New Braunfels | June 2025

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New Braunfels Edition VOLUME 8, ISSUE 7 JUNE 7JULY 7, 2025

2025 Health Care Edition

Hwy. 46 overhaul ahead

INSIDE

The proposed $1.4 billion project focuses on two sections of roadway: Hwy. 46 from I35 and I10, and I35 from S. Walnut Avenue and FM 306.

DRAGON DRONECOMMUNITY IMPACT

Also in this issue Impacts: Read about the opening of new swimwear shop (Page 6)

Premium sponsor

INSIDE

Government: Learn about paid downtown parking (Page 8)

MEYERRANCH ISAMUSTSEE Move-In Ready Homes Available Award-Winning Comal ISD

FIND YOUR HOME

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION

WELCOME TO MAYFAIR’S BEAUTIFUL BEGINNING NEW HOMES SELLING Kids need room to grow. At Mayfair in New Braunfels, not far from historic Gruene, our community is designed around gracious public parks and a robust trailway system. Connecting a variety of new single-family, town and for-lease homes to nature and soon to Midtown Mayfair—our planned shopping, dining and workplace district. Because parents need their space, too. We invite you to join us.

Nine builders. Eight model homes to tour. More coming soon.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

About Community Impact

Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity.

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Parks Kugle

Thomas Leer Maddy Morales Jarrett Whitener Graphic Designers Alissa Foss José Jiménez Chelsea Peters Managing Editor Sierra Martin Senior Product Manager Breanna Flores Quality Desk Editor Deekota Diaz

Kayla Brooks General Manager kbrooks@ communityimpact.com

Amira Van Leeuwen Editor avanleeuwen@ communityimpact.com

Heather Demere San Antonio Market President hdemere@ communityimpact.com

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6/14 Jeff Crosby Band 6/21 The Get-O Cowboys 6/25 Ryan Quiet

For more events or to rent an onsite cottage visit: www.rileystavern.com • 8894 FM 1102 New Braunfels, TX 78132

NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION

Impacts

adults, teens and children. • Reopened April 26 • 344 Landa St., New Braunfels • Instagram: the_book_haus

HUNTER RD.

HUECO SPRINGS LOOP RD.

2722

4 New Braunfels Executive Storage The self-storage facility, locally owned by Jorden Mahler, has 573 units ranging from 5x5 to 15x60. New Braunfels Executive Storage also offers boat and RV parking. • Opened April 28 • 4655 W. Hwy. 46, New Braunfels • www.newbraunfelsexecutivestorage.com 5 1to1 Plans The business offers walkable LED floor technology, which allows customers to walk through their project before construction begins, according to an email from Kayden Park Manager Brittany Schneider. • Opened April 1 • 1913 Post Road, Ste. 245, New Braunfels • Facebook: 1to1 Plans 6 Brackish Goods The business—owned by New Braunfels native Kayleigh Bryan—sells men and women’s swimwear, clothing, sunscreen, jewelry, sunglasses and more. • Opened May 2 7 Tribal Diagnostics The full-serve, CAP-accredited clinical laboratory offers full-service lab options such as LabCorp and Quest and affordable lab tests. • Opened in April • 2163 Stephens Place, Ste. 103, New Braunfels • www.tribaldiagnostics.com 8 LOL Liquors The family-owned liquor store sells a wide range of liquors and spirits. • Opened April 1 • 1050 FM 306, Ste. 105, New Braunfels • 210-480-6448 • 230 W. Mill St., New Braunfels • Instagram: brackishgoodstx 1101

306

337

1 12

STEPHENS PL.

RIVER TERRACE

OXFORD DR.

ELIZABETH AVE.

LANDA

ISLAND

CASTELL AVE.

UNICORN AVE.

725

LAKE DUNLAP

1044

MAP NOT TO SCALE

2 Good Medicine Aesthetics The med spa offers botox, derma filler, hair restoration therapy, weight loss management, IV therapy, EZ-Gel, HydraFacials and more. • Opened in April • 1067 FM 306, Ste. 504, New Braunfels • www.goodmedicinemedspa.com 3 The Book Haus The book store sells various new and used books for

Now open

1 Pilates Barre of New Braunfels The studio—locally owned by Lariesa Hodges—offers Pilates and Barre group classes as well as private sessions for all skill levels. • Opened June 2 • 1528 E. Common St., Ste. 12, New Braunfels • www.pilatesbarrenb.com

