Healthy RGV Issue 106 - Driscoll Children's Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

ISSUE 106 

EDITORIAL CONTENT 

HEALTHY KIDS 

DRISCOLL’S LEVEL IV NICU: 

WHERE THE MOST FRAGILE 

BABIES GET THE HIGHEST 

LEVEL OF CARE 

RAISING EMOTIONALLY 

HEALTHY KIDS 

HOW MY CHILDREN BECAME 

MY MOTIVATION 

10 

12 

14 

FITNESS & BEAUTY 

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO 

KNOW ABOUT MICROBLADING 

HLCC G6 GROWTH FACTORS IS THE 

NEW GROUNDBREAKING ADVANCED 

TECHNOLOGY FOR THICKER & 

HEALTHIER LOOKING HAIR 

34 

36 

THE WORKING MOM’S GUIDE TO 

HEALTHY SCHOOL LUNCHES 

16 

HEALING YOUR CHAKRA 

POINTS ONE DAY AT A TIME 

38 

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE 

HOW TO MAKE YOUR HOME 

LOOK LIKE IT'S SUMMER 

ALL YEAR-ROUND 

18 

BRAIN HEALTH: THE HEALTH 

FOCUS OF THE 21ST CENTURY 

20 

WHEN MINIMALISM 

BECOMES INGRATITUDE 

22 

INCA GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND 

TO PROVIDE SAFE & HEALTHY 

FOODS: WHY ORGANIC BANANAS 

ARE THE ANSWER 

24 

ADVANCED PRACTICE PROVIDERS: 

A PIVOTAL ROLE IN CANCER CARE 

26 

7 REASONS YOU SHOULD BE 

GETTING MORE MASSAGES 

33 

contact@healthymagazine.com 

ph. 305-395-4554 | www.healthymagazine.com

PUBLISHER 

Mauricio Portillo 

EDITOR IN CHIEF 

Claudia Portillo 

"Being 

healthy and 

fit is no longer 

a fad or a trend 

it's a Lifestyle." 

MARKETING DIRECTOR 

Arnaldo Del Valle 

COPY EDITOR 

Lora Incardona 

ASSISTANT COPY EDITOR 

Andres Portillo 

WEBSITE DIRECTOR 

Maria Alejandra Wehdeking 

ART AND DESIGN 

Carolina Pedraza 

PHOTOGRAPHY 

Driscoll Children's Hospital 

SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR 

Maria Alejandra Wehdeking 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 

Craig Tanio, MD 

Benjamin West, MD 

Meg Meeker, MD 

Rubel Shelly 

Diane Foss 

Alan Freeman 

Allie Casazza 

Andres Portillo 

Ava Mallory 

Maydeline Moreno 

Fabienne Claude 

Lauren Kasis 

Claudia Portillo 

Editor in Chief 

It's astonishing how quickly time flies when you’re having fun. That being exactly what we’ve been doing all year long 

here at Healthy Magazine. Our team went out and spoke to dozens of experts, met new and exciting people and 

reached out to stores, businesses, physicians, therapists, and specialists from all walks of life to bring you the best 

information possible. 

We dedicated a whole issue to the men in your lives. Everything from innovative exercise and beauty routines 

aimed at men, to how to consistently maintain a fashionable and attractive look. Furthermore, including some signs, 

symptoms, and preventative practices of common diseases to keep the men in your life, young and healthy. 

For the women, we regularly highlighted positive role models who positively demonstrated the importance of 

fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Along with several articles on women's physical and mental health. Even highlighting 

essential and conventional practices on aging gracefully and managing stress on a daily basis. 

In between, we gave a few nods to the changing seasons; helped get you and your family ready for Spring, Summer, 

and Fall. Making sure that we kept up with the various demands that arise in each time of year. From getting the kids 

up and occupied in the summer while keeping you relaxed and in control in periods of stress and chaos. 

As cabin fever struck we included tips and tricks to help you bring a little light and warmth indoors with a few 

simple, easy, and inexpensive ideas to add some fun to every room in your house. 

We don’t like to toot our own horn, but we could not be prouder of the work we did and the ideas we shared with 

each of you over the past twelve months. As always, we endeavor to bring you the most up-to-date health data 

and share innovative ideas to help you ease into new phases of your life. Giving you outlets to relax in style, hit the 

ground running for new adventures, and delight in healthy tasty treats. 

As always, we thank you for your support and feedback. We wouldn’t be here without our dedicated readers! 

Additionally, we send our deepest condolences to the Hurricane Harvey victims and their families in Texas. It pains 

us to see something so incredibly devastating occur so close to home. Sending our love and prayers to those in 

need and our hope that things begin to improve for those living through the aftermath of it all. 

cportillo@healthymagazine.com 

/HEALTHYMAGAZINE 

@HEALTHYVALLEY 

/HEALTHYMAGAZINEONLINE 

/ HEALTHYMAG08 

contact@healthymagazine.com | ph. 305-395-4554 | www.healthymagazine.com 

Healthy Magazine is a free monthly publication. All contents are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without written consent from the publisher. The material 

in this magazine is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments. Healthy 

Magazine and its contributors accept no responsibility for inaccuracies, and the advertiser is solely responsible for ad content and holds publisher harmless from any error.

TOLSTOY ON 

TRUTH-TELLING 

I 

have occasion once or twice a year to read a classic piece of 

Russian literature called The Death of Ivan Ilych. If you haven’t 

read it, perhaps you owe it to yourself. Just don’t read it on a 

rainy, dark day when your spirits are low. It is a tragic piece from 

the pen of Leo Tolstoy about a man who dies in a conspiracy of 

lies, truth withheld, and demoralizing pretense. 

The reason I was reading this piece was to lead yet another group 

of students through a discussion of the complex issues around 

informed consent in medical care. Or, to couch it more broadly still, 

we were going to discuss the issue of truth-telling and respect for 

human beings. 

In case you don’t know the story, it is the fictional account of a man 

whose illness is clearly taking him to the grave. But his wife enters a 

conspiracy with his physician to keep the truth from him. They tell 

him, “Oh, you are looking better today” – when he clearly is not. They 

say, “The treatment is working” – when they know it is not. They 

pretend that he cannot know the obvious about himself. 

So Ivan Ilych dies with great anger toward those who should have 

given him the greatest comfort. He felt alienated and alone when he 

most needed the assurance of closeness and love. He had to suffer 

without comfort from the physicians he needed to trust and the 

family whose love he craved. 

Okay. Enough of the literature survey! Let’s turn to the reality of life 

as you and I must live it every day. Whether it is bad news from the 

doctor, rejection by a friend, or one’s fragile job status at work, truth 

is a fundamental right. 

Maybe some don’t want to tell a painful truth for 

the sake of genuine compassion that recoils from 

causing upset and anguish of heart. That is fully 

understandable. But what happens when the truth 

does come? From a stranger? That they will discover 

you knew all along? Then the pain is even greater. 

Truth-telling need not be confused with truth-dumping. There is a 

way to tell the truth that honors compassion and concern. Yet the 

ethical duty of giving me the truth to which I am entitled entails 

the risk that putting it in my possession will indeed cause pain. Just 

stand there. Or sit with me. Or walk through it with me. Ethics and 

compassion, truth and love – they should never be strangers. 

Perhaps the bottom-line issue with 

telling the truth is always respect for 

the other person. The Golden Rule, 

after all, is about treating the other 

person as you would want them to 

treat you. Correct? So perhaps the 

question is not always whether but 

how to communicate the truth – 

lovingly, prayerfully, kindly. As Ivan 

Ilych realized, it is better to be loved 

in the context of painful truth than 

to be treated with such disrespect 

that no one can be trusted. 

“JUST SAY A 

SIMPLE, ‘YES, 

I WILL,’ OR 

‘NO, I WON’T.’ 

ANYTHING 

BEYOND THIS 

IS FROM THE 

EVIL ONE” 

(MATTHEW 5:37 NLT). 

By Rubel Shelly 

8 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

Healthy Kids 

DRISCOLL’S LEVEL IV NICU: 

WHERE THE MOST FRAGILE 

BABIES GET THE HIGHEST 

LEVEL OF CARE 


HEALTHY KIDS 

HOW MY CHILDREN BECAME 

MY MOTIVATION 

THE WORKING MOM’S GUIDE TO 

HEALTHY SCHOOL LUNCHES 

10 

12 

14 

16 

"Children who 

grow up feeling 

loved deeply 

becm adult who 

are prewired to 

love deeply." 

-Karen Salmansohn

COVER STORY · SEPTEMBER 2017 

DRISCOLL’S 

LEVEL IV NICU: 

WHERE THE 

MOST FRAGILE 

BABIES GET 

THE HIGHEST 

LEVEL OF CARE 

Just hours old, tiny Rafael* arrived at the 

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at 

Driscoll Children’s Hospital with kidney 

and liver failure. These were only the 

most evident series of complications 

upon admission. Miguel DeLeon, M.D., Medical 

Director of Driscoll Children’s Hospital Neonatal 

Intensive Care Unit (NICU), diagnosed Rafael 

with a serious infection that could not be treated 

until his kidneys began to function with the help 

of dialysis. As the baby’s care progressed, one 

problem had to be treated before another could 

be addressed. 

