Inspire Coastal Bend Medical Dec 2015/Jan 2016 by Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine

BUILDING A BETTER TOMORROW NEW LIFE REFUGE MINISTRIES HEALTHY HOLIDAYS IN

10 STEPS

COASTAL BEND MEDICAL MAGAZINE

ELITE YOUTH ATHLETES:

WHAT MAKES A TOP PLAYER

TICK?

CELEBRATION OF LIFE NICU REUNION AT CHRISTUS SPOHN HOSPITAL CORPUS CHRISTI-SOUTH THE RIGHT TREATMENT, THE RIGHT WAY CHRISTUS SPOHN HOSPITAL ALICE: A TOP PERFORMER ON KEY QUALITY MEASURES

RAISING THE BAR

DR. MICHAEL FUENTES

AND CORPUS CHRISTI REHABILITATION HOSPITAL PG.

20 I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

2118 S. Padre Island Dr. 800-876-9769 AllenSamuelsCC.com I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

River City Hospice offers high quality, compassionate care to persons who can no longer benefit from curative treatment. Services are provided by a team of trained professionals that include: physicians, nurses, counselors, social workers, therapists, chaplains, nurse aides and volunteers.

ALICE

171 Medical Center Blvd., Building E Alice, TX 78332

361.664.4888

CORPUS CHRISTI

4646 Corona Dr., Suite 160 Corpus Christi, TX 78411

361.882.5900

w ww.r i verci t y hos pice.co m I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

FASTEST GROWING

CHEERLEADING AND TUMBLING

GYM IN THE COASTAL BEND!

Call now for more details!

361.452.4712

www.modernamericancheer.com 4

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

WE TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN

KEEPING YOUR SMILE BEAUTIFUL For 30 years, over 30,000 patients have placed their trust in the Vela Dental Centers. With three offices in the South Texas area, we make sure excellent dental care is convenient, accessible and affordable. Vela Dental Crosstown, near Spohn Memorial Hospital, serves our downtown, Callalen, Robstown, and Portland areas. Vela Dental Southside, located at Holly and Everhart, serves as our flagship office, providing complex implant and dental rehabilitation for all of South Texas. Vela Dental Kingsville, located at 14th and Henrietta, serves all of Kingsville and the surrounding community. Our highly skilled team of dentists and staff take pride in keeping your smile beautiful or restoring your smile to the way you deserve.

WE HAVE THE ANSWER TO ALL OF YOUR DENTAL NEEDS • Fix damaged or painful teeth • Replace single or multiple missing teeth • Enhance your smile • Remove wisdom teeth & other bad teeth • Clean and prevent gum disease

BEFORE

AFTER - 6-unit bridge and fillings

AFTER - full arch rehabilitation with 11 porcelain crowns and 2 implants

AFTER - full mouth rehabilitation with 24 porcelain crowns

Benjamin Vela DDS & Associates • General Dentistry

SOUTHSIDE - 361.994.4900 CROSSTOWN - 361.884.2266 KINGSVILLE - 361.592.4373

veladental.com

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

COASTAL BEND MEDICAL MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016

PUBLISHER ADRIAN GARZA

Inmon Respiratory Services, Inc. is committed to working closely with Physicians, Home Health Care Agencies, and other Health Care Professionals to consistently provide the best care possible for the patient at home. We have a full range of respiratory, sleep and hospital equipment, plus we also have a fulltime respiratory therapist and RN on staff to help if you or your patients should have any questions.

EDITOR Allison Alvarado

ART DIRECTOR Liv Madison

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND PRODUCTION Holly Duvall

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Steven Alford Sue Cook Jessica Dusek Sebastian Giraldo Mark K. Jordan Dr. Nestor H. Praderio Sylvia Slezak Michael Terencio Erin Wilder

PHOTOGRAPHY Steven Alford Carla Falconi Swallow Paul Marshall

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Morgan Bartel Brittanie Robertson

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Morgan Bartel

Locally owned since 1997 Full service medical equipment company ¸ Specializing in respiratory ie: CPAP and Oxygen ¸ Full time RN and RT on staff ¸ Accept most insurances ¸ Three locations CC, BV and Victoria ¸ ¸

4639 Corona Drive , Ste. 43 Corpus Christi, Texas 361.225.0052 6

www.inmonrespiratory.com

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

www.inspirecoastalbendmag.com For advertising information, please call 361.548.1044 or email adrian@inspirecoastalbendmag.com. For editorial comments and suggestions, please email adrian@inspirecoastalbendmag.com.

7957 Wolverine Corpus Christi, Texas 78414 Phone: 361.548.1044 Copyright © Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction without the expressed written permission of the publisher is prohibited.

CONTENTS DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016

FEATURE 16 What the World Needs Now

PATIENT 18 Reaching a Balance

COVER STORY

20 DR. MICHAEL FUENTES

AND CORPUS CHRISTI REHABILITATION HOSPITAL This physician with a passion for stroke rehab serves as the medical director for this extraordinary hospital, which is bringing inpatient rehabilitation back to the limelight in the Coastal Bend.

PROFILES

24 NICU REUNION AT CHRISTUS SPOHN HOSPITAL CORPUS CHRISTI-SOUTH

This annual event reunites the dedicated NICU staff with the tiniest patients and their families in a true celebration of life.

26 CHRISTUS SPOHN HOSPITAL

ALICE: A TOP PERFORMER ON KEY QUALITY MEASURES

This exceptional honor from the Joint Commission brings national attention to the hospital’s position as a true top performer for both patients and staff.

EXPRESSIONS OF INSPIRATION 30 In a State of Refuge

HEALTH & FITNESS 32 Joe’s Journey 34 What Happens Next 36 The Next Level

HEALTH & WELLNESS

20 COVER AND TABLE OF CONTENTS PHOTOS BY: PAUL MARSHALL

38 Here’s to Healthy Holidays

NONPROFIT 40 You Have a Gift to Share

EVENTS 44 Mixing Things Up in the

Coastal Bend

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

Compassionate care for your special deliveries. Providing the best for mommy and baby. Sophia Ommani, M.D., FACOG

Specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Located at Bay Area Hospital 7121 S. Padre Island Drive, Suite 200, Corpus Christi, TX Call for your appointment today 361.993.6000 ext. 7201 Accepting New Patients 8

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

In-house fabrication lab facility on site 

1326 Santa Fe, Corpus Christi, Texas 361-888-7752  Toll Free: 1-888-299-3656 Follow us on Facebook

LATEST ADVANCEMENTS

in Microprocessor Controlled Artificial Limbs, Myoelectric Arms and Energy Storing Feet We accept all insurances

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

SIX POINTS PHYSICAL THERAPY PROMOTING HEALING AND WELLNESS

Our mission is to return the patient to a productive lifestyle by offering individualized therapy promoting healing and wellness

TREATMENT PROGRAMS Pain Management // Orthopedic Rehabilitation // Pre and Post Operative Rehabilitation Neurological Injuries // Respiratory Therapy // Fibromyalgia // Wellness Maintenance // Arthritis Tendon Repair // Sports Injuries // Carpal Tunnel // Sprains/Strains

Jaime Pato Moreno PT

Monica Lucido-Clay PT, DPT

701 Park Avenue Corpus Christi, Texas 78401 Phone: (361) 879-0006 // Fax: (361) 879-0702

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

Brad Walker MSPT

5017 Saratoga, Suite 139 Corpus Christi, Texas 78413 Phone: (361) 993-0441 // Fax: (361) 993-0452

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

It’s not just what you do, it’s who you do it for.

