Channelview News

Register and join us at noon Dec. 1 for a chat with Dr. Joan Mastrobattista, a specialist in the care of mothers and babies during high-risk pregnancies. She can answer your questions about supporting a healthy pregnancy and managing factors that may put you and your baby at risk for complications. There is nothing more exciting than the birth of a baby. However, for women whose pregnancies are considered high risk, there can be additional emotions such as anxiety or uncertainty. Pregnancies may be considered high risk because of a number of conditions and complications such as diabetes, hypertension, advanced maternal age, congenital anomalies, and pre-term labor.

The Texas Medical Board has revoked the license of a Kemah doctor, Carlos Arroyo, 54, who previously practiced in Channelview and Beaumont.

Worried about your child's health? Get answers directly from the director of emergency services at the Children’s Emergency Centers at Memorial Hermann Memorial City. Dr. Michelle McKane has special knowledge and training in treatment and medications for infants, children and adolescents who are critically ill because of injury or disease.

Bariatric Medicine: Part 1 At 535 pounds, Rex Adams felt like a prisoner, not just because of his weight, but because he was taking as many as a dozen pills a day to help manage complications of obesity. “When I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and had to go on oral medication, that’s when it really hit me,” Adams says. “I had done this to myself. I knew I had to do something to lose the weight and free myself from all the pills I was taking.” Adams sought a surgical solution – a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass – to control the weight and his blood sugar. He took one last pill the day before the surgery. Since then, he hasn’t required any medication to manage type 2 diabetes. He is no longer considered diabetic. “It was like a complete release,” Adams says. “I had the surgery, and I never looked back.”

Bariatric Medicine: Part II When Abby Erias had gastric bypass surgery, she remembered the physicians telling her that one of the side effects to her rapid weight loss could be increased fertility. She already had two daughters and wasn’t planning to have any more children, so she went on birth control. She didn’t want to take any chances. “I couldn’t find the right birth control for me, so my plan was to go off birth control for 30 days and then go a different route with something new,” Erias says. “In less than 30 days, I didn’t think I could get pregnant, but I went a different route all right. I had a baby!” When bariatric surgeons at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston host informational sessions about gastric bypass and lap-band procedures, they emphasize that as the unwanted pounds come off, pregnancy may become a very real possibility. This discussion often produces some chuckles and a few “yeah, right” comments from women in the audience. Brad E. Snyder, MD, assistant professor of surgery and director of clinical research at Minimally Invasive Surgeons of Texas, understands why women might find this news laughable. Some are toward the end of their childbearing years. Others have had such a difficult time in the past becoming pregnant that they think there is no way weight-loss surgery could improve their ability to conceive. Some are amused because a risk of pregnancy would imply sexual activity—something in which they haven’t engaged in quite some time because of their weight.

Few patients look forward to going under the knife. For Ouida Gernentz, however, abdominal surgery turned out to be a much better experience than she ever could have imagined. Abdominal surgeries typically require large incisions that leave physical—and sometimes emotional marks—including scars at the wound site, pain, lengthy recoveries and a delayed return to normal, everyday activities. Gernentz did not experience the usual, postoperative pain, thanks to a pioneering surgical technique performed by The University of Texas Medical School at Houston’s Minimally Invasive Surgeons of Texas (MIST). For more information visit: http://www.uthealthleader.org/archive/SURGERY/2009/single_incision-1001.htm

Mike Patch, 30, with his stepson Gavin, said he was unaware when he moved to Channelview this month that the area along the San Jacinto River is considered one of the state's most polluted. Share Share The coffee-brown waters make the San Jacinto River appear unappealing from the Interstate 10 bridge.

Saturday, November 21, 2009 9 a.m. – Noon Cullen’s Upscale American Grille 11500 Space Center Blvd., Houston, TX 77059 Information, inspiration and insights for teen girls and their moms

Register using the link to chat at noon on Nov. 24 with Stacy Lewis and pediatric orthopedic surgeon Gary T. Brock, M.D., the physician who treated her when she was diagnosed with scoliosis at age 11. Lewis went on to become the 2007 NCAA champion and the 2008 LPGA qualifying tournament winner. Earlier this year she became the celebrity spokesperson for the Scoliosis Research Society. Dr. Brock has special interest and training in the treatment of pediatric spinal disorders, including scoliosis, and in pediatric Sports Medicine.Dr. Brock is affiliated with Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, as well as other hospitals in the Houston area.

A Harris County mother has spent the last three days searching her community for her 15-year-old daughter.

You know what's shocking? You go out to appear on The Jerry Springer Show , and you get involved in a fight where police are called.

One family needs help finding their missing loved one who they said disappeared on November 6. Christina Lynn Rodriguez was last seen around 8:30 p.m. at a Channelview High School football game.

Children's Memorial Hermann presents LEGO MANIA!

WHO: Kids of all ages!

WHAT: FREE EVENT! Children's Memorial Hermann and Women's Memorial Hermann are expanding! Children and adults are invited to a day of fun children’s activities and attractions to celebrate!

Professional Lego artists will display their unique Lego creations - from incredible ships to cool trains! They will even build a one-of-a-kind Lego replica of the new Memorial Hermann Tower that stands more than four feet tall!

Kids will have an opportunity to build their own fun creations in the Lego build area! We'll even take a picture with you and your cool creation and display it on Flickr.com, where friends and family can vote for the best project.

