The Right at HOME Video e-Magazine May 2023

Your Local Roofer

The Future for Women is Now!

North Central Baptist Hospital Expands Women's Services With Two New Robotic Surgery Suites

By Amy Morgan

orth Central Baptist Hospital is pleased to announce the final delivery of the renovation and

expansion of its Women’s Services Department. Just like an expectant mother eagerly anticipates the arrival of her new baby, so too have North Central Baptist’s physicians and staff awaited the culmination of the $8 million, multi-year investment in women’s health services. These exciting upgrades have elevated the ambiance of the Labor & Delivery and Gynecological Surgery area while continuing to provide the highest standard of care, cleanliness and safety.

The final piece came together in late April, when the operating rooms passed their final Texas Department of Health and Human Services inspection, allowing the unit to open all five procedural rooms dedicated solely to C-sections and women’s surgery. All rooms have been transformed by fresh paint in the wing’s peaceful blue and grey color palette, seamless flooring, larger doors and new cabinetry. The C-section operating rooms join two additional rooms dedicated to women’s surgeries that have been equipped with robotic medical technology, including the Da Vinci Xi robot. This state-of-the-art equipment allows physicians to perform gynecological surgeries like hysterectomies in a less invasive manner and with faster recovery times. The first surgery using the Da Vinci Xi robot is scheduled this month.

“We prioritize the healthcare of women,” said Rachel Montgomery, North Central Baptist’s COO. “Now the aesthetic of the operating suites matches the rest of the renovation and is in keeping with our tradition of highest-quality care.”

New Chief of Obstetrics Ritu Dutta, M.D., offices in the medical office building that connects to North Central Baptist Hospital. “It’s a convenient, one-stop location for delivering physicians to be in the same area of the hospital for deliveries, surgeries and C-sections,” said Dr. Dutta. “They are right next door, so physicians can arrive quickly for delivery; by the time patients are ready to deliver, they’ve already become familiar with the facility.”

The newly renovated North Central Baptist Hospital Women’s Services Department features five procedural rooms dedicated solely to C-sections and women’s surgeries with two additional rooms, like this one, equipped with robotic medical technology, including the Da Vinci Xi robot.

Chief of Obstetrics Ritu Dutta, M.D. is pictured here operating the new Da Vinci Xi robot.

“We’ve seen more precedence for this concept of specialty-specific care,” Dr. Dutta said. “The more you let people flourish in one field, the better they are at it. Whether you are having a baby or a hysterectomy, having nurses and staff who understand the female anatomy and physiology and can recognize when something is off improves outcomes. The sooner things get recognized, the sooner they are taken care of. That’s where the benefit of comprehensive care for women will shine.”

Over the past two years, North Central Baptist Hospital, located at 520 Madison Oak Drive, refurbished and beautifully decorated 22 Labor & Delivery rooms to ensure ability to take care of the average of 400 babies they deliver monthly. Spacious rooms were renovated with a sleek, modern design, on-trend colors and artwork.

All the rooms are sizable and private, outfitted with luxury linens and comfortable furnishings. The boutique experience includes a post-delivery candlelit couple’s meal, massage for mom, as well as the option for photography and/or video to discretely capture the intimate moments of delivery as well as take pictures of the newborn.

“The goal of North Central Baptist’s administration is to provide a wonderful, warm experience with great outcomes. We provide the service and amenities a new mom would expect to find at a first-rate hotel, with restaurant-quality food and rooms refreshed daily. As her family continues to grow, mom will be confident returning for future health care needs,” Rachel said.

If a health concern should arise with a newborn, North Central Baptist’s Level IV NICU is equipped to offer the highest level of care available.

The 72-bed unit is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by in-house Neonatologists, as well as nurse practitioners, physical, occupational and respiratory therapists. Women’s Services are colocated with the renowned Baptist Children’s Hospital at North Central, which offers a dedicated pediatrics inpatient unit, intensive care unit and emergency room for newborns to teens.

