South Texas Health System

Safely Prepping, Cooking & Storing Food: Thanksgiving is upon us, with many people readying to spend hours over the next few days preparing the perfect meal for their families. But there's one thing no one wants to bring to the table: food poisoning. During the holiday season, food-borne illness rates spike across the U.S., per the CDC. From germ-laced countertops to undercooked turkeys, it can be tricky to prepare big meals and avoid common hazards that can cause food poisoning. So, South Texas Health System is offering the following tips to ensure you and your loved ones stay healthy while feasting together this Thanksgiving and beyond: ?? Clean cooktops often to prevent the spread of germs ?? Separate food to avoid cross contamination ?? Ensure all food is cooked to the right temperature ?? Store food properly & the correct temperature ?? Clean & thaw food properly Thanksgiving is meant to be a time to gather and celebrate. By following these tips, you can help ensure your family’s safety when it comes to partaking in delicious meals.

Helping Support the Future of Healthcare: With the commitment of educational institutions like the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen at McAllen, local medical education has evolved to produce well-rounded, skilled and empathetic healthcare professionals ready to serve their fellow Rio Grande Valley residents. In support of the medical education efforts at the Higher Education Center at McAllen, including the school's upcoming nursing program, South Texas Health System recently donated $10,000 to Texas A&M University to help create opportunities and expand resources to make college accessible for every student. STHS is honored to be part of the Higher Education Center's mission to provide students with valuable, specialized knowledge and skills to further elevate the healthcare industry in the Rio Grande Valley and across Texas.

Hustling, Dribbling & Never Quitting: "Together we can go higher!" It's a popular saying about the importance of teamwork that proved to be true earlier this month during a special basketball tournament held for South Texas Health System Children's & STHS Edinburg staff. For the chance to take home a trophy and bragging rights for a year, employees at both facilities formed teams of six to participate in the tournament, which took place at the Tres Lagos Community Center in McAllen. The competitive showdown of strength, speed and teamwork featured nothing but net throughout the day, with the top three teams as follows: ?? 1st Place: STHS Edinburg Intensive Care Unit ?? 2nd Place: STHS Children’s Pediatric ICU ?? 3rd Place: STHS Edinburg & Children’s EVS/Engineering A big thank you to all who participated and congratulations to all the winners!

Giving Thanks to an All-Star Staff: In the spirit of Thanksgiving and to show appreciation to the facility's devoted staff members, South Texas Health System Behavioral hosted a holiday potluck luncheon last week. In addition to delicious turkey provided by the Dietary Department, staff members had the opportunity to share their own home-cooked sides and desserts with their colleagues. Additionally, staff members were able to take holiday-themed pictures at a special booth and were entered in a drawing for some cool raffle prizes. It's one of many Thanksgiving events hosted across STHS’ facilities to give special thanks to the 3,000+ staff members who provide quality, compassionate care to our patients and their families.

Honoring the Eyes of the Valley: This National Eye Donation Month, South Texas Health System Edinburg, in partnership with the San Antonio Eye Bank, is honoring the life, legacy and families of donors who gave the gift of sight through cornea donation. Now through November 30th, a first of its kind photo exhibition entitled “Eyes of the Valley: A Legacy in Sight” is on display in the main lobby of STHS Edinburg. Launched this week, the exhibition features six portraits of local heroes who, in their passing, gave the gift of sight to others by donating their corneas. “We're proud to partner with the San Antonio Eye Bank to celebrate these community heroes, their legacies and their families,” says Lance Ames, CEO of STHS Edinburg and STHS Children’s. To learn more about eye donation, please visit the San Antonio Eye Bank website at https://spklr.io/6044xcue. To register to become an organ, eye and/or tissue donor, visit https://spklr.io/6045xcu5.

Ready to Help Patients Breathe Easier? South Texas Health System is now hiring exceptional professionals to work in the respiratory services departments across our facilities throughout the region. If you’re ready to take your career to the next level, don’t miss your chance to work with the largest integrated network of care in the Rio Grande Valley. STHS McAllen, STHS Edinburg and STHS Heart currently have open positions for respiratory therapists. STHS offers competitive salaries, a great benefits package and sign-on bonuses for qualified applicants. For a complete list of employment opportunities, visit https://spklr.io/6044xcKq.

Welcoming a New Leader: South Texas Health System McAllen recently welcomed Michael Way as the facility’s new Assistant Administrator. His extensive experience has already seen him provide oversight across various departments, including cardiopulmonary, respiratory, rehabilitation and radiology. In his new role, Michael will oversee healthcare services at the facility and work closely with hospital and system leaders, physicians and staff members to ensure our patients receive quality, compassionate care to heal and thrive. "I've already been welcomed with open arms by so many individuals and organizations in the community," says Michael. "I'm looking forward to diving into the culture, embedding myself in the community and giving back in any way I can." Please join us in welcoming Michael to the STHS McAllen team.

Raising Awareness of Diabetes: November is National Diabetes Month, which aims to raise awareness of the disease impacting millions of Americans. Across the globe, diabetics face daily challenges in managing their condition at home, work or school. In the Rio Grande Valley, nearly 2/3rds of residents are diabetic or prediabetic, with many of them unaware they have the disease. This November, South Texas Health System Children’s is illuminating the facility blue each night to raise awareness of the effects of diabetes, particularly juvenile diabetes. As part of our commitment to high-quality healthcare across the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas Health System offers a complete diabetes screening for a cash price of $15 at its seven freestanding emergency departments. For more information, visit https://lnkd.in/eUgYDsk7.

Recognizing Heartburn: In the U.S., more than one third of adults experience heartburn at least once a month, per the CDC, while 25 million adults experience it daily. Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, the muscular tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. While occasional heartburn is common and no cause for alarm, heartburn that’s more frequent or interferes with your daily routine may be a symptom of a more serious condition that requires medical care. Symptoms to watch for include: ??? A burning pain in the chest that usually occurs after eating and may occur at night ??? Pain that worsens when lying down or bending over ??? A bitter or acidic taste in the mouth For more information on heartburn, check out our latest South Texas Health Minute on valleycentral.com. bit.ly/3Z98Hfc

Providing Vital Training for First Responders: During a traumatic event, time is of the essence, particularly when it comes to head injuries. Last week, Dr. Mike Menowsky, MD, FACE, Associate Program Director of the South Texas Health System GME Consortium Emergency Medicine Residency Program, led a special training for first responders on blunt force trauma to the head. Dr. Menowsky highlighted the effects of head trauma, as well as the importance of proper medical care when treating a patient with a head injury. The training, hosted by the Hidalgo County District Attorney’s office in collaboration with the Mission Police Department and the Alton Fire Department, is aimed at helping first responders better assist patients who are victims of violent acts like domestic violence and sexual assault. Thank you, Hidalgo County, Texas DA's Office, for including STHS in this vital training.