Mary Urieta, orthopedic clinic supervisor at UT Health Tyler, still remembers how being in the hospital made her feel when she was 8 years old. While many kids that age might feel scared, Urieta remembers the hospital as a place where she and her parents felt accepted and valued, like they belonged.
A distance of more than 300 miles didn’t stop a proud grandmother from spreading love to newborns at UT Health Tyler.
Nancy Savinelli said her own six grandchildren serve as her inspiration for making the crocheted baby blankets she donates to different baby organizations, including the UT Health Tyler Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
“Children are such blessings,” Savinelli said. “I feel it is rewarding to give my blankets to others and it warms my heart.”
As more than 50 resident physicians started their training throughout East Texas this month, Dr. Christian Ferrer, a board-certified family medicine physician practicing in Quitman, offers a unique perspective on the experience these residents are embarking on as part of the growing residency program partnership between The University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas.
UT Health East Texas is hiring nursing students as externs while they complete their required clinical hours in a new program that benefits not only the nursing students but the hospital as well.
For as long as she can remember, Marigold “Gold” Suarez, knew she wanted a career in healthcare.
“I’ve always been fascinated with the healthcare industry,” said Suarez, director of therapy services at UT Health Tyler. “As far back as I could remember, even as a kid, I role-played being a doctor and considered pursuing medical school.”
Janice Blancad, RN, brings a servant’s heart to her job as an intermediate care nurse at UT Health Tyler. Blancad said her biggest achievement is making a difference in someone’s life. She does that by being present for her patients — actively listening to them and frequently checking to make sure they have what they need. Blancad said it’s also important to walk into a patient’s room with a smile and to show that you care about them.
When Jamie Morrison learned she would have to deliver her baby early because she was experiencing pregnancy complications, she wasn’t worried because of her background as a NICU nurse herself.
“I was overconfident. I’ve seen these babies, I thought, ‘Oh, he’ll be fine,’” she reflects eight years later. “When you’re in that moment and it actually happens … I will admit I did not get it until it happened to me.”
Morrison said it really hit her when her 4-pound, 11-ounce-newborn was placed in a transport isolette minutes after delivery and wheeled away from her to the NICU.
When Greg and Janet Kats moved to Tyler to retire a year ago, the couple turned to hobbies to stay busy, Greg using his 3D printer to create different objects and Janet crocheting blankets and stuffed animals.
Greg, retired from a career in IT, makes miniature trains, dinosaurs and fidget toys with his 3D printer and Janet, retired from an accounting career, likes to craft with her hands.
“It keeps us busy and gives us a purpose of doing something,” Janet said. “These are things we like to do and keeps us busy, and it also helps the kids.”
Two UT Health Athens nurses received DAISY Awards for their extraordinary on-the-job care.
Stephanie Beddingfield, RN, “exhibited total patient focus, integrity, leadership, stewardship, teamwork,” according to her nomination form, written by the patient’s wife, who noted that when he was discharged, Beddingfield even pulled their truck into the loading area in the pouring rain.
As we celebrate Black History Month, we’re spotlighting our caregivers, the diversity they bring and the difference they make at UT Health East Texas.
Velvette Davis prides herself on being a role model for others, just as those in her life have been for her.