East Texas Review

Healthcare unites

Kelly Bell — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:50:24 +0000

The Diagnostic Clinic of Longview (DCOL) and Longview Regional Medical Center (LRMC) have revealed their impending collaboration and how it will advance healthcare services yet further for East Texans already accustomed to expert care from both institutions.
This partnership will spawn perhaps the most advanced, integrated, progressive and effective medical unit in the region. LRMC’s parent company, Community Health Systems, Inc., will effect a merger with DCOL, to be completed over the next few months. All physician ownership interests in LRMC will be repurchased. DCOL President Dr. Robert Wheeler, M.D. has great expectations for the new alliance.
“DCOL and Longview Regional have worked side-by-side for more than 30 years to bring revolutionary medical advancements to our patients, recruit physicians to our region, and broaden the health services we provide,” he said. “We have deep respect for one another and common goals for medical excellence and patient service. Affiliation between our organizations solidifies an already strong relationship and brings the promise of immeasurable benefit for our patients and the region.”
The healthcare industry’s evolving dynamics have already established collaboration as a positive trend, producing improved medical treatment and advancement in the overall patient experience. With learning being an ongoing process despite a field’s state-the-art status doctors and hospital administrative staff are careful to keep seeking means for advancing these goals in all health systems.
“DCOL physicians value the opportunity to create a system of coordinated patient care across the full spectrum of health services,” said DCOL CEO Bert Ratay. “Whether it’s an office visit, a diagnostic test, an emergency room visit, surgery or hospitalization, DCOL physicians will have a greater involvement in the healthcare landscape than ever before.”
With over 700 employees DCOL is one of East Texas’ biggest multi-specialty establishments. There are 132 doctors and mid-level healthcare providers in the 18 locations, all of which will continue to operate under the name of Diagnostic Clinic of Longview following the merger, and with the same skilled staff. The changing ownership structure will have little impact on the facilities’ day-to-day service and procedures.
Following the merger a joint oversight committee comprised of representatives from both DCOL and LRMC will direct DCOL. Furthermore, DCOL physicians will commence serving on the LRMC Board of Trustees. LRMC CEO Jim Kendrick is enthusiastic about the coming union.
“The forward-thinking physicians at DCOL have always been pioneers in their field,” he said. “We have great respect for their commitment to their patients, the community and to clinical excellence. We welcome their increased involvement in our hospital.”
Dr. John Greifencamp, M.D. is one of DCOL’s original founders, and echoes Kendrick’s enthusiasm about the merger’s positive implications.
“I am proud of how DCOL has evolved over the years, and the opportunity we have now through this affiliation with Longview Regional,” he said. “We’re excited about partnering with a physician-oriented hospital that shares our vision for the future and commitment to the patient. We look forward to what we can accomplish in our work together.”
DCOL concentrates on such primary care services as pediatric/adolescent medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, family practice and internal medicine, although a broad spectrum of medical specialists have recently joined the staff. Most practitioners are board-certified.
A 131-bed acute care facility, LRMC aims to provide East Texans with medical care that is constantly updated through advancements in treatment and technology. It is Longview’s only hospital providing daVinci robotic surgery, Stryker joint replacements, BrainLab spine and trauma solutions, 100% off-pump beating heart surgery with minimally invasive technique, the HALO procedure for reversing damage to Barrett’s esophagus, and bariatric weight-loss surgery.
This hospital has the city’s only vein treatment center in which interventional cardiologists perform all procedures, in the process earning the recognition of “Best Vein Care Center of Excellence.” LRMC employees are delighted by their hospital being named one of the “Best Companies to Work for in Texas.” This is unsurprising since the owning partnership includes a number of physician-owners, some of whom are on the hospital’s staff. For more information on LRMC please visit www.longviewregional.com.

