Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine Medical Mar/Apr 2019 by Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine

COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE

SERVICE WITH A SMILE CC BRACES 25 YEARS OF SERVICE CHRISTUS SPOHN HOSPITAL-SOUTH COMMUNITY CORNER WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HAPPENING IN THE COASTAL BEND

COMMUNITY CARE CHRISTUS SPOHN'S NEW PATIENT CARE TOWER

MAR/APR 2019

Y E A R ANNIVERSARY I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E NI S DS MU AE G.COM

Arnoldo Villarrea, M.D. Jorge De La Chapa, D.O. FACS Christopher Majka, M.D. Jordan Thomson, D.O. David Browning, O.D.

 LASIK/PRK  Cataract  Eyelids  Glaucoma  Retina  Diabetes  Dry Eye  What you need!

The Texas eye Care Team is here for your eye Care Needs!

Celebrating the grand opening of our in-office LASIK SUITE offering FREE LASIK SCREENINGS and special promotions! Call 833-99-LASIK or visit www.texaseye.care

Schedule your eye care to be seen same day, next day, or as you request 2

Call 361.334.2625 or schedule online www.TexasEye.care

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Private Events Weddings Receptions Catering Event Planning

Timeless Elegance  Old World Charm Romantic Ambiance  Breathtaking Views Corpus Christi's Premier Event Venue Nestled in the Downtown Area and Dedicated to Making your Special Occasions a Dream Come True!

Call to Visit and Book your Event Today!

All-Inclusive Event Production Company Bringing 150 Years of Combined Experience to Make your Next Event One to Remember! 5-Star Custom Catering  Hand Crafted Menus Fresh Ideas  Event Production

Sales Office 361-884-1399 ext. 1 1002 Santa Fe Street, Corpus Christi

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Helping Patients Reach Their Goals

ST R RT OK IFI E E

At Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital, our team delivers advanced rehabilitative care and close medical supervision to help our patients regain their maximum level of function and independence following an injury, illness, or surgical procedure. We focus on helping each patient develop and meet their own unique goals, such as performing daily activities, returning to work, or participating in leisure activities. Our interdisciplinary team approach and care plans are individually tailored to help ensure our patients receive effective treatment and the level of support they need to reach their goals.

Our general rehabilitation program offers treatment for conditions such as: • Myocardial infarction (MI) recovery • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other lung diseases • Congestive heart failure (CHF) • Post-surgical care following cardiovascular procedures • Debility from illness • General weakness, deconditioning, and loss of independence

To learn more about our comprehensive approach to medical rehabilitation, please call us at 361-906-3700. CCRH.ERNESTHEALTH.COM

5726 Esplanade Drive • Corpus Christi, TX 78414 4

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Your One Stop Destination Venue for Live Music & Sports Entertainment on the South Side Like us On Facebook for daily specials and events

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LIVE MUSIC TUESDAY, FRIDAY, & SATURDAY

HAPPY HOUR

3-7PM: $3.50 TITO’S & JACK DANIELS, $2.50 DOMESTIC DRAFTS MONDAY $3 PINT NIGHT, 21 BEERS ON TAP TUESDAY $3.50 CALL DRINKS WEDNESDAY $3.50 PREMIUM WHISKEY

THURSDAY $3.50 TEXAS LIQUORS & $3.50 TEXAS DRAFTS FRIDAY $4 CROWN & EFFEN FLAVORED VODKAS *UNTIL 11PM, $3.50 FIREBALL ALL NIGHT SATURDAY $3.50 TITO’S & JACK DANIELS

SUNDAY, $2.50 WELL, $2.50 DOMESTIC DRAFTS

6601 Everhart Road • Corpus Christi, TX 78413 • 361.814.2010 Monday-Sunday 3pm - 2am 6

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BEST BURGE IN TOW R KITCHE N ‘TIL MI N OPEN DNIGH T

CONTENTS MARCH.APRIL 2019

20 COVER STORY CHRISTUS SPOHN'S NEW PATIENT CARE TOWER The health system opens its new state-of-the-art patient care tower, transforming the way health care is delivered in our community.

28 PROFILE CC BRACES Following a patient-centered service philosophy, this orthodontics office celebrates one year of creating beautiful smiles with a smile.

36 PROFILE CHRISTUS SPOHN HOSPITAL-SOUTH The premier medical facility celebrates 25 years of providing outstanding service and high-quality care to the Southside community.

FEATURE 10 Your Personal Fountain of Youth PATIENT 12 Efficiency and Excellence 14 An Early Start 16 Get Summer Ready This Spring 18 Experience the Difference MENTAL HEALTH 40 Ask the Psychiatrist HEALTH & WELLNESS 42 Put Your Heart Into It 44 Plan Your Fitness Future 46 Take Action 48 Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine 10 Years in Publishing

COASTAL BEND COMMUNITY CORNER 50 Celebrating the Areaï¿½s Best Community Events COVER AND TABLE OF CONTENTS PHOTOS BY: TWINS MEDIA

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MEET THE STAFF COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE

MARCH.APRIL 2019

ADRIAN GARZA PUBLISHER & SALES adrian@inspirecoastalbendmag.com 361.548.1044

PUBLISHER & SALES Adrian Garza

PUBLISHER & OPERATIONS Holly Lewis

EDITOR Erin O’Brien

ART DIRECTOR Elisa Giordano

HOLLY LEWIS PUBLISHER & OPERATIONS holly@inspirecoastalbendmag.com 479.935.0868

SOCIAL MEDIA Morgan Bartel

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Steven Alford Dr. Mohammad Emran Casey Mihalik Leticia Morales Kelly Palms Erin Wilder Lisa Wright

PHOTOGRAPHY

ERIN O'BRIEN EDITOR erin.editorial@gmail.com

ELISA GIORDANO ART DIRECTOR elisa@inspirecoastalbendmag.com 210.716.5320

Jason Houlihan New Wave Photography Debbie Noble Ron Randolf RD Salinas Imaging Eddie Seal Sparkling City Photo TWINS Media

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.

MORGAN BARTEL SOCIAL MEDIA morgan@inspirecoastalbendmag.com 620.417.5392

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MEDIA GROUP

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BRYAN GULLEY, D.D.S. JESUS GOMEZ, D.D.S.

ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY & DENTAL IMPLANT CENTER

P RO CE DU RE S Wisdom Teeth Dental Implants Complex Bone Grafts General Anesthesia Facial Trauma

Bryan Gulley, D.D.S.

Corrective Jaw Surgery Oral Lesions Facial Cosmetic Treatments Tooth Extractions Jesus Gomez, D.D.S.

OVER 56 YEARS OF COMBINED EXPERIENCE PRACTICING THE FULL SCOPE OF ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY.

