CELEBRATING
LIVES
OF
PURPOSE
METHODIST
MAGAZINE VOL. 5 2022
Staff Keeps Heart Health Top of Mind
CONTENTS 4
2021: A Year in Review
6
Staff Shout-Outs
8
Kidney-Friendly Salmon Recipe from Executive Chef Albert Trujillo
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Staff Keeps Heart Health Top of Mind
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Caring Like Family
22
Methodist Healthcare Creates Special Drive-through Testing Clinic for Employees
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Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak Hosts Texas Freeze Coin Ceremony to EMS
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New Centralized Transportation Center Benefits Patients and Staff
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Moves Across Methodist
27
Growth
28
Firsts, Milestones, and Awards
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EDITOR Cheri Love-Moceri Associate Vice President of Communications CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Morgan Downing-Shannon Director of Communications Methodist Children’s Hospital and Women’s Services Kimberly Felan Communications Manager Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant Methodist Hospital | Texsan Melissa Geedman Director of Communications Methodist Hospital Lisette Hernandez Communications Manager Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak Methodist Hospital | Northeast Lauren McCormick Communications Manager Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan Methodist Hospital | Atascosa
2021: A YEAR IN REVIEW
DEAR METHODIST HEALTHCARE FAMILY, Taking a page from 2020, 2021 unfolded in ways we couldn’t predict. After welcoming a vaccine and quickly standing up on-site vaccination clinics, I think our hope for better days was renewed. But even with the promise of slowing the spread, much of our focus remained on managing this virus. As a system, we tested 103,018 people for COVID-19, of which 12,964 were positive, 10,298 were admitted to one of our hospitals, and 1,435 unfortunately expired from battling this terrible disease. I know COVID has consumed our airwaves, our conversations, and much of our thoughts over the last year, but it did not keep you from achieving great things. I would like to take a moment to reflect on your accomplishments and celebrate the numerous milestones and achievements. Methodist Hospital was recognized as the Best Regional Hospital by the U.S. News and World Report for the third consecutive year, was the first hospital in the nation to implant a newly designed cardiac mechanical pump on a patient with severe heart failure as an alternative to transplantation, and hit record cardiovascular surgical/procedural volumes in aortic, vascular, heart transplant, and TAVR. They also expanded access to their emergency care with the addition of Methodist ER | Helotes, and continued their commitment to being an animal-friendly facility, welcoming Major, a facility dog designated to adult ICU care as well as Bambi, the first therapy horse in Texas. Methodist Children’s Hospital, through the Rowan Windham Memorial Cereal Drive, donated $61,772 to the San Antonio Food Bank to ensure children were fed during the summer months. And Women’s Services had a record-setting year, breaking its record for number of babies delivered in a single year with 6,364 babies born. In August 2021, the hospital also broke its monthly birth record by 59 births, delivering a total of 643 babies! Women’s Services also launched a midwifery program and expanded its perinatal navigator program to guide high-risk maternal patients through the health care process.
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Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan was recognized as a “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation for the 5th consecutive year and earned their 11th consecutive A Grade for Patient Safety by the Leapfrog Group. Additionally, they surpassed 500 Chronic Total Occlusion procedures in their cardiac catheterization lab; they’re the only hospital in South Texas to have performed this many procedures! Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak received a Maternal and Neonatal Level III Designation from the State of Texas and was recognized by the American Heart Association with the Stroke Gold Plus Get With The Guidelines Award for their outstanding outcomes with stroke patients. They were also the first site to launch the Methodist Care Coordination program to better connect emergency room patients with MHSaligned specialists in orthopedic and cardiovascular services. In the first three months of the program, their ER patient experience scores tripled, the followup appointment rate for these patients doubled, and generated $150,000 in incremental revenue! Methodist Hospital | Northeast added a 30-bed Progressive Care Unit with private patient rooms to enhance patient experience, was recognized by YourSA Readers’ Choice as the “Best Hospital” in San Antonio, and expanded their ER services by opening Methodist ER | Nacogdoches to better serve the Northeast side of San Antonio and surrounding communities.
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Methodist Hospital | Texsan was the first and only hospital in San Antonio to receive a 3-Star rating by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), placing them in the top 7.5% of heart programs in the U.S. The hospital also earned an A Grade for Hospital Safety from the Leapfrog Group and was recognized by The American College of Cardiology (ACC) for its demonstrated commitment to comprehensive, high-quality cardiovascular care. In addition, Texsan was awarded the HeartCARE Center National Distinction of Excellence designation based on meeting accreditation criteria and through ongoing performance registry reporting.
Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant is now the only program in history to have performed over 200 living and 200 deceased kidney transplants! They earned an A Grade for Hospital Safety by the Leapfrog Group and were also awarded the Pathways to Excellence Designation by The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for their commitment to creating a positive work environment that empowers and engages staff. Methodist Hospital | Atascosa received a new name to better reflect the community they serve, achieved their 6th consecutive Leapfrog Safety Grade A, and acquired their first robot, allowing them to provide minimally-invasive surgical options to the community.
As clearly evidenced, even a global pandemic could not slow you down, though I know it was indescribably challenging. I am extremely grateful to be part of this wonderful Methodist Healthcare family and look forward to all we will accomplish for our community and each other this year. Blessings on you and your work, Allen Harrison President and CEO
STAFF SHOUT-OUTS
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PATIENT LETTER TO 5TH FLOOR STAFF AT MHST
To all the nurses, PCAs and staff who have cared for Virginia this last month (Beth, Michelle, Sam, Natasha, Danila, Ari, Felicia, Sulema, Aunjulie, Robert, Oni, Anna, Isaiah, Lauren, Amber, Rafael, Jacob, Jeanne, Ketya, Nia, Veronica, Brandon, Melissa, Nicole and Yancy): We want to sincerely thank you for all that you have done to care for Virginia during these very long four weeks. We were continually impressed by your professionalism and comforted by your kindness and empathy. Perhaps you do not need to be told, but it needs to be said: You are such good people. But more than just being good, you do good. Every day. You let your goodness touch others. You are an extension of God’s care, an extension of his healing hands and heart. You are truly God’s angels here on earth. Please know that we will remember you. You will be in our prayers, as you continue to face all your challenges with dignity, grace and compassion. Thank you. Sincerely, Peter and Virginia Canestaro
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AMY CAMERON,
Clinical Educator for our non-ICU cardiac service lines, has been with us less than a year and has very quickly excelled in her role! She has been recognized by all of her education teammates, as well as her nursing leaders. Everyone wonders how she does all that she does because she seems to do it all from supporting her CPCU, Cardiac Tele, and Cath Lab’s staff education needs, to also leading her education team with the PAL program, Orientation organization, and ANPD poster creation. We are very grateful she chose to join our team! - Jennifer Shelby, Market Director of Clinical Excellence, Methodist Hospital and Methodist Children’s Hospital
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NATALIE TORRES
is a strong OR Circulator who goes above and beyond for her team on a consistent basis. She is an excellent resource and is well respected by her team. Natalie handles critical situations with ease and is an example to all.
