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June 2016

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From Good to Great

Medical World Americas Conference and Expo

Medical World Americas Conference and Expo PAGES 8-9

PAGES 4-5

The Silent Killer

By Tiffany Davis What is a uterine fibroid?

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus that often appear during childbearing years.

Dr. Ka-Ron Y. Wade is “The Dental Diva”

PAGE 28

PAGES 18-25

The Texas Medical Center: Black Healthcare Professionals and INNOVATION

By Marylyn R. Harris The Texas Medical Center (TMC) is the world’s largest medical complex.

PAGE 33

d-mars.com Celebrates the 2016 Top 50 Black Health, Medical & Wellness Professionals If I’d known I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself.

- Eubie Blake

June 2016 3

Journal Behind The

Message from the Co-Publishers Publisher

MR. D-MARS Co-Publisher

Tiffany Davis, RN-BSN, MSN, CNE

SR. PUBLISHER Keith J. Davis, Sr.

CO-PUBLISHER

Tiffany Davis, RN-BSN, MSN, CNE

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Davis

“From Good to Great” is the theme for this issue of the d-mars.com Health & Wellness Journal, highlighting the 2016 Top 50 Black Health, Medical and Wellness Professionals in our city. There was a time when African-Americans were not provided opportunities in the healthcare profession. However, today we see more African-Americans who have made great accomplishments in the healthcare profession, paying it forward and leaving a legacy of greatness.

This month’s cover story is on one of this year’s 2016 honorees, Dr. Ka-Ron Y. Wade. Having practiced for 18 years, she is one of the most respected dentists in the city. Her premier cosmetic dental practice, Cosmetic Dental Texas, located in Midtown Houston, has a stellar reputation. Dr. Wade is changing the world one smile at a time.

VICE PRESIDENT Kim Floyd

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Dawn Paul

ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla

As always, thank you for your continued support of d-mars.com. When you support us, you are supporting more than just our company; you are supporting the communities in which we live and work. Working together, we can succeed in making positive things happen.

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES C.T. Foster Eric D. Goodwine Tiffany Black

Contents

PHOTOGRAPHY L.C. Poullard Grady Carter Tony Gaines

MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Andrea Hennekes

LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNER Angel Rosa

DISTRIBUTION Booker T. Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rhonda Dallas, B.S., C.L.C., N.C. Texas Health Care Association Tiffany Davis, RN-BSN, MSN, CNE Marylyn R. Harris, RN, MSN, MBA d-mars.com News Provider

Dr. Ka-Ron Y. Wade........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4-5 Medical World Americas Conference and Expo...................................................................................................................................................................... 8-9 Spreading Love to Those with Mental Challenges...................................................................................................................................................................10 Why Am I Up?........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................12 Healthy Lunch Ideas..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................14 New Heart Disease Screening........................................................................................................................................................................................................16 Texas Health Care Association News...........................................................................................................................................................................................16 2016 Top 50 Black Health, Medical & Wellness Professionals Awards.......................................................................................................................18-25 The Rose Hosted Annual Fundraiser at The Ensemble Theatre.........................................................................................................................................26 African-American History Makers in Medicine......................................................................................................................................................................... 27 Uterine Fibroid Disease....................................................................................................................................................................................................................28 Helping to Build a Greener and Healthier Houston................................................................................................................................................................30 Fighting Cancer..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................32 The Texas Medical Center: Black Healthcare Professionals................................................................................................................................................33 June is Men’s Health Month...........................................................................................................................................................................................................34 Lower Extremity Injuries.................................................................................................................................................................................................................36 Healthy Career Outlook for Health Care Professionals with Law Skills..........................................................................................................................36 Gym-Free Fitness Ideas Anyone Can Do....................................................................................................................................................................................38 Affordable, Quality Health Coverage for Your Employees....................................................................................................................................................40

MR. D-MARS Tip of the Month “If you neglect to recharge a battery, it dies.

And if you run full speed ahead without stopping for water, you lose momentum to finish the race.”

- Oprah Winfrey

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June 2016

Changing the World One Smile at a Time

By Dawn Paul

Associate Editor

K

a-Ron Y. Wade BS, RN, BSN, DDS, is known as “The Dental Diva,” having practiced for 18 years, with one of the most successful dental practices in the area since 1999. Her premier cosmetic dental practice, Cosmetic Dental Texas, located in Midtown Houston, has a stellar reputation. She has earned the title, as she has the medical education, training, credentials, and a successful practice in a prime location to prove it. What makes Dr. Wade stand out in a male-dominated field, besides being a female, is that she is not only a dentist, but she is a registered nurse and has an impressive and strong military background, having served in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. Her reputation is not only known around Houston and the United States, but her acclaimed dental treatment has been sought out by patients from all over the world, including the countries of Russia, Germany, The Philippines, Africa, Croatia, and India.

Dr. Wade has always had a fascination with teeth, even as a small child. When she was around 8 years old, she had a bad experience at a dental office that traumatized her, so she was obsessed with making sure she never had another toothache.

Since becoming a dentist, she has kept her vow to treat patients the way she would want to be treated. Dr. Wade earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the historical Wiley College. After receiving her college degree, she attended Texas Woman’s University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Her work as a nurse at Texas Children’s, working in Neonatal ICU, Pediatric ICU, and Intermediate Care, gave her a wider view into other health care needs and showing her true patient care and compassion.

She later had to follow her true passion, which was a career in dentistry. Dr. Wade received her Doctorate in Dental Surgery from the University of Texas in 1995 and began her solo practice in 1999. In order to stay abreast with state-of-the-art trends, Dr. Wade acquired continuing education and advanced dental instruction through her attendance at the Las Vegas Institute (LVI) for Advanced Dental Studies, the Institute of Cosmetic Dentistry, and orthodontic training from the American Orthodontic Society. With her education and military background as a veteran

of the U.S. Army, where she served as a dental officer and retired with the rank of Captain, Dr. Wade has kept her office as one of the most successful due to a strong work ethic, excellent interpersonal skills, and problem solving techniques.

PatientCare Care Patient Because the patient is number one, Dr. Wade doesn’t waver or compromise when it comes to safety standards. “Patients can trust that Cosmetic Dental Texas is a healthy office, using infection control procedures and precautions to prevent the spread of disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed special recommendations for use in dental offices. Our office cares about patient safety, and is diligent in our efforts, working hard to prevent the spread of infection,” says Dr. Wade. When it comes to setting the record straight in regards to oral health, she is just as committed.

Thinking that brushing teeth more than once a day can harm enamel, thinking no visible problem means no problem, and thinking chewing sugar-free gum is just as effective as brushing, are just some of the myths that Dr. Wade has heard and addresses with patients and the community.

She says, “With so much anxiety built up around dental health and dentists, it’s no

surprise that there have been myths created over the years. However, when it comes to your dental health, having false information can be very harmful.” Dr. Wade takes her craft very seriously, and her diverse client roster reflects that many are aware and appreciate this fact. “I never put myself in a box when it comes to my career, and I’m the same way when it comes to clients. All are welcome at my office. I’m blessed to serve a diverse clientele of various ages, races, and cultures,” expresses Dr. Wade.

ProfessionalMemberships Memberships Professional Dr. Wade is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, an organization which fosters their continued proficiency through continuing quality education.

