Piney Woods Archives | Postcards Magazine

This quote by Greek physician Hippocrates of Kos (c. 460 BC – c. 370 BC), known traditionally as the Father of Medicine, accurately describes the mindset and passion that drive the leadership, medical staff, and personnel of Huntsville Memorial Hospital. The hospital was chartered on April 4, 1927, almost 100 years ago, as a memorial honoring the military heroes of World War I. The original mission of the hospital was to provide “benevolent and charitable services” to those in need. Over the years, the hospital has undergone many changes and continues its quest for excellence under new management by Community Hospital Corporation (CHC). As CEO Patrick Shannon explains, “We started in 2020 right before Covid hit, and after weathering that unusual event, began implementing our business plans for growth, with one of the goals being to increase the service lines to meet Walker County needs.”

HMH is supported by a staff of almost 200 physicians, including independent and community physicians, Emergency Department physicians, surgeons, hospitalists, Primary Care physicians, and specialists, all working toward the goal of providing quality medical care for patients. Physicians employed by the hospital include:

• Dr. Jeff Spaw – Orthopedics
• Dr. Curtis Montgomery – OB/GYN
• Dr. Ashley Taylor – General Surgery
• Dr. Sharad Sharma – Vascular/Dialysis Access Surgery

HMH recently held their election for positions on the Medical Executive Committee, and the election results are: Chief of Staff – Stephen Antwi, MD; Vice Chief of Staff – Stavan Parmar, MD; Past Chief of Staff – Sudhir Sehgal, MD; MEC elected positions – Specialists: Dr. Shukla, Dr. Kenworthy, and Dr. Khurana; and Primary Care: Dr. Aiena, Dr. Young, and Dr. Rollins. These new newly elected positions are effective January 2024.

Dr. Townes Leigh leads both the HMH Primary Care Clinic and the Family Medical Residency program, a three-year training program for Family Medicine Residents–with the hope that after graduation, many will stay in Huntsville to practice. The four Family Medicine Residents, Dr. Steven Munassi, Dr. Jordan Clark, Dr. Yumna Shams, and Dr. Kerolos Youssef, currently provide patient care at both the Primary Care Clinic and hospital. Plans are to increase the enrollment of this program to twelve residents. Nurse Practitioners are also a part of the Family Residents program. The hospital is currently recruiting additional physicians in the fields of OB/GYN, orthopedics, vascular, and spine surgery, and is adding neurology. These have all been identified as needs in the community.

Other planned improvements include increasing full-time physician coverage in the hospital and continuing to add more state-of-the-art medical and surgical equipment. Recent additions include new surgical towers, new anesthesia and endoscopy machines, as well as a Velys robot and an Aquablation Therapy machine. Dr. Spaw utilizes the Velys robot to achieve maximum accuracy in orthopedic procedures, and the Aquablation machine allows Dr. Kenworthy and others trained on this equipment to perform prostate surgery with no or very minimal side effects to the patient. The HMH Women’s Health Clinic also utilizes top-of-the-field equipment to produce 3D tomography, a highly accurate mammogram procedure.

Emergency and outpatient services handle over 22,000 visits per year, with the number of surgeries up 40% year over year. The Emergency Department (ED) is a Level IV Trauma Center available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is staffed by board-certified emergency physicians and Certified Emergency Nurses. Lead physicians and physician assistants are certified in Advanced Trauma Life Support and all members hold certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support. In 2023, HMH received the Gold Plus Stroke Award from the American Heart Association. This is awarded to hospitals that have shown a commitment to ensuring that stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines. As a result, more lives are saved, and disabilities are reduced.