It took a sophisticated team of pediatric 

subspecialists to coordinate Rafael’s complex care 

in the NICU. Along with Dr. DeLeon and other 

neonatologists, the team included a nephrologist, 

surgeon, anesthesiologist, immunologist, 

infectious disease specialist, and neonatal nurses 

working together to provide treatment for 

Raphael. In addition, the infant’s recovery was 

complicated. He required several specialized 

therapies to begin performing basic functions on 

his own, such as breathing and swallowing, without 

the aid of machines. 

Rafael’s story is one of hundreds 

every year that testify to the 

remarkable care provided 

in Driscoll’s NICU. It also 

demonstrates why the NICU 

recently earned designation as 

a Level IV unit, which represents 

the highest level of acute care 

for critically ill and premature 

babies. It is the first NICU in 

South Texas to receive the 

respected Level IV which is the 

highest level of designation. 

THE STAFF AND 

FACILITIES ARE 

READY FOR 

ANYTHING 

Among the common reasons 

for admitting a newborn to the 

NICU are prematurity, genetic 

disorders, birth defects or other anomalies, 

serious illnesses, all of which require complex 

diagnosis and treatment. 

“Some problems seem relatively simple at first, 

but then other hurdles appear,” said Dr. DeLeon. 

“Our patients are extremely fragile and have 

complicated conditions. In addition to receiving 

an array of treatments, they must be monitored 

constantly. Their care requires an enormous 

multispecialty team. We have the staff and the 

facilities and we are ready for anything .” 

President and CEO Steve Woerner compares 

the Level IV NICU to hospitals designated as the 

highest level trauma centers. “Trauma centers 

treat patients with the most extreme, lifethreatening 

injuries,” he said. “As with a trauma 

center, our NICU had to meet extensive criteria to 

be certified at the highest level. After a thorough 

review, including a site visit, the American 

Academy of Pediatrics recommended the NICU 

for Level IV designation by the Texas Department 

of State Health Services. We received the State’s 

official Level IV Certificate of Designation this 

summer.” 

Miguel DeLeon, M.D., 

Medical Director of the 

Neonatal Intensive Care 

Unit (NICU) at Driscoll 

Children’s Hospital, 

examines an infant in the 

NICU. The designation 

of Driscoll’s Neonatal 

Intensive Care Unit as 

a Level IV NICU means 

the highest level of care 

is available for premature 

and critically-ill 

newborns in South Texas. 

“The AAP’s rigorous process gave us an 

opportunity to showcase the great work we 

do in the NICU,” said Trish Carr, PhD, RNC-NIC, 

Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Driscoll Children’s 

Hospital. “I’m so proud of our NICU team.” 

To minimize the need to move frail newborns, the 

Driscoll NICU is extremely versatile. The isolettes, 

a special kind of incubator, can be configured into 

secure operating space for delicate surgeries. An 

ECMO heart-lung bypass machine can be operated 

by a perfusionist right next to an isolette. Cooling 

therapy for brain conditions, high-frequency 

ventilation for respiratory failure, and other 

procedures are commonly done in the NICU. 

All of the NICU’s medical and surgical 

subspecialists have completed advanced 

education. The neonatal nurse practitioners 

have received rigorous training, and they 

undergo additional training every year. Other 

specialized health professionals who staff the 

NICU include medical technicians, physical 

therapists, occupational therapists, respiratory 

therapists, clinical dietitians, and speech language 

pathologists. 

Why, you might ask, would speech pathologists 

be needed in a NICU? They are the therapists 

who help premature and medically fragile babies 

acquire sucking and swallowing skills for oral 

feeding, and they train parents how to support 

these skills. Feeding issues may arise again in the 

transition to solid foods. Many NICU graduates 

need speech therapy when they begin speaking. 

Even when babies remain in their birth hospital’s 

NICU, Driscoll specialists support their care. 

“South Texas has several other NICUs that 

treat newborns who do not need the intensive 

services of a Level IV unit,” said Mr. Woerner. “Our 

neonatologists assist those NICUs by providing 

education and sharing protocols with their 

neonatologists.” 

10 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

COVER STORY · SEPTEMBER 2017 

Top-notch, personalized care is 

the order of the day at Driscoll 

Children’s Hospital Level IV 

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit 

(NICU). Miguel DeLeon, 

M.D., Medical Director of the 

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit 

(NICU) at Driscoll Children’s 

Hospital (from left), Steve 

Woerner, President and CEO 

of Driscoll Health System, new 

mom Jacqueline Briones, and 

Chris Joyal, NICU Director/ 

Neonatal Program Manager 

for Driscoll Children’s Hospital, 

keep a close watch over Janessa 

Ney-Marisol Williams. 

PARENTS BECOME 

PART OF THE TEAM 

The Driscoll NICU’s familycentered 

approach incorporates 

parent participation and family 

support. Parents may visit their 

babies around the clock. They 

are encouraged to attend physician rounds, during 

which members of the multidisciplinary NICU 

team discuss their baby’s condition and coordinate 

treatment. This gives the parents the opportunity 

to ask questions and be involved with decisionmaking 

processes. Language is not a barrier, as 

medical interpreters are available if needed, and 

many staff members are fluent in Spanish. 

“We make it possible for parents to be present 

even when physically absent, which gives them 

tremendous comfort,” said Dr. DeLeon. “When 

parents are unable to be in the hospital, Angel Eye 

cameras transmit live footage, allowing families to 

see their baby at all times. A webcam mounted on 

a mobile kiosk enables parents to see and hear and 

speak with the NICU specialists as they conduct 

rounds.” 

Family-centered care is also evident in Driscoll’s 

extensive support system. The Ronald McDonald 

House on the hospital campus allows out-of-town 

parents to stay close to their babies. Mom’s Place 

provides lactation support and stores mothers’ 

milk. The hospital’s NICU March of Dimes Family 

Support program offers parents assistance 

and information and also provides ongoing 

education to NICU staff. Families needing special 

services, such as counseling and help with meals, 

transportation, and lodging, receive assistance 

from Driscoll’s social work staff. 

CARE SOMETIMES BEGINS 

WELL BEFORE BIRTH 

Frequently, conditions that may send a newborn 

to the NICU can be detected during pregnancy. 

For babies, prenatal detection of an abnormality 

or genetic defect can guide care in the NICU. 

If needed, surgery can be performed in utero. 

Expectant moms with high-risk conditions, such 

as high blood pressure and diabetes, or prenatal 

complications, such as preeclampsia, need 

specialized care to ensure they and their babies 

have healthier outcomes following delivery. 

Driscoll has six Maternal Fetal Medicine physicians, 

the specialists who diagnose and treat such 

complicated pregnancy problems. Working in 

seven locations across 

South Texas, these doctors 

provide consultation and 

patient co-management 

for obstetricians, and also 

provide direct patient care. 

Some women with high-risk 

pregnancies who live far away 

travel to Corpus to give birth. They 

typically tour the NICU in advance to get 

familiar with the unit and lessen anxiety when 

their babies are admitted. 

ONE OF THE 

LARGEST HOSPITAL 

TRANSPORT SYSTEMS 

“Driscoll has the most advanced transportation 

system of almost any hospital,” said Mr. Woerner. 

“Compared to urban-centered NICUs, we have the 

challenge of serving 31 South Texas counties over 

a 33,000-square-mile area. And we have to cover 

that distance as fast as possible when we have a 

very sick baby to treat.” 

The hospital’s patient transport fleet of three 

airplanes, two helicopters, and four critical care 

ambulances makes it possible to cover this vast 

geography. Specially trained nurses, paramedics, 

and respiratory therapists are on call 24/7 to care 

for babies and mothers on their way to Corpus. 

During his 23-year tenure at Driscoll, Chris Joyal, 

RN, BSN, CPN, NICU Director/Neonatal Program 

Manager for Driscoll Children’s Hospital, spent 

seven years in the hospital’s transport services 

department. “We have an amazing response time,” 

he said. “Eighty to ninety percent of our NICU 

patients come from outside the Corpus Christi 

area. Whether by ground or air, our transport 

team is ready to set out at any time.” 

FOLLOW-UP CONTINUES 

AFTER BABIES GO HOME 

Because babies who have been in the NICU may 

be at risk for developmental delays, they need 

close monitoring for these delays. Driscoll’s High 

Risk Follow-Up Program provides this service for 

NICU graduates who meet certain criteria. Eligible 

babies are followed up to age three. 

“ 

WE ARE SAVING SO MANY 

BABIES WHO WOULD 

NOT HAVE MADE IT IN THE 

PAST,” SAID DR. MIGUEL 

DELEON, NICU MEDICAL 

DIRECTOR. 

Follow-up 

care includes 

monitoring 

and testing for 

developmental 

milestones. 

Identifying problems 

early gives babies a 

better chance for healthy 

development and growth. 

