Collin County Living Well Magazine November-December 2021

SOUTHWEST FOOT AND ANKLE CENTER

DR. JOSHUA WORLEY • DR. REZA MOBARAK • DR. MITCH WILLIAMS

Pain

Spine Surgery • Orthopedic Surgery • Neurosurgery

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery • Total Joint Surgery

Foot & Ankle Surgery • Hand Surgery

Gynecological Surgery • Plastic Surgery

A Dream to Change Spine Care is

In 1977, Dr. Stephen Hochschuler was practicing as a spine surgeon in Plano, Texas. He wanted to advance spine care for patients suffering from neck and back pain locally and all over the world. This would be the beginning of the dream that would become Texas Back Institute.

At the time, spine patients were generally given the same treatment plan across the United States. “Back then, there was little differentiation about what was actually causing spine pain. We were interested in getting to the root of the problem the patient was having and work was needed to resolve that specific issue,” explains Dr. Hochschuler. This would mean the doctors at TBI would have to change their diagnostic and treatment processes.

“One of the initial thoughts was to create a clinic as an integrated multi-specialty model that would include prevention, conservative care, surgical care, rehabilitation, research, and development with a culture that considered surgery as a last option,” says Dr. Hochschuler.

Drs. Rashbaum and Guyer would join Dr. Hochschuler in this endeavor over the next few years and the three of them would research various treatment options for spine care, and begin changing their patient care protocols.

As the doctors at Texas Back evolved in the treatment of neck and back pain, they made the decision to become a leader in spine care and would always look for innovative ways to change the future of spine care through technique, technology, or other treatment pathways. One of these elements was to have a significant role in the research of spine treatment.

In 1985, they formed a non-profit research foundation so they could add an academic component to their private practice. This was almost unheard of at the time. Dr. Hochschuler says, “The mission of Texas Back Institute was research, education, and development. We always wanted to know what was next and be part of that change.”

Over the years, TBI would bring on new physicians, expand their geography, and keep the multi-disciplinary approach by having doctors in different specialties that were involved in the development of spine imaging through Multiplanar CT and the MRI, fusion technologies such as the Pedical Screw Systems; Anterior Cages; and Facet Fusion Techniques.

As part of the desire to help change spine care around the world, TBI started a fellowship program in 1986 and has trained over 125 spine surgeons from various regions of the country and around the world. Texas Back also created internal learning opportunities and quality control processes like neuroscience, peer review, and interesting case conferences.

TBI brought cervical and lumbar artificial discs to the United States, kicking off a new era of motion preservation technologies. The company was also instrumental in the development of robots for spine care and has been part of the revolution of minimally invasive and ultra-minimally invasive spine surgery.

“Texas Back Institute has also held key roles in national and international spine organizations such as North American Spine Society, International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery, and the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine and several others,” says Dr. Hochschuler.

As Dr. Hochschuler retires this year, he feels fortunate he did what he loved with people he loved. “Texas Back Institute has made a difference for spine patients all over the world and continues to do so,” he says.

What does Dr. Hochschuler see in the future for TBI? “Working in regenerative medicine, augmented reality, predictive analytics, information technology, musculoskeletal population health, and the advancement of telemedicine and digital home, it is an exciting time in spine health,” he says.

The culture of TBI continues to be strong. Its current mission statement: Texas Back Institute exists to provide the best possible spine care in an environment of innovation, education, and research.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

BETTER WITH AGE

Featured on the cover, Stephen P. Courtney, MD and his team at Advanced Spine Center are leading the way in superior operative techniques to treat neck and back disorders 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. Learn more about this talented doctor on page 8.

Switching gears from medicine, we do a 180 and jump into entertainment by shining the spotlight on Jennifer Lopez. She is many things, an actress, singer, dancer, style icon, mom, entrepreneur, and dreamer. The multi-hyphenate star has lived several lifetimes in her 52 years, yet you’d never guess Lopez’s age. After working nonstop for decades, she looks and feels better than ever.

Lopez doesn’t intend to slow down anytime soon. In fact, she’s had quite a year or two, but doesn’t she always? We touch base with this superstar and find out what keeps her going and motivates her to be the best she can be on page 24.

While Lopez may be getting better with age, one thing that rarely ages well is hearing. One of the body’s most remarkable senses, according to audiologist Dr. Elizabeth Brassine, hearing integrates with our brains to help us connect with the world around us. However, as we age, our ability to hear declines. For 48 million Americans—or nearly one in five ages 12 and older—this is precisely the case.

Dr. Brassine discusses the options available to the hearing impaired on page 17. The good news, while hearing loss typically can’t be reversed, most cases can be managed with the help of an audiologist and hearing aids. Before you shudder at the thought of hearing aids, check our her article.

As always, there’s

Living Well Living Well

PRESIDENT & CEO

SAM HOUSTON

VICE PRESIDENT & CFO

SPRING HOUSTON

EDITOR, FEATURE WRITER & SOCIAL MEDIA

SONDRA BARR

ART DIRECTOR

VANESSA FRYER

ACCOUNTS MANAGER

JENNIFER BEAVERS

WEBSITE

LYDIA ROGERS

ADVERTISING & SALES

TEXAS: Denton County, Dallas County, Collin County

TEXAS & OKLAHOMA: Texoma Area

WRITE TO US:

Tell us who you would like to see featured on the cover, or what subjects you would like covered in upcoming editions of LIVING WELL MAGAZINE at info@livingwellmag.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS & CUSTOMER INQUIRIES

Houstons of Dallas Publishing, Inc. 102 E. Broadway, #901 Prosper, TX 75078

www.LivingWellmag.com Phone: (214) 507-1000 Fax: (855) 248-2132

and business professionals in their community in Texas and Oklahoma.

SPRING AND SAM HOUSTON

They depend on you like you depend on your heart.

They depend on you like you depend on your heart.

Advanced heart care you can count on.

Advanced heart care you can count on.

When it comes to your heart, it’s so important to have the right care. Heart and vascular specialists on the medical staff at Texas Health hospitals offer a broad range of advanced care tailored to each and every heart. From general heart health and wellness to advanced diagnostics, minimally invasive therapies and innovative procedures, we’re your dedicated partner in heart health. And, as always, we have protocols in place designed around your safety.

When it comes to your heart, it’s so important to have the right care. Heart and vascular specialists on the medical staff at Texas Health hospitals offer a broad range of advanced care tailored to each and every heart. From general heart health and wellness to advanced diagnostics, minimally invasive therapies and innovative procedures, we’re your dedicated partner in heart health. And, as always, we have protocols in place designed around your safety.

Texas Health is right there with you.

Texas Health is right there with you.

Find a heart and vascular specialist or take our heart health assessment at TexasHealth.org/Heart.

Find a heart and vascular specialist or take our heart health assessment at TexasHealth.org/Heart.

Brian Nwannunu, MD, MS

Brian Nwannunu, MD, MS, is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee replacement. He cares for patients at Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine’s offices in Sherman and McKinney, Texas.

Dr. Nwannunu, a native of Dallas, earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was part of the Morehouse College Honors Program. Upon graduation, he completed his master’s degree in Physiology at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., with a concentration on complementary and alternative medicine. Dr. Nwannunu then graduated with his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C., where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

Dr. Nwannunu completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the John Peter Smith Health Network in Fort Worth, Texas, before pursuing additional training with a fellowship in adult reconstruction at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. In addition to his clinical training, Dr. Nwannunu enjoys mission work abroad, providing medical care and health education to populations in need.

He is a member of the American Medical Association, National Medical Association, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.

When not working, Dr. Nwannunu enjoys basketball, weight training, outdoor activities, attending art and music festivals, traveling, world news, and reading.

MAN OF Distinction

DR. REZA MOBARAK AND HIS TEAM BRING A DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE TO THEIR PATIENTS AT SOUTHWEST FOOT AND ANKLE CENTER AND DFW WOUND CARE CENTER.

Patients always come first for Reza Mobarak, DPM, FACFAS, FAPWCA. Double board certified in foot and ankle surgery and wound care, he has been providing exceptional patient care for 20 years in the DFW metroplex.

