North Central Austin Edition | June 2025

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North Central Austin Edition VOLUME 18, ISSUE 3 JULY 2JULY 29, 2025

2025 Health Care Edition

North Austin hospitals advance robotic care

Robotic surgery technology, such as the da Vinci system used by Baylor Scott & White, is growing in use. (Courtesy Baylor Scott & White)

technologies that have made their way into health care facilities in Central Texas. Major hospital systems, including Baylor Scott & White, Ascension Seton and St. David’s, are increasing their invest- ments in robotic procedures.

pediatric surgeons to perform safer, more accurate spinal surgeries for children with scoliosis and other advanced spinal conditions, said Dr. Brian Kaufman, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Dell Children’s. The VELYS robot is one of many new robotic

BY CHLOE YOUNG

Dell Children’s Medical Center North Campus became the rst pediatric hospital in the world in May to receive a new robotic spinal surgery technology, according to Ascension Seton informa- tion. The VELYS Robotic-Assisted System will allow

CONTINUED ON 26

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INSIDE

Impacts: Discover a new Australian-style cafe on Burnet Road (Page 6)

Transportation: Learn more about the latest Austin airport project (Page 15)

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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.

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Impacts

North Central

BY HALEY MCLEOD

Coming soon

183

Now open

5 Velvet Taco The Texas taco chain will open a new North Austin location on Burnet Road in the previously closed Flyrite Chicken. Velvet Taco has an extensive menu of unique tacos as well as favorites like Velvet bowls, nachos, cake and boozy libations. • Opening late Fall 2025 • 6539 Burnet Road, Austin • www.velvettaco.com

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What’s next

6 Banjoo From the team behind Soha, the new concept will feature late-night Korean comfort food, craft soju cocktails and private karaoke rooms. According to a state ling, work on the interior remodel to the existing restaurant began last August; however the company has not yet released an opening date. • 5222 Burnet Road, Ste. 500, Austin • Instagram: @banjoo_atx 7 Mendocino Farms Mendocino Farms, a California-based fast-casual restaurant, is planning two Austin locations, according to lings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, including in North Austin, where Oakmont Food Company and Doc’s Motorworks Bar & Grill was once housed. • 1106 W. 38th St., Austin • www.mendocinofarms.com

3 Citizens A new all-day, Australian-style cafe, oers a breakfast and lunch menu, featuring all the “brekkie” essentials, including eggs, pancakes, biscuits and hash browns. Austin residents can also sample the “Aussie delicacy” Vegemite—a brown spread made from leftover brewers’ yeast mixed with vegetable and spice additives. • Opened May 24 • 4818 Burnet Road, Austin • www.citizensofbreakfast.com

MAP NOT TO SCALE

and perform essential functions. The clinic supports families through a variety of early challenges infants may face, such as Torticollis, Plagiocephaly, gross and ne motor milestone delay, tongue tie and more. • Opened in May

Now open

1 Kan Sushi Kan Sushi oers all-you-can-eat sushi starting at $27. The new restaurant is located in The Linc shopping center and boasts a collection of sushi options as well as other Japanese-inspired dishes. • Opened in April • 6406 N. I-35 frontage road, Ste. 1400, Austin • https://kan-sushi.com 2 Year One Wellness The infant specialty practice has opened a new clinic in North Austin, featuring physician and occupational therapy options to enable babies to reach milestones

• 6010 Balcones Drive, Austin • www.yearonewellness.com

Relocations

4 360 Plastic Surgery A new boutique plastic surgery practice, 360 Plastic Surgery is dedicated to partnering with individuals to reach their aesthetic goals. The clinic oers a range of services including liposuction, Botox, body sculpting and more. • Opened May 28

8 Korman Fine Jewelry The jewelry store will be relocating from its location on North Burnet Road, near Pinthouse, to a more central location on North Lamar Boulevard. Korman has been independently owned and operated for over 50 years with owners Kat and Larry Stokes taking over in 2018. • Relocating this summer

• 4004 Marathon Blvd., Austin • www.360plasticsurgery.com

• 2901 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin • www.kormaninejewelry.com