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Now open

9 Taziki’s Mediterranean Café The Mediterranean restaurant offers gyros, salad bowls, soups, homemade dips and more. • Opened May 1 • 1058 FM 306, Ste. 104, New Braunfels • www.tazikis.com

14 Pilates Platinum The studio—owned by Heather Dorak—offers 45-minute group Pilates classes.

• Opened May 8 • 1430 Unicorn Ave., Ste. 103, New Braunfels • www.pilatesplatinum.com

10 IVitamin+ This is Vitamin Hydration Lounge’s first-of-its kind fractional IV therapy franchise. IVitamin+, located inside NB Cryo, offers pharmacist formulated IV vitamin cocktails, booster shots, weight loss shots, micronutrient lab testing and more. • Opened May 23 • 615 Oxford Dr., Ste. 103, New Braunfels • www.ivitamintherapy.com 11 The Lucky You Salon The business—formerly known as Shop Shane & Co. Boutique—is owned by New Braunfels local Ashlee Hill. The Lucky You Salon offers aesthetics, hair services and spray tans. Hill said she also hopes to offer Mommy and Me events where moms can bring their little girls to the salon to get their hair done together. • Opened June 1 • 453 S. Seguin Avenue, New Braunfels • Instagram: theluckyyousalon

18 Tipsy Tuber The business, previously owned by Ryan and Sara Howard, changed ownership in March. Tipsy Tuber—now owned by Shawn Teague—offers to-go margaritas,

new space is equipped with a drive-thru window for customers who place pickup orders online. Otto’s Cheese Shop will also offer events and various themed cheese and wine classes. • Relocated May 17 • 2345 Loop 337, Ste. 100, New Braunfels • www.ottoscheeseshop.com 15 The Gruene Light The outdoor riverside bar relocated from 1405 Gruene Road to 1321 River Terrace. The new location allows people to float the river and stop by the bar halfway to order drinks and access food trucks. • Relocated May 17

daiquiris, snow cones and fair lemonade. • 507 E. San Antonio St., New Braunfels • www.tipsytuber.com

19 New Braunfels Farmers Market The city’s farmers market celebrated its 15-year anniversary on April 15. The market holds over 60 vendors including artisans and local businesses. • 186 S. Castell Avenue, New Braunfels • www.nbfarmersmarket.com 20 Gruene Hall The dance hall is celebrating its 50-year anniversary this summer. Gruene Hall has been owned and operated by the Molak family since 1975 and has hosted various performers such as Willie Nelson, George Strait and LeAnn Rimes. • 1281 Gruene Road, New Braunfels • www.gruenehall.com

• 1321 River Terrace, New Braunfels • https://rockinr.com/gruene-light-bar

In the news

16 2Tarts The family-owned bakery, is celebrating its 15-year anniversary in July. 2Tarts—co-owned by sister duo Ashley Landerman and April Ryan—sells cupcakes, cookies, pie by the slice and more. • 139 N. Castell Avenue, Ste. 300, New Braunfels • www.2tarts.com 17 EdenHill Communities The nonprofit—which offers assisted living, memory care, independent living and nursing—celebrated its 115-year anniversary on June 5. EdenHill Communities is the only continuing retirement community in the region, Terry Jackson, director of marketing for EdenHill Communities said. • 631 Lakeview Blvd., New Braunfels • www.edenhill.org

Coming soon

12 The Social Party Agency The marketing agency—owned by Ali Schneider—helps individuals make social media content. The Social Party Agency will have a podcast studio, photography zones, a conference room and VIP workshop days where clients can work with the agency to build their content and business. • Opening July 1 • 1528 East Common St., Ste. 13, New Braunfels • www.thesocialpartyagency.com

Closings

21 Gruene Antique Company The antique company will close after being in operation for 39 years and return to the historic site’s original purpose as a mercantile store which is anticipated to

open in late 2025. • Closing July 20 • 1607 Hunter Road, New Braunfels • www.grueneantiqueco.com