It’s a philosophy that developed early on in his life and it’s one that has helped guide him in his journey to earn a distinguished reputation among his professional colleagues, medical peers and, most importantly, his patients.

He began his medical career from the ground up. While a teenager, Dr. Mobarak spent nights and weekends waiting tables to earn money to attend medical school. Working hard taught him the value of serving his customers, which translated to his patients as a doctor.

After immigrating to America from Iran in the early 1970s, his parents worked hard to establish a life in America. Interested in medicine from a young age, he pursued any opportunity to learn about the field in school. Growing up in South Dallas introduced him to America’s prospects, as did attending Asher Silverstein Elementary School.

Inspired by his parents’ immigration to America, education was always a priority. A national merit scholar at J.J. Pearce High School, Dr. Mobarak went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry with honors from Baylor University in just three years. From there, he attended Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine in Miami, Florida, and graduated with a Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. Utilizing summers to work and volunteer at local hospitals, he learned as much as he could about medicine in the clinical settings provided by the diverse Miami population. He also volunteered as a student in the South Florida community.

A surgical residency at Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System in Montgomery, Alabama, followed and furthered his specialty training in foot and ankle trauma, reconstruction surgery and intense limb salvage. Helping American veterans recover from unhealing wounds inspired Dr. Mobarak to attain his board certification in wound care. From there, he continued to gain more knowledge and insight on how to help his patients, specifically veterans, with proper preventative procedures, while recognizing there was room for much improvement in the tools at hand in podiatry and wound care fields.

LEFT TO RIGHT: DR. JOSHUA WORLEY, DR. REZA MOBARAK, DR. MITCH WILLIAMS

I like to educate my patients, student doctors, and other doctors. It gives me satisfaction knowing that we will be able to prevent health issues, while ensuring physicians know how to treat and heal wounds.

”

TESTIMONIALS

“Experienced, quality, & thorough care—from the first visit, then surgery, to post-operative. I will/ would recommend Dr. Reza Mobarak.”

–MR. SCOLOSKY, A FOOT SURGERY PATIENT OF DR. MOBARAK’S.

As a native Texan, he returned to Dallas after his residency to work in Mansfield and the DFW Metroplex, further developing his training in podiatry and wound care. He founded Southwest Foot & Ankle Center & DFW Wound Care in 2009 with locations in Plano and Lewisville. Working hard, he grew his practice to five locations and added two associates, Dr. Mitch Williams and Dr. Joshua Worley, to more efficiently serve patients.

An emerging social media luminary, he offers unparalleled access to his work on TikTok @theDFWfootDoc and Instagram as @DFWfootDoc, where patients and fans get a behind-the-scenes look at procedures and outcomes. He has a love for his senior patients but also wants to reach younger generations and educate them on these platforms about prevention and medical procedures available. Dr. Mobarak’s extensive knowledge of podiatry and hands-on experience working with patients makes him one of the best at treating pediatric, senior, and sports injuries, which shines through in social media.

Led by Dr. Mobarak, the skilled team at Southwest Foot & Ankle Center cares for patients with foot and ankle problems using a wide array of state-of-the-art tools and techniques—from conservative physical therapy and injection therapy—to advanced surgical intervention.

“We employ a variety of treatments to heal foot and ankle problems and foot and ankle surgeries, in addition to cutting-edge laser technology, incorporating both high tech and high touch,” says Dr. Mobarak. Endorsed by the Advanced Foot and Ankle Surgeon and American Professional Wound Care Association, Dr. Mobarak is also a Fellow of the American Professional Wound Care Association and board certified in wound care and foot reconstruction. He is also trained in hyperbaric oxygen treatment.

An adjunct faculty member at Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery and the Hunt Regional Podiatric Surgical Residency Program, Dr. Mobarak loves teaching his surgical residents the newest and most effective techniques in foot and ankle surgery and limb salvage.

Combining his knowledge of foot surgery with his love of teaching, Dr. Mobarak is an avid lecturer. He speaks at national and interna-

tional events on advanced wound care, diabetic limb salvage, hyperbaric medicine, foot pain, and ankle trauma. This he combines with writing extensively in medical journals emphasizing wound care and limb salvage.

Another area in which Dr. Mobarak is particularly adept is the triple nerve release. He completed an intense surgical course in treating numbness, tingling, and tarsal tunnel syndrome. As a result, he provides a treatment that allows patients to walk the next day after surgery and decreases pain after surgery.

Known for his extensive knowledge of wound care, limb salvage, and foot and ankle trauma treatments, patients come from throughout the region to Southwest Foot and Ankle Center. They know they can trust their wounds to Dr. Mobarak because he treats each patient as an individual (both surgically and non-surgically), saving their limbs from amputation.

Helping others is a passion of Dr. Mobarak’s, evidenced by his travels to the Middle East to teach other doctors about limb salvage. There, he also started a hyperbaric oxygen program. “I like to educate my patients, student doctors, and other doctors. It gives me satisfaction knowing that we will be able to prevent health issues, while ensuring physicians know how to treat and heal wounds. I want to accomplish and work toward continuing this in the years to come,” he says. “I also do this in my personal life; accomplishing my goals and finishing something I didn’t think I could do helps me push through any obstacles.”

The medical field is not the only arena in which Dr. Mobarak excels. He approaches fitness with the same dedication and vigor he applies to medicine. Waking up at 5 a.m. to work out in his garage, which he converted to a home gym, Dr. Mobarak never waivers from the goal at hand—exceeding his personal best.

He believes fitness and wellness should be a priority and shares this with his patients. If his schedule wasn’t full enough, Dr. Mobarak also volunteers his time to the community, enjoys bodybuilding and traveling. He also coaches his son and others in Greco Roman and freestyle wrestling.

“Dr. Mobarak was very friendly and helpful. I came in for a second opinion, and he took the time to explain what he would do to treat my problem. At no time did I feel like he was in a rush. Answered all our questions. If he were closer to Waco, I would use him for my surgery. I would recommend him and his accommodating staff to anyone.”

–LOU SEE MORE OF DR. MOBARAK’S PATIENTS’ TESTIMONIALS HERE:

DO YOU HAVE HEEL PAIN?

Southwest Foot and Ankle offer the popular treatment of Amniotic fluid injections to people looking for quick relief from discomfort involving heel pain. The injections goal is to eliminate the need to use steroids or surgery to help with the condition. Amniotic fluid injections can heal the affected area and help regenerate and heal damaged tissue.

Voted Top Doc by Living Well Magazine’s readers for Podiatrist and Wound Care

Dr. Mobarak and Southwest Foot and Ankle Center is also rated the #1 Podiatrist in TopDocs of DFW

Southwest Foot & Ankle and DFW Wound care has 5 locations: Plano, Lewisville, Irving, DeSoto and their brand-new location in the heart of Ft. Worth.

833-FOOT-DFW • 833-DFW-WOUND www.dfwfootdoc.net • www.dfwwoundcarecenter.com

–DR. REZA MOBARAK, DPM, FACFAS, FAPWCA

Dear Olivia,

My family and I have concerns about allowing people into our home due to the rising concerns over COVID-19. We have had in-home care to help with the day-to-day needs of our loved one. How can we protect her, but still get her the care that she needs at home?

-Concerned about COVID-19

Dear Concerned about COVID-19, All of us should be concerned about protecting ourselves and those we love from this dangerous virus. As everyone has been hearing, the Delta variant of COVID-19 is more contagious than what we were seeing this time last year. Therefore, everyone should take precautions to protect themselves and those they love from contracting the

OLIVIA ROGERS

virus. The best way to do this is to be fully vaccinated, wear a mask in public, social distance and encourage your social circle to do the same! When it comes to allowing people, including caregivers, into your home, there are safe ways to allow necessary care to be provided while still ensuring the safety of your family.

Always require anyone who enters your home to wear a mask (caregivers should be doing this already), you wear a mask as well if in the same room as the caregiver and know that it is okay to ask if they have been vaccinated. You can also reserve the right to ask the agency to only send fully vaccinated personnel to your home. At the Visiting Nurse Association, our staff are required to be vaccinated in order to protect the health and well-being of those we serve.

