RENAISSANCE
HOSPITAL A Fresh,New Concept In Healthcare
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enaissance Hospital of Dallas, located at 2929 S. Hampton Road, Dallas, Texas, opened its doors on June 20, 2005, and the Renaissance Healthcare Systems hosted a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on July 7, 2005, at which Congressman Pete Sessions was the featured speaker. Formerly known as Dallas Southwest Medical Center, Renaissance Hospital of Dallas is a licensed, acute care hospital conveniently located in
of-the-art medical equipment. One of the objectives of the hospital is to provide a cozy hotel feeling as can be seen in one of the many waiting rooms. Renaissance Hospital currently offers 110 private rooms with digital television, four-star meals prepared by 4 Star Chef, fully equipped GI suites, six surgical suites, a 10-bed emergency department with trauma care, state-of-the-
Southwest Dallas. The hospital will provide over 500 jobs offering a full range of medical services. Renaissance Healthcare System is investing 20 million dollars in the renovation and the new state-
art suites and nursing care. Our inpatient and outpatient medical services include cardio-pulmonary, a full laboratory, full radiology and nuclear imaging and rehab services. Renaissance also offers six
surgical specialties which are: Bariatric, Orthopedic, ENT, Podiatry, Spine and General Surgeries. Renaissance Hospital is Medicare and Medicaid certified and participates in a variety of insurance plans, including many Medicaid and Medicare HMOs. Also accepted will be workmen’s compensation and private pay. The mission of Renaissance Hospital, its staff and employees, is to provide quality, accessible healthcare within our own community, as well as to provide a full range of needed services in a caring and courteous atmosphere, treating all patients with dignity and respect. Probably the most talked about program offered by Renaissance Hospital is the Obesity Surgery Specialists. OSS is Renaissance Hospital’s bariatric program. It was established in Houston, and the Dallas hospital is modeled after the same concept of providing a comprehensive program. The hospital’s surgeons offer both the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and the Adjustable Lap-Band. The goal of the hospital is to provide a program that meets all of the needs of the bariatric patient starting with the educational process, moving through the insurance process, having surgery in a bariatric friendly facility and then receiving the
specialized type of support that is so important to the success of each bariatric patient. A t Obesity Surgery Specialists, screening patients is the starting point for appropriateness for surgery. Potential patients then attend an educational and informational seminar facilitated by the hospital’s surgeons, Michael Green, M.D. and Dirk Rodriguez, M.D., in addition to a presentation by the Registered Dietitian and a surgical patient. Once accepted by the physicians, the OSS insurance team goes to work getting the patient approved. Bariatric Surgery is the only medically necessary surgery that requires pre-determination by insurance companies. Some patients will have to undergo up to twelve months of supervised dieting before qualifying with their carrier. Some will only need one month. Each insurance carrier has different criteria for granting treatment, although all to follow the general guidelines of the National Institute of Health for deeming a patient an appropriate candidate for surgery. Several insurance companies, or in many cases, the employer, will not even cover the treatment of morbid obesity. Once approved by the insurance company, the patient then receives the appropriate pre-operative medical work up and extensive, pre-operative education about life after surgery. Bariatric surgery is only one step in the journey toward
A FEW FACTS ABOUT MORBID OBESITY‌.. . Obesity kills 400,000 people a year, costing over $117 BILLION . 15% or 9 million children are overweight, triple the number of children since 1980
obtaining a healthy weight. Patients will still need to monitor food intake, exercise, participate in on-going medical appointments and adjust emotionally to their new lifestyle. At Obesity Surgery Specialists, all components with an extensive aftercare program that includes a support group and regular meetings with the surgeon and dietitian are provided. Come by and check out Carli or Angie, both
. Research shows a significant underlying cause of obesity is genetic. . Bariatric surgery is a medical treatment for a disease. It is not cosmetic surgery.
For more information about the hospital, please call: Mary Ann Kulpaca Director of Business Development 2929 S. Hampton Road Dallas, Texas 75224 214/623-4400 OR Renaissance employees, who have had the surgery and add a unique quality to the aftercare program.
