2 Take a look at the history of GRMC GRMEDCENTER.COM In this issue Reflecting on our history and planning our future Next year, Guadalupe Regional Medical Center will be celebrating our 60th anniversary. While we continue to develop strategic plans for our community’s future healthcare, we are also appreciating our unique past and the many important people who shaped our present-day mission and culture. We invite all in the community to come visit our recently renovated history wall in the main corridor, accessible by either the Patient Tower or Central Entrance. Original sponsorship of the 2010 history wall came from Phil and Nancy Seidenberger. Last year, funding from the Pete and Judy Campbell family and The Koehler Company provided the opportunity to fully showcase the fascinating history of Seguin from prehistoric times to present day. Our own hospital history, dating back to the last century and on through Guadalupe Valley Hospital to our robust GRMC medical system today, is also displayed. Our award-winning medical center stands on the shoulders of giants who forged the path toward our modern, cutting-edge, comprehensive healthcare system. We hope you stop by to take a look at the visual story of this region and our medical community! WINTER 2024 Standard U.S. Postage PAID Yakima, WA Permit No. 157 Remodeled front entry of Guadalupe Valley Hospital in the late 1980s Present-day entrance of GRMC
2 | GRMC Health Currents 1946 Retired Army nurses Dorothea Siepman and Sarah Hazard founded the 26-bed Seguin Hospital with a federal grant of $65,000. Looking back 1961 The City of Seguin and Guadalupe County made the decision to jointly purchase the Seguin Hospital with plans to build a brand-new facility: Guadalupe Valley Hospital. Over the next two years, several bond elections failed to pass. But in 1963, a $450,000 bond was finally passed, with a majority of citizens voting for a one-time tax increase to fund the new hospital. Today’s GRMC remains the only city- and county-owned hospital in Texas with no tax support. 1965 Guadalupe Valley Hospital opened its doors at 1215 E. Court Street. Spanning 10 acres, the 45,000-squarefoot facility staffed 64 patient beds in three separate wings: Medical, Surgical and Obstetrical. Over 5,000 guests attended the celebratory open house of the contemporary new hospital on Aug. 29. 1970s To ensure that GVH remained in step with the growing community and medical advances, the patient floors were expanded and additional physician specialties were recruited. In addition to the core group of family practice physicians, the medical staff grew to provide full-time urology, orthopedics, obstetrics, general surgery and radiology. THE HISTORY OF GRMC
1980s Additional physician specialists came to Seguin, adding ophthalmology (eye) and ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgery, internal medicine and gastroenterology. A significant construction project expanded the Emergency Department and created a specialized outpatient services section. Local family practitioner and businessman James Lee, MD, recognized the need for physician office buildings in the city. He developed the still-occupied Cedar View, Wedgewood and Walnut physician offices in response. After retiring from his medical practice, he has continued to provide years of leadership on both the GRMC and Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation governing boards. 1990s GVH continued to grow, including the addition of the nine-bed ICU; purchase of Leonard Lane Street (now the Central Entrance lobby) and the adjacent Gibson’s Five & Dime (now East Campus); and the establishment of the first on-campus nursing school, Hospice Services, the Prescription Assistance Program, Guadalupe Healthcare Network and the Teddy Buerger Center. grmedcenter.com | 3 2000s The Wellness Center was established, providing a state-ofthe-art gym and fitness complex that included a wide range of wellness classes, initiatives and education for the community. Reflecting the expanding scope of services and sevencounty patient catchment area, Guadalupe Valley Hospital officially changed its name to Guadalupe Regional Medical Center in 2005. 2010s A transformation of the hospital facility was completed through a multiyear $100 million expansion and remodeling of the campus. New services added include robotic surgery, a cardiac catheterization lab, hyperbaric wound care, inpatient dialysis, and significantly enlarged patient care and support space. The previous Christian Free Clinic, established by Dr. Henry Moore and operated by local physicians for the uninsured, was absorbed by GRMC as the Guadalupe Clinic for Chronic Disease. The Palm and Cypress Medical Office Buildings were built to support the growing roster of physician practices. 2020s This decade began with the unexpected—a global pandemic. As with all healthcare providers, COVID-19 completely disrupted our operations for the next two years while our dedicated staff diligently managed four distinct waves of patient overflow and critical disease. The establishment of the Clear Springs Urgent Care Center also coincided with the beginning of the pandemic. In 2022, the Willow Medical Office Building opened. GRMC continues to shine and thrive, achieving numerous national and local awards for quality care, safety and service and continues to provide community outreach and spearhead local food drives.