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Impacts

Downtown/West Campus

BY KATLYNN FOX, SARAH HERNANDEZ & ELISABETH JIMENEZ,

service cafes, espresso bars and roastery spaces at its various New York locations and sources global coffee. • Opening 2025 • 323 W. Sixth St., Austin • www.blackfoxcoffee.com 5 François et Bar Rouge The team behind Austin restaurants including The Salty Sow and Roaring Fork are opening a new restaurant downtown. • Opening TBD • 401 W. Third St., Austin • www.restaurantfrancois.com 6 Ramen Tatsu-ya The Austin-based ramen shop will open its eighth location, and smallest location yet, near the UT Austin campus this fall. The new spot will have exterior windows for walk-up service and outdoor seating. The menu will feature pork, chicken, and vegetable-based ramen, and sides like edamame and rice bowls. • Opening this fall 7 Tapville Social Owners Shashi Rangaraju and Jyotsna Chitri are bringing a self-pour wine and beer taproom across UT Austin and the Blanton Museum of Art. The menu features cocktail, coffee and margarita flights, appetizers and more. • Opening late summer, early fall 2025 • 2416 Guadalupe St., Austin • www.ramen-tatsuya.com

Now open

3 6

SAN ANTONIO ST.

2 Café Crème The family owned café opened its second location attached to the Austin Central Library. Café Crème offers coffee, matcha, pastries and more. The business is looking to expand its food and cocktail menu in the future, according to a social media post. • Opened in May • 710 W. Cesar Chavez St., Austin • www.cafecremeaustin.com

W. 3RD ST.

MAP NOT TO SCALE

3 Smoothie King The smoothie shop opened a new location on The Drag, two years after a previous location closed in West Campus near The University of Texas at Austin. Menu items served at the new location include fruit refreshers, acai bowls, blended coffee drinks and more. • Opened May 17

Now open

• 1836 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin • www.tapvillesocial.com/austin

1 Amity’s Located in the back space of venue Hole in the Wall on The Drag, the space operates as a coffee shop, bar and a late-night karaoke spot. Amity’s replaces what was once Jewboy Cantina, which opened in April 2024. • Opened in May • 2513 San Antonio St., Austin • Instagram: amityaustin

What’s next

• 2414 Guadalupe St., Austin • www.smoothieking.com

8 Star Bar The bar from FBR Management celebrated 30 years of service in June on West Sixth Street. Established in 1995, Star Bar features three patios, a pickup window from pizza restaurant Via 313 in addition to cocktails and draft beers.

Coming soon

4 Black Fox Coffee The New-York based brewer will open next to the Indeed Tower downtown later this year. Black Fox offers full-

• Anniversary June 28 • 600 W. 6th St., Austin • www.starbartexas.com

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Impacts

South Central

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3 Paperboy Austin’s popular brunch spot has opened a second location with a larger kitchen, indoor seating, a covered patio and a walk-up window for to-go orders. The menu features staples from Paperboy’s first location, such as the Texas Hash, B.E.C. Sandwich and Paperboy Pancake in addition to housemade pastries, coffee and cocktails. • Opened June 10

6 Le Calamar The spot takes the place of Korean-American- inspired restaurant Underdog. Chef Casey Wall’s menu offers a “Texan perspective on the modern French bistro,” a news release states. Main courses include grilled trout with brown butter, almond and guajillo, a daily selection of cuts cooked over charcoal and more. • Opened May 29 • 1600 S. First St., Ste. 100, Austin • www.le-calamar.com

• 1401 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin • www.paperboyaustin.com

MAP NOT TO SCALE

4 Hydrate IV Bar Founded by Phil Willoz and Katrina Mendiola, the new spa offers vitamin-infused IV treatments designed to support hydration, recovery and overall well-being. • Opened May 15 • 2110 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin • www.hydrateivbar.com 5 Impact Apparel A new consignment clothing boutique will benefit workforce development programs for Dress for Success Austin, a local nonprofit that aims to empower women to achieve economic independence. • Opening June 14 • 3000 S. I-35 frontage road, Ste. 175, Austin • www.dressforsuccessaustin.org