Unity Honors Luncheon to be held Thursday

ETR Staff Report — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:40:52 +0000

The Unity Honors Luncheon, hosted by the Race Relations Committee, will be held on Thursday, Feb. 2 starting at 12:00pm at the Maude Cobb Activity Center.
Tickets are $10 each and are being sold at the following locations:

Partners In Prevention Office
140 E. Tyler St. #400
Broughton Recreation Center
801 MLK Blvd
Barron’s
405 W. Loop 281.
Tickets WILL NOT be sold at the event.

Summer program seeks donations

ETR Staff Report — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:38:42 +0000

Tyler Parks and Recreation is seeking donations of arts and crafts supplies, table games, sporting equipment and youth reading books for its free, summer playground program that will take place at five park locations for 10 weeks beginning in June.
“Instead of throwing away an old board game or baseballs that no longer get used, please donate them to our summer playground program where the children will get hours of amusement out of them,” said Ann Santana, the Glass Recreation Center Supervisor. “We really try to get the kids into an active, healthy lifestyle at a young age, and that includes lots of outdoor games and activities.”
Any financial donations or sponsorships would also be greatly appreciated. If your organization would like to help please call (903) 595-7271 or drop off your donations at the Glass Recreation Center at 501 W. 32nd St.
“Our summer youth programs are extremely important to the community, so we want to do everything we can to ensure their success,” says Parks Director Stephanie Rollings. “And this call for donations comes just in time for everyone’s spring cleaning.”
All children age 5-12 are invited to take part in the summer playground program.
For more information contact Ann Santana at (903) 595-7271.

Lifeguard training set

ETR Staff Report — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:35:46 +0000

PARD Aquatics is getting ready for the upcoming summer season by offering 2 Lifeguard Training classes: one in March and one in April.
You must be at least 15 years of age to participate in this course.
In these classes, participants will learn how to become a certified lifeguard.
A pre-course assessment is required to make sure participants meet the swimming skills needed to become a lifeguard. To find out more about the lifeguard training classes, see the PARD Aquatics website or call 903-237-1270.

Play it safe

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:33:59 +0000

The Super Bowl is America’s most popular national sporting event. All across the country, millions of people gather to socialize and watch the big game.
The U.S. Department of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with support from the National Football League (NFL) and Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management (TEAM) Coalition, have joined forces with Texas Department of Transportation and local highway safety and law enforcement officials to spread an important safety message to the public about designating a sober driver on Super Bowl Sunday – Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.

“This message is for everyone who will be drinking during the big game. Make the right play and pass your keys to a designated driver so they can get you home safely,” said Irene Webster, Traffic Safety Specialist. “There is no excuse to get flagged for a false start. The men and women of our local law enforcement agencies will be out to stop anyone who decides to drink and drive.”

In 2010, alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities accounted for 31 percent of the total motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the United States.

Driving while impaired could result in a loss of your driver’s license or even possibly the loss of your or someone else’s life. On Super Bowl Sunday, make it a team effort to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. If you plan on driving, plan not to drink alcohol.

If you are hosting a Super Bowl party:

•         Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers before kick-off or help arrange ride-sharing with sober drivers.
•         Find unique ways to recognize the designated drivers at your party
•         Give them a great spot to watch the game.
•         Whatever non-alcoholic beverage they are drinking, make sure their glass is always full.
•         Let them have the first pass at the buffet table.
•         Make sure their cars are easy to access when it is time to start driving people home.
•         Serve plenty of food.
•         Offer a variety of non-alcoholic choices like soft drinks, juice, and water.
•         Serve one drink at a time and serve measured drinks.
•         Only serve alcohol to guests over 21 years of age.
•         Determine ahead of time when you’ll stop serving alcohol, such as one hour before the party ends or at the end of the third quarter (just like NFL stadiums) and begin serving coffee and dessert.
•         Add the numbers of local cab companies into your phone so they are just one touch away.
•         Take appropriate steps to prevent anyone from drinking and driving.
•         Be prepared for guests to spend the night if an alternative way home is not available.

Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you served ends up in a drunk-driving crash.

