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PEARLAND FRIENDSWOOD EDITION
VOLUME 9, ISSUE 7 JUNE 13 JULY 17, 2023
HEALTH CARE EDITION 2023
COLLEGES FIGHTING NURSING SHORTAGE
HEALTH CARE EDITION 2023 SPONSORED BY • HCA Houston Healthcare • Kelsey-Seybold Clinic • UTMB Health Lone Star Flight Museum opens space exhibit
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Stomp’s Burger Joint o ers specialty burgers
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Alvin Community College vocational nursing students participate in hospital mockup training.
COURTESY ALVIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Texas legislative session ends with bill passing to address nursing issue
Pearland senior earns all merit badges
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As it has for the past few decades, Texas is still facing a nursing short- age—a problem now severe enough to warrant state lawmakers consid- ering several bills during the 88th Legislature to address the problem. Data from the Texas Department of State Health Services shows the nursing shortage is particu- larly bad in the Gulf Coast region, BY RACHEL LELAND & JAKE MAGEE
which includes Brazoria and Galveston counties. Jack Frazee—director of govern- ment a airs and general counsel for the Texas Nurses Association, which aims to advance the profes- sion across the state—said there is a shortage of about 27,000 nurses statewide. It’s expected to grow to 57,000 by 2032, he said. “Obviously, the trend line is going
in the wrong direction,” he said. The registered nurse turnover rate in the Gulf Coast region in 2022 was nearly 30%, and the vacancy rate of registered nurses was almost 16%— the highest in both areas since 2014. For licensed vocational nurses, the vacancy rate in the Gulf Coast region was 41.8%, said Pamela Lauer, man- ager for the Texas Center for Nursing CONTINUED ON 20
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PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION • JUNE 2023
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THIS ISSUE
ABOUT US Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today. We have expanded to include hundreds of team members and have created our own software platform and printing facility. CI delivers 35+ localized editions across Texas to more than 2.5 million residential mailboxes.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH
MARKET TEAM GENERAL MANAGER Papar Faircloth SENIOR EDITOR Jake Magee REPORTER Rachel Leland
FROM PAPAR: Our annual Health Care Edition is here. Every year we compile health-related news about the communities we cover and a snapshot of our community’s well-being. As my mother loves to remind me, “You will have lots of possessions throughout your life but will only have one body, so treat it well.” We hope this edition helps keep you healthy and thriving! Papar Faircloth, GENERAL MANAGER
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jesus Verastegui ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Lindsay Radenz METRO LEADERSHIP PUBLISHER Jason Culpepper MANAGING EDITOR Kelly Schafler COPY EDITOR Adrian Gandara SENIOR ART PRODUCTION MANAGER Kaitlin Schmidt CONTACT US 16300 Northwest Freeway Jersey Village, TX 77040 • 281-469-6181 CI CAREERS communityimpact.com/careers PRESS RELEASES plfnews@communityimpact.com ADVERTISING plfads@communityimpact.com Learn more at communityimpact.com/advertising EMAIL NEWSLETTERS communityimpact.com/newsletter SUPPORT US Join your neighbors by giving to the CI Patron program. Funds support our journalistic mission to provide trusted, local news in your community. Learn more at communityimpact.com/cipatron
FROM JAKE: There’s a shortage of nurses across Texas, and the problem is worst in the region that includes Pearland and Friendswood. Many facets are contributing to the issue, including a lack of educators, but legislators worked on several bills to address the problem. Learn more about this issue and what has been done to address it with our front-page story. Jake Magee, SENIOR EDITOR
Meet Jason Culpepper
Houston Metro Publisher
What’s your typical day as a CI Publisher? JC: It begins with reading our email newsletters, then touching base with staffers covering our Houston communities. I also like to stay close to our customers and trends in the region. Attending chamber lunches or networking is something I prioritize, and keeping on top of the operational needs and financial health of our metro fills out my week. I strive to serve my team each day based on where their needs are.
How do you spend your free time? JC: I serve on several boards within the Cy-Fair community where I grew up and where I’m raising my family. Patronizing local businesses, specifically our advertising partners, is also fulfilling to me. Aside from Community Impact, what have you read recently? JC: I just finished “The Intentional Year,” “Smart Brevity,” “The Measure,” “The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry” and “Intimate Allies.”
Email newsletters are booming for CI; why should readers subscribe? JC: They really are the best way to stay informed with the news of the day plus entertaining items, like new restaurants opening and events to plan your weekend.
