OUR LEGACY TODAY Winter 2024 | Legacy Community Health Newsletter | LegacyCommunityHealth.org
Legacy’s Heart Month Spotlight:
Tackling Hypertension Head-On
As we commemorate American Heart Month this February, we are shining a light on hypertension, often dubbed the “silent killer.” Also known as high blood pressure, hypertension is a key contributor to heart disease and stroke, the primary causes of death in the U.S. This condition significantly affects minority and underserved groups, influenced by a range of socio-economic factors. “About 60% of Legacy patients diagnosed with hypertension have it under control, but our target is at least 71%,” says Dr. Vanita Agrawal, Legacy’s Medical Director for Adult Medicine. “Our Care Team has created new guidelines that offer patients more robust, personalized care through strategic collaboration across our departments.” This integrated approach includes clinicians, nurses, patient educators, care managers, dietitians, and pharmacy specialists. Patients with slightly elevated blood pressure will meet with the patient educators to understand their condition and lifestyle modifications that can aid in management. “We’ll teach them about lifestyle changes to manage their condition, including how to take their blood pressure at home,” says Director of Patient Education Ashley Minkeu. Referrals to Legacy’s dietitians and Wellness Manager are also options to provide dietary and exercise guidance.
Ryan Norton and Ernestine Lloyd Rounding out Legacy’s hypertension strategy are the Clinical Pharmacy Specialists. They take a hands-on approach with patients with more complex cases, ensuring they pick up their medications and take them correctly. “I’d been watching my salt intake over the holidays and paid attention to my food portions. But the medications I took gave me bad side effects,” says Legacy patient Ernestine Lloyd. Her journey towards better health saw a turning point when she connected with Ryan Norton, a Pharmacy Specialist at Legacy’s Fifth Ward location. As a clinician, I was able to prescribe a new medication to reduce Ernestine’s side effects and lower her blood pressure,” says Ryan. “We talk every two weeks to monitor her progress.” Later this year, Legacy plans to include remote blood pressure monitoring for patients to round out this new model of hypertension care. Legacy is paving the way for better health outcomes by addressing the medical and socio-economic factors influencing health. As we observe American Heart Month, it’s one more way we are fulfilling our mission of driving healthy change in our communities.
William Lyons and AmeriCorps Connectors at Legacy Fifth Ward For those grappling with more severe hypertension, Legacy’s care management team steps in, examining broader life challenges. “Does the patient have a safe place to live or difficulty getting to our clinics for appointments? Can they afford healthy food or pay the rent?” says Health Connect Senior Manager Williams Lyons. “That can distract from their care, so we work to find solutions.” These include connecting patients to resources like Food RX prescriptions for fresh produce, social services, or transportation options. Monthly follow-up calls monitor patient progress and reassess needs.
Normal Blood Pressure is 120/80 or Lower
OUR LEGACY TODAY Winter 2024
December 14, 2023 Gerry Heard and Tylor Hearn generously opened their beautiful River Oaks home for Holiday SCHMOOZE, hosting 150 guests for a festive evening of community spirit and philanthropy. Thanks to the collective efforts of our attendees and supporters, we raised over $142,000 for Legacy’s Jackson Hicks Endowed Fund for the Awareness, Prevention, and Treatment of HIV/AIDS. We are deeply grateful to all who participated, contributed, and supported our cause.
legacy.community/giving
View more photos of the memorable evening at legacy.community/schmooze2023.
