Collin County Living Well Magazine September-October 2020

2020 TOP DOCTORS

Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

STAND OUT WITH THE EMINENT CHOICE IN HEALTHCARE

Pain Management • Sports Medicine • General Surgery

Spine Surgery • Orthopedic Surgery • Neurosurgery

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery • Total Joint Surgery

Foot & Ankle Surgery • Hand Surgery

Gynecological Surgery • Plastic Surgery

ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGY

Orthopedic surgeons and the medical staff at Eminent Medical Center are excited to offer Zimmer Biomet’s ROSA Knee System, which helps surgeons personalize surgical procedures for their patients.

DART Expands Cleaning and Distancing Efforts to Help Keep Riders Safe

DART remains committed to doing everything it can to keep riders safe during the coro navirus pandemic while providing essential transportation services.

CLEANING PROTOCOLS

Working closely with local, state and national health authorities—including the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—DART has aggressively expanded agency-wide cleaning and safety protocols.

All vehicles receive cleanings throughout the day using products identifid by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as successful in killing the coronavirus, as well as influenza, rhinovirus, norovirus, salmonella, staph ylococcus and E. coli.

Each weekday, DART Rail vehicles also receive a complete cleaning between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m., which includes sweeping, mopping and a complete wipe-down with an EPA-approved cleaning agent. On weekends, when ridership is reduced, DART sanitizes trains with Halosil foggers that use a hydrogen peroxide-based cleaning solution with antimicrobial silver ions to sanitize and disinfect each train and clean all surfaces.

DART buses also receive cleanings nightly with an EPA-approved cleaning agent, focusing on high-touch surfaces such as handrails, stop-request strips and grab rails. DART cleans buses on a rotating basis with the Halosil foggers to sanitize and disinfect. Over 80% of DART buses feature a germicidal air purifiation system designed to reduce the transmission of airborne bacteria and viruses as air is recirculated throughout the bus.

The agency continues to isolate vehicles and block offfacility areas that have been exposed to unsanitary and unhygienic situations. Ths includes removing vehicles from service that have been exposed to biohazard situations from passengers.

MASK USAGE ON VEHICLES

As more North Texans return to their worksite, ridership on DART’s buses and trains is expected to increase, making social distancing more difficult. The agency now requires customers to wear a face mask or other covering when riding buses and trains in accordance with the governor’s executive order. Use of a face mask while waiting at bus stops, transit facilities and rail stations is also encouraged.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the use of cloth face coverings can help slow the spread of the coronavirus.

e masks do not have to be hospital-grade. Customers may use bandanas, scarfs, fabric masks, etc. to cover their mouth and nose.

In addition to wearing a face covering, DART encourages customers to maintain a 6-foot social distance from one another. The agency is limiting the number of passengers who may board its bus and rail vehicles to enable riders to leave empty seats between themselves and other riders. Additional buses and trains are being deployed to allow for extra space on board.

CONTACTLESS PAYMENTS

Instead of ticket vending machines and bus fare boxes, DART is encouraging riders to buy their passes with one of the agency’s contactless fare payment options—either the GoPass app or a GoPass Tap card. These are the safest and best way for customers to purchase a pass and avoid contact with surfaces that others may have touched.

By switching to GoPass, customers can buy passes and plan trips right on their phone. The app is free on the App Store or Google Play. Another option is GoPass Tap, a reloadable fare-payment card. These cards can be purchased at  7-Eleven stores or other participating retailers. Customers can load value onto their GoPass Tap card using cash or credit at retail stores, online at GoPass.org, or over the phone by calling DART Customer Service at (214) 979-1111, Option 1.

REPORTING INCIDENTS

Customers who see an unhygienic surface or a situation that needs attention are encouraged to contact DART by using the  DART Say Something app  or by calling DART Customer Service  at (214) 979-1111.

The DART Say Something app offers a quick and easy method for reporting cleanliness and security concerns directly to DART Police, who will share the concern with the appropriate service teams.

Riders can use the drop-down menu to select the type of activity they want to report, as well as the location of the incident. The app allows users to submit photos, six-second videos and text descriptions. The app also enables two-way communication that allows DART Police dispatchers to request further details.

Download the DART Say Something app for free for iPhone and Android devices from the  Apple App Store  or from  Google Play. Customers can also use text a tip at (214) 256-1819 or contact DART Customer Service at (214) 979-1111.

THE RESULTS ARE IN

WSPRING AND SAM HOUSTON

e’re excited to feature the vot ing results of LIVING WELL third annual Top Docs and Other Healthcare Providers survey. The medical practitioners and hospital providers showcased represent a sampling of the huge array of talented healthcare professionals within the region. Inclusion in the list is based on the opinions of you, our readers.

The doctors presented have reason to celebrate their accomplishments and reputation within the community. Meanwhile, thank you to our readers for voting for their favorite, trusted providers. Your participation in our survey helps your friends and neighbors locate reliable medical professionals.

One such accomplished doctor leading the list is Dr. Charles Toulson, the founder of Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. Dr. Toulson’s practice provides care for a full range of musculoskeletal disorders, diseases, and injuries to the human body. Over the years, the community his practice serves has grown from the Dallas/Fort Worth area to include the McKinney area, Grayson County, and southern Oklahoma. Considered a leader in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement, Dr. Toulson has performed more robotic joint replacements than any other surgeon in the area. Check in on this dynamic doctor inside.

We’re also honored to feature another doctor you may recognize. A multiple Emmy-award winning chief medical correspondent for CNN, Dr. Sanjay Gupta is arguably one of America’s most respected doctors. Dr. Gupta’s measured demeanor on television amidst the COVID-19 pandemic has been a source of calm to a panicked nation. We check in with Dr. Gupta to fid out what he thinks the long-term solution is for the virus that’s ravaging the world and to fid out what he thinks is tougher, brain surgery or the news business.

Sincerely,

Living Well

PRESIDENT & CEO

SAM HOUSTON

VICE PRESIDENT & CFO

SPRING HOUSTON

EDITOR, FEATURE WRITER & SOCIAL MEDIA

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ART DIRECTOR

VANESSA FRYER

ACCOUNTS MANAGER

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LIVING WELL MAGAZINE is a source for quality educational articles on living a healthy, vibrant life. Our focus is on connecting our readers with the latest information on a host of topics relevant to their evolving life. From cutting edge medical news and procedures to top-tier financial, legal and lifestyle information. Connecting readers to leading medical and business professionals in their community in Texas and Oklahoma.

For a healthier you, and a healthier North Texas.

At Texas Health Allen, nothing matters more than the health and well-being of our growing community. It’s why we’ve doubled the size of our hospital with a new bed tower and added two OR suites, a post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), a second cardiac cath lab, as well as a pharmacy, kitchen and dining area, and conference space. And, as always, we have protocols in place designed around your safety. To learn more, go to TexasHealth.org/WithYou.

Texas Health is right there with you. Whatever comes.

Alpha Orthopedics Sports Medicine 8

Celebrating 10 years of caring for the orthopedic needs of our community

Founded by Dr. Charles Toulson, Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine is the premier destination for hip and knee replacement. Dr. Toulson’s practice provides care for a full range of musculoskeletal disorders, diseases, and injuries to the human body. Over the years, the community his practice serves has grown from the Dallas/Fort Worth area to include the McKinney area, Grayson County, and southern Oklahoma.

Considered a leader in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement, Dr. Toulson has performed more robotic joint replacements than any other surgeon in the area. He was the fist surgeon in the area to perform a direct anterior hip replacement with robotic assistance. Most recently, Dr. Toulson completed the fist ever, total knee replacement for both of a patient’s knees bilaterally (simultaneously) using the MAKO™ Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology.

Dr. Toulson and his team at Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine share a passion for excellence in orthopedic care, and they work together to provide just that. Areas of specialty include, adult hip and knee reconstruction, adult hip and knee revisions, robotic-assisted joint resurfacing, knee arthroscopy, foot, ankle, and trauma.

Outpatient Joint Replacement Program

Dr. Toulson is also a forerunner in same-day or next-day joint replacement surgery. The reason for his success is his minimally invasive, muscle-sparing surgical technique. His patients are returning to their active lifestyle quicker than ever before.

A Patient’s Experience

Rebecca went to see Dr. Toulson as a patient with severe arthritis in both her knees. She shares: “I was having severe pain in my knees. I had difficulty going up and down stairs, steps, even the curb. It hurt so bad to walk, even short distances.”

Dr. Toulson explains: “When patients come in with arthritis, we often try non-operative means of treatment before we talk about surgery.” Once patients exhaust non-operative options for knee arthritis, Dr. Toulson sits down with the patients and talks to them about the benefits and the risks of total knee replacements.

Rebecca needed knee replacement surgery in both knees. She explains: “ The surgery went wonderfully. I haven’t had any problems and everyday it gets better and better. I can walk up the steps now getting into my home.”

A total knee replacement is when the surgeon removes all the cartilage and lining of a knee joint and replaces it with metal and plastic. The total knee replacement often functions just like a normal knee does. Patients often have no pain, and most times patients forget that they actually have had a knee replacement. The MAKO™ Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology allows for superior accuracy and precision in the placement of the new hip or knee joint.

After knee replacement surgery, patients can go back to the same activities that they enjoyed before the surgery. Both hip and knee replacement surgeries are one of the most successful surgeries ever invented. “A year after their surgery, 96 to 98% of patients are either satisfid or very satisfid with their joint replacement,” affirms Dr. Toulson.

Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery

MAKO™ Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology assists Dr. Toulson in surgery by providing his patients with a personalized surgical experience, as was the case with Rebecca’s knee replacement. A 3D model of the patient’s hip or knee will be built using the 3D analysis obtained from the patient’s CAT scan. Ths 3D model is used to pre-plan the performing of the patient’s joint replacement surgery, which also allows Dr. Toulson to see the patient’s hip or knee in real-time during the surgery—creating a more predictable surgical experience.

Dr. Toulson explains: “Ths 3D technology allows me to see the orientation, alignment, rotation, and actual size of the implant that we will be using. So, I can actually see with 3D technology what the implant looks like, and I can make adjustments in surgery to balance the ligaments inside of the knee.”

The MAKO™ Robotic-Arm assists Dr. Toulson in performing precise surgeries. “What’s critical is the MAKO robot will not permit me to deviate outside of the plan that we have instituted in the very beginning of surgery. As the surgeon, I’m still doing the surgery, the robot is simply allowing me to do it in a more precise manner,” says Dr. Toulson. “ The MAKOplasty robot assists me in placing perfectly aligned implants. As a surgeon, it’s very exciting to see that we can do this reproducibly, consistently, and do it successfully.”

McKinney Office: 6850 TPC Drive, Suite 116 McKinney, TX 75070 (972) 838-1635

Sherman Office: 204 Medical Drive, Suite 110 Sherman, TX 75092 (972) 362-0253

Meet the Alpha Team

Dr. Charles Toulson MBA

Dr. Charles Toulson, MBA, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, fellowship trained in adult reconstruction. He earned his medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His extensive experience began with his training at Johns Hopkins Hospital, the highest ranked hospital in the United States. He then completed his sub-specialty training at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, which has the top orthopedic program in the country. Dr. Toulson has been voted among D Magazine’s Best Doctors for multiple years in a row. His areas of specialty include adult hip and knee reconstruction, adult hip and knee revisions and robotic-assisted hip and knee replacements.