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PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION • JUNE 2023
IMPACTS
Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding
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NOW OPEN 1 The Dolly Llama dessert shop made its Pearland debut April 29 at 3569 Business Center Drive, Ste. 140. Across locations nationwide, the Pearland shop has the distinction of having the concept’s rst drive-thru. The location’s grand opening festivities included the rst 100 guests in line receiving a free swag bag. Throughout the day, guests had the chance to enter ra es and prize giveaways. The Dolly Llama serves a full menu of ice cream avors, ranging from salted caramel to horchata and ube, on signature Liege and bubble wa es. 832-328-8407. www.thedollyllamaus.com 2 Pearland Beauty , which sells pro- fessional beauty supplies, opened April 4 at 2000 Re ection Bay Drive, Ste. 148, Pearland. The store’s merchandise includes wigs, hair-styling tools, shape- wear and false eyelashes, according to the business. www.instagram.com/ pearland_beauty_
3 Fabletics , the global activewear brand, celebrated its grand opening from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. May 6 at Baybrook Mall, 700 Baybrook Mall Drive, Ste. B1136, Friendswood. Founded in 2013, Fablet- ics claims to bring the sophistication of high fashion to activewear, incorporat- ing high-performance technology into forward-thinking designs. 346-704-2379. www.fabletics.com 4 Yonutz , the national chain which combines doughnuts with ice cream to make desserts, opened at 11200 Broadway St., Ste. 430, Pearland, on March 31. Menu items include the Nutella Crush Smash Donut, which is cookie dough ice cream sandwiched between a sliced doughnut and topped with Nutella drizzle, Oreo crumbles and buttercrunch pieces. 832-295-3814. www.yonutz.com 5 Maternity center Little Tickles announced its opening on social me- dia March 27. Located at 3129 Kingsley Drive, Ste. 710, Pearland, Little Tickles o ers many di erent ultrasound services
including early ultrasounds and gender de- termination. The facility also o ers a full menu of pre- and postnatal massages for new and expecting moms. 832-975-7313. www.mylittletickles.com 6 Thaicoon Restaurant and Pub opened its second location in early May at 11930 Broadway St., Ste. 160, Pearland. The Asian fusion restaurant has another loca- tion at 1223 Grand West Blvd., Ste. 102, Katy. The restaurant features a full menu of Thai staples including tom yum noodle, panang curry and pad thai. 281-809-7566. www.thaicoonpearland.com 7 Hotaka Ramen & Izakaya , 1930 Pearland Parkway, Ste. 190, Pearland, opened at the beginning of April. Iza- kaya, which translates from Japanese to “stay-drink-place,” is Japan’s answer to a tapas bar or gastropub. The restaurant’s menu includes a large selection of yaki- tori, ramen and poke. 281-741-0282. www.hotakapearland1930.kwickmenu.com 8 The Rooste r, a new restaurant serving breakfast, brunch and lunch, opened at 7129 Broadway St., Pearland, on March 8.
Guests can choose from classic brunch fare like avocado toast and chicken and wa es. 281-809-3237. 9 Waygood Co ee celebrated its grand opening May 13-14. Located at 2715 Old Max Court, Pearland, the co ee shop serves a full menu of specialty cof- fee and teas, including avors like blue jasmine tea and white chocolate tru e frozen co ee. Waygood Co ee has outdoor seating and drive-thru service. www.waygoodcompany.com COMING SOON 10 Kid N Play Social , formerly Kid N Play Indoor Play Center, is slated to open its doors at 11720 Broadway St., Ste. 102, Pearland, in summer 2023. KNP Social will o er a state-of-the-art arcade, virtual re- ality games, axe throwing and a multisport virtual bay. The venue features a full-ser- vice restaurant o ering a modern American menu, a full bar and private dining areas. 281-412-7200. www.kidnplaytx.com
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Yonutz
COURTESY THE DOLLY LLAMA
COURTESY YONUTZ
11 Hines , a Houston-based real estate company, purchased 954 acres of land west of Hwy. 288 just south of Iowa Colony for the purpose of developing a master-planned community of 2,100 single-family homes. Hines ocials said they plan to begin construction in spring 2023 and complete the rst 400 lots by late 2024. Planned amenities include a resort-style pool, playground, and hiking and biking trails. This is Hine’s largest residential project since 1976 when it rst started developing the 9,700-acre First Colony in Sugar Land. 713-966-7676. www.hines.com ANNIVERSARIES 12 This year, the Farmers Insurance-Sal- ly Mercer Agency , 5001 Broadway St., Pearland, will celebrate its 45th anni- versary in Pearland by giving back to the community it has served since 1978 with a yearlong calendar of events. In June, applications opened to apply for the Jim Mercer Scholarship, which provides nancial assistance for further educa- tion. As part of the 45th anniversary, the agency will give away $4,500 in schol- arships and is seeking 45 local businesses to contribute $100 toward the goal. www.agents.farmers.com/tx/pearland/ sally-mercer NEW OWNERSHIP 13 As of late April, Sylvan Learning Center , 20814 Gulf Freeway, Ste. 50, Webster, has a new owner. Andrew Hel- miniak, a longtime Houston-area teacher, is the center’s new owner. Helminiak was a high school English teacher for 10 years before he joined the Webster center as
