Inspire Coastal Bend Medical Oct/Nov 2015 by Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine

GETTING FACE TO FACE WITH ALZHEIMER’S

HOPE FOR KIDS WITH CANCER

BROOKE HESTER’S BE BOLD, GLOW GOLD FAMILY 5K

COASTAL BEND MEDICAL MAGAZINE

PROMOTING HEALTHY OUTCOMES

CHRISTUS SPOHN HOSPITAL CORPUS CHRISTI-SOUTH EARNS TEXAS TEN STEP NOD FOR BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT

NEW HEIGHTS

LEGACY OF HOPE AND HEALING CHRISTUS SPOHN HEALTH SYSTEM TURNS 110 OCT.NOV 2015

THE ORTHOPAEDIC CENTER OF CORPUS CHRISTI page

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

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

2118 S. Padre Island Dr. 800-876-9769 AllenSamuelsCC.com

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

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

ALICE

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

361.664.4888

CORPUS CHRISTI

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

361.882.5900

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

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

FASTEST GROWING

CHEERLEADING AND TUMBLING

GYM IN THE COASTAL BEND!

Call now for more details!

361.452.4712

www.modernamericancheer.com 4

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WE TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN

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

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

BEFORE

AFTER - 6-unit bridge and fillings

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

AFTER - full mouth rehabilitation with 24 porcelain crowns

Benjamin Vela DDS & Associates • General Dentistry

SOUTHSIDE - 361.994.4900 CROSSTOWN - 361.884.2266 KINGSVILLE - 361.592.4373

veladental.com

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got rehab?

we do!

DISCOUNT LAB TESTING Are you underinsured? Dealing with high deductibles?

COASTAL BEND MEDICAL MAGAZINE

OCTOBER.NOVEMBER 2015

PUBLISHER ADRIAN GARZA EDITOR Allison Alvarado

ART DIRECTOR Liv Madison

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND PRODUCTION Holly Duvall

Does your pooch need a doggie wheelchair? We can build one or order the perfect size to fit.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Steven Alford Peter Blanchard Kaitlin Calk Amie Daniel Jessica Dusek Holly Duvall Jessica Hester Mark K. Jordan Nestor H. Praderio Sylvia Slezak Samantha Stemplinger Erin Wilder

PHOTOGRAPHY Paul Marshall

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Morgan Bartel Brittanie Robertson Else Villalba

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Morgan Bartel

If your dog needs some conditioning, we can help: Arthritis / Overweight / Old Age / Boredom K9 Cars is your dog’s one stop tune up shop. Whether your dog has a flat tire (torn ligament) or a loose rear end (neurological issue), we can provide the rehabilitative services and aids to help. We have the latest modalities: Cold Laser / E-Stim / Ultrasound / PEMF

K9 Conditioning and Rehab Services, LLC. 2901 West Surfside Blvd., Corpus Christi 361.947.7297

www.k9cars.org / facebook.com/doggierehab I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

DNA Paternity Testing: Legal or Informational Employment Drug Screening  Urine and Hair  Immediate Results Using ICup  Testing for K2 Synthetic

COASTAL BEND PARAMEDS 5722 Esplanade Drive, Suite 101 Corpus Christi, TX

361.980.0833

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

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

CONTENTS

FEATURES 16 A Life of Thanksgiving 18 Face to Face with Alzheimer’s 20 Body, Mind and Soul

PATIENT 22 A New Level of Care

OCTOBER.NOVEMBER 2015

COVER STORY

24 THE ORTHOPAEDIC CENTER

OF CORPUS CHRISTI

The stellar surgeons of this pillar of orthopaedic care in the region offer patients the highest quality of life with the least amount of risks using stateof-the-art technology and techniques.

PROFILES

28 CHRISTUS SPOHN HEALTH

SYSTEM TURNS 110

The health system continues to spread a message of hope and healing, and to offer cutting-edge care to the South Texas community, keeping the Spohn legacy alive for more than a century.

30 EXCELLENCE IN

BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT

CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-South earns the prestigious Texas Ten Step Nod for Breastfeeding Support in recognition of the hospital’s excellence in promoting healthy outcomes for mothers and babies.

HEALTH & WELLNESS 34 The Right Approach

NONPROFIT 38 Hope for Kids with Cancer 40 Spread the Love for

Golden Oldies

42 Zombies for a Cause 44 Getting a Jump Start on

Heart Health

EVENTS 48 Mixing Things Up in the

Coastal Bend

COVER AND TABLE OF CONTENTS PHOTOS BY: PAUL MARSHALL

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

Specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology

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

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

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

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

361.883.4323

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

SIX POINTS PHYSICAL THERAPY PROMOTING HEALING AND WELLNESS

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

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

Jaime Pato Moreno PT

Monica Lucido-Clay PT, DPT

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

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Brad Walker MSPT

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

Offering care right in your community as an alternative to congested hospital ERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Where our doctors wait on you

Hours: 24/7 365 days a year

Map data ÂŠ2015 Google

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

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

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

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TOTAL JOINT SURGERY

HAND SURGERY

SPECIALIZING IN COMPREHENSIVE ORTHOPAEDIC CARE

SPINE SURGERY

SPORTS MEDICINE

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

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

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

CCRH is the

only free-standing

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

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

CCRH.ernesthealth.com

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

FEATURE

A LIFE OF THANKSGIVING

Spread happiness to both yourself and those around you by finding ways to incorporate gratitude in your life. By: SYLVIA SLEZAK Keep a gratitude journal: Remind yourself daily of the gifts, grace, benefits and good things you enjoy Recall moments of gratitude associated with ordinary events, your personal attributes or valued people in your life

 

Say thank-you: Write a little note, email or a small gift for a specific thing the person has done for you Give a “free” hug (when appropriate) or favor. “Free” means you don’t expect anything in return — just give it as a gift of gratitude

 

Learn prayers of gratitude: Through prayers, people recognize the ultimate source of all they are and all they will ever be



Make time to remember: Those in our lives who have walked with us and shown kindness The hard times you once experienced, how difficult life used to be and how far you have come

 

Use visual reminders: People, places and photographs can trigger thoughts of gratitude



“

HE IS A WISE MAN WHO DOES NOT GRIEVE FOR THE THINGS WHICH HE HAS NOT, BUT REJOICES FOR THOSE WHICH HE HAS.” – EPICTETUS

Come to your senses: Through the ability to touch, see, smell, taste and hear, we gain an appreciation of what it means to be human and of what an incredible miracle it is to be alive



Watch your language: Focus on inherently good things that others have done on your behalf, in place of how inherently good you are Use words like “gifts,” “givers,” “blessings,” “blessed,” “fortune,” “fortunate” and “abundance”

 

Give back – pay it forward: The beauty of giving doesn’t mean reciprocating favors so that everything is fair and the tally is even If someone does an act of kindness for you, one way to say thanks is to do the same for another

 

This article was contributed by Sylvia Slezak, director of marketing and social media at CityOf.com. Explore Corpus Christi and what it has to offer by visiting us online at www.cityof.com/corpuschristi and look for us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofcom.

