HEALTH GUIDE
Caring for your family, like our own!
PLAINVIEW - HALE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Keeping the Citizens of Plainview and Hale County Healthy. SERVICES & PROGRAMS
202 W. 5th Street Plainview, Texas 79072
806-296-1100
• Children and Adult Vaccines
• Blood Pressure Checks
• Cholesterol Screenings
• Environmental Health Ser vices
• Flu Shots
• TB Testing
• Glucose Screenings
• Pregnancy Testing
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Testing
• Board of Health Meetings
Please note: The Plainview-Hale County Health Department does not offer birth certificates and/or death certificates.
****Vaccines are based on eligibility
Office Hours: Mon. - Thur. 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Fri. - 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Kendra Wiley RN, FNP-C
• B OTOX/FILLER
• IV HYDRATION
• VITAMIN INFUSIONS
• B12 INJECTIONS
• WEIGHT LOSS OPTIONS
• ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
• TEETH WHITENING
806.685.0428 (located inside Uptown Tans 1001 I-27)
2024 ...and more!
COrtega@hearstnp.com MULTIMEDIA
Carolina Mendoza, Carolina.Mendoza@hearstnp.com
SPECIAL
Kevin Scannell, Kevin.Scannell@hearstnp.com
PUBLICATION DESIGNER Kelsi Pohlman Plainview Herald A Hearst Corporation Newspaper 820 Broadway Street Plainview, Texas 79072 806-296-1303 www.MyPlainview.com
The Health Guide is a publication of the Plainview Herald, a property of the Hearst Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent.
WILEY WELLNESS HELPING CLIENTS WITH WEIGHT LOSS, CONCIERGE SERVICES
By Teresa Young Special to the Herald
With a longtime history of nursing care, Kendra Wiley has a passion for helping people. Now she channels that passion into a business providing special services for clientele.
A longtime Plainview resident, Kendra started Wiley Wellness and Aesthetics in February 2023 after taking several courses in neurotoxins and fillers and turning an interest in the topic into a business. She initially
offered IV infusions as a way to help people who needed simple hydration and nutritional assistance. She added vitamin injections, Botox, fillers and teeth whitening services.
Of late, though, Wiley says her business has seen growth in services to help clients lose weight with medicines and coaching.
“Weight loss turned into my passion because I was meeting people who would benefit from the medicine but their insurance wouldn’t cover it.
I made a promise to myself to offer those and try to keep it as affordable as possible for people. That’s one of my biggest services now,” she said.
Wiley said her service to patients includes monthly meetings and weighins, coaching over previous months’ wins or challenges, goals for the month ahead and concerns. Weight loss medicines used depend heavily on the client’s individual needs and history.
“I am available to them 24-7 for questions or updates like celebrating losing more weight,” said Wiley. “They stay on with me until they reach their goal weight or get to a healthier BMI.”
Wiley’s services have a variety of benefits for clientele. While the Botox and fillers are more for cosmetic purposes, the IV infusions of vitamins and peptides serve more as functional medicine.
“This helps restore the cells, restore depleted vitamins that are necessary for energy, mental clarity, sleep cycles, and decreasing the aging process. Depending on what issues people are wanting to correct—like fatigue, brain fog or lack of focus – there are different vitamins and minerals to take to help with those,” she said. “So many amino acids in our body start depleting in middle age, and that’s why we start aging and having brain fog. If you can replace those, it helps you have better function of those cells.”
A longtime nurse who earned her nurse practitioner
degree seven years ago, Wiley works full-time with orthopedic trauma at Covenant in Lubbock. That expertise allows her to perform good faith exams for her clientele as a free part of her service menu.
“I review their medical history and decide if they are a safe candidate for whatever treatment they are wanting before we proceed. It’s important to know that we do everything by the rules and regulations,” she said,
“WEIGHT LOSS TURNED INTO MY PASSION BECAUSE I WAS MEETING PEOPLE WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM THE MEDICINE BUT THEIR INSURANCE WOULDN’T COVER IT.”
noting that business contracts with Dr. Lisa Roy to serve as medical director.
Wiley maintains an office location within Uptown Tans at 1001 N. I-27. But she is available to serve clients in their homes, offices and a variety of other locations in Plainview, Lubbock or points in between. For questions or to schedule appointments for services, Kendra can be reached at (806) 685-0428.
GRAND HEARING CENTER HELPING PROVIDE QUALITY OF LIFE
By Teresa Young, Special to the Herald
When people take care of their health, they usually focus on routine checks like wellness, mammograms and the like. But one of the major senses often gets overlooked.
