Whole Texas Health Mansfield, your partner for better health Summer 2025 Look inside for a chance to win an Amazon gift card Cereal and smiles all summer long Healthy breakfasts for kids are in when school’s out Men, take heart Know your risks for heart disease and what to do
2 TexasHealthMansfield.org WHOLE HEALTH is published as a community service for the friends and patrons of TEXAS HEALTH HOSPITAL MANSFIELD, 2300 Lone Star Road, Mansfield, TX 76063, 682.341.5000, TexasHealthMansfield.org. Information in WHOLE HEALTH comes from a wide range of medical experts. It should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 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. Doctors on the medical staffs practice independently and are not employees or agents of Texas Health hospitals or Texas Health Resources. 2025 © Texas Health Resources. 2025 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Follow us on: On the cover: A father teaching his son to ride a bike is a moment made possible by making health a priority. Scan the QR code to watch a video about how we’re supporting the health behind life’s meaningful moments. Find the hidden cowboy hat Ready to win? Find the hidden cowboy hat in Whole Health, and you could win a $100 Amazon gift card! Once you find the hidden cowboy hat, scan the QR code or visit TexasHealthMansfield.org/Contest to submit your contest entry. All entries are due by Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. One entry per person. All correct entries will be placed into a drawing, and one winner will be selected. Must be 18 or older to enter. Texas Health Hospital Mansfield team members and their immediate family members are not eligible to win. Advanced healthcare, close to home I hope you’re enjoying a relaxing summer surrounded by your loved ones! As you unwind, I invite you to take a moment to dive into this summer issue of Whole Health, which highlights some exciting happenings at our hospital. You don’t have to go far for top-notch spine surgery! Our new orthopedic spine surgery service offering brings advanced back and spine care right here to our community, led by talented experts dedicated to your health. This initiative is a powerful example of our commitment to bringing more of the comprehensive healthcare you deserve to the Mansfield area. I encourage you to read more about our spine care program and the other services we offer to help you stay healthy in mind, body and spirit. But our mission goes beyond just cutting-edge medical services and the latest technology. Our team is passionate about delivering compassionate care that extends far beyond the hospital walls. It’s this commitment that drives us to engage in community service and volunteer efforts throughout the year. I’m particularly proud of our annual cereal drive, which showcases the incredible dedication of our team to making a difference in our community. On behalf of the Texas Health Hospital Mansfield team, thank you for entrusting us with your care. We’re here for you and look forward to continuing to support your health and well-being. Sincerely, Eulanie Lashley President and CEO Our team is passionate about delivering compassionate care that extends far beyond the hospital walls.
Summer 2025 3 Advanced spine surgery Making great care more accessible, close to home Is persistent neck or back pain keeping you from living fully? If your doctor has recommended spine surgery, you don’t have to travel far for top-tier care. Texas Health Hospital Mansfield is proud to offer advanced spine surgery options right here in your community. The highly skilled orthopedic spine surgeons at Texas Health Mansfield are Adewale Adeniran, MD, and Uche Davidson, MD, of Texas Back Institute. The fellowship-trained and experienced spine experts are renowned for their skill. Dr. Adeniran and Dr. Davidson offer an increasing list of surgical options to address conditions in all areas of the spine. “The goal is to offer every type of spine surgery,” Dr. Adeniran says. Advanced techniques Depending on the type of problem and its location within the spine, people can experience debilitating neck, back, leg or arm pain. This pain is often the result of a pinched nerve due to a ruptured disk or a narrowed spinal canal. While many of these issues can be managed with nonsurgical treatments like physical therapy or injections, surgery becomes an option when conservative measures don’t provide relief. Surgeries like microdiscectomy can bring relief with smaller incisions than in the past. “Minimally invasive techniques allow us to achieve the same types of goals with surgery but with small incisions, less blood loss, less post-surgery pain, and ideally a shorter hospital stay and a faster return to work and to life,” Dr. Adeniran says. Other surgical options performed at Texas Health Mansfield include spinal laminectomies, disk replacements and spinal fusions. The hospital has invested in the latest equipment to support these procedures and deliver exceptional outcomes. “It’s a growing program,” Dr. Davidson says, with multiple options to help improve spine-related pain and function so that you can get back to doing what you love. “We’re trying to get our patients back to a good quality of life—trying to get them back to being active,” he says. Discover more orthopedic care Visit TexasHealthMansfield.org/Orthopedics.
