Whole Texas Health Huguley, your partner for better health Winter 2026 Look inside for a chance to win an Amazon gift card February is Heart Month Get the facts on 4 common myths about heart disease New year, healthier you How to keep up with your health goals this year
2 TexasHealthHuguley.org WHOLE HEALTH is published as a community service for the friends and patrons of TEXAS HEALTH HUGULEY HOSPITAL FORT WORTH SOUTH, 11801 South Freeway, Burleson, TX 76028, 817.293.9110, TexasHealthHuguley.org. Information in WHOLE HEALTH comes from a wide range of medical experts. It should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. Doctors on the medical staffs practice independently and are not employees or agents of Texas Health hospitals or Texas Health Resources. 2026 © Texas Health Resources. 2026 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Follow us on: On the cover: Cardiologists at Texas Health Huguley Cardiology and Vascular Associates of North Texas: Louis Cristol, MD, FACC; John Jayachandran, MD, FACC, FHRS; Deval Mehta, MD; Amit Prasad, MD; and Alvaro Rios, MD, FACC, FASNC. Find the hidden cowboy boots Ready to win? Find the hidden cowboy boots in Whole Health, and you could win a $100 Amazon gift card! Once you find the hidden boots, scan the QR code or visit TexasHealthHuguley.org/Contest to submit your contest entry. All entries are due by Saturday, February 28, 2026. One entry per person. All correct entries will be placed into a drawing, and one winner will be selected. Must be 18 or older to enter. Texas Health Huguley Hospital team members and their immediate family members are not eligible to win. Welcoming 2026 with heartfelt care for our community As we welcome a new year, I am reminded of the meaningful ways we serve our community and look forward to what’s ahead in 2026. At Texas Health Huguley, our mission remains clear: to support your physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being in every season of life. Heart health is especially close to my heart. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women, and its warning signs are often missed. That is why I’m passionate about raising awareness and equipping our community with lifesaving tools like hands-free CPR. Acting quickly in a cardiac emergency can mean the difference between life and death, and everyone should feel empowered to help. In this winter issue of Whole Health, you will find resources to strengthen your wellness journey and learn about the care and technology available right here at Huguley. From all of us, we wish you a joyful and healthy start to the year and a renewed commitment to whole health. Sincerely, Penny Johnson President and CEO AMERICAN HEART MONTH Take charge of your heart health February is American Heart Month, and it’s a great time to talk about something that matters to all of us—heart health. While heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., there’s encouraging news. There’s a lot you can do to lower your risk for or manage an existing heart condition. It starts with simple, everyday choices like taking walks with a friend, cooking hearthealthy meals with your family, and keeping up with your checkups to monitor cholesterol and blood pressure. And remember: You’re not alone. Our team is here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re learning about your risk or need advanced cardiovascular care from experts within our cardiology group, we’re proud to be your partners in whole-person care. Ronny Ford, MD Chief Medical Officer Put your heart in skilled hands Visit TexasHealthHuguley.org/Heart to learn about our whole-person heart care.
Winter 2026 3 Looking back at 2025 More providers, stronger services, expanded reach Caring for our community means constantly evolving to meet its needs. Over the past year, we’ve made meaningful strides, from expanding access to lifesaving care to bringing health services directly to neighborhoods that need them most. Here are just a few highlights from 2025 that reflect our ongoing commitment to healing and hope. Level 3 trauma designation. The emergency department earned this higher designation from the Texas Department of State Health Services. It means faster access to lifesaving care for those with traumatic injuries that previously required transfer to other facilities. More talented providers to serve you. Several primary care providers and specialists joined the Texas Health Huguley medical staff this year. Many were strategically placed in practices throughout the community to deliver care closer to home. Advanced cardiac care. The integration of several cardiologists into one unified program means the community can now receive high-quality heart and vascular care right here at home—from a checkup to specialized treatment and even open-heart surgery. This addition reduces travel time for those who need specialized heart and vascular care and helps ensure more coordinated treatment. Expanded outreach. Texas Health Huguley expanded its community outreach by adding two more Mobile Health Services sites and more service days—now reaching neighborhoods that hadn’t had dependable access to care before. Our goal is to meet people where they are and remove as many barriers as possible. The Mobile Health Services Bus provides screenings, immunizations and other primary care to people who have difficulty accessing care due to lack of transportation or health insurance, regardless of their ability to pay. This expansion helps improve healthcare access and affordability for those who need it most. Partnering with food pantries. Texas Health Huguley continued its support of local food banks through team-led food drives. In addition, the organization donated supplies to help Crowley House of Hope continue serving clients who are navigating a challenging time. Together, we can support families more effectively than any of us could alone—finding new ways to amplify our impact by working alongside trusted partners. Transforming lives These 2025 developments are just part of Texas Health Huguley’s ongoing commitment to providing compassionate care to everyone, every time—caring for our community the same way we care for the people we love. Discover more about us Explore what we offer at TexasHealthHuguley.org.
