Feel free to share your thoughts and comments, as we join together with the Houston area communities and citizens in building an interactive relationship!
Posted on Jul 19, 2010 | Tagged in: healthcare , community
The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center <http://profiles.portfolio.com/company/us/tx/houston/the_university_of_texas_m_d__anderson_cancer_center/885353/> was also ranked No. 6 for ear, nose and throat and No. 10 for urology. It also ranked No. 11 in gynecology and No. 19 in gastroenterology. M.D. Anderson's ranking in diabetes and endocrinology jumped to number 21 this year, up from 41 last year and unranked the year before.
Other area hospitals earning spots in the Top 10 included:
• Memorial Hermann-The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research - No. 5 in rehabilitation.
• Menninger Clinic - No. 5 in psychiatry
• St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital’s Texas Heart Institute - No. 4 for heart and heart surgery.
The Methodist Hospital - ranked in twice as many specialties as any other hospital in Texas, according to the list.
Methodist was among the country’s top hospitals in 13 specialties although it wasn’t ranked in the Top 10 for any of them: Ophthalmology (12), ear, nose, throat (17), urology (18), gastroenterology (20), geriatrics (20), kidney (24), neurology/neurosurgery (25), orthopedics (26), pulmonary (27), gynecology (36), heart/heart surgery (42), diabetes/endocrinology (44) and cancer (45). Last year, the system earned a spot on the “Best Hospitals” Honor Roll.
Outside of the top 10, the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System also ranked in several specialties: No. 30 in kidney disease; No. 38 in gynecology; No. 46 in heart and heart Surgery; No. 48 in urology.
Posted on Mar 1, 2010 | Tagged in: healthcare , charity
The 26th Annual BP MS 150 Houston-to-Austin bike ride, Texas’ largest non-profit sporting event and largest MS 150 in the nation, will be taking place April 17th – 18th with funds raised to benefit the National MS Society. The National MS Society: Lone Star has a goal to raise a record-setting $18 million in funds for research, programs, and services provided by Lone Star that benefit the 20,000 people affected by MS in 174 Texas counties.
An estimated 13,000 cyclists are expected to take part in the two-day, 180-mile trek from Houston to Austin.
Registration is available at www.ms150.org. Individuals, families and groups are also encouraged to volunteer for the more than 3,000 positions in Houston, Austin and along the route.
Posted on Jan 29, 2010 | Tagged in: tips , healthcare
The beginning of a new year is always a good time to start some healthier, happier habits. Below are 10 simple ideas to try to incorporate into your new year, new you.
SMILE. Give yourself a happy break. Smiling sends a message to your unconscious mind and generates a positive mood and attitude.
Eat WELL-BALANCED meals throughout the day and kick-start your metabolism with breakfast every day.
Sit down, chew and ENJOY your food! Rushing meals may prevent the food from digesting properly. Take time for a leisurely meal instead of rushing off to start your next activity.
Make it a goal to drink at least eight glasses of WATER a day. Water flushed out the unwanted toxins from your body.
Posted on Oct 9, 2009 | Tagged in: healthcare
In May, we offered our communities local county resources to battle the potentially impending spread of the H1N1 virus, or "Swine Flu." Since that time, there have been several cases in the Houston area, and people are at risk if they do not take certain precautions. With that in mind, the best remedy is to stay calm and have a calculated response, as health officials agree that only rarely would a case of H1N1 need extensive or immediate medical attention.
Some preventative measures include:
- Frequent hand-washing.
- Refraining from putting your hands near your face.
- To be extra-cautious, you can gargle salt water or mouth wash, which works to clear pathogens out of your throat.
- Consider using a neti-pot or swabbing your nostrils with warm salt water
- Ingest plenty of Vitamin C. If you take supplements, make sure they have Zinc to boost absorption.
- Drink warm liquids often.
- Do not share food, drink, or utensils.
- Avoid contact with others who have contracted the virus.
A combination of these symptoms may indicate you have H1N1:
- Fever over 100
- Body aches
- Upper respiratory symptoms (cough, sore throat, runny nose)
If you do believe you have the H1N1, in most cases staying at home and taking fever-reducing treatments will work to eventually get you fever-free. If you are pregnant or have a chronic medical condition such as diabetes, cancer, asthma, heart, or lung problems, or a weakened immune system, consult with your physician and a treatment with Tamiflu/Relenza may be in order.
Generally, Tamiflu and Relenza are prescribed for individuals with flu who are either hospitalized, have a chronic medical condition, or have a suppressed immune system. Tamiflu/Relenza for influenza is not a cure, and only reduces symptoms and decreases length of recovery time by about 24 hours.
While we hope no one new contracts the virus, we encourage you to help make that happen by staying preventative and safe!
Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention
Please join Village Builders in Heritage at Towne Lake on Tuesday, October 13 for affordable, painless ultrasound tests of your arteries and bones. Unfortunately, insurance companies typically won’t pay for ultrasound testing unless you have symptoms. But, 50% of sudden cardiac death victims and 80% of stroke victims have no symptoms. That’s why a preventive screening is so important to keep you and your loved ones healthy and independent.
Three Tests for $130.95
These painless tests often cost more than $1,000 in hospitals.
Stroke / Carotid Artery Disease Test
80-85% of strokes result from clots that break off, traveling to smaller arteries in the brain. Carotid Artery Disease is a leading cause of these clots. We use ultrasound to identify dangerous plaque build-up.
Posted on Aug 21, 2009 | Tagged in: healthcare , education
Texas kids are getting ready to go back to schools, and for many children, preparation includes getting a few more immunizations. This year, big changes have been made in immunization requirements which will impact incoming kindergarten and seventh grade students.
The changes to the requirements were made to bring Texas into line more closely with what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory committee on Immunization Practices recommend. These changes started on August 01 and include:
- Hepatitis A Vaccine: All students entering kindergarten will be required to have two doses of Hepatitis A vaccine.
- Measles, Mumps, Rubelle (MMR) Vaccine: All students entering kindergarten will be required to have two doses of the MMR vaccine.
- Varicella (chickenpox) Vaccine: All students entering kindergarten and 7th grade will be required to have two doses of the Varicella vaccine. However, a written statement from the parent/guardian, school nurse or physician attesting to the child already having had chickenpox may replace the vaccine.
- Tetanus, Diptheria and acellular pertussis-containing Vaccine (Tdap): All students entering 7th grade will be required to have one dose of Tdap vaccine. Students in the 7th grade are required to have a booster shot of Tdap only if it has been five years since their last dose. Students in grades 8-12 are required to have a booster shot of Tdap if it has been ten years or more since their previous dose of a tetanus-containing vaccine.
- Meningococcal Vaccine: All students entering 7th grade will be required to have one dose of meningococcal vaccine.
For more information on immunization requirements for Texas kids:
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/IMMUNIZE/
Posted on Jun 24, 2009 | Tagged in: Oakhurst at Kingwood , healthcare
A new department of the Kingwood Medical Center has officially opened this week.
The new HCA-affiliated HealthOne Express Care Kingwood Clinic is now available to the public to treat minor emergencies and will be staffed by physicians from the medical center’s emergency department. Any minor injury or ailment, from coughs, colds, flu and back pains will be treated with care and promptness for both adult and pediatric patients. The clinic will also have x-ray and lab services available on site.
The facility will be open daily from 10 am to 9:30 pm. It is located at the south end of the Kingwood Medical Center campus on the west side of U.S. Highway 59 and Kingwood Drive. For more information, visit www.kingwoodmedical.com or call 281-348-8000.
Source: Houston Business Journal
Posted on May 12, 2009 | Tagged in: healthcare , Graystone Hills , Conroe
The Greater Conroe/Lake Conroe Area Chamber of Commerce is presenting a Family Health and Wellness Education Fair this weekend.
The event takes place on Saturday, May 16 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Conroe Regional Medical Center Heart and Vascular covered parking area. Underwritten by the Conroe Regional Medical Center, the event will include:
- Varicella, Tdap, MCV4 vaccine required for 7th grade students for '09-'10 school year will be provided for free by UTMB
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Health checks for the whole family
- Wii therapy demonstrations
- Head injury prevention program
- Balloon animals and face painting for kids
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Emergency vehicles on site for viewing
- DJ
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And much more!
Friendswood Development Company's Graystone Hills community in Conroe has quickly become the area's premier place to live.
Posted on May 8, 2009 | Tagged in: healthcare
As the H1N1, or "Swine Flu" scare has spread across the nation and the state of Texas, Friendswood Development Company hopes to provide a useful conglomerate of resources to our communities, which spread across several Texas counties.
These links will provide an array of information regarding H1N1 locally as well as nationally. You may find:
- Hand washing flyers
- U.S. regional confirmed cases and death statistics
- Health care providers
- Videos
- Travel alerts
- Symptom lists
- Frequently update H1N1 news
Posted on Apr 3, 2009 | Tagged in: West Houston , Lakemont , Katy , healthcare
Known for its prime location adjacent to the entrance of the Westpark Tollway, Lakemont is home to lakes, parks, to recreation centers and top builders. In addition to Lennar, Lakemont features new homes by Perry Homes, Brighton Homes, J. Patrick Homes. Prices start in the $130,000s. Enhancing its prime location is a long and growing list of conveniences close home, and minutes away for residents of this growing community.
Christus St. Catherine Hospital
The Christus St. Catherine Hospital on South Fry Road has recently completed a $50 million expansion. The hospital has more than 400 physicians and 664 employees of which 244 are nurses.