Now open

In the news

1 South Lamar Nail Bar The salon offers nail services as well as face and body waxing. • Opened May 22 • 2612 S. Lamar Blvd., Ste. B, Austin • www.southlamarnailbar.com 2 Swedish Hill The Austin bakery has opened its third location, featuring a Heath Ceramics showroom. • Opened May 15 • 1804 S. First St., Austin • www.swedishhillaustin.com

7 Hyatt Regency Austin The full-service hotel has begun a full renovation of the property, including a redesign of the hotel’s rooms and suites. A new restaurant, Ripple & Roots, and a market, Juniper Breeze Market, will also be introduced. • 208 Barton Springs Road, Austin • www.hyatt.com

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Impacts

East Austin

BY ELLE BENT & HALEY MCLEOD

Relocations

ANCHOR LN.

Now open

5 All Saints Tattoo After 13 years in downtown Austin, the tattoo shop has moved to a house in East Austin. The grand opening of the location coincides with the shop’s 13th anniversary and introduction of body piercing services. • Relocated June 13

183

• 1706 E. Sixth St., Austin • www.allsaintstattoo.com

In the news

6 Pershing The private social club launched its new workspace and co-working membership. The new co-working space features indoor and outdoor work areas, access to conference rooms, and personal concierge that will bring coffee and food on request from Pershing East, the coffee-shop and eatery adjacent to Pershing and open to the public. Memberships start at $300 a month. • 2415B E. Fifth St., Austin • www.thepershing.com/coworking 7 Mariposa Family Learning Center The daycare is celebrating five years of offering early childhood education and wraparound support services for families in the Montopolis neighborhood. The center includes a subsidized tuition program as well as a food and nutrition program, in which students garden each week and are sent home fresh produce twice each week. • 403 Vargas Road, Austin • www.mariposalearningcenter.org 130 TOLL 973

3 West China Tea Lounge West China Tea has opened its first brick-and- mortar teahouse. The Austin-based company was founded in 2012 as a specialty importer of farm- direct Chinese tea, featuring more than 200 types of tea sourced from over 40 suppliers. • Opened May 23

C O

183

• 1715 E. Seventh St., Austin • www.westchinatea.com

MAP NOT TO SCALE

offering oysters, clams, fish and chips and more from Chef Justin Huffman and Nicole Rossi of Le Beef Burger. • Opening spring 2025 • 1401 East 6th St., Ste. 201, Austin • www.fishshopatx.com 4 Cenote The cafe will reopen this summer after closing its East Cesar Chavez Street location in early April. The new location replaces Revival Coffee, which closed in late 2024. From owner Mary Jenkins, Cenote offers French- pressed coffee, Austin-style tapas, tacos and dishes, craft beer and wine. • Opening summer 2025 • 1405 E. Seventh St., Austin • www.cenoteaustin.com

Now open

1 Strangelove A new coffee shop and wine bar, a collaboration between Figure 8 Coffee Purveyors and bar Small Victory, is now open near Intero Restaurant. • Opened May 10 • 2614 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin • Instagram: Strangeloveatx 71

Closings

8 Redbud Ice House Just over a year after opening, Redbud Ice House closed, a result of the lease not being renewed, according to staff. The space offered wagyu burgers and live music and was a concept from the MaieB Hospitality group also behind Michelin star restaurant Olamaie. • Closed June 1 • 2027 Anchor Lane, Austin