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On April 14, Lone Star Flight Museum, 11551 Aerospace Ave., Houston, opened its new permanent exhibit, Space Gallery. FEATURED IMPACT NOW OPEN Residents now have a new place they can learn about outer space. On April 14, Lone Star Flight Museum , 11551 Aerospace Ave., Houston, opened its new permanent exhibit, Space Gallery. the personal journeys of pilots who became astronauts. COURTESY LONE STAR FLIGHT MUSEUM
The exhibit also includes displays of medical kits, shuttle tools, an astronaut sleeping bag and other items that show what life is like in space, and the gallery also features personal items from retired NASA astronauts, such as Friendswood Mayor Mike Foreman. Finally, Space Gallery includes three touchscreens that show the anatomy of a shuttle; a virtual tour of the Crew Compartment Trainer, which also can be viewed in person; and the history of space shuttle missions. 346-708-2517. www.lonestar ight.org
Waygood Co ee
COURTESY WAYGOOD COFFEE
its director. When the previous director suggested Helminiak buy the center, he did so. Helminiak wants to strengthen partnerships with Webster- and Friend- swood-area schools as he believes Sylvan can help teachers and students succeed, according to a news release. 713-893-1539. https://locations.sylvanlearning.com/
The exhibit features the NASA Crew Compartment Trainer-2, EVA Airlock System, Space Shuttle Motion Base Simulator, a rover and other NASA artifacts, all with the goal of giving visitors a deeper understanding of astronaut training and the concept of living and working in space. The equipment is on loan to the museum from the Johnson Space Center. The new gallery also marks an expanded view of the museum’s content showing the evolution from aviation to aerospace. Many astronauts began their careers as pilots and have backgrounds in military and STEM elds, which the museum already showcases, according to a museum news release. The new exhibit focuses on each of the training systems and how they were used to train astronauts who have been to space. The gallery features
us/clear-lake-webster-tx RENOVATIONS
14 Magnolia Cajun Comfort , 1807 Broadway St., Pearland, is nalizing renovations, which include an expansion into the next-door unit, creating space for private dining and additional dining room space as well as a new bar area. Restaurant sta said renovations were completed in May. The restaurant has also shifted to full-service dining, transitioning from the counter-style service it o ered since opening in September 2020. Magnolia Ca- jun Comfort serves cajun classic dishes like chicken and sausage gumbo and boudin balls in addition to sandwiches and more. 346-229-4384. www.magnoliacajun.com
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PEARLAND FRIENDSWOOD EDITION • JUNE 2023
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TRANSPORTATION UPDATES TxDOT proposes widening FM 528 in Alvin to 4 lanes Sidewalk 10ft
COMPILED BY RACHEL LELAND
City of Pearland partners on public transportation study The Houston-Galveston Area Council hosted three public meetings in May to secure feedback from Pearland residents regarding a transit study being done in partnership with the city of Pearland. H-GAC is the designated metro- politan planning organization for Brazoria, Galveston, Harris and other counties. By 2045, the Houston-Gal- veston region can expect a popula- tion increase of 3.6 million people, according to the council’s Regional Transportation Plan. “The goal of the study is to determine if there is a need for public trans- portation, or transit, in the Pearland community,” said Alan Rodenstein, project manager for H-GAC. “Ul- timately, the study will result in recommendations to the city for what types of transit services, if any, may be appropriate for the community to consider in the future.” The study began in spring 2022, and the nal results will be released this winter. H-GAC will host a public meet- ing this fall to present transit options and receive community feedback.
CLOSER LOOK The proposed project would reconstruct and widen FM 528 from a two-lane to a four-lane divided roadway with a 30-foot-wide raised median, curb and gutter with drainage ditches and shared-use paths.
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The Texas Department of Transpor- tation is proposing a new design for widening FM 528 from Gordon Street to Loop 409 in Alvin. The widening expands that section of FM 528 from two to four lanes, so it will transition seamlessly to the existing four-lane section of FM 528 north of Hwy. 35, accommodating future tra c demands, according to a TxDOT presentation. While the tra c ow is stable, by 2034, the level of service is predicted to decrease due to greater congestion unless the road is widened, according to a TxDOT presentation. The new design includes a 30-foot- wide raised median with select openings and turn lanes, drainage ditches and a storm sewer system, as well as a 10-foot-wide shared-use path and a 6-foot-wide sidewalk.
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Estimated to cost $8.45 million, the project will require federal and state funding but is not currently funded. Once funded, the TxDOT project team estimates construction will take two years. In 2009, TxDOT o cials proposed a design for the project, but due to funding constraints, the project was paused from 2010-19. Then, between 2020-22, the design was updated based on earlier public feedback and ndings from environmental stud- ies, but TxDOT Public Information O cer Danny Perez said the envi- ronmental concerns were secondary to public feedback in the decision to change the design.