The Baptist Children’s Hospital at North Central’s team of experienced pediatric specialists, registered nurses and licensed therapists are passionate about providing quality care for children of all ages in a kid-friendly, family-centered environment. Baptist Children’s Hospital at North Central includes a dedicated 24/7 Pediatric Emergency Department, Pediatric Floor and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, plus an entire wing that provides the specialized care your child needs to get back to health. If a child’s diagnosis requires admission, they’ll go right up to the second floor, all under one roof and close to home.

With a fresh, new look and the highest quality patient care ratings, Stone Oak residents need look no further for a destination for their health care needs than the Baptist Health System — before, during and after the arrival of their newest family member.

Pest Prevention

By Camp Bow Wow Staff

Few things are as comforting as a couch cuddle with your furry family member. Many pup parents

even let Fido snuggle into their bed. But beware –spring’s warm weather provides the perfect breeding ground for creepy crawly critters. Every time your pup steps into the great outdoors, there’s a chance he could pick up some unpleasant hitchhikers in his fluffy fur. Even if your dog never leaves your property, pests can still be carried to your yard by other animals. And heartworm is transmitted by mosquitos, which are nearly impossible to avoid.

Not only are ticks and fleas uncomfortable for you and your pup, they can harbor diseases like Lyme, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Anaplasmosis, and Ehrlichiosis and spread them to canine and human companions. Don’t wait until you see Fido scratching. Once the proverbial cat is out of the bag, you’ll be forced to undergo a thorough pest eradication project not only of your pup, but your entire home – washing bedding, cleaning carpets, and treating your yard.

It is far less costly in time and expense to prevent the problem before it starts. Preventive treatments minimize the risks of your dog’s contact with parasites in advance. You can select from pills, chews, sprays, topical solutions or shampoos. Talk with your veterinarian about the many products recommended to dissuade any pests from taking up residence on your pup, as some require a prescription. You’ll want to consider longevity, frequency of reapplication and active ingredients as you make your decision about what’s best for your furry family member.

In March 2023, The Spruce Pet website published a list of their Top 8 pest prevention favorites.

Best Overall: Simparica Chewables for Dogs – noted for its wide range of doses and cutting edge antiparasitic ingredients proven effective against a variety of ticks.

Best Non-Prescription: Frontline Plus for Dogs Flea & Tick Spot Treatment – a topical liquid squeezed on the skin between your pup’s shoulders. The upside – no prescription is required.

Keeping Fido Free from Fleas, Ticks and Heartworms

Best for Puppies: NexGard Soft Chew for Dogs – Works for puppies as young as eight weeks.

Best Shampoo: Adams Plus Flea & Tick with Precor –Combines tick-killing ingredients with itch- soothing ingredients. Effective for killing fleas, but perhaps not as prevention.

Best for Worms: Simparica Trio Chews for Dogs –While you are preventing fleas and ticks, don’t forget heartworms. This chew covers all bases.

Best Area Treatment: Harris Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth - Diatomaceous earth kills pests by dehydrating them. The powder can be spread anywhere to form an anti-parasite border and is chemical free.

Best Natural: TropiClean Maximum Strength Natural Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo – excellent choice for dogs with sensitive skin. It repels critters as you bathe your pup.

Best Collar: Seresto Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs – Flea collars are easy to use, effective and don’t require a prescription.

As any pet owner who has ever been unpleasantly surprised by a furry family member’s pest outbreak, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Be vigilant with Fido’s prevention and enjoy a happier summer season.

Community Calendar

Presented by Frost

Single Professionals Networking Meeting

Wednesday, May 17, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Join other 55+ widowed, divorced and single mature professionals for a relaxed social event. Ajuua Mexican Bar & Grill, 11703 Huebner Road 78230; www.spn-sa.org.

Culinaria’s Women & Whiskey. at La Cantera Resort & Spa – Thursday, May 18th, 6-9 p.m. Dickel Whiskey social hour with tastings, bites, vendors and live entertainment. 16641 La Cantera Parkway 78256; www.lacanteraresort.com/things_ to_do_san_antonio/women_and_whiskey

Single Professionals Networking Meeting

Friday, May 19, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Join other 55+ widowed, divorced and single mature professionals for a relaxed social event. Roo Pub, 19314 Highway 281 78258; www.spn-sa.org.