VNA Hospice Care

~Olivia

Stephen P. Courtney, MD Fellowship-Trained Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

Over 26 Years of Experience

Dr. Courtney is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon located in Plano, Texas. A Louisiana native, he attended Louisiana State University for medical school, and completed residency at Texas A&M followed by a fellowship at the Florida Neck and Back Institute.

SPECIALTIES:

• Back Pain

• Neck Pain

• Spine Pain

• Disc Replacement

• Microdiscectomy

• Spinal Fusion

• Minimally Invasive Surgery

• Steroid Injections

• Physical Therapy

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.

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.

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

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

“I believe in treating each of my patients with honesty, dignity, and respect. My patients come away from our shared interactions feeling confident, assured that they are truly in the best hands. Throughout my career, I have remained laser-focused on providing world-class care and innovation to the patients I treat on a daily basis. I look forward to getting to know you!”

Voted Top Doc for Orthopedic Spine

by Living Well Magazine readers

Better Hearing Keeps You Connected!

• Staffed by 2 Licensed, Doctors of Audiology

• Hearing Aid Fittings, Maintenance and Repairs

• Invisible Fittings/Open Fittings

• Evaluation Period On All Hearing Aids

• Hearing Evaluations For All Ages

• Wireless/Connectivity Hearing Solutions

• Battery Purchase Programs

• Custom Ear Protection

• Assistive Devices

• 42 Years of Experience

“Hearing Services of Mckinney is my #1 place to go for my hearing loss needs. Caring and dedicated professionals with many years of experience working daily to meet your needs.”

– Terry G. Box, Retired

Collin County Sheriff

Effects of Hearing Loss on a Patient’s Life and how to better communicate!

By ELIZABETH BRASSINE, AU.D

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 deficits that interfere with communication and can create distractions that lead to memory loss, falls and other accidents. Let’s examine these effects.

MEMORY AND HEARING LOSS–Adults with hearing loss are more likely to develop problems thinking and remembering than adults with normal hearing. Also, adults with hearing loss develop a significant impairment in their cognitive abilities. 3.2 years sooner than those with normal hearing. It’s believed that untreated, degraded hearing may force the brain to devote too much of its energy/resources to processing sound.

DEMENTIA AND HEARING LOSS–Seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing or treat their hearing loss. It appears that this effect increases as the amount of hearing loss increases.

FALLING AND HEARING LOSS–People with mild hearing loss are three times more likely to have a history of falling. Each additional increase of hearing loss by 10 decibels increases the chance of falling by 1.4 times the original risk.

MENTAL HEALTH AND HEARING LOSS–Hearing loss results in social isolation. Adults with untreated hearing loss tend to withdraw from engaging with family and friends. They are also likely to report depression, anxiety, anger and frustration. The degree of depression or other emotional or mental health issues also increases with the severity of the hearing loss.

TINNITUS AND HEARING LOSS–Tinnitus or “ringing in the ear” affects up to 50 million Americans. 90% of people with tinnitus also have hearing loss. The most common causes of tinnitus are: noise exposure, aging, head injury and medication side effects.

INCOME AND HEARING LOSS-Statistics show that people with untreated hearing loss lose up to $30,000 annually. Adults with hearing loss, who wear hearing aids, have a lower unemployment rate than those who don’t.

So, hearing loss can affect your life in many ways. You may miss out on talks with friends and family. Sometimes hearing problems can make you feel embarrassed, upset and lonely. It’s easy to withdraw when you can’t follow a conversation. It’s also easy for friends and family to think you are confused, uncaring or difficult when the problem may be that you just can’t hear well. We often get asked in our office by friends and family, especially when fitting a new patient with hearing aids, how to best communicate with them. So, we thought we’d share some tips on best communicating with a hearing impaired person.

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

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

• Do not hide your mouth (so much speech information comes from non-verbal 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.

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

• 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 for 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 any unnecessary, extraneous noises (such as radio while in car, TV at home, etc).

• Wear your hearing aids consistently!

To hear better, is to live better! Start a better health and wellness conversation today! Better hearing health is possible! Call your audiologist today!

Timothy C. Pringle, MD, R.V.T., R.P.V.I.

VASCULAR SURGEON & VEIN SPECIALIST

Dr. Timothy Pringle is a board-certified endovascular surgeon. He specializes in minimally invasive techniques to address all aspects of vascular disease. He is knowledgeable and experienced with management of venous insufficiency and peripheral arterial disease. Dr. Pringle predominately treats venous insufficiency in his office with laser procedures. His philosophy is, “Interventions improve quality of life, but lifestyle change improves lifespan.” Dr. Pringle understands true healing comes from an integrative approach to vascular disease. He provides in-office surveillance through ultrasound testing. Dr. Pringle is the rare combination of a caring, kind, and compassionate physician who loves God, family, and his patients.

PREMIER SURGEON FOR HIP AND KNEE REPLACEMENT

Voted Top Doc in Dallas County and Collin County. Dr. Toulson is proud to serve local residents and surrounding communities.

Dr. Charles Toulson specializes in: Robotic Joint Replacement Total Hip Replacement Total Knee Replacement

Partial Knee Replacement

When you need top quality parts and ser vice, look to Plano Power Equipment. To keep your equipment in top shape, you can count on Plano Power Equipment’s retail parts sales and ser vicing of Toro-brand equipment using genuine Toro® parts.

POWERFUL PERFORMANCE AND LIGHTWEIGHT AGILITY!

21” Personal Pace® Honda Engine Super Recycler® Mower (20382)

• Personal Pace® self-propel automatically adjusts to your walk speed.

• Powered with a Honda® GCV 160cc OHC engine

• Covered by a 5-Year Guarantee-to-Start engine warranty plus a 5-Year Full Coverage Warranty.

• Quick Stow Storage Handle allows you to store your mower in tight spaces.

30” Personal Pace® TimeMaster® Mower (21199)

• Time Saver – Finish jobs faster with the 30” deck.

• No Restarts! Leave the mower without restarts with Spin-Stop™ Blade Stop Pick Your Pace–You control the mowing speed with Personal Pace®.

• Big Power – You’ll enjoy great power and performance from 10 00 ft.-lb. Gross Torque Briggs & Stratton® 223cc OHV engine.

GET THE JOB DONE FASTER AND STAR T YOUR WEEKEND!

MOW LIKE THE PROS!

EXPERIENCE THE RESIDENTIAL ZERO -TURN RIDING MOWER WITH COMMERCIAL MOWER FEATURES.

50” TimeCutter® MX5000 (74773)

• Mow around obstacles easily with zero-turn radius steering and dependable dual hydrostatus transmissions.

• Enjoy a smoother ride with Toro’s long-lasting durable, heavy-duty 10-guage steel frame, commercial style front axle and heavy-duty front caster forks with wide front tires.

• Pro Performance 24 HP Kohler V-Twin 725cc engine with Pro-Series air cleaner

• 50” heavy-duty fabricated deck featuring Toro’s tough IronForged™ cutting system that dominates challenging cutting conditions – 3-bladed mowing system and durable 6” commercial inspired spindles, driven by belts made of Kevlar®, the same material found in bullet proof vests.

EXPERIENCE

True Compassion

As Elder Law attorneys, one question we hear often from our clients is: Do I need a trust? And, ordinarily, the answer is: It depends. In its most basic form, a trust is a document setting forth an intent that assets be held and managed for the benefit of certain persons. The person making the trust is the Grantor (also Settlor or Trustor). The Trustee is the person administering the trust. Sometimes the Grantor and Trustee are the same person. The Beneficiary is the individual who will receive the benefit of the trust assets. The Trustee has a fiduciary duty to manage the assets in the trust for the benefit of the Beneficiary. Trusts can be revocable, such as a Revocable Living Trust, or irrevocable, such as an Asset Protection Trust or Testamentary Trust.

REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST

Do You Really Need a TRUST?

By LEU & PEIRCE, PLLC

The grantor cannot retain any economic interest or control in the policy, or it remains subject to estate taxation.