The babies can receive therapies 

at one of Driscoll’s high-risk clinics. Currently, 

these clinics outside of the hospital’s main campus 

are in Laredo and Brownsville. Two more are 

planned for Harlingen and McAllen. The clinic 

specialists consult with local doctors, and most 

procedures can be done locally. If a baby needs 

readmission to the NICU, Driscoll’s transport 

system will be available. 

DEEP AND ENDURING 

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS 

The typical NICU stay is 36 to 46 days. However, 

some babies have remained in the NICU for a 

year or more. “Our team becomes an extended 

family and develops long-lasting relationships 

with the babies and their families,” said Trish 

Carr, Associate Chief Nursing Officer, who was a 

neonatal nurse in the Driscoll NICU for 20 years. 

She still goes to the NICU every chance she gets 

to visit with moms and dads. 

“I get the most joy out of watching the NICU 

nurses interact with our patients’ families,” she 

said. “They have their own families at home, 

but while they’re here they put their hearts into 

helping their NICU families. Caring for these 

delicate babies can be a struggle day in and day 

out. Everyone in the NICU goes above and beyond 

to get our patients well enough to go home and 

grow up healthy.” 

Added NICU Director Chris Joyal, “Our NICU is an 

outstanding unit, and I’m blessed to be part of it. 

What makes me shine is the staff. They’re doing all 

the hard work; I’m here to support them. They are 

the heroes.” 

*Name has been changed. 

11 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

HEALTHY KIDS · SEPTEMBER 2017 

IT’S IMPORTANT FOR 

PARENTS TO SUPPORT 

THEIR KIDS SO THEY FEEL 

SAFE TO EXPRESS THEIR 

EMOTIONS. 


HEALTHY KIDS 

I recently spoke with psychiatrist and 

good friend Dr. Joshua Straub about the 

importance of raising emotionally healthy 

kids. You can listen to our conversation in 

the player above. 

It’s not necessarily a topic we as parents 

dwell on intentionally, but it is vitally 

important to be aware of the do’s and don’t’s 

so your child can develop into an emotionally 

healthy adult. 

01 ENCOURAGE 

FEELINGS WITH RULES. 

Children need to have the freedom to 

feel what they feel – whether or not we as 

parents like what they’re feeling. They need 

to learn appropriate feelings to go with life’s 

circumstances. Good parents show their 

children how to express their feelings in a 

healthy way and how to identify them. 

CHILDREN NEED TO HAVE 

THE FREEDOM TO FEEL 

WHAT THEY FEEL. 

In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Josh and 

I talk about how moms and dad can help 

their child identify and label their feelings, 

regulate them and respond appropriately. 

For example: If your child has a dog that 

dies, your child should be allowed to grieve. 

If your son gets hit at school, he’s allowed to 

feel angry, but he is NOT allowed to hit back. 

Children must learn that when they express 

feelings, there are certain rules that have to 

be followed. 

02 DON’T ALWAYS TRY TO 

FIX YOUR CHILD’S FEELINGS. 

Many times, children need to be given the 

freedom to feel emotions without being 

encouraged to change them. As parents, 

we can watch our children experience hard 

emotions like grief, anger or bitterness, and 

we will want to change those feelings for 

them. Sometimes we are so uncomfortable 

with our kids’ feelings that we communicate 

to them that they shouldn’t feel what they’re 

feeling. It’s incredibly important for us not to 

do that, but support our children so they feel 

safe to express their emotions – and not feel 

like we are trying to fix them. 

03 DON’T TELL YOUR 

CHILDREN THAT THEY 

SHOULDN’T FEEL A CERTAIN 

WAY. 

Nothing makes a child feel more frustrated 

than when you discredit how they are 

feeling. Some of you may have memories 

of growing up where a parent told you that 

you shouldn’t feel a certain way because it 

was dumb or stupid, i.e. “Why would you be 

so upset over ____, that’s such a silly/stupid 

thing to be upset about”. It’s very important 

for us as parents to affirm our children’s 

feelings, let them express them and never 

tell them that they should or shouldn’t feel a 

certain way. They feel what they feel – and we 

can’t regulate that. 

Your child’s emotions are real and should be 

acknowledged without trying to be changed. 

Parents may disagree with a child’s emotional 

reaction and try to tell them it’s silly to feel 

that way but when you do this, your child is 

hearing that they are wrong to have those 

feelings and in turn, they doubt their ability 

to react in a healthy matter. Let your child 

react – and if you believe they are being 

unreasonable, you can revisit their reaction 

a week or so after the fact and talk through 

it with them when they are calm. Go back 

over the situation and ask them if they think 

their reaction was appropriate. Ask them 

questions about how they think they should 

respond in future, rather than telling them 

how to feel or react. 

Children will mature in their feelings and 

learn to regulate their reactions over time. 

Oftentimes, an overreaction is simply a sign 

of immaturity – which they will outgrow 

eventually. We cover each of these points and 

more in my latest podcast episode, so listen 

when you can. I know it will encourage and 

inform you in this area! 

By Meg Meeker, MD 

12 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

HOW MY 

CHILDREN 

BECAME MY 

MOTIVATION 

Even as a young child, I have always 

been self-motivated. I am constantly 

setting goals in order to step outside of 

my comfort zone. Lately, my health and 

fitness goals have been on the back burner. 

My family had a pretty crazy couple of 

months and I had to shift my priorities 

around a bit. I still exercised, but not in the 

way that I needed to in order to function 

at my full potential. Those of you that 

workout on a regular basis know what I am 

talking about. If I am being honest with 

myself, and all of you, I was making up a list 

of excuses that were not justified. Today, 

my children became my motivation to lace 

up my running shoes and get back at it. 

While I constantly strive to inspire them, 

today they inspired me. 

NO MORE EXCUSES 

This morning, I told my family that I was 

finally going to go on a run. A few minutes 

later, I changed my mind. I knew it was 

going to be terribly hot and I also knew 

that my body was in no shape to deal with 

the run or the heat. For a long while, I 

was averaging about 20 miles a week and 

I was now down to 0. My legs have some 

catching up to do! I have been doing a 

little bit of strength training and yoga, so 

at least I have not been too lazy. However, 

I knew that a good run was going to 

challenge me to the core and I was not 

sure I had it in me today. In fact, I have not 

had it in me for the last month or so now. 


EVERYTHING CHANGED 

As I was sipping my coffee, I announced that 

I was going to skip my run. I felt like enjoying 

my coffee and reading a book. A lazy Sunday 

morning is something I do not get very 

often, especially lately. My daughter quickly 

reminded me that I had been making a lot of 

excuses about running. Yes, she called me 

out! She also let me know that “excuses get 

you nowhere in life”. I was glad to learn that 

she actually listens to the words that come 

out of my mouth. However, those words 

stung knowing that they were coming out of 

the mouth of a ten year-old. They stung even 

more knowing she was right! 

REINFORCEMENTS 

After my conversation with my daughter, 

my son came up to my with a copy of a Zig 

Ziglar book and told me that I needed to get 

out there and run. We have adopted, per my 

son’s request, a no stinkin’ thinkin’ mindset 

in our home. He recently discovered Zig and 

loves listening to his motivational speeches 

on YouTube. I have to say, he was right! I 

had adopted a negative attitude and had 

convinced myself it was much easier to make 

excuses versus conquer my fears. 

BACK ON THE PAVEMENT 

There was no way I could not head out on 

my morning run at that point. What kind of 

example would I be setting for my kids? We 

always tell them that winners never quit and 

quitters never win. How could I just throw in 

the towel after all the work my husband and I 

have done to teach our children to never give 

up? So, I laced up my running shoes and hit 

the pavement. It was ridiculously 

hot and humid in the Florida 

sun, but I did it! 

I was drenched in sweat and my lungs were 

burning. I wanted to quit at mile 3 and 

then again at mile 4. Again, I knew that I 

could not stop. There was no way I could 

walk in the door and tell my kids, especially 

my son, that I had quit. I knew I had to 

finish those 5 miles, regardless of how tired 

I was. I felt like my kids were running along 

side of me, motivating me to finish each 

mile. Each time my feet hit the pavement, 

I thought of my kids. I was running for 

them. 

MY MOTIVATION 

Lately, my children have become my 

motivation to be the best version of myself. 

As my daughter is entering her tween 

years, I want to be the best example that I 

can for her. My son is starting to develop 

into a little man and has a lot to learn 

about life. My husband and I have worked 

hard over the years to install good values 

in our children. We have always been 

their cheerleaders for anything that want 

to accomplish. I have to say, it is quite 

refreshing to have the tables turned. 

There are days in which I feel like 

I have failed at this parenting gig. 

Today was not one of those days. 

This morning I felt like I was the best 

parent on the planet. The truth is, 

we are all the best parents on the 

planet in the eyes of our children. 

However, just like all of you, I need a 

reminder every now and then. That 

reminder couldn’t have come at a 

better time. 

