The new hyperbaric chambers are significantly larger and therefore provide a more comfortable environment for our patients. The chambers have state of the art safety features and the operator, Rick Cantu, LVN, is always next to the patient during treatments.

“Connally management really showed their commitment to quality patient care by acquiring the best hyperbaric patient treatment chamber available,” Cantu says. “No other hospital in the country can claim they have a more modern or capable chamber than the units at Connally Memorial Medical Center.

 The first patient to receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the new chambers was Ms. Tillie Titzman. “They have always treated me very well here,” Ms. Titzman stated. “They call me their ‘Star Patient’.” Ms. Titzman was referring to the the staff of the hyperbaric and wound care center that have been there for several years and recently became employees of Connally Memorial Medical Center.

 “Anytime you are recognized for improving the quality of care for your patients is special. The Texas Medical Foundation’s recognition is not just about receiving an award.  This is a way of life for us. And we want to continue to improve and create the standard of excellence that allows us to achieve our mission of being the provider of choice for Wilson County” said Jerome Brooks, CMMC CEO.  The award from TMF acknowledges hospitals for improving care specifically related to acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care.

 Leaders from CMMC will meet in Austin on May 3 at Bass Concert Hall to receive their awards. The event will feature presentations from John J. Nance, best-selling author of “Why Hospitals Should Fly,” and nationally recognized patient safety advocate Charles Denham, MD, chairman of Texas Medical Institute of Technology. Together they will introduce the Texas premiere of “Surfing the Healthcare Tsunami: Bring Your Best Board,” a documentary focusing on how top leadership creates and sustains change in bedside patient care.

The CEN is a 175 question computer-administered examination that demonstrates expertise in emergency nursing.  It is endorsed by the Emergency Nurses’ Association (ENA) and is a desired requirement for State Trauma Designation. Professional nursing certification by specialty is becoming an important component in the nursing career field. The certification is valid for four years. CMMC now has 5 nurses in the Emergency Department that hold this certification.

Connally Memorial Medical Center is a progressive system of personalized healthcare services committed to being the provider of choice by delivering superior, appropriate care to improve quality of life. CMMC is fully accredited by the Texas Department of Health and offers emergency care, surgical services, home health services, wound and hyperbaric oxygen care, and rehabilitation services.  For more information visit www.connallymmc.org or call Katie Etringer at 830-393-1311.

Attached is a copy of the presentation that Dr. Nayak shared with the attendees. For more information please call Connally Memorial Medical Center at 830-393-1311.

Several employees of Connally Memorial Medical Center
observe National Wear Red Day on February 3, 2012

Healthcare Services Group (HCSG) based out of Pennsylvania has been providing dietary services for Connally Memorial Medical Center since August 2011. The recently implemented new menus for the patients along with upscale room service for each meal, allow the patient the freedom to order what they want, when they want it. Entrees are cooked fresh and delivered quickly to the patients, shortly after they order. “Room service allows the patients a choice in an environment where they have very few choices. As well as Connally Memorial Medical Center, Healthcare Services is striving to give excellent customer service,” says Grant LaFleur, Director of Food & Nutrition. Patients are offered and served meal choices by a personal select host or hostess in an effort to make every patient’s dietary experience here at Connally Memorial Medical Center a special one.

Along with new services for patients, what was formerly Hilltop Diner has become Classic Café. The newly renovated Classic Café offers entrée selections, salad bar, grab & go sandwiches and salads as well as sandwiches, desserts and free coffee through the day. Classic Café is available not only to patients, their families and visitors but also to the general public for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Many local physicians also frequent the café, such as emergency department physician Dr. Rex Poole. “As an ER Doctor I spend a lot of time at the hospital, and that means I eat a lot of hospital food. As well, I have worked at many facilities in the past and have sampled many different kitchens.” Poole goes on to say, “The food service at CMMC is particularly good, and the staff members are top notch. They take very good care of my patients. I would recommend the cafeteria at CMMC to those with special nutrition needs or anybody looking for something good to eat.”

Connally Memorial Medical Center is a progressive system of personalized healthcare services committed to being the provider of choice by delivering superior, appropriate care to improve quality of life. CMMC is fully accredited by the Texas Department of Health and offers emergency care, surgical services, home health services, wound and hyperbaric oxygen care, and rehabilitation services. For more information visit www.connallymmc.org or call Katie Etringer at 830-393-1311.

Connally Memorial Medical Center showed their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month this year by providing a week of discounted mammograms to uninsured women of Wilson County, sponsoring a “Lunch and Learn” informative seminar on breast cancer given by CMMC General Surgeon, Dr. Robert Duran and by having “PINK Fridays” during the month of October.