6421 Saratoga Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX (361) 992-3873 www.bryangulley.com

PROVIDING EACH PATIENT WITH AN INFORMED ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGICAL EXPERIENCE OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY IN A PERSONALIZED AND COMPASSIONATE ENVIRONMENT.

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

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FEATURE

YOUR PERSONAL FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

hen your car breaks down, it can be a big problem. How do you get to work? Who picks up the kids or grandkids? How do you get it to the shop? What are the best parts to use? When your house is damaged, as many of us experienced in the hurricanes these past years, the problem can be even bigger. Materials get pricey, and the cost of repairs goes way up. In the meantime, we are left trying to find a place to stay and hustling to shore up the house against further damage. What happens when we break down or have damage to our bodies? What happens when we get conditions that no doctor can treat and that modern medicine has no drugs for? What happens if there are no good solutions? What happens when our only option is to start replacing parts? Your knees go out, you have horrible pain and you start limping around. Maybe you gain some weight and start on a downward spiral of pain, immobility, weight gain, more pain, less mobility and worse health. The advice you get is to exercise and lose weight, but you can’t! The pain gets so bad that now we are looking at knee replacement, a costly, painful operation that for many people has become a lifesaver. This seems to be the only option. This same scenario can be repeated for a number of conditions

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STEM CELL RESEARCH HAS NOT ONLY CONTINUED, BUT GIVEN SOME SURPRISING POSSIBILITIES IN THE LAST 10 TO 15 YEARS.

with little to no good options for treatment. How about fibromyalgia, headaches and any of the other problems where only the symptoms are covered up and the problem is not truly fixed? What hope have you got to get better other than expensive surgeries or medications that have a mile-long list of warnings and side effects and a price to break the bank? There was a glimmer of hope back in the early 2000s, but many of us lost track of what has happened since. Back in the 2000s, there was a big buzz about the possibility of stem cells being a way for the body to heal. This was overshadowed by the controversy and debate about the ethics of embryonic stem cells. At the time, the claim was stopping embryonic research would kill the path of discovery and put us years behind. But God doesn’t close one door without opening another. As embryonic stem cell research met more difficulties and restrictions, jump forward 10 to 15 years, and stem cell research has not only continued, but given some surprising possibilities. What researchers around the world in places such as Cleveland Clinic, Moffitt Cancer Center and UCLA in the United States, along with many other nations including India, Korea, Brazil, Canada and Japan, began to discover is that each and every one of us as adults not only have stem cells, but we have a lot of them. These can be harvested, concentrated, activated and moved to the area of greatest need. Although considered investigational, the harvesting of stem cells and transplantation has been done successfully in many cases for conditions such as:       

Migraines Psoriasis Fibromyalgia Multiple sclerosis Alzheimer’s Parkinson’s Cirrhosis

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We all have adult stem cells that can be harvested, concentrated, activated and transplanted to an area of need. By: DR. MOHAMMAD EMRAN

   

COPD Emphysema Diabetes Damaged heart muscle

For years, the only stem cell therapy available was bone marrow transplantation after chemotherapy. Now a few other therapies have become available, and the beauty is those cells can even come from you! Your own stem cells can be harvested, activated and freed to travel to where they are most needed. Seemingly limitless ability to heal from disease is at our fingertips, being developed every day. Numerous autologous (from your own body) stem cell therapies have been entered into clinical trials throughout the world. A quick search on ClinicalTrials.gov revealed more than 1,600 studies involving autologous stem cell therapy. Many of these studies are showing the use of autologous stem cell therapies to be safe and practical in an array of models. There are still ethical questions outstanding and technical hurdles to make the therapies more consistent and more successful. There is a long way to go before stem cell therapy is accepted and offered everywhere, and before we know the true extent of benefits and risks. However, for those with immediate needs and no other good options, autologous stem cell transplantation may offer a quick method to stimulate the body to begin healing itself.

WE GO WHERE YOU GO!

Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine on-the-go digital issues

STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR COMMUNITY!

ARTICLES OF INTEREST Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine DOI: 10.1159/000448180 Safety Analysis of Autologous Stem Cell Therapy in a Variety of Degenerative Diseases and Injuries Using the Stromal Vascular Fraction DOI: 14740/jocmr3187w

MOHAMMAD EMRAN, M.D., is a local pediatric and general surgeon, bestselling author, public speaker, educator, weight-loss expert and medical director of Corpus Christi Regenerative Therapy. For more information, contact Lorraine Antoni at Corpus Christi Regenerative Therapy: 361-854-0545.

MEDICAL

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PATIENT

EFFICIENCY AND EXCELLENCE When it comes to your vision, technology matters.

ou can’t fix what you can’t see. This is a mantra that Dr. Christopher Majka, the founder of Texas Eye Care Network, wholeheartedly believes. “We invest heavily in technology that can help us to see so much more than ever before possible,” Majka explains. “With this technology, we have early detection capabilities. Our goal is to find problems before any damage occurs.” The team of doctors at Texas Eye is highly experienced and takes a team approach to excellent eye care, tailoring treatment plans to the needs of each patient’s unique eye. The technology at Texas Eye Care goes beyond testing machines. Devoted to the best outcomes possible for each patient, Texas Eye surgeons implement specialized techniques, both in the office and in the operating room, to provide advanced treatment when needed. More can be done than ever before. Texas Eye Care has the technology and the expertise to treat your eye care needs at each stage of a condition. Early detection and following treatment plans can save your eyes from preventable vision loss. For too many patients, vision-threatening disease goes undiagnosed and untreated until significant damage has occurred.

EARLY DETECTION AND FOLLOWING TREATMENT PLANS CAN SAVE YOUR EYES FROM PREVENTABLE VISION LOSS.

Majka, Dr. Jorge A. De La Chapa and Dr. Jordan Thomson are committed to treating all eye care needs with excellence, care and efficiency. This includes efficiency for the patient’s follow-up plan, as well. One example of this can be seen with treatment options offered to eligible patients suffering from glaucoma, a disease that impacts more than three million people in the United States each year and is a leading cause of blindness in the world. Traditional treatment includes the use of eye drops, used as frequently as three times per day. The expense and inconvenience of these drops lead to noncompliance and vision loss that could be prevented. The Texas Eye surgeons offer glaucoma management alternatives, including laser and surgical treatment that can greatly reduce the need for any drops. Majka was chosen to be the first surgeon in South Texas to implant the new Glaukos iStent Inject. Ocular health exams at Texas Eye Care include testing with advanced technology to detect the problems early and an evaluation with one of their highly experienced doctors to help you receive the care you need. The best news is that most insurance covers these exams! Texas Eye Care is always accepting new patients, and the team is committed to seeing you – same day, next day or as you request! Call, text or visit the website to schedule your appointment.

