Preserving history, Feeding the community
What began as a simple concept in conjunction with our nation’s bicentennial celebration has grown into an institution that preserves our historic buildings, parks and river. The Heritage Association of San Marcos is one of the cornerstones of preservation, enrichment and beautification of San Marcos. And for many years now, CTMC has been a valuable partner in helping to fund the important initiatives of the Association. In 2008, CTMC served as a sponsor of the Annual Heritage Home Tour and Cottage Kitchen Luncheons.
“We depend on and very much appreciate sponsors like CTMC. Without them, we would not be able to carry on this effort,” says Marianne Moore, president of the Heritage Association. “Stop by the Cottage Kitchen on Fridays and you will see a glimpse of small town America feeding the souls of its townsfolk. You’ll come away feeling like you belong to the best community around - friendly people uniting for a good cause - supporting the preservation of the precious heritage of our great city.” For more information about the Heritage Association’s 2009 activities, including a schedule of upcoming Cottage Kitchen offerings, call 512.665.6048 or visit www.heritageassociationsm.org.
Record of life
The first-ever ‘Faces of Hospice’ exhibit was displayed during the fall in several San Marcos locations. Local photographers donated their time to capture the precious moments of terminal patients and their loved ones. The unique gallery vividly expresses the timeless treasure of family bonds, while framing the dignity, peace, and comfort that hospice care brings.
“Faces of Hospice portrays our patients living their life to the fullest, despite being terminally ill; being true to themselves until their last breath,” Linda Lopez, CTMC Hospice Care director, explains. Special thanks goes out to Mary Stone of Mary Stone Photography, Laura Wooten of The Smile House, Tony and Susie Grandinetti of Grandinetti Photography, Anita Miller of The San Marcos Daily Record, Don McLaughlin of Thunderstorm Productions, Mia Hendricks of Macario Photography, and Chastity Little. Learn more about this exhibit or hospice services by calling 512.754.6159.
Expanding the vineyard
You may not know it, but San Marcos has a direct link to Rwanda. Local advocate Diana Wiley is investing in the future of the African country with remarkable programs that have a lasting impact on the participants and their economy. Her organization, True Vineyard Ministries, raises funds to help liberate African communities from the ravages of genocide so they can give their children shelter, clothing and education. “Our ‘Bake the Cycle’ initiative gives widowed women the tools and the knowledge to bake loaves of bread and sell them in nearby markets,” says Wiley. “A separate wool enterprise helps the women raise sheep, shear them and spin and dye wool for local textiles,” she adds.
CTMC first answered True Vineyard’s call in 2002 by sending anesthesia machines and baby warmers to a needy hospital in Mozambique. Since then, we have financially supported the empowering programs and hosted sales of handmade jewelry and stationery from the African programs. Even the purchase of necklaces made from recycled magazines can impact the progress of the villagers. CTMC’s Rehabilitation and Therapy director, Tonya Huston, volunteered her time by traveling to Africa as part of the initiatives. Huston learned how to shear sheep so that she could teach the skill to the villagers. “What I love about this project,” Huston noted, “is the self-sustaining principles that allow these women to meet their own needs and work together as sisters. It’s phenomenal.”
Pushing back on a harsh wind
Those of us blessed to call Central Texas home counted those blessings and willingly shared them with the victims of Hurricane Ike, which devastated Galveston and displaced residents in the summer of 2008. Serving as a medical evacuation site is standard procedure for a hospital, and CTMC gladly did its share to assist. Our team went even further by providing financial support to a group of displaced nursing home residents and hosting a special food drive for our local food pantry.
“I want to express my sincere appreciation to the staff of CTMC for their donations to help my nursing home patients that were displaced from ‘their home’ during Hurricane Ike,” wrote Lee Grumbles, MD., former CTMC physician, professor of Gerontology at UTMB and medical director of a nursing home that sits on the sea wall in Galveston. “Disasters bring out the best in people. CTMC definitely showed me stellar examples of the best in people,” she added. CTMC provided medical services to a number of evacuees (including one young mom who gave birth while here) and supported the 47 residents of the nursing home with clothing, blankets and cash donations. CTMC associates also donated money and food for the Hays County Food Bank. We are proud of our team for coming to the aid of so many whose names we may never know. God certainly knows each of them and we are grateful to have been given the opportunity to do His will in response to the storm.
