San Antonio Woman Magazine July/August 2023

July/August 2023

PEGGY EIGHMY

First Lady, The University of Texas San Antonio

REINVENTING RETIREMENT! WOMEN IN LAW

FINANCIAL ADVISORS

EDUCATION UPDATE

TO YOUR HEALTH: GYNECOLOGIC CANCERS

Trailblazing life-changing therapies and treatments.

As the largest academic research institution in South Texas, we use the power of discovery, innovation and passion to transfor m the health of our community.

See how we translate what we learn in our labs into hope and the best outcomes for those we serve at EverythingItTakes.org.

a classic collaborative

At Copenhagen, we pride ourselves on our carefully curated collection of unique products for both home and office. Our new Marco sofa is the result of a thoughtful design collaboration between Copenhagen’s key buyers and the talented designers at Incanto of Italy. Our design is based in classic simplicity with a strong focus on comfort, quality craftsmanship and responsible value. Sink into the extra deep seats and let the high back support your shoulders. Enjoy the luxurious, extra thick natural leather. Blackened nickel metal accents on the sides of each arm add a touch of style. Marco’s generous proportions, durable leather cover and outstanding comfort are sure to please for years to come, while the “back to basics” design makes this the perfect sofa series for nearly any environment. Available from stock in either dark or light grey (shown)

Sofa: 92” x 43” x 37”h $3995 Chair: 42” x 43” x 37”h $3295 (priced in grade 15 leather) Matching loveseat and ottoman also available

14 Cover Story

Combining a belief in the value of a college education with a commitment to impact others, Peggy Eighmy is helping those in foster care pursue better futures through college.

19 Feature

SATX changemakers Lainey Berkus, Estela Avery, and Sylvia Rodriguez are reshaping the retirement landscape.

24 Guy to Know

Jack Tsai, Dean of UT Health Houston School of Public Health, San Antonio

26 What’s in Your Bag

Artist, Designer, Professor, Mom… Analy Diego shares how her stylish and colorful collection of bags help her juggle all of her jobs.

Introducing CHRISTUS Children’s.

Same amazing care. Brand new name.

The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio is now CHRISTUS Children’s. Why? Because we’re the first and only San Antonio hospital built just for kids and expectant moms, but we’re so much more than a hospital. Our care extends far past the city limits and we are part of a world-class healthcare network. Our new name better represents who we are and the purpose we pursue every day. Same hope. Same healing. New name.

Welcome to CHRISTUS Children’s.

CHRISTUSchildrens.org

Lane, Age 3 Cancer Survivor

Your children. Your family. Our purpose.

C O N T R I B U T O R S

Suzanne Pack Photographer

David Teran Photographer

Bill Murphy, MD Writer

Linda Ratner, RN, MBA Writer

Dawn Robinette Writer

Paul J. Watkins Writer

Janis Turk Writer

Welcome back to the latest issue, filled with stories of remarkable women making the most of life! Our diverse and vibrant city is reflected in the many women I have the privilege of getting to know through my work as Editor, and I am honored to share these stories with you in each issue.

Our cover woman, Peggy Eighmy, is passionate about giving kids in foster care the support and inspiration needed to pursue higher education. Because of her efforts, along with the help of many others, UTSA is the first university in the country to develop a program to offer housing and support services for students with a history of foster care. Peggy brings her warmth and energy to every part of her life; I know you will love getting to know the First Lady of UTSA!

Talk about energy - the three fabulous women in our “Reinventing Retirement” feature hit the gas once they retired from their careers. Get ready to be motivated to rethink “what’s next?” through a new, sunny perspective.

As always, I hope you enjoy the stories and ideas in this issue and are inspired to live a life of passion and impact!

Cheers! Cathleen

Cathleen Lane Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

sawoman.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Cathleen Lane cathleen@sawoman.com

DIRECTOR OF SALES & PARTNERSHIPS

Dale Lane dale@sawoman.com

ADVERTISING SALES

Cindy Jennings cindy@sawoman.com

WRITERS

Cover: Dawn Robinette

Bill Murphy, MD, Linda Ratner, RN MBA, Jacey Blue Renner, Dawn Robinette, Janis Turk, Paul J. Watkins

PHOTOGRAPHY

Cover: David Teran Suzanne Pack, David Teran

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On the cover:

Photography by David Teran Dress from Julian Gold

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San Antonio Woman is published bimonthly by Las Tres Muchachas Enterprises (Publisher). Reproduction in any manner in whole or part is prohibited without the express written consent of the Publisher. Material contained herein does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher or its staff. San Antonio Woman reserves the right to edit all materials for clarity and space and assumes no responsibility for accuracy, errors or omissions. San Antonio Woman does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertisements or editorial, nor does the Publisher assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. Articles and photographs are welcome and may be submitted to our offices to be used subject to the discretion and review of the Publisher. All real estate advertising is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Printed in the U.S.A.

Peggy Eighmy

First Lady, The University of Texas at San Antonio

Fostering Children to Brighter Futures

By Dawn Robinette APR | Photography by David Teran

Most people don’t equate Boston to San Antonio, but to Peggy Eighmy, First Lady of The University of Texas at San Antonio, her hometown and the Alamo City have a lot in common.

“I grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts. There are elements of San Antonio that remind me of Boston – a sense of history being so much a part of the environment, both literally from the buildings, the Old North Church, the Alamo, the missions, where Washington took control of the troops – history is very much present and visceral. The rich history, historical buildings and monuments –it’s really what resonates for me, as does the diversity of the community. I know it may sound strange, but it reminds me of home,” she explains.

She senses it in San Antonio’s attitude as well. “There is a unique spirit of openness to new ideas and cooperation here. That absolutely permeates Boston. Whether it’s the tech industry, biotech or medicine and higher education, it’s a place where different ways of thinking are welcomed.”

Eighmy and her husband, Taylor, President of The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), have called San Antonio home since 2017. San Antonio’s openness and willingness to try new efforts is what sparked Eighmy to work with local and state leaders to launch the Bexar County Fostering Educational Success (BCFES) Pilot Project. Funded by the Texas Legislature, BCFES works to improve college enrollment, retention and graduation rates for students with a history of foster care. The program also works to increase the number of children in foster care who understand that attending college is achievable and expected – and to help them be academically and emotionally prepared to successfully navigate college.

“Research tells us that a college degree is associated with better health, a longer life and a higher income. Yet less than 3% of young people who have been in foster care will graduate from college. They are overrepresented in the homeless and incarcerated populations and

experience trauma, mental health problems and substance abuse at high levels,” she explains. “I believe higher education can break an intergenerational cycle of poverty and involvement with the child welfare system. And for young people who are in foster care, no one may have told them they can go to college. No one has shown them what the value of a college education means in every sense of the word. I’m not talking just about your career. I’m talking about community. I’m talking about what it means for your own intellectual life – all those things no one has told them – and no one’s helped them get there.”

For the first time, partners across child welfare, the Children’s Court, and two- and four-year colleges in Bexar County are working together for the common goal of improving educational outcomes for foster care alumni and children still in foster care. “I believe that we must make children in foster care aware of the potential of college as early as possible, set the expectation that they can and will go to college, and then we must create pathways that give them the support they need to graduate high school and enroll in college.”

The BCFES Project has served more than 500 foster care alumni enrolled at UTSA, Texas A&M-San Antonio and the Alamo Colleges, and provided pre-college programming to over 225 youth still in foster care. “I believe public universities can be catalysts for change and have a critical role to play in helping young people with experience in foster care reach their highest potential. We must engage and work with child welfare systems and K-12 schools long before these students reach a college campus. I am so proud UTSA is doing exactly that.”

“While youth with a history of foster care have unique challenges and needs, I believe they also have incredible strengths like self-reliance, fortitude and problemsolving skills that, when recognized and leveraged, position them well for success in college.”

UTSA is the first university in the country to develop and receive funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for a housing and supportive services program for students with a history of foster care who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The program builds on existing campus-based and community resources to provide housing, assistance with rent and utility deposits, childcare, mental health services, legal services and life skill development.

And it’s working: There was a 55% increase in enrollment at UTSA of students with a history of foster care from 2019 to 2022.

Eighmy’s drive to help foster children began when she started her career in child welfare in Massachusetts. She’s worked as an advocate for children in foster care, and later as an investigator for child abuse and neglect cases, then as both a volunteer and a staff member with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates).

The children and young adults she meets through her work in foster care fuel her to do more. “They are among the most resilient, courageous and hopeful people I know. The young people who age out of foster care – can you imagine yourself at 18 without a

family or safety net? Despite all the obstacles thrown in their way and the sorrow and trauma endured, to still see the possibility of a better life and go for it. There is extraordinary grace and courage in that, and real power, too. To be the person in your family who breaks the often-intergenerational cycle of poverty and involvement with the foster care system – they inspire me every day.”

She takes her role as UTSA’s First Lady to heart, bleeding blue and orange like every good Roadrunner. “Taylor often says he has the best job in San Antonio. But with all due respect to him, I think I do,” she exclaims.

“Taylor and I have been at four different public universities, and there is something very special about UTSA that we didn’t experience elsewhere. I believe it is our students. Nearly 50% of them are first-generation college students. Most work – many full-time – while attending college full-time. They do not take going to college for granted. They are purposeful and very hard-working. As a First Gen student myself, that really resonates with me.”

Eighmy is also a first-generation American, something she shares with many Roadrunners. “My mother came

to this country from County Cork in Ireland in 1947. Ireland was a very poor country at the time. My mother was introverted, afraid, and very sad about leaving home. But she came to the United States, embodying the American Dream. She worked as a maid to support her family in Ireland. My dad was the child of Irish immigrants. They taught my brothers and sisters and me to be proud of our Irishness, to work hard, to be financially self-sufficient, to give to others, no matter how small, and that family always came first.

“Neither of my parents went to college, but they set an expectation very early on that all of us would go, and they held us accountable along the way. There were eight of us, and we put ourselves through college. I wouldn’t have been able to afford college without my public university, the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. So, I have a very personal and deep belief in the value of public higher education. I wouldn’t be where I am without my parents, my siblings, or my college degree.

