COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE
Anniversary Issue
CELEBRATING 11 YEARS OF PUBLISHING
PHILANTHROPY SPOTLIGHT FACES AND PLACES OF THE COASTAL BEND BRINGING THE BEST CHRISTUS SPOHN HEALTH SYSTEM
DYNAMIC DUO
DRS. ERIC LIU AND MITCHELL ENGLE INSTITUTE OF PRECISION PAIN MEDICINE
MAR/APR 2020 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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Dr. Mathew Alexander
We passionately aim to raise the standard of care in Corpus Christi. Our goal is to offer an elevated level of service comparable to the world’s leading cancer centers by improving the quality of life of our patients right here in Corpus Christi.
Minimally invasive brain Minimally invasive spine Dr. Melissa Macias
Carpal tunnel Ulnar nerve Total disc replacement Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
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All-Star Neurology Specializing in: • Spine • Cranial • Peripheral Nerve • Surgical Plan Modalities
1227 3rd. Street, Corpus Christi, TX
www.southtexasbrainandspinecenter.com
361-883-4324
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STROKE CERTIFIED | BRAIN INJURY CERTIFIED
At Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital, we provide comprehensive inpatient rehabilitative services to people recovering from disabilities caused by injuries or illnesses. We help our patients regain their abilities so they can return home at their highest level of independence.
CCRH.ERNESTHEALTH.COM 5726 Esplanade Drive • Corpus I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M 2
Christi, TX 78414
361.906.3700
361.906.3797
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6002 S. Staples St. Corpus Christi, TX TreaTing all eye Care needs!
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Call 361.334.2625 or schedule online www.TexasEye.care
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CONTENTS MARCH.APRIL 2020
14 COVER STORY DRS. ERIC LIU AND MITCHELL ENGLE Using a team approach, this dynamic duo help patients feel better and live better at Institute of Precision Pain Medicine.
20 PROFILE CHRISTUS SPOHN HEALTH SYSTEM The health system receives numerous honors at the 2020 Healthgrades Awards, celebrating its commitment to excellence and high-quality care.
FEATURE 10 Care Takes Flight PATIENT 12 Laser Hair Removal 101 MENTAL HEALTH 24 Changing the Game HEALTH AND WELLNESS 26 Professional Spirituality 28 Keep Your Muscle As You Age 30 ‘Til Death Do Us Part
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NONPROFIT 32 Not Alone PHILANTHROPY SPOTLIGHT 34 Heart Ball 36 Fiesta de los Niños
COVER AND TABLE OF CONTENTS PHOTOS BY: TWINS MEDIA
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MEET THE STAFF COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE
ADRIAN GARZA PUBLISHER adrian@inspirecoastalbendmag.com 361.548.1044
MARCH/APRIL 2020 PUBLISHER Adrian Garza
PUBLISHER & OPERATIONS Holly Lewis
EDITOR Erin O’Brien
DESIGN DIRECTOR
HOLLY LEWIS PUBLISHER & OPERATIONS holly@inspirecoastalbendmag.com 479.935.0868
Elisa Giordano
SOCIAL MEDIA Morgan Bartel
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Steven Alford Amanda Cutbirth Jane Dare-Haas Merari Guzman Christie Pena Carrie Sessions Lisa G. Wright
ERIN O'BRIEN
PHOTOGRAPHY TWINS Media
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.
PELICAN
MORGAN BARTEL SOCIAL MEDIA morgan@inspirecoastalbendmag.com 620.417.5392
MEDIA GROUP
Copyright 2020 © Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction without the expressed written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Printed in Mexico
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Proudly celebrating 25 years of compassionate care in the Coastal Bend offering Hospice, Home Health, Private Duty and Provider Services.
A legacy of caring.
5277 Old Brownsville Rd, Suite 205, Corpus Christi, TX 78405
www.legacyhhc.com @LegacyHomeHealth
361-855-0848 / Toll Free 1-800-874-5112 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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COLD WEATHER WORKOUTS
DON'T LET THE COLD TURN YOU INTO A COUCH POTATO When winter blows in, you can pull the blankets over your head and go back to sleep—or you can suit up and head out for an outdoor winter adventure! There’s no reason you need to take a break from physical activity when the temperature drops. In fact, exercising in cooler weather has some distinct advantages over working out in warmer weather, including no heat or humidity to deal with, it's a great way to take in sunlight (which can improve mood and gets you vitamin D) and exercise helps boost your immunity during cold and flu season. Just a few minutes a day can help prevent simple bacterial and viral infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If the winter weather prevents you from getting outside, don’t just reach for the remote. Make your time inside count. There are many ways to get physical activity indoors—no gym required. Hand weights or resistance bands are a great addition, but not necessary. You can also wear a heavy backpack to add intensity to your workout.
Try these indoor activities: • Home workout circuit • Dancing • Active housework like vacuuming and sweeping • Mall walking • Bowling • Roller skating • Yoga or other fun group classes at your local gym, studio, or community center • Stair climbing
WINTER WEATHER IS NO MATCH FOR YOU GET MORE HEALTHY LIVING TIPS AT WWW.HEART.ORG/HEALTHYFORGOOD
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Celebrate getting younger. At CHRISTUS Spohn Health System, we believe the sooner you take care of your heart, the longer it will take care of you. Our free online heart age assessment measures your real heart age, so you’ll know where your heart health really stands, not to mention steps you can take to improve it. Try it today.
