Saturday, January 14, 2017 • Page 1B
A milestone of service, care By Kim Hogstrom For The Leader We have all driven by the tidy Harris County medical clinic on 34th Street, but how much do we really know about what it does? In most cases, not much. The clinic, called the Northwest Health Center, is part of the nonprofit Harris Health System. It opened in 1990 to provide adult and pediatric care to residents of near northwest Houston. In addition to primary care, the center offers OB/GYN services, ophthalmology, psychiatry, case management for HIV/AIDS, and pharmacy services. The 28,300-squarefoot facility handles 32,000 patient visits annually. There’s been a lot of discussion about healthcare on the national level recently, but Harris County stepped up to take care of its most vulnerable citizens years ago. The Harris County Hospital District was created by voter referendum in 1965, and renamed Harris Health System in 2012. The system provides medical care on a sliding scale based on a patient’s income. The financial operations of the system are overseen by Harris County Commissioner’s Court under the watchful eye of Judge Ed Emmett, and funded several ways, including property taxes. “Harris Health System is more than just a safety net,” stated Judge Emmett. “We must keep our citizens safe,
and I don’t mean just healthy. We need to have a system in place in the event of a pandemic. Many people think of Harris Health System as an emergency health provider, but it is so much more than that. For many in the community, it is their home for all aspects of medical care.” Patient Care Technician Level 1, Janet Curry, grew up in the Heights and has worked for Harris County Health for 35 years. Curry and her family first used the services of the system’s West End Clinic located at 190 Heights Blvd. Curry received her medical training there; it was the same clinic she and her 10 siblings visited for medical care as children. “When I was a kid, I loved watching the nurses and doctors working there,” said Curry.” I was so impressed with how they helped people. I remember wanting to be one of them. Little did I know that, in the future, that would be me.” In 1981, Curry started at the West End Clinic full-time in pediatrics. In 1990, Harris County turned the clinic over to the city, and the county opened the larger, modern Northwest Health Center. Curry moved to the new county center where she remains today. “I committed early to a career of service to our patients. Growing up, we didn’t have much, but my mother instilled in us the importance of giving back. She was proud that this is what I chose; she
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ABOUT Harris Health System Photo supplied Heights resident Janet Curry, Patient Technician Level 1, has been serving the medical needs of residents of the near Northwest for 35 years.
had such high regard for the organization. I love my job, and I love the amazing team I am blessed to work with.” Eventually, Curry’s mother fell ill, and was cared for to the end by the professionals at Ben Taub Hospital. “My mother put her trust in the See Harris P. 6B
Harris Health System is a fully integrated healthcare system that cares for all residents of Harris County, and one of the largest in the US. The system includes three hospitals, Ben Taub Hospital, Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital, and Quentin Mease Hospital. There are an additional 19 outpatient care centers staffed by physicians from Baylor College of Medicine and UTHealth. Harris Health System also operates: • Two large multi-specialty clinics • Six same day clinics • Five school-based clinics • One free-standing dental center • One dialysis center • One geriatric assessment center In 2016, Harris Health System’s outpatient clinics handled 1,947,989 visits.
Memorial Hermann Greater Heights 1635 North Loop West Houston, Texas 77008 Tel: 713-867-2000 memorialhermann.org Physician Referral 713.222.CARE
St. Joseph Medical Center in The Heights 1917 Ashland Street Houston, Texas 77008 Tel: 713-757-1000 Physician Referral 713-757-7575
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Life-changing weight loss surgery offers fresh start
To learn about starting the weight loss journey, join Dr. Amr for a free informative seminar on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights. Attendees may also observe a support group at 7 p.m., if desired. To register for either or both sessions, please call 713.222.CARE (2273). You can also make an appointment with Dr. Amr by calling 713.426.2400 and referencing Greater Heights.