For more information on Texas Eye Care, call 361-334-2625 or visit www.texaseye.care.

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SPECIAL TO INSPIRE COASTAL BEND

Cancer Care Tailored to You Michael Nash, M.D.

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361.737.0600

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PATIENT

AN EARLY START

THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORTHODONTISTS RECOMMENDS CHILDREN VISIT AN ORTHODONTIST WHILE THEIR TEETH AND JAW ARE STILL DEVELOPING.

Why does my 7-year-old need to see an orthodontist? SPECIAL TO INSPIRE COASTAL BEND

Please text or call 361-992-4746 or visit www.ccbraces.com for more information.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF CC BRACES

hen we hear friends talking about orthodontics, we think mostly of teenagers. Today we find more adults with braces or clear aligners, such as Invisalign, as well. It used to make sense that teens and adults are seeking orthodontic treatment since they have all their permanent teeth. So why does a child with baby teeth need to see an orthodontist? The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children visit an orthodontist by age 7, while their teeth and jaw are still developing. For example, a palatal expander creates space for permanent teeth and assists jawbones to develop properly, possibly preventing further orthodontic treatment or chance of extractions in later years. An orthodontist can evaluate a child and determine whether the child will need orthodontic treatment. There are some signs that parents may notice that indicate a need for an orthodontic evaluation. Some of these include crowded front teeth, difficulty chewing or biting, thumb-sucking habits or top and bottom teeth not coming together. When orthodontic conditions can be treated with Phase One treatment, Phase Two treatment may be simpler and/or take less time for your child. Board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Colin Mihalik at CC Braces, provides a complementary exam using the latest state-ofthe-art technology. Using a 3-D dental imaging system and digital X-ray to reveal conditions such as crowding or too much space between teeth, extra or missing teeth, open bites, over and under bites, misaligned jaw position, he can give you the best course of treatment. Once your child has initial exam at CC Braces, Mihalik can determine whether to start immediately or to continue monitoring your child periodically for the best time to start your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s orthodontic treatment.

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

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

PORTLAND 114 Lang Rd. • 361.643.8243

ARANSAS PASS 2150 W. Wheeler Ave. • 361.758.5199

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

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PATIENT

GET SUMMER READY THIS SPRING Achieve your goals with the Corpus Christi Institute of Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery.

pring is here, and it is time to take advantage of it! It is never too early to start thinking about those summer body goals. Here, at the Corpus Christi Institute of Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery, we have everything you need to help you achieve those goals. A few of the most popular cosmetic procedures to prep for swimsuit season are abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), liposuction, breast augmentation (breast implants) and resection of gynecomastia (male breasts) surgery. Tummy tucks are best suited for those with loose abdominal skin and/ or fat that will not respond to diet and

exercise. Recovery for this procedure is typically two weeks with limited restrictions for up to six weeks. Liposuction is a great solution for getting rid of that stubborn unwanted fat and improving body contours. Downtime is typically two to three weeks with restrictions for up to six weeks. Results from liposuction continue to improve for up to three months. Breast augmentation with implants is a procedure used to enhance the shape and size of the breasts. Downtime is typically two weeks with restrictions for up to six weeks. Resection of gynecomastia is a procedure used to correct enlarged male breasts by removing fat and/or glan-

dular tissue for men who are self-conscious about the appearance of their chest. Downtime can typically be from two weeks with restrictions for up to four to six weeks. All surgical procedures are performed in our private surgical suite accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). All facilities accredited by AAAASF are designed and built to provide the best possible location for surgery and patient care. AAAASF-accredited surgery facilities are rigorously inspected and evaluated. A certificate of accreditation provides evidence that our facility meets high standards for patients’ safety in the outpatient surgical environment. If surgery is not on your want list to prep for summer, our MedSpa offers a few non-invasive procedures that may be! Some of the most popular aesthetic procedures to prep for summer are: laser hair removal, eyelash extensions, Ultherapy, Laser Genesis and Hydrafacial. Laser hair removal is perfect for those who want to ditch the razor and enjoy the leisure of not having to shave. There are certain restrictions, but no downtime. Four to six treatments are typically recommended for the best result. Lash extensions are great for achieving beautiful long lashes effortlessly. There is no downtime; however, to keep the fullness, lash fills are recommended every two to three weeks. Ultherapy, also known as a non-invasive facelift, is the only FDA-approved skin lifting and tightening device. This treatment is great for spot treating any areas that may need a little rejuvenation. There is some mild swelling, bruising and sensitivity that may occur right after treatment. To achieve that radiant glow, Laser Genesis is our go-to treatment. This laser treatment corrects texture, leaving you with beautiful creamy looking skin. There is no downtime or recovery for this procedure. Reveal the best skin of your life with Hydrafacial. This treatment has zero downtime and is great for everyone! No matter what your desires may be, we have something for you. Look and feel your best with Corpus Christi Institute of Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery!

This article was contributed by Corpus Christi Institute of Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery. For more information, please call Dr. Vijay, Dr. Cassidy, Ashley or Lindsay at 361-888-7417.

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SPECIAL TO INSPIRE COASTAL BEND

It’s not just what you do, it’s who you do it for.

I’m here to help you plan for the future so you can continue all the good you do in your life.

Annie J. Castro, LUTCF, CLU® Agent, New York Life Insurance Company 4466 S. Staples Corpus Christi, Texas 78411 (361) 986-1321 ajcastro@ft.newyorklife.com www.anniejcastro.com Registered Representative offering investments through NYLIFE Securities LLC (Member FINRA/ SIPC), A Licensed Insurance Agency.

PATIENT

EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE TLC Complete Care: committed to quality care and patient satisfaction By: KELLY PALMS

“

I AM EXTREMELY PROUD OF OUR TEAM AND THE OUTSTANDING SERVICE WE DELIVER TO OUR PATIENTS.”

your loved ones to get back on your feet and feeling great as quickly as possible. We encourage you to do your own research on TLC Complete Care. A great resource for this is checking out our Google reviews and visiting any of our three locations, including our newest on the Island. We are certain you will see and feel the difference of our unwavering commitment to quality care upon walking through our doors. We will be happy to show you around and answer all your questions. In addition to providing

the highest quality of care, TLC Complete Care also takes pride on offering upfront and transparent billing. You will never experience the shock of a surprise bill after you receive care at our facilities. Of course, our hope is that you never need us, but if and when you do have an emergency, we invite you to visit one of our three locations and experience the exceptional care that you deserve. We are here waiting to serve you 24 hours a day, seven days a week and even on holidays. Get in. Get out. Get back to life.

