WELL KEEPING Methodist Healthcare—San Antonio Spring 2024 IN THIS ISSUE: p4 Bravery in every beat p5 Methodist Healthcare Hospitals receive top honors p6 Tre Jones brings joy to cancer patient Cheer line and applause for Baby Irina as she goes home after 207 days After an incredible 207-day journey in the hospital, filled with resilience and bravery, Baby Irina was finally able to go home on Dec. 7, 2023. Born with obstructed infradiaphragmatic total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR), a birth defect of the heart, Irina required multiple surgeries, including a major open-heart procedure. Irina demonstrated what strength truly looks like. In August of 2023, her mother experienced the long-awaited joy of holding her for the first time since her birth in May. Irina’s journey is a testament to the miracles of love and medicine. Thank you to the dedicated team at the Methodist Congenital Heart Institute for their expertise and compassion.
“I was always healthy. I lived a normal life, and I would even go to the gym twice a day,” said Natallie Cruz, 25. Natallie developed a rare blood condition after she gave birth to her baby girl on Nov. 7, 2020. After delivery, Natallie began to experience weakness, fatigue, tremors, and inability to speak. She knew something was wrong. When the doctors and nurses came into her room, they noticed an abnormal amount of body fluids and rushed her to the operating room. She was diagnosed with a rare blood condition known as atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). aHUS is a genetic disease that causes tiny blood clots to form in the blood vessels, blocking blood flow to important organs. Natallie was in end-stage renal failure and needed a kidney transplant. After a month of undergoing dialysis, Natallie had no energy and was unable to perform her mommy duties. “It was very scary and challenging,” said Natallie. “I started to feel depressed.” Her fiancé, Royal Johnson, 30, was willing to donate his kidney; however, he was not a match. Fortunately, the pair was able to go through the Kidney Exchange Program at Methodist Transplant Institute, where living donor kidneys are swapped so each recipient receives a compatible transplant. “I couldn’t continue to watch her suffer; she is the mother of my child,” said Royal. “I knew the sacrifices I was going to make, and I knew it was going to change my life.” The transplant successfully occurred on July 7, 2022. “Dr. Eric Treat did amazing! The entire team was very helpful and made sure we were taken care of,” said Natallie. “The whole process has made our relationship 10 times stronger,” said Royal. Since then, the couple has fully recovered, and they are enjoying parenthood. According to recently released United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) data, Methodist Transplant Institute in San Antonio has been recognized as the top program in the nation, leading in living kidney donor transplants. The program completed 214 living donor kidney transplants and 171 deceased donor kidney transplants in 2023. The program was also recognized as the largest Hispanic kidney transplant program in the nation. According to UNOS, more than 6,900 people became living organ donors in 2023. “I am grateful to be practicing in San Antonio. Our city has been on the forefront of championing the living donation path to improve access to kidney transplantation. For over 13 years now, our city has seen the highest rates in the nation of live donor kidney transplants,” said Matthias H. Kapturczak, MD. “Our goal is to improve the lives of people with kidney disease in our communities, one patient at a time,” said Kevin Scoggin, CEO of Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant. “To achieve these milestones at a community hospital that serves a majority Hispanic population and many underserved communities around Texas is a remarkable accomplishment.” Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant is committed to excellence in kidney transplant care. For more information about the kidney transplant program, visit SAHealth.com/Specialties and click on “Transplant Services.” Living donor kidney program ranks #1 for 13 years straight A GIFT OF LOVE Husband-to-be donates kidney to save fiancée’s life 2 SAHealth.com KEEPING WELL — SPRING 2024
Finding new life: an amputee’s journey of resilience For some, the news of getting a prosthetic leg might be the end of the world. For Ralph Martinez, this was a chance to live life again, pain-free, and to help others in the same situation. Ralph, a 45-year-old salesman, had been suffering from Charcot foot, a rare and disabling disorder that results in nerve damage to the foot, after a toe-removal procedure. He soon discovered that there was an ulcer under his foot, infecting not just his foot, but also his leg. After a check-up, his podiatrist immediately sent him to the hospital. Before Ralph knew of the severity of the situation, he was going into sepsis, placed on an insulin drip, and admitted into the ICU. He was treated at Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan with the discovery that he would need to have his leg amputated immediately. On Sept. 25, 2023, Ralph’s leg was surgically removed. “I had a premonition when all this started and researched Charcot to find out what it means when it’s getting worse and how you live with it,” said Ralph. “My mother-in-law was a double amputee, and we took care of her at home. Seeing how she chose not to take advantage of the prosthetics to get back on her feet made me