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RAMONA MILLER
is a CNC on the Neuro floor. We had a patient come back after his stay with us just to say thank you to her. He and his mom were so grateful for the compassionate care she provided, they wanted to show her that he is doing well and they feel she had a hand in that. - Xiomara Buchhorn, Director Medical Surgery Nursing | Stone Oak
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MARISA MEDRANO
started as a brand new PCT on 02/18/2019 and has been attending nursing school. She is now a new RN in the residency program at Northeast Methodist. Her journey from the beginning has been here with our department, she never left Methodist!
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- Monique Van De Walle BSN, RN, Director of Surgical Services, Methodist Children’s Hospital
- Kate Cherubin, Director of Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery | Northeast
JOHNATHON LEWIS
is a ‘homegrown’ Respiratory Therapist within my team. Johnathon started as a Monitor Tech back in 2020, and eventually, we brought him on as an RT Extern. Johnathon worked toward becoming a registered therapist, and after passing both board exams, he joined our team as an RT. He’s turned out to be one of the best RTs my team has had. He is extremely dedicated, committed, and hard-working. I am so proud of how far he’s come, and I’m so grateful to have such a great person on our team. Johnathon is one of a kind. - Andrew Garza Director of Respiratory Therapy at Methodist Hospital | Atascosa
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“
Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant is proud to share that
JAMES “SMITTY” SMITH
was the recipient of the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals (TAAP) 2021 Hall of Fame Award. This award is in recognition of Smitty’s “body of work in the field of addiction counseling, prevention, education, intervention and treatment, and his dedicated service to TAAP and his outreach to the recovering community”. Smitty is only one of 24 recipients and the First African American to be inducted into TAAP’s Hall of Fame. Smitty began his career as a Chemical Dependency Counselor while serving in the United States Army. After 23 years of service, he eventually joined the Behavioral Health Department at Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant in 2000, leading the department’s specialized substance abuse intensive outpatient program since. Throughout his years, he has served on several local and state TAAP Boards and Committees in various roles, including President
of the San Antonio chapter and Executive Council for the State. He is currently a member of the Cultural Diversity Committee. Smitty has provided educational training for organizations across the state, including the University of Houston and Texas A&M University. Smitty’s preferred treatment approach is evidence-based practice, and he particularly enjoys the family aspect of our program stating, “I want the family to know that in addition to the patient, I am supportive of them and want them to understand that they aren’t responsible for the patient’s addiction”. He continues, “I enjoy what I do and I believe in what I do. The patients make it worthwhile”. In his free time, Smitty enjoys spending time with his wife, traveling to see his family, including his son, daughter-in-law, and grandson, and reading.
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JOZEF PIOTROWSKI
is a jack-of-all-trades and works in both the Nurse Administrator role as well as the Rapid Response RN role. He has been focusing on several performance improvement projects to enhance the RRT process and provide better care for our patients. He always has the best attitude and is so flexible with his schedule to meet the needs of the team! - Crissy Womble, Director of Clinical Operations, Methodist Hospital
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I remember the day I interviewed
MARK RANET,
or “Mark R,” as I call him. I saw him as a calm, determined, and dedicated person eager to join the team and work hard for his patients. Patients have recognized him as calm yet firm, encouraging them to do more and attain their goals. Recently we had a patient whose sister was getting married. Though the patient could not attend the wedding, Mark was determined to find a way for his patient to participate in the wedding. After asking the patient’s sister for a Zoom link, Mark helped set it up in his room to sit and watch. On the wedding day, Mark came in to work with festive signage, a white shirt, and a black bow tie for the patient to wear. When the wedding started, the patient was nicely dressed in his shirt and tie and had signage in the background for the festive occasion; that is who Mark is! Mark is also in charge of our department’s “Fun committee.” He organizes fun events, food, recognizes holidays or birthday parties, and “just because” events! He does this willingly and without complaints. He also won the “Most Grateful staff member” award in our department for all his efforts to make the department a loving and caring environment for all! Mark is also one of three employees who have spearheaded our Total Joint Program launching soon. I am very grateful for Mark, and I’m glad that the patient and his family recognized him too! - Bisola Santos, Director of Rehabilitation and Therapy Services at Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan
CHEF RECIPES KIDNEY-FRIENDLY RECIPE FROM EXECUTIVE CHEF ALBERT TRUJILLO Executive Chef at Methodist Hospital | Northeast
PAN SEARED SALMON WITH ROASTED PINEAPPLE SALSA QUINOA PILAF WITH GRAPES, CUCUMBER & MINT GRILLED RIBBON SQUASH AND ZUCCHINI
INGREDIENTS: Fresh salmon
Cucumber
Red peppers
Mint
Red onions
Lemon
Cilantro
Lime
Quinoa
Zucchini
Red grapes
Squash
Pineapple
Olive oil Mrs. Dash seasoning
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ROASTED PINEAPPLE SALSA
RIBBON SQUASH AND ZUCCHINI
• Grill pineapples until grill marks show and let cool. Once cooled, dice into small pieces.
• Use a vegetable peeler and slice lengthwise.
• Dice red peppers and red onion.
• Grill until grill marks show, and do not overcook.
• Mince cilantro and mix all items in bowl.
QUINOA PILAF • Cook quinoa according to package instructions, without using salt.
• Lightly oil and season with Mrs. Dash
SALMON
• Lightly oil and season with Mrs. Dash.
• Season with Mrs. Dash.
• Preheat the pan over medium heat for three minutes and add oil.
• Cut grapes in half & dice cucumber.
• Increase heat to high and place salmon skin-side up for three minutes.
• Mince the mint as small as possible.
• Flip and cook for five minutes or until brown. Salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork.
• Sauté quinoa, grapes, and cucumbers. Squeeze ½ lemon juice, add mint & mix.
