Methodist Magazine Vol. 11 2023

CELEBRATING

LIVES

OF

PURPOSE

METHODIST

MAGAZINE VOL. 11 2023

Staff Bring Holiday Joy to Our Community in Need

CONTENTS 4

Staff Shout-Outs

8

Supporting Our Community

12

Guest Columnists

13

Healthy Recipes from Food and Nutrition

16

Caring Like Family

18

Methodist Moments

24

Promotions Across The System

28

Growth

30

Awards and Achievements

VOL. 11 2023 | 3

EDITOR Cheri Love-Moceri Associate Vice President of Communications Melissa Geedman Director of Corporate Communications CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Christiani Bachmann Communications Manager Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan Methodist Hospital | Atascosa Kimberly Felan Director of Communications Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant Methodist Hospital | Texsan Ashley Funkhouser Communications Manager Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak Methodist Hospital | Northeast Mayde Gomez Director of Communications Methodist Children’s Hospital & Women’s Services Methodist Hospital | Landmark Jen Page Communications Manager Methodist Hospital | Hill Country Mary Kane Ziegler Director of Communications Methodist Hospital

STAFF SHOUT-OUTS

“I would like to recognize the extraordinary efforts of SHANNON NORMAN, RN, a nurse whose commitment and compassion truly stand out. Shannon, with her impressive 25-year tenure in nursing, recently went above and beyond in a remarkable act of kindness and professionalism.

Faced with the challenging situation of an unidentified terminally ill patient, Shannon demonstrated exceptional dedication. She embarked on a relentless quest to uncover the patient’s identity, ensuring that no stone was left unturned. Her determination was unwavering as she spent her time off visiting multiple records locations, driven by a deep commitment to her patient’s wellbeing. Shannon was able to identify the patient and contact the patient’s family members who had been desperately searching for her.”

—Brye Morris, RN, BSN Director of MICU & LRICU/ Methodist Hospital

“At METHODIST HOSPITAL | NORTHEAST, the Environmental Services Department is pivotal in ensuring patient safety. Our dedicated team adheres to rigorous cleaning policies and procedures, emphasizing correct chemical usage and mixtures to prevent cross-contamination. By consistently implementing department-wide cleaning protocols, they contribute to the reduction and elimination of Healthcare Acquired Infections (HAIs). Thank you to the entire team for their continued commitment to providing exceptional patient care.”

—Patricia Williams, Vice President of Quality, Risk & Patient Safety, Methodist Hospital | Northeast

“Shout out to LINDSAY SMITH, RN, on Pedi Surgical for leading her unit as CNC. She exemplifies exceptional leadership, guiding her team to recognize and achieve their full potential through diverse experiences. Her profound knowledge and unwavering willingness to assist in the educational growth of others are commendable. Her positive influence and vibrant energy greatly enhance team morale. Moreover, her dedication to maintaining a festive ambiance in our unit by decorating for holidays, coupled with her adeptness in organizing engaging events, significantly contributes to a positive and enjoyable work environment.”

—Rebecca Baca BSN, RN, CPN Director of Pediatric Surgical Unit / Methodist Children’s Hospital

4 | Methodist Magazine

VOL. 11 2023 | 5

Since MELISSA ORTA,

ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT, joined the team 27 years ago, she has done incredible work for our facility. She goes above and beyond for our staff and ensures Methodist Hospital | Atascosa always is taken care of. She is a go-to person for all departments and is always willing to help. Her commitment to this facility, team, and patients is unwavering.

We are so honored to have her as part of our team.

—Drew Seelman, Chief Nursing Officer, Methodist Hospital | Atascosa

VICTOR “VICO” ESPINO, RADIOLOGY TECHNICIAN, has been

with Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan for over 36 years. Vico works with the weekend team and helps on weekdays when short-staffed. He always steps up and helps his team while sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience with new team members. Vico also helps cover and assist in the Interventional Radiology Department when needed.

His attention to detail and safety, and in being a team player, helps to turnover rooms and provides a faster throughput of patient care.

—Jason Navaria, Diagnostic Imaging Director, Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan

“MANNY DE LUNA, PATIENT CARE TECH, joined our team a little under a year ago and has shown tremendous leadership and accountability in the care he provides for his patients and our team. Manny has been a key player in helping our new Mobility Program become a success. His input as a bedside team member has been insightful as we implement new strategies to help our patients. On any given day, you can see Manny running around the unit as the Energizer Bunny, ‘Manny pack’ included, to ensure our patients receive the highest quality of care. He also does little things to make the team smile, like bringing them candy to share for the day!”

—Xiomara Buchhorn, Director of Med/Surg, Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak

“MAURINE OKUNGU,

REGISTERED NURSE, has been with us for seven years. She works in Resources supporting our CTU staff.

Any nurses hired into CTU partner with her. She is kind, supportive, and meticulous in completing her work.

She has a wealth of knowledge and is a blessing to our new staff.”

—Margie Ruiz, Director of Clinical Operations, Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak

“CASEY LEWIS, PATIENT CARE ASSISTANT, on the surgical unit, has impacted numerous patients and staff with her positive attitude, bright smile, and uplifting personality.

Casey goes above and beyond to help anyone and everyone that crosses her path. She does it with such joy and compassion.

Her patients feel comfortable with her right away and sing her praises. She is a wonderful team member, and we are blessed to have her on our team.”

—Suvanna Valencia, Manager of Surgical, Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak

STAFF SHOUT-OUTS “JESSICA ELLIS, RN with Admission/Discharge Team is someone who represents Methodist Excellence. Her passion for and integrity in her work are truly one-of-a-kind. Jessica embraces new challenges and leads by example. Most recently, she led her team in collaboration with the MH Education Team to enhance our team’s understanding of the proper process for discharge instructions. These efforts have resulted in improved patient communication and overall experience.”

—Caitlyn Broyles, MHA, BSN, RN Nurse Executive Resident / Methodist Hospital

“JENNIFER

JOHNSON, RN, WSU, demonstrated exceptional professionalism and empathy while attending to a patient and their family during the patient’s endof-life phase. She provided exemplary guidance, clearly explaining the processes involved in the patient’s transition, and actively engaged with the family days in advance to understand their preferences and needs. Her compassionate approach not only comforted the family but also served as an invaluable learning experience for newer staff members. She adeptly mentored them on what to expect and how to interact sensitively with families during these critical moments.”