Coming soon

2 Fish Shop A new raw bar is slated to open on East 6th Street,

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Government

BY ELISABETH JIMENEZ, HALEY MCLEOD & BEN THOMPSON

Police license plate reader program halted The Austin Police Department’s use of hundreds of automated license plate readers, or ALPRs, will end this month following community opposition against the data collection initiative. What happened City Council was scheduled to vote on June 5 to indenitely continue an ALPR program. However, public pushback this month led City Manager T.C. Broadnax to withdraw the item to more closely vet the program. An APD spokesperson said the department supports the move to allow for more review and public engagement. Zooming in After city ocials suspended the use of ALPRs in 2020, the technology returned under a one-year pilot program with council-imposed guidelines related to privacy and data-sharing with outside law enforcement agencies. It started last March and was temporarily extended this spring, and a city audit of program results was released in May. APD Chief Lisa Davis said ALPRs were key to solving dozens of criminal cases since early 2024. Opponents on the council dais and in the commu- nity have said the cameras represent surveillance overreach, and that Austin’s contract with public safety technology company Flock Safety allows for unwanted data-sharing with agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ALPR software used in dozens of xed spots and more than 500 police vehicles will now be shut o. While some ocials said they wouldn’t support ALPRs in any form, a program extension could still be considered by the end of 2025.

Vape sales could be banned near schools New vape shops in Austin will soon be prohibited from selling vape products near schools and daycares. The details A City Council resolution approved this spring calls to prohibit the sale of e-cig- arettes and synthetic nicotine products within 1,000 feet of Austin daycares and public and private schools. City sta will also engage with schools, parents and impacted businesses to receive stakeholder feedback before the policy— which won’t apply to existing shops—when it goes into eect. A draft of the vape-ban ordinance will be presented to council by mid-September. Dig deeper Council member Krista Laine, who drafted the resolution, said the presence of vape shops near schools is harmful for students and that mandatory district discipline related to vaping can negatively aect stu- dent learning. Council member Chito Vela said a sales ban could avoid such discipline. “This resolution is a step toward protect- ing our students from unnecessary crimi- nalization and supporting their health and future,” Vela said. The resolution was supported by Texans for Safe Drug-Free Youth, the American Lung Association, and state Sens. Molly Cook, DHouston, and Donna Campbell, RNew Braunfels.

Council member Mike Siegel joined other ocials and community groups opposed to the program on June 4.

BEN THOMPSONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Millions of license plate scans led to dozens of arrests under a city pilot program. Austin automated license plate reader program results

License plate scans

40M

37,697,936

30M

23,623,874

20M

13,790,311

10M

Trial Q1

Trial Q2

Trial Q3

Arrests

Prosecutions

40 60 80 100

20 0

Trial Q1

Trial Q2

Trial Q3

SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTINCOMMUNITY IMPACT

County works to apply voter-backed child care funds Travis County is working to implement the rst round of new funding under a tax increase for child care services voters approved in November. What’s happening

Rolling out services

Feb.-April 2025 County conducts community engagement May-June 2025 County analyzes input received Summer 2025 County to present input ndings, recruit advisory Council, implement short-term investments

The details County sta said $30 million could be used to expand current programs and new agreements with local school districts. Commissioners and advocates also shared concerns about addressing needs like infant and toddler care, and the slow pace of long-term planning for early childhood services. More than 5,000 children remain on the county’s child care subsidy waitlist.

Travis County Health and Human Services sta said a $75 million program meant to launch this summer is taking longer to implement. As vendor negotiations continue, sta recommended using a portion of initial tax revenue to grow capacity within existing partner programs.

Fall 2025 County to open solicitation for services

Dec. 2026 All ongoing contracts anticipated to be in eect

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Education

BY CHLOE YOUNG

AISD to overhaul 3 middle schools

5 AISD campuses to see modernization The district broke ground on moderniza- tion work at ve schools in April and May: • Oak Springs Elementary • McCallum High School • Anderson High School • Northeast Early College High School and International High School • Martin Middle School The details Funding for the multimillion-dollar proj- ects was approved by voters in the district’s $2.44 billion bond election in 2022. AISD has now broken ground on 15 of 25 total mod- ernization projects across the district. The rst modernizations are expected to open in the spring of 2026.

Three Austin ISD middle schools are set to undergo changes next school year, receiving new teachers, administrators and curriculum. These changes are a part of AISD’s turnaround plans to restart Dobie, Webb and Burnet middle schools following two consecutive years of failed accountability ratings from the state. What’s happening AISD ocials have replaced campus administra- tors and some teachers to implement a state model for underperforming campuses. At Burnet, 68% of educators were invited to return, 57% of Webb sta and 32% of Dobie sta. The board is set to hold a public hearing and vote on the plans at its June 26 meeting ahead of a June 30 deadline from the Texas Education Agency, after press time. The proposed plan, costing $1.7 million per

Burnet Middle School students staged a walk-out to protest the replacement of sta May 12.