MyRealHeartAge.com
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FEATURE
CARE TAKES FLIGHT
HALO-Flight earns prestigious 2019 EMS Air Medical Service Award. By: JANE DARE-HAAS
The Texas Department of State Health Services presented HALO-Flight with their 2019 EMS Air Medical Service Award at the recent Texas EMS Conference in Fort Worth. The Air Medical Service Award, as reported on the DSHS website, “honors a public or private air medical service in Texas that has demonstrated the highest standards in providing patient care, leading the way in innovation and commitment to patient care.” “We are indeed honored to be recognized with this award,” said Tom Klassen, HALO-Flight executive director. “Placing safety and patient care as our top priorities guides every decision we make. From the professionals who care for the patients to the professionals who care for the aircraft, we are grateful for this distinguishing acknowledgement.” In 2019, HALO-Flight rolled out the pre-hospital blood program providing blood transfusion services on every flight. Within days of the rollout, a 3-year-old patient received pre-hospital blood while in route to Driscoll Children’s Hospital, where physicians acknowledged it as lifesaving care. Innovation fostered by HALO-Flight also resulted in lifesaving safety in 2019 when ballistic windshields strategically placed on all four aircraft protected the flight crew following two bird strikes. The technology, provided to HALO-Flight by the Ed Rachel Foundation, is state-of-the-art in aircraft safety ensuring no patient, crew or aircraft damage from bird strikes. Since 1987, HALO-Flight has given 24-hour-a-day service to South Texans with air ambulance transportation to higher levels of care on their worst day when they are victims of accidents, illness and injury, and in need of rapid transport to higher levels of care. In addition to transport from the scene of accidents, the mission of HALO-Flight also includes inter-facility transfers of patients needing care only available at trauma facilities in Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Houston and Austin.
About HALO-Flight For over three decades, HALO-Flight has delivered on the trauma needs of South Texans when minutes to a higher level of care mattered most. With a fleet of helicopter air ambulances based in Corpus Christi, Alice and Beeville, servicing over 28,000 square miles and a population of over one-and-a-half million people, HALOFlight responds to thousands of critical accident, heart attack and newborn patients, plus many more who might not have a chance to survive otherwise.
For more information, visit www.haloflight.org.
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PLACING SAFETY AND PATIENT CARE AS OUR TOP PRIORITIES GUIDES EVERY DECISION WE MAKE.”
“If you have a hearing problem, we have a hearing solution.”
7602 S. Staples Ste. 103 • Corpus Christi, TX 78413
(361) 288-3000 www.HoffmanHearing.com Services offered: • • • • •
Full service audiology practice Over 17 years experience Latest in Bluetooth hearing technology Tinnitus Therapy Most insurances accepted
Try our NEW hands-free Bluetooth hearing devices
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for 45 days!
Carla S. Hoffman, BC-HIS
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PATIENT
LASER HAIR REMOVAL 101
What you need to know to get your hair reduction journey started SPECIAL TO INSPIRE COASTAL BEND
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permanent hair removal. When hair re-grows, it’s usually finer and lighter. Any hormonal changes can cause new hair follicles to grow. You may need to maintain laser hair treatments for long-term reduction, but that certainly beats having to constantly shave your hair at full, natural force. Now that you have a better understanding, it’s time to get your hair reduction journey started!
LASER TREATMENT WORKS BEST WITH HAIR FOLLICLES IN THE NEW-GROWTH STAGE.
Visit www.corpusplasticsurgery.com to schedule your appointment today.
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YAKOBCHUK OLENA/STOCK.ADOBE.COM
hat exactly is laser hair removal? Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that uses a concentrated beam of light (laser) to remove unwanted hair. During laser hair removal, a licensed professional uses a laser to emit a light that is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair. The light energy is converted to heat, which damages the hair follicles. This damage inhibits or delays future hair growth. Although laser hair removal effectively delays hair growth for long periods, multiple treatments are needed for initial hair removal, and maintenance treatments might be needed, as well. Hair color and skin type influence the success of the laser hair removal. The basic principle is that the pigment of the hair, but not the pigment of the skin, should absorb the light. The laser should damage only the hair follicle while avoiding damage to the skin. Hairs do not fall out immediately, but will shed over a period of days to weeks post-procedure. This may look like continued hair growth. Repeated treatments are usually necessary because hair growth and loss naturally occur in a cycle, and laser treatment works best with hair follicles in the new-growth stage. Results very significantly and are difficult to predict. Most people experience hair removal that lasts several months, and it might last for years, but laser hair removal doesn’t guarantee
WE WILL PUT YOU BACK IN THE GAME OF LIFE
TREATMENTS AND PROGRAMS FOR: Musculoskeletal Injuries Pregnancy (Pre/Post Natal Care) Diabetes Fall Prevention Neuropathy Cardiovascular Therapy Osteoarthritis Vertigo (Dizziness) Osteoporosis Athletic Rehab (Sport Specific) Thoracic-Outlet Syndrome Orthotic Evaluation/Fabriation Pre-Op/Post-Operative Therapy
ALL 6 LOCATIONS OFFER CAREFULLY DESIGNED AND SUPERVISED EXERCISE PROGRAMS IN STATE OF THE ART GYMS AND LARGE INDOOR HEATED POOLS:
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CORPUS CHRISTI
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CALALLEN
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ALICE
5026 Deepwood Cir. • 361.854.2278 4040 Five Points Rd. • 361.241.7399 1302 E. 5th St. • 361.664.9675
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PORTLAND 114 Lang Rd. • 361.643.8243
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ARANSAS PASS 2150 W. Wheeler Ave. • 361.758.5199
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ROCKPORT 1811 Broadway (a.k.a. Fulton Beach Rd.) 361.729.8777
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COVER STORY
BACK LIFE TO
Drs. Eric Liu and Mitchell Engle elevate pain care in the Coastal Bend at the Institute of Precision Pain Medicine. By: Steven Alford Photos by: TWINS Media
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LIVING