I’m here to help you plan for the future so you can continue all the good you do in your life.

Annie J. Castro, LUTCF, CLU® Agent, New York Life Insurance Company 4466 S. Staples Corpus Christi, Texas 78411 (361) 986-1321 ajcastro@ft.newyorklife.com www.anniejcastro.com Registered Representative offering investments through NYLIFE Securities LLC (Member FINRA/ SIPC), A Licensed Insurance Agency.

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

Welcome to the SOUTH TEXAS BRAIN AND SPINE CENTER. Our surgeons provide neurosurgical care in many of the major hospitals in Corpus Christi, Texas. Our surgeons and staff provide individual and conservative treatment using the most effective and modern technologies available in the world.

SOUTH TEXAS BRAIN AND SPINE CENTER 1227 3rd Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78404

361.883.4323

www.southtexasbrainandspine.net I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

TOTAL JOINT SURGERY

HAND SURGERY

SPECIALIZING IN COMPREHENSIVE ORTHOPAEDIC CARE

SPINE SURGERY

SPORTS MEDICINE

6118 Parkway Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas 361-883-2000 www.orthocentercc.com

QUALITY ORTHOPAEDIC CARE SINCE 1978 I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

James R. Dinn, M.D.,P.A. Robert Q. Lewis, M.D., P.A. Jeffrey R. Schlimmer, M.D., P.A. Miguel A. Berastain, Jr., M.D., P.A. Charles S. Clark, Jr., M.D., P.A. Brian L. Patterson, M.D., P.A. Aimee L. Schimizzi, M.D., P.A. Andrew A. Indresano, M.D., P.A. Camille M. Barton, PA-C Christian P. Ehrhard, PA-C Edward B. Zey, FNP-C

CCRH is the

only free-standing

Acute Rehabilitation Hospital in the Coastal Bend Area You have a choice We understand that YOU HAVE A CHOICE when it comes to your rehabilitative care. At Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital (CCRH) we value teamwork and are connected at our core by the treatment needs of our patients. We are proud to be a freestanding acute rehabilitation hospital serving Corpus Christi, providing attentive and compassionate patient care to the community in which we serve.

Brain Injury • Amputations • Stroke • Neuro • Orthopedic CCRH is now part of the Ernest Health network of facilities. Eight of Ernest’s rehabilitation hospitals have consistently ranked in the top 10% of Inpatient Rehab Facilities in the United States by UDSMR®. Ernest Health strives for all their hospitals to receive this recognition. To learn more about CCRH and our services, visit our website at

CCRH.ernesthealth.com

5726 Esplanade Drive • Corpus Christi, TX 78414 • 361.906.3700 I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

FEATURE

WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW The importance of connecting with our loved ones on a physical level

“WHAT THE WORLD needs now is love, sweet love. It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of. What the world needs now is love, sweet love. No not just for some, but for everyone.” These are the beginning lines of a 1965 popular song with lyrics by Hal David, music composed by Burt Bacharach, first recorded and made popular by Jackie DeShannon. The world still needs love even in 2015. We are social creatures and all of us need other people in order to be well and to thrive. We feel better just being around other people, and we need close relationships in order to be happy. Michelangelo was right when he stated that “To touch can be to give life.” The benefits start from the moment we are born. Tiffany Field, a leader in the field of touch, found that preterm newborns who received just three 15-minute sessions of touch therapy each day for five to 10 days gained 47 percent more weight than premature infants who had received standard medical treatment. There are studies showing that touch signals safety and trust, and that it soothes. Basic warm touch calms cardiovascular stress. It activates the body’s vagus nerve, which is intimately involved with our compassionate response, and a simple touch can trigger the release of oxytocin, aka “the love hormone.” Research and data strongly suggest that we not only need to connect, but are wired to connect with other people on a basic physical level. We would be depriving ourselves of some of life’s greatest joys and deepest comforts were we to deny that.

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

PHYSICAL CONTACT DISTINGUISHES HUMANS FROM OTHER ANIMALS.

There’s something intangibly real and valuable about talking with someone face-to-face. This is significant for friends, partners, potential employers and other recurring people who make up your everyday world. That person becomes an important existing human connection, not just someone whose disembodied text voice pops up on your cell phone, iPad or computer screen. This holiday season, as the 2015 year ends and the 2016 begins, take a good, hard look at your life and your lifestyle. Maybe it’s time to step back and get a realistic perspective of how we live. Are we really present in mind and spirit or just the body, while our mind is distracted by electronic smart-devices? Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow isn’t here yet. There is no better time than the present. Make the best of what you have, where you are and what you can do to reach out to those who love you and care about you. Before you know it, they may be gone, either for a while or forever from your sight. Linger an extra minute with your loved ones. Physical contact distinguishes humans from other animals. From a warm handshake or a sympathetic hug to a congratulatory pat on the back, we have developed complex languages, cultures and emotional expression through physical contact. But in a tech-saturated world, non-sexual human touch is in danger of becoming rare, if not obsolete. Despite the benefits of digital advancement, it is vital to preserve human touch in order for us to truly thrive. To explore, connect and buy local, visit www.cityof.com, or call 361-883-4440.

WAVEBREAK MEDIA LTD/BIGSTOCK.COM

By: SYLVIA SLEZAK

WE WILL PUT YOU BACK IN THE GAME OF LIFE

TREATMENTS AND PROGRAMS FOR: Musculoskeletal Injuries Pregnancy (Pre/Post Natal Care) Diabetes Fall Prevention Neuropathy Cardiovascular Therapy Osteoarthritis Vertigo (Dizziness) Osteoporosis Athletic Rehab (Sport Specific) Thoracic-Outlet Syndrome Orthotic Evaluation/Fabriation Pre-Op/Post-Operative Therapy

ALL 6 LOCATIONS OFFER CAREFULLY DESIGNED AND SUPERVISED EXERCISE PROGRAMS IN STATE OF THE ART GYMS AND LARGE INDOOR HEATED POOLS:

CORPUS CHRISTI

CALALLEN

ALICE

5026 Deepwood Cir. • 361.854.2278 4040 Five Points Rd. • 361.241.7399 1302 E. 5th St. • 361.664.9675

PORTLAND 114 Lang Rd. • 361.643.8243

ARANSAS PASS 2150 W. Wheeler Ave. • 361.758.5199

ROCKPORT 1811 Broadway (a.k.a. Fulton Beach Rd.) 361.729.8777

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

PATIENT

REACHING A BALANCE Important issues in nursing home placement By: DR. NESTOR H. PRADERIO

     

Caregiver burnout 24-hour care required Severe memory loss Incontinence with inability to transfer Unsafe behaviors and wandering Inability to take medications There are different levels of intervention, which is decided by necessity.