Spa Girl Tri – Saturday, May 13, Staggered starts beginning at 6:30 a.m. Sprint/Super/Relay team triathlon for women with a pampering finish. JW Marriott Resort and Spa, 23808 Resort Parkway 78261; www.spagirltri.com.

Activities at the Walker Ranch Senior Center – Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Hot meals served daily from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. for qualifying seniors and their spouses. Exercise, field trips, bingo, loteria, movies, arts and crafts, free health and wellness screenings vary daily. 835 W. Rhapsody 78216; 210-207-5280.

Stone Oak Rotary Club – Tuesdays, noon -1 p.m. Guest speakers weekly. Dona Tota, 923 Loop 1604 W. #115 78232; www.stoneoaksarotary.org.

Shooting leagues and classes – Days and times vary. Introduction to firearms, CDL classes, date nights, kids’ classes, men’s events and shooting sports leagues for all skill levels on an indoor range. Buck and Doe’s Mercantile, 24250 U.S. 281 78258; 820-980-3637.

Tejas Rodeo – Saturdays March through November, 5 p.m. – 1 a.m. Enjoy live rodeo action: bronco riding, team roping, barrel racing, mutton bustin’ and calf scramble. Live music at 9 p.m. Tejas Rodeo Company, 401 Obst Road 78163; www.tejasrodeo.com.

Immersive Disney – Thursdays - Sundays through Aug. 13. Times vary. Surround yourself in the immersive worlds, music and stories of Disney animation. Lighthouse ArtSpace, 221 Burleson St. 78202. www. lighthouseimmersive.com/disney/sanantonio.

Single Professionals Networking Meeting – Wednesday, May 3, 5-7 p.m. Join other 55+ widowed, divorced and single mature professionals for a relaxed social event. Kennedy’s Public House, 19179 Blanco Road 78258; www.spn-sa.org.

Tootsie - The Musical – Tuesday, May 2, Wednesday, May 3, April 30, 7:30 p.m. “Musical comedy heaven” revisits the story of an struggling actor who lands a show-stopping role. Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle 78205; www.tobincenter.org.

Schoolhouse Rock Live at the Magik Theatre – Through Sunday, June 4, days and times vary. Live theater production of the funfilled retro musical featuring classic songs like “Just a Bill" and "Conjunction Junction.” The Magik Theatre, 420 S. Alamo St. 78205; www.magiktheatre.org.

Youth Orchestra of San Antonio – City Series 3: Festival Finale. Sunday, May 14, 2-9 p.m. Join YOSA for a full day of performances from outstanding musicians. Laurie Auditorium, Trinity University, One Trinity Place 78212; info@yosa.org.

Special Olympics Texas Summer Games –May 18-21. Times vary. Texas Summer Olympic Games include cycling, soccer, tennis, and athletics. Morgan’s Wonderland, 5223 David Edwards Drive 78233; www.sotx.org/summergames.

Youth Orchestras of San Antonio Invitational

Monday, May 22- Tuesday, May 23. Times vary by school. San Antonio school bands and orchestras perform in San Antonio’s premier concert venue. Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle 78205; www.yosa.org/invitational.

Send your upcoming events to StoneOakInfo@gmail.com.

Orthodontic Advances

New Technology Streamlines Tooth-Straightening Process

orthodontics completely.” Once the image is approved, Dr. Roberts will reverse engineer the treatment process to create a course of 20-25 custom fitted Invisalign trays. Patients wear each aligner 24/7 for two weeks, removing only to eat, drink or clean. Although Invisalign and brackets work with the same biomechanisms, they hold the teeth differently. Invisalign wraps around the teeth like a glove, he added.