Parents will get a chance to visit with medical experts from Children’s Memorial Hermann Memorial City at our “Ask the Pediatrician” and our “Ask the Ob/Gyn” tables.

There will also be an area for kids to color cardboard versions of the Memorial Hermann Tower. Free stuffed animal versions of the Children’s Memorial Hermann mascot, Topper will also be given out while supplies last. There will also be a Teddy Bear ER for your Topper dolls to visit.

WHEN: Saturday, November 14th , 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

WHERE: Memorial City Mall, near the skating rink

Electrophysiology is used to diagnose, treat and often cure heart rhythm abnormality, known as arrhythmia. It has also been shown to dramatically improve the quality of life for patients with heart failure. This innovative program is just one aspect of the cardiovascular care available at Memorial Hermann. Arrhythmia may indicate a serious problem and lead to heart disease, stroke or sudden cardiac death. An arrhythmia can be silent and may not cause any symptoms. Register today for a potentially life-saving screening to look for atrial fibrillation, the most common type of arrhythmia, at Memorial Hermann Hear t & Vascular Institute-Texas Medical Center. The cost for this test, combined with three other screenings for dif ferent hear t and vascular conditions, is $139. The complete package will screen for: Atrial fibrillation • (arrhythmia) • Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) • Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) • Carotid artery disease Screenings are available December 8th To schedule your appointment, call 1.800.690.0289. For a referral to an electrophysiologist affiliated with Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute-Texas Medical Center, call 713.7CARDIO (722.7346). Screenings performed by Life Line Screening.

: Memorial Hermann Memorial City Mall. If you are familiar with the mall, the event will be in the area between the skating rink and the fireplace/seating area. FYI - the Pictures with Santa area will be right next to us so hopefully we will have high kid/parent traffic. The event is very kid/family oriented so there will be several activities/attractions: 1. the Lego models display area (including the Lego model of the MH Tower model) 2. an area for kids to build-their-own creations using foam Lego-style bricks. 3. an area for kids to take pictures with their "Lego" creations. Pictures will be posted on Flickr. 4. an area for kids to color a mini cardboard version of the MH Tower. Inside the mini-Tower will be a stuffed animal version of the Children's Memorial Hermann mascot, Topper. 5. a "teddy bear ER" for little ones to take their stuffed animals for some TLC. 6. an "Ask the Pediatrician" table (Jennifer Todd, physician liaison, Lisa Greenbaum, and Liz Lee consulted on selection of docs. Nick Janek also notified) 1. Dr. Lillian Hay 2. Dr. Olla Odufuye 3. Dr. Jill Eddings 4. Dr. Lee Schroder 7. an "Ask the OB/GYN" table (Jennifer Todd, physician liaison, Lisa Greenbaum, and Liz Lee consulted on selection of docs. Nick Janek also notified) 1. Dr. Ann Bertles 2. Dr. Erica Roberts 3. Dr. Samantha Atkins 4. Dr. Monique McKnight 8. a refreshments table

Register and join us Nov. 6 from noon to 1 p.m. for a live chat about this season's flu outbreak. Bring your questions and concerns about the flu vaccine and the spread of the new swine flu virus (H1N1) to board-certified pediatrician and family practitioner Dr. Subodh Bhuchar. Whether you are healthy and aren't sure if you should get the vaccine, or if you just want to be prepared for how to treat an illness in your family, this event can help you decide on a plan of action.

It is estimated that Heart Disease kills one person every 34 seconds. To better educate the public about our country’s number one killer, prevent the disease in those who don’t have it and better treat those who do, Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital has renewed its commitment to make Heart Disease education, prevention and treatment a top priority by taking a leadership role in heart-related community education events and expanding the heart services available at the hospital. The hospital’s renewed Heart Health campaign commenced with the 2009 Bay Area Start! Heart Walk on October 17, where Memorial Hermann Southeast donated $25,000 and raised an additional $17,000 in donations from physicians, employees and their friends and families. According to the American Heart Association, the proceeds from the walk, totaling approximately $170,000 and counting, will fund lifesaving research, as well as public and professional education programs in the community and across America. For more information about Memorial Hermann Southeast’s heart program, as well as upcoming heart-related events, visit www.memorialhermann.org or call 281.929.6100

Harris County sheriff's deputies are investigating an apparent double shooting Friday evening in the Channelview area.

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has designated Memorial Hermann’s Memorial Family Medicine Residency and its medical office, the Physicians at Sugar Creek, as a Recognized Medical Home. They are the only residency program and medical practice in Texas to receive this designation. “The award is given to those practices that can show that they provide the elements of a medical home that result in outstanding care,” said Dr. David Bauer, Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program Director. “Our utilization of electronic health records, implementation of secure messaging, and chronic disease management were just some of the components that captured the attention of the judges and influenced our overall score.”

Annual Family Fall Festival Join the fun from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Activities include: * Radio Disney * Health & wellness information for kids and adults * Doll/Teddy bear hospital - bring your broken doll or teddy bear for a checkup * H-E-B fun and activities * Petting zoo * Pumpkin decorating* * Face painting * Lots of games and activities* * Complimentary Subway® lunch* * American Heart Association and Habitat for Humanity information booths * Bring a new, unwrapped gift to donate to Toys for Tots * while supplies last