She is also a member of: • American Orthodontic Society • American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry • American Association of Women Dentists

Honorsand andAwards Awards Honors Dr. Wade has received several accolades, including The Kingston’s Group, which is registered in the Library of Congress, and she has published her profile

in the Kingston’s National Registry of the Who’s Who 2003 Edition. She is an honored member of the Cambridge Who’s Who. Dr. Wade was the recipient of the Houston Citizen’s Chamber of Commerce 2009 Pinnacle Award and was named Houston Top Dentist in 2009 and 2012. She is also listed in the Who’s Who in Black Houston 2012. Dr. Wade is the first African American female to be featured on the cover of Doctor of Dentistry Magazine for dentists. She was also the recipient of the Steed Society’s 2012 Top 25 Women of Houston and one of the Top 50 Black Healthcare Professionals of Houston. She has also been honored as a d-mars.com Top Woman and a d-mars. com Top 50 Black Health, Medical & Wellness Professional. She is a member of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

CommunityInvolvement Involvement Community With a genuine love for the community, in 2012, more than $40,000 in free dental services to those in socio-economically underserved communities was provided

by Houston Medi-Dent Mobile Health Corporation, a nonprofit organization founded by Dr. Wade. Her commitment to helping the underserved in the

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Houston community has been recognized by the Houston Area Urban League, St. Mary Purification Catholic Church, City of Houston District I Mayor Pro-temp Carol Alvarado, and the Positive Black Male Association of Houston, just to name a few. Since 2006, through the Black Male Association, Dr. Wade has sponsored a child with a unique opportunity to have an educational experience by traveling to Washington, DC. She is committed to the community through her sponsoring and participation in numerous community initiatives. Dr. Wade is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Having high standards, ethics, and character is what Dr. Wade is all about. Where many dentists may give the patient the most expensive treatment plan, Dr. Wade gives the patient the choice. “I give them the pros and cons of dental treatments. As a dental professional, my duty is to present treatments to the patient, advising of the best plan for their oral health,” says Dr. Wade. Though Dr. Wade has built a lucrative business, she credits her highly skilled

staff as a key to this dental success. Her employees are productive because of their extensive training and passion for the dental industry and the patients. Like her, the staff never compromises when it comes to patient care. Prayer is also a contributing factor, as she silently blesses each patient, asking God to give her wisdom to provide each patient with the best treatment.

What is the best advice that Dr. Wade has for the next generation of dental professionals? Dr. Wade advises, “Follow your dream, no matter what. Don’t let anyone or anything stop you.

There is a pot of gold at the end of the storm.” For more on Dr. Ka-Ron Y. Wade and Cosmetic Dental Texas, please visit www. cosmeticdentaltexas.com.

“I always treat my patients the way that I want to be treated. We strive in our office to provide quality dental care. Our work ethic is stellar, and that is why Cosmetic Dental Texas is well-respected and highly regarded. I have always aimed to achieve greatness in every area of my life, and that especially includes my dental practice. What we do is more than address oral health, living by our motto, we’re ‘Changing the World One Smile at a Time.’”

– Ka-Ron Y. Wade BS, RN, BSN, DDS

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June 2016

d-mars.com Highlights the

Medical World Americas Conference and Expo

T

By d-mars.com News Provider

he d-mars.com Health & Wellness Journal inspires, informs, and educates in several areas of health. dmars.com was proud to be a media partner with Medical World Americas (MWA) for their 2016 Medical World Americas Conference & Expo. MWA offered a forum that fostered collaboration among clinical and administrative professionals from the public and private sectors and the world of academia to advance the health of our communities. This conference was created for doctors, nurses, PAs, administrators, researchers, academics, and manufacturers to have an equal voice in shaping the future of healthcare. MWA, in collaboration with the Texas Medical Center (TMC) by Messe DĂźsseldorf North America and Houston First Corporation/Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, produces this medical conference for all disciplines, held annually at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX. MWA is committed to setting new standards for patient care and operational efficiency. Combining a world-class, educational forum with a dynamic product showcase, MWA breaks down barriers and unites cross-functional clinical and administrative health care professionals to spark powerful, collaborative connec-

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tions to advance community health — now and in the future. MWA provides a unique forum where clinical and administrative professionals can explore the promise of the future of medicine together.

This conference educates health and medical professionals on how to improve patient care and outcomes through preventative strategies, innovative technologies, emerging therapies, and new treatment approaches.

Top Five Reasons to Attend the Medical World Americas Conference & Expo CONTINUING EDUC ATION: Earn up to 10 hours of face-to-face, continuing education credits by attending interactive sessions from top medical professionals and industry experts.

INNOVATION: Join thousands of your peers as they explore new research, systems, strategies, policies, technologies, and procedures to advance the health of our communities.

COLLABORATION: MWA unites cross-functional medical professionals for unparalleled networking and idea exchange with its co-located events.

SOLUTIONS: The expo floor is packed with content, products, and premium engagement opportunities — giving you the chance to check out the latest technologies and ask questions directly to the product innovators about how their solutions can transform health.

EXPERIENCE: Tour some the world’s best-in-class medical facilities, and see for yourself how they are optimizing solutions to advance healthcare.

For more on Medical World Americas and this annual conference, please visit medicalworldamericas.com.

Source Used: Medical World Americas

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June 2016

Lover Compton

Spreading Love to Those with Mental Challenges

By Dawn Paul

Associate Editor

M

ental illness is the white elephant in the room. There are those who don’t want to discuss it or bring it to light. In the African-American community, many times we don’t discuss that relative battling mental illness. No help. No counseling.

No medication. The family takes care of the problem in silence because of the stigma that comes with mental illness. This could be because it’s a “family problem,” and we’ve all heard the phrase, “What happens in this house stays in this house.” Also, it could be because we don’t know who to turn to or what resources are out there.

However, there is a trusted safe-haven for those battling mental illness where families can turn to. Love & Joy Personal Care Homes (Love & Joy), under the leadership of Lover Compton, is that well-respected agency that has been providing quality love and care to those battling mental illness for over 2 decades. Families trust that when Love & Joy is caring for their loved ones, they are in caring and competent hands.

Compton has a true and genuine passion caring for those with mental illness and providing education and raising awareness so society include them, not exclude them.

“People who suffer from mental illness shy away from people who they assume will cause them harm for being different.

Society has learned to turn a blind eye to people who are different. In some cases, showing another individual compassion and kindness is enough for them to feel included,” Compton says. Let’s face it, you can’t really relate to something that you’ve never been through or if it hasn’t hit close to home. Society is unaware of what some people with mental illness go through on a daily basis just to survive. They too have a desire to have a comfortable life just as any human being. Compton adds. “People with mental illness work hard to get by with the little that they have. Some know no other way except to ask another human being for what they need or want. See the human being and not the stigma attached to their illness!”

In November 2014, Love & Joy was in the process of building a state of the art facility. At 85% completion, the building was consumed in a fire that devastated the hopes of having a new residence for 140 mentally ill and homeless clients. Love & Joy is not giving up and in the process of working on rebuilding this facility. Because this is a community-minded agency, they are asking the community to get involved, seeking partnerships to bring this hope back into a reality. If you would like to donate, please send donations to Love & Joy Personal Care Homes, P.O. Box 330344, Houston, TX 77233. For more on Love & Joy Personal Care Homes, please visit www.loveandjoy.org.

Lover Compton spoke to d-mars.com about her work through Love & Joy Personal Care Homes.

Talk about how what you do is different than other agencies.

Unlike other organizations that focus on one population with a one size fits all program, Love & Joy Personal Care Homes provides mental health services for children, men, women, veterans, and the chronic mentally ill. We offer different programs for each population that is designed to stimulate mental functioning.

Talk about how the right staff helping those with mental challenges means everything to your agency.

Love & Joy has staff members who have been with the organization for more than 15 years, and they are dedicated to the population that we serve. As with any agency that provides community service, sometimes people can verbalize a strong desire to help the mentally ill during the interview and hire process. However, when faced with challenges that come with working with the mentally ill, they are not as prepared as they thought. Our initial concern is client safety when monitoring new hires to determine if they are a fit for our community. Having the right staff is the soul of the organization. You have to have the heart to work with mentally ill individuals. When you come to work at Love & Joy Personal Care Homes, you know that you are the

caretaker and the voice for someone who is unable to help themselves.

Talk about what family members face caring for a loved one with mental challenges and how Love & Joy is there to help.