Brian L. Hambrick MPAS, PA-C

Brian L. Hambrick, MPAS, PA-C, brings nearly a decade of experience as a physician’s assistant and a sports medicine specialist to the team. Brian is a Texas native of Sherman, Texas. Brian joined the staff at Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in 2011, bringing experience in trauma care, orthopedic surgery, and emergency medicine. Brian loves working with patients and is a proud member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Texas Association of Physicians Assistants. On a personal level, Brian is a proud father of 2-year-old Aria and her new little sister Anna. A proud husband and father, Brian loves spending time with family and friends.

Trevor Fewins MPAS, PA-C

Trevor Fewins, MPAS, PA-C, joined Alpha in 2016 and has been an orthopedic physician assistant for over five years. Trevor is from the California Bay Area and earned his Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and Masters of Public Health at Touro University in California in 2015. Prior to starting his career as a physician assistant, Fewins was an EMT. He works primarily with Dr. Toulson in both the clinic and the operating room.

Sean C. Holt MPAS, PA-C

Sean C. Holt, MPAS, PA-C, is a physician assistant at Alpha Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in McKinney, Texas. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Colorado and his Master of Physician Assistant Studies from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Afterwards, he completed a Physician Assistant Surgical Residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, to increase his skills and knowledge in surgery. He worked in plastic/general surgery for 7 years before joining Alpha Orthopedic Sports Medicine in 2014.

The “Go To” Place for Your Dental Treatments

Courtesy ALLEN DENTAL CENTER

When it comes to teeth, deep down inside of us all, we want to have “nice” teeth, a beautiful smile and great oral health. The journey to an ideal smile starts with understanding the different points that may be bothersome cosmetically and to your overall health. If I could give you just a few simple evaluation tools to assess your own oral health, we can get you started on the right track towards your ideal smile.

First, let’s start with gum health. Do your gums look pink? Not too white or too red as that could be a possible sign of anemia or gum disease. Do your gums bleed when you brush or flos? Do your gums appear puffy or swollen? If you answered yes to any of these questions, a simple check up can give you the information and tools you need to build towards better gum health.

Second, something you may not have thought of as important to your overall health is chewing. Most people are not aware that inadequate chewing of food can cause digestive and stomach problems. The digestive process begins with teeth and saliva breaking down the foods we eat into more easily digestible particles for our stomach to properly absorb. Even missing one tooth can compromise what and how well we are able to chew. Replacing missing teeth these days has become quite simple and effective and there is usually more than one way to accomplish this.

Thid, have you noticed your mouth being more dry lately? As we age, or if we take any medicine on a daily basis, it is all too common that our salivary flw is decreased. Simply drinking more water, although a good thing, cannot replace the lost saliva we need for digestion and pH buffering in our mouth. When you have your normal checkup, it is routine to evaluate the salivary flw and make recommendations on a range of products offered to offet the damage being caused by the dry mouth.

Fourth, how do you really feel about your smile? I can tell you that one of the best investments to make in yourself is your smile. It

is amazing to me how something as simple as restoring your smile can brighten your countenance, make you look younger and feel energized about your health. Some patients simply need one of the many forms of teeth whitening we have to offer. Others have very healthy teeth but the appearance is not what they want. For these patients, we would explore a simple smile makeover using the best cosmetic types of porcelain or zirconia on the market today. With a dental team and high quality ceramists, the finshed smile looks phenomenal and incredibly natural. We often complete these cases and stand back in awe of how life changes with a new smile. These transformations are full of joy and our patients love their new smile.

Last on the cosmetic list is removing teeth that just aren’t able to last and replace them with a new set of teeth. One of the newest and fastest growing replacement options is the “All on X” process of removing all the teeth and placing implants all in one day while our patient is comfortably resting with IV sedation. Ths process is one of the fastest ways to get rid of the old and bring in the new health in a very short time. Implant dentistry has changed the way we restore and replace teeth more than anything else we have been a part of in the last few decades.

The Allen Dental Center has also become a place where other dentists can come and watch and observe the most modern ways to learn implant dentistry. We are often looking for patients to use as “teaching” cases to help these dentists as well as help our patients in the process. We love getting to offer a “teaching case” discount if a patient is willing to allow other dentists to watch as we are restoring their smile with implants. The Allen Dental Center has become the “go to” place for many patients over the years as we offer many different treatment options to satisfy what our patients are needing. Give Allen Dental Center a call today or visit our website to learn how we can impact your overall oral health, enhance your teeth cosmetically and give you your ideal smile.

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FOLLOW YOUR

Instinct

By RICK ALLEN

Awoman called me just the other day and I recognized her by name but was not able to immediately recall the details of our previous meeting. After a few seconds of conversation, I remembered everything we had previously discussed and the entire scenario became clear to me. The person on the other end of the line had come by our offica couple of weeks before and was asking about pricing and other general information related to pre-need planning for her parents. She told me at the time she was going to visit with a few other funeral homes just to get an idea of the differences in cost and things of that sort. What she conveyed to me in our telephone conversation prompted me to choose the subject for this article.

I was not surprised to hear the details of what she had learned, but knew it would be important for her to fid the things out that she wanted to know herself. She began telling me what a wide range of cost there was between various funeral homes for the same type services. She also told me of situations where she saw a price advertised in the newspaper and because it appeared to be such a value she followed up on it only to learn that the price advertised wasn’t really the true cost after all the added extras. There was even one funeral home that told her she would have to pay a considerable amount more if she wanted to create a pre-need contract and pre-pay for services in advance of need.

Having been in this industry for over 35 years, none of what she told me was shocking or much of a surprise to me—I deal with these issues on a daily basis. However, to the average person, who only deals with funeral planning maybe once or twice in a lifetime, she was appalled—as well she should have been. While it is true that funeral planning is a very detail oriented process and there are many choices to be made and items to be addressed, the consumer should not feel

overwhelmed or confused and certainly should not feel taken advantage of. As we talked further, I tried to gently explain to her that if you look at the range of costs she was quoted, there are two clear reasons why you have the low end and the high end of the spectrum. If you have ever heard the phrase, “You get what you pay for,” that describes the low-cost advertisers of cheap services. You can bet there is a shortcut in service, professionalism, genuine care or concern in the way the process is handled. On the other end of the spectrum, the reason for the most costly providers for the same services can be attributed to nothing more than greed. Some funeral homes actually take pride in saying they are the most expensive. Sadly, those who are the most expensive typically exhibit the least care and professionalism.

So, that brings us to the topic and title of this article: “Follow Your Instinct.” The caller told me that of all the people she talked with, she felt the most comfortable with us. She told me how much she appreciated the time she was given and how we answered all of her questions in a fashion she understood and that made sense to her. She also told me we were not the cheapest, but we were far from the most expensive. She even said that she felt we would be her ultimate choice, but she felt obligated to shop around. I encourage people to call more than one funeral home, but with something as important as planning a fial tribute to someone who was so very important to you, choosing a provider solely on who is the cheapest is like treading on thin ice.

Whether you are in need of immediate care when a death has occurred or are wisely planning in advance, I encourage you to talk with more than one provider and ultimately go with who makes you feel the most comfortable. Cost obviously needs to be considered, but it absolutely should not be the only consideration.

PHOTO BY JULIA CAESAR

J.Richard Evanson, D.O.

ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON

Dr. J. Richard Evanson is a board-certified, fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip preservation as well as reconstruction of the hip and knee. He is certified in total knee and total hip replacements with the MAKO™ Robot, and focuses on a variety of surgical techniques including: hip and knee arthoscopy, minimally invasive techniques, sport injuries, and joint replacement of the hip and knee. He has a clinical interest and background working with sports related injuries, femoral acetabular impingement (FAI), hip dysplasia, avascular necrosis (AVN), and arthritis of the hip and knee. Dr. Evanson is a former Army surgeon and team physician for the Army Airborne Rangers. Dr. Evanson offers minimally invasive hip joint replacement using the direct anterior approach with the MAKO™ Robot, helping his patients recover faster while minimizing pain. He also specializes in hip arthroscopy, pelvic osteotomies and other hip joint preservation surgeries to help his patients maintain their normal joints and active lifestyles. Dr. Evanson is certified in total knee and total hip replacements with the MAKO™ Robot.

Specializing

GUPTA

CNN’S RESIDENT DOC TALKS

AND WHY THERE’S NO SHORTCUT TO HEALTH.

By SONDRA BARR

Do doctors still make house calls? Well, if you’re Dr. Sanjay Gupta, arguably one of America’s most respected doctors, you make it your mission. As the multiple Emmy-award winning chief medical correspondent for CNN, the celebrated neurologist makes virtual house calls to millions of homes, educating the nation on many of the most pressing health issues both at home and abroad.

Especially during the age of COVID-19, the 50-year-old’s measured demeanor on television amidst a cacophony of confliting voices spouting offagainst the virus has proven to be a reassuring balm. His calm approach when covering the pandemic has been something of an extinguisher, quelling the flames of the international dumpster fie the virus has wrought.

The ever-achieving Gupta is no stranger to chaos and uncertainty. Embedded in 2003 with the Devil Docs, a group of naval doctors, Gupta needed to remove a bone out of a soldier’s head who’d gotten shot by a sniper. No surgical tools at hand, Gupta spied a Black & Decker drill and without hesitation repurposed it to drill a hole in the man’s skull and extract the bone. It was not the fist time the quick-thinking doc operated out in the fild during his reporting from Iraq and Kuwait.

Gupta’s been equally collected while reporting on location from other scenes of devastation including the Sri Lanka tsunami, New Orleans’s Hurricane Katrina, earthquake- and tsunami-ravaged Japan, and Conakry, Guinea, during a deadly Ebola outbreak.

In addition to his CNN gig, Gupta is an associate professor of neurosurgery at Emory University Hospital and associate chief of neurosurgery at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, where he still sees patients and performs surgery during the week. He also serves as a diplomate of the American Board of Neurosurgery and was elected to the National Academy of Medicine, considered one of the highest honors in the medical fild. If that weren’t enough, Gupta has also written four books: Chasing Life, Cheating Death, Monday Mornings: A Novel, and Keep Sharp.

Playboy’s David Hochman asked Gupta during a 2015 interview, “Which is tougher, brain surgery or the news business?” “It’s funny,” Gupta responded. “When I did my residency in neurosurgery, I couldn’t imagine anything more demanding or physically exhausting. But now I have weeks at CNN when I’ll go five days on three-and-a-half hours of sleep a night if there’s breaking health news. They’re both extremely busy, intense jobs.”

It’s no surprise that Gupta gravitates towards the complexity of juggling multiple exacting roles. Raised outside of Detroit by

The cure is not worse than the disease; the cure keeps the disease from becoming worse.

hardworking immigrant Indian parents who were both engineers for Ford Motor Company, Gupta chose to pursue medicine at 13 after his grandfather suffered a stroke. He approached the endeavor with his characteristic inquisitiveness and intensity.

“I watched as those doctors were able to return my grandfather to good health after opening up his carotid artery to restore the blood flw to his brain and prevent future strokes,” wrote Gupta in a 2020 article for AARP.

“I started reading everything I could about medicine and the human body. Before long, I was fixted on the brain and, specifially, memory…For me, those early explorations into the world of brain biology were at once demystifying and magical.”

Accepted into a medical school program at the age of 16, Gupta received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and a Doctorate of Medicine degree from the University of Michigan Medical School and by his early 20s was practicing neurosurgery. In 2001, he started at CNN, just weeks before reporting from New York following the 9/11 terror attacks.

