UpClose Sugar Land

PLACE

by Amy Sharp

Special PEOPLE

For 41 years and counting, Dr. Larry Caldwell has practiced pediatric dentistry with this philosophy: “I treat every patient as if I’m treating my own child. I always ask for parents’ input, and I maintain an open door policy…you can go back with your child. I want to lay my head on my pillow every night knowing that I was honest, and that everything I did was in the best interest of the patient. It’s a blessing that parents trust me with their children.”

Kids and parents alike love Dr. Caldwell. Children familiar with his office light up when they walk through the doors…and sometimes they run. Dr. Caldwell laughs, “A while back, the office down the hall put up a sign that said, ‘Please don’t run in the hall.’ That was fun for us…because no one thinks that kids will run TO the dentist!”

In 1995, Dr. Caldwell started to bring in different associates to assist in seeing patients. Seven years ago, Dr. Derek Steinbring came through the doors as an associate. Dr. Caldwell says, “Dr. Steinbring’s personality and his philosophy were perfect matches for this practice and the people that we see. Today, Dr. Steinbring is my partner. A permanent member of Caldwell & Steinbring - Dentistry For Children.”

What is that personality? “We keep things as light as we can,” explains Dr. Steinbring. “It starts with your phone call and check in, and continues until you check out. Dr. Caldwell has established a successful team approach where the entire staff is focused on the kids’ and parents’ comfort. Many of our staff are cross-trained in multiple aspects of the office, and turnover is low. Some of the ladies have been here for decades. Patients see familiar faces, and they feel continuity of care. It’s one of the things that drew me to this practice.”

Drs. Caldwell and Steinbring see kids who are one day old through college.

They believe a child’s first visit to the dentist should occur around age one. Dr. Caldwell says, “When children are that young, we are mostly establishing rapport. We want to build a relationship so that your child wants to come back again and again.”

Services available at Caldwell & Steinbring - Dentistry For Children include nitrous oxide for certain procedures, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation with an anesthesiologist in the office. “Many kids are just nervous,” explains Dr. Caldwell. “And sometimes the younger ones can’t tolerate the work, or the amount of work makes them scared to come back. These options are a great service to some of our children, including the many special needs patients we see.”

New patients are always welcome at Caldwell & Steinbring - Dentistry For Children. “Our promise is to do our best to treat parents and kids properly. We want you to leave with a pretty smile…every time!”

Champions Kids Camp (CKC) was founded in 2001 by Fort Bend County residents, Bill and Kim Nash. The mission of this camp is to nurture children who have survived a traumatic injury, illness, or personal loss, such as the loss of a parent or sibling. Kim says, “Bill and I created this camp to honor our son Billy, who survived childhood leukemia. Our goal is to instill a sense of pride in every camper, and let them know they’re not victims. They’re survivors, and therefore, Champions!”

The Champions Kids Camp Golf Classic was created in 2012 to bring together some of the biggest names in sports and broadcasting to help these deserving children. Classic Chevy Sugar Land and HWY 6 is proud to sponsor the 10th Annual Champions Kids Camp Golf Classic on November 10th at Quail Valley Golf Course and City Centre.

This year’s event honors Larry Dierker, twotime All-Star pitcher for the Astros, National League Manager of the Year, and Houston Astros Hall of Fame member. CKC Board

Member Jerry Parks of Classic Chevrolet

Chevrolet Sugar

Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land,

Sugar Land says, “We have an exciting line up for this year’s Golf Classic. A.J. Foyt is our Champions Kids Camp National Spokesperson. Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini, Welterweight World Title Contender Termite Watkins, and Dan Lovett Hall of Fame broadcaster, a local favorite as sports anchor at Channel 13 who went on to national acclaim with ABC Sports, will be joining us on the course.”

During this exciting event, live music will be provided by Hayden Baker, Marilyn Martinez, and Judy England White. Lunch will be served, and dinner is included during the awards ceremony. Jerry says, “During the awards, we’ll also be drawing for our raffle prize: a brand new golf cart or $4K… winner’s choice! Buy a raffle ticket even if you can’t make it on November 10th. You do not need to be present to win.”