TLC Complete Care has three locations: 14433 S. Padre Island Drive (Padre Island); 4117 S. Staples St., No. 140 (Midtown); and 7330 S. Staples St. (Corpus Christi). For more information, visit www.visitcompletecare.com.

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t TLC Complete Care, we pride ourselves on treating our patients like family. In addition to providing quality care, our focus is ensuring that all of our facilities offer a warm and friendly atmosphere. After all, feeling comfortable is the first step in achieving wellness. We are honored to announce that on Nov. 20, 2018, we received a Guardian of Excellence Award by Press Ganey. What makes this accolade so prestigious is that the decision of who receives it is based on patient excellence surveys. The award is a nationally recognized symbol of outstanding achievement in health care, and it is only conferred upon organizations that consistently perform in the top 5 percent across the United States. Our CEO, Rob Morris, beaming with pride, exclaims, “Thousands of health care organizations across the country partnered with Press Ganey in 2018 to monitor patient experience, but only 214 were given this award. Fifteen of the recipients were Complete Care facilities. It is an honor to get this recognition, particularly when you consider the caliber of providers we were benchmarked against. I am extremely proud of our team and the outstanding service we deliver to our patients each and every day.” We are well-equipped with all the same capabilities of a large hospital emergency room, but instead, we provide fast, compassionate and efficient medical care for any minor or major emergency without the frustration. Regardless of whether you are an adult with chest pain or bringing your child in for late-night fever spike, our physicians and nursing staff are highly qualified to treat anything that might come through our doors. The equipment onsite includes CAT scan, lab, X-ray, EKG and ultrasound; this allows us to provide patients with the proper diagnosis and treatment, enabling you and

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*ANY INVESTMENT INVOLVES RISK, AND NUMEROUS FACTORS COULD CAUSE THE ACTUAL RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS OF TO BE MATERIALLY DIFFERENT FROM ANY FUTURE RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS THAT MAY BE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION PROVIDED. SHOULD ONE OR MORE OF THESE RISKS OR UNCERTAINTIES MATERIALIZE, OR SHOULD UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONS PROVE INCORRECT, ACTUAL RESULTS MAY VARY MATERIALLY FROM THOSE DESCRIBED.

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COVER STORY

The Coastal Bend is now home to the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most advanced medical facility with the opening of the new CHRISTUS Spohn tower. By: Steven Alford Photos by: TWINS Media 22

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QUALITY CARE, CLOSE TO HOME

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F 24

ive years ago, CHRISTUS Spohn made a promise to the community to transform the way health care is delivered in our community. In April, the final piece of that promise will be delivered. CHRISTUS Spohn is set to open the doors of the new patient care tower located at CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital-Shoreline. The 10-story tower will be the most advanced medical facility south of San Antonio. The patient care tower features the latest in ultramodern health care technology, and a vastly expanded home for the region’s only Level II trauma center, which serves a 12-county area. The project is a $335 million investment in the community, which will be a difference-maker for South Texas patients and families, elevating the level of high-quality health care in the Coastal Bend. “We are excited and honored to provide our patients and their families with the very best facilities to receive their medical care,” said Dr. Osbert Blow, President and Chief Medical Officer for CHRISTUS Spohn Health System. “Throughout this five-year journey, we have said caring for our community is not just our mission – it’s our promise.” In January 2017, CHRISTUS Spohn completed the first major milestone of its historic transformation project with the opening of the new Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Family Health Center, located on the campus of CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital-Memorial. The 40,000-sqaure-foot facility, now serves more than 1,000 patients a month. The primary care center is a one-stop location where patients can get a majority of their health care needs managed without a trip to the emergency room or hospital stay. The family health center features physician appointments, labs, imaging, a drive-thru pharmacy and more.

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We are excited and honored to provide our patients and their families with the very best facilities to receive their medical care.â&#x20AC;?

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Caring for our community is not just our mission – it’s our promise.”

That was just the first step in CHRISTUS Spohn’s transformation, made possible by a multi-million dollar investment from CHRISTUS Health, the largest investment the international health system has made in any of its regions. The remaining funds were generated through local philanthropy, with no tax dollars required for the project. The total transformation project and construction is estimated to have generated nearly $401 million in economic activity for the region; has provided 873 direct and indirect construction jobs; and has generated $129 million in direct and indirect salaries for area workers. “This level of investment clearly shows the level of confidence we have in the growth of South Texas and our commitment to remaining the health care leader here for years to come,” Blow added. Last year, the region’s only Level II trauma center moved to the Shoreline campus, and will soon move into the new emergency department of the new patient care tower. The trauma center will be supported by 59 new emergency department beds, the largest in South Texas, including four state-of-the-art trauma bays, offering the latest technological advances and enough room to fit an entire team of clinicians to care for a range of emergencies in the surrounding 12 counties.

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DID YOU KNOW? Remarkable facts about the new Shoreline tower Much has gone into the construction of the new Shoreline Patient Care Tower. Here are some interesting facts about the unprecedented project:            

Man-hours Worked to Date: 1,659,409 Hours Peak Manpower Onsite: 520 Employees Number of Subcontractors: 205 Companies Yards of Concrete Placed: 26,771 Cubic Yards Tons of Rebar: 2,627 Tons (5,254,000 Pounds) Amount of Masonry Bricks Used: 632,700 Bricks Amount of CMU Blocks Used: 128,000 Blocks Deepest Pile (Foundation System): 79 Feet Below Pile Cap Average Depth of Piles: 75 Feet Deepest Pier: 158 Feet Below Existing Grade Average Depth of Piers: 150 Feet Tower Height: 145 Feet (Ground to Roof) I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

This spring, CHRISTUS Health leaders announced leadership reorganization at CHRISTUS Spohn Health System, featuring a dyad leadership model that pairs an administrative leader with a clinical leader, which has proven effective in CHRISTUS Health’s other ministries in Texas and Louisiana. The dyad will be comprised of Dominic (Dom) Dominguez and Dr. Osbert Blow. Dominguez will serve as Senior Vice President of South Texas health ministries and CEO of CHRISTUS Spohn. Dr. Osbert Blow has become CHRISTUS Spohn Health System’s President and Chief Medical Officer. He joined Spohn’s leadership team in 2006, when he became Trauma Medical Director, and has served as Chief Medical Officer since 2015.