“I really enjoy when I tell students that I am myself a first-gen student and that I’m a first-gen American because they just don’t anticipate that that would be the case.”

Her love of UTSA is only surpassed by her love of her new granddaughter, Maeve. “We became grandparents for the first time last year. Everyone tells you how extraordinary it is. But words don’t do it justice. I hadn’t imagined how profound it is to watch your own child parent, and we take such joy in every little thing Maeve does.”

She follows and gives advice she has taken from the writer Anne Lamott. “She said, ‘My mind is like a bad neighborhood. I try not to go there alone.’ That really resonated with me as a woman and as a mother. Women and girls can be so very hard on themselves, and our negative thinking can spiral. You need the perspective of someone else who sees you as you truly are, loves you, and who can just be with you when times are challenging or sorrowful.

“Be open to new ideas and experiences,” she urges. “I moved out of New England for the first time at age 43. Doing so has made an enormous impact on my life, personally and professionally. Without being in San Antonio, I never would have had the opportunity to start a program like the Bexar County Fostering Educational Success Project. It is my life’s work. I would have missed it had I stayed in New England.

“No matter how small or how great, if you can impact another human being’s life in a positive way, do it. You will never regret doing so.”

“No matter how small or how great, if you can impact another human being’s life in a positive way, do it. You will never regret doing so.”

Reinventing Retirement

SA Women Changing the Retirement Landscape

After taking a step back from hugely successful and dynamic careers, Lainey Berkus, Estela Avery, and Sylvia Rodriguez are reinventing retirement poetics, all while continuing to bring their philanthropic color and grace to the SATX community.

By Jacey Blue Renner | Photography by Suzanne Pack

Lainey Berkus

“I dream in color. I always have,” Lainey Berkus leans in to tell me as we chat over coffee at Bilia Eatery in Castle Hills. And it’s no wonder, as this former CE Group Co-Founder has already inspired my future fashion choices. Arriving in her Nirvana sweatshirt and complimentary yellow and black accessories (to include ever-fabulous oversized black glasses), I can’t help but feel the idea of reinvention immediately impressed upon me. “I am positive; I am happy. I don’t wonder how to fill my days. I am always open to what comes next.”

Having semi-retired ten years ago, Lainey still takes on a small batch of consulting clients, including Don Strange of Texas, Merit Coffee, the Las Casas Foundation, the Ambassador Group, and more. Known across the San Antonio community for her memorably edgy creative campaigns (to include an upside-down Christmas tree/telescope) throughout her storied PR career, Lainey is shifting conventional conversations about retirement as she reinvents the landscape. “I retired because I had a wakeup call. Time is priceless”.

After 35 years fully immersed in the PR and media relations world, she’s leaned into her love of art, hiring a McNay tutor and studying art for two years. “The first thing I did once I retired was hire a tutor and studied my passion—The Arts—I loved that and learned so much.” Her personal collection, which includes art pieces often collected on travels with her husband as micro-memories, now spans over 300 pieces. During COVID, surrounded by her

collection, her art served as both catharsis and a way to keep her heart lifted during lockdown.

Lainey’s love of the arts has continued to expand her love of nonprofits and community building, preferring to work with nonprofits that are part of her retirement mission, especially those which help children. She’s taken on leadership roles within Say Si, the McNay Contemporary Arts Group, Les Dames d’Escoffier and UTSA Special Collections. “I never had time to do that before,” she says. “I get to do things I always hoped to do.”

Most surprising might be her newest passion, gardening, which has truly allowed her to embrace outdoor spaces, local nurseries and parks, and the peace and creative arts which come from garden design itself. “At 73 years young, I can look back at my kaleidoscope life, and I know who I am. By evolving and reinventing myself, I see the world more clearly, and that inspires me to make a difference in my unique way—just on a smaller scale. I’ve only just begun. Most importantly, I’m a mom, wife, and hands-on MeMe for nine grandkids. My glass isn’t half-full; it’s overflowing.”

Estela Avery

Like Lainey, Philanthropist Estela Avery, Retired Registered nurse and former Executive Director of the San Antonio River Foundation, made a similar decision to retire earlier than anticipated. Facing health challenges of her own and the declining health of her husband, jewelry designer James Avery, Estela felt the need to “just take a break” so she could prioritize the health of herself and her family. After the passing of her husband in 2018, she became increasingly involved with The Grace Center in Fredericksburg.

“I feel very lucky to have gotten the call to be one of the founding members. We are going to help individuals who are in desperate need.” As current President of The Grace Center Board of Directors, Estela has been essential in the construction completion of the center’s shelter for victims of domestic violence. Having recently finished an incredibly successful capital campaign, when doors to the new building open in Gillespie County, The Grace Center will be able to accommodate 36 occupants, including their children and pets, and fill an immense need. “I am a big believer in philanthropy. I am very blessed in so many different ways. It is important,” Estela notes.

Fueled by her immense love of the outdoors, Estela is serving for a second time on the board of the National Parks Conservation Association. “Each one is so majestic; we have to keep fighting for these spaces and these treasures. Each one is so unique and so beautiful.” Esteala has also served

on Hallmark University’s board and continues to support the institution with a scholarship in Mr. Avery’s name. “Volunteering and serving the community is very important. I really get a lot of joy from being involved,” she says.

Reading a really great book, family life with her nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren through her marriage to James, and adventuring with her daughters across continents and unique experiences in Africa and Singapore keep her open-minded to the full joy of life experiences. Working in her yard, and playing with plants as she splits time between her ranch in Fredericksburg and home in San Antonio, keep Estela actively enjoying and embracing the Texas sunshine.

On how Estela best navigates her retirement landscape: “For me, it’s the beginning of another chapter that will be different. Life is a journey. Make it a good one. Stay open to learning and keep on learning no matter what.”

Sylvia Rodriguez

On April 16th Sylvia Rodgriguez participated in the L’Étape by Tour de France, a 60-mile bike ride. An avid cyclist and champion fundraiser for the National MS Society, Sylvia has been cycling with Valero’s official cycling team, Velo Valero, for the last 22 years. “It’s a part of my life. It’s just very enjoyable,” she says. “The camaraderie is just very special.” In addition to L’Étape, Sylvia rides 100+ miles each October; Bike MS: Valero Ride to the River. In 2019, Sylvia was inducted into the MS Society’s Fundraising Hall of Fame, having raised over $50,000 for the charity. She rides for a cause, for the exercise, and for enjoying the outdoors with other cycling enthusiasts who ride 2-3 times a week.

Intending to continue working until 2023, this San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame inductee, Sylvia retired from Valero in 2020 after 28 years of service, serving as Director of the Valero Energy Foundation for 12 years. When the pandemic hit, Sylvia chose to retire early and hasn’t looked back (except to see how her cycling teammates are faring). Instead, she’s using her time to support community organizations. “It was a blessing in disguise,” she remembers.

In addition to Velo Valero, Sylvia also volunteers with the Valero Vanguards, a group of about 7080 Valero retirees who supplement nonprofits around the community during working hours on behalf of Valero. Working on special projects year-round, Sylvia volunteered as part of a pre-k picnic day in an underserved school this morning. Sylvia also serves on the board of the San Antonio Women’s Chamber helping raise scholarship funds for nontraditional female students. “To those

who have been given much, much is expected,” she quotes from the Book of Luke, highlighting the importance of sharing our gifts with others to make our community better.

Currently in her 10th year on the board of the San Antonio Parks Foundation, Sylvia effuses nature. “I love to work with plants,” she mentions, volunteering at her church to water plants and care for the hedges. “There’s just something about being outdoors,” she says. Both Sylvia and her husband love primitive camping, often at Big Bend Ranch State Park, spending time hiking the incredible landscape by day, stargazing by night and enjoying wonderful meals cooked over an open flame.

“Stay active as much as you can, whether it is through exercise, spending time with grandchildren or volunteering occasionally. You’ll see how impactful it is, not just for the nonprofit you’re helping but for yourself. You can make a real difference by sharing your knowledge in a variety of meaningful ways. I do things that I love to do, but I share my blessings. It’s important that I share my blessings.”

Another great year for Impact San Antonio and our community!

Thanks to the generosity of our members and friends, Impact SA will award five $100,000 grants to nonprofits in our community again this year. Our five grant review committees –one for each of our focus areas – are hard at work going through numerous applications to determine the 10 finalists that will be announced in September. Members then will vote for their choice in each focus area, and the top five will be announced at Grant Award Night on October 23. Stay tuned! impactsanantonio.org Follow us on: in

Jack Tsai Dean of UT Health Houston School of Public Health, San Antonio

By Jennifer Norris | Photography by David Teran

It’s hard to imagine a more challenging month in recent memory for a leader to take over a public health campus than March of 2020, but that’s exactly what Dr. Jack Tsai did when he became dean of UTHealth Houston School of Public Health’s San Antonio location.

It was a hit-the-ground-running kind of experience for Tsai. “I was both excited and stressed to take on my role as our generation’s largest public health event unfolded,” he said. “I had to learn quickly, and my resilience and the resilience of the school, as well as the City of San Antonio, was tested. I was very grateful for the collaboration we had with Metro Health during that time, and our faculty worked with various community agencies and companies to confront the pandemic. So, it was a time in which there was great public health concern, but we also all came together to take it on.”

Tsai came to Texas by way of Connecticut after working as a professor at Yale for 10 years. UTHealth Houston School of Public Health offers graduate degrees in various public health disciplines. Tsai and his team are located in the heart of the San Antonio Medical Center.

It’s been more than three years since Tsai came to San Antonio, and despite the pandemic restrictions of the first few years, he’s learned a lot about his new hometown, including discovering a love for local barbecue spots.

Tsai said moving to San Antonio was a deliberate choice because he was ready for a larger city that still had that small-town feel and because he fell in love with the city. “When I visited San Antonio, I just really loved it,” Tsai said. “I love the culture of the city; it’s good for families, and the people are down to earth.”

Living closer to the woman he would eventually marry was also a big part of what brought Tsai to the Alamo City. Recently, Tsai tied the knot with Dr. Vanessa Schick, a fellow faculty member at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health.