Classic Chevy Sugar Land and HWY 6 owners Tiffany and Jeff Sebastian say, “For 21 years, CKC has helped thousands of kids move past their trauma. We are proud to be a small part of raising funds for such a worthy, local organization. Please consider joining us at this year’s Champions Kids Camp Golf Classic.”

77478

with the

Champions Kids Camp Golf Classic Honoring Larry Dierker

November 10, 2022 10am Check In with a 12pm Shotgun Start Quail Valley Golf Course and City Centre

Lunch and Dinner provided.

Sponsorships, team entries, individual entries, and raffle tickets available at www.championskidscamp.org/golf.

Sponsorships, team entries, individual entries, and raffle tickets can all be purchased at www.championskidscamp. org/golf. Jerry says, “You won’t want to miss this. Hint to the ladies…we could really use a few more women’s teams!” For more information, contact Jimmy Disch at 832-541-9047, Jerry Lewis at 979-481-5670, or Champions Kid Camp at 832-449-3743 or info@championskidscamp.org.

Classic Chevrolet

HWY 6 South, Houston,

6

77083

by Amy Sharp

D on’t you hate it when you pay for your groceries but forget to put them in the car? Wait a minute…you would NEVER do this! But maybe you’re doing the very same thing with your dental benefits! Dr. Thomas Lomonte, DDS in Stafford says, “Each year, millions of people allow their dental benefits to go to waste. If you’re paying your dental insurance premiums every month, you should be using your benefits!”

“Premiums, yearly maximums, deductibles and the certainty that dental prob lems will worsen are all extremely important reasons to maximize utilizing your dental benefits,” explains Dr. Lomonte. “Even if you don’t require treatment, regular cleanings are proven to help prevent and detect early signs of cavities, gum disease and other dental problems.” When you do need treatment, nearly all plans have a yearly maximum, which is the absolute most money your plan will pay in a calendar year. But unused money does not rollover and is lost January 1st.

“Delaying dental treatment today puts you at risk for more expensive and extensive (and painful!) dental work down the road,” continues Dr. Lomonte. “Plus, if you’ve already had some work done this year, chances are you have met your deductible…so it pays to have the additional work done before year end. Like the yearly maximum, the deductible also resets on January 1.” As an added bonus, health flexible savings account money can be used to pay for your portion of any dental work. Like dental plans, FSAs are also “use or lose it.”

From parents to kids to grandparents, Dr. Lomonte has been everyone’s family dentist since 1982. Call Dr. Lomonte today to schedule an appoint ment. If you require treatment, Dr. Lomonte and his team will walk you

DINE-IN

CATERING - EVENTS

through the options and help you pick the treatment that works best for your mouth, your smile, your sched ule, and your benefits plan. With that beautiful smile, you can be confident that you’re not walking out of 2022 with money left on the table!

Thomas M. Lomonte, D.D.S.

“Come in as a patient, leave as a friend.” 12122 Murphy Rd., Stafford, TX 77477 281-530-1440 www.drthomaslomonte.com

and In-house Festivals

“This

LASBELA

Founders Chef Faisel Ahmad, Aziz Noorani

by Aziz Noorani, Chef Faisel Ahmad, and Aftab Bawani, Lasbela

But it’s not so funny when it hap pens to you…especially during the holidays! You may not realize it, but the days leading up to Thanksgiving are some of the busiest days of the year for plumbers. In anticipation of the holiday, peo ple are cleaning out their fridge and jamming everything down the disposal. Here comes the CLOG. “!$%#!” The good news? There are some preventive measures you can take to avoid the need to say any of those pesky four-letter words.

“After major use, you should flush your garbage disposal,” explains Master Plumber Luke Burkhalter of Alan’s Plumbing. “To do this, simply fill the sink with warm to hot water, pull the plug, and turn on the dispos al...flushing everything out of it. Another good way to clean the disposal is to pour ice cubes down it and turn it on. The ice

Funny How Most Plumbing Problems Can Be Expressed By A Four-Letter Word!

by Amy Sharp

shards will effectively scour all the hard to reach areas of the unit, and then melt down the drain. Super easy.”