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

SUBBOTINA ANNA/BIGSTOCK.COM

ave you said thank-you to people to show how grateful you are for them today? It’s such a small thing, but it can have a huge impact on your life, and the life of those people. Find little ways to incorporate gratitude in your life, and you’ll be much happier … and you’ll make the people around you much happier, as well. That’ll have a ripple effect that will make the world a better place … with such a small gesture! Saying thank-you isn’t hard at all. But the words can lose meaning if they’re just words. You need to say them with sincerity, or show your gratitude through little actions. Cicero said that, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” To get us in the mood for the Thanksgiving holiday, here are some tips for living a life of gratitude – not just this holiday season, but throughout the year. “Gratitude is the heart’s memory,” according to the French proverb. Therefore, one of the first steps to thankfulness is to “remember.”

WE WILL PUT YOU BACK IN THE GAME OF LIFE

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

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

CORPUS CHRISTI

CALALLEN

ALICE

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

PORTLAND 114 Lang Rd. • 361.643.8243

ARANSAS PASS 2150 W. Wheeler Ave. • 361.758.5199

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

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

FEATURE

FACE TO FACE WITH ALZHEIMER’S Education, resources and local community events for caregivers and families living with Alzheimer’s in the Coastal Bend By: NESTOR H. PRADERIO

ALZHEIMER’S: THE ONLY DISEASE THAT CANNOT BE PREVENTED, CURED OR EVEN SLOWED

Many attempts have been targeted through the years in the development of new medication to cure Alzheimer’s disease. But to this day, we are still walking with empty hands, hoping to find some type of medication that will end this disease. It is very common for a caregiver to correct the person who is losing his or her memory. The caregiver emphasizes that what the person is saying is “wrong,” and that it should be something else. Through this type of intervention, caregivers believe they can create some relief. Unfortunately, this creates the opposite. It disturbs the person with memory loss; it creates stress and anxiety; and, more specifically, it agitates the person. The importance of a holistic approach for treatment is emphasized at our monthly Alzhei-

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mer’s Support Program. Our goal is to provide a better understanding of the transitions that are or will be experienced by individuals and their caregivers. We provide the opportunity to share experiences, both good and bad, so that together, we can process and offer recommendations for others. Within this environment, we define the disease, along with its variations, give a brief review without being scientific and discuss difficulties faced by the caregiver as well as the patient. In addition, resources are provided by various local organizations. Our goal is to equip, empower and encourage our caregivers in caring for their loved one.

OUR GOAL IS TO EQUIP, EMPOWER AND ENCOURAGE OUR CAREGIVERS IN CARING FOR THEIR LOVED ONE. ALARMING STATISTICS ABOUT ALZHEIMER’S IN THE UNITED STATES:  Every 67 seconds, someone develops the disease.  Almost two-thirds with the disease are women.  It is the sixth leading cause of death.  One in three seniors dies with the disease or another type of dementia.  By 2025, number of people age 65 and older with the disease is estimated to reach 7.1 million.

ALZHEIMER’S TAKES A DEVASTATING TOLL ON CAREGIVERS

There seems to be a trend during the past 18 months that shows a higher number of patients are being cared for by elderly caregivers. Recently, an elderly male patient with Alzheimer’s, whose

DIGITALISTA/BIGSTOCK.COM

WHEN ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE knocks on the door, there are many real disappointments that occur suddenly in the lives of those loved ones and caregivers. Together we get the sensation of false expectations. We start with the denial that this will be something that will disappear, or will be cured or ameliorated in a way that won’t impact us at such a rate. But we wake up with the reality that this devastating disease is here to stay. This disease is not a normal part of aging. Progressively, this disease takes the mind of individuals piece-by-piece into the dark consequences of constant deterioration.

sole caregiver is his elderly wife, had become very agitated. I had him admitted to the hospital for care, which resulted in an inadvertent seven-day respite for his wife. A little rest to recharge, energize and return to the process of caregiving is the best prescription for caregivers.

RESEARCH FROM 2014 SHOWS THAT IN ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS:  Nearly 60 percent rate the emotional stress of caregiving as high or very high.  About 40 percent suffer from depression.  They had $9.7 billion in additional health care costs of their own in 2014, due to the physical and emotional toll of caregiving.  They provided an estimated 17.9 billion hours of unpaid care.  Approximately two-thirds are women.  Approximately 34 percent are age 65 or older.  Forty-one percent have a household income of $50,000 or less.  More than half are taking care of their parents.

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

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Using local resources to benefit residents of the Coastal Bend, Face to Face has been supporting different educational activities throughout the years, as well as sponsoring and developing events that explicitly dedicate time to caregivers and family members.  Face to Face Support Group  Family & Friends Caregiver Festival  Coastal Bend Walk for Memory  Memories on Canvas  National Memory Screening Day  Alzheimer’s Candlelight Vigil

(361)

852-3600

“ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS” MEDICAID & MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED

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

For more information, call 361-238-7777, email texasfacetoface@gmail.com, visit us online at www.texasfacetoface.com or follow us on www.facebook.com/texasfacetoface.

2802 S. STAPLES www.clarissaesparzadds.com

4639 Corona Drive , Ste. 43 Corpus Christi, Texas 361.225.0052 www.inmonrespiratory.com

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

FEATURE

BODY, MIND AND SOUL

Are you in the market for a skilled nursing facility for a loved one? Here are some questions to ask to ensure you make the right choice.

electing the right short-term or longterm care facility for your loved one is crucial and can be a daunting task during an already emotionally heightened time in your family’s life. Knowing your loved one is getting the best care possible can relieve a large amount of stress on the family. Unfortunately, most families have to make a swift decision about their loved one’s new home and long-term care plan because of a sudden downward turn in their health. Here are some questions to consider asking when touring a skilled nursing facility to be sure you are selecting the right place for your loved one.

WHAT’S FOR DINNER?

Your loved one’s nutrition is one of the most important aspects of their care plan. Yes, they may be on a variety of medications to assist with high blood pressure or diabetes, but their daily diet is really the foundation to their long-term health of a long life or even a speedy recovery of an illness. Ask to speak to the dietician director on staff, and know what your loved-one’s nutritional plan should be from their primary care physician before visiting the facility. Ask specifics about whether the facility can make special exceptions for your loved one if they should be admitted to the facility. Also inquire about the food choices the residents have throughout their stay. The more variety your loved one has to choose from, the more likely to they will be to eat and get the nutrition they need. You may even go as far as having lunch at the facility with some of the staff before making a final decision.

