Memorial Hermann is Fort Bend County’s
only nationally accredited Chest Pain Center
Center meets national standards for emergency cardiac care

Because every minute counts when experiencing chest pain and a possible heart attack, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital has accelerated diagnosis and treatment for patients who arrive at its Emergency Center with chest pain. As a result, the hospital holds the distinction as Fort Bend County’s only nationally accredited Chest Pain Center, as designated by the Society of Chest Pain Centers (SCPC).

Accredited Chest Pain Centers undergo a rigorous evaluation by the SCPC to measure their ability to quickly and effectively access, diagnose and treat patients to improve patient outcomes. A key criterion is door-to-balloon (D2B) time for patients – the time between arrival at the facility and undergoing a balloon angioplasty to open blocked arteries. The national D2B standard is 90 minutes.

Sugar Land CEO Jim Brown predicts further reductions in D2B times with the opening of a state-of-the-art cardiac catherization lab in May. The lab will initially perform diagnostic procedures such as cardiac catheterizations and peripheral angiographies. Future plans call for the lab to perform interventional cardiology and vascular procedures, working in association with Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute-Southwest.

Accredited Chest Pain Centers have been found to reduce the mortality rates of patients suffering from chest pain through a very specific, protocol-driven and systematic approach. This approach allows physicians to treat patients more quickly during the critical early stages of heart attack, when treatments are most effective. It also allows for better monitoring of patients when it’s not clear whether they are having a coronary event. This prevents patients from being sent home too early or needlessly admitted.
Memorial Hermann is one of the world’s largest providers of cardiovascular care, performing more than 50,000 heart procedures annually. This expertise gives patients access to heart specialists with extensive training and experience in the complete range of cardiac treatments, from interventional cardiology to electrophysiology and complex robotic-assisted procedures.

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Cystoscopy suite opens at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital

Patients needing specialized urological testing and treatment can now be treated in a convenient, comfortable environment at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s newly opened cystoscopy suite.

The cystoscopy procedure allows a physician to look at the inside of the bladder and the urethra using a thin, lighted instrument called a cystoscope. Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s specialized procedure room opened this year.

“Cystoscopy is not a surgical procedure requiring an incision but patients are usually uncomfortable about having it done,” says Dr. Henry Pham, urologist on staff at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. “Having a room specially designed for cystoscopy, and for the patient’s comfort and ease, enables us to treat our patients with compassion while maximizing the test’s effectiveness.”

The procedure is performed by inserting the cystoscope into the patient’s urethra and then slowly advancing it into the bladder. Cystoscopy allows physicians to look at areas of the bladder and urethra that usually do not show up well on X-rays. Tiny surgical instruments can be inserted through the cystoscope allowing the physician to remove samples of tissue, treat cancer of the bladder, treat prostate enlargement or treat urinary tract stones.

Cystoscopies are typically performed to find the cause of urinary tract infections, blood in the urine, painful urination, incontinence, urinary retention and more. Using the cystoscope, the physician can examine the urethra, urinary channel and prostate, bladder and ureters. If abnormalities are discovered then treatment can be done without requiring an incision.

The newly opened cystoscopy room is just one of the many new services that Methodist Sugar Land Hospital has brought to Fort Bend County. Just in the past year, Methodist Sugar Land Hospital has added two Whole Body 3 Tesla MRIs, the industry’s most powerful technology typically found in the nation’s top academic medical centers; a 64-slice CT Scanner, one of the first units of its type in the Houston area; new operating rooms that are equipped with the latest lighting and ancillary equipment; a full-service Breast Center and physical therapy including aquatics and occupational therapy.

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, part of The Methodist Hospital System and ranked as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For by FORTUNE Magazine, is committed to serving the healthcare needs of our community. Methodist Sugar Land Hospital has some of the most advanced technology and medical capabilities in the area and has maintained the highest quality of care The Methodist Hospital is known for internationally. Services include oncology services, labor and delivery, critical care, emergency department, surgery, lab and diagnostic imaging.

In recent years, Methodist Sugar Land Hospital physicians have successfully performed abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, angioplasty with stents, brain surgery, carotid artery stenting, gastric lap band surgery, open heart surgery, single port laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, urinary bladder reconstruction and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery – the first time any of those procedures had been performed in Fort Bend County.

For more information on Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, visit www.MethodistSugarLand.com or call 281-274-7500 for a physician referral.