sad. I didn’t want that for myself.” He agreed to prosthetic training at Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan. On Dec. 26, Ralph received the best, late Christmas present—being able to walk again. “People who saw me after that day told me that I looked so happy, that I had life back in me,” said Ralph. He credits the Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan Rehab team for his supreme return to the world. “At my training, not only did they help me learn how to walk again, but also helped me with my posture and core,” said Ralph. “Once I could walk, I began training at home, too, as I didn’t want to be in my chair anymore and not be active.” Ralph knows he was placed in this spot for a purpose, not only to make himself stronger and live pain-free, but also to help others in a similar situation. Currently, he’s working with the Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan Rehab team to help any others currently going through amputations/training in prosthetics. He had the opportunity to speak with other people who were in rehab and who had just had their legs amputated. “They were down and I told them, there’s no reason to be sad. We are the same age and even with my other health issues, I did it. If I can do it, you all can do it too!” he said. “I have a family, and our only child graduates next year. I want him to see that anything is possible and things, even like this, won’t limit you. Anything is always possible if you put your mind and soul to it.” SAHealth.com 3 KEEPING WELL — SPRING 2024
Bravery in every beat: Baby Cameron’s inspiring story highlights Congenital Heart Week at Methodist Children’s Hospital In celebration of Congenital Heart Week, Methodist Children’s Hospital spotlighted the remarkable journey of Baby Cameron, a true little warrior. Born with total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR), a rare and intricate heart condition, Cameron’s medical condition prevented the normal flow of oxygen-rich blood from his lungs to his heart. A highly coordinated effort by the Methodist Congenital Heart Institute’s team, including experts in maternal fetal medicine, neonatology, cardiology, and cardiac surgery, ensured his delivery was strategically planned. Facing urgent open-heart surgery just hours after birth, Cameron’s procedure was crucial for correcting his heart’s unique pathway and guaranteeing the proper circulation of oxygenated blood, despite the challenges of prematurity and low birth weight. Cameron’s remarkable resilience through his surgery and subsequent recovery has truly been miraculous. Currently thriving, he is feeding, growing, and was discharged from Methodist Children’s Hospital in late February. His story is a powerful testament to bravery, the frontiers of medical science, and the enduring spirit of hope. To share this inspiration with others, Cameron’s family has distributed tiny boxing gloves to fellow NICU families, symbolizing that every champion starts as a contender. Alongside Hearts Need Art, patients showcase their creative side During their hospital stay, patients at Methodist Hospital | Northeast have the opportunity to craft moments of joy into their days. Through the hospital’s partnership with Hearts Need Art, patients can participate in activities such as writing creative stories, making custom art and listening to uplifting music every day. The local nonprofit, Hearts Need Art, helps create moments of joy, self-expression, and connection for those facing life-altering health challenges through arts engagement, advocacy, and innovation. Their artistic knowledge and friendly approachability offer patients a unique and personalized journey to relieve stress, spark untapped creativity, and gain a sense of normalcy in what can sometimes be a challenging and lengthy healthcare journey. Methodist Hospital receives top honors, including #1 in Texas for cardiology From performing “first in Texas” milestone procedures to receiving national recognition for our cardiovascular services, there are many reasons why you can trust Methodist Healthcare with your heart! We proudly announce that Methodist Hospital has been named one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals™ for 2024 for the third consecutive year by Healthgrades, the leading marketplace connecting doctors and patients. Additionally, Healthgrades has named the facility one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care™ and 100 Best Hospitals for Critical Care™. Methodist Hospital was also ranked number one in Texas for cardiology. Accomplishments like these would not be possible without the dedication and expertise of our team members and physicians. Learn more about our comprehensive heart care: SAHealth.com/Heart Methodist Healthcare and Methodist Healthcare Ministries partnered with the American Heart Association and AugustHeart to hold a Be Heart Smart Health Fair at the Wesley Health & Wellness Center. Over 300 community members participated in a number of activities, including on-site heart screenings for teenagers, stress-reduction exercises, a produce market, Hands-Only CPR training, Zumba, and blood pressure checks. Methodist Healthcare helps to educate on heart health 4 SAHealth.com KEEPING WELL — SPRING 2024