Tsai said he and Schick have enjoyed exploring all the smaller towns around San Antonio and in the Hill Country, including the Frio River and Concan. Tsai likes the easy access to nature, lakes, and rivers around San Antonio, and enjoys spending time outdoors, but he said the closest he’ll get to sleeping under the Texas stars is glamping.

Where did you live before San Antonio?

I was born in Taiwan, so I’m an immigrant. I moved to California at the age of four for my dad’s job and returned to Taiwan when I was 15 and completed high school there. I returned to the U.S. for college, earned my PhD in clinical psychology from Purdue University, and went on to work at Yale. My parents still live in Taiwan, and I can still speak basic Mandarin, the official language of Taiwan.

How did you end up working in public health?

I’ve always been interested in understanding severe mental illness. When I was in second grade, a friend’s mom had a psychotic disorder - she murdered her two kids, and one of them was a classmate of mine. I was bewildered by this severe mental illness, trying to understand why this would happen, so I think that sparked something early on in my life. Now, I’m a licensed psychologist, and I’m interested in helping people with severe mental illness function in the world. So, I started researching solutions for housing people with mental illness, which led to a passion for public health work.

Is this your dream job?

I’m at a stage of life where I don’t think about a dream job. You should love what you’re doing instead of always looking for the next thing. I’m doing what I love, but it’s important to love what you do. The unique thing about my job is that it’s different every day. I’m always meeting new people, discovering new problems and solutions, and researching new topics.

Favorite local spots in San Antonio?

I really like barbecue, especially brisket. A couple of places I go to often are The County Line BBQ and Pinkerton’s Barbecue downtown.

What do you love about being a dean?

I love this job because we have a small campus. Here, I can work closely with people every day and work on things that impact the local community. I love the staff here; they’re very dedicated, and lots of them grew up in San Antonio, and the faculty as well. It feels like one big family.

What’s one thing you would want the public to understanxd about public health?

Public health encompasses every area of life. It affects the everyday person in everyday life, whether it’s the air you breathe, the roads you walk on, the schools your kids go to, where you eat, where you work, what your work setting is like – public health affects every aspect of every day. I look forward to tackling new problems. It can be easy in my role to get discouraged about all the problems, but if you see them as puzzles to solve, that makes it motivating. And that’s the ultimate goal of public health – we’re trying to solve puzzles.

Your work is all about health, but what’s one unhealthy thing you love?

I love binge-watching TV shows. My favorite shows of all time are Seinfeld and The Sopranos. Recently, Vanessa and I have been watching The Tudors, which has been a fascinating historical drama.

Bag? What’s in your

Analy Diego

By Lainey Berkus

Photography by David Teran

How many of us choose a handbag thinking about balance, emphasis, repetition, pattern movement, line, shape, structure, fabric, texture, color, space, construction, durability?

Analy Diego, my fascinating, talented and super cool friend considered all of these elements when she came to this interview wearing her Gucci limited edition Disney Mickey Mouse tote.

This large bag is crafted from the brands supreme tan canvas trimmed with textured leather, with the repeated signature Mickey Mouse on both sides. It features two round comfortable handles, both wide with a good length. The big open center has a slip and zipper pocket, gold hardware and a matching Mickey clutch.

“I’ve always been inspired by Walt Disney — his perseverance, talent, ambition and most importantly, how he was able to turn something that most people consider unattractive (a mouse) into the iconic character that EVERYONE knows today (one that transcends all language and cultural barriers) is something that always reminds me that everything is possible if you work hard and believe in your potential.”.

Talk about inspiring — Analy truly inspires me. She is a registered interior designer with the State of Texas, a professor and faculty member in the school of architecture at the University of Texas at San Antonio where she teaches Materials and Assemblies and Color Theory courses. Analy is also a well sought after artist. I encourage all readers to go to her must-see shows at An Arte Gallery, where she is exclusively represented. Prices and Petals, Over the Rainbow and Icons are a few of her extraordinary curatorial exhibitions. Did I mention she works on two commission pieces every few months too?Analy is also a mom of two young boys under the age of six and a devoted wife to her husband of twelve years. This woman certainly has an impressive and dedicated work ethic.

Analy admits to changing her bags daily depending on her hectic schedule. Some folks wear a lot of hats, she wears a lot of bags ! Her closet is filled with designer, vintage, novelty, sentimental and big and small satchels that are all comfortable, light weight and hold different items depending on where she is headed — a school carpool, a

construction site, the classroom, the gallery, her art studio, a client meeting or out on the town.

What’s in Your Bag?

My stylish tote is practical and allows me to haul everything I need for the day without breaking my back. The open space holds my pouch with color pens — a different color for every day — so I can keep up with my daily lists. Red and pink are the priority action item colors, sprinkled throughout my lists on any given day.

Other items in the center include a matching Gucci portfolio with slots for credit cards and two open pockets that hold my finish samples that I need at client meetings, my Louis Vuitton coin purse that holds my receipts, my black Surface Pro laptop with an orange keyboard, a yellow and white Pantone lucite card holder, a traditional red and black tape measure, a black digital tape measure, a set of mini colorful nail files in a white lucite holder, an art sketch pad, a wedding invite that I designed, architectural drawings and sometimes a couple of diapers.

Complimenting her tote, is a second bag, a black leather chevron Chanel crossbody with silver embellishments and a double chain strap that turns into a short hand carrier for evening wear. The bag has an open and zip pocket. Contents include an Iphone, lip gloss, keys, blue light eyeglasses and a Chanel black leather holder with gold hardware.

Why is color a key component in choosing your bags and its contents?

Jonathan Adler once said, color is an instant, over the counter antidepressant.

I agree. Color has the power to change the way you look and feel. Color is subjective and there is always something new to learn about it, depending on where it is, how much of it is used, the level of intensity and its purpose.

Analy’s Bag Tips:

The relationship you have with your bag is important. It is a statement about who you are that day. When choosing a bag, think about its practicality. My bag must make my life easier since I am always on the go and usually work on more than one project per day. Consider how it goes with your outfit too.

We All Love Sunshine

By Bill Murphy MD, Medical Director, Turquoise Springs Medical Spa

My favorite poet, Jimmy Buffett, wrote in his song, “Sunshine” the following lyrics: “Sunshine, Can’t get enough sunshine, I’m following the sunshine, Beating down on me. I never even mind the rain, But life’s really driving me insane, Here’s my story, sad but true, Things are better when skies are blue.”

I am at the Cancun airport, at the end of a wonderful week with family in Playa del Carmen, waiting to fly to our home in central Texas. Yes, I love the Riviera Maya, and I love the sun, just like you. I love to play golf, garden, bicycle, watch my grandchildren’s sports events, and float in the pool while listening to music. All are outside and in the sun! The sun is actually good for our health in many ways. Vitamin D, a pro hormone, is made by sunlight and is important for our bone health and for a strong immune system. Sunshine is a direct determinant of mood, with

more depression in places with less sunny days. We love the sun, and if we can’t avoid it, let’s learn how to live with it and enjoy it.

In the short term, the trouble can start in the form of skin irritation or, moderate burn or severe sunburn with blistering of the skin. Long-term damage to skin cells and collagen, with early aging, fine lines, wrinkles, and brown spots can occur. It is also possible to be more susceptible over time to various skin cancers like basal cell, squamous cell, and malignant melanoma.

Sunscreens, sun blockers, and other forms of skin protection are the primary tools to use to avoid trouble. First, choose an excellent sunscreen for face and body. To properly choose, some information about how they work is helpful. The sun produces UVA rays, which cause “Aging” and UVB rays, which cause the skin to “Burn.” A good sunscreen will do its job in two different

ways depending on the ingredients. Some additives “screen” out the UVA and UVB rays by up to 97% if the SPF is 30 or higher. If Zinc oxide or Titanium dioxide, which are “blockers” are present, they deflect the rays away rather than screen them. The screeners and the blockers can be combined very effectively to work together. In years past, sunblock was not popular because it would make skin appear to have a white tint, but modern techniques use micronized formulations in sunscreens and makeup, so this does not happen.

You should select a broad-spectrum sunscreen with agents that effectively block UVA and UVB, with an SPF of more than 30, non-toxic, and water resistant. At Turquoise Springs, our Aqua Marine Sport Body fits these requirements with an SPF of 40 and 7% Zinc oxide. Our Quartz Face and Body Ultralite is SPF 50 with 14.8% Zinc oxide. Mechanical blockers such as umbrellas, palm trees, a floppy hat, long sleeve shirts with UPF (ultraviolet protective fabric), and light breathable fabrics that are cool yet protective are vitally important, too.

Post-sun exposure care is important as well. It is vital to replace hydration, orally to replace fluid loss, and topically to rehydrate the skin. Caring for skin should first include a cool shower, as hot water causes further dehydration. Then, apply a hydrating cream, aloe Vera gel, or a potent hydrating agent like hyaluronic acid gel.

We live in a beautiful part of the country with sunny days the year around, not just in the summer. The professionals at Turquoise Springs are here to help you enjoy the sun while keeping your skin healthy, youthful in appearance, fresh, and “sun-kissed” not sun damaged!

For more information, visit turquoisesprings. com

Squeeze Massage - Alamo Heights

Nicole Wilson

Squeeze Operating Partner

What sets Squeeze apart from other massage therapy businesses?

At Squeeze, extras don’t cost extra! Each massage includes your choice of deep tissue, heat therapy, percussion therapy, and aromatherapy at no additional charge, so what you see is what you pay! Plus, our revolutionary app-based booking platform allows guests to book, set personalized preferences, pay, tip, rate, and review, all at the touch of a button so you can walk in and figuratively float out.

What are you most excited about with your business?

I am most excited to bring “a way better massage experience” to Alamo Heights. The massage industry needed to evolve, and Squeeze has done just that.

I am also excited about being a woman and veteran small business owner, bringing a joyful experience to a community I love.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I joined the Army at 17, worked for the National Security Agency, and speak Korean. I’m a mom of three kids and two Goldendoodles, married to an orthodontist aspiring to be a pro-golfer, and work full time for a real estate investment firm. I’m a Crime Junkie fan and would love to spend my retirement helping to solve cold cases.