With company in town, it’s not just your kitchen pipes that are working overtime... it’s all of them. “We see lots of main line clogs this time of year too,” continues Luke. “A gurgling toilet, or gurgling any where, is a sign of a stoppage in the main line. You need to call a plumber when this happens. If you have sewer backing up into a tub or shower, or if there’s flooding around the toilet base, you can relieve the pressure by locating the square-topped, white, PVC clean out cap outside of your home. Opening the cap will relieve the pressure, moving the water outside until your plumber arrives and can snake the line. It’s a lot better to have the water out side than inside! If you don’t know where

your clean out cap is located, give us a call. We’ll help you find it.”

Alan’s Plumbing was founded in 1996 by Luke’s dad, Alan Burkhalter. From clogs to leaky pipes to hot water heater replacements, full house repiping, and more, this family-owned business is dedicated to getting the job done right. Over nearly three decades, Alan’s Plumbing has grown to include two generations of broth ers working together. Alan’s broth er Chris is also a Master Plumber. Luke’s brother Beau is journeymanlicensed and studying for his mas ter plumber license, and his brother Jake is an apprentice close to his journeyman license. The addition of journeyman-licensed plumbers Jeff Johnson and Jaime, and tradesmanlicensed Trevor, make this team our local, hometown plumbing experts.

“Never pour oils or drippings from your holiday cooking down the drain or into your garbage disposal,” adds Luke. “Poultry skins, eggshells, car rots, celery, pumpkin pulp, potato skins, banana peels, and pasta can also cause backups (and four-letter words!). Use a garbage bag instead.”

“Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at Alan’s Plumbing!”

Plumbing

Custom, Concierge Care

and Medications

by Amy Sharp

alternative that really makes sense.”

Board-certified physician Dina White, MD with Sweetwater Medical Associates believes medicine is never one-size-fits-all.

Dr. White explains, “Here at the prac tice, we are proud to offer a program called Concierge Choice. This limited membership program allows our patients to develop a more personal relationship with their doctor. It’s a comprehensive and coordinated care plan that gives you access to an extended preventive wellness program and easy ways to reach your doctor directly. Your con cierge physician also actively serves as your advocate with other medical specialists and healthcare providers.”

In addition to providing more custom ized care, Dr. White also believes in cus tomized medications. “Prescriptions do not have to be one-size-fits-all either,” says Dr. White. “I often send prescrip tions for my patients to local Campbell’s Compounding Pharmacy. They can cre ate custom-formulated medications in a dosage that is just right for you. In many instances, we can also select the dosage form (liquid, capsule, topical cream, etc.), and fillers or allergens are left out. It’s an

“Compounded medications are my go-to for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT),” continues Dr. White. “Symptoms that may indicate a hormonal imbalance include feeling jittery, sluggish, being unable to lose weight, having difficulty thinking clearly, and limited sex drive. Hormone imbalances can lead to symptoms in almost anyone...teens, new mothers, and those going through the midlife transition. I’m here to help my patients understand their choices in bioiden tical hormones derived from natural plant sources. Bioidentical hormones are able to perform the actions of hormones that are produced by the body with fewer side effects than synthetic options. Since your individual hor mone needs are different from anyone else’s, we work with Campbell’s Compounding Pharmacy to create a perfect, cus tom-made formula just for you. When needed, we’ll make adjustments to find the perfect hormonal level. I’m not satisfied until you feel your best!”

Campbell’s Compounding Pharmacy was founded in 2003 by Dr. Lance Campbell, Pharm.D., R.Ph. Like Dr. White, Dr. Campbell believes that medicine should always be personal. Dr. Campbell says, “Our staff mixes together the individual ingredients prescribed by your prac titioner in the exact strength and dosage form required by you, the patient. You are never undermedicated or overmedicated. We can even flavor the medications for kids, the elderly, or anyone that struggles with taking medicine. Compounding is truly a win-win option.”

To learn more about Dr. White and Sweetwater Medical Associates, visit www.sweetwatermed.com.

Helping Teens Navigate

by Amy Sharp

Fort Bend County couple Randy Templeton and Sandra Templeton, MD have served in various student ministries for both middle school and high school students. Randy says, “Like many parents of teenagers, we were looking for materials that were helpful for kids. Our young adults are leaving the faith in droves. And unlike previous generations, many do not return. After getting together with several other concerned parents, we decided to create an engaging and high-quality video series specifically for this generation.”