Family members are often overwhelmed when taking care of a loved one with special needs, especially if they are not qualified and do not have the income to assist with care. Love & Joy has experienced the guilt that family members suffer, because they were not able to provide the type of care that their loved one needs. When family members see that their love ones are thriving, happy and healthy in our community, they have a sense of relief and are excited that their loved one is receiving quality care.

Please give me a quote about how what you do is not a business, but this is a calling.

As a 501(c)(3), the idea of making a profit does not come with this population.

Often, we put more into ensuring that our clients have quality care. Through personal experience, it is my purpose to serve those who are invisible and are not able to speak for themselves. Our motto “Bringing Love Back into the Community,” says that we have kindness and compassion for those often forgotten.

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June 2016

Why Am I Up?

O

By Rhonda Dallas Contributing Writer

ur minds are having a really hard time shutting down nowadays.

We are on information overload, which by definition is the difficulty a person can have understanding an issue and making decisions that can be caused by the presence of too much information (Wikipedia). We get information every second and sometimes in real time. Due to social media, television, and mobile devices, we know information faster than we ever have before. So the question becomes, ‘How do I process all this data, and where does it go after I have processed it?’

Information overload was a term coined by American sociologist and futurologist Alvin Toffler in his 1970

book, Future Shock. Toffler argued that society is undergoing an enormous structural change, a revolution from an industrial society to a “super-industrial society.” He asserts that this change will overwhelm people, the accelerated rate of technological and social change leaving them disconnected and suffering from “shattering stress and disorientation”; what he termed, future shock.

His definition of future shock can be summed up as “too much change in too short a period of time,” and in a discussion of the components of such shock, he also used the term information overload.

Nowadays, e-mail is a major source of information overload, as people struggle to keep up with the rate of incoming messages in their personal and professional lives.

Steuart Snooks, an e-mail productivity strategist & expert gives us some things to think about when it comes to the brain and body in regards to information overload.

• Interruptions and Distractions Today’s rapid flow and exchange of information and the resulting tasks they generate are overwhelming for most employees and their managers. This relentless barrage of communication exacts a toll on productivity, as well as personal well–being.

• Loss of Focus - Business interruptions come in two types: external disruptions from phone, e-mail or by colleagues, and internal interruptions from mental distractions or self-dialogue.

Keeping up with all the new inputs we receive from a wide range of technological devices takes up a lot of our time each day. This occurs not only at work but also during our personal time; we’re communicating ourselves into frenzy.

Some of these interruptions, of course, are part of doing business, particularly in these days when companies are encouraging teamwork and collaboration, but often they are personal and nonbusiness related.

• Poor Decision-Making - One of the impacts of information overload is to reduce the mental capacity of knowledge workers. This phenomenon is also known as attention deficit trait (ADT), an informal term coined by psychiatrist Dr. Edward Hallowell.

• Mental Health and Well-Being -

Who would think that too many emails can impact our mental health?

Now that we see some of the effects that information overload can have on us, below are a few of my suggestions on how we can streamline the processes of how we receive so much information.

• Limit our time of watching television.

• Decrease the amount of time we spend on our mobile devises.

• Get back to reading and writing.

This is relaxing, and it can help alleviate stress.

• Instead of texting, pick up the phone, and talk to your friends and loved ones more often. Humans are still in need of human touch and tone.

• Take a walk and exercise your body and your mind on a regular basis.

Doing the things above may be challenging at first, but we know that practice makes perfect. Take care of your mental health.

A certified health and wellness life coach can help you with a healthy lifestyle. Contact Rhonda Dallas at rhondadallascoaching@gmail.com for your coaching session. Get started today!

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June 2016

Healthy Lunch Ideas Enjoy making these delicious and healthy recipes that are perfect for summer.

Photos and Recipes Courtesy of CookingLight.com Vegetable photos from istock.com

Snapper with Grilled Mango Salsa

Skillet Pork Chop SautĂŠ with Peaches

Ingredients

6 (1/2-inch-thick) mango wedges (1 mango) 3 (1/4-inch-thick) slices red onion 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided Cooking spray 1/4 cup diced peeled avocado 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided 4 (6-ounce) yellowtail snapper or other firm white fish fillets Mint sprigs (optional)

Ingredients

Yogurt Sundaes Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil 4 (4-ounce) center-cut boneless pork loin chops, trimmed 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons thinly sliced shallots 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme 2 peaches, each cut into 8 wedges 1/2 cup dry white wine 1/2 cup fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth 2 teaspoons honey 2 teaspoons butter

2 cups vanilla fat-free yogurt 1 cup blueberries, raspberries, or sliced strawberries 1/4 cup Crunchy Maple Granola

Preparation

1. Spoon 1/4 cup yogurt into each of 4 parfait glasses. Top each with 1/4 cup berries, 1/4 cup yogurt, and 1 tablespoon Crunchy Maple Granola.

Kids Can Help: Set out the granola, yogurt, and berries so kids can make their own breakfast.

I like to use measuring cups for scooping the granola and fruit so they learn how to serve themselves a portion.

Preparation

1. Prepare grill to medium-high heat.

2. Brush mango and onion with 1 teaspoon oil. Place mango and onion on grill rack coated with cooking spray; cover and grill 3 minutes on each side or until tender. Chop onion and mango. Combine onion, mango, avocado, mint, juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl.

3. Brush fish with remaining 1 teaspoon oil; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.

Place fish on grill rack; grill 4 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork or until desired degree of doneness. Serve with mango mixture. Garnish with mint sprigs, if desired.

Orange-scented couscous: Bring 3/4 cup fresh orange juice, 1/2 cup water, and 1 tablespoon olive oil to a boil in a saucepan. Stir in 1 cup uncooked couscous, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper.

Remove from heat, cover, and let stand 5 minutes.

Fluff with a fork.

Preparation

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Sprinkle chops evenly with salt and pepper.

Add chops to pan; cook for 3 minutes on each side or until done. Remove chops from pan, and keep warm. Add shallots, thyme, and peaches to pan; cook for 2 minutes. Stir in wine, scraping pan to loosen browned bits; bring to a boil. Cook until reduced to 1/3 cup (about 2 minutes). Stir in broth and honey; bring to a boil. Cook until reduced to 1/3 cup (about 2 minutes). Remove from heat; stir in butter. Spoon sauce over chops.

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June 2016

New Heart Disease Screening Target for Middle-Aged Black Women, Finding Suggests By d-mars.com News Provider

W

ological and biological changes that could potentially increase their risk for heart disease,” said senior author Samar El Khoudary, Ph.D., M.P.H., assistant professor in Pitt Public Health’s Department of Epidemiology. “Future research should build on our findings regarding black women and C-reactive protein by testing similar associations over time, which could potentially yield interventions that can help these women avoid developing heart disease.”

The researchers noted that their study only looked at black and white women, so the results are not generalizable to other racial or ethnic groups.

hen it comes to the latest in biotechnology, ScienceDaily is a great source for informa-

tion.

Middle-aged black women have higher levels of a protein in their blood associated with a predictor of heart disease than their white counterparts, even after other factors, such as obesity, are taken into consideration, according to a study conducted by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and School of Medicine.

The finding, reported today in the journal Menopause, suggests routine blood testing of black menopausal women may be warranted to determine their heart disease risk and potentially when to start therapies, such as aspirin and statins. The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

“Multiple previous studies have shown that black women are at higher risk for heart disease than white women; however, guidelines for assessing cardiovascular disease risk in asymptomatic adults do not recommend selective race- or ethnic-based risk-assessment,” said lead author Norman C. Wang, M.D., M.S., assistant professor in Pitt’s School of Medicine. “Our study revealed for the first time that in black, but not white, women going through menopause, higher levels of an easily measured risk factor for heart disease are associated with higher amounts of early atherosclerosis, even after accounting for other risk factors for heart disease.

Story Source: The above is reprinted from materials provided by University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences.

A clinical trial to determine whether routine screening in this population can save lives may be warranted.”

