Inspire Coastal Bend Medical July/August 2017 by Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine

WORLD-CLASS EXCURSION CARIBBEAN JOURNEY AT THE TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM

COASTAL BEND MEDICAL MAGAZINE

AHEAD OF THE CURVE DR. JAMES A. DUNCAN BUILDING THE FUTURE OUR PATH AT CHRISTUS SPOHN HEALTH SYSTEM

FROM HEAD TO HEART

THRIVE MEMORY CARE BRONSTON CARROLL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

JULY.AUGUST 2017 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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WE TREAT OUR CUSTOMERS LIKE NEIGHBORS

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Angela Delgado Revive Suite 25 361-207-6065 Hair Guru Esthetician Energy Worker Lifestyle Blogger

Sherry Neff BoD Lashes & Esthetics Suite 12 361-704-5526 Certified Esthetician Bella Lash Extensions “BoD Lash Club” Microblading

Kaetlyn Gonzalez Crown of Beauty Suite 1 361-694-2747 Barber/ Stylist Babe Hair Extensions Living Proof Retailer

Call Us: 361-993-0093 Text Us: 361-759-4260 Email Us: salonsbyjc.cc@gmail.com (all inquiries confidential)

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Morgan Lang Beau Monde Hair Gallery Suite 35 406-579-7461 Owner / Stylist with Kevin Murphy, Kevin Murphy Salon Educator

Claudia Garza Brows by Claudia Suite 5 281-830-2694 Microblading

Tana Rivera Tana’s Beauty Studio Suite 36 361-232-7069 Master Sylist Makeup Artist Crack Hair Care Products Retailer

Timbo Mack So Addictive Studios Suite 32 & 33 361-683-9686 Owner/ Stylist Pravana Artist/ Educator Pravana/ Nevo Retailer

Luxury Salon Suites For Rent Starting at $99/wk Ask us about free rent! 4938 S. Staples St. Suite C09 Corpus Christi, TX 78411

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RESTAURANT, LOUNGE , BANQUET ROOM

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• Relaxing atmosphere • Live piano player and singer every Friday and Saturday • Signature cocktails from all across the world

6917 S. Staples St., Corpus Christi | 361-334-2172 | www.araseurofusion.com

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Cornerstone Home Health Cornerstone Home Health can provide a service or a combination of services in your HOME. Along with your physician and our qualified staff, we plan, coordinate, and provide care tailored to your needs.

Services we offered include: Skilled nursing, Physical therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Social Worker, and CNA

If you have any questions or want to make a referral, contact our office at 361-727-2131 or Toll free 1-855-328-2131

2600 Lakeview Dr. Suite 2C | Rockport, Tx 78382

AAdi Home Health & Hospice Services AAdi Home Health is a full service home health and hospice agency. We provide quality nursing services and outstanding support services. The staff at AAdi Home Health has the experience, dedication and compassion needed to provide care in a home environment without sacrificing quality or safety.

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ST R RT OK IFI E E

Lower Your Stroke Risk this Summer Strokes are the leading cause of long-term disabilities. Some stroke risk factors can be controlled, and summer is a good time to do this. Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital suggests: • Buy and eat fresh produce. Visit your local farmer’s market or grocery store to find in-season, fresh fruits and vegetables. Eat them in their natural states. • Eat less salt. Eat fresh vegetables versus canned items, and your salt intake will decrease. • Visit the beach. Eat more seafood (at the beach or not) instead of red meat. • Enjoy the outdoors. Get active outside during the warmer and longer days. • Put the cigarettes down. Summer usually is less stressful. Use it to your advantage to try to break the habit. • Shoot for your healthy weight. Healthy eating and activities may help you reach a healthy weight (if you’re not already at it).

Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s national certification for its stroke rehabilitation program. To learn more, visit CCRH.ernesthealth.com.

CCRH.ERNESTHEALTH.COM

5726 Esplanade Drive • Corpus Christi, TX 78414 • ph: 361.906.3700 6 I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

Health, Beauty & Confidence

NEW PATIENTS ALWAYS WELCOME!

James Duncan, DDS, PA

Joy Cunningham, RDH â&#x20AC;¢ Christi Cantrell, RDH

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Take a Minute to Save a Life! #CPRSAVESLIVES

It’s easy to learn this lifesaving skill.

Watch the 60-second demonstration video on Hands-Only CPR at heart.org/handsonlycpr and share it with the important people in your life. For resources in Spanish, go to heart.org/rcp.

If you are called on to give CPR in an emergency, you will most likely be trying to save the life of someone you love: a child, a spouse, a parent or a friend.

CPR CAN: WHY?:

:60

When a person has a cardiac arrest, survival d e p e n d s on getting

immediate CPR from someone nearby.

DOUBLE or even TRIPLE a victim’s chance of survival. Chest compressions push oxygen-rich blood through the body to keep vital organs alive. Hands-Only CPR buys time until EMS arrives.

The American Heart Association’s Hands-Only CPR campaign is supported by an educational grant from the Anthem Foundation.

The AHA still recommends CPR with compressions and breaths for infants and children and victims of drowning, drug overdose, or people who collapse due to breathing problems. Hands-Only CPR training does not result in an AHA Course Completion Card.

Emergency Room Now Open

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Compassion & Excellence

in patient rehabilitation & recovery 4713 Business 181 North | Beeville, Texas 78102 (361) 358-5612 | nursingrehabbeeville.com

CONTRACTED FACILITY

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24-Hour Admissions Hotline (361) 205-9677

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

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

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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

CONTENTS JULY.AUGUST 2017

PATIENT 16 Freeze Your Fat Away HEALTH & WELLNESS 20 Pay Attention! EXPRESSIONS OF INSPIRATION 36 Caribbean Crusade NONPROFIT 42 Learning to Save Lives 44 Can I Start Again?