“We don’t know why, but if a medical doctor says they need their eyes checked, they will make an appointment when they get home. If they say they need their hearing checked, it will take several years before they will get it checked,” said Gayle Willson, board-certified hearing instrument specialist and co-owner of Grand Hearing Center in Plainview and
Lubbock along with husband Blair.
With so many factors that can cause hearing loss, Willson says it’s important for people of any age to get an initial screening to set a baseline and keep vigilant. She said the basic screening – which is free at Grand Hearing Center –helps determine the need for further testing and issues.
“Heredity can affect hearing, so we always ask people about their background and family, determining any history of hearing loss and what kind it was,” she said. “There are also medical reasons, like being exposed to a childhood disease that settled in the ears.”
Willson said COVID-19 has affected hearing in many clients, and the vaccination has also proven detrimental to hearing. Diabetes can also have hearing loss as a side effect, and chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer patients can affect hearing as well.
Exposure to loud noises – whether a singular incident like a firecracker or gunshot close to the ears or a repeated pattern of such – can contribute significantly to hearing loss as well, Willson noted. But she added that if clients will visit an emergency room within 24-48 hours of a singular incident they can usually receive a steroid shot and save their hearing. Too often, people assume the sudden hearing loss will clear up and they miss that critical window.
In her passion to ensure quality of life for clients with regard to hearing, Gayle spent years of her career running two hospital programs to screen newborns, now mandated by the State of Texas. Currently she provides screenings for newborn clients of area midwives.
Gayle said consultations begin with a case history and an ear inspection of the canals using video otoscopes where clients can see for themselves what is happening. They can remove wax buildup if that is an issue or can send clients back to their doctor for that treatment. The Willsons encourage new clients to bring another family member with them to ensure they understand the outcomes. And if tests determine a hearing aid of some kind is needed, Grand Hearing Center can help.
“We are not a high-pressure group of people, and we do not think you have to buy the most expensive thing to help the issues,” says Gayle. “We work with people, their lifestyles and budgets to see what their needs are and what will work for them.”
Options include everything from traditional hearing aids to a device called a pocket talker that is independent of a hearing aid. They also offer special TV speakers to amplify sound or project it into hearing aids. Technology has made all these accessories more helpful for clients, says Gayle.
“Even the entry-level hearing aids these days include Bluetooth technology and tinnitus maskers. The Bluetooth allows the phone conversation to go through hearing aids and make it easier to hear,” says Gayle. “Almost all manufacturers now provide a smartphone app with a remote control for the devices to adjust as needed based on environments. Hearing aids have come a long way, even just in the last year and a half.”
Working with Gayle and Blair, who serves as a hearing instrument specialist for the business, is aligning with a
business that has a long history of helping Plainviewans. Gayle’s parents, J and Polly Wampler, first owned Beltone in Plainview and Lubbock, opening first in June 1976. They retired and sold the business, but missed the work and soon opened Wampler Hearing. Gayle joined them in 1996, following her father and mentor into the field based in part by interest birthed in raising a son who was nearly completely deaf.
In 2010, the Willsons purchased the business and renamed it Grand Hearing Center, with Polly staying on at the business for many years. Gayle noted that the business is Christcentered, “and our legacy is built on Jesus.”
The business is a provider for third-party Medicare supplemental insurance and also for Texas Workforce Commission. Natives of Plainview and graduates of Plainview High, Gayle and Blair have longtime Plainview ties. They have two children and six grandchildren.
They encourage a call or visit for a baseline screening if a family history exists, regardless of age.
“We look at things like what ages they first noticed having to turn the TV up, complaining about not hearing in church, asking people to repeat things and thinking people mumble. Those are typical signs,” said Gayle. “That could be at age 40 or at age 60 or at age 80. It never hurts to have a baseline so we have something to compare it to. We have had younger people that are in the gun clubs or shooting teams come in to be tested.”
Grand Hearing Center is open in Plainview on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and at their Lubbock location from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on other weekdays. The Plainview office is located at 812 West 8th Street; the Lubbock office is at 3711 20th Street near Covenant Hospital.
YMCA OFFERS PLENTY OPTIONS FOR WELLNESSHEALTH,
By Teresa Young Special to the Herald
When it comes to staying healthy or starting a fitness journey, Plainview residents are fortunate to have an option that offers varied opportunities for the entire family.
“One of our members once said to me, ‘The Y is the crossroads of our town,’ and after I thought about that a minute, I thought he is right. People might belong to different clubs or groups or churches, but all are welcome at the Y,” said Jeri Strange, who has served as executive director for 10 years over two stints. “We can serve the whole family—young, old and everybody in between. It’s an amazing and unique organization that really has an impact on the community.”