If you are attending a Super Bowl party or watching at a sports bar or restaurant, please follow these guidelines to make sure you enjoy Super Bowl XLVI responsibly:

• Designate your sober driver before the party begins.
• Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself—eat enough food, take breaks, and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.
• If you don’t have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend, or family member to come and get you; or just stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober.
• Always buckle up – it’s the best defense against other drunk driving.

City slates annual Kid’s Fishing Day

ETR Staff Report — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:29:50 +0000

The City of Longview Partners in Prevention and Texas Parks and Wildlife will host the 21st Annual Kid’s Fishing Day at Teague Park Lake on Sat., Feb. 11, from 10am to 2pm.
Teague Park is located at 411 American Legion Boulevard. This free event is open to children ages 3 to 16. The event has consistently drawn approximately two to three hundred children.
Besides prizes for catching a tagged fish, there will be door prizes. In addition, the sponsors will provide free bait. To boot, a limited number of fishing poles will be provided for the young fishermen. But, that is not all. Happy the Clown will entertain attendees.
The City of Longview Partners in Prevention, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Ricky Borden, and the Longview Sportsman Bass Club are the sponsoring the event.
For more information, please call Partners in Prevention at 903-237-1019 or visit PIP.LongviewTexas.gov.
Kid’s Fishing Day started 21 years ago as a partnership between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the City of Longview Parks and Recreation Department. Currently, City of Longview Partners in Prevention has partnered with Texas Parks and Wildlife and Sportsman Bass to host the event in order to introduce city kids to fishing sport.

Faith in the workplace

Kelly Bell — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:27:18 +0000

Can the Christian faith make an impact on the workplace? In America workers are more and more hoping their jobs will provide something more fulfilling than a paycheck. Is there a place for pastors here? LeTourneau University’s (LETU) Dallas-based Center for Faith & Works says yes to both questions.
Ninety-three percent of all pastors say they want to help members of their congregations integrate faith and work, but fully two-thirds of them admit their efforts fall short,” said Center for Faith & Work Executive Director Bill Peel. “People work more, and better, when their labor carries a sense of calling, but most employers can’t give it, and most pastors don’t.”
Center-commissioned surveys by the Barna Group highlight the failure of faith to infiltrate the workplace:
• Nearly all (93%) of pastors say helping people integrate faith into daily work is “very important.”
• One-third (32%) of these pastors claim to have an “excellent understanding” of workplace issues.
• Half (49%) of churchgoing, employed Christians”strongly agree” that their churches give information, guidance and support to parishioners’ practicing of their faith at work.
• 26% of pastors claim their sermons address the issue of faith at work.
• 8% of all pastors provide prayer support for workplace issues.
• 3% of all pastors report they visit their church members on the job.

LeTourneau established its Center For Faith & Work in 2011 in hopes of supporting a burgeoning “faith at work” movement aimed at helping Christians (employed and unemployed) exercise their faith outside the church. To study the Center’s mission further visit www.CenterforFaithandWork.com. This resource reveals the program’s resources, tools and curriculum. The Center is founded on the premise that the Lord prizes good work, well done.
“From Genesis to Revelation, work is essential to human flourishing,” said Peel. “Pastors and pew populations too often default to esteeming ‘church work’ over traditional business, but God doesn’t draw that line.”
LETU President Dr.Dale Lunsford clearly outlines his institution’s support of the Center’s objective.
“In 1947, R.G. LeTourneau, industrialist and inventor, founded LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas, and his refusal to separate faith and business formed the DNA of the university,” he said. “The Center is the university’s strategic initiative to graduate professionals prepared to integrate their faith and work.”
Peel is the founding executive of the Center for Faith & Work. He is an award-winning writer of seven books, including Workplace Grace, What God Does When Men Lead and Discover Your Destiny. He finds time for interviews and to provide content on such subjects as:

* Executives’ Faith at Work.
* The Faith at Work Movement.
* The Bottom Line on Faith at Work.
* Five Ways Churches Can Send Faith to Work.
* What Americans Want: 21st Century Work and Meaning.