This time of year we tend to make a list of things we would like to change or accomplish in the New Year. This year, try something different; choose one goal to focus on instead. Small changes lead to big results when done consistently. For instance, if you were to leave three bites on your plate that you would normally eat at lunch and dinner for one year, you will lose 20 pounds. Changes are easier to make when you are not overwhelmed from the beginning. You are more likely to stay consistent and follow through with one sole focus. Here are a few tips that will help you find that one goal that is important to you this year and stick to it. Be Specific If you decide that you are going to increase your exercise in 2017, pick the type of exercise, the duration, and when you are going to carve out time in your schedule to do it. The more specific the goal the more likely you are to reach it. Say it Out Loud Share your goal with at least two others to
increase your accountability. In order to follow through with your goal, you need to be comfortable with it, own it! Make it Simple The easier the goal is for you to accomplish, the more likely you will be to stick with it. If your goal is to cook more, pick the number of days of the week that are reasonable for you to accomplish. Anticipate Obstacles Obstacles occur more often when you are out of your routine. Plan ahead when you know your routine will be different to help you stay on track. Learn From Setbacks Studies show that athletes who display self-compassion often perform better because they can tolerate losses. You want to do the same with your goals. See your failures as learning experiences, not character faults. Then determine the reasons that caused your slip up and make a plan to overcome the obstacle the next time around. This year remember to be kind to yourself and do not lose sight of the end goal.
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gery requirements. Determining which minimally invasive, laparoscopic surgical technique to use – gastric bypass, gastric sleeve or adjustable gastric banding – is based on each patient’s medical conditions. The Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Weight Loss Program healthcare team is committed to empowering patients to lose weight and keep it off. In addition to affiliated board-certified surgeons, specially trained nurses, registered dietitians and behavioral health specialists, physical therapists teach patients how to increase their mobility following surgery
Life-changing Surgery Dr. Amr’s decision to seek fellowship training in bariatric surgery and perform weight loss surgery came from seeing the dramatic improvement in patients’ medical conditions after surgery. “As the weight goes away, diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol improve,” says Dr. Amr. “Frequently, patients can discontinue their medications for these conditions, and they enjoy life more.” “Our patients just need extra help to lose weight,” he said. “Weight loss surgery is the best tool for that if they’re motivated because they can maintain the weight loss the rest of their lives.”
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Dr. Ziad Amr
through exercising. Weight loss continues after surgery as does support from the healthcare team. According to Dr. Amr, patients lose 20 to 40 pounds within the first two months following surgery. Overall, patients can expect to lose one-half to two-thirds of their excess body weight within two years after surgery.
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Increased mobility, more energy and the absence of knee and back pain are just a few of the benefits patients enjoy following weight loss surgery. With the start of the New Year, now is the time to resolve to achieve a healthy weight and see just how much you can gain by losing those extra pounds. The weight loss program at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital is the perfect place to start. “Weight loss surgery is a journey,” says Ziad Amr, M.D., an affiliated general and bariatric surgeon who serves as medical director of the Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Surgical Weight Loss Program. “When patients come to us, they’ve struggled to lose weight through dieting, exercise and medications. Typically, they’re having problems with weight-related medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure and are ready to start enjoying life with their children.” Patients qualify for weight loss surgery if they have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 to 39.9 and two weight-related medical conditions, or a BMI of 40 or higher. BMI calculators are widely available online and only require one’s height and weight. Following the initial visit with a bariatric surgeon, the weight loss surgery journey involves consultations with several medical professionals. Dr. Amr asks his patients
to meet with a registered dietitian to learn healthy food choices. “We like our patients to lose a minimum of 8 to 15 pounds before surgery,” says Dr. Amr. “This shows us their commitment.” Patients also need evaluations from their primary care physician and a psychologist. Typically, it takes 3 to 6 months to complete pre-sur-
Catherine Kruppa, MS, RD, CSSD, LD For The Leader
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It’s not an emergency, but it’s still urgent to you. Now there’s a new option from Houston’s acknowledged emergency care leaders. Introducing Memorial Hermann Urgent Care. Walk in and get the care you need when you need it – without the wait.
Now open in Heights area 4500 Washington Avenue, Suite 300 Houston, TX 77007 713.861.6490 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Daily Walk-ins welcome mhmg.memorialhermann.org