ASSET PROTECTION TRUST

This type of trust is sometimes used as a long-term planning tool to prepare for qualification for future public benefits, such as Medicaid and Veteran’s Benefits. Because a transfer into an Asset Protection Trust is considered a transfer of assets for public benefits purposes, a transfer penalty will apply if done within five years of applying for Medicaid and three years of applying for Veteran’s Benefits.

SUPPLEMENTAL NEEDS TRUST

ELDER LAW FOR SENIOR ADULTS & THEIR FAMILIES

Elder Law is first and foremost about empowering seniors. Elder Law services help you address issues of living arrangements, financial well-being, healthcare options, and the ultimate disposition of assets, enabling you to make your own choices and decisions about managing life as you age.

AREAS OF LAW:

LONG-TERM CARE PLANNING

MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY

VETERANS BENEFITS

ESTATE ADMINISTRATION GUARDIANSHIPS

PROBATE LITIGATION

ESTATE PLANNING WILLS & TRUSTS

Also known as Inter Vivos Trusts, Revocable Living Trusts are trusts that you set up during your lifetime to hold assets. If you have a Revocable Living Trust in place upon your death, it is possible that your loved ones may avoid the probate of your estate. During your lifetime, although your assets are titled in the name of the Revocable Living Trust, you always have the right to revoke the trust or amend its provisions. Therefore, ownership of the assets will be attributed to you for income tax, bankruptcy, creditor, and public benefits purposes. Revocable Living Trusts can be helpful for people who own property in states other than Texas, or where a grantor is expecting disputes amongst family members after his or her death. However, Revocable Living Trusts are not a one-size fits all solution. For example, a Revocable Living Trust is not an appropriate planning tool for someone who may need public benefits in the future.

IRREVOCABLE TRUST

By contrast, an Irrevocable Trust cannot be revoked or amended after it is signed, and the transfer of assets into an Irrevocable Trust is considered a completed gift.

COMMON TYPES OF IRREVOCABLE TRUSTS INCLUDE

THE FOLLOWING:

IRREVOCABLE LIFE INSURANCE TRUST

Also known as an ILIT, this type of trust is created to assume ownership of a life insurance policy, so that the proceeds from the policy are not included in the grantor’s taxable estate upon their death. The insured individual is the grantor of the trust.

A Supplemental Needs Trust (“SNT”) is used to hold funds for a person who is receiving needs-based public benefits. The Trustee of the SNT makes distributions to the beneficiary for the purpose of enhancing the beneficiary’s quality of life, not for basic support, such as food or shelter. Particular care should be taken in the creation and maintenance of SNTs. Specific rules apply to SNTs based on whether the SNT is created by the beneficiary or a third party. And, distributions from SNTs must be handled carefully to avoid disqualifying the beneficiary from eligibility for public benefits.

TESTAMENTARY TRUST

A Testamentary Trust is a trust created through the terms of a Will. Testamentary Trusts can be a helpful for protecting incapacitated or minor beneficiaries, or to allow the testator some control over the future use of assets.

Despite all the buzz about avoiding probate, probate in Texas is relatively quick and inexpensive. Do not allow yourself to be pressured into purchasing a complicated trust plan under the logic that the probate process is something to be feared and avoided. Further, even if you have a Revocable Living Trust in place, you still need current ancillary documents, including a Statutory Durable Power of Attorney, Medical Power of Attorney, HIPAA Release and Authorization, and a Living Will (Advanced Directive), among other documents. Schedule a visit with Leu & Peirce at 972-996-2540 or leulawfirm.com to discuss the estate planning options that are available and advisable for you.

Lauren Olson Attorney

Lori Leu Certified Elder Law Attorney

Erin Peirce Attorney

When orthopedic pain slows you down and makes everyday movement a challenge, call the experts at Orthopedic Institute of North Texas. Our surgeons provide a comprehensive array of solutions designed to resolve your pain.

Our approach is simple - our patients are our top priority. We demonstrate this by answering your questions and providing availability 24/7 during diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. We speak in terms you can understand, and discuss every step of your care to ensure you feel comfortable and confident with the recommended treatment plan. Our proven medical techniques will return you to the freedom of mobility you enjoyed before.

Don’t spend one more day in pain. Call 972-591-6468 today and get rolling again.

BEYONDBOND

DanielCraigmovespast007.

WBYSONDRABARR

hen Daniel Craig was cast as the world’s most famous spy in 2005, most fans instantly took umbrage. A little-known British indie actor at the time, the 37 year old was everything the iconic James Bond was considered not—short, brooding, skinny, blonde, uncharismatic—and most decidedly not Sean Connery, the actor to whom all James Bonds are compared.

Outraged diehard Bond fans set up websites to voice their disapproval—danielcraigisnotbond.com, bondnotblond.com. The press was equally unrelenting with headlines like the Daily Mirror’s “The Name’s Bland—James Bland.” Talk of a 007 boycott intensified when Craig arrived by speedboat (wearing a life jacket, of all things) at the London press conference unveiling him as the new Bond.

Fans proclaimed that Bond would never be such a wuss as to don a life jacket, nor would he ever be anything but a brunette. Among the biting online comments: “Bring back Pierce! Daniel looks like a villain in a Bond movie that gets killed by 007 in the opening sequence.” “I’m sure a blonde could play James Bond, but not someone who’s so ugly and uncharismatic as Daniel Craig.”

His previous film credits did nothing to bolster his “super” spy cred—Road to Perdition Layer Cake and Munich, to name a few. Not to mention the little-seen film, The Mother, in which he plays a carpenter who starts sleeping with a woman in her 60s.

Craig also wasn’t especially keen on the 007 role at first. He told GQ, “It was genuinely like, my life is going to get F***ed if I do this.” He didn’t want to play what he perceived as the campy Pierce Brosnan version of Bond or be saddled with a hopelessly formulaic storyline. And, he realized that once he became the iconic spy there’d be no going back to his under the radar existence. Reading the script for Casino Royale changed the actor’s mind.

Five Bond films later, it’s hard to see anyone besides Craig inhabiting the role. His darker, tougher 007 portrayal has redefined the series and crafted it to be more modern and not as sexist and misogynistic as earlier incarnations.

“In 2005, 2006,” he told The Independent’s Paul Whitington, “all the social media stuff was still just taking off, and I wasn’t used to using it, thank God. I still don’t do social media, and as much as there are lots of good things about it, it is a place for hate and I can’t imagine how one would cope. All of that is a pressure, but I myself was like, you’ve just got to get on with it, get on with the work and do your best.”

And get to work Craig did. His first outing as 007 in Casino Royale necessitated he be well toned and ready for action, something Craig was decidedly not when he showed up for his initial day of training.

AT LEAST NOW AT 60 I CAN SAY: ‘I WAS BOND. NOW BUY ME A DRINK.’

“ ”

“Yes. I turned up with a bacon buttie and a rollie. That’s very true. Those were the days,” he told Whitington.

The intense physical training paid off handsomely, as evidenced when Craig emerged from the sea in a pair of swim trucks, the light glistening off his sculpted physique, in Casino Royale

The training also gave Craig the physicality to do a majority of the stunts and fight scenes, something the actors who’ve played Bond in the past have rarely done. “Nobody told me it was OK if I didn’t do all that, so I just went OK, I’ve got to do it. And I think possibly I made a rod for my own back really, because I started doing it and the stunt co-ordinator Gary Powell was like ‘Oh great, you can do it, well do this then’ and I sort of ended up doing loads.”

“He gets his hands very dirty,” Powell told the Guardian in 2008. “Daniel puts the work in, even if it’s something he’s not keen on.” According to Powell, Craig is not fond of heights, but in Quantum of Solace, he jumped out of a three-story window onto a moving bus.

Doing his own stunts has led to numerous on-set injuries including Craig’s two front teeth being smashed out, a separated shoulder, an ankle injury, and losing the tip of a finger.

“It wasn’t as extreme as all that. I lost the pad,” he told Playboy magazine at the time. “I was bleeding a lot. I had to get it cauterized. Filming stopped and everybody went, ‘Oh my God! He sliced the end of his finger off!’ They went looking for it, but couldn’t find it.”