For more information on LeTourneau University please visit www.letu.edu.

Kids compete at UIL meet

Joycelyne Fadojutimi — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:24:03 +0000

It was a bright, early and chilly Saturday morning when most people are in bed under warm blankets enjoying not having to go to school or work. Early risers may have been up watching cartoons. However, students, and their teachers assembled on this fateful morning at HUDSON PEP for the UIL meet.
Seven LISD elementary schools gathered for a UIL Academics meet at Hudson PEP. A total of 450 students participated in the second annual district UIL Academics meet on Sat., Jan. 28.
Community leaders, LISD educators, college and high school students volunteered to serve as judges for the event. C. Jeannine Brandon, English III Longview Global High School and UIL District Academic Coordinator thanked Hudson PEP principal Sue Wilson and her staff for hosting the meet. In addition, she is appreciative of the principals, coordinators, and coaches who prepared students for the meet. Also, she thanks the parents who came to support their little ones.

Events and grade levels of the top six places are as follows:

Art 4th Grade
1st       Isiah Martinez           Hudson PEP
2nd       Caroline Henderson       Hudson PEP
3rd       Danielle Wooden       Hudson PEP
4th       Gisselle Gamino           J.L. Everhart
5th        Cherrion Williams       Hudson PEP
6th       Erandy Salgado           Ware
Art 5th Grade
1st       Anna Ward           Hudson PEP
2nd       Payton Schaap           Hudson PEP
3rd       Peyton White           Hudson PEP
4th       Jessica Mena           South Ward
5th       Ka’Rajah Smith           Bramlette
6th       Jesus Luviano           Bramlette
Creative Writing 2nd grade
1st       Randall Rinehart       Hudson PEP
2nd       Madison Poole           J.L. Everhart
3rd       Jasmine Durrant           Johnston-McQueen
4th       Cambrie Salser           Hudson PEP
5th       Tenique Bauer           South Ward
6th       Alexis Jones           Hudson PEP
Dictionary Skills 5th grade
1st       Isaac Alvarado           Hudson PEP
2nd       Luke Albritton           Hudson PEP
3rd        Aerial Henderson       Hudson PEP
4th       Emily Riddle           Johnston-McQueen
5th       Angela Dominguez       South Ward
6th       Ghnytra Ford           J.L. Everhart
Listening 5th grade
1st       Auburn Hilliard           Hudson PEP
2nd       Sam Pistone           Hudson PEP
3rd       Alexis Freeman           Bramlette
4th       Ka’Rajah Smith           Bramlette
5th       Rickel King           J.L. Everhart
6th       Leticia Peralta           South Ward
Maps, Graphs, Charts 5th grade
1st       Emma Grace Frierson       Hudson PEP
2nd       Paul Morin           Hudson PEP
3rd       Parker Montgomery       Johnston-McQueen
4th       Starr Davis           Johnston-McQueen
5th       Sam Snyder           Hudson PEP
6th       Alyn Castillo           J.L. Everhart
Music Memory 3rd grade
1st       Jack Bolding Perfect Score   Hudson PEP
2nd       Jack Blackburn           Hudson PEP
3rd       Olivia Orren           Hudson PEP
4th       Avery Shobert           Hudson PEP
5th       Jaz’lyn Lewis           Bramlette
6th       Trevion Green           Bramlette
Music Memory 4th grade
1st       Carmen Vermillion Perfect Score   Hudson PEP
2nd       Kayla Poole Perfect Score       J.L. Everhart
3rd       Aviriel Hinton           J.L Everhart
4th       Carley Snyder           Hudson PEP
5th       Damian White           Ware
6th       Kori Hunter           Hudson PEP
Music Memory 5th grade
1st       Ghnytra Ford Perfect Score   J.L. Everhart
2nd    Natalia Reeves           Hudson PEP
3rd       N’Dia Elder           Ware
4th       Daniel Fourie           Hudson PEP
5th       Alexis Irving           Ned E. Williams
6th       Terriah Dunn           J.L. Everhart
Number Sense 4th grade
1st       Prince Patel           Hudson PEP
2nd       Bhavna Singh           Hudson PEP
3rd       Victor Mendoza           South Ward
4th       Troy Thomas           Johnston-McQueen
5th       Virginia Gonzalez       South Ward
6th       Alejandra Gonzalez       Ware
6th       Christy Truong           Johnston-McQueen
Number Sense 5th grade
1st       Nitin Rangu           Hudson PEP
2nd       Gaurav Singh           Hudson PEP
3rd       Lee Stanley           Johnston-McQueen
4th        Surya Donty           Hudson PEP
5th       Manuel Guarez           South Ward