What inspired you to open Squeeze?

I am an 11-year Army veteran who spent the rest of my career in corporate America. I was inspired to open Squeeze because I fell in love with the concept of a modern approach to massage and knew Squeeze would be an amazing fit in San Antonio. I also realized that I had spent my life living to work versus working to live. Launching the first Squeeze in Texas allows me to do something I can truly believe in as a part of - “The FeelGood Revolution.”

What’s your favorite thing to do in San Antonio?

I love running the local greenways, eating at local restaurants like Braza Brava and Signature, and I adore food trucks. I love shopping in any capacity, especially our local shops like Feliz Modern. We frequent the San Antonio Zoo, The Witte Museum, and the Dosuem with our children. San Antonio is a big city with a small-town feel.

Inga Cotton, Founder & Executive Director

Education is not a one-size-fits-all scenario. Different children have different learning abilities, different skill sets, and different needs. Fortunately, San Antonio is now home to more than 170 schools of choice. While that is good news, it does present a challenge to families who are trying to determine the right one for their children. Inga Cotton, the founder of San Antonio Charter Moms (SACM), explains that to best appreciate the options, it is important to understand each school’s learning model. STEM, dual language, singlesex, and classical education are just a few of the many options that are available to families seeking alternative educational options for their children.

Cotton, a mother of two, designed San Antonio Charter Moms to be a one-stop-shop for all the information surrounding schools of choice after trying to find a preschool for her autistic son in 2011. Today, this flourishing nonprofit 501(c)(3) is one of the most widely acknowledged sources for fair and accurate educational information. It has grown from a blog to include multiple platforms ranging from social media to digital applications and online discussion groups. Additionally, it has expanded to include educational and entertaining events like School Discovery Days throughout the year.

Through her work, Cotton has emerged as a thought leader and is a frequent speaker, author, panelist, and media contributor on the topics of education advocacy and schools of choice. Her experience as both researcher and parent has given Cotton a unique perspective and first-hand experience that makes her relatable to families from all over the city and helps them make informed decisions. Here, she breaks down the top eight learning models for schools of choice to help you make the most informed decision and find the right fit for your child.

STEM Schools

An acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, STEM schools teach pre-K through high school students advanced concepts through fun, exciting, project-based

learning. The challenging curriculum gives students the skill sets they need and then teaches them how to apply them through engaging, age-appropriate projects like robotics, video-game coding, and science fairs. Through these handson engineering opportunities and abstract computer science programs, students are set up for success not only in college but also in life.

“Data indicates that the high-paying jobs of the future are in the STEM fields, and there are currently not enough graduates to fill them, especially in San Antonio,” says Cotton.

But even if a child doesn’t aspire to be the next Steve Jobs or Elon Musk, there is still much to be gained from the STEM curriculum. Most notably, creative problem-solving and teamwork. These skills are essential in both the STEM program and any workplace environment.

College and Career Readiness Models

Earning college credits while still in high school is a big plus for many students, especially those who may face barriers to enrolling in college. Through these programs, students graduate from high school with approximately two years’ worth of community college credits. They can either take an associate’s degree or transfer to a four-year college and graduate early with less expense.

“These programs are a huge time and money saver,” explains Cotton, adding that they often cater to first-generation college students. “Plus, they look great on a college application because it shows that the student can do the college-level work.”

Similar to the early college models, a broader set of schools offer dual credit classes. These classes earn the student college credits, but they do not add up to an entire associate’s degree. However, Cotton says, they do provide kids with a head start.

Culturally Responsive Schools

San Antonio is one of the most rapidly growing cities in America and one of the most economically segregated. It is a community where at least 64 percent of the population identifies as Latino and six percent as Black or African American, yet data indicates that many schools are still overwhelmingly failing students of color. Culturally responsive schools work to change that by creating learning environments made up primarily of students and teachers of color. Students not only learn about their heritage but they are also made to feel proud of it rather than singled out for it by allowing students of color to see themselves reflected in their school leadership. Like historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), these schools foster a sense of family and belonging while reminding students of color that they can use their experiences to become leaders, hold positions of power, and affect social change.

“These schools allow students to learn without the additional challenges of feeling like the minority or being singled out to speak for their race or culture,” says Cotton. “They aren’t the unicorn in the classroom.”

San Antonio Charter Moms

CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS

PERSONAL TOUR

We would love to provide you with a personal tour.

WARRIOR FOR A DAY:

We invite students applying for grades 3 through 12 to join us on campus to experience a full day in the life of a Warrior.

Call 210-979-9203 or visit sa-ccs.org/shadow-request to schedule a visit.

@CornerstoneChristianSchools

Single Sex Education

Studies have repeatedly shown that boys and girls learn differently. A single-sex educational environment allows teachers to cater to their respective learning styles, thereby boosting the self-esteem of both sexes. Historically, boys have proven to be more vocal in the classroom, often causing the girls to feel less confident about speaking up or assuming leadership roles. Girls, however, often have the advantage when it comes to behavior as they are inclined to sit still and listen longer than boys, who prefer more action-based learning and may cause more interruptions in the classroom. In middle and high school, there is the additional problem of sexual dynamics, which can be a big distraction to the learning process.

“Some students simply learn better with peers of the same gender,” explains Cotton. “Single-sex schools build their entire culture around that idea.”

Functional Needs Schools

As the name suggests, special needs schools serve children who learn differently due to things like dyslexia, autism, hearing impairment, and other challenges. Designed to meet these children where they are, these schools incorporate a curriculum specifically designed to accommodate the needs of differently abled children and help them to feel confident and successful in the classroom. Led by teams of experts who specialize in these and other conditions, students are supported, nurtured, and celebrated for what they can do, not what they cannot.

“Students are given highly personalized, individual attention in these environments,” describes Cotton. “Most have specialists on staff to assist with specific learning issues and to help educators navigate each child’s specific challenges.”

As with any school of choice, knowing when and how the enrollment process works is the key to getting your child into the right school for his or her specific needs. San Antonio Charter Moms has done all the leg work for you. Considered the leading authority for assisting local families in their school search, the nonprofit is designed to help parents and caregivers make informed decisions by providing easy access to extensive school resources such as Facebook discussion groups with over 11K members, online articles, live videos, enrollment guides, podcasts, a school finder app and perhaps the most anticipated and impactful of all, their in-person School Discovery Day Series held annually during enrollment season. The series is the largest of its kind in San Antonio, a school fair event series focused on charter and choice schools in the area. The series kicks off this October and runs through March of 2024. The events are free and open to the public and a huge asset to families trying to make sense of the myriad of great school options in San Antonio.

“We are here to make finding the right school for your child as easy as possible,” assures Cotton. “We have a wealth of resources at your fingertips.”

For more information visit www.sachartermoms.com

St. Mary’s University

DEVELOPING PASSIONATE LEADERS THROUGH SERVICE

At St. Mary’s University, we want to inspire you to grow intellectually and spiritually — to become a servant leader equipped and committed to making the world a better place.

“If I had not gone to St. Mary’s, I would not have thrived the way I am now. The University gave me the opportunity to learn what it means to be in service to others.”

Vanessa Ortega (M.B.A. ’22, J.D. ’23)

Learn more at www.stmarytx.edu

The Catholic and Marianist University

KNOW AND BE KNOWN

Saint Mary’s Hall empowers students by offering a rich curriculum in a supportive environment where they are known – by faculty, each other, and themselves. By the time they graduate, students are armed with knowledge, self-awareness, and the skills they need to thrive in college and in life. Experience Saint Mary’s Hall.

Schedule a tour today by visiting our website at www.smhall.org.

Photography by David Teran

Saint

Does My Kid Need a Hearing Test?

Determining if your child needs a hearing test depends on various factors, including age, developmental milestones, and any concerns regarding hearing and/or speech development. Below is an easy reference guide to determine if your child could benefit from a hearing test.

1. Delayed or unclear speech: If your child is not meeting typical speech and language milestones for their age, a hearing test is recommended.

2. Frequent ear infections: Repeated or persistent ear infections can negatively impact hearing. It is important to monitor the frequency and duration of the infection and discuss it with your pediatrician.

3. Difficulty following instructions: If your child has trouble understanding or following instructions, a hearing evaluation is a good idea.

4. Inattentiveness or behavioral issues: Hearing loss in children can lead to problems with attention and behavior. If you notice these issues, it may be beneficial to rule out hearing loss as a contributing factor.

5. Family history of hearing loss: If there is a known family history of hearing loss or a genetic condition associated with hearing impairment, it is advisable to have your child’s hearing tested.

Keep in mind, you don’t necessarily need a referral from your pediatrician if you feel your child would benefit from a hearing test. Instead, you can reach out to a trusted audiologist in your community. Audiologists are hearing healthcare professionals who are qualified to assess your child’s hearing and, if necessary, will make an appropriate referral for medical care.

Lynn Weirich* is President and co-founder of Business Financial Group (BFG), a human resources consulting firm celebrating its 25-year anniversary. BFG helps business owners manage their back-office responsibilities related to their most important asset: their people. Services include payroll, timekeeping, onboarding, training, HR information systems, personnel practices, employee benefits, retirement plans, and succession and financial planning.

As managing shareholder, Lynn oversees operations, client service and compliance. She directly consults with group benefits and retirement plan clients.

Lynn passionately embodies BFG’s core value of making a positive impact in our industry and community. This year, she was awarded the first-ever Lynn Weirich Legacy Award** by the San Antonio chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO-SA) for setting an example of leadership and strength while making a lasting contribution to NAWBO and the community.

Lynn is a founding member of NAWBO-SA and served as President and on the local Board in a variety of positions and nationally on NAWBO’s Council on Healthcare, Pension, and Workforce Issues, advocating on behalf of business owners in Washington, DC. Under Lynn’s leadership in 1999, the chapter founded its High School Mentorship Program, which, in its 24-year history, has awarded over $258,000 of scholarships to young women hoping to start their own businesses. It is the largest scholarship program of its kind nationally within NAWBO. This program is now managed by the NAWBO Foundation Board, where Lynn served for the 2019-2020 term, and she continues to mentor for the Foundation.