Relocations

13 Otto’s Cheese Shop The cheese shop—owned by locals Bob and Rachel Pineda—officially relocated from 344 Landa St. The

NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION

Government

BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

New Braunfels implements paid, on-street parking in downtown

The city of New Braunfels will implement a paid, on-street parking system downtown this summer, where a free, 2-hour parking system currently exists. The change comes after the New Braunfels City Council approved an ordinance establishing paid parking on second and nal reading May 27. Explained The new paid parking system—which is geared to helping regulate high-demand areas like downtown districts—is being enforced by park- ing management company Interstate Parking. Downtown visitors will be able to park free for the rst hour. Each additional hour will be $2, with a daily max rate of $10, as previously reported by Community Impact. In total, downtown New Braunfels has over 750 on-street parking spaces. But only 253 of those spaces will be introduced into the new paid parking program, Interstate Parking CEO Tony Janowiec said during a May 12 City Council meeting. Individuals who violate the ordinance will be expected to pay a $100 parking citation. If the citation is paid within 10 days, the ne would be reduced to $65, according to the city’s website. Disabled veterans displaying ocial state-issued license plates will be exempt from parking fees, according to a news release. Revenue from the paid parking system will allow the city to reinvest in downtown parking through parking leases, signage and beautication and property acquisitions. How it works Signage will direct users to use their phone to scan a QR Code or send a text message to 94201 to

Approved downtown parking map Free on-street

S. MARKET AVE.

N. MARKET AVE.

Free public lots Free public lots - partially restricted Free employee permit lots

COMAL AVE.

W. COLL ST.

Paid on-street

Citywide parking violations The New Braunfels Municipal Court dealt with 3,400 parking-related violations in 2024.

S. CASTELL AVE.

FY 2023-24

3,400

HILL AVE.

FY 2024-25

4,839

S. ACADEMY AVE.

BUTCHER ST.

FY 2025-26

298 (as of May 28)

MAGAZINE AVE.

0 1K2K3K4K5K

W. CROLL ST.

SOURCE: CITY OF NEW BRAUNFELSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

states. Janowiec also said there will be a “soft activa- tion” period, where individuals who do not pay will not receive a citation the rst time. Instead, they will receive a pamphlet on their windshield detailing how the pay-to-park process works. “We’ll be monitoring and continue to gather stakeholder feedback, reporting data analytics across the whole platform so that the city can continue to take that into account and plan accord- ingly,” Janowiec said.

pay. From there, users will register their license plate, select their duration of stay and make the payment, Janowiec said. “This does not require an app download,” he added. “However, repeat users will have the convenience that the software will automatically remember the last three places that they use, and it will auto-populate their phone number. So folks who use it a lot will nd the three steps even faster than the rst time they use it.” What to expect The change to downtown parking will go into eect July 7. Parking fees will be enforced seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., the release

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Government

BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

2 water recreation projects complete

City to evaluate recycling program

Project renovations 1 Olympic Pool renovations include: • ADA improvements • Resurfacing, retiling the pool • Updating play structures • Installing new gutters, plumbing and electrical systems • Bath House renovations 2 Last tuber’s exit • Replacement of the bottom steps • Installing an underwater landing • Enhancing ADA accessibility

The city of New Braunfels announced the completion of the Landa Park Aquatic Complex, or LPAC, and the last public exit from the Comal River on May 23. Both projects opened to the public on Memorial Day weekend, according to a news release. The details Construction on both projects began in Decem- ber. The last public exit was a $1.2 million project funded by the New Braunfels Economic Develop- ment Corporation, the release states. Deputy City Manager Jordan Matney said the improvements make the exit safer and more accessible. LPAC reopened following a $2.75 million overhaul to the complex’s Olympic Pool and Bath House. The project was funded by unused contin- gency funds from the city’s 2013 bond.

The city of New Braunfels is evaluating its curbside green waste recycling program following a May 15 vote from Comal County Commissioners to no longer accept green waste at the county’s recycling center. Green waste includes grass clippings, weeds and leaves, according to a news release. What you need know County Engineer Robert Boyd said the new brush policies will allow for a safer brush and mulch operation and provide a higher quality mulch to the public. The city will continue to pick up green waste bags until city officials evaluate the future of the curbside green waste recy- cling program.

GOLF COURSE RD. 1

HINMAN ISLAND

Final design contract approved for Southeast Library

Southeast Branch Library

2023 Bond Program, Proposition C, and will add a branch library to its existing library system. Proposition C—which totals $28.56M—will fund a 23,250 square-foot library building equipped with meeting rooms and a public plaza. The design is slated to be completed by summer 2026. Construction will commence following completion of the design, according to an email from Communications Manager David Ferguson.