28 PROFILE

DR. JAMES A. DUNCAN A fixture of the area dental health community since 1996, this DDS provides top-quality care thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s far more than just molar mechanics.

COVER AND TABLE OF CONTENTS PHOTOS BY: FUSION FOTOGRAPHY

32 PROFILE

OUR PATH With this strategic plan, CHRISTUS Spohn Health System is building the future of health care, today. First item on the list: providing better access to the right health care for South Texans.

22 COVER STORY

THRIVE MEMORY CARE Using a compassionate, head-to-heart approach focusing on resident health and quality of life, this organization raises the standard for senior living in the Coastal Bend.

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MEET THE STAFF COASTAL BEND MEDICAL MAGAZINE

JULY.AUGUST 2017

ADRIAN GARZA

CO-PUBLISHER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SALES adrian@ inspirecoastalbendmag.com 361.548.1044

CO-PUBLISHER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SALES Adrian Garza

CO-PUBLISHER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Holly Duvall

EDITOR Erin O’Brien

HOLLY DUVALL

CO-PUBLISHER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS holly@ inspirecoastalbendmag.com 479.935.0868

ART DIRECTOR Elisa Giordano

SOCIAL MEDIA Morgan Bartel

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Caroline R. Freeman Dr. Michael Fuentes Kathleen Naderer Erin Wilder Ashley Wilson Nancy Zuniga

PHOTOGRAPHY

ERIN O’BRIEN

Dark Lab Fusion Fotography William Russell

EDITOR erin.editorial@gmail.com

ELISA GIORDANO ART DIRECTOR hello@elisagcreative.com 210.716.5320

www.inspirecoastalbendmag.com For advertising information, please call 361.548.1044 or email adrian@inspirecoastalbendmag.com. For editorial comments and suggestions, please call 479.935.0868 or email holly@inspirecoastalbendmag.com.

MORGAN BARTEL SOCIAL MEDIA morgan@ inspirecoastalbendmag.com 620.417.5392

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PATIENT

FREEZE YOUR FAT AWAY CoolSculpting: the world’s No. 1 non-invasive fatreduction procedure By: ASHLEY WILSON

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THE RESULTS OF COOLSCULPTING ARE PERMANENT BECAUSE THE TREATED FAT CELLS ARE ELIMINATED FOR GOOD.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF COASTAL MED SPA

any people struggle with unwanted fat despite eating healthy and staying active. In the past, the only option was surgery, but now there is a revolutionary alternative with no incisions, no anesthesia and no downtime: CoolSculpting! CoolSculpting is the world’s No. 1 non-invasive fat-reduction procedure. CoolSculpting is FDA-approved, and was founded upon early scientific experiments at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. The science behind CoolSculpting is referred to as cryolipolysis, or the destruction of fat using cold temperatures. Interest in cryolipolysis began with an article in the New England Journal of Medicine that showed following oral surgery, children who sucked on popsicles lost pockets of fat in their cheeks. Scientists used this concept to treat fat problems in patients. With more than four million CoolSculpting treatments worldwide, it is a proven safe and effective procedure. Recent medical studies examined patients nine years after treatment, and have shown CoolSculpting results to still be successful. CoolSculpting has gained a national platform after re-

ceiving NewBeauty Product awards in 2013, 2014 and 2015. It has been featured on many television shows, including “Dr. Oz,” “The Doctors,” “E! News,” “The Today Show,” “The View” and “People’s List,” and it has been published in TIME magazine, ELLE, Beauty Choice and GQ. In the medical arena, CoolSculpting has been published in more than 70 scientific and clinical journal papers, medical meeting posters and technical reports. The CoolSculpting procedure safely delivers a controlled cooling to a precise temperature at which fat cells crystalize and die. Over time, your body’s immune system naturally eliminates the dead cells, leaving a more sculpted you. The results of CoolSculpting are permanent because the treated fat cells are eliminated for good. Science has proven that fat cells are most susceptible to cold temperatures, which leaves all other cells in the treated area unharmed. While some patients experience numbness in the area, this typically resolves after a short period of time. In the millions of treatments performed, there has been no evidence of long-term nerve injury. Who is a candidate? Although men and women show fat in different areas, CoolSculpting is effective for both. CoolSculpting can treat visible fat bulges in many areas:         

Submental area (double chin) Upper arm Bra fat Gynecomastia (enlarged male breast) Back fat Abdomen Flank (love handles) Inner and outer thigh Underneath the buttocks (banana roll)

Every person’s body is unique. A CoolSculpting consultation is required prior to treatment. For your safety, it is important to have your CoolSculpting consultation performed by a board-certified physician or a board-certified advanced practice registered nurse. There are medical contraindications to the CoolSculpting procedure, such as the presence of a hernia or a history of certain medical conditions.

During the consultation, a physical exam will be performed to ensure medical clearance, you will look at your whole body from different angles and a treatment plan will be tailored to the areas where you want to eliminate fat. What happens during the treatment? During the CoolSculpting procedure, your CoolSculpting specialist will prepare and apply the applicator to the targeted area. The newest technology can treat one area in as little as 35 minutes. Patients have the choice of treating one area or multiple areas all in the same day. Though you may feel intense cold initially, this subsides within the first few minutes. You may also feel an initial pulling or tugging. During the procedure, patients read, watch movies, catch up on emails and even take naps! After the treatment is completed, patients are able to return to their normal activities with zero downtime. In the days following the CoolSculpting procedure, patients may experience temporary side effects such as redness, swelling, bruising, tingling, stinging, tenderness or skin sensitivity. These usually resolve within days or weeks. Though rare, some patients may experience late onset pain about five to seven days following their treatment. Your board-certified medical professional will follow your progress and be available to provide treatment modalities for any side effects. Results after CoolSculpting can be seen as quickly as three weeks, but the peak results are after two months. Your body will continue to eliminate fat cells for four to six months after treatment. A follow-up assessment will be scheduled with your provider one month after treatment to review your results. No special diet, supplements or exercise programs are required following the CoolSculpting procedure. However, after treatment, many patients are more motivated to lead a healthier lifestyle, which is the ultimate CoolSculpting success!