ELLE BENTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

campus, includes extended school days with after-school enrichment, shifted bell schedules, standardization of curriculum between class- rooms, additional testing and the three campuses and the hiring of content interventionists, addi- tional teachers and counselors. The board is set to vote on the plans on June 26, after press time.

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Transportation

BY HALEY MCLEOD

Austin airport begins latest expansion City and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport ocials celebrated the start of con- struction May 12 on the Atrium Inll Project that will result in an additional 12,000 square feet for the Arrivals and Departures Hall within the Barbara Jordan Terminal. In a nutshell The project is expected to increase capac- ity for Transportation Security Administra- tion queuing and airline ticketing counter lines, which has in the past during busy travel days extended outside the terminal, according to a news release. What you need to know Current TSA security capacity and ight schedules won’t be impacted.

CapMetro swore in one captain, two sergeants and nine Transit Police Department ocers June 6.

COURTESY CAPMETRO

CapMetro swears in rst- ever transit police force Capital Metro welcomed its inaugural class of Transit Police Department ocers June 6. Some context Concerns over safety is not something new for the agency. CapMetro adopted a three-pronged safety strategy in 2021, creating the specialized transit police department, public safety ambassadors and

community intervention specialists. The agency appointed its rst police chief, Eric Robins, last August. However, ocials announced June 17 that Robins would leave the role in mid-July, with plans to begin a nationwide search to ll the role. Ocers began patrolling June 16. The framework The transit police department, who are trained in crisis intervention, will work alongside the agency’s public safety ambassadors and community intervention specialists to respond quickly to transit safety needs across the metro.

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Health care

BY HALEY MCLEOD

Health Care Edition

2025

Readers, welcome to Community Impact’s annual health care edition! This guide, compiled by our team of local reporters, explores pivotal developments shaping the medical landscape of Central Austin. Our cover story explores how robotics and technology is becoming intertwined in Austin’s health care scene. Additionally, our edition includes key updates from ve local hospitals.

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What's inside

Learn how heat can impact those with diabetes (Page 24)

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Medical experts clarify care options

Who’s providing the care?

No matter the facility, patients might be seen by either a medical doctor or a nurse practitioner—so what’s the dierence? • MD (medical doctor): physicians who complete medical school and residency, can perform surgery, and prescribe medication • NP (nurse practitioner): registered nurses with advanced degrees who can diagnose, treat and prescribe More NP programs are becoming doctoral- level, meaning they involve more advanced education, said Amy Papermaster, a nurse practitioner at Women’s Health. In Texas, NPs must also collaborate with a physician. Papermaster said patients won’t notice much dierence between seeing a nurse practitioner and a physician. Nurse practitioners can diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, prescribe medications, and manage a wide range of conditions.

A sore throat on a Saturday night may leave one wondering, “Should I wait for my doctor, visit urgent care or head to the emergency room?” Amid seasonal illnesses, local experts share tips for choosing the right level of care. “Knowing where to turn during a medical emergency is extremely important for the community, because it [leads] to the best possible outcome and also ensures that they receive the best value for the care provided,” said Laura Hochwalt, vice president of emergency services at St. David’s HealthCare. Hochwalt said doctors are present not only at primary care oces but also at urgent care centers and in emergency room departments.