STAFF KEEPS HEART HEALTH TOP OF MIND
February is American Heart Month. During this time, the American Heart Association asks people to talk with friends, family, and colleagues about the causes of heart disease in hopes of helping others stay on a path of good heart health. The first Friday in February is National Wear Red Day. On this day, people across the country are encouraged to wear the color red to raise and spread awareness in hopes of helping eradicate heart disease and stroke in millions of women all over the nation. Employees across our facilities participated by sporting he color red to show their support and raise awareness. Methodist Hospital lit up their facility in red lights during the month of February, and Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan showed their support by shining a red ribbon on their building for the city to see. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease, or cardiovascular disease, kills more Americans each year than any other disease. But there are key risk factors within your control that can reduce your risk for heart disease and help you live a longer, healthier life. Knowing your risk for heart disease is crucial in maintaining a healthy heart. Family history, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are all factors that can influence your heart’s health. The earlier you know which factors are at play, the quicker you can get them under control, decreasing your risk for a serious heart event. Start your journey toward a healthier heart by taking our free risk assessment to calculate your level of risk.
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CARING LIKE FAMILY YOUNG METHODIST HOSPITAL PATIENT WITH ALL ODDS AGAINST HIM RECEIVES SUCCESSFUL HEART TRANSPLANT.
Justin Chauret, 36, is a full-time father and proud H-E-B employee. He led a life with a strict fitness regimen and healthy eating habits; he was in the best shape of his life. Though one day Justin faced difficulty recovering from a workout; he believed it to be a side effect after recovering from COVID-19. Justin remembers having problems breathing and an elevated heart rhythm one afternoon. Though, stubborn to receive care, he presented to a health clinic inside H-E-B where an EKG alarmed the nurse, urging that Justin rush to the hospital. Justin drove himself to a nearby emergency facility. His echocardiogram showed an ejection fraction (measurement of the percentage of blood leaving your heart each time it squeezes) of 25 percent, suggesting chronic change. He was administered some heart failure medications and was put on IV medication to make his heartbeat stronger. Shortly after, his blood pressure dropped dramatically and he went into rapid response; he was found to be in heart and kidney failure. Despite the measures taken, Justin’s condition was worsening and he was placed on dialysis and transferred to Methodist Hospital. The rest is a blur to him.
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Upon arrival to Methodist Hospital, Justin was in cardiogenic shock and immediately taken into surgery for a ventricular heart pump to stabilize his heart. As his oxygen was worsening, he was also placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), an advanced form of prolonged cardiac and pulmonary life support. When Justin was removed from ECMO after a few days, his oxygen levels immediately dropped and was placed back on ECMO the same day. “Justin’s case was a very complex, clinical dilemma since he suffered from two critical conditions suddenly; he had severe heart failure and a rare and life-threatening respiratory failure,” commented Chandra Kunavarapu, MD, Medical Director of the Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Program. “He was on the most critical mechanical support devices, and we had to pause on listing him for a heart transplant and focused on treating his pulmonary condition separately.” Justin recalls the moment Dr. Kunavarapu told him, “Your heart no longer works and we’re going to find a replacement.” He remembers the defeating realization that he may not survive. “I wasn’t going to leave my wife without a husband and my son without a father.”
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Several medical exams revealed that the source of Justin’s weakened pulmonary function was a rare and fatal condition known as diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, which may have been caused by an infection developed from COVID pneumonia. The severe infection is believed to have caused myocarditis, inflammation and weakening of the heart muscle that reduces the heart’s ability to pump and causes rapid or irregular heart rhythms. Justin was treated with high-dose steroids. Once his kidney failure normalized on ECMO and it was determined that his pulmonary status would allow for a transplant, Justin was placed on the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) cardiac transplant list.
“Justin’s case exemplifies how the multidisciplinary team approach at Methodist can make a huge difference when multiple specialties collaborate to diagnose and treat these difficult, complex, and incredibly sick patients,” commented Michael Kwan, MD, Program Director of the Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Program. “This is a great example of why it’s not only the technology but the expertise and experience that sets Methodist apart.” “I told my wife, I was never going to quit. If I go, it will be on the operating table when I’m out of control,” Justin said.
He knew his survival was dependent on his motivation and strength. Justin devoted himself to what he knew best – hard work and strength training. Every day he set goals for himself to walk even just a foot further than he had the day prior: 70, 500, 1,000 feet; he gained confidence becoming self-sufficient with simple tasks, such as holding a phone on his own. Justin told himself, “I’m going to do this. I’m going to make it,” every single day. He remembers taking the steps to the nursing station where he saw Dr. Kwan. He said, “Hi sir. Please don’t give up on me.”
Masahiro Ono, MD, heart transplant surgeon performed Justin’s transplant. He recalls the moment he woke up met with the sight of his wife and nurse, Alexis. “She [Alexis] took her stethoscope and put it to my heart. She let me hear my new heartbeat for the first time,” Justin emotionally remembered.
Throughout his hospitalization, Justin became incredibly close with his care team. He wanted to be more than another patient to care for and would stand out as the man who would overcome this. He requested his nurse, Able, shave him a mohawk as his facial hair and otherwise crew cut had grown dramatically. Just over a month, Justin had lost 60 pounds, having gone from a bodybuilder physique to one of very little muscle and energy.
A few months post-transplant, Justin ran his first mile and was slowly getting back to his active lifestyle. He was released back to work, and H-E-B proudly welcomed their brave employee back.
Justin found solace in those around him. The community roared with support for him throughout his care. A “Justin Strong” Facebook group was built to share inspiring stories, prayers and words of hope, and his H-E-B family set up community blood drives in his honor. On March 18, 2021, Justin received a call that changed his life forever; a donor’s heart matched and he would be transplanted that day. It was a surreal moment. He recalls the realization, “that someone else’s family is getting a different call than the call I’m getting.” It was the most humbling moment of his life.
Justin’s transplant was successful, and he spent a few additional weeks in the hospital recovering. “All I wanted to do was see my son. He was my greatest motivator,” Justin said. He was released from the hospital on April 1. “When I got home, my son, Bear, ran up and gave me a hug on my leg. That hit me hard…that he still remembered me. He hadn’t seen his dad in over two months,” Justin said.
“Your second life really starts the moment you realize you only have one. I’m extremely thankful to be alive, to appreciate the beauty of life, to listen to the sound of my son’s laugh. Everything is amplified.”