By Diane Foss 

14 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


THE WORKING 

MOM’S GUIDE 

TO HEALTHY 

SCHOOL 

LUNCHES 

I am going to be the first to admit that I hate 

packing lunches. Due to the fact that I am big 

advocate of healthy eating, school lunches are not 

an option. However, packing lunches can be such a 

pain! My daughter will eat just about anything, but 

my son is a whole different story. I want to make 

sure both my children get healthy school lunches, 

so sometimes I have to get a bit creative. There 

are still days when my son does not even touch 

his lunch, but we are making progress. Thankfully, 

I have found some tips that have made packing 

lunches much more enjoyable. 

GET THE 

KIDS 

INVOLVED 

We have a few 

cookbooks that 

I let the kids 

look through 

to plan their 

weekly meals. My 

daughter is much 

more into the 

practice than my son, but he has tried a few 

things. By getting the kids involved in the 

planning process, they are more likely to 

try something new. My daughter also gets 

involved when it comes to packing her lunch. 

She is pretty good about picking healthy 

meal options. She is also learning to use 

knives and has fun slicing her own apples. 

HAVE A 

ROTATING 

MENU 

Simplicity is the 

name of the 

game! Just like our 

weeknight meals, 

we try to keep 

our lunches pretty 

simply. However, 

variety is nice as well. My son would eat the 

same thing every single day, but my daughter 

has a more advanced taste buds. 

UTILIZE 

LEFTOVERS 

Leftovers make 

packing lunches 

so much easier. I 

like to make a big 

batch of soups and 

stews to have for 

lunch throughout the week. We also utilize 

the leftovers from Taco Tuesday to make 

quesadillas or build your own tacos. I try 

to plan at least one or two meals at dinner 

that will have leftovers that we can use 

throughout the week. We are a big fan of 

chicken salad and like to use leftover chicken 

to make up a batch. 

MAKE 

YOUR OWN 

SNACKS 

My kiddos love 

their treats, just 

like any other kid. 

However, I am not 

a fan of processed 

sugars and all of 

the fake ingredients 

that are in the convenience foods today. I 

like to get the kids in the kitchen to make 

their own snacks. One of our all-time 

favorites is granola. You can just put in a 

container to be eaten plain or add yogurt 

and use the granola as a fun topping. 

GET AN 

AWESOME 

LUNCH BOX 

I recently came 

across a new 

company called 

FlexiFreeze that I 

am so excited to 

share with you! 

We are all about 

cleaner living and absolutely love that this 

company is using water to keep things cool 

versus a host of chemicals. I was never a fan 

of the blue goo, but I needed a way to keep 

the kids lunches cool. We live in Florida 

afterall! 

We put the lunch coolers to the test and 

were thrilled with the results. The cooler has 

a built in zip off lid that you put in the freezer 

the night before. My son was easily able to 

take the lid off and on, which is an added 

bonus. According to him, his food was still 

cold and fresh at lunch. 

By Diane Foss 

16 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

Healthy 

Lifestyle 

HOW TO MAKE YOUR HOME 

LOOK LIKE IT'S SUMMER 

ALL YEAR-ROUND 

BRAIN HEALTH: THE HEALTH 

FOCUS OF THE 21ST CENTURY 



INCA GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND 

TO PROVIDE SAFE & HEALTHY 

FOODS: WHY ORGANIC BANANAS 


ADVANCED PRACTICE PROVIDERS: 

A PIVOTAL ROLE IN CANCER CARE 



18 

20 

22 

24 

26 

33 

"Doing what 

you like 

is freedom. 

Liking what 

you do is 

happiness."

HOW TO 

MAKE YOUR 

HOME LOOK 

LIKE IT'S 

SUMMER 

ALL YEAR- 

ROUND 

Everyone loves summer. The sun, 

warmth, reverie, family events just 

speak to our human emotion. They 

give off sunshine on the cloudiest 

day. So, it only makes sense that someone 

would want to capture that spirit and keep it 

going all year-long. According to the calendar, 

the summer months are coming to an end, 

but they don’t have to. There’s a budgetfriendly 

solution to keep that sunshine no 

matter what month it is and no matter where 

you live. 

We’ve got great solutions and tips to help 

you keep that fun vibe going for months to 

come. The end of August is the perfect time 

to spruce up your drab décor and prepare 

for a fun-filled adventure, right in your own 

home. Prices are being slashed as stores 

prepare for sweater weather. You can get 

great deals to refresh, rejuvenate, and spice 

up your home. It’s a good time to bring some 

of the outdoors in. 

Here are a few quick and easy tips to get you 

started: 

Give your home a good, old-fashioned 

spring cleaning to spruce it up and get you 

motivated to move on to the next phase. 

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE · SEPTEMBER 2017 

Touch up 

blemishes 

with a fresh 

coat of 

paint. Patch 

holes, Spackle 

a section. 

Every little 

bit helps to give 

your home a facelift. 

To keep it on the summer color 

wheel, choose bright, uplifting colors to 

warm your space up. 

How about 

adding 

a pop of 

color to an 

accent wall 

or adding 

bright color in the form of pillows, 

shams, curtains. And don’t forget the 

ceiling! Paint the ceiling a bright, summerlike 

color. 

Plants. Plants. 

Plants. For the love 

of all that is summer, 

add some greenery and 

vibrant flowers to your 

indoor décor. Trust us, 

adding cacti, a palm tree, or 

any of your favorite plants 

will add fun and life to any 

room. 

Another way to 

add nature to 

your home is the 

abundance of fruit 

that’s available 

this time of 

year. Set up a few 

fruit bowls where 

people gather in 

your home. Fill it with your favorite citrus 

fruits, delicious berries, and any of your 

favorite fruits. Don’t forget to eat them too. 

They’re so good for you. 

What better way to make a 

quick change than rearranging 

the furniture. Why not create a 

welcoming environment by creating several 

seating areas for guests to gather? Moving 

one large piece of furniture could really open 

a space up and create a whole new vibe. Try it 

for yourself! 

Grab some 

of the great 

end-ofsummer 

deals 

and get creative 

with them. 

Don’t forget the plethora of 

citrus candles that are available 

this time of year. While you’re at 

it, pick up a few floral scented, fruit scented, 

and cool summer breeze scent candles to 

create a summertime ambiance. 

Colorful pillows, 

blankets, beach 

towels, and 

hammocks 

add the final 

summertime pop. Have at it and 

let’s make every day feel like summer. 

By Alan Freeman 

18 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


BRAIN HEALTH: 

THE HEALTH FOCUS 

OF THE 21ST CENTURY 

John Urschel retired from the NFL this August. 

Many of you may not had heard of him, but Urshel was a true scholar warrior. He 

was a third-year offensive lineman for the Baltimore Ravens, who had a passion 

for hitting in the trenches. In the off-season, he was studying for his Ph. D in 

mathematics from M.I.T with multiple articles published in multiple peer reviewed journals. 

What triggered his retirement? In late 

July, a research article in the prestigious 

Journal of the American Medical Association 

showed profound linkages between chronic 

traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and 

football. 110 out of 111 brains from NFL 

players who had donated their brains to 

science had been shown on autopsy to 

have CTE, including players who had been 

publicly known to have the disease such 

as Ken Stabler, former quarterback of the 

Oakland Raiders. It also looks as if it is not 

just the head jarring hits, but the ongoing 

collisions that happen between offensive 

and defensive lineman on every play that are 

contributing to this. Urschel made a logical 

decision to protect his brain from further 

damage faced with overwhelming evidence 

on the risk. He retired two days after the 

JAMA article was published. 

The NFL is a microcosm of public trends. 

Brain health has become the #1 issue for 

the league – specifically how to prevent 

concussions and how to mitigate the 

impact on players health. 

Players have apps and feedback machines 

that help them improve the quality of their 

mediation and improve their mental focus. 

The teams have embraced these approaches 

as they all see accumulating evidence that 

improving mental focus and mindfulness 

can contribute to better athletic and team 

results. 

Brain Health is where physical fitness was 

50 years ago. Advances in technology 

are allowing us to see brain structure and 

function, much clearer than before. The 

complexity of the brain is starting to unravel, 

piece by piece. New evidence is popping up 

monthly. As a result, we all have the ability to 

take much better care of our brains than we 

did twenty years ago. At the same time, brain 

health can be scary. Most of us have known 

someone with Alzheimer’s disease, which 

robs us of our dignity and humanness. 

Craig Tanio, MD is the CEO and Co-Founder 

of Rezilir Heath and an Assistant Professor 

of Medicine at Johns Hopkins School 

of Medicine. Rezilir is a team of board 

certified clinicians that deliver integrative 

medicine through a functional approach. 

They offer multiple programs designed to 

reverse chronic illness and disease. Rezilir 

specializes in the prevention and remission 

of early Alzheimer’s Disease and mild 

cognitive impairment. 

The flip side of the concussion 

issue is the potential to 

optimize brain health 

to improve ongoing 

performance. Former NFC 

Super Bowl teams, Seattle 

Seahawks, San Francisco 

49ers and Atlanta Falcons 

have all recently publicly 

embraced a structured and 

systematic approach for 

mediation and mindfulness. 