—Trish Horlacher, MSN RN Director for Maternal Child Services & Women’s Specialty Unit / Methodist Hospital

6 | Methodist Magazine

“MONSEY GARCIA-OLIVA, RN has extraordinary love and care for her patients.

She goes above and beyond to connect with each patient and family member on a personal level. From spearheading her team’s collection of toys during the holiday season to organizing cereal and school drives, she rallies her staff to provide the ultimate service to the community.

She also participates in academic discussions with last semester’s nursing students on interviews, resumes, and professionalism,” —Candi Stanley, ACNO Methodist Hospital and Methodist Children’s Hospital

VOL. 11 2023 | 7

“The Diabetic Educators play a pivotal role in educating our Transplant, Renal, and Diabetic patient populations. They work with diabetic patients to teach them about diabetes and how to live a healthy life. They establish long-term goals and commitments from their patients with extensive teaching about this very common disease. ED CORUM, BNS, CDE, has been at MHS inclusive of MHST for 25 years. Elsa Fernandez, BSN, is one of our Diabetic Educators who recently received her BSN, Spring of 2023. She has worked for MHS for 33 years and two years for MHST. These two experts are highly regarded by their patients, colleagues, leaders and physicians.”

—Senior Leader Team at Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant

“BONNIE BERKLEY has just completed her first year as an Infection Preventionist at Texsan. She is a very dynamic team member with many fun ways to engage our frontline staff in conversations around preventing infections & promoting patient safety. She brings treats & games to her rounds, allowing her to reach all the staff and also interact with our physician providers. Bonnie has led our hospital process improvements in Hospital Acquired Infection reduction, for over 100 days our hospital was HAI-free! This is a result of strong accountability to reducing invasive lines, monitoring the lines required for signs of infection and celebrating all the great work our teams do every day. We appreciate Bonnie!”

—Senior Leader Team at Methodist Hospital | Texsan

“I’d love to recognize LAUREN KLENDER, RN, for starting the PICU Pin-for- Competency recognition initiative. Lauren found pins on ETSY and requested these as a way to recognize our team members who have been signed off and trained in CRRT, ECMO, and Cardiac. Our team members have loved having these as ways to show off their special set of skills.”

—Jamie Hernandez, MSN, RN, CPN Director of PICU/ Methodist Children’s Hospital

SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY METHODIST HEALTHCARE HELPS BRING THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS TO UNDERSERVED FAMILIES Methodist Healthcare continued its annual tradition of donating trees and wreaths decorated by staff to underserved families in San Antonio. This annual event, in partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., further supports our shared mission of ‘Serving Humanity to Honor God’ and the opportunity to share the Christmas spirit and holiday cheer with our community.

As part of annual holiday celebrations, several departments of Methodist Hospital, Methodist Children’s Hospital, Methodist Hospital | Landmark, Methodist Hospital | Texsan, Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan, and Methodist Healthcare System Office participated in decorating trees. In addition to trees, several departments of Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant, Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak and Methodist Hospital | Northeast decorated wreaths.

Once all the trees and wreaths were decorated, they were all given to families in need served by Methodist Healthcare Ministries. As the Official Healthcare System of the San Antonio Spurs, Methodist Healthcare teamed up with Spurs, Sports & Entertainment to spread even more holiday cheer as Spurs players, Spurs Coyote and Spurs Hype Squad participated to greet families and help load up Christmas trees.

The families that received the Christmas trees were selected from Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ existing patients and clients who receive care through its Parenting Programs, Recreation & Enrichment services, Behavioral Health, and the Wesley Nurse Program.

During the event, the Wesley Health and Wellness Clinic is decorated as a Winter Wonderland where families can watch holiday movies, enjoy holiday snacks, and walk through a Christmas tree farm to pick out a donated decorated Christmas tree for their family to have during the holidays.

8 | Methodist Magazine

VOL. 11 2023 | 9

SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY SEXUAL ASSAULT AND NURSE EXAMINERS (SANE) DEPARTMENT HELPS SUPPORT SURVIVORS IN AFRICA

The Sexual Assault and Nurse Examiners (SANE) Department at Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant started a project that helps support survivors who are a part of an organization called DNA for Africa. This organization works to improve the laws and care for sexual assault survivors throughout Africa.

Jennifer Degner, SANE RN, launched the project in February of 2023. She rallied a team together that spanned three different continents. The team devised a plan to stockpile clean and unused items from their evidence collection kits and have them sent to East Africa, where a non-profit organization receives and distributes these items to rape crisis centers. Then, a forensic doctor oversees proper collection of the sample, and the government chemist analyzes and tracks the quality of these samples in their DNA lab.

The process is monitored and documented by Professor Lisa Smith, a Criminologist at Leicester University as part 10 | Methodist Magazine

of a research study on the impact of good quality DNA samples on the justice system and survivor confidence in the process in East Africa.

Kits include: • 800 x Envelopes • 1,400 x Cotton Swab Packets (2 swabs per packet)

• 1,600 x Evidence Seals After six months of planning, the SANE • 600 x Drying Boxes Department was able to send their first shipment to Africa on Valentine’s Day, which was extremely fitting considering the shipment was sent with so much love!

Since then, the project has gained a lot of momentum. It continues to grow as other organizations across the nation have also expressed interest in donating their unused supplies. Amazing work!

VOL. 11 2023 | 11

TAKING CARE OF OUR OWN: HCA HOPE FUND HELPS METHODIST HEALTHCARE FAMILIES IN NEED William (Brett) McAda is a Pharmacist at Methodist Hospital | Atascosa. His daughter, Amanda, was officially diagnosed with Tourette’s at age 12, after developing a multitude of ticks over the course of a year. They tried every medication that was prescribed to help with symptoms but only saw a 5-10 percent decrease in her ticks.

Over time, Amanda’s ticks had advanced to vocal (foul language) and physical (hitting herself and those around her) ticks.

The family was desperate to find a cure or, just some relief for Amanda. They learned about Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and found a two-year clinical study in Florida.

Although the study was to be life‑changing for Amanda, the costs associated with travel to and from Florida would take a toll on the family’s finances.

Brett signed up to donate to HCA Hope Fund when he first started working at Methodist Hospital | Atascosa by donating money from each paycheck. He and his wife decided to apply to the HCA Hope Fund during their time of need. Brett said the application was emotionally difficult to fill out as it was the first time he described on paper the long road that got them to this point of asking for help.