Expanding our commitment to women and children
Growing communities mean growing families, so CTMC is proud to be opening an expanded Childbirth Center this fall. The Center will feature all-private rooms, a high-risk delivery suite and a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or NICU. In conjunction with this growth, we have added a specialized Childbirth Educator/Lactation Consultant and expanded our childbirth education offerings. The new programs include childbirth preparation for first time mothers, a childbirth refresher class for returning parents, a class on cesarean sections and breastfeeding classes. In addition, all of the programs are now offered in both English and Spanish. Additional programs in development include a program with the SMCISD for pregnant teens, car seat safety clinics and exercise programs for expectant moms. These offerings, coupled with mammography testing and the new lymphedema program at our Rehabilitation Institute, are designed to enhance the quality of life for women in our community. For more information, please call 512.753.3622.
Extending the mission beyond our borders
Our hospital family is fortunate to have the resources to help people within our community…and beyond our borders. Since 2008, CTMC associates have traveled to Honduras in partnership with the Pan American Health Services orphanage and compound. In the spring of 2010, a record 1,056 patients received exams, vitamins, anti-parasitics and other medication during the four day trip. The group even traveled along country roads to nearby clinics and schools to help natives who could not get to the compound. The volunteers were particularly touched by the smallest patients, malnourished infants at Casita Feliz, a dwelling for special needs children on the orphanage grounds.
“Going on my first mission trip was a life-changing experience,” explains nurse practitioner Kay Gibbons. “The children’s delight in simple things, like a sticker or exchanging a smile showed me how important the little things could be.” Karen Morris, CTMC Administrative Director of Ancillary Services, serves as the mission coordinator. “My inspiration is taking a group of strangers to a land outside their comfort zone, to serve people that they have nothing in common with, save the living spirit of our Lord. The group becomes a team, discovering new things about themselves and what is truly important in this life. We all leave changed, for the better,” said Morris.
Creation Health movement gains momentum
CTMC rolled out a number of initiatives supporting our health and wellness philosophies and principals throughout 2008. This began with the re-launch of a renovated website featuring health videos and interactive features that allow users to count calories, measure body mass index (BMI), register for classes, visit our online nursery and send e-cards to patients. In June, we became a completely smoke-free campus. We also recommitted to healthier food choices in the cafeteria and resurfaced the Community Walking Trail for public use. From lifestyle choices to food selections to actively reducing one’s risk for certain diseases, each of us has the choice to live a healthier life. CTMC’s commitment to the concept continued as the year rounded out with plans for new programs and screenings in 2009 under the new “Creative Living Series.” For more information about health education programs, screenings and support groups available at CTMC, call 512.753.3622 or go to www.ctmc.org. Be sure to check out the health information library and medical videos on demand, as well.
Clearing the air for all CTMC is committed to the health and well-being of our community. As an example to others in the community, the hospital campus and offsite facilities went entirely smoke-free in June 2008. Prior to the transition, smoking cessation classes were offered and resources were made available for staff and guests who needed help managing the change. Lana Cameron, chief nursing officer, notes, “It’s made such a difference in the health of everyone. Our outdoor gathering places and entryways are much more pleasant without the cloud of smoke and the residue of tobacco products.” Employees celebrated the change with bubble gum and pledge bracelets.
A Collaboration of Caring and Commitment to Our Community
While this report details the contributions Central Texas Medical Center and its associates made to those in our service area, we would like to recognize the more than 170 physicians that serve on our medical staff. Beyond caring for the healthcare needs of our community, many of these men and women support a variety of community causes, social service organizations, churches and other non-profit organizations through significant donations of time and money. The benefits they provide to our community cannot be measured, but are quite substantial.
We salute the generosity of so many on our medical staff for their commitment to our community and consider ourselves truly blessed to have such caring and committed partners. In particular, we’d like to acknowledge the medical staff members who were present for the 1982 groundbreaking of our original campus on Wonder World Drive. We thank them for their service during these past 25 years and look forward to many years of partnership in our expanding facility.
Charles Anderson, MD - Family Medicine Thomas Castoldi, DO - Family Medicine Albert Cobb, Jr, MD - Allergy Rex Cole, MD - Ophthalmology Lance LeDoux, MD - Gynecology Kenneth Long, MD - Internal Medicine W. Randy Rogers, DO - Family Medicine Barton Romanek, MD - Family Medicine