“Breast cancer is treatable if caught in the early stages,” states CMMC’s Chief Nursing Officer Celeste Brizzee, “through self examinations, screening mammograms and general awareness, there are a higher number of breast cancer survivors than in years past. In our effort to increase awareness, CMMC provides screening/diagnostic mammograms, surgical services and educational seminars. On a personal note, the ‘PINK Fridays’ were about the employees being able to show their support for those battling this disease, the survivors that have conquered this disease and those that have lost a loved one to this disease.”

Connally Memorial Medical Center is a progressive system of personalized healthcare services committed to being the provider of choice by delivering superior, appropriate care and improving the quality of life. CMMC is fully accredited by the Texas Department of Health and offers emergency care, surgical services, home health coordination, imaging services, wound and hyberbaric oxygen care, and rehabilitation services. For more information visit www.connallymmc.org.

            The Capital Budget is comprised of items that range in cost from $5,000 to $350,000. This budget is created to financially plan for future purchases of much-needed equipment to improve both customer service and the quality of healthcare that CMMC provides to the community.

            At the top of the list is a 16 slice CT Scanner, which produces a higher quality image to enhance the diagnostic capabilities for local physicians,, and will also minimize  the patient’s total exam time. This scanner is one of the most important tools to diagnose head and spine injuries, lung and liver disease, cancer, tumors, blood clots, internal bleeding and other diseases.

            Also included in the budget are items to address the hospitals expanded orthopedic services. Equipment for the surgical services such as an additional C-Arm x-ray machine, and a Spider hydraulic shoulder suspension system will be purchased. This suspension system can be used to better position the patient for arthroscopy, rotator cuff repairs and total shoulder repairs.

           This project is another example of the commitment our Board of Directors have made to patients in Wilson County,” said Jerome Brooks, CEO.  “I commend them for taking this step to achieving our mission of being the provider of choice for our region.

            Dr. Harris comes to CMMC with over 20 years of experience in urology.  He received his Doctor of Medicine from University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and completed his urology fellowship with the American Foundation for Urological Disease.  Dr. Harris and his group of four Urologists practice in Comal County and San Antonio.  He has recently expanded his services to CMMC to accommodate patients in Wilson County. 

            “Dr. Harris brings a great deal of urology experience to Wilson County,” states Jerome Brooks, CEO of Connally Memorial. “We are fortunate he is choosing Wilson County to expand his practice and he will be a welcome addition to the medical community.

            Dr. Harris will be seeing patients at the CMMC Multi-specialty clinic located at 497 10^th Street Suite 102 in Floresville – next to Connally Memorial Medical Center. Anyone who would like to make an appointment to see Dr. Harris may call 830-625-8088 or for more information please call 830-393-1750.

“We are fortunate to have a CPA in our financial services,” says Karl Hittle, Interim CEO for CMMC. “Julie has worked with us for 10 years and has a wealth of healthcare financial knowledge.  She possesses the outstanding credential of Certified Public Accountant now, which further contributes to the knowledge of our financial team.”

Julie previously served as Accounting Manager from December 2001 until April 2004 and now serves as Controller.  She received her Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Texas at San Antonio in May 1996.

Victoria Emergency Associates was founded by Dr. Jim Brand in 2002. Dr. Brand began practicing Emergency Medicine in 1976 and received board certification in Emergency Medicine in 1993. After graduating from Duke University he completed medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He has been Medical Director of the Emergency Department at DeTar Navarro Hospital since 1991 and has served as Chief of Staff of DeTar Healthcare System in Victoria Texas for the past year. Dr. Brand’s primary area of interest in emergency medicine is implementing the most cost effective solutions to provide high quality, patient oriented emergency medical care.

Dr. Brand will be serving as the Medical Director of the Emergency Department (ED) at CMMC and his group has been providing physician coverage since August 1, 2011 for the hospital’s ED. Emergency Department physician coverage is just as it implies, physicians specially trained in Emergency Medicine contracted to provide and oversee the care of patients that arrive at CMMC with in an emergency medical condition.

Dr. Brand will also coordinate the Hospitalist program.  A “hospitalist” program allows physicians specifically trained in the care of hospital inpatients to treat patients who are admitted to the hospital for care.  Many physicians treat patients in their offices and choose to refer, or admit, their patients to an inpatient specialist known as a Hospitalist.  These physicians work full time in the hospital and are available to admit and oversee the care of patients from the Emergency Department and from physicians’ offices. 

CMMC has worked closely with Dr. Brand and the physicians in his group to establish a strong working relationship between the physicians, nurses and team members in order to provide the best patient care possible.

Connally Memorial Medical Center is a progressive system of personalized healthcare services committed to being the provider of choice by delivering superior, appropriate care to improve quality of life. CMMC is fully accredited by the Texas Department of Health and offers emergency care, surgical services, home health services, wound and hyperbaric oxygen care, and rehabilitation services.  For more information visit http://www.connallymmc.org or call Katie Etringer at 830-393-1311.