When they received the approval from the HCA Hope Fund, they received enough money to help pay their travel expenses for half of the first year. Brett said it was an overwhelming sense of relief and there were tears of joy.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BRETT’S STORY BY SCANNING THE QR CODE: Like Brett, there are others in need of assistance to get through emergencies, illnesses, natural disasters, or other difficult situations.

Please consider donating to the HCA Hope Fund today.

You can set up a reoccurring payroll deduction or make a one‑time contribution by logging on to HCA.YourCause.com.

No donation is too small to help make a difference.

GUEST COLUMNIST A HOLIDAY MESSAGE FROM YOUR METHODIST HOSPITAL | METROPOLITAN LAB DIRECTOR The holidays are a special time of the year to celebrate the incredible blessings in our lives. It is a time to celebrate the season of light and hope. As for me, I am blessed to be surrounded not only by a beautiful family at home, but also by an incredible work family. I started employment at Methodist Hospital on September 2, 1992. While performing my clinical internship as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist at Methodist Hospital, I was deeply moved by the mission statement of “Serving humanity to honor God.” I knew then that I wanted to be a part of the team that provides “exceptional healthcare accessible to all.” Since then, I have spent many holidays working at Methodist Healthcare, including where I am now Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan.

The word holiday is derived from the meaning “a day when people are exempt from labor.”

In a hospital setting most people are not “exempt” from labor as a hospital never closes and always needs people to serve DEANEE Y. MEJIA its mission. It is a Director of Laboratory time when we, as a Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan work family, come together to celebrate our accomplishments, achievements, resilience, grit, and strength that we have gained throughout the year. Working in a healthcare setting can be impacted by stressful times as well as inspired by incredible stories that we witness every day.

The holidays are a time for family, rest, and rejuvenation. A time for warm wishes and expressing gratitude for a great year gone by. A time to recharge and to enjoy the blessings that God has bestowed upon us. It is a time to sit back and review our impact and rejoice that we can come back 12 | Methodist Magazine

tomorrow and continue to make a difference in someone’s life. Celebrate with potlucks to showcase your team’s best dishes, try a simple gift exchange like an “ornament exchange” that many can participate in, and take time for random acts of kindness like a meaningful hand-written note to let others know you care.

Making the holidays special in a hospital is a great opportunity to bring people closer, break bread together, and share the powerful stories that bring us back each and every day. Celebrate the bond with your work family and the blessing of having a meaningful job that gives back to so many in need. It’s the simple things that matter and the simple things that touch people in more ways than you will ever know. Remember a holiday can be another day on the calendar for someone in the hospital, so make it special and show those around you just how much you care.

VOL. 11 2023 | 13

A FESTIVE CULINARY CREATION PERFECT FOR ANY TABLE FESTIVE HOLIDAY FEAST OF PAN-SEARED DUCK, CRANBERRY CHUTNEY, GARLIC PARMESAN MASHED POTATOES, CRISPY HARICOTS VERT, AND A SCRUMPTIOUS SWEET POTATO PAVE WITH VANILLA BEAN ICE CREAM PAN SEARED DUCK BREAST SKIN 1. Score the skin of your duck breast and avoid cutting into the meat.

2. Finish preparing your duck breast by generously seasoning both sides with kosher salt and pepper.

3. Select your preferred pan. With the skin side down, place the duck breast in the skillet over medium-high heat.

4. T hroughout the cooking process, spoon off the rendered duck fat as the duck breast cooks. Continue cooking until the duck skin achieves a thin, crispy, and golden state.

This normally takes 7-10 minutes if your goal is a medium rare finish.

5. Turn the duck breast over and pan-sear with the skin side facing upward. Once the internal temperature of the duck breast reaches 131F, carefully take the duck breast out of the skillet.

6. Next, gently drape a piece of foil over the duck breast and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. Throughout the resting interval, the temperature of the duck will reach 135F. Proceed to slice, serve, and relish every bite!

MARK MARIN

Executive Chef Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak

MAGGIE MALEK

Clinical Nutrition Manager Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak

CRANBERRY CHUTNEY Ingredients: • 1 cup water • ¾ cup white sugar • 1 (12 ounce) package fresh cranberries • ½ cup orange juice • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice • ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves • ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

Recipe: In a medium saucepan boil water and sugar. Then add cranberries, orange juice, cinnamon, allspice, cayenne pepper, and cloves. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

Pour mixture into a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let cool to room temperature before serving.

GARLIC PARMESAN BROWNED BUTTER MASHED POTATOES Ingredients: • 3 pounds potatoes of choice (Chat Washed, Yukon Gold or Russet Potatoes), peeled • 6 oz unsalted butter • 4 cloves garlic, crushed • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese • 1 cup milk (more if needed)

Recipe: 1. Peel potatoes and cut into large chunks. Boil in salted water for 20 minutes.

2. While the potatoes are cooking, prepare the browned butter.

3. Heat butter over medium heat.

When it begins to foam, add crushed garlic and stir continuously until the butter begins to change color and turns golden brown. Once it turns golden brown, remove from heat and set aside.

4. Once the potatoes are ready, drain them and transfer them back to the pot. Then add half of the browned butter and the parmesan cheese and milk. Beat until it is smooth and creamy. Add milk if you prefer a thinner consistency.

5. Season and serve with the reserved browned butter, extra parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley.

HARICOTS VERTS WITH CRISPY SHALLOTS Ingredients • 1 lb french green beans (haricots verts) • 1 large shallot, cut into strands • 2 cloves of garlic, finely minced • 1/3 cup oil • 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil • 1/4 cup water

Recipe: 1. Wash and drain your green beans.

Then cut the ends off each side. Set aside a bowl with water and ice.

2. Boil water in a large pan and add the green beans. Cook for three minutes and place green beans in the iced water bowl.

3. Once green beans are cooled, drain and place them carefully on a plate.

4. Peel your shallot and cut half into thin slices. Next, put 1/3 cup of oil into a saucepan on medium-high temperature. Carefully put the shallots into the hot oil and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.

Once shallots look golden brown, remove from heat and place in a paper towel to drain and sprinkle with salt.

5. In a pan mix the beans, ¼ cup of water, minced garlic, butter, or olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt. Cook beans on high heat for 3-4 minutes until the water has evaporated.

6. Place beans on a platter and pour the remaining butter and garlic mixture on top. Sprinkle the shallots down the middle of the green beans.

