Healthy RGV Issue 108 - MEET THE WORLD-CLASS SURGEONS AT THE HEART OF DRISCOLL’S PEDIATRIC CARDIAC CENTER

ISSUE 108
EDITORIAL CONTENT
HEALTHY KIDS
MEET THE WORLD-CLASS
SURGEONS AT THE HEART
OF DRISCOLL’S PEDIATRIC
CARDIAC CENTER
HELPING YOUR KIDS NAVIGATE
MESSAGES IN MEDIA
YOUR TINIEST PATIENTS DESERVE
THE BIGGEST MIRACLES JENNIFER
GARZA, MD
THE BABY IS COMING!
NOW WE MUST MAKE THE
ANNOUNCEMENT, BUT HOW?
THE STRUGGLES OF BEING
A MOTHER OF TWO
8
10
12
14
16
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
WITH ALL THE CHAOS
IN MY LIFE...
LIVING AN INTENTIONAL LIFE
VS. LIVING IN YOUR HEAD
WESLACO REGIONAL
REHABILITATION HOSPITAL
AWARDED ADVANCED STROKE
CERTIFICATION
5 THINGS TO DO WHEN NEGATIVE
EMOTIONS AND SELF-TALK TAKE
OVER YOUR LIFE
THE SURE-FIRE WAY TO GET RID
OF DARK CIRCLES UNDER
YOUR EYES
MATTERS OF THE HEART: HOW
VALUES BRING MEANINGTO
PATIENT-CENTERED CANCER CARE
6
18
20
22
24
26
FITNESS & BEAUTY
HEALTHY CHOCOLTE.
WHO KNEW?
34
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
Joseph P. Litam, M.D.
Meg Meeker, MD
Rubel Shelly
Jenn Baxter
Alan Freeman
Fabienne Claude
Lauren Kasis
Ava Mallory
Sarah Wester
Claudia Portillo
Editor in Chief
We are finally settling into autumn. The summer days are over, kids settled in classrooms, and sweater weather is
here. Soon, we will begin to prepare for holiday shopping and family gatherings. Before the family rolls into town
and before you shop for your Thanksgiving holiday fare, let's take a few moments to reflect on the year we have had
so far. There's a lot to be thankful for, and we here at Healthy Magazine want to make sure we offer our thanks to
everyone who has impacted our lives and made us want to be better and do better.
A big thank you to all our readers for your continued support throughout the year. We have shared delicious
recipes, offered the latest health news and trends, and have introduced you to new medical procedures, health tips,
wellness tips and advice, and had tons of fun along the way. The response we have received from our readers is
humbling and makes us want to continue to find the most up-to-date information for all.
One major topic we discussed was diabetes. As always, we want to make sure you and those you love are taking
care of themselves. The prevalence of diabetes continues to grow at astronomical levels. As the season of home
cooked meals, rich desserts, and carb overload inches closer, we would like you to know your numbers (A1C) and be
mindful of what you eat and how it affects your body. There's nothing wrong with sweets from time to time, but try
not to overindulge and make sure you are exercising to burn off the extra calories you might consume this holiday
season. Also, remember to check your labels! Sugar has 58 names. Become familiar with them and look for healthy
alternatives for you and your family. This month's issue will explore diabetes and its impact on your health.
What are you thankful for this season? Who has touched your life in positive ways? Who has made you smile? What
brings you joy? Think about those who have changed your life in big and small ways and remember to thank them
for all they have done.
This season is all about love, gratefulness, and family. Take the time to sit and chat, reconnect, share a few laughs,
gather around a table and enjoy a good meal together. Our lives are busy. There's never a dull moment. This time of
year is a good reminder of who and what matters in our lives. Reflect back on this past year, the adventures you have
had, the secrets you have shared, and the love that has never faltered. Embrace the moment, take a look around you
and be thankful for those in your life. We are sure they are grateful for you.
Wishing you love, joy, good eats, and excellent health this November!
Thank you for reading!
cportillo@healthymagazine.com
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HEALTHY LIFESTYLE · NOVEMBER 2017
WITH ALL
THE CHAOS
IN MY LIFE...
Ever feel guilty when somebody
quotes this Bible verse: “Be still, and
know that I am God”? (Psalm 46:10).
I’ll bet you’d like nothing better than
to find a quiet time today. Maybe
you are even planning for it. Wonderful things
can happen in times of solitude, stillness, and
silence before God. But “stillness” is hard to
come by — and simply isn’t available on some
days or in certain life experiences.
There’s precious little time for stillness when
production deadlines are close. A report is due
in three hours. An inspection is in progress.
If you live in a big city, there are voices and
horns. There is constant motion. Shared living
space has someone else’s music, someone
else’s TV, and someone else’s voice. Where do
you find God in all the noise?
Then there is “noise” of a different quality
altogether. Pain from illness or injury is
screaming at you. The pressure of finding
a new job or putting life together after a
death takes away your tranquil sense of God.
Sadness, disappointment, and loss crash over
you with the roar of an angry sea.
Strange as it may seem to say it, the greater
need for some of us may be less for stillness
than to learn how to hear God’s voice smack
in the middle of all the noise, chaotic activity,
and disorienting trouble.
“They reeled and staggered like drunkards
and were at their wits’ end. ‘Lord, help!’ they
cried in their trouble, and he saved them from
distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper
and stilled the waves. What a blessing was
that stillness as he brought them safely into
harbor! Let them praise the Lord for his great
love and for the wonderful things he has done
for them” (Psalm 107:27-31 NLT).
Do you really think ours is the first generation
of humankind to feel the pressure of noise,
tension, and uncertainty? Of course it isn’t.
And the experience of some of those people
can guide us in our times of stress.
Whoever the subjects of Psalm 107, they were
reeling and staggering under their load. There
was no serene stillness before God for them.
To the contrary, they were “at their wits’ end.”
So right in the middle of their frenzy and
distress, “they cried out to the Lord in their
trouble” — and God heard them.
If your life has more tumult than stillness,
more crash than tranquility, God has not
abandoned you. He beckons you to cry out to
him, and he will show himself to you. Amidst
the chaos, you will find him with you in the
middle of it all.
By Rubel Shelly
6 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

Healthy Kids
MEET THE WORLD-CLASS SURGEONS
AT THE HEART OF DRISCOLL’S
PEDIATRIC CARDIAC CENTER
8
HELPING YOUR KIDS NAVIGATE
MESSAGES IN MEDIA
YOUR TINIEST PATIENTS DESERVE
THE BIGGEST MIRACLES JENNIFER
GARZA, MD
THE BABY IS COMING! NOW WE
MUST MAKE THE ANNOUNCEMENT,
BUT HOW?
THE STRUGGLES OF BEING
A MOTHER OF TWO
10
12
14
16
"Taking care of
yourself is part
of taking care
of your kids."

