Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine Medical July/August 2020 by Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine

COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE

COMPASSIONATE CARE

DR. NELLY GARCIA BLOW JULY/AUGUST 2020

COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVES AMIDST THE PANDEMIC

Dr. Mathew Alexander

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contents JULY/AUGUST 2020

14 COVER STORY DR. NELLY GARCIA BLOW A relentless advocate for her community and some of its most vulnerable citizens, this outstanding physician elevates compassionate care for South Texas.

PATIENT 10 Latest and Greatest 12 Home-based Physical Therapy

HEALTH & WELLNESS 22 Just Keep Moving

14 EXPRESSIONS OF INSPIRATION 26 Community Perspectives Amidst the Pandemic

COVER AND TABLE OF CONTENTS PHOTOS BY: MICHAEL GIORDANO I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

MEET THE STAFF COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE

ADRIAN GARZA PUBLISHER adrian@inspirecoastalbendmag.com 361.548.1044

JULY/AUGUST 2020 PUBLISHER Adrian Garza PUBLISHER & OPERATIONS Holly Lewis EDITOR Erin O’Brien

HOLLY LEWIS PUBLISHER & OPERATIONS holly@inspirecoastalbendmag.com 479.935.0868

DESIGN DIRECTOR Elisa Giordano SOCIAL MEDIA Morgan Bartel CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Steven Alford Marina Hays Lisa G. Wright PHOTOGRAPHY Michael Giordano

ERIN O'BRIEN EDITOR erin.editorial@gmail.com

ELISA GIORDANO DESIGN DIRECTOR elisa@inspirecoastalbendmag.com 210.716.5320

www.inspirecoastalbendmag.com For advertising information or editorial comments, please call 479-935-0868 or email holly@inspirecoastalbendmag.com.

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PATIENT

Latest and Greatest Tighten and flatten your abdomen for summer with a tummy tuck. Special to Inspire Coastal Bend

Summer is here, and how better to enhance your summer body than with a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)? This procedure is designed to tighten and flatten the abdomen by removing excess fat and abdominal skin, and by tightening the muscles for the abdominal wall. Did you know you can get this procedure done here locally at the Corpus Christi Institute of Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery? Drs. Vijay and Cassidy are both board-certified surgeons who strive to provide the best in customer care, service and experience. They bring the latest and greatest procedures and technology to the table. Their practice is set apart by honesty and the fact that patient comfort is key. Dr. Vijay believes the best results are obtained only through collaboration between his patients and himself. Do you think tummy tuck is an option for you?

At Corpus Christi Institute of Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, abdominoplasty patients are provided with detailed instructions to ensure the best outcome for the procedure. The results of tummy tuck surgery are generally permanent and will last if you maintain a healthy weight and do not have a future pregnancy.

Dr. Vijay believes the best results are obtained through collaboration with his patients.

The exact cost of a tummy tuck procedure will depend on the severity of your condition and several other factors. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to schedule a consultation with either Dr. Vijay or Dr. Cassidy to evaluate you and your desires to help determine the cost of your procedure.

For more information about the staff and services at the Corpus Christi Institute of Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, visit www.corpusplasticsurgery.com, call 361-888-7417 or follow @corpusplasticsurgery on social media.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF CORPUS CHRISTI INSTITUTE OF COSMETIC AND PLASTIC SURGERY

Tummy tucks are best suited for women and men who are in relatively good shape, but have lost a significant amount of abdominal fat with loose abdominal skin that is unable to shrink or tighten no matter the amount of dieting and/or exercising. This procedure is especially suited for women with stretched skin and muscles due to previous pregnancies.

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

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

PATIENT

Home-based Physical Therapy In a world with COVID-19, regain functionality in the comfort of your own home. By: Marina Hays

eceiving in-home physical therapy (PT) services has many benefits, including personal one-on-one care between the therapist and the patient. Our patients are cared for in the comfort of their own homes, with fewer distractions, so they are able to focus on rehabilitation. Given the situation with COVID-19, it may be less risky to commence therapy at home as opposed to traveling to a facility. All AAdi field staff are taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of our patients and their families.

Several different modalities are used to assist with pain management.