14 | Methodist Magazine

VOL. 11 2023 | 15

SWEET POTATO PAVE WITH VANILLA BEAN ICE CREAM Ingredients: • 1 cup heavy cream • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper •

3 pounds sweet potatoes

• 1 tablespoon softened, divided •

4 tablespoons cut into 1/2‑inch cubes

• canola oil • 2 fresh thyme sprigs • 2 cloves garlic, skin-on, lightly crushed • minced fresh chives

Recipe: 1. Preheat oven to 350F. 2. Pour cream into a large bowl and season with 1 tsp of salt and ½ tsp of pepper.

3. Peel your potatoes and cut them to make a rectangular shape. Using a mandoline, slice your potatoes into very thin slices.

4. Brush your pan with half of the softened butter and line the pan with parchment paper, leaving five inches to overhang on the sides. Brush the parchment paper with the remaining softened butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

5. Form an even layer of potatoes in the bottom of the pan. Repeat the process and form a second layer. Add some cubes of butter and season with salt and pepper.

Continue layering the potatoes and adding butter and season after every two layers until pan is filled.

6. Once filled, fold sides of parchment paper over the potatoes.

7. Next, cover the pan with aluminum foil and transfer to oven. Bake for about 1 hour and 50 minutes until potatoes are completely tender. Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes.

8. Cut a piece of cardboard smaller than the size of the pan and wrap with aluminum foil.

9. Then, place on top of potatoes and weight down with heavy cans. Let your potatoes cool to room temperature and remove weights and aluminum foil.

10. Refrigerate your potatoes for at least six hours or up to two days.

11. To serve, using the parchment paper carefully lift the pave out of pan and invert onto a cutting board. Cut your pave into 12 equal pieces and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

12. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add oil to coat. Once oil is hot, add potatoes along with thyme and garlic. Cook, basting with oil, until browned on one side and then turn and brown on opposite side.

13. Transfer the potatoes to a serving platter and serve warm with ice cream and garnish with mint.

CARING LIKE FAMILY

EIGHT MINUTES OF DEATH BRINGS NEW LIFE After recovering from an infection, Diane Straube (65) started to feel ill again and told her husband that she didn’t feel quite right. They immediately decided to go to the emergency room at Methodist Hospital | Atascosa out of precaution. After dropping Straube off, her husband went to park the car, not knowing that she would soon be in full cardiac arrest before he could make it to the waiting room.

As the nurse was putting in an IV, she told Straube that she was in the right place for that and told her to lie back. That’s all she remembers.

Straube woke up in a room with many people and in a lot of pain, due to cracked ribs she suffered from the chest compressions she received when caregivers administered CPR. She had no idea what had happened to her. She was transferred to intensive care, where she learned she had had a heart attack and that her heart was functioning at 35 percent with 95 percent blockage. This puzzled her and her family because she had a full cardiovascular checkup a couple of months before, and there were no signs of any

16 | Methodist Magazine

problems. On the following day, she was on a helicopter to Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan in San Antonio.

Straube quickly underwent a heart catheterization and had three stents placed in her heart. It wasn’t until Monday, May 22, that a cardiologist at Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan told Straube that her heart had stopped for eight minutes.

The cardiologist asked Straube if she remembered anything about that time, like maybe a white light.

Straube said, “Yeah, my mom was there.”

Straube’s son, Austin Straube, who also works for Methodist Hospital | Atascosa, was with Straube throughout her recovery.

“I think it’s what our mission/value statement stands for—it is what we live every day. It just truly shows in our interactions with every level of staff—like a family, everyone always smiled.”

Straube states this brought her a new outlook on life that she never imagined for herself.

“I don’t take anything for granted as I know God’s not finished with me yet,” said Straube. “Family and my health takes on a whole new meaning.”

VOL. 11 2023 | 17

A SPECIAL SIBLING BOND: SISTER GIVES THE GIFT OF LIFE TO YOUNGER BROTHER In 2021, Sonia Garcia, 46, discovered that her younger brother, Freddy Vasquez, would be needing a kidney transplant.

Freddy had a history of diabetes and high blood pressure. One of his kidneys was functioning at only 7 percent. When the bad news unfolded, Freddy had just gotten married and was getting ready to start his life. He sent a group text to his family saying he needed a kidney donor.

Sonia began her research, prayed about it, and decided to get tested. She quickly started the process with the Methodist Transplant Institute and found out she was his perfect match. “Everything happened so fast,’ said Sonia.

“Sometimes people get told ‘no’, but if they would have researched other options, there would have been other opportunities.”

One night during Sunday dinner, Sonia said to her brother, “I am going to be your kidney donor.” Freddy was extremely humbled and appreciative that she would even consider trying. He couldn’t thank her enough.

The kidney transplant occurred on July 14, 2023. Her recovery process was a bit difficult considering she is a busy body. “I am outgoing and adventurous; I had to sit back and calm down,” said Sonia. Dr. Eric Treat was very thorough and informative.

My transplant coordinator, Juan Martinez, was also very helpful.”

Fortunately, she was back to work three weeks after surgery. She is feeling strong and better than ever. “God’s timing is everything,” said Sonia.

METHODIST MOMENTS NEWBORNS DRESS AS TURKEYS TO CELEBRATE THEIR FIRST THANKSGIVING

THE SPIRIT OF SILVER AND BLACK RADIATES ACROSS METHODIST HEALTHCARE

Feast your eyes on this cuteness!

Newborns at Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan and Methodist Children’s Hospital celebrated their first Thanksgiving season dressed as little turkeys. These little ones brought an abundance of joy and full hearts to the new parents and to our staff.

TREASURED TRADITION CONTINUES TO BRIGHTEN SPIRITS AT METHODIST HOSPITAL

Members of the Blue Bird Auxiliary, Methodist Healthcare’s volunteer group, are brightening spirits at Methodist Hospital by continuing their merry tradition of crafting Christmas cheer for hundreds of families welcoming their newest bundle of joy. For the 59th year, each child born during the last 12 days of the year is tucked into a handmade stocking and cap. This beloved tradition has captured hearts and headlines across the world and inspired hospitals across the country to spread the same Christmas cheer. This year, Methodist Hospital’s first precious newborn to be tucked into a stocking kicking off the tradition is baby Eloise.

18 | Methodist Magazine

In a heartwarming display to kick off the 2023 – 2024 San Antonio Spurs season, Methodist Hospital, Methodist Hospital | Hill Country, Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan, and Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak debuted their newest little rookies in their first Spurs onesie.