COVER STORY · NOVEMBER 2017
MEET THE
WORLD-CLASS
SURGEONS
at the Heart of Driscoll’s
Pediatric Cardiac Center
When asked why he chose to come to
Driscoll Children’s Hospital and lead the
hospital’s cardiac unit, Ross Ungerleider,
MD, MBA, had a quick answer. “Everyone here is
as passionate as I am about providing superlative
care to the children of South Texas,” he said.
Prior to joining Driscoll as medical director of the
Heart Center, Dr. Ungerleider led several pediatric
heart programs at academic medical centers
across the U.S. He is recognized as a pioneer of
pediatric cardiothoracic surgery techniques and
holds advanced certification in Pediatric Cardiac
Surgery from the American Board of Thoracic
Surgery. He’s also ranked in the top one percent
of pediatric cardiac surgeons in the nation.
Cardiothoracic surgeons Inder Mehta, MD, and
Shyamasundar Balasubramanya, MD (Sam Bala),
have recently joined Dr. Ungerleider at The Heart
Center at Driscoll Children’s Hospital. Both bring
extensive training and experience and also have
advanced certification in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
from the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.
The three are the only surgeons in South Texas
who have achieved this distinction.
AN EXCEPTIONAL
MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM
“We have the most extensive team of pediatric
cardiology specialists and subspecialists in South
Texas,” said Dr. Ungerleider. “The level of care we
provide takes years of training and experience.”
The Heart Center team brings together diverse
pediatric specialists, including cardiologists,
anesthesiologists, perioperative care nurses,
radiologists, interventionists, and perfusionists.
These specialists collaborate to determine what is
best for each patient. “Every child we see receives
care that is uniquely designed for his or her
specific needs,” said Dr. Ungerleider.
“Our large, multidisciplinary team enables us to
provide comprehensive pediatric cardiac care,”
said Dr. Mehta. “What we do here is as advanced
as what’s done at the biggest and best-known
children’s hospitals.”
Before any surgery or other kind of treatment
is performed, the team holds a conference to
discuss the case. “We look at every detail and get
input from everybody,” said Dr. Mehta. “Depending
on the particular patient, our group might
include neurologists, pulmonologists, and general
surgeons in addition to the cardiac specialists. One
thing is always true: we’re all completely dedicated
to pediatrics – and this this is the only place we
practice so we’re here all the time.”
For each surgery, two or three surgeons are in
the operating room. “We have a tremendous
amount of skill and experience all in one place,”
said Dr. Ungerleider. “Even with all of the excellent
individuals who make up our heart team, the sum
is greater than the parts.”
SPECIAL EXPERTISE IN TREATING
CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE
Although The Heart Center provides care for
all pediatric heart conditions, the majority of
cases involve congenital heart disease, the most
common type of heart defect. According to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
congenital heart disease affects nearly one
percent of all babies born in the United States.
Some defects are mild and need no treatment.
A heart murmur with normal blood flow is one
example. Others are complex, sometimes lifethreatening,
and may require treatment over a
period of years, even into adulthood. Infants with
critical congenital heart disease usually need
surgery or other procedures during their first year
of life.
Sometimes a congenital heart defect is diagnosed
during the mother’s pregnancy. In these
circumstances, the Heart Center’s team can be
available to meet with expectant mothers and
family members before their baby is born to help
provide advice and guidance.
STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNIQUES
AND TECHNOLOGY
Driscoll’s Heart Center is equipped with the
latest technology for complex procedures. This
is particularly true for the operating room where
the heart lung machines are equipped with
miniaturized circuitry and cell saver technology
to help minimize the need for blood transfusion
during surgery. The Heart Center also has the
ability to support the circulation of critically
ill infants before or even after surgery using
a portable heart lung machine (ECMO). This
technology requires round-the-clock supervision
by a dedicated team of perfusionists (who run the
machines), on-site (round-the-clock) intensive
care doctors expert in managing ECMO and
nurses familiar with caring for patients who need
this level of support.
CRITICAL CARDIAC CARE IN ACTION
The story of a recent patient in The Heart Center
illustrates the complex care Driscoll provides.
Mateo (not his real name) was transported from
the Rio Grande Valley to the hospital soon after
birth.
Mateo had two large holes between the pumping
chambers of his heart that led to excessive
blood flow through his lungs making it difficult
for him to breathe (a condition called “heart
failure”). On top of this, he also had a severe viral
pneumonia further hampering his breathing. He
received expert management of his heart failure
and pneumonia by the cardiologists and nurses
and was finally stabilized to where surgery was
possible. First, a member of the cardiology team
(Dr. Muhammad Khan) was able to close a large
hole at the base of Mateo’s heart using a device
that was deployed in the cath lab. This device
was able to close the defect low in Mateo’s heart
which was in an area that is difficult to reach
surgically. The surgical team then took Mateo
to the operating room where he had the other
large hole between his pumping chambers closed
surgically. During this time, he received careful
and precise management by the dedicated
cardiac anesthesiologists. He then returned to the
intensive care unit where the team of specialists
helped him recover. He is now home with a
repaired heart and an excellent outcome from
surgery for a life-threatening illness. His case
exemplifies how the entire team worked together
to provide Mateo with specialized care.
Another case of a baby from the Rio Grande Valley
underscores how the surgical team emphasizes
complete one-stage repair for complex heart
defects. “Sergio (not his real name) was
diagnosed shortly after birth with transposition
of great vessels (aorta and pulmonary arteries
reversed), ventricular septal defect (hole between
the two pumping chambers of the heart) and
aortic coarctation (severe narrowing of the
aorta),” said Dr. Balasubramanya. “It was a very
complex case. In many centers, Sergio would
receive several separate operations, often over the
course of many months. However, we were able
to repair all of his heart defects in one surgery,
which lasted about six hours.”
“We see a wide range of complexity in The Heart
Center,” said Dr. Balasubramanya. “Many cases
are very intricate. Treating these children takes
many specialists working together to decide
what treatment will be best. The care is truly
exemplary.”
TEAMWORK AND LEADERSHIP
IN ACTION
The care a patient receives in The Heart
Center is designed for the child’s unique
needs. In developing a care plan, the cardiac
team contributes their individual expertise in
a collaborative effort to determine the right
solutions for that child.
“I've spent the last 20 years studying what makes
successful teams,” said Dr. Ungerleider. “We foster
a team culture here in which all members use
their skills to the utmost. These are the marks of
what I call a resonant – or high-performing – team.
Resonant teams end up providing better care at
every level.”
Dr. Ungerleider has an MBA (where he was
recognized by his peers as their “leader of the
year”) and he is also certified as a leadership
coach by the International Coach Federation. He is
widely published on medical leadership, teamwork
and conflict resolution, in addition to his hundreds
of published articles on surgical techniques. His
approach emphasizes not just protocols and
technical capabilities but also relationships.
8 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

