Story

After recently spending 10 days at UT Health Tyler, Jim Simon had a new appreciation for the dedicated team of health professionals who work at the hospital on a daily basis.

Wondering how he could give back to those who took care of him, Jim turned to what he knows best – tacos.

Jim, managing partner of Torchy's Tacos in Tyler, hand-delivered fresh tacos to caregivers Thursday as a way to say thanks. It was the second delivery he's brought to caregivers since being released a few weeks ago.

When caregivers at UT Health Athens decided to adopt a senior student to shower with gifts, they had no idea they'd be giving back to one of their own.

UT Health Athens Emergency Department Director Lynett Anderson's own son is a senior in high school so she was aware of a social media campaign to "adopt" area seniors since they weren't able to have a normal senior year. The program's goal was to give them gifts or cards to make them feel special.

In March 2019, Meri Mullicane got the news that her sister, Maeschelle, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Meri sent her a pink bear with a note that said, “I know I don’t understand your journey, but everybody needs something to cry on.” Unfortunately, Meri would soon understand her sister’s journey all too well.

John Vaughn is back on the police force 15 years after suffering a heart attack on duty that forced him into early retirement.

“That retirement was probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” Vaughn said. “But, I was more of a danger to the men I worked with and the public as an officer. That’s when I decided I couldn’t do it anymore. I don’t want to hurt somebody.”

One local family found a way to stay connected while their daughter was treated at UT Health Tyler.

While his 2-year-old daughter was being treated at the hospital, Ben would stand outside the front of the hospital and talk to her while she waved down from the window above.

The hospital is limiting visitors due to COVID-19, and pediatric patients are allowed to have one family member stay with them. Mom Christy decided to stay at the hospital, so Ben returned home to care for the couple’s two sons.

Heartache often is a part of life. Brent and Donna Holt of Palestine have experienced heartaches, but not the kind you might think. Both have experienced heart valve disease, but like many loving couples, they pulled together to conquer it.

Mistie Williams, a healthy, 42-year-old wife and mother of two, was at her parents’ home in Gun Barrel City with her family and friends on Aug. 31. It was her daughter’s first weekend home from college, and they were enjoying their Labor Day weekend together. Without warning, everything changed.

Congratulations to Chris Fugate on being named the UT Health East Texas EMS | AIR 1 Caregiver of the Month! Chris was nominated by his coworkers because of his devotion to helping people.

Chris’s nomination read:

Lee Tidnall is a UT Health East Texas EMS Transport driver and the recipient of the UT Health EMS | AIR 1 Caregiver of the Month Award for June for his commitment to people and community. Thank you for all you do for UT Health East Texas EMS, Lee.

It all started 21 years ago at ETMC Tyler on 6 south, the oncology floor. Kristi Key and Kim Rogers, both new nurses, began their long journey of friendship. One year later Carol Hancock joined this friendship when she too began to work on 6 south. Through eight-16 hour shifts, working evenings and nights, to full time and part time along with some day shifts, with marriages and babies their friendships grew.