Johnston McQueen students at recent UIL competition.

Museum honors black history

ETR Staff Report — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:16:37 +0000

Black History Then and Now is the theme of the Gregg County Historical Museum’s 2012 salute to African-American history.
This month-long exhibit opened February 2 and features a timeline of American Black History, spiced with a chronicle of local black history and how it relates to black history nationally.
Photographs, documents and various artifacts will comprise the display detailing noteworthy African-Americans locally and coast-to-coast. This will include an array of black Barbie dolls, and works from a local artist.
A highlight of the month-long recognition event will be a panel discussion in which area residents will debate race relations past and present. The museum will host this forum February 22 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
The museum has incorporated the vital subject of black history into its ongoing yearly calendar of events and Educational Program which are open to the public and admission free.
The museum is located at 218 Fredonia Street in downtown Longview, across from Regions Bank.

LISD seeking super

Kelly Bell — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:13:49 +0000

The Longview Independent School District (LISD) Board of Trustees is offering former Superintendent Dr. James E. Wilcox a second term as interim. The panel has already unanimously voted to hire an interim superintendent and assigned Board President Dr. Sam Satterwhite the task of offering the post to Wilcox. Salary has yet to be established, but interims typically earn less than full-time supers.
“Any interim superintendent is going to cost less than a full-time person, so there is a definite savings to local taxpayers,” said Satterwhite. “But with someone like James [Wilcox] we would be able to make a seamless transition because he knows this district like the back of his hand.”
Trustee Dr. Chris Mack is equally enthusiastic about Wilcox’s hiring. “We are going to have to hire somebody. I think we get a lot more for our money if we hire someone who can come in and hit the ground running.”
Wilcox formally informed the board of his retirement in December, with his retirement officially commencing Dec. 31. At that point Deputy Superintendent Andrea Mayo became interim superintendent.
“It’s difficult enough to work one of these positions, but to work both of them simultaneously is a monumental task,” said Satterwhite. “Andrea [Mayo] has been holding down the fort better than anyone else could, but it’s not fair to expect her to continue doing both jobs.”
According to Satterwhite the board does not yet have a schedule for hiring a full-time superintendent, but the panel is wasting no time in approaching this vital task. The board’s next meeting is February 6, which is the earliest the interim can be formally hired. With the position being an interim capacity the LISD is not required to name a finalist. Should Wilcox accept the position he will be assigned to lead the search for his permanent replacement.
“The last time we hired a [superintendent] search firm it cost the district more than $31,500,” said Trustee Chris Mack. “Dr. Wilcox is admired and respected across the state and knows as many qualified people as any firm.”
In April 2007 Wilcox left the Waxahachie ISD in order to accept his current position in Longview. Since arriving he has implemented such career and technology programs as district-wide International Baccalaureate and Montessori programs, and oversaw a school bond election that raised $267 million for the establishment of seven new elementary campuses, three new middle school campuses and the funding for extensive improvements at Longview High School. He furthermore directed a district rezoning that simplified 28 attendance zones into just six, enabling a federal court to relax a 40-year-old desegregation order.
At the time of his retirement announcement in December, Wilcox revealed he had no immediate vocational plans, but would definitely continue to be active in the local educational community and in civic organizations.