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“The environmental studies showed that there were few environmental constraints along the 0.6-mile project corridor, ... but that had little in uence on the decision to widen and take the right of way to the north side of FM 528,” Perez said in an email.
ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF MAY 30. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT PLFNEWS COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM.
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PEARLAND FRIENDSWOOD EDITION • JUNE 2023
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EDUCATION BRIEFS
News from Friendswood ISD, Pearland ISD & Alvin ISD
QUOTE OF NOTE
Preliminary budget shows decreased 2023-24 tax rate
HIGHLIGHTS FRIENDSWOOD ISD On May 8, Friendswood ISD officials welcomed Jeremy Walker as the new executive director of technology for the 2023-24 school year. Walker previously served as an assistant principal at Dunbar Middle School in Dickinson ISD. ALVIN ISD In recognition of 40 years of service, Alvin ISD honored Peggy Worrell with the Transportation Employee of the Year award at the Alvin ISD Employee Recognition Ceremony on May 11. Worrell began her career as a bus driver for AISD in 1981 and drives a special education bus. PEARLAND ISD Chief Academic Officer Nyla Watson, who has served the district for 41 years, was recognized at a school board meeting held May 16 after announcing her retirement. In her role as chief academic officer, Watson led developing the district’s curriculum framework and helping campuses excel in student performance, classroom coaching and teacher training. In Watson’s 41- year career, she served as assistant principal, associate principal and eventually was named the principal of the district’s first ninth-grade center, now known as Turner College and Career High School. Most recently Watson was named chief academic officer in 2021. “WE ARE THRILLED TO SEE SO MANY TALENTED STUDENTS SECURING THEIR FIRST JOB OFFERS THROUGH THE BCPC SIGNING DAY EVENT.” CAROL NELSON, ALVIN ISD SUPERINTENDENT NUMBER TO KNOW decrease is recommended for Friendswood ISD’s fiscal year 2023-24 tax rate. 4.8% Pearland ISD will meet at 5 p.m. Aug. 8 at 1928 N. Main St., Pearland. Meetings are streamed at www.youtube.com/user/ thepearlandisd. Friendswood ISD will meet at 5:45 p.m. July 17 at 402 Laurel Drive, Friendswood. Alvin ISD staff confirmed that, as of yet, no meetings have been scheduled for the summer. MEETINGS WE COVER
BY RENEE FARMER
• The board also compared two salary scenarios for 2023-24. Both involve a 2% increase for salaries districtwide, with the exception of a $0.50/hour raise for custodial staff instead with the second option. • A comparison against eight area districts shows that FISD currently ranks eighth for beginning teacher salaries in the current fiscal year, only ahead of Galveston ISD and below the market mean by $2,679. The 2% salary increase would leave the district’s ranking unchanged for fiscal year 2023-24, with the beginning teacher salary still $2,732 below the market mean. What’s next: District staff will present the proposed budget and tax rate to the board and hold a public hearing before the final iterations are adopted in August.
RAISING PAY Friendswood ISD’s first-year teachers will be paid less than other districts, even with a 2% raise. Salaries for first-year teachers Friendswood ISD
FRIENDSWOOD ISD The 2023-24 school year in Friendswood ISD will see at least 190 more students enrolled and the potential for a 4.8% lower tax rate for residents, district staff shared at a May 8 board of trustees meeting. The details: The district projects a total enrollment of 6,050, including 190 new students as of May 4, agenda documents show. Enroll- ment at Friendswood High School, which has seen a 4% decrease since September 2020, is projected at 1,938 students. • Preliminary budget estimates for fiscal year 2023-24 include a tax rate of $1.1518 per $100 valuation, a 4.8% decrease from FY 2022-23. • The district projects expendi- tures of $61.8 million and a $3.61 million deficit.
$56,807 Alvin ISD $61,100 Clear Creek ISD $60,000 Pearland ISD $59,600 Dickinson ISD $61,000
SOURCE: FRIENDSWOOD ISD/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
Alvin ISD swaps land for plot usable for school district infrastructure
12 students secure jobs in CTE careers
BY RENEE FARMER
BY RENEE FARMER
LAND SWAP Alvin ISD traded 18 acres of land for a tract more suitable for school facilities.
ALVIN ISD An exchange of excess property for land “suitable for school-related facilities” was approved by Alvin ISD during its May 9 board of trustees meeting. What’s happening?: After deliber- ating in closed session, the board unanimously adopted a resolution accepting sealed offers to exchange 18 acres of district land for 15 acres of vacant land. The exchange will benefit the district because the new property will be suitable for school-related facilities, the resolution reads. The details: An unidentified party offered to exchange approximately 15 acres of land located within an area south of County Road 58, north of Hwy. 6, east of Hwy. 288 and west of FM 1128 for the AISD property. • The property exchanged by AISD is an 18-acre tract located south of Dogwood Avenue near Charlotte Street. It’s no longer needed for district purposes.