Once again, Gupta is tasked with presenting the facts behind a natural disaster. If anyone is up to the task, it’s Gupta. “It’s why I got into the news business, actually—to help people make sense of the immense amount of information out there,” he said to Hochman. “News gets out and it’s not easy for people who aren’t scientist to parse the information in a meaningful way—that’s my main responsibility as a journalist.”

Gupta stresses that in the case of COVID-19, as with any health issue, you have to look at quality data to make informed decisions. For instance, Gupta and his wife decided not to send their three daughters back to school for the time being. “Ths was not an easy decision, but one that we believe best respects the science, decreases the risk of further spread and follows the task force criteria,” he said.

“ The cure is not worse than the disease; the cure keeps the disease from becoming worse,” he’s reiterated on air.

The best cure, of course, is to avoid catching the disease. Not only is Gupta a strong proponent of masks, he also believes it’s important to continue social distancing and other measures to stop the spread. “It seems to be primarily person-to-person contact. So it’s the distance, but it’s also duration. You’d be six feet away from somebody for two hours, that’s worse than being six feet away from someone for five minutes. There’s also the type of activity that’s going on. So there’s lots of different considerations,” he said.

While Gupta is optimistic there will be a return to normalcy at some point, he doesn’t know how long it will take.

Pandemic or not, there’s no shortcut to health, which is why Gupta cautions against false hope of a quick fix.Rather, he recommends taking this time to focus on your health for the long term—eat less sugar, avoid fried foods, exercise, get a good night’s sleep, etc., to make it more difficult for your immune system to be compromised.

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Communication, Hearing Loss and the Usage of Masks In Today’s World

By ELIZABETH BRASSINE, AU.D.

The impact of hearing loss on communication has become magnifid with the Coronavirus (Covid-19). Unfortunately, many of the people who have fallen victim to the virus have hearing loss, are unaccompanied by family members, have multiple chronic health conditions and are likely without hearing assistance. We think of the obvious effect of hearing loss with regard to communication difficulties. However, your hearing health contributes to your overall well-being and quality of life. Statistically, hearing loss is the third most prevalent chronic condition in older Americans after hypertension and arthritis. Aging also brings cognitive processing deficts that interfere with communication and can create distractions that lead to memory loss, falls and other accidents.

We are aware that a cornerstone of patient safety and quality healthcare is effective communication, which allows patients to participate more fully in their care. For communication to be effective, it must take place in a manner appropriate to one’s age, understanding and communication abilities. Furthermore, medical information, when provided, must be complete, accurate, timely, unambiguous, and understood. When patients can hear and understand the healthcare provider, they are much more likely to be compliant and follow recommendations and have their medical needs optimally met.

The struggle to understand speech for persons with hearing loss is now exacerbated by face masks, which have become a necessity to help minimize the spread of the virus. The masks pose two problems for patients with hearing loss: the hearing impaired person cannot gain any cues from lip reading and the voice of the person talking is attenuated and distorted by the mask. In particular, masks impact the “loudness” of the higher pitched speech sounds, which are our consonants. Consonants give us the meaning to what we’re listening to. Some people have been able to obtain the clear face masks. Ths certainly helps reduce the issue of not being able to see the face and lip reading but can still distort the speech.

In the midst of our current environment of Covid-19 and the need for wearing masks, here are some suggestions of how to best communicate with the hearing impaired.

• Face the person and talk clearly (not while walking away from the patient or while looking in cabinets, refrigerators, etc.).

• Speak at a reasonable speed, often slowing down how you speak is more benefical than raising your voice.

• Do not hide your mouth (so much speech information comes from nonverbal cues and facial expressions) or talk while eating or chewing gum.

• Stand in good lighting.

• Reduce background noises.

• Use facial expressions or gestures to give useful cues.

• Repeat yourself, if necessary, using different words.

• Be patient; stay positive and relaxed.

• Ask how you can help!

Also important, here are some tips of what the hearing impaired person can do to improve their communication with hearing aids:

• Let people know that you have difficulty hearing.

• Ask people to face you and to speak slowly and clearly. Ask them to speak without shouting, which can just distort the speech signal.

• Pay attention to what is being said and to facial expressions or gestures.

• Let the person talking know if you do not understand.

• Ask people to reword a sentence and try again.

• Turn off ny unnecessary, extraneous noises (such as radio while in car, TV at home, etc.).

• Wear your hearing aids consistently!

• Include the hearing-impaired person when talking. Talk with the person, not about the person when you are with others. Ths helps keep the person with hearing loss from feeling alone and excluded.

Dear Olivia, My questions are related to COVID-19, and I have so many! But my biggest questions are: should I be letting people in my home to help care for my mother, who is in her 80s, and if so, what should I expect them to wear, what questions do I ask, etc?

~Ready for all of this to be over!

Dear Ready for all of this to be over, I could not agree more that we are all ready for life to return to “normal”, however strange that may look! But for now, you are wise to ask these questions, as it is so important to protect the most vulnerable to the virus. Each family will have to decide their comfort level with having people outside the immediate family in their home. In many cases, it is not realistic for the family to provide the level of care needed by their loved one, and many in our community need more care such as hospice or home health. All healthcare personnel or personal care attendants who enter any home-like setting (assisted living, memory care, independent living, an actual home, etc) should be screened daily according to common symptoms of COVID-19 before

OLIVIA ROGERS

Olivia is a leading voice in health care and senior services and the Chief Nursing Officer of VNA Texas.

they go to work. (see the CDC link below). This is to ensure they do not spread the virus to clients and patients if they develop symptoms. Furthermore, before arrival to the home, they should call you or your loved one to screen the client/patient and family members to ensure there have been no new symptoms that could be related to COVID-19. This should be done daily before their arrival per the State of Texas regulations. Lastly, at a minimum, it is best practice for both your loved one and family who will be present and the healthcare provider or care attendant to wear a mask. That is the safest way to prevent transmission of germs. Should your loved one develop symptoms or actually test positive for COVID-19, then the caregiver will need to wear “full” personal protective equipment (PPE), which would include a mask, face shield or goggles, gown, and gloves. This is a challenging time, but with thorough screenings and the right PPE, we can get through this together!

~Olivia

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ downloads/COVID19-symptoms-11x17-en.pdf

VNA Hospice Care

VNA Hospice Care focuses on living life to its fullest and treating you with the dignity and respect you deserve. As a nonprofit, our bottom line is patient support and care provided by our highly qualified staff.

Meals on Wheels Hospice & Palliative Care

vnatexas.org

VNA Care Choices

Following the diagnosis of a life-limiting illness, patients and their loved ones have many questions about the best course of action. VNA Care Choices provides supportive care services in the home while continuing treatment with your current physician.

To schedule your free in-home informational visit please call (214) 535-2615 or email gethelp@vnatexas.org For volunteer opportunities please call (214) 689-2271 or email volunteer@vnatexas.org

Diane S. Litke, MD Diplomate American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Dr. Litke is a passionate artist, both in her spare time and as an orthopaedic surgeon. At L&W Orthopaedics, she approaches every orthopaedic problem with an eye toward restoration of function and mobility. With a deep knowledge of the inner workings of the body’s most active and important joints, Dr. Litke is able to repair most hip, knee, and shoulder problems, giving her patients the freedom to move again. Assisting her skilled hands, she uses the latest state-of-the-art robotic equipment for accuracy and precision, delivering a powerful combination of experience and technology to all of her patients.

Dr. Litke earned her medical degree at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She went on to complete her orthopaedic residency at the University of South Carolina in Columbia South Carolina. She is certi ed by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, and is a Fellow of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery and a Fellow of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. Dr. Litke is a liated with the Methodist Richardson Medical Center, where she is the director of the joint program. When she’s not working, Dr. Litke enjoys photography and ceramics.

Please call 972.498.4791 to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Diane S. Litke, MD

Lauren Olson INTRODUCING

Courtesy LEU & PEIRCE, PLLC

Leu & Peirce is pleased to announce our new partner, Lauren Olson. Lauren began practicing Elder Law with Leu & Peirce in 2013. We asked Lauren some questions to help you get to know her.

Q: Where are you from?

A: I was born in Austin, but grew up in Plano. I graduated from Ursuline Academy of Dallas. My parents still live in Plano.

Q: Where did you go to school?

A: I received a B.A. in Communications with a minor in English from St. Louis University. I played collegiate soccer throughout my undergraduate studies. After college, I participated in a “volunteer year” sponsored by Americorp through the Marianist Order of the Catholic Church. I lived in a group home with five volunteers and worked at the Arc of Missouri helping adults with developmental disabilities. I then moved back to Texas to attend law school at SMU.

Q: Did you always want to be a lawyer?

A: No, I always wanted to be a journalist. It was not until late in college, during a journalism assignment, that I began considering law. As a part of that assignment, I profiled a law professor who handled legal aid and poverty law. I realized then that instead of writing about helping people, I could make a profession of providing that help.

Q: What made you choose Elder Law?

A: When I started law school, I wanted to practice public interest law. It was not until my mother saw Lori Leu featured in LIVING WELL Magazine that I discovered Elder Law. After reading about Lori’s mission and passion for helping people, I knew this was what I was meant to do. I took the article to my career service counselor at SMU and, as fate would have it, she had a connection with Erin Peirce and Lori Leu and introduced me to them. The rest is history!

Q: What do you like the most about being an Elder Law attorney?

A: I like having the chance to help seniors who are often marginalized in society, as well as their families. We often advise adult children on how to protect their parents and ease the family through the aging process.

Although I never saw myself as a litigator, I enjoy the litigation aspect of our practice. If done with the right goal in mind, going to court and fihting for families is really about peacemaking and bringing families together.

Q: Is there a moment that stands out for you as an Elder Law attorney?

A: I will never forget one case in which we represented a son seeking guardianship over his mother as part of a heated family battle. Despite months of fihting amongst his seven siblings, on the morning of trial, the whole family gathered in the back of the courtroom, held hands, and said a prayer together for the health and safety of their mother.  Although the prayer of the feuding siblings caught me offguard, I will never forget how our hard work resulted in bringing the family together to reframe their differences into the lens of their mother’s best interest. Amidst the many long days of working with understandably stressed and emotional clients, that moment reminds me of why I became an Elder Law attorney—to protect seniors and bring peace and resolution to families tying to care for their loved ones.

Q: Beyond representing your clients, what do you enjoy the most about your practice?

A: I love giving speeches and have a passion to educate the community on Elder Law issues. In the future, I hope to start more legal aid clinics at churches. Elder Law issues affect everyone, no matter how educated, rich, or poor.

Q: What do you like to do for fun?

A: I like to stay active. I run, bike, and play soccer and tennis. I love to be outside and spend time with family and friends.

Q: For what are you most grateful?

A: My faith has been a constant in my life. It has played a significant role in my education, my profession, and in who I am. I am also grateful for Lori Leu and Erin Peirce taking a chance on me when I fist began my law career. I have been fortunate to have worked at Leu & Peirce since law school, and am excited to now be a partner in their endeavor to help seniors and their families.

Life After Loss

Finding Your New Groove When Dealing with Heartbreak or Grief

By KIMBERLY BLAKER

Going through a breakup, divorce, or the death of a spouse isn’t easy. You’ve lost your lover and your confiant, cheerleader, activity partner, support system, and best friend. Such a loss can be devastating. As such, it’s only natural to grieve. In fact, allowing yourself to grieve is vital to your recovery. You’ll need time (and perhaps even professional help) to work through your denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—the five stages of grief.