Knowing where to go

Patients should see a primary care provider for nonurgent health concerns and routine medical care. Primary care oce Urgent care is for after-hours care meant for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. Urgent care center Emergency rooms are for life-threatening situations, such as traumatic injuries, fractures, burns and stroke-like symptoms. Emergency room

SOURCES: ST. DAVID’S HEALTHCARE, BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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Health care

BY ELLE BENT, ELISABETH JIMENEZ & HALEY MCLEOD

5 health care updates from local hospitals

1 Heart Hospital of Austin Heart Hospital of Austin has worked toward less invasive procedures for patients, shifting from open-heart surgery to minimally invasive techniques through its research department, said Dr. Faraz Kerendi, director of the Heart Valve Clinic at Heart Hospital of Austin. Under the umbrella of St. David’s HealthCare, the hospital focuses on various cardiac and vascular procedures. Kerendi said the specialty hospital’s research department has worked on “the cutting edge” of new technological advancements, such as catheter-based treatment or smaller surgical incisions. Heart valve surgery required open- chest surgery about 10 years ago. The eld then evolved to treating aortic valves through the groin, which was less invasive than the open chest surgery. Since then, technology has improved to include trials for minimally-invasive procedures in other heart valves, Kerendi said. For patients that need more advanced surgery, doctors are now able to do valve replacement through a two-inch incision through the ribs, rather than a traditional open heart surgery, he said. Minimally invasive surgeries can be benecial for patients of all ages, Kerendi said. For younger patients, they can return to activity earlier rather than a monthslong recovery period after more invasive procedures. For older patients, they often cannot undergo invasive operations due to age and high risk of complications. With less invasive procedures, they can be a more viable candidate for treatment, he said.

2 Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin

4 Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas

Families that need to access clean clothing and other necessary resources after a baby is born can do so through the ‘Bump to Baby Boutique’ at Ascension Seton Medical Center, funded by the Ascension Seton Foundation. All patients in the Mother/Baby Unit at ASMCA can receive clean robes, T-shirts, sandals, and sweatpants for mothers to go home in, as well as baby blankets, socks and hats, and toddler clothing for older siblings. Parents can also access resources for new babies like diapers, wipes, diaper bags, car seats and cribs. More than half of birthing patients at ASMCA are not insured or underinsured. Additionally, ASMCA has a level four maternity unit, caring for high-risk pregnancies and deliveries.

A partnership between Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin and Ascension Seton has led to a major expansion of the region’s only neurocritical care unit, which has doubled its capacity just a year after opening— growing from 15 to 30 beds between 2023 and 2024. The expansion enables the department to treat more patients with complex neurological conditions and oer care for a broader range of cases—including stroke, spine and brain surgeries and other specialized neuro care. “[The expansion] opens up our ability to receive more patients from the community and surrounding hospitals who may not have our level of neurocritical care expertise,” Dr. Shahed Toossi, medical director of Dell Seton’s neurocritical care unit, said in a statement.

1201 West 38th St., Austin www.healthcare.ascension.org

1500 Red River St., Austin www.healthcare.ascension.org

3 Dell Children’s Medical Center Healthcare system Ascension Texas announced Adam Messer as president of Dell Children’s Medical Center in February. The appointment of Messer comes after leading Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas since January 2023. During his previous tenure, Messer oversaw a facility with 240 licensed beds, 1,370 employees, 53,000 annual emergency department visits, 13,000 surgeries and opened the only neurocritical care unit in Central Texas. “Our hospitals have become a destination for families who are seeking world-class care, and I’m committed to ensuring we continue that mission as the only nationally ranked comprehensive care destination for children in Central Texas,” Messer said.

5 St. David’s Medical Center Doctors at the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David’s Medical Center are using new technology to oer less-invasive treatments for patients. The team became the rst to use a pulse-eld ablation system for patients with arrhythmias, following approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in late 2024. Dr. Andrea Natale, executive medical director of TCAI, said his team is working on testing the second generation of the PFA system. Natale said for about the past 20 years, doctors have used treatments such as cryoablation to treat arrhythmias, which have higher risk of collateral damage to surrounding tissue. The PFA system allows for more direct treatment and less damage to surrounding tissue, he said. While complications can arise from any treatment, he said, new technology can leave patients with better outcomes after treatment.

Heart Hospital of Austin, under St. David’s HealthCare, oers various cardiovascular treatment and procedures.