Darkroom Faith is a 14-episode original video series founded by Randy and Sandy that provides a safe and engaging context for teens to explore key issues of faith, before they turn away. This series conveys to students that doubts and questions are a normal and healthy aspect of faith development. Viewers are encouraged to seek clarity when challenged, talk openly with trusted adults, and dig deeper into their faith. Each eight-to-ten-minute episode of Darkroom touches on a different topic and follows a unique journey of faith. The topics include doubt, love, church, sin, science, religion, suffering, Bible, purpose, identity, justice, afterlife, mission, and supernatural.

“We have been raising the funds to produce the videos,” says Randy. “It was important to us that we provide the series free of charge to parents, schools, and churches. We are thrilled with the momentum so far! We see about 10 leaders per day sign up, with a total of almost 1,500 leaders since June. Anyone can be a leader. Leaders get access to direct downloads of videos, study materials, discussion guides, and other resources necessary to lead and engage student groups in discussions on key faith questions.”

The Darkroom Faith videos are available at no cost at www.darkroomfaith.com. Randy says, “You can also contribute to the project by going to our give page at: www.darkroomfaith. com/give. You’ll be a part of giving lasting and life-giving faith to teens.”

Darkroom Faith

by Randy Templeton and Sandra

MD

Petrovich Story

by Amy Sharp

Cheryle

and Barry Miron moved from Kansas City to Fort Bend County back in 2015 during a job transfer. Cheryle says, “My sister, Renee Petrovich, and I hated to be separated. Three years later, Renee and her husband Joe moved here too! We wanted to find a house where the four of us could live together. We found a home we liked on HAR, and scheduled with the listing agent to look at it. As it turned out, the agent couldn’t make it, and Keller Williams Southwest (KWSW) agent Cynthia Contreras filled in.”

The Mirons and Petrovichs did not buy that home, but they had found their real estate agent. “Cynthia is awesome!” says Cheryle. “We liked her upbeat personality, and anytime she didn’t know the answer to a question, she quickly found out. Cynthia is such a hard worker. We needed to sell my and Barry’s house, and then find a home for the four of us. To sell our home, Cynthia explained the process and told us what we needed to do. She referred us to a stager who helped us decide what needed to go into storage or into the garage. Cynthia was very involved in the whole process.”

To find the perfect home for the four, Cynthia scheduled properties to look at that fit the two couples’ budget and

criteria. Cheryle says, “We ultimately found the home we liked on HAR, but it was above our budget. We went and looked at it anyway, and fell in love with it. We called Cynthia immediately. She came right over, and she agreed with us…it was perfect. The home was being sold by a relocation group, and Cynthia was able to negotiate the price down a bit.

Joe is retired from the Army, and Barry is a veteran of the Air Force. Cynthia found veteran benefits that we qualified for that were not aware of! We were able to purchase the home, and closing went very smoothly. The entire process was simple and stress free.” “We found out later that we were Cynthia’s very first real estate customers,” continues Cheryle. “I cannot say enough good things about her. Years later, she continues to pop by to check on us. She brings us pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. We consider her a friend, and we would recommend Cynthia to absolutely anybody.”

Contreras

As our nation observes Veterans Day on November 11th, KWSW would like to honor Cynthia Contreras (Navy), Joe Petrovich (Army), and Barry Miron (Air Force). Thank you for your service.

ADVICE

ALTERE RESEARCH

Is Your Financial Advisor Acting As Your Financial Quarterback?

by Amy Sharp

“Financial professionals at larger firms may not have the time or be encouraged to step up and take ownership of coordinating your financial life,” explains Andy Sharp, President and CEO of local Altere Financial, LLC. What does coordinating your financial life mean? “There’s often a huge disconnect between financial advisors, CPAs, and estate attorneys,” continues Andy. “The advisor refers you to a CPA for tax advice, and you come back having no idea why recommendations were made, or if they’re helping you in the long run. For example: I’ve seen CPAs advise clients to put large sums of cash into IRAs to reduce taxes on the current tax bill. That’s great…for this year. But it doesn’t examine the implications down the road. You’ll definitely be taxed on that money when you withdraw it, and possibly at a higher rate than just biting the bullet and paying the tax right now. It can be the same with estate attorneys. They’re operating on what they know at the moment, and not looking at the big picture. Everything is too compartmentalized.”

