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Review our collection of videos covering health information topics

Angleton Danbury Campus Auxiliary celebrates more than a half century of service

The heart of ADC.

That’s how Dr. Beth Reimschissel, administrator and associate chief nursing officer, describes the auxiliary volunteers that support the UTMB Health Angleton Danbury Campus.

Celebrating its 55th year, the auxiliary group is comprised of a number of dedicated women who donate their time and energy each week helping patients and visitors in a variety of ways and spaces across the hospital.

Originally founded by six women from Second Baptist Church in 1969, the team has now grown to more than 300 members, with an active volunteer list of more than 150 individuals. It’s currently led by president Wanda Craig.

In addition to greeting patients and helping them find where they’re going while on campus, the members of the team also work in the gift shop and organize fundraisers and events such as monthly blood drives to support the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center—an effort that has garnered them national recognition.

While the ways they serve the ADC community are innumerable, the volunteers are convinced they’re the ones benefitting the most from their work.

“Truthfully, I think this job gives back to me,” said Pat Hines, one of the volunteers. “I love this job, it’s wonderful. I love the people I work with, I love the patients that come in.”

Volunteer Virginia Hunt credits the auxiliary with giving her renewed purpose and drive after losing her husband.

“I just feel like it’s a privilege; it’s just a great time for me,"  Hunt said of her volunteer work with the group.

Reflecting on all this team does for the UTMB Health community in Angleton, Reimschissel can’t help but smile and praise their efforts.

 

 

 

Advocating for your child's health

Jessica Lewis, mom of UTMB Health pediatric nephrology patient Olin Lewis, and Ashley Lewis, UTMB Health nurse practitioner with pediatric Nephrology recently joined Houston Moms for an interview discussing how parents can work with health care teams to advocate for their children.

To learn more, watch the full discussion.

Aneurysm survivor, family share kudos about UTMB Health neurologist

When Billy Plite had an aneurysm in 2019, one doctor stepped in to save his life. Dr. Hashem Shaltoni, a neurologist with UTMB Health, worked closely with Plite and his family before, during and after surgery to ensure Plite's condition was not just corrected but that he made a full recovery, as well. 

A husband, father and son, Plite had no shortage of loved ones rooting for him during this journey, and Dr. Shaltoni made sure to keep them all thoroughly updated throughout the entire process. 

Today, Plite is grateful to be alive, happy and healthy and he and his family credit the care provided to him by Shaltoni and the full UTMB Health team for making that possible. 

To show his appreciation, Plite recently nominated Dr. Shaltoni to be a recipient of the 2024 Joe Niekro Foundation's Patient's Choice Award, an honor awarded to clinicians throughout the area each year during the organization's annual Knuckle Ball Gala

To learn more about Plite's story, watch the video below. 

 

View Dr. Hashem Shaltoni's profile

Dr. Hashem Shaltoni is an interventional neurologist and a stroke specialist.

UTMB Health Neurology Services

There’s nothing benign about a brain injury

 

On the heels of brain injury awareness month, which is observed each year in March, a University of Texas Medical Branch Neurologist wants everyone to know how serious even seemingly mild injuries are to the brain.  

Often called “the silent injury,” brain injuries have left approximately five million Americans disabled.  

“I think the take-home message is, there’s nothing benign about a brain injury,” said Dr. Brent Masel, neurologist and professor of Neurology at the UTMB, “Be it just a mild concussion or be it something more severe.”  

Masel said that the most common symptoms of brain injury are cognitive loss, lack of concentration and fatigue. If someone is symptomatic, he suggests that they see a neurologist for a closer look. 

“The key is prevention,” he said, citing such common practices as using safety belts when in a moving vehicle. He says that falling is the most common cause of brain injuries in older people.  
 
Contact sports and risky behavior are main causes with younger people. Protective headgear should always be used when participating in possibly injurious activities like cycling, football and others.  

To learn more or to find a neurologist, visit the Neurology web page.  

 

View Dr. Brent Masel's profile

Dr. Brent Masel has conducted research and has approximately 50 publications in the areas of brain injury rehabilitation including virtual reality, hyperbaric oxygen treatment, sleep abnormalities, metabolic abnormalities, hormonal dysfunction, and the long-term medical issues from chronic brain injury.

UTMB Health Neurology Services

Advances in pediatric robotic surgery

UTMB Health's newest pediatric surgeon, Dr. Maria Carmen Mora, sat down with our partners with Houston Moms to talk about all things pediatric robotic surgery. Learn about why she's so passionate about the practice, how it benefits patients and what she and her colleagues are doing to champion the initiative here at UTMB. 

To learn more, watch the full discussion.  

View Maria Carmen Mora's profile

Dr. Maria Carmen Mora uses her extensive training, multicultural proficiency and compassionate nature to provide top-tier care that makes a lasting impact on the lives of young patients.

UTMB Health Pediatric Surgical Services

Five ways to keep your kidneys healthy

March is National Kidney Month! Did you know your kidneys filter all of your blood up to 25 times a day? So, yeah, they’re pretty important.

In this video, Dr. Ann Kathleen Gamilla-Crudo, a UTMB Health kidney specialist, shares five ways to keep your kidneys healthy

Dr. Ann Gamilla-Crudo

Dr. Gamilla-Crudo's clinical interests include glomerular diseases and renal and pancreas transplantation.

Heart health during & after pregnancy: What women need to know

While still rare, there's a rising number of women experiencing fatal heart issues during pregnancy, delivery and early postpartum.

In an effort to reverse this trend, UTMB Health is championing a cardio-obstetrics program, spearheaded by cardiologist Dr. Danielle El Haddad. Recently, Dr. El Haddad joined Meagan Clanahan, co-owner of digital media platform Houston Moms, to discuss:

  • How the cardio-obstetrics program works
  • Most recent stats on maternal mortality throughout Texas, the U.S. and the world
  • What symptoms or pre-existing conditions make individuals most at-risk
  • How women who are expecting or hope to get pregnant can protect themselves

To learn more, watch the full conversation.  

Cervical cancer 101 with Houston Moms

In honor of cervical cancer awareness month, which is recognized every January, OBGYN Dr. Marisol Carpio-Solis took some time out of her schedule to talk through the disease with our partners at Houston Moms about the disease.

Impacting the lower part of the uterus known as the cervix, cervical cancer is screened through a pap smear. The routine test, which is carried out on a sample of cells from the cervix, checks for abnormalities that may be indicative of cervical cancer.  

If a reading comes back abnormal or showing signs of cancer, a colposcopy is done to make a formal diagnosis.

Early stages of the disease often have no telling signs or symptoms, but individuals with advanced cases may experience abnormal bleeding or pelvic pain. 

Over 97% of cervical cancer cases stem from the human papilloma virus (HPV), so vaccination against the disease is urged in both male and female individuals ages 9 to 45.  

Health care providers follow the recommended number of vaccine doses, based on the individual's age:  

  • Individuals between the ages of 9-14: two shots  
  • Individuals who are 15 years of age or older: three shots 

Should someone be diagnosed with cervical cancer, treatment options will vary. Sometimes it’s curable with a hysterectomy; other times chemotherapy and radiation are required. 

To learn more, watch the full discussion.