Ashley Wilson, MSN, CRNA, is an advanced practice registered nurse, certified CoolSculpting specialist and co-owner of Coastal Spa MD. For more information or to book a free CoolSculpting consult, please call Coastal Spa MD at 361-336-6464, or visit www.coastalspamd.com. Current pictures and videos about CoolSculpting can be found on the website and on Coastal Spa MD’s Facebook page.

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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.

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Kenneth Gonzales, D.D.S., P.L.L.C. Delaine Farias, D.D.S., P.L.L.C 361-992-2421 7426 S. Staples St., Ste. 101 Corpus Christi, TX 78413 www.gonzalessmiles.com I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

PAY ATTENTION! Don’t let driving distractions wreck your summer vacation. By: DR. MICHAEL FUENTES

Distracted driving is a growing – and dangerous – recurring event in the United States. Distracted driving is any activity that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel or your mind off driving. A study through the National Institutes of Health found that drivers eat, reach for the phone, text or otherwise take their eyes off the road about 10 percent of the time. This behavior can endanger the driver, passengers and bystanders. Distracted driving can include a myriad of activities, including:        

Texting Talking on a cell phone Looking at a GPS system Eating or drinking Grooming Talking to passengers Adjusting the radio Reaching for items elsewhere in the car

Probably the most alarming distraction of all is text messaging because it requires

visual, manual and cognitive attention from the driver. Five seconds is the average time someone’s eyes are off the road while texting. When the individual is traveling at 55 miles per hour, that’s enough time to cover the length of a football field blindfolded. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every day, more than eight people are killed and 1,161 are injured in motor vehicle crashes that involve a distracted driver. In 2013, 3,154 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver, and 424,000 were injured – a 10 percent increase since 2011. In the same year, nearly one in five crashes (18 percent) in which someone was injured involved distracted driving. As a physician, I’ve seen the effects of distracted driving first-hand, including several orthopedic, spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. It’s important to note that more than half of traumatic brain injuries are caused by automobile accidents. A brain injury occurs when there is a blow or jolt to the head. In a vehicle accident, this can occur when an airbag deploys or a person hits the windshield or steering wheel. All brain injuries are serious and can affect a person’s cognitive or physical abilities. They also can result in behavioral or emotional impairments. A person who suffers a significant brain injury most likely will require rehabilitation to relearn basic skills, such as walking, talking or eating. It can be a long process that requires the specialized skills of a multidisciplinary medical team. And, while I’m glad that I’m part of a team at Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital that can help in the long-term recovery of these types of patients, I would rather that these types of injuries were prevented. With summer vacations in full swing, many of us will be driving to our destinations. Let’s remove our distractions and pay attention to the road. The simplest and most effective way to do this is to turn off your cell phone when you turn on the car ignition. Let’s save lives together.

Board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, Dr. Michael Fuentes is the medical director of Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital. The hospital provides specialized rehabilitative care to patients recovering from disabilities caused by injuries, illnesses or chronic medical conditions. For more information, visit www.ccrh.ernesthealth.com, call 361-906-3700 or visit the hospital at 5726 Esplanade Drive in Corpus Christi, Texas.

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Memberships Start at $95/month for Adults $75/month for Students Private Coaching Available by Appointment Drop-Ins Welcome  Showers Lifting Cardio Area 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

LIFE AT

THRIVE Thrive Memory Care is changing the way the Coastal Bend treats Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and dementia. By: Kathleen Naderer Photos by: Fusion Fotography

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

THE RATE OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND OTHER FORMS OF DEMENTIA ARE SKYROCKETING, FAMILIES ARE FINDING THEMSELVES CAUGHT IN THE TENSION OF HOW TO PROVIDE THE BEST CARE FOR THEIR LOVED ONES. TRADITIONALLY, THIS HAS LED TO MANY OF THE PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM MEMORY REGRESSION BEING PLACED IN ASSISTED-LIVING FACILITIES WITH A MEMORY CARE COMPONENT TYPICALLY KNOWN AS “LOCKED UNITS.”

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THANKS TO OUR COMMUNITY’S CULTURE, THE FAMILY INVOLVEMENT HERE HAS BEEN ASTOUNDING.”

Thrive Memory Care hopes to change this approach. As Bronston Carroll, the executive director, explained, “Our focus and passion is caring for those who have Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, ensuring they still have quality of life in this stage.” Thrive Senior Living, represented through Thrive Memory Care in Corpus Christi, is an innovative organization founded in 2008 that focuses on raising the standard for senior living. Based out of Atlanta, Thrive has more than 20 communities in eight states, including three in Texas: Georgetown, Keller and Corpus Christi. As an essential member of Thrive Senior Living’s team, Carroll uses the leadership skills he

developed as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and area manager at Amazon.com to help shape memory care into a more resident-focused industry. “I’ve always loved being part of something bigger than myself,” he said. “We are the first ‘memory care only’ community in Corpus Christi. This means we have the responsibility to raise the bar for memory care – not just in our community, but in the Coastal Bend community as a whole.” Carroll, who gained his undergraduate degree from the U.S. Naval Academy in political science and his master’s in global leadership from the University of San Diego School of Business, was considered an outsider to the senior housing in-

dustry before taking his role as executive director. Thrive knows that environment really does matter, so they focused on finding someone who could help create that right environment. Although Carroll has been trained by the National Institute of Dementia Education (NIDE), it is the experience he brings to Thrive and the senior housing industry that is pushing progress. Carroll is happy to showcase the beneficial steps his community takes to foster an exceptional care environment for residents and their families. “We asked ourselves what things, whether you have dementia or not, are really important?” Carroll said. “Then we built our community around those answers.”  I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