But even as you work through this challenging period, you can begin building a happy, full life. Working toward moving on doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten the person you lost or your prior life. It merely means you recognize your emotional and physical well-being depends on getting back to a healthy, positive life. Yes, you’ll still experience some sadness and miss the person and life you’ve lost. Allow yourself to feel sad as often as you need to. But, also look for at least one, if not multiple ways to uplift ourself each and every day.

Taking time for personal growth is an excellent way to raise your spirits.  So focus some time and energy on self-discovery, becoming a more fabulous you, and fiding new ways to enjoy life to its fullest. There’s no need to forget the person and life you lost. To the contrary, cherish those great memories, but build on them by enjoying new experiences.

SELF DISCOVERY & THE PATH TO YOUR NEW HAPPY

There are so many avenues to self-discovery. The truth is you might never even reach your fial destination. That’s because self-discovery is really an ongoing process. As the seasons of your life come and go, you’ll continually grow and change. The good news is, we live in a big, beautiful world that’s full of possibilities, endless things to experience, and always new knowledge to be had. Let some of these ideas be a springboard to help you fid your new groove.

{ JOB OR CAREER } Do you like what you do for a living? Or do you wish you’d gone a different direction? Ths might be an excellent time to consider a job or career change. Explore what kinds of work would make you happy. Just bear in mind your emotional state, and take time to think through the pros and cons of your choices. Then, once you’re in a better frame of mind, you’ll be ready to put your plan into action.

{ LEARN A NEW SKILL } It doesn’t have to be for career growth or change, although it could be. Learning a new skill offers lots of other benefits. In fact, it’s good for your brain. It increases the speed at which you learn new skills, improves your performance on other tasks, and expands your knowledge. It also reduces your risk of dementia. There are other benefits, too. Learning a new skill makes you more adaptable to change (such as you’re going through now). It also provides an additional outlet to stave offboredom and makes you a more interesting person.

The great thing about learning a new skill is the multitude of choices to fit everyone’s interests. There are also numerous avenues for learning new skills today. Take an online class. You can also buy or borrow books to learn on your own, read instructional articles online, and watch YouTube videos, webinars, and more.

{ VOLUNTEER } Ths is another way to expand your skills while also making the world a better place. Volunteering is also beneficial to your emotional health. According to research, those who volunteer become happier, enjoy reduced stress and gain self-esteem. It also increases your social connections. In turn, all these factors contribute to a healthier, longer life.

PHOTOBYANDREAPIACQUADIO

You just might be surprised at the music you fall in love with and have been missing all your life.

{ NEW FRIENDS } After a loss, making new friends is often imperative. If you’re like most people in a relationship, you spent most of your free time with your partner. As a result, you may have only a small pool of friends. So get in touch with old friends and catch up. You might discover new things you have in common that rekindle your friendship. Also, as businesses in your area open up again, make new friends through work, classes, and volunteering.  Meetup.com  will be another option. You’ll discover a plethora of different types and age groups. There’s truly something for everyone.

{ MUSIC } If you’re a music lover, you know what a mood-booster music can be. Yet, if you’re like most people, you’ve listened to the same few genres of music throughout your life. So visit your library to explore different types of music, and check out a variety of CDs. Try multiple artists within each genre, since styles vary widely among any genre. You might be surprised at the music you fall in love with and have missed all your life. Beyond the more popular rock, rap, R&B, and country, there’s also folk, blues, jazz, and classical. Also, don’t skip over the world music section. You’ll fid Irish/Celtic, flamingo, reggae, Latin, Zydeco, Afrobeat, and so much more.

{ ART } Ths isn’t a world just for artists. Although you might discover you have a hidden talent you never realized. Thik painting, drawing, sculpting, photography, printmaking, and so much more. The other option is the pure enjoyment of looking at art. Check out some art museums and galleries. You might even want to pick up a book or take a class on art appreciation to understand art at a whole new level.

{ CRAFTS } Hobbies offer a host of benefits, not to mention the crafty things you can make, keep, and give. Crafting relieves stress and depression, provides challenges, prevents boredom, and can even generate additional income. Consider wood crafts,leatherwork, needlework, glassmaking, paper crafts,and countless other options.

{ FOOD } Learn new cooking or baking skills on your own or by taking cooking classes. You might also take up a new pastime of cooking your favorite cuisine. If cooking isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy the savory experience. Explore a wider variety of foods. Taste a broader range of fruits and vegetables, and support your local restaurants by getting take-out from cuisines you’ve never had before.

{ SPORTS & FITNESS } Make exercise a regular part of your routine. Ths is one of the most valuable things you can do for your physical and emotional health. Oh, but you don’t like the “E” word? Then consider a sport. There are so many to choose from, whether you like team sports or prefer going solo. Golf, volleyball, tennis, kickball, swimming, martial arts, and roller skating are just a few of your options.

Trying and experiencing new things can provide newfound appreciation for all life has to offer. As restrictions around COVID-19 ease, you’ll also be able to add traveling to new places and visiting movie theaters to your new exciting agenda.

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

There are many books and workbooks available to help you along your journey to self-discovery. Check out some of these top-rated choices.

Start Where You Are: A Journal for SelfExploration

Meera Lee Patel

List Your Self: Listmaking as theWay to Self-Discovery

Ilene Segalove

The Good Goodbye: How to Navigate Change and Loss in Life, Love, and Work Gladys Ato

This Time Next Year: 365 Days of Exploration

Cynthia Scher Something Gained: 7 Shifts to Be Stronger, Smarter & Happier After Divorce

Deb Purdy

The Sun Still Rises: Surviving and Thriving after Grief and Loss

Shawn Doyle

Rahul Banerjee, MD Orthopaedic Surgeon

Comprehensive Orthopaedic Care with expertise in:

• Fracture Repair

• Joint Replacement

• Anterior Total Hip Replacement

• Fracture Nonunions/Malunions

• Limb Lengthening

• Periprosthetic Fractures

• Pelvic Fractures

• Upper Extremity Injuries

Dr. Rahul Banerjee is a board-certified, fellowship trained orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in comprehensive fracture management, joint replacement (including direct anterior hip replacement), and management of complex orthopaedic problems.

Dr. Banerjee graduated with honors from Brown University and completed medical school at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honors society.

Dr. Banerjee served in the United States Air Force and attained the rank of Major. Dr. Banerjee was assigned to treating injured patients and training orthopaedic residents at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, TX. During his service, he was deployed to the War in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and treated many injured soldiers and civilians.

Dr. Banerjee is the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Howard Rosen Teaching Award from AO North America. He is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Orthopaedic Trauma Association, and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. Dr. Banerjee has authored over 25 peer-reviewed publications and numerous textbook chapters on the treatment of orthopaedic problems.

Dr. Banerjee serves as the Director of Orthopaedic Trauma at Medical City Plano. In 2019, Dr. Banerjee joined Texas Bone and Joint and continues to practice in Plano.