Lynn also served on the Texas 4H Youth Development Foundation as a trustee from 2011-2015 and has participated in the Board Development Committee for Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas since 2021.

Lynn uplifts and inspires her own team and peers, but more significantly, she leverages her position to empower others in the community – particularly women – to reach their full potential.

*Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Human resource consulting, payroll services, life and health insurance and tax credit services offered by Business Financial Group Human Resources Management are separate and unrelated to Commonwealth.

**2023 National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Lynn Weirich Legacy Award, created by NAWBO. This award is based on setting an example of leadership and strength while making a lasting contribution to NAWBO and the community. This award is not specific to financial services and does not imply an endorsement, recommendation, or reflect the performance of the advisor. This website contains more information: https://nawbosa.org/womenbusiness-owner-awards

Dossier Financial Advisors

Asking a Financial Planner the right questions can help you decide if they are the right fit for you and your financial needs. Here, San Antonio Woman asked some of our city’s top Financial Planners how they can help you prepare for the future.

Broadway Bank Wealth Management

Elizabeth Strait, SVP, Wealth Advisor / Trust Officer

1. How do you measure success with your clients?

Success with a client means we have a good rapport, and the client feels comfortable being open and honest about their financial goals. We surround our clients with a team based on the types of assets they would like us to manage, be it securities, real estate, or oil and gas.

Opening up about personal finances might feel a little daunting. Over time our clients learn that we are not there to judge, but to educate and help them build a bright financial future and legacy. When a client tells me they know the team we have built around them is looking out for their best interest, I know we are doing our jobs well.

2. Who needs help with financial planning?

I think we all need help with financial planning. The process of sitting down and looking at the types of assets you own and how those assets are working for you (or not working for you), can be very enlightening. It’s eye-opening to look at how you are spending your money.

Financial planning is often treated as a chore that many people ignore or avoid. However, when we dig into a financial plan with a client, they find the experience not only educational, but even fun. I see clients get excited about how little decisions they make today can greatly impact their financial future. The result of a good financial plan can motivate clients to be more disciplined because they can see the long-term benefits of that discipline in black and white.

Texas Financial Advisory

Brooklynn Chandler Wiley, CEO and Founder

What sets you apart from other financial planners?

In wealth management, an advisor has three career paths: 1) A Registered Rep (RR) with a Broker/Dealer, 2) An Investment Advisor Rep (IAR) with a Registered Investment Adviser, or 3) Dual registered as both an RR and IAR. I chose the road less traveled, that of an independent fiduciary. That means that I have no pressure to sell a product or investment vehicle that is not the best fit for my client. As fiduciary advisors, we put our client’s interests first, which makes sense regarding finances. In 2020, the Texas State Security Board approved my application to become a Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firm. Earning this achievement meant that I was the youngest female-owned RIA in South Texas, which was a tremendous achievement. In 3 years, we have reached the level of assets to apply for SEC registration.

Frost Investment Services

We take a personal approach to investing. After all, it’s about your family, your goals, your lifestyle and your dreams. Together, we’ll work to take care of you and your family today and for generations to come.

Who needs help with financial planning?

I believe everyone can benefit from a financial plan, no matter what their age or income level. It’s important for everyone to have a place to view their full financial picture so they’re aware of their ongoing financial health. Keeping track of financial goals is just as important.

- Victoria Martinez, CFP®

What sets you apart from other financial planners?

At Frost, we truly listen to what motivates our clients. Whether it’s in their ordinary lives or their jobs, we understand their concerns for the future and make sure we keep their goals at the forefront of our planning. I find that those measures help strengthen the relationship over time and the trust clients place with me.

- Ashley Ferguson, CWS®, Vice President, Wealth Advisor

What are you concerned or excited about on the economic horizon?

The economic horizon will always have its challenges, no matter what’s taking place in the markets or what overall conditions are like. I am excited as a financial advisor to assist clients in reaching their financial goals, no matter what challenges may arise.

- Laurie Wieters, Senior Vice President, Wealth Advisor

What is your investment philosophy?

I bring a personalized investment strategy with a long-term approach to interactions with our clients. We’re all individuals, so it’s important to treat each client individually and get to know their goals.

- Rebecca Boyd, CWS®, Senior Vice President, Wealth Advisor

Women in LAW

Jamie Graham & Associates, PLLC

2630 Kerrybrook Court

San Antonio, Texas 78230

(210) 308-6448

jamiegrahamlaw.com

Jamie Graham has more than twenty years of legal experience and a well-earned reputation for excellence. Mrs. Graham has earned multiple awards for her excellence and dedication as an attorney. Most of her clients are retained through referrals from current clients and, many times, from the former spouses of clients. You can rely on receiving accurate information and experienced advice from Mrs. Graham. Her priority is to ensure that you have the information and advice you need from an experienced attorney to make informed decisions throughout the family law process. Mrs. Graham specializes in representing members of the United States military and their spouses in family law cases as certain factors involved with military divorce and family law matters differ considerably from civilian matters. There are specific laws in place to address some of these issues, laws that only apply in military cases, such as the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and the Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA).

Jamie Graham & Associates, PLLC, is a law firm dedicated to helping men and women throughout San Antonio and surrounding areas in divorce and other family matters. We earn your trust through honest, skilled, and diligent representation. We earn it by learning about your specific situation and objectives and then putting in the hours of work necessary to achieve your goals.

“When I was young, I saw my parents go through a very nasty divorce. It had a profound effect on me, and I became a family law attorney to help others, especially children, avoid going through that experience, if possible.”

Jamie L. Graham Attorney at Law

Law Office of Lora R. Lozano

5804 Babcock Rd., #722

San Antonio, Texas 78240

210-LADYLAW (210-523-9529)

Toll Free: 1-844-216-2880

Ladylawtx.com

loralozanoesq@icloud.com

Lora R Lozano is a personal injury attorney with over 31 years experience in the insurance industry. Ms. Lozano worked for a defense firm at the age of 16. She knew then that one day she would be advocating for the party harmed and not the calloused, multi-million dollar insurance company. As a personal injury attorney, Ms Lozano works with people who may be facing one of the worst times of their lives. If her client cannot get to her, she will go to them. She meets with clients from all walks of life and gets to know them personally. It is because of her empathy and understanding that her clients become part of her family thus making the fight personal.

Ms. Lozano comes from a family of philanthropists, she is diligent in giving back. Because of her generosity and her reputation for getting her clients what they deserve, Ms. Lozano gets to know her community making her a trusted resource for their legal needs.

Lora Lozano

Personal Injury Attorney

Maloney Law Group, PLLC

Maloney Law Group, PLLC

1007 South Alamo Street

1007 South Alamo Street

San Antonio, Texas 78210

San Antonio, Texas 78210

O (210) 361 2997

O (210) 361 2997

maloneylawgroup.com

maloneylawgroup.com

At the Maloney Law Group, PLLC, Erica advocates for the victims of medical malpractice. As the mother of three children (and a fourth on the way), Erica has focused particular attention on advocating for infants who have suffered catastrophic birth injuries. She has handled multiple cases involving infants who have suffered hypoxia ischemic encephalopathy as a result of negligence during the labor and delivery process. Erica has also pursued cases involving women and infants who have died during childbirth and understands the trauma and emotions involved in these types of cases.

At the Maloney Law Group, PLLC, Erica advocates for the victims of medical malpractice. As the mother of three children (and a fourth on the way), Erica has focused particular attention on advocating for infants who have suffered catastrophic birth injuries. She has handled multiple cases involving infants who have suffered hypoxia ischemic encephalopathy as a result of negligence during the labor and delivery process. Erica has also pursued cases involving women and infants who have died during childbirth and understands the trauma and emotions involved in these types of cases.

While negligence that occurs in hospital emergency departments in Texas are cases that are notoriously difficult to pursue as emergency department cases require a higher burden of proof than other medical malpractice cases, Erica has successfully resolved several high damage emergency department cases.

While negligence that occurs in hospital emergency departments in Texas are cases that are notoriously difficult to pursue as emergency department cases require a higher burden of proof than other medical malpractice cases, Erica has successfully resolved several high damage emergency department cases.

Erica believes in taking cases that she feels passionately about and that can invoke systemic change. She enjoys the close bond she develops with clients and using litigation to improve the quality of healthcare. In addition to medical practice cases, Erica handles cases involving victims who have been seriously injured by defective products and in commercial vehicle accidents.

Erica believes in taking cases that she feels passionately about and that can invoke systemic change. She enjoys the close bond she develops with clients and using litigation to improve the quality of healthcare. In addition to medical practice cases, Erica handles cases involving victims who have been seriously injured by defective products and in commercial vehicle accidents.

Erica is on the Board of Directors of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and a member of the San Antonio Trial Lawyers Association and the William S. Sessions American Inn of Court. She was selected as a Texas Super Lawyers rising star from 2021 to 2023 and was named as a top personal injury lawyer by Scene in San Antonio in 2020 to 2023. Erica is also a member of both the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Erica is on the Board of Directors of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and a member of the San Antonio Trial Lawyers Association and the William S. Sessions American Inn of Court. She was selected as a Texas Super Lawyers rising star from 2021 to 2023 and was named as a top personal injury lawyer by Scene in San Antonio in 2020 to 2023. Erica is also a member of both the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Erica Maloney Owner of Maloney Law Group, PLLC

Erica Maloney

Owner of Maloney Law Group, PLLC

Cynthia Orr MANAGING PARTNER

Goldstein & Orr 310 S. St. Mary’s St., Floor 29 San Antonio, Texas 78205 210-226-1463

whitecollarlaw@gmail.com goldsteinhilley.com

Cynthia Eva Hujar Orr is the past Chair of the ABA Criminal Justice Section and in its House of Delegates, on the Texas Board of Law Examiners, and is the past President of the NACDL and TCDLA. She founded the San Antonio Lawyers Association and the Texas Innocence Network. She is listed in the Best Lawyers in America, is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, and is a Texas Top 100 Trial Lawyer. She is in the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame, and she was TCDLA 2015 Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year, clerked for federal Judge Emilio Garza, and is Board Certified in Criminal Law and Appeals. She is listed in the Best Lawyers in America and is AV Rated by Martindale Hubble.