CARING LIKE FAMILY A TEAM WITH HEART: AFGHAN REFUGEE UNDERGOES LIFE‑SAVING SURGERY In October 2021, John Kupferschmid, MD, pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon, received a phone call from a representative with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A 10-year-old girl from Afghanistan had a congenital heart condition and she needed surgery to survive. The voice at the end of the line was hopeful Dr. Kupferschmid and the Methodist Children’s Heart Institute team could step in to repair the child’s heart. The child, whose name we are protecting for her family’s privacy, required surgical intervention to repair a congenital heart defect known as Tetralogy of Fallot. In America, this defect is repaired before children are six months old. However, due to lack of access to advanced medical treatment, congenital heart defects often go without repair in children who live in other countries. “Most children with this defect do not make it to adulthood,” Dr. Kupferschmid said. “The simple task of walking to the bathroom was almost impossible for her prior to this surgery.” Without hesitation, Dr. Kupferschmid agreed to perform the life-saving surgery, which required the family to relocate to San Antonio. The child recovered in the pediatric intensive care unit for a few weeks where staff had the opportunity to get to know her. Her care team quickly learned although shy and quiet, she has the most beautiful smile. That smile was apparent when she had the opportunity to interact with Bambi, the hospital’s therapy horse. Though she may require a valve later in life, Dr. Kupferschmid expects she will make a full recovery. He was thrilled to hear she is planning to enroll in elementary school for the first time. Methodist Healthcare’s mission is serving humanity to honor God by providing exceptional and cost-effective health care accessible to all. This case is another example of the impact our care leaves on others near and far.
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SWEETHEARTS CELEBRATE THEIR FIRST VALENTINE’S DAY Valentine’s Day was celebrated in a big way at Methodist Children’s Hospital and Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak. Infants in Methodist Children’s Hospital’s Level IV NICU donned sweet and even trendy messages, while cuties in Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak’s Level II NICU spent love day wrapped in red hearts. Staff at each hospital created the hearts and backdrops for each special photo shoot. The sweethearts brought joy and love to their parents, NICU staff and physicians.
CARING LIKE FAMILY METHODIST HOSPITAL | ATASCOSA HELPS GUITARISTS’ HEART STAY ‘ON BEAT’ “I was lying there in bed with tears in my eyes when this attending nurse came in to check my fluids. She looked over at me and said, ‘You know God’s looking out for you, right? You’re going to be OK. It happened for a reason; we figured it out.’ She said, ‘This is a blessing. So, you need to be happy. I know you’re scared, but God’s looking out for you.’ I appreciated that so much. I knew I was in good hands.” This is just one of many memorable moments William O’Rourke had during his time at Methodist Hospital | Atascosa after crashing his car on the highway on Thanksgiving morning. William was on his way back to San Antonio from Corpus Christi when he felt a strange sensation come over him. “I was just driving and felt something come over me. I could feel myself trying to get the car off the road. And then I woke up and was in a field smacked up against a tree with two of these really nice Corpus Christi firefighters,” said William. That’s when William was taken to
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Methodist Hospital | Atascosa, which he says is a blessing to have been sent there for care, despite warnings and hesitations from his family and friends. Once at the hospital, the team ran every test they could think of to find out what was happening to William, but they couldn’t find anything wrong. “I work out, and people will tell you that I’m Mr. Fitness, eating my vegetables, working out the whole nine yards. The doctors said I was the picture of perfect health and didn’t know what was going on,” said William. “They were extremely thorough about everything.” After all the tests, the team still couldn’t find anything wrong, so they kept William overnight for observation. Out of nowhere, after being at the hospital for over “24‑hour”, William’s heart rate dropped to 32 beats per minute, making him feel very weak and sick. It was then that the team realized what was wrong and what William needed; a pacemaker. “I immediately started crying. I couldn’t believe it,” said William. “The entire staff at the hospital really went above and beyond to make things comfortable for my family and me. I even told one of the ladies there that they didn’t have the best reputation from the past, and my friends and family were trying to get me out of there. However, my stay was the complete opposite and did not reflect the stories I previously heard.” William was eventually transferred to Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan where his pacemaker was installed. Now, he continues to go about his life like normal. A member of the Poteet, Texas band, David Lee Garza Y Los Musicales band for over 15 years, William plays the bajo sexto—a Mexican string instrument from the guitar family with 12 strings in six double courses. Thanks to the exceptional care he received, William is back with his band doing what he loves and living life to the fullest.
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METHODIST HOSPITAL | STONE OAK HOSTS DINNER FOR NICU PARENTS ON VALENTINE’S DAY Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) and NICU Director, Darlene Funk, collaborated for a second time to host a Valentine’s Day dinner for NICU parents to enjoy, as they spent the holiday in the hospital caring for their newborns. The parents were greeted with live music from Hearts Need Art, as senior leaders escorted them to their designated tables. The decorations included fresh flowers, a full charcuterie board, linen and a framed picture of their
newborn baby’s footprints to take home. FNS staff dressed up as waiters and waitresses to bring the prepared food right to their table which consisted of lobster, steak, and cheesecake, among other delicious items to choose from. As parents left the dinner, they shared how grateful they were to those who put the memorable event together, creating a memory to last a lifetime.
COUPLE SAYS “I DO” HOURS BEFORE OPEN‑HEART PROCEDURE Love filled the halls of Methodist Hospital | Northeast last month when Juan and Juanita Gamez exchanged wedding vows. The couple was set to say “I do” on Valentine’s Day, but their wedding was postponed after Juan began suffering from severe chest pains and was hospitalized. After undergoing multiple tests, he was diagnosed with triple vessel disease. He would need emergency open-heart surgery in order to save his life. As an expression of their love, the couple decided to exchange vows ahead of his procedure with the help of Juan’s care team, who made the ceremony possible. Now, Juan is home and on the road to recovery! Congrats to the happy couple!
CARING LIKE FAMILY
KIDNEY TRANSPLANT PATIENT MEETS HIS PERFECT MATCH “I know I was supposed to be his support system, but he remained my support system through everything,” said Lauren Naegler, 27. “There is nothing in the world that I wouldn’t do for him.” Derrick Naegler, 27, met his wife in 2014 on a bus ride home after a football game from Florida State. The couple was on the marching band team; Derrick played the tuba and Lauren played the clarinet.