We put a lot of LOVE into serving our community by providing worldclass cardiovascular care through our Methodist Heart Network. Recognized for their dedication to cardiovascular excellence, Methodist Hospital and Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak are celebrating the honor of being named two of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals™ according to an independent quality analysis based on a balanced scorecard provided by PINC AI™, the technology and services brand of Premier, Inc., and reported by Fortune. We are so proud of our exceptional team members who make achievements like this possible. Learn more about our cardiovascular expertise: SAHealth.com/Heart BARBARA MEADOWS Patient appreciates caring bedside manner At age 80, Barbara Meadows attributed her exhaustion and the shortness of breath that made walking difficult for her to her age. A former LVN now working in church administration, she said she wasn’t showing the symptoms every day. She finally decided to see a cardiologist. When she failed her stress test, doctors at Methodist Hospital | Texsan found three major blockages. They recommended coronary artery bypass grafting, also known as heart bypass surgery, to improve blood flow to her heart. “I had a good experience,” she said. “All of the nurses and hospital personnel, from housekeeping to food service, had excellent bedside manners. You feel like everybody cares about you, and you are not just taken care of medically, but in all aspects of your recovery.” “Dr. Renata Ford, Robotic Minimally Invasive and Thoracic Surgeon, was amazing,” added Barbara. “She prayed with me, for me and my family, and for guidance for herself during the procedure.” Methodist Hospital performs recordbreaking number of transplants The Methodist Heart Failure and Transplant Center team performed a record-breaking 51 heart transplants in 2023! A special thank-you to the physicians and staff who work tirelessly every day to deliver world-class care to the San Antonio community and beyond! For more information on cardiovascular services at Methodist Hospital, visit SAHealth.com/specialties/Cardiology. Methodist Healthcare Hospitals named top 50 in the nation for cardiovascular services SAHealth.com 5 KEEPING WELL — SPRING 2024
Methodist Hospital | Atascosa honors local law enforcement with free meals On Jan. 9, 2024, Methodist Hospital | Atascosa celebrated National Law Enforcement Day. This day was established in 2015 as a tribute to the men and women across America who made the sworn commitment to protect and serve our communities, sometimes at all costs. This holiday allowed the employees of the hospital to thank all local law enforcement within the Jourdanton, Pleasanton, and Poteet communities for their service. To show their gratitude, the hospital served a free breakfast and lunch for all local law enforcement in the hospital cafeteria. Spurs celebrates 210 babies Methodist Healthcare and the San Antonio Spurs celebrated 210 Day with the tiniest, new Spurs fans. These babies were born on Feb. 10, 2024, and ready to cheer on the team! 210 Day is a day dedicated to celebrating all things local, from sports and arts to music and food. It is represented by the city’s first official area code, 210. Tre Jones brings joy to 18-year-old cancer patient At 18 years old, Jeremiah Charo was diagnosed with cancer that, at the time of discovery, had metastasized to his spine. Before his diagnosis, he was an active, happy-go-lucky young man. After 105 days at Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak, battling through a rigorous chemotherapy treatment plan and countless surgeries, Jeremiah was ready to be discharged to a rehabilitation facility for continued care. His nursing team, with whom he had built strong relationships over the course of his stay, had a surprise in store for him. On the day of his discharge, Jeremiah received a surprise visit from the San Antonio Spurs Coyote, who not only carried in numerous drawstring bags of swag, bobbleheads, t-shirts and blankets but one extra special silver and black surprise: a personalized, inspirational video from San Antonio Spurs point guard Tre Jones, encouraging him to continue fighting. This act of kindness helped spark positivity and a fighting momentum in Jeremiah as he took the next step in his recovery. Six Methodist Healthcare System nurses named best in South Texas In December, the San Antonio Nursing Consortium celebrated the exceptional achievements and dedication of the Best 25 Nurses of South Central Texas for 2023. Amidst a highly competitive field, six of our own distinguished nurses were bestowed with this prestigious accolade, underscoring their commitment to delivering unparalleled care to the community. This recognition reflects not only the exceptional skill and dedication of our nursing team, but also their unwavering commitment to healthcare excellence. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the awarded nurses and commend all the nominees for their outstanding contributions to the field of nursing and the health and well-being of those they serve. 6 SAHealth.com KEEPING WELL — SPRING 2024