COVER STORY · NOVEMBER 2017
“We put heart into The Heart Center in more
ways than one,” he said. “We care for each other
– and ourselves – as well as our patients and
their families. What we did the week following
Hurricane Harvey is an example. We postponed
elective surgeries to give our staff time to
re-center themselves amid the extra stressful
situation. This allowed each of us on the team to
recover so that we could focus our full attention
to the patients who needed the very best from all
of us.”
“Our operating room team is the best I’ve ever
worked with in my 32 years as a pediatric cardiac
surgeon,” said Dr. Ungerleider. “It’s a joy to work
with them.”
Dr. Mehta addressed a misconception about
pediatric heart care. “Many people think the kind
of care we provide can be done at any hospital,”
he said, “but comprehensive pediatric cardiac care
can be provided only in a team manner, and often
only in a highly specialized center. That’s what we
now have here at Driscoll.”
CARE WITH COMPASSION
Driscoll is prized not only for its advanced heart
care; parents also value the strong support they
receive when they have a child in the hospital.
That support starts with the child’s heart team,
whose members are specialists in compassion as
well as in cardiac care.
Driscoll’s cardiac team understands that families
can be overwhelmed when a child is diagnosed
with a critical heart condition. Dedicated members
of the team spend time with parents to provide
personal comfort and reassurance. They take
care to explain the child’s condition and what
treatment is needed, and they keep parents
informed about what to expect.
Especially important for families who live far from
the hospital is the ability to be close to their child.
Driscoll has 21 family guest rooms on-site for
overnight stays and the nearby Ronald McDonald
House has an additional 24 rooms.
Driscoll’s Family Connection Center has books,
computers, and videos with information on
children’s health conditions. Parents can also learn
about hospital and community services from the
social work staff.
THE HEARTBEAT OF A VAST
GEOGRAPHIC REGION
Located in Corpus Christi, The Heart Center at
Driscoll Children’s Hospital provides cardiac care
for children and youth living in 31 South Texas
counties within a 33,000-square-mile region.
Children who travel to The Heart Center from
locations throughout South Texas benefit greatly
from Driscoll’s extensive Critical Care Transport
Team. The air ambulance fleet includes two planes
and two helicopters that transport patients from
across South Texas, with specially trained nurses,
paramedics, and respiratory therapists on board
during the flight.
Shyamasundar
Balasubramanya,
MD (Sam Bala)
Pediatric and Congenital
Heart Surgeon
Dr. Bala received his medical
degree from Bangalore
Medical College, India, and
completed his residency in
General Surgery at New York
Presbyterian/Queens, N.Y.
His fellowships include
Cardiothoracic Surgery at
Rush University Medical
Center, Chicago, Ill.; Advanced
Cardiac Surgery at Yale
New Haven Hospital, Yale
University, New Haven, Conn.;
Cardiac Transplantation
and Mechanical Circulatory
Support at Cedars Sinai
Medical Center, Los Angeles,
Calif.; Congenital Cardiac
Surgery at Lurie Children’s
Hospital, Northwestern
University Feinberg School
of Medicine, Chicago, Ill.;
and Advanced Congenital
Cardiac Surgery, Pediatric
Heart Transplantation and
Mechanical Circulatory
Support at Boston Children’s
Hospital, Harvard Medical
School, Harvard University,
Boston, Mass.
Dr. Bala is board certified in
Cardiothoracic Surgery and
sub-specialty board certified
in Congenital Cardiac Surgery
by the American Board of
Thoracic Surgery (ABTS).
“Resonant” teamwork goes
beyond the walls of the hospital.
The Heart Center’s specialists
share their expertise, offering the largest
network of consulting services available to
pediatric healthcare providers in South Texas.
They maintain close contact with each patient’s
physicians, from initial discussion through
discharge and follow-up care.
Ross M. Ungerleider,
MD, MBA
Pediatric Cardiothoracic
Surgeon
Driscoll Children’s Hospital
Heart Center Medical
Director
Chief of Cardiac Surgery
A nationally recognized leader
in the field of Pediatric Heart
Surgery, Dr. Ungerleider
has more than 30 years of
experience and has performed
more than 6,000 congenital
heart surgeries on children
and young adults. He has
been recognized as a Castle
Connelly’s Top Doctors in
America for the past 16 years,
and is ranked by them as
being in the top one percent
of pediatric heart surgeons
nationally.
Dr. Ungerleider received
his medical degree at Rush
Medical College in Chicago,
and completed his residency
in general & thoracic surgery
at Duke University Medical
Center in Durham, N.C., where
he remained on the faculty
for 15 years. He is a graduate
of the Physician Executive
MBA Program (PEMBA) at
the University of Tennessee in
Knoxville, where he was elected
physician leader of the year by
his peers.
He has been board certified
by the American Board of
Thoracic Surgery continuously
since 1989 and also carries
their specialty certification in
congenital (pediatric) cardiac
surgery.
Inder D. Mehta, MD
Pediatric Cardiothoracic
Surgeon
Dr. Mehta completed his
medical school education at
University of Delhi in India.
He completed his residency
in General Surgery at
Maimonides Medical Center in
Brooklyn, N.Y., and residency
in Cardiothoracic Surgery
at Yale University School
of Medicine in New Haven,
Conn. Additionally, he did a
Cardiothoracic Transplant
Fellowship at Yale University
School of Medicine.
Dr. Mehta was trained in
Congenital Cardiovascular
Surgery at Children’s Hospital
of Philadelphia, University of
Pennsylvania, and at Denver
Children’s Hospital, University
of Colorado, with an ACGME
accredited fellowship. He also
did a fellowship in Pediatric
Mechanical Circulatory
Support and Cardiac
Transplantation at Denver
Children’s Hospital.
He is board certified by
the American Board of
Thoracic Surgery in Adult
Cardiothoracic Surgery and
in Congenital Cardiovascular
Surgery subspecialty.
“We are dedicated
to healing the
young hearts of
South Texas,” said
Dr. Ungerleider,
“and our goal is always to
get patients back to their
families and their physicians
as soon as possible.”
9 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