Home health PT services are unique because transportation is not required, and the environment we work in is one in which you are comfortable. We assist patients for whom it is a burden to attend an outpatient clinic to receive PT services on their own. A patient may be a home health candidate if he or she has an acute illness or is recovering from orthopedic, neurological or cardiopulmonary surgery.

Several different modalities are used to assist with pain management, such as ultrasounds, cold packs, heat packs and manual therapy. Active stretches are used regularly in rehab to lengthen muscles and increase range of motion (ROM), especially after total knee replacement or total shoulder replacement. We perform passive range of motion (PROM), active-assistive range of motion (AAROM) and active range of motion (AROM) stretches to assist patient to regain normal ROM. Exercises vary and are specific to the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diagnosis and his or her needs. Repetition and resistance are determined with each patient to promote strength and endurance.

I have seen many patients in my years of working in the home PT setting. A few years ago, I had a patient who had had many falls and broken his right humerus, left patella and lumbar. He was very frightened to walk, became depressed and had given up on recovery. He employed caregivers 24 hours a day, seven days a week, because he thought he would spend the rest of his life at home in a hospital bed. I began to see him three times a week following his physical therapy evaluation. I asked him one day what he expected from me, and I told him what I expected from him. He was very surprised at my answer, but was hopeful he would walk again. I told him that as long as he would give it his all, I would do the same for him and get him walking again. He also promised to follow his HEP every day, and he did! It took several months, but as promised, he did get back to walking. We began walking outside using his rolling walker initially, and before he or I knew it, he was using a single-point cane. He became so independent that he was able to drive once again, and he no longer needed his 24-hour caregivers. He gained his life back, and I was excited and thankful to be a part of his success story.

Marina Hays is a physical therapy assistant (PTA) at AAdi Home Health & Hospice. To contact her or to learn more about AAdi, call 361-452-3384 or visit www.aadihomehealth.com.

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Some tools I use on a daily basis include elastic resistance bands of various strengths, a pulley system, ankle weights, hand weights and a restorator bike. Patients are given an illustrated copy of a home exercise program (HEP) following the first PT visit. I recommend to each patient the benefits of follow-through with their home exercises daily for increased strength, endurance and a maximum outcome.

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www.HumpalPhysicalTherapy.com www.Facebook.com/HumpalPT 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

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ELEVATING HER COMMUNITY Dr. Nelly Garcia Blow provides education and compassionate care for South Texas.

By: Steven Alford Photos by: Michael Giordano

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GROWING UP ON A SMALL RANCH IN BROWNSVILLE, DR. NELLY GARCIA BLOW SAYS SHE WAS A SHY CHILD WHO LOVED CARING FOR ANIMALS. She came from humble beginnings – a hardworking family, whose greatest expectation for their daughter was to finish high school. But there was much more in store for the young girl, who would have a big impact on her South Texas community. “When I was growing up, I never could have imagined that I would have a career where I talk to people every day,” Garcia Blow recalls. “My family now can’t believe it because I was the shyest kid.” Early on, she took an interest in medicine, something that seemed like an impossible dream for someone growing up in a household without a college graduate. But having her grandparents nearby, and later, her grandmother under their roof, had a profound effect on her career path. Caring for her grandmother, who lived to be 101 years old, Garcia Blow recalls how vibrant and full of life she was well into later years. The pair would often take miles-long walks in the evenings along the countryside. That firsthand experience ignited a curiosity in the young girl, which would lead her to study geriatric specialty medicine. “Definitely having our grandparents in my life gave me an appreciation for my elders and the stories they shared,” Garcia Blow says. “That grew into my passion.”

