Medical Directory
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Section
JANUARY 2021 A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO
Photos by Ben Fenton
SUNDAY, JANUARY 24 © M. Roberts Media, 2021
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CHRISTUS PHARMACIST James Tyler prepares Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to be administered to a frontline worker at Christus Trinity Mother Frances. Photo by Ben Fenton
Hope on the Horizon Health care heroes lead the way in medical care By Christina Cavazos ccavazos@news-journal.com
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s health care heroes across Tyler rolled up their sleeves to give and receive a COVID-19 vaccination this winter, their thoughts have been with their patients for whom they have cared over the past year. Throughout 2020, doctors, nurses and a team a health care leaders provided care to patients impacted by the new coronavirus while also continuing to provide all of their regular services that the community has relied upon for decades. Gary Viljoen, director of rehabilitation services at UT Health Science Center at Tyler, was the first health care provider in the East Texas region to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. “I felt very, very grateful to get the vaccine,” he said in December after his vaccination. “I feel that as frontline health care workers, it is our duty to step up and take the vaccine to demonstrate to the general public that it’s safe to do so, not only to protect ourselves but also to protect our community.”
Dr. Kirk Calhoun, UT Health Science Center at Tyler president and board chairman at UT Health East Texas, said the vaccinations will help lead to a restoration of normal life and help prevent pain and death related to COVID-19. He noted that the first-tier of allocation is for frontline workers taking care of COVID-19 patients. “These people have been putting their lives at risk,” Calhoun said. “We want to protect them as quickly as possible because without them we would have no one to take care of us if God forbid we would come down with COVID.” Cahoun explained the University of Texas is playing a prominent role in distributing the vaccine, and new medical technology has led to the development of safe and effective vaccines at a quicker pace. “For us to come up and be at this point so rapidly, really is a testament to medical science in the United States,” he said. At Christus, Trinity Mother Frances worked in partnership with Christus Good Shepherd and
Christus St. Michael Health Systems to receive, manage and distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to health care workers and, later, to first responders. “The use of vaccines has been a key part of combating and even eradicating certain diseases for generations, and we are confident the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective,” said Dr. Mark Anderson, chief medical officer of Christus Trinity Clinic in Northeast Texas. “Though there is still a way to go, this process hopefully represents the beginning of the end of COVID-19.” The COVID-19 vaccine was available to all health care workers at Christus facilities in Northeast Texas, but it was not mandatory. Similar to many vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccine is given in two doses: an initial injection and then a booster shot, normally 21-28 days later (depending on the vaccine administered). Christus said research from the pharmaceutical company and the health care system’s COVID-19 Task Force indicates minor side effects similar to the flu shot, such as low-grade fever and redness or slight pain at the injection site are possible.
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Your health can’t wait. Schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment by calling 903-596-DOCS (3627) or visit UTHealthEastTexasDoctors.com
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UT Health East Texas expands services scope & By Christina Cavazos ccavazos@news-journal.com
UT
Health East Texas focused on expanding its operations and services in 2020 while its hospitals were nationally recognized with the highest possible hospital safety grade. In the past year, UT Health hospitals began to offer new cardiology procedures and the health care system opened new urgent care facilities in the surrounding community. Meanwhile, UT Health hospitals earned an ‘A’ rating, the highest possible grade, in the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to health care quality and safety. The Safety Grade assigns an ‘A,’ ‘B,’ ‘C,’ ‘D’ or ‘F’ grade to all general hospitals across the country and is updated every six months. It is based on a hospital’s performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections and other harms to patients in their care. UT Health hospitals were the only hospitals in the region to receive an ‘A’ letter grade. Moody Chisholm, president and CEO of UT Health East Texas, said the ‘A’ letter grades are indicative of the improvements in quality and safety that have been accomplished since UT Health East Texas formed in March 2018. “Soon after the formation of our new system in 2018, we established a new culture of safety for our system. That has resulted in considerable improvements in our quality and safety measures and patient outcomes,” Chisholm said. “While none of the publicly available quality and safety ratings systems are perfect in their rating methodology, we are thankful that this honor from Leapfrog reflects this tremendous work.” Throughout 2020, UT Health expanded some of its procedures to continue offering the most cutting-edge care to East Texans. In February, UT Health Tyler announced that it had successfully performed its first mitral valve repair using the innovative MitraClip procedure — a minimally invasive treatment option for people with a severe leak in the mitral valve who are too high-risk for traditional open heart surgery. The condition, called mitral regurgitation, is the most common heart valve disease. UT Health Tyler was the first hospital in Tyler to perform the procedure. “The MitraClip is a novel option for patients