HELPING
YOUR KIDS
NAVIGATE
MESSAGES
IN MEDIA
It’s no secret that our kids are getting a lot
more screen time than you or I did as a
kid. Media is readily available to them every
moment of the day now and the amount
of garbage on TV and in music is almost
impossible to avoid. Keyword: almost.
I recently spoke with my special guest,
Anthony Weber, about having an active and
intentional approach to talking to your kids
about messages in media and this topic could
not be more crucial for the parents of today.
Parents, I can’t even stress how crucial of a
topic this is.
While it is true that our kids are increasingly
susceptible to messages in all forms of media
that we don’t want them to consume, it is
also true that parents are not powerless to
protect them. It may not be possible (or
healthy) to police the media they consume
every moment of every day, but it is possible
and important to create
a safe, trusted place
where you can
discuss what
they are reading,
playing, watching
and listening to.
IT IS
IMPORTANT
TO DISCUSS WITH
YOUR KIDS WHAT
THEY ARE READING,
WATCHING AND
LISTENING TO.
01 EMBED
YOURSELF
IN YOUR
CHILDREN’S
WORLDS.
It is vitally important for you as a parent to
engage with your child. Get to know what
they are watching, the games that they want
to play and the music they are listening to.
I know this sounds like a lot of work, but
it’s critical that you know what your kids
are exposed to. Embedding yourself in your
child’s world gives you the power and ability
to influence their decisions. Talk through
their shows or games with them and open up
a dialogue on what they like or don’t like.Stay
involved and interested and your kids will feel
safer in staying open in their communication
with you.
HEALTHY KIDS · NOVEMBER 2017
ASK GOOD
02QUESTIONS
ABOUT THE SHOWS
THEY WATCH.
Ask who the main characters
are, ask how your kids feel
about those characters actions and
the choices they are making – and listen
(without interrupting/correcting/arguing)
to the answers they give you. Rather than
telling them what to think, teach your
children by asking their opinions first. A child
is much more likely to listen to what you
have to say when you first ask them what
their opinion is and listen to it. This
makes them feel that you’re paying
attention and you’re interested
in what they have to say. Making
sure your kids know you value
their opinion is very important
to keeping communication open
and flowing with them. Now,
when your child gives you their
thoughts and opinions, you can direct
further questions that will make them think
the way you think. In other words, you
can bring them to a conclusion by asking
specific questions. When kids see that you
are genuinely interested in their opinions,
they are far more likely to keep talking and
they’ll want to sit down and watch shows
and movies with you. And most importantly,
they’ll listen to you when you tell them why,
in the future, they shouldn’t watch a show,
listen to certain music or play a type of game.
10 HEALTHY MAGAZINE
EMBEDDING
YOURSELF IN
YOUR CHILD’S
WORLD GIVES YOU
THE ABILITY TO
INFLUENCE THEIR
DECISIONS.
SET CLEAR
03 GAME RULES
ABOUT MEDIA AND
TELL YOUR KIDS WHY.
Many parents either tell their
children they can never watch TV
or movies or they go to the opposite
extreme and they surrender all rules and
guidelines, simply saying “I can’t do anything
about it. Kids are going to watch these
things regardless.” Don’t adopt that attitude!
That’s simply not true. Kids will listen to the
boundaries you set if you explain the reason
why you have them and if you’ve taken the
time to listen to their opinions about the
movies/shows/music that they are watching.
So, you need to review current movies and
shows etc. and make a list of why you’ve
chosen some as acceptable and why others
are not. When you do that, give them specific
reasons – and don’t be afraid to tell them
that certain shows are off-limits when they
are at a friends house. Parents are afraid to
do this because they incorrectly assume that
their child will watch the show regardless. If
a show comes on that they know that aren’t
supposed to watch, ask them to call you and
you will pick them up. If they are worried
about looking silly in front of their friends,
tell your child that they can blame you for
being strict and setting those boundaries.
Always be the fall guy for your child. You’ll be
protecting them from harmful influences and
in time, your young adult will look back and
thank you for setting rules and boundaries.
By Meg Meeker, MD

HEALTHY KIDS · NOVEMBER 2017
YOUR TINIEST
PATIENTS DESERVE
THE BIGGEST
MIRACLES
JENNIFER GARZA, MD
As her tenth anniversary of being a
Pediatric Surgeon approaches, Dr.
Garza finds herself thinking about
how far she’s come. If anyone had
told her when she was a ten-year-old
‘plant cleaner’ at Edinburg Medical
Center, where her father and two
brothers practiced family medicine,
that she would one day be in their
very shoes, she’s not sure she would
have believed them. Back then, as she
cleaned plants, her idea of moving up
in the world meant that she would
one day earn enough kudos and
accolades to transition to answering
phones someday.
Somewhere in the back of her mind,
she knew that she would go into
medicine in some capacity or other.
She hails from a long line of medical
professionals – family physicians,
obstetricians, and pharmacists – so it
was almost expected that she would
follow in their proud footsteps. No
matter how much she resisted the
call to work in certain disciplines
like pediatrics or geriatrics, the
lure of helping those who are often
underserved appealed to her as
nothing else in her life had. Soon,
that embedded desire to help others
led her to want to study medicine
at the University of Texas Medical
Branch in Galveston, Texas. She knew
almost immediately that she wanted
to become a surgeon.
During her five years as a general
surgery resident, she was given the
opportunity to study for two years
at St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury,
Connecticut, a prestigious Yale
University program. She was blessed
to be placed on the Pediatric
Plastic Surgery rotation. The
time spent there changed her
professional career track.
As an integral part of that
esteemed program, she
witnessed and assisted
children with varying
degrees of deformities.
The time spent with
them showed her
another side of the
often-rote medical
field. It planted the
seed for what would
be her life’s calling
– treating a wide
variety of surgical
problems related
to neonatology,
gastroenterology,
nephrology, noncardiac
thoracic
surgery, and several
other specialty areas. In
essence, she takes care
of fetal anomalies and
helps parents better
understand their
child’s diagnosis
and course of
treatment.
12 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