DOES IT SMELL LIKE “HOME SWEET HOME”?

Nursing homes can foster some funky odors, and there are some unavoidable reasons for this. Unfortunately, certain medications and diets make the residents gassier, but also as people age, they’re more likely to lose control of their bladder and bowels. On top of that, skilled nursing facilities have a constant uphill battle with

fighting those odors, too. There are only a handful of cleaners that nursing homes can use due to the protection of the residents mandated by law. However, if the facility reeks of stale urine, it could be a sign that the facility is not being cleaned properly. So a faint whiff of something unpleasant isn’t something to complain about. Always inquire about the nursing staff’s procedure for checking on the their residents, specifically pertaining to your loved one’s situation if it involves assistance with bathroom activities.

HELLO!?

It’s not uncommon to tour a nursing home and hear yelling and screaming. It can be very alarming to most visitors when it sounds like the residents in the facility are hurt or being mistreated. However, moaning and yelling might be unsettling, but that is rarely a sign of poor treatment. Many residents have an impairment known as dementia. Symptoms often range from short-

By: AMIE DANIEL

patient. It can be as simple as providing a familiar hobby or routine activity to put them at ease.

IS IT ALL FUN AND GAMES?

If and when you tour a skilled nursing facility, expect to see residents circling around the nurses station, hanging out at the front lobby, watching TV in the common area or sitting out on the patio. This is a very good sign that the residents are not tucked away in their rooms with no one around them. A quality nursing home is going to have a daily calendar of activities in which your loved one can participate. The body, mind and soul are all equally important. There should be a variety of activities that cater to all levels of their mental and physical capabilities, so that there is something for everyone. Try to schedule your tour around the time the facility will be having an activity, and observe the way that the residents and staff interact. You certainly don’t need to be an expert to pick up

KNOWING YOUR LOVED ONE IS GETTING THE BEST CARE POSSIBLE CAN RELIEVE A LARGE AMOUNT OF STRESS ON THE FAMILY. term memory, irregular communication skills and a decrease in cognitive thinking that will drastically affect their function of daily activities. Instead of focusing on the resident, listen for how staff members address these residents. Look for signs of empathy, patience and respect toward the resident. The staff should be calling the resident by their name or addressing them by their last name in a calm and soothing matter. There are many levels of dementia, and every person is very different in how it affects them. Ask the nursing home staff if they work on detailed plans with their team of nurses and the physicians to implement a positive environment for each patient/resident. Getting to know the patient’s previous lifestyle, hobbies, profession and personal beliefs can go a long way in soothing a dementia

on the “vibe” of the facility; just listen to your gut instinct. Ask the facility for a copy of their activities calendar and their monthly newsletter. Both tools are a quick read and can also give you a great insight on the overall environment. Specifically look to see if the facility is reiterating the message that the doors are open at all times for family members to stop in or participate in a variety of activities, contests and special events throughout the year. Be sure to also visit www.medicare.gov to find out the facility’s ranking. Their extensive process with a five-star approach not only ranks the nursing home overall, but also categorizes different areas that include the aforementioned topics mentioned.

Amie Daniel is the marketing director for the five-star Medicare ranked facility, Hacienda Oaks Nursing & Rehabilitation, in Beeville, Texas. For more information, call 361-205-9677, email amie.daniel@pcitexas.net or visit www.nursingrehabbeeville.com.

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

CORPUS CHRISTI PODIATRY -

DIABETIC FOOT CARE BUNIONS HAMMERTOES INGROWN TOENAILS PAINFUL NEUROPATHIC FEET

WWW.CCPODS.COM

DR. JOHN R. GOUIN

2601 HOSPITAL BOULEVARD - SUITE 211 - CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78405

361.883.5955

BOARD CERTIFIED IN FOOT SURGERY WITH THE AMERICAN BOARD OF PODIATRIC SURGERY FELLOW OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF FOOT AND ANKLE SURGEONS MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION AUTHOR OF “AN UNFORGETTABLE SALUTE,” AVAILABLE AT IUNIVERSE.COM AND BARNES NOBLE I N AND SPIRE C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M 21

PATIENT

 Total hip replacement

 Hemi/uni/or partial hip

replacement

 Hip open reduction and internal

fixations after a fracture (ORIFs)

 Hip resurfacing procedures  Total knee replacement

 Partial knee replacement

PURPOSE

Orthopedic protocols provide a path that guides the caregiver through a sequence of interventions toward predetermined outcomes accomplished in defined visit timeframes to optimize patient outcomes while reducing unnecessary medical costs.

A NEW LEVEL OF CARE

Better experience, better outcome, better quality of life: post-orthopedic surgery at CHRISTUS HomeCare-Spohn By: PETER BLANCHARD

MORE THAN ONE MILLION AMERICANS have a knee or hip replaced each year, and annually, there are at least 258,000 hospital admissions for hip fractures among people aged 65 and older. Whether the surgical procedure is planned or in response to a fall or other emergency, post-operative care management and rehabilitation together form an important bridge from surgery, illness or injury to functionality and quality of life.

A NEW APPROACH TO ORTHOPEDIC HOME HEALTH

CHRISTUS HomeCare-Spohn has developed an Orthopedic Management Program dedicated to helping physicians, patients and caregivers improve the health status of all clients while achieving continuity of care. This program is designed to deliver excellent outcomes utilizing experienced therapy staff with

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

HOW IS IT DIFFERENT?

The CHRISTUS HomeCare-Spohn Orthopedic Management Program takes post-operative recuperative and rehabilitative care to a new level by combining outstanding quality patient care with enhanced communication tools and the ability to deliver the patient’s current progress to the referring physician. It is a multidisciplinary program with patient-specific data for tracking patients’ outcomes, allowing therapists and nurses the ability to generate scorecards that can demonstrate a patient’s progress during the entire course of their home care experience. The patient-specific scorecard can track the patient’s objective improvements including pain, ambulation distance, range of motion and improvement of strength. The scorecards can be transmitted digitally through an online portal, emailed, faxed or even hand-delivered by the patient at the first post-operative visit. In addition, the program identifies patients with specific disease processes in order to assist older people and their

families with nursing, education and other in-home care arrangements to help them return to pre-surgery activities.