with serious pain after a traumatic injury or disease can be a daily battle to function, as severe aches and discomfort stand in the way of a normal life. For Drs. Eric Liu and Mitchell Engle, working with these patients to help give them their life back is a privilege they undertake each day. In 2017, the pair joined the Institute of Precision Pain Medicine, a cutting-edge pain care facility that doesn’t just treat the pain, but diagnoses the person as a whole. Their healing philosophy is not only about feeling better – it’s about living better. The talented doctors are different sides of the same coin, each bringing their own special skills to the growing practice. Liu is a fellowship-trained interventional pain medicine specialist and anesthesiologist. He is an outgoing physician who is passionate about patient care. Engle is a very sharp, research-driven pain specialist who brings years of evidence-based knowledge and experience from MD Anderson Cancer Centre to the table. Together, they are transforming lives in the Coastal Bend for those suffering from pain. It has emerged as a major health concern for many Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as chronic pain brings with it negative consequences to many people, their families and society as a whole. In 2016, an estimated 20.4 percent of U.S. adults (50 million) were living with chronic pain, while an additional 8 percent of U.S. adults (19.6 million) experienced high-impact chronic pain, the CDC reports. Many patients are living with chronic pain (back pain, neck pain or knee pain). Others are suffering from a degenerative disease, which wears at the joints and brings painful arthritis. At the Institute of Precision Pain Medicine, the goal is to not just diagnosis a patient’s pain, but also educate them about the big picture – all of the many ways they can work to ease their pain. “I think a lot of other physicians – when the patient comes in, they just look at the MRI and say what they can do for you. We do that – that’s a big part of what we are trained to do – but we explore what else might help our patients, too,” Liu shares. “From medication management to injection therapies, regenerative medicine, neuro stimulation, pain pump therapy – we’re interested in the most advanced technologies and methods.” The Institute of Precision Pain Medicine works with patients in a variety of ways through physical therapy, massage therapy and acupuncture, and encourages healthy exercise through low-impact activities such as yoga and swimming. The patient’s regimen might include not only medication, but nutrition, exercise and an emphasis on a healthier lifestyle. It’s a way of looking at their patients as a whole person, not just a prescription, and treating them in a holistic way, the doctors say.
WE ALWAYS WANT TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE.”
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“We try to use all the tools we can to manage pain,” Engle said. “We call it a multi-modality approach. A lot of pain docs forget patient participation, but if they don’t participate, they are aren’t going to do well.” In school, Engle earned his Ph.D. in pain research. He gravitated toward applying research and science to the patients he saw. He brings a wealth of scientific knowledge to the practice, which Liu says elevates the level of care they are able to provide their patients. “He brings such a profound academic knowledge from the research side,” Liu says. “We always want to provide evidence-based medicine. We don’t just want to do what other people do – we want it based on real medical evidence.” There is a team approach at the Institute of Precision Pain Medicine, where Liu has carefully pulled together some of the brightest minds in medicine for the Coastal Bend. The team says they are committed to providing innovative pain management services to their patients, which is spelled out clearly on a sign that lists the practice’s mission. The plaque reads: “We strive to deliver the most advanced, minimally invasive, diagnostic and therapeutic services to enable our patients to restore function, relieve pain and renew hope.” That renewed sense of hope comes with a better quality of life for pain patients under the care of Liu and Engle, including physician assistants, Armando Garcia and Lissa Ruiz, and nurse practitioner, Jennifer Lindsay. “Can we cure the pain? Unfortunately, no. But by giving them back that function and quality of life – it’s really satisfying and rewarding for us,” Liu says. “Our patients have told us, ‘Without you, our quality of life was down. You gave us that quality of life back.’” The doctors share that many patients come to the Institute of Precision Pain Medicine following a spinal or joint surgery. Often, patients have been told surgery was their only option to relieve pain, but find afterward their pain has continued.
The doctors say it’s rewarding to work with these patients and show them alternative ways to manage their discomfort. “Seeing those patients improve the quality of their lives and improve their motor functions – that’s what we really enjoy,” Engle says. Liu and Engle are the compassionate face of the growing young practice. They are a dynamic duo, quick to compliment each other and finish each other’s sentences. And the office is truly a family affair. The doctors’ wives, Carissa Engle and Jigna Liu, are very actively involved in the business, working in the background and helping manage operations. It’s that closeness and warmth that benefits patients at Institute of Precision Pain Medicine and sets the practice apart. “He is exceptionally passionate about patient care and highly driven to find out the story of the patient’s life and how he can best treat them,” Engle says of Liu. “He’s the kind of doctor that I would want to care for me.”
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Of Engle, Liu tells his patients that he is lucky to have him as a business partner. He jokes that Engle is his work husband. “He brings a whole set of skills I don’t have,” Liu says. “He is the most intelligent person I’ve ever known. He is my Google search. He is my encyclopedia.” Looking ahead to the future, the doctors say their biggest goal is that their patients receive the best possible care they can. But in terms of growth for the practice, the pair are looking to expand the office in Calallen, and are looking at opening more offices throughout South Texas. They also hope to explore new technology and bring modern innovations to the practice from regenerative medicines to spinal stimulations and minimally invasive surgical procedures. The aim is always to get their patients off of chronic opioid therapy and independent from pain medications. The future looks bright for the pair and the Institute of Precision Pain Medicine as they forge ahead to grow their business and find
new ways to help people who are living with pain in the Coastal Bend. It’s a calling they are excited to pursue. “We don’t want to ask, ‘Is your pain better or not?’ “It’s about, ‘Is your quality of life better?’” Liu says. “If they are able to get out and walk and participate in family events on the weekend – that’s what it’s all about for us.” Many of the Institute of Precision Pain Medicine’s patients are referrals from hospitals or primary care physicians; however, the institute does take self-referrals from patients living with pain. The office recommends calling to verify if insurance will qualify for treatment.