20 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

Only one heart. 

Only one you. 

INDIVIDUALIZED HEART CARE, 

DEVOTED TO YOU. 

No two hearts are exactly the same. 

That’s why the cardiovascular 

specialists of Valley Baptist Health 

System pursue an individualized 

care plan for every single heart we 

encounter. From preventative care to 

treating heart conditions, every 

element is designed to take care 

of our first priority: you. 

To learn more about our services or to find a cardiologist near you 

call (844) 614-9386 or visit ValleyHearts.com/onlyone 

1040 W Jefferson St. 

Brownsville, TX 78520 

2101 Pease St. 

Harlingen, TX 78550

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE KIDS · · SEPTEMBER 2017 2017 



Minimalism is sweeping the world in a refreshing 

wave of less. It is an idea that's very close to my 

heart. Five years ago, before I knew it was called 

‘minimalism,' before there were documentaries 

and a thousand other blogs on the subject, 

getting rid of the excess in my home saved my 

motherhood. 

If you find yourself in this place, sister, let me 

encourage you to press pause. 

 

Why are you doing this? 

 

What brought you to this place of desiring 

simplicity? 

 

What is the root reason for you seeking out 

minimalism in your life? 

Be honest when people ask what he would like 

as a gift, but don't keep other people in your life 

from blessing your kids. Ask for an experience gift 

over a material donation, tell them how much he 

loves *insert child's favorite activity*, but don't be 

upset when the day comes and he receives toys 

you know he does not need. 

Minimalism is a lifestyle of purposely 

choosing to live with less stuff in your 

home so that there's less to maintain 

and more time and space to focus on 

what matters. 

For moms, this is everything, which is why I 

started a movement for mothers based on this 

idea. I spend my days encouraging hundreds 

of thousands of my fellow women to ditch the 

clutter and the chaos and get intentional about 

how they are spending their mom lives. Moreover, 

it is incredible! 

In doing what I do, there are a few things I see on 

a regular basis that make my heartache. One of 

them is when a desire for minimalism takes over 

and becomes ingratitude. 

In a world saturated with materialism, we have to 

fight to live with less, and it is dang hard. I get it. 

However, sometimes, in our desperate 

attempt to simplify and be more aware of 

what's coming into our homes, we become 

ungrateful guardians of our domains that 

make other people feel like we do not 

appreciate their gifts. Moreover, maybe that we 

do not appreciate them. 

I know where the passion for less comes from. 

It is like an internal uprising- a deep desire for a 

simpler way of living when you figure out what 

works and you have been residing in the 

clutter and chaos for so long, you just 

want out. You found a way, and 

you see the light, and you are not 

stopping for anything. 

The origin for most of us is relationships. Our 

relationships began to suffer because we were 

doing all the things, cleaning up regularly, running 

on a treadmill fueled by an endless cycle of stuff. 

We want to be closer to our children; we want to 

stop being nagging, stressed out wives. We want 

time to be better friends with the other women 

in our lives; we want to have the time, space and 

focus to love others and be present for them. 

Let's not get so caught up in being 

the editors of our homes that we hurt 

those around us. 

Obviously, there's a huge difference between 

someone giving a gift to you or your kids and 

someone who is blatantly against the way you are 

choosing to live and continuously brings things 

over when you have kindly asked them not to. 

However, what we are talking about here is 

making minimalism into some legalistic law 

you follow to the death, no matter who you 

takedown in the process. 

It is easy to do as we fight for the motherhood 

we want, so I encourage you to take a scoopful 

of grace if you feel like you have gone down this 

path. 

When it is your child's birthday, have a grateful 

heart. 

Minimalism, the way I teach it and the way I 

believe in it, isn't about only having what you 

need. Where's the joy in that anyway? 

When you get a basket of lotions and candles 

from your mother-in-law, give her an authentic 

hug. She cares about you! It does not matter if the 

gift was entirely obligatory or truly heartfelt- it is a 

gift, and gifts are exclamations of love. Value your 

relationships over the state of your home- that 

is what you came into this for in the first place, 

right? 

Plus, I can tell you have spent years on the 

"other side" of minimalism with four kids… If you 

simplify your home and live this out day to 

day, gifts cannot set you back! 

You do not have to fret over the little things or 

stress out about how many presents your kids 

get for Christmas. When everything else is 

simplified, there's room for holidays and 

birthdays and tokens of love from the people 

in your life. It is okay. 

My advice to anyone looking to implement 

minimalism is this: walk away from the 

legalism of it. 

Don't count your things, don't guard your home 

against gifts like a lioness defending her cubs. Just 

focus on simplifying what you can control and 

remember what matters most in this life- loving 

the people in it. 

ALLIE CASAZZA is The 

Purposeful Housewife. 

She is all about helping 

you purge the clutter that's 

clogging your joy, rediscover 

the purpose in your days, 

and live with intention. Learn 

more about Allie 

@thepurposefulhousewife. 

22 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


INCA GOES ABOVE 

AND BEYOND TO 

PROVIDE SAFE & 

HEALTHY FOODS 

WHY ORGANIC BANANAS 


Over the last decade, organic foods have become 

very popular around the world. Industry sources 

estimate that the U.S. market for organic bananas 

represents more than 5% of the total volume of 

fresh banana imports. 

Organic eating is a part of a healthy lifestyle 

among Well Being and Food Active consumers 

according to the Natural Marketing Institute. 

However, as price difference decreases between 

conventional and organic products, more 

consumers are now eager buyers of all-organic 

products from the food that they eat to 

household cleaners and personal care products. 

Research continues to prove that organic 

foods tend to have higher concentrations of 

essential vitamins and minerals. These minerals 

and nutrients are major keys to maintaining 

optimal health in an otherwise less than healthy 

environment. 

Some consumers are not able to distinguish the 

difference when eating organic products. This 

is why it helps to learn the benefits of organic 

farming and environmentally friendly practices. 

The natural method of growing bananas is 

to go from site preparation to irrigation to 

harvesting then fruit picking and packaging. 

Eating a genuinely organic diet begins with the 

farmer who grew the food and ends with you, the 

conscientious consumer. 

Juan Bautista Dos Santos and Jose Antonio 

Ferreira Ospina of Inca Bananas have been in the 

banana business for more than 30 years. But it 

was just 5 years ago when they decided to start 

organic farming in a micro climate area they 

figured was a perfect place to produce bananas, 

Piura Peru. They made it their mission to as a 

sustainable company to bring the best product 

to the American market with an emphasis on 

educating the consumer while providing a higher 

quality organic product. 

Unlike many other products on the market, Inca 

Bananas goes above and beyond to stick to their 

core values of providing healthy fruits that are free 

of pesticides, herbicides, and genetically modified 

organisms. Their products are grown using 

uniquely designed methods to reduce exposure 

to pollution and obtain fresh water in Piura to 

maintain their full flavor, and go above and beyond 

EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) standards 

of safety and quality. The producers count with 

different certifications such as Fair Trade, USDA 

Organic certified by the Control Union, Global 

Gap, and European organic certification. 

The country of Peru, where Inca Banana is based, 

prides itself on its lush landscape and abundance 

of natural resources. Their organic farmers use all 

natural methods to grow their crops unlike many 

of their competitors. Their organic agriculture 

methods include using innovative techniques 

like crop rotation and the reuse of soil from 

compost to reduce pollution. The crop rotation 

process keeps soil fertile throughout the year 

because certain crops can deplete the nutrients 

in the soil if maintained in the same area for 

extended periods of time. By doing this, they 

significantly reduce the use of pesticides; thus, 

allowing the plants to grow naturally to a healthier, 

more prosperous state. This process is not only 

beneficial to the foods we eat but also serves the 

water we drink and the air we breathe. 

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

organic farming has been proven to use less 

energy, lock carbon in the soil (reducing the 

carbon footprint) and produces more fertile soil 

because of the soil rotation technique utilized in 

organic farming. Combined, these benefits reduce 

the use or need for harmful pesticides and lessons 

the degree of overall pollution in the environment. 

Testing suggests that consumers prefer the flavor 

of organically produced foods over foods that 

aren't organically produced. Taste-testing results 

indicate that organic bananas taste sweeter 

than conventionally grown bananas. All organic 

foods yield higher antioxidant properties in fruits 

and vegetables that are organically grown. They 

maintain higher levels of vitamins and nutrients. 

The Peruvian organic production process is 

widely used throughout the country. It consists 

of a number of vitally important and efficient 

steps to ensure the quality of the crops. They 

include processes to ensure the soil is healthy 

and properly prepared for planting. Ridding the 

area of any potentially harmful rot, ensuring that 

there are nearby routes and a viable source of 

water, developing a topographic plan to accurately 

THE CREST 

Organic agriculture only uses natural 

fungicides on the crown (organic acids, 

oils, biological agents) to prevent 

and control the rot of the crops. Inca 

Bananas uses lemon juice and cuts 

the crown square in place with this 

practice. The square cut is to allow 

the fingers to obtain a firm grip on the 

crown; as well as to promote a clean 

and consistent image of the Clusters. 