BENEFIT TO PHYSICIAN AND PATIENT

The introduction of the CHRISTUS HomeCare-Spohn’s Orthopedic Program allows for partnering with physicians to help achieve decreased complications and better outcomes, reduce unnecessary hospitalizations, increase patient/caregiver participation in care, improve patient satisfaction and most importantly, help restore quality of life. This valuable program is designed to teach patients and caregivers how to manage their day-to-day lives after experiencing a musculoskeletal or orthopedic condition that results in surgical or medical intervention. Trained staff works with patients from the comfort of their home to help improve strength and to minimize complications after surgery. The goal is to help patients effectively manage any pain they may experience with medications and other treatments. Wound care for the surgery site is provided to help the patient heal safely following the surgeon’s recommendations for exercise to help increase mobility. Along with the nursing and physical therapy treatments, patients are assisted with any equipment needed for recovery, and a safety evaluation is performed at the home to help prevent unsafe conditions and highlight possible fall risks. CHRISTUS HomeCare-Spohn employs skilled nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists and home health aides who work together to provide outstanding care through individual Live Well plans, which are implemented under the physician’s direction and guidance. The program adheres to the guidelines of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the National Institutes of Health. If you or a loved one is scheduled for a hip or a knee replacement and would like to learn how CHRISTUS HomeCare-Spohn can help, please contact our office at 361-994-3400 or 800-341-1368.

DARRENMBAKER/BIGSTOCK.COM

extensive orthopedic assessment and pain management skills to provide a comprehensive treatment approach with consideration for patients’ individual needs in coordination with their orthopedic surgeons. CHRISTUS HomeCare-Spohn’s Orthopedic Management Program is designed specifically for orthopedic management after surgical procedures including, but not limited to:

APPAREL



HOME



DESIGN SERVICES

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COVER STORY

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S ’ E E R TH ANY P M CO The Orthopaedic Center of Corpus Christi: taking orthopaedic surgery to new heights for the Coastal Bend By: Jessica Dusek Photos by: Paul Marshall

THE ORTHOPAEDIC CENTER OF CORPUS CHRISTI (OCCC)

has new additions to their team, and they are changing lives! With the practice commitment “to provide the highest quality of life with the least risk,” the practice serves the best interest of their patients with less invasive surgical options and procedures, in addition to the traditional surgical approach. “There are a variety of conservative treatment options available that may help patients improve without surgery,” explains spine specialist Dr. Andrew Indresano. However, when patients do require surgical intervention, the OCCC is proud to offer state-of-the-art technology and techniques. A pillar of orthopaedic care in the region, the OCCC has provided total joint replacement, sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. With the recent addition of fellowship-trained spine surgeon Indresano; hand and upper-extremity specialist Dr. Aimee Schimizzi; and general orthopedist with interest in shoulder, knee and hip surgery, Dr. Miguel Berastain Jr., the scope of practice and access to care has expanded. The surgeons are aligned in their philosophy in service to their patients and are dedicated to providing the highest quality of care possible. The expansion of specialists in the group allows patients the convenient I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

option to see several specialists without traveling from one location to another – or to a completely different city to receive care. “Hours are 8:30 a.m. to whenever,” explains Linda Hernandez, administrator of the patient-centric clinic. Now with state-of-the-art radiology, they aim “to work to create a culture of health and wellness,” continues Hernandez, who has been with the practice for 37 years. The OCCC is currently undergoing renovations to add six additional rooms to its existing 16. In addition, there will be another radiology suite to accommodate patients. Currently, the practice treats patients not only from the Corpus Christi area, but also an influx of patients from the surrounding areas, attracted to the practice’s integrity and dedication to delivering quality care. “Some of my patients come from more than two hours away – some patients from San Antonio, Austin and the Valley,” Indresano explains. “It is not uncommon for them to come to Corpus for treatment.” Indresano, a fellowship-trained surgeon, earned his residency degree in orthopaedic surgery at the University of California, San Diego, and obtained his specialty degree from University of Wisconsin, Madison. Studying with some of the best spine surgeons in the United States (arguably in the world), he is excited to bring his knowledge and techniques to South Texas. Indresano and his wife, hand specialist Schimizzi, chose Corpus Christi as the ideal place to practice. Attracted to the friendly South Texas culture, and aligned with the high values and integrity of the existing partners of OCCC, the city of Corpus Christi was an excellent fit. Schimizzi, a fellowship-trained hand and upper-extremity specialist, treats upper-extremity fractures, neuropathies, tendon dysfunctions and essentially all orthopaedic issues from the upper arm to the tip of the finger. Her passion spills over as she describes the anatomy of the upper extremity: “I was always intrigued by it.” Schimizzi completed her residency at the University of California, San Diego, and graduated from her fellowship in hand surgery from St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. When patients have a dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system, the correct treatment or surgery allows “[us] to make a huge difference in their daily life,” she explains of her specialty. The OCCC is bringing the latest developments in advanced technology to Corpus Christi. One of two surgeons in the practice trained to perform computer-assisted surgery, Berastain, explains that the technology allows surgeons to work with absolute precision. Computer precision allows joint replacements to be anatomically correct to within 1 mm, an advancement that results in a nearly perfect implant placement. “Before I walk out of the operating room, I am certain the implant is in excellent position,” he says.

The OCCC is committed to patient education.

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Berastain also explains that in treating joint problems, you need to have a well-trained surgeon in addition to the technology. “It’s really about recreating anatomy, ligament and muscle balancing – if you can achieve balance, patients do well.” The computer-assisted surgery only helps to better achieve this goal. The technological advancements can help surgeons perform surgery with more precision and potentially perform less surgery to solve the patient’s problem. Berastain spent most of his formative years in Corpus Christi. He graduated from Incarnate Word Academy High School, received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and studied medicine at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio. Subsequently, he returned to Texas, completing his residency at the University of Texas in Houston. For the beginning of his practice, he joined his father and

South Texas – a new and extremely effective technique in treating a multitude of spinal pathology. Traditional spine surgery requires large posterior incisions, prolonged recovery times and soft-tissue dissection that can lead to chronic back pain. With minimally invasive techniques, the incisions are smaller and allow for faster recovery, and they offer a decreased risk of blood transfusion and a decrease in postoperative pain. Patients undergoing MIS are faster to mobilize and return to work with less downtime. In addition, these techniques provide a safer way for an older patient population to have their spine pathology surgically addressed. Finally, Indresano brings a new perspective to South Texas in the concept of fusion-less cervical spine surgery – a new technique that maintains mobility while addressing pathology. The practice is also committed to patient education. Education of the diagnosis and proposed procedure guides the patient to understand the process. The OCCC has an updated website with anatomically correct videos and media to help inform patients. Preparing the patient is key, as Indresano describes of his spine patients. “Watching animated videos of their planned procedure stimulates questions from the patients – why, where, what and the risks. I think my patients really appreciate and respond well to this.” At OCCC, the surgeons work in close proximity and are committed to staying up-to-date on technology, educating patients and providing the highest-quality care for the best patient outcome. “One of the great rewards of orthopedics is that you see results quickly,” Berastain says. “People who couldn’t walk because of pain, walk again when you take their pain away.” Indresano recalls a patient who was unable to walk 10 to 15 feet preoperatively, yet after her spine surgery, “she was up and walking within 12 hours of her procedure.” With the addition of three new providers, the OCCC has continued its commitment to the community it serves. The practice provides complete orthopaedic care at the highest level.

