Methodist Healthcare System | Keeping Well | Winter 2019

Articles in Keeping Well do not necessarily represent the opinions of doctors practicing at Methodist Healthcare facilities. Information in KEEPING WELL comes from a wide range of medical experts. 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. 2019 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. WINTER 2019 KEEPING WELL is published as a community service for the friends and patrons of METHODIST HEALTHCARE, 8109 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio, TX 78229, telephone 210-575-0355 , website SAHealth.com . Allen Harrison President and CEO Palmira Arellano Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations METHODIST HEALTHCARE SYSTEM 8109 Fredericksburg Road San Antonio, TX 78229 Presorted Standard U.S. Postage PAID San Antonio, TX Permit No. 1409 M e t h o d i s t H e a l t h c a r e Hospital Welcomes First Certified Facility Dog in Central and South Texas It was a PAWsitively exciting day in 2017 when Methodist Children’s Hos- pital welcomedHazel, the first certified facility dog in Central and South Texas. Hazel, a big and beautiful golden re- triever, has made a tremendous impact on patients’ lives, providing special support for young children in many situations, from dealing with anxiety over a long or uncomfortable proce- dure to simply combating loneliness when parents go home or to work and can’t be with them. Nurses have even witnessed the physical effect Hazel has had on patients, such as stabilizing vital signs. She is a beloved member of the MCH family. First Patient Technology Specialist Joins Methodist Children’s Hospital Gaming and virtual reality technology are becoming an important part of treatment for sick kids, and Methodist Children’s Hospital is among a handful of hospitals in the nation leading the way. MCH was the first hospital in Texas to have a patient technology specialist on staff to play video games with patients or administer virtual reality technology. For children in hospitals, games are one of the only ways for them to escape. Games help them forget, if even for a moment, that they are sick and stuck in a hospital. Games can help them overcome fear of unfamiliar procedures and help build relationships with caregivers that lead to better outcomes. Hospital Earns First Level IV NICU Designation in the Region In July 2017, Methodist Children’s Hospital (MCH) became the first facility in San Antonio and Cen- tral Texas to receive the Level IV NICU designation from the Texas Department of State Health Services. The designation recognizes the MCH NICU, the city’s largest, for providing comprehensive, high-quality care for the most critically ill and vulnerable infants. It also recognizes Method- ist Hospital as among a select group of hospitals in Texas that provide the best care for these fragile infants and their families. The recognition is important because it means that South Texas families with critically ill babies have access to the best care close to home. Hospital Honors Rowan Windham In 2016, Methodist Children’s Hospital (MCH) honored Rowan Wind- ham and the unimaginable impact he had on the hospital, its staff and the community by naming a cereal drive in his honor. Rowan had a rare genetic disorder, spending more than 1,500 days in the hospital and undergoing more than 100 surgeries. While in the hospital Rowan always asked for cereal donations for area children instead of “get well soon” presents and flowers. Inspired by his generosity, MCH established the Rowan Windham Memorial Cereal Drive. In 2018 the drive raised more than 200,000 servings of cereal for the San Antonio Food Bank, breaking all previous records. Methodist Children’s Hospital Celebrates 20 Years of Healing K E E P I N G W E L L 8 W I N T E R 2 0 1 9 —Continued from front page AMAZING MOMENTS