With programs in Plainview since the 1920s, the YMCA is keeping community residents healthy in various ways. The fitness side of the facility stays
active as members build strength and endurance in the Y’s cardio room featuring step mills, elliptical and traditional bikes, treadmills and rowing machines. The nearby weight room includes a variety of free weights as well as an assortment of weight machines.
“We have plenty of aerobics classes like spin, senior strength, toning and step classes, stability ball and we recently added yoga. We have plenty of classes for people who are not sure what to do on their own so they can attend those,” said Angela Watson, a personal trainer and front desk worker. “We also have a health seeker room that’s a little more quiet and has some cardio machines, weight machines, free weights, bosu balls and medicine balls.”
Other options for fitness include racquetball courts and the large basketball gymnasium that often offers pickleball. The Y offers HYPE – Healthy Youth for Physical Education – for children ages 1114 to receive training and certification for the cardio
and weight rooms, instruction in nutrition, muscle and bone development and building healthy habits from a young age for prevention of later health problems.
Personal training is an added benefit for members of the YMCA in Plainview, especially those who are new and starting their fitness journey at square one.
“We actually offer two free personal training sessions to new members, and I really think that helps take the intimidation of the weight room and the machines in the cardio room out of it. We ask them their goals and what they want to accomplish, and if they have previous illness of things that would limit them, and we hold their hand in the rooms,” noted Watson. “We write down everything from the machines for them so they have that as a master workout. That gets them started and breaks the ice on working out. They can buy more personal training sessions if they wish.”
Watson noted the Y members also have free access to the ActivTrax app and website, which provides members with a personalized workout based on their goals and time constraints. The workouts can be printed and taken to the Y to guide members’ progress. She also said workout newbies can rely on other friendly members for help.
“When I train somebody and their first sessions are over, I tell them if they have any questions to ask any guy who is working out and they will help you. So we are just like a gym family here,” she said. “It’s kind of like Cheers: everybody knows your name and you get a greeting when you walk in.”
The indoor swimming pool, one of the few such facilities in the city, is also highly utilized for both fitness and recreation. The Y offers two water aerobics classes, lap swim times and open family swim times and host private parties at the main facility and at 16th Street Waterpark during its open season. The YMCA also offers private swimming lessons year-round.
Another popular use of the YMCA is the youth sports leagues, offered in the following sports: flag football, volleyball, soccer, basketball, girls softball, teeball, coach pitch baseball and Cal Ripken baseball. Many are offered as young as 3-4, so children can begin learning about healthy movement, teamwork and foundations of sports from an early age and can continue that pattern. Watson said while the facility is noted for health and wellness usage, there is also a high level of social activity taking place.
“It’s just as much social, especially for the classes, as it is for physical body. It’s great to build relationships,” she said of the facility. “We have several older people who have been members for 20 years or more, and coming
here is just as much for their social health. We’re like a family here, and people will take care of you.”
The wide range of services is what makes the Y such a valued part of the community, noted Strange, who will retire in late September. Former director Rob Wilkinson will return as director on Oct. 1.
“We do youth sports for kids as young as three, and we have a class right now where most of the participants are senior citizens. We have people come here recovering from surgery, rehabbing maybe, and most people just come for general fitness and for fun,” she said. “Not only do classes and equipment provide opportunities for gaining strength, fitness and balance, but there is also a socialization aspect that brings people together at the Y. It’s a welcoming and wholesome place where people can aspire to do greater things. The community has rallied behind the Y over the years, and in general they get how important it is.”
Memberships at the YMCA vary by family size and needs, and information is available at the facility, located at 313 Ennis Street. They can be reached at 293-8319.
DAISY PROGRAM COVENANT RECOGNIZING NURSING EXCELLENCE WITH
By Teresa Young Sspecial to the Herald
When you find yourself spending time in one of Covenant Health Plainview’s hospital or clinics, more often than not the people you see most often are the nursing staff. They are a vital part of keeping residents healthy whether in a routine wellness visit or in an intensive or critical care situation.
To honor these individuals, Covenant Health introduced the DAISY Award Program last year, with nurses recognized quarterly for their excellent care and customer service.
“We brought the DAISY Award to Covenant Health Plainview because we wanted a meaningful way to recognize the extraordinary compassion our nurses show every day,” said Homer Marquez, Director of Operations at Covenant Hospital. “This program gives our patients and families a voice in saying thank you.”
The Award is part of a nationwide effort developed by the DAISY Foundation, organized in 1999 by the family of Patrick Barnes, a patient who died of a critical illness at age 33. His family wanted a way to honor the many nurses who provided excellent clinical care as well as compassion and kindness for Patrick during his eightweek hospitalization and established the award shortly after the foundation.