The surgeons are dedicated to providing the highest quality of care possible.

they were in joint practice for nine years. He credits his father’s 30-plus years in medicine as an inspiration. “He taught me how to relate to patients and surgical techniques they do not teach in books.” Advanced technology is not only limited to the field of joint replacement. Recent techniques allow hand conditions, such as Dupuytren’s contracture, to be addressed in the office. Dupuytren’s contracture, a contracture of the fascial bands in the palm, results in flexion contractures of the digits. A same-day office procedure, performed under local anesthesia, allows patients to return to their daily lives almost immediately without surgical downtime. Results are instant, Schimizzi explains: “Patients come in with their fingers bent and leave with their fingers straight.” In addition, Indresano has brought minimally invasive surgery (MIS) of the spine to

All of the doctors are currently taking new patients. Learn more by visiting the Orthopaedic Center of Corpus Christi website at www.orthocentercc.com.

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PROFILE CHRISTUS SPOHN Health System is proud to celebrate 110 years of serving the Coastal Bend. Recently, the health system held celebrations at each of its hospital campuses in South Texas featuring a commemorative cake, reflections and prayer. On July 26, 1905, the first Spohn Hospital opened on North Beach in Corpus Christi, Texas. The Sisters of the Charity of the Incarnate Word were there to care for the very first patient, along with Dr. Arthur E. Spohn, who first had the dream of building a hospital where he could care for the then 7,000 residents of the Sparkling City by the Sea. During those early years, the sisters did it all – they cared for the sick and injured, cooked and cleaned and lived in the hospital. Working with Dr. Spohn, they persevered through the city’s yellow fever outbreak and the devastating hurricane of 1919. Through all of this, those early health care pioneers stuck by their OUR mission to extend the FOUNDRESSES healing ministry of HELPED SHAPE Jesus Christ to South THE FACE OF Texas residents, includ- HEALTH CARE ing those who were IN SOUTH poor or underserved. TEXAS FOR It is a mission that the MORE THAN associates of CHRIS- A CENTURY, TUS Spohn are proud AND IT IS OUR HONOR to maintain today. “Their dedication TO CONTINUE and foresight helped IN THEIR shape the face of health FOOTSTEPS.” care in our part of Texas for more than a century, and it is our honor to continue in the footsteps of our foundresses,” said CHRISTUS Spohn CEO Pamela Robertson. After the original Spohn Hospital was destroyed in the historic hurricane, the community rallied together to build a new hospital on 5 acres of land overlooking Corpus Christi, which was donated by Henrietta M. King, the widow of King Ranch founder, Capt. Richard King. It is there that CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Shoreline now stands. Today, the Spohn legacy has grown to include six hospitals, several cancer centers and numerous clinics in the CHRISTUS Spohn Health System, which serves more than half-a-million residents in Corpus Christi, Kingsville, Alice and Beeville. Through their partnership with CHRISTUS Health, the Spohn mission and tradition has extended even further throughout the United States and into South America.

KEEPING THE LEGACY ALIVE

After 110 years in operation, CHRISTUS Spohn Health System continues to serve South Texas families, honoring its original mission of extending hope and healing to the community. By: Steven Alford 28

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRISTUS SPOHN

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sion of the CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Shoreline campus, and the creation of the new Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Family Health Center at the site of CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Memorial. When completed, the single-story, 43,000-square-foot Family Health Center will be a community destination for integrated non-acute health services. “This project marks a commitment to the people of South Texas that honors the tradition of many amazing people who came before us – the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Bishop Dubuis, Dr. Arthur Spohn and local heroes like Dr. Hector P. Garcia,” Robertson added. As CHRISTUS Spohn celebrates 110 years of serving our community, it is with great pride that they honor the health system’s founders and the thousands of clinicians, associates and volunteers who have cared for the people of South Texas and their families for more than a century. “This is an exciting time for CHRISTUS Spohn,” Robertson said. “We look forward to continuing our mission to faithfully serve the Coastal Bend and to expand our legacy of hope and healing for future generations.” For more information on CHRISTUS Spohn Health System, please visit www. christusspohn.org.

CHRISTUS Spohn remains on the cutting edge of technology to better serve the residents of South Texas, which includes the recent addition of the Dan A. Hughes Family Hybrid Suite, a multi-million-dollar investment enabling physicians to perform one of the most advanced heart procedures available – the only of its kind south of San Antonio. This technology has enabled CHRISTUS Spohn to offer the region’s only Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Program. And CHRISTUS Spohn continues to train the doctors of tomorrow with the area’s only Resident Physician Program. These investments are just a few ways CHRISTUS Spohn works to ensure the growing health care needs of Corpus Christi and surrounding communities are met, as South Texas remains a hub for high-quality medical care close to home. This year, CHRISTUS Spohn Health System has undertaken its biggest investment in the community yet – a nearly $325 million transformation of the CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi Shoreline and Memorial campuses, made possible by an unprecedented $275 million investment from CHRISTUS Health and an additional $50 million from the generosity of community philanthropy. With design phases underway and ground breaking to begin soon, the project will see the expanI N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

PROFILE

HELPING MOMS AND BABIES SUCCEED CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-South earns the prestigious Texas Ten Step Nod for Breastfeeding Support. By: Steven Alford

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feed their infants, too few women succeed,” said Nurse Jennifer Ustianov, senior educator at the NICHQ. “This project has been helping hospitals give mothers and their infants a greater chance at success.” To acquire the Texas Ten Step designations, Texas Ten Step facilities like CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-South provide continuing resources for breastfeeding families that include:  Telephone counseling by a lactation consultant or a certified breastfeeding educator  Assistance in the hospital by a lactation consultant or a certified breastfeeding educator  Rental or purchase of high-quality electric breast pumps  Availability of breastfeeding-related equipment and nursing bras for purchase  WIC nutrition services information  Health benefits

CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-South must promote healthy outcomes for newborns by training all maternity staff and offering them annual updates. In addition, associates must provide moms with resources for continued care after discharge. Growing evidence supports breastfeeding as critical to the health of both mothers and babies. Good for moms:  Saves money in formula and health care costs  Burns up to 600 calories a day  Releases helpful hormones to relax mom

 Protects mom against cancer and diabetes Good for babies:  Reduces the risk of allergic reactions, asthma, infections and stomach problems  Reduces risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)  Promotes healthy growth and brain development  Reduces risk of obesity and diabetes