Emotional factors in nursing home placement:  Communicate and talk with your loved ones  Channel your efforts into selecting the best possible home  Think of added care and benefits your family member will receive  Be realistic, and recognize personal and financial limitations Recognize the positive of a timely placement:  People adjust well up to 89 percent (three months)  24-hour-a-day care is available  Social activities and a sense of community is therapeutic  Family with more energy devote more emotions in caring

There are some predictors of how individuals are doing on the way to nursing home placement. We take into consideration:  Patient demographics • Married elders less likely to enter placement (pointing to the importance of spousal caregiving) • The relationship of the caregiver to the patient (less likely with wife or child) • Caucasians compared with Hispanics and African Americans have had higher rates • Older age is a risk factor for placement  Caregiver characteristics • Perceived stress or burden (key predictor) • Health problems • Age • Lack of family support • Lack of appropriate education and counseling • Disintegration (feeling trapped in the role)  Patient health status • Medical decline and crisis (diabetes mellitus, COPD, CVA, Ca) • Declining functional status (poor ADLs) • Neuropsychiatric symptoms, wandering, agitation/ aggression, delusions, insomnia, lack of appetite and unsteady gait • Prior nursing home stay

Agenda of working with family member of the caregiver:  How to explain placement to patients and caregivers  Discussion of risk/benefits  Community resources (education)  Levels of care (nursing home and ALU)  Nursing home and ALU selection  Methods of payments  Legal issues  Patients’ (residents’) rights  Adjusting to placement  Advances directives and hospice care  Life after placement  Share experiences (face-to-face and support groups) Conclusion:  Guilt: I did something wrong  Placement is not “wrong”  It takes a lot of courage  We change the guilt for regret …  And then, with all these emotions comes grief, the loss of the person who was, the loss of what we vowed to do for a loved one, the loss of our role.  As one family member/ caregiver said, “Healing comes from allowing ourselves to feel the loss, experience the sadness and honor our decision.”

Nestor H. Praderio, M.D., and Face to Face, LLC are dedicated to helping people live with Alzheimer’s through education, resources and local community events for caregivers and families in the Coastal Bend. For more information, call 361-238-7777, email texasfacetoface@gmail.com, visit us online at www.texasfacetoface.com or follow us on www.facebook.com/texasfacetoface.

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

MANDYGODBEHEAR/BIGSTOCK.COM

WHAT DO WE DO with the pain, discomfort and anxiety of placement issues? “I remember the ache in my heart as I left my father in the nursing home, and the ongoing conflict I felt when I visited him every week,” said one family member/caregiver. “Caregiving doesn’t end when you move someone; it just changes.” When you share the diagnosis of an Alzheimer’s disease, regardless of the stage of the disease, you start a journey: the physician, the family and the patient. There is no doubt that in order to be successful, we need to reach some balance. We cannot stress ourselves to where the placement issues become a chaos of fears and we become dysfunctional. The first pathway to placement is from the hospital. Half of the patients who come to me for care do not come to my office. I meet them at the hospital for acute hospitalization. The other half of the patients will return home with a treatment plan change. While we are in my office with the patient, we start thinking that a pill is not going to be enough. There is no cure for dementia. Therefore, we need to enhance service, and we decide that we want some help from the community. In this process, we start talking to family members about some of the markers that we believe need to be kept in mind for future placement. How does one make such a decision and what should be considered? Problems that most frequently lead families to decide are:

Health Appearance

out of Americans consume too much sodium.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE is a leading risk factor for death in WOMEN in the United States, contributing to nearly

WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

200,000 female deaths each year.

That’s more than five times the 42,000 annual deaths from breast cancer.

65% 25% 10%

supermarkets, convenience stores

restaurants

3,400

milligrams

1,500

milligrams or less

other sources

the amount of sodium the average American consumes in a day

77.9 million American ADULTS have high blood pressure.

KIDS who have a high-sodium diet are twice as likely to develop high blood pressure as kids who have low-sodium diets

recommended daily allowance of sodium

Your HEALTH

Your APPEARANCE

Excess levels of sodium/salt may put you at RISK for:

Excess levels of sodium/salt may cause:

STROKE

KIDNEY STONES

HEART FAILURE OSTEOPOROSIS

ENLARGED HEART MUSCLE

INCREASED WATER RETENTION, LEADING TO:

STOMACH CANCER

HEADACHES

• Puffiness • Bloating • Weight gain

KIDNEY DISEASE

heart.org/sodium

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

COVER STORY

REHAB-ELATION DR. MICHAEL FUENTES AND CORPUS CHRISTI REHABILITATION HOSPITAL: TAKING LOCAL REHABILITATION CARE TO NEW HEIGHTS BY: JESSICA DUSEK PHOTOS BY: PAUL MARSHALL

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

“THE BRAIN CAN ACTUALLY HEAL ITSELF,” EXPLAINS DR. MICHAEL FUENTES OF CORPUS CHRISTI REHABILITATION HOSPITAL. HE DESCRIBES THE CELLULAR HEALING PROCESSES CALLED NEUROPLASTICITY AND NERVE REGENERATION: “THIS OCCURS ON NERVE CELLS IN THE BRAIN THAT HAVE BEEN LOST AFTER A STROKE.” WITH EARLY INTERVENTION (ACTING FAST), PROPER NUTRITION, THERAPY AND FAITH, STROKE PATIENTS HAVE A FIGHTING CHANCE TO BECOME INDEPENDENT AGAIN AND REGAIN QUALITY OF LIFE. 22