Legacy Community Health Operating Board
HOLIDAY
Ryan Martin Chairperson Ronnie Kurtin Vice-Chairperson Rebekah Le Treasurer Taryn Hargrove Gore Secretary
Gerry Heard, Chree Boydstun, & Tylor Hearn
Allison Floyd Wells, M.D. At-Large / Executive Committee Mariana Chavez Mac Gregor, M.D. Cathy Easter Gary Hammett George Hawkins Bryan Hlavinka
Jael Greene, Kristen & Eric Howard, Hani Barazi & Serene Wafai, & Todd Greene
Neftali Partida Naveen Pinglay
Linda Cantu, Shubhra Endley, Linda Gibbs, & Sharon Land
Cindy Scharringhausen
Legacy Community Health Endowment Board Mike Holloman Chairperson George Hawkins Vice-Chairperson Ray Purser Treasurer
Ricardo Guajardo & Timmy Martinez
Eric Van Haselen & Steve Pate
David LaDuke & Gary Hammett
Sharon Land Secretary Linda Cantu Tripp Carter Cyndy Garza Roberts Gerry Heard Bryan Hlavinka
Milton Townsend, Ceron, Don Mafrige Jr., & Heidi Vaughan
Ronnie Kurtin
Hao & Rebekah Le, Naveen Pinglay & Lynn Nazareth
Board Members Emeriti Melanie Gray Melissa Mithoff James A. Reeder, Jr. Monsour Taghdisi Claire Cormier Thielke Dr. Robert Hilliard, Jr., Colby Hilliard, & Greg Fown
Legacy’s Toy Drive Exceeds Goals, Spreads Joy The 2023 Legacy Community Health Toy Drive was a remarkable success, surpassing our goal with 2,265 toys collected for children in Southeast Texas. This achievement means more than just meeting a target; it signifies 2,265 moments of joy for children and families, making clinic visits a little brighter. We distributed toys at holiday parties and during appointments, thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and sponsors. This annual drive brings smiles to many faces and helps foster positive connections between our clinics and the communities we serve.
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1. Bryan Hlavinka and Timmy Martinez at the Executive & Professional Association of Houston annual toy drive event. Thank you, EPAH!
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2. Dr. Jessica Mumme at Legacy Fifth Ward 3. Pediatric Patients at Legacy Southwest 4. Pietzsch MacArthur School principal Tamara Long, Legacy’s Josh Davis and Skye Thomas, and Beaumont ISD Superintendent Dr. Shannon Allen at our Beaumont pediatric holiday party.
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School-Based Health Program Adds First Dental Clinic
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Galena Park ISD students and their siblings can get routine oral and dental care yearround at our newest dental location in the Almatha Clark Taylor School-Based Health clinic in Galena Park ISD. Dr. Jared Vandermeyden heads a team of two dental assistants and a hygienist. The clinic features three treatment rooms, an X-ray machine, and a lab/sterilization space.
5. We’re thankful for the team at Johnson Garcia LLP. Pictured are Yoselin Velasquez, Leticia Hernandez, Legacy’s Maria Cantu-Ondarza, and Juan Garcia.
Legacy TEACHes Future Pharmacists Legacy’s Pharmacy department shined in its commitment to health education and advocacy, hosting the inaugural TEACH (Transforming Education and Combating HIV) Conference. This special event at our Legacy Montrose location enlightened 23 first-year pharmacy college students on their critical roles in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. Attendees participated in an enriching curriculum that emphasized the importance of reducing HIV stigma, advocating for fair patient care, and enhancing the quality of health care.
PLANNED GIVING a legacy that stands
The Test of Time
Even though astronauts last took steps on the moon in 1972, their imprint remains today. What a tremendous legacy! Those footprints will stand as a reminder of an accomplishment for future generations. What would you do if you had the power to do something remarkable today while making an impact that would last forever? If you have retirement or investment accounts, a checking or savings account or a life insurance policy you no longer need, then you have an excellent opportunity to leave your legacy when you review and update your beneficiary designations. Please consider us as a whole, partial, or contingent beneficiary of your accounts or policy. Your gift will enable us to continue our work. Copyright © 2019 Crescendo Interactive, Inc. Used by permission. 19TH13
For more information contact Tim Martinez at (713) 203-7221, tjmartinez@legacycommunityhealth.org or visit legacy.community/plannedgiving.
Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Houston, TX Permit No. 1886
P.O. Box 66308 Houston, TX 77266-6308
SAVE THE DATE
July 21, 2024
October 21, 2024
Join us under the big top for the Cirque du Mint Julep! This year’s Glitter and Glam Carnival will be an afternoon you won’t forget. For information, contact Bella Villarreal at ivillarreal@legacycommunityhealth.org.
Save the date for Legacy’s annual golf tournament, presented by Equitable and Hawkins Laakso Wealth Management. For more information contact Brandi Thorpe at bthorpe@legacycommunityhealth.org.
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