Supported by partnering healthcare organizations around the country, “the DAISY Award is a recognition program to celebrate and recognize nurses by collecting nominations from patients, families, and co-workers. It is run by our partners as a way to thank nurses for the care and kindness they provide,” according to the DAISY Foundation website.
Any licensed, registered nurse, nursing faculty or nursing student is eligible to be nominated, and they may work across the spectrum of healthcare – from hospitals to long-term care facilities and clinics as well as schools of nursing.
At Covenant Health Plainview properties, nurses can be nominated by patients, family members of patients, physicians, surgeons or fellow nurses or other staff. Anyone who observes extraordinary care and compassion in the service of patients may be a nominator.
Nominations are accepted on the DAISY Foundation website and forwarded to Covenant for judging. Locally, awards are presented quarterly, with each winner receiving a certificate, a special sculpture from Zimbabwe, a DAISY Award pin, a spotlight page on the foundation website and access to other benefits. Presentations are done in the nurse’s unit or facility and a banner hangs in their area of work.
Even nominees who are not chosen for the award are recognized with a nominee pin and a copy of the nomination to encourage them to continue their pattern of service and care.
“Recognizing nurses through the DAISY Award isn’t just about celebration – it’s about creating a culture where compassion is valued and honored,” Marquez added.
“RECOGNIZING NURSES THROUGH THE DAISY AWARD ISN’T JUST ABOUT CELEBRATION –IT’S ABOUT CREATING A CULTURE WHERE COMPASSION IS VALUED AND HONORED.”
“That culture benefits our patients, our staff, and ultimately the health of our community.”
The DAISY Foundation believes that the award has an impact on healthcare organizations by contributing to a healthy work environment, growing nurse engagement, and improving the patient and family experience. In its 24-year history, more than two million nominations have been submitted expressing gratitude for nurses and studies have shown that more compassionate nurses improves the patientexperience outcomes. Nurse engagement shows that nurses are role models for compassionate care and can contribute to patient satisfaction. Engaged nurses also support nurse retention, reminding nurses of their original calling to the profession.
SANTA FE TERRACE PROVIDES SMALLER, FAMILY SETTING FOR SENIOR LIVING
By Teresa Young Special to the Herald
When it comes time for older family members to be in a safer living environment as they age, Plainview residents are fortunate to have options like Santa Fe Terrace.
“We are a full assisted-living community that has been here for many years. We offer 24-hour care in the sense that everyone has individual apartments, and they have call buttons if they need something urgently or need help with something,” said Tiffany Willis, director of sales and leasing.
“We offer three meals a day, snacks, activities and programs. The residents can do things on their own; this is not a skilled nursing facility where there are incapacitated people.”
Willis noted that residents of assisted living facilities like Santa Fe Terrace are generally pretty independent and self-sufficient, but may just require a little assistance.
“For most who come here it is a safety issue; they are not 100 percent safe at home any longer. They just need to have someone watch over them, or need help with medications or they may be starting to have some memory issues and just need that extra little TLC that their family is not able to provide for them,” Willis said.
Keeping loved ones healthy and safe is vital and provides peace of mind for families who may not live
in the city. And the smaller size of Santa Fe Terrace – the facility offers only 36 apartments, which can be occupied by single residents or couples – means the staff has a more intimate understanding of their needs. All of this is by design of the management company, Twelve Oaks Senior Communities based in Dallas.
“There is more one-on-one connection, a better understanding of what’s going on with residents and dealing with their issues related to aging in general,” Willis said. “If there are some residents with memory loss, and all these communities have some with memory loss, the facility is an easy square layout, and we can help them get where they need to go.”
Willis also said the facility is pet-friendly, welcoming dogs and cats. And she notes it is not just the resident pet owner that benefits but also
their neighbors that get the “pet therapy” from having furry friends in the facility. Santa Fe Terrace’s central enclosed courtyard provides a yard space for pet potty breaks and recreation as well as socialization time with other residents in the community.
In terms of keeping the aging residents healthy and safe, Willis said the routine in communities like Santa Fe Terrace is essential. Knowing when mealtimes are set helps residents plan and also helps employees keep in touch and check with residents should they miss set events. They can also help monitor behavior and health and check in with family members to alert them to changes.
“This is an age-in-place community, so if they go on hospice we don’t have to move them out. We keep them and bring in Hospice care or any other services they need,” said Willis. “This is their home and that’s how we look at it.”