24 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


By Andres Portillo 

locate the irrigation and drainage infrastructure, 

using a chisel plot to break hard layers of soil and 

penetrate roots so that the exchange of gases 

could be adequately facilitated; and a number of 

other thorough procedures that will significantly 

impact the health of the plants and eliminate any 

potential harmful substances from invading the 

plants and/or causing disease. This process also 

guards against weed growth, pest infestation, 

and helps to control and outbreak of the Banana 

Streak Virus (BSV), which can lead to spread. 

Peru is recognized as one of the main centers 

of biodiversity in the world. Its ancient 

agricultural tradition, based on the selection and 

management of various plant species, has allowed 

it to contribute to the world food market with 

important products such as the organic banana. 

What contributes to Peru's success in organic 

farming is that it has several ecological floors. 

It concentrates eighty-four of the one hundred 

and four micro-climates known in the world. 

Their different altitudes and climates generate 

exceptional conditions for the development of 

various crops. It has an extensive coastal strip 

whose dry tropic climate and regime of irrigation 

with rivers that contain silt and organic materials 

of the mountains, transmit to numerous and 

“ 

What contributes to Peru’s success in organic 

farming is that it has several ecological floors. 

fertile valleys. Those unique qualities coupled 

with other local environmental factors yield 

not only a great tasting product but a product 

that is of exceptional quality regarding color 

and presentation as well. This great diversity of 

ecological floors and the country's accompanying 

natural attributes facilitate a wide range of 

agricultural products, many still native, and allow 

for large crops and help to maintain sustained 

quality production throughout the year. 

The cut of the banana crown says much of 

the care of the fruit. A well cut "square" crown 

communicate how the company treats the 

earth, the plant, the farmers and especially its 

consumers. Power yourself and eat Inca Bananas, 

each 100 gr of bananas count with an energy value 

(89 kcal), high potassium (358 mg) and vitamin 

(8,7mg). 

One large distinction is that Peru has the ability to 

export to the local market. To date, Inca Banana 

exports over nine million boxes to locations in 

Europe and the United States. Their main goal 

is to connect the customers they currently have 

with real producers that have an ecological 

production niche. 

This explains why the name Inca bananas is used. 

It represents a past culture that fought hard for 

its identity. It is representative of authority and 

struggle. It fought for its home and rightful place 

in history. The country of Peru has undergone 

those same struggles. Inca would like to position 

themselves a go-to organic brand that can always 

be trusted to provide a quality product and help 

bananas to continue to be the top selling fruit 

in supermarkets. Nowadays you can find new 

food products based on bananas such as banana 

pudding, bread, smoothies and pancakes. 

Check Inca Bananas www.incabananas.com 

website to learn new recipes. 

For questions, contact us at 786.973.4816. 

25 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


ADVANCED PRACTICE 

PROVIDERS: A PIVOTAL 

ROLE IN CANCER CARE 

If you or a loved one has 

recently been diagnosed 

with cancer, you know there 

are many people involved in 

cancer care. 

For some, the period between cancer 

diagnosis and treatment can feel like a 

dizzying loop of doctors, nurses, lab and 

radiation technicians, counselors, and others 

– all focused on planning, coordinating care, 

and guiding patients on their cancer journey. 

As cancer care evolves and improves, 

advanced practice providers, or APPs, are 

playing an increasingly important role. 

APPs wear many hats and are also known 

in the medical industry by several titles, 

including mid-level providers, nurse 

practitioners, and physician assistants. 

While the titles can vary across the medical 

industry, APPs are essential members of the 

oncology care team, working closely with 

physicians every step of the way to ensure 

treatment is fully focused on each patient’s 

unique needs. 

Their presence as part of the patient 

experience is on the rise as APPs step in 

to assist with follow-up appointments, 

individualized chemotherapy education, 

advance care planning, survivorship, and 

many other aspects of care. The American 

Society of Clinical Oncology reports that 

73 percent of oncology practices currently 

employ APPs. That compares with just 52 

percent in 2014. There is good reason for 

this development. Physicians, like medical 

oncologists, radiation oncologists, and 

surgeons, always are in charge of a patient’s 

overall care and treatment planning. Nurses 

coordinate care and help address patients 

questions and needs during and between 

office visits – often stepping in for afterhours 

needs. With specialized training and 

advanced education, APPs offer an additional 

layer of medical expertise and individualized 

care to patients and their families. 

During visits for acute care, supportive 

care, or routine appointments, APPs are at 

the ready under the guiding hands of your 

physician. They diagnose and treat a myriad 

of problems, order and review laboratory 

studies and imaging as well as prescribe 

medication. 

APPs also allow oncology practices to 

expand the range of support services 

available to patients. A crucial facet of 

this includes helping guide patients and 

educate them about their diagnosis and 

the type of treatment they are undergoing. 

All of our APPs are skilled in providing 

specific education regarding expectations 

for chemotherapy side-effects and how 

to respond to them. Many of our APPs are 

trained in genetic counseling and provide 

ongoing follow up for higher risk patients and 

families. 

Another key aspect of an APP’s work 

is helping manage follow-up care and 

survivorship as patients adapt to their ‘new 

normal’ following treatment. 

A patient will experience many ups and 

downs during their cancer journey. APPs 

are integral care team members who 

offer clinical expertise and insight to help 

guide patients through the many phases 

of treatment. Their expertise can help 

educate and steer not only patients, but also 

family members, through the challenges 

of treatment, survivorship, and long-term 

follow-up needs and expectations. 

This type of pivotal support from APPs 

enables oncologists to deliver overall better 

care and additional services to patients. 

That’s why Texas Oncology is increasing 

the number of APPs on our team. In our 

experience, patients are building strong 

bonds with these caring professionals, 

seeking their trusted advice, and counting 

on them to help make decisions that will 

enhance their treatment experience – and 

rallying for them every step of the way. 

BENJAMIN WEST, MD 

Benjamin West, M.D., Texas 

Oncology is a radiation 

oncologist at Texas Oncology– 

McAllen, 1901 South 2nd Street 

in McAllen, Texas. 

To learn more about exciting 

advancements in cancer 

treatment, visit www. 

TexasOncology.com 

or call 1-888-864-I CAN (4226). 

26 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

Weslaco 

Texas Oncology delivers high-quality cancer care with leading-edge technology and advanced treatment 

options to help patients achieve “More breakthroughs. More victories.” in their fights against cancer. 

Texas Oncology, a pioneer in community-based cancer care, is an independent oncology 

practice with sites of service throughout Texas and southeastern New Mexico. Texas 

Oncology patients have the opportunity to take part in some of the most 

promising clinical trials in the nation for a broad range of cancers. In 

fact, Texas Oncology has played an integral role in gaining Food 

and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for 29 of the 

latest cancer therapies. 

Habib Ghaddar, MD, FACP 

Medical Oncology/Hematology 

Dr. Ghaddar specializes in medical oncology and hematology. He is board-certified by the American Board of 

Internal Medicine in hematology and medical oncology. He received his medical degree from the American 

University of Beirut in Beirut, Lebanon. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at the Good 

Samaritan Hospital/John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. He completed his fellowship in 

hematology/oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. He has been in 

practice with Texas Oncology since 1995. 

Daniel Farray, MD 


Dr. Farray is board-certified in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine. He received his medical 

degree in 1998 from the Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Urena in the Dominican Republic and completed 

his residency in internal medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio. He completed his 

fellowship in medical oncology and hematology in 2006 at Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center/Loyola University 

Chicago. Dr. Farray ranked first in his medical school class. He is a member of the American Society of Clinical 

Oncology and American College of Physicians. 

Weslaco 1330 East 6th Street, Suite 204 Weslaco, Texas 78596 PH: 956.969.0021 FAX: 956.968.9744 

www.TexasOncology.com

Harlingen 

Marco A. Araneda, MD 


Dr. Araneda specializes in medical oncology and is board-certified in internal medicine and medical 

oncology. He received his medical degree from San Carlos University in Guatemala and completed a 

medical oncology fellowship at East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, as well as a 

fellowship in bone marrow transplantation at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. He has special 

interests in breast cancer, gastrointestinal malignancies, hematologic malignancies, and molecular 

targeted therapy. 

Nabeel Sarhill 


Dr. Nabeel Sarhill is board-certified in hematology, medical oncology, and internal medicine. He earned his 

medical doctorate from the University of Tishreen Medical School in Lattakia, Syria, and completed his 

residency in internal medicine at Case Wester Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. His fellowship in 

hematology was completed at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas, and his 

clinical research fellowship in medicine and symptoms management at The Harry R. Horvitz Center for 

Palliative Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Nabeel Sarhill is a member of the American Society of Clinical 

Oncology, American Society of Hematology, Syrian Medical Association, Syrian Ministry of Health, American 

Board of Hematology, American Board of Medical Oncology, and the American Board of Internal Medicine. 


Radiation Oncology 

Dr. West is a board-certified radiation oncologist. He was a physicist prior to becoming a physician. 