A traditional senior community consists of assisted living and memory care. Without the ability to specialize, facilities are trying to accommodate the needs of someone with dementia in an environment designed for seniors just needing assistance. Memory care residents are often regulated to a lockdown unit for safety purposes. Even though this can protect seniors with dementia, the confined feeling of a “lockdown” wing can often lead to frustration, agitation and anxiety. From small-scale architecture to team and resident interactions to word choice, everything is intentionally designed around the concepts of freedom, respect, dignity, normality and quality of life. Thrive strives to limit locked doors, providing both residents and their families with 24-hour access throughout the neighborhood units and the courtyard, creating a secure community through thoughtful design and the use of technology. “Words matter. ‘Lockdown’ is something that causes a negative emotion,” said Chelsea Craig, admission director. “We know there is a way to couple the need for security with a welcoming, resident-focused environment.” Those touring Thrive Memory Care will quickly realize that the community is intentionally designed, making it easier for residents to navigate and move freely throughout the home. The four neighborhood units have identical or mirrored layouts, each centered on a common kitchen and living space in order to encourage residents to spend time outside of their rooms. This open-concept kitchen and living area serves as the heart of each neighborhood, where residents and their care teams can sit down together for normal, family-style meals rather than cafeteria fare. Residents, staff and family also gather here to watch television, play games and host holiday parties and other events. “Health is directly correlated to someone’s interactions,” Carroll elaborated. “Isolation can be connected to declining health.” All staff members enjoy engaging with their residents and forming positive relationships with them. There is a “hug rotation” every hour on the hour, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., during which the care team and leadership give residents hugs, high-fives or some form of compassionate touch. Positive touches such as these have been shown to release endorphins; plus, these interactions build connectivity between the staff and residents. Before moving to Thrive, families of the residents fill out a form that shares important background information that is used for “life memorization” by employees. Employees, therefore, have a reference point for each resident and ways to engage each of them. As a bonus, care team members can also earn extra money by taking an assessment demonstrating how well they know each of the residents. Carroll is quick to acknowledge that the true heroes in the operation are the care team members who spend endless hours loving and caring for residents. “Our job in leadership is to remove barriers and equip the care team to do what they love to do: connect and care for the residents,” he said. “The life memorization and hug rotation are tools we use to do that.” Strategies such as these help Thrive staff provide personalized care seeing residents as people with a family and a history, not just a room number. “Often, with dementia,

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people lose their ability to communicate,” Carroll said. “Therefore, it is imperative that our team knows our resident’s life history when they are no longer able to tell us.” Carroll knows personally how this head-to-heart alignment is necessary for creating a loving environment focused on resident health and quality of life. “I remember when my grandmother went to the hospital with a broken hip,” he recalled. “Although she was only 72, she never recovered from that. My mother used to say that she died from a broken heart, not a broken hip. What started as a broken hip became something that she couldn’t pull herself out of, because the environment wasn’t right. In a lot a ways, she gave up hope because she felt like she became relegated to simply being known as a room number, instead of a person with a name and history.” Carroll believes that a critical part of Thrive’s exceptional care stems from a community where the care team loves to come to work, the families of residents love to visit and all parties feel like they have a voice. “One of the ways communities should measure their success in creating the right environment is by the families’ level of involvement,” he said. “The family involvement here has been astounding. That’s because of our community’s culture. We continually hear how it just feels different here.” Thrive recognizes part of creating an environment focused on personalized care is acknowledging the need for residents to have independence and privacy. Emphasizing the idea of normalcy, the residents’ rooms do not have standard call buttons or pull cords. In lieu of these outdated means of monitoring patients, Thrive has implemented the VIGIL resident monitoring system. VIGIL sensors throughout the room are used to alert the care team to any irregular activity that might indicate a resident needs assistance. “Our technology gives us insight into a resident’s needs without actually being in the room,” Craig explained. These sensors can be customized based on each individual’s needs. This technology allows residents to have as much independence as possible without losing dignity or compromising the quality of care. “There are very few communities that are doing what

Thrive Memory Care is located at 7245 McArdle Road. If you or your loved ones are interested in learning more about their memory care community, visit their website at www.thrivememorycare.com, call 361-288-4695 or email hello@thrivememorycare.com to schedule a tour.

we’re doing,” Carroll proudly stated. “We feel honored to be driving innovation in memory care for the Coastal Bend. Our hope is that the progress we are making will lead to a greater evolution of what memory care looks like in the next few years.” As Thrive grows, Carroll plans to continue reaching out to the Coastal Bend community in order to raise awareness and educate people about improving quality of life for those with dementia. “Unfortunately, dementia is still a very taboo topic,” he said. “People don’t like to talk about it, and our hope is to change that. The fact that we don’t like to talk about it actually hinders the level of care and quality of life not only for the one dealing with dementia, but their loved ones. With memory regression, people may not remember what happens a day or a week from now, but they remember the feelings that happen in those moments. It’s amazing! When you focus on impacting moments, they mean something. Therefore, we have to begin to talk more about how to impact those moments.”