HEALTHY KIDS · NOVEMBER 2017
Families of children who need surgery or
have congenital issues are most often forced
to travel far and wide to find top quality
care for their young ones. In addition to the
stress these families endure, the added costs
can burden them immensely. In some cases,
families become separated while they try to
navigate the ups and downs of illness and try
to keep their families and finances intact. The
trip can be quite expensive. Long-term stays
take a toll on everyone involved. That's why
an essential part of Dr. Garza’s core mission
is to alleviate the hardships and confusion
family members sometimes suffer from just
being a part of this process.
Part of these efforts includes providing
parents with the option of having a regional
center for critically ill infants and children
who require pediatric surgical care with
state-of-the-art facilities, including the
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) as well
as an extensive array of pediatric surgeries
available. In addition to this, she began
working with a pediatric anesthesiologist who
is solely trained to work with children.
Dr. Garza is at the technological forefront
with tools necessary to provide
the latest in minimally invasive
procedures to patients. She utilizes
the most advanced surgical
concepts and equipment including
high definition and robotic
technology.
Her approach to Pediatric Outpatient
Surgery is to minimize frightening events to
the young child as they begin preparation
for their surgical procedure. “Gas first”
anesthesia is utilized when possible to avoid
any potential trauma of the IV placement.
The children are almost immediately
awakened from anesthesia – normally, within
the first hour after the surgical procedure –
and sent home with little to no pain.
SOME OF THE COMMON PROCEDURES
SHE PERFORMS INCLUDE:
99
Correction of undescended testes and
circumcision
99
Placement and/or the removal of
vascular access devices
99
Removal of cysts or benign lumps on the
head, neck, trunk, or extremities
99
And repair of the umbilical cord and/or
inguinal hernias
Through her work and perseverance, she’s
been able to work with countless young
children and families. She’s strived hard
to remain abreast of new procedures,
techniques, and innovative ideas that can
positively impact her patients. Her greatest
reward is in knowing that through her efforts
she has helped patients, lessening the burden
worried families deal with, and in turn, has
done her part to make the world a better
place.
13 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

HEALTHY KIDS · NOVEMBER 2017
THE BABY IS COMING!
NOW WE MUST MAKE THE
ANNOUNCEMENT, BUT HOW?
Remember those days when we
couldn’t wait for the mailman
to pay us a visit? That’s how we
got most of our information
about family and friends – in
real bona fide, handwritten notes. Now no
one writes notes or letters. Everything is
electronic. We send emails and tweets or tag
our friends on Facebook or Instagram. We
instant message or text message everyone.
There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s good
for the environment, right? It saves our
trees, cuts down on pollution, yadda, yadda,
yadda, but what do you do when you want
to personalize what could be the most
important message you’ll ever send out?
For maximum effect, you go old school.
We kid (no pun intended) you not. Instead
of sending a boring email filled with emojis
and OMGs, why not send something the
old-fashioned way. Pretty paper, card stock,
and stickers are in. All you have to do is head
down to your local scrapbook store, big box
store, stationery store and fill your cart with
all sorts of goodies. Go to town with the
announcements!
You might think you need to have
professional photos taken. Well, you don’t!
If you’re apprehensive about using physical
paper and sending things in the mail because
it’s not millennial enough for you, no worries,
you don’t have to do away with the idea of
modern digital means. You can still use your
digital camera or smartphone to take photos
and use any photo editing software you’d
like to enhance the photo, delete the redeye
effect, and/or add text to your image/s.
They’re easy enough to print and glue to
cardstock. Your friends and family will love
getting a peek at your new bundle of joy or a
picture of big sister or brother with the baby.
HOW SOON SHOULD
YOU SEND OUT A BIRTH
ANNOUNCEMENT?
Well, that’s up to you. Some
parents like to let people know
right away. Others like to wait until
the baby hits a certain milestone.
The sky is the limit. Your baby,
your decision.
How much information do you share? That
depends on your comfort level. You don’t
have to detail the whole birth, pregnancy, or
adoption journey. Depending on who you’re
sending the announcement to, you might
not want to give any specifics at all, but keep
in mind, family and close friends will want
details. Personalize each announcement to
meet the criteria for them. If you’re close,
give them as many details as you’d like. If not,
perhaps nothing more than a name and date
is all you need. It’s all up to you.
Consider the kind of information you’d like
to receive from someone you care about.
Would you like to know the baby’s height
and weight? Will you hang the photo on your
wall or refrigerator door? How would you
respond if someone detailed every agonizing
hour of the delivery process? Would an
announcement with a humorous story
attached make you giggle? Whatever works
for you, shows your unique personality, or
introduces your family and friends to the
baby’s personality would be perfect.
By Alan Freeman
14 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

HEALTHY KIDS · NOVEMBER 2017
THE
STRUGGLES
OF BEING
A MOTHER
OF TWO
Becoming a mother is hard.
There’s no question about that.
Raising one baby is a difficult
job, but what happens when
you add a second baby to the
equation? Parents, especially moms, like
to believe they can handle anything. From
the outside looking in, the transition from
one little bundle of joy to two doesn’t
seem particularly significant. We convince
ourselves that we simply have to keep doing
what we’re already doing, but are surprised
to learn just how significant of a reality shift it
really is. The truth is, we underestimate what
a monumental task it could be for moms,
dads, and babies. Everyone has to shift.
Anyone who has done it can tell you the ups
and downs of adding another person to the
family.
Here are some helpful tips to get you
through the most difficult parts of the
process:
1. Don’t be so hard on yourself.
Perfection shouldn’t be what you’re striving
for because let’s be honest, nothing is going
to be more perfect than your children.
Beyond them, pace yourself. Pride yourself
on everything you have accomplished.
Think about the things you can now do that
you never did years ago. You know how to
change a diaper, feed a baby, soothe a crying
infant. Those are great accomplishments.
Those gentle reminders will help you as you
adjust to a new dynamic because now you’ll
be doing some of those things times two.
Don’t worry; you’ll get through it.
2. Ask for help. There’s nothing
wrong with calling in reinforcements.
Be realistic about what you can and can’t do.
You’ve just given birth. Take some time to
heal. There’s no need to do it all by yourself
when, in all likelihood, you have plenty of
people in your circle who want to chip in.
3. Don’t forget those who were there
before in the new baby.
First and foremost, take care of yourself.
You’re allowed to take a break. In fact, you
must rest! If you’re not functioning properly,
no one else will either.
Make time for your partner. They need to
know they still matter. A little reassurance
can go a long way.
And for the love of all things baby, don’t
forget your firstborn. A new baby is a huge
change for them too.
4. Let everyone in on
the excitement.
Let your older child in on the adventure.
Have them help you decorate for the baby,
talk about how great it will be for them to
be the oldest, encourage them to voice their
concerns. Anything you can do to make
them feel like their opinions and feelings
matter will ease tensions and create a
healthy environment for everyone. Kiddos
love nothing more than to be praised, heard,
and loved. A few ‘I’m a big brother, ’ or ‘big
sister’ t-shirts won’t hurt either. Let your
imagination run wild with this. Your bigger
child will thank you, and you’ll feel so much
better about the transition once you know
that your older child is secure, happy, and
excited about the new baby.
By Sarah Wester
16 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