Additionally, Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan, the hospital closest to the Spurs home court, illuminated the San Antonio Spurs logo across the front of the facility to show off their spirit.

Methodist Healthcare is celebrating its eighth season as the Official Healthcare System of the San Antonio Spurs and San Antonio FC. This community partnership was formed out of a shared passion for excellence and a vision to improve the health care of South Texas.

VOL. 11 2023 | 19

BADGE BEAD ART ELEVATES EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING Crafting badge beads at Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak is more than a functional task. It transforms into a creative activity that brings health benefits to the employees. The hands-on process, led by Hearts Need Art Artist, Jordyn Ruiz, not only imparts a personal touch to badges but also acts as a source of motivation, entertainment, and mental health support. Badge bead creation enables employees to channel their artistic talents, instilling a profound sense of pride and accomplishment as they witness their personalized creations coming to life.

The act of crafting brings joy and relaxation to employees and provides a refreshing escape to rejuvenate their minds before returning to their crucial duties. Beyond immediate enjoyment, engaging in arts and crafts plays a crucial role in supporting the mental health of Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak employees. This therapeutic activity serves as a means of self-expression, fostering a positive and uplifting atmosphere within the hospital and becoming a valuable tool for stress relief, enabling employees to recharge and maintain a healthy work‑life balance.

METHODIST MOMENTS

HONORING THE GIFT OF SIGHT Methodist Hospital | Atascosa was honored to host a flag-raising ceremony with the San Antonio Eye Bank in honor of Eye Donation Month. The Donate Life Flag has become a national symbol of unity, remembrance, and hope while honoring those touched by donation and transplantation. The organization also brought a Gift of Sight memorial quilt displayed in the lobby for the month of November.

PUNCH OUT PARKINSON’S EMPOWERS PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS TOGETHER Parkinson’s disease affects someone new every six minutes, leaving a profound impact on individuals and families. The Punch Out Parkinson’s Program (POPP) support group, hosted at Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak Rehabilitation Center, is dedicated to assisting those on their Parkinson’s journey.

Every second Saturday, those living with Parkinson’s, along with their families and caregivers, come together to exchange experiences, offer emotional support, and learn valuable insights from guest speakers.

20 | Methodist Magazine

VOL. 11 2023 | 21

METHODIST HEALTHCARE GOES PINK FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH October is designated as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Methodist Healthcare shined pink throughout all facilities. Methodist Hospital and Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan illuminated their buildings with pink lights to spotlight the importance of early detection through regular screenings. Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan hosted South Texas Radiology Imaging Centers (STRIC) to provide information about mammograms and assist employees and hospital guests to schedule and sign up. Additionally, the hospital sponsored the city-wide breast cancer walk “Paint the Parkway” and hosted a table for the public to learn more about the hospital’s Breast Cancer programs.

In celebration of cancer survivorship, Tommy Lopez, an Environmental Services Associate at Methodist Hospital | Northeast surprised staff with a special gift that honored his mother being three years breast cancer-free. He purchased, hand-packaged, and passed out 500 gift bags, which included a “never lose hope” bracelet, pink ribbon lapel pin, and “hope” button. Tommy shared, “My mom is my hero and one of the best moms you could ever have.

I love you, Mom!”

PATIENT CELEBRATES SWEET 16 WITH TAYLOR SWIFT THEMED PARTY Sparks were flying on December 13th as Methodist Children’s Hospital team members helped patient Ava celebrate her sweet 16 in style. It was an enchanting day to honor the fearless Ava with a Taylor Swift-themed party. Popstar sensation and Time Magazine’s Woman of the Year, Taylor Swift, shares the same birthday as Ava, which made the occasion the best day. Moments like these are ones that our team members will remember forever and always; it was a fairytale for all involved.

METHODIST MOMENTS Methodist Children’s Hospital Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary On October 26th, Methodist Children’s Hospital marked a significant milestone as it commemorated its 25th anniversary of dedicated service to the community. The celebration was a heartwarming affair, filled with the spirit of compassion and hope.

The hospital’s team members, little warriors, and supporters came together to mark this special occasion, which included a birthday cake, lively mariachi music, and a heartwarming gathering in the hospital’s lobby with snacks. This event not only highlighted the hospital’s long-standing commitment to the well-being of children but also showcased the unity and sense of community that have been at the core of its mission for the past 25 years. It was a day of reflection, appreciation, and a renewed commitment to providing exceptional care to the young patients in San Antonio and beyond.

CELEBRATING MIRACLES WITH THE SAFARITHEMED NICU REUNION AT METHODIST CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL In October, Methodist Children’s Hospital celebrated its NICU Reunion which was a heartwarming and memorable event.

Embracing the spirit of adventure, the NICU team members transformed the gathering into a vibrant safari-themed celebration, creating a joyful and enchanting environment for both former and current families. It was a beautiful opportunity to see how much our brave little fighters have grown and thrived since their time in the NICU. Adding to the excitement, the Coyote from the San Antonio Spurs joined in on the fun, bringing smiles and laughter to everyone’s faces. Our array of activities catered to all ages, with delicious food, fun games, and creative face painting, ensuring that there was something special for everyone. The children, dressed in their safari best, engaged in various adventures, capturing the essence of exploration and wonder. This reunion was not just a celebration of health and progress, but also a testament to the incredible community we have built together.

22 | Methodist Magazine

Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan Celebrates 50th Anniversary December 1 marks the 50th anniversary of when U.S. Representative Henry B. Gonzalez dedicated Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan, formerly Metropolitan General Hospital, to serve the downtown San Antonio community. From its humble beginnings, Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan built a strong reputation within San Antonio and the surrounding communities it serves including Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, and Olmos Park. To honor the great milestone, staff celebrated with a birthday party and photo on top of the helipad.

Methodist Hospital Celebrates its 60th Anniversary In a remarkable milestone, Methodist Hospital proudly celebrated its 60th anniversary in September.

Over the past six decades, Methodist Hospital has been a pillar of strength and healing in our community, providing top-notch medical care to countless individuals in their times of need. This anniversary is not only a testament to the hospital’s enduring dedication but also a testament to the trust and support it has garnered from patients, families, and staff over the years.

Both Methodist Hospital and Methodist Children’s Hospital celebrated their respective anniversaries only a few weeks apart prompting combined festivities.