ALVIN ISD Twelve students from Alvin ISD, along with other Brazoria County high school seniors, marked the start of their career journeys with a Career Signing Day. What happened?: The Brazoria County Petrochemical Council held its fifth annual Career Signing Day on May 1, where 12 Alvin ISD Career and Technical Education students, along with other high school seniors from across Brazoria County, accepted entry-level job offers. The details: The BCPC Signing Day event, in partnership with Brazosport College and several local employers, provides high school seniors with an opportunity to obtain entry-level job offers in the petrochemical industry. The 12 Alvin ISD students secured job offers in various career pathways, including welding, construction, manufacturing and automotive. These students were selected after interviewing with over 180 Brazoria County high school students.
Land traded
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SOURCE: ALVIN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION • JUNE 2023
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
CITY & COUNTY
News from Pearland & Friendswood
QUOTE OF NOTE
Pearland City Council member reprimanded for unauthorized release
Pearland City Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. June 26 for a regular meeting at 3519 Liberty Drive, Pearland. Meetings can be streamed on the city’s o cial YouTube page. Friendswood City Council will meet at 6 p.m. July 10 at 910 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood. Meeting recordings are posted to the city’s YouTube channel. MEETINGS WE COVER HIGHLIGHTS FRIENDSWOOD City Council approved the nal reading of an ordinance consenting to Waste Connections of Texas’ adjusted rates for its waste and recyclable disposal services May 1. Rates will increase by $1.07 to $17.79 monthly for single families using an 18-gallon container and by an additional $0.08 per month for those who utilize a 95-gallon recycle cart. FRIENDSWOOD The Friendswood Police Department, partnering with Galveston County Health District, will receive 100 doses of overdose- reversing drug naloxone, or brand name Narcan, following training on its use. The department previously applied to Texas’ federally funded More Narcan Please program, which ran out of funding following high demand. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, ON THE UNAUTHORIZED RELEASE OF THE SEMIFINALIST CANDIDATE LIST FOR THE CITY MANAGER POSITION “THESE ACTIONS ALTERED THE DEFINED AND AGREED UPON ACTION PLAN FROM THE CITY OF PEARLAND, SGR AND THE REMAINING FIVE CANDIDATES.” JEFFREY BARRY, PEARLAND
BY RACHEL LELAND
The details: Triple B Services, the lowest responsible bidder, will take on the project for nearly $2.2 million. The project will focus on Blackhawk Boulevard from south of Pennystone Way to Geneva Drive. Construction is estimated to begin in July, as previously reported by Community Impact . A partnership with Harris County Precinct 2 will cover $1.2 million of the project’s cost. Friendswood’s cost will be funded by residual bond funds from the previous Blackhawk Boulevard project, a street improve- ment sales tax and water/sewer working capital. What else?: Cole said a consul- tant from Strategic Government Resources told him someone had reached out to the Texas Municipal Police O cers Association on behalf of the Pearland Police O cers Asso- ciation to run background checks on the candidates. Jon Albin, Pearland Police O cers Association vice president, said neither association performs background checks. The mayor also said the consul- tant said the external candidate the city with a $10.3 million de cit and incorrect tax rates. In February, the city posted an application on the Strategic Govern- ment Resources website showing it was open for candidates. On April 24, council had narrowed it down to interim City Manager Trent Epperson and an undisclosed external candidate, Cole said.
withdrew his application due to the list being leaked and because he learned an internal candi- date applied. Kamkar defended his
Friendswood selects Blackhawk Boulevard Phase 2 contractor PEARLAND City Council Member Alex Kamkar was reprimanded by council at a May 8 meeting for the unauthorized release of the semi- nalist candidate list for the previ- ously open city manager position. What happened?: On April 23, Kam- kar used his private email to send a 107-page document including the names of the city manager candidate semi nalists to both the president and vice president of the Pearland Police O cers Association. Mayor Kevin Cole said it’s been the city’s policy to not release the identi- ties of candidates to prevent jeopar- dizing their current employment. Zooming in: The previous city manager, Clay Pearson, was red in November following a discovery of a county tax worksheet error that left
Alex Kamkar
decision to release the list to the city’s police o cers association members by saying he felt there was never con dentiality in the hiring process. Epperson told Community Impact at a March 23 Pearland ISD event he had applied for the role. Next steps: On April 4, Community Impact led an open records request with the city of Pearland to access the list. As of May 9, the request is under the review of the attorney general.
CONTINUING IMPROVEMENTS
Friendswood contracted Triple B Services to resurface Blackhawk Boulevard from south of Pennystone Way to Geneva Drive.