Healthy
Lifestyle
WITH ALL THE CHAOS IN MY LIFE.
LIVING AN INTENTIONAL LIFE
VS. LIVING IN YOUR HEAD
WESLACO REGIONAL
REHABILITATION HOSPITAL
AWARDED ADVANCED
STROKE CERTIFICATION
5 THINGS TO DO WHEN NEGATIVE
EMOTIONS AND SELF-TALK TAKE
OVER YOUR LIFE
THE SURE-FIRE WAY TO GET RID OF
DARK CIRCLES UNDER YOUR EYES
6
18
20
22
24
MATTERS OF THE HEART: HOW
VALUES BRING MEANINGTO PATIENT-
CENTERED CANCER CARE
26
"Define success in
your own terms,
achieve it by your
own rules and
build a life you're
proud to live."
-Anne Sweeney

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE · NOVEMBER 2017
LIVING AN
INTENTIONAL
LIFE VS.
LIVING IN
YOUR HEAD
When I explain the meaning of
bucket list living to people, I often
say it means living the life you "live
in your head" in real life.
But what do I mean by the life you live in your
head?
You know, all those things that you think
about doing, all the things you dream about
accomplishing, the places you imagine going
to and the hobbies or activities you mean to
start.
It's a whole other version of you that exists
only in your head. Whereas that person gets
to have fun, take up new sports, go after
dreams and go on adventures, the "real" you
goes about the same routine day after day,
week after week, year after year.
Maybe you even go to a job that is toxic, live
in a place you hate or never have any free
time to do anything that you enjoy.
But that is where intentional living comes in.
Living an intentional life is
exactly what it sounds like -
being intentional about how
you spend every minute of
every day (or as close to it as
you can get it) of your life. To be intentional
about something means to do it on purpose
or deliberately.
Now, you may be thinking, "Well I already
live my life deliberately. I mean I make the
decision to get up and get ready to go to
work and I decide what to have for lunch."
But that's not quite what I mean.
Living an intentional life means being aware.
It means being present and not getting stuck
in a rut or just going through the motions
of life. It means not waiting until you are
retired, ill or dying to actually LIVE. And it
means actually living that life that you've only
been imagining in your head.
Now, that doesn't mean you should go
quit your job and blow your entire savings
account on bungee jumping and skydiving.
That would be living an irresponsible life.
But it DOES mean being more intentional
about how you spend your time and your
money. Stop dreaming about a new job
in your head - start taking steps to make it
happen! Learn a new skill, earn a certification,
take a course, volunteer at a related
organization or start a side hustle.
Or if you've always dreamed of being a
painter, it doesn't have to wait until "later."
Be intentional about making that happen
now. Paint for an hour every night instead
of watching Netflix or surfing Facebook.
Or enter a small painting contest at a local
gallery or college to get your feet wet.
So, don't wait. Start living IN REAL LIFE.
Be that cool
version of
yourself that
up until now,
has existed
only in your
mind.
Let yourself
out and live
with intention,
excitement
and joy!
By Jenn Baxter
It has become too
easy for us to get
distracted with
so many things
vying for our
attention these
days. But if you're
not careful, you'll
blink and miss
your whole life.
18 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 · NOVEMBER 2017
Stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term
disability in the United States, with approximately
795,000 people experiencing new or recurrent
strokes. Weslaco Regional Rehabilitation Hospital
has seen an increase in stroke admissions year-toyear
ranging in people 20-95 years old.
“To get the most successful results for our
patients, we use best practices and follow
evidence-based clinical practice guidelines,” says
Dr. Juan Asuaje, Medical Director of Weslaco
Regional Rehabilitation Hospital. “This helps us
provide not only the physical, but the emotional
healing our patients need.”
ASUAJE SAYS BY FOLLOWING BEST
PRACTICES, THE HOSPITAL CAN:
• Provide quicker patient recovery times
• Allow more patients to discharge home
• Help patients obtain more physical and
cognitive independence
Asuaje says that family involvement also is
promoted in conjunction with the clinical
practice guidelines. “Family involvement is key to
a patients’ recovery process,” he says. “Engaged
family members help increase the chance that
patients will be discharged back home as quickly
and safely as possible, as we’ve seen through our
program.”
WESLACO REGIONAL
REHABILITATION HOSPITAL
AWARDED ADVANCED
STROKE CERTIFICATION
Award Signifies Hospital’s Dedication to
Better Results for Stroke Patients
Weslaco Regional Rehabilitation
Hospital has earned The Joint
Commission’s national diseasespecific
certification in stroke
rehabilitation. This means the
hospital is providing the highest level of stroke
care available in the nation to its patients.
Certification is voluntary and given after a
rigorous on-site review of the hospital’s practices,
programs, and outcomes in treating stroke
patients. It is available only to acute care hospitals
that are accredited by The Joint Commission.
“Stroke can be debilitating for individuals
and their families,” says Corina Humphreys,
Chief Operating Officer of Weslaco Regional
Rehabilitation Hospital. “We know it’s our
responsibility to ensure our patients are provided
the best chances of recovery. The review and
certification provided by The Joint Commission
lets us – and the community – know that we are
setting a new standard of care for stroke patients.
We’re providing nationally recognized care right
here to patients throughout Hidalgo County and
the Rio Grande Valley.”
At the hospital, an interdisciplinary healthcare
team works with patients and their family
members to create individualized treatment plans
so the patients can progress at their own ability
levels. The rehabilitation team includes specially
trained physicians, nurses, case managers, and
occupational, speech, and physical therapists
– among other medical professionals. Patients
receive 24-rehabilitative nursing care and daily
physician management.
All patients have access to private patient rooms
and well-equipped therapy areas, including a
2,400-square-foot therapy gym, a daily living
suite, and a transitional suite to allow patients
to practice at-home activities while still under
the supervision of a healthcare professional. In
addition, the hospital offers home evaluations
to identify any necessary modifications that may
need to be made to a patient’s house before
leaving the hospital to ensure a safer return home.
“Stroke is a life changing event
for the stroke survivor and his
or her family,” Humphreys says.
“That’s why we’ve gone the extra
mile to earn The Joint Commission’s
certification. We want to provide
better results to our patients and
offer hope and quality of life through
the highest level of care available.”
20 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE · NOVEMBER 2017
5
THINGS TO
DO WHEN
NEGATIVE
EMOTIONS AND
SELF-TALK TAKE
OVER YOUR LIFE
We all have bad days. Sometimes those bad
days start or stop with how we feel about
our bodies. Those feelings aren’t necessarily
something we battle daily, but when those
negative feelings creep up, we have to find a
healthy outlet or risk feeling that way for prolonged periods
of time or sabotaging our otherwise healthy habits.
There’s nothing out of the ordinary about feeling this way. It’s
common for women and men everywhere. For most of us, it’s
a matter of shifting our focus. Learning to love our bodies will
help us get out of our funk and get back on the right track.
Here are some tips to help you get over the hump and back
to your wonderful self in no time:
Banish all negative thoughts by replacing them
01 with positive affirmations. Psychologists have been
telling us this for years. One of the healthiest things you
can do for yourself is to stop being so hard on yourself.
You wouldn’t allow other people to criticize you, so why
do you accept it coming from yourself? Think about all
that you’ve accomplished in your life. Look how far you’ve
come. Don’t let negativity dull your shine.
Focus on health. It’s not about what the scale says
02 or what some “expert” in a fashion magazine says.
Consider everything your body does to keep you going. It
allows you to move, to think, to operate and rejuvenates
overnight. That’s a lot of work. Be thankful for what your
body does for you and be glad you get to have another
day to try again.
Do something good for yourself. You deserve it! If
03 there’s an exercise you’ve always wanted to try, why