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRISTUS SPOHN

GROWING EVIDENCE supports breastfeeding as critical to the health of both mothers and their babies. Breastfeeding is now known to reduce the risk of allergic reactions, asthma, infections and stomach problems in babies, and to protect mom against cancer and diabetes. As the number of women who embrace the health benefits of breastfeeding continues to rise, CHRISTUS Spohn remains committed to supporting and encouraging a mother’s decision to breastfeed. That’s why the health system is honored to again have a Texas Ten Step designated facility, CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-South, which has taken the lead in offering exemplary care to breastfeeding moms in the Coastal Bend. “We are excited about this acknowledgment and remain committed to serving our community every day to ensure healthy, happy families,” said Chief Nursing Officer Lisa Cox of CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-South. The Texas Ten Step Program, developed by the Texas Hospital Association (THA) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), encourages birthing centers to support and promote breastfeeding through policy development, maternity care practices and resources for breastfeeding mothers. Breastfeeding is considered one of the most effective preventive health measures for infants and mothers, but only 21.3 percent of Texas mothers exclusively breastfeed for six months – the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation. To help reverse this trend, 33 hospitals in southern, central and western Texas have joined a five-year quality improvement project aimed at developing facility environments that support a mother’s choice to breastfeed. The Texas Ten Step effort is being led by National Institute for Children’s Health Quality (NICHQ) and is funded by DSHS and the Texas Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). “Although so many women want to breast-

GROWING EVIDENCE SUPPORTS BREASTFEEDING AS CRITICAL TO THE HEALTH OF BOTH MOTHERS AND BABIES.

For more information about CHRISTUS Spohn birthing programs, visit www.christusspohn.org/ birthingservices.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

A POSITIVE MINDSET GIVES VALUE AND PURPOSE TO YOUR DESIRED HEALTH GOALS.

The importance of maintaining balance and a positive mindset while pursuing your goals for health and well-being By: MARK K. JORDAN

n previous articles, we discovered that health and well-being include more than just diet and exercise. We discussed a healthier well-being approach that provided steps (as in three-week cycles) that can be used and adjusted in order to reach new health goals. We noted that mental and emotional components of wellness play an important role in reaching new goals. We also mentioned the importance of minimizing stress, adding routine relaxation and enhancing quality sleep as components toward successful changes in health and well-being. Other things can contribute to healthier well-being such as social and environmental wellness factors. We will cover two additional areas that are important, but often overlooked.

WHAT DO I MEAN WHEN I SAY, “BALANCE”?

The first involves finding a balance in your wellness approach. What do I mean by that? Let’s say that you’re at a stage in life where you have a lot of stress and very little time to relax, and you aren’t getting enough sleep. In addition to that, you want to lose weight and learn more about eating healthy. If you put all of your efforts into just exercising and trying to eat healthy with no attention to the stress and lack of sleep without relaxation, your approach may be out of balance. In a balanced approach, you’re addressing all five, which can provide a more significant impact on the success toward improving overall well-being. Here’s the other thing that can happen: Balance can mean less time overemphasizing just one part (such as exercise) that won’t provide the result that it used to provide – no more two- and three-hour gym workouts (as if we had time for that, anyway). This balanced approach can represent a shift from an older way of thinking that goes back to

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HOW IMPORTANT IS THE “MINDSET” WITH THIS APPROACH?

The second involves having a positive and productive mindset to use with your balanced wellness approach. The mindset gives value and purpose to the desired health goal. It allows you to internalize the intentions related to your goal. The mindset takes the external guidance (and direction) and allows you to discover its personal importance. It’s one thing to tell someone that healthy eating, physical activity and balance are important for better health and well-being – it is another thing to discover why that is important for you. Once you discover that personal importance, you become more self-driven, and the benefits can be longer in duration. The key involves finding the resources that support a positive and productive mindset. Without that, you can have a situation where there are many resources available without the needed connection that supports your motivation to reach personal goals. The mindset connects resources to personal health goals. Services that support wellness programs and wellness coaching can be very beneficial resources for developing and supporting that very important mindset. As you search for the right approach to start, maintain or improve your health and well-being goals, remember the importance of balance and the positive mindset as often overlooked keys to even better well-being. MARK JORDAN received a certificate for setting a Guinness World Record for most pull-ups done within 24 hours (4,321 of them at age 54!). He appeared on Dr. Oz in recognition of his wellness accomplishments. For more information about wellness consultations, coaching services or speaking engagements, contact him at info@markkjordan.com or visit www.markkjordan.com.

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THE RIGHT APPROACH

a time when it used to seem easier to get results by only changing how we ate and how much physical activity we did. Let’s face it: As time passes, it seems to get harder and harder to do only those same two things and not even get the same results we got in the past. Does any of that sound familiar? If so, it’s because as we acquire time, we acquire other areas in our lives that become significant. It warrants making adjustments in those areas, too, as part of that balanced approach. It’s very similar to putting less effort into more areas to provide the desired health and well-being benefits. Balance your approach by addressing many areas (not just two) that impact your well-being. It can make the goal results easier to achieve.

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HOPE FOR KIDS WITH CANCER Brooke Hester’s Be Bold, Glow Gold Family 5K: raising awareness for Brooke’s Blossoming Hope for Childhood Cancer Foundation By: HOLLY DUVALL AND JESSICA HESTER

AROUND 1,000 PARTICIPANTS from the Coastal Bend came out Saturday, Sept. 5 for the third annual Be Bold, Glow Gold Family 5K Run and Walk at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi. There were all kinds supporting this great event, including kids with cancer, their families, volunteers and media. To help cheer them along, local area high school bands, cheer squads and mascots were on hand, along with special guest “Buddy” Texas’ own H-E-B mascot. A little over four years ago, the race director, Lisa Trevino, came up with the idea of having a run because she was passionate about helping local area kids with cancer, she loved Brooke Hester and she wanted to bring awareness to and raise funds for critical pediatric cancer research and finding a cure. After BeBe Bellfield invited Brooke to go to a Glow in the dark pep rally led by her Collegiate High School students who had raised $1,000 for Brooke’s Blossoming Hope for Childhood Cancer Foundation, Brooke said the run should be a “glow run.” The gold ribbon symbolizing pediatric cancer awareness during the month of September was at the heart of Brooke always saying, “Be bold, rock the gold,” and “Be bold, go gold,” hence the event getting its name, “Be Bold Glow Gold.” The Corpus Christi Hooks, who were very kind to Brooke and honored her for her work in the community, had a big part in the change of venue from the North Beach Dolphin Park, where the event has taken place the last two years. They generously agreed to allow the event committee to use their field and parking lot, but with the change and Brooke’s passing in late June, the committee was challenged with less time to plan. They triumphed over the challenge, and the event took place as planned aside the Harbor Bridge lit in gold thanks to the City of Corpus Christi going gold for all kids with all types of cancer. The 5K route was in place, and the community came together. Parks and Recreation opened up the Galvan House a week prior to the run to turn it gold and offer free portraits for local families of kids with cancer; they also adorned the Corpus Christi Water Gardens in gold along the route of the run.