2020 &TOP DOCS OTHER HEALTHCARE

PROVIDERS

ACUPUNCTURE

Carlos Chapa

& TOP DOCS OTHER HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

WINNERS

Acupuncture and Integrative Medical Center

Trevin Fugere Fusion Chiropractic

Justin Kane

Orthopedic Institute of North Texas

Maxine Theriot North Texas Professional Wound Care Associates

ADULT IN-HOME CARE AGENCY

Assisting Hands

EPIC Home Healthcare

Legacy at Home

Pathfinder Home Health

Unlimited Care of North Texas

ALLERGIST

Douglas Min

Allergy and Asthma Associates

Nana Mireku

Aspire Allergy and Sinus

Shane Pahlavan ENT Centers of Texas

Hari Reddy

Allergy & Asthma Associates of Allen

Chris Thompson

Aspire Allergy and Sinus

AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY CARE

CareNow

Legacy ER

Methodist McKinney Hospital

Aspire Allergy

ALZHEIMER’S CARE /MEMORY CARE

Grand Brook Memory Care

Kerwin Research Center

AUDIOLOGIST

Elizabeth Brassine Hearing Services of McKinney

Nicole Bryan

Nicole Bryan, MD

Kerri Dakin

Advanced Hearing & Balance Center

Marilyn Hinrichs

Advanced Hearing & Balance Center

Jaime King

ENT Centers of Texas

ASSISTED LIVING CENTER

Arbor Hills

Nedges Nest in Allen

Pleasant Valley Health and Rehab Sunrise

The Reserve at North Dallas

BARIATRIC SURGEON

Mustafa Alibhai NOVA Bariatrics

A. Joseph Cribbins III

Texas Center for Bariatrics & Advanced Surgery

Collean Kennedy

Kennedy Bariatrics

Sina Matin

Surgical Group of North Texas

Nick Nicholson

Nicholson Clinic

Jay Patel North Texas Surgical Specialists

BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONE CENTER

Christopher Lawrence

Connie Casad

Frisco Concierge

Medicine

Nathan Thomas NeoGen Clinic

Peter Sakovich

Rosemary Bates, MD

CARDIAC SURGEON

Michael Lofthus

Cardiology Consultants of Texas

James Norcross HeartPlace

Parin Parikh

Presbyterian Heart and Vascular

Justin Schaffer

Baylor Heart Hospital in Plano

Martin Weiss Baylor Heart Hospital in McKinney

CARDIOLOGIST

Rajjit Abrol HeartPlace

Brian Eades CorCare TX

Mubashar Khan Legacy Heart Center

Stuart Lander HeartPlace

David Rawitscher

Legacy Heart Center

Moiz Shafiq Dallas Cardiology

Leena Sharan HeartPlace

CHIROPRACTOR

Brandon Black Wellness Center of North Texas

Arthur Bradley Bradley Chiropractic

Joe Dennis

Dennis Family Wellness Center

Derek Frye

Integrative Medical of Coppell

Jason Wayne Frisco Spinal Rehabilitation

COSMETIC AND FACIAL PLASTIC SURGEONS

Benjamin Bassichis

Advanced Facial Plastic

Surgery Center

Bruce Byrne

Regional Plastic Surgery Center & Spa

Derek Rapp

Regional Plastic Surgery Center & Spa

Gregory Roberts

Roberts Cosmetic Surgery

Matthias Solomon

Solomon Plastics

DENTIST

Jason Hui

Paragon Dentistry

Lauren Lewellen

Advanced Dental

Anita Madhav

Preston Bend Dental

Preetha Thomas Enclave Dental

Jeff Williams

Allen Dental Center

DERMATOLOGIST

Jennifer Dharamsi

Legacy Dermatology

Corinne Erickson

North Dallas Dermatology

Jill Feetham

Dallas Center for Dermatology

James Ralston Dermatology Center of McKinney

Amanda Wolthoff

U.S. Dermatology Partners

HOSPITAL FOR ER VISITS

Baylor Scott & White

Medical City Dallas

Medical City Frisco

Medical City McKinney

Medical City Plano

Methodist McKinney

Hospital

Texas Health

Presbyterian Allen

Texas Health

Presbyterian Plano

HOSPITAL FOR SURGERIES

Eminent Medical Center

Methodist McKinney Hospital

Texas Health

Presbyterian Allen

Texas Health

Presbyterian Dallas

Texas Health

Presbyterian Plano

Legent Hospital for Special Surgery

Legent Outpatient Surgery

ENDODONTIST

Brody Hildebrand

Preston Hollow Specialists

Fatima Robertson Center of Endodontics

ENT–EARS,NOSE,& THROAT SPECIALIST

Nicole Bryan

Nicole Bryan, MD

Gretchen Champion

The ENT & Allergy Centers of Texas

Harry Earl Allergy & Asthma Centers of the Metroplex Centers of the Metroplex

Yoav Hahn

Dallas Ear Institute

Kenneth Hsu

The ENT & Allergy Centers of Texas

Hari Reddy

Allergy and Asthma Associates of Allen

Richard Thrasher

The ENT & Allergy Centers of Texas

FAMILY PHYSICIAN

Guy Culpepper

Bent Tree Physicians

Keith Eppich

Village Health Partners

Liane Kibel

Village Health Partners

Rachel Lisle

Coppell Integrative Medical Group

Bryan Lowery Frisco Concierge Medicine

John Moon

Village Health Partners

FERTILITY/ REPRODUCTIVE DOCTOR

Victor Beshay

DFW Center for Fertility & IVF

Julian Escobar

Conceive Fertility Center

Derek Haas

Conceive Fertility Center

Tiffanny Jones

Conceive Fertility Center

Lowell Ku

Dallas IVF Frisco

Sara Mucowski

Dallas IVF

Anil Pinto

ReproMed Fertility Center

GASTROENTEROLOGIST

Adna Badr

Digestive Health Associates of Texas

Neville Fernandes

Texas Digestive Disease Consultants

Sanjay Nayyar

Digestive Health Associates of Texas

Michael Weisberg

Digestive Health Associates of Texas

GENERAL SURGEON

Steve Duffy

Advanced Surgical of North Texas

Nathan Emerson

Surgical Group of North Texas

Brian Long

Nicholson Clinic

Nick Nicholson

Nicholson Clinic

Thomas Roshek

Nicholson Clinic

Robert Santaella

North Star Texas Surgical

Associates

Randal Troop

Plano Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center

HEMATOLOGIST/ ONCOLOGIST – CANCER CARE SPECIALIST

Dennis Birenbaum

THOCPA

Alfred DiStefano

Texas Oncology

Shrawan Gaitonde

Texas Oncology

Sashi Reddy

Texas Oncology

Anand Shivnani

Texas Oncology

HEPATOLOGIST – LIVER SPECIALIST

Aame Agha

Institute for Digestive Health

HOME HEALTH AGENCY

At Home Healthcare

Kingly Home Health Care

Pathfinder Home Health

SageCare Therapy Services

Unlimited Care of North Texas

INTERNAL MEDICINE DOCTOR

Rosemary Bates

Bates Wellness

Chandra Brown

Internal Medicine Associates

Gustavo Day

GHD Internal Medicine

Adrian Nguyen

Baylor

Bina Sharma

Coppell Adult Medicine Specialist

MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY

BetterHelp

Cornerstone Family Psychiatry

Garland Behavioral Hospital

Lifeologie Counseling

Dallas

The Seay Behavioral Health Center of Plano

INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGIST

Dev Batra

Dallas Vein Institute

David Kim

Texas Radiology Associates

Jonathan Metzler

Texas Radiology Associates

Adria Moge

Texas Radiology Associates

Crys Sory

Preferred Imaging

Jaryd Stein

Precision Vascular

HOSPICE CARE PROVIDERS

Anchor of Hope

Bristol Hospice

Faith Hospice

Mercy Hospice

VITAS Hospice

VNA Hospice

LASIK SURGEON

Dai Brooks

Brooks Eye Associates

Jason Bullajian

Texas Vision and Laser Center

Michael George

Tylock George Eye Center

Andy Lee

Total Eye Care

Jeffrey Whitman

Key-Whitman Eye Center

David Kleiman

Kleiman Evangelista Eye Center

MEMORY CARE FACILITY

HarborChase

NEUROLOGIST

Charisse Barta

Texas Neurology Consultants

C. Fish Greenfield

Texas Neurology

Henry Raroque

SNI Sleep Center and Neurology

Brian Sorin

North Texas Institute of Neurology & Headache

Supriya Thirunarayanan

Texas Institute for Neurological Disorders

NEUROSURGEON

Akwasi Boah

Texas Back Institute

Rob Dickerman

North Texas Brain & Spine Institute

Mark Kayanja

Texas Back Institute

Thomas Kosztowski

Texas Back Institute

Scott Kutz

Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery of Texas

Brad McGowan

Dallas Brain, Spine & Skull

Based Surgery

Blake Staub Texas Back Institute

OB/GYN

Bradley Axline

Bradley Axline, MD

Renee Chan

Comprehensive OB/GYN

Elizabeth Coronado Women’s Specialists of Plano

Nora Hsu

North Texas Obstetrics & Gynecology

Shea Joyner

Craig Ranch OB/GYN

OPTHALMOLOGIST

Catherine Chen

Pediatric Ophthalmology Associates

Andy Lee

Total Eye Care

Bradley Strong Strong Eye Care

Robert Warren

Ophthalmology Associates

Jeffrey Whitman

Key Whitman Eye Centers

OPTOMETRIST

Rajan Arora

Vision Arora

Peter Bui

OmniVision Eye Care

Michael Grace Grace Eye Clinic

Deborah Moon Lakeside Vision & Optical

Mary Peck Eyecare & Eyewear

ORAL SURGEON

Christine Coke

Allen Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

Mark Craig

Mark A Craig DDS MD

ORTHODONTIST

Jennifer Buchanan Buchanan Orthodontics

Jose Chow

Jose Chow Orthodontics

Hilton Goldreich Goldreich Orthodontics

Victor Sigoda Sigoda Orthodontics

Patricia Simon

Lakewood Orthodontics

ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON

Robert Bayless Precision Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Theodore Belanger

Texas Back Institute

William Burns

Craig Ranch Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine

Andrew Chambers

Dallas Orthopedic Joint Institute

Stephen Courtney

Advance Spine Center

Peter Derman

Texas Back Institute

Richard Hostin

Southwest Scoliosis Institute

Justin Kane

Orthopedic Institute of North Texas

Isador Lieberman

Texas Back Institute

Jeffrey Lue

Legacy Orthopedics

Chris Miller

Legacy Orthopedics

Charles Toulson

Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

PAIN MANAGEMENT

Sheena Bhuva Texas Back Institute

Kenneth Dauber

Plano Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center

John East

Addison Pain & Regenerative Medicine

Jeremy Epstein TriCity Pain Associates

Gabriel Rodriguez The Pain Relief Center

PERIODONTIST

Nathan Hodges

Rockwall Periodontics

James Dean Jensen

Jensen Orthodontics

PEDIATRIC DENTIST

Donna Barefield

Barefield Pediatric Dentistry

Timothy Brister

Texas Pediatric Dentistry

Ben Curtis

Children’s Dentistry of North Dallas

Susan Roberts

Pediatric Dentistry

Terry Scott

Just for kids. Dentistry

PEDIATRICIAN

Elizabeth Adams West Plano Pediatrics

Qamar Aslam Carrollton Pediatrics

Laurie Berger West Plano Pediatrics

Ronald Blair

Forest Lane Pediatrics

Lilyan Blatt

Kid Approved Pediatrics

PHARMACY

CVS Snider Plaza

Dougherty’s Preston Royal

Scripx Pharmacy

Stonebriar Pharmacy

Texas Star Pharmacy

PODIATRISTS

Roderick Hunter

Hunter Foot & Ankle Associates

Justin Kane

Orthopedic Institute of North Texas

Reza Mobarak

Southwest Foot & Ankle Center

Nere Onosode

Anadel Center for Foot and Ankle

Reconstruction

Jeffrey Radack

Texas Regional Foot & Ankle Clinics

PHYSICAL

THERAPIST

Michael Fisher

Allen Physical Therapy

Steven Light

Shelly Ritz

Serge Saithsoothane Center Physical Rehabilitation

HaydenTaylor Greater Therapy Centers

PROSTHETICS

Scott Sabolich

Prosthetics & Research

Larry Urben

Randy Duncan

Jan-Morgan Gainer

PSYCHIATRIST

Sheena Bhuva

Texas Back Institute

Mark Cartwright

Carewright Clinical Services

Naya Patel

Texas Back Institute

PULMONOLOGIST

David Plump

Pulmonologist of Arlington

Mark Quinn

Methodist Richardson

Medical Center

Rashid Rahman

Tashid Rahman

Allan Shulkin

Medial City Dallas

REHABILITATION CENTER

Post Acute Medical

Rehabilitation

RPSC Hand Therapy

RHEUMATOLOGIST

Megha Patel-Banker

Arthritis & Rheumatology Institute

Iftikhar Chowdhry

Arthritis Centers of Texas

Stephanie Hennigan

Rheumatology Associates

John Lavery

John P. Lavery, MD

SLEEP SPECIALIST

Nabeel Farah

Sleep Medicine Consultants of North Texas

Jeff Jones

Marc Quinn

Methodist Richardson Medical Center

Henry Raroque

SNI Neurology and Sleep

SENIOR LIVING FACILITY

HarborChase

Legacy at Willow Bend

Sunrise

The Reserve at North Dallas

SPINE SURGEON

Ted Belanger

Texas Back Institute

Stephen Courtney

Advanced Spine Center

Peter Derman

Texas Back Institute

Rob Dickerman North Texas Brain and Spine Institute

Michael Duffy Texas Back Institute

Richard Guyer

Texas Back Institute

Isador Lieberman Texas Back Institute

Blake Staub

Texas Back Institute

UROLOGIST

Malcolm Perry

Dr. Malcolm O. Perry, III

William Smith

Urology Clinics of North Texas

Jared Stringer

North Dallas Urology

Nabeel Syed

Urology Clinics of North Texas

Gregory Thoreson

Urology Clinics of North Texas

VASCULAR SURGEON

Dev Batra

Dallas Vein Institute

John Eidt

Texas Vascular Associates

Russell Lam

Lam Vascular and Associates

Ana Lorenzo Vein Care Solutions

Akram Khan

The Vein Clinic | Cardiac Center of Texas

VITAMIN & SUPPLEMENT COMPANY

5 Star Nutrition

Mike’s Health Collection

Neogen Life

Neogen Nutrition

Vitamin Shoppe

WOUND CARE SPECIALIST

Paul Kim

UT Southwestern Medical Center – Wound Clinic

Reza Mobarak

Southwest Foot and Ankle

Maxine Theriot

North Texas Professional Wound Care Associates

TOP DOCS

PROVIDERS HEALTHCARE AND OTHER

2020 Livingwell

DAIN B. BROOKS, MD

OPTHALMOLOGIST

Dain B. Brooks, M.D. is a board-certified ophthalmologist, demonstrating that he has met the rigorous standards established by the American Board of Ophthalmology. You can trust him with every aspect of your eye care, from cataract surgery and premium lens implants, refractive surgery (including LASIK, PRK and ICL) to long-term eye disease management and dry eye treatment.

After graduating with honors (Alpha Omega Alpha) from the George Washington University School of Medicine in 2002, Dr. Brooks went on to complete his ophthalmology training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. During his training and at subsequent Army medical centers, he had the honor of treating eye injuries suffered by soldiers in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Dr. Brooks was selected as Faculty Member of the Year in 2009 by the San Antonio Military Ophthalmology Residency Program. In addition to his numerous awards and recognitions, Dr. Brooks’ work has been published in several national and international clinical journals.

As part of his commitment to staying on top of the latest developments in ophthalmology, Dr. Brooks is a member of the following professional organizations: American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, American Academy of Ophthalmology and Texas Ophthalmological Association.

Dr. Brooks is married with four children and enjoys traveling with his family, biking, tennis, and community service in his spare time. He also frequently participates in international cataract surgery medical missions and is fluent in Spanish. Whenever possible, Dr. Brooks enjoys participating in cataract surgery medical missions to meet the needs of people without direct access to advanced eye care in other countries. He teams with several Faith-Based and humanitarian organizations to

provide care in an effort to preserve and restore sight for individuals in underserved nations and communities at home and abroad.