After five Bond movies, Craig is ready to pursue a more quiet sort of life with his wife, actress Rachel Weisz. With No Time to Die doing well in the theaters, the 53-year-old Craig has once again proved he’s a formidable 007, albeit one who’s a little gray around the edges and a bit less flexible. “You get tighter and tighter,” Craig told GQ’s Sam Knight. “And then you just don’t bounce.”

Craig won’t stray far from the public eye, however. According to People magazine, he’s the highest paid actor of 2021, taking in over $100 million due to a record breaking deal with Netflix to star in two sequels to the comedic mystery hit Knives Out

He knew immediately that he had to make time for Knives Out, in between production delays of No Time to Die “I don’t get to play parts like this very often,” the actor explained of his role as Benoit Blanc in an interview with the South China Morning Post “The satisfaction of watching the film with an audience and them laughing at the same gags I laughed at when I first read it. There’s such joy and satisfaction to that.”

In the 2019 mystery film, which was nominated for three Golden Globes, Craig takes on the role of Blanc with gusto, portraying a detective with a heavy southern drawl and an eccentric approach to solving criminal cases. The sequel recently wrapped and is expected to arrive next year.

It’s a return to a more normal state for Craig, far from the hoopla of playing the world’s most famous spy. “I would just rather keep myself to myself and my home, with my wife and family, I don’t venture out a great deal and I will choose places that I want to go carefully. It’s not that I don’t like fans or appreciate how passionate they are about the films and the industry; they are entirely the ones who keep this industry moving; it’s just that I choose not to be the person who courts publicity or has loads of celebrity friends and is always out for the paparazzi to shoot me in particular hot spots.”

As for the future of Bond, Craig is grateful for the opportunity to inhabit a global icon for the past 15 years. “The idea of regretting not doing this seemed insane to me. Sitting in the corner at a bar at age 60, saying: ‘I could’ve been Bond. Buy me a drink.’ That’s the saddest place I could be. At least now at 60 I can say: ‘I was Bond. Now buy me a drink.”’

I WAS BLEEDING A LOT. I HAD TO GET IT CAUTERIZED. FILMING STOPPED AND EVERYBODY WENT, ‘OH MY GOD! HE SLICED THE END OF HIS FINGER OFF!’

“ ”

DANIEL CRAIG AND WIFE RACHEL WEISZ AT THE GOLDEN GLOBES.

PHOTO BY GA FULLNER

CRAIG ACTED IN KEITH HUFF’S PLAY, A STEADY RAIN , ON BROADWAY IN 2009 WITH HUGH JACKMAN.

PHOTO BY EVERETT COLLECTION

CRAIG WITH DAME JUDI DENCH, WHO HAS PLAYED M IN 7 BOND FILMS.

PHOTO BY METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER

CRAIG IN THE 2017 COMEDIC NASCAR HEIST FILM LOGAN LUCKY

PHOTO BY FINGERPRINT RELEASING

At North Texas Orthopaedic & Spine (NTOS), patients of all ages are given the focused, individualized care they need in order to live fully and comfortably. The team at NTOS has a high level of expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions involving the spine, joints, and bones.

Patients appreciate the practice’s ability to educate them thoroughly about their conditions and give them

anathleticinjury,schedulean appointmentwithyourpreferred NTOS location for effective, compassionatetreatment.

4090 Mapleshade Ln., Ste. 100 Plano, TX 75093

4833 Medical Center Dr., 6E McKinney, TX 75069

874 West Hwy., 243, Suite 110 Kaufman, TX 75142

Preston Rd., Ste. 500 Frisco, TX 75034

Independence Pkwy., Ste. 100 Plano, TX 75025

East Taylor St., Ste. 304 Sherman, TX 75090

Parks Center Drive Tyler, TX 75701

VUDHI SLABISAK, MD Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon

BRIANA HODGSON, PA-C Physician Assistant

OLABISI OGUNRO, DO Hand Surgeon

JAMES STANLEY, MD Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

BRUCE MARKMAN, MD Orthopaedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist

CHARITY OGUNRO, MD Hand & Orthopedic Surgeon

AMIR MALIK, MD Neurosurgeon

STEVE HONG, MD Interventional Pain ManagementSpecialist

RAHUL BANERJEE, MD Orthopaedic Surgeon

DART’s New Bus Network Debuts Jan. 24

On Jan. 24, 2022, DART will begin service on its New Bus Network. As the name implies, this service change will be a complete overhaul of DART’s bus system and GoLink services, which means every route will change in some way. The agency also will restore light rail service to pre-pandemic frequency.

DART’s New Bus Network will be simpler, better, faster and easier. More people will live within a half mile of DART service. You’ll have better access to jobs and a faster commute. Routes will have improved frequency and longer hours. GoLink will add coverage to more residential and commercial areas. There are a lot of improvements to look forward to.

IF YOU ARE A CURRENT DART RIDER, HERE ARE SOME OF THE KEY CHANGES TO EXPECT:

• All new routes and numbers: The bus route(s) you ride today will no longer exist. All routes will be replaced by new routes with a new number and/or with GoLink service. Soon we will post a chart that lets you look up your current route and find your future service. You also can use our interactive map to look up specific addresses on GoPass.org under “Find My New Route.”

• Some fixed-route service replaced by GoLink: Some fixed-route bus service will be replaced with DART’s on-demand GoLink service. We are doubling the number of GoLink zones, often providing coverage to areas that have little or no bus service now. Plus, we’re starting the new GoLink services early on Dec. 6 so you can try it out before the big January service change. Visit GoPass.org and click on “GoLink On Demand” to learn more.

• Bus stops will be eliminated: Prior to Jan. 24, you will see bags covering your bus stop signs that show the current bus service at that stop... and tell you what the future service will be. If the bus stop is scheduled to be removed, we’ll tell you that, too, and let you know what the nearest new route or GoLink zone will be.

If You Own Everything, You Actually Own Nothing

What

Courtesy HODGES CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.

How familiar does this scenario sound? Into your investment accounts, you pick a couple of the best performing mutual funds you can find and spread around your contributions into each. Then, at the start of the next year, you again look for the best funds and make another contribution. Year after year, repeat, repeat. Perhaps your employer changed 401k providers at some point, and you had to choose from a whole new set of funds? At the end of a couple decades, you might end up owning 10-20 mutual funds in the aggregate of all your accounts. Certainly, there is nothing wrong with owning mutual funds. They are great investment vehicles when you have smaller sums of money and are in the accumulation phase of your investment life, but if you own too many, you might have gaps or redundancies in your investment portfolio. There might be a better way to have larger sums of money managed. Allow me to explain.

In the above example, you were probably given a narrow list of funds from which to choose, and so you did a little homework, and selected. For most folks, this is merely an exercise in picking the best performers (from past data, mind you), and crossing your fingers.

If we dig a little deeper, we might find that the average mutual fund (depending on size) might contain 100 stocks. Multiply that by 10-20 and you’re the proud owner of fractional bits of 1,000-2,000 stocks! On top of the sheer volume of stocks you own, many funds own the same stocks. In some instances, you could theoretically own the stock of XYZ 10, maybe even 15 times.

How about transparency, fees, and taxes? The only way to see which stocks your mutual funds own is to go to the fund’s website and look for yourself. You will never be able to pick up the phone and talk with the fund manager about his/her thoughts on the market, certain industries, or stocks. On the fee front, mutual funds have various annual fees to fund their operating expenses. These can be anywhere between .25%-

1.5% depending on the size of the fund, the types of stocks they purchase, or investment style they follow. The fees come out of your investment dollars. If you then have an advisor handling your affairs this way, you must account for that fee as well. These fees vary depending on the scope of what your advisor provides, but for most accounts around $1 million, it’s safe to budget about 1%. Finally, you have no control of your capital gains situation; your money is comingled with everyone else. If you are invested this way, you most likely have redundancies in holdings that are entirely unnecessary, you have no day-to-day look into what the funds own, tax gains/losses are uncontrollable, and you’ve paid twice (once to the funds and once to your advisor). If you spread yourself too thin, you might compromise your results. If this sounds like your current portfolio, we believe there is a more efficient way to provide ample diversification, true transparency, and tax efficiency. We would enjoy talking with you.

