Epilepsy specialist coming to Eagle Pass

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South Texas Epilepsy Clinics in Eagle Pass on April 4

Eagle Pass residents age 12 and older who have seizures can be seen by an epilepsy specialist as part of the new South Texas Epilepsy Clinics, which are overseen by the Epilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and is funded by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Lola Morgan, M.D., a board certified neurologist with UT Medicine San Antonio and an assistant professor of neurology at the UT Health Science Center, will see patients every other month in Eagle Pass.

The clinic will be from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, April 4, at Maverick County Hospital District, 3406 Bob Rogers Drive. Appointments are required. Please call 210-450-9700 to make an appointment and for more information. The clinic is for individuals who have Medicaid or are uninsured; residents with insurance also are welcome. Spanish speakers will be available.

The outreach clinics will include an epilepsy specialist physician, a case manager, social worker and a medical assistant. While Dr. Morgan provides diagnosis, treatment and medication management, the Epilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas provides information, direct assistance, social services, referrals, employment preparation and many more services to those diagnosed with epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a lifelong medical condition that is best treated in an outpatient clinic by physicians, like Dr. Morgan, who have specialized training in epilepsy. Without access to specialty care, patients have poor seizure control and are unable to drive, have difficulty holding jobs, and are at-risk for seizure-related sudden death.

The neurologists at UT Medicine are part of the South Texas Comprehensive Epilepsy Center in San Antonio, which is nationally accredited for the treatment of epilepsy. The center is a partnership between University Health System and the UT Health Science Center. The center received a Level 4 designation, which is the highest designation from the National Association of Epilepsy Centers.

 

UT Medicine San Antonio is the clinical practice of the School of Medicine at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio. With more than 700 doctors – all School of Medicine faculty – UT Medicine is the largest medical practice in Central and South Texas. Expertise is in more than 100 medical specialties and subspecialties. Primary care doctors and specialists see patients in private practice at UT Medicine’s flagship clinical home, the Medical Arts & Research Center (MARC), located at 8300 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio 78229. Most major health plans are accepted, and UT Medicine physicians also practice at several local and regional hospitals. Call (210) 450-9000 to schedule an appointment, or visit www.UTMedicine.org for a list of clinics and phone numbers.

Free cancer genetic risk assessment for eligible individuals

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SAN ANTONIO (March 20, 2014) – March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, which is the perfect time to emphasize the UT Health Science Center’s genetic risk assessment and testing program in San Antonio, Laredo, and the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Called GRACIAS, the risk assessment program is free to eligible individuals.

Colon cancer is the third-most common cancer diagnosis and cause of cancer death in both men and women in Texas. But an increased use of screening tests has contributed to a decline in these deaths. Colon cancer generally occurs in adults over the age of 50, and for most people a baseline colonoscopy at age 50 can dramatically decrease the risk of dying of colon cancer.

Changes in diet and lifestyle factors are likely to have a substantial overall impact on risk of colon cancer; however there are other risk factors that cannot be changed. Some of those include the genetic predisposition to develop colorectal polyps, a personal or family history of colon cancer, increasing age, certain diseases that cause inflammation of the large intestine or ulcerative colitis and certain genetic changes.

Sometimes families carry a genetic trait that increases the risk of colon cancer. This is especially likely when someone in the family is diagnosed at a young age. Also, women in families with a strong history of colon cancer may be at increased risk of cancer of the uterus. In both colon and uterine cancer, early detection has been proven to increase the likelihood of a successful outcome with long-term cure.

If a person has a family history of colon cancer, particularly if a family member has been diagnosed when younger than 50, genetic risk assessment can help determine whether genetic counseling or testing would be a good idea.

These services are offered by the UT Health Science Center academic sites in San Antonio, Laredo and the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Individuals interested in a cancer genetic risk assessment may contact the Genetic Risk Assessment for Cancer in All South Texas (GRACIAS Texas) program staff to schedule an appointment. GRACIAS is funded by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT).

Lower Rio Grande Valley
Phone: (956) 202-2148
Email: Torresi3@uthscsa.edu

Laredo
Phone: 956-740-7668
Email: pulidosaldiv@uthscsa.edu

San Antonio
Phone: (210) 718-3570
Email: mette@uthscsa.edu

Q&A

How does genetic counseling help predict an individual’s risk of colon cancer?

Genetic counseling refers to a screening that includes the review of personal and family health history where genetic counselors can identify specific family history patterns associated with an increased risk for developing hereditary cancer and recommend genetic testing when appropriate.

What is a genetic counselor?

A genetic counselor is a heath professional with specialized training and experience in the areas of counseling and medical genetics that helps people understand and adapt to the medical, familial, and psychological implications of how genetics contributes to disease. A genetic counselor collects and studies personal and family medical history, provides information on genetic testing, interprets the genetic test results, and guides individuals/ families in discussions about prevention and medical management in a manner that promotes informed choice.