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

Ranked one of the top 10 among acute inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in the United States, Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital has found its way “on the map,” Fuentes says. In 2013, Fuentes was hired as their medical director. The board-certified rehabilitation specialist oversees the program’s patient care and progressive therapies. Identifying a sincere need to serve the Corpus community, the parent company, Ernest, began looking to make the project possible. “We only had 20 rehab beds,” Fuentes explains. “For an area like Corpus, we needed at least 80 beds.” Led by CEO Nick Nilest, Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital has brought “inpatient rehabilitation into the limelight again in Corpus Christi,” Fuentes says. “They are a great rehabilitation resource for our community. Recently they turned their focus on stroke rehabilitation and are raising the bar for the care a stroke survivor receives by pursuing stroke certification a highly sought after achievement amongst rehabilitation hospitals. My passion is stroke rehab.” Fuentes, also a Corpus Christi native, focuses on patient recovery, weaving in areas of focus, including brain injury, spinal cord injury management, peripheral nerve disorders, spine and musculoskeletal medicine. “What we look at when someone has a stroke, is they have to get to the hospital to save as many neurons as possible,” he says. “The patient is stabilized in the acute care setting, and if directed appropriately, the stroke survivor should be transferred only to an acute inpatient rehabilitation center for the best care they can receive – exactly what you get at Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital. There they undergo extensive assessments to qualify their loss of function, so that a customized therapeutic program can be tailored to their needs. They may have a motor deficit, whether it is not being able to move the arm or speak that keeps them from taking care of themselves like they did.” Giving most of the credit to the amazing therapists, ancillary and administrative team at the hospital, he oversees the patients’ progress by working with other medical and neurological physician staff and by providing musculoskeletal care and rehabilitative expertise in the management of the post-stroke survivor. “The rehabilitative process teaches the patient to compensate for lost functional independence by promoting movement through retraining of self-care skills, mobility, communication, cognition and swallowing using trusted therapeutic techniques and helpful equipment.” Graduating from the University of Nuevo Leon School of Medicine, Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico, Fuentes completed his residency at the State University of New York, Buffalo, in physical medicine and rehabilitation. He returned to Corpus and started his family with his wife, Norma (also a physician), and went into private practice in 1998. In his spare time, he is an avid golfer and an ambassador of the game. He plays in charity golf tournaments. He plays guitar and sings, too. He does music gigs around Corpus, exercising his guitar talents with his band mates and brother, Randy (also a physician), practicing in their spot called “the shed.” He loves to fish and hunt and be outdoors with his close friends and “la familia.”

“EN LA FAMILIA”

“I was inspired by my father, Antonio, to become a physician; he practiced family medicine in Corpus for more than 50 years,” Fuentes describes. “I was always moved by the compassion that he had for the people he cared for. I remember spending summers in his office, which was staffed by my mother, Lita, and her sisters. They all worked so well together. My mom and aunts treated every patient as a friend. It always seemed to me that each patient was someone they grew up with or was the family member of someone they grew up with. I have had the ongoing honor of taking care of some of those people and their family who still honor my dad and his staff for the care they gave.” Drawn to research on Mexican-American stroke survivors, he follows the BASIC project by Dr. Lewis Morgenstern the University of Michigan. “The Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi (BASIC) Project is an ongoing stroke surveillance study that began in 1999,” Fuentes explains. “Stroke severity and ischemic stroke subtypes are similar between Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic whites. Mortality following stroke appears to be less in Mexican Americans. In the next five years, it is positioned to delineate trends in stroke rates, and to explore the poten-

HIGHER SUCCESS RATES IN PATIENT RECOVERY STEM FROM FAMILY SUPPORT. tial reasons for the increased stroke burden in Mexican Americans, as well as their improved survival.”

PROMOTING ACTIVITY

Higher success rates in patient recovery stem from family support. “It’s been an amazing thing to watch – the more family members put their attention on recovery of the patient.” Fuentes recalls one case: “I had a patient who could not speak or move her right side, whose family was told that was ready to get into a nursing home. The father was crying, and the daughter became upset. Determined, the daughter would go in and help her mother move her arm and legs; she would talk to her gently and massage her face and even began to make her sit and stand and take steps. The people told them [they were] upset that she was pushing her so much, [and] the patient eventually returned home. “They came back to see me in the office, the mother in a wheelchair not saying anything and the daughter with a picture album in her hand. I asked the patient how she was doing; she didn’t reply right away, prompting me to ask her daughter, who opened the album. I was amazed! It was an album of them all over. They were in the water exercising, walking on the beach and in the Hill Country. I looked back at the patient and stated, ‘It looks like you have been pretty busy.’ She smiled and said in the clearest of speech, ‘I have been! We’ve done a lot together, and we are planning more.’ That said, she rose out of her chair and walked around the room. “With the daughter’s support and encouragement for activity, the patient eventually regained most of her function, her independence and certainly her quality of life. I was completely amazed! I asked the daughter, ‘What did you do?’ She said, ‘Nothing. I’ve just been loving that she’s here and working with her to move as much as possible.’”

An advocate for health and physical exercise, Fuentes encourages his patients to exercise and commit to a healthy lifestyle. “Here in Corpus, one challenge is getting people all ages with or without disability to be active and stay active. Rehab does that,” he says. “There are always a lot of opportunities for the disabled to get active. Learning the right attitude is most important.” Active in the community, Fuentes pulls his knowledge into the ring. He contributes time for those fighting competitively for the State of Texas Combative Sport. Fuentes participates alongside other doctors in the community: Dr. Felipe Santos (neurology), Dr. Rob Williams (orthopedics), Dr. Marc Ibanez (internal medicine), Dr. Michael Pendleton (critical illness/internal medicine), Dr. Luis Chapa (ER) and Dr. Ed Garcia (ER). They monitor any injuries that can be threatening to competitors. For more information, visit www.ccrh.ernesthealth.com.

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

PROFILE

A SPECIAL TIME

CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-South celebrates its tiniest patients with the annual NICU Reunion. By: STEVEN ALFORD Photography by: CARLA FALCONI SWALLOW

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

NOTHING CAN BE HARDER for parents than to know their child’s health is hanging in the balance. At CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-South, the dedicated nurses and physicians of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) know this all too well, as they provide care each day for the most fragile of patients. That’s what makes the hospital’s annual NICU Reunion so special for families and CHRISTUS Spohn-South’s Neonatal Team. It’s a way to bring them all together and celebrate. “NICU families develop real bonds, and they like coming back to see all the doctors and nurses from when they were here,” said Anne Jones, NICU manager at CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-South. “It’s a very positive thing to have them all here again.” This year’s event saw the largest draw ever to the hospital, with more than 100 former NICU patients and their families filling the hospital lobby. Attendees came dressed in cute animal costumes to coincide with the reunion’s “Down on the Farm” theme. They enjoyed snacks, games and prizes amid the hospital’s fun farm decorations. It touches the hearts of the NICU nurses and doctors to see them all again, according to Mark Casanova, president of CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-South: “We had a wonderful time seeing how much our patients have grown and how well they are doing. It’s always good to host an event that brings family and former patients together with their care providers.” These reunions are a special time for families to visit the NICU under happier circumstances and to say, “thank you,” to the NICU team, Casanova added. These were once babies in the NICU who were born too small or too sick, or who just needed extra help to take on the world.

“

NICU FAMILIES DEVELOP REAL BONDS, AND THEY LIKE COMING BACK TO SEE ALL THE DOCTORS AND NURSES FROM WHEN THEY WERE HERE.”

CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital-South is home to a Level III NICU, allowing babies with special needs to stay close to their recovering mothers. The neonatal nurses alone have more than 100 years of combined experience caring for the tiniest, most critically ill patients. The hospital also has a specialized neonate transport team that remains ready to transport fragile babies from any CHRISTUS Spohn hospital to the state-of-the-art level of neonatal care provided at CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi - South. “It’s a celebration of life,” Jones said. “We love seeing how these babies have grown up to be healthy and happy.” To learn more about CHRISTUS Spohn Birthing Services and the NICU team, please visit www.christusspohn.org/ birthingservices.