not get out and try it. Or maybe there’s a spa treatment
you’ve been dying to get. Now would be a good time to do
it. Show your body how much you appreciate it for all it
does for you.
Go out and have some fun or invite your girlfriends
04 over for a night in. Laughter among friends will lift
your spirits and get the creative juices flowing again and
will help you erase the negative emotions.
Journal. Yes, really. Write out what it is you’re
05 feeling and let it go. Studies say that your
subconscious clears the negative vibes when you write
out your feelings. The emotions spill out of your pen, so
to speak, and allow you to move forward. Give it a shot. All
you need is a sheet of paper and a pen.
The bottom line is you don’t have to suffer. There
are healthy and safe outlets to help you release the
negative feelings we all have from time to time.
They’re not unique to you. Everyone goes through
essentially the same bouts of despair or anguish.
That’s a normal part of living. So what if you’re not
a size 2. The bigger thing you should ask yourself
is how do you feel? Are you stronger today than
you were yesterday? Are you moving in the right
direction? If the answer is yes, hooray! We’re
proud of you!
By Ava Mallory
22 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE · NOVEMBER 2017
THE SURE-
FIRE WAY TO
GET RID
OF DARK
CIRCLES
UNDER
YOUR EYES
Sleep deprivation is real. We all
experience it at one time or
another. As we get older, we tend
to over-commit and over-work.
As a result, we end up looking
haggard and weary, and no place is it more
present than in the dark, heavy circles under
our eyes. As unattractive as they are, they’re
not the end of the world.
We have a solution to get rid of the sleep
deprivation dead giveaway. This is not a
drill. This will work if done properly. Soon,
your eyes will return to big, beautiful rays of
sunshine everyone has always complimented
you on.
After several weeks of experimentation,
some epic failures, a couple of interesting
results, and finally a win, we have the perfect
solution for you. The best news of all, you
won’t have to spend an extra dime to do it.
Without further ado, here is the plan:
GO TO BED
01 EARLIER.
We know. We know. This
is an obvious solution. We
also know you will protest
because you’re too busy,
you have too much work
to get done, there aren’t
enough hours in the day as it is. Trust us;
we thought the same things too. But give
it a week. You won’t believe the difference
that getting a few extra zzz’s will do for your
health and to help eliminate those totally
preventable dark circles. Try it. Reschedule
your day so you can get to sleep an hour
earlier. Turn off all electronics, push emails
out of your mind, turn off the lights, and
relax. After a couple of nights, your circadian
rhythm will change and help you ease into
sleep naturally as you progress. Do this for a
week, and you’ll notice a difference.
CUT THE
02 CAFFEINE.
We have fooled
ourselves into believing
we need it to get by,
but we promise you,
you won’t die without it. There are healthy
replacements like green tea. And guess what?
It has natural caffeine, i.e., healthy caffeine.
Who knew? As soon you clear the caffeine
out of your system, you’ll find that you no
longer feel jittery and your energy levels will
increase as a result.
INCREASE YOUR
03 WATER INTAKE.
You already know all the benefits
of water, but do you know how
great it is for your skin. It keeps it
supple and hydrated, thus, helping
to eliminate dark circles. That’s
great news! To ensure you drink enough,
prepare your water bottles ahead of time
and leave them in your refrigerator. Drink a
liter before each meal, and you’ll be right on
track to better health.
04
CUCUMBER
SLICES AREN’T
JUST FOR
SALADS.
Use them on your
eyes to help you cool off and hydrate the
area. They’ve been known to decrease
inflammation and get rid of dry, puffy skin.
After you’ve washed your face, place a
cucumber slice on each eye for ten minutes.
Add it to your nightly beauty routine.
NO MORE
05 SUGAR!
You don’t need it! Cut it all
out of your diet.
There, that’s it! That’s the recipe to get rid of
dark circles for good.
By Lauren Kasis
24 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE · NOVEMBER 2017
MATTERS OF
THE HEART:
How Values
Bring Meaningto
Patient-Centered
Cancer Care
For many patients, finding out that you
have cancer can feel like your world
has been turned upside down. With
the swirl of changing emotions, daily
routines, family relationships, medical
tests, treatment, and side effects, you might find
yourself asking: What about what I want?
The good news is the approach to cancer care
is transforming so that what the patient “wants”
is more likely to be what he or she gets. Cancer
indeed changes many things in a patient’s life,
but not the essence of who you are. Before,
during, and after treatment, your personal values,
perspectives, and cultural and religious beliefs are
an important constant – the glue that holds you
together during challenging times. Today, those
values can also play a direct role in cancer care.
Cancer diagnosis is sometimes depicted in
movies and TV shows as a one-sided conversation
about prognosis, treatment, and outlook – with
concerned doctors fully in charge and pliant
patients nodding yes. But cancer treatment is
more complex than this. Innovative treatment
options and advancements in medical technology
have transformed the way patients receive care,
making it possible for providers to offer patients a
more personalized approach to care.
A cancer diagnosis should
open an ongoing conversation
between a patient and their care
team. At the forefront of that
dialogue is a patient’s values –
the principles and standards
that define who we are – that
will help guide the way forward.
We’re now asking patients specifically what
they value as it relates to their quality of
life and their healthcare. These values
assessments, included in their medical
record, help patients think deliberately
about what they want not only from their
healthcare, but how they can best live their
lives with their disease. This helps physicians
better understand their patients and what
treatment approaches would be best.
Patients and their families arrive at the
clinic with the disease, but also with their
values and beliefs intact and worthy of
consideration. Patients should never feel
that their values are dismissed or ignored at
any point in their cancer journey. Whether
you have recently been diagnosed or are
currently in treatment, keep these things in
mind:
It’s okay to speak up. Patients should
feel comfortable and confident
advocating for their health and
decisions about their care. Asking questions,
even when it’s difficult, means patients make
informed decisions about aspects of their
care that are within their control. This helps
ensure their values and wishes are taken into
consideration.
Trust is key. Choosing where to seek
cancer treatment is a very personal
decision. Cancer brings with it a host
of complex and sensitive issues. When it all
becomes bewildering, a patient and their
loved ones should be able to trust that their
care team understands and respects their
values when helping patients make decisions
about their care.
Your cancer doesn’t define you. Cancer
care is about treating the whole
patient, not just the illness. Our clinics
provide patients with a system of support
anchored by the physician, and including
emotional support, after-hours care, benefits
counselors, pharmacists, and many others
dedicated to guiding patients through all
aspects of treatment.
Your values are a reflection of who you are,
just as our values at Texas Oncology guide
everything we do for patients. Across our
network of more than 420 physicians and 175
locations, we focus on always doing the right
thing, with integrity and compassion.
When life takes unexpected turns, our
patients find stability in their values. It is our
privilege to work for a team dedicated to
helping patients stay true to what matters to
them most.
JOSEPH P. LITAM, M.D.
Joseph P. Litam, M.D., Texas
Oncology is a medical
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
Medical Oncology/Hematology
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
Medical Oncology/Hematology
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
Medical Oncology/Hematology
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.
Benjamin West, MD
Radiation Oncology
Dr. West is a board-certified radiation oncologist. He was a physicist prior to becoming a physician.
Hayan Moualla, MD
Medical Oncology/Hematology
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
www.TexasOncology.com

