization, rehabilitation and more. The CHRISTUS Spohn site is sought-after by the cardiac fellows.

“This firsthand training is a valuable experience,” explained UTHSC fellow, Steven Napierkowski, M.D. “I am the only cardiac fellow, which gives me lots of opportunities to work directly with the cardiac team.”

“CHRISTUS Spohn Shoreline provides the fellows with a real-world experience of cardiology in the community: the pace, the variety and complexity of medical problems that they will need to deal with as they embark on their individual careers,” shared Damaraju, a cardiologist at the CHRISTUS Spohn Heart Institute, and a UTHSC faculty member.

“In turn, we expect the quality of academic discussion in our hospital will be elevated by including these world-class physicians in our patient care. The relationship with UTHSC will bring us dividends in access to research and education.”

CHRISTUS Spohn Heart Institute has long been offering South Texans the most advanced diagnostic and surgical techniques, the finest facilities and equipment and skilled medical professionals. The fellows will have access to all these technologies and facilities. The Heart Institute offers a nationally accredited chest pain center and a nationally recognized cardiac rehabilitation center.

About CHRISTUS Spohn Health System CHRISTUS Spohn Health System is the region’s largest hospital system in South Texas, consisting of six hospital campuses throughout the Coastal Bend, a cancer center and the new Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Family Health Center. The health system is consistently ranked a health care leader in the area, and it has received national recognition for several pioneering programs, including trauma, cardiac care, clinical excellence and oncology. For more than 100 years, CHRISTUS Spohn has been distinguished by its high-caliber staff and affiliated physicians, its comprehensive and innovative services and its long history of responding to the needs of the community it serves. For additional information, visit our website at www.christusspohn.org.

To learn more about the CHRISTUS Spohn Heart Institute, please visit https://digital.christusspohn.org/cardiology.

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EXPRESSIONS OF INSPIRATION

A NEW START Addiction: Where do we go from here?

By: NANCY ZUNIGA

“My proverbial ‘rock bottom,’ as they say, was the day I found myself in Corpus Christi, Texas, in a hotel, and I had a moment of clarity

there where I knew if I continue, I will die tonight. I went to my phone – and that was pretty sad in itself. The phone had six numbers, five of which were drug dealers. The other one was my mom. And so, I called her. And she called Charlie’s Place. [sic]”

W

hat if Henry’s mom had chosen not to answer? Like so many families who face substance abuse with a son or daughter, husband or wife, mom or dad, addiction erodes the family bond with mistrust, theft and lies until it threatens to break love’s backbone.

But on this day, she answered.

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse defines addiction as “a complex

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disease of the brain and body.” Despite the serious repercussions of substance abuse, individuals with addiction cannot gain control of the brain functionalities charged with reward, motivation and judgement – at least not without professional help and an understanding of their disease.

Just as a person with diabetes must learn proper nutrition and healthy choices to keep the effects of diabetes at bay, a person recov-

ering from addiction must exercise the brain’s response system for reward. It is a constant journey to the next right choice. As any graduate of Charlie’s Place will tell you, they will die with addiction, but they don’t have to die from it.

There is a difference.

Here’s the stark reality we face in the United States today. Substance abuse – and in its wake, drug overdose – killed 63,363 Americans in 2016. Florida, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio,

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHARLIE’S PLACE

– Henry H., heroin addict (clean date: June 2, 2011)

Opposite page: On any given day, there are roughly 115 patients and 96 staff at Charlie’s Place working toward a new start.

This page: A room sits ready for an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting at Charlie’s Place.

Long-term recovery support is essential for success.

New York and Texas accounted for 39 percent of those overdose deaths.

Less than 20 years ago, death by drug overdose totaled 16,801. In just one generation, we have witnessed a 277 percent increase in drug overdose deaths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cites that from 1999 to 2016, more than 200,000 people have died from prescription opioid related overdoses. That’s more American casualties than the Vietnam War. How did we get here? U.S. News magazine reports opioid prescription drug companies have spent over $10 million since 2012 advocating to patient groups and doctors, pushing drugs like OxyContin for chronic pain management. They not only promoted the drug’s effectiveness, but also claimed that the drug is safe and non-addictive when used properly.

Furthermore, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) is

IN JUST ONE GENERATION, WE HAVE WITNESSED A

277 % INCREASE IN DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS.

under fire for allowing the notorious opioid to be approved for the treatment of moderate to severe pain despite a lack of proper research or testing on the drug’s safety and effectiveness. According to the CDC, three out of four heroin users reported having an addiction to prescription drugs.

We are fortunate to have Charlie’s Place Recovery Center in Corpus Christi. Opened in 1965, Charlie’s Place was a safe home where alcoholics went to seek sobriety. Mr. Charlie Acklen, himself a recovering alcoholic, cared for and treated the many men who sought freedom from addiction. Today, Charlie’s Place Recovery Center treats more than 2,000 individuals a year and has served more than 50,000 patients since opening its doors.

The No. 1 drug of choice for most clients at Charlie’s Place is heroin, narrowly surpassing alcohol just last year. These numbers, no doubt, are a product of today’s prevalent use of prescription drugs for pain management. 

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Charlie’s Place offers many services from detoxification to intensive and supportive residential treatment, as well as specialized female intensive and supportive residential, and recovery support services. Although Charlie’s Place accepts many insurances, 78 percent of the patients served in 2017 had no insurance at all. Treatment for these individuals can be difficult to access, due to a lack of funding or the infrastructure to support the numbers.

Every day, Charlie’s Place has an average of 25 to 30 patients on a waiting list to enter treatment. Patients needing detox are accepted as quickly as possible, but are often asked to wait until a bed becomes available.

So where do we go from here? Charlie’s Place Recovery Center and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi are working on a partnership, funded by the CHRISTUS Foundation, to set up a health clinic staffed with a nurse practitioner. The clinic will serve the primary health care needs of the patients being seen at Charlie’s Place, allowing them to remain in treatment rather than in emergency rooms and urgent care centers.

With the addition of a nurse practitioner and partnership with the school of nursing, Charlie’s Place will be able to provide more education and experiential training for nursing students in treating the disease of addiction. Better understanding of addiction and substance use disorders will provide these students an advantage in their future careers throughout the health care industry, as well as improve services for the patients served.

There’s more we can do to end substance abuse. Educate our children and promote healthy choices and wellness. Educate adults on the dangers of prescription drug abuse. Educate young adults on the dangers of binge drinking and recognizing the signs of addiction. Let’s talk about long-term recovery support services for individuals working to maintain recovery, such as housing and access to recovery coaching. At the end of the day, there’s always more we can do, and the next day, we know we can start again.

Top: Support from counselors and peers in recovery provides a safe environment to understand addiction as a disease.

Bottom: Charlie’s Place staff help incoming clients fill in their paperwork and answer questions.

Charlie’s Place Recovery Center is a nonprofit organization serving patients in 74 counties and seven states. A little over half of Charlie’s Place patients are from Nueces County. To learn more about available services, please visit www.charliesplacerecovery.com.

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