CHRISTUS Spohn Health System is the region’s largest hospital system in South Texas, consisting of six hospital campuses throughout the Coastal Bend. The health system is consistently ranked a health care leader in the area, and it has received national recognition for several pioneering programs, including trauma, cardiac care, clinical excellence and oncology. For more than 100 years, CHRISTUS Spohn has been distinguished by its high-caliber staff and affiliated physicians, its comprehensive and innovative services and its long history of responding to the needs of the community it serves. For additional information, visit www.christusspohn.org.

CHRISTUS Spohn NICU team nurses share a photo with their former patients.

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PROFILE

CORNERSTONE OF HIGH-QUALITY CARE

CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Alice earns “Top Performer on Key Quality Measures” recognition from the Joint Commission. By: STEVEN ALFORD Photography by: STEVEN ALFORD

CHRISTUS SPOHN HOSPITAL ALICE has been recognized as a 2014 Top Performer on Key Quality Measures by the Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in the United States. The hospital was recognized as part of the Joint Commission’s 2015 annual report, “America’s Hospitals: Improving Quality and Safety,” for attaining and sustaining excellence in accountability and measured performance. CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Alice is one of only 1,043 hospitals in the United States to achieve the 2014 Top Performer distinction. The hospital also has recently earned the Pathways to Excellence designation from the American Nursing Credentialing Center and the Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award earlier this year.

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According to Steven Daniel, president of CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Alice, it was an honor to receive the recognition. He thanks hospital associates for their hard work each day. “This recognition is a testament to the great work each and every one of you do every day to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ,” Daniel said. “I am honored to be part of such an exceptional team, and thank you for all you do to make this a great place to work and receive care.” The Top Performer program recognizes hospitals for improving performance on evidence-based interventions that increase the chances of healthy outcomes for patients with certain conditions. The performance measures in the recognition program include heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, sur-

gical care, children’s asthma, inpatient psychiatric services, stroke, venous thromboembolism, perinatal care, immunization, tobacco treatment and substance use. To be a 2014 Top Performer, CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Alice had to meet three performance criteria based on 2014 accountability measure data, including:  Achieve cumulative performance of 95 percent or above across all reported accountability measures  Achieve performance of 95 percent or above on each and every reported accountability measure with at least 30 denominator cases  Have at least one core measure set that had a composite rate of 95 percent or above, and within that measure set, achieve a performance rate of 95 percent or above on all applicable individual accountability measures

CHRISTUS SPOHN HOSPITAL ALICE IS ONE OF ONLY 1,043 HOSPITALS IN THE UNITED STATES TO ACHIEVE THE 2014 TOP PERFORMER DISTINCTION.

“Delivering the right treatment in the right way at the right time is a cornerstone of high-quality health care. I commend the efforts of CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Alice for their excellent performance on the use of evidence-based interventions,” said Dr. Mark R. Chassin, FACP, MPP, MPH, and president and CEO of the Joint Commission. CHRISTUS Spohn Health System President and CEO Pamela Robertson said improving positive patient outcomes through evidence-based care will always be a top priority at all CHRISTUS Spohn facilities. “We understand what matters most to patients at CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Alice is the quality and safety of the care they receive,” Robertson added. “The Alice team is proud to be named a Top Performer, as it recognizes the knowledge, teamwork and dedication of our entire hospital staff.” For more information about CHRISTUS Spohn programs, visit www.christusspohn.org.

CHRISTUS Spohn associates celebrate after being recognized as a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures by the Joint Commission. From left to right: Dr. Victor Trevino; Melissa Gonzalez, quality coordinator; Steven Daniel, president; Tricia McClintock, clinical data analyst; Dr. Mauricio B. Teixeira, medical staff president; and Margot Rios, chief nursing officer.

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

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EXPRESSIONS OF INSPIRATION

IN A STATE OF REFUGE

New Life Refuge Ministries: building a better tomorrow for sex-trafficking survivors in South Texas By: JESSICA DUSEK  Photos by: PAUL MARSHALL

S NEW LIFE REFUGE MINISTRIES IS BRINGING HOPE TO VICTIMS OF SEX TRAFFICKING.

erving South Texas, New Life Refuge Ministries (NLRM) is bringing hope to victims of sex trafficking. Their twofold mission brings awareness and prevents sex trafficking through education, and building a refuge of healing for survivors. In 2011, Minta Moore, both founder and director of the organization, forged her path, led by her calling to create a safe haven for minor sex trafficking survivors. “The FBI has rescued 4,800 children from sex trafficking in the U.S.,” Moore explains. The Innocents Lost Project was launched in 2003, supporting these efforts. “When I learned domestic (U.S.born) victims had no resources available to them, I was outraged,” Moore says. “The Lord kept nudging me that we needed more homes.” Presently, there are less than 400 beds specifically to help children who survive this crime. NLRM celebrated the ground-breaking of their first safe house cottage this year. The mission of the refuge is to create a home-like environment where survivors can transition into healthy lifestyles where freedom is gained and souls are healed. The organization began their capital campaign efforts in 2013. However, Moore states, “We are still in need of funding to make the refuge a reality.” According to the FBI and the Center for Missing and Exploited Children, estimated 100,000 to 300,000 American children are at risk of being lured into sex trafficking each year. Different methods of manipulation are used when targeting vulnerable young girls. Trafficking happens closer to home then one may think. To fight back,

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

Moore advocates educating young girls, parents and people in and around the community on the issue of domestic minor sex trafficking. As an organization, NLRM has presented the issue to more than 1,550 people. “This is going to help to shine the light on something that has been kept in the dark for so long,” explains a survivor who chose to remain anonymous.

knowledge on the topic is crucial and NLRM is focusing on South Texas. Many misconceptions remain on the “idea” that sex trafficking happens with young women who are non-U.S. citizens and that it is an issue overseas, when in fact, it can be happening right down the street. What most people don’t know is that it is an organized crime is, in fact, strategic, and exists

Now 38 years old, the former victim explains, “There was no system in place; there were no specialists in place, no one to properly evaluate me. With the work that Minta and her team are doing, they are equipping professionals to do more than they have ever been able to do before. I was unaware that I was being trafficked and unaware of what was happening. My friends and their families were of the same mindsets (situations).” The experience would appear normal to people who grew up in a trafficking environment (if they knew no other way of life). This is why education and

within layers of society. The key is being able to identify red flags and having knowledge of existing resources. Various manipulation tactics are used in recruiting victims. “One of the most common methods is the boyfriend tactic,” Moore explains. “He knows how to prey on his victim wisely. He will focus on those who have low self-esteem. They may be having trouble at home, too.” There are also cases where young girls recruit other young girls into trafficking. “Sadly, sometimes the traffickers are the victim’s own parent(s).” But what about lawmakers and pol-