As far as auxiliary services like physical therapy and occupational therapy, Willis said Santa Fe
Terrace aims to bring all services to the resident at the facility that are not already on site. They maintain close relationships with home health and hospice agencies in Plainview to keep services. And anything like exams, radiology services and screenings are done locally as much as possible to make it easier for the resident and their schedule.”
“We like to make sure they have hospice nurses here in town because in a crisis, they need to be on site ASAP for families and residents,” she noted. “Over time this will be evolving, and we will start to bring more services in-house as Medicare is demanding of that, so we can be proactive with everyone’s care instead of reactive.”
“You get to know these people so well that you can help them and keep them safe. They listen to us, whereas the kids may not understand and we can talk to them and they respect it a little differently. They want to do right by the medical staff,” said Willis.
Santa Fe Terrace is located at 3404 SW Fifth Street in Plainview. They can be reached at (806) 429-4524.
BREAST CANCER TERMS TO KNOW
Arecent analysis from the Agency for Research on Cancer and collaborators estimated that 3.2 million new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed annually across the globe by 2050. That would mark a significant increase in annual cases since 2022, when the World Health Organization reported 2.3 million individuals were diagnosed with breast cancer. Though breast cancer affects millions of women and their support networks each year, it's not always so easy to understand all of the terminology surrounding the disease. With that in mind, people recently diagnosed with the disease or those who know someone in such a position can learn these common terms to make their journey to recovery a little easier to navigate.
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): Many terms related to breast cancer can be scary, but DCIS is among the more welcoming words a doctor may utter. DCIS is a non-invasive form of breast cancer that doctors may characterize as 'stage 0.' Breast cancers identified as DCIS are very early stage and highly treatable.
Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC): Susan G. Komen¨, an organization dedicated to raising breast cancer awareness, notes that IDC is a form of the disease that begins in the milk ducts but has spread into surrounding breast tissue and possibly into the lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
Lumpectomy: According to Susan G. Komen¨, a lumpectomy is a surgical procedure that removes only the tumor and a small amount of tissue around it. Most of the breast skin and tissue is left in place during a lumpectomy.
Mastectomy: A mastectomy is a surgical removal of the breast. Susan G. Komen¨ notes there are different types of mastectomy. A modified radical mastectomy removes the breast, the lining of the chest muscles and some of the lymph nodes in the underarm area. This procedure is used to treat early and local advanced breast cancer. A total mastectomy involves surgical removal of the breast but no other tissue or nodes.
Hormone receptor status: Hormone receptor status indicates whether or not a breast cancer requires hormones to grow. Susan G. Komen¨ notes a significant number of hormone receptors on a breast cancer cell indicate it needs the hormone to grow.
Family history: Family history refers to current and past health conditions of a given individual's biological family members. Family history of breast cancer is considered a risk factor for the disease.
Ki-67 Rate: Susan G. Komen¨ notes this is a common way to measure proliferation rate. The more cells the Ki-67 antibody attaches to in a given tissue sample, the more likely the tumor cells will grow and divide rapidly.
Local treatment: This refers to treatment that focuses on removing cancer from areas local to the breast, including the breast itself as well as the chest wall and lymph nodes in the underarm area.
These are just a handful of terms that women diagnosed with breast cancer and their family members can learn to better understand the disease and the various ways it's treated. Additional terminology can be found at komen.org.
SPORTS THAT CAN COMPEL SENIORS TO GET UP AND MOVE
Discussions about the benefits of sports participation are often rooted in how much young people can gain from playing a team sport. Older adults have much to gain from playing sports as well, and that's something retirees can keep in mind as they look for activities to fill their time.
A 2018 study published in the journal Biochemistry Research International found that physical activity can be a protective factor for noncommunicable diseases, including heart disease and diabetes, and can even help to delay the onset of dementia. The study also linked physical activity to improved quality of life and mental health. Sports require players to be physically active, so seniors who decide to dust off their athletic gear and play the following sports can reap all the rewards that getting up and moving has to offer.
Pickleball: The popularity of pickleball has skyrocketed in recent years, with the Sports & Fitness Industry Association estimating there are now roughly nine million pickleball players in the United States. The organization Pickleball Canada reports that nearly 1.4 million Canadians played pickleball at least once per month in 2023, proving that this popular sport transcends borders and offers a great way to socialize with fellow seniors.
Walking: Accessibility is one of the major benefits of walking. Even seniors with limited mobility can look to walking as a less demanding physical activity that compels them to get out of the house. And the benefits of walking may be more profound than people realize. Preliminary research presented at an American Heart Association gathering in 2023 estimated that walking an additional 500 steps per day, which is equivalent to roughly a quarter of a mile, was associated with a 14 percent lower risk for heart disease, stroke or heart failure.