VOL. 11 2023 | 23

METHODIST HEALTHCARE CELEBRATES

Milestone Anniversaries

PROMOTIONS ACROSS THE SYSTEM DR. CHRISTOPHER C. WARD APPOINTED AS CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER OF METHODIST HOSPITAL | NORTHEAST Methodist Hospital | Northeast appoints Dr. Christopher C. Ward, MD, MBA, FACEP, CPE, OStJ, as Chief Medical Officer.

Having formerly held the position of Chief Medical Officer at Methodist Hospital | Texsan, he demonstrated a proven track record in establishing collaborative partnerships and spearheading both strategic and operational success.

Under his leadership, the hospital ranked #1 in all of HCA for Optimized Care Effectiveness and Efficiency for January 2023 and had the lowest PCI mortality rate within Methodist Healthcare. He contributed to enhancing the Physician ‘Excellent’ rating for ‘Place to Practice’ from the 57th percentile in 2022 to the 81st percentile in 2023.

Dr. Ward holds a Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and has over 25 years of board-certified experience in Emergency Medicine. Before joining Methodist Healthcare, he served as Vice Chair of Emergency Medicine at Good Samaritan Hospital, the largest and highest revenue-generating hospital in the Steward Health Care system.

DAVID HECKMAN APPOINTED AS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF METHODIST HOSPITAL | NORTHEAST David Heckman joins Methodist Hospital | Northeast as the new Chief Financial Officer, leveraging more than 25 years of experience within Methodist Healthcare, with a background that includes serving as the Vice President of Finance at Methodist Hospital.

Previously, he held the position of Chief Financial Officer at Methodist Hospital | Texsan since 2018. In this capacity, he oversaw the financial aspects of the hospital, free-standing ambulatory surgery centers, and physician services practices.

Under his leadership, the hospital implemented several strategic growth initiatives, such as an operation room addition, emergency department expansion, cath lab upgrade, and the acquisition of the facility’s first MRI and DaVinci robot.

He spearheaded initiatives to optimize facility throughput, reducing length of stay metrics and enhancing capacity, while simultaneously achieving a 21% increase in inpatient rehab volumes.

David holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Texas at San Antonio and is a Certified Public Accountant.

24 | Methodist Magazine

VOL. 11 2023 | 25

DR. JUDY TAN SHUMWAY APPOINTED AS CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER OF METHODIST HOSPITAL | STONE OAK Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak is delighted to welcome Judy Tan Shumway, DO, MPH, FACP, SFHM, as their new Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Shumway previously served as Senior Vice President of Clinical Services at University Hospital.

During her tenure at University Health, Dr. Shumway played a pivotal role in overseeing quality, patient safety, accreditation, and regulatory compliance. She championed interdisciplinary teamwork, engaged physicians, and aligned hospital goals. Her strategic focus on mortality rate reduction resulted in their 2022 achievement of Top Decile Performance within the Premier cohort of hospitals.

Before her role at University Health, Dr. Shumway served as the West Regional Medical Director for TeamHealth. In this capacity, she led Hospitalist Medicine practices across seven Texas locations, achieving high-performing outcomes through advancements in quality, efficiency, and communication. Her leadership extended to operational oversight for multiple medical directors, guiding performance outcomes in hospital services and implementing performance improvement plans.

As Regional Medical Director and Director of Operations for the San Antonio Region, Dr. Shumway directed clinical operations for eight Hospital Medicine practices within Methodist Healthcare System, Baptist Health System, and Southwest General Hospital. This included overseeing a subspecialty Neurology Hospitalist group. Dr. Shumway’s expertise continued to shine during the integration of IPC in TeamHealth, where she spearheaded initiatives to enhance hospital quality measures, resource utilization, patient experience, and throughput.

Dr. Shumway’s journey in healthcare leadership began in 2009 when she assumed the role of Practice Group Medical Director at Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak. Throughout her distinguished career, she has

earned accolades such as Top Hospitalist from the American College of Physicians and Hospitalist of the Year from IPC The Hospitalist Company. Her commitment to excellence is further evident through her membership in the Institute of Healthcare Improvement and her Executive Coaching certification from the Hudson Institute of Coaching, enhancing her ability to develop future leaders.

Dr. Shumway holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from The University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland, and a Master of Public Health from The George Washington University in Washington, DC. She received a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California.

DR. KRISTEN BEALS APPOINTED AS CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER OF METHODIST HOSPITAL | SPECIALTY AND TRANSPLANT Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant has appointed Kristen Beals, MD, as Chief Medical Officer (CMO). In this capacity, Dr. Beals will advance patient care, safety, and quality improvement in collaboration with physicians, nurses, administrators and staff.

Dr. Beals joins Methodist Healthcare after serving as Vice Commander (Executive Director) of Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. She brings 28 years of experience leading diverse teams in national and international settings. Dr. Beals served in the United States Air Force from 1995–2023.

Dr. Beals holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Texas at Austin, a Doctorate (Medical Degree) from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas, and completed her General Surgery Residency at the University of California Davis/David Grant Medical Center in Sacramento, California.

She is board certified in General Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

PROMOTIONS ACROSS THE SYSTEM APRIL TOLSON APPOINTED AS CHIEF NURSING OFFICER OF METHODIST HOSPITAL | WESTOVER HILLS Methodist Hospital | Westover Hills is pleased to announce that April Tolson has accepted the position of Chief Nursing Officer. April is a diverse healthcare leader passionate about improving the lives of patients and healthcare workers while fostering a strong culture that values teamwork and collaboration. April joined Methodist Healthcare in 2008 and has held numerous leadership roles throughout her tenure. She most recently served as Associate Chief Nursing Officer (ACNO) of Methodist Children’s Hospital and Women’s Services where she supported nursing operations, program development, and performance improvement for 14 departments including surgical services, women’s services, and pediatrics. Under her leadership, April was successful in the re-designation of NICU Level 4 and Maternal Level 4. She was instrumental in supporting nursing and surgical growth for the pediatric congenital heart program, which included the PICU and CVOR, as well as decreasing induction delays by 63 percent while increasing deliveries by five percent year‑over-year.

Before her role as ACNO, April served as Vice President of Surgical Services for Methodist Hospital and Methodist Children’s Hospital where she provided oversight to 35 operating rooms and 380 fulltime team members, which supported the more than 18,000 surgical cases performed annually. She successfully increased enhanced surgical recovery from 22 percent to 83 percent, and she was instrumental in growing the campus’ robotic program to 11 surgical robots.

