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Summer of Healthy Kids

Blog by Dr. Chambers

The end of the school year and the beginning of summer is just around the corner. That can mean only one thing in most households – the dreaded declaration every parent hates to hear will soon echo throughout every home. “I’m bored!” Children have come to equate their very existence with constant activity and excitement. The days of being satisfied with making paper dolls and mud pies are a bygone era. Today’s parent has so much to keep up with, including the provision of stimulating... Read More »

RN Melinda Leinard's Kindness Brightens Up the Night Shift

UT Health East texas Nurse Cares goes above and beyond to care for her patients

For Melinda Leinard, RN, charge nurse at UT Health Henderson, it’s the little things that go a long way.

Leinard, who works the night shift, already is known at the hospital for passing out bookmarks to new patients in the morning that feature an acrostic poem reading GOOD MORNING. 

“I thought it would be something to give them in the morning to say, ‘I hope you have a great day. It was a pleasure taking care of you last night.’ Just something to brighten their day a little bit,” she said.

More recently, Leinard has found a soft spot in her... Read More »

A Heart Made for Nursing

Registered Nurse Margie Smith's own health journey led her to become a nurse

Margie Smith’s introduction to cardiac nursing came when she was a heart patient 25 years ago.

That experience, Smith says, shaped the patient care she now provides as an RN in UT Health Tyler’s Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit. 

“Being a patient has allowed me to be a better nurse,” Smith says. “Had I not gone through what I went through, I’m not sure I’d have pursued nursing.” 

Smith first started experiencing heart problems at age 28. By age 32, with four sons younger than 10 at home, she received her first pacemaker. 

“I... Read More »

Taking Control of Parkinson's One Punch at a Time

Olympic Center's Counter Punch program benefits those who have movement disorders

Brandon Jones, a Marshall, Texas, native, began boxing and learning kung fu at age 12. He fell in love with the sport and achieved his dream of opening his own kung fu studio and boxing gym in 1996. “Kung fu and boxing is who I am,” says Brandon. “It's a passion of mine and I love sharing that passion with others.”

Brandon’s countless hours in the gym – training himself and teaching others – made him realize that boxing’s benefits could be of major help to those with Parkinson’s disease. This realization eventually led to the program Counter... Read More »

The Unending Allergy Season of East Texas

Dr. Buttram of UT Health explains why allergies hit East Texas and how you can help symptoms

Spring brings with it beautiful blossoms, a chance to spend more time outside and pollen. Allergies cause problems all over the country, but it can seem like this region gets hit particularly hard. “East Texas may be particularly bothersome for allergic patients as the pollination may be more prolific than in other areas and the “seasons” may be prolonged,” explains Dr. Jonathan Buttram, allergist and immunologist at UT Health East Texas. “For instance, ragweed season in the Northeast may last three to four weeks,... Read More »

Depression and Its Link to Seasonal Changes

Dr Crystal Frazier and Dr Maria Anastasiades discuss the link between depression and seasonal changes

Blog by Dr. Maria Anastasiades, PsyD and Dr. Crystal Frazier, PsyD, MPA

 

It’s common for people to say they have the “winter blues” or that they are depressed in the colder, darker months of the year. These comments are sometimes benign, but they may also indicate that this person is suffering from seasonal depression. With the turn of the season, when everything is blooming and the sun is shining, it may be easy to forget about these shifts in mood, but if these episodes happen every year, it’... Read More »

A Parent's Guide to Infant Immunization

UT Health pediatrician Tiffany Hill gives tips on how to successfully vaccinate your infant

As parents, you protect your baby from a number of things, from sharp corners in your home to sunburns at the park. You also protect their health by keeping up with doctor’s appointments, which sometimes involve receiving vaccinations. Children, from infancy to adulthood, have certain vaccines that are proven to prevent them from contracting potentially deadly diseases.

Dr. Tiffany Hill, pediatrician at UT Health East Texas, has some tips for parents who are hoping to learn more about the vaccination process.... Read More »

Two People, One Passion for Volunteering

Carolyn and Shana are two volunteers at UT Health Tyler

Carolyn Gianettino, 75, started volunteering at UT Health Tyler three years ago after her husband spent several days in the hospital. She was looking for a way to fill her retirement and to give back to her community.

 

“We received excellent, excellent help and care here and after that was all over with we were just wondering what can we do to give back,” Gianettino said. “I saw the volunteers and thought, ‘That’s something I can do.’”

 

Shana Reasor, 23, a UT Tyler student started volunteering at... Read More »

Genetic Testing for a Personal Approach to Controlling Cancer

Director of the UT Health Breast Center highlights the importance of genetic testing for cancer

Cancer is caused by many different factors, including environmental, lifestyle and genetic. Of course you cannot control your genetics, but you can control how much you know about your family’s medical history. Take time to ask your relatives about their medical history and if they know of other family members’ history. This information can then be shared with the whole family, so everyone can have a clearer picture of their genetic cancer risk factors. 

Regina Davis, Director of the UT Health Breast Care Center, shares why taking genetics into account is crucial for cancer... Read More »

Can Treatment Help My Knee Pain?

UT Health orthopedic surgeon explains the causes and treatments for knee pain caused by osteoarthritis

Knee pain is one of the most common complaints that bring people to their orthopedic doctors. While this issue can result from many different issues and affect people of different ages, osteoarthritis is one of the main causes of this pain. This condition occurs when there has been wear-and-tear, causing your knee’s cartilage to deteriorate.

Some of the most common symptoms of arthritis include:

  • Pain that worsens with activity but gets better with rest
  • Swelling
  • Stiffness
  • Knee feels warm when you touch it
  • Cracking sound when you... Read More »