Hayan Moualla, MD 


Dr. Moualla completed his Internal Medicine residency followed by a fellowship in Geriatrics and later a 

fellowship in Hematology and Medical Oncology at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. For 

almost 5 years before joining Texas Oncology, Dr. Moualla practiced in beautiful southern Virginia. He is 

Board Certified in Hematology and Medical Oncology with special interest in elderly cancer and blood 

disorders. His emphasis is making sure that all patient understand their conditions well and have a good 

idea about available options. Dr. Moualla is married and has a boy and twin girls. His biggest pleasure is 

spending time with family. He also enjoys soccer, ping pong, badminton and swimming. 

Harlingen 2121 Pease Street, Suite 101 Harlingen, Texas 78550 PH: 956.425.8845 FAX: 956.364.6793 


McALLEN 

Billie J. Marek, MD, FACP 


Dr. Marek is board-certified and specializes in medical oncology and heamatology. He currently serves as a 

director of Texas Oncology and is the medical director for Texas Oncology-McAllen. He has served the Rio 

Grande Valley for the past 22 years as a medical oncologist and hematologist, has been recognized as a 

“Super Doctor” in oncology for five years in a row, and was recognized as Doctor of The Year for Rio 

Grande Regional. Dr. Marek received his medical degree from The University of Texas Medical School at 

San Antonio. He completed his fellowship at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. 

Alvaro Restrepo, MD 


“I can be part of your team... and together we can fight the battle.” Dr. Restrepo specializes in, medical 

oncology and hematology. He completed his fellowship at the University of Miami. He also serves on the 

reast Cancer Committee of US Oncology and has completed a fellowship in breast cancer treatment. 

Through the Life Beyond Cancer Fundation he established the Texas Oncology–McAllen Breast Cancer 

Ride/Walk undraiser to raise funds for Rio Grande Valley cancer patients. To date approximately $30,000 has 

been donated to cancer patients in the Rio Grande Valley. 

Suresh Ratnam, MD, FACP 


Dr. Ratnam has been with Texas Oncology-McAllen for 13 years, which he joined after completing his 

fellowship at the renowned National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health. He has 

co-authored several research publications and is passionate about cutting-edge oncology care. He currently 

serves on the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee of US Oncology and chairman of the Credentials 

Committee for South Texas Health System. 

Guillermo Lazo, MD 


Dr. Lazo specializes in medical oncology and hematology. He completed his fellowship at The University of 

Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He is a recipient of several awards including the American Society of 

Clinical Oncology Merit Award and is the author of several peer-reviewed medical publications as well as 

book chapters. He received the highest honors on the professional examination for his medical doctorate 

degree. 

McAllen 1901 South 2nd Street McAllen, Texas 78503 PH: 956.687.5150 FAX: 956.687.9546 


Nurul Wahid, MD 


Dr. Wahid was fellowship-trained in medical oncology and hematology at Columbia University College of 

Physicians and Surgeons in New York. He is board certified in Hematology and Oncology. He has been 

recognized as Physician of the Year at Rio Grande State Center in Harlingen where he has served as senior 

attending physician for the past 13 years. 

Rogelio Salinas, MD 


Dr. Salinas is a board-certified radiation oncologist. He completed his residency training at Memorial 

Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center in New York followed by his fellowship at The University of Texas MD Anderson 

Cancer Center. 

Joseph Litam, MD 


Dr. Litam was fellowship-trained at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He is well 

known in the community and was in private practice for 27 years before joining Texas Oncology. He has special 

interest in treating solid tumors. 



Dr. West is board-certified radiation oncologist. He was physicist prior to becoming a physician. 

Phoebe Verano, RN, FNP-BC 

Nurse Practitioner 

Phoebe Cepeda Verano is a certified Family Nurse Practioner, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, who 

received her Masters degree at the University of Texas- Pan American (UTPA) in 2013. She has more than 

30 years of experience as a registered nurse, most of it in an adult critical care setting. As a nurse 

practitioner, she has the compassion to be a part of a patient’s journey through cancer care and believes 

that patient education is an important first step following diagnosis and treatment plan development. “I 

am committed to preparing cancer patients for their journeys and assuring they know that we are always 

here to support them.” 

Cristelita Parrocho, RN, BSN,CCRN,MSN,FNP-C 

Nurse Practicioner 

Cristy graduated as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in 

California. She is also a certified Adult Critical Care Registered Nurse. Before joining Texas Oncology-McAllen 

she was a hospitalist with IPC Healthcare. “Cancer is brutal but I believe loving and actually feeling while you 

care for these patients will somehow bring upon sunshine in the darkest moments of their lives. It is not 

how much time but how much love you put into it.” 

McAllen 1901 South 2nd Street McAllen, Texas 78503 PH: 956.687.5150 FAX: 956.687.9546 


Brownsville 

Balesh Sharma, MD 


Balesh Sharma, MD specializes in internal medicine, medical oncology and hematology. He is board certified by in 

medical oncology. Dr. Sharma received an MD Delhi University in New Delhi, India, in 1990, where he also 

completed his residency in Anesthesia and Critical Care in 1991. He completed his medical internship at Lincoln 

Medical Center in New York in 1992-93. Dr. Sharma completed his residency in internal medicine at St. Vincent’s 

Medical Center in affiliation with Yale University School of Medicine, Connecticut. In 1998, he completed a 

fellowship in hematology and oncology from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, and has 

been in private practice since then. 

Marcelo Boek, MD 


Dr Marcelo M Boek specializes in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology/Hematology. He is board certified in 

Medical Oncology and Hematology. He received his medical degree from Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul 

in Brazil. He also completed his Internal Medicine residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital- University of Miami. 

In 2003 he completed his Fellowship in Medical Oncology and Hematology at John Strogger- Cook County 

Hospital in Chicago. Dr Boek then worked as a Medical Oncologist at The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency at The 

Allan Blair Cancer Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, and as an investigator affiliated with The North 

Central Cancer Treatment Group and the National Cancer Institute of Canada. He was also appointed as a Clinical 

Assistant Professor with the Division of Oncology, College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan and 

held this job until he moved back to the United States. Dr Boek joined Texas Oncology in 2006 

Carlos Gonzalez-Angulo, MD 


Dr. Gonzalez specializes in radiation oncology and internal medicine. He is certified by the American Board of 

Internal Medicine as well as the American Board of Radiology, and is a member of the American Society of 

Therapeutic Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO). He completed his 

fellowship in radiation oncology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, in Buffalo, New York, and also completed a 

second residency in radiation oncology at Jackson Memorial Hospital/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, 

in Miami, Florida. Aside from his medical practice, Dr. Gonzalez is a Christian lay minister and a student of 

ancient Greek. 

Mariza D. Oliver, MSN, APRN, FNP-C 

Advanced Practice Provider 

Mariza is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, and has a Masters degree in 

Nursing Administration. She has over 17 years experience in nursing and has worked in healthcare areas such as 

medical-surgical, post-partum, hospice, and home health. She has extensive experience in providing care for the 

adult and geriatric population of the Rio Grande Valley. 

2150 N. Expressway 83 Brownsville, TX 78521 PH: 956-548-0810 FAX: 956-548-2239 www.TexasOncology.com




Do we need an excuse to get a 

good massage? Probably not, 

right? But wouldn’t it be good 

to know that there are plenty 

of reasons why you should be 

getting massages much more often? No 

kidding. 

It used to be that only people of a 

certain income level or status treated 

themselves to a decadent massage. Now, 

they are more commonplace and much 

more affordable. And you can even treat 

someone else with a gift certificate for one. 

According to expert kinesiologist, 

massages are primarily an all over body 

medicine. A massage can increase and 

improve circulation if done correctly. And 

as many people already know, proper 

circulation does wonder for your body. 

Next time someone tells you that massages 

are luxuries, not essentials, say that they’re 

far more than that. They’re medically 

necessary. 

Here are a few of the many health benefits of 

getting a massage: 

01 

02 

03 

It can readjust your posture by 

working out the kinks. After 

endless hours spent sitting at 

a desk or standing still to do 

work, your posture takes a serious 

hit. Regular massages can ease the 

tension in your neck and back and 

help straighten your spine. 

They can help you get restful 

sleep. Better circulation means 

you’ll get better sleep. One 

massage per week can help with 

insomnia. 

Massages can ease anxiety. The 

circular motions soothe you by 

lowering your blood pressure 

and decreasing your heart rate. 

04 

05 

06 

07 

They can relieve headache 

pain. Massages are a natural 

way to alleviate pain. 

Something as simple as two 

massages per week can reduce 

the occurrence or ease the 

symptoms of headaches. 

They can relieve body aches 

and pains. 

Massages have been shown to 

reduce the effects of chemo 

and other harsh treatments 

by reducing aches and pains 

and nausea. 

They can boost your mood. 

This is easy. Massages make 

you happy! 

By Ava Mallory 

33 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

FITNESS & BEAUTY · SEPTEMBER 2017 

EVERYTHING 

YOU NEED TO 

KNOW ABOUT 

MICROBLADING 

Beauty trends come and go. No 

matter how much you think you 

know what the next hottest trend 

is, there’s always a new, more 

exciting one coming down the 

pike. You have to ask yourself, which one is 

right for you and which one should you let 

pass you by? 