Jane H. Macon PARNTER

Bracewell LLP

300 Convent , STE 2700 San Antonio, Texas 78205 210.299.3517

jane.macon@bracewell.com kathysa.com

Jane was the first woman City Attorney of a major city in the United States. Along with Secretary/Mayor Henry Cisneros, who followed Mayor Lila Cockrell, the first woman mayor of a major city in the United States. She entered private practice in 1983 as partner at Fulbright & Jaworski, and joined Bracewell in 2013, where she focuses her practice on Public Law Finance and Economic Development law. Jane is active in professional and civic organizations and raises miniature horses in her spare time!

Jane is the recipient of the Baha’l Unity of Humanity Award, the Texas Bar Foundation Outstanding 50 Year Lawyer Award, the San Antonio Bar Association Joe Frazier Brown Jr. Award of Excellence, the State Bar of Texas Resolution and the World Affairs Council of San Antonio’s International Citizen of the Year Award, to name a few.

Discovering Diamonds: “Mastering Interviews in the New Normal”

By Linda Ratner, RN MBA

Uncovering the ideal candidate is akin to discovering a rare gem. In this post-pandemic landscape, where virtual interviews reign and the quest for top talent is fierce, your interview process needs to be sharp. Here, we’ll talk about how to dig deep with tools like Predictive Index (PI), Topgrading techniques, and value-aligned behavioral questions.

In today’s post-Covid culture, it’s not just about salaries and benefits; potential candidates are in search of work that offers purpose and meaning. They are looking for organizations whose values resonate with their own. This makes it imperative for companies to develop a strong marketing plan that speaks not only to external clients but to internal ones - the employees. Showcase your company’s purpose, values, and the impact it has on the community and the world at large. This will attract candidates who are aligned with your mission and are likely to be more engaged and committed. It’s crucial to integrate this marketing plan into your hiring ads. This ensures that from the very first interaction, potential candidates are aware of what your company stands for, creating an immediate connection with those who share similar values.

Predictive Index (PI) doesn’t just evaluate candidates; it aligns their innate behaviors with job requirements and company culture. One standout feature is “Job Targets.” It helps to define behavioral and cognitive attributes crucial for each role, streamlining the selection process. Moreover, PI’s team design feature enables you to analyze if your team’s behavioral dynamics align with company strategy. For instance, if your strategy screams innovation, PI can help evaluate if your team possesses the necessary behavioral traits.

Let’s talk Topgrading. Developed by Brad Smart, Topgrading empowers you to conduct exhaustive interviews, covering competence, character, and cultural fit. It’s centered on the Chronological In-Depth Structured (CIDS) interview, which meticulously goes through the candidate’s entire career history. Through adopting Topgrading’s methodologies, my clients have revolutionized their hiring, bringing on board genuine ‘A Players’.

Speaking from experience, I employed these techniques in my own business with remarkable success. After selling my company to a large PE firm with over 140 clinics, we consistently ranked number one in re-

tention and patient satisfaction year over year. These strategies were integral in building a high-performing and dedicated team.

Additionally, implementing a performance platform such as Scaling Up is invaluable in ensuring the right people are in the right seats. Scaling Up provides a framework for setting clear goals, aligning your team with your company’s core values and strategy. This alignment is crucial in maintaining employee engagement and optimizing performance.

Cultural fit is paramount. Crafting interview questions combining behavioral analysis with core values is a game-changer. Say, teamwork is a core value, pose this question: “Describe an instance when your team overcame a challenge. What was your contribution?” This approach digs deep, unearthing whether the candidate embodies the values that define your company’s culture.

But it doesn’t end with the interview. Reference checks are vital. Topgrading’s Threat of Reference Check (TORC) technique revolutionizes this by ensuring transparency from candidates regarding their history. It’s about candid, invaluable insights into their past performance.

These tools and platforms, such as Predictive Index, Topgrading, and Scaling Up, combined with value-centric behavioral questions, were my secret recipe for success in my own company. I continue to utilize this powerful combination in my coaching practice to facilitate incredible transformations in hiring and team building for my clients.

Lastly, remember interviews are two-sided. Provide ample information about your company, culture, and the role. Address their questions; they are looking for the right fit, too.

Excited to unearth those diamonds? Next time, we’ll talk about nurturing and retaining your precious finds. Interested in PI, Scaling Up, or expert coaching? Contact me at lratner@ ratnerconsult.com! Plus, as a special offer, grab a one-year free trial of Topgrading’s PreScreen Snapshot.

We provide more Cancer Care than any healthcare system in South Texas.

World-Class Expertise in San Antonio

Since 1963, Methodist Healthcare has provided world-class expert care for everyone who calls San Antonio home. Our health system cares for more people, in more ways, than any other health system in San Antonio, offering globally, nationally, and regionally renowned programs and services delivered by the best doctors and providers.

When it comes to selecting care for you and your family, Expertise Matters –that’s why more San Antonians choose Methodist Healthcare than anywhere else.

Victoria Cancer Survivor and Methodist Healthcare Nurse

To Your Health connects you with experts and resources in medical care, mental health, nutrition, fitness, and wellness, providing insight into all aspects of a woman’s health.

Empowering you to advocate for yourself - mind, body and soul. Salud!

Gynecological Cancer Is Occurring

More Frequently, But Patient Education and New Treatments Are Saving Lives

By Paul J. Watkins

“In the United States, the gynecologic cancer that’s most commonly on the rise is endometrial cancer, which is a form of uterine cancer,” says James L. Wilder, M.D., a board-certified gynecological oncology surgeon at South Texas Gynecologic Oncology in San Antonio. “In absolute numbers, they’re all increasing, mostly likely as a result of population increases. However, what we’re actually seeing more of, in percentages, is endometrial cancer –and specifically advanced endometrial cancer.”

Dr. Wilder says there are certain symptoms that women should be aware of that can indicate the presence of endometrial cancer and should be brought to the attention of a physician. The most common symptom is bleeding in a post-menopausal woman, he informs, and the vast majority of time, it’s in the form of spotting.

The surgeon says women may ignore this symptom because they’re not convinced that it’s coming from the vagina. It happens when they urinate, and it’s hard to tell where it came from. They think it may be a hemorrhoid, and there’s very, very little blood on the toilet paper when they wipe. Dr. Wilder emphasizes that any abnormal bleeding in a post-menopausal female should make a physician consider the possibility of endometrial cancer.

“It’s true that most endometrial or uterine cancer occurs in the post-menopausal female age group. It can occur, though with less frequency, in someone who’s not in menopause yet, and that will generally take the form of any type of abnormal bleeding. Let’s say a woman in her twenties or thirties is having periods twice a year, or not at all. Just because she hadn’t bled for a year and she’s in her twenties doesn’t mean she’s in menopause. Maybe she has a dysfunction of her ovaries, where she’s not ovulating. Any kind of abnormal bleeding before menopause has to make you look at endometrial cancer. Though women in their twenties and thirties isn’t the most prevalent age group in which you see endometrial cancer, it does occur.

“There’s only one very reliable screening test for any female cancer, and that’s a Pap smear, which is used for identifying cervical cancer – often in its earliest stages –and it empowers women and their physicians to treat it very effectively. We’ve steadily seen a decline in the incidence of cervical cancer. It’s not one of the top cancers in the United States anymore. Unfortunately, it’s still in the top three killers of women worldwide.”

Dr. Wilder notes that there are no screenings available for endometrial or uterine cancer. This fact makes it that much more important for a woman experiencing symptoms not to delay seeing her physician. As with all cancers, the sooner it’s caught, the better the options for treating it.

“It’s true that most ovarian cancer cases have symptoms, but they’re not reliable,” he notes. “A lot of those symptoms overlap with other diseases, so when a woman

comes in with a complaint of urinary frequency, shortness of breath, or irritable bowel symptoms, most doctors aren’t going to immediately clue in on the possibility of ovarian cancer. That’s probably not the first thought that crosses their mind.

“Early-stage endometrial cancer is almost always curable with surgery alone – a hysterectomy. That is recommended for most women. There are exceptions if a woman is very young when her endometrial cancer is diagnosed, and maybe her cancer meets certain criteria – it’s not invading surrounding tissue, for example. A gynecological oncologic surgeon might recommend high-dose progesterone therapy until the woman is in remission and then she can try to conceive and have a child. Once that’s done, then the uterus comes out. For most women, though, the treatment is going to be a hysterectomy.

“In the advanced stages, hysterectomy is still part of the therapy, but almost always, the woman will also receive chemotherapy and/or radiation.”

Dr. Wilder notes that a new, exciting treatment was introduced within the last two years. It’s an immunotherapy drug that has been added to the frontline treatment of uterine cancer. “In addition to the chemotherapy, we’ll add an immunotherapy drug. I’m seeing women who should not have survived two years after their diagnosis – let’s say after a recurrence of advanced-stage disease. With immunotherapy, they’re being cured, which is something I’ve never seen before. I see that in advanced ovarian cancer as well, with the advent of immunotherapy and targeted therapy of different cancers. There is a tidal wave of people who have been cured of cancer. It’s really exciting for me to deliver immunotherapy and see those outcomes.”

For more information or to make an appointment, please call (210) 903-0677 or visit www.BaptistMedicalNetwork. com/OBGYNs.

James L. Wilder, M.D.

HealthCare. Better Together.

At every phase of her life, a woman needs specialized, personal care. No matter your age, and no matter what stage of life you’re in, we’re here to help you make the most of every minute. Baptist Medical Network has the providers to meet your unique healthcare needs. Our obstetricians/gynecologists and certified midwives are trained in advanced treatments. For specialized acute needs, our double board-certified urogynecologist and gynecological oncologist deliver compassionate treatment for women who suffer from urinary incontinence, pelvic floor disorders and reproductive tract cancers. So whether your whole life’s ahead of you or you have a lifetime of memories, you can count on us for the focused, individualized care you need.