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NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

Health care

BY BEN THOMPSON

APH managing federal funding losses

“Squads,” or life-saving SUV units, are now replacing some Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services ambulances. The new squad pilot program started April 22 after years of consideration and several months of formal development, EMS spokesperson Capt. Christa Stedman said. The change is meant to improve call and personnel management within budget limitations, according to ATCEMS, while the city medics’ union says 911 responses are being negatively impacted. Local ambulance service scales down

What to expect

What’s next

The department will monitor response times and other metrics under the stang change, with adjustments to be made as needed. “This approach is part of a broader evolution in how EMS systems across the country are adapting to growing call volumes and increasingly complex patient needs,” ocials said.

Federal adjustments can more heavily aect APH given the department’s large share of grant-supported work, with less than half of its more than 640 sta positions funded locally. Sturrup said, in a worst-case scenario, APH could lose funding for 328 full-time employees. She said a bright spot amid recent changes has been their ability to avoid cutting any workers so far. Partnering with human resources ocials, APH has been able to reassign grant-funded sta to other positions within the department or elsewhere with the city. That process has ensured no lost employees, even if sta aren’t placed in their desired roles if public health capacity is reduced. APH and related resident services could be in line for further changes based on federal funding decisions, including the passage of a new federal budget later this year.

In total, APH expects millions of dollars in losses that translate to various programs and dozens of sta positions. Sturrup said the losses will aect overall community health preparedness and response eorts. For example, APH is losing capacity to conduct high-cost measles case tracking and screenings for a variety of conditions.

Austin Public Health ocials have faced local eects of funding cuts at the federal level. Impacts include current losses in grant funding and expected future losses through ongoing budget deliberations. APH Director Adrienne Sturrup said the changes have aected employee morale, services and leave the community more vulnerable to disease.

Ambulance: • Paramedic and EMT • Advanced gear, patient transportation capacity

Squad: • One paramedic • Less equipment and

Going forward

APH funding Many APH programs and sta positions are funded through grants.

medication onboard, no patient transport capacity

314.5

$39.44M

328.5

$92.07M

Ambulances have full patient transport capacity but squad units can’t transport patients. Squads are now in service from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. based on daily EMS stang and call volume.

City budget Grant funding

$131.5M Fiscal year 2024-25 budget:

Employees*

*FULLTIME EQUIVALENT, OR FTE, POSITION COUNT BASED ON TOTAL EMPLOYEE WORKLOAD

COURTESY AUSTINTRAVIS COUNTY EMS Austin medics are responding to calls with both ambulance and squad units.

SOURCE: AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTHCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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Health care

BY BEN THOMPSON

Cell therapy advances at St. David’s

The takeaway

St. David’s offerings have expanded since launching in 2014 with only one treatment type. While it’s not an academic center, Ramakrishnan said physicians still do a lot of research and work with professionals across the national therapy network. The program has now served more than 1,000 people. “When I got here in 2014, they told me we were going to do about six procedures for the first year. I think we did 27. People have just been flocking here,” he said. “We’re grateful that, again, we’re able to provide these services to the community.” Ramakrishnan said service improvements, added clinical trials and possible new office spaces around Austin are possible in the program’s future.

For over a decade, St. David’s South Austin Medical Center has offered the city’s only selection of cellular therapies for various blood cancers. Through the Sarah Cannon Transplant & Cellular Therapy Network, hundreds of patients have had access to different types of transplant treatments while being able to stay close to home. “Imagine having to drive to another city where the service is available. That’s a big burden,” Program Director Dr. Aravind Ramakrishnan said. “They have these diseases, they’re horrible, they have to drive to their appointment, they have to spend all this time, they often need a caregiver. It really upends their life. To keep them home in their bed around their support network, I think it’s huge for the patients.”

St. David’s South Austin facility provides three specific cellular cancer treatments. Treatment types Autologous transplant Patients’ own stems cells are harvested while they’re treated with high-dose chemotherapy, before cells are reintroduced to patients. This treats cancers like multiple myeloma and Hodgkins lymphoma. Allogeneic transplant Patients are evaluated for a transplant over several months, and a cell donor is selected and then treated with chemo or radiation before cells are transfused. This treats cancers like leukemia. CAR T-cell therapy Immune cells from the patient or a donor are extracted and genetically modified. Patients receive treatment like chemo before the cells are infused to target cancers. This treats cancers like lymphoma.