“

DON’T LOOK AT A CHILD WITH CANCER AND TURN YOUR HEAD BECAUSE IT BREAKS YOUR HEART. LOOK AT THAT CHILD AND REALIZE YOU CAN HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE!” – MEGAN WINN, FRIEND AND VOLUNTEER

Suzette Quintanilla, the sister of the late Tejano singer Selena, worked closely with the city and Cevantes Electric in order to light up the Selena monument all month. This was also positioned along the route, marking the turnaround point for the participants. Quintanilla even funded the lighting of the monument through the Selena Foundation. Corpus Christi Mayor Nelda Martinez provided a proclamation read aloud by a member of City Council just prior to the honorary pediatric cancer warrior lap around Whataburger Field, which kicked off the black light glow run. The city has been extremely supportive of the foundation’s efforts, and the mayor has declared September to officially be the month of pediatric cancer awareness in Corpus Christi. The goals of the event are to bring families of local kids with cancer together, giving them an honorary function to bring awareness for those fighting pediatric cancer within our own communities, and to raise money for underfunded, cutting-edge pediatric cancer research initiatives. There is a different research initiative chosen to support each year. In 2014, $15,000 was raised, and with a match that was provided, the foundation gave $30,000 to cold plasma research at TAMUCC, enabling Dr. Magesh Thiyagarajan to test solid tumor pediatric cancer cells for the first time. This year, close to $25,000 was raised and will be used to help fund new and promising research that will examine cancer at the genomic level for both kids and dogs with cancer in hope to bring cures and expedited drug development to both populations that otherwise have limited treatment options. The research looks at childhood and canine cancers from needle biopsies to develop personalized medicine techniques of treating each case on an individual basis. You can learn more about this Gold Collar Companion Project on the foundation’s website and via the Facebook page.

For more information, visit www.brookesblossoms.org or www.facebook.com/beboldglowgold.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF BROOKES BLOSSOMS

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NONPROFIT

SPREAD THE LOVE FOR GOLDEN OLDIES Why you should consider fostering a senior animal for the Gulf Coast Humane Society By: KAITLIN CALK

ept. 9, 2015, was an inexpressibly sad day for all of the staff and volunteers at the Gulf Coast Humane Society (GCHS). We lost an incredibly sweet old soul. Old Yeller, who had been a resident of GCHS for more than four years, passed away. He loved tennis balls and any sort of treat that was given to him, and you could nearly always see him stretched out on his back in his kennel, just letting it all hang out. He would bark for no reason, and the smell of grass or the gentle pat of a humanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hand would always get his tail to wag. It is a tragedy to us (and to many of you reading this, we are sure) that he passed away not in the comfort of a forever home, but in an animal shelter. He was shown tons of love by our staff and volunteers on a daily basis, but nothing could ever beat the feeling of wholeness and love that a forever home brings. We believe that all domesticated animals deserve a home to call their own, but it is especially heart wrenching for us to see a senior dog or cat looking at us through those bars. These animals have lived a long life, and they may have even known the joy of a home before. A shelter environment is stressful for any animal, but that stress is increased tenfold for older animals with calm dispositions and the aches and pains that come with advanced age. If you have or have had a senior animal at home, you are well aware of the special place they hold in your heart. They may pass gas quite often and get a bit grumpy when younger pups or kittens jump all over them, but all they really want is a warm place to snuggle up with their human and to go for leisurely walks in the sun. Despite the fact that these wonderful creatures have such wonderful dispositions and so little demands, many of them end up in shelters like GCHS, with stiff joints and cataracts, wondering if they will ever know the comfort of a couch cushion again. On behalf of Old Yeller and all of the other furry old souls out there, we implore you to consider becoming a foster for senior animals. When you foster for GCHS, we cover all costs of care. We provide you with all supplies and food, and all veterinary care is done at our facility at no cost to the foster parent. All that we ask our foster parents to provide is a loving, stable home in which these wonderful animals can live out their golden years in peace. Rest easy, Old Yeller. You are loved dearly by all of GCHS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; staff, volunteer and board member alike. Run freely and without pain on the Rainbow Bridge.

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WE BELIEVE THAT ALL DOMESTICATED ANIMALS DESERVE A HOME TO CALL THEIR OWN.

Old Yeller; Photo by: Katie Runde of Forever Home Photography

To become a treasured member of our foster program, please visit www.gchscc.org and fill out an application. And please email completed applications and any questions you may have to outreach.manager@gchscc.org.

SAVE THE DATE

e t a t S District of the

Thursday, October 22, 2015 American Bank Center • Henry Garrett Ballroom • 11:30 a.m. to 1p.m. Sponsorship and ticket information is available at www.ccef-ccisd.org, just click “State of the District,” or call the CCEF at (361) 695-7410 I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

NONPROFIT

THE TWO COMMUNITY EVENTS WILL GIVE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE OR BE ZOMBIES WHILE SUPPORTING A VERY REAL CAUSE.

ZOMBIES FOR A CAUSE Two Zombie Week Corpus Christi events join forces to help bring awareness to child abuse and neglect in our community by giving a portion of their proceeds to Court Appointed Special Advocates of the Coastal Bend. By: SAMANTHA STEMPLINGER

CASA of the Coastal Bend trains volunteers to advocate for the best interest of children who have been abused or neglected and are in the foster care system. The next training begins Oct. 13. For more information about CASA or to sign up for training, contact Samantha Koepp-Stemplinger at samantha@coastalbendcasa.org, call 361-884-2272 or visit www.casaofthecoastalbend.org.

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he zombie phenomenon is in full force with shows “Fear of the Walking Dead,” “The Walking Dead” and “Zombie Nation,” along with several movies and video games, that have people running for their lives from these frightening creatures. As zombies are a popular costume for Halloween season, whether you are a fan or not, you will most likely see a few zombies during October, especially during Zombie Week in Corpus Christi. On Friday, Oct. 2, through Saturday, Oct. 10, two community events will give people the opportunity to see or be zombies while supporting a very real cause. In its 11th year, Realms Con, the local three-day conference for all things sci-fi and a new 5K obstacle experience, Zombie Herd 5K “Aye vienen los muertos,” are joining forces to help bring awareness to the lingering epidemic of child abuse and neglect in our community. For the past two years, Realms Con has given Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the Coastal Bend the opportunity to be part of their event. This year, Realms Con will host a Dragon Ball Z Reunion and with the help of Grande Communications, the Harbor Playhouse, Fright Night Haunted House and Ray High School art students a new community project has been created, the Grande Pumpkin-Art Project, which will be featured during Realms Con and will benefit CASA. Pumpkins donated by Grande will be painted by Ray High School art students and then placed on display at Realms Con, accompanied by Harbor Playhouse zombies who will give raffle tickets to those who donate to CASA for a chance to win one of the 25 spook-tacular pumpkins and an entry to Fright Night Haunted House. Anyone can run, but things are different when you have to run for your life from a horde of hungry, ruthless zombies at the Zombie Herd 5K on Oct. 10 at Play Extreme Sports. This event will be one-of-a-kind, where you can be the chased or the chaser. Your goal is to complete the course while keeping your flags intact. If all of your flags are taken before you finish, you did not survive the course. Complete the course and be rewarded with “I survived the Zombie Herd 5K” swag! Participants will receive a complimentary entry to the Fright Night Haunted House and access to the after party that will feature a viewing of “The Walking Dead,” along with food and refreshments provided by L&F Distributors. VFit Productions, a local company that designs races for nonprofit events, created the event to give a portion of the proceeds to CASA. The Grande Pumpkin-Art Project will be featured at Realms Con on Oct. 2 and 3, from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, contact Angela Allen-Dunlap, Grande Communications community relations manager, at 334-3070. And to learn more about or to register for the Zombie Herd 5K, visit www.vfitproductions.com.

