Whole Texas Health Huguley, your partner for better health Summer 2025 Look inside for a chance to win an Amazon gift card Leveling up emergency care Huguley earns Level 3 Trauma designation Stay in the game Keep our injury prevention playbook in mind
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. 2025 © Texas Health Resources. 2025 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Follow us on: On the cover: Texas Health Huguley is now a designated Level 3 Trauma Center. Pictured are our emergency department physicians, who are part of the dedicated team that helped make this important milestone possible. 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 Tuesday, September 30, 2025. 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. Stay well this summer! As summer unfolds, it brings outdoor fun and well-deserved relaxation. But along with the fun, it’s important to be mindful of some unique health challenges the season brings, like heat-related complications and sports injuries. That’s why our focus goes beyond just treating illness. We’re committed to helping you and your loved ones stay healthy all summer. In this issue of Whole Health, I invite you to read our summer safety article. It’s packed with tips to ensure you enjoy the season safely. We believe that empowering our community with the right resources is key to living healthier and happier lives. Of course, if you ever need us, our dedicated team is here for you, equipped with expert care and advanced technology to help you heal in mind, body and spirit. Keep reading to learn more about the wide range of services we offer and how our patients experience the Huguley difference. As our community continues to grow, so does the need for comprehensive healthcare. We’re here to meet that need for you and your family. From the joy of welcoming your baby into the world to providing the latest surgical solutions close to home, your health is always our top priority. Thank you for choosing Texas Health Huguley Hospital. We wish you a healthy, happy summer! Penny Johnson, President and CEO As our community continues to grow, so does the need for comprehensive healthcare. We’re here to meet that need for you and your family.
Summer 2025 3 Whether you’re new to the area or you’ve lived here for years, there’s always something more to learn about Texas Health Huguley Hospital. For starters, did you know Texas Health Huguley recently added and enhanced some crucial services to better serve you? “It’s always been our purpose to serve the community, and the growth in our community has given us even more opportunities to do that,” says Tammy Ellis, Chief Nursing Officer. Recently expanded programs, services and facilities include: ● A new patient care tower. Opened in 2024, it includes an emergency department double the size of the previous one, with greater capacity to care for hospitalized patients. ● Around-the-clock OB hospitalists. Laboring moms who arrive at the maternity unit have immediate access to an obstetrician to manage their care at any time—day or night. ● Enhanced cardiovascular care. Your heart is in good hands at Texas Health Huguley, whether you need nonsurgical cardiovascular care or open-heart surgery. The hospital has increased the number of cardiothoracic surgeons on staff and added electrophysiologists for expert diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders. ● Leading-edge surgery. The hospital’s latest offerings include robot-assisted spine and chest surgeries. Small incisions with greater precision allow many patients to heal with shorter hospital stays, quicker recoveries and less pain. The hospital also offers joint replacements, heart valve surgery, advanced digestive health procedures and so much more. ● Level 3 Trauma Center. Texas Health Huguley is now a Level 3 Trauma Center, a higher designation than before. Highly skilled trauma surgeons provide 24/7 care for severe injuries, should you or your family need it. Feel the Huguley difference You deserve top-tier healthcare services near your home, provided by people who care for you like they would for their own loved ones. “We want members of our community to be able to stay close to where they live when they need to seek out any type of basic or advanced services,” says Jordan Couch, Chief Operating Officer. Whole health Explore great care for you and your family at TexasHealthHuguley.org. Get to know Texas Health Huguley Hospital Advanced healthcare services in your corner