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Good health care paying off for Fort Bend County

By Dori Wind

As the baby boomer generation continues to age, and Fort Bend County’s population continues to grow, the healthcare industry continues to flourish in the county. As a new resident to the county in 1986, I remember having to go to the Houston Medical Center to get care for myself and my family at St. Luke’s Hospital and Texas Children’s. Today these facilities have followed me out to Fort Bend County.

The county has its own mini-Houston Medical Center with more clinics, private doctors and affiliated health care professionals moving into the area everyday. In 2008, when I had a mishap resulting in a broken wrist, the surgery, doctor’s visits and rehabilitation were all done in the county within ten minutes of my home. My doctor who was part of an independent orthopedic group when he initially operated had become part of the Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas by the time my wrist was healed. The medical industry in Fort Bend continues to evolve and thrive for the betterment of our community.

Not only do our new hospitals, clinics and healthcare providers supply us with convenient, excellent, close-to-home medical care, but they are fast becoming a major employer group in the area. The Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council (www.fortbendcounty.org) lists nine major healthcare and related industry companies among the largest employers in the county. The Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, located off the Southwest Freeway near Town Center, employs 1,600 workers with a number 6 ranking among the largest employers in the county.

Oak Bend Medical Center, located in Richmond, employs more than 600 personnel; Texana Center in Rosenberg has almost 500; Memorial Hermann- Sugar Land has more than 425; St. Luke’s Sugar Land Hospital has more than 300; Kelsey-Seybold Clinic has 150 and Cardinal Health in Stafford has 100 employees. Also, Fort Bend County is home to the Richmond State School, a mental health care and special education facility that employs 1,300 persons.

In addition to providing employment opportunities, these organizations also supply award winning care to the residents of the area. Hospitals in the county include: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, ranked No. 1 for cancer care in the U.S. News & World Report “America’s Best Hospitals” 2008 survey. The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center-Clinical Care Center in Sugar Land provides cancer care services that complement the broad spectrum of inpatient and outpatient care services currently offered at St. Luke’s Sugar Land Hospital. The Clinical Care Center is housed on the first and second floors of a medical office building adjacent to the hospital, offering convenience, direct appointment scheduling, and free parking for patients. To find out more about M.D. Anderson call 281-566-1800, or Toll-free 877-293-8127

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital continues to provide Leading Medicine, close to home. The hospital was ranked No. 8 on FORTUNE magazine’s list of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in 2009, named as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report for several years in a row, and designated A Pathway to ExcellenceTM hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for its commitment to nurse satisfaction, excellent bedside care and patient safety. For more information on The Methodist Hospital, Sugar Land, visit the website at www.methodistcares.com/sugarland.

The Memorial Hermann Healthcare System is the first Houston (and Fort Bend County) Hospital system to earn the National Quality Forum’s 2009 National Quality Healthcare Award – this award is considered the gold standard for healthcare quality. The Hospital, affiliated with the University of Texas Medical School in Houston, is also committed to preventive health and wellness services and offers health education programs in the workplace and the community; bi-monthly information; free skin cancer and prostate cancer screenings. The American Heart Association also designated it as a platinum level Fit-Friendly Company for going above and beyond to create a healthy environment for its employees. There are two hospital locations in Fort Bend County with one being in the Richmond/Sugar Land area and the other in Katy. To find out more about these hospitals visit Memorial Hermann at www.mhhs.org.

OakBend Medical Center, which has been providing care for more than 100 years in the county, has celebrated several momentous occasions at its facilities in Richmond. The hospital performed its first open heart surgery and received the American Get With the GuidelinesSM-Stroke Gold Performance Achievement Award. The stroke award recognizes OakBend’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of stroke care by ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment for at least 24 months according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations. For additional information about the medical center, contact Cindy Reaves, Marketing Manager, OakBend Medical Center, 281-341-3023, creaves@obmc.org

St. Luke’s Hospital includes comprehensive women’s services with a newborn nursery and a level 2 NICU, a 16-bed intensive care unit, eight surgical suites and special procedure rooms for endoscopy and pain procedures, cardiac catheterization labsA, comprehensive diagnostic and imaging services for cardiac care, and an emergency center with 11 treatment rooms, one trauma room and five pediatric observation rooms, and a Sleep Center. The St. Luke’s complex includes a 100 bed hospital, medical offices and parking garage. For more information on St. Luke’s, visit www.stlukestexas.com

Texas Children’s Hospital also provides Board Certified pediatric physicians to staff St. Lukes’s Emergency Center. Suzanne Marquez, Manager and Head of Texas Children’s Sugar Land Health Center explained that “If you have a child with serious medical issues, your child can get the help he/she needs right here in your community. You do not have to travel to Houston because the specialty doctors come out here to Sugar Land.” For more information on the Center, visit their website at www.texaschildrens.org/Health-Centers/SugarLand.aspx.

