Austin Medical Times by Rick Delarosa

Special Feature: National Heart Month

Volume 5 | Issue 2

Inside This Issue

February Edition 2022

Rates Of Premature Heart Attack Death Vary by Sex, Race And Region In The U.S. By The American Heart Association

M New Dell Med Dual-Degree Program Brings Humanities Focus to Medical Education See pg. 10

INDEX Legal Matters....................... pg.3 Oncology Research......... pg.4 Mental Health...................... pg.6 The Framework.................... pg.9 Age Well Live Well............pg.11

St. David’s HealthCare announces HCA Healthcare Foundation’s $250,000 grant to Central Texas Allied Health Institute See pg. 12

iddle-aged adults, men, Black adults and adults living in rural counties have significantly higher heart attack death rates before the age of 65 compared to women, white adults and people living in urban counties, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association. “Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and acute myocardial infarction or heart attack, is a major contributor,” said lead study author Safi U. Khan, M.D., M.S., a cardiology fellow at the DeBakey Heart and Vascular Institute at Houston Methodist Hospital in Houston. “The cardiovascular risks among adults younger than age 65 has become increasingly complex during the last two decades. Our study focused explicitly on premature deaths due to a heart attack to identify demographic and regional differences, which may help to inform targeted interventions.” Khan and colleagues reviewed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Wide-Ranging OnLine Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) database to examine premature death rates in adults younger than age 65 across the U.S. According to the data, between 1999 and 2019, premature heart attack was listed as the primary cause of death

for more than 615,000 people in the U.S. The analysis found significant demographic and regional disparities

h ave reduced m ajor adver se cardiovascular outcomes for patients who have had a heart attack, so we were surprised by the deceleration in the decline of premature death rates during the last decade. This concerning trend reflects the growing burden of cardiovascular disease among younger adults. Implementing evidence-ba sed strategies to prevent and treat premature cardiovascular disease, and public health efforts targeting high-risk groups may help to narrow some of the disparities and improve outcomes among patients after a heart attack,” Khan added. During his presidential address at the American Heart Association’s 2021 Scientific Sessions, AHA President Donald M. Lloyd-Jones, M.D., Sc.M., FAHA, said, “The rising levels of obesity and widening socioeconomic disparities are responsible for an overall stagnation in the decline of heart disease deaths. Creating and

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and acute myocardial infarction or heart attack, is a major contributor — Safi U. Khan, M.D., M.S. in premature death rates due to heart attack: • Death rates were nearly 3 times higher among men than women • Death rates were higher among Black adults than white adults • Middle-aged adults (ages 45-64) had higher death rates than younger adults (ages 18-44) • Premature death rates in rural counties were higher than in urban counties – the average annual percent decline in heart attack deaths among those younger than 65 was -4.2 per year in large metro areas compared to only -2.4 per year in rural counties. “Recent medical advancements

see Heart Attack...page 14

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Legal Matters U.S. Supreme Court Rules on Vaccine Mandates From OSHA and CMS

Lilian Davis, J.D. Isaac Caverly, J.D. Polsinelli, PC

he United States Supreme Court recently issued two much-anticipated opinions concerning the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Emergency Temporary Standard on vaccination and testing (“OSHA ETS”) and the CMS Medicare and Medicaid Programs Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination Interim Final Rule (“CMS Vaccine Mandate”). I. In a 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court stayed the OSHA ETS from taking effect pending resolution of the case in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. In the per curiam opinion,

the Supreme Court stated that the challengers to the OSHA ETS “are likely to succeed on the merits of their claim that the Secretary of Labor lacked authority to impose the mandate.” The Supreme Court further held that the OSHA ETS is not authorized by the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The Court noted that Occupational Safety and Health Administration had never adopted a broad public health regulation before. The “lack of historical precedent” and the broad authority to implement the regulation was a “telling indication” that the OSHA ETS is beyond the agency’s authority. For now, the OSHA ETS is stayed pending resolution of the case in the United States Circuit Court for the Sixth Circuit. As such, this case will now return to the Sixth Circuit where the court will hear the case on its merits, and not just for preliminary relief. Bottom Line: At this time, employers do not need to require their workforce to be vaccinated or to get tested in compliance with the OSHA ETS.