The signs of a stroke are:

1. Balance – watch for sudden loss of balance
2. Eyes – check for vision loss
3. Face – look for an uneven smile
4. Arm – check for weakness in one arm
5. Speech – listen for slurred speech
6. Time – call 911 right away

The ED has worked tirelessly to improve its LWBS (left without being seen) metric from 12% to under 1% which is better than the national average, with their Google Star rating rising from 1.9 to 4.1. In addition to this improvement, they now have a locked-down correctional care unit for offenders away from the general population. The following conditions are among those considered to be medical emergencies and require a trip to the Emergency Room: (more information is available on the website)

• Signs of stroke or heart attack
• Serious traumas or injuries
• Loss of consciousness, unexplained disorientation, dizziness, or fainting
• Difficulty breathing, severe allergic reactions
• Severe pain impeding normal functions
• Continuous bleeding, ingestion of harmful chemicals
• Suicidal feelings

The hospital undergoes two regularly scheduled assessments, one being an accreditation evaluation by the Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality (CIHQ) aimed at ensuring that patient care is above minimum standards as set forth by the federal government. The second critique is a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), part of the Affordable Care Act, requiring tax-exempt hospitals to complete a needs assessment every three years to identify the greatest health needs in the community. Implementing changes according to these findings assures the community that our hospital is striving to provide the highest quality patient care possible. In addition to these assessments, the following three boards provide guidance for the health of the hospital: the Walker County Hospital District, the Community Health Corporation board, and a local advisory board of community leaders. As medical and infrastructure needs are identified, HMH is moving forward to provide answers to these areas of need including the installation of new elevators and HVAC systems.

The total patient experience is important to HMH personnel, and this includes providing services for visiting family members. A Patient Experience Coordinator is available to help families through this challenging journey and can act as a liaison between the patient and hospital staff. For those non-English speaking patients, languages are no problem with an international service line that can translate almost any language, including ASL (American Sign Language). Other services include a cafeteria that is open to the public for breakfast and lunch (Taco Tuesday and the salad bar are favorites) and a well-stocked gift shop where you can find that perfect gift to brighten the day of your loved one. HMH is also in the process of rebuilding its Volunteer Auxiliary service. These members are a critical part of the life of any hospital, and those who may be interested are encouraged to call HMH to become a part of this vital service. On a financial note, the hospital accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurances. For other financial questions, check the website or call 936-293-4464 to set up an appointment with a Financial Counselor.

Visitors are encouraged, and visitation hours are posted on the hospital website. To improve the experience at HMH, each patient receives a visit each day from someone on the medical team or on the leadership team of the hospital. Don’t be surprised if the CEO drops by your bedside to check on you. The leadership team includes:

• Patrick Shannon – Chief Executive Officer
• Ian Gibson – Chief Operating Officer
• Jose Guerra – Chief Nursing Officer
• Mary Bevier – Chief Financial Officer

The Board of Directors includes Ray Hernandez (Chair), Joe Sapp (Vice Chair), Sudhir Sehgal, MD, Joe Thomason, Judy Upshaw, Trey Wharton, and Trey Young, MD.

Hippocrates, along with us, would give a hearty thumbs up to all the good things happening at Huntsville Memorial Hospital. If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to contact a member of this team of professionals who care about you and your loved ones, and making your lives as whole and healthy as possible. We are grateful for HMH and their services to our community!

Huntsville Memorial Hospital
110 Memorial Hospital Drive
Huntsville, TX 77340
Main: 936-291-3411
www.huntsvillememorial.com

PHYSICIAN OFFICES:

• Primary Care Clinic: 936-291-3219
• Orthopedics and Sports Medicine: 936-400-7221
• Women’s Health Clinic OBGYN: 936-439-1457
• General Surgery: 936-755-4690
• Dialysis Access Clinic: 936-304-1700

OUTPATIENT SERVICES:
• Radiology Scheduling: 936-435-7577
• Women’s Imaging Center: 936-291-4826
• Outpatient Rehab (PT, OT, Speech): 936-291-4300
• Cardiac Rehab: 936-291-4598
• Infusion Services: 936-291-4570

The post Huntsville Memorial Hospital appeared first on Postcards Magazine.

The Color Bar

Ruth Fields — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 16:42:55 +0000

Postcards
November 30, 2023
Postcards

Corporate life was a disappointment to Justin Killingsworth. After earning a business management degree from the University of Utah and acquiring a job with a large corporation, he soon had second thoughts. “I hated the corporate world,” he says. “I quit and went to hair school. Here I am, 10 years later, loving every second of it.”