WOMEN’S SERVICES

OB/GYN AND MATERNAL FETAL CARE

� Prenatal care

� High-risk pregnancies

� Labor and delivery

� Gestational hypertension/diabetes

� Genetic screening

� 3D/4D Ultrasound

� Gynecology

� Annual well-woman exams and preventative care

� Family planning

� Infertility evaluation

� Care for menopause

� Endometriosis

� Minimally-invasive and robotics-assisted surgery

GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY

� Cervical, ovarian and vaginal cancer

� Uterine/endometrial cancer

� HPV-related disease

� Oncologic genetic counseling

UROGYNECOLOGY

� Pelvic floor neuromuscular evaluation

� Urodynamic evaluation

� Injections of bladder Botox

� Pelvic trigger point injections

� Surgery for pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence

If you’re ready to take your health into your hands, schedule your appointment today! BaptistMedicalNetwork.com/OBGYNs

Your Partner in Women’s Care

Acacia OB/GYN (North)

� 7940 Floyd Curl Dr., Tower II, #900 | San Antonio, TX 78229

� 5000 Baptist Health Dr., #102 | Schertz, TX 78154

� 19787 IH-10, #104 | San Antonio, TX 78257

Innovative Women’s OBGYN

NEW LOCATION

� 502 Madison Oak Dr., #160 San Antonio, TX 78258

Acacia OB/GYN (South)

� 2632 Broadway, #301N | San Antonio, TX 78215

� 3327 Research Plaza, #404 | San Antonio, TX 78235

Comal Women’s Medical Associates

� 545 Creekside Crossing, #230 | New Braunfels, TX 78130

Leora Collins, MD

Dr. Leora Collins is now part of Innovative Women’s OBGYN

Maternal Fetal Care of San Antonio

� 7950 Floyd Curl Dr., #904 | San Antonio, TX 78229

Akwugo Eziefule, MD Sherri L. Jenkins, DNP, "Dr. Ez" FACOG (BC) APRN, WHNP-BC, CLNC

South Texas Gynecologic Oncology

� 540 Madison Oak Dr., #570 | San Antonio, TX 78258

Rebecca V. Rokosky, MSN, APRN, FNP Surgical Nurse Practitioner

James Wilder, MD Gynecological

South Texas Urogynecology

� 540 Madison Oak Dr., #570 | San Antonio, TX 78258

Rebecca V. Rokosky, MSN, APRN, FNP Surgical Nurse Practitioner

Valentin Jose Farina, MD Arianna Almendarez, MD FACOG (BC) Fresquez, MD FACOG (BC)

Henry Garza, MD Christina Gutierrez, Lisa Ng, DO FACOG (BC) MD FACOG (BC) FACOG (BC)

Olivia Green, CNM Holly Riley, CNM Nivia Palomo, APRN, CNM

Jason Bradford, MD Caton Simoni, MD FACOG (BC) FACOG (BC)

Ritu Dutta, MD Michelle Muldrow, DO Melodie Zamora, MD MBA, FACOG (BC) MSW, FACOG (BC) FACOG (BC)

Oncology ABOG (BC)

Alejandro, Treszezamsky MD Urogynecology/FACOG (BC)

FACOG (BC)

Aurora Dominguez, MD FACOG (BC)

Felipe GarciaGhinis, MD FACOG (BC)

Jessica Guerrero, MD FACOG (BC)

Hatem Hatem, MD FACOG (BC)

Reporting Symptoms Promptly Empowers Women to Meet and Defeat Gynecologic Cancer

By Paul J. Watkins

“The warning signs are different for each gynecologic cancer,” explains Georgia McCann, M.D., a board-certified gynecologic oncologist. Dr. McCann is an associate clinical professor and chief of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at UT Health San Antonio and the leader of the gynecologic oncology program at Mays Cancer Center, home to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center.

“Women with cervical cancer can experience heavy periods, bleeding between periods, or sometimes bleeding after intercourse.”

Endometrial cancer most commonly presents as bleeding after menopause. “It’s important for women to know that they should never experience vaginal bleeding after menopause. Even the slightest amount of vaginal bleeding or blood in the urine warrants further evaluation.” When a woman presents with post-menopausal bleeding, the gynecologist will perform a transvaginal ultrasound to evaluate the endometrial lining of the uterus or perform an endometrial biopsy.

“Ovarian cancer is a little bit different. While some women can have bleeding after menopause, it’s not the most common presenting symptom. In most cases, women with ovarian cancer will experience abdominal bloating and feeling the urge to urinate frequently. They’ll sometimes experience early satiety, or feeling full quickly when eating.”

Dr. McCann encourages women to ask questions about their test results so they can be active participants in their own healthcare decisions. They should feel empowered to speak up if they don’t understand the terminology the physician is using in the answers and ask the provider to use simpler language. “It’s important for women to feel satisfied with the answers they’re getting,” Dr. McCann states.

“If women are told their results are normal, but they continue to experience symptoms, it’s important for them to know that’s not normal,” says Dr. McCann. “If those symptoms persist, it’s important to go back to the doctor and be reevaluated.”

When a woman is diagnosed with some form of gynecologic cancer, she may have more than one treatment option available to her. This is another opportunity for women to take active roles in their

healthcare decisions. For that reason, informs Dr. McCann, it’s advantageous for women to understand their results.

It’s also important for women to know their medical history. For example, diabetes, high blood pressure, a history of blood clots, or a history of stroke can affect a woman’s cancer treatment. “When we’re discussing cancer treatment, whether that’s surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy, one of the most important things physicians consider are other medical conditions that may impact treatment.

“They should also know the medications they take every day and why they take them,” adds Dr. McCann. “All of that is carefully considered when developing cancer treatment plans. The more familiar a woman is with her medical history, the better she can advocate for herself in all aspects of her treatment.”

For more information or to make an appointment, please call (210) 450-9500 or visit MaysCancerCenter.org/Appointments. Learn more about Dr. Georgia McCann at MaysCancerCenter.org/GeorgiaMcCann.

Purple Heals is a support group that provides an open space for women with gynecologic cancers who share similar experiences to ask questions, encourage one another, and help cope with some of their frustrations. Women who are not Mays Cancer Center patients are welcome to join.

Purple Heals Support Group Page: MaysCancerCenter.org/PurpleHeals.

Georgia McCann, M.D.

Minimizing Opioids in the Delivery Room and Beyond: Non-Opioid Pain Management for Women’s Health Surgeries

By Dr. Paula Bilica, board-certified OB/GYN, Legacy Women’s Health, San Antonio, TX

mission to implement innovations in pain management that allow me to reduce my patients’ need for opioids and enhance their overall recovery.

N Non-Opioid Options for Pain Management

This article is sponsored by Pacira BioSciences, Inc.

Dr. Bilica is a consultant of Pacira BioSciences, Inc.

Indication

Having a baby is an exciting time for a mother. However, it can also come with new concerns and considerations – both during and after birth. Cesarean sections, or C-sections, are a standard delivery method for women who are expecting – and they are growing more common. Research from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that C-sections account for more than 1 in 5 (21%) of all childbirths, with a third (29%) of all births expected to be via C-section by 2030.

Women’s Health and the Opioid Epidemic

I perform many C-sections, along with a range of other women’s health procedures like hysterectomies, cystectomies, oophorectomies, etc. A concern that many patients have before surgery is how much pain to expect, and how it will be managed. For too long, opioids have been the gold standard for treating pain, which has contributed to the opioid epidemic facing our nation. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2022, nearly 110,000 people died of drug overdoses in the US.

Women are particularly susceptible to opioid misuse, and are 40% more likely than men to become long-term opioid users after surgery. Despite this data, and the risks and side effects of opioids that can hinder recovery (confusion, nausea, dizziness, dependence or addiction, etc.), many don’t realize non-opioid options exist that can effectively manage pain. As an OB/GYN, I’ve made it my

Over five years ago, I discovered EXPAREL® (bupivacaine liposome inject-able suspension), a long-acting, numb-ing medication that is injected directly into the surgical site and slowly delivers medication over time. This complete-ly changed the way I treat postsurgical pain, given that it delivers numbing medication to the site of pain for the first few days after surgery when patients need it most. Since incorporating this non-opioid option into my pain man-agement protocol, I’ve been able to sig-nificantly reduce the number of opioids I prescribe in my practice.

K Keys to Postsurgical Recovery

Many of my patients who received EXPAREL reported that they used mini-mal, if any, opioids after surgery, as their postsurgical pain was manageable. Additionally, I’ve seen my patients ex-perience an overall enhanced recovery, with this approach getting them up and moving, and home sooner after surgery. After successfully using EXPAREL as part of my pain management plan for C-sections and seeing the results it afforded my patients, I immediately started using it for other women’s health procedures I perform, witnessing those same encouraging results.

As surgeons and healthcare providers, we are dedicated to our patient’s health and well-being, which means providing patients with the information they need to make informed decisions. Bringing awareness to all pain management options, including non-opioid options like EXPAREL, allows us to improve the overall surgical experience, while reducing opioid use and effectively managing patients’ pain.

For more information, please visit www.EXPAREL.com/safety.

EXPAREL® (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension) is indicated for single-dose infiltration in patients aged 6 years and older to produce postsurgical local analgesia and in adults as an interscalene brachial plexus nerve block to produce postsurgical regional analgesia. Safety and efficacy h ave not been established in other nerve blocks.

Important Safety Information

EXPAREL should not be used in obstetrical paracervical block anesthesia.

In studies in adults where EXPAREL was injected into a wound, the most common side effects were nausea, constipation, and vomiting.

In studies in adults where EXPAREL was injected near a nerve, the most common side effects were nausea, fever, and constipation.

In the study where EXPAREL was given to children, the most common side effects were nausea, vomiting, constipation, low blood pressure, low number of red blood cells, muscle twitching, blurred vision, itching, and rapid heartbeat.