II. In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court stayed temporary injunctions of the CMS Vaccine Mandate issued by the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern District of Missouri and the Western District of Louisiana. In stark contrast to the ruling concerning the OSHA ETS, the Supreme Court opined that the CMS Vaccine Mandate fell within the authorities that Congress conferred upon the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The Supreme Court further held that the CMS Vaccine Mandate was not arbitrary and capricious.

Now that the temporary injunctions issued by the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern District of Missouri and the Western District of Louisiana have been stayed, covered employers in all states should take steps, or continue to take steps, to comply with the CMS Vaccine Mandate. Bottom Line: Employers subject to the CMS mandate must comply. CMS released guidance to State Survey Agency Directors concerning the CMS Vaccine Mandate (“Guidance”) in late December 2021 in an effort to help see Legal Matters...page 14

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Oncology Research Taking Care of Your Mental Health During Cancer and COVID-19

FEEL GOOD AGAIN

By Allison E. Gorrebeeck M.D., Texas Oncology

here are no words to fully describe living with cancer. Fighting cancer can affect every area of your life – from work, to relationships, to the activities you freely enjoyed before you were diagnosed. All of that takes a toll on your emotional well-being. Now, add living with the COVID-19 pandemic, and these challenges become compounded and potentially overwhelming. In a recent study by the National Institutes of Health, more than 70% of cancer patients surveyed reported pandemic-related mental health challenges. Underscoring this trend,

COVID-19 safety guidelines: • Schedule safe interactions with loved ones such as going on a walk, sitting on a patio, or video calls. • Practice positivity by writing out and hanging favorite quotes around your home. • Join an online cancer support group to build community and share experiences. • Cope with stress in healthy ways like getting enough sleep, eating balanced meals, or exercising when you feel up to it. • Spend time on hobbies you enjoy like painting, playing music, or reading. • Take a break from or limit the amount of time you spend each day reading or watching the news and engaging with social media (put your phone down!). • Set short and long-term goals of things you want to accomplish. Take satisfaction in checking items

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the American Cancer Society reported one in four people with cancer suffer from major or clinical depression. But there are ways to cope – specific steps you can take to protect their emotional health. Consider these suggestions for caring for your mental health and discerning when it’s time to reach out for the support you need. Prioritize your emotional well-being. There is no blueprint for living with cancer during a global pandemic; however, getting “back to the basics” of what makes you feel fulfilled and rested is a great place to start. Take small steps to reduce stress and improve your outlook on life while still following austinmedtimes.com

off your list and having something to look forward to. Watch for the signs. It’s normal to feel fear, frustration, or sadness at times while living with a cancer diagnosis, but sometimes these feelings can move from manageable, to unrelenting, to overwhelming. It’s important to recognize when what you’re feeling is not going away or is getting out of hand. If you or someone you care for is struggling with consistent anxious, worried thoughts or feeling overwhelming sadness that makes it see Oncology Research...page 14

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G LO BA L H EA LT H CO N FER EN CE

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Connect with others. Be inspired. Find your mission.

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Mental Health Repeated Exposure to Major Disasters Has Long-Term Mental Health Impacts Study Finds That Houston Residents Who Experienced Two Or More Hazardous Events in The Past Five Years Had a Reduction In Mental Health Scores By Tim Schnettler

epeated exposure to major disasters does not make people mentally stronger. A recent study from the Texas A&M University School of Public Health shows the opposite is true: individuals who had repeated exposure to major disasters showed a reduction in mental health scores. Additionally, the research team found that the more experience the individuals had with such events, the lower their mental health was. “We discovered the reverse of the adage ‘what does not kill you makes you stronger,’” said the study’s lead author Garett Sansom, DrPH, research assistant professor in the Department of Environmental & Occupational Health at the School of Public Health. Sansom and a team of Texas A&M researchers studied individuals

to observe the impacts. “There is an unfortunate truth that many communities that reside along the Gulf Coast are at the nexus of exposures from natural and anthropogenic, or human-caused, hazards,” Sansom said. The team used a 12-item short form health survey to gather information. The survey assessed cumulative impacts from exposure to evaluate changes over time, producing a composite score for both mental (MCS) and physical (PCS) health. The majority of the respondents reported that they experienced many hazardous events over the past five years. Hurricanes and flooding (96.35 percent) were the events experienced the most, followed by industrial fires (96.08), chemical spills (86.84) and tornados (79.82).