“Financial advisors should be your financial coordinator, your quarterback,” says Andy. “They should be creating a long-term game plan to help you reach your financial goals. As your financial advisor, my goal is to save you both time and money by knowing your big picture. I reach out to my network of CPAs and estate attorneys on your behalf to ask questions, and I only refer you to them when we’re at the point that we have a clear picture of what needs to happen in your particular situation. If your financial advisor is not acting as your financial quarterback and coordinating your financial life, I suggest you demand that he/she starts doing it now. It’s part of our job.”

Andy has worked as a broker, financial planner, research analyst, product specialist, and financial consultant for a large financial services firm. He started Altere Financial, LLC to provide independent financial planning…to be your financial quarterback. Questions? Give Andy a call. He’s always happy to help!

by Amy Sharp

Local St. Michael’s Elite Hospital has partnered with Gulf Coast Blood Bank to administer blood products. CEO/CNO Jessica Rivas says, “Previously, we had to send patients that required blood products to other hospitals. Often, these individu als did not want to go elsewhere. We saw a need, and we fulfilled it. We completed all training, policies, and procedures to administer Gulf Coast Blood Bank blood products here at St. Michael’s.”

Fresh frozen plasma, packed red blood cells, and platelets are all available to St. Michael’s Elite Hospital patients. “For chemotherapy patients, patients who are anemic, or others who have a need, we can administer these products on an outpatient basis,” continues Jessica. “We can also administer blood products to ER patients emergently, and to those admitted to our inpatient hospital.”

The addition of blood products is yet another testament to St. Michael’s commitment to taking care of this community. Founder, Dr. Shannon Orsak, says, “Our mission has always been to go beyond your expectations in the delivery of medical care in your time of need. For more than a decade, we have offered high-quality emergency medical care. In 2019, we

added inpatient hospital services. We became a Medicare accredited hospital in 2021. This year, we’ve added blood products through our partnership with Gulf Coast Blood Bank. Each of these changes and additions have come about as a result of our continued commitment to improving the level of service we provide to the different populations and people in our community.”

At St. Michael’s Elite Hospital, you’ll find the same board-certified doctors, staffing, and equipment as any hospital. It’s equipped with state-of-the-art technology to get you back to your normal life in no time. In most cases, you are seen by a doctor in less than five minutes. Jessica says, “As a small, licensed hospital, we are truly able to tailor the care we are delivering to every individual. We see patients of all ages, including infants. We’re excited to now have the ability to administer blood products to our patients that require it.”

St. Michael’s Elite Hospital is here for you, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

St. Michael’s bills all insurances. Your insurance MUST pay in-network benefits at the ER of YOUR CHOICE whether the emergency room you choose is “in-network” or “out-of-network.”

PostpartumWITHOUT“Pooch”

Diastasis recti is a common condition in pregnant and postpartum women. It occurs when the rectus abdominis muscles (the six-pack ab muscles) separate during pregnancy from being stretched. It’s usually most noticeable right after delivery. The separation can make a person’s belly stick out or bulge months or even years postpartum. Most of us call it the “pooch,” and about two-thirds of postpartum women have it…especially those delivering high birth weight babies or multiples. To rid themselves of the pooch, many women undergo tummy tucks. Today, there’s an easier way: lymphatic massage.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage Therapy (LDT) certified therapist and local True Recovery Lymphatic Massage owner Delmie DePuma-Aparicio explains, “Lymph fluid is necessary for the body to heal, but trauma to the body can block the lymph system. For many years, I’ve utilized lymphatic massage to help plastic surgery patients recover and reach optimal results. Lymphatic massage opens up the lymph nodes, allowing the lymph fluid to flow freely throughout the body…helping it heal. When my daughter Jenise was pregnant with her first child, it occurred to me that lymphatic massage could also be used to heal the postpartum body after the trauma of pregnancy and childbirth.”