with mitral regurgitation that previously were considered too high risk for surgery,” said cardiologist Dr. Brent Davis. “Data shows that in the appropriate patients, this device can improve survival and reduce the risk of hospitalization for congestive heart failure.” Following that, in August the cardiology team at UT Health Tyler announced that it successfully completed its first implantation of the Watchman left atrial appendage closure device. The minimally-invasive procedure helps reduce the risk of stroke in patients who suffer from non-valvular atrial fibrillation (commonly referred to as “Afib”). Afib is a common type of cardiac arrhythmia that affects more than 5 million Americans. Of the 795,000 Americans who experience a stroke annually, 20% occur in patients with Afib. Often, Afib-related strokes are more fatal and disabling. “In the case of persons who suffer from atrial fibrillation, the main goal of care is to reduce the risk for stroke, which can be in excess of five times higher compared to people without atrial fibrillation,” said Dr. Raul Torres, cardiologist at Tyler Cardiovascular Consultants, who performed the procedure. The Watchman implant is a one-time procedure designed to reduce the risk of strokes that originate in the left atrial appendage. Once implanted, the parachute-shaped, self-expanding device permanently closes off the left atrial appendage and does not require replacement. The procedure takes about an hour to complete and is performed by staff who are specifically trained in the implantation technique. In addition to expanding its procedures, UT Health East Texas also grew its reach in 2020. On Nov. 2, the health care system opened a new urgent care location in Canton. The UT Health East Texas Urgent Care Clinic, located at 301 Texas 243 East in Canton, offers walk-in care for minor illnesses and injuries. It is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. “We are so pleased to continue serving the Canton community by offering compassionate care that’s close to home,” Chisholm said. “Studies have shown that urgent care visits are more convenient and affordable than a trip to the ER because patients typically are seen quicker and at a much lower cost. With this urgent care, we can offer our patients the right care at the right time at the right price.”
WATCHMAN DEVICE In August, the cardiology team at UT Health Tyler announced that it successfully completed its first implantation of the Watchman left atrial appendage closure device. The minimally-invasive procedure helps reduce the risk of stroke in patients who suffer from non-valvular atrial fibrillation (commonly referred to as “Afib”).
LEAPFROG GRADE UT Health hospitals earned an ‘A’ rating, the highest possible grade, in the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade.
UT HEALTH EAST TEXAS HELD A RIBBON CUTTING in November for the
UT Health East Texas Urgent Care Clinic, located at 301 Texas 243 East in Canton. The clinic offers walk-in care for minor illnesses and injuries. Photo Courtesy of UT Health East Texas
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ways to protect against hearing loss
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certain degree of hearing loss can be a normal part of the aging process. However, people who take steps to protect their hearing long before Father Time takes his toll can prevent the extreme hearing loss suffered by millions of seniors across the globe. John’s Hopkins Medicine states that about 15% of adults aged 18 years and older report some difficulty hearing and up to 39% of adults in their 60s have hearing problems. Lost hearing cannot be restored, though hearing aids and other devices can help people with hearing loss hear better. Hearing aids are not always an accessory people look forward to needing, so it’s good to know that a few simple strategies can protect people’s hearing over the long haul. Get a baseline hearing exam. Speak with an audiologist, who can test your hearing and establish a baseline level against which future tests will be measured. Turn down the volume. Audio devices can contribute to hearing loss. Earbuds are particularly dangerous because they fit directly next to the eardrum. The World Health Organiza-
tion says that 1.1 billion teens and young adults worldwide are at risk for noise-induced hearing loss from unsafe use of audio devices. Wear protective gear. Protective gear includes ear plugs and protective earphones. This gear should be worn whenever you expect to encounter loud noises, such as when you mow the lawn, go hunting or shooting, attend rock concerts, or visit construction sites. Limit use of cotton swabs. Ear wax is beneficial to the ears and can stop dust and other particles from entering the ear. Furthermore, using a cotton swab can potentially cause damage to sensitive organs in the ear if they are inserted too far or too roughly. Avoid loud noises. Steer clear of fireworks, noisy city centers, loud performances, and other situations if you do not have hearing protection. Remember, hearing loss often doesn’t produce immediate symptoms or pain. However, over time, hearing loss can become noticeable. A proactive approach can help people avoid significant hearing loss as they age. © Metro Creative
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Managing congestive heart failure Free UT Health EMS program
Azalea Orthopedics
Special to the Tyler Morning Telegraph
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is privileged to have served East Texas for more than 20 years
free, 30-day program recently launched by UT Health East Texas EMS helps patients manage congestive heart failure after they are discharged home from a stay at a UT Health facility. Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) is the first of its kind in the region and utilizes community paramedics to provide medical follow-up in the patient’s home. The paramedics are able to complete health assessments and provide patient education and assistance post discharge. “UT Health EMS is uniquely positioned to transition from an emergency focus on stabilizing and transporting patients to mobile integrated healthcare focused on post-discharge follow-up care, patient education and consultation and preventive care,” said Dr. Yagnesh Desai, UT Health EMS medical director. “We have the components and trained personnel in place for each patient in the program to achieve success.”