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from the Houston area, which is susceptible to hurricanes and flooding as well as industrial emergencies. The results of the study were published recently in the journal Natural Hazards. From 2000 to 2020, the state of Texas—one of the most prone to natural disasters—experienced 33 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared major disasters. Many of these—hurricanes, winter weather, drought and flooding— impacted the Houston area. The area has also been impacted by emergencies such as explosions and chemical releases at nearby industrial facilities. According to the research team the combination of natural disasters and emergencies from industrial facilities presents a unique opportunity

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The team found that when individuals experienced two or more events over the past five years, their MCS averages fell below the expected national levels. “Mental health is often overlooked in responding to and preparing for hazard exposures,” Sansom said. “However, in order to reach community resilience efforts, mental conditions need to be accounted for.” The results of the study help to reveal the long-term mental impact hazards can have. More importantly, they underscore the need for public health interventions targeted toward these individuals as well as the communities where they reside.

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St. David’s Healthcare Announces New Chief Nursing Executive

u sa n Grif fin, R.N., M.S.N., has been named chief nursing executive for St. David’s HealthCare and HCA Healthcare’s Central and West Texas Division. HCA Healthcare is St. David’s HealthCare’s national hospital managing partner. As chief nursing executive, Griffin will be responsible for the organization’s overall strategic direction of nursing practices and nursing operations. She will assume her new role on Feb. 1, 2022.

“With more than 40 years of experience in nursing, including nearly 30 years of executive nursing leadership experience, Susan will play a key role in growing our exceptional team of nurses,” David Huffstutler, president and chief executive officer of St. David’s HealthCare, said. “She will continue to drive a strong nursing culture across the division that results in nurse development and retention, exceptional clinical care and patient experience.”

Griffin served as chief nursing officer at St. David’s Medical Center from 2009 until 2015 before accepting the newly created role of division chief nursing executive for Methodist Healthcare System in San Antonio. She was HCA Healthcare’s first division chief nursing executive and helped mentor 10 nurse leaders into chief nursing officer positions. During her time with Methodist Healthcare, Griffin facilitated the creation of the Galen College of Nursing campus at Methodist, grew Susan Griffin, R.N., M.S.N. academic partnerships resulting in 500 residents and more Coast Hospital and Fawcett Memorial than 70 registered nurse interns Hospital in Florida. Griffin earned a Master of annually, and reduced turnover among registered nurses to 14% in the Science in administration from Bellarmine University in Louisville, market. Prior to this, Griffin served in Kentucky, and a bachelor’s degree numerous clinical roles, including in nursing from West Texas A&M chief nursing officer at Memorial University in Canyon, Texas. Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center and HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe, as well as Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center & Gulf

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The Framework Ascension Seton Announces New Women’s Health Tower in Austin Women’s Tower Part of Major Investment and Expansion Plans for Central Texas

scension Seton is pleased to announce plans to build a new women’s tower on its Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin campus. The women’s tower will be a $320 million investment and part of a broader expansion and modernization plan for Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin. The tower will expand access to Ascension Seton’s comprehensive women’s health services in Central Texas with advanced clinical services for women’s health, increased patient capacity, high-quality, optimized care, and academic programs and subspecialty expertise. It will also create additional

space where physicians can provide an exceptional patient experience, achieve world class outcomes, and train the caregivers of tomorrow. The name of the new women’s tower will be announced at a later date. “In serving our community for 120 years, Ascension Seton is committed to creating an experience that is designed for and by women. This expansion enables us to deliver personalized and compassionate care for our patients and creates the best place to practice medicine for our physician partners,” said Andy Davis, President and CEO of Ascension Texas. “Ascension Seton will continue to focus on ways to meet the needs and expectations of our community and be a destination for high quality, individualized women’s services in

Central Texas.” Development of new women’s tower The new, comprehensive women’s tower will be located on the south side of the Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin campus, on the corner of 34th Street and Medical Parkway. Totaling 282,000 square feet, the tower will feature: • patient-centered design with the addition of 28 inpatient beds for women’s clinical services • capacity for approximately 7,500 deliveries • private Neonatal Intensive Care Unit rooms • C-section suites • areas for minimally invasive gynecologic surgeries

• •

expanded antepartum space dedicated OB-GYN emergency department • teaching and learning center • growth for other women’s services, including urogynecology, gynecologic oncology, breast diagnostics and surgery • additional parking Community investment and partnership remains vital to growth at Ascension Seton. A philanthropic effort to support the expansion of women’s health services at Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin will be launched in the fall of 2022. Construction on the new women’s tower will begin in fall 2022, and the tower is expected to open in fall 2024.