icy enforcers? What are they doing in Texas on these issues? “Legislators like our own State Rep. Todd Hunter are passing laws to help combat the crime and serve survivors,” Moore explains. “On the federal level, our own senators, Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, as well as Congressman Ted Poe from Houston helped pass the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act S1738/HB3530.” These bills were passes and supported across party lines. More from the survivor: A spiritual path A pivotal moment led the survivor in our story to forgiveness, and gave her a calling her to educate those still victimized by the same crime in which she grew up. At the lowest point in her life, she cried out to Jesus, and, in return, heard the words, “I placed you in your mother’s womb to lead her in the way of salvation.” This was a path she knew only God could walk her down, since her own mother had taken part in the trafficking she had endured as a child. “When I gave my life to Jesus is when I discovered my identity,” she says. “He spoke to me so clearly – and he took from me my broken life, when I had been on drugs and prostituted. I’ve truly forgiven my mother, and now, I love her with his supernatural love. I couldn’t make this up: He gave me a new life. I couldn’t make this up.” NLRM helps to educate communities. “Survivors’ need specialized care for their recovery,” Moore says. The organization targets needed professions to offer specialized trainings. For example, in 2014 NLRM offered training to mental health care professionals on how the help treat survivor with the complex post-traumatic stress (CPTSD). In 2015, they offered training to law enforcement professional and first responders on how to identify victims. In 2016, they plan to focus on the medical

profession such quick care clinics and staff, as well as ER doctors and staff, to recognize the possible signs of a victim. For more information, visit New Life Refuge Ministries online at www.newliferefugeministries.org.

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

HEALTH & FITNESS

JOE’S JOURNEY What it took to get on that stage

By: MICHAEL TERENCIO  Photo by: PAUL MARSHALL

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THE HUMAN ANATOMY is worthy of many great properties, ranging from lifting a small car to holding in only 1 percent body fat, without shutting down (such as what a computer with 1 percent battery life will do). One of the best properties our bodies possess is the ability to break down solid material (food in this case) via mechanical and non-mechanical processes. Mastication, otherwise known as chewing, is identified as the mechanical breakdown of solid food. The non-mechanical breakdown of solids is known as saliva. Saliva is a mixture of glandular secretions produced by three pairs of your salivary glands, and it has the ability to initiate the digestion of complex carbs via a chemical enzyme called salivary amylase. When it comes to training for an aesthetic competition such as bodybuilding, men’s and women’s physique competitions and bikini competitions, a good coach understands the importance of the basics and how they lead to a solid foundation. As in the example about saliva’s ability to initiate digestion, the basics of human anatomy need to be clearly understood by both the fitness coach and the competitor. Initially, Joe Perez (owner of Smoothie King Corpus Christi and I.B. Fit Master’s Men’s Physique competitor) was not too familiar with how the human anatomy worked when good stresses such as correct exercise and correct meal preparation are placed into a person’s daily routine. Perez understood if he lifted weights three times a week and ate “healthy,” he would lose fat and gain muscle. While this is true, it is only the bare minimum and not necessarily the best way to approach this situation. To lift weights three days a week is a great plan for people trying to lose weight and gain lean muscle mass at the same time, but only if proper cardiovascular exercise is paired with the strength-training regimen. So basically, if you are looking to lose weight and drop body fat (adipose tissue) and visceral fat (the fatty tissue lingering on and around internal organs such as the liver and heart), you need to strength train for the muscles and train for your cardiovascular system (the heart and lungs). When both of these systems, also known as the aerobic (cardiovascular) and anaerobic systems, are implemented into your workout routine, you will win every time. Eating healthy is only scratching the surface. If you really want to succeed in your fitness endeavors, you will account for your amount of calories, types of calories and

when to consume those types of calories. There are many apps out there that help people account for their calories, such as My Fitness Pal. If you don’t want a computer to decide your fitness faith, hiring a learned and nutrition-competent personal trainer is the next best step to helping you achieve your individual best. A certified personal trainer with a certification or degree involving human nutrition will be your best bet when it comes to training for a better you, either on- or offstage. That trainer will design your workout regimen to directly correlate with your nutrition program. By doing so, that trainer will know how many calories you need to expend per workout, how many to expend in total per day, week and month and when to consume those calories during each hour of each day you are awake. Long story short, Perez hired me to write out his nutrition and workout regimens. By the time stage time came around, he had learned a lot about how his own body worked. Once he learned that, and aside from hard work with smart work and dedication, he was able to make sense of what it really took to achieve his individual best – a great plan built to make a great physique. Because it is such a hot topic in the fitness realm, let’s talk protein. The normal human being should take in around 0.8 grams of protein for every pound of lean body mass he or she carries around, not for every pound of total body weight. For example, for a 140-pound female looking to lose body fat, she should consider consuming 100.8 grams of protein per day if she was at 10 percent body fat. The average female in Corpus Christi from the age of 18 to 55 years probably sits around 140 pounds with about 28 percent body fat. Those women would want to consider consuming around 80.6 grams of protein per day. Considering protein is a very readily available nutrient in almost every type of food you eat, it gets very easy to reach these numbers. Also, protein is a carb, and like every other carb you consume, unused protein will store in the body as fat. Make sure you account for all

your protein. Along with the total amount of protein you take in, you should also consider what type of protein to take in at what times. After a workout, protein derived from solid food is not efficient enough to supply your muscles with the amounts of those muscles call for – you need liquid protein like that found in protein shakes. Smoothie King carries high-quality protein supplements that shake well inside your shaker cup, and absorb well inside your body. With all things considered, Perez learned the basics and why they exist, then decided to take his training to the next level by agreeing to train for a men’s physique competition held in July 2015. He started out training three times a week, and when he decided to train at competition level, he doubled his training every week. Along with his increased exercise regimen, he also increased his food intake intervals (the amount of meals per day he took in). It took time, but when he got used to meal prep (figured out what days and times worked best for him to ready his meals ahead of time), his results started appearing a lot faster than he anticipated. Perez’s workout regimen changed several times before he stepped on stage. The first few months covered core strength. Next came overall strength. Then came overall conditioning. Finally, the last eight weeks were committed to pure aesthetics, bodybuilding and some stage presence. Overall, Perez experienced plenty of hard workouts, very hungry nights and quite a few days of wanting to give up. Every athlete experiences highs and lows, but the athletes who succeed are those who push through the pain, put in the work when it would be much easier to stay home and expect failure, but still strive to win. Whether you workout religiously, you are a weekend warrior or you haven’t worked out in years, every person has an athlete in them. Sometimes a great coach/mentor is what you need to show you where that inner athlete is, and how you can utilize your body and mind to find success – to find your individual best.