Softball: Baseball was the first love of many a sports fan over the years, and senior softball provides a way to maintain or even reignite that passion, all the while reaping the health benefits of sports play. Softball can help seniors maintain their hand-eye coordination and improve their flexibility. But perhaps the most notable benefit of playing senior softball involves socialization. Senior softball requires
being on a team, and the benefits of socialization for seniors are numerous, particularly when they play in leagues featuring players from outside their immediate social circle. A 2019 study published in The Journals of Gerontology found that older adults who socialize with people outside their typical social circle were more likely to have higher levels of physical activity and a more positive mood. Such individuals also had fewer negative feelings.
Golf: Golf provides a range of health benefits that committed players are well aware of. Seniors who play golf, particularly those who walk the course instead of using a cart to get around, can reap the rewards of walking, including improved cardiovascular health, and even the benefits of strength-training, as carrying a golf bag around nine or 18 holes can build strength that protects bones and reduces the risk of fractures. Traversing a course also helps to burn calories, which can help seniors maintain a healthy weight.
The benefits of sports participation apply to people of all ages, including seniors.
STRATEGIES TO PROMOTE WELLNESS
The tenets of wellness can be traced to ancient civilizations. Wellness encompasses strategies that lead to a state of holistic health. Those strategies include physical, mental and even spiritual components. The root of wellness incorporates various natural approaches and preventive care. Physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being is achieved through different avenues. Programs in communities and places of employment can promote and emphasize wellness, which can benefit people in myriad ways.
Feeling empowered: Wellness begins with individuals, who can feel empowered when they make healthy choices and utilize the tools and support systems at their disposal. This can include information provided by health care professionals as well as research people uncover on their own.
Community involvement: Individuals who have access to healthy food, safe housing, education, and medical care are more likely to make wellness a priority. Community leaders can ramp up their efforts to provide health-based offerings to people in surrounding neighborhoods.
Workplace initiatives: People spend eight or more hours each day at work, and health should and can be prioritized at places of business. Employers can incorporate healthy
eating options in cafeterias or break rooms, offer stress management services, engage in fitness challenges, and even provide workout equipment or quiet spaces so employees can incorporate wellness into their work days.
Spiritual connection: While spiritual wellness can include faith in a specific religion or belief, it also encompasses values, ethics, service to others, and finding meaning and purpose in one's life. Embracing spiritual wellness through outreach and other efforts can improve health. The World Health Organization states that health is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. It also includes physical, mental and social well-being, which can be fostered through a spiritual component of wellness.
Mental health support: The National Institute of Mental Health says approximately 59.3 million adults in the United States experienced a mental illness in the past year. Such illnesses include anxiety and depression. The World Health Organization estimates 970 million people globally live with a mental health disorder. Mental wellness comes from seeking help from doctors, therapists and support groups when needed. It also can involve finding root causes of mental distress and taking steps to remove triggers.
Wellness is a broad term that incorporates many different components, each of which can contribute to improved health and a greater sense of well-being.
HOW TO MAKE MENTAL HEALTH MATTER
Mental health is now discussed more openly than it once was. Mental illness or issues that affected mental health used to be stigmatized, and many people suffered in silence and might not have gotten the help they needed.
The National Institute of Mental Health reports more than one in five adults in the United States lives with a mental illness. Mental illnesses include many different conditions that may vary in degree of severity, from very mild to severe. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health advises that, in any given year, one in five Canadians experiences a mental illness as well. Such statistics highlight just how common mental illnesses are.
The NIMH notes self-care plays a significant role in maintaining mental health and supporting recovery. People can safeguard their mental health in many ways, and doing so will improve their overall health as well.
Spend time in nature. Nature can have a calming effect on people. Going for a walk can help tame stress and break patterns of negative thinking. In Japan, the concept of forest bathing is said to improve mental health. Forest bathing involves spending time in a forest or another green area experiencing the different sounds, sights and smells that nature offers.
Set boundaries. B2B Reviews says 12 percent of U.S. workers were fully remote in August 2023. Estimates suggest that number may have increased to around 14 percent by 2025. Working from home can make it more challenging to set firm divisions on time spent working and for home life. Establishing boundaries means not being available 24/7 for calls or emails and not feeling guilty about taking time away from work.
Get regular exercise. Just 30 minutes of exercise each day can get feel-good endorphins flowing through the body to boost mood and bodily health.
Get more sleep. Adults generally need between seven and nine hours of sleep for optimal health and reaching deep sleep phases, says the Mental Health Foundation. Creating consistent sleep routines that include going to bed and waking at the same time each day; avoiding screens before bed; and avoiding caffeine or vigorous exercise late in the day can help improve sleep.