4 TexasHealthHuguley.org Swim safe: Kids’ drowning prevention program Texas has some of the highest drowning rates in the country, but Texas Health Huguley Fitness Center is taking action to change that. The center offers free drowning prevention lessons designed to equip children with essential water safety skills. Led by experts from Sigma Swimming, these classes take place Monday through Thursday from 7 to 7:30 p.m. in the fitness center pool, welcoming kids ages three and up. “We want to build a safer and stronger community,” says Fitness Center Manager Randy Turner. Learn more at TexasHealthHuguley.org/FitnessCenter. 1. Protect your skin. Sunscreen helps protect exposed skin from ultraviolet sunrays and skin cancer. Apply a generous amount. “Places that are typically missed are the back of the neck and tops of the ears,” Christopher says. “That’s where we see a lot of issues with skin cancer.” 2. Stay hydrated. Water helps your body function properly and regulates your temperature. To replenish fluids lost through sweating, Christopher suggests drinking water early and often, increasing your intake when you’re exercising or working. If your urine is dark, rather than light yellow or clear, drink more water. “I also recommend sticking your tongue out to look at it with either a phone camera or a mirror,” Christopher says. “If it is white, that can be another indicator that you are not drinking enough water.” 3. Keep your cool. Dizziness or headaches may signal heat exhaustion, which can progress to heatstroke. “Get into a place where you can get some shade and start to rehydrate yourself,” Christopher says. Sip cool water and replenish electrolytes with a sports drink, if available. Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Signs include confusion, slurred speech, and hot, red and dry skin. “A person with heatstroke may lose consciousness or even stop sweating altogether,” Christopher says. If you suspect that someone has heatstroke, call 911. Accepting new patients Visit TexasHealthHuguley.org/ Rasmussen to schedule an appointment with Christopher Rasmussen, FNP-BC. Play it safe this summer Summertime and sun bring fun, but also potential risks. For safety’s sake, see these three tips from Christopher Rasmussen, FNP-BC, a primary care provider at Texas Health Huguley Hospital.
Summer 2025 5 Every man has the power to take proactive steps in the fight against cancer. To start, talk with your primary care provider about your personal risk and when you might need the following screenings. They may help catch cancer early enough to make a life-changing difference. “Diagnosing cancer early allows for better management and treatment outcomes,” says Wesley Marquart, MD, DABS. “It improves quality of life.” Colonoscopy. This test helps prevent cancer by allowing doctors to find and remove polyps that could potentially become cancerous and require extensive colon surgery to treat them. “Oftentimes, when a man chooses to get a colonoscopy as recommended, any polyps are removed without difficulty, thus Schedule an appointment Dr. Marquart offers video visits and is taking new patients. Visit TexasHealthHuguley.org/Marquart. Men: Know your best defense against cancer Screenings and healthy habits play a part avoiding a surgical procedure,” Dr. Marquart notes. “Men who procrastinate may either grow larger polyps or develop cancer.” Lung cancer screening. If you’re a current or former heavy smoker, you may qualify for low-dose CT scans. Prostate cancer screening. A simple blood test measures prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, which can indicate the presence of prostate cancer, a common concern among men. Skin checks. Anyone can get skin cancer. Consider having a dermatologist examine your skin for signs, such as changing moles or spots. Healthy habits to reduce cancer risk Dr. Marquart recommends these lifestyle steps to further guard against cancer: ● Increase your daily fruit and vegetable intake. ● Engage in heart-pumping exercise three times a week. ● Steer clear of alcohol and tobacco.