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New Dell Med Dual-Degree Program Brings Humanities Focus to Medical Education

s part of its groundbreaking Leading EDGE curriculum, Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin will offer its students a new dual-degree master’s program in humanities, health and medicine in collaboration with the university’s College of Liberal Arts. The humanities-focused dual degree—one of eight now offered by Dell Med—is designed to produce physician leaders who bring humanistic knowledge, skills and frameworks to their work caring for patients, collaborating with other health professionals and addressing challenges and opportunities within the health system. According to designers of the curriculum—a team led by Phillip Barrish, professor of English and associate director for health and humanities at the University of Texas Humanities Institute—the Master of Humanities, Health and Medicine is founded on the premise that the methods and substance of

the humanities and arts have the power to transform health and health care for all by enhancing human connections; deepening capacity for empathy, self-reflection and creativity; and improving understanding of the cultural, historical and social contexts in which health, illness and care occur. “This dual-degree opportunity reflects growing appreciation that exposure to the humanities in medical education helps physicians in all kinds of ways, including becoming more empathic and supporting their ability to relate to and communicate with patients beyond their disease processes,” said Beth Nelson, M.D., Dell Med’s associate dean of undergraduate medical education and interim chair of medical education. “For those of us in medicine, a connection to the arts and humanities offers a broader perception and potential for improving overall wellness.” Dell Med students are able to pursue dual degrees during their

third year, or Growth Year, which differentiates the school’s curriculum by allowing students to individualize their experience in Innovation, Leadership and Discovery. Dell Med’s dual-degree programs are structured to allow students to earn both degrees simultaneously in approximately four academic years. This new program will officially open to medical students in fall 2022. “The inherently interdisciplinary nature of the health humanities and the flexibility of the degree program

means that medical students will be able to draw on the expertise of faculty from departments across the College of Liberal Arts and beyond,” said Barrish. “Students can choose to develop a concentration in fields such as disability studies, medicine and narrative, the history of medicine, health communication, culture and health, and health equity, among others.”

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Age Well, Live Well Taking Care of Your Heart By Chelsea Couch Texercise Program Coordinator

ebruary is American Heart Month, which is a great time to learn about how to keep your heart healthy. People 65 and older are much more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke and to develop coronary heart disease than younger people. The good news is there are things you can do to keep your heart healthy. Nutrition is an important part of heart health. The American Heart Association recommends a diet with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, healthy sources of protein, minimally processed foods, and minimal salt and sugar intake. To make shopping for heart healthy foods easier, look for the heart check (red heart with white checkmark) on food items. This represents the food has been certified by AHA as heart healthy. Visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate website (myplate.gov) for more healthy eating recommendations for healthy aging. Engaging in regular physical activity is another lifestyle behavior

important for heart health. The U.S. Health and Human Services Physical Activity Guidelines recommend older adults get at least 150 minutes (30 minutes per day, five days per week) of moderate physical activity. Regular cardio-based physical activity can improve the heart’s blood flow in the small vessels around it, where fatty deposits can cause blockages over time. The Texas Health and Human Services Texercise initiative has a variety of free resources that engage older Texans in healthy lifestyle behaviors, including physical activity and healthy eating habits. Texercise provides a variety of fact sheets highlighting topics such as sodium reduction, keeping fitness fun, tobacco cessation, etc. as well as four exercise videos that older Texans can follow along with at home. Visit www.texercise.com to learn more. Other preventive behaviors that can assist in keeping your heart healthy include: • Quitting and avoiding tobacco products (smoking, vaping, etc.) • Practicing stress reduction strategies (taking slow deep breaths, go for a walk, practicing mindfulness, etc.)

•

Getting adequate sleep (7–8 hours per night) • Getting regular checkups with your primary care provider HHS has other resources to support older Texans with healthy aging, including: • The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program assists people with buying the food they need for good health. To learn more about SNAP, visit yourtexasbenefits.com. • Area Agencies on Aging provide older adults, their families and

•

caregivers with nutrition services, like home and congregate meals as well as evidence-based fitness programs. To connect with the nearest AAA call Texas HHS at 800-252-9240. Aging and Disability Resource Centers are part of the No Wrong Door System and help streamline access to long-term services and support for the whole family. To learn more, call Texas HHS at 855-937-2372.