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Derrick and Lauren said “I do” on January 25, 2020. For their honeymoon, the couple took a trip to Disneyworld, and soon after, the newlyweds began their life together in Las Vegas, Nevada where they accepted job offers with HCA Healthcare. Despite the worldwide pandemic, Derrick and Lauren continued to excel in their careers and became pet parents to rescue dogs. However, little did they know Derrick’s health would soon be at risk.
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While at work, Derrick’s colleagues expressed concern regarding his health after noticing he was experiencing a great deal of pain at such a young age. Derrick was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, a form of arthritis that causes pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of joint function. In April of 2020, Derrick suffered a nose bleed, and shortly after, began to cough up blood which required immediate medical attention. Derrick’s lung health was also worsening due to an infection caused by COVID. Further evaluation revealed his kidneys were shutting down and he would require a kidney transplant. “When I heard that Derrick had this illness and that his kidneys were not working, it was all very sudden,” said Lauren. Though it can take many years to match with an organ donor, Derrick requested that he be added to the waitlist. In the meantime, he was placed on daily home dialysis, which removes waste from the blood when kidneys can no longer function. Kidney transplantation significantly prolongs and improves life compared to dialysis. A recipient can obtain a kidney from a living donor or a deceased donor. The fastest way to receive a kidney is through the living donor program, however, live donors must undergo many tests to determine eligibility. For Lauren, it was a no-brainer. She decided to add her name to the donor list along with two of Derrick’s uncles and a security director at a hospital he previously worked for. Luckily, results showed Lauren was a blood and a genetic cross match. “She told me it is marriage insurance, I can’t return her without all of her parts,” Derrick laughed. After consulting with James Pitman, MD, Transplant Director for HCA along with Adam Bingaman, MD, PhD, transplant surgeon and Director of the Abdominal Transplant Program, it was decided that the kidney transplant would take place at Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant on September 29, 2021.
According to Luke Shen, MD, the transplant team used the single-site donor approach for the Nephrectomy that many others do not do. It is known to minimize scarring and post-surgery pain. “Derrick and Lauren’s surgeries went very well and they have fully recovered,” said Eric Treat, MD. “The couple had the option to do their surgery in Las Vegas as there are other transplant programs there, however, she was well‑aware about our reputation here at Methodist Specialty & Transplant. It was good to know that they were comforted by our program,” commented Luke Shen, MD. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your transplant journey!
CARING LIKE FAMILY 99 YEAR-OLD HAROLD REICH WALKS HIS GRANDDAUGHTER DOWN THE AISLE AFTER SUFFERING A FRACTURED HIP Harold “Soupy” Reich, 99, was born on April 26, 1922, and grew up in San Antonio, Texas right across from Brackenridge Park. Back in September, Harold suffered a fall and fractured his hip. After surgery, Harold was transferred to Methodist Hospital | Texsan for rehabilitation. Harold had one goal in mind while completing his rehab journey and that was to be able to attend his granddaughter’s wedding in Memphis. Harold’s family advocated for him and his ability to recover quickly. His daughter, Helene Abrams, describes her father as self-sufficient and extremely driven. “He lives alone, attends the gym on a regular basis and he is even on Facebook. He is very capable of living his life at 99 years old,” said Helene. Johanna Nueman, occupational therapist at Methodist Hospital | Texsan described Harold as hardworking and very motivated. Her job was to help Harold develop, recover and maintain meaningful day-to-day activities. “I remember one time he told me to come back later because there was a football game on,” said Johanna. “He was very much into sports.” “Harold was a unique patient. He wanted to remain independent,” said Kelly Quintero, physical therapist at Methodist Hospital | Texsan. She focused on improving his mobility, strength and balance. “Making a comeback from a hip fracture is pretty difficult and he did it.” With his resiliency and Methodist Hospital | Texsan’s dedicated staff members, Harold was able to achieve his goal. “Rehab was very good at Texsan. Everyone was efficient, friendly and had a positive outlook,” said Harold. He was discharged after sixteen days and received at-home physical and occupational therapy twice a week. The special day finally arrived and Harold was able to walk his granddaughter, Molly Moss, down the aisle. Later, they shared an unforgettable dance. Helene, the mother of the bride, said “My daddy put up a fight. It was tough, but he worked hard and the staff at Texsan was amazing. They went above and beyond. Everyone at the wedding was so surprised to see my daddy there.” Harold’s family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Methodist Hospital | Texsan. Their patience and kindness are truly appreciated. On to 100!
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METHODIST HOSPITAL | METROPOLITAN BARIATRIC PATIENT TURNS TRIATHLETE The new year is when many people jump-start their healthcare journey, specifically when it comes to dieting and exercise, but it can be hard to stick to goals. Former Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan patient, Mackenzie Mitchell, has found that her gym community, bariatric support group, and participation in triathlons have kept her motivated in her weight loss. Though she was physically active by going to the gym, 33-year-old Mackenzie struggled to lose weight and keep it off, so she felt bariatric surgery would help her jump-start her weight loss and health goals. In July of 2020, Mackenzie had bariatric weight loss surgery at Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan. Since her surgery, Mackenzie has lost over 100lbs and has noticed continued improvements in her strength, endurance, and motivation at the gym; she says she’s now working out five times harder than she used to. Mackenzie’s biggest accomplishments since her surgery, aside from incredible weight loss, have been her completion of several triathlons! Mackenzie has also been participating in her gym’s form of a triathlon known as a “DriTri.” Hosted by Orange Theory Fitness, this version of triathlon doesn’t include a swimming portion but consists of a 5K, a 2,000m row, and 300 body-weight reps. Not only has she participated in dry-triathlons through her gym, but she also has participated in women‑only triathlons with her mother, who felt motivated after seeing her daughter’s success. Mackenzie attributes her weight loss and health success to the bariatric team’s comfort and support and the hospital staff; she had a great experience at Metropolitan!