Dr. Brooks is truly honored to provide his surgical skills on these mission trips and looks forward to future opportunities to provide needed services to those in need throughout the world. His missions have included trips to Honduras, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, India and The Cornerstone Assistance Network providing care to underprivileged patients throughout North Texas.

Dr. Brooks has been in private practice in North Dallas and Plano since 2010. He has made it his mission to provide patients at Brooks Eye Associates with a premium experience delivering the highest quality medical and surgical eye care.

Brooks Eye Associates utilizes the latest in technology and techniques from the initial exam all the way to the patient surgical experience in their own onsite two-room ambulatory surgery center. They focus on treatment and prevention.

“We know that monitoring your eye health through comprehensive exams is the best way to ensure your vision is protected well into the future. If you are suffering from an eye disease, our caring staff optometrists will carefully diagnose your condition to determine the best approach

for treatment. If you have a refractive disorder, we can provide an effective solution to restore your vision,” says Dr. Brooks.

At Brooks Eye Associates we strive to make patients’ visits as comfortable as possible, welcoming each individual into a caring, secure and attentive environment. Brooks Eye Associates works collaboratively with a network of caring and dedicated clinicians with the central goal of providing the quality and compassionate eye care that our patients deserve. We strive to consistently improve our ability to serve our patients and surpass each of their expectations. Within the past four years patients have made it known they feel Brooks Eye Associates has accomplished this mission by nominating Dr. Brooks as best Ophthalmologist in the area in many patient poll platforms. Having the experience, skill, and technology necessary to provide exceptional eye care is one thing. Giving patients the individualized attention they deserve is another. The entire medical care team at Brooks Eye Associates is committed to providing you with the best patient experience and vision outcome possible. During each visit, you can rest assured that we will spend quality time with you to make sure all of your questions and concerns are addressed so that you fully understand the next step in your vision care process. If you live in Plano, Frisco, or the Dallas area and are looking for an experienced ophthalmologist and medical care team you can trust, please contact Brooks Eye Associates today at (214) 758-7941 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to meeting you and working with you to restore your vision!

METHODIST MCKINNEY HOSPITAL

HOSPITAL & AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY CARE

Methodist McKinney Hospital is committed to providing quality and compassionate care to our patients and incomparable service to our physicians. Our dedication to patient and physician satisfaction alongside our cutting-edge technology, makes us the hospital of choice in the communities we serve. We consistently strive to set a whole new standard for superior healthcare with the Best Staff, Best Doctors, Best Care. It’s Who We Are.

Specialties:

• Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery

• Foot and Ankle Surgery

• Gastroenterology

• General Surgery

• Gynecology

• Hand Surgery

• Joint Replacement

• Neck and Back Surgery

• Orthopedics

• Pain Management

• Plastic Surgery

• Sports Medicine

• Urology

Services:

• Inpatient and Outpatient Surgery

• Diagnostic Imaging

• Full-Service Lab

• 9 Physical Therapy Clinics

• 2 Ambulatory Surgery Centers

E. TOULSON, MD, MBA

ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON

Dr. Charles E. Toulson is a board-certified and fellowshiptrained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hip and knee replacement. He is leading North Texas in robotic-assisted joint replacements. His advanced joint replacement techniques result in rapid recovery times for patients. “Most patients are walking without a cane or walker in just one to two days following surgery,” Dr. Toulson says.

Dr. Toulson founded Alpha Orthopedics to provide the best possible patient-centered care. He is sought after for his excellent outcomes in treating all stage of arthritis. Dr. Toulson has pioneered minimally invasive surgery techniques for hip and knee replacement, including the anterior approach, he can replace a hip joint without detaching muscle from the pelvis or femur during surgery. This method allows patients to immediately bend their hip freely and bear full weight when comfortable, resulting in a more rapid return to normal function.

He has led the way for two major hospitals in North Texas to achieve the elite status of being accredited as Joint Replacement Centers of Excellence. Dr. Toulson has been named a best orthopedic surgeon by D Magazine 11 times. He has been awarded best orthopedic surgeon for seven years by Living Magazine and has also been awarded best orthopedic surgeon by Living Well Magazine for the past three years.

SCOTT SABOLICH PROSTHETICS & RESEARCH

PROSTHETIST

Since 1947, the Sabolich name has been synonymous with clinical excellence worldwide in the field of prosthetic innovation. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather Lester and his father John, Scott Sabolich became a prosthetic apprentice technician when he was just 16 years old. Upon completion of his Bachelor of Science degree, Scott attended the prosthetics program at Northwestern University in Chicago and became a third generation Certified Prosthetist. He has carried on the tradition and family legacy with two of the most amazing state of the art facilities anywhere in the United States.

Based in Oklahoma City with a second location in Dallas, Scott Sabolich Prosthetics is world renowned for their unique ability in fitting patients who have been categorized as difficult to fit. Skiers, golfers, ex NFL athletes and the current world’s fastest amputee, travel from all over the United States to our facilities to find the best fitting, highest functioning prosthesis available anywhere in the world. One of the many unique aspects of the Sabolich facilities is that everything is done in-house. The casting is still done by hand and all the fabrication and modifications are done on site. Our custom shape and skin which makes the prosthesis look as life-like as possible and our custom airbrushed artwork are just a couple added features that you won’t find anywhere else.

The cutting-edge technology available at our facilities is second to none. From microprocessor knees that allow an above the knee amputee to walk upstairs step over step, to myoelectric hands that grip, pinch and rotate, our life mission is to help amputees achieve the highest level of function and be as comfortable as possible. For over 73 years we have been changing lives. We would be honored to help change yours.

M. AKRAM KHAN, MD, MBA, FACC, FSCAI

CARDIOLOGIST | VASCULAR SURGEON

Dr. Muhammad Akram Khan has practiced cardiovascular medicine in McKinney, Texas since 1997. He completed his cardiac fellowship and Interventional Fellowship at Baylor Medical Center of Dallas.

As Medical Director of Cardiac Center of Texas, Dr. Khan is committed to the application of new technology and progressive techniques to enhance the care he provides to his patients. Cardiac Center of Texas is a testament to his commitment to advanced preventive care and treatment. “Our goal is to help people identify their health risks and pre-symptomatic disease conditions prior to the onset of symptoms. In this proactive manner, we can potentially identify conditions before they go on to become acute and chronic conditions and when medical interventions may be most effective.”

Dr. Khan has served multiple roles on Medical Executive Committee for various hospitals. Dr. Khan is on staff at Medical Center of McKinney, Medical Center of Plano, Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, McKinney and The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano. Dr. Khan is also dedicated to research and education. He is director of North Dallas Research Associates.

Dr. Ambreen Ashfaque came on board with Cardiac Center of Texas in December of 2010 but has been around the clinic since 2003. She is a graduate of Dow Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan. She then attended UT Southwestern Medical School where she did her internship and residency. Dr. Ashfaque is also certified by the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine adding this to her list of professional accomplishments. She sees patients in our clinic as well as performs the vein procedures for Vein Clinic of Texas here in our office.

As a leader in spine care around the world, Texas Back Institute had to make a dramatic shift in delivering cutting edge, quality spine care during this pandemic. With the onset of social distancing and working to keep the public safe, TBI, by adopting telemedicine practices and by encouraging people to stay at home as much as possible, successfully set new standards in treating neck and back pain.

THOMAS KOSZTOWSKI (NEUROSURGEON), RICHARD GUYER (ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON), ISADOR LIEBERMAN (ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON), SHEENA BHUVA (PHYSIATRISTPHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION)

“At first, patients were concerned about having a quality clinic visit with their doctor while using telehealth,” says Dr. Derman, “but once the doctors and patients figured out the workflow to optimize telemedicine for their visits, they all became very comfortable.”

An important element of a patient visit when a patient has neck or back pain is the ability to review their radiology reports with their doctor. Radiology reports can consist of x rays, an MRI or a CT scan. Dr. Bhuva says, “Our physicians are able to share their screen during the telemedicine exam, and go over the patient’s radiology reports with them.”

Our pain management physicians and spine surgeons carefully review the patient’s medical history and then go through a detailed discussion with the patient about their neck or back pain. “One of the most important elements of a patient encounter is listening to what they say about their pain. The physician—patient conversation provides 90% of the information the spine doctor needs to make the diagnosis and plan the next investigation or step in treatment,” says Dr. Lieberman.

Often a physical exam is still needed, in which case, with the appropriate personal protective equipment applied to both the doctor and patient, we are doing the in-person visit. Dr. Guyer found “that the recent experience verifies that patients are comfortable with a spine telemedicine visit, they find these visits to be easier to manage in their schedules and often report they feel they had more quality time with their doctors than with in person visits.” To schedule a telemedicine visit with your Texas Back Institute doctor today, call (972) 608-5100 or go to texasback.com.

Texas Back Institute

Locations in: Plano, Dallas, Denton, Flower Mound, Frisco, Mansfield, McKinney Craig Ranch, Rockwall, Texoma, Wichita Falls (800) 247-BACK (2225) texasback.com

REZA MOBARAK, DPM,

Providing every patient with individualized care and effective treatments for their foot, heel and ankle problems has always been the focus for Dr. Mobarak. His experience is backed with solid training and advanced knowledge of podiatry conditions and how to treat them.

Dr. Mobarak grew up in Richardson, TX and earned his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry with honors from Baylor University. He then attended Barry University in Florida to graduate with a Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery followed by his surgical residency at the Central Alabama VA in the areas of intense limb salvage and foot and ankle trauma.

Dr. Mobarak is a Fellow of the American Professional Wound Care Association and board certified in wound care, as well as foot reconstruction. He is also trained in hyperbaric oxygen treatment. As an adjunct faculty member at both Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, and Greenville Podiatric Surgical Residency Program, Dr. Mobarak teaches his surgical residents the newest and most effective techniques in foot and ankle surgery. He has even traveled to the Middle East to teach other doctors about limb salvage and hyperbaric oxygen

and hopes to set up a limb salvage program there to help prevent loss of limbs.

Dr. Mobarak is sought out for his extensive knowledge of wound care, limb salvage, and foot and ankle trauma treatments. His medical residency specifically focuses on diabetic limb salvage and wound care. He is particularly adept in nerve release and provides a treatment that can allow patients to walk the next day after surgery and results in decreased pain after surgery.

Combining his knowledge of foot surgery with his love of teaching, Dr. Mobarak is an avid lecturer. He speaks at national events on topics including advanced wound care, diabetic limb salvage, hyperbaric medicine, foot pain, and ankle trauma. He serves on the infectious disease committee at the Medical Center of Plano. He also writes in medical journals emphasizing on wound care and limb salvage.

5804 Coit Rd., Suite 100

Plano, Texas 75023

502 N. Valley Pkwy., #2 Lewisville, Texas 75067

6161 N. State Hwy. 161, Suite 320 Irving, Texas 75038

Established in 1934, the Visiting Nurse Association of Texas (VNA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that helps seniors age with dignity and independence at home. VNA is the community’s most trusted provider of quality healthcare services in the home and is the first nonprofit and most experienced Hospice Care provider in Texas. Focusing on living life to its fullest and treating our patients and families with the dignity and respect they deserve. Serving Collin, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Grayson, Henderson, Hunt, Kaufman, Rockwall, Tarrant, Van Zandt, Wise Counties and parts of Johnson and Navarro Counties.