THE ATHLETES WHO

SUCCEED ARE THOSE WHO PUSH

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HEALTH & FITNESS

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

Health and wellness for all seasons

WELCOME TO WINTER TIME, South Texas style! Even

EVERYTHING WE DO, THINK AND FEEL IMPACTS OUR CURRENT STATE OF HEALTH.

though we might actually still be tending to our lawns (and swatting at mosquitoes), this time of year brings many reasons to celebrate. From the re-establishment of long lost connections to the re-engagement in traditional activities, such rituals and practices seem to have more meaning and significance during this season. It is a time to acknowledge what you have done to this point and how things are going, and, very importantly, to decide what happens next. As we enter this winter season, health and wellness are not only about managing what we eat and being physically active; they are also about a healthy awareness of the many other factors that impact our lives. Everything we do, think and feel impacts our current state of health. The balancing act can become quite challenging, especially if we’re putting all of our efforts into just a couple of the areas instead of putting our efforts into all of the key areas that impact our lives. For example, there is the idea of worrying about all of those seasonal treats we now have to eat and forgetting to address the stresses of having so many things to do with limited time available. And we can’t forget about the oc-

I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

casional days of inclement weather that keep you huddled inside with limited chances for outdoor physical activity. All the while, you’re wondering how to make those health changes to reach those new goals for your new year. Rather than putting all of our efforts into just a couple of areas (i.e. how we eat and how we exercise) during this season, let’s be reminded about that balanced approach mentioned in previous articles where addressing the needs to minimize stress, increase relaxation time and strive for higher quality sleep are sought in the name of improving overall health and well-being. With stress reduction in mind, try some of these ideas for a mere five minutes each:  Meditation: This is easily done by closing your eyes and focusing your attention on reciting a positive mantra like, “I am at peace” or “I love myself.”  Deep breathing: Slowly inhale through your nose, deeply to fully fill your lungs (until your belly extends), then exhale through your mouth.

DEAN DROBOT/BIGSTOCK.COM, APOLLOFOTO/BIGSTOCK.COM

By: MARK K. JORDAN

 Reach out to others: Even though wellness goals ae initiated individually for ourselves, we are seldom required to be in it completely by ourselves.  Laugh out loud: It’s hard to be down when there’s a good belly-laugh around. Try doing this one for 21 days straight – you won’t believe the impact it will have!  Music on your mind: Depending upon the music you choose, it can readily counteract those anticipated anxious moments, especially if you sing with it.

 Give gratitude: Acknowledge all moments that you are glad to have in your life right now. Give thanks to all involved, to yourself and to the Source of all. As you seek and find balance in the things you do towards reaching your wellness goals, realize that you often have a choice: If the options are to strive to become happy and enhanced versus guilty and discouraged, which would you choose? I know what many tell me they would choose. To support that choice, discover and decide what’s important for you to do. When it comes to the wellness things you truly want to do. 1/ Be fully present in the moments you can enjoy. 2/ Consistently acknowledge the steps you take along the way toward achieving your wellness goals. 3/ Congratulate yourself on what you do accomplish. While we are in this season, try committing to positive ideas that establish, maintain or improve well-being. A positive mindset includes overall enjoyment of the process with mini-celebrations along the way. The destination may be the goal at hand, but enjoying the journey makes it most fulfilling.

MARK JORDAN received a certificate for setting a Guinness World Record for most pull-ups done within 24 hours – he did 4,321 of them, at age 54! He appeared on Dr. Oz in recognition of his wellness accomplishments. For more information about wellness consultations, coaching services or speaking engagements, contact Jordan at info@ markkjordan.com, or visit www.markkjordan.com.

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HEALTH & FITNESS

THE NEXT LEVEL

Elite youth soccer athletes: How do top players think and behave? By: SEBASTIAN GIRALDO

High self-awareness: They self-monitor consistently before, during and after training and games. They are critical of strengths and weaknesses, and they aggressively pursue methods to improve. Behaviors include seeking specific information from coaches, attention to detail in training and belief in improving through training.

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2 IN LEARNING AND ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT, RESEARCH CONFIRMS THAT THE BEST PERFORMERS ARE SUCCESSFUL AT SELFREGULATION.

Proactive learning: These athletes are fully engaged in their learning environment by asking questions and trying to maximize individual and team learning during every session. Behaviors include coaching of teammates, passion during training and verbally approaching coach during instruction and exercises.

Willingness to expend and sustain effort over years: Soccer development is a long-term objective that can take many years (13-plus). Commitment, discipline, resilience and social support are factors that facilitate progression in elite youth soccer. These athletes have a growth mentality where they are constantly working on improving in order to achieve long-term goals.

Following instructions and effectively performing in competition: Coaches’ perceptions of behavior are crucial because they are the decision makers on playing time, strategy

PHOTO COURTESY OF GIRALDO ELITE FUTBOL, PRESSMASTER/BIGSTOCK.COM

MAKING IT IN SOCCER IS DIFFICULT. Training programs and players have improved dramatically in the past 15 years. Worldwide exposure has grown the sport, and our knowledge about the development of elite athletes is progressing every day. Making it to the elite levels of soccer takes a combination of skill, resources, luck and opportunity. But even on this treacherous development journey, a player still has a lot of control. Through observation and research, we have learned that elite youth athletes exhibit similar thinking processes and behavior. As a professional trainer, I have numerous stories about players who have progressed to the next level. The problem is that anecdotal evidence is heavily biased and not necessarily accurate for generalization. But when on-field observation aligns with empirical research, we know we are starting to discover important truths about the elite youth player. In learning and athletic development, research confirms that the best performers are successful at self-regulation. Self-regulation involves processes that enable individuals to control their thoughts, feelings and actions. Effective self-regulators can adapt and control behavior and thinking to counter responses that might prove detrimental to performance. For example, a youth player shooting a penalty kick to win a game is a stressful situation. Effective self-regulators could probably calm their emotions, disregard parents screaming, “kick it,” and rely on their training to execute the task at hand. As a result, these athletes increase their chances of scoring the goal. In sport, effective self-regulators are typically the best learners. Athletes who better control their learning and environment are more often capable of maximizing their athletic potential and thus succeeding in high-performance settings. This is relevant to elite sport where you are constantly battling to earn or maintain a spot. Some behaviors and cognitive (thinking) processes of successful elite youth athletes include:

and tactics. In elite soccer, a player must be able to receive and apply instruction even in stressful environments. Effective youth players understand that listening to coaches is vital to success, so they devise strategies to apply criticism and instruction (and other strategies to ignore obnoxious parents). In our program, we have dozens of players who possess the skills and athleticism to be successful at the next level. The pertinent question always seems to be whether they have or are willing to develop the self-regulation behaviors and cognitive abilities to truly propel them on their path. As part of our philosophy, we treat the cognitive components of the game as the most important aspect in long-term performance success. Improving self-regulation abilities should be top priority for any elite training program. The development of these skills comes from a complicated interaction between the athlete, environment, player-trainer relationships and support systems. These skills should be taught and refined throughout years of training. The further athletes progress into higher levels of their sport system, the better they will have to be at self-regulation in order to be successful. Teaching and educating on self-regulation can begin early with focus on improving these skills incrementally over the long term. Our best players are committed, disciplined individuals who have found their own inner motivation to succeed. They train to the point of exhaustion and then ask what they need to improve

on. They know themselves intimately as players and honestly assess how they fit within the levels of competition. They accept that their development journey will be riddled with adversity, but they are willing to give full effort over years and years of training. They know their role as a player and understand how they fit in the training environment. They break down sometimes and have effective support systems to help them cope. They are constantly competing and want to succeed. Conflict and adversity are motivators and rarely a deterrent. They believe they control their future. The truth is that these athletes did not come to us this way. Not a single one. They developed and refined these skills over time. Now they have become elite youth athletes, and their dream of playing at the next level is becoming a reality. The path is not an easy one, but players have more control than they think. If you want to be a top player, you must think and behave like one. For more information, visit Giraldo Elite Futbol online at www.giraldoelitefutbol.com.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