The Richmond Bone and Joint Clinic is a comprehensive orthopedic specialty clinic. It has four offices in the Fort Bend County/ Houston area, including one at 1517 Thompson Highway in Richmond, one at 21222 Kingsland Boulevard in Katy and a Sugar Land location at 15035 Southwest Freeway. Physical therapists, occupational therapists, a massage therapist, chiropractor, podiatrist, and an acupuncturist work with the physicians, including spine surgeons, to provide comprehensive orthopedic treatment for patients in the different clinics. The extensive medical expertise among the doctors allows them to collaborate on individual cases and to work together as a team when necessary. For more information on the services provided by the Richmond Bone and Joint Clinic, visit their website at www.rbjc.com.

Local government is very supportive of the local health care community and is currently investing in a new Emergency Medical Services Headquarters to be located at 4332 Highway 36 in Rosenberg. The new 14,116 square foot building will include administrative offices, Medic One facilities, training and class rooms, conference rooms, a bunk area, storage capacity, and vehicle parking for employees and various Regional Response Vehicles that are in the county’s possession. The building is expected to be completed in September 2010.

Continuing to encourage the best healthcare facilities and services to come to Fort Bend County, and also providing personal responsibility preventative and wellness programs at these entities appears to be paying off for its residents. According to a A Needs Assessment of Fort Bend County – A Collaborative Effort Between The George Foundation, The LBJ School of Public Affairs, and The Residents of Fort Bend County, published in April 2007, the study reported: “Residents of Fort Bend County seeking medical care have many options. Dozens of well-equipped hospitals and clinics, and thousands of well-trained doctors, surgeons, dentists, nurses, and other specialists operate in Fort Bend or nearby Harris County.” The study also pointed out that Fort Bend residents appear to be healthier than the average Texas resident in the categories of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, infant deaths, AIDS, and chronic lower respiratory diseases.

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New procedure providing second chance to morbidly obese
Less invasive gastric “sleeve” opens door to next healthy step….
and more options for those running out of them

Growing up in a family constantly battling obesity, I understand its challenges and the importance of a strong support system and sustainable “health” plan for long-term health success. I say “health” plan rather than “weight loss” plan, because weight loss is only one part of a more comprehensive program required for true long-term success.

It is important to know before building a plan to combat morbid obesity that the best results often begin with the right surgical procedure to “jump start” a lifestyle of regular activity. This is combined with a proper diet and conscious effort to address the “stressors” that prompt excessive eating and the unhealthy lifestyle that brought the patient to this point. A team of healthcare professionals equipped to monitor not only the different organs of the body but also exercise, nutrition and the psychological aspects is key.

Over the years, we’ve seen a number of new procedures that have proven the last resort, life saving measure for many battling obesity and the severe secondary health problems that accompany it. Despite the risks of such procedures as gastric bypass and gastric banding, the alternative for many can be far more intimidating – hypertension, heart attack, diabetes, stroke and death.

And unfortunately, the health of some in need of such surgical intervention has already been compromised, no longer making these procedures viable options.

This is why we are so excited about a relatively new, less invasive procedure available for many, including these individuals, the gastric “sleeve” or sleeve gastrectomy.

The sleeve gastrectomy procedure is performed laparoscopically with very small instruments and incisions. During the procedure, the larger, rounded part of the stomach is removed and the remaining stomach resembles a sleeve (hose or tube), which is able to hold only 15 percent as much food as the original stomach.

The surgery removes the grehlin producing part of the stomach, which is a stomach hormone stimulating hunger. And though the stomach is smaller, the openings are left intact, permitting normal digestion without malabsorption.

In some cases, this is the only boost a patient needs to begin their walk towards better health. For others, it is the first stage in a broader surgical plan – enabling them to achieve a level of health required for additional surgery they may need in their journey to overcome obesity.