February is Heart Month Heart Month provides an opportunity to highlight the incredible capabilities of the human heart, which beats around 115,000 times a day and pumps approximately 2,000 gallons of blood daily. If you were to stretch out your blood vessels, they would cover a distance of over 60,000 miles! Despite the heart’s marvels, cardiovascular disease stands as the leading cause of death in America, claiming 1 in 3 lives annually. Recognizing the warning signs of a cardiac emergency, be it a heart attack, stroke or cardiac arrest, is vital. Know the signs A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is obstructed. Symptoms include discomfort in the chest, arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach, accompanied by shortness of breath and other signs, like cold sweats, nausea or light-headedness. In the case of a stroke, where blood supply to the brain is interrupted, remember F.A.S.T.: • Face drooping: Check for one-sided facial drooping or numbness by asking the person to smile. • Arm weakness: Assess arm strength by having the person raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? • Speech difficulty: Look for slurred speech or difficulty speaking. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. • Time to call 911: Even if symptoms seem to subside, if any signs of stroke are present, call 911 immediately. Sudden cardiac arrest, characterized by the abrupt cessation of heart function, demands swift medical intervention. Recognizing the absence of responsiveness and normal breathing, along with a call for emergency assistance, is crucial in this situation. Ronnie Garcia, MD, has been providing heart care in our region since 2009. Currently, Dr. Garcia practices alongside other Mission Cardiology colleagues, including Umang Shah, MD, cardiac interventionist. Dr. Garcia notes that as we age, the heart muscle begins to wear out. Obesity also affects the heart’s function, as extra weight is directly associated with high blood pressure, diabetes and sleep apnea. A heart that is weakened by age and obesity is more likely to have an irregular, rapid rhythm called atrial fibrillation, which in turn can cause blood clots and stroke. Maintaining a healthy weight and having regular checkups with your primary care physician will help minimize your risk of heart disease and stroke. If cardiac disease is detected, a referral to a cardiologist is the next step in monitoring and treating the symptoms. Ronnie Garcia, MD grmedcenter.com | 4 Julie Remo, MD Did you know? Cardiac disease: Know your risk Julie Remo, MD, is one of over a dozen cardiologists with Lone Star Heart & Vascular. She notes that certain populations, such as Hispanic and African American, have a higher risk of heart disease due to genetic and social factors. It is particularly important for high-risk individuals not to compound their likelihood of heart disease by maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking. Women should be aware of the impact of menopause on heart health. Early menopause increases cardiovascular risk, and the likelihood of cardiovascular disease rises after the age of 65 in both women and men. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for heart health. This involves keeping blood pressure below 130 systolic and 80 diastolic, adopting a mostly plant-based diet, choosing lean protein sources, staying hydrated with water, avoiding sugary drinks, engaging in regular physical activity, and nurturing social connections. Practicing these healthy habits will significantly promote heart health.
Updated Cardiac Cath Lab The first cardiac catheterization procedure at GRMC was performed in April 2012. Since that time, we have doubled our procedure space and cared for more than 8,000 patients receiving cardiac, peripheral, interventional radiology and implantation procedures. Our patients come from a wide region beyond Seguin, including Gonzales, Caldwell, Wilson and Dewitt counties. We are currently in the process of updating one of the procedure rooms with a state-of-theart Siemens ARTIS icono model that provides improved resolution and operability. What’s happening at GRMC? 5 | GRMC Health Currents OUR CARDIAC CATH LAB TEAM Sidhanta Gurung, MD, is one of several highly skilled interventional cardiologists who perform catheterization procedures at GRMC to diagnose and treat cardiac occlusions. In particular, he appreciates the camaraderie, familiarity and team spirit of the staff here in Seguin. Dr. Gurung practices with Megan Barnwell, MD, and William Craig, MD, of the Craig Cardiovascular Center. He expresses high regard for the GRMC Cath Lab equipment and staff, and he is confident that his patients will always receive top-level care and personal attention here. The Cath Lab staff echoes his sentiments. The ability to provide one-on-one, comprehensive care to the patients in a collaborative, critical-care setting provides high job satisfaction and the ability to connect personally with each patient and their family members. This opportunity definitely sets GRMC apart from the assembly-line, corporate culture found in many large healthcare systems. CARDIAC AND PULMONARY REHABILITATION GRMC’s