HERE’S TO

HEALTHY HOLID YS! The American Heart Association provides 10 tips for leading a heart-healthy lifestyle during the holiday season. By: ERIN WILDER

he holiday season is often an excuse to overindulge and let our healthy habits go. We eat too much holiday ham, have a second helping of Aunt Jeannie’s famous butter crust pie and forgo any exercise shy of shuffling backand-forth from the couch to the fridge. It’s a recipe for disaster: While the average American only gains a pound or two between Thanksgiving and the end of the year, it tends to stick around and become a permanent weight gain. High levels of sodium, sugar and saturated fats wreak havoc on your body. And a few days of overeating and under-exercising can leave you feeling bloated, stressed out and miserable. Here are 10 tips from the American Heart Association on leading a hearthealthy lifestyle; pick a few that are easy to implement, and cruise through the holiday season feeling energetic and bright!

rice and one quarter lean protein. Fill up on the healthy options first.

1/ Control your portions. You may not want to hear it, but your dinner plate at a special holiday meal should look like any other dinner plate; ideally, that’s half vegetables and fruits, one quarter starches like potatoes or

5/ Stay active. Getting in even 10 to 15 minutes of physical activity daily can reduce stress during the holidays. Take a brisk walk after dinner. Do household chores energetically. Play ball in the yard with the grandkids. Just move!

2/ Put it on a plate. At a party, don’t eat passed hors d’oeuvres from your hand or pile cookies on a napkin; it’s hard to keep track of how much you’re actually eating. Resolve to put it on a plate. 3/ Eat mindfully, not mindlessly. Slow down, pay attention and really savor the indulgences you do choose. Don’t eat in front of the TV or with other distractions. You’ll find you’re satisfied with less when you practice mindful eating. 4/ Stay hydrated. Imbibe wisely. When it comes to adult beverages, choose red wine over sugary cocktails or make smart substitutes (for example, club soda and fresh limejuice over lemon-lime sodas). And always make sure to drink plenty of water.

DON’T GET SO WRAPPED UP IN THE DEMANDS OF THE SEASON THAT YOU CAN’T ENJOY IT.

6/ Wear layers, and protect your extremities. Even in South Texas, it can get cold out. When doing any outdoor activities, dress in layers to avoid getting overheated in heavy clothes. Wear thin gloves and a headband or hat to keep your hands, ears and head warm. 7/ Laugh! Laughing makes you feel good, and it can protect you from the harmful effects of stress. Don’t get so wrapped up in the demands of the season that you can’t enjoy it. 8/ Wash your hands often. This is one of the best ways to avoid catching a cold or passing sniffles on to someone else. 9/ Get some shut-eye. Most adults need six to eight hours of sleep each night. Appropriate rest can reduce your risk for cardiovascular issues. 10/ Take time for yourself. In the hustle and bustle of family, friends and a busy social calendar, be sure to carve out some “me time.” Ten to 20 minutes of yoga, meditation, reading a book or doing anything that makes you truly content can reduce stress, increase positive feelings and lead to a healthy and happy holiday.

Erin Wilder is the executive director for the American Heart Association – Corpus Christi. For more information, visit www.heart.org/corpuschristi.

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A glimpse into what it means to be a CHRISTUS Hospice and Palliative Care volunteer and enhance the lives of individuals with life-limiting illness By: SUE COOK

ospice care is about enhancing the quality of life when there is a limited amount of time. The root of the word, “hospice,” means “hospitality,” and in hospice, there is an interdisciplinary team involving doctors, nurses (RNs and LVNs), social workers, chaplains, certified nurse aides, a complimentary massage therapist (when available), bereavement counselors and trained volunteers. This endeavor is holistic with the team ensuring the medical, physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of the patient is met, as well as providing bereavement support to the families. Volunteers play a major role is accomplishing the team goals. They provide services and care that is the essence of time: a period of time dedicated to the individual without the rush that comes in today’s world. Patients and families have an avenue to express their feeling, fears and desires, plus relay the zest of past memories and life.

Volunteers share skills and interests in ways that are a comfort and life-enriching for those who are the recipients. They can become companions who sit by the bed and read, actively listen to stories, play games, listen to music or reflect on their shared favorite things of the past, present and future. Many have enjoyed dancing, traveling, gardening, art, sports, crafts, church and hymns, and the list can go on and on without limit. They may also just enjoy having a volunteer be present. Volunteers can also be a big help to families by running errands to the grocery or pharmacy, or sitting with the patient to give the family a respite while the family members run the errands. Volunteers can help bring enrichment to many by just being there to hold a hand, provide a compassionate listening ear or just give a positive smile. Sometimes the sharing of others’ lives is not easy, but the personal rewards are great, and most volunteers feel they gain an insight

If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain.

- Emily Dickinson, “Complete Poems”

Please share your time, gifts and talents with CHRISTUS Hospice and Palliative Care-Spohn in Corpus Christi, Texas, and the surrounding Coastal Bend area. The contact person is Sue Cook, coordinator of bereavement and volunteer services. The office is located at 6200 Saratoga Blvd., Ste. 104, in Corpus Christi; the telephone number is 361-994-3450; and the email address is sue.cook@christushealth.org. Business hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. We welcome you.

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into courage and strength that is a constant inspiration into life’s big picture. Some volunteers want to share their administrative abilities such as mailings, record keeping, clerical support and special projects. What volunteers can do is not to be confined to a small laundry list of services provided. Just bring your gifts of generosity, creativity and compassionate companionship, and your life will be enhanced, as will the lives of those you are serving with your servant heart. Patient and family support can be provided in the patient’s own home or a nursing home or assisted-living facility. We must keep in mind that hospice is not a place, but a concept of care. This is a place of comfort care for the patient and the family members that has been specialized and personalized for each individual patient and family. One of the most important aspects of hospice is that it allows for individuals to choose to complete their lives with dignity and peace. Volunteers are a positive resource and relied on as a valued and valuable addition to the team. Volunteering doesn’t require any special skills, and the time is flexible (according to the need of the individual and family), but you must be 18 years of age and have transportation, as well a background check and a drug screen. Importantly, know that you matter, and that you will mean much to others. Come join our hospice team, and help others live fully even when there are life limits. This time spent also can help the career and job seeker in their quest for employment and can spark a career interest unknown to them prior to this volunteer endeavor. Employers look for a broad range of experiences and time willingly shared with others for the sake of the community at large.

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