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The trauma center is linked to the region’s most advanced specialists and surgical suites at Shoreline Hospital, providing complex surgeries such as neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, plastic surgery, cancer care, intensive care, palliative care and many other advanced medical and surgical interventions – all housed at one state-of-the-art location. “Bringing together our key specialties and latest technologies under one roof makes it possible for South Texas families to stay close to home for the very best health care,” said David LeMonte, president of CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital-Shoreline. Beyond the advanced technology and medical specialties available in the new tower, there are also breathtaking views and beautiful patient rooms with the patient’s mind and spirit in mind. The top floors of the new tower feature nearly 200 new patient beds, as well as inpatient rehab with beautiful views of downtown Corpus Christi and the Bayfront. The tower’s new two-story lobby is a large, open area, which immediately invites you into the impressive new structure with a grand staircase leading visitors up to a new cafeteria with wrap-around views and fireplace. Located within the lobby is the patient care tower’s new chapel, which features the original 36 stained-glass windows from Shoreline Hospital’s historic Welder chapel. The hand-blown windows feature religious depictions of the holy family and the saints and are a lasting testament to CHRISTUS Spohn’s mission to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. As this historic project comes to a close and the doors open to the beautiful new patient care tower, CHRISTUS Spohn associates and visitors alike are excited to enter this new chapter in the history of medicine and health care in the Coastal Bend. These state-of-the-art facilities truly elevates the level of care available to all South Texans and makes Corpus Christi home to the region’s most advanced facility, an innovation that will benefit the lives and well-being of generations to come. “It’s been an amazing journey watching these buildings come to life, and we are honored to offer this level of exceptional care to the communities we are privileged to serve,” said Dominic Dominguez, Senior Vice President of South Texas health ministries and CEO of CHRISTUS Spohn Health System. “This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime project that will benefit all of us right here, at home.”

CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Shoreline is located in the heart of Corpus Christi at 600 Elizabeth St. For more information on CHRISTUS Spohn Health System, visit www.christushealth.org.

ECONOMIC IMPACT Impact on regional economy during construction of the new facilities CHRISTUS Spohn’s $335-million investment has made a strong impact on our economy’s health. A recent economic impact report from the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development highlights the project’s economic effect:  Economic outputs or revenues for businesses in the area: I. Direct Effects: $267,750,000 II. Indirect Effects: $133,886,568 III. Total Impact: $401,636,568  Average number of construction jobs created and supported during construction: I. Direct Effects: 595 II. Indirect Effects: 278 III. Total Jobs: 873  Salaries paid to construction workers: I. Direct Effects: $80,325,000 II. Indirect Effects: $26,908,172 III. Total Salaries: $107,233,172

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PROFILE

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

ONE YEAR DOWN

Celebrating its one-year anniversary, local orthodontics office, CC Braces, shares reflections and values. By: Casey Mihalik Photos by: TWINS Media

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W alk into CC Braces, and for a moment, you may mistake it for your own living room. The atmosphere is warm and friendly, you’re greeted by name and you can help yourself to a water bottle or the coffee maker. Nestled in The Enclave off of South Staples in Corpus Christi, the office of CC Braces is proud to offer braces and Invisalign for children and adults (for the same price!), all while doing everything they can to make their patients feel like family. Behind the cheery environment, however, you’ll find an orthodontic office armed to the teeth with the latest technological equipment, from 3-D cone beam technology to the revolutionary iTero digital scanner. Dr. Colin Mihalik, orthodontist and owner of CC Braces, has a simple reason for this: “Our patients know how much we value them and do everything we can to make their experience comfortable. They also know that, when they come here, they have the height of research and technology focused on getting them their best smile as quickly as possible.” Mihalik served in the U.S. Air Force for 24 years, where he rose through the ranks to eventually become the chief orthodontist at two bases, as well as a clinical instructor. In 2005, he became an ABO board-certified orthodontist, an achievement completed by less than 30 percent of practicing orthodontists. Although becoming board certified was difficult and strenuous work, Mihalik has always been determined to bring his patients the best care. When he retired from the military, Mihalik moved to Corpus Christi with his wife, Kim. “I just wanted to find the perfect place to settle down and practice orthodontics,” Colin Mihalik explains. “I fell in love with Corpus Christi, and I knew this is where I was supposed to be.”

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OUR PATIENTS KNOW THAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON GETTING THEM THEIR BEST SMILE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.”

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It wasn’t long before he found his dream practice, Ingraham Smiles Orthodontics. After working with Dr. Ingraham for months to ensure the transition was as seamless as possible for both staff and patients, Mihalik finally became the proud owner of his own orthodontics practice on Feb. 1, 2018. “It was just a dream come true,” said the doctor. “I couldn’t wait to start building relationships and connections in the community.” At CC Braces, the team of dedicated staff is focused completely on the needs and best interests of the patients – and it shows. The office continually improves equipment, supplies and décor, and Mihalik attends regular educational conferences to stay on the edge of orthodontic technology. The patient-centered service philosophy is also clear in the variety of different, exclusive services he offers. For example, CC Braces realized how difficult it can be to keep track of a retainer and responded by becoming the only Corpus Christi provider to scan for Retainer Club, an affordable subscription company. They also offer a dedicated office team that works for you to find and contact insurance companies, determine coverage for orthodontic treatments and even obtain payments. Mihalik is especially outspoken about his Incredible Kids Club, his program for young children who become patients. Because of the importance of a child’s initial, early orthodontic checkup, CC Braces decided that each child is entitled to a free-of-charge observation phase. This includes consultations and follow-up checks (as well as a spin on the prize wheel each visit!) until they are determined to be “treatment-ready.” But even then, Mihalik makes sure parents know it’s a no-pressure sale. “We don’t ever want to prematurely start treatment if we don’t need to, but it’s important to monitor skeletal and dental development so we can make informed decisions and head off any issues before they start.” CC Braces may have only officially joined the community a year ago, but to Mihalik, it feels like much longer. “After so many years of constantly moving with the military, I’m grateful to finally have a practice of my own and a city to call home. I try to pay it forward to my patients by doing everything I can to make CC Braces feel like family to everyone who comes to visit us. It’s been such a warm welcome from our patients, and we wouldn’t be able to provide such a high level of service without our incredible team.” With one year down, CC Braces is confident and ready to move into the future, creating beautiful smiles with a smile.

Please text or call 361-992-4746 or visit www.ccbraces.com for more information.