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Caring for the most vulnerable After medical school, her experience would take her further up the road to Corpus Christi, where, for more than a decade, Garcia Blow has cared for older populations and the most vulnerable at CHRISTUS Spohn Health System. As a physician serving her patients within a Catholic health system, Garcia Blow has worked closely with church officials through the years to ensure compassionate care is being delivered to all of those who call the Coastal Bend home. “I personally appreciate her peaceful and compassionate manner, which is reassuring to anyone who must make decisions with and for their elderly family member,” shares Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey of the Diocese of Corpus Christi. “Her interest and commitment to this area of treating the whole person is most encouraging and welcomed. I see her as someone who is not satisfied with the status quo, but always in search of improving the care for her patients and the community.” Serving the community Along her journey, Garcia Blow has become deeply engrained in the fabric of the community, serving on numerous boards and providing educational

resources for a range of companies and organizations. She has served on the American Heart Association Board, as well as chaired the group’s local Hypertension Collaborative. “She is a relentless force behind the focus of providing resources to make the Coastal Bend a healthier community,” shares Erin Wilder, executive director of the American Heart Association. “She is an asset to our community, and her emphasis on ‘knowing your numbers’ shows her passion for the improvement of health and well-being for heart disease and stroke patients.” Garcia Blow’s medical specialty is the treatment of geriatric trauma. She is a regular fixture in the trauma services department of CHRISTUS Spohn, caring for elderly patients who are rushed in. For them, a simple fall in their home can have dire health consequences. “Your life can be changed drastically in a second. You don’t have time to prepare and know what that new life looks like,” Garcia Blow says. “Until you’ve experienced that 24/7 care, you don’t know what your patient’s family will go through. Having lived that, it gives you a real appreciation for what you are asking the family to take on.”

“DR. GARCIA BLOW IS AN INTENSELY PASSIONATE ADVOCATE FOR COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE IN THE COASTAL BEND.”

“An exceptional physician” Garcia Blow’s wealth of medical knowledge and eagerness to share with her colleagues has made her a valuable resource to her team at CHRISTUS Spohn through the years. “I have known Dr. Nelly Garcia Blow since she was a medical student coming from University of North Texas Osteopathic School of Medicine to our Family Medicine Residency Program in 2006,” recalls Dr. Yvonne H. Hinojosa, program director for the CHRISTUS Spohn Family Medicine Residency Program.

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“I knew when I met Dr. Garcia Blow she would be an exceptional physician. She strives to take care of as many patients as she can reach through education, her availability and her excellent skills.” Sharing knowledge This spring, as the COVID-19 pandemic ramped up in the Coastal Bend, Garcia Blow threw herself into learning as much as she could about the latest treatments and care delivery models, sharing what she learned with fellow physicians and giving lectures to local businesses and organizations. “You do the best you can using your knowledge and education,” Garcia Blow says. “There could be changes, and we’re seeing that now, but there are things we’ve stuck with – hand washing, masking, social distancing – which continue to evolve.” She was one of the first in the community to sound the alarm about the virus and helped launch drive-thru testing early on at CHRISTUS Spohn facilities, according to her husband, Dr. Osbert Blow, president and chief medical officer for CHRISTUS Spohn Health System. Blow says he values his wife’s support and expertise, which elevates the level of care the health system is able to provide for all walks of life in the community. “She’s really the best doctor I’ve ever met. She has all the best attributes – selfless, compassionate, smart and skillful,” Blow shares. “She has tremendous empathy for all of the vulnerable populations she cares for.”

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Of those vulnerable populations, Garcia Blow has been particularly passionate about those affected by opioid and prescription drug abuse. She has given her time and talent by serving on the Opioid Task Force, a joint effort between the county, law enforcement and the Nueces County Medical Society Alliance. “Nelly is very intelligent and so knowledgeable, and when you put that together with her passion for helping others, you have an amazing woman,” says Amanda Cutbirth of the Nueces County Medical Society Alliance. “Working with her through several different organizations, she gives 100 percent to each one.” “A big heart” As someone who was first to attend college in her family, education is also something very near and dear to her heart. For many years, Garcia Blow has sponsored the Joe A. Gonzalez Education is Our Freedom GED College Scholarship Program, enabling hundreds of Nueces County students to achieve their own educational dreams. “She is a small-stature, petite person that carries a big heart,” says Joe A. Gonzalez, Nueces County commissioner, Precinct 2. “She is the type of person that does not take ‘it cannot be done’ for an answer, but instead believes, ‘sÍ se puede; it can be done’ and it gets done.”