VNA offers Meals on Wheels in Dallas County, delivering nutritious, freshly-prepared hot meals to 4,600 homebound seniors and disabled adults. VNA continuously adds hungry, homebound seniors to our service as funding allows.

VNA’s fundraising events held throughout the year include: North Texas Giving Day, Power of Pie, Light Up a Life, and Celebrity Chef.

VNA’s volunteer opportunities offer many fun and meaningful individual, family, and group volunteer experiences. VNA Meals on Wheels volunteers provide hot, nutritious meal delivery weekdays, virtual deliveries via phone, and supplemental pet food delivery, one Saturday each month. Virtual and in-person volunteer opportunities are made easy with our mobile app (volunteer.vnatexas.org).

VNA Hospice Care provides a wide variety of opportunities to

visit with patients and caregivers to provide support. Sewing projects and administrative support is also needed. Donations help the Visiting Nurse Association of Texas. A gift of $35 will feed a senior for a week. A gift of $150 will provide compassionate hospice care for a patient with nowhere to turn. Your support makes it possible to serve more hungry neighbors in need and provide the highest-quality care to those facing terminal illness with no means to pay. Visit our website, www.vnatexas.org, for more information on how you can help.

Eminent Medical Center is a premier, boutique treatment destination in the Dallas/Forth Worth area. By considering us as an option for your care, you are taking the first important step towards wellness. Our state-ofthe-art facility provides more than a healthcare service, it provides a healthcare experience. We are an In-Network provider with Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and United Healthcare.

Eminent Medical Center was designed by local physicians with their patients’ healthcare, safety, comfort and over all well-being in mind. Our hospital offers both inpatient and outpatient procedures all with highly skilled expert specialists in their fields, ensuring you receive the best healthcare.

Our center features three operating suites, along with a pharmacy, laboratory, emergency department, tranquil pre and post-operative areas, and five private relaxing patient rooms designed with your comfort in mind—right down to the 55” high-definition televisions placed in every room. Your family will also wait in comfort with our luxurious waiting areas, complete with complimentary beverages, free Wi-Fi, and 70” high-definition televisions.

MEDICAL CENTER

By housing each of these different resources on one hospital campus, we can expedite your treatment and ensure that you receive the prompt attention that you don’t find at some of the larger hospitals in the region. If anything can be done to enhance your experience, we encourage you to let us know right away. We pride ourselves on offering exceptional patient healthcare with an extraordinary patient experience in mind.

Our hospital is currently offering services for: Pain Management, Sports Medicine, General Surgery, Spine Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Neurosurgery, Minimally Invasive Sine Surgery, Total Joint Surgery, Foot & Ankle Surgery, Hand Surgery, Gynecological Surgery, and Plastic Surgery. Onsite services of x-ray, laboratory and pharmacy are also available.

In this day and age, you have many options for your healthcare. When you entrust your well-being to the specialists at Eminent Medical Center, you will receive the quality of care that you want and that you deserve. From the moment you arrive at our spacious hospital, you will feel the Eminent difference, the Eminent Choice.

JAMES

P. RALSTON,

M.D., F.A.A.D.

DERMATOLOGIST

Dr. Ralston is Board Certified in Dermatology. He is an awardwinning dermatologist with numerous accolades. Most recently, he was honored in 2020 as Best Dermatologist, Best Place for Botox, and Best Laser Hair Removal by McKinney/Allen Living Magazine. In 2019, he won Best Physician–Dermatologist for the ninth year in a row by McKinney Magazine/Online’s Best of McKinney. Dr. Ralston practices cosmetic, surgical and medical dermatology and provides the latest treatment options for a wide range of pediatric, adolescent and adult dermatological concerns such as skin cancer, eczema, acne and acne scars, wrinkles, age spots, rashes and psoriasis. He utilizes treatments such as PDT, which combines laser or other light with topical medicine to treat skin cancer, acne, aging, and other conditions. He provides the latest in body contouring and other cosmetic treatments and techniques. Additionally, he is a national key opinion leader for multiple lasers. His professional interests include utilizing technology to enhance the art and science of medicine for optimal skin health through preventative and quality care.

Dr. Ralston received his medical degree from The University of Texas Medical School at Houston and completed his dermatology residency at the State University of New York (SUNY) in Buffalo, New York where he was Chief Resident. He also fulfilled a fellowship in cutaneous oncology and photodynamic therapy (PDT) at the prestigious Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York. There he explored leading edge technology to develop less invasive methods to treat skin cancer and precancers. In order to refine his skills as a surgeon further, Dr. Ralston participated as a fellow in Mohs micrographic surgery. Dr. Ralston has contributed textbook chapters and articles for medical literature and was awarded Best Clinical Science Report from Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

Dr. Ralston was raised in The Woodlands, Texas, and now lives in McKinney with his wife and three children. He enjoys snow skiing, computers, music, reading, theatre, and spending time with his family.

STEPHEN P. COURTNEY, MD

ORTHOPEDIC SPINE SURGEON

Dr. Stephen Courtney is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon and the founder of the Advanced Spine Center in Plano, TX. Dr. Courtney has been practicing medicine and providing exceptional patient care in Plano since 1995 and has worked tirelessly to develop superior operative techniques to treat neck and back disorders.

Dr. Courtney is a respected orthopedic spine surgeon who focuses on disorders of the neck and back. His work ethic, outstanding outcomes, and personable approach to patient care have earned him a reputation as one of the best spine surgeons in Texas. He has expanded his reach and has improved the quality of life for patients across the country. Dr. Courtney has developed 9 product lines, and has obtained 9 patents and 14 trademarks on its spine related products. He has been honored with numerous awards and recognitions.

Led by Dr. Courtney, the skilled team at Advanced Spine Center cares for patients with neck and back pain using a wide array of the most state-of-the-art tools and techniques— from conservative physical therapy and injection therapy—to advanced pain management, as well as surgical intervention. They employ the latest in minimally invasive spine surgeries, in addition to cutting-edge replacement technology. Incorporating both high tech and high touch, we get our valued patients back to their lives so they can enjoy all the activities they love.

Dr. Courtney is dedicated to educating not just himself and his colleagues but his patients as well. He is known for his straight-forward, honest approach which puts his patients at ease, trusting him to perform highly technical operations that will help them restore their quality of life. He knows the single most important person in the treatment process is the patient.

When Dr. Courtney is not with his patients you can find him enjoying time with his wife and five children, hitting the trails on his mountain bike, or perfecting his Cajun cooking.

KEY-WHITMAN EYE CENTER

FRONT ROW FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: TODD AGNEW, O.D., ANITA JACOB, O.D., KIM WARREN, M.D., RON BARKE, M.D., MARTIN FABER, O.D., AMANDA HOELSCHER, O.D., LARRY FISH, M.D., KATE LEE, M.D., JEFFREY WHITMAN, M.D., FAISAL HAQ, M.D., ALFRED HUMPHREY, M.D., EDWARD HURST, M.D., TARA HARDIN, O.D., AMY HONG, M.D. NOT PHOTOGRAPHED: LESLIE PFEIFFER, MD

Key-Whitman Eye Center has been serving the North Texas area for more than 50 years, and Dr. Jeffery Whitman is honored to be listed among Living Well Magazine’s Top Docs in Dallas in the category of ophthalmology and LASIK again this year. Under the direction of Dr. Whitman, the Key-Whitman team of highly experienced doctors performs a full range of progressive ophthalmic services in seven convenient locations. Each surgeon is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, and each doctor performing LASIK and cataract surgery is additionally board certified by the American Board of Eye Surgeons. Dr. Whitman is a recipient of the American Medical Association Physician’s Recognition Award. He is the president of the Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society and is a past president of the American College of Eye Surgeons and the Dallas Academy of Ophthalmology. He is one of the most experienced cataract and refractive surgeons in North Texas. His team is among the few in the area specializing in laser-assisted cataract surgery and the use of hightech lens replacements, such as Symfony®, Crystalens® , Trulign®, ReSTOR®, and the TECNIS® Multifocal Lens. These intraocular implants are designed to give a wider range of vision, including far, intermediate, or close-up vision. For patients wanting to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses and contacts, many solutions are available, including LASIK, PRK, The Visian ICL, and the high technology lens implants used in cataract surgery. Additional services include eye health exams; management of diabetes, glaucoma, and corneal disease; treatment of dry eye; and reconstructive and cosmetic eyelid surgery.

Key-Whitman Eye Center

11442 N. Central Expy., Dallas 11445 Dallas Pkwy., Frisco 3060 Communications Pkwy., Plano 910 N. Davis Dr., Arlington 400 W. Arbrook Blvd., Ste. 121, Arlington 18661 LBJ Frwy., Ste. 400, Mesquite 2380 S. Goliad, Rockwall

(972) 769-2020 keywhitman.com

ANDREW CHAMBERS, MD

ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON

Dr. Chambers is a board certified Orthopaedic surgeon at Dallas Orthopaedic Joint Institute who specializes in joint replacement surgery. He received extensive training in joint replacement surgery during his fellowship at Harvard Medical School / Massachusetts General Hospital, which was voted as the top hospital in the United States. Dr. Chambers has implemented the techniques learned at Harvard Medical School into his own practice and offers minimally invasive total hip / knee replacement, partial knee replacement, revision surgery for malfunctioning, loose, and infected joint replacements, arthroscopic surgery of the hip and knee, and revision of failed and recalled metal-on-metal total hip replacement implants. Dr. Chambers focuses special attention on surgical techniques for rapid recovery after total joint replacement which allow his patients a more predictable and earlier return to home and an active lifestyle.

Dr. Chambers is pleased to offer the MAKOplasty RoboticArm Assisted partial/total knee and hip replacement. The MAKOplasty procedure is changing the way joint replacement surgeries are performed by providing each patient with a personalized surgical experience based on their specific diagnosis and unique anatomy using a CT-based 3D modeling. The robotic arm technology allows for extremely precise placement of hip/knee components with potentially less soft tissue injury than traditional joint replacement.

Dr. Chambers is a Texas native and grew up in Houston, Texas. He attended medical school at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, and completed residency at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. He then completed a fellowship in joint replacement surgery at Harvard Medical School. In his free time, Dr. Chambers enjoys traveling with his wife, Christine, and spending time with friends and family. He is an avid sailor and enjoys participating in sailing races on the local lakes in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Dr. Chambers practices at Methodist Dallas, Charlton, and Richardson Hospitals. To schedule an appointment please call or text (469) 747-0382.

JEFF WILLIAMS, D.D.S.

DENTIST

Dr. Jeff Williams is one of four dentists at Allen Dental Center. Blessed to have been an architect before he came to dentistry, Dr. Williams or “Dr. Jeff” approaches each problem not just as a “repairman,” but driven to make sure that artistry and natural beauty are woven into every case he treats. He desires solutions that not only last but restore the natural smile you had in your youth or the smile you have never had but always wanted. Nothing is more exciting than to exceed patients’ expectations with procedures we provide. It is for this reason, Dr. Jeff has worked tirelessly over the years with multiple hours of training from the best minds in dentistry to perform at this level.

Dr. Jeff and the practice strive to have standards of success that are higher than our patients’ expectations to satisfy each patient every time.

Having been a dentist in Allen for 24 years, Dr. Jeff has been blessed to develop relationships with and treat thousands of patients. As the community has changed and evolved, so has ADC and the services we provide. Huge advances in dentistry have resulted in more expedient comfortable and cosmetic solutions.