For more information about services at Institute of Precision Pain Medicine, call 361-387-0046 or visit www.ippmcc.com.
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PROFILE
CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
The 2020 Healthgrades Awards honor CHRISTUS Spohn Health System for its commitment to high-quality care. By: Steven Alford
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRISTUS SPOHN
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ationally recognized health care and technology can be found right here in the Coastal Bend at CHRISTUS Spohn Health System, which has been honored for its commitment to high-quality care. CHRISTUS Spohn Health System is proud to receive numerous 2020 Healthgrades Awards for clinical excellence recognizing top national performance for patient safety, spinal surgery, hip surgery, labor and delivery and more. These distinctions place CHRISTUS Spohn among America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery, and among the top 10 percent of all short-term acute care hospitals reporting patient safety data as evaluated by Healthgrades, the leading online resource for physicians and hospital information. “We continue to adhere to the path that we have set forth of being the destination health care facility for the region,” said Dr. Osbert Blow, president and chief medical officer for CHRISTUS Spohn Health System. “We are honored to see such recognition of our commitment to providing the very best health care for everyone in our community.” Each year, Healthgrades analyzes patient data and safety information from thousands of hospitals throughout the country, recognizing facilities that adhere to the highest standards of safety and quality for their patients. For its analysis, Healthgrades evaluated approximately 45 million Medicare inpatient records over a three-year period from 2016-18 for nearly 4,500 hospitals nationwide to assess hospital performance and recognize the highest-performing facilities. CHRISTUS Spohn Health System has a long history of being recognized for excellence in spinal care. This is the seventh year in a row CHRISTUS Spohn has been named among America’s Best 100 Hospitals for spine surgery, and the ninth year in a row the facility has been recognized with the Spine Surgery Excellence Award, nam-
ing CHRISTUS Spohn among the top 5 percent of hospitals in the country for spinal surgery the past two years. “Our goal is to provide comprehensive, state-of-the-art spine care in a fully integrated environment where patient well-being, recovery and healing is our focus,” said Dr. Melissa Macias, medical director of Neuro Trauma and CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Shoreline Neuroscience Institute. “We aim for every patient to have an individualized experience during their hospitalization, delivered at every level and by every provider with erudition and compassion.” The goal of the spinal experts at CHRISTUS Spohn is to provide exceptional, compassionate care for those suffering from acute, chronic back or neck pain, helping patients regain maximum function and return to a pain-free life. “Pursuing spine surgery is a scary prospect for many patients. They want assurance that the hospital that they choose adheres to the highest standards and has excellent outcomes,” says Dr. John Borkowski, medical director for CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-South Orthopedic Institute. “Being designated a center of excellence brings our facility national recognition as a spine care leader.” For labor and delivery services, this is the second year in a row CHRISTUS Spohn has received a 5-star ranking for vaginal delivery (natural birth) and C-section delivery. CHRISTUS Spohn’s expert birthing services team can handle all types of
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WE CONTINUE TO ADHERE TO THE PATH THAT WE HAVE SET FORTH OF BEING THE DESTINATION HEALTH CARE FACILITY FOR THE REGION.”
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maternal and newborn care ranging from routine to high-risk pregnancies. “I am so thankful for all of the hard work and effort our entire team gives day in and day out. The collaborative nature of the Birth Services program, including the administration, physicians and staff of CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-South, makes for a successful dynamic team mission. I feel very proud of the recognition from Healthgrades, as it highlights our commitment to excellent patient care,” said Dr. Kathleen Rasmussen, regional medical director of women’s health services for CHRISTUS Spohn Health System. CHRISTUS Spohn’s birthing services program includes the region’s only program with board-certified OB physicians available in-house 24/7 to provide consistently to patients in the hospital, as well as patients arriving with an obstetrical emergency. Labor and delivery services also include private birthing suites along with hospital tours, childbirth classes and other educational resources to help families prepare for a comfortable and safe birth experience. Healthgrades officials say CHRISTUS Spohn’s recent awards recognize the top level of commitment to excellence and high-quality care among the most elite health care facilities in the nation. “We applaud these hospitals and their commitment to providing the best possible care for every patient,” said Dr. Brad Bowman, chief medical officer of Healthgrades.
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I AM SO THANKFUL FOR ALL OF THE HARD WORK AND EFFORT OUR ENTIRE TEAM GIVES DAY IN AND DAY OUT. THE COLLABORATIVE NATURE OF THE BIRTH SERVICES PROGRAM, INCLUDING THE ADMINISTRATION, PHYSICIANS AND STAFF OF CHRISTUS SPOHN HOSPITAL CORPUS CHRISTI-SOUTH, MAKES FOR A SUCCESSFUL DYNAMIC TEAM MISSION.”
Healthgrades honored CHRISTUS Spohn Health System with several awards: Orthopedics • Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery™ for 7 Years in a Row (2014-20) • Healthgrades Spine Surgery Excellence Award™ for 9 Years in a Row (2012-20) • Named Among the Top 5 percent in the Nation for Spine Surgery for 2 Years in a Row (2019-20) • Named Among the Top 10 percent in the Nation for Spine Surgery for 9 Years in a Row (2012-20) • 5-Star for Hip Fracture Treatment for 2 Years in a Row (2019-20) • 5-Star for Back Surgery in 2020 • 5-Star for Spinal Fusion Surgery for 10 Years in a Row (2011-20) Labor and Delivery • 5-Star for Vaginal Delivery (Natural Childbirth) for 2 Years in a Row (2018-19) • 5-Star for C-Section Delivery for 2 Years in a Row (2018-19)
For more information about services at CHRISTUS Spohn Health System, visit www.christushealth.org/spohn.