Somehow through it all, Garcia Blow finds time away from a busy career in medicine to be a devoted wife and mother. Her husband says she serves as an inspiration for their young daughter, who also hopes to one day make a big impact on the community they call home.

"NELLY IS VERY INTELLIGENT AND KNOWLEDGEABLE, AND WHEN YOU COMBINE THAT WITH HER PASSION FOR HELPING OTHERS, YOU HAVE AN AMAZING WOMAN.” Dr. Nelly Garcia Blow practices primary care geriatric medicine with the CHRISTUS Spohn Health System. For more information, visit www.christushealth.org.

“In addition to being a wonderful mom, she has had a tremendous influence while raising our daughter, Sofia, who is aspiring to be what her mom is,” Blow fondly shares. Working together Looking ahead, there is more work to be done – more lives to save and more families to educate. Garcia Blow continues to work tirelessly, sharing what she learns about the coronavirus to keep her community safe, as the Coastal Bend navigates a new life amid a global pandemic. She works closely with local health authorities and government agencies to make sure the city and the county remain healthy environments for residents and visitors alike. “She is an intensely passionate advocate for comprehensive health care in the Coastal Bend, and her nurturing personality makes her the ideal physician, mother and community organizer,” says Nueces County Judge Barbara Canales. “She was the spark plug behind COVID-19 drive-thru testing, and she is the secret weapon in any room with her combination of intelligence and warmth. I used to say they don’t make them like my grandmother, Dr. Cleo ‘La Doctora,’ anymore. I was wrong – her name is Dr. Nelly Garcia Blow.” As a lifelong optimist, Garcia Blow believes South Texas will come out of the current pandemic stronger than before, with renewed commitment to creating a safe community for each other. While there certainly have been negative impacts felt from the coronavirus, Garcia Blow hopes in some small way it has brought people closer, strengthening family bonds and reigniting people’s passion to give back. “We need to focus again and take advantage of what we have learned and how we can work together in new ways,” Garcia Blow says. “One of the most important things is that we all serve our community in some way.” That passion for service is something Garcia Blow continues to embody as she works to make the Coastal Bend a better place. “It’s not just one person,” she says. “It takes everyone being able to come together to make a healthier community.”

COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE

BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY

We Salute all of the essential workers, healthcare and public service professionals who have served tirelessly on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Just Keep Moving Top 10 lessons for healthy living after 50 today By: Lisa G. Wright

1. We must keep moving, even if our options have changed. Carlos, a friend of mine in New York City, has been a personal trainer for decades. He reminds us, “Keep your body and mind as healthy as possible so you can deal with the stress of the world we’re living in today. We have to keep on living. We have to keep moving.” 2. A simple way to do that: Stop sitting so much. Get up and walk around the house during commercials, or put on some music and dance. Work in your garden. It all counts. 3. Remember 150. World and U.S. standards say most adults need 150 minutes of moderately vigorous aerobic activity a week, plus at least two sessions of resistance training. 4. Everyone can adapt quickly to technology. How many times are we told that “older” people are afraid of technology? We have seen how false that is, as so many of you quickly started working out via Zoom to stream our renown workouts straight into the safety of your home. “I am open to new things – I am not an old

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fogey,” Helen, 74, told us after she overcame her dislike for electronic devices so she could continue her workout habits. 5. Walking is great for every body – and every mind and spirit, too. Have you noticed how the bike paths and sidewalks are busier than ever with people out exercising? Walking is suitable for most energy levels, endurance, mood and creativity, too. As Thoreau said, “The moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow.” 6. We are craving the connections that exercise provides. Being part of a community is essential to maintaining good exercise and nutrition habits. We’ve all been spending more time at home, of course, but gyms and studios still help us continue our social bonds through online workouts and other activities. As Jean, 64, put it: “I love to see my friends on there and say hi. I wouldn’t want to give it up.” 7. We’re reading more. Whether we read “bucket list” classics, nonfiction about pandemics and social issues or fun “beach reads” to escape, reading improves our memory, brain function and decision-making abilities. It reduces stress and helps us fall asleep. 8. We’re practicing yoga, Pilates and tai chi. Did you know that 10 million Americans over 50 practice yoga regularly?