Justin is the owner of The Color Bar, which has three stand-alone salons in Huntsville and Conroe. “My goal is five salons in five years,” he says. His business model, however, does not allow for greedy expansion. Instead, it is based on community service, amicable guest relations, quality services, and extreme pampering. “It’s about the experience,” Justin says.

Where your experience matters

After graduating from the Aveda Institute in Shenandoah, Justin began working at an Aveda salon in Houston’s exclusive River Oaks area. He got along well with his wealthy clientele, who learned to respect his skill with scissors and hair color, as well as his sharp mind and business acumen. He earned a loyal following and a staggering 98 percent client retention rate. “River Oaks taught me a lot of life skills,” he says. “I learned how to deal with a lot of different personalities.”

In late 2019, Justin left River Oaks and founded The Color Bar in Huntsville. About two years later, he opened a salon in Huntsville’s Creekside Retirement Community. He enjoyed his lively conversations with his senior adult clients, who seemed to like to connect with people of younger generations. Justin is so fond of working with senior adults, he is considering opening another salon in a retirement community in Conroe.

In the summer of 2023, Justin opened The Color Bar in Conroe, selecting a convenient location in a shopping center on I-45 at North Loop 336 (near Kroger, Hobby Lobby and other major retailers). Guests of The Color Bar soon learn it’s no ordinary salon. Upbeat music provides a cheery ambience, and guests are welcomed with a smile. They are even offered a margarita (or a Dreamsicle if they are underage). “It’s about the experience,” Justin says. “Every guest that receives a shampoo gets complimentary aromatherapy, steam towels, and hand relief treatments. It’s about coming into a place where you feel welcome, you feel at home, and you can be yourself,” he says. “Being yourself is the most important thing. We want our guests to become our family. Our goal is to make every guest feel pampered.” In fact, The Color Bar’s slogan is “where your experience matters.”

Both men and women of all ages, as well as children, can be themselves at The Color Bar. “We have everything from two-year-old children to 95-year-old grandpas,” Justin says. Furthermore, The Color Bar in Conroe offers all levels of stylists, from Justin, who is a master stylist, to junior stylists. “There is a price point that can fit every budget,” he says.

Color and more

Justin selected the name “The Color Bar” for his business because he thought it had a nice ring to it. The name seems apt, because Justin estimates that a whopping 90 percent of The Color Bar’s clientele receive some type of hair color service—even more than the industry average of 76 percent. However, many guests utilize other services as well. Justin even provides men’s hair replacement. He is one of only a few stylists in this area who specializes in this procedure, which he promises is more economical than permanent hair replacement.

Finding the right color and cut is an art form at The Color Bar. “If you create great color, your cut is going to follow it,” Justin says, noting that stylists look at guests’ face structure and hair type before suggesting cuts. “The fun part is looking at someone and saying, ‘this would look the best for you,’ making them the best them and bringing out their inner beauty.”

When Justin opened the Conroe location of The Color Bar, he brought Gayla Lewis, one of his most tenured stylists, with him. Working at The Color Bar has all been “a plus” for Gayla, who has been a hairstylist for 16 years. She is a “people person,” she says—although she does more listening than talking—and enjoys being in the presence of others. She is known for her expert haircuts, but also likes being able to perform many other services, such as hair color and extensions. “At some point, a stylist’s dreams come true when they get to do everything under a stylist’s umbrella,” she says.

Hairstylist Amanda Hobart has been working at The Color Bar in Conroe since it first opened. She likes “making people feel beautiful,” she says, and enjoys the camaraderie with other stylists. “The best thing about working here is the energy, the vibe,” she says. “The connection between the guest and the stylist has always been very satisfying. I like to call us ‘hair-apists.’”

Stylists agree that the best part of the job is observing the look on their guests’ faces when they see their new hairstyles. They also share Justin’s vision of caring for guests and making a contribution to the community. Under his tutelage, two employees will soon become stylists. Abby Albright, who currently handles social media, advertising and networking, will begin cosmetology school in January. “I’m so excited,” she says. Zac Yohn, who now serves as Justin’s assistant, will also start cosmetology school in January. Not long ago, Zac accompanied his mother when she went to a hair appointment, and he chatted with the hairstylist. “She asked me if I wanted to give it a try, and I said sure.” It was the start of a new career.