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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.
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MENTAL HEALTH
CHANGING THE GAME
The Drops of Hope program offers hope and healing to local veterans. By: CARRIE SESSIONS
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects millions, but, more specifically, PTSD impacts every single person it touches. Currently, PTSD is soaring at the top of the list for highest suicide rates, according to the National Center for PTSD.
CORPUS CHRISTI IS TRULY THE HOME OF THE BRAVE, AND THE CITY HONORS OUR MILITARY COMMUNITY.
continued
For more information, contact Carrie Sessions, MSN, FNP-C, at 361 Wellness by calling 361-986-3691. You may also visit www.361wellness.com.
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IPOPBA/STOCK.ADOBE.COM
PTSD is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event like combat, a natural disaster, a car accident or sexual assault (PTSD.gov). When you have PTSD, the world feels unsafe. It’s common to have upsetting memories, feel on edge or have trouble sleeping. Many try to avoid things that remind them of trauma suffered or even things they used to enjoy. The Coastal Bend is the home to many military men, woman and families. Our community is proud of our rich culture and vast military history. Take a moment to look around, and you will notice the majestic Lexington on North Beach and our amazing display military plane statues carefully displayed downtown. Corpus Christi is truly the home of the brave, and the city honors our military community. Now it’s our turn to give back to those who have served and continue to serve our country selflessly and without merit. Many of our local veterans return to the Coastal Bend after serving sometimes multiple combat tours back-to-back – and many of them return after suffering and experiencing traumatic events that have been described as incomprehensible. Local veterans have recently admitted, “even with excellent family/ friends and local veteran support entities, there seems to be a large gap of resources to help treat PTSD beyond symptom management.” Thus, the idea of Drops of Hope was created. The Drops of Hope program, founded by local psychiatrist Dr. John Lusins, is designed to offer local veterans access to the most innovative mental health treatments not currently covered by insurances to those currently suffering from depression and PTSD at no cost. The Drops of Hope program is designed to offer one local veteran every month access to an entire series of Ketamine IV Infusions (six treatments) worth over $2,000
free of charge. Ketamine IV treatments have been studied to show positive benefits to those suffering from PTSD/depression. Drops of Hope has been building relationships with local veteran support groups in hopes of assessing the current depression and PTSD acuity within these organizations. What they discovered was alarming: Almost every organization DOH said they had at least one veteran who suffered from crippling depression and/or PTSD. The vision of Drops of Hope is to offer more than one local veteran a month access to this program one day. This will happen by bringing more community awareness surrounding PTSD and educating our community on treatment benefits of Ketamine IV Therapy for PTSD/depression. But most importantly, the program wants to offer our military community suffering with PTSD a beacon of hope.
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
PROFESSIONAL SPIRITUALITY How spiritual wellness relates to positive coping mechanisms By: CHRISTIE PENA
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any health care professionals seek their strength and knowledge from a book, a mentor or a research article. While this is a great practice, I find my strength from a much higher and more powerful source. After working for many years in the health care industry, I have come to realize that it can be emotionally draining if spiritual soundness is not established. Providing one-on-one care to clients, supporting a fellow coworker, administering guidance as a leader and meeting expectations as a subordinate – all of these require me to pour myself out and into others emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. While doing so is rewarding, there have been times in my career where I have felt depleted and unsure if I had anything meaningful left to offer others. Through these challenging times, the realization came to me that I was dipping into an empty bucket. The only way to perform better at my job was through wellness and wholeness in spirituality. The complexity of decision making as a health care professional is also frequently burdensome. Whether it is a decision that pertains to an ethical situation with a client or changes to an organizational workflow, there is often peace that transcends the difficulty when wellness in a holistic approach is implemented in everyday life. Reaching out and relying on a source that is greater than myself helps me view life through a lens that is beyond my miniscule struggles. This allows me to perform my work to a capacity that will make a positive impact to those facing pain or a dire prognosis, and helps me carry the burden of caring for a sick relative or perhaps the death of a loved one. Discovering the importance of my spiritual well-being has provided a guide in making decisions for the greater good. It also allows me to incorporate healthy coping skills when final decisions may cause dissatisfaction to a select few. When nurses learn to incorporate healthy coping mechanisms beyond prescribed medications, it opens knowledge that can be distributed to the patient’s health assessments and interventions. Spiritual assessments are addressed in every nurse’s comprehensive assessment, but they are often underutilized when developing interventions in the plan of care. The holistic approach of nursing is often neglected when pressing physical complexities, tasks and goals invade the majority of attention provided. These obstacles can be overcome when the patient’s well-being as a whole is prioritized. Meaningful and effective care is empowered
MEANINGFUL AND EFFECTIVE CARE IS EMPOWERED WHEN HEALTH CARE WORKERS UNDERSTAND THE SPIRITUAL, PHYSIOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF CLIENTS. when nurses, along with other health care workers, understand the spiritual, physiological and emotional needs of clients. Incorporating spiritual assessments does not involve impressing religious beliefs upon another, but rather, identifying alternative coping mechanisms by way of asking open-ended questions. Lippincott Nursing Center provides a nursing journal addressing spiritual assessment using the acronym, “FICA.” You can easily follow this model by asking the following questions: F: Faith or beliefs What are your spiritual beliefs? Do you consider yourself spiritual? What things do you believe in that give meaning to life? I: Importance and influence Is faith/spirituality important to you? How has your illness and/or hospitalization affected your personal practices /beliefs? C: Community Are you connected with a faith center in the community? Does it provide support/comfort for you during times of stress? Is there a person, group or leader who supports you in your spirituality? A: Address What can I do for you? What support or guidance can health care provide to support your spiritual beliefs/practices? This FICA model can help anyone discover how to approach life through a healthy and holistic perspective. My passion, direction and motivation come from a higher power, and I am more disciplined in all aspects of the nursing profession because of it.