Try relaxing activities. Relaxing activities can include reading, listening to music, meditation, or low-stress crafts and hobbies. Make time each week for these calming pursuits.
Socialize with others. Socialization provides opportunities to see others and talk about anything you want to get off your chest. People feeling stress or anxiety might think they are alone. But having conversations with others can illustrate that these are common problems and there are solutions. Sometimes just talking about an issue can help you overcome it.
Use your vacation time. Too many people are not using enough of their deserved and accrued time off. A survey from the financial services company Sorbet found that 62 percent of Americans don't use all of their paid time off. A Pew Research Center survey found that nearly half of U.S. employees with paid time off take less time than their employers offer. Failure to take time off is a recipe for burnout. Mental health should be a priority.
Safeguarding mental health can involve various self-care techniques that anyone can employ.
MEDICAL LISTINGS
HOSPITALS
Covenant Health Plainview 2601 Dimmitt Road 296-5531
Medical Center of Dimmitt
300 West Halsell, Dimmitt 647-2194
Swisher Memorial Hospital 539 SE Second, Tulia 995-3581
W.J. Mangold Memorial Hospital 320 N. Main, Lockney 652-3373
MEDICAL CLINICS
Covenant Health Family Medical Clinic 1208 North I-27 291-5112
Covenant HealthCare Center Plainview 2222 W. 24th St. 293-5113
Edgemere Medical Clinic 2606 Yonkers 291-5120
Covenant Health West Texas Family Medicine Plainview 1806 Quincy 288-7891
RHN Medical & Dental Group Plainview 410 Canyon St. 291-0297
Covenant Health West Texas Family Medicine Floydada 901 W. Crockett, Floydada 402-4033
Covenant Health West Texas Family Medicine Hale Center 315 Cleveland St., Hale Center 839-2100
Cogdell Clinic
320 N. Main, Lockney 652-3373
Medical Center of Dimmitt
300 W. Halsell, Dimmitt 647-2194
Olton Clinic 524 E. Eighth St. Olton 285-2633
Tulia Rural Health Clinic 105 Hospital Ave. Tulia 995-4122
CARDIOLOGY
Kevin Jones, DO. 2502 Xenia St., Suite 106 291-5145
CHIROPRACTIC
Daniel Baggett, D.C. 1004 W. Seventh St. 296-0447
Thomas Cunningham, D.C. 2204 Edgemere, Plainview 293-3130
Nate Pochucha, D.C. 109 W. Ninth St. 293-4600
FAMILY PRACTICE
Kelsey Richardson, M.D. 1208 North I-27 291-5112
Evan Colmenero, M.D. 1208 North I-27 291-5112
Victoria Colmenero M.D. 1208 North I-27 291-5112
Craig Horton, M.D. 1806 Quincy St. 288-7891
Dominique Foster, M.D. 2222 W. 24th St. 293-5100
Jon Watkins, M.D. 1806 Quincy St. 288-7891
Gary Mangold, M.D.
320 N. Main, Lockney 652-3373
Cynthia Schlueter, D.O. 320 N. Main, Lockney 652-3373
Kevin Stennett, M.D. 320 N. Main, Lockney 652-3373
Lauren Swartz, M.D. 2222 W. 24th Street 291-5100
Tori Marnell, M.D. 105 Hospital Ave., Tulia 995-4122
Scott Blakeman, D.O. 105 Hospital Ave., Tulia 995-4122
Steven Rossi, M.D. 105 Hospital, Tulia 995-4122
Gary Hardy, M.D. 300 W. Halsell St., Dimmitt 647-2194
Chris Beene, M.D. 300 W. Halsell St., Dimmitt 647-2194
Brad Hough, M.D. 410 Canyon St. 291-0297
Colby Rozean, M.D. 222 W. 24th St. 291-5100
Monte Swanson, M.D. 1806 Quincy St. 288-7891
General Surgery
Douglas G. Cummings, M.D. 2504 Xenia St., Ste. 102 296-7881
Dayton Wong, M.D. 2504 Xenia St., Ste. 102 296-7881
Linda Luong, D.O. 2504 Xenia St., Ste. 102 296-7881
GYNECOLOGY
Charles R. Smith, D.O. 2222 W. 24th St. 291-5100
INTERNAL MEDICINE
Sergio Lara, M.D. Covenant Plainview Medical Clinic, 2606 Yonkers St. 291-5120