Methodist Hospital | Westover Hills will offer several specialties including internal medicine, family practice, orthopedics, urology, pulmonology, oncology, radiology, cardiology, and maternal-fetal medicine. The acute-care hospital is expected to open in late 2024.

BRIN COLE APPOINTED AS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF METHODIST HOSPITAL | TEXSAN Methodist Hospital | Texsan welcomes Brin Cole, MHSA as their Chief Operating Officer. Brin previously served as Vice President of Operations and Business Development at Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan. Prior to joining the Methodist Healthcare System in 2022, Brin began her career in healthcare with Ascension Texas in 2016.

Under her leadership at Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan, Brin led service line operational and strategic decisions, including Cardiovascular and Bariatrics, laying the groundwork for the programmatic development of the Lung Nodule Program and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TVAR). She also evaluated a comprehensive capital plan to prioritize short-term and long-term needs in alignment with strategic initiatives.

Brin holds a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Business Administration from Trinity University. Additionally, she completed internships with University Health System and Airrosti Rehab Centers. Brin has also completed the HCA Executive Development program in 2022 and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Brin is an exceptional leader who leads through collaboration, transparency and innovation. I’m confident that Brin will be instrumental in advancing and elevating Texsan to continue serving our teams and our community in the best way possible, said Esther Kwon, Chief Executive Officer of Methodist Hospital | Texsan.

26 | Methodist Magazine

VOL. 11 2023 | 27

NADINE L. GIFFITHS-BROOKS APPOINTED AS CHIEF NURSING OFFICER OF METHODIST HOSPITAL | TEXSAN

JEFF ARDEMAGNI APPOINTED AS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF METHODIST HOSPITAL

Methodist Hospital | Texsan has welcomed Nadine L. Griffiths-Brooks as Chief Nursing Officer. Previously, Griffiths-Brooks served as the Assistant Chief Nursing Officer at Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan.

Methodist Hospital is pleased to announce that Jeff Ardemagni has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Methodist Hospital, Methodist Children’s Hospital, and Methodist Hospital | Landmark. Jeff joins Methodist Healthcare from Medical City Arlington and Medical City North Hills, bringing more than twenty-five years of healthcare experience to the organization. He joined HCA in 2000, where he held numerous finance leadership positions.

He served as CFO of Medical City Arlington since 2009 and added Medical City North Hills under his leadership as CFO in 2018. Prior to that role, Jeff served as Vice President of Finance at Medical City Plano.

Griffiths-Brooks has over 25 years of progressive healthcare experience. She began her career with Methodist Healthcare in 2008 as a Registered Nurse Coordinator at Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak. Prior to joining Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan as their Assistant Chief Nursing Officer, she served as Vice President of Clinical Operations at Methodist Hospital | Texsan.

During her tenure at Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan, Griffiths-Brooks partnered with the executive team to drive the nursing strategic agenda forward by achieving exceptional patient care, clinical and operational excellence, and outstanding physician and employee engagement.

Griffiths-Brooks holds a Comprehensive Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery from Natal College of Nursing South Africa, MSN Leadership and Management from Western Governors University, and most recently, a Doctorate of Philosophy in Nursing Science from Texas Women’s University.

Nadine brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and compassionate leadership. I know she will continue to support the advancement and success of the Texsan team and organization, said Esther Kwon, Chief Executive Officer of Methodist Hospital | Texsan.

Through Jeff’s leadership at Medical City Arlington, he played a significant role in the hospital achieving Level II trauma status, Comprehensive Stroke certification, growth of multiple service lines, and significant campus expansions. Jeff also served as a mentor to various finance leaders and a highly effective executive partner to his colleagues.

Jeff has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Arkansas Little Rock; and a B.S.B.A in Financial Management from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR.

GROWTH EXPANDING LIFE-SAVING ACCESS TO PATIENTS WITH CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak is celebrating the opening of its new Complex Coronary Intervention Center, a hospital-based clinic specializing in highly complex procedures associated with treating coronary artery disease. The clinic helps elevate the quality of life for individuals battling diverse conditions linked to cardiovascular disease.

A top focus for the clinic is Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO), a life-saving revascularization procedure. A CTO procedure is conducted when a patient experiences a total or nearly complete obstruction in one or more of their coronary arteries. The blockages arise from the accumulation of plaque and cholesterol deposits within a coronary artery,

leading to the constriction of the arteries. When this happens, blood and oxygen flow to the heart is compromised and can increase the risk of heart attack. The procedure involves a physician inserting tiny wires (catheters) into the body through a vessel, typically near the groin or wrist. From there, interventional cardiologists can approach and open the blockages. This minimally invasive procedure is an alternative therapy for patients who do not qualify for open heart surgery.

The Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak Complex Coronary Intervention Center is another stepping stone in advancing the hospital’s vision of becoming a world‑class healthcare provider, continually raising the standard of performance excellence, and advancing the health status of the community.

METHODIST HOSPITAL | HILL COUNTRY ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH THE TEXAS A&M SCHOOL OF MEDICINE FOR THE RURAL MEDICINE PROGRAM In 2019, Texas A&M (TAMU) School of Medicine embarked on an initiative to focus on rural medicine disparities given our history as a Land Grant University and our Medical School Charter for Rural Medicine. The School of Medicine’s goal is to bring health care where it’s needed most with a keen focus on rural populations and innovative care delivery, with an outcome to eliminate a healthcare provider shortage in rural Texas. This program provides students with a learning environment in rural communities to gain knowledge and skills from the three-pronged approach of medicine, school, and community.

“From all of us at Methodist Hospital | Hill Country, we are proud to connect students with healthcare physicians who excel at offering transformational learning experiences for students while improving rural populations’ access to healthcare,” said Clint Kotal, Chief Executive Officer of MHHC. “The Texas A&M School of Medicine is working to improve the health of rural populations in Texas through access and innovative care delivery.”

28 | Methodist Magazine

The Rural Medicine program aims to develop a sustainable Rural / Primary Care Medicine tract for TAMU School of Medicine Medical Students while increasing education and awareness in rural high schools about opportunities in medicine and attracting rural students to pursue a healthcare career tract through this exposure.

Kotal added, “We are excited to partner in the program’s vision of expanding high-quality rural medicine through education, research, and community engagement. This partnership between MHHC and Texas A&M aligns with our shared mission for providing care to those we serve.”