BY RENEE FARMER
FRIENDSWOOD More improve- ments to Blackhawk Boulevard are another step closer to construction. What happened?: Friendswood City Council unanimously awarded a con- struction contract for its Blackhawk Boulevard Reconstruction Phase 2-B during its May 1 meeting.
GENEVA DR.
PENNYSTONE WAY.
N
SOURCE: CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD COMMUNITY IMPACT
13
PEARLAND FRIENDSWOOD EDITION • JUNE 2023
HEALTH CARE EDITION 2023
COMMUNITY IMPACT IS PROUD TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSOR
HCA Houston Healthcare is the leading provider of healthcare in the Houston area. Our comprehensive network includes hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, freestanding emergency centers, and freestanding diagnostic imaging facilities in the greater Houston area. It also includes a regional transfer center that provides one- phone-call access and support for patient transfers into and out of HCA-a liated facilities as well as access to ground and air transportation within a 150-mile radius. Proudly serving a large and diverse region, the HCA Houston Healthcare network, including The Woman’s Hospital of Texas and Texas Orthopedic Hospital, o ers a range of programs to meet the needs of people of all ages with conditions ranging from acute to chronic illnesses. We are also nationally recognized in orthopedics, women's care, weight loss surgery, breast imaging and more. From your annual checkup to specialized care, we’re here for you.
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Kelsey-Seybold Clinic – Pearland provides quality patient care for the entire family. Our primary care physicians and specialists welcome new patients and accept 50+ health insurance plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, KelseyCare Health Plans, and UnitedHealthcare. We also accept Medicare Advantage plans, KelseyCare Advantage and WellCare TexanPlus. Call our 24/7 Contact Center at 713-442-0000 to schedule a virtual care appointment or an in-person appointment. Our medical specialties include Cardiology, Chiropractic Medicine, Dermatology, Endocrinology, Family Medicine, Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, OB/ GYN, Orthopedics – Sports Medicine, Pediatrics, Pulmonary Medicine/Sleep Medicine, and Rheumatology. For your convenience, we also have on-site lab and diagnostic services and our Kelsey Pharmacy. We’re at 2515 Business Center Drive, Pearland, Texas 77584. Visit kelsey-seybold.com/pearland to learn more.
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From primary care and pediatrics to the most complex surgical procedures, The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB Health) system of care includes hospitals and emergency departments on four campuses; primary, specialty and urgent care services; and collaborations with physicians throughout the region. In the Bay Area, UTMB Health provides innovative and compassionate care at our Clear Lake Hospital Campus (200 Blossom Street), League City Hospital Campus (2240 Gulf Freeway South), and a network of primary and specialty care clinics located throughout our communities. Patient care services include primary care; pediatrics; urgent care; 24/7 emergency departments at both hospital locations, including our 24/7 pediatric emergency department at the Clear Lake Hospital Campus; comprehensive specialty care services for pediatrics, women’s health, orthopedics, cardiology, gastroenterology, neurology/neurosurgery and much more. Find a primary care doctor or specialist, schedule an appointment and learn more at utmbhealth.com or by calling (800) 917-8906.
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HEALTH CARE SNAPSHOT
Local health care data and information
COMPILED BY DANICA LLOYD & JAKE MAGEE
HOW HEALTHY IS YOUR COUNTY?
HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE BY COUNTY Brazoria and Galveston counties are comparable in terms of their health care workforces. Data is up to date as of May 16.
These rankings of all counties statewide are updated annually but include data from previous years. The factors listed are not comprehensive.