What is genetic testing?

Genetic testing is a type of medical test that analyzes the DNA in blood or saliva to identify changes in genes. This voluntary test can confirm or rule out a suspected genetic condition or help determine a person’s chance of developing or passing on a genetic disorder. Genetic testing is not appropriate for everyone, and the decision about whether to be tested is a personal and complex one. A genetic counselor can help by providing information about the pros and cons of the test and discussing the social and emotional aspects of testing.

 

The Cancer Therapy & Research Center (CTRC) at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is one of the elite academic cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Designated Cancer Center, and is one of only four in Texas. A leader in developing new drugs to treat cancer, the CTRC Institute for Drug Development (IDD) conducts one of the largest oncology Phase I clinical drug programs in the world, and participates in development of cancer drugs approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. For more information, visit www.ctrc.net.

MATCH DAY: Lots of doctor drama; no blood or guts

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WHAT:

Match Day is a geographic raffle when new doctors throughout the country find out where their medical careers will be launched. These new doctors could be heading to New York or Hawaii, Florida or Alaska. The fourth-year medical students won’t know until they open their envelopes.

Students from the School of Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio stand in front of their classmates as they open the envelopes that reveal where their medical residencies will take them. It’s a festive occasion for the students, who are wrapping up a rigorous four years of medical education.

WHEN:

Friday, March 21 – Envelopes are opened at 11 a.m. Students and administrators from the UT Health Science Center’s School of Medicine will be available for interviews beginning at 10:30 a.m.

WHERE:

John T. Floore Country Store, 14492 Old Bandera Road, Helotes

WHO:

More than 200 students will be joined by friends, family and School of Medicine faculty. Expected attendance is around 800.

NOTES:

Graduating medical students select their top choices for residency locations during their senior year and learn on Match Day where they have been accepted.

Match Day is held by the School of Medicine in conjunction with the National Resident Matching Program, an initiative sponsored by the American Board of Medical Specialties, the American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association, the Association of American Medical Colleges and the Council of Medical Specialty Societies. The National Resident Matching Program is a private, not-for-profit corporation that ensures a uniform period of appointment to positions in graduate medical education.

 

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, one of the country’s leading health sciences universities, ranks in the top 3 percent of all institutions worldwide receiving National Institutes of Health funding. The university’s schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions and graduate biomedical sciences have produced more than 29,000 graduates. The $765 million operating budget supports eight campuses in San Antonio, Laredo, Harlingen and Edinburg. For more information on the many ways “We make lives better®,” visit www.uthscsa.edu.

Addiction problems and solutions to be focus of March 13 briefing

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WHAT:

The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio is making lives better for individuals and families trapped in addiction. Faculty of the School of Medicine will discuss a national addiction research conference to be held in San Antonio on March 15-16, the education of young scientists interested in addiction research, intriguing studies under way at the Health Science Center, and the need for treatment in Bexar County and the region. ***Individuals recovering from addictions will be available for one-on-one interviews.

WHEN:

10 a.m. Thursday, March 13

WHERE:

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Campus, Academic & Administration Building, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78229

WHO:

Researchers Charles France, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology; Jennifer S. Potter, Ph.D., M.P.H., associate professor of psychiatry and anesthesiology; and Katie Serafine, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow, will speak. Dr. France is lead organizer of “Behavior, Biology and Chemistry: Translational Research in Addiction,” a conference that teaches scientists such as Dr. Serafine. Dr. Potter has several clinical research studies under way, including cannabis cessation and treatment of pain and opioid dependence.

WHY:

Research into ways to stop addiction is always needed. Bexar County had the third largest admission rate for alcohol and drug dependency in the state as recently as 2009. In Texas Department of State Health Services Region 8, which includes San Antonio, more than 8 percent of residents perceived needing but not receiving treatment for alcohol problems, and 3 percent of Region 8 residents reported needing but not receiving treatment for drugs.

 

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, one of the country’s leading health sciences universities, ranks in the top 3 percent of all institutions worldwide receiving National Institutes of Health funding. The university’s schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions and graduate biomedical sciences have produced more than 29,000 graduates. The $765 million operating budget supports eight campuses in San Antonio, Laredo, Harlingen and Edinburg. For more information on the many ways “We make lives better®,” visit www.uthscsa.edu.

Epilepsy specialist coming to Laredo

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South Texas Epilepsy Clinics in Laredo on March 21

Laredo residents age 10 and older who have seizures can be seen by an epilepsy specialist as part of the new South Texas Epilepsy Clinics, which are overseen by the Epilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas and UT Medicine San Antonio, which is the clinical practice of the School of Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. The clinics are funded by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Octavian Lie, M.D., Ph.D., a board certified neurologist with UT Medicine San Antonio and an assistant professor of neurology at the UT Health Science Center, will see patients every other month in Laredo.