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WE FEEL HONORED TO BE DRIVING INNOVATION IN MEMORY CARE FOR 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

PROFILE

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More than Molar Mechanics For Dr. James A. Duncan, dentistry was less like a choice and more like a destiny. By: KATHLEEN NADERER Photos by: WILLIAM RUSSELL

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ames A. Duncan, DDS, who prefers the less formal moniker “Dr. Jim,” has served as an essential member of the Coastal Bend dental community since 1996. Duncan Dental Studio, his practice in Portland, has a reputation of offering top-quality care not just for the patient’s teeth, but for the patient’s whole body. “Our philosophy is that we are more than just molar mechanics,” Dr. Jim said. “Medicine and dentistry are correlated.”

Studies have proven oral health is closely associated with overall health. For instance, gum disease has been medically linked to heart disease. This is why Dr. Jim encourages everyone to visit a dentist at least twice a year and practice healthy food and exercise habits. As an active, award-winning member of the Corpus Christi Dental Study Club, Dr. Jim stays up-to-date on his field’s latest breakthroughs in both research and technology. He has received a mastership from the World Clinical Laser Institute, and incorporates lasers and other groundbreaking technology into his dental practice. “Where technology is going, I hang on tight – anything that can make life easier for the dentist and the patients, I’m game!” he exclaimed. His office has embraced the use of all-tissue lasers for cavity prep, gum disease treatment and whitening, as well as the use of 3-D X-rays and cone beam imaging in order to provide

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the best possible treatment for patients. While he admits the cost and learning curve for the new technology can be challenging, he feels that these advances are part of what keeps him ahead of the curve. Staying ahead is important for Dr. Jim, especially since he plans to continue growing his practice. He is currently looking to expand his current building’s physical structure and the services provided, as well as possibly bring in an associate. Surprisingly, Dr. Jim had no interest in becoming a dentist when he was younger. “I did everything to not be a dentist,” he explained. “I actually set out to be other things when I graduated from high school.” Despite having two parents in the dental field (his father is an oral surgeon, and his mother was a dental hygienist), Dr. Jim originally studied petroleum engineering in college. Within his

first year of college, the oil industry went “belly up,” and he knew he would have to pursue a different path. He took a year off and worked at the Audie L. Murphy VA hospital in San Antonio as phlebotomist, which helped him realized that dentistry might be a good fit for him. “I guess I went from drilling wells to drilling teeth,” he joked. His parents’ careers had little impact on him growing up. They had divorced when he was just 3 years old, and he was living in Germany with his mother and three sisters by the age of 7. Although his mom practiced occasionally, she did not go back to work fulltime until after he graduated from high school. Growing up on the other side of the world, he did not get to spend much time with his dad until he returned to Texas during junior high. In spite of the challenges he faced as a child of divorce, Dr. Jim remained positive. “I’m a

firm believer that everything happens for a reason,” he said with a smile. “You’ve got to make the most of your surroundings – of what life gives you.” He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Corpus Christi State University (now TAMUCC) in 1992, and fell in love with the Coastal Bend in the process. “I knew I’d be back here,” he recalled. After earning his bachelor’s degree, Dr. Jim attended the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, which was ranked No. 1 in the nation at the time, and earned their Award of Excellence. He moved to Portland to practice dentistry, and began to form a plan for his own business in 2007. Opening up his own practice was a challenge with which all new business owners are familiar. Dr. Jim had trouble getting the banks to even look over his business plan, and, after three years of trying, was ready to give up his dream. Things quickly turned around when he finally received a phone call in December 2010 approving his business plan. But this came with a catch: Due to changing laws, Dr. Jim

had only two weeks to complete all the paperwork and other legalities. He was able to scramble and meet his deadline, and Duncan Dental Studio opened its doors in 2011. “Ever since that moment, it’s been a blessing,” Dr. Jim said. Of course, this blessing did not necessarily mean completely smooth sailing. In addition to the expensive overhead that comes with starting a new business in the medical field, Dr. Jim had to face his own health issues only two years into his practice. A benign knee surgery became infected, causing him to miss six weeks of work. Fortunately for Dr. Jim, the tight-knit Coastal Bend dental community banded together to support him. His staff and even colleagues from other practices volunteered time and services so that Duncan Dental Studio could remain open. “I’m extremely grateful for the members of my team and my colleagues who stepped up to donate time, energy and love,” Dr. Jim said. “Looking at the numbers, it was only through the grace of God and their help that I was able to stay in business.”

Duncan Dental Studio, located at 240 Reliant Drive, brings high-quality dental health care to Portland and surrounding areas. For more information or to make an appointment, call 361-643-3030.

“

Medicine and dentistry are correlated.” I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

PROFILE

AN ELEVATED EXPERIENCE Market President Justin Doss weighs in on Our PATH, CHRISTUS Spohn’s strategic plan to transform the face of health care in South Texas.

BIG THINGS ARE HAPPENING at CHRISTUS Spohn. The health system is just over a year away from completing an unprecedented $335 million investment to elevate health care in South Texas. At the helm is a new leader, Justin Doss, FACHE – recently named market president for CHRISTUS Spohn. Doss joined the health system a year ago as chief operating officer, bringing his wife and three children to the Coastal Bend from Plano, Texas, and arriving at a pivotal moment in the organization’s 112-year history. Now, as market president, Doss will lead op-

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erations and strategy for CHRISTUS Spohn, developing programs to improve quality, elevate patient experience and attract world-class physicians to the Coastal Bend. Q: What do you see as some of the biggest health care challenges facing our community? A: We’re at a great time of growth in South Texas. It’s an honor to be leading the team at CHRISTUS Spohn Health System, which is a health care leader in this community. With that said, I think expanding access to care is an opportunity that we are really focus-

ing on. Many in our community need health care services, but there are not enough providers in network that accept their health insurance. That can be frustrating for patients. That’s why CHRISTUS Spohn’s family medicine and emergency medicine residency programs, and the community’s support of local physicians and hospitals, is so crucial. We want to train the best doctors here and keep them here. There’s also a culture of change currently in health care that can be challenging. Nationally, there are many changes in the health care industry. It can be difficult to keep up with it