MHHC will offer three rotations for students including the Hospital with Dr. Tamara Beard, Primary Care provided by Dr. Rad Kothmann, and Obstetrics and Gynecology hosted

by Dr. Kellie Flood-Shaffer. Methodist Hospital | Hill Country welcomed the first student in early December.

VOL. 11 2023 | 29

METHODIST HEALTHCARE PARTNERS WITH INTERNATIONAL NURSING TRAINING PROGRAM TO EASE HEALTHCARE SHORTAGE Methodist Healthcare is excited to partner with Alamo Colleges District and Tecmilenio for the launch of The International Nursing Pathway, a groundbreaking cross-border collaboration between educational institutions and Methodist Healthcare.

This breakthrough partnership is designed to train qualified nurses from Mexico and Latin America to prepare them for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCLEX) exam. It also helps new nurses understand nursing excellence and the culture of nursing in the United States while gaining real-world experience. Upon hire with Methodist Healthcare, each student undergoes a 10-12 week fellowship and works alongside a mentor. The collaboration comes at a crucial time and will help counter the healthcare staffing shortage facing the nation.

Nurses are placed in high-shortage areas such as medical surge and the emergency room where staffing needs are high.

Considered the second-largest private employer in San Antonio, Methodist Healthcare has a staff of more than 13,500 people, including 3,500 doctors of all specialties. Ongoing shortages in the healthcare industry represent a promising opportunity for Mexican nurses. The self-directed educational program will empower bilingual nurses working in Mexico and Latin America to accelerate the upskilling of healthcare workers, offering professional mobility across countries. The international program was created with the engagement of Methodist Healthcare, which plans to hire nurses who complete the program.

The International Nursing Pathway is anticipated to educate 100 Mexican nurses during the first year.

Through this groundbreaking collaboration, Alamo Colleges will help build a pathway to fulfill private sector needs in the region, bridge the workforce gap across borders, and leverage micro-credentials to build an innovative and replicable program.

On September 29, 2023, a ceremony was held for the 70th Anniversary of the San Antonio-Monterrey sister city relationship. The event was held in Monterrey, Mexico and invited both cities to join in unity to highlight the workforce initiative. Jimena Saenz, AVP of Workforce Planning and Development, International Recruitment and Operations for Methodist Healthcare accompanied the San Antonio delegation on behalf of MHS. The delegation included San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, Alamo Community College District Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores, and various San Antonio community leaders.

During the event, Alamo Colleges signed an MOU with Tecmilenio and Methodist Healthcare to formalize the agreement.

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS PATIENT FAMILY ADVISORY COUNCIL MARKS A YEAR OF PARTNERSHIP AND IMPACT Celebrating its first anniversary, the Patient Family Advisory Council at Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak has successfully forged meaningful partnerships within the community and significantly enhanced the patient care experience. Comprised of former patients, their families, community members, and staff, this dedicated council convenes monthly in a collaborative forum. They engage in open discussions, share valuable feedback, and actively contribute to decisions and changes that positively impact the care provided to those served at Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak. Through a year of committed collaboration, the council has become a vital force in advancing patient-centered care and strengthening ties with the community.

METHODIST HOSPITAL | METROPOLITAN ICU TEAM RECEIVES HONORARY BEACON AWARD This past fall, the Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan Surgical ICU Team received the Beacon Award Silver Designation. The Beacon Award recognizes the contributions critical care nurses make to their patients and work environment. Units that achieve a Beacon award set the standards for excellence through the use of evidence-based initiatives and modeling a supportive work environment.

These awards showcase the incredible work our extraordinary nurses and leaders accomplish every day.

30 | Methodist Magazine

FIRST BAROSTIM IMPLANTED WITHIN THE METHODIST HEALTHCARE SYSTEM Methodist Hospital | Texsan successfully implanted the first Barostim device within the Methodist Healthcare System in November.

Barostim is a device-based therapy to treat the symptoms of heart failure in patients with a reduced ejection fraction who remain symptomatic despite medical therapy. Ejection fraction is the amount of blood that your heart pumps each time it beats. A pulse generator and carotid sinus lead are implanted surgically to stimulate the carotid baroreceptors which signals the brain and improves the symptoms of heart failure.

The device implant takes approximately one hour and patients are discharged on the same day. Trial data showed Barostim Therapy significantly improves quality of life, exercise capacity, and overall, the symptoms of heart failure. Congratulations to Dr. Celso Uribe, Dr. Juan Roman-Gonzalez, and the team at the hospital.

VOL. 11 2023 | 31

METHODIST HOSPITAL | TEXSAN IS ONE OF FIRST HOSPITALS IN THE NATION TO IMPLANT REVOLUTIONARY CARDIOLOGY TECHNOLOGY Methodist Hospital | Texsan is proud to announce it has successfully implanted the world’s first dual-chamber leadless pacemaker system from Abbott designed to effectively treat people with abnormal or slow heart rhythms. The groundbreaking system approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2023, provides the hospital with a new minimally invasive option to treat the nearly 80 percent of people who require pacing in two chambers of the heart (both the right atrium and right ventricle).

Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiologists, Dr. Juan Roman Gonzales and Dr. Jacqueline Schwartz implanted the first dual-chamber leadless pacemaker on November 17, 2023.

The patient had variations of heart blockages that caused symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness and syncope. “We are very fortunate to be a center that is at the forefront of this advancement in pacing technology,” commented Jacqueline Schwartz, MD. The leadless pacemakers are miniature battery-powered devices that are implanted directly into the heart via a minimally invasive catheter-based approach, and do not require an incision or cables. The dualchamber leadless pacemaker is designed to provide synchronous, beat-by-beat pacing of the right atrium and right ventricle of the heart. An advantage of this device is that it is retrievable, meaning once the battery runs out, it can be taken out and replaced in the same minimally invasive procedure.

Additionally, recovery and exercise restrictions are minimized with this approach compared to the traditional pacemaker.

“This groundbreaking device will revolutionize care for our current patients and creates a significant opportunity to expand the number of people we can serve,” said Esther Kwon, Chief Executive Officer at Methodist Hospital | Texsan.

METHODIST HOSPITAL | LANDMARK CELEBRATES ITS 100TH SURGERY SINCE OPENING IN SEPTEMBER In early November, Methodist Hospital | Landmark marked a big milestone by celebrating its 100th surgery since opening in September.

The achievement was celebrated by the surgeon and many of the hospital team members who brought the patient and her family a cake, balloons, and lots of smiles.