Dr. Brian Mirza is a fellowship trained laparoscopic surgeon who exclusively performs “Obesity” surgery. He has been in practice for over 15 years and performs his procedures at Bariatric Care Centers, with privileges at OakBend Medical Center. Board certified and a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), Dr. Mirza is a staunch advocate of education and hold weekly seminars on weight loss for both patients and other medical professionals wanting to understand bariatric surgery and its impact.

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Richmond Bone & Joint Clinic specializes in sports medicine

Dr. M. Vishal Shah
Sports Medicine Orthopedic Surgeon

Shoulder and elbow injuries in young throwing athletes, both male and female, have become an epidemic in our country. The unprecedented popularity of baseball and softball, the prevalence of year-round seasons and events and the high level of competitiveness at all levels have led to a high incidence of stress fractures, ligament injuries and cartilage damage in young arms. Maturing joints need time to heal from the accumulated repetitive microtrauma which results from prolonged throwing. The best way to protect your child from injury is to adhere to clinically-proven pitch count restrictions and rest periods, to teach proper throwing mechanics and body conditioning, and to allow for a yearly “throwing holiday” period of several months followed by gradual return to sport. These simple recommendations can prevent the majority of this spectrum of overuse injuries. If your child does complain of persistent pain, early evaluation and treatment which typically consists of a brief period of throwing rest and/or a physical therapy regimen can prevent minor conditions from becoming serious injuries.

Richmond Bone and Joint Clinic is a comprehensive orthopedic clinic with a team of orthopedic physicians specially trained in Sports Medicine, as well as athletic trainers and physical therapists. Each specialty has expertise in biomechanics, rehabilitation, fitness and training, which can benefit your child. Together this team of professionals will determine the proper course of treatment regarding the injury. Younger athletes from Little League baseball, soccer, football, and basketball to gymnastics, swimming, tennis and hockey can benefit from proper Sports Medicine care.

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St. Luke’s hospital provides high quality care

Since opening its doors in October 2008, St. Luke’s Sugar Land Hospital continues to progress in one of Greater Houston’s fastest growing communities. Patients can expect the high quality of care that has come to be synonymous with the St. Luke’s name.

The hospital offers a wide spectrum of inpatient and outpatient services. Included in the facility are two floors of beautifully decorated private rooms, built under evidence-based design to further the quality offered to our patients and a full floor dedicated to women’s services, including a newborn nursery and a level 2 neonatal intensive care unit. Critical care services also are a feature of the Hospital, including a 16-bed intensive care unit, eight surgical suites, special procedure rooms for endoscopy and pain procedures, cardiac catheterization labs, and a 12-room emergency department with five pediatric observation rooms. Diagnostic and imaging services are very comprehensive, and include a 1.5T MRI and a 64-slice CT scan, both with cardiac capability.

St. Luke’s Sugar Land is the only hospital in the Fort Bend community to enjoy a unique affiliation with Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH) and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. TCH neonatal specialists and pediatric emergency physicians, who care for patients in the Texas Medical Center, also provide onsite care as part of the medical staff. The M.D. Anderson Cancer Center operates a clinical care center that includes radiation and medical oncology services, outpatient chemotherapy, laboratory services and a pharmacy.

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Texas State Healthcare provides professional
home based medical help for seniors

We’re Connie and H.C. Pat Fodrie, your neighbors and owners of TEXAS STATE HEALTHCARE.

Question……have you ever compared your health to the weather? Sunny and pretty one day, but a storm’s brewing for the next! We may feel fit as a fiddle today, but tomorrow one of our strings may break? We never know what the next day will bring and most the time, we don’t know what the weather will be like, do we? We would all be ahead of the game if we took the time to know more about our Healthcare Community…. Where they are? Who they are? And what can they do for us at a time we’re in need help? This information could certainly help prevent more anxiety added to what we may already be experiencing.

Our aging America needs the input of medical professionals that deal with senior adults in our own homes whenever we or one of our loved ones become homebound. Providing skilled professional nursing care in the home for aging citizens increases the level of functioning, while still providing the highest possible level of outcome. Home healthcare also gives comfort, privacy and convenience that we all want, need and deserve. Home healthcare services should always provide safety, as much independence as possible, quality of life and the ability to age in place.