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRISTUS SPOHN

Special to Inspire Coastal Bend

all, so it’s important that we navigate those changes and ensure our patients continue to have access to high-quality care. Another focus for us is helping our community understand that great health care is available right here in their hometown. You don’t need to fly or drive to another city for world-class care. The more our community is informed about the excellent, specialized care that’s in our backyard, the more people will use it, which I think will create a healthier community overall. Q: That being said, what are some of your goals for the health system? A: You’ve probably seen all the cranes and construction going on at our campuses. This is an exciting project to be part of. We call it Our PATH, or People and Actions Transforming Health Care, which is CHRISTUS Spohn’s strategic plan to transform how and where we deliver health care in South Texas. Two major components of the project are the recently opened Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Family Health Center at our Memorial campus, and the new Patient Care Tower being built at the Shoreline campus. They are providing more ways for people to receive care. Construction at Shoreline is moving toward completion, with our new 10-story Patient Care Tower scheduled to open in early 2019. I want to give special thanks to McCarthy, Perkins + Will Architects, CLK Architects, CBRE, Urban Engineers and Beecroft Construction, who have been great partners on this project. We also have a daily goal to live our mission, which is to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. That means we treat every patient as if we were treating Christ himself. This is something I feel we achieve every day.

“

WE’RE AT A GREAT TIME OF GROWTH IN SOUTH TEXAS. IT’S AN HONOR TO BE LEADING THE TEAM AT CHRISTUS SPOHN HEALTH SYSTEM, WHICH IS A HEALTH CARE LEADER IN THIS COMMUNITY.”

Q: What impact do you see PATH having in our community? A: When people hear about Our PATH, many might think of just the buildings. And while those are very important, this project is much more than the construction at Shoreline and Memorial. Our PATH is about better access to health care, and access to the right type of care. The Dr. Hector P. Garcia Center sees nearly 3,500 patients now and fills more than 16,000 prescriptions a month. The way our community is utilizing the health center I think affirms the purpose behind PATH: creating more access for patients. Our PATH is a $335 million investment to our community made possible by CHRISTUS Health and generous donors in our community – no taxpayer dollars are used. This project really is by us, for us. But PATH is not really about bricks and mortar – it’s about people. It means filling our hospitals with

excellent and compassionate associates. We actively recruit the best and brightest to care for our patients, and together, we’re moving health care forward in South Texas. Q: With so many changes in health care both nationally and locally, how does CHRISTUS Spohn navigate these changes? A: We do this by keeping our mission – to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ – front-and-center with every decision we make. And we are focused on having the best physicians, nurses, associates and leadership at each facility. This year alone, we’ve brought in several new health care providers and administrators, all of which have experience in some of the nation’s largest institutions. They’ve helped create best practices that we can use to manage those challenges and changes. Q: CHRISTUS Spohn has been around for 112 years, what do you think the next 112 years will look like for the health system? A: We want to increase focus on consumer-driven choices; that means listening to our patients and responding to their needs. And we also are committed to building stronger partnerships between our patients, hospitals, physicians and insurance companies. That kind of synergy is beneficial to everyone. I believe we’ll continue to see some of the best physicians using the latest technology to provide high-quality care right here in our community we call home. Finally, I know that Our PATH is going to affect positive change in South Texas for generations to come. We are building the future of health care, today.

To learn more about Our PATH, visit www.ourpathforward.org.

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

A Night in Vegas BENEFI T ING

Sat., August 26, 2017 6:30pm-11:00pm American Bank Center

Ticket Information 361-826-5371 charliesplaceonline.com

Casino Games, Live Shows, Music, Food & More!

AERIAL HORIZON Three extended shows!

Proceeds from the night will benefit Charlieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Place Recovery Center, a treatment center for people with substance use disorders. Call 361-826-5350 for help. Many insurances accepted. I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M 35

EXPRESSIONS OF INSPIRATION

CARIBBEAN CRUSADE The Caribbean Journey: a world-class excursion led by the Texas State Aquarium By: CAROLINE R. FREEMAN Photos by: DARK LAB

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

THE CARIBBEAN JOURNEY is Texas State Aquarium’s monumental addition featuring the best the Caribbean Sea has to offer right here in the Coastal Bend. Decades in the making, the exhibit immerses visitors in the exceptional beauty of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Preserve, a biodiverse region in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. From massive sandbar sharks and delicate, colorful coral formations to vibrant toucans and a two-toed sloth named Xena, this exceptional undertaking will not only dazzle guests, but also be economically significant to the city of Corpus Christi. So how did this enormous $60 million vision become a reality? It all began more than 30 years ago. “It was part of our original master plan to take our guests on journeys through the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea,” explains president and CEO, Tom Schmid. “The founders came up with the concept back in the mid‘80s, so it’s always been a part of our

long-term plan. We do strategic planning every five years, and in 2010, we decided at that point that would be a good time to move forward with Caribbean expansion.” Some said the project was too ambitious for the size of Corpus Christi. The aquarium’s last capital campaign was for $15 million – nearly one-third of the Caribbean campaign. Though he admits it was an intimidating endeavor, Schmid concludes, “We always wanted to create a world-class aquarium in Corpus Christi – one that could compare to the National Aquarium and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We took on a big vision, but we all felt very strongly we could execute this with the leadership of our campaign committee, board and support from companies and foundations all over Texas.” The Caribbean Journey is different from other projects at the Texas State Aquarium in many ways. For starters, visitors do not just see the aquarium; guests are immersed in it. The journey begins in the immense, skylight-enclosed jungle with a hundred birds flying overhead. Following the jungle path, natural flora and fauna surround guests as flamingos, toucans and crocodiles can be seen residing in their ecosystems. “You walk through the aquarium,” Schmid says. “You can see over the top and from many more vantage points.