Dr. Wang and his colleagues examined medical records, blood samples and heart CT scans for 372 black and white women from Pittsburgh and Chicago enrolled in the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN). The women averaged just over 51 years old, were not on hormone replacement therapy and had no known heart disease when enrolled.

The researchers looked at blood levels of five biomarkers linked to inf lammation. All of the biomarkers were associated with coronary artery calcification, a predictor of heart disease that is measured with a heart CT scan. When the researchers then took into account the participants’ body mass index (BMI), a measure of over-

all body fat, they found that obesity was a key factor linking most of the elevated inf lammation biomarkers and coronary artery calcification.

Regardless of BMI, black women with higher levels of one particular biomarker, C-reactive protein, were more likely to have coronary artery calcification than whites. In fact, black women with coronary artery calcification had an average level of C-reactive protein in their blood that was almost double that of their white counterparts.

“We clearly demonstrated that obesity, inf lammation biomarkers and coronary artery calcification are linked for both black and white midlife women, further emphasizing the need to promote lifestyle changes to combat obesity at midlife when women are subjected to many physi-

Journal Reference: Rebecca C. Thurston, Karen A. Matthews, Yuefang Chang, Nanette Santoro, Emma Barinas-Mitchell, Roland von Känel, Doug P. Landsittel, J. Richard Jennings. Changes in heart rate variability during vasomotor symptoms among midlife women. Menopause, 2016; 1 DOI: 10.1097/ GME.0000000000000586

University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences. (2016, March 30). New heart disease screening target for middle-aged black women, finding suggests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 2, 2016 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/03/160330102838.htm For more, please visit ScienceDaily at www.sciencedaily.com.

Texas Health Care Association News

New Study Shows Trouble Ahead for Texas Nursing Homes Care for Seniors Costs $267 Million More Than State Pays (AUSTIN, Texas) — A new study estimates the Lone Star State shortchanged Texas nursing homes about $267 million last year. ”The ability to meet the needs and expectations of the growing elderly and disabled population should be a major cause for concern for everyone.

As a result of the shortfall, as many as 80 percent of nursing homes in Texas are not having their costs for taking care of Medicaid patients met by the state,” said Kevin Warren, president of the non-profit Texas Health Care Association. “Another shortfall on covering these costs is setting us up for trouble ahead for Texas nursing homes.”

The study, sponsored by the non-

profit American Health Care Association, comes on the heels of recent news that nurses are fleeing Texas facilities at an unprecedented rate with nurse assistants often able to receive higher wages in the fast food industry. Registered nurses in Texas nursing homes have a 94-percent annual turnover rate.

And as Texas nursing homes struggle with staffing issues, Texas’ senior citizen population is set to explode. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that more than 20 percent of Texas’ population will be over age 60 by the year 2030, an increase of close to 25 percent from 2012.

Warren said the state’s Medicaid reimbursement shortfall — about $232,000 per home each year — not

only forces down wages for front-line staff, but prohibits nursing home owners from buying much-needed medical equipment or updating aging facilities.

“Most nursing homes in Texas take care of Medicaid patients at rates that just don’t cover their costs,” Warren said. About 85-percent of residents in Texas nursing homes rely on Medicaid or Medicare.

“Buying a new ventilator or investing more for staff is tough when you aren’t getting paid in full for providing care for a majority of your residents,” Warren said. “Texas nursing homes are 100-percent dedicated to providing high-quality, hands-on care every day. But when it comes time to pay the

bills, the state is falling short — about 12-percent short to be exact, according to this study.”

Texas lawmakers can avert a future nursing home crisis by fixing the funding shortfall next legislative session, said Dr. C. Bruce Davis, Deputy Speaker Pro Tem for the Texas Silver Haired Legislature. The issue is one of the group’s top legislative priorities for the 85th Legislative Session, which starts in January.

“The low Medicaid reimbursement rate in Texas, 49th lowest in the nation, threatens the closure of many of our rural nursing facilities,” Davis said.

For more on the Texas Health Care Association, please visit www.txhca.org.

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June 2016

2016 Top 50 Black Health, Medical and Wellness Professionals Awards

MR. D-MARS,

was a priceless moment. Their story has touched so many, including myI just wanted to personally express my sinself. The chance to network and find cere gratitude to you for allowing me to be ways to help in Marla’s cause was very a part of the 2016 Top 50 Black HMWP inspirational. award program. I was completely humbled It always amazes me how God placto be in the midst of great awardees this es the right people in your path at the year. The opportunity to network and hear exact right time. MR. D-MARS, you Health, Medical & Wellness Professionals of the many great things others are doing in truly have been that person God has 2016 our community in healthcare was very imsent. Thank you for allowing me to pacting on my personal drive to do more in be a part of the wonderful recognition my field. I truly believe this experience will you give others. May God bless you for be a pivotal moment in my own career and help me strive to grow even more. your desire to honor the good things others are doing in our community!

It has also inspired me to reach out to those who have a desire to enter the medical field. Talking with the many nursing students who were present at Sincerely, the event was a great reminder of my opportunity to be a better mentor to Tiffiny Jackson, MS, RN, FNP-BC others. Lastly, the chance to finally meet and hug Marla Jones, Kyssi’s mom, 2016 Top 50 Black HMWP Honoree

TrailblazerS “Participating in the 2016 Top 50 Health, Medical, and Wellness Professional Awards is a highlight of my career. I am truly honored to be considered a “Trailblazer” and hope that my career journey can serve as a catalyst to spark the interest of other professionals and students towards leadership in healthcare. I am blessed to have a career that touches the lives of patients, their families, and the community on a daily basis. Healthcare leadership provides unique opportunities for servant leadership and also to commit to a mission - advancing health for the patients we serve in a holistic and compassionate manner.”

—Dr. Mario J. Garner, Sr. Vice President and CEO of Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital

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June 2016 19

Community HeroES

“The honor meant so much to me because of the countless number of people who thanked me for having a positive impact on their family, friends, or people they worked with. People shared with me how important it was that I had taken the time to speak with young people, career changers, and others wanting to improve their status in life, and about what Prairie View has to offer to make their dreams come true. I want to thank MR. D-MARS and his wife, Tiffany Davis of E-PIC, for making history in the Greater Houston area.”

— Forest Dent Smith, Ph.D., LPC, Director of Office of Admissions and Student Services College of Nursing at Prairie View A&M University

LEADING NURSEs “It was truly an honor to be recognized by MR. D-MARS as a “Leading Nurse.” It was amazing to be surrounded and honored amongst so many prestigious African-American healthcare professionals. This event was inspiring and taught me that my journey has just begun!”

— Arcandrice Ratliff, RN, BSN, MSN, Clinical Nurse Manager at Houston Eye Associates

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June 2016

SUPER HMWP “I am deeply honored to be named a Super HMWP and to be counted among so many unsung heroes in Houston’s medical community. You’ve filled a void by publicly recognizing and celebrating the achievements of African-American healthcare professionals. d-mars.com is a shining example of how we should uplift and inspire the next generation of physicians, nurses, executives, and entrepreneurs. Thank you for pushing us all to higher heights!”

— Jacqueline F. Preston, Marketing Communications Manager for Kelsey-Seybold Clinic

TOP HMWP

“I was honored to be selected as a Top 50 Black HMWP for my work as a mental health professional. Nothing beats being recognized for one's commitment to excellence. Moreover, as a Black healthcare trendsetter, we are an elite, overworked, and underappreciated group. Having an esteemed entity such as d-mars.com honor you validates our commitment and authenticates our presence as leading health and wellness professionals.”

— Dr. D Ivan Young

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June 2016  21

UP AND COMING HMWP

TOP HMWP

PARTY

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June 2016

2016 Top 50 Black Health

“

Our 2016 Top Black HMWP honorees are people of These honorees are not only making a difference importance. They are role models and mentors fo

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June 2016 23

h, Medical & Wellness Professionals

great influence, and they don’t take their calling and responsibility lightly. in the profession, but also in the community, which is of the utmost or the next generation of health professionals.”