6 TexasHealthHuguley.org Digestive health problems are uncomfortable and not unusual. But you don’t have to suffer in silence. “We love to help patients achieve their optimal health,” says Amy Thomas, F-NP, with Texas Health Medical Associates Gastroenterology. Here are three of the most common digestive conditions Amy sees in her practice. 1. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Persistent heartburn (burning behind your breastbone) is a classic symptom. It’s sometimes Check your risk Scan the QR code to take a confidential colorectal cancer health risk assessment. Colorectal cancer: Lower your risk You have the power to help prevent colorectal cancer. First, get screened for colorectal cancer (starting at age 45 for most people). Colonoscopy is the only screening method that finds and removes precancerous polyps. “That’s why a colonoscopy is superior to all other screening tests,” says Gastroenterologist Mike Bismar, MD. “It’s a 30-minute test that can save your life.” Next, adopt healthy habits, like eating fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, exercising, limiting red meat, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol. Beyond lifestyle changes A healthcare provider can guide you to effective treatment. That may include medications or, for GERD, a procedure such as LINX or Nissen fundoplication. Gut check 3 common digestive health problems accompanied by a sour taste in your throat, hoarseness and a persistent cough. Untreated GERD can damage the throat and lead to swallowing problems and even cancer. To help manage it, identify and avoid foods that give you heartburn. “These can include spicy foods, carbonated drinks, alcohol, citrus- or tomato-based foods, and fatty and fried foods,” Amy says. Eating smaller meals (and eating your last meal at least two hours before lying down), elevating the head of your bed and avoiding tight clothing can also help. 2. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS causes abdominal pain and bloating, along with diarrhea, constipation or both. Your provider might have you try a special, low-FODMAP diet for a few weeks. This diet restricts hard-to-digest carbs and may help you identify which foods trigger your symptoms. 3. Peptic ulcers. These stomach sores cause burning abdominal pain in between meals, among other signs and symptoms. Helpful changes include limiting aggravating foods (like spicy, acidic or tomato-based foods) and avoiding NSAID pain relievers like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen.
Summer 2025 7 Stay in the game this summer A sports injury can bring your favorite summer pastimes to a standstill. Back sprains, stress fractures and tendon injuries—like golfer’s elbow, tennis elbow and jumper’s knee—are among the many issues that can sideline athletes and weekend warriors alike. The good news: Prevention is possible. When you hit the field, trail or court this summer, keep this injury prevention playbook in mind. Warm up. Preparing your muscles with stretches and a short warm-up can improve your safety and performance. Remember to cool down and stretch afterward. Ease into your activity. Doing too much too soon can get you hurt, especially if you haven’t kept up your conditioning in the offseason. “Level up gradually instead of going from zero to 100 quickly,” cautions Lance Johnson, MD, a sports medicine and family medicine physician. “Start with shorter distances or durations of your workout, and then gradually go up.” Strengthen your core. Strengthening the muscles that support your spine with exercises like crunches and planks helps deter back pain. “It helps support the ligaments and the joints of the back,” says Jarren Section, MD, an orthopedic spine surgeon. “Also, when the muscles are stronger, they can withstand more force during activity.” Vary your activities. For example, if pickleball is your game, mix in other activities that build leg strength. This helps reduce the risk of overuse injuries that come with playing just one sport. Learn proper technique. Bad form can hurt your game and your body. “If you’re playing with poor technique, you might overload and overuse a particular joint or muscle, risking an injury to that area,” Dr. Johnson says. “Have fun, but be safe,” Dr. Section says. “And if you need us, we’ll be here.” Don’t play through pain If you get injured, stop the activity and check with your healthcare provider. The right treatment depends in part on the type and severity of the injury. ● Nonsurgical treatments. Options include short-term anti-inflammatory medicines, physical therapy and braces that support injured joints, notes Dr. Johnson, who specializes in nonsurgical sports medicine. ● Surgery. If nonsurgical treatments aren’t working, Texas Health Huguley Hospital offers advanced surgical options for orthopedic injuries. The team includes surgeons trained in endoscopic spine surgery for lessinvasive pain relief. Scan the QR code to learn more about our spine care solutions.
Nonprofit Org U.S. Postage PAID Walla Walla, WA Permit No. 44 11801 South Freeway Burleson, TX 76028-7021 H At Texas Health Huguley Hospital, from the moment you walk through our doors, you’re not just a patient, you’re family. Our team brings clinical excellence and a compassionate heart to every interaction. Because here, healing goes beyond medicine. It starts with trust, empathy and people who treat you like one of their own. That’s the Huguley difference. TexasHealthHuguley.org YOU DON’T NEED A GPS TO KNOW YOU’RE IN EXACTLY THE RIGHT PLACE. Save time with On My Way! Let us know when you’re on your way to the emergency room. It’s not an appointment, but it helps our team prepare for your arrival.
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