We are TEXAS STATE HEALTHCARE and this is “Who We Are & What We Do”:

SKILLED NURSING CARE: WOUND CARE (Our Director of Nursing, Vickie Piwonka, RN, WCC, COS-C, is certified in wound care)

CATHETER CARE ,DIABETIC CARE , IV THERAPY: Which includes Medicare & Private Insurance approved antibiotics & IV Medications, PICC Line care, LAB SERVICES, PATIENT & FAMILY TEACHINGS: On medications, health awareness, diagnosis, independence and safety. VIAL-of-LIFE: We recommend the Vial-of-Life for emergency use, physician’s appointments and for easy references.

HOME HEALTH AIDES: To assist in daily living activities.

PHYSICAL, OCCUPATIONAL & SPEECH THERAPIES MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKERS: Resources and services available in the community.

“Hometown Nurses Helping Hometown People” Call us at: 281-208-4344. See us at: www.txstatehealthcare.com.

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UHV helps decrease nursing shortage

The University of Houston-Victoria is doing its part in Fort Bend County to help combat the nursing shortage in Texas and across the nation.

“Our graduates are needed in Fort Bend County and elsewhere because the Baby Boomers are aging and more nurses are retiring,” said Kathryn Tart, founding dean of the University of Houston-Victoria School of Nursing, which provides degree programs at the University Houston System at Sugar Land, UH System at Cinco Ranch in Katy and in Victoria.

In fact, Texas is short about 22,000 nurses right now, according to the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies. That number could grow to 70,000 by 2020 unless there are major increases in funding for nursing education.

UHV first started its nursing program in the fall of 2006. At that time, UHV only offered a Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in Sugar Land and Victoria.

The program, which has since expanded to Katy, was so successful that the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved a proposal in 2007 to create a UHV School of Nursing, which allowed the university to begin offering other nursing programs.

The School of Nursing added a Master of Science in Nursing program in the spring of 2008, along with a RN to MSN Bridge program. Both programs allow students to select nurse education or nurse administration concentrations and are offered in Sugar Land, Katy and Victoria.

The School of Nursing’s newest program is the Second Degree BSN, which started in the fall of 2008 on the Sugar Land campus and expanded to Katy in January. It allows someone with a bachelor’s degree to earn a second degree in nursing in as little as a year.

In October, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education fully accredited the school’s undergraduate and graduate programs for the next five years. It was the School of Nursing’s first attempt at national accreditation.

For more information about the school, go to www.uhv.edu/nursing.

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Eliminate your children’s head lice

The Texas Lice Squad™, which started their operation by way of in-home services, has been helping families since 2006. Utilizing their intensive hands-on experience, they are able to help you solve your seemingly hopeless head lice problem, getting you and your family back to a normal routine as quickly as possible. There is no need to put yourself or your children through another day of embarrassment, frustration, and missed school & work days - help is only a phone call away.

The Texas Lice Squad™ is owned and run by Penny Warner, a Registered Nurse, with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. Penny’s background includes 12 years as a critical care nurse and is Board Certified in Nursing Administration. She also served as the Director of Healthcare Improvement, Risk Management, and Patient Safety, as well as the Accreditation Coordinator for one of the largest hospital systems in Texas.

Penny founded The Texas Lice Squad™ after fighting head lice on her own children. “You would think being a nurse I would have had a handle on how to eliminate head lice. It just wasn’t that easy. I knew if I was having such a hard time that I couldn’t be the only mom who needed help.” Warner explains. “I started researching head lice and was amazed at the amount of misinformation out there. What I quickly learned was that better head lice education was the real key to ending the cycle.” Now by providing hands on help while simultaneously educating their clients in proper steps towards prevention, The Texas Lice Squad™ is able to help parents safely eliminate head lice and stop the reoccurring cases. Using non-toxic, pesticide-free products and professional combing to insure the removal of all nits and lice, The Texas Lice Squad™ will provide a letter attesting that your child is free of head lice and nits so that she/he may be readmitted to school.

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UHV research to help nurses better treat patients

A nursing faculty member who teaches at the University of Houston System at Sugar Land is conducting research on new healthcare technology called “telehealth” so that nurses can more effectively treat their Fort Bend patients even when they are not in the same room.

Shainy Varghese, a University of Houston-Victoria School of Nursing assistant professor, recently interviewed 13 advanced practice nurses to find out how they conveyed that they cared when treating patients over the phone, through video conferencing or by using other distance technology means. She wrote an article, “Caring in Telehealth,” about the results of her research, and it was published in the December edition of the Journal of Telemedicine and Electronic Health.