— d-mars.com President & CEO, MR. D-MARS Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

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June 2016

PARTY

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June 2016 25

SPONSORS TITLE

PRESENTING

Valuing our patients as family

PLATINUM

PHONE 713-661-5702 FAX: 713-661-5797 www.myadvancepharmacy.com

Advance Pharmacy is dedicated to providing an outstanding service for you and your family.

Our Retail Pharmacy Provides: • Personalized care • Experienced, bi-lingual staff • Free, complimentary, next day shipping on select medications Call our advance team for more info!

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June 2016

The Rose Hosted Annual Fundraiser at The Ensemble Theatre

for African-American Women in the Houston Community By d-mars.com News Provider

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he leading breast cancer detection and prevention organization, The Rose, hosted its third annual The Rose at The Ensemble fundraiser, sponsored by Merrill Lynch. The event was Chaired by Ashley Turner and Zawandi Bryant, with emcee Kim Roxie, founder of LAMIK Beauty. The special guest speaker was the Mayor of the City of Houston, Sylvester Turner, who shared an engaging, interactive discussion on the importance of AfricanAmerican women putting their health first and getting screened annually. Mayor Sylvester Turner also declared June 5th as The Rose Day in Houston in front of an audience of 140 people.

Since its inception in 2014, The Rose at The Ensemble Theatre has garnered more than $125,000 in fundraising dollars, which goes back into the community to provide sponsored mammograms for African-American women.

This year’s event raised $43,000 with a sold out show of 193 seats.

The presenting sponsors at the event were Merrill Lynch and Lane Staffing.

Additional sponsors and individual donors included Angels Surviving Cancer, Inc., Dominion Chapel Houston, LAMIK Beauty, Eileen Campbell, Garden Oaks Church of Christ, Greater Grace Outreach Church, Houston Lady Lions Club, MD Anderson Cancer Center,

Owens Management System, Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance, Sutton’s BBQ, and more.

Among the guests were Mayor Sylvester Turner, Ashley Turner, Kim Roxie, Marcus Manson, Misha McClure, Carl Davis, and other community lead-

ers. To learn more about The Rose’s annual programming, please visit www. the-rose.org.

Content provided by Medley Inc.

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June 2016 27

Our History

African-American History Makers in Medicine t d-mars.com we take pride in our history. We are a beautiful people, and that is why we celebrate our history every month, not just during February. We have made strides in areas such as business, education, and politics, but also in the area of medicine. Below are African-Americans who have made significant contributions to the medical world.

book - Syphilis and Its Treatment, 1936.

He is known internationally for the development of a flocculation method for the detection of syphilis called the “Hinton Test.” Dr. Hinton is also the first Black to hold a professorship at Harvard University.

He attended the University of Kansas from 1900-1902 and then transferred to Harvard, graduating from Harvard Medical School in 1912. From 1921-1946, he taught bacteriology and immunology at Harvard before being promoted to clinical professor in 1949.

Dr. Daniel Hale Williams (1856-1931)

Dr. Charles Richard Drew (1904-1950)

By d-mars.com News Provider

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Dr. Williams performed the first successful open heart surgery in 1893 and founded Provident Hospital and Training School for Nurses (the first black-owned hospital in America) in 1891. From 1893-1898, he was Surgeon-in-Chief, Freedmen’s Hospital, Washington, DC. He also founded the National Medical Association in 1895 (Blacks were denied membership in the American Medical Association). As a charter member of the American College of Surgeons in 1913, he was the first and only Blacks member for many years.

Dr. William Augustus Hinton (1883-1959) First Black physician to publish a text-

Charles Drew was a pioneer researcher in blood plasma for transfusion and in the development of blood banks. He was the first Director, American Red Cross Blood Bank; Professor, Howard University; and Chief Surgeon, Freedmen’s Hospital. The U.S. Postal Service issued a Commemorative Stamp with his portrait in 1981. Drew received his M.D. and Master of Surgery (C.M.) degree from McGill University in 1933.

Mary Eliza Mahoney (1845-1926) First Black professional nurse in the United States (1879). Mary’s parents moved from North Carolina to Boston, where she

was born on April 16, 1845. In Boston, Black children were not permitted to attend schools with Whites until 1855, and even in New England, domestic service was the only way for a Black woman to make a living. Interested in a nursing career from the age of eighteen, Mary was a “nurse” for several prominent white families prior to entering formal nurse training. On March 23, 1878, she was the “first coloured girl admitted” (Medical and Nursing Record Book, 1878) to the nurse training program at the New England Hospital for Women and Children; she graduated sixteen months later at the age of thirty-four. (Note: Mahoney’s biographer, Helen Miller, was Associate Professor of Nursing Research at North Carolina Central University.)

Dr. Charles DeWitt Watts (1917-2004) Dr. Watts spent more than 50 years advocating for civil and human rights and for the quality of medical care for all residents of Durham, especially the poor and underserved. He broke racial barriers when he pushed for certification of Black medical students.

He was the first African-American to be certified by a surgical specialty board in North Carolina. He played a key role in founding Lincoln Community Health Center, a free standing clinic, which served people regardless of their ability to pay.

Dr. Watts joined the staff of Lincoln Hospital as Chief of Surgery in 1950. Lincoln was one of the few American hospitals at the time that granted surgical privileges to African-American physicians. He completed his surgical training at Freedman’s Hospital in Washington, DC, under the tutelage of Dr. Charles Drew. Dr. Watts worked to prepare Lincoln’s interns and residents for board certification and convinced Duke University Medical School to oversee Lincoln’s training program so that students could get board certified.

He fought along with other community leaders for the creation of one integrated public health care facility, Durham Regional Hospital, built in Durham in 1967. This led to the closing of both Watts and Lincoln hospitals.

Dr. Watts served as Adjunct Clinical Professor of Surgery at Duke and Director of Student Health at North Carolina Central University. He served for 28 years as Vice President and Medical Director for North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Co., the largest African-American managed insurer in the country.

Dr. Watts was a member of the National Academy of Science’s Institute of Medicine, a fellow in the American College of Surgeons, and an active participant in the National Medical Association.

Source Used guides.mclibrary.duke.edu

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June 2016

Uterine Fibroid Disease:

The Silent Killer

By Tiffany Davis Co-Publisher

What is a uterine fibroid?

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus that often appear during childbearing years. Also called leiomyomas (lie-o-my-O-muhs) or myomas, uterine fibroids aren't associated with an increased risk of uterine cancer and almost never develop into cancer.

Uterine fibroids develop from the smooth muscular tissue of the uterus (myometrium). A single cell divides repeatedly, eventually creating a firm, rubbery mass distinct from nearby tissue. The growth patterns of uterine fibroids vary — they may grow slowly or rapidly, or they may remain the same size. Some fibroids go through growth spurts, and some may shrink on their own.

strual bleeding and are sometimes a problem for women attempting pregnancy.

• Subserosal fibroids. Fibroids that project to the outside of the uterus (subserosal fibroids) can sometimes press on your bladder, causing you to experience urinary symptoms.

If fibroids bulge from the back of your uterus, they occasionally can press either on your rectum, causing a pressure sensation, or on your spinal nerves, causing backache.

• Intramural fibroids. Some fibroids grow within the muscular uterine wall (intramural fibroids). If large enough, they can distort the shape of

Who is at a high risk for getting the disease?

the uterus and cause prolonged, heavy periods, as well as pain and pressure.

fibroids. Fibroids contain more estrogen and progesterone receptors than normal uterine muscle cells do. Fibroids tend to shrink after menopause due to a decrease in hormone production.

• Other growth factors. Substances that help the body maintain tissues, such as insulin-like growth factor, may affect fibroid growth.