We here at Healthy magazine are constantly 

on the hunt for something new and 

wonderful that will place our readers on 

the cutting edge and give them a clean, 

refreshing, updated look that won’t fade into 

oblivion tomorrow. 

Our latest great find is eyebrow 

microblading. You read that right! Eyebrow 

microblading is the hottest procedure on the 

market, and with good reason. It looks great! 

If you’ve never heard of this procedure, don’t 

fret. We hadn’t heard of it either until our 

researchers dove in to get the skinny on this 

beauty trend. Here’s the gist of what you 

need to know. 

Microblading is a semi-permanent 

cosmetic treatment that uses a 

small (tiny!) blade that’s dipped in 

pigment to create hair-thin strokes 

that can blend in with and rev up 

your natural eyebrows. 

Each stroke is applied with tender loving 

care by hand. The eyebrow artist (because 

let’s face it, that’s what they are) can create 

the perfect color, density, and – wait for it – 

shape to enhance your brows. What’s not to 

love about that? 

This two-step process will allow you to walk 

away with your head held high and your 

brows looking fierce! And the best part? It 

can last from anywhere from one to three 

years! Swoon! Think about it; you won’t have 

to keep making that weekly trek to get your 

brows done. Save money, time, and most of 

all, efficiently maintain your brows with this 

straightforward and practical procedure. 

We know what you’re 

thinking. What does this 

miraculous, eyebrow 

saving procedure cost? 

We’re not going to lie. The 

price can be a little steep 

for some budgets, but what 

price would you pay to add 

the perfect complement to your 

precious face? If you find the right artist 

– someone who has honed their craft and 

clients raves about their work – you might 

pay anywhere from five-hundred dollars to 

nine-hundred dollars for the procedure. But 

before you cross it off your to-do list and 

forget about, think again. Microblading is a 

more than a basic trim. It’s not a procedure 

that’s performed in a back office by hacks. 

This is real art done by gifted artists who 

help to define your eyebrows and refine 

your overall look. Consider this long-lasting 

procedure to be your eyebrow rescue. 

How much are you willing to pay to get the 

perfectly coiffed brow that you won’t have 

to worry about for upwards of three whole 

years? If you ask us, we think a good brow 

that enhances your features and leaves you 

looking fresh, clean, and more natural is 

worth every penny. 

Tell us what you think about this procedure. 

Are you going to let the price tag scare you 

away? 

By Maydeline Moreno 

www.amethystquantum.com 

34 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

Fitness 

& Beauty 

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO 

KNOW ABOUT MICROBLADING 

HLCC G6 GROWTH FACTORS IS THE 

NEW GROUNDBREAKING ADVANCED 

TECHNOLOGY FOR THICKER & 

HEALTHIER LOOKING HAIR 

HEALING YOUR CHAKRA 

POINTS ONE DAY AT A TIME 

34 

36 

38 

"By choosing 

healthy over 

skinny you're 

choosing 

self-love over 

self-judgment." 

-Steve Maraboli


HLCC G6 GROWTH 

FACTORS IS THE NEW 

GROUNDBREAKING 

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY 

FOR THICKER & HEALTHIER 

LOOKING HAIR 

WHAT ARE GROWTH FACTORS 

FOR HAIR? 

A powerful new cosmetic treatment option 

to drugs and hair transplants. HLCC® Growth 

Factors for hair are powerful cosmetic “nondrug” 

alternative to the treatment of thinning 

and aging hair. HLCC® Factor G6 has been 

proven 96% effective in men and 94% effective 

in women*. It does this by nourishing the hair 

with large amount of all-natural growth factors, 

which are currently present in a healthy scalp. 

After just as few as 4 treatments over 4 weeks, 

patients notice more, thicker, darker looking hair. 

Additionally, users notice the appearance of grey 

hair appearing to return to its original color, as 

the Growth Factors stimulate the hair follicles. 

WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? 

The HLCC Growth Factor Protein Complex also includes: 

• 21 types of amino acids which support the 

appearance of healthy performance of hair follicles 

• Vitamin B complex which provides hair follicles 

with a boost of energy to help it’s process. 

• Glutathione which is a detoxifying agent that help 

cleanse the hair follicles. 

• Minerals like Zinc, Copper Peptide AHK-Cu, and 

Magnesium which help with healthy looking 

hair. Antioxidants which are known to counter 

damaging free radicals in the scalp. 

BEFORE AND AFTER 4 TREATMENTS 

SHOW ME THE STUDIES 

With over 500,000 clinical applications and 

5 studies published in globally recognized 

dermatological scientific journals, such as “The 

Journal of Dermatology”* and “The Journal of 

Investigative Dermatology”, Factor G6 provides a 

new alternative for individuals with thinning and 

aging hair. This “non-drug” alternative is applied 

topically and does not cause the wide variety of 

negative side effects sometimes associated with 

drug, chemical or oral treatments. 

HOW DOES IT WORK? 

healthy hair. Peptides are known to be powerful in helping your hair, and 

if powerful peptides are a pebble, then growth factors power are a like 

mountain of power when it comes to fuller, thick¬er looking hair. The 

Growth Factor Proteins are produced naturally in your body and they 

naturally stimulate hair activity. As you age, your body produces less and 

less of these proteins. This was a Nobel Prize winning discovery in 1986. 

The Growth Factor Protein complex in HLCC® Factor G6 is the highest 

quality and highest concentration growth factor complex available in the 

world. The complex includes 21,000 ng/mL of 99% pure Growth Factor 

Proteins. This is up to 150x the concentration of Growth Factor Proteins 

naturally produced by the body and com¬pared to other factors, which 

are only 40%-50% pure or less. 

36 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

FITNESS & BEAUTY · SEPTEMBER 2017 

HEALING 

YOUR 

CHAKRA 

POINTS 

1 DAY AT 

A TIME 

Awakening your divine spirit is a 

rewarding way to attain optimal 

physical health and to find peace 

of mind. Our body's chakras are 

like spirals of energy, each connecting to the 

other. Each is represented by a color from 

the color spectrum: red, orange, yellow, 

green, blue, indigo, or purple. That color has 

a profound effect on us on all levels whether 

physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. Our 

body consists of energy points that emulate 

spiritual frequencies. These energy points are 

our chakras. Each point is reflected by your 

vibration, ultimately, the way you live your 

life. 

Using the seven colors of the spectrum, 

you can balance and enhance your spiritual 

connection. These colors are known to have 

a healing effect on one's spirit and physical 

body when used correctly. 

Below are their representations and what 

they mean to your well-being: 

 

Red – root which represents grounding 

 

Orange (Sacrum) – represents sexuality 

and sensuality 

 

Yellow (Solar Plexus) – will power and 

confidence 

 

Green (Heart) – represents love for 

yourself and others 

 

Blue (Throat) – accounts for the truth 

and creativity 

 

Indigo (Third Eye) – represents wisdom 

and spiritual awakening, intuition 

 

Purple (Crown) – represents your God. 

It is your connection between you and 

the Divine. 

If your energy centers become blocked, 

your body cannot function properly, leading 

to problems like stress to disease. If you 

experience fear or anger, your heart chakra 

is blocked. It can lead to heart problems as 

a physical manifestation. It may leave you 

carrying a cold, broken heart. Conversely, 

if you're in love, your heart chakra is 

heightened. You will attract love. The physical 

and spiritual realm go hand in hand. Your 

physical and divine self are in balance. 

The most important aspect of chakra 

cleansing is your space. Cleanliness in your 

area can bring you mental clarity. It allows 

room to release the negative and stressful 

energies that linger around you. It promotes 

much-needed alone time and invites you 

to welcome stillness and awareness of self. 

Do this for seven consecutive days to clear 

each chakra point, while focusing one point 

per day to help clear your body of negativity. 

Wear that day's color as a visual clue of what 

point to focus on. 

◊ 

◊ 

◊ 

◊ 

◊ 

◊ 

◊ 

By Fabienne Claude 

Day 1 – Red – Be more aware of who 

you are. Are you harboring negative 

feelings? Reflect on those issues. Allow 

your body and mind to release those 

energies. 

Day 2 - Orange – Typically, the most 

challenge chakra, this forces you to resist 

your false desires. Manifest your desires 

of good for you and the world around 

you. 

Day 3 – Yellow – Be aware of your divine 

self. Recognize societal judgments and 

banish them from your life. Build your 

confidence and embrace your power, 

while remaining humble. 

Day 4 – Green – Focus on self-love. 

Day 5 – Blue – Let your voice be heard. 

Day 6 – Indigo – Open your mind to 

knowledge. 

Day 7 – Purple – Trust your intuition. 

Embrace your true self. 

Close these daily steps with 5 – 10-minute 

meditations and reflection to living a life free 

from blockage and disease. 

38 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

Healthy RGV Issue 106 - Driscoll Children's Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

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