“When we think about healthcare, we always think the nurses and doctors have to be by the patient at a touchable distance,” Varghese said. “But in telehealth, the provider and the patient can be miles apart and sometimes can be in a different country.”

Varghese found that nurses conveyed caring when using telehealth by being with patients, personifying the images they used and effectively communicating.

“The next step will be to examine patient perceptions in telehealth,” she said.

Varghese’s article is just the beginning of research faculty members in the UHV School of Nursing will produce as the school continues to grow, said Kathryn Tart, the school’s founding dean. The school provides the nursing programs at the UH System at Sugar Land, UH System at Cinco Ranch in Katy and at the main UHV campus in Victoria.

“We have such an amazing array of knowledge and interests in our nursing faculty,” Tart said. “I’m excited to see all the different research projects underway.”

For more information about the UHV School of Nursing or telehealth, go to www.uhv.edu/nursing.

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Astros Caravan visits patients at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital

Patients at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital received a sneak preview of baseball season as the Houston Astros 2010 Caravan rolled through Fort Bend County.

Jeff Fulchino, pitcher; Brad Mills, manager; Larry Dierker, former player and manager and Brett Dolan, radio broadcaster visited patients at the hospital earlier this year.

Patient, Donald Templeton, was excited to meet the new manager and Jeff Fulchino, who was named Astros Rookie of the Year in 2009 by the Houston Chapter of Baseball Writers Association of America. “This was a really exciting day,” Templeton said. “It was great to meet the Astros Caravan because I have been following the Astros for many years. It definitely boosted my spirit.”

Fulchino, is entering his second season with the Astros. “I’m looking forward to spring training, and to helping out the team this season,” he said. “Meeting the fans here in the hospital makes me all the more eager to get out there.”

The Astros Caravan also met with patient Morrissia Sauer, who was looking forward to the visit from the Astros contingent. “This hospital is my home away from home and I cannot ask for a better place. Surprises like this make it worthwhile,” said Sauer.

A day after delivering their newborn baby, the Valenzuela family was able to meet with the Astros Caravan while at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. “I was so thrilled to actually meet the players. Who would have thought that I would be in the hospital for my son’s birth and have the opportunity to meet my favorite baseball team! It is something I will never forget,” Paloma Valenzuela said.

The Astros Caravan is a two-week community outreach tour held during the month of January. Astros players, alumni, coaches and front office staff take part in the tour. The Caravan features visits to schools, hospitals, community centers and military installations along with youth clinics and free autograph sessions throughout Texas.

The Methodist Hospital System is the official health care provider for the Houston Astros, the Houston Texans and the Houston Dynamo.

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, part of The Methodist Hospital System and ranked as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For by FORTUNE Magazine, is committed to serving the healthcare needs of our community. The new hospital expansion provides Methodist Sugar Land Hospital some of the most advanced technology and medical capabilities in the area and maintains the highest quality of care The Methodist Hospital is known for internationally. The new hospital has expanded bed capacity, and existing services including the breast center, labor and delivery, critical care, emergency department, surgery, lab and diagnostic imaging.

For more information on Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, visit www.MethodistSugarLand.com or call 281-274-7500 for a physician referral.

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The Little Clinic – now open in your neighborhood

The Little Clinic, operating six convenient care clinics in select Kroger stores in the Houston area, including Richmond, Rosenberg, Missouri City, Spring, Kingwood and Pearland, makes quality medical care convenient and affordable for busy consumers. Beginning March 6, clinics will be open seven days a week, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Appointments are not necessary and clinics treat the entire family, age 12 months and up.

The Little Clinic locations are staffed with Board Certified Nurse Practitioners and Certified Physician Assistants who can treat and write prescriptions for common illnesses, minor skin conditions and injuries.

The Little Clinic also provides a variety of wellness and preventive medicine services, such as screenings, vaccinations and immunizations. Throughout March, clinics will be offering free health screenings for cholesterol, body mass index, blood pressure and digestive health. In addition, clinics provide back to school, camp and sports physicals for students. From May –September, schools and organizations participating in The Little Clinic Sports Physical Giveback Program can earn as much as ten percent back on every sports physical administered to their athletes during those months. Interested schools should contact Angie Blacklock, ablacklock@thelittleclinic.com or 832-671-4197.

For more information, including treatments, pricing and accepted insurances, visit www.thelittleclinic.com.

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