Jenise gave birth to Delmie’s first grandbaby, Easton, in 2018. Delmie put her idea into action. One day after her c-section delivery, Jenise received her first lymphatic massage. Then, Delmie put together a plan of regular lymphatic massages for Jenise, and had her wear compression 24/7 until the sessions were finished. “The results were amazing!” says Delmie. “Jenise’s skin retracted, and the diastasis recti (the pooch!) retracted and healed. Jenise was back to her pre-pregnancy body in five weeks!”

When Jenise became pregnant with her daughter Ellie, she knew exactly how she wanted to bounce back. Delmie says, “Jenise called and said, ‘You’re gonna come do my lymphatic massages when I deliver, right Mom?’ Of course I did! I also massaged my daughter Kristie after the vaginal births of Josie and Jordy, and my daughter Katie after giving birth to Geo via c-section this summer. For each, the recovery was different. But all were back to their pre-pregnancy bodies at five to eight weeks postpartum. My girls will never need a tummy tuck!”

Jenise, Kristie, and Katie showed off their post-pregnancy bodies to friends and mommy groups. Not surprisingly, these other moms were also interested in an easier way to get rid of the pooch. Delmie added postnatal lymphatic massage to her list of services at True Recovery Lymphatic Massage. “Lymphatic massage is so beneficial,” says Delmie. “The sooner

the better. I

started

It’s

away. We’ll

body

by Amy Sharp

Bill and Deborah’s daughter Megan had ideas on how to redo the kitchen in the home they purchased eight years ago. “The pantry was simply double doors that opened to reveal five shelves that were 12 inches deep,” explains Bill. “Megan thought we could convert it to a walk-in pantry by using the space under the stairs and part of the powder room.””

“We had just finished doing some work on the backyard and pool,” continues Bill. “It was not a great contractor experience. Someone in my Sunday school class recommended I call Teri Gilberg (better known as The Re-Modelista) for the house remodel. I did get the names of a few other contractors, but after meeting with Teri, I didn’t call anyone else. First, she was the only one that operated as a general contractor. After my backyard experience, I wanted someone accountable for the project. Teri also had a reputation for good communication skills. I had heard that she constantly keeps her clients informed, and I liked that. Teri’s quote was in the ballpark of what I expected, so we decided to go with her.”

The kitchen remodel included the pantry expansion, new cabinets and countertops. To accommodate expanding the pantry, the toilet in the powder room would be relocated, and the vanity shortened. Bill and Deborah also wanted to refloor most of the first floor with engineered vinyl plank flooring.

“Our kitchen did not have a lot of counter space,” continues Bill. “So we took the electric cooktop out of the island and put in a gas one elsewhere. We also made the island about a foot longer. By putting electrical outlets in the new walk-in pantry, we were able to move appliances like can openers off the countertops. I think we may have doubled our counter space! We did have a few hiccups with

Experience

the premade cabinets and dead space, but Teri was able to come up with a solution that involved customizing three of the cabinets and adding shelving.”

“Teri is very honest and straightforward. She knows the business and can give suggestions. Her subcontractors are really good.

I’ve already asked the electrician to do additional work for me. Teri is the bomb when it comes to communication. She texted every day, including when she attended a family funeral out of state (I told her that was not necessary!). Her estimate of six weeks was only two days over because of the hiccup with the cabinets, and her quote was good. Our project was less than 5% over the estimate, and only because we added things. Compared to our backyard, this contractor experience was 1000% better. We definitely recommend Teri.”

These Kids and Their Mom Love Their Dentist

by Amy Sharp

the kids’

Faisal M. Khan

Grand

Dental. “The kids have been seeing Dr. Khan since they were around two years old,” says Lisa. “He was actually a referral from my family dentist, Dr. Fossum. Evyn had a heart condition, and he had some issues that required a tooth to be pulled. We needed a dental office that could administer anesthesia to children with Evyn’s condition. Dr. Fossum recommended Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental. We’ve stayed with Dr. Khan ever since!”