Methodist Hospital | Hill Country hosts 24th annual “Girl Talk” Methodist Hospital | Hill Country hosted the 24th annual “Girl Talk,” an educational and interactive event on becoming a young adult. The program is for girls ages eight and older. Parents, relatives, caregivers, and guardians were encouraged to attend with their participant. The event was held at the Fredericksburg ISD Elementary School Cafeteria and facilitated by Jennifer W. Dulaney, MD, FACOG, and Kellie Flood-Shaffer, MD, FACOG. After the presentation, the physicians led a Q&A session with topics including basic female anatomy, menstrual cycle, feminine hygiene, and mood swings. There were 53 youth participants in attendance, and each had the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning with feminine hygiene products. Country superstar Jelly Roll announces San Antonio tour stop with heartfelt gesture to Methodist Children’s Hospital In a touching act of generosity, country music superstar Jelly Roll announced his San Antonio stop of his eagerly awaited 2024 tour with a generous teddy bear donation to Methodist Children’s Hospital. The acclaimed artist extended his warmth with a special message on the bears aimed at brightening the lives of our young patients. The kids were ecstatic, while their parents expressed their gratitude and enthusiasm for the San Antonio tour stop and were deeply moved by Jelly Roll’s gesture of kindness. Jelly Roll will take the stage at Frost Bank Center on Sept. 11, 2024. Methodist Healthcare Hospitals nationally recognized among America’s 250 Best Hospitals by Healthgrades Several Methodist Healthcare hospitals were recently recognized on the 2024 Healthgrades America’s 250 Best Hospitals list for superior performance in providing care for conditions and procedures across multiple specialty lines and areas. For the third consecutive year, Methodist Hospital was named one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals for 2024, according to new research released by Healthgrades, the leading marketplace connecting doctors and patients. Data collected from other Methodist Healthcare System hospitals, including Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan, Methodist Hospital | Northeast, Methodist Hospital | Texsan, and Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant, contributed to Methodist Hospital’s designation. Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak was also named to the list for a second year in a row. These achievements put Methodist Healthcare hospitals in the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for overall clinical performance across the most common conditions and procedures. SAHealth.com 7 KEEPING WELL — SPRING 2024
Buildable Chickpea + Broccoli Salad This buildable salad can be the starting point of a refreshing summer meal; simply add quinoa and serve with grilled fish or chicken. As warm weather approaches, chill all your ingredients before preparation to help with food safety, preparation, and serving time. Also, remember to eat the rainbow of fruits and vegetables; each color contains a unique and valuable nutrient. A few fun additions to try are chopped mango or avocado slices. METHODIST HEALTHCARE 8109 Fredericksburg Road San Antonio, TX 78229 U P. SSrt.eaPsnoodrsatt readdg e PAID SP ea rnmAi nt tNoon.i o1 4, 0T X9 Good to know Call-A-Nurse for Children from Methodist Children’s Hospital 210-22-NURSE (210-226-8773) Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. Weekends and major holidays. When your child has a medical need, Call-A-Nurse for Children from Methodist Children’s Hospital has specially trained pediatric nurses to assist you with medical advice concerning your child. HealthBus and Well Waldo’s Wheels 210-MHS-RIDE (210-647-7433) HealthBus for adults and Well Waldo’s Wheels for children and expectant moms provide transportation from your home to your doctor’s office or hospital and then pick you up later and take you home. This service is especially helpful for adults and children with special needs that require extra transportation assistance. For information on how to schedule a ride and the specific hospitals and ZIP codes served, please call 210-MHS-RIDE. Medical Advice for Adults 210-575-0355 Available 24/7 Salad 1 can of chickpeas drained and rinsed; lay on a paper towel to absorb any remaining moisture 1 cup chopped broccoli ½ cup diced cucumber ½ cup quartered cherry tomatoes (tip: use a serrated knife when cutting tomatoes for a cleaner cut) ½ cup chopped bell pepper ¼ cup sliced kalamata olives ¼ cup chopped red onion ½ cup crumbled feta cheese ¼ cup chopped parsley Dressing ¼ cup olive oil ¼ cup red wine vinegar 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon oregano ½ teaspoon garlic powder ¼ teaspoon sea salt ½ teaspoon ground black pepper Nutrition facts per serving Servings: 6 Calories: 209 Total carbohydrate: 31.2g Dietary fiber: 12.5g Total sugars: 4.6g Protein: 8g Articles in Keeping Well do not necessarily rMcMea eepmttr hhep oosu edds neii sststt ti HHnh ceoe l asuopl dtpi heti n:ca aMl i , or Meen tsef hatoochf di ol di i dts oi ti esc sCtt . ohHMri ol sdes ptr pehr i naot a’ cds l ti Hsi | ctSoi nHps gpeo i cast i ptaa il l t, t ay l aMMMneeedttt hhhT ooor adddnii i ssss tttp HHlHa oeon asst pl ,pt iMhi tt caaeal l tr| |heNMohodeori tsst rtphoei Htpaaoosl sslti p.taaAi rtneda , lda|i tnTi doe nx sa al n , MMMI n feee ottt rhhhmooo ddda iii tsssi ottt nHHH i ooon sss Kppp iii Ettt aaaE lll P||| I NASH ttGi l oal snWCceooEOus LnaaLtkar c, nyo.d m e s f r o m a wcty hooi adnu tcre emhr r aenanasygl toaehr coqaef urc meet spye tordi ooui cvnr ai sdhl eeae rabx . pl otMeuh rot, t dpss el p. el I esaf csmyi efoi accu yochnboatenva teucestanentdy ff i2rne0sp2e4ho ff rv©teodCs.oandeyilCluosmtramtuionnicsa. tions, Inc. All rights KnMS i aEtenyEt hPAs oeI nNdr tvi Gosi ctn Wei Ho f , eEoTaLr Xl Ltt hh7i cse8 a2pfr 2reu9i , be, 8nl ti 1 sde0hsl 9ee apdFnhr adeo sdnp eaea r tci crookmsn bsmuour fg- R o a d , 210-575-0355, website SAHealth.com. Dan Miller, President and CEO Palmira Arellano, Vice President of Commu- nity Engagement Cheri Love-Moceri, Associate Vice President of Communications
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