In addition, there are a few known risk factors for uterine fibroids, other than being a woman of reproductive age. Other factors that can have an impact on fibroid development include: • Heredity. If your mother or sister had fibroids, you're at increased risk of developing them.

Doctors don't know the cause of uterine fibroids, but research and clinical experience point to these factors: • Genetic changes. Many fibroids contain changes in genes that differ from those in normal uterine muscle cells. There's also some evidence that fibroids run in families and that identical twins are more likely to both have fibroids than no identical twins.

• Hormones. Estrogen and progesterone, two hormones that stimulate development of the uterine lining during each menstrual cycle in preparation for pregnancy, appear to promote the growth of

What are common symptoms?

As many as three out of four women have uterine fibroids sometime during their lives, but most are unaware of them because they often cause no symptoms. Women between their early 30’s and 40’s begin to be affected and needing medical assistance. Your doctor may discover fibroids incidentally during a pelvic exam or prenatal ultrasound.

Common symptoms if any are: • Heavy menstrual bleeding • Prolonged menstrual periods — seven days or more of menstrual bleeding • Pelvic pressure or pain • Frequent urination • Difficulty emptying your bladder • Constipation • Backache or leg pains The location, size, number of fibroids influences signs and symptoms. Below are common locations of fibroids and how the body is affected: • Submucosa fibroids. Fibroids that grow into the inner cavity of the uterus (submucosa fibroids) are more likely to cause prolonged, heavy men-

What is the recommendation to inform your doctor?

See your doctor if you have: • Pelvic pain that doesn't go away • Overly heavy or painful periods • Spotting or bleeding between periods • Pain consistently with intercourse • Enlarged uterus and abdomen • Difficulty emptying your bladder Seek prompt medical care if you have severe vaginal bleeding or sharp pelvic pain that comes on suddenly.

• Race. Black women are more likely to have fibroids than women of other racial groups. In addition, black women have fibroids at younger ages, and they're also likely to have more or larger fibroids.

• Other factors. Onset of menstruation at an early age, having a diet higher in red meat and lower in green vegetables and fruit, and drinking alcohol, including beer, appear to increase your risk of developing fibroids.

Why this disease is considered a “Silent Killer” No one is sure what causes and how to pinpoint the symptoms of this disease.

25 percent of women who do have symptoms may have abnormal bleeding, pain during menstruation, and as the fibroid tumors grow larger, women will often experience a swollen abdomen.

All of the factors listed above are a result of research and clinical experiences.

Most women like me are born into the devastation, discomfort and dismay of this life- affecting disease.

Women grieve silently because it is embarrassing and a private conversation. The symptoms reflect that of other diseases, unless testing and follow-up is done effectively. However often times interventions are never effective or treatment occurs later during the disease process.

I suffered for over 20 years. I watched my mother and both of my sisters suffer. So, it was a part of the normal pattern in the household. Menstrual periods for one and two weeks, changing of maxi pads every 3045 minutes, covering your seats with towels and bringing changes of clothes to work is NOT normal.

We are breaking the silence and bringing awareness to uterine fibroid disease. Please come to this FREE community event (HESS Club, 5430 Westheimer Rd., Houston, Texas 77056) on Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 12:00PM. Registration required at http://bit.ly/Fibroids/EPIC. This event will provide you with all there is to know, educating you on health insurance, treatment options, infertility concerns, adoption options, and primary care. YOUR LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME! References: Mayo Clinic MedicineNet.com

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June 2016

Plant It Forward Farms

Helping to Build a Greener and Healthier Houston By d-mars.com News Provider

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any Houstonians say locally grown food is important to them. Fresh produce is in such high demand. Houston deserves the infrastructure to be able to grow and purchase healthy, fresh, and local food. Plant It Forward Farms provides Houston with fresh, local produce by helping refugees grow their own urban farm businesses. Houston is settling a record number of new refugees every year, many of whom have fled violence in their homelands and are starting new lives without the job or language skills needed to succeed.

Plant It Forward Farms is helping these refugees become self-reliant entrepreneurs who can support their families and help our city grow. Plant It Forward Farms provides refugees with the tools, training, and business skills needed to become successful urban farmers.

Each farmer is trained to farm using organic methods and sell their produce through farmers markets, farm stands, restaurants, and farm shares. Their vision

is a farm in every neighborhood, and every day they come one step closer to realizing that dream. Plant It Forward Farms provides fresh, seasonal produce for Houston.

All of their food is free of chemical pesti-

cides and is freshly picked for sale at local farmers markets. They offer the fruits and vegetables that you grew up with, as well as their farmers’ favorite produce from their homelands around the world.

Not only does it support hard working refugee farmers, our local economy, and the creation of green space in Houston; you are also buying some of the freshest fruits and vegetables in the city, all grown without the use of chemicals or GMOs. Their farmers are selling at farmers markets, at farm stands, and to chefs throughout the Houston area. Plant It Forward Farms is helping Houston be more advanced in the area of health by creating access to healthy food and fresh produce. By fostering the sustainable growth of both the city and its individuals, Plant It Forward Farms can help lead Houston to a healthier and more prosperous future.

For more information on Plant It Forward Farms, and how you can get involved, please visit plant-it-forward.org.

Source Used: Plant It Forward Farms

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June 2016

How Our Own Bodies May Be the Key to Fighting Cancer By d-mars.com News Provider

The road ahead: A cancer “moonshot”

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n August 2015, former President Jimmy Carter shared some very sad news with the world when he revealed he had been diagnosed with melanoma, and that the disease had already spread to other parts of his body.

But then, something incredible happened. Just months after his announcement, Carter declared himself “cancer free.” A few months later, the former president indicated he no longer needed treatment for his disease. How could this happen? One scientific explanation is that he received immunotherapy - a new type of treatment that is changing the lives of many people diagnosed with cancer.

The idea behind immunotherapy is relatively simple - get your body to fight cancer the way it was meant to by empowering and enhancing your immune system. Although immunotherapy has been in the making for more than a century, today’s major advances are leading to miraculous stories like Carter’s.

Immunotherapy: A family’s quest to advance cancer care In the early 1890s, Dr. William Coley, a prominent surgeon who specialized in cancer and practiced medicine in New York between 1890 and 1936, started noticing seemingly spontaneous remission in patients with cancer who contracted

certain bacterial infections. Inspired by his observations, Coley began to explore a daring new idea by injecting live bacteria into a patient with an inoperable malignant tumor. The patient made a complete recovery and lived another 26 years before ultimately passing away from a heart attack. Reassured by this case, Dr. Coley then developed a safe and effective mixture of bacteria to treat patients with cancer - known as Coley’s mixed bacterial toxins (or Coley’s toxins). Little was known of immunology in Coley’s day, but today it is understood that the immune system’s response to the bacteria is likely to have been what triggered his patients’ responses against cancer.

Unfortunately, Coley’s findings were overshadowed by the advent of X-ray, radium treatment and chemotherapy.

After his death, Coley’s daughter, Helen Coley Nauts, became inspired by her father’s work and was able to track down hundreds of cases of microscopically confirmed cancers that had been treated with Coley’s toxins. After more than three years of research, Nauts published her findings and demonstrated the truly beneficial effects of her father’s treatment, rekindling the medical community’s interest in immunotherapy.

With a grant of $2,000 from Nelson Rockefeller, Nauts and her long-time friend, Oliver R. Grace, founded the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) in 1953. Today, nearly every major research institution in the world working in immunology and immunotherapy has scientists on staff who have been, or are currently being funded by CRI.

It is easy to call immunotherapy a miracle - and it may be in some regards - but it is also important to realize that this revolutionary new way of treating cancer is actually the result of years of research and dedication. Recognizing a need for continued funding and research to advance cancer care, Vice President Joe Biden launched the National Cancer Moonshot - an initiative dedicated to accelerating research through increased collaboration between patient advocacy groups, health care providers, and many other stakeholders in the field, like CRI. “Vice President Biden’s Moonshot initiative is an exciting proposal for patients living with cancer and the immunotherapy researchers all over the world who are working day and night to discover and develop newer, safer ways to treat this disease,” says Dr. Jill O’Donnell-Tormey, chief executive officer and director of scientific affairs at the Cancer Research Institute. “We at CRI were thrilled to be invited by the Vice President’s team to participate in early discussions regarding the initiative and look forward to continuing our role as an expert resource in the field of cancer immunotherapy.”