New Braunfels City Council approved a $1.88 million contract with Ford, Powell & Carson Architects and Planning for the final design of the Southeast Library Project on May 27. The Southeast Library will be located east of I-35 off of S. Walnut Ave. The overview The voter-approved project is part of the city’s

Project limits

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NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION

Education

BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

Comal ISD purchases property for new elementary school

Next steps

Garner said the new elementary school was a “long time coming.” He also emphasized the importance of the district purchasing the land since the community voted for it in 2023. “It’s needed for that area,” Garner said. The district is projected to grow by nearly 40,000 students by 2033, according to previous reporting by Community Impact. Comal ISD will be looking at the boundaries and environmental conditions of the property, Lanford said in the email. The design of the elementary school will be presented to the board at a future meeting.

The Comal ISD, or CISD, board of trustees approved the purchase of a 13-acre property from Meyer Ranch, a master- planned residential community led by Crown Community Development, for a new elementary school on April 24. The property cost approximately $3.5 million , according to an email from CISD Communications Specialist Salwa Lanford. The land acquisition is being funded through Comal ISD’s 2023 bond Proposition A. Although the district does not yet know the school’s boundaries, board president Russ Garner told Community Impact that they are anticipating the school to provide relief for enrollment at Bill Brown Elementary and potentially Johnson Ranch Elementary.

S. CRANES MILL RD.

Meyer Ranch

46W

3009

An exact address for the future elementary school within the Meyer Ranch development, located on South Cranes Mill Road near Hwy. 46 W., has not been released by the district as of publication.

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Education

BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN & MADDY MORALES

Principal named for Long Creek High School New Braunfels ISD announced Jonathan Campbell as the new principal of Long Creek High School, or LCHS, on May 9, according to a news release. Some background LCHS will be the district’s second high school campus, which has been operating with one high school—New Braunfels High School—for over 170 years. The original structure of the school was built in 2012 and served as a middle school for NBISD before transitioning to a 9th grade center. The construction of the new high school is being funded in two propositions through the district’s 2021 voter-approved bond, totaling $327.9 million, according to previous reporting by

CISD increases lunch and breakfast prices The Comal ISD board of trustees approved an increase in prices for child nutrition breakfast and lunch on May 15 to meet the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or USDA, requirements. The price increase will go into eect in the 2025-26 school year. The details Meal reimbursement rates in Texas are funded by the USDA and managed by the Texas Department of Agriculture. Schools and providers receive reimbursements for every meal they serve that meets the correct nutritional guidelines. The price increase will not aect students on the free lunch program, Communications Specialist Salwa Lanford said in an email to Community Impact.

Community Impact . The school is in the process of expanding the facility, and currently enrolls freshman and sophomore students. Phase 2 of the campus expan- sion is slated to be completed this summer and will consist of a new auditorium, a black box theater, new ne arts

Jonathan Campbell

classrooms and additional athletic facilities. The rst senior class is anticipated to graduate from the campus in 2027, according to the LCHS website. What the superintendent is saying Superintendent Laurelyn Arterbury said Camp- bell brings a wealth of experience and knowledge as a principal and in district leadership. “He’s going to be a great t for the Dragons, and we can’t wait to see the impact that he has on the students and sta,” Arterbury said in the release.

New Braunfels Youth Collaborative gym opens

The cost

Previous cost

New cost

Breakfast

The New Braunfels Youth Collaborative, or NBYC, celebrated the completion of the Mill Street Youth Center’s new gym, located at 430 W. Mill St., on May 9. What residents should know The gym oers space for junior high and high school students to play volleyball, basketball and pickleball, and has an upstairs weight room. The Youth Advisory Council, which helps guide the center, is made up of youth from grades 7-12.

Some background The gym is part of the Mill Street Youth Center, which broke ground in October. The center will provide a dedicated space for middle and high school students to gather, learn and participate in after-school programs, as previously reported by Community Impact . The New Braunfels ISD board of trustees approved the transference of the properties at 407 and 430 W. Mill St. to the nonprot in April, according to previous reporting by Community Impact.

$1.95

$2.05

Elementary lunch

$3.20

$3.30

Middle/high school lunch

$3.40

$3.50

Adult lunch

$4.40

$4.60

SOURCE: COMAL ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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Transportation

BY SIERRA MARTIN

337 Upcoming projects to update infrastructure throughout city Road and infrastructure projects are currently in progress, or anticipated to begin soon throughout the New Braunfels area. New Braunfels Utilities is working towards completing multiple water and electric infrastructure projects throughout the city. According to NBU Director of Enterprise Communications Reagan Peña, the projects are E. BASEL ST. WHITEWATER WAY RIVERSIDE PATH 306 5

GUADALUPE RIVER

2673

a long-term investment to replace aging infra- structure and keep the electric system strong and reduce outages.