And that was before more gyms and studios started offering it online! 9. We’re focusing on broader wellness. This global disruption forcefully reminded us that our well-being involves more than physical exercise. It also encompasses emotional, cognitive, social and spiritual health, among other aspects. 10. Fitness isn’t merely possible – it’s necessary for better living. “Exercise is vital for functional longevity, no matter how you do it,” says Dan Ritchie, Ph.D., president and co-founder of the Functional Aging Institute. “You can’t afford to take two months off.”

SEVENTYFOUR/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Months into the coronavirus crisis, we have learned so much valuable information about fitness after 50. If it helps to find a silver lining, I’d like to share 10 things that have come up since all this started – and invite you to draw inspiration from them to carry on with a healthy lifestyle.

“We have to keep on living. We have to keep moving.”

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This takes us back to the top: We must keep moving! At Your Personal Best Training Studio, we’re here for you now and in the future. Our team of certified functional aging specialists can help you reach your healthy-living and fitness goals through a variety of programming options. Give us a call today. If you’ve stopped moving, consider jump-starting your fitness again with 21 days of functional exercise and “clean,” RD-approved nutrition. Our programming specifically for the active, 50-plus-year-old now has many options, including small group studio training, live training streamed into your home or anywhere or a combination of both.

Meet Lisa Lisa Grace Wright, C.F.T., FAS, is the CEO of LGW. Fitness Inc., a published author, a functional aging specialist and a business coach for the Functional Aging Institute. Through strategic planning and marketing consulting, she helps fitness business owners, from small studios to big-box gyms, create compelling and effective business plans to inspire an aging population to take action toward their health. Over the last 20-plus years, Wright has built her brand, Your Personal Best, in Corpus Christi, Texas. She has expanded her influence across the country, equipping others like herself who want to change lives and promote aging actively.

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EXPRESSIONS OF INSPIRATION

Community Perspectives Amidst the Pandemic

During these unprecedented times surrounding the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, we reached out to several of our Coastal Bend community, business and medical leaders to get their thoughts on how they are adapting and keeping hope alive. AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of a nonprofit organization, I have been concerned with the impact COVID-19 has had on our communities. It has affected us financially; however, we continue to operate our Refuge home for child victims of trafficking. Because we live in such an amazing community, there was great support through the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund that helped us continue our survivor care on the Refuge campus. John P. LaRue President & CEO of the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce

OUR MISSION is to make Coastal Bend businesses stronger than the pandemic. The United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce team has targeted hardships and searched for opportunities that our members are facing daily with this virus. We are proud to announce the Small Business Regional Pandemic Grant Program in partnership with the City of Corpus Christi and the Port of Corpus Christi, which will give small businesses the opportunity to receive a $500 grant, along with an additional $500 credit on their city utility bill. We have composed webinars with expert speakers covering COVID-19related topics from reopening Texas regulations to applying for PPP loans to workplace mental health. We are here to help our businesses find safe harbor in this storm.

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Minta Moore Executive Director of New Life Refuge Ministries

As an organization working to end child trafficking, one of our greatest concerns has been the increased computer use by children. This has left them even more vulnerable to online predators. We have been working hard to educate parents about these increased risks through our social media and other educational initiatives. We have taken this opportunity to go to virtual, since people are already on their devices. A benefit of this is that we have been able to establish more partnerships through our monthly virtual town hall meetings. These are relationships we may never have formed without this COVID experience.

“

Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” — MARIE CURIE

IN MID-MARCH, after we had a conference with our CEO from New York Life, we were advised to prepare to become totally mobile and get ready to work out of our homes. At that point, I had no idea what would be in store for us as a community and as a nation. Since mid-March, I have been working out of my home. Zoom is a new way of meeting with my clients, and DocuSign is a new standard of conducting business. I have also learned how to share documents via Zoom and communicate via Internet. All of these are new ways of communicating with clients and conducting business. However, at the end of the day, what we have experienced is a new appreciation of how precious life, family and friends are.