Although for some patients, traditional braces are still recommended, more than 75% of 7to7 Dental’s patients opt for Invisalign, which offers some significant advantages. “It’s much more sophisticated, more accurate, more comfortable, makes teeth easier to clean and can cut treatment time in half,” Dr. Roberts said. Most Invisalign treatment takes only 12-14 months.

By Amy Morgan

Orthodontia – it’s not just the same braces you had as a teen. Today’s cutting-edge

orthodontists like Michael Roberts, D.D.S., use sophisticated tools to take teeth straightening into the modern age. Dr. Roberts brings 32 years of experience to 7to7 Dental & Orthodontics. He joined the practice located at the corner of Stone Oak Parkway and Evans Road four years ago after retiring from the U.S. Army. At one point, Colonel Roberts was in charge of all Army dentistry west of the Mississippi.

He’s appreciated the opportunity as a civilian to digitize 7to7 Dental’s orthodontic practice. Records of the teeth are created by computer using a technically advanced iTero 5-D intraoral scanner, which takes a three-dimensional image of the mouth with detail to the 1/1000th of an inch, Dr. Roberts said. Another benefit for the patient, no more goopy trays to make impressions.

Even more amazing, images upload to an onscreen simulation, so a patient can visualize exactly what their mouth structure looks like side by side with the suggested treatment plan. Dr. Roberts can even take a patient’s photo, add it to the simulation, and show a patient how their smile would look with straight teeth.

“It makes quite the impact!” Dr. Roberts said. “The iTero digital scanner is the single greatest advancement in dentistry in my career. It has changed the landscape of dentistry and

“I strongly promote and encourage teens into Invisalign because my biggest headache is teenagers not keeping their braces clean, which leads to cavities, stains, and permanent damage. With Invisalign we don’t have the same struggle because they take them out to brush their teeth. Parents sometimes object that they don’t think their kids will wear them consistently, but I haven’t had that problem,” he added.

7to7 Dental is a Platinum Plus Invisalign Provider. This means you can rest assured you are receiving the very best Invisalign experience possible! Board Certified in Orthodontics, Dr. Roberts has taken extended Invisalign training and will be attending an advanced training Fellowship Course this summer. Additionally, because 7to7 Dental is open 7 a.m. -7 p.m., services are provided when it’s most convenient for the patient. “It makes perfect sense. Mom and dad can get the kids in before or after school and take care of cleaning and orthodontia all at the same time,” he said. 7to7 Dental even offers orthodontic consultation days on designated Saturdays so those who can’t miss work or school can find a time convenient for them and benefit from special pricing incentives.

The professionals at 7to7 Dental & Orthodontics care about your oral health and are available 7 a.m.- 7 p.m., seven days a week, for dentistry for the whole family and emergencies. 7to7 Dental is a local business, grown in 15 years from the practice of one dentist and six staff. Co-Owners Tiffany Winburn, D.M.D, and Justin Coke and many of the 262 staff members live in Stone Oak with their families and are part of the community.

By Amy Morgan

Concerned Coder

Student’s Altruistic Spirit Inspired by International Connections

Whether its designing computer apps to solve logistics problems

or developing new

service opportunities for Ronald Reagan High School’s National Honor Society (NHS), senior Sushant Ganji uses his talents to give back. Visits to the villages in India where his parents grew up opened his eyes to the circumstances of others. Experiencing life without conveniences like consistent cell phone service and air conditioning made him realize how much he took for granted – a lesson he wanted to share with his peers.

“It is important to see the reality of other places and how we can help,” he said. To get Reagan students out of their “Stone Oak bubble,” Sushant developed a program with non-profit Special Reach, located on San Antonio’s east side. NHS volunteers host a Friday fun night for special needs kids several times a month. This is just one of the projects Sushant’s planned as NHS Community Service Chair. He also earned his Eagle Scout designation two years ago, for which he constructed a pathway of pavers around a gazebo at the Shridhi Saibaba Hindu Temple where his family worships.