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e are rapidly growing and expanding our coverage and care options to better serve East Texas and the surrounding communities. Providing the highest standard of care for our patients will always be the cornerstone of our philosophy. Azalea Orthopedics is composed of nationally recognized surgeons and physicians who sub-specialize to benefit our patients. Our group is dedicated to providing cutting-edge technology, forged with conventional wisdom and proven methods to improve our patients' lives. To learn more about Azalea Orthopedics, visit AZALEAORTHO.com
Prior to discharge from a UT Health East Texas facility, a member of the MIH team will explain the program and assist with the enrollment process. Enrollment is voluntary and open to patients with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure. Once enrolled and discharged from the hospital, a MIH community paramedic will visit the patient at home. During each home visit, a community paramedic will perform a health assessment, log vital signs and provide medication information and education about congestive heart failure, said Greg LaMay, UT Health EMS clinical director. “The MIH Program is patient-centered,” LaMay said. “We use mobile resources in the home to administer care. Our goal is to diminish the chances that the patient will need to be readmitted to the hospital.” The standard treatment plan includes 10 patient visits over a four-week period. During that time, a community paramedic monitors and assesses treatment plans provided at discharge by the patient’s physician and case management team.
CHRIS NOLAN, COMMUNITY PARAMEDIC with UT Health East Texas Mobile Integrated Health (MIH), monitors Patricia Daker’s vital signs during a home visit. The UT Health MIH program is a free service that utilizes paramedics to monitor patients with congestive heart failure in their homes for 30 days following a hospital discharge. Photo Courtesy of UT Health East Texas
Honoring Our
Medical Heroes Anita Scribner, MD
Gabriela New, FNP-C
Tajan Hayter, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Special Health Resources would like to thank Dr. Anita Scribner. She is our Chief Medical Officer, oversees internal medicine and infectious disease, and has been paramount to setting in place protective measure to protect and treat our patients throughout this pandemic.
Special Health Resources Tyler Care Clinic Troup Highway would like to recognize Gabriela New. Gaby is a rockstar! She carries a full patient load, and works the mobile Intune Unit every Thursday doing drive up free Covid testing. She is bilingual and never hesitates to jump into a commercial for Telemundo when called upon by the marketing team. Thank you, Gaby!
Special Health Resources and Jacksonville Care Clinic would like to recognize Tajan Hayter. Tajan is the primary provider at Jacksonville Care Clinic, and also works at Tyler Care Clinic. Despite her busy schedule, she still finds time to serve the community on the Mobile Intune Unit doing drive up free Covid testing. Thank you, Tajan!
Kari Kennel MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Special Health Resources recognizes Kari Kennel. Prior to the pandemic, Kari worked on the Intune Unit a few days a week, providing primary healthcare to rural area patients. With the growing pandemic, Kari took the Intune Unit 5 days a week, adding free drive up Covid testing to rural areas as well as Tyler, Longview, Kilgore, Jacksonville, and Paris. Thank you, Kari!
The Tyler Morning Telegraph would like to extend a deep heartfelt thank you to all of the medical community that has worked tirelessly to help all of our families during these unprecedented times. You are all truly Heroes. Thank you.
Adriana Griffin, LVN
Special Health Resources and Tyler Care Clinic Midtown would like to thank Adriana Griffin. Adriana handles all our vaccines, infectious disease visits, and high-risk patients, as well as educates all her patients on the protocols they need to follow for their diagnosis and protection from Covid.
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FOUNDING MEMBER OF ORTHOLONESTAR
Azalea Orthopedics is a proud founding member of OrthoLoneStar, the largest independent or thopedic practice in Texas. We’ve partnered with five of the most respected groups throughout our state. Head over to AzaleaOr tho.com and Or thoLoneStar.com to discover why we are #STRONGERTOGETHER
ORTHOPEDIC EXCELLENCE
#DEMANDAZALEA C O N V E N I E N T LO CAT I O N S AC R O S S T Y L E R & E A ST T E X A S