McALLEN
Billie J. Marek, MD, FACP
Medical Oncology/Hematology
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
Medical Oncology/Hematology
“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
Medical Oncology/Hematology
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
Medical Oncology/Hematology
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
www.TexasOncology.com

Nurul Wahid, MD
Medical Oncology/Hematology
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
Radiation Oncology
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
Medical Oncology/Hematology
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.
Benjamin West, MD
Radiation Oncology
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
www.TexasOncology.com

Brownsville
Balesh Sharma, MD
Medical Oncology/Hematology
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
Medical Oncology/Hematology
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
Radiation Oncology
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

Fitness
& Beauty
HEALTHY CHOCOLATE.
WHO KNEW? 34
"Challenges are
what make life
interesting and
overcoming them
is what makes
life meaningful."

FITNESS & BEAUTY · NOVEMBER 2017
It’s that time of year when around every
corner is a bag of candy, a delicious
homemade dessert, and more pumpkin spice
items than one can handle. All that before
the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s
feasts we all look forward to. With so much
sweet temptation, how are we to stick to our
diets? Is there a way to prevent ourselves
from overindulging in all the sweet goodness
just begging us to dig in to?
The answer is we look for yummy and healthy
alternatives. In that order. Just because it’s
healthy doesn’t mean it can’t taste good too.
There are plenty of great options you can
make in your kitchen.
With the help of a baker, we’ve come up
with great tasting alternatives to satisfy your
sweet tooth without destroying your diet.
Everything from chocolate bars to cakes to
candies can be adapted to use better-for-you
ingredients.
You’re probably wondering what these magic
ingredients are. For starters, they’re easily
accessible. You can find them at any
grocery store and any big box store in
your neighborhood. Have you ever tried
quinoa? How about coconut oil? They’re both
good for you.
Here are a few delicious recipes to add to
your recipe book:
CHOCOLATE-DIPPED
STRAWBERRY
INGREDIENTS:
99
Fresh strawberries
99
Dark baking chocolate (melt in a
microwave-safe bowl or use a double
boiler on the stove top)
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Rinse/clean strawberries
2. Melt chocolate for one minute in
microwave or on stovetop
3. Dip strawberries in warm chocolate
mixture and let set in the refrigerator
until the chocolate coating hardens.
CHOCO-NUT POPCORN
INGREDIENTS:
99
Small bag of air popcorn
99
1 Tbsp melted organic, sugar-free peanut
butter
99
Cocoa powder
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Pop a small bag of natural air popcorn
according to package directions. Top
popcorn with 1 tablespoon melted
peanut butter and coat with a dusting of
cocoa powder.
CHOCOLATE
GLAZED FRUIT
INGREDIENTS:
99
Seasonal fresh fruits, sliced or diced
99
Dark baking chocolate, melted
99
Nuts or granola
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Clean and slice fresh fruit
2. Melt dark chocolate in a microwave-safe
bowl
3. Plate fruit. Drizzle melted chocolate
over it. Sprinkle nuts or granola over
the top. For added panache, toss some
shaved chocolate over it or spoon the
ingredients into a cup of Greek yogurt
(plain or vanilla). Enjoy!
By Fabienne Claude
34 HEALTHY MAGAZINE