Annie J. Castro Financial Services Representative for New York Life Insurance Company

The issue of wearing masks in public has become controversial for some reason. I look at it as respect not only for your own life, but especially for others. Wearing a mask at this point says, “I respect you and your family’s lives, and I will attempt to protect you.” My New York Life family have embraced each other, staying in touch via Zoom and helping each other stay motivated and focused to lead on. We have reached out through food drives, dropping off care packages to essential workers and hoping to provide the community with something that could make a difference. Additionally, New York Life, in coalition with Cigna, has created a special foundation called The Brave of the Heart Fund, which was established to give out funds to the families of those special workers in the front line who have lost their lives as a result of COVID-19. Personally, I find myself praying as often as I can during the day for those families that have experienced losses, for those experiencing illnesses and finding themselves all alone at the hospitals, for those experiencing financial losses and for those feeling lonely. My prayer is that they find comfort and find their own spiritual growth and development through all of this. I pray we find patience and safety while this pandemic runs its course, and that the medical field finds a cure and/or a vaccine.

IT’S HARD TO DESCRIBE how it felt walking around the airport during those dark days in late March and April. The parking lot was almost empty. The terminal was quiet. It was surreal – like a scene in a movie. But this scene would not be resolved the way things happen in movies. The difference between stumbling blocks and steppingstones is the way we use them. If you really think about that, it suggests something that many of us already know: There is opportunity in every downturn. Those who look for it, find it and act on it have mastered the art of resilience. At CCIA, we know the public appetite for travel is not going away. And while the concourse was still rather ghostly, we turned our attention to planning for the recovery. Our custodians, maintenance technicians, operations specialist, public safety officers, administration folks and other coworkers can’t control how the coronavirus pandemic plays out. But we can make certain that CCIA is in tiptop shape once travelers begin to return. Being part of the recovery from this pandemic is a big source of pride for us at CCIA. New disinfecting technology and cleaning protocols are now part of our daily routine. Looking out for one another and serving the community is not just a feel-good slogan. It’s a calling that shapes and forms our actions every day. We are weathering this storm – one block, one stone at a time.

Kim Bridger-Hunt, C.M. Marketing Manager Corpus Christi International Airport

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DURING A DECLARED EMERGENCY, Texas County judges, as the chief executive officer, are the head of emergency management. We normally think of emergencies in matters like hurricanes, which everyone can see coming and we all know represent a hazard to life and property – and then they are over, and then we recover. The coronavirus pandemic continues to be an emergency like no other. We are learning new things every day, and there is no end in sight. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Nueces County Judge Barbara Canales

And while I have the authority and responsibility to act alone, I need to hear as many voices and smart ideas as I possibly can. I have to understand that experts from all walks of life are deeply knowledgeable and extremely passionate about their work. The doctors and health professionals have a perspective, the business community has their viewpoint, elected officials hear from their constituents and every person has their own story and their own truth. My job is to balance those views in the best way I can with policies that will do the most good. One of the perks of being a county judge is that people take your calls and respond to your emails. So another part of my job is to use my voice and my words. I’m not a doctor, but I can help the hospital cut through red tape to get the testing supplies and protective equipment they need. I’m not a bank, but I can help connect small businesses with financial experts to help them through these hard times. And sometimes, people just need to be heard. We have all been impacted by this global pandemic. And while I see all of the tragedy of sickness, loss and disruption this pandemic has brought, every day I hear stories of compassion, kindness, determination, teamwork and triumph. I get to see people doing great things to help others, and I am inspired to be my best – to listen more, to work harder and to use my voice and words to do as much good as I possibly can. I remain focused, determined and optimistic about our recovery and our future. This pandemic does not define us – it reveals us. And we are resilient!

THE PANDEMIC has changed our workplace. Many of the hospital practices we have come to know, such as visiting a loved one in the hospital or having your annual physical with your family medicine doctor, have all changed in the practice of social distancing. But what hasn’t changed is our health care team.

State Representative Todd Hunter COVID-19 has shown me how the Coastal Bend area will succeed. Our area has helped, cared for and supported each other through this pandemic. We may have been hit by a hurricane and now a coronavirus, but we will triumph, because we are Coastal Strong.