For more information about Obesity Surgery Specialists or to attend an educational seminar, please call:
For more information about Obesity Surgery Specialists, please call 214623-4444 or visit their website at www. obesehelp.net.
214/623-4444 OR 877/263-4445
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gemologist is one who studies gemstone identification and grading. A good gemologist is not necessarily a good appraiser, but a good appraiser must be a good gemologist. How can this be? Well, a good gemologist will be someone who is constantly involved in the study of gemstones. All too many gemologists get their Graduate Gemologist Diploma from the Gemological Institute of America, and never see the inside of a gem student classroom again. Considering how many changes occur in the gem and jewelry industry each year, it is not possible to maintain one’s gemological expertise if the last time one was in a gemological classroom was on the last day of GIA training. While a lot of people may advertise themselves as gemologists simply because they are “Graduate Gemologists”, you should look behind the diploma and ask what additional training they have. Such as training from the American Gem Society, Gemological Association of Great Britain, Paris Texas Junior College, or additional studies with the GIA. A good gemologist will be someone who can show you a proven, ongoing history of gemological study to make sure they
keep up on all of the latest developments in the jewelry and gemstone industry. However, not all good gemologists make good appraisers. In fact, the worst appraiser you can find is someone who is right out of gemology school. Why? Simply because gemology schools teach the scientific facts of gemstone identification and grading, but not the appraisal and market valuation of jewelry and gemstones. Therefore, a good gemologist could tell you that the photograph shown above is a synthetic alexandrite; however, they would most likely not be able to tell you the difference in price between this synthetic and a natural alexandrite. So while a good appraiser must be a good gemologist to be able to properly identify and grade jewelry and gemstones; a good gemologist right out of school will not have the experience and knowledge of market values to be able to provide you with a proper insurance replacement appraisal.
So don’t just look for a Graduate Gemologist or a Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, you may know more about diamond prices than they do if they are fresh out of school. Look for someone with an ongoing gemological education along with several years of experience in the appraisal and valuation of the jewelry or gemstone item you have purchased. A qualified gemologist will be a graduate of one of the following gemological institutes or organizations: Paris Junior College, Gemological Institute of America: Graduate Gemologist, Gemmological Association of Great Britain: FGA, American Gem Society: Certified Gemologist and Certified Gemoloogist Apraiser - the highest you can get
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he boring career suit is gone. It has been replaced with jackets in beautifully textured fabrics, the 1940’s menswear stripe with belted jacket and glen plaids. Skirts continue to be important and are made even more special by adding pleats, asymmetrical hems, tiers and ruffles. Basic black is back for day to evening dressing. The little black dress can be accessorized and used for many different occasions. Several pair of basic black pants is a must for every wardrobe. Mix them with a sweater or blouse in the new fashion colors of plum and green and “Voila” you are already in a fall 2005 trendsetter. Animal prints are once again rearing their heads on the fashion scene. You will find them as the main focus of skirt sets, capes and jeans. The look continues as an accent with fur trim (faux and real) for jackets, sweaters, and coats. Update your old coat with a fur scarf or shawl and matching gloves in a multitude of colors. Retro looks are once again popular for fall
of 2005. Wide leg pants, cuffs and pleats look fresh and new again and can be slimming for many figure types. Tunics can be dressy or casual and look great in soft silky fabrics with beading at the neck and sleeves. Wear them with a slim jean or slack to achieve a tall and slender look. Prairie chic is an updated combination of the peasant look and our old favorite, western wear. Denim skirts with fabric and fraying are new and feminine. Jeans are embellished and are as acceptable at a restaurant as they are home. Pair them up with a peasant blouse or a rib knit that has chiffon ruffle trim and you are in the groove. The most important thing you can do is dress with style; one that is flattering to your body type and expresses your personality. A good fit is imperative; puckered fabric and a strained seam will give you away every time! When clothing pulls or buckles, it doesn’t just look sloppy; it adds pounds. Few of us want that! Style means wearing only those trends that suit you.