Christie Pena, R.N., is the process improvement manager at AAdi Home Health and Hospice. You may contact her at cpena@aadihh.com. For more information about AAdi’s services, call 361-452-3384.
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
KEEP YOUR MUSCLE AS YOU AGE Do this now, and “future you” will thank you for it! By: LISA G. WRIGHT, CFT, FAS
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o you ever see videos online of people their 70s and beyond shooting hoops, bicycling or busting a move on the dance floor and think, I want to be that person when I grow up? I know I do! I didn’t learn to snow ski until I was over 50 and have been going once a year ever since. When I’m on the slopes, I see couples in their 70s and 80s still skiing together, and I want that to be me at that age (or older)! Since I started skiing rather late in life, one of my dreams is to continue to ski somewhere different every year until my very last days! One of the best things you can all do to help ensure you continue to do the things you love for the next 10, 20, 30plus years is to: 1. Start doing those things now (if you aren’t already) 2. Take care of your muscles by keeping them strong and flexible Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s easier to clean a clean house?” It seems like a no-brainer, but the same philosophy works with your fitness and health. It’s so much easier to keep your fitness level (and your muscle) than it is to rebuild it. Important Note: It’s never too late to get into shape and gain muscle. You can do it, disregarding what your age is. It just takes time, consistency and a little patience. Anyway, here’s why it’s so important! When you hit the age of 30, you start losing 3 to 5 percent of your muscle mass each year. Studies even show that over your lifetime, you can lose up to 30 percent of your muscle! Less muscle = less strength = less balance = more risk of falls and fracture. That’s not good! Plus, not only does keeping your muscles healthy improve your strength and quality of life,
I have a couple of openings weekly for Success Session calls. If you want to chat about your goals, let me know ASAP, and we can get some time scheduled! Please visit Lisa G. Wright, CFT, FAS, online at www.ypbtrainingstudio.com. You may also call 361-857-5087 or visit www. ypbtrainingstudio.com. Wright’s full “How do We Ensure Functional Longevity” presentation is available to watch online at https://youtu.be/ Alnz1SaXv5M. You may also look for a fertified FAS near you at https://functionalaginginstitute.com/find-a-registered-professional/. continued
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IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO GET INTO SHAPE AND GAIN MUSCLE. but it also is an important part of keeping your metabolism revved (i.e., burning fat) as you age. Muscle health is why strength training is so important as you get older! It can help your body retain your muscle, and maybe even reverse the trend. Here are two to-dos to put on your weekly self-care list to get a jump start on keeping that precious muscle and helping it stay strong and flexible. These things will pay off not only now, but decades into the future.
CAROLINA PRADERIO M.D., P.L.L.C. Gynecology & Women’s Health
Get at least two total-body strength-training workouts in each week. Two will help maintain what you have now, and three may vastly improve your muscular state to a new and renewed you! Now it’s your turn to begin the transformation of your body in as quickly as 21 days. Even with a slower metabolism or “old” injuries ... even if you are a complete beginner, I encourage you to check out one of our small group personal training classes to see if we are a fit for each other. Regardless of where you go, the workouts you decide to do should include all of your major muscle groups, including your “big” muscles – legs, back and chest. Bonus: Resistance training also helps keep your bones strong. Make time to stretch. Stretching gets even more important as you get older. Not only does it help cut back on aches and pains, but it helps your muscles move through a wide range of motion. Maintaining flexibility is a surprising factor when it comes to balance. When your range of motion becomes limited, it can affect your walking gait, as well as your posture. Both of those have a big effect on your balance! Try to set aside five to 10 minutes several days a week to work on your flexibility. Need ideas? Download our Foam Rolling Guide or visit one of our Small Group Personal Training Sessions. (The first visit is free!) Even if those “older” years seem far away, it’s worth a little thought now. Your future you will be super grateful to present-day you, I promise. Make 2020 an active year! REFERENCES: www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/preserve-your-muscle-mass www.ypbtrainingstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Foam-Rolling-Guide.pdf https://ypbtrainingstudio.com/ypb-training-calendar/
Providing Personal and Comprehensive Care Woman to Woman • Board Certified OB/GYN • Specializing in Menopause • Bio-identical Hormone Pellet Therapy (BHRT) • Performing minimally invasive gynecological surgeries & procedures • Medically Supervised Weight Loss
MEET LISA Lisa Grace Wright, CFT, FAS, is the CEO of L.G.W. 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 a compelling and effective business plan to inspire an aging population to take action toward their health. Over the last 20 years, Lisa 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.
Corpus Christi Spohn South 5920 Saratoga Blvd., Suite 110
361-991-9356
www.DrPraderio.com Accepting New Patients 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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HEALTH & WELLNESS
‘TIL DEATH DO US PART Hospice: knocking out the taboo By: MERARI GUZMAN
continued
With 25 years of providing service in Corpus Christi and expansions throughout the years to the Rio Grande Valley, Beeville and San Antonio, Legacy Home Health Agency offers home health care, hospice, private duty and personal attendant services. We are your South Texas Legacy of Caring agency! For more information, visit www.legacyhhc.com, call 1-800-874-5112 or follow us on Facebook (@legacyhomehealth).