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I am in awe of the health care professionals I am privileged to work with every day. CHRISTUS Spohn and the Coastal Bend are blessed to have skilled, dedicated and compassionate healers caring for our loved ones. Our nurses, doctors and allied health professionals, as well as our maintenance, nutrition and housekeeping professionals, are working around the clock to serve the sick and the weary and give them a new life. They are at the forefront every day. They are fearless. They are our CHRISTUS Spohn heroes.

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Osbert Blow, M.D., Ph.D., FACS President and Chief Medical Officer CHRISTUS Spohn Health System

COVID-19 has taught us all to appreciate the moment.”

Dr. Brian Rich TLC Complete Care TLC Medical Center

WITH A SURGE in testing for COVID-19, our clinics are operating at maximum capacity. I have the opportunity to interview dozens of patients and their families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic daily. The amount of confusion and anxiety that is gripping our community is unprecedented.

Fifteen years ago, we would have never handled a pandemic like this. Thanks to political correctness, a runaway media and various electronic social platforms, this pandemic has been sensationalized beyond belief. Don't forget – every TV screen, computer monitor and handheld device is vying for your attention. Without it, ratings fall and the money goes away. Drama sells, folks! Do yourself a favor: Turn it off. In the words of the immortal Chuck D, “Don’t believe the hype.” I hope I can share some information that puts my fellow Corpus Christians at ease. First of all, let’s be reasonable about things. We are trying to isolate ourselves from a particle that can only be seen with an electron microscope. That will be impossible on some levels. Second, this is a virus like many other viruses that we live with every day. Yes, it is a little more serious in certain patient populations, but for the vast majority of us, it will be like having a bad cold. Third, you don’t contract it by walking through H-E-B or Walmart. It does not penetrate the skin of our hands. You don’t contract it by walking into a room where a COVID-19 patient has been. It spreads by infectious particles entering the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth. It is most commonly contracted when a COVID-19 patient sneezes or coughs in your face, or if you touch your face with an infected hand. So what am I doing to prevent getting COVID-19? I am giving myself a little distance from people, I am more diligent with hand washing and I have stopped touching my face. As far as testing, retesting and re-retesting, most of that is unnecessary. Unless you are critically ill, knowing whether or not you have COVID-19 is not that important. If you have flu-like symptoms, stay home, drink plenty of water, use over-the-counter meds and, when you are three days without fever or symptoms, move on. You should be immune and no longer infectious. Sicker folks – seek medical care. I hope that helps. Now relax and take care!

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The toughness and resilience I see in our students leave me with a feeling of optimism.”

IN THIS TIME of uncertainty, we never could’ve predicted the local, national and global challenges we are all experiencing. The one thing that is certain is that this pandemic has truly affected all areas of our everyday lives. Like most, I have had to learn to adapt to what has become Tim Clark the “new normal,” both profesPresident of Stellar sionally and personally. As a Energy Solutions business owner, I am grateful that my business was deemed “essential,” and that there was relief available to protect my most valuable asset, my team. Despite the drastic slowdown in business and some sacrifice of my own resources, I have been able to keep things afloat, pay my employees and remain hopeful that we will come out of this thing stronger and more prepared than ever to help our current and prospective clients find a more affordable means of providing energy to their homes and offices. Personally, I have faced some valuable lessons. Unfortunately, I was forced to cancel travel plans to visit with my sick father as the travel restrictions were initially set forth. He passed away shortly thereafter, and, again, I was prohibited from traveling to be with my family to honor his life as one would at the traditional funeral service we have all grown accustomed to. Though both sets of circumstances bother me and I can’t help but feel cheated out of that intimate time with my father, I’m reminded to cherish the blessings we are given in life. When we are young, the days and the years seem long; as we grow older, the days seem long, but the years keep getting shorter. Time waits for no one, so we should never take anything for granted. I encourage all in our community to be grateful for your blessings, to keep working hard and to be faithful in doing the right thing.

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Dr. Cissy Reynolds-Perez Assistant Superintendent, West Oso ISD

HERE ARE A FEW OF THE LESSONS I’VE LEARNED FROM COVID-19: 1.