METHODIST HEALTHCARE CREATES SPECIAL DRIVE‑THROUGH TESTING CLINIC FOR EMPLOYEES Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Methodist Healthcare has gone the extra mile to support its employees. When the Omicron variant surged last fall, the collaboration and innovation of leaders throughout the system resulted in the creation of the COVID-19 Testing Drive-through Clinic for Employees. “We heard from employees that they were having a difficult time getting tested,” said Emily Heffron, Division Director of People Operations, Strategy & Improvement Project Management. “When the surge hit, sites for COVID testing were limited, and if you were able to find a site, there were significant wait times for testing.” Natalie Martinez, RN, peri-operative clinical nurse lead at Methodist Hospital who was involved in the effort, realized the seriousness of the situation. “When the surge hit, our employees couldn’t work until they were tested. This affected our staffing, which in turn affects patient care,” she said. “We saw the need and wanted to support our employees. HR, Employee Health, and Division strategy teams came together to find a solution,” said Emily. After planning sessions in late December, the committee launched the COVID-19 Testing Drive-through Clinic in January. Methodist Ambulatory Surgery Hospital became the COVID-19 Testing Drive-through Clinic for employees. Free
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testing was available to all employees working under the Methodist Healthcare brand. When an employee felt ill or thought he or she had been exposed to the virus, they called the employee health nurse at their facility. The nurse determined if testing was needed. Drive-through testing was conducted Monday through Friday. Results were available in two hours for tests done Monday through Thursday, and results for Friday tests were available the next Monday. Each swab test took about 3 minutes. At the height of clinic use, 94 employees were tested in one day. Employees who tested negative received a text message with the results. Employee health nurses called employees who tested positive and talked with them about next steps. “Our teams are already faced with COVID-19 challenges every day,” said Emily. “So, when COVID impacts our employees, it is critical we provide support for them however we can.” “The collaboration among departments was inspiring,” said Emily. “At the beginning each hospital provided their own teams to staff the clinic. Many departments pitched in on top of their regular assignments to help with the process— we couldn’t have done it without Employee Health, HR, Methodist Hospital Lab, IT, and Registration, to name a few.
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METHODIST HOSPITAL | STONE OAK HOSTS TEXAS FREEZE COIN CEREMONY TO EMS Nearly a year after the historic Texas freeze, Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak recognized their EMS agencies with a challenge coin ceremony for their outstanding work in transferring 70 patients to other Methodist Hospitals across the city. Challenge coins trace back to the Roman Army where coins were given to those who participated in a significant battle or event. Today U.S. military and fire/EMS personnel continue this tradition in the event of deployment or significant disaster event the group has experienced together. “The clinic showed how much Methodist Healthcare will do to support employees,” said Angela Crawford, MSN, RN, CCRN, Operations Lead at the clinic. “They stepped up to ensure that employees were safe.” As the impact of the Omicron variant surge lessens, the team will continue to evaluate testing needs of the organization. “We have a great process and a great team in place,” said Emily. Special thanks to the following for getting the Employee Health Testing program up and running – EH COVID-19 Testing Team: Barry Burns, Natalie Vasquez Smith, Emily Gerwels, Adrianna Hatch and her entire Employee Health team, Linda Rodriguez, Leslie Towner, Deborah Martinez, Golda Soret, Nancy Ohlenburger, Becca Howard, Jennifer Buske, and Joseph McCarty. Thank you to individuals loaned from Methodist Healthcare hospitals and Division to get the Employee Health Testing site up and running: Miriam Pendon, Caitlyn Broyles, Carolina Rodrigues, Ben Castruita, Amanda Villareal, Lisa Lanham, Stacy Pleger, Lina Beltran, Jessica Vitela Brenda Mancilla, Sonya Hernandez, and Ruby Arredondo.
Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak CEO, Jeff Wilson, participated in the coin ceremony as he was part of the team receiving patients from Stone Oak at Methodist Hospital Specialty and Transplant, where at the time was CEO. The emergency transfer resulted after rolling power outages affected the San Antonio Water System, causing unplanned total water and boiler loss. “This group of responders was important to us to recognize. Many departments had stopped operations due to unsafe conditions. These crews continued to help safely move patients without taking breaks until the job was done,” said Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak EMS Liaison, Brandon Miller. While there have been a few challenge coin ceremonies in the past, this is the first specific to an event like the Texas winter storm.
NEW CENTRALIZED TRANSPORTATION CENTER BENEFITS PATIENTS AND STAFF A new centralized transportation system is greatly helping staff at Methodist Healthcare facilities deliver a better patient experience. The new Centralized Transportation Center, which began in February, enables discharge nurses at any Methodist Healthcare facility as well as our Emergency Departments and FreeStanding Emergency Departments to call one phone number to arrange transportation for patients leaving the facility. “All transportation requests now come through one place,” said Brandon Miller, EMS Relations Manager for Methodist Healthcare. “Then all our EMS providers are contacted at one time with information on the patient needing transportation, their destination, and any special needs. They get back to us with the estimated time of arrival and we assign the request to the fastest provider.” In addition, only vetted EMS providers who share performance data for continual process improvement and training purposes are utilized. The center also can be called to transport a patient from one Methodist Healthcare facility to another when different services are needed. Brandon said the EMS Relations Team saw staff such as nurses and case managers, spending a long time waiting for responses from providers or being told no transportation was available. This meant that some patients were waiting in their beds for hours and nurses were taken away from bedside activities.
EMS Relations Manager, Jason Miller, helps traffic transport calls.
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“Our ERs have been full lately with patients waiting for beds,” said Brandon. “With the Centralized Transportation Center patients leave the hospital sooner, making more beds available.”
Vol. 5 2022 | 25 Chillon Montgomery, Director of Trauma, and Jason Miller review transport needs across the System.
EMS Relations Manager, Frankie Trifilio, shared, “These transports are 1-2 hours quicker which means our patients spend less time waiting and are able to get back home earlier in the day.” Frankie adds, “We are also equipped to pre-plan long distance transports with case management to avoid overnight travel of our most fragile patients.” In addition to helping patients get home sooner, the EMS providers escort patients directly into their homes, instead of dropping them off curbside, and assess the home situation—determining if there is someone to receive the patient, if heat and electricity are working, and other conditions. The center is averaging about 50 calls per day in its first month of operation. “We see much potential for growth and expansion with benefits for both staff and patients,” said Brandon. Employees working on the project with Brandon and Frankie include Regional VP of Operations and Patient Management, Susan Kilgore, Director of Trauma, Chillon Montgomery, and EMS Relations Manager, Jason Miller. The Centralized Transportation Center currently operates Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with expanded hours coming soon. The service is available to any staff member to arrange for ambulance or wheelchair van transports. For more information, email ctc.info@MHSHealth.com.
EMS Facility Dog, Chanel, shows us how to answer calls!
