Guadalupe Regional Medical Center | Health Currents | Spring 2021

GRMC’s new Women’s Imaging Center is now open. Not only is this center a potential lifesaver for every woman in our community, it is also a tribute to the many generous donors who contributed to Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation (GRMF) for this fundraising campaign. Over $500,000 was donated to this worthy cause, helping us create this technologically advanced and beautiful center to help screen, diagnose and treat thousands of patients each year. Special thanks to these generous contributors who helped us realize this vision: • Maxine & Lambert Hollub • GRMC Volunteers • Jodi M. Brannen, MD, OB-GYN • First United Bank & Trust • Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative • The Koehler Company • The Honorable John and Michelle Kuempel • San Marcos Medical Imaging • Cargill, Inc. • Janice & James Lee, MD • Elaine & Randy Bennett • Daphne Blake • Terry & Ralph Boehnke • Stanley D. & Susan B. Casto • Rebecca Castro, MD • Dale & Susan Dyess • Robert G. Haynes • Mr. & Mrs. Mark S. Herbold • Bill & Janice Klepper • Chris Mata, LCSW • James & Julie Reyes • Michelle Rumbaut • Jeanne & Bobby Schnuriger • Tom & Liz Sedlacek • Nancy Seidenberger • Clyde P. Selig • Linda Sullivan, DO • Dr. & Mrs. Tony Tsen • Eric & Brenda Vordenbaum • Jack & Linda Walker These generous donors are now memorialized on a plaque at the entrance of the Women’s Center. GRMF is honored to play an important role in connecting supportive individuals and businesses to the hospital’s never-ending goal of taking care of our community. These donations make a huge difference in our ability to grow and expand, which in turn makes a huge difference to our community’s healthcare. If you are interested in making a difference, please contact me at 830.401.7209 or at ebennett@ grmedcenter.com for more information on donation opportunities. Women often take on the added responsibility of caring for school- age children and keeping an eye on the health of others in the family while managing a busy household. The challenges of the pandemic have made these roles even more demanding this past year, but GRMC is here to help support good health for the whole family. Mental health Everyone has been affected by the previous year’s challenges and anxieties. It is no surprise that mental health needs have been growing exponentially across the country this year for everyone from kids to elders. Across the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has created a domino effect of increased anxiety, fear, depression, social isolation, alcohol and substance abuse, and even an increase in domestic violence and suicide. In addition, many of the “therapies” that we normally depend on for reducing stress have been significantly interrupted—family gatherings, social groups, school events, travel, and even going shopping or enjoying a night out at a restaurant or at a theater have not been readily available during this past year. We are glad to have the needed resources to address those needs through our team of skilled mental healthcare counselors available through the Teddy Buerger Center (TBC) and the Heritage Program at GRMC. Services include outpatient individual and family counseling, chemical dependency, and anger management. The Heritage Program is overseen by Rebecca Castro, MD, geriatric psychiatrist, and a team of professionals who address anxiety and depression related to the multitude of issues related to aging. Mental health is every bit as important as physical health. If you or a loved one is experiencing depression, anxiety or other signs of mental health concerns, please contact the TBC at 830.401.1367 to discuss making an appointment. We provide sliding scale financing and aim to accommodate appointments within a week of referral. Preventive healthcare Another consequence of the pandemic has been that many Americans have been afraid to go to the doctor or hospital, resulting in a more subtle healthcare crisis looming because of diseases that have gone undiagnosed or untreated since last year. A study of the Journal of the National Medical Association in December reported that 43% of Americans have missed preventive care appointments since last March, and screenings for breast, colon and cervical cancers have declined by 66%. Preventive healthcare measures like annual physicals, mammograms, colonoscopies and lab work have been proven to reduce the incidence and seriousness of disease by early detection and treatment. GRMC and the many physician offices in our community are open, available and safe. If you have postponed care in the past year, we urge you to make appointments for you and your loved ones to see your family physician. The mind-body connection Thank you for your support! grmedcenter.com  | 4