The Color Bar uses acclaimed Oribe haircare products, including shampoo, conditioner and styling aids. “It’s a luxury line that is carefully crafted to be the best product line you can use,” Justin says. Each line has its own scent, he says, such as the popular Côte d’Azure, which is a blend of several fragrances, including bergamot, sandalwood, and white jasmine.

Stylists use Kevin Murphy hair color products for their many guests who color their hair. “The base is honey, which is very nourishing, repairing and softening, with 100 percent gray coverage,” Justin says. He encourages guests to purchase products for home use so they can maintain their hairstyles, noting that “home care is just as important as care in the salon.”

Although Justin’s salons have been successful, the business end of the undertaking is not his favorite part. What gives him joy is helping people find their inner beauty through great hairstyles. “That’s the fun part,” he says.

The Color Bar accepts appointments, as well as walk-ins. For more information, visit colorbartx.com.

Conroe Hair Salon
2200 IH-45 N, Suite B1, Conroe, TX 77301

Huntsville Hair Salon
2405 Avenue I, Suite A, Huntsville, TX 77340

Email: INFO@colorbartx.com

Phone (936) 439-4972

The post The Color Bar appeared first on Postcards Magazine.

Tallent Sausage

Postcards — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 16:54:56 +0000

Postcards
September 29, 2023
Postcards

Third generation family members serve Riverside and beyond with this grocery, meat market, deli, meat processor…and “sausage wonderland.”

“From the moment you walk through our doors, we want you to feel welcome. It’s important that our customers feel seen and heard instead of feeling like an anonymous shopper at a self-checkout line.” –Ashley Tallent Roberts

With this warm and welcoming attitude (plus almost 20 varieties of smoked sausage, upwards of 60 flavors of fresh links, and many other quality products) Tallent Sausage is sure to please!

Originally named “Riverside Supermart” when established in 1977, the store was rebranded in the mid-1980s as “Tallent Sausage & Grocery.” It is now known simply as “Tallent Sausage.” In its beginning, the store provided groceries, minnows, and gasoline to the local community. Thomas Tallent (or “Grandpa” to family members) had worked as a meatcutter for years in a Houston area grocery chain, and upon retirement, looked for a more rural place to live. Joining sons Ron and John in Riverside, the store was opened and adapted to the needs of area citizens. “Grandmother” Arlene and Tommy Jr. operated a full-service restaurant onsite for a time, offering breakfast and lunch menus. Over the forty-five years of its existence, many family members have worked at the store at either the initial location or at its current facility, built in 2000, at 3736 Hwy 19 in Riverside, Texas. The store now employs twenty-five people and is operated by third-generation family, Cody Roberts and Ashley Tallent Roberts. Ron and Diane Tallent are now enjoying their well-deserved retirement.

Although smoked sausage was not originally offered by the store, it was quickly determined they needed something to set them apart, so they began experimenting with different flavors, spice blends, casing types, meat ratios, and cooking styles. According to Ashley, this quickly became the signature product and Tallent Sausage now offers sixty varieties of pork and beef sausage flavors–including Original, Jalapeno Cheese, Cajun, German, Philly Cheesesteak, Loaded Baked Potato, Reuben, and frankly, too many more to name. They are one of the few sausage makers who still use a true wood-smoke process without the use of fillers or liquid smoke, and only the highest-quality meats and seasonings are utilized. The sausage comes packaged in various sizes, with sample packs available as well. In addition to sausage, they have developed new award-winning chorizo flavors, tamales, and homemade meatballs. Everything found in their fresh meat case is all-natural and minimally processed. Beef is ground fresh every day using only whole-muscle beef. As you gaze at the selections, you will realize that delicious—yet difficult–decisions await!