MOVES ACROSS METHODIST METHODIST HOSPITAL | NORTHEAST NAMES NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Methodist Hospital | Northeast is pleased to announce that Cameron Howard has been appointed as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO).“I am thrilled to join the Methodist Hospital Northeast team and support the mission of serving humanity to honor God,” said Howard. “This is a hospital with a remarkable community reputation, engaged employee group, and exceptional providers; the hospital continues to expand to meet the needs of our ever- growing community, and I am honored to be part of that growth.”Howard most recently served as COO at HCA’s Medical City Plano. Previously, he served as COO at St. David’s Surgical Hospital and Associate COO of St. David’s North Austin Medical Center. He received his Baccalaureate degree in Medical Humanities from Baylor University where he graduated Cum Laude and his Master’s in Health Care Administration from Trinity University.“We are extremely excited to have Cameron join our team. As an experienced leader, he brings a very strong background in hospital operations, physician relations and service excellence,” said Michael Beaver, Chief Executive Officer of Methodist Hospital | Northeast. “Cameron will help us continue to raise the bar of exceptional care to our ever-growing community.”
METHODIST HOSPITAL | METROPOLITAN APPOINTS NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan proudly welcomed Megan Cool Amalakuhan, FACHE, as their new Chief Operating Officer (COO) in March. “I am honored to have been chosen as Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan’s next Chief Operating Officer,” Amalakuhan shared. “It’s a privilege to be joining an organization that has such a strong reputation for exceptional patient outcomes and focuses on growing with the community to meet their needs. I will do my best to serve by helping enable our leaders and our team members to fulfill their passion to make a difference.” Amalakuhan joins the hospital after serving as COO at Methodist Hospital | Texsan. She holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s Degree of Business Administration and has over 17 years of experience within healthcare, specifically within HCA Healthcare facilities. She has held various finance, performance improvement, and operations positions. During her time at Methodist Hospital | Texsan, Amalakuhan was a crucial part of their key service line growth, expanding their orthopedic service line by bringing in spine services and leading the expansion of the cardiovascular service line with the addition of vascular services. Both efforts contributed to an overall earnings growth rate of 9.6% during her tenure. Amalakuhan also was key in leading Methodist Hospital | Texsan to earn the title of one of Modern Healthcare’s Top Places to Work for three years in a row. Known for her exceptional leadership, commitment, and tremendous support for staff, Amalakuhan’s expertise allows her to ensure all hospital operations align with Methodist Healthcare’s core values. 26 | Methodist Magazine
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GROWTH
METHODIST HOSPITAL | METROPOLITAN ANNOUNCES NEW TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR PATIENTS WITH HEART ISSUES During American Heart Month, Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan announced two minimally-invasive cardiovascular treatments they offer patients thanks to new and innovative technologies. The first new treatment is an alternative to blood thinners for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Because AF causes the heart to beat very fast and irregularly, blood can collect in the heart’s upper heart chamber. This collection of blood can form clots that could travel to the brain, causing a stroke. Many patients do not want to be on blood thinners, as they may affect their health and lifestyle, requiring extra precautions to avoid falls or injuries for fear of bleeding. Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan can now treat patients using this alternative to blood thinners by performing minimally-invasive left atrial appendage closure (LAA) procedures to close off their LAA. Doing so removes the ability for clots to form, thus reducing the fear of stroke. This new advancement in cardiovascular care enables the hospital to serve more patients by offering an effective and safe treatment option in place of blood thinners.
Another major benefit for patients who receive this onetime procedure is that it lasts a lifetime; future surgeries or replacement devices are unnecessary. Additionally, the hospital now offers a new form of Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) to treat patients with severe coronary artery disease (CAD). As patients with CAD age and their disease progresses, the plaque evolves into tough calcium deposits, narrowing the artery and impacting proper blood flow. This new technology allows physicians to fracture the calcium first using sonic pressure waves so that when a stent procedure is done, the stent can expand fully and restore normal blood flow. “We are very proud of our cardiovascular team at Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan,” shared Greg Seiler, Chief Executive Officer. “These two new cardiovascular advancements prove our dedication to offering our patients the latest and most revolutionary innovations. For some, these treatments are their only hope. We’re improving and saving many lives thanks to our highly skilled interventional cardiologists and electrophysiologists.”
NEW BRAUNFELS WILL SOON HAVE ACCESS TO METHODIST HEALTHCARE QUALITY SERVICES Methodist Hospital | Northeast will soon extend their presence along North I-35 as they open a new freestanding ER this summer. The new facility will be located on State Highway 46 near Loop 337 in Comal County. Methodist ER - New Braunfels is a 7,007 square foot facility that will serve as a fully-functioning emergency department with seven private ED rooms, laboratory and radiology department. The grand opening is slated for June 28, 2022.
FIRSTS, MILESTONES, AND AWARDS METHODIST HOSPITAL | SPECIALTY AND TRANSPLANT ACHIEVES NEW NATIONAL KIDNEY TRANSPLANT MILESTONE
United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) has recognized the kidney transplant program at Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant as the Nation’s only transplant program in history to perform more than 200 living donor and more than 200 deceased donor kidney transplants in a single year. According to recently released UNOS data, the program completed 221 living donor kidney transplants and 216 deceased donor kidney transplants in 2021. The program was also recognized as the largest living donor kidney transplant program, the largest kidney paired donation program, and the largest Hispanic kidney transplant program in the country. “This milestone demonstrates our commitment to improve the lives of people with kidney disease in our communities, one patient at a time,” said Kevin Scoggin, CEO of Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant. “To achieve this national recognition at a community hospital that serves a majority Hispanic population and many underserved communities around Texas, is a remarkable accomplishment.” Adam Bingaman, MD, PhD, transplant surgeon and Director of the Abdominal Transplant Program commented, “Kidney
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transplantation substantially prolongs and improves life compared with dialysis.” A primary focus of the facility’s program is to overcome barriers to transplantation that many patients face including diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and social determinants. “Our program has developed unique dual expertise in both living and deceased donor transplantation, which has allowed all of our patients a better opportunity to receive a lifesaving transplant.” It is estimated that over 37 million Americans are living with kidney disease, with over 500,000 people on dialysis. Over 100,000 Americans begin dialysis each year and approximately one out of five are likely to die within a year. Over 90,000 patients are on a waiting list for a kidney transplant, yet less than 25,000 received a kidney transplant in 2021. “Transplantation requires the generosity of living donors and donor families,” said Amanda Weichold, Vice President for Transplant Services at Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant. “It is our privileged obligation to honor these gifts of life and our team is proud to live up to this challenge every day.”