4 TexasHealthHuguley.org Winter workouts Tips for getting a move on safely Texas may not have winter weather on par with states farther north, but the season can still bring on intense cold and icy conditions. That makes safety a concern for anyone who wants to stay active outdoors. Consider these tips for staying safe and injury-free: Layer up. Layering your clothing traps warm air between layers. Plus, it allows you to control your body temperature in cold weather, says Joshua Richard, DO, a primary care and sports medicine physician at Texas Health Huguley Hospital. You can remove a layer if you get too warm or add one if you’re cold. Make sure your jacket or other outer layer is wind- and waterresistant. Warm up. Colder weather can stiffen muscles, tendons and ligaments and make them extra vulnerable to injuries. “I like the idea of just doing a light jog,” Dr. Richard says. “You’re increasing your core body temperature and your heart rate and building up the heat in your muscles so that they’re less prone to injury.” Stay alert. Watch for icy patches that could lead to slips and falls. If you’re exercising near roadways, be mindful of traffic and wear bright clothing so drivers can see you in low-light conditions. Know the signs of hypothermia—which can occur even at temperatures above 40 degrees. Warning signs include shivering, cold feet and hands, and slowed reactions. If you suspect hypothermia, “get to a warmer place,” Dr. Richard urges. Sports medicine for all seasons Is a recent injury or an ongoing issue, like arthritis, holding you back? Whether you’re an athlete, a weekend warrior or simply looking to regain daily function, Dr. Richard and Texas Health Huguley’s sports medicine team are here for you. They address sports-related conditions for people of any age and activity level, and many nonsurgical treatments can help. “I want to understand the why behind your pain and not just treat your symptoms,” Dr. Richard says. “I will work to identify those causes and provide effective treatments. At the same time, the goal is prevention—we want to make sure that the condition doesn’t come back.” Make an appointment Visit TexasHealthHuguley.org/ Richard.
Winter 2026 5 4 myths about heart disease Heart scan offers a heads-up A coronary calcium CT scan is one way to assess your heart disease risk. It measures calcium deposits in your coronary arteries. Along with other information, this helps your doctor decide if you need treatment to prevent that. Ask your provider if a coronary calcium scan is right for you. For your heart Visit TexasHealthHuguley.org/Heart. FACT: Heart disease risk factors, like high blood pressure and high cholesterol, typically lack symptoms you’d notice. “Even people who exercise and eat right may still have risk factors for heart disease,” Dr. Prasad notes. “Seeing your primary care doctor and getting routine evaluations is important.” FACT: Heart attacks can involve a variety of symptoms, including shortness of breath; sweating; nausea; or back, shoulder, jaw, neck or arm pain. “Oftentimes, you won’t have classic symptoms like on TV, where the actor clutches his chest,” says Cardiologist Amit Prasad, MD. If you suspect a heart attack, call 911. MYTH 1 MYTH 2 MYTH 3 MYTH 4 FACT: Heart disease becomes more common with age, but the process often begins in our teens and 20s. “And the way it begins is with very small plaque buildup in the lining of the wall of the arteries,” says Cardiologist Deval Mehta, MD. Risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking or a family history of heart disease can accelerate the heart disease process. But even if you’re young, living a heart-healthy lifestyle can help protect your heart. FACT: Heart disease is a leading killer of women and men. After menopause, a woman’s heart disease risk catches up to men’s. “The risk of heart disease increases to where it is the same by the time they are age 65 to 70,” Dr. Mehta says. Only men get heart disease. I’m too young to be affected by heart disease. Chest pain is the only heart attack symptom. I can’t be at risk. I feel fine.