SOURCE: ST. DAVID’S HEALTHCARE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Health care

BY ELISABETH JIMENEZ

With Texas heat and humidity, people with diabetes can struggle to cool down, facing a greater chance of experiencing heat-related illnesses, experts have found. For a person without medical problems, the body adapts to heat through sweat production and blood vessels, said Dr. Natalie Williams with Austin Regional Clinic. Because people with diabetes have excess sugar in their blood, that can disrupt the body’s natural cool-down mechanisms, Williams said. People with diabetes are more likely to get dehydrated because of the excess sugar, creating a lack of water in the body needed Diabetic people face health risks with Texas heat

Handling heat

Williams said both diabetic and nondiabetic people can deal with high temperatures in a variety of ways, including:

These struggles with body temperature and dehydration can lead to greater risks of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, she said. She anticipates an increased risk in the coming summer months. Williams said that diabetic patients should be mindful of how heat can affect medicine and equipment. She said some medicines such as insulin are heat-sensitive and can lose effectiveness when exposed to heat. Equipment such as pumps, monitors and glucose test strips can be damaged by heat. Glucose test strips can also go bad in the sunlight. Williams recommends talking with a doctor to understand individual heat-related risks. “Have conversations with your doctor about how to take care of yourself in the heat because every condition has something else that you may need to keep an eye on,” she said.

Working out in the morning

Avoiding sugary and caffeinated drinks

Checking the heat index

Wearing loose, light-color clothing

Ensuring access to shade or air conditioning

for sweat production. Additionally, some people with diabetes can have damaged blood vessels, preventing them from effectively cooling down, she said.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Health care

BY BEN THOMPSON

Local company oers new blood tests

founder Eric Olson told Community Impact . The alternative testing method was incubated through the 2010s, aimed at nding a new way to collect high-quality capillary blood. Olson said the business is meant to center around individual patients, rather than other interests, with aordable results. Clinical trials that started in 2020 found the method is clinically equivalent to testing through conventional blood draws. BetterWay’s ngertip testing launched in Austin last spring. “It’s been a long process of inventing, developing the fundamental technology, validating that it works, and getting the collection device technology through [Food and Drug Administration] review and approved for the market,” Olson said.

For just over a year, Austin-based BetterWay has been oering a new and less invasive blood testing process in Central Texas. Traditional blood testing typically involves drawing a test tube’s worth of blood from veins in a patient’s arm. The process can be a barrier; BetterWay reported 40% of patients avoid testing for reasons like aordability or discomfort. Through BetterWay’s new method, a pea-sized blood sample is drawn from a patient’s ngertip. The simplied equipment can be used by non- phlebotomists, allowing access at locations like grocery stores and pharmacies. “We’re enabling new people to oer dierent kinds of health care, which ultimately pushes that health care out closer to where consumers are,” BetterWay

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BetterWay’s simplied ngertip blood tests are now available at more than 20 Central Texas locations.

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What to expect

Some context

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BetterWay testing is available at more than two dozen locations, including Lakeline and Round Rock Sam’s Clubs as of March. The business now aims to build partnerships across the health care sector. “There’s a lot of demand from health systems who want to distinguish themselves by stepping up the way that their blood collection experience works, providing a new option for people that are afraid of needles, are afraid of blood … or people that just don’t want to go out of their way to a lab that’s far away and doesn’t have the best customer service,” Olson said. BetterWay was recognized in this year’s South by Southwest Innovation Award competition, where it won the Health and Biotech eld.

From standard primary care to chronic disease monitoring, oerings include metabolic panels; blood counts; and analysis for diabetes, high cholesterol and prostate cancer. The testing menu expanded in April to over 60 available options.

Basic checkup package* • Comprehensive metabolic panel: $19 • Hemoglobin A1C (glucose test): $19 • Complete blood count: $25 • Lipid panel (cholesterol, other fats): $25

*BEFORE INSURANCE

SOURCE: BETTERWAY BLOOD TESTINGCOMMUNITY IMPACT

NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION

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