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.
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