All of that having been said, no man stands alone. Countless people have generously shared wisdom and experience, including his father , who is also a dentist, his brother- Dr. Steve as well as Dr. Brad & Dr. Josh. All have challenged Dr. Jeff with their commitment to excellence, hunger to always improve and honest collaboration as they strive to allow the work of their hands to be the full expression of God’s gift of service to others.

Much of the opportunity to practice was made possible by the love of his life, Jan, Dr. Jeff’s wife of 34 years, who sacrificed to put him through school and make possible a second career. He is also blessed by three boys Joah, Jess, and Judson and the excitement he is anticipating what God will do with and through them. To the greatest degree, Dr. Jeff has been blessed by God’s grace and his Indescribable Gift, Jesus!

JUSTIN M. KANE, MD, FAAOS

ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON

Justin Michael Kane, MD completed his undergraduate degree at the highly regarded engineering college Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. He went on to receive his medical degree from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in order to work alongside some of the most influential orthopedic surgeons in the country. He completed an internship at Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After his internship, he returned to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital to complete his orthopedic surgery residency with the world class surgeons at the most highly sought-after program with The Rothman Institute. Dr. Kane then completed a fellowship in foot and ankle surgery at one of the most prestigious fellowships at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas.

Before establishing The Orthopedic Institute of North Texas (OINT), Dr. Kane worked at Baylor University Medical Center as an orthopedic surgeon as well as the director of research in Human Motion and Performance Center located on Baylor’s Dallas campus. Dr. Kane has authored over 100 publications, book chapters, articles, and research presentations presented internationally. He continues to mentor students and young physicians as they prepare for their career in orthopedic surgery. He continues to perform clinical research and serves as a reviewer for numerous peer reviewed orthopedic journals.

Dr. Kane specializes in foot and ankle problems ranging from bunions and hammertoes to complex reconstructive procedures and limb salvage surgeries. He sees patients from all over the world at the locations in Frisco and Farmers Branch, Texas.

When Dr. Kane is not working at The Orthopedic Institute of North Texas (OINT), he actively travels the world participating in a number of medical mission trips helping patients with complex limb deformities. He continues to participate in the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society’s (AOFAS) Vietnam Outreach Program with Mobility Outreach International (MOI) traveling the country working alongside his Vietnamese colleagues teaching the newest treatments to residents and surgeons. He also participates in medical missions in the Dominican Republic with Community Empowerment through Rush University. Dr. Kane enjoys cycling, golfing, cooking international cuisine, and is a passionate animal rights advocate helping with animal rescue.

Baylor Frisco Professional Building #1 5575 Warren Pkwy., Ste. 115 Frisco, Texas 75034

2914 Valley View Lane, Ste. 130 Farmers Branch, Texas 75234

(972) 591-6468 oint.org

AU.D. AUDIOLOGIST

McKinney audiologist Liz Brassine has earned a lone list of credentials after her name—Au.D. CCC-A, FAAA—but opening up her own audiology practice 14 years ago is among her proudest accomplishments. With a kind, caring, and compassionate manner, Dr. Brassine and her talented team at Hearing Services of McKinney have greatly improved the quality of life for their patients utilizing the latest in hearing innovations.

With an innate love of math and science, she started working for an audiologist in high school before earning Master of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in Audiology from Northwestern University. After graduate school, Dr. Brassine went on to work for two audiology practices before spending 10 years as the national training manager of a leading global hearing aid manufacturer. In 2002, she obtained her Au.D. (Doctor of Audiology) from A.T. Still University.

In the decade Dr. Brassine spent training other hearing care professionals around the country in the fitting and dispensing of digital hearing aid technology, her understanding of the devices grew exponentially and provided her exceptional insight into their increasing capabilities. “I was in the nitty gritty of hearing aids day in and day out,” says Dr. Brassine, whose knowledge of hearing software, technology, and products is quite extensive.

With over 36 million Americans suffering from hearing loss, as the third most common health related problem in America, Dr. Brassine opened Hearing Services of McKinney to address this growing problem. To be able to serve an area near and dear to her heart, one where she’s chosen to make her home, is an added benefit. She knew her background both in hearing aid manufacturing and in private practice would make a difference in McKinney—and it has.

When Hearing Services of McKinney’s doors opened in 2006, it was the only audiology practice in McKinney. “In the beginning, it was just myself and a secretary.” Meanwhile, Cassandra Wilson, Au.D., joined Hearing Services of McKinney 10 years ago. Together, they offer personal attention, service, and hearing aid knowledge that you can’t get from a chain or big box store.

TOP DOCS

PROVIDERS HEALTHCARE AND OTHER

2020 Livingwell

J. RICHARD EVANSON, D.O.

ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON

J. Richard Evanson, D.O. is a board-certified, fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip preservation as well as reconstruction of the hip and knee. He is certified in total knee and total hip replacement with the MAKO™ Robot and focuses on a variety of surgical techniques including: hip and knee arthroscopy, minimally invasive surgical techniques, sport injuries, and joint replacement of the hip and knee. He has a clinical interest and background working with sports related injuries, femoral acetabular impingement (FAI), hip dysplasia, avascular necrosis (AVN), and arthritis of the hip and knee. Dr. Evanson offers minimally invasive hip joint replacement using the direct anterior approach with the MAKO™ Robot, helping his patients recover faster while minimizing pain. He also specializes in hip arthroscopy, pelvic osteotomies and other hip joint preservation surgeries to help his patients maintain their normal joints and active lifestyles. Dr. Evanson is certified in total knee and total hip replacements with the MAKO™ Robot.

Dr. Evanson graduated from Brigham Young University, Provo UT with degrees in Spanish and Chemistry in 2004 before attending Medical School at A.T. Still University of Health Science, Kirksville MO. where he received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine in 2008. He completed an orthopedic military residency at Eisenhower Army Medical Center in 2013. He then served as an Army orthopedic surgeon at Fort Benning, Ga. until 2017. During that time, he was deployed in 2014 as the chief orthopedic surgeon supporting military soldiers in Kuwait. After concluding his commitment to the Army, he completed a fellowship at Duke University in hip preservation and reconstruction.

Dr. Evanson is actively involved in research and has been honored as a scientific presenter at national meetings, published multiple articles in peer-reviewed journals, co-authored a book chapter, and won several research

awards. Dr. Evanson is married with five children and is actively involved in his church. He enjoys hunting, outdoor activities and playing sports and is a former NCAA Division I college athlete. He is also fluent in the Spanish language. Dr. Evanson is currently seeing new patients who suffer from hip and knee joint pain.

5228 W. Plano Parkway Plano, Texas 75093 (972) 250-5700 posmc.com

DENNIS H. BIRENBAUM, MD

HEMATOLOGIST / ONCOLOGIST

Dr. Birenbaum founded the Arlington Cancer Treatment Center in 1981. He founded the Texas Hematology Center, PA in 1997. He is the founder, Medical Director, and CEO of Patients Comprehensive Cancer Center (2001) & McKinney Regional Cancer Center (2007). Dr. Birenbaum trained at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Institute for 5 years, 3 years as a Hematology/Oncology fellow and 2 years as facility professor. His private practice in Hematology/ Oncology has been in the Dallas/Fort Worth area since 1979.

Dr. Wyszynski and Dennis Birenbaum are M.D. Anderson trained hematologists/oncologists. Dr. Wyszynski also trained at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA.

EUGENE J. WYSZYNSKI, DO

HEMATOLOGIST / ONCOLOGIST

Dr.Wyszynski joins the Texas Hematology and Oncology Centers after many years of successful private medical practice in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Dr.Wyszynski completed his internship and residency at John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Stanford, New Jersey. He followed these with a number of Fellowships including one in Hematology/Oncology at the prestigious M.D.Anderson Cancer Center in Houston,TX,and two years at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Wysznski is well known for his quality of care and the personal interest he takes in his patients. He is very active in many professional societies and investigative trials.

GREGORY D. ROBERTS, M.D.

FACIAL PLASTIC SURGEON

At Roberts Cosmetic Surgery Center, Dr. Roberts specializes in facial cosmetic medical procedures, including the “scarless” face lift, endoscopic brow lift, blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, otoplasty, chin and lip implants. For over 20 years, Dr. Roberts has focused his surgical specialty on the face, but he also performs minimally invasive cosmetic medical procedures, such as BOTOX® and dermal filler procedures. Dr. Roberts is dual Board certified by both the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as the American Board of Otolaryngology | Head and Neck Surgery.

Dr. Roberts personally performs all surgical procedures, BOTOX® and filler procedures. Laser and resurfacing procedures at Roberts Cosmetic Surgery are performed by a certified and licensed aesthetician, while his support staff endeavors to provide optimal patient care.

“There’s a tremendous amount of satisfaction that comes along with my work,” Roberts says. “Seeing patients get positive results from their procedure, as well as seeing their renewed confidence, and then hearing the reaction of others in their lives is very fulfilling.” Dr. Roberts’ procedures are performed at an AAAASF certified facility near George Bush Tollway and Preston Rd in Dallas suburb, Plano, Texas. Read more here about what his patients say about him. View more before-and-after photos and review additional information at RobertsCosmeticSurgery.com. To schedule a consultation, call (972) 608-0000.

THE “SCARLESS” FACE LIFT

Nationally-known facial plastic surgeon Dr. Gregory D. Roberts has refined a face lift technique, known as the “scarless” face lift, which allows patients to recover from surgery with virtually no visible scarring. The “scarless” face lift involves a series of surgical methods and meticulous precision that can help restore more natural, youthful facial features with virtually imperceptible signs of surgical intervention.

“My one guiding principle is that your cosmetic surgery looks natural,” said Dr. Roberts. “You should look refreshed and well-rested, never pulled.” Dr. Roberts takes the time necessary to meticulously place and close incisions, ensuring that his patients’ incisions are virtually invisible, as well as helping to minimize bruising and quicken the healing process.

Many of Dr. Roberts’ patients also find pleasing results with a non-surgical face lift alternative known as a Liquid Face Lift. Revolumizing the face with a Liquid Face Lift can be done alone or in conjunction with a face lift to restore natural, youthful volume and contours.

DR. ROBERTS’ PATIENTS LOVE THEIR RESULTS!

KM contacted Dr. Roberts after viewing some of his online images. During her consultation Dr. Roberts recommended upper and lower blepharoplasty (eyelid lifts) as well as a mini face lift. “I inherited drooping eyes from my dad, sagging jowls from my mother. But Dr. Roberts has completely changed that for me. Now I get comments even from strangers about how good my skin looks. Only my close friends know what I’ve had done, but I feel dramatically different. It’s helped my confidenceand I’m definitely more comfortable when I’m face-to-face with people.

At 51, JT worked to stay in shape but couldn’t stop the natural signs of aging. The sagging in her neck and jowl area started to bother her so much she no longer wore her hair off her face. “I feel young and wanted to look more youthful,” she said. After a mini face lift, she’s thrilled with the results. “Not one person has said, ‘Did you have a face lift?’” she said. “But people do tell me how pretty my skin is. I didn’t want to overdo it, and what Dr. Roberts did is perfect. Everyone in his office was attentive, helpful and supportive. I’d definitely do it again.

At 53, JR, below, had a face lift, endoscopic brow lift and lower blepharoplasty performed in one procedure. “Before the surgery I looked tired and my jowl area and the skin around my mouth sagged,” she said. “Dr. Roberts spent a lot of time explaining everything and answering my questions. After surgery, I was wearing a ponytail two weeks later and attended a work conference a week after that. No one could tell I’d just had surgery! To me, it’s so natural. I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Roberts and his staff.”

Richardson

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