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PIKSELSTOCK/STOCK.ADOBE.COM
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ging, end-of-life and funerals tend to be taboo subjects in this country. The uncomfortable reality is that while we can avoid talking about it, death is something we all must face. When we speak the same language and understand the benefits, we can make more thorough and informed decisions about what we want. So let’s talk openly about the elephant in the room. First things first: Exploring hospice care isn’t “giving up.” It’s choosing a fuller life. Hospice care provides physical, spiritual and emotional support to those who are facing life-ending illnesses and to their family and caregivers. Maintaining a patient’s dignity and quality of life in the remaining days of life is the goal. Our unwillingness to talk about death risks leaving us vulnerable and underprepared. When you reach this inevitable chapter of life, where and with whom would you like to be? Most people would reply, “At home, surrounded by family,” which, statistically, is easier said than done. Hospice provides the opportunity to settle finances, mend important relationships and let a patient’s final wishes be fully realized. The stigma surrounding hospice is that once patients go into hospice care, it means patients or their families are giving up. The word, “terminal,” while perhaps necessary within the medical community, creates a harsh tone and emotions of hopelessness that there is nothing more left to do. Patients and hospice staff, however, prove every day that the stigma surrounding hospice is far from true. According to Howard Brody, Ph.D., former director of the Institute for Medical Humanities, “Hope means different things to different people, and different things to the same person as he/she moves through stages of illness.” Hope can be seen in a pain-free day, feeling valued and having a sense of security, all of which are offered in a well-run hospice program. It is heartbreaking when family members come to the realization that their loved ones could have embraced com-
fort and pain control much sooner than suffering unnecessarily if they had made the choice to allow help from hospice care. “We have seen many patient stories from families that called hospice at the right time – in time for the patient to make one more trip to Cabo; in time to go fishing one more time; in time for a bride to marry the love of her life. Real patients have done this, with support from their Legacy Hospice team,” said Denise Danley, R.N., director of nursing for Legacy Home Health Agency. Hospice care is a magnificent resource that is underutilized in our society. With our resistance to discuss end-of-life, we lack role models for conversations about it. Our parents (or even our grandparents) may avoid these discussions while they’re capable of participating in them. We are hopeful and optimistic that there will be an increase in conversation that will make hospice a common term among patients, caregivers and other health care professionals.
STEM CELL THERAPY Call for appointment or consultation:
361-851-0545
EXPLORING HOSPICE CARE ISN’T “GIVING UP.” IT’S CHOOSING A FULLER LIFE.
Can you think of anyone you know who might benefit form the support of hospice care? Why should they and their family be denied the gift of love, a sense of security and relief of pain and symptoms? As Barbara Thompson, author of “The American Journal of Hospice Care,” describes the key benefit of hospice care, “[Patients] are helped to retain a sense of integrity in the face of progressive losses.”
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It's all we do! 7245 McArdle Road, Corpus Christi, TX 78412 (361) 288-4695 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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NONPROFIT
NOT ALONE
A community-wide task force forms to bring awareness and prevention to misuse of fentanyl. By: AMANDA CUTBIRTH
With the blessing of our commissioners, a community-wide task force was created, with Canales and myself as co-chairs. Dr. Osbert Blow, president and chief medical officer of CHRISTUS Spohn Health System; Dr. Eric Deppert, chief medical officer of Corpus Christi Medical Center; and Dr. Mary Dale Peterson, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Driscoll Children’s Hospital, are part of the leadership as physician advisors. There are nine subcommittees focused on their expertise: Education, Medical, Behavioral Health, Law Enforcement, Emergency Services, Government, Faith Based, Publicity and Civil. I’m excited for what the task force is already working on and all that is to come. Our hopes are to provide the resources to change and save lives. We will be hosting a town hall meeting, as well as creating a website and phone application to better serve the needs of our community.
NUECES COUNTY HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST OVERDOSE DEATH RATES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
From left to right: Hilary Watts, Emergency Services Committee chair, Dr. Gilda Ramirez, Civil committee chairmen,Amy Granberry, Government/Legislative committee chair, Dr. Nelly Garcia Blow, Medical Committee Chair, Dr.Zehra Surani, Education committee chair, Paul Thurman, Publicity committee chair, Alison Johnson, Behavioral Health committee chair, Amanda Cutbirth, Task Force Chairman, Special Agent Brannon Prevett, Law Enforcement committee chair. Not pictured: Jaime Reyna, Faith Based committee chair.
If you have questions or comments, please email aamandacutbirth@aol.com.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF MD ALLIANCE
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id you know that Nueces County has been listed as one of the highest overdose death rates in the state of Texas? The rate is 5.1 deaths per 100,000, and the majority of this is attributed to the use of fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic drug that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. It is often mixed with heroin, cocaine and pills. To have a better understanding, a “synthetic opioid” is a class of drugs produced to mimic the natural one and is produced by pharmaceutical companies and illicit drug makers. The use of fentanyl was meant for those with cancer and dealing with end of life, but like other drugs, it is being misused and lives are being lost. I became very passionate about these issues because of family and friends struggling with addiction, and I wanted to know where to start and how to help those I care about. I think most people feel very alone, and, because of the stigma, there is a sense of failure. Coupled with behavioral health issues, it becomes a vicious cycle. Realizing we are not alone, I wanted to help bring more awareness, prevention and resources to our community. I started by meeting with the various organizations and reached out to our county judge, Barbara Canales, who expressed how important this issue was to her, as well. She quickly called a meeting of key figures in our community.