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St. David’s HealthCare Announces HCA Healthcare Foundation’s $250,000 Grant to Central Texas Allied Health Institute

t. David’s HealthCare announced today that the HCA Healthcare Foundation has awarded a $250,000 grant to Central Texas Allied Health Institute to support student success. The funding is part of the HCA Healthcare Foundation’s Healthier Tomorrow Fund, a $75-million community impact fund announced this year that is designed to support innovative initiatives focused on addressing high-priority community needs and health equity. St. David’s HealthCare is a partnership between HCA Healthcare, St. David’s Foundation and Georgetown Health Foundation. “We are committed to investing in our community,” David Huffstutler, president and chief executive officer of St. David’s HealthCare, said. “St. David’s HealthCare is proud to announce this grant from our national hospital managing partner, HCA

Healthcare, to the Central Texas Allied Health Institute to offer clinical training and support to students during this phase of their education, helping to create affordable, higher education in the allied health fields.” Central Texas Allied Health Institute aims to provide vulnerable communities with access to a world-class quality education in the areas of allied health at an affordable price. The 18-month grant will help fund a new initiative called “Pathways out of Poverty into Health Careers in Central Texas.” This project provides stipends to students during the clinical portion of their program to help cover living expenses so they can participate in the full-time externship necessary to complete the program. During the clinical portion of the course, students are expected to serve a full-time schedule, often eliminating the ability

to work. “Financial stress is a common barrier to obtaining higher education among the vulnerable populations we serve,” Dr. Jereka Thomas-Hockaday, chief academic officer and dean of specialty programs at the Central Texas Allied Health Institute, said. “This funding will be used to provide extensive wraparound services to students to help alleviate external financial stressors.” Funding the Healthier Tomorrow Fund at the HCA Healthcare Foundation is one example of the many ways HCA Healthcare is making a positive impact in the communities it serves. In 2020, HCA Healthcare provided charity care, uninsured discounts and other uncompensated

care at a cost of more than $3.4 billion and incurred $4.1 billion in federal, state and local taxes. Additionally, HCA Healthcare continues to invest in the ongoing education and development of its colleagues and, as an enterprise, contributed $45 million to community organizations in 2020. “HCA Healthcare colleagues are driven by our mission to care for and improve human life,” said Joanne Pulles, president of the HCA Healthcare Foundation. “That mission extends outside the walls of our facilities and into our communities. Partnering with other organizations has always allowed us to unlock possibilities for improving health and well-being.” 

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Study Shows Safety of Mix-And-Match COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dosing

study co-led by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine Houston TX found that in adults who previously received a full regimen of any COVID-19 vaccine granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) or Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, a booster of one of these vaccines was safe and prompted an immune response. The preliminary clinical trial results were published today in The New England Journal of Medicine. The study, led by the Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Consortium and sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, looked at 458 adult volunteers who had previously been fully vaccinated with one of the three COVID-19 vaccines under EUA at least 12 weeks prior to enrollment. Volunteers had no reported history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The Johnson & Johnson booster was given to 150 volunteers, 154 received a booster of the Moderna vaccine and another 154 a booster of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. “The goal of this study was to

determine whether the individuals would produce an immune response from the booster dose and to assess the safety of such a booster,” said Dr. Robert Atmar, professor of infectious diseases at Baylor and co-principal investigator of the national trial. The study showed that 15 days after the booster vaccination, the antibody levels increased in individuals in all three study groups and leveled off by day 29. Individuals who received a booster from a different manufacturer than their initial vaccine elicited a similar or higher immune response as compared to those who received the vaccine and booster from the same manufacturer. Additionally, T cell responses were measured to understand the kinds of responses induced by the booster. Cellular CD4 Th1 responses directed against the spike protein increased in all groups except volunteers who received a single dose of Johnson & Johnson followed by a booster of Johnson & Johnson. However, CD8 T cell responses were more durable in Johnson & Johnson recipients and those who

received an mRNA primary series followed by Johnson & Johnson boost. There were no serious vaccine-related adverse events reported. “This study shows us that all of the booster vaccines studied induced immune responses, regardless of the type of vaccine an individual had

received originally, and we did not identify any concerns associated with a mix-and-match approach,” Atmar said. Researchers will continue to monitor the volunteers for one year to understand what impact a booster dose of the vaccine will have on long-term immune responses.