LABOR AVE.

HINMAN ISLAND

Upcoming projects

337

1 Simon Street Water and Wastewater Improvements Project: The project will replace aging infrastructure in the area surrounding Ashmore Avenue, Simon Avenue and Hampe Street ahead of the city's roadway work along Simon Avenue, including replacing over 1,300 feet of old 6-inch wastewater pipes with larger, more efficient 8-inch mains along Hampe Street, Simon Avenue and nearby easements. This upgrade will improve flow and helps prevent backups in the system. New Braunfels Utilities crews will also replace 1,070 feet of outdated 6-inch water lines with new 8-inch pipes in the same area. New valves will be installed along Guada Coma Drive to improve control over water flow in the neighborhood, allowing for quicker isolation of problems and minimizing service disruptions during repairs. Update: Construction is anticipated to begin in late May. Traffic may be impacted while crews complete work. • Timeline: late May to November • Cost: $1.6 million • Funding source: Rates • Limits: Hampe Street (from Comal Avenue to Simon Avenue), Simon Avenue (from Guada Coma Drive to just past Hampe Street), and in an easement between Simon Avenue and Ashmore Avenue (from near the Simon Avenue/Hampe Street intersection to near the Project: The project will replace approximately 1,100 linear feet of aging aerial copper conductor and poles with modern Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced, or ACSR, conductor and taller poles between South Castell Avenue and McQueeney Road. Update: Construction is anticipated to start in mid-June. Traffic may be impacted while crews complete work. • Timeline: June to July • Cost: $30,000 • Funding source: Aging Infrastructure budget • Limits: West Faust Street between South Castell Avenue and McQueeney Road, McQueeney Road between West Nacogdoches Street and Elliot Knox Boulevard 3 East Mather Street Reconductor Project: The project will replace approximately 3,200 linear feet of aging aerial copper conductor and poles with modern ACSR conductor and taller poles between Ashmore/Guada Coma Drive intersection) 2 Faust Street and McQueeney Reconductor

GUADA COMA DR.

ASHMORE ST.

SIMON ST.

EIKEL ST.

HAMPE ST.

W. BRIDGE ST.

MCQUEENEY RD.

MAP NOT TO SCALE N

South Peace Avenue and Union Avenue. Update: Construction will be lengthy due to the number of customers impacted and having to coordinate outage scheduling, according to NBU. Traffic may be impacted while crews complete work. • Timeline: Begin in July, completion TBD • Cost: $70,000 • Funding source: Aging Infrastructure budget • Limits: East Mather Street between South Peace Avenue and Union Avenue, East Basel Street between South Peace Avenue and Labor Avenue

The project will cause fewer outages and faster service restoration when issues do occur once completed. Update: This project is currently underway, traffic may be impacted while crews complete work. • Timeline: Completed by June • Cost: $30,000 • Funding source: Aging Infrastructure budget • Limits: Eikel Street between N. Santa Clara Avenue and North Walnut Avenue 5 FM 306 Construction Project: TxDOT crews are working to construct a shared- use path and shared-use bridge curb ramps to improve overall safety and accessibility at the Guadalupe River horseshoe. Update: Alternating lanes are closed, and motorists are encouraged to find alternate routes or expect delays. • Timeline: TBD • Cost: $7.4 million • Funding source: Mobility 2050 • Limits: FM 306 (near Riverside Path to near Whitewater Way)

Ongoing projects

4 Eikel Street Reconductor Project: NBU crew will replace approximately 1,400 feet of old aerial copper wire and poles with modern ACSR lines and taller, more durable poles between North Walnut Avenue and West Bridge Street According to a NBU spokesperson, copper lines become brittle over time, making them more vulnerable to damage, especially during storms. The new ACSR conductor is stronger and better suited to withstand severe weather.

NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION

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Development

BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

55+ active adult community coming to New Braunfels A new 55-plus community named Del Webb at Veramendi—is bringing more homes to New Braunfels.

Multifamily project sees movement A new development—previously known as Prose Lonesome Quail—is anticipated to be completed in Q1 2026 in New Braunfels. Project details The project—now called New Braunfels Heights—will be 390 one- to two-bedroom units across 15 buildings on the 18-acre property. The complex will have a gym and resort-style pool, said Gentry Bowen, director of Buchanan Capital Partners.