OBSTETRICS
Charles R. Smith, D.O. 2222 W. 24th St. 291-5100
Kelsey Richardson, M.D. 1208 North I-27 291-5112
Victoria Colmenero M.D. 1208 North I-27 291-5112
Lauren Swartz, M.D. 2222 W. 24th Street 291-5100
OPTOMETRY
Luke Sherman, O.D. 1501 N I-27 685-4994
Webb Vision Center 315 Ennis St. 293-1376
ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY
Joshua Rollins, D.O. 1605 W. 5th Street 291-5171
PSYCHIATRY
Victor Gutierrez, M.D. 2601 Dimmitt Road, Ste. 107 296-5327
PHYSICIAN’S ASSISTANTS
Cynthia Archer 105 Hospital Ave., Tulia 995-4122
Amber Kemper
320 N. Main, Lockney 652-3372
Krysta Euginis 320 N. Main, Lockney 652-3372
KrisAnn Schulz 1806 Quincy St., Plainview 288-7891
NURSE PRACTITIONERS/ FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONERS
Greg Curry, FNP Covenant Plainview Medical Clinic
2606 Yonkers St. 291-5120
Saul Gamboa, FNP Covenant Healthcare Center Plainview
2222 W. 24th St. 291-5100
Robin S. Stanfield, FNP Covenant Healthcare Center Plainview 1208 N I-27 291-5112
Matt Flores FNP 2502 Xenia St., Suite 106 291-5145
Peggy Birkenfeld
300 W. Halsell, Dimmitt 647-2194
Jill McLean
300 W. Halsell, Dimmitt 647-2194
Christa Moyer
524 E. Eighth, St., Olton 285-2633
Kimberly George 105 Hospital Ave., Tulia 995-4122
Misti Holt
320 N. Main, Lockney 352-3373
Gary Sackett, RN MSN, NP-C 901 W. Crockett, Hale Center 402-4033
Julia Ontiveros, FNP 1806 Quincy 288-7891
Jessica Elkins, FNP-C 315 W. Cleveland, Hale Center 806-839-2100
Lori Johnson, FNP-C 901 West Crockett, Floydada 806-402-4033
Michelle Nolen, FNP 410 Canyon St. 291-0297
Jennifer Sepeda, FNP 410 Canyon St. 291-0297
Carl Scales, FNP 1806 Quincy St. 288-7891
Pamela Morgan, FNP 1806 Quincy St. 288-7891
HOME HEALTH
Accolade Home Care 6625 19th St., Plainview 1-800-725-2111
Calvert Home Health Care 2101 W. 24th St. Plainview 296-2767
Cuidado Casero Home Health 705 W. Sixth St. Plainview 291-6903
Interim Healthcare 113 W. Eighth St. Plainview 288-0220
Mangold Memorial Hospital Home Health 216 N. Main, Lockney 652-2895
Prairie House Living Center 1301 Mesa, Plainview 293-4855
Swisher Home Health 200 N. Austin Ave. Tulia 995-3756
Hospice Hands of West Texas 305 N. Main St., Lockney 652-3000
REHABILITATION SERVICES
Covenant Health Plainview Rehab 2601 Dimmitt, Plainview 296-4258
Mangold Memorial Hospital Fitness & Rehab 214 N. Main, Lockney 652-2096
Plainview Healthcare Center Plainview 2222 West 24th St. 293-5113
Prairie House Living Center 1301 Mesa, Plainview 293-4855
Castro Co. Nursing and Rehab 1621 Butler Blvd., Dimmitt 647-3117
URGENT CARE
Covenant Health Plainview 2601 Dimmitt Road, Plainview 296-5531
NURSING HOMES
Prairie House Living Center 1301 Mesa 293-4855
Plainview Healthcare Center 2510 W. 24th Plainview 296-5584
Tulia Health and Rehab Center 714 S. Austin, Ave. Tulia 995-4310
Hale Center Health and Rehab Center 205 W. Third St. Hale Center 839-2102
Lockney Health and Rehabilitation 401 N. Main, Lockney 652-3375
Runningwater Draw Care Center
800 W. 13th, Olton 285-2677
Unique Alternative Care 1620 Quincy 293-1253
HOMES-RETIREMENT
Christian Manor Apartments 813 W. Eighth 293-2350
Prairie House Living Center 1301 Mesa 293-4855
Sandhills Village Assisted Living 1200 Ave. I, Olton 285-3356
Westridge Manor 4304 W. Second St. 293-1341
Shepherd’s Meadow 1230 S. Ralls Hwy., Floydada 983-8177
RADIOLOGY
Covenant Hospital Plainview 2601 Dimmitt Rd. 291-3331
Garvish Radiology 108 Kirchwood 293-4231
UROLOGY
Michael Graves, M.D. 2404 Yonkers 293-5111
Ji Won Kang, DDS General Dentist