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Masahiro Ono, MD, Heart Transplant Surgeon, credits the success of the program to the multidisciplinary care model, innovative medical management, and support from hospital administration. “We have a progressive approach in offering heart transplantation to more patients, even those with the most acute conditions. We are dedicated to increasing waitlist survival and decreasing wait times for transplantation,” commented Dr. Ono.
METHODIST HOSPITAL HEART TRANSPLANT SURVIVAL RATE TOPS NATIONAL AVERAGE The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) recently announced its biannual report, released every January and July, ranking transplant programs across the United States. In the latest rankings, Methodist Hospital’s heart transplant program scored above the average national percentile for one-year patient survival outcomes, and second in Texas among all heart transplant programs.
Methodist Hospital’s heart transplant program is at the forefront of surgical innovation, having recently adopted an advanced organ care system (OCS) technology to improve the viability of donor organs and increased organ availability. Methodist Hospital has the only heart transplant program in South Texas, most recently surpassing 550 transplants since the program’s inception. Among the heart transplant programs in Texas, Methodist is ranked third by volume, averaging approximately 31 transplants per year. “This achievement is a testament to our team of outstanding healthcare professionals committed to providing the highest quality of care to our patients,” stated Dr. Ono.
According to SRTR, the expected survival rate one year after a heart transplant performed at Methodist Hospital is 94.93 percent, which is higher than the national average of 91.24 percent. SRTR compiled data over two-and-a-half years and evaluated 61 transplants. The standard survival metric is at one year, and anything over 90% is regarded as excellent.
The SRTR evaluates the status of the nation’s solid organ transplant system and provides data analyses to transplant programs, organ procurement organizations, policymakers, transplant professionals, transplant recipients, organ donors and donor families, as well as the general public to help improve overall recipient outcomes.
METHODIST HOSPITAL NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AMONG AMERICA’S TOP 250 BEST HOSPITALS
Methodist Hospital has been named one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals™, placing it in the top 5 percent of hospitals in the country and an overall leader in clinical excellence, according to Healthgrades. Approximately 4,500 hospitals were evaluated nationwide for 31 of the most common inpatient procedures and conditions. Recipients of this award have consistently delivered better than expected outcomes for their patients. “Receiving this national achievement is a testament to our team of outstanding professionals and our unwavering commitment to serve our community,” commented Dan Miller, Chief Executive Officer of Methodist Hospital and Methodist Children’s Hospital. “Our team diligently works to ensure we provide and uphold the highest quality of care for our patients, and it is truly an honor to be nationally recognized by Healthgrades for our excellence.” With tools like hospital ratings and awards, Healthgrades helps consumers make confident healthcare decisions by enabling the evaluation and comparison of hospital performance to find the highest quality of care.
FIRST AND ONLY HOSPITAL IN SAN ANTONIO WITH THE HIGHEST RATING FOR OPEN HEART SURGERY
Methodist Hospital | Texsan is the first hospital in San Antonio to receive a 3-star rating by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). “To achieve such a rating that acknowledges the exceptional clinical outcomes is truly a team effort. It requires discipline and focus, but most importantly, patientcentric care,” said Scott Rausch, Chief Executive Officer. STS publicly reports participant results for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), also known as open heart surgery which treats coronary artery disease. CABG takes a blood vessel from another part of the body (usually the chest, leg or arm) and attaches it to the coronary artery above and below the narrowed area or blockage. As a national leader in healthcare transparency and accountability, the STS provides the public with the quality of surgical outcomes. The STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (ACSD) contains data on surgical procedures submitted by participants. The majority of ACSD participants receive a 30 | Methodist Magazine
2-star rating, which is considered average. In comparison, far fewer participants receive 1-star or 3-star ratings. To achieve a 3-star rating, the score and range must be higher than the STS average. Methodist Hospital | Texsan excels in advanced cardiovascular services, specifically in CABG. Texsan was an early adopter of the Heart Team Consult that is required for all non-emergent cardiovascular surgeries. The comprehensive needs of every patient that comes through the door are identified. Patients undergo several exams prior to surgery to ensure they have checked all areas in case of blockage and pulmonary function problems. These exams create an overall STS score and include: the full risk stratification, the 5-meter walk test, pulmonary function testing, the frailty index, ankle-brachial index Doppler and carotid Doppler.
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FIRST BABY OF THE NEW YEAR BORN AT METHODIST HOSPITAL For the 22nd year in a row, local hospitals came together to welcome San Antonio’s New Year Baby. The first baby of the new year was born at Methodist Hospital. Labor and delivery unit staff across the city worked together overnight to determine which hospital delivered the first baby.
Intensivists, or critical care physicians, are also required at the bedside of each patient. They are responsible for creating a plan of care for the patient post-surgery. “We have designed a functioning system that has allowed this hospital to achieve such honor,” said Christine Longtin CVRN, Cardiovascular Coordinator. With this system in place, outcomes have greatly improved such as increased patient satisfaction, reduced length of stay in the hospital and decreased post-operation complications. Texsan is well-known for being an exceptional heart hospital by the community and surrounding areas. The hospital aims to ensure that every patient receives the highest level of care possible. “It’s gratifying to know that the many years of hard work has allowed us to achieve this honor. It’s important to recognize the countless people who have maintained the standard of excellence Texsan has always had,” said Gary Maszak, MD, Chief of Staff and Cardiac Cath Lab Director.
A beautiful, healthy baby girl named Nadia was welcomed into the world by her parents and the hospital staff on 1/1/2022 at 12:20 AM. Nadia weighed 7lbs 1.6 oz and measured at 20.5 inches. Mom and baby are healthy, and the family was presented with various gifts from the local hospitals. The family even stayed in Room 2022! Parents, Lamia Issad and Achour Medaour, are excited to be first-time parents and are honored to be recognized by the city. “Congratulations to the happy family! I can’t think of a better way to ring in the new year than with a new baby girl or boy,” said Trish Horlacher, RN, Director of the Mother Baby Unit. “Methodist Hospital just wrapped up its second consecutive record-breaking year of babies born. The arrival of baby Nadia is the perfect way to kick off another year of doing what we do best; caring for women and infants of San Antonio and South Texas.” Methodist Healthcare delivers approximately 12,000 babies per year, and about 40% of babies born in San Antonio are born at a Methodist Healthcare facility.