Primary care physicians, 2022 Profession count
BRAZORIA COUNTY GALVESTON COUNTY
HEALTH OUTCOMES INCLUDE:
Per 100,000 residents
County rank statewide
• LENGTH OF LIFE • QUALITY OF LIFE , such as the number of poor mental and physical health days reported
76 62
234
60
245
66.4
2023 STATEWIDE HEALTH CARE RANKINGS OUT OF 244 RANKED COUNTIES
HEALTH FACTORS INCLUDE:
Sept. 2020 Sept. 2021 Sept. 2022 HEALTH CARE EMPLOYMENT TRENDS Health care and social assistance industry employment 2-year change +1.95%
• HEALTH BEHAVIORS , such as smoking, obesity, physical activity, excessive drinking, alcohol-impaired driving deaths, sexually transmitted infections and teen births • CLINICALCARE , including health insurance coverage; number of physicians, dentists and mental health providers; preventable hospital stays; and u vaccinations • SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS , such as educational attainment levels, children in poverty, income inequality and violent crimes • PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT FACTORS , such as air pollution, drinking water violations, housing problems and long commutes
HEALTH OUTCOMES
52 46 58
16 14 25
Length of life Overall Quality of life
2-year change +2.01%
HEALTH FACTORS
23 42 44 81 76
38 40 28 38
Overall
Health behaviors
Socioeconomic Physical environment Clinical care
SOURCES: ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN POPULATION HEALTH INSTITUTE, COUNTYHEALTHRANKINGS.ORG, U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES COMMUNITY IMPACT
235
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PEARLAND FRIENDSWOOD EDITION • JUNE 2023
HOSPITALS
PEOPLE Omorowa Obanor Neurosurgery nurse practitioner, Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center 45
News and information on local hospitals in Pearland & Friendswood
2023 HEALTH CARE EDITION
COMPILED BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF
MOST ADVANCED TRAUMA VS. NICU LEVELS
PEARLAND 1 HCA Houston Healthcare Pearland Trauma level: IV NICU level: N/A Number of beds: 48 Number of physicians: Data not provided Number of nurses: Data not provided One unique program or procedure: HCA Houston Healthcare Pearland opened the rst designated primary stroke center and accredited chest pain center within the community. 11100 Shadow Creek Parkway, Pearland 713 770 7000 www.hcahoustonhealthcare.com/locations/ pearland 2 Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital Trauma level: IV NICU level: N/A Number of beds: 64 (adding 33 more beds in spring 2024) Number of physicians: 1,480 (one medi- cal sta between Southeast and Pearland hospitals) Number of nurses: 279 One unique program or procedure: Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital is in the process of constructing a new, state- of-the-art sports medicine and human performance facility to provide a full range of medical care and athletic training for 521 MANVEL SHADOW CREEK
45
SHADOW CREEK PKWY.
ASTORIA BLVD.
MCHARDRD.
MCHARDRD.
Highest level of care, more specialist physicians available, can treat more serious conditions
3
PEARLAND
1
BY MELISSA ENAJE
Omorowa Obanor recalled a moment in her life that resonated with her long after her family moved to the U.S. from Nigeria when she was in high school. A nurse helped her through an experience in Nigeria’s health care system. Years later, Obanor is a doctor of nursing practice at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, which is part of CommonSpirit Health, a nonpro t Catholic health care system. Obanor’s research in 2021 resulted in a 9.5% reduction in surgical site infection readmission at St. Luke’s. Community Impact spoke with Obanor about how her research impacts patient health. Responses were edited for length, style and clarity. FRIENDSWOOD
Trauma level
NICU level
BUSINESS CENTER DR.
W. BROA D W A
2
518
LEVEL I
LEVEL IV
WALNUTST.
AGNOLIA PKWY.
90
288
Doctor of nursing practice Omorowa Obanor led a research project that resulted in a 9.5% reduction in readmission to St. Luke’s from surgical site infections.
LEVEL II
LEVEL III
COURTESY COMMONSPIRIT HEALTH
BAILEY A V E .
N
MAP NOT TO SCALE
WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERI ENCE DURING THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC? Initially it was overwhelming as we geared into practices that we needed to do and practices that were in place to care for our patients. We just took that in and jumped right into action, as nurses would do. After that initial concern was gone, I think communication, especially here, was very strong. We gain our con dence with each day. We’re resilient.
WHAT HAS KEPT YOU MOTIVATED?
came in with and understand the plan of care for them to get better. You should be involved. You should leave a facility understanding the plan of care. I think every patient should say they feel empowered knowing exactly what’s going on. TALK A BIT MORE ABOUT THE RESEARCH ASPECT OF NURSING. At CommonSpirit, nurse research- ers have access to an ethics board, evidence-based counsel and mentors
to guide you as you go through your research. I continue to monitor quality metrics and make sure we’re on the right track. IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WISH PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT NURSES KNEW? I think the diversity of nursing is something to be aware of. Nurses also do research. ... They are critical thinkers who do more than just be there to provide your medication. They’re advocates for patients.
MCKEEVER RD.
LEVEL III
LEVEL II
Number of physicians: 1,480 (one medical sta between Southeast and Pearland hospitals) Number of nurses: 709 One unique program or procedure: This hospital is recognized as a fully accredited Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement ProgramCenter by the American College of Surgeons for favorable outcomes for weight loss surgery. 11800 Astoria Blvd., Houston 281 929 6100 www.memorialhermann.org/ locations/southeast
professional athletes, youth athletes and active adults. 16100 South Freeway, Pearland 713 413 5000 www.memorialhermann.org/ locations/pearland HOUSTON 3 Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital Trauma level : III NICU level: II Number of beds: 295 89 6
We sort of have to practice what we preach—making sure we have a balance of taking time o for our mental health and our physical health so we’re able to provide the best care for our patients. WHAT DO YOU WANT PATIENTS TO KNOW ABOUT CARING FOR THEMSELVES AFTER SURGERY? Patients should be able to fully understand the condition that they
35
2351
LEVEL IV
LEVEL I
LEAST ADVANCED
Lowest level of care, more likely to have to transfer to higher level for serious conditions
SOURCES: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES, TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE COMMUNITY IMPACT
SHADOW CREEK 11023 Shadow Creek Pkwy (281) 977-1027
PEARLAND 10555 Pearland Pkwy (713) 987-9205
ALMEDA 11130 Gulf Fwy (713) 910-3941
FRIENDSWOOD 3126 FM 528 (281) 648-5473
YPOR UO’TREECHT OI SR . WE CAN BE YOURS.