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PROFILE

PREMIER PATIENT CARE

CHRISTUS Spohn-South celebrates its 25th anniversary of serving the Southside community.

wenty-five years ago, in a field surrounded by cow pastures and tall grass, a new hospital celebrated its grand opening on Corpus Christi’s Southside. On Feb. 14, 1994, the associates at CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital-South opened their hearts and the doors to the premier medical facility located in what has become the city’s most populated area. Now surrounded by numerous neighborhoods and shopping centers, much has changed around CHRISTUS SpohnSouth, though the hospital’s commitment to providing high-quality health care continues. “It’s great to reminisce about our past and look forward to our future,” said Mark Casanova, president of CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital-South. “We have enjoyed serving our community the past 25 years, and we look forward to continue serving our community and many more wonderful years ahead. It is our privilege and responsibility to expand South’s medical capabilities as our community grows.” In the years since opening, CHRISTUS Spohn-South has become a medical home for thousands of Corpus Christi residents who call the Southside home. Offering the latest technologies and treatments, the hospital offers of a range of procedures from the da Vinci Xi robotic surgery to radiology and imaging, rehabilitation, surgical services, emergency care and, of course, women’s services. Since moving birthing services from Shoreline Hospital, CHRISTUS Spohn-South has become the Southside’s birthing center, delivering hundreds of babies each month, and offering the region’s most advanced neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). During a 25-year celebration at the hospital, former and current staff reminisced about the area as pictures were displayed overhead of the hospital surrounded by fields as far as the eye could see. “It’s exciting to be here and celebrate with some of the employees who have been here since the beginning and see how things have pro-

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRISTUS SPOHN

By: Steven Alford

IT’S GREAT TO REMINISCE ABOUT OUR PAST AND LOOK FORWARD TO OUR FUTURE.” I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

gressed here. It’s fabulous to see how much everything has grown,” said Jane Bakos, the first administrator at CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital-South, who helped plan and open the facility in 1994. The nurses and doctors of CHRISTUS Spohn-South enjoyed cake and fellowship as they gathered during a special celebration on Valentine’s Day celebrating the 25-year anniversary of the premier medical facility. It was a chance to reflect on the heritage of the hospital, and look forward to what lies ahead for the health care of Southside residents. On the horizon are two new cardiac cath labs set to open in summer 2019 to better serve Southside cardiac patients and offer high-quality cardiac care close to home, along with a new mother-baby unit and birthing rooms set to open later this spring. Associates say it is an exciting time in the hospital’s 25-year history as investment continues in CHRISTUS Spohn-South. “To some, it might have seemed crazy to build a new hospital 25 years ago on the Southside of town,” said Steve Kazanjian, VP of mission integration for CHRISTUS Spohn Health System. “More than two decades later, this state-of-the-art hospital has become the area’s premier provider of high-quality health care.”

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About CHRISTUS Spohn 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 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. For more information about services at CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital-South, please visit www. christushealth.org/spohn/south.

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MENTAL HEALTH

ASK THE PSYCHIATRIST Dr. John O. Lusins, III of South Texas Mental Health Associates on psychopharmacology SPECIAL TO INSPIRE COASTAL BEND

Q: What is psychopharmacology? A: Psychopharmacology is the study of medicinal treatments for mental health disorders. It is a complex and constantly changing field of study. The psychiatrists and nurse practitioners at South Texas Mental Health Associates have studied psychopharmacology extensively. They also frequently attend training and conferences, where they learn about new medications and studies about how medications work with the body and reduce symptoms associated with mental health disorders. Some of the key aspects include:  Protein-binding, which controls how much of the medication is available to and used by your body  Half-life, which indicates how long the medication stays in your body  Interactions with other drugs  Study of how certain drugs interact with polymorphic genes – genes that vary between people Q: How do the psychiatrists at STMHA know what medications to prescribe? A: The team at South Texas Mental Health Associ-

ates have spent years studying psychopharmacology. In addition to their study during medical school, they continued a deeper study in their additional years of training to become psychiatrists, giving them a comprehensive understanding of medications designed for mental health disorders. Your doctor considers many factors when prescribing a medication, including your symptoms, lifestyle, body composition and other medications you are taking. Even with their extensive knowledge of psychopharmacology, they may need to adjust your prescription or dosage to optimize the effects. Q: What role do drugs and medications play in mental health treatment? A: The team at South Texas Mental Health Associates uses their knowledge of psychopharmacology to regulate your brain chemistry and alleviate your symptoms. For example, if you are living with depression, there are a variety of medications that reduce symptoms in different ways, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), selective serotonin and norepinephrine inhibitors (SNRIs) and many other options. Your doctor chooses the medication he or she feels will best address your symptoms with the least disruptive side effects. Ultimately, your psychiatrist uses medications to control your symptoms so you can make the most of therapy and rehabilitation and rejoin your life. Medication is typically used in conjunction with other treatments. For example, when your brain chemistry is causing an emotional roller coaster, you won’t be able to focus on the issues you’re uncovering and addressing in therapy. If you have questions or concerns about your mental health or the medications you are currently taking, call us or schedule an appointment today!

For more information, visit South Texas Mental Health Associates online at www.stmha.com.

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edications are often a critical part of treating and managing mental health disorders. The psychiatrists and nurse practitioners at South Texas Mental Health Associates (STMHA) are highly experienced in psychopharmacology and carefully prescribe mood stabilizers, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications and other drugs to help regulate brain chemistry and mood so you can focus on therapy and managing your disorder. If you’re concerned about the medications you’re taking or have questions, call or schedule an appointment online today.

Compassionate, Caring, Comprehensive Psychiatry SPECIALIZING IN BRACES AND INVISALIGN FOR ALL AGES

We want to make you ... SMILE NOW Offering Kalypso Ketramine treatments for Chronic Pain, Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, & other conditions

South Texas Mental Health Associates Board Certified Psychiatrists

COLIN MIHALIK, DDS, MS Board Certified Orthodontist, Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel

Invisalign and Traditional Braces for the SAME Price Megan Talley MD

John Lusins MD

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

PUT YOUR HEART INTO IT

Help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke with regular exercise. By: LETICIA MORALES

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Breaking a light sweat at about 10 minutes into the exercise Quickened breathing, but you’re not out of breath Being able to carry on a conversation while performing the activity

Moderate-intensity exercises can include brisk walking, biking, pushing a lawnmower, 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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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 back 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 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 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 breathing, 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 1-20, a moderate-intensity activity would feel like an 11-14. Other clues of this level of exercise include:

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING Coastal Bend!