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It’s a much more immersive space.” From there, guests are guided through the cenote cavern featuring native cave-dwelling fishes. Guests are given an overhead preview into the 400,000-gallon tank teeming with sharks and tropical fish. Next, guests visit the Coral Reef exhibit. “Replicating the features of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, the Coral Reef exhibit gives an immersive look at these incredible ecosystems and the colorful fish that call them home,” according to the aquarium. Guests can view the angelfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish and many other vibrantly hued species. The Coral Reef not only displays the beauty of these complex environments, but also calls attention to the importance of preserving these unique, fragile ecosystems. “We’re beginning to do more work propagating corals in our labs here,” Schmid states. “We were approached by federal agencies about the possibility of becoming a coral gene bank, so if we had a catastrophic event, we could someday be able to replant the corals.”

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“

SERVING AS A MARINE EDUCATION RESOURCE IS IMPORTANT FOR US.”

Next, visitors can sit down to a thrilling theatre experience in the 100-seat, state-of-the-art Whataburger 4-D Theatre. Viewers experience the film in every facet: From the wind blowing ocean spray into your hair to the sensation of bubbles and sea grass tickling your legs, viewers are truly transported into the award-winning films.

And finally, the H-E-B Caribbean Sea Shark exhibit encapsulates some of the ocean’s largest predators. The longest aquarium window in North America is framed by a Spanish galleon shipwreck surrounded by sandbar sharks, barracudas and many other species. The Texas State Aquarium is currently working with other aquariums around the country to support shark conservation, and visitors are a huge part of those efforts whether or not they realize it. “Serving as a marine education resource is important for us,” Schmid explains. “This is a great place for families to be able to bring their kids and have a wonderful day and learn about the marine world. However, now simply coming here becomes a conservation activity. Recently, we began making grants available to researchers and scientists working on species important to the gulf and the Caribbean. So, by someone buying an admission ticket or purchasing something to eat or something at the gift shop, they’re helping us run the aquarium, but they’re also contributing to helping save species out in the wild. Just by coming to the aquarium, this becomes a wildlife conservation effort that they can be proud of.” The Texas State Aquarium believes the Caribbean Journey expansion will greatly increase traffic and, therefore, significantly impact the economics of the city. “It’s not why we built it, and it wasn’t our mission, but this does drive a lot of tourism and traffic in our region,” Schmid says. “Each year, we do a study of our annual economic impact. This expansion will bring in close to $70 million of economic activity to our city every year. This project alone created jobs for 70 to 80 people at the aquarium. We see about 60-70,000 kids a year, and we project that will increase to 100,000 students within the next few years.” The Texas State Aquarium is thrilled to have opened its doors May 13 for visitors to take a Caribbean Journey right here in South Texas. With the Caribbean Sea strongly tied culturally, biogeographically and historically to the Gulf of Mexico and Texas, citizens and visitors of Corpus Christi can see a spectacular new sea while feeling good about doing their part in protecting and conserving important species. This was a huge, inspiring endeavor by the Texas State Aquarium that will result in enriching outcomes for the city, its residents and beyond.

For more information, visit the Texas State Aquarium online at www.texasstateaquarium.org.

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Walk to End Alzheimer’s Corpus Christi, TX Heritage Park 1581 N. Chaparral

Saturday, September 9, 2017 7:30 am Check-In / 8:30 am Ceremony 9:00 am Walk

To Start a New Team: 1. www.alz.org/walk 2. Enter your Zip Code 3. Click on Corpus Christi, TX 4. Click the yellow “Register” button 5. Click the “Start a Team” button 6. Follow the registration process online To Join a Team: 1. www.alz.org/walk 2. Enter your Zip Code 3. Click on Corpus Christi, TX 4. Click the yellow “Register” button 5. Click the “Join a Team” button 6. Click the “Search for a Team” button 7. Look up your team and click “Join” 8. Follow the registration process online

For more information contact us at 361-445-9764 or mamoseley@alz.org

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

Halcyon Med Spa & Wellness Center Welcomes & Introduces Angelica Jackson MPAS PA-C, a Specialist in Anti-Aging

Halcyon Med Spa is located in the heart of Corpus Christi’s historical district. The exquisitely refurbished historic house is the perfect, true spa atmosphere inviting you to relax & leave your worries behind. Its perfect for gifting your special someones or just taking a day to pamper yourself with an array of treatments from facials to massage to custom air-brush tanning!

Call 361-425-2637 or visit www.halcyonmedspa.com 1752 Santa Fe St., Corpus Christi

Angelica Jackson is a Board Certified Dermatology Physician Assistant who specializes in Aesthetic Medicine. She completed her Bachelor’s of Science from Azusa Pacific University and earned her Master’s of Physician Assistant Sciences from St. Francis University. Jackson joins Dr. Lonnie Schwirtlich, Medical Director and sole owner of Halcyon Med Spa. She recently relocated to Corpus Christi for her husband’s career as a Military Pilot. They are settling down now as he teaches future pilots of our armed forces. With a new baby boy, Thomas, the Jacksons are enjoying life spending time together as a family. We invite you to know Angelica’s positive personality, a true reflection of her passion and perfect balance between her personal life and career.