HCA Houston Healthcare delivers expert, compassionate care to help you stay strong, healthy, and there for everyone you love. From your annual checkup to specialized care, we’re here for you. Because taking care of your own health means you can be there for others.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
MENTAL HEALTH Galveston deploys new strategies for mental health crises response
2023 HEALTH CARE EDITION
BY RACHEL LELAND
scene is safe, and that we can really just get in there and take care of the hearts and minds of the individuals that we encounter.” In this three-person team, the police o cer exits the car rst to ensure the scene is secure before the paramedic evaluates the person. Finally, the clinician meets with the person to learn about their needs; provide them with appropriate resources, such as counseling, shelter, medication and housing; or o er immediate counseling in life-threaten- ing situations. COAST has saved the Galveston Police Department and the Galveston County Sheri ’s O ce a considerable amount of time because before the launch, these departments were responsible for transporting people to hospitals in Houston, a process that can take hours, Harris said. “Prior to this, the police would pick them up, and there was no discussion. Either it would be straight to the hospital or straight to jail,” said Penny Miller, COAST multidisciplinary response team care navigator. “The o cers couldn’t talk to them for an hour. They are needed out on the streets.” Pearland and Friendswood police department o cials con rmed they do not have a comparable program to COAST for responding to mental health protocols. Galveston County Sheri ’s O ce o cials con rmed it deploys mental health deputies and police o cers who have received training in responding to mental
On an early March morning, Galves- ton police responded to a call involv- ing a woman experiencing a mental health crisis who had armed herself with a knife and barricaded herself in the restroom at her mother’s apart- ment. The response team intervened, got the woman to cooperate and later connected her with mental health ser- vices, all through a new mental health emergency response program the city of Galveston launched in March. Compassionate Open Access to Ser- vices and Treatment teams comprise a clinician from the Gulf Coast Center, which partnered with the city to launch the program; a paramedic; and a Galveston police o cer trained to respond to mental health emergencies. When the COAST team is dis- patched, another police unit is usually present; however, the COAST team is speci cally trained and equipped to respond to individuals experiencing mental health crises in a way police cannot. According to Galveston Police Department Sgt. Jovan Harris, police o cers must undergo 16 hours of mental health training, but some argue that is insu cient. “I was talking with [police] Chief [Doug] Balli, and he said, ‘You know, Felicia, when my o cers arrive on the scene, you know what’s in our tool belt—handcu s and a gun—and we really do need some help,’” Gulf Coast Center CEO Felicia Je reys said. “We de nitely responded to that call, and now we’re able to make sure that they’re medically cleared, that the
Paramedic William Reed and cliniciwan Arielle Gray take notes after responding to a mental health call in Galveston on May 4. Followup is an important component of the COAST program.
RACHEL LELAND COMMUNITY IMPACT
COAST BY THE NUMBERS
health calls. Before COAST, the Galveston police department contacted the sheri ’s o ce’s established mental health divi- sion; however, this was a time-inten- sive process because the department had to lter through the sheri ’s o ce for transport, emergency detention orders and paperwork, Harris said. For the extent of Harris’ 19-year career, that’s the way it’s been, she said. Extended-observation unit While COAST has e ectively responded to acute mental health crises, Je reys said some people who interact with COAST need continuing care and cannot be safely let back into the community. The county transports people to St. Joseph Medical Center in Hous- ton in the current system, but the process can take hours away from o cers’ shifts. Gulf Coast Center and the county plan to build a 48-hour holding center, or extended-observation unit, to provide ongoing care. The facility will accommodate 10 people at a time, allowing them access to nursing; psychiatry; counseling;
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, about 30% of people who are chronically homeless have mental health conditions. Here’s a breakdown of the number of unsheltered people COAST, Galveston’s new mental health crisis response program, encountered.
Unsheltered 33
Not unsheltered 80
Subjects living unsheltered
SOURCE: GALVESTON POLICE DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY IMPACT
crisis counseling; and referrals to physicians, housing or substance use disorder treatment. According to Galveston County Commissioner Stephen Holmes, the county dedicated $4 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to build the unit. Holmes also con rmed that the county would receive $8 million in state funding to operate the center.
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11555 Magnolia Pkwy., Suite 170 Pearland, TX 77584 713.852.6700 TexasBayCU.org
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PEARLAND FRIENDSWOOD EDITION • JUNE 2023
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