JOE KELLEY, CORPORATE PROGRAM DIRECTOR, KLTG-THE BEACH 96.5

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

PLAN YOUR FITNESS FUTURE Age is nothing but a number. By: LISA WRIGHT

wonder where Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine saw themselves 10 years ago. Where did you see yourself today, 10 years ago? Let me ask you another question: As you look to your life ahead, would you choose a quantity of life or quality of life? Imagine with me that a magic genie has appeared and given you two choices. The first choice is a guarantee that you will live to 100 years old, but with no guarantee of how healthy you will be for those years. The second choice is no guarantee of how long you will live (it might be five more years, 10 more years or 20), but you will have a guarantee that you will live a healthy, functional life until your last day. Which would you choose: a guarantee of quantity or a guarantee of quality? Likely none of you will choose quantity. Almost no one wants to live a long life if that means they have to spend their days stuck in a nursing home or unable to take care of themselves or not being able to recognize their loved ones because they develop Alzheimer’s. My father passed away from the disease of Alzheimer’s in 2016. A TRICK QUESTION But, you see, this is a trick question. Due to recent advancements in medicine, it is very likely that you will live a long life because of the gift of an extra 30 years of life. If you hit the age of 65 without any major chronic diseases, then you will likely live into your 90s. Some of you will live to see 100 in the rearview mirror. Quantity is almost a given. So the question is not whether you

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would want quantity or quality. The real question is: Will you still have a high quality of life during those extra 30 years? What if you do live to be 10 years older than you can even imagine? These are questions I invite you to think about deeply. Along with the Functional Aging Institute, I believe the research is very clear that the right kind of exercise positively impacts the aging process. The trajectory you are on for your functional ability in your 70s, 80s and 90s is directly related to the actions you are taking right now and into the next decade concerning physical training to maintain your body. It is tempting to think that we have nothing left to accomplish in the last 20 years of our life and that our “best” or most productive years will be behind us. If that is so, then why bother to put in all of this effort with an exercise program now? AN INSPIRING STORY I want to share an inspiring story about a man you have probably all heard about who made his biggest accomplishments in his mid to late 70s. He was in prison for 27 years from the age of 45 (1962) to the age of 72 (1990). During those years, he experienced horrible conditions, inadequate food and most likely abusive treatment. But despite all of that, he maintained a regular regime of push-ups, situps and running in place. There was a three-year period where he was in a shared cell large enough to run small laps, much to the annoyance of his fellow cellmates. After being released from prison (at the age of 72), he rejoined the political movement he had started over 25 years earlier. Three years later, Nelson Mandela was elected president of South Africa and eventually received the Nobel Peace Prize. It is safe to conclude that his 27-year fitness regimen significantly contributed to his significance and

WHATEVER YOUR ENDEAVORS, WE KNOW YOU HAVE A SIGNIFICANT PURPOSE FOR EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOUR REMAINING YEARS.

Where Beautiful Results & Experience Meet.

success upon release. If Mandela had emerged from prison a frail, weak, broken “old” man, he certainly would not have been able to become the inspirational leader for his country and the rest of the world for which we remember him. We could either say that the most productive years of his life were taken from him or that age is just a number – one that shouldn’t hold us back from being the best that we can be. YOUR BEST YEARS YET What do you have yet to accomplish? A major achievement in your field or amazing adventures? Dancing with your granddaughter at her wedding? Expeditions, vacations, excursions or adventures – whatever your endeavor, we know you have a significant purpose or calling for every single one of your remaining years. We hope you invest in yourself to live those years with more gusto, energy, enthusiasm and joy that you ever thought possible.

Dr. Cassidy Hinojosa & Dr. Vijay Bindingnavele

CONNECT WITH US Find a certified FAS near you at https://functionalaginginstitute. com/find-a-registered-professional/. You may also contact Lisa Wright, FAS, at Your Personal Best Training Studio. Call 361-8575087 or visit www.ypbtrainingstudio.com.

MEET LISA Lisa Grace Wright, CFT, FAS, is the CEO of L.G.W. Fitness Inc., a published author, a functional aging specialist and business coach for the Functional Aging Institute. Through strategic planning and marketing consulting, she helps fitness business owners from small studios to big-box gyms create a compelling and effective business plan to inspire an aging population to take action toward their health. Over the last 20 years, she has built her brand, Your Personal Best in Corpus Christi, Texas, and has expanded her influence across the nation and Canada, equipping others like herself who want to change lives and promote aging actively.

corpusplasticsurgery Dr. Vijay Bindingnavele drvijayb

361-888-7417 5642 Esplanade Dr., Corpus Christi, TX www.corpusplasticsurgery.com I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

HEALTH & WELLNESS

TAKE ACTION Why sugar matters, and what you can do about it By: ERIN WILDER

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT SUGAR? Reading the ingredient list on a processed food’s label can tell you if the product contains added sugars. And over the next few years, all packaged foods will include added sugars on the nutrition facts label. Here are 13 code words for added sugars on the ingredients list:

WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT? SUGAR. We are all impacted by sugar in so many ways, particularly in communities of color. African-Americans and Latinos have less access to healthy drinks and consume more sugary drinks than their white peers. African-American children and teens see more than twice as many ads for sugary drinks than their white peers. Advertising targeted at Latino

youth has drastic results. Latino kids visit sugary drink company websites 93 percent more than their non-Hispanic peers. And these same groups experience higher rates of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other chronic diseases. These issues are brought on, in part, by sugar. According to the American Heart Association, sugary drinks like juice drinks, soda and sports drinks are the No. 1 source of added sugars in our diet.  A 12-ounce can of regular soda has 10 teaspoons of added sugar  A 20-ounce bottle of regular soda has 16 teaspoons of added sugar

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Brown sugar Corn sweetener Corn syrup Fruit juice concentrates High-fructose corn syrup Honey Invert sugar Malt sugar Molasses Raw sugar Sugar Sugar molecules ending in “ose” (dextrose, fructose, glucose, lactose, maltose, sucrose) Syrup

It’s time to take action! You can take action to make a difference in your community when it comes to sugary drinks.

SUGARY DRINKS ARE THE NO. 1 SOURCE OF ADDED SUGARS IN OUR DIET.

To learn how to make a difference in our community, visit https://voicesforhealthykids.org.

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mericans seem to love it. It’s in our schools, workplaces, community centers and kitchen pantries. We drink about 34 pounds of it every year.

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Interventional Pain Specialists Mitchell Engle MD, PhD and Eric Liu MD

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INSPIRE COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE 10 YEARS IN PUBLISHING: DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT THE BALLPARK ON APRIL 18

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2014

APRIL 2009 Launch of NSIDE Coastal Bend Magazine (former name)

JANUARY 2010 Erin starts working with magazine as Editor

JUNE 2012 Adrian and wife Tracy take full ownership of magazine in Coastal Bend

APRIL 2013 Adrian named ‘Big Wig‘ Best Magazine Sales by the American Advertising Federation, Corpus Christi

JUNE 2014 Rebrand magazine with new name: Inspire Coastal Bend

APRIL 2009 First Monthly Networking Mixer at the original Katz 21 in Downtown Corpus Christi AUGUST 2009 Elisa starts working with magazine as Graphic Designer

MARCH 2010 Elisa starts working with magazine as Art Director AUGUST 2010 Recognized by the Office of the Governor & Workforce Commission with the State of Texas Small Business Award

SEPTEMBER 2014 Adrian is awarded the HWNT Las Estrellas Award for Outstanding Acheivement as a Community Advocate

MAY 2010 Adrian participates in the Local ‘Dancing with the Stars‘

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

MARCH 2015 Recognized by It‘s Your Life Foundation for Support and Dedication

MAY 2016 Corpus Christi Mayor Proclaims May 25th as ˮInspire Coastal Bend Magazine Dayˮ

JANUARY 2017 Holly joins Adrian as a vested partner and publisher.