“I love Dr. Khan’s bedside manner,” continues Lisa. “He is the sweetest, kindest, most charismatic man, and the kids adore him. Dr. Khan and his staff make going to the dentist fun! We’ve had an orthodontic spacer put in and removed, teeth pulled, and cavities filled. From TVs on the ceilings to themed rooms, this office does a great job at keeping kids occu pied. It’s less important now that my kids are teens, but back in the day they thought it was cool that every room was different, bright, and cheery. Visually, it’s not sterile like an adult dentist office. It’s a fun kind of sterile.”

The dynamic staff at Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental includes Dr. Khan, Dr. Priyanshi Ritwik, and Dr. Annie Zheng. Pediatric dentistry, laser dental procedures, minor

orthodontics, and oral surgeries with admitting privileges at Texas Children’s are all in the scope of what this team can do.

“Dr. Khan has been with my kids so long, he’s watched them grow up,” says Lisa. “I just recommended Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental to one of my girlfriends. She’s tak ing her three-year-old to see them. This office makes every one laugh and feel comfortable. It’s never boring. In all these years, my kids have not once complained about going to the dentist, or told me they don’t want to go. That is huge!”

Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental

Dr. Faisal M. Khan, DDS 832-246-7255 7910 W. Grand Parkway S., Suite 100 Richmond, TX 77406 www.grandparkwaypediatricdental.com

by Amy Sharp

Eight years ago, Dorothy had a free standing shower put in her master bathroom. Dorothy says, “The plumbing behind it leaked, ruining the baseboards and a wall in the connecting master bedroom. Everyone in the house had to use the front bathroom, and we were at our wit’s end with contractors. They either didn’t work out or were charging exorbitantly high fees. A neighbor told us to call Ziad Mukhaimer at Lone Star Floors.”

“Ziad was just a bright light,” says Dorothy. “He assured us that he could fix up the bathroom, making it new again. Designing a bathroom is not my thing. When my husband, daughter, and I visited the Lone Star Floors showroom, we found the variety overwhelming. We needed advice. Ziad was great. He first narrowed down what was durable and doable. Then he helped us pick materials that would not look odd together. It was painless with Ziad guiding us through the choices, and we walked out feeling really good about the project. Ziad did send samples of what we picked with us, so we could confirm our picks at home.”

“In our experience, it’s hard to get a contractor to do what they say they’re going to do,” continues Dorothy. “This experience was different. Lone Star Floors showed up on the day they said they would be there, and they worked hard. The crews are so efficient…not slouches at all! The project started on a Tuesday, and by Saturday morning the new shower was complete. Ziad

was very connected and hands-on. He dropped in twice during construction, and at the end to make sure it was all done right, and that we were pleased. He’s so conscientious. We are in the process of moving, and we have opted to wait to have the ruined baseboards and walls fixed until after we are out of this house. I trust Ziad. I know he will be back to finish!”

Founded more than 30 years ago by cousins Ziad, Mohamed Naser, and Imad Mansour, Lone Star Floors enjoys a long-standing reputation for “doing it right.” Begin your remodel today by calling Lone Star Floors.

DROP THE KNIFE

There’s A Better Way To Treat Skin Cancer

by Amy Sharp

“For years, Mohs surgery has been the gold standard in treating skin cancer,” explains Pauline Lausser, board-certified radiation therapist at local Rosenberg Dermatology, a satellite location of the highly-esteemed Houston-area Heights Dermatology & Aesthetic Center. “But most people don’t realize there is another option, one that does not involve using a knife: Image-Guided Superficial Radiation Therapy (IGSRT).”

What is IGSRT? It’s x-ray radiation for skin cancer that involves no downtime, no restrictions, no cutting, and no stitches. Pauline says, “We can do IGSRT on any part of the body. It’s especially ideal for ears, cheeks, noses, lips, chest, and the back of the hands…areas of the body where you may not want to be cut. It’s also beneficial for those on blood thinners or wearing a pacemaker. If you’re picturing the giant radiation therapy machine that hospitals use to treat other cancers… it’s not that. IGSRT only treats skin cancer, and the x-ray radiation only goes skin deep. Here at Rosenberg Dermatology, we create a treatment plan for you. At every session, we do an ultrasound to ensure we are only targeting the cancer. Each session lasts about 10 minutes (unless we get to talking!). The

machine is only on for 30 seconds. At the end of treatment, we can compare your beginning ultrasound to the last one. We can see that the cancer is gone. IGSRT doesn’t change your looks at all…it even smooths out the biopsy scar!”