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Sunday, October 25, 2015, 1:00 pm Palmilla Beach Golf Club 258 Snapdragon, Port Aransas, TX

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GETTING A JUMP START ON HEART HEALTH

Charla Hatfieldand and Teri Rathke shout from the roof Wood River’s fundraising achievement in 2014.

The American Heart Association’s Jump Rope For Heart program keeps kids jumping for fun.

o you remember learning to jump rope in elementary school P.E. class? Did you compete with other students, seeing who could jump the longest or do trick jumps? Or maybe you sprinkled sing-songs and claps into your routine to jazz it up and make it a group effort? Wasn’t that fun? Well, chances are you participated in the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope For Heart program, which is now in its 36th year across the country. This seminal health education program promotes physical activity and heart health through jumping rope while giving kids a fun experience in volunteering and giving back to their community. And chances are you haven’t jump roped in years. And maybe you haven’t exercised at all lately, because, well, it isn’t as fun as it used to be. Charla Hatfield, a P.E. instructor at Wood River Elementary in Calallen ISD, who has been bringing the Jump Rope For Heart program to her students for 29 years, believes the missing ingredient for older students and adults is that not-so-elusive fun. “Kids learn early that exercise is fun,” Hatfield shared in a recent phone conversation, tucked in between busy classes. “That is so important.” While older students look more toward athletic accomplishment and adults may view exercise as drudgery, kids know how to keep a sense of fun and play in their activities. Hatfield believes that keeping activity fun is what can keep kids – and adults – coming back for more. “If you are having fun and getting healthy at the same time … when my kids leave P.E. class sweaty, I know they got a good workout!” The need to educate children about the importance of health and physical activity couldn’t be timelier. According to recent studies, one in three American kids and teens is overweight or obese, causing a broad range of health problems like high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and elevated blood cholesterol levels. In Corpus Christi, 87 percent of adults are overweight or obese and 30 percent of adult residents report getting zero physical activity in the past month. Zero. As in none. “Getting kids interested in physical activity early is critical if we are going to combat the un-

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“

GETTING KIDS INTERESTED IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY EARLY IS CRITICAL IF WE ARE GOING TO COMBAT THE UNHEALTHY TRENDS IN OBESITY.”

healthy trends in childhood and adult obesity we see in the U.S.,” said Brandi Mulkey, the American Heart Association’s director for the youth market in Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend. A Jump Rope For Heart program will usually commence with a school-wide celebratory kickoff to inspire the participants and build a sense of common purpose. Then, for two to four weeks, students learn about how exercise influences their cardiovascular health. They also learn about children with sick hearts and special cardiovascular needs, and they collect community donations. The donations raised by these generous jumpers benefit the American Heart Association and fund heart and stroke research, as well as community and education programs. “A lot of parents get involved,” Hatfield shared. “And parental involvement is often

PHOTOS COURTESY OF AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION

By: ERIN WILDER

You can check out a local performance jump rope team from Galvan Elementary at this year’s Corpus Christi Heart Walk, presented by H-E-B, on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Whataburger Field. The Heart Walk is sponsored nationally by Subway and with major local support from The Corpus Christi Caller Times and AEP.

Corpus Christi’s Original & Only Thanksgiving Day Race & Still Chasing Turkeys After All These Years!

4-Mile Run. 2 Miles Fitness Fun Walk & Kids Run

L-R: Teri Rathke and Charla Hatfield of Wood River Elementary and Brandi Mulkey and Erin Wilder of the American Heart Association kick off the annual Jump Rope For Heart program. IN DEMAND AND DEMANDING RESPECT

key; they take handouts to work or help raise money online.” The program comes with curriculum resources that kids, and their families, can apply to other aspects of their lives. “The students learn about activity and exercise, and they also learn about heart disease and how to prevent it.” “You know, our schools really look forward to the program each year as an annual celebration of health,” Mulkey said. “Oftentimes, the kids understand the importance of helping others with sick hearts because they personally know stuStudents dents, teachers or family members who have been impacted participating in the Jump by heart disease or stroke.” Rope For Heart This past year, 37 Corpus Christi-area schools and more program in the than 18,000 school children participated in the program, early 1980s. jumping at the chance to fight heart disease and stroke, which are our nation’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers. The program has become a mainstay in elementary physical education over the years. And we’re not jumping to conclusions to point out that trends in childhood obesity are – for the first time in decades – reversing course and improving.

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If you or your school are interested in supporting the American Heart Association and participating in its Jump Rope For Heart or Hoops For Heart programs, visit www.heart.org/jump or contact Brandi Mulkey at brandi.mulkey@heart.org. And for more information on all the American Heart Association’s local programs and events, visit www.facebook.com/ahacorpus. 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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EVENTS

MIXING THINGS UP in the Coastal Bend

Networking with Inspire Photos by: PAUL MARSHALL

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Choosing the right Broker makes ALL the difference ...

Tiffany Ramirez, Office Manager Tiffany@ gabrielgrouprealty.com

361-585- 0928

CASS GABRIEL

Cass@GabrielGroupRealty.com | www.gabrielgrouprealty.com Direct: 361.945.1259 | O: 361.994.1140 | 510 Gordon Corpus Christi, TX 78404

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Come and get your glow on! 6TH ANNUAL HEB MILES FOR MEALS GLOW

Saturday Night, November 7, 2015 NorthShore Country Club in Portland, Texas 5K Run/ 5K Walk/ Kids 1K Fun Run Benefitting the Food Bank of Corpus Christi Register at www.foodbankcc.com

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Congratulations to Our Friends in the Car Business! Allen Samuels Chevrolet for finishing 5th amongst Chevy Dealers in the nation raising funds for Strides Against Breast Cancer 2014

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2033 S. Airline Rd., Ste. D-1, Corpus Christi, TX M-Sat 8am-6pm â&#x20AC;˘ Sun 9am-Noon Find us on Facebook: Yolanda's Specialty Cakes

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