DECEMBER 2018 Named one of the top three finalists for Small Business by the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce Annual Bizy Awards

FEBRUARY 2019 Holly named ‘Big Wig‘ Best Magazine Sales by the American Advertising Federation, Corpus Christi

APRIL 2015 Morgan starts working for Inspire as Social Media Manager

Pelican Media Group is born. JUNE 2017 Adrian named ‘Big Wig‘ Best Magazine Sales by the American Advertising Federation, Corpus Christi AUGUST 2017 Celebrated 100 Covers and 100 Monthly Mixers

AUGUST 2014 Holly starts working for Inspire as Marketing Director

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

APRIL 2019 Celebrating 10 Years of Publishing in the Coastal Bend

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

COASTAL BEND COMMUNITY CORNER

We saw you at ... Dr. Hector P. Garcia Birthday Celebration Jan. 17 The sixth annual luncheon, presented by Citgo, was hosted at the American Bank Center. The keynote speaker, Dr. Mark Escamilla, president of Del Mar College, addressed the full house of guests with heartfelt sentiments honoring Dr. Hector's remarkable legacy. Students performed the national anthem, and guests were taken back in history with a video that memorialized the good doctor’s accomplishments. Proceeds from the event benefit the Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Foundation. Photos by: Eddie Seal

2019 N.A.A.C.P. Freedom Fund Banquet

Jan. 19

This annual event, presented by AEP, was at the American Bank Center. Guests enjoyed dinner and keynote speaker Dr. Ruth J. Simmons, president of Prairie View A&M University. It was the 100th centennial anniversary for the H. Boyd Hall Chapter. Several community leaders and advocates were recognized, as well as Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott receiving the Humanitarian Award. AEP’s Julio Reyes was honored for his service to the values of the organization. Photos by: RD Salinas Imaging

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2019 KEDT Food and Wine Classic Jan. 24 Presented by H-E-B, this event was held at the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History. This annual fundraiser is an elegant place to meet, mix and mingle with friends and business associates, while supporting your local public broadcasting station, KEDT. Attendees enjoyed wine tastings from 19 tables and food pairings from 26 local restaurants, as well as live entertainment and a photo booth. All proceeds benefit KEDT, your community-owned station. Photos by: Sparkling City Photo

Celebration of Courage, Boots and Bling Ball Jan. 26 New Life Refuge Ministries hosted their annual fundraising gala at the Ortiz Center, presented by title sponsor Braselton Homes. State Rep., Chairman Todd Hunter, was the master of ceremonies, and honorary chair, Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott, addressed the guests. The event included an evening of dinner, silent and live auctions, a fine jewelry raffle, cornhole and even steer roping. The proceeds from the event support NLRM in their mission to build homes and provide a safe haven for underage survivors of sex trafficking. Photos by: New Wave Photography

Superhero Dinner

Jan. 31

The 10th annual celebration was hosted at the Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center. Presented by Port of Corpus Christi, the heroic efforts of principal architect and president of Turner Ramirez, Philip Ramirez, were celebrated as the young business Professionals of the Coastal Bend honor their superhero of the year. All net proceeds benefit the Young Business Professionals’ Young Leader Endowment, ensuring that young professionals always have a voice in Corpus Christi. Photos by: Jason Houlihan

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

COASTAL BEND COMMUNITY CORNER

Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration Feb. 2

Barefoot Mardi Gras Kick-Off Party Feb. 7

27th Annual Fiesta de los Ninos Feb. 8

“Gong xi fa! Happy New Year! The lion is here to chase away the spirits, leaving us ready for blessings, long life and good luck!” The Corpus Christi Chinese Association hosted its annual event at the Asian Cultures Museum of Texas. This year’s encore was performed by local TAMUCC students Peidong “Patrick” Sun, Weichang Hong, Harry and graduate Lili Wang, opening the celebration. Participants dressed in traditional Asian clothing and bright colors, especially “lucky” red. Benefiting the Chinese Association and the museum, the festivities included a show of dances, ballet, keyboard and Chinese instruments. Dinner was served in the largest of the museum’s galleries.Photos by: Debbie Noble

The colorful event known as Barefoot Mardi Gras draws spectators from all over the country! This year, the annual Barefoot Mardi Gras Kick-Off Party was held on Feb. 7 at The Waterline at Doc’s on North Padre Island. Amazing food, great music and a fantastic silent auction were all part of the evening. The Barefoot Mardi Gras festivities benefit Big Brother Big Sisters and The Seashore Learning Center. Laissez les bon temps roulet (let the good times roll). Photos by: Debbie Noble

Driscoll Children’s Hospital’s 27th Annual Fiesta de los Niños delivered its signature combination of fun, food, and music at the American Bank Center. The event’s mission remains the same as it did in the beginning – to help Driscoll offer more and enhanced services to the children of South Texas. Funds from the 2019 Fiesta de los Niños will go toward the purchase of a new state-of-theart Dual-Energy/Ultra-Fast CT (computed tomography) scanner for the Radiology Department at Driscoll Children’s Hospital. Photos by: Ron Randolf

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

Stroke of Red – Heart Ball

Feb. 16

The American Heart Association’s premier fundraising event supporting critical ongoing cardiovascular and stroke research was hosted at the Ortiz Center. Presented by CHRISTUS Spohn Health System, the “sold-out” event included an elegant dinner, silent and live auctions and dancing. The evening’s co-chairs were Dominic Dominguez, Dr. and Mrs. Paul Heath and Darcy and Sheldon Schroeder. The honorees were Diane and John LaRue and Dr. and Mrs. Michael Neff. Local volunteers, supporters and donors were also celebrated. The annual event attracts over 500 of the city and state’s community leaders in medicine, business and philanthropy. Photos by: TWINS Media

Locking Arms at the Inspire Monthly Networking Mixer January Mixer Jan. 22 Photos by: TWINS Media

COMMUNITY CORNER PRESENTING SPONSOR: South Texas Brain & Spine For more information on CB Community Corner's promotional and branding opportunities, please call 479-935-0868 or email holly@inspirecoastalbendmag.com. I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

CAROLINA PRADERIO M.D., P.L.L.C. Gynecology & Women’s Health

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