nationally certified Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab department provides medically supervised prescription exercise therapy and dietary guidance after any significant cardiac event or due to chronic pulmonary disease. Integrated within the Wellness Center gymnasium, the patients referred to this service find a welcoming and knowledgeable clinical staff to help them transition to a healthy new lifestyle. Indeed, the program is so successful that patients from San Antonio, Austin and towns in between have discovered that GRMC’s cardiac rehab program is well worth the drive. Cardiac care at GRMC Sidhanta Gurung, MD Seguin locations for cardiology groups Craig Cardiovascular Center 830.433.4648 Walnut Complex 1348 E. Walnut St. Seguin Lone Star Heart & Vascular 830.420.6091 Cypress Medical Office Building 417 S. King St. Seguin Mission Cardiology 830.401.4880 303 E. Court St. Seguin The Texas Cardiac & Vascular Institute 830.590.8049 1255 Ashby St. Seguin
HEALTH CURRENTS is published as a community service for the friends and patrons of GUADALUPE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, 1215 E. Court St., Seguin, TX 78155, 800.506.6394 or 830.379.2411. Website: grmedcenter.com. Robert G. Haynes, FACHE, Chief Executive Officer Kody Gann, CPA, Chief Financial Officer Daphne Blake, RN, MSN, Chief Nursing Officer Sheri Williams, RN, MSN, Chief Operating Officer Fay Bennett, VP of Employee Services Lauren Carter, VP of Physician Services Elaine Bennett, CEO of Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation Deana Henk, FACHE, Chief Executive Officer, Guadalupe Health Network Rhonda Unruh, MHA, RN, VP of Quality James Lee, MD, GRMC Governing Board Chairman Michelle Rumbaut, GRMC Project Administrator Health Currents Editor: Chelsea Maldonado, Director of Marketing Information in HEALTH CURRENTS comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. 2024 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. GRMC: Focused on you I have had the true privilege to be in the healthcare field all my adult years and the additional privilege of leading this hospital for the past 20 eventful years. The fact that this issue of Health Currents is dedicated to our hospital’s past, present and future is therefore particularly significant to me. My history and role here give me the opportunity to regularly connect with the hundreds of people who make up our healthcare system and many more who have received medical care at GRMC. In each of these interactions, I am reminded that who and what we are ultimately boils down to our unique and committed culture. We are deeply committed to quality, integrity, relationships, trust, compassion and always doing what is best for our patients. Our nation’s healthcare world is increasingly challenged by reduced payments, increased bureaucracy and a changing workforce. Our job at GRMC is to manage those exterior issues while being fully focused on maintaining our culture and being your reliable community hospital. Our continued goal for the future is to make sure that every patient and family interaction at GRMC is a positive one and that each patient feels uniquely special and cared for upon entering our doors. Thanks for your support! Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation had a very fruitful year in 2023, thanks to the generous support of our community and region. Some of our recent success stories include inpatient rehabilitation’s updated recliner chair project, grants we obtained from the Najim Charitable Foundation for an expanded infant security system and support from our local Rotary for outpatient rehab exercise equipment. Two deep-rooted local families continued their tradition of community support through their substantial donations toward the updated GRMC history wall, highlighted in this edition. We are so grateful to the family of Pete and Judy Campbell and to The Koehler Company for making that project a reality. Throughout the year, our goal is to match individuals and businesses with their passions so that their gift to GRMF will benefit the hospital in a way that resonates with their interests and leaves a meaningful legacy. We love to be creative in helping each donor find their best way to give. Every donation, big or small, helps support patient care and contributes to our mission of making a positive difference in every life we are privileged to touch. Welcome, Dr. Myers! We welcome Mitchell Myers, MD, as the newest member on our team of five-star, award-winning orthopedists. Dr. Myers has an impressive education and training background, including the University of Notre Dame and Baylor University for undergraduate studies, the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston for medical school, and Ochsner LSU for his residency in 2022. An avid outdoorsman, his hobbies include camping, hiking, hunting and competing in adventure runs. Dr. Myers has established practice in the Willow Medical Office Building at 105 Medical Drive in Seguin and can be reached at 830.433.7313. Mitchell Myers, MD, Orthopedic surgeon Elaine Bennett, CEO of GRMF Robert Haynes, CEO of GRMC
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