Need more options for your dinner table? Other meat offerings include poultry products such as marinated chicken wings, smoked chicken breast, smoked half chickens, snack trays, and grab-n-go items. Need meat cut to your specifications? No problem. Let their skilled meatcutter enhance your dinner with a high-quality thick-cut angus steak or some other mouthwatering choice. Complete your menu with fresh vegetables, fruits, peas, beans, and rolls, along with many other items, all available from their well-stocked shelves, so that you have only a one-stop shopping trip to prepare that perfect meal. All products are fresh, all-natural with no additives, and are minimally processed. This includes their full line of pickles and pickled products, quail eggs, jellies, cobblers, and salsas. These Texas-based products are made special for Tallent Sausage and cannot be purchased elsewhere. And if you are a cook who delights in concocting new dishes of your own, a line of custom seasonings has been developed and packaged and await the culinary adventures in your kitchen!

In addition to a broad selection of groceries and meats, Tallent Sausage can take care of that pang of hunger you feel when out and about running errands, or just finishing a fishing trip on the Trinity River. Stop by and enjoy their ready-to-eat offerings at the deli counter. Everything is fresh and made from scratch so fill a plate and feel good about what you eat! Many choices are available including smoked sausage, pulled pork, or BBQ chicken breast. Cozy that up with ample servings of potato salad, coleslaw, and beans, add a beverage, and one of their luscious desserts, and you are on your way to finishing your busy day on a sweet note! Booths are available to enjoy your meal onsite, or you can purchase it as takeout.

Deer processing is another service offered by Tallent Sausage and they have served a wide variety of customers over the years. For information on services and prices, check their website at www.tallentsausage.com or call 936-594-2591.

Tallent Sausage was featured in a 2018 edition of Texas Monthly magazine as “The Best Texas BBQ Bites of 2018” and referred to in the article as a “sausage wonderland.” They were also awarded the Reserve Grand Champion in 2019 for beef jerky by the Texas Association of Meat Processors and again by TAMP for beef jerky in 2022. And let’s not forget those yummy snack sticks! They were named Grand Champion Snack Sticks in 2022 and 2023. Additionally, Tallent Sausage was voted The Huntsville Item Reader’s Choice award for “Best Meat Market” in 2017 and has won the “Best Butcher” Reader’s Choice award for several years. These awards and accolades are proof that Tallent Sausage not only offers the finest quality meat products, but also has a loyal customer base that continues to grow. As Ashley tells it, “We have a lot of great local customers we see daily. Some walk here from around the corner, and one even drives his tractor from down the road. We have customers who stop in once a week or once a month to stock their freezers with meat, including plenty who drive in from Houston and Dallas. In fact, one Dallas customer buys sausage for his whole neighborhood each month. Another lives in Washington, DC, and always gets a shipment of sausage when family comes to visit. And still, another loyal enthusiast from as far away as California eagerly awaits an occasional shipment of mouth-watering Tallent meats.”

Shopping at Tallent Sausage can be accomplished by walking in or calling ahead to have an order ready. Some customers regularly call at the first of the week or month to place their order which will be custom-wrapped and ready for pickup when needed. In the cooler months (usually beginning in October), orders can be shipped to certain areas. Information about shipping can be obtained by calling the store. Tallent Sausage continues to improve by incorporating more products from small businesses, as well as adding Blue Bell Ice Cream and coffee products that local shoppers enjoy. Ashley and Cody continue to enjoy working on new recipes and creating new products. They also work hard to stay true to their roots. As she states, “We recognize that you can buy a steak or BBQ in a lot of places, so we focus on a great customer experience. Grandpa’s motto was always to ‘offer a good product at a fair price,’ and we still stand by that today. I believe it is a big part of why we’re still in business.” The family and employees at Tallent Sausage look forward to getting to know you and meeting one of your most important needs–that of having high-quality and great-tasting meats and groceries for your table. You may want to include one of those sixty flavors of sausage on your dinner table this week!

TALLENT SAUSAGE

3736 Hwy 19
Riverside, TX 77367
936-594-2591
www.tallentsausage.com
Facebook: Tallent Sausage and Grocery

Tuesday – Saturday 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sunday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Closed Monday

The post Tallent Sausage appeared first on Postcards Magazine.

Postcards August 2023- Piney Woods

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