Business park to bring more oce space The business park is slated to break ground in June at 1900 S. Cranes Mills Road, in New Braunfels, Dave Burggraaf, managing director of Evergreen Commercial Real Estate, said in an email to Community Impact. 1900 Business Park is being developed by local business owners Sean McGarity, president of The project will be constructed in four phases and consist of about 695 single-family detached homes ranging from 1,200-3,500 square-feet. Del Webb is slated to be fully built out by 2031, said Brad Lacy, PulteGroup’s vice president of operations. The overview Del Webb at Veramendi will have an 11,000 square-foot amenity center which will feature a ballroom for ballroom dancing and line dancing, along with a state of the art workout facility that will oer yoga and Pilates. The development will also have basketball courts and eight pickleball courts. The project will be constructed in four phases and is slated to be fully built out by 2031, Lacy said.

Del Webb at Veramendi will have an 11,000-square-foot amenity center.

Innity Concrete, and Rachel Parham, president of Noah’s Ark Development. Project details The development will feature a total of nine 11,990 square-foot oce warehouse buildings. A total of 67 oce warehouse suites are being proposed across the business park. Each building is designed to accommodate eight 1,499 square- foot suites, which will feature a 240 square-foot oce and a 321 square-foot mezzanine, Burggraaf said in the email.

S. CRANES MILL RD.

3009

One more thing The project will be developed in potentially three phases. The rst few buildings are slated to be completed by early 2026, Burggraaf said in the email.

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Health care

BY SIERRA MARTIN

Health Care Guide

2025

Readers, welcome to your annual CI Health Care Edition! In this year’s edition, we’ve highlighted how a local nonprot organization is lling a health care gap in our community and how Articial Intelligence is impacting the health care industry. We also feature businesses that give you dierent ways to stay healthy! Learn more about how local health care is evolving and meet the providers whose support helps Community Impact keep you informed. Thank you to our sponsors and advertisers for making this another great edition!

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Employment trends As population grows throughout the Central Texas region, so does the demand for health care workers as providers. In Comal and Guadalupe County, the health care industry saw increases year-over-year in the workforce.

Primary Care physicians, 2024

Physician assistants, 2024

Statewide ranking of counties for number of primary care physicians:

Statewide ranking of counties for number of physician assistants:

48 123

15 70

Primary care physician count

Physician assistant count

121

72.1

47.7

Per 100,000 residents

Comal County

Guadalupe County

43.3

24.8

SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICESCOMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCE: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Health care and social assistance industry employment

2022 2023 2024

Comal County

Guadalupe County

7,483

3,780

+10.86%

+10.74%

8,062

3,945

8,296

4,186

SOURCE: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICESCOMMUNITY IMPACT

NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION

Health care

BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

Christus Santa Rosa Hospital offers minimally invasive heart procedure

regurgitation or leakiness. The procedure allows doctors to repair a valve through a small incision in a leg vein as opposed to opening a patient’s chest, the news release states. This reduces a patient’s recovery time to a little over a week. The recovery time for a traditional open-heart surgery is typically six to eight weeks, the release states.

Christus Santa Rosa Hospital in New Braunfels offers a minimally invasive heart valve procedure called transcatheter mitral valve repair, or MitraClip™, which can serve as an alternative option to traditional open-heart surgery, according to a news release. The MitraClip™ is a small clip that is attached to the mitral valve to help it close, avoiding

By the numbers Over 150,000 patients have been treated with the MitraClip™ device worldwide, according to Abbott’s website. Abbott is a global health care company that develops, manufactures and sells medical devices. reduction in relative risk of mortality hours is the typical length of the procedure relative risk reduction in heart failure hospitalization 33% 1-3 51%

SOURCE: ABBOTT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Digging deeper

program in New Braunfels means patients can stay and be cared for close to home, Hyde said in the release. Genifer Rucker, president of Christus Santa Rose Hospital in New Braunfels, said she was proud of the work their team is doing to ensure the safety and well- being of their patients.