“We are excited to be able to treat people with epilepsy in Laredo. To this end, we appreciate a close partnership with the community. We hope to respond promptly to the needs of our patients and reduce their burdens of living with epilepsy,” Dr. Lie said.

The first clinic will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, March 21, at Mercy Ministries of Laredo, 2500 Zacatecas St. Appointments are required. Please call 210-450-9700 to make an appointment and for more information. The clinic is for individuals who have Medicaid or are uninsured; residents with insurance also are welcome. Spanish speakers will be available.

The outreach clinics will include an epilepsy specialist physician, a case manager, social worker and a medical assistant. While Dr. Lie provides diagnosis, treatment and medication management, the Epilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas provides information, direct assistance, social services, referrals, employment preparation and many more services to those diagnosed with epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a lifelong medical condition that is best treated in an outpatient clinic by physicians, like Dr. Lie, who have specialized training in epilepsy. Without access to specialty care, patients have poor seizure control and are unable to drive, have difficulty holding jobs, and are at-risk for seizure-related sudden death.

The neurologists at UT Medicine are part of the South Texas Comprehensive Epilepsy Center in San Antonio, which is nationally accredited for the treatment of epilepsy. The center is a partnership between UT Medicine and University Health System. The center received a Level 4 designation, which is the highest designation from the National Association of Epilepsy Centers.

 

UT Medicine San Antonio is the clinical practice of the School of Medicine at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio. With more than 700 doctors – all School of Medicine faculty – UT Medicine is the largest medical practice in Central and South Texas. Expertise is in more than 100 medical specialties and subspecialties. Primary care doctors and specialists see patients in private practice at UT Medicine’s flagship clinical home, the Medical Arts & Research Center (MARC), located at 8300 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio 78229. Most major health plans are accepted, and UT Medicine physicians also practice at several local and regional hospitals. Call (210) 450-9000 to schedule an appointment, or visit www.UTMedicine.org for a list of clinics and phone numbers.

UT Health Science Center San Antonio exceeds 10-year capital campaign goal

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SAN ANTONIO (March 5, 2014) – At the annual President’s Luncheon on Wednesday, March 5, President William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP, of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio announced the official conclusion of the university’s 10-year Campaign for the Future of Health with a final tally of $607 million – far exceeding the $500 million goal.

In 2004, the UT Health Science Center San Antonio launched the historic Campaign for the Future of Health with the goal of enhancing the environment for discovery in the biosciences and building the university endowment to support the university’s vital missions of research, education, patient care and community service.

The generosity of 14,123 donors who contributed 42,327 gifts and raised $607 million allowed the Health Science Center to reach its decade-long goal.

Dr. Henrich said he is humbled by the outpouring of generosity in time and financial resources from donors and community leaders.

“I am inspired by their dedication to improving the future of health. The byproduct of their efforts is hope, and the beneficiaries are our patients and students,” Dr. Henrich said. “With our faculty and students, we tread with unwavering resolve on our quest to make lives better. On the horizon is our vision for a future of health that is filled with promise. Our journey has just begun.”

John T. Montford, chair of the Campaign for the Future of Health, said the bold vision that the Health Science Center and the President’s Development Board undertook in launching the capital campaign has been realized.

“Together, we surpassed our transformational half-billion-dollar goal and have left a mark that will make lives better for generations to come,” Montford said. “Through the generosity of every donor, the university is positioned to rank among the most preeminent universities in the nation and to advance our distinct missions of education, biomedical research, patient care and community service.”

Montford said the Health Science Center has earned its place as the chief catalyst for San Antonio’s $29.2 billion biosciences and health care industry. “The UT Health Science Center continues to impact the city’s economy in a substantial way through the competitive jobs it creates and the biomedical research discoveries that ease suffering and improve health,” he added.

The campaign picked up momentum in 2007 with a $25 million lead gift from The Greehey Family Foundation. This initial gift allowed the creation of the Greehey President’s Endowment for Excellence in Children’s Health Sciences and supports cancer research and educational and community programs benefiting children, especially those in greatest need. In 2013, a $5 million gift from the Greehey foundation pushed the campaign over its $500 million goal.

In 2008, philanthropists Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long made a transformational gift of $25 million to the Health Science Center. The Joe R. and Teresa L. Long Scholarship Research and Teaching Fund is an endowment supporting more than 50 students each year in medicine, nursing, graduate biosciences and physician assistant studies. It also supports faculty and research programs. This gift established the largest endowment in the history of the university and named the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Campus.

 

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, one of the country’s leading health sciences universities, ranks in the top 3 percent of all institutions worldwide receiving National Institutes of Health funding. The university’s schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions and graduate biomedical sciences have produced more than 29,000 graduates. The $765 million operating budget supports eight campuses in San Antonio, Laredo, Harlingen and Edinburg. For more information on the many ways “We make lives better®,” visit www.uthscsa.edu.