Innovation from disruption: Many people fear that students will be extremely delayed when they return, but I see a glimpse of hope! Our students, educators and parents have all had their traditional, standardized and educational lives disrupted. This disruption has forced us all to create and innovate, which is actually higher-level thinking. Just ask Bloom! Look around and you’ll see that everyone is quickly finding solutions to “virtually” everything we teach and learn. I believe our teachers and students are shining brighter than any "STAAR" could shine right now.

Teacher appreciation: The week we closed schools, within a few days, a blessing in disguise was revealed! Society finally started to fully appreciate the dedicated work of educators. Many parents were posting funny teacher-appreciation memes. Many posts thanked teachers for the immense talent they have for multitasking, handling large class sizes, teaching multiple personalities, standing for hours without taking a potty break and being willing to take a bullet for their children! But now educators are suddenly being expected to open up schools within a few weeks. If you work in the world of education, you don’t need a lesson to understand and appreciate the magnitude of what that entails. My fear is that others still have not learned this lesson.

Narrowing of the generational and socioeconomic tech gap: Adults in the workforce who had been resistant to technology are now participating in and even hosting Zoom meetings with the younger generations. In reference to the socioeconomic tech gap, the great divide of those who have WiFi and those who don’t is also being narrowed. It became clear that not all “home learning” is created equal; therefore, more students now have access to free WiFi due to innovative measures taken by school districts. It is imperative that all students have access to WiFi in order for all children to learn – whether we’re in a pandemic or not.

4. Decrease of FOMO: Teens who suffer from the “fear of missing out” are suddenly not feeling so isolated, since everyone has been forced to socially isolate. 5.

Appreciating the moment: As a parent of a class of 2020 senior, I must admit that when Gov. Abbott announced the closing of schools for the remainder of the year, I, along with fellow class of 2020 parents, experienced a sense of grief. We began to mourn the loss with our seniors. Little did our sons and daughters know that when they left for spring break, they would not return to the halls of their school. There would be no senior pep rally, no prom, no senior prank, no sitting with their friends in the cafeteria laughing about senseless chatter, no baseball, no softball, no yearbook-signings and no more “world as they knew it.” COVID-19 has taught us all to appreciate the moment. Lesson learned!

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Dr. Coral Dworaczyk Carey South Coast Real Estate, LLC 2019 CCAR REALTOR® of the Year

THE COASTAL BEND is full of a unique blend of spicy people, but one thing binds us together: We are survivors. Even in the face of great adversity, our community pulls together, often with a pinch of dark humor and sarcasm, and gets the job done. Lately, we have seen businesses completely change the way they operate. As challenging as it has been, most have adjusted and continued to thrive and plan for a brighter future. In the real estate industry, we have seen local REALTORS® pull together, not apart. Agents are rooting for each other, helping each other and consulting each other for new ideas and best practices. Agents are busy working hard to serve their clients while still maintaining safety for others and themselves. New techniques such as added virtual tours, online services and extra sanitization procedures are cumbersome and time consuming, but agents are rolling with the punches and getting it done. I am proud of our community, my colleagues, our clients and all of those who have adapted to grow with grace, patience and compassion for others.

THE COVID-19 pandemic has presented a mountain of obstacles for institutions of higher learning in the state and nation. We’ve navigated those obstacles at Del Mar College through flexibility, adaptability and our steadfast commitment to providing quality educational opportunities to the community we serve.

Mark Escamilla, Ph.D. President and CEO, Del Mar College

The true heroes in the story are our students, who we call Vikings. Throughout the pandemic, they continue to study and achieve. It is inspirational to see. For example, there were nearly 850 graduates this spring who persevered through unexpected online coursework – a number that’s consistent with pre-COVID-19 spring graduations. Almost a third of the graduates participated in our first-ever “virtual” graduation ceremony in May. Despite the uncertainty in the world, our students are taking online courses this summer and enrolling for the fall. The pandemic and its far-reaching effects are still with us, and many difficulties lie ahead. But the toughness and resilience I see in our students leave me with a feeling of optimism. Our students are going to achieve no matter what. That’s good news for us in the Coastal Bend because this is a time when boldness and new ideas are needed to help move our community and economy forward. Whether they’re learning to be welders, nurses, teachers or scientists, these Vikings can handle a challenge.

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