Ranked 11th in his class, the programming enthusiast used skills honed in Reagan’s computer science classes taught by Mr. Dean Arteaga to create an app to help students find their buses after school. Prior to the app, more than 1000 students crowded around an Assistant Principal holding a clipboard every afternoon to determine the location of one of Reagan’s 30 buses, a process Sushant himself found hectic as a freshman. He and a team from Computer Science 3 developed a live-update system so students can find their buses themselves. The app runs on the NEISD website, so only students with identification can log in. Sushant hopes the new system will be live by the end of the school year. The team also designed a solar phone charging station in the shape of a sunflower they hope to install in Reagan’s courtyard.

Sushant participates on Reagan’s top ranked Computer Science UIL team, which will advance to Regionals this month. Competitions primarily test knowledge of Java. He combines his computer science talents with his interest in statistics inspired by his summa choice Mr. Spencer, whom he calls, “the best teacher I’ve ever had.” Sushant plans to study computer science at UT Dallas, with an eye on a future in risk management, building programs to direct logistics and analytic optimization.

Inspired by his older sisters, Sushant loves to perform Bollywood dance at cultural events. His father is president of the Telangana Association of Greater San Antonio, which he co-founded in 2014. The group uses Indian dance to raise awareness and support for India’s recently inaugurated Telangana state. Last fall Sushant performed at Diwali, the Festival of Lights, in front of San Antonio’s Tower of the Americas –continuing to broaden minds and inspire others.

Sushant Ganji learned Bollywood dancing from his older sisters, Suma and Supriya. The family participates in Indian dance as part of the Telangana Association of Greater San Antonio that their father co-founded in 2014.

By Amy Morgan

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, according to the

American Stroke Association, which designates May national Stroke Awareness Month. Strokes are caused when a blood vessel that carries oxygen to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. The part of the brain that doesn’t get the blood it needs begins to die due to lack of oxygen. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize their blood vessels are clogged (known as atherosclerosis) until they have some sort of serious event like a stroke or heart attack. By the time they suffer a stroke, they’ve probably spent years developing cardiovascular disease.

Matthew Cross, M.D., has spent 17 years as an Emergency Physician, the last six at Physicians Premier, a free-standing emergency room located west of Highway 281 on Highway 46 near the HEB Plus. He emphasizes it’s important to know the symptoms of a stroke so you can take quick action.

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech.

• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.

• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

If you experience any of these symptoms, call an ambulance or a friend to take you to a trained emergency medicine physician who is practiced in deciphering the signs of stroke and can administer medicine to dissolve the clot or reduce blood pressure immediately. The physician will be able to conduct a physical exam, take vital signs and blood work, and order EKG and CT scans (all available on-site at Physicians Premier) to diagnose if someone is indeed having a stroke or if something else, like a migraine, is just mimicking the symptoms.

Get things checked out as soon as you notice symptoms, Dr. Cross says. “If you wait because you ‘think it’s nothing,’ you’ll be out of the treatment window of the first few hours,” he cautions. While treatments are available to halt or lesson the effects of a stroke, the best way to treat a stroke is to prevent it, Dr. Cross says. Make a plan to incorporate more exercise and nutritious, fresh foods into your daily routine. When it comes to stroke prevention and future longevity, exercise, a healthy diet and sleep are better than any pill doctors can prescribe.

Dr. Cross recommends getting 45 minutes of exercise in zone two, three times a week. People working out in zone two will still be able to have a conversation, he adds. He suggests varying types of exercise to stimulate the brain in different ways. Walking or running provide aerobic exercise, Zumba or pickleball require core stability, while weight training develops muscle mass and prevents bone density loss.

See your primary care physician regularly to check your insulin, sugar level, A1C, cholesterol and blood pressure, Dr. Cross recommends. He noted a new ApoB lipoprotein indicator is more accurate that the traditional LDL/HDL test at detecting the harmful cholesterol that causes cardiovascular disease. “It can tell you if you are headed in the wrong direction,” he said.

Physicians Premier allows patients to access the care they need when they need it, saving time, money, alleviating concern and allowing for a healthier patient and community. Find them at MDpremier.com.

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