EXPAREL can cause a temporary loss of feeling and/or loss of muscle movement. How much and how long the loss of feeling and/or muscle movement depends on where and how much of EXPAREL was injected and may last for up to 5 days.

EXPAREL is not recommended to be used in patients younger than 6 years old for injection into the wound, for patients younger than 18 years old for injection near a nerve, and/or in pregnant women.

Tell your health care provider if you or your child has liver disease, since this may affect how the active ingredient (bupivacaine) in EXPAREL is eliminated from the body.

EXPAREL should not be injected into the spine, joints, or veins.

The active ingredient in EXPAREL can affect the nervous system and the cardiovascular system; may cause an allergic reaction; may cause damage if injected into the joints; and can cause a rare blood disorder.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT www.EXPAREL.com or CALL 1-855-793-9727. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800FDA-1088. PP-EX-US-8579 6/23

In the Spotlight:

Soldiers’ Angels

Supporting Active Duty Military, Veterans, and Their Families With an Army of Volunteers

Soldiers’ Angels is a prominent national nonprofit organization based here in San Antonio dedicated to providing aid, comfort, and resources to active duty Military, Veterans, and their families. With a heartfelt vision, “May No Soldier Go Unloved,” this organization has been making a significant impact here and across the globe since its establishment in 2003.

Soldiers’ Angels is the largest volunteer network of any charity of its kind in the country, with thousands of “Angel” volunteers working to ensure that those who serve or have served are supported, uplifted, and remembered through a variety of support programs. As an organization maintaining an efficiency rating of 96 percent among charity watchdogs, of every $1 donated, $0.96 directly supports programs designed to address the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of its enrolled clients.

Volunteer opportunities with Soldiers’ Angels are diverse and cater to different interests and skills. Individuals can contribute as virtual volunteers, writing letters or sending care packages from their homes. Examples include the Letter Writing Team, where volunteers can express their gratitude and support by sending cards and letters of appreciation to deployed Service Members, Veterans, and Military Families, and the Angel Bakers Team, which allows volunteers to bake homemade treats and send them to deployed Service Members. These simple acts of kindness can have profound impacts on the morale and well-being of those serving far from home as well as their family members here at home.

There are also opportunities for in-person volunteering, such as visiting Veterans in VA Hospitals or providing support at local events. Soldiers’ Angels runs various support programs, such as the Adopt-A-Family program,

which assists Military Families during the holiday season, and numerous Veteran support programs, which offer food, resources, and assistance to food-insecure or chronically homeless Veterans.

The organization encourages community involvement and provides training and resources to ensure volunteers can make a meaningful impact. And the reach of those volunteers is staggering. In 2022 alone, Soldiers’ Angels volunteers provided support to more than 877,000 Service Members, Veterans, and their families.

To learn more and to get involved, visit SoldiersAngels.org.

Amy Palmer is the CEO of Soldiers’ Angels. She is a compassionate and dedicated leader who drives the organization’s mission forward. With her strong leadership skills and unwavering commitment to supporting the military community, Amy Palmer plays a pivotal role in ensuring the success of Soldiers’ Angels and its impactful programs.

8 GREAT ICONIC SA EATERIES

THAT LOCALS HAVE LOVED ALL THEIR LIVES

By Janis Turk

Longtime San Antonio locals will know each place on this list by heart, for these are some of San Antonio’s oldest and most beloved restaurants. Perhaps you grew up going with mom and dad or had memorable dates at one of these places, or you went before prom or enjoyed your wedding rehearsal dinner, or celebrated birthdays and anniversaries with loved ones. If you haven’t been back in a while, you’ll be delighted to find that all these long-loved culinary institutions are still in business, opening their arms and kitchen doors to the next generation.

Iconic spots, these eateries are integral to our city’s special collective culinary story and are sure to take you back in time.

1. Schilo’s Delicatessen claims to be the oldest restaurant in San Antonio. Perhaps. It began as

a bar in Beeville in 1914 until, in 1917, Fritz and Laura Schila moved it to San Antonio. However, it wasn’t until 1942 that it came to its current downtown address on East Commerce Street near the River Walk. It surely seems like the oldest restaurant in town, for folks can still order the same German fare Schio’s served 100 years ago. Save room for their famous New York-style cheesecake and classic root beer.

2. La Fonda on Main – Open since 1932, La Fonda claims to be the oldest Mexican Restaurant in town. (Casa Rio claims that, too). We love it for its enchanting, authentic San Antonio style, set in a historic white hacienda with a cool, shaded patio. Featuring delectable Tex-Mex cuisine, La Fonda first began offering a Mariachi dinner show in 1968.

3. Paesano’s - The first Paesanos opened on McCullough Avenue in February 1969 after Joe Cosniac came to sell Belgian waffles at the World Expo, HemisFair 1968, where he met another young man named Nick Pacelli. The new friends decided to open an Italian restaurant in a former barbershop, and it quickly became a beloved San Antonio institution famous for its buttery Shrimp Paesano dish. One newspaper columnist wrote, “1,000 people on a Saturday night can’t all be wrong”: The place was always that busy. In the early 1990s, the restaurant moved to Lincoln Heights, and over the years, other locations were added, offering slightly different menus. Consistency is key, and Paesano’s offers that. And no matter what urban myth you’ve heard about how his wife sold Joe’s shrimp paesano recipe after a divorce (poppycock!), no one makes shrimp paesano quite like Paesano’s. This has been our family’s favorite for three generations.

4. The Broadway 50 50 was opened in 1935 by the Montanio Family as an ice cream parlor and speakeasy. Now known for its fabulous cheeseburgers and Philly cheesesteak, it’s been owned and operated by P.J. Gottsacker and his wife Nicole for more than a decade.

5. Jim’s Coffee House - The 24-hour diner features great hamburgers, the best shoestring onion rings you’ll ever eat, buttermilk pancakes, eggs, and more, just as it has since G. ‘Jim’ Hasslocher and his wife, Veva, opened the first Jim’s in 1963.

6. Mi Tierra Café and Bakery (Panadería) has been a San Antonio institution at Market Square since 1941 when Pedro and Cruz Cortez opened a three-table cafe. Now, 82 years later, it’s a world-famous landmark that’s remained in the family. Known for Christmas lights and family altars, strolling musicians, and sizzling enchilada plates, it’s consistently a treat and always feels

like a fiesta. In case you haven’t heard, I’m sad to say Mi Tierra is no longer open 24 hours a day, though it does stay open fairly late. Too bad: it was always a place to count on for a middle-ofthe-night enchilada fix. Still, it’s a place locals and tourists both adore.

7. Cappy’s Restaurant is a long-loved Alamo Heights institution, a restaurant, and bar where many locals went for happy hour or on dates and met their spouses there in the 70s and 80s. Casual and consistent, it’s still quite popular.

8. Josephine Street, an iconic Texas Roadhouse that stands now in the shadow of Pearl, first opened in the old Fincke’s Meat Market building (circa 1906) in 1979, thanks to owners Pat Molak and Mary Jane Nalley. Molak is a beloved local probably best-known for some of he and Nalley’s other popular properties: Gruene Hall and The Gristmill in the historic hamlet of Gruene adjacent to New Braunfels. Remember the big oak tree in the center of Josephine Street that grows up through a hole in the ceiling? It’s still there. Look for the old neon signs that glow in the windows offering Steaks and Whiskey.

Noteworthy others: Chris Madrid’s Hamburgers, The Guenther House, The Esquire Tavern, Niki’s Tokyo Inn, and The Barn Door—to name but a few.

Black + White Modern Creamery

4011 Broadway

San Antonio, TX 78209

blackwhitecreamery.com

IG: @blackwhitecreamery

South Alamode Panini & Gelato Co.

B, 1420 S Alamo St #102

San Antonio, TX 78210

southalamode.com

IG: @southalamode

Las Nieves Fruit Cups & More

1118 W Hildebrand Ave

San Antonio, TX 78201

4310 Blanco Rd

San Antonio, TX 78212

Lasnieves.net

@lasnievesfruitcupssa

Premium Matcha Cafe Maiko

7115 Blanco Rd Suite 112

San Antonio, TX 78216

Matchacafe-maiko.com

@matchacafemaikosa

Kuma

7915 W Loop 1604 N Ste 120

San Antonio, TX 78254

IG: @kuma.satx

Holy Pops

19141 Stone Oak Pkwy Ste #303

San Antonio, TX 78258

IG: @holy.pops

Lick Honest Ice Creams

312 Pearl Pkwy, Unit 2101 San Antonio, TX 78215

17635 La Cantera Pkwy

San Antonio, TX 78257

639 Hemisfair Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78205

Ilikelick.com

IG: @lickicecreams

Amy’s Ice Creams

255 E Basse Rd, Unit 430 San Antonio, TX 78209

TWIN LIQUORS

Lucy Peveto

Sarah Mills Bailey

Laguna

Acrylic on canvas

36” x 36”

“Laguna” was inspired by the healing nature of water and the beauty of the Pacific Coast.

Sarah Mills Bailey, a native of New Orleans, lives in San Antonio with her husband and daughters. Trained as a scientist with postgraduate studies in microbiology at Tulane University, her artistic endeavors began as crafting household décor from found objects. Using paint and fabric, she applied color as a means of highlighting visual perception of form. Fabric then became the medium, but again the tool was color, along with texture, as she juxtaposed aspects of both in her designs. It was a natural progression to the elemental of abstract art, narrowing the focus to color itself, becoming not just the tool but the object of perception. Her abstract painting, most often layers of acrylic and pastel on canvas, depicts her response to her observations of the world around her, outer with its patterns and inner with its waves of emotion and integration and realignment, always interacting with her life experience.

www.sarahmillsbailey.com

Instagram: @smbaileyart

sarah@sarahmillsbailey.com | 504-905-8005

SCREEN TIME

Sometimes, making a healthy change is as easy as putting your devices aside—and getting outside. Especially since sunlight fills the body with healthy Vitamin D. Just don’t forget the sunscreen, because too much sun can be harmful. At University Health, we believe in the power of change. Because that’s where healthier begins. Learn how we’re helping you take charge of your health at UHchange.com

Your partner for healthy change.