Wide diversification is only required when investors do not understand what they’re doing.

-WARREN BUFFETT

PHOTO BY AUSTIN DISTEL

DFW Wound Care Center is a group of wound care specialists in all of the DFW area. They are fellow trained surgeons, and board certified in wound care and reconstructive surgery. All physicians have also completed an intense residency and fellowship in the area of limb salvage, and foot and ankle surgery. When it comes to wound care and limb salvage, DFW Wound Care Center has the knowledge and experience to successfully treat your condition. As a result, patients from all over the country seek to be treated by DFW Wound Care Center.

Whether caused by diabetes, infection or disease, any wound that will not heal can be very serious. If you are experiencing a wound or ulcer that will not properly heal, our wound care center can provide a range of expert treatment options best in each case. We offer non-surgical and surgical treatments for:

Diabetic Wounds

& Ulcers

Arterial Ulcers

Infected Wounds

Open Wounds

Pressure Ulcers

Vascular Wounds

Acute Wounds

Non-Healing Wounds

Chronic Wounds

Surgical Wounds

Traumatic Wounds

PLANO CLINIC

580 4 Coit Road, Ste.

Dr. Jason Tinley, MD is a minimally invasive, board certified, orthopedic spine surgeon. He specializes in spine surgery, including spinal stenosis, cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy, minimally invasive cervical and lumbar spine surgery, cervical artificial disc replacement, and microdiscectomy.

Dr. Jason C. Tinley is committed to excellence by pledging to provide the highest quality spine care possible. Along with the treatment of immediate or chronic problems, he strives to integrate the doctrine of prevention in all treatment plans with the goal of alleviating possible future difficulties. Dr. Tinley has become a leader in instruction and research in disc replacement and has a passion for optimizing spine surgery outcomes through development and utilization of new techniques, research and materials.

“Dr Tinley is a leader in the field of spinal surgery. His technique is excellent, but he does not rush to pursue surgery. Very good at explaining your condition and allowing you to decide a course of treatment.”

—RANDALL W.

“My experience with DFW Center for Spinal Disorders was excellent. Dr. Tinley and his staff are attentive and compassionate. My surgery went better than I could have ever expected, and I am now pain free!”

—BARBARA K.

JOSHUA WORLEY, DPM | REZA MOBARAK, DPM, FACFAS, FAPWCA, FAPWHC | MITCH WILLIAMS, DPM

Managing GRIEF During the Holidays

(Family Features) The holidays, as well as birthdays and other celebrations, are often difficult for anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one, particularly during the first year of adjusting to life without them.

The holiday season may result in a renewed sense of grief, especially as well-intentioned individuals are encouraging those who are grieving to participate in traditional festivities. While there can be joy in being together with family and friends, the holidays can also bring feelings of sadness, loss and emptiness.

For those who find themselves struggling with grief during the holidays and other celebrations, consider these ideas from Remembering a Life, an online resource from the experts at the National Funeral Directors Association.

TALK ABOUT GRIEF

Grief isn’t a linear journey. Ignoring pain and emotions won’t make it go away. Don’t be afraid to talk about grief with others. Confiding in close family and friends can help a grieving person feel heard and understood.

ESTABLISH BOUNDARIES DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Friends and family may encourage a grieving person to participate in the holiday just as they normally would. While these intentions are typically good, it is important for the bereaved to set boundaries and focus on what they want. While grieving, one should openly and honestly discuss wishes with friends and family and clarify what they are comfortable with and have the emotional bandwidth to do.

ACKNOWLEDGE THE LOSS

Families can find ways to honor their loved one’s physical absence during holiday celebrations by incorporating their spirit into celebrations and holiday traditions. Examples of this could be decorating ornaments in ways that are symbolic of a loved one, cooking their favorite meal or making a memorial donation to a favorite charity.

REFLECT ON AND EMBRACE FOND MEMORIES

Memories of a loved one, both from the holidays and other special times, are an important legacy. Rather than ignoring these memories, talk about them with family and friends. It’s OK to laugh and it’s OK to cry. One way to facilitate this activity is with Remembering A Life’s Have the Talk of a Lifetime Conversation Cards, (RememberingALife.com) which can help families share stories and memories about loved ones and themselves. It can make for a meaningful activity during holiday gatherings.

It is important to remember that even though an individual may be grieving, they can still celebrate and enjoy the holidays. Find support and resources for grief during the holidays and other special times of the year at RememberingALife.com.

Whose Job Is It, Anyway?

By RICK ALLEN

Iam becoming more and more supportive of the concept of cutting out the middle man. Often this can make a product or service more affordable. It also seems like we are get ting less and less service from service provid ers these days, so you wonder just what are we paying for when a third party is involved?

Here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, there is a television commercial for an insurance agent who takes great pride in being a “middle-man”. He claims that in his case, as a middle man, he can save you time, money and get you the best value for your money spent. I have used this agent in the past and I will attest that as a middle man, he does a great job delivering what he promises.

Funeral homes, however, have done a pretty poor job in the recent times identifying their value to consumers and a trend has begun that cuts them out of funeral services because some of the public view them as unnecessary middle men. The Tex as Funeral Service Commission has published a brochure in which the subject of do-it-yourself funerals is discussed. While it is not recom mended, it is actually possible for a family to bury their own, completely on their own.

Self-sufficiency is not a bad idea, but where funerals are concerned, a growing number of people are confusing self-sufficiency with getting something for nothing. The bad part about this is, the entity being asked to provide something for nothing is not the funeral home, but rather the place where people go to church. Several people have told me that when they die they want to just be buried or cremated, and then if their family wants a service, they can work it out with their church. I have yet to hear of a church refusing to do this directly with a family, but when you get right down to what is right and what isn’t, is it really the responsibility of the church to act as funeral directors?

In my opinion, taking this article is actually a denial of reality. One reason people claim to have a lack of interest in their own service is the concept that “I’m not going to be there or know anything about it anyway.” I, too, believe this is true, but what about your spouse, your children, siblings, friends, or maybe even your parent or parents? How are they going to find an appropriate way in which to accept the fact that a death has occurred, and how will they be able to say good-bye?

The Frank Capra Film It’s a Wonderful Life beautifully illustrates how one man failed to recognize the manner in which his life impacted so many others. Little did the character of George Bailey realize how his actions, no matter how small or insignificant to him, endeared him to so many others in very powerful ways. It’s far easier to assume that no

one cares or that you yourself don’t care than to face the fact that you will be missed and people will want to honor you when your time here is done.

Putting this responsibility on the doorstep of your church is an easy way around a tough subject, but a far cry from the appropriate thing to do. Our funeral home has been asked on many occasions to come in and put together the loose ends. At other times we simply hear the tales from church volunteers of how unstructured things seemed when the funeral home was not involved in a service. Things get overlooked in the planning stage and unfortunately are discovered absent when it’s too late. Other things that could have made a huge impact on the service as a whole are left out completely because no one knew they could be done. Simply put, a good funeral director and a thorough funeral home staff are worth every penny you may pay to them. They plan memorial tributes every day, and those that are really worth something are constantly searching for ways to innovate and contemporize the way people say good-bye.

Does value exist at all funeral homes? No. That is why I encourage you to discuss your plans with more than one funeral home. See the difference for yourself and then make a decision on which one you think will do the best job at helping you and your family create something that is meaningful, appropriate and affordable.

Feel like Youagain.

Rahul Banerjee, MD is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in hip and knee replacement, comprehensive management of fractures, and treatment of complex orthopaedic problems.

Dr. Banerjee graduated from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and completed his residency and fellowship at Brown University.

After training, Dr. Banerjee served in the United States Air Force and worked with the Army treating the injured and training residents in El Paso, TX. He was deployed to the War in Iraq and treated many soldiers and civilians.