4 TexasHealthMansfield.org Visiting your primary care provider for blood pressure checks can play a crucial role in preventing strokes. These routine checkups can reveal any concerning trends in your blood pressure, which is important since high blood pressure can damage arteries and other blood vessels, increasing the likelihood of a stroke. “A lot of people have high blood pressure, and they don’t even know it,” says Hussein Alammar, MD, an internal medicine doctor at Texas Health Hospital Mansfield. If your blood pressure is elevated, studies show that lowering it just a little can significantly lower your stroke risk, he notes. Lower your stroke risk Schedule a checkup with Dr. Alammar at TexasHealthMansfield.org/ Alammar. Check your pressure, protect your life High blood pressure can lead to a stroke Start with these steps: ● Reduce your intake of salt and sodium, which can boost blood pressure. ● Follow a healthy eating plan, like the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. Rich in potassium, DASH emphasizes foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as nuts, poultry, fish and low-fat dairy products. “Eating foods rich in potassium has been shown to reduce blood pressure,” Dr. Alammar says. ● Get regular exercise, like brisk walking. ● Shed pounds, if you’re overweight. ● Manage stress. Consider meditation, mindfulness or guided breathing, Dr. Alammar suggests. ● Take blood pressure medications as directed. They are often prescribed in combination with healthy lifestyle changes.
Summer 2025 5 Heart disease remains a leading cause of death for both men and women, but certain risk factors tend to affect men more significantly. Age. Men typically develop heart disease about 10 years earlier than women, with the risk rising significantly at age 45. One reason? Higher estrogen levels before menopause help protect women’s hearts, an advantage men lack, notes Cardiologist Deepak Asti, MD. High cholesterol. Elevated cholesterol levels often develop earlier in men than in women, which may lead to earlier cardiovascular problems. Visceral fat (belly fat). Men are prone to storing body fat around their waist, which is linked to heart disease. Risky habits. Men are more likely to smoke and drink alcohol excessively. “And they’re generally less likely to see a doctor regularly for preventive care,” Dr. Asti says. Routine checkups can help men and their doctors prevent or control major heart disease contributors, like high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure. Erectile dysfunction (ED). ED can be caused by narrowed blood vessels. When it develops, there’s a chance arteries in other places, like the heart, might be narrowed, too. Talk to your doctor about your personal heart disease risk and what you can do to lower it. Should you have a coronary calcium scan? Another way to better understand your heart disease risk is with coronary calcium scoring. That’s a quick computed tomography (CT) scan that measures the amount of calcium buildup in your heart’s arteries. The result—your “calcium score.” Your calcium score can help your doctor assess your risk for future heart problems so you can take steps to prevent them. The test is quick, noninvasive and relatively inexpensive. “It gives you useful information that could save your life in the future,” says Cardiologist Nikhil Nalluri, MD. “It’s a preventive thing. I would advise it for anyone above age 40 with risk factors like high cholesterol or a family history of heart disease.” Explore expert heart care in Mansfield Visit TexasHealthMansfield.org/Heart. HEART HEALTH Men face some notable risks
6 TexasHealthMansfield.org Many health issues can develop silently, often without noticeable symptoms until they become serious. That’s why routine health screenings are crucial for early detection and prevention. Take high blood pressure, for example. “When we find it and start treating it early, we can prevent heart attacks, strokes and, many times, death,” says family medicine provider Nkechi Onyegasi, DNP, FNP-C. “It’s the same with some cancers. When we find them early, it’s easier to treat them less aggressively.” With breast cancer, for instance, early detection may mean that just the tumor needs to be removed, rather than the whole breast. Start with a checkup Nkechi encourages her patients to get annual wellness exams so that she can tailor a screening schedule based on their individual and family medical histories. Regular screenings are a proactive approach to protecting your health. “These recommendations are based on evidence,” Nkechi notes. “Studies have shown that screening is beneficial at these stages of life.” Essential screenings for every age When to start screening Here are some key screenings to discuss with your healthcare provider. If your risk is higher than average, you may need to begin screenings earlier. In your 20s ● Blood pressure. Regular checks are essential. ● Cholesterol. Have your levels tested regularly, as excess cholesterol can clog arteries. ● Cervical cancer. Starting at age 21, women should get a Pap test regularly. The test can prevent cervical cancer by finding precancerous changes that doctors can treat. In your 40s ● Breast cancer. Mammograms can find tiny lumps before you feel them. Have them yearly, starting at age 40. ● Colorectal cancer. Start at age 45. During a colonoscopy, doctors can find and remove polyps before they turn into cancer. Another colorectal cancer screening option: stool tests that you can take at home and mail to a lab. ● Prostate cancer. Consider having a prostate-specific antigen blood test at age 45 if you’re an African American man or prostate cancer runs in your family. In your 50s ● Prostate cancer. Men at average risk should begin screening at age 50. In your 60s ● Osteoporosis. Women 65 and older need a bone density test to screen for this bone-thinning disease.