Pauline has worked in radiation therapy since 1999. She’s the lead therapist for Heights Dermatology and a clinical training specialist. Pauline was awarded SkinCure Oncology’s Clinical Excellence Award for 2022.

Under the direction of board-certified dermatologist Dr. Alphesh Desai, IGSRT is administered at all six Heights Dermatology locations. The practice participated in a national study where IGSRT was found to kill skin cancer at a success rate of 99.3%. Whether you need to be checked for skin cancer, or you’ve already had it confirmed with a biopsy, Rosenberg Dermatology can take care of you. “Dr. Desai believes in informed consent,” explains Pauline. “We look at your case and explain all of your options. We get quotes from the insurance company for you. We believe you should have a choice in your treatment. Now is a good time to treat your skin cancer. You’re in the sun less, and most people have met their yearly deductible.”

Appointments at Rosenberg Dermatology can be booked by visiting www.heightsskin.com or calling 713-730-2000.

by Amy Sharp

“Spinal decompression is the new gold standard for addressing disc problems,” says Dr. Steve Harris, founder of local Sugar Land Health Center. “I’ve been a pioneer in this field for more than 20 years. Spinal decompression is extremely successful, and it’s backed by some of the biggest research facilities in the world. My practice, Sugar Land Health Center, recently affiliated with Disc Centers of America, a national organization committed to non-surgical, non-invasive spinal decompression for back pain.”

Alan Dyer, MD, PhD is the inventor and founder of the revolu tionary technology behind non-surgical spinal decompression. Dr. Dyer’s own experience with back pain began when he was debili tated by a herniated disc. After traditional treatments failed, Dr. Dyer developed a sophisticated pull system for the spine that effectively created a vacuum to assist in reposition ing the extruded disc material back into place. Together with physicians, engineers, and technicians, Dr. Dyer built a machine to implement his method, which he happily tested on his own back. Soon, he was able to walk pain free! Today, Dr. Dyer’s spinal decompression machines are used throughout the world and in all Disc Centers of America offices.

Just how good is the research? Medical doctors from Stanford and Johns Hopkins University report an 8.98 out of 10 satisfaction rating among spinal decompression patients, and 100% of the participants would recommend spinal decompression. A study under the direction of Dr. John Leslie at the Mayo Clinic proved spinal decompres

sion to be up to 88.9% effective for neck and back pain. With over 500 published papers, Harvard Neurosurgeon Norman Shealy, MD, PhD is the most published author in the his tory of spinal decompression. Dr. Shealy says, “Thank you to Disc Centers of America doctors for continuing my work and saving patients from unnecessary back surgeries.”

Dr. Harris opened Sugar Land Health Center in 1982. In the summer of 2019, he welcomed his son-in-law, Dr. Zack Brazzell, to the practice. Together, they offer a wide variety of chiropractic care modalities and associated therapies to help people with pain find relief and improve their overall health. Dr. Harris says, “I’ve helped four people get out of wheelchairs…three of those were referrals from orthopedic surgeons. Degenerated or herni ated discs can be regenerated, and in many cases protruding discs have been shifted back towards normal without surgery. We can see it

on our patients’ before and after MRIs. Spinal decompression is ideal for individuals with disc problems, sciatica, disc-related peripheral neuropathy, or pain shooting down the arms and legs. I’m excited about our affiliation with Disc Centers of America. Together, we are get ting the word out: Back surgery is not the only option, and often not the best option or even necessary. Spinal decompression really is the new gold standard. A call to us can change your life with relief

results. Call now.”

THERE’S A BETTER APPROACH TO CANCER CARE in Sugar Land

At Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center, we treat every aspect of your cancer. Leading oncologists work with our specialists across disciplines to minimize cancer’s effects on major organs. One comprehensive team — dedicated to your individual care — uses the latest research, treatments and technology to stop your cancer. From infusion and clinical trials to surgery and reconstruction, our innovative care is available in Sugar Land.

That’s the difference between practicing medicine and leading it. Your health and safety are our priority. We are taking every necessary precaution to keep you safe.

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