To learn more about cancer immunotherapy, visit the Cancer Research Institute website at www.cancerresearch.org. – BPT

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June 2016 33

The Texas Medical Center: Black Healthcare Professionals and INNOVATION

T

Marylyn R. Harris Contributing Writer

he Texas Medical Center (TMC) is the world’s largest medical complex. Since opening in 1945, TMC has been pioneering patient care, research, education, and prevention.

Today, TMC comprises: 21 renowned hospitals, 14 support organizations, 10 academic institutions, eight academic and research institutions, seven nursing programs, three public health organizations, three medical schools, two pharmacy schools, and a dental school.

The TMC boasts, 106,000 employees, 25,000 babies, 180,000 annual surgeries, and 750,000 ER visits per year (TMC, 2016).

I am a seasoned healthcare provider and executive who has worked and trained at TMC institutions for the last thirty years.

Thousands of innovative Black healthcare

professionals work within the TMC. Additionally, a large percentage of the 8 million patients treated at TMC institutions (Texasmedicalcenter.org, 2016) are African-American. Interestingly, only a small number of Black healthcare professionals do business with the world-renowned institutions that call TMC home. As I investigate opportunities to sell products and services to the TMC, I am discovering a disturbing trend surrounding Black healthcare professionals, the TMC, business and innovation. I believe that TMC business practices should be increasingly inclusive of business owners who reflect the race/ethnicity of the patients they treat.

Aside from a few supplier diversity programs at select TMC institutions, there are real barriers to doing business with entities in the TMC for Black healthcare professionals. Additionally, if you are one of the many Black healthcare professionals who work in (or for) the TMC, procurement and innovation opportunities are not always recognizable. Over the next several months, my columns will raise awareness of opportunities, provide information and resources that focus on increasing the number of Black healthcare professionals who do business with the TMC and participate in TMC innovation opportunities.

I have participated at TMCX since its launch in 2014. Equally disturbing is the fact that I have not witnessed the robust participation or knowledge of the existence of TMCX among Black healthcare professionals. Positioned to become one of the premier life science commercialization clusters in the world, the TMC (TMCInnovation, 2016) Innovation Institute utilizes the world-class research assets and clinical operations of its members to foster healthcare breakthroughs.

Providing the tools firms need to close the gap between research and commercialization, the TMC Innovation Institute ensures the acceleration and incubation of transformative health care tools.

The TMC Innovation Institute includes wet lab research areas and office space in the TMC. The services consist of an incubator, an accelerator program, coworking space, industry partners, leading educational resources, and unprec-

edented access. Also, it provides expertise in FDA regulation, intellectual property, business modeling, and financing critical to the success of early-stage life science companies.

With a team of diverse professional researchers, I plan to conduct a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) Analysis of TMC organizations. The goal of the analysis is to identify outreach efforts, programs, and services that seek to do business and promote innovation with Black healthcare providers.

These columns will feature information, resources, and opportunities discovered from this analysis. Black healthcare professionals with clinical expertise, transferrable skills, and “big dreams” that desire to do business with TMC institutions or to launch innovative healthcare/life science - related product or service businesses can greatly benefit from this information. Stay connected!

Marylyn R. Harris, RN, MSN, MBA is a healthcare executive, educator, entrepreneur, and author. Contact Marylyn at Marylyn@Harrland.com.

Sources Used: -http://www.texasmedicalcenter.org/ wp-content/uploads/2014/04/TMC-FactsFigures-030716.png -http://www.tmcinnovation.org/about/

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June 2016

June is Men’s Health Month

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

or colon problems that raise their risk.

A.) 40 B.) 50 C.) 45

A

9. African-Americans have a higher rate of vascular disease (diseases involving blood vessels, including heart attack and stroke) – one of the suspected risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease.

TRUE OR FALSE?

By d-mars.com News Provider

nchored by a Congressional health education program, Men’s Health Month is celebrated across the country with screenings, health fairs, and other outreach activities and health education. The purpose of Men’s Health Month is to raise awareness of preventable health problems, encouraging early detection and treatment of disease among boys and men. June gives health care providers, public policy makers, and individuals an opportunity to encourage males to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury.

Do you know what the statistics are regarding certain diseases impacting males? Do you know how many men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime? This quiz is going to test your knowledge when it comes to men’s health.

Men’s Health Month Quiz Good luck!

1. 1 in 10 African-American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. TRUE or FALSE? 2. 20% of men 18 years and over are in

10. The following foods can boost a man’s sexual stamina. A.) Bananas & Peanuts B.) Soybeans & Strawberries C.) Mint & Beets

fair or poor health. TRUE or FALSE? 3. What is the percent of men 18 years and over who had five or more drinks in 1 day at least once in the past year? A.) 31.4% B.) 45% C.) 60%

6. The 3 leading causes of death among men are diabetes, cancer, and accidents (unintentional injuries).

TRUE or FALSE?

4. The percent of men 18 years and over who currently smoke cigarettes is 10%. TRUE or FALSE?

7. The American Cancer Society says one out of every 1,000 men are at risk for the disease. (2015). TRUE or FALSE?

5. The percent of men 20 years and over with obesity is 34.5% (2011-2014).

TRUE or FALSE?

8. Men should start screening at age _______, or earlier if they have a family history of colon or rectal cancer

How did you do? Well, being that this month is Men’s Health Month, it’s important that you become aware of statistics regarding men’s health. If you are a man and have not had your annual checkup, this month is the perfect time to make that appointment. Take care of your health. You only have one body.

Men, this is the time to take charge of your health!

Sources Used www.menshealthnetwork.org www.cdc.gov www.cancer.org www.cancercenter.com www.healthyblackmen.org www.eatthis.com SEE MEN’S HEALTH ANSWERS, PAGE 40

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June 2016

Rise in Lower Extremity Injuries Possible Result of New Concussion Prevention Rules By d-mars.com News Provider

Lower extremity injuries (i.e. hip/groin, upper leg/thigh, knee, lower leg/Achilles, foot/toes) and sports-related concussions were examined. The data for the surveillance system is collected through program athletic trainers and physicians.

Overall, 2,400 lower extremity injuries were reported during those time periods, with the most occurring to the knee (33.6%) and ankle (28.6%). Fifty-nine percent of the injuries were due to player contact. Non-contact/overuse injuries did not increase during the time studied.

“Our research is the first to report trends in injury patterns since “targeting” rule changes took effect. Continued surveillance to examine these trends, and a more in-depth examination of how targeting rule changes are impacting injuries both at the targeted site and at other parts of the body needs to be performed to prevent long-term health issues,” said Westermann.

W

hen it comes to the latest in biotechnology, ScienceDaily is a great source for information.

NCAA tackling rule changes that penalize head to head contact, and encourage tackling of the lower extremity have had some proven impacts in collegiate football.

However, according to researchers presenting their work at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine’s (AOSSM) Specialty Day, an unintended consequence of these rule changes may be higher rates of knee, ankle and thigh injuries.

“Nearly a third of all concussions in collegiate athletics occur during football.

With the relatively recent rule changes, concussion rates have not decreased. Our analysis of the NCAA Injury Surveillance Database though noted increased rates of ankle and knee injuries, which may result in osteoarthritis and disability issues later in life for these athletes,” said lead author, Robert Westermann, MD from the University of Iowa. “Athletes may be making contact lower on the body, to avoid the head-to-head contact and thus stiffer game penalties.”