Summer 2025 7 Serving up good nutrition all summer long As summer rolls in, many kids miss out on the nutritious breakfasts and lunches they rely on during the school year. But the Texas Health Mansfield team is determined to make sure they continue getting enough to eat even after the summer school bell rings. “We thought, let’s at least give them a good, hearty breakfast over the summertime,” says Toke Mayes, Director of Environmental Services and Food and Nutrition. “That’s why we do it.” He’s talking about a May cereal drive, now in its fourth year. The collaborative effort between hospital team members and the Mansfield community has sparked friendly competition among staff to see who can collect the most cereal. But kids are the biggest winners. This year, team members donated nearly 26,000 servings of cereal to the Mansfield Mission Center, which supports local families in need. It took two cargo vans to haul all that cereal! Together with other summer food programs, the cereal drive plays a crucial role in ensuring that kids get a nutritious breakfast all summer long. “We’re here to serve,” Toke says. “This is just one of the many avenues we have to be able to do that.” Stay cool and safe this summer Enjoy your active days this summer with these safety reminders from family medicine provider Renee Baril, FNP-BC: Rise and shine. When the heat is on, exercise indoors or in the early morning. Bring a water bottle. Help prevent dehydration and heat illness by having plenty of fluids, especially water, on hand. “It’s your best source of hydration,” Renee says. Remember the sunscreen. Sunscreen can help prevent skin damage that leads to skin cancer. “I have patients who come in with skin lesions the same color as their skin, but they’re a little raised,” Renee says. “Those are often actinic keratosis, and they’re precursors to cancer.” A common mistake? Forgetting to reapply sunscreen every two hours or after swimming or sweating. “It’s not just once and you’re done,” Renee says. Heed the signs of overheating. Early signs of heat illness include thirst, dizziness, weakness, heavy sweating and nausea. “Get to a cool place that has air conditioning or rest in the shade,” Renee says. Loosen your clothing and sip water to help with cooling. If the symptoms don’t improve, seek medical help. Get connected to great care To make an appointment with Renee Baril, FNP-BC, visit TexasHealthMansfield.org/Baril. Get connected Follow us on social media to stay updated on more events like this!
Take charge of your health Our providers are ready to meet your healthcare needs. Visit TexasHealthMansfield.org/ Providers or scan the QR code to find yours today. Nonprofit Org U.S. Postage PAID Walla Walla, WA Permit No. 44 2300 Lone Star Road Mansfield, TX 76063-8744 M WE’RE HERE WHEN YOUR HUSBAND DISCOVERS SKATEBOARDING ISN’T ONE OF HIS STRONG POINTS. When life takes an unexpected turn, Texas Health Hospital Mansfield is here to support you. Our team is equipped to handle various challenges, ensuring that every journey, whether dealing with an injury or navigating a road to recovery, begins with us. Your healthcare journey starts here. TexasHealthMansfield.org/ED • 2300 Lone Star Road, Mansfield
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