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PHILANTHROPY SPOTLIGHT
CHRISTUS Spohn, Life is Why Sponsor
FAC E S & P L AC E S O F TH E C OAS TAL B E N D HEART BALL The American Heart Association (AHA) hosted its annual Heart Ball at the Ortiz Center on Saturday, Feb. 15, co-chaired by Drs. Osbert and Nelly Garcia Blow and Larry and Karen Urban. Presented by the “Life Is Why” sponsor, CHRISTUS Spohn, AHA celebrated its 25th anniversary with the theme, “Acapulco Nights.” All decked out in glamorous tropical attire, nearly 850 guests enjoyed delicious cuisine, live and silent auctions and dancing the night away to the lively Latin jazz music of Latin Talk. Local luminaries, Mr. and Mrs. Julio Reyes and Dr. and Mrs. Gregg Silverman were honored for their heartfelt contributions to the Coastal Bend community. The featured heart survivor of the evening was Dr. Jack Dugan, who shared his personal experience overcoming heart disease. The Heart Ball raises funds to reduce death and disability from heart disease and stroke, our No. 1 killer and leading cause of long-term disability.
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Dr. Osbert Blow, Dr. Gregg & Nicole Silverman, Dr. Nelly Garcia Blow
Dr. Lonnie & Jordan Schwirtlich and the Halcyon Med Spa team
Julio & Mary Reyes, Karen & Larry Urban
Julia Meyer, Setal Patel, Amanda Solis Meurer
Larry and Karen Urban
Pamela and Charles Brower
Drs. Osbert & Nelly Garcia Blow and Spohn guests
Dr. Jack & Bonnie Dugan and Guests
I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M
Marcy Rodriguez, Erin Wilder, Brittany Sandbach, Katharine Guerra, Katie Reese
PHOTOS BY TWINS MEDIA
Dr. Gregg Silverman, Dr. Jack Dugan
Al and Janet Jones
䄀 䐀䔀匀吀䤀一䄀吀䤀伀一 圀䔀䐀䐀䤀一䜀
圀䤀吀䠀伀唀吀 吀䠀䔀 吀刀䄀嘀䔀䰀⸀
圀 攀搀搀椀渀最猀 䄀吀 倀伀刀吀 刀伀夀䄀䰀 伀䌀䔀䄀一 刀䔀匀伀刀吀
圀椀琀栀 漀瘀攀爀 㐀 猀焀甀愀爀攀 昀攀攀琀 漀昀 洀攀攀琀椀渀最 猀瀀愀挀攀 愀渀搀 愀渀 漀甀琀猀椀搀攀 瀀漀漀氀 瀀氀愀琀昀漀爀洀 愀爀攀愀 瀀愀椀爀攀搀 眀椀琀栀 漀甀爀 戀攀愀甀琀椀昀甀氀 戀漀愀爀搀眀愀氀欀 琀漀 琀栀攀 戀攀愀挀栀Ⰰ 倀漀爀琀 刀漀礀愀氀 伀挀攀愀渀 刀攀猀漀爀琀 椀猀 琀栀攀 瀀攀爀昀攀挀琀 挀栀漀椀挀攀 昀漀爀 礀漀甀爀 戀攀愀挀栀 眀攀搀搀椀渀最⸀
䌀愀氀氀 甀猀 琀漀搀愀礀 琀漀 猀挀栀攀搀甀氀攀 愀渀 愀瀀瀀漀椀渀琀洀攀渀琀 琀漀 最攀琀 猀琀愀爀琀攀搀 瀀氀愀渀渀椀渀最 礀漀甀爀 猀瀀攀挀椀愀氀 搀愀礀⸀
㌀㘀⸀㜀㐀㤀⸀㌀㜀㘀 簀 倀伀刀吀ⴀ刀伀夀䄀䰀⸀䌀伀䴀 簀 㘀㌀㜀 匀吀䄀吀䔀 䠀䤀䜀䠀圀䄀夀 ㌀㘀 ∠ 倀伀刀吀 䄀刀䄀一匀䄀匀Ⰰ 吀䔀堀䄀匀 㜀㠀㌀㜀㌀ I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M 35
PHILANTHROPY SPOTLIGHT
Andy Saenz, (from left); Ike Brackin, Eric Hamon, Brook A. Vickery
FAC E S & P L AC E S O F TH E C OAS TAL B E N D FIESTA DE LOS NIÑOS Driscoll Children’s Hospital hosted its 28th annual Fiesta de los Niños at the American Bank Center on Jan. 24. The event’s mission remains the same as it did in the beginning: to help Driscoll offer more, and enhanced, services to the children of South Texas. Led by longtime title sponsor, Flint Hills Resources, the event grossed $840,000 for the hospital’s heart program and the children of South Texas. Funds raised will support the purchase of a new pediatric heart-lung machine, diagnostic fetal imaging equipment and upgrades to electrophysiology and cardiac catheterization. With support from community partners, Driscoll Children’s Hospital is able to carry on the vision of founder Clara Driscoll to be the regional leader in children’s health care. More than 1,500 guests enjoyed a barbecue dinner, silent and live auctions and dancing to music by the Josh Abbott Band. Alice and Jeremy Evans served as chairs of the event. For more information on this event, or how to get involved, visit driscollchildrens.org.
Ersulyn and Shane Casady, Dane and Janie Bruun
Jeremy and Alice Evans, Diana and Trey Summers
Jimmy Clark, Travis Clark, Mary D. Clark, and Nora Dobson
Amigos de los Niños
Valero Energy Foundation
Nori, Joe DeBellas Table
Auctioneer Wes Hoskins, Emcee Alan Holt
Mary Dale Peterson MD, Rafael Coutin MD
Driscoll Children’s Hospital Critical Care Transport Team
PHOTOS BY TWINS MEDIA
Susan Bonner, Alex and Carol Kirkland
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Josh Abbott Band