Westermann and his team looked at the NCAA Injury Surveillance Database for 57 programs and compared injury rate ratios between 2009/10-2011/12 and after new rules to reduce head to head tacking between the 2012/13-2014/15 seasons.

Story Source: The above post is reprinted from materials provided by American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.

American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. (2016, March 5). Rise in lower extremity injuries possible result of new concussion prevention rules.ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 2, 2016 from www.sciencedaily.com/ releases/2016/03/160305111838.htm

For more, please visit ScienceDaily at www.sciencedaily.com.

Healthy Career Outlook for Health Care Professionals with Law Skills By d-mars.com News Provider

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areer opportunities in the health care industry are expected to continue growing more quickly than in virtually any other industry, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Not only is the health care industry expected to add more than 2 million new jobs by 2024, many existing roles will continue to evolve, creating additional opportunities for professionals currently working in what is a very broad field.

Health care law is one area seeing significant growth, thanks in part to the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It's one of the fastest-growing disciplines for graduate and post-graduate degrees, according to Lawyer & Statesman. The changes spurred by the ACA are also inspiring many professionals to learn more about the law to enhance their career opportunities and boost their skill sets.

"Health care professionals routinely find their day-to-day tasks affected by legal issues like regulatory compliance, risk management, malpractice,

ethics, and patient privacy," says Scott Johnson, professor of law at Concord Law School, part of Kaplan University. "Recent laws and regulations governing these issues and the delivery of health services generally make knowledge of health care law a real career asset these days. A background in law can help a wide range of professionals, from administrators to clinicians to technology entrepreneurs be more effective in their current roles and better positioned to seize emerging opportunities."

Legal expertise can benefit health care professionals and their patients across many aspects of the industry, but it is particularly helpful in three key areas, Johnson notes: • Regulatory compliance - Compliance professionals help providers prevent, detect, and correct any actions, policies, or procedures that are counter to the many regulations governing the health care industry. They also help promote ethical conduct.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 propelled growth in this area and regulatory compliance has been one of the fastest-growing professions over the

past 15 years. Health care professionals in a wide range of positions including those who work with electronic health records, Medicare or Medicaid requirements, or the various requirements from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) could benefit from knowledge of legal issues related to regulatory compliance.

• Ethics - A subspecialty of regulatory compliance, knowing legal issues related to ethics is particularly important for professionals working in facilities where research also takes place.

Bioethical principles and standards cover areas such as human subject research, genetic privacy, patient rights, rehabilitation ethics and more.

• Risk management - This discipline focuses on reducing errors to protect patients as well as health care employers. This includes provider and institutional liability, notification and apology programs, risk assessments, patient safety, and adverse event reporting.

The growth of health care law has encouraged schools to create specialized degree programs for professionals seeking added legal expertise, but not planning to become practicing attorneys. For example, Kaplan's Concord

Law School offers a health care law track within its Executive Juris Doctorate (EJD) program. Since most industry professionals are working fulltime, and often outside of the typical 9-5 work day, going back to school can be challenging. However, as the first fully online law school since 1998, Concord provides a unique solution.

"One of the great benefits of the online EJD Health Law program is that it is offered through our law school," Johnson says. "EJD students take the same classes that our law students take and they learn from the same law professors. Attending our law school provides EJD students with a thorough understanding of the law. They enjoy the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to analyze the law and explain its impact. Plus, they get to do all of it in a flexible, online program.

EJD students can apply these skills by helping health care providers and professionals comply with the myriad of state and federal laws that govern health care."

To learn more about Concord Law School and the health care law track, visit www.concordlawschool.edu. – BPT

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June 2016

Gym-Free Fitness Ideas Anyone Can Do

V

By d-mars.com News Provider

When out and about

isiting a gym to lift weights or take a class is great for your health.

However, busy schedules, tight budgets and simply not feeling like the gym environment is for you are reasons that frequently cause people to stop going. Fortunately, being fit doesn't require the gym!

Tavis Piattoly, a sports dietitian, expert nutritionist and co-founder of My Sports Dietitian, offers some no-fuss ideas for staying healthy without the gym.

A busy schedule packed with errands still presents the opportunity for fitness.

For example, walk or run the parking lot while kids are taking dance or music classes rather than passing the time on your smartphone.

Nutrients A healthy balance of nutrients keeps blood sugar levels from crashing and gives you a steady source of energy. Piattoly especially recommends taking a Nordic Naturals supplement daily to get the omega-3s you need for optimal health.

Extensive research has documented the health benefits of the two main omega-3s (EPA and DHA), which include not only support for a healthy heart, but also brain and cognitive function, joint mobility, eye health, pregnancy and lactation, healthy skin and hair, and a normally functioning immune response.

Inside the home Stuck inside? No problem. Try some squats or, if mobility is an issue, squat to a chair. Push-ups are another classic, highly effective option. If regular push-ups aren't an option, do them from your knees or against the wall.

Other amazing exercises: lunges around the house, shoulder presses with dumbbells, jumping rope, jumping jacks, running in place, planks and sit-ups.

Outside in nature Being out in the fresh air is a great escape that offers loads of fitness possibilities. Try hiking, paddle boarding, kayaking, skiing, fishing, mountain biking or whatever else peaks your cu-

riosity. Simply taking a walk around the yard or block is beneficial, too.

or seated leg raises. Set an automated alert so you don't forget.

At the office

Group fitness

Overcome the sedentary office lifestyle by making time for fitness. Try taking the stairs every day and park far away so you walk to the door. Then, use a 5-minute break every hour to do something active such as chair squats

Fitness can be more fun when you do it with friends or family. Play tag, organize relay races or create an obstacle course outside. Other enjoyable group fitness activities include hiking, swimming, basketball, soccer, Frisbee and bike rides.

Balanced meals To support fitness efforts, it's important to eat well and regularly. The best foods for sustained energy are balanced meals of complex fiber carbohydrates, healthy fats and lean protein. Piattoly suggests eating every three to four hours. Some ideas to include in balanced meals: whole grain breads and crackers, chicken breast, legumes and fresh fruit and vegetables. – BPT

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June 2016

Calling All Small Employers: Affordable, Quality Health Coverage for Your Employees Another key feature of the SHOP Marketplace is the choice and flexibility it offers for employers. You can choose one health insurance plan, or you can give your employees the option to select from a variety of plans.

You can also decide what types of coverage to offer (health, dental, or both) and whether to offer coverage to dependents. It's your choice - you decide what works for the needs of your employees and your bottom line.

Still, you might have questions about how to navigate the process. The good news is you can get help. Registered agents and brokers are available to advise you about the quality options available. They'll even walk you through the actual enrollment process itself.

By d-mars.com News Provider

R

esearch shows that for small employers, being able to offer quality health insurance for employees is a high priority. Even so, you may be wondering about how to control costs while offering quality coverage, which policies to choose for your employees and how to enroll.

Understanding the ins and outs of insurance can be challenging. The Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace is here to help. Created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the SHOP Marketplace offers small employers (generally, those with 1 to 50 employees) an easy way to find affordable, high-quality private health and dental insurance.

Why might the SHOP Marketplace be a good option for you?

One of the biggest advantages of of-

Continued from MEN’S ANSWERS, Page 34

Answers: 1. False. 1 in 5 African-American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.

fering your employees quality health coverage through the SHOP Marketplace is that you could be eligible for a tax credit to make offering coverage

2. False, 12.2% of men 18 years and over are in fair or poor health.

3. A, 31.4% 4. False. The percent of men 18 years and over who currently smoke cigarettes

more affordable. Employers with fewer than 25 employees may be eligible for a tax credit worth up to 50 percent of their premium contribution.

is 18.9%.

5. True.

6. False. The 3 leading causes are heart disease, cancer, and accidents (unintentional injuries).

But here's the best news of all. To find out more about the benefits of the SHOP Marketplace, all you have to do is go visit HealthCare.gov. – BPT

7. True.

8. B., 50 years old.

9. True.

10. A.

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June 2016

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