Brannon Hyde, a cardiovascular surgeon with Christus Santa Rosa Health System, said the procedure is used to treat significant mitral regurgitation, which occurs when the heart’s mitral valve is not working properly, causing the lungs to become congested from reverse blood flow. The hospital’s ability to offer a “robust” cardiology

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Health care

BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN & THOMAS LEFFLER

3 health care updates from local hospitals

1 Resolute Baptist Hospital The hospital performed its first Pulse Field Ablation cases in July 2024 using new technology for Electrophysiology. This technology facilitates the first non-thermal ablation approach, which can minimize risks associated with traditional thermal ablation. Resolute also invested in a new computed tomography scanner earlier this year, which has eliminated downtimes the facility was experiencing due to end-of-life equipment, according to an email from hospital staff.

2 Christus Santa Rosa Hospital-New Braunfels

3 Methodist Hospital Northeast The hospital was recently designated as a Level III Trauma Center, becoming one of 62 facilities recognized as such by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Level III centers include 24-hour immediate coverage by emergency physicians. Methodist Hospital Northeast CEO Jerrica George told Community Impact that the designation increases the amount of local patients they can keep at the hospital rather than making them travel further to other facilities.

The hospital received a MAKO SmartRobotics™ robot in May 2025, with first cases beginning in June. The system allows for precise, patient- specific total and partial knee replacements by using a 3D model from a CT scan. This results in less bone and tissue disruption and faster recoveries. The robot also assists surgeons in creating customized procedures for better patient outcomes, said Genifer Rucker, President of Christus Santa Rosa Hospital-New Braunfels.

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Health care

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Volunteers in Medicine clinic oers medical, dental care for uninsured New Braunfels Christian Ministries’ Volunteers in Medicine clinic, located at 1239 W. San Antonio St., served 758 uninsured individuals in 2024. The clinic oers free medical and dental care for uninsured individuals living in Comal or Guada- lupe County with an income of less than 250% of the federal poverty guidelines. In Comal County, 13.3% of residents are unin- sured, and in Guadalupe County, 13.8% of indi- viduals are uninsured. In the state of Texas, 18.8% of residents are uninsured, according to 2022 U.S. Census Small Area Health Insurance Estimates. Under these guidelines, individuals would qualify if they made less than $39,125 per year, or $52,875 in a two-person household, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Two-minute impact The clinic—which covers multiple specialities like cardiology and urology—has a nurse practi- tioner, dental hygienist and registered nurse on sta. Local physicians will volunteer their time at the clinic or send a xed number of patients monthly to be seen for free, said Jim Wesson, New Braunfels Christian Ministries executive director. Volunteers in Medicine also has a satellite clinic at Canyon Lake’s Community Resource & Recre- ation Center, located at 1917 FM 2673. “A number of folks that live in that area struggle with transportation to get to New Braunfels, and so our ability to have that satellite clinic there helps serve those patients,” Wesson said.

Amy Miller, a clinic patient, said she learned that she had many undiagnosed, complex medical issues with the Volunteers in Medicine clinic.

COURTESY VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE

The impact

The nonprot organization’s mission is to share grace, kindness and encouragement to people, Wesson said. “We know we’re not necessarily the only answer for healthcare needs for everyone, but we are one answer for people who don’t have insurance, and we’ve certainly been an answer for 758 patients in 2024,” Wesson said. Lend a hand Individuals can submit an online application to volunteer or donate. A $100 donation would underwrite one appointment, Wesson added. Notable quote Amy Miller, a clinic patient, said she learned that she had many undiagnosed, complex medical issues, and Volunteers in Medicine helped her with all of them. “This place has saved my life,” Miller told Community Impact .

758 patients served 6,746 appointments in total

5,933 of those total appointments were medical 813 of those total appointments were dental 54 individuals volunteered, logging 3,700 volunteer hours

SOURCE: NEW BRAUNFELS CHRISTIAN MINISTRIESCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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Health care

BY MADDY MORALES

Reformer Pilates is practiced using balance body reformers.

Ellen-Marie Leach opened The Pilates Shoppe & Wellness Center in 2021 after immigrating from South Africa to the United States.

PHOTOS BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWENCOMMUNITY IMPACT

The Pilates Shoppe oers wellness with purpose Ellen-Marie Leach began practicing Pilates as a way to help manage her back pain, which is what inspired her to become an instructor and open her studio. “It transformed more than just my body—my physical and mental being so profoundly changed that I wanted to share that experience with everyone,” Leach said. Pilates is a full-body exercise that helps with core strength, exibility and posture, Leach said.

The studio has an infrared sauna.