After his military service, Dr. Banerjee joined the faculty at University of Texas Southwestern as Assistant Clinical Professor. In 2021, Dr. Banerjee joined North Texas and Orthopaedic Spine. Dr. Banerjee is available to see patients at office locations in Plano, Carrollton and Dallas.

• Total Hip Replacement

• Direct Anterior Hip Replacement

• Knee Replacement

• Treatment of Fractures

• Bone Deformity

• Nonunion of Fractures

“From the moment I met Dr. Banerjee, he listened to what I had to say and how I felt, that means a lot to me. After many years of knee pain and not being able to live the lifestyle wanted, he agreed to do a total knee replacement. It was the best decision I ever made. He did an amazing job! Less than two months out and I am walking and biking like I haven’t been able to in years! It really changed my life!!!”

P.

5

5TIPS FOR RECLAIMING A MORE YOUTHFUL APPEARANCE

Courtesy KEY-WHITMAN EYE CENTER

Beauty might be in the eye of the beholder however, the key to beauty and a youthful appearance can be in the hands of a skilled cosmetic surgeon who specializes in treating the eyes and areas around the eyes.

If fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, droopy eyelids, bags under the eyes or sagging brows are getting you down, come visit with Key-Whitman Eye Center’s oculofacial plastic surgeon Priya Kalyam. Meeting with her may be just what you need.

Why choose an oculoplastic surgeon for helping you look younger?

When we’re looking at someone’s face, our gaze naturally gravitates toward the other person’s eyes first, so when the signs of aging appear on the face, people notice.

The periorbital area of the face is one of the first places the signs of aging show up. The periorbital areas include your forehead, eyelids, areas near the eyelids, as well as your eye socket and rims. According to Dr. Kalyam, “If you rely on a plastic surgeon who specializes in treating the unique and complex anatomy of the eye, your results are typically going to be much more optimized in his or her hands than those of a physician who doesn’t specialize in that area.”

To perfect her craft, Dr. Kalyam spent six years carefully studying the anatomy of the eye and periorbital areas. This included full two years of surgical training during her oculoplastics fellowship at the esteemed Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

Dr. Kalyam recently joined Key-Whitman and is excited to offer patients a variety of anti-aging treatments—from minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures like cosmetic injections (Botox, fillers), laser resurfacing and chemical peels to surgical procedures, including eyelid lifts, under-eye bag correction, eyebrow lifts, mid-face lifts and others.

Want to explore your options for rejuvenating your look?

If you live in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and would like to learn more about anti-aging treatments and procedures, Key-Whitman Eye Center invites you to have a conversation with Dr. Kalyam at her relaxing, spa-like clinic inside Key-Whitman’s main Dallas location.

BELOW ARE THE TOP 5 FACIAL AGING CULPRITS AND HOW TO ADDRESS THEM:

WRINKLES. The solution? Neurotoxins like Botox.

#1

If you have wrinkles on your forehead, crow’s feet around the eyes or deep vertical lines between your brows that are aging you beyond your years, you are not alone. “Wrinkles are definitely the most common complaint I hear from patients. Injecting Botox in or near those areas creates a smooth appearance and also gives a refreshing look around the eyes,” Dr. Kalyam says.

SUN-DAMAGED SKIN AND FINE LINES. The solution? Laser resurfacing, chemical peels and more.

According to Dr. Kalyam, “Here in Texas a lot of people experience sun damage. Unfortunately, sun damage can really age the skin. Depending on the patient, we may treat sun damage on the face with CO2 laser resurfacing, chemical peels, skin care solutions and facial creams.”

SAGGING FACIAL SKIN. The solution? Fillers like JUVEDERM, Voluma and others.

You don’t have to have wrinkles to look older. As Dr. Kalyam explains, “People can still appear aged if they don’t have wrinkles, especially if they have volume loss near the eyes, cheeks or lips. Depending on the area of concern, we can inject fillers, typically composed of collagen or hyaluronic acid, to provide volume.”

ACNE AND ACNE SCARS. The solution? Laser resurfacing, fillers and chemical peels.

Acne and acne scars can make one’s face look older and tired. For smoother and more vibrant skin, Dr. Kalyam may recommend laser resurfacing, fillers or chemical peels.

SAGGING EYELIDS AND BROWS, BAGS UNDER THE EYES. The solution? Surgery.

“Sagging eyelids, brows and bags can definitely age your face. To address these issues, we perform surgical eyelid lifts, brow lifts and surgery to address lower eyelid bags. These are by far the most common oculoplastic surgical procedures I perform. Surgery takes place at our state-of-the-art surgery center at Key-Whitman’s Dallas headquarters, where my office is located,” says Dr. Kalyam.

About Dr. Pfeiffer:

Leslie Pfeiffer, MD is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a member of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Texas Ophthalmology Association and the medical honor society, Alpha Omega Alpha.

Dr. Pfeiffer is not only experienced in all areas of General Ophthalmology, but also has advanced training in eyelid, orbit, tear duct system and facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. She earned her Doctor of Medicine at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, where she was honored as the most outstanding student in her specialty. She was also voted “Outstanding Resident” by her fellow residents at the Ruiz Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. She then completed a full two years of surgical training at the largest oculoplastics-only private practice in Los Angeles, Eyesthetica, and the University of Southern California Roski Eye Institute.

A few of Dr. Pfeiffer’s many honors and awards include Outstanding Resident, and Champion of the Quarter for excellence in patient care and advocacy. She is an alumna of Duke University and speaks Spanish as a second language. When she isn’t treating patients, she enjoys skiing, cycling, rock climbing, and hiking.

• Comprehensive Adult Eye Care

• Light Adjustable Lens, Synergy™, Symfony®, PanOptix, Vivity®, and the Toric IOL

• Management of Glaucoma & Corneal Disease

• Eyelid Surgery & Botox®

• Laser Vision Correction

Give us a call today 214-220-3937 or Toll-Free 800-442-5330 www.keywhitman.com

Convenient locations to serve you in Dallas, Plano, Mesquite, Frisco, Arlington, Rockwall and North Fort Worth.

Follow us on (username: ketywhitman)

#2

#3

#4

#5

SAging and the Benefits of Exercise

By MATTHEW BONANDER PT, DPT

ocrates once said, “No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.” It’s true that changes occurs as we age, but just as true, is the body’s ability to respond to exercise. As age increases, individuals should remain optimistic because our muscles respond to training with marked and rapid gains into the ninth decade of life1 and beyond. Many people realize that exercise is profitable. Physiologically many benefits, such as improved bone density, muscular strength, and standing balance, are evident. Functional status with regular exercise may minimize or even reverse physical frailty. Regular exercise also provides an effective means to diminish orthopedic injury, including those related to falls, in the aging population. This can be an effective means to address conditions such as sarcopenia (muscle weakness and atrophy), osteopenia or osteoporosis (decreased bone density) as well as balance deficits.

Exercise also helps the lungs, or pulmonary system. When individuals maintain physical activity, their lungs work to supply oxygen to the muscular system and throughout the body. Both aerobic (endurance) and anaerobic (strengthening) exercise make the lungs stronger. As peoples’ physical fitness improves so does the ability of their body to transport oxygen more efficiently in the bloodstream and to the body’s various life-giving organs. Enhanced oxygenation helps individuals to become less short of breath over time. According to the American Lung Association, targeted exercises that strengthen the neck, chest, and back muscles can help to promote effective inhalation and exhalation. Maintenance of healthy lungs is also essential in diminishing the likelihood of infections such as pneumonia. Exercise has unquestionable benefits for the cardiovascular system as well. For instance, an article published by the American Heart Association and written by Johnathan Myers (2003) reported that patients who were recently diagnosed with heart disease and participated in an exercise program were said to have an earlier return to work as well as increased measures of quality of life, such as self-confidence, lower anxiety, and stress. Myers also noted that research has discovered that heart attack patients who participate in formal exercise programs have a reduction in death rate by 20-25%. Other benefits of sustained exercise and physical activity include increased exercise tolerance, lower

body weight, reduced blood pressure, decreased bad (LDL and total) cholesterol as well as improved good (HDL) cholesterol.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (or activity) per week. This can be done by traditional means of exercise (e.g., weights; treadmill; jogging) or physical activity (e.g., housework; yardwork). It is important to engage in exercise or activity that is enjoyable. Research has demonstrated this promotes adherence over time. Socrates correctly has said that the body has strength and beauty as well as the ability to respond to exercise. Some good questions to ask oneself in considering the topic of physical exercise and activity include:

What forms of exercise or physical activity do I find enjoyable?