Angelica is "The AntiAging Secret Weapon" a title given by one of her past patients. Don't delay, schedule your consultation with her today! Visit www. halcyonmedspa.com for a complete list of services and to book your appointment!

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

NONPROFIT

Hands-only CPR has just two easy steps. If you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse:

u v Call 911.

Push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of the disco song, “Stayin’ Alive.” This song instills just the right beat at 104 beats per minute. Hands-only CPR requires 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute.

Hands-only CPR: the next generation of education By: ERIN WILDER

ummer daydreams of students herald elaborate family vacations in the sun, historical markers on road trips and an endless request for snow cones – and perhaps the memories are poised to include a lifesaving event with hands-only CPR. Thanks to CPR training in schools, this could be a reality. In the 2014-15 school year, CPR training became a requirement for high school graduation in Texas, encouraging educators to instill lifesaving techniques within a traditional educational environment. Aerin Thomas, a 12-year-old from Texas, performed hands-only CPR on her dad, maintaining steady chest compressions at the right speed and depth until the paramedics arrived. Paramedics quickly identified that if Aerin had not administered CPR, her father may have passed away. Aerin potentially saved her dad’s

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camp, swimming lessons or the local park to occupy their long summer days, it’s encouraging to know that so many of them are now equipped with the tools to save lives. Hands-only CPR empowers students to be the lifesaver, not the spectator. Bystander CPR is a critical part of saving a cardiac arrest victim’s life. Survival depends on the victim getting CPR as quickly as possible, and that’s where hands-only CPR is of paramount importance for everyone. Hands-only CPR has been shown to be as effective as conventional CPR for cardiac arrest at home, at work or in public. It can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival.

For more information, visit the Corpus Christi’s American Heart Association website at www.heart. org/corpuschristi and share it with the important people in your life. You can also find a CPR class near you or learn more at the Coastal Bend Heart Walk on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, at Whataburger Field, where the American Heart Association will host hands-only CPR demonstrations.

PIXELAWAY/BIGSTOCK.COM

LEARNING TO SAVE LIVES

life by administering hands-only CPR after calling 911. First responder, the fire department’s battalion chief, Paul Henley, had never seen anything like it. “That was the first time I witnessed a child perform CPR on a scene,” he said. “I drove her to the hospital afterward, and I was so proud of how she took initiative.” The American Heart Association (AHA) champions hands-only CPR training in schools across the country. Thanks to legislation the AHA supported for CPR education in schools, 34 states now require CPR training in high schools. This increases the annual number of individuals trained in hands-only CPR to more than two million. More than 7,200 adults and teenagers in Corpus Christi have been trained with AHA guidelines, methods and materials in CPR, AED usage and basic lifesaving skills. Each year, over 326,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States. Statistics prove the more people are trained in CPR, the more lives are saved during cardiac events. The AHA is training the next generation to save the lives of those who experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. As school-age children go off to

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

NONPROFIT

CAN I START AGAIN? Patients find treatment, healing and compassion at Charlie’s Place Recovery Center.

was sitting in a boardroom at Charlie’s Place Recovery Center, a visitor among a mixed group. There were staff, board members and potential board members, and then there was one nervous woman waiting to tell her story. Her name will remain anonymous, and what she had to say held the room silent. This was her third time at Charlie’s Place. You might think, ‘Well, it’s not a very successful place, is it?’ She went on to say that the first time, she admitted herself because her family begged her to go. The second time, too. But this, her third time, she was hoping to be successful, because she had finally come to terms with her substance use disorder. She talked about her time at Charlie’s Place – how the staff treated her like a normal person. (Of course they did, right?) Outside of those walls, she had faced dismay, disapproval and disregard. She was not worth the time. At Charlie’s Place, she was made to feel she was worth every minute.

From food service to group session, she was being fed the right information to understand her disorder. When we think of the word, “addiction,” there is a negative connotation. In the dictionary, it says, “the condition of being abnormally dependent on some habit, especially compulsive dependency on narcotic drugs.” Upwards of 20 million Americans face addiction to drugs and alcohol, and most don’t seek treatment. If you were suffering from chest pain, you would seek treatment – and no one would judge you or whisper about where you’ve been. Why is there a stigma attached to drug and alcohol abuse and addiction, but not to the addiction of sugar for diabetics? Or to unhealthy living for someone with heart disease? You might think, ‘Well, they chose to do drugs, so they had it coming.’ And yet, with other medical and chronic illness, we can openly discuss what led to the condition, whether it was hereditary or self-induced. Addiction to drugs and alcohol is a

UPWARDS OF

MILLION

AMERICANS FACE ADDICTION TO DRUGS AND ALCOHOL, AND MOST DON’T SEEK TREATMENT.

medical condition. Period. With proper medical attention and a commitment to a lifestyle change, it is treatable. Charlie’s Place Recovery Center opened its doors in 1965 as a halfway house for alcoholics. Charlie Acklen, the founder, took care of many of the men who found their way to the house, and he himself was a recovering alcoholic. There was no medical treatment at that time. It was a passionate group of volunteers who cared for and helped those who sought healing. Now, 52 years later, Charlie’s Place Recovery Center treats roughly 2,000 patients a year. Services range from residential detoxification (supervised by licensed medical staff who monitor the progress of cleansing the body of toxins) to residential recovery support (for graduates transitioning back into the community). There is a science to the treatment, and a heavy dose of compassion – one of the few places their patients will find it. If this article is moving something for you or for someone else, call Charlie’s Place. There’s a place to restart, no matter how many times it takes.

For more information, contact Charlie’s Place Recovery Center at 361-826-5350 (24-hour) or 877-267-8110 (toll free).

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

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLIE’S PLACE RECOVERY CENTER

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