The business oers Pilates classes for individuals with spine injuries or Scoliosis and pre and postnatal Pilates. The studio also oers Rehab Pilates or Rehab Therapy for individuals recovering from knee, back or neck surgery, an illness or breast cancer. Notable quote People of all ages visit the studio, with the youngest being 16 years old and the oldest being 86 years old, Leach said. “We encourage people to know it doesn’t matter what your body type is, what your age is, to just come and move your body because it’s going to make you feel good,” she said.

Leach opened The Pilates Shoppe & Wellness Studio in May 2021 after immigrating to the United States from Harrismith, South Africa. What they oer The studio oers an array of Pilates classes, including Reformer Pilates, which uses a balance body reformer machine for full-body workouts.

283 E. Bridge St., New Braunfels www.thepilatesshoppe.com

NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION

Health care

BY JARRETT WHITENER

BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

San Antonio hospitals look to AI to enhance patient care

New technology diagnoses lung cancer The hospital acquired an Ion® Robotic Bronchoscopy System in the spring of 2024 to diagnose lung conditions at earlier stages, according to an email from Genifer Rucker, president of Christus Santa Rosa Hospital-New Braunfels. The overview The device uses a CT-generated 3D airway map to access hard-to-reach lung nodules with precision, reducing the time from detec- tion to diagnosis, enabling early treatment and better outcomes. The robotic system also helps physicians identify cancer sooner. “These innovations empower surgeons, reduce patient recovery time, and improve outcomes, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to excellence and compassion- ate, high-tech care,” Rucker said.

Articial Intelligence is rapidly expanding, reaching into each industry in some capacity. As technology continues to develop, systems are being implemented in the health care industry to increase diagnosis accuracy alongside reducing patient procedure times. At University Health, AI is used to improve mammography, magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, and computed tomography, or CT scans, said Bill Phillips, executive vice president and chief operating ocer. At Christus Santa Rosa Hospital in New Braunfels, AI helps improve x-ray imaging to help detect lung nodules. What’s happening? One of the key areas being advanced with AI is the ability to more accurately read mammograms, Phillips said. “It is producing higher accuracy rates, better predictability and focusing. Because if you look at a mammogram, it is a pretty large area that you have

to read where [AI] really shows density changes in tissue and highlights it,” he said. Alongside improvements to mammograms, AI helps speed up MRIs to be at least three times faster, allowing more patients to be seen in a day. “Ultimately, radiologists still have to look at it and sign o on it,” he said. “But we are nding it extremely accurate.” Morgan Meyers, director of clinical services at Christus Santa Rosa, said AI can help screen X-rays to detect lung nodules or abnormalities. Meyers said while health care professionals examine acute problems, chronic issues can go unnoticed, and the AI will help ensure issues are not missed. “It is some way to passively examine all of our patients,” she said. Looking ahead AI projects that are being developed include advancements in pathology and electrocardiogram,

AI advancements

CT scans: Improved readability, improved imaging, quicker diagnosis time, reduced radiation exposure CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital-New Braunfels X-ray improvements: Lung nodule detection, improved imaging, easier specialist recommendation University Health Mammography: Improved accuracy, enhanced clarity, enhanced cancer detection, reduction in false positives MRI: Reduced scan times, reduced breath hold times, high-quality imaging, increased accuracy

The da Vinci 5™ robot supports urologic, gynecologic, general and thoracic surgeries.

COURTESY CHRISTUS SANTA ROSA HOSPITALNEW BRAUNFELS

Robot technology supports general surgeries at Christus

benets both surgeons and patients. “With quicker recovery, reduced pain, and lower infection risk, robotic surgery represents the most common modality of soft-tissue surgery in the U.S., rearming Christus’ dedication to surgical excellence close to home,” Rucker said in the email.

Christus Santa Rosa Hospital-New Braunfels features the da Vinci Xi® and da Vinci 5™ robots, supporting urologic, gynecologic, general and thoracic surgeries, according to an email from Genifer Rucker, president of the hospital. Learn more Both state-of-the-art systems provide surgical precision and enhanced visualization, which

SOURCES: UNIVERSITY HEALTH, CHRISTUS SANTA ROSA HOSPITALNEW BRAUNFELSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

or EKG, results. Researchers at The University of Texas at San Antonio are developing improvements for how clinicians handle biomedical and social data.

CREEKSIDE TOWN CENTER 263 Creekside Crossing (830) 608-1969

NEW BRAUNFELS 1671 IH-35 S (830) 629-0434

LIVE OAK 14623 IH-35 N (210) 651-1911

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