6 TexasHealthHuguley.org Signs it’s time to seek mental health help Activities you once enjoyed no longer bring joy. “For example, if you’re someone who enjoys playing video games but are now disinterested,” says Christopher Rasmussen, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP‑BC, a board-certified family medicine and mental health specialist. “Or you like going out with friends, but now you no longer are interested in expending energy.” You’re exhausted. You might find yourself sleeping more than usual or struggling to find the drive to complete even mundane, daily tasks. You’re anxious. People experiencing anxiety can have irritability, difficulty concentrating and physical symptoms, like a rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, headaches, upset stomach, sweating or sleep disruptions. You should tell your provider if you’re concerned about these or other changes. Mental health support is available. “If you’re struggling with your mental health, you aren’t broken, and you’re not alone,” Christopher says. “Good people who care are willing to help you get through the dark storm you’re in.” You are not alone To schedule an appointment with Christopher Rasmussen, visit TexasHealthHuguley .org/Rasmussen. If you’re in a crisis situation, you can reach confidential help 24/7 by calling or texting 988: the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Be a lifesaver Step up: How to restart a heart A person who loses consciousness and has no pulse could be experiencing cardiac arrest. That's when the heart stops beating due to an electrical malfunction. The person can die within minutes, unless someone immediately performs CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) until medical help arrives. The American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers™ initiative reminds us that anyone can be a first responder in a cardiac emergency. That means you! Follow the beat The simplest form of CPR—hands-only—can be performed on a teen or adult with cardiac arrest. (Infants and children need CPR that includes breaths.) Take these steps to get help in a cardiac emergency and restart a heart: 1 Call 911 right away. 2 Push hard and fast in the center of the person’s chest to the beat of a song with 100 beats per minute, like “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees, “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé and Jay-Z, or “I Walk the Line” by Johnny Cash. 3 If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is nearby, get it and use it. If two people are helping, one of you can start CPR while the other calls 911 and finds an AED. Learn CPR Be ready for an emergency with CPR classes led by registered nurses. Visit TexasHealthHuguley.org/FitnessCenter.
Winter 2026 7 A fresh start for your health Ready to embrace a healthier you in the new year? Family Medicine Provider Melissa Collins, FNP-C, recommends these strategies to help you sustain your goals this year and beyond. Mix up your exercise routine to keep boredom at bay. “If you’re already walking, try something else that’s fun, like pickleball,” Melissa says. Set specific goals, such as “I’ll have a serving of vegetables with each meal,” instead of vague statements like “I’ll eat healthier.” Celebrate small victories—for instance, shedding 5 pounds on the way to your larger weight-loss goal. Track your progress. “Whether you use an app to log your activities or a journal, reflecting on your accomplishments can motivate you to keep going,” Melissa says. Have an accountability partner. “They can check on you and help you keep that forward momentum,” Melissa says. Work with your provider. Get checkups, preventive screenings and guidance on your wellness goals. “Prepare for your appointment by making a list of the specific goals you want to achieve,” Melissa advises. The latest in robotic precision How the da Vinci 5 enhances surgical capabilities, especially in women’s health If you’ve had your tubes tied (tubal ligation) but now want to have children, you may be able to have the original procedure surgically reversed. At Texas Health Huguley Hospital, the reversal procedure is often done with the aid of a high-tech robot. With its precision and 3D magnification, robotic surgery helps surgeons operate better on very small and delicate structures, says Obstetrician-Gynecologist Jason Neef, MD, FACOG. And because the incisions are small, post-surgery discomfort, scarring and downtime are all reduced. With reverse tubal ligation, for instance, patients go home the same day, may resume most activities within two weeks and are often cleared to conceive at eight weeks. The da Vinci 5 arrives Dr. Neef also performs hysterectomies and most other gynecological surgeries robotically. And now he has access to the most advanced surgical robot yet: the da Vinci 5. Among other upgrades, it enhances the surgeon’s ability to see structures during the surgery and manipulate the surgical instruments efficiently. During robotic surgery, a surgeon seated at a console uses controllers to direct the robot’s four arms. “My movements with my hands, which I can visualize on the screen, are then performed by the robot in real time on the patient,” Dr. Neef explains. The da Vinci 5 reflects Texas Health Huguley’s commitment to providing the most up-to-date surgical technology for surgeons and patients, he says. Discover advanced surgery solutions Visit TexasHealthHuguley.org/Surgery to explore our surgical specialties. Need help with your health goals? Visit TexasHealthHuguley.org/ Collins to make an appointment with Melissa.
Our advanced heart services are designed to keep you doing what you love, with the people you love. From preventive care to life-saving procedures, our team of skilled physicians and latest technology is here for every beat of your journey. That’s the Huguley difference. TexasHealthHuguley.org/Heart WE BELIEVE IN LIVING FOR A LIVING. Nonprofit Org U.S. Postage PAID Walla Walla, WA Permit No. 44 11801 South Freeway Burleson, TX 76028-7021 H Take a step toward better health Scan the QR code to take one—or more— of our health risk assessments. Don’t forget to share your results with your doctor!
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