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Austin Medical Times

Heart Attack

Continued from page 1 maintaining high cardiovascular health from birth – called primordial prevention – should be the new foundation of cardiovascular health. “Primordial prevention is the only way for us to break the current

stagnation and re-invigorate the decline in cardiovascular events and deaths,” Lloyd-Jones said. “It means we don’t just try to prevent disease by modifying risk factors; we also try to prevent the development of risk factors

in the first place.”

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Legal Matters

Continued from page 3 companies comply. Under the Guidance, by January 27, 2022, facilities must have: • Policies and procedures in place to ensure that all facility staff, regardless of clinical responsibility or patient or resident contact are vaccinated for COVID-19; and • 100% of staff have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, or have a pending request for, or have been granted qualifying exemption, or identified as having a temporary delay as recommended by the CDC. A facility that is above 80% and has a plan to achieve a 100% staff vaccination rate by February 28, 2022 would not be subject to additional enforcement action. Facilities that do not meet these parameters could be subject to additional enforcement

actions depending on the severity of the deficiency and the type of facility (e.g., plans of correction, civil monetary penalties, denial of payment, termination, etc.). By February 28, 2022, covered facilities must have: • Policies and procedures in place to ensure that all facility staff, regardless of clinical responsibility or patient or resident contact are vaccinated for COVID-19; and • 100% of staff have received the necessary doses to complete the vaccine series (i.e., one dose of a single-dose vaccine or all doses of a multiple-dose vaccine series), or have been granted a qualifying exemption, or identified as having a temporary delay as recommended by the CDC, A facility that is above 90%

and has a plan to achieve a 100% staff vaccination rate within 30 days would not be subject to additional enforcement action. Facilities that do not meet these parameters could be subject to additional enforcement actions depending on the severity of the deficiency and the type of facility (e.g., plans of correction, civil monetary penalties, denial of payment, termination, etc.). Finally, facilities failing to maintain compliance with the 100% standard by March 28, 2022 may be subject to enforcement action. 

to care for your emotional well-being every day and invite others alongside you to lend their support during your cancer journey. Kendra Burke, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker at Texas Oncology–Deke Slayton Cancer Center, Houston Memorial City, Katy, and Sugar Land. A patient’s care team at Texas Oncology includes licensed clinical social workers, who are mental health professionals that assist with a wide range of issues related to oncology care. They provide emotional support through individual counseling and

support groups and help connect patients to services and resources in their community such as disability services, supplemental Medicaid programs, and medication assistance programs. For more information, visit TexasOncology.com.

Oncology Research Continued from page 4 difficult to get out of bed or do normal daily tasks for several days in a row, it’s time to seek help. Get the support you deserve. Sometimes our own best efforts to protect our mental health are not enough. Mental health conditions like anxiety or depression can be treated in several ways, including talk therapy and medication. Reach out to your healthcare provider to discuss how you’re feeling and build a plan together to treat your symptoms. It takes courage to prioritize your mental health. But there’s no time like the present to make a commitment

February 2022

Published by Texas Healthcare Media Group Inc.

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Distribution Brad Jander Accounting Liz Thachar Office: 512-203-3987 For Advertising advertising@ medicaltimesnews.com Editor editor@medicaltimesnews.com

Austin Medical Times is Published by Texas Healthcare Media Group, Inc. All content in this publication is copyrighted by Texas Healthcare Media Group, and should not be reproduced in part or at whole without written consent from the Editor. Austin Medical Times reserves the right to edit all submissions and assumes no responsibility for solicited or unsolicited manuscripts. All submissions sent to Austin Medical Times are considered property and are to distribute for publication and copyright purposes. Austin Medical Times is published every month P.O. Box 57430 Webster, TX 77598-7430

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Page 15

GET BACK INTO THE GROOVE WITH THESE TIPS MOVE TO THE GROOVE FOR MENTAL WELL-BEING

TAKE CENTER STAGE FOR WOMEN’S HEART HEALTH Wear red and give to help women create the healthy habits they need to have their best chance at life

One of the keys to better health and mental well-being is getting back into the rhythm of an active lifestyle.

Give now.

Start today.

STAY ON BEAT WITH YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE Self-measure and manage your blood pressure to prevent strokes and heart attacks.

Know your numbers.

LEARN HOW TO 2-STEP Hands-Only CPR is a two step process that may save someone after cardiac arrest.

Learn the steps.

DON’T MISS A BEAT. GIVE UP TOBACCO & VAPING. Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States.

Quit today.

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February 2022

Austin Medical Times

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