Referenced from the first Chapter of his book: “Exercise, Health and Vitality” ? ? ? ?

Is there someone who can keep me accountable?

What are my personal goals for engaging in exercise?

Am I engaging in adequate levels of exercise (>/= 150 minutes/week)?

An intentional pursuit of exercise can enhance health, vitality, and quality of life.

Dr.

Matthew Bonander,

licensed Physical Therapist, Doctor of Physical Therapy

When the weather turns colder, days get shorter, and sweaters are pulled back out of the closet, it can be a struggle to keep up healthy habits. During the fall and winter months, health and fitness routines often take a backseat to staying warm and cozy. After a few months of hibernation and holiday indulgences, the pounds, lack of energy, and health consequences set in, reminding us of those long-forgotten fitness goals. It can be frustrating to feel like you’re starting back at square one. Instead of falling into this yearly cycle, read on for ways to avoid the fall and winter fitness slump and to keep focused on staying fit.

FIND

AN ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER OR GROUP

This is one of the best ways to stay consistent with your fitness goals. It’s much easier to blow off a workout and curl up with a warm drink and blanket if you’re only accountable to yourself. Finding a partner or a community with similar goals is a great way to keep yourself on track. You can give and receive support, find ways to stay fit together, and remind each other of the benefits of keeping fit. While in-person support is helpful, it isn’t always easy to find. But social media makes it much easier to join like-minded people in a virtual community. Do a quick search on social media sites, and you’ll find fitness groups for all levels and interests. These communities provide various ways to keep you account-

FALL & WINTER FITNESS

By KIMBERLY BLAKER

able. They’re a safe place to share struggles and successes, provide moral support to one another, and share ideas or tips.

JOIN A GYM OR CLASS

Another way to increase the odds of staying fit through the colder months is by joining a gym or fitness class. This requires a financial commitment, which may be an excellent external motivator.

Gyms offer many amenities to support fitness goals. These include personal training, a variety of equipment, and often classes you can explore for new ways to stay fit. Some fitness centers even have extras like childcare, rock climbing walls, saunas, and heated pools. Such perks may help get you out the door on colder days. Even many libraries offer free fitness classes.

WORK OUT AT HOME

Maybe braving the cold and dark sounds like too much, or working out with other people isn’t your bliss. If so, there are many ways to get in an effective workout at home. Investing in a home gym is one way to stay active through the colder months. If you have space and money, particularly if other family members want an at-home workout too, purchase the appropriate equipment to fit your needs. It doesn’t need to be elaborate. Just a set of hand weights or a kettlebell can be enough to get you started if you don’t want to commit to large or expensive equipment. However,

sizeable used equipment can often be found for practically nothing on Craigslist and elsewhere online.

You can also find thousands of exercise videos and written plans on the internet, DVDs, through your cable provider, or at your local library. There are also video game systems with fun workouts like the Wii Fit or dancing games. Whatever type of exercise or fitness plan you can think of, there are likely at least a few resources out there so you can do it at home. These include exercises with or without equipment. Many are designed for or take into consideration working out in small spaces or with limited time.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

If you’re starting from scratch or lack motivation, find small ways to incorporate healthy fitness habits into your daily routine. For example, take stairs instead of the elevator, park your car farther away in the lot, and go for a walk during lunch.

You can also start by taking an extra 15 minutes before your shower to do some quick exercises. A daily routine could include bodyweight moves like squats, pushups, and planks. These can have a significant impact on your fitness when done consistently.

Regardless of your fitness goals, you can stay on track throughout the colder months if you find what works best to keep you motivated and consistent.

Keeping your kitchen crisp & your smile fresh!

Keep your smile fresh and you could WIN a KITCHEN REFRESH! Schedule a cosmetic treatment, and you will be entered to win a kitchen fresh bundle! All you have to do is schedule your treatment between August and October, and you could win an Air Fryer, Ninja Blender, and a Sous Vide starter kit!

*Must show up to scheduled treatment in order to be entered.

Yellow

leaves are pretty. Yellow teeth are not!

Everyone loves the seasonal color changes that autumn brings. Truthfully, the changing leaves are one of the highlights of the season! However, those beautiful shades of yellow look much prettier on a tree than they do on our teeth. Although some teeth discoloration is natural as we age, here are a few tips to ensure that your teeth aren’t changing colors with the leaves this fall!

FOR THE COFFEE DRINKER:

When you are enjoying your routine morning cup of coffee, you can protect your smile from coffee stains in a few ways. Start by avoiding direct contact between your coffee and teeth by drinking your coffee. Next, rinse off the residual coffee residue with a glass of water. through a straw. Lastly, you can rinse with mouthwash after your cup of coffee for 30 seconds to help bring your teeth back to a neutral PH.

FOR THE SNACKER:

If you’re someone who prefers to snack throughout the day, choose teeth-friendly snacks! Foods such as dried fruits and bread can easily get stuck in between your teeth, and if not removed, can lead to tooth decay. Crunchy fruits and vegetables can act as “nature’s toothbrush” because their fibrous texture allows them to remove plaque deposits from the surface of our teeth.

FOR THE PLANNER:

Your work calendar isn’t the only calendar to prioritize! Remember to schedule your routine cleanings every six months. Visiting the dentist every six months gives us the opportunity to remove any tartar buildup, and check for any other oral concerns.

Brad Wyatt, DDS; Max Cook, DDS; Steve Williams, DDS; Josh Williams, DDS

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.

L&W Orthopaedic Associates

Orthopaedic Surgeons located in Richardson, TX

www.LWOrthopaedics.com

Dr. Diane S. Litke, MD

THOC doctors don’t want to learn on Monday that you had a problem on Friday. They want to know Friday. They are available to you 24/7.

DENNIS BIRENBAUM, MD EUGENE J. WYSZYNSKI, DO

Dr. Birenbaum founded the Arlington Cancer Treatment Center in 1981. He founded the Texas Hematology/Oncology Center, PA in 1997. He is the founder, Medical Director, and CEO. 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 a facility professor. His private practice in Hematology/Oncology has been in the Dallas/Fort Worth area since 1979. Dr. Birenbaum is available by cell phone 24/7 and participates in many support groups and radio programs.

AREAS OF CLINICAL INTEREST:

• Gastrointestinal Tumors

• Melanoma, Sarcoma

• Breast Cancer

• Lymphoma

• Kidney Cancer EDUCATION AND TRAINING CREDENTIALS:

• Southern Methodist University

• Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara/University of Michigan

• Straight Medical Internship - Henry Ford Hospital/University of Michigan

• Straight Medicine Residency - Tulane University Medical Center/Ochsner Clinic

• Fellowship Hematology/Oncology - University of Texas M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute

• Private Practice 1979 to Present

PERSONAL INTERESTS:

• Born and raised in Dallas, TX

• Father of 2 sons

• Owns six dogs

• Loves traveling and golf

• Avid collector of arts and antiques

Dennis Birenbaum, MD and Dr. Wyszynski, MD, DO are M.D. Anderson trained hematologists/oncologists.

Dr. Wyszynski, MD, DO also trained at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA.

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.

BOARD CERTIFICATIONS:

• American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine: Hematology/

• Oncology-Certified: 8/24/2007

• American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES:

• American Osteopathic Association

• ASCO

• Texas Medical Association

• Dallas County Medical Association

CLINICAL CANCER INVESTIGATIVE TRIALS:

• Central Pennsylvania Oncology Group Protocal

• Eastern Cooperative Group

• Southwest Oncology Group

PERSONAL INTERESTS:

• Married and father of 2 children

• Enjoys traveling and spending time with family

• Active in many hobbies