‹Eric Robins Named Sugar Land Police Chief

Sugar Land Assistant City Manager Doug Brinkley promoted Assistant Police Chief Eric Robins to the position of police chief on June 11.

A native Houstonian who has spent almost his entire career with SLPD, Robins’ most recent assignment as assistant chief included direct supervision and leadership of patrol, criminal investigations, traffic, special impact teams, crime analysis, SWAT and crime scene investigations.

His accomplishments have included strategies and programs that directly contributed to Sugar Land achieving a crime rate for 2017 that was the lowest on record. Robins has implemented initiatives to increase police visibility and expand crime analysis to identify resources necessary to address criminal trends. He also managed and created special enforcement teams to target and handle specific high-crime patterns. He led technology initiatives such as red light cameras and a network of license plate recognition cameras. Under his leadership, SLPD received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.

Since joining SLPD in 1992 as a patrol officer, Robins has since served as a
detective, sergeant, lieutenant and captain prior to his promotion to assistant chief in 2010. He served as correctional officer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice from ‘89-’91.

Robins earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Houston-Downtown and a master’s degree in criminal justice from Sam Houston State University.

He is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police and the FBI National Academy. He is also a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and the Texas Police Chief’s Association.

 

 

‹Fort Bend ISD Adopts 2018-19 Budget

At the June 18 Regular Board meeting, the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees adopted the budget for the 2018-19 school year, at $634,633,006, or $8,360 per student. The projected student enrollment for the upcoming school year is 75,909.

Due to a projected decrease in state funding, the budget reflects a reduction of administrative and utility costs. It also includes the costs associated with the opening of Ronald Thornton Middle School, and reflects some cost savings associated with the consolidation of some bilingual and pre­kindergarten programs.

Eighty percent of the budget is allocated to instruction and support, including guidance counseling, health and social work services, and co- and extra-curricular programming, while 17 percent is dedicated to the safety of students, the upkeep of the District’s facilities, student transportation and technology. The resulting three percent is allocated for administrative costs.

The budget was developed under the recently adopted tax rate, $1.32, though the Board will formally adopt a tax rate this fall.

Amid the budget process, Fort Bend ISD was again lauded for its fiscal responsibility, earning a high mark from TX Smart Schools. The District earned a 4.5 star rating for 2018.

Visitors can see how Fort Bend ISD compares to other districts of comparable size to more accurately gauge how FBISD builds and sustains students’ academic achievement attxsmartschools.org.

 

‹Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Welcomes Dr. Jean Bismuth and Dr. Charlie Cheng

Board-certified vascular surgeons Jean Bismuth, M.D., and Charlie Cheng, M.D., have joined the staff of Houston Methodist Cardiovascular Surgery Associates in Sugar Land.

Bismuth and Cheng offer a full scope of surgical and minimally invasive endovascular options to treat vascular system diseases. Their level of expertise combined with access to state-of-the-art technology at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, allow for rapid diagnosis and treatment of vascular conditions, and better long-term outcomes for patients.

Bismuth comes to Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital from Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center, where he continues to serve as associate program director for cardiovascular surgery as well as associate professor of cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College. Bismuth received his medical degree from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. He served as both a medical and surgical intern and as a research fellow at Gentofte University Hospital, also in Denmark, before completing his residency in general surgery at The Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York and a fellowship in vascular surgery at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

“It’s an honor to join the team that has a long history of bringing the most advanced and sophisticated cardiac care to Fort Bend,” said Bismuth. “My approach to patient safety and comfort is a perfect fit with the culture and mission of Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, and I’m excited to be seeing patients at Houston Methodist Cardiovascular Surgery Associates.”

Cheng previously served as assistant professor of vascular and endovascular surgery and assistant professor of trauma surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. He earned his medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk and completed his residency and internship in general surgery there, as well. Cheng then completed a fellowship in vascular surgery at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

“My new affiliation with Houston Methodist Cardiovascular Surgery Associates will enable me to continue to offer a deep and thorough level of care to patients in the Fort Bend and surrounding areas,” said Cheng. “Houston Methodist is leading the way in heart and vascular care through research and collaboration, and I am excited to be a part of such a well-respected institution.”

Bismuth speaks English, French and Danish fluently. Cheng is fluent in English, Mandarin Chinese and Taiwanese.

Houston Methodist Cardiovascular Surgery Associates in Sugar Land is located at 16605 Southwest Freeway in Medical Office Building 3. To schedule an appointment, call 713-441-5200.

 

 

‹Volunteers Donate $24,000 to Oakbend Medical Center

During the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon held in the Joe and Doris Gurecky Atrium, the Polly Ryon Memorial Hospital Auxiliary presented a check to Joe Freudenberger, CEO of OakBend Medical Center in the amount of $24,000 to use toward the renovations of the hospital’s Skilled Nursing Facility.

Each year proceeds from sales from the Gift Shop, which is run by the volunteers, and from fundraisers such as silent auctions and bake sales and the sale of popcorn and pickles in the lobby of the Jackson Street campus are donated to the hospital.

Since 2002, the organization has donated a little over $600,238 to OakBend Medical Center which has been used to purchase equipment and help with renovations and updates around the hospital.

“Our volunteers are amazing,” said Freudenberger. “They never cease to amaze me when it comes to their generosity. They are the gems of our hospital and I am grateful every day for their dedication to OakBend.”

The volunteers are actively looking for new members and they encourage anyone who has a few hours to donate to volunteering to check out their organization. Visitoakbendmedcenter.org/volunteering or call 281-633-4015 for more information.

 

‹Missouri City Awarded Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting

For the 36th consecutive year, Missouri City has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

Missouri City’s CAFR was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

“The sound financial management that went into earning this award for the 36th year in a row reflects Missouri City’s capacity to meet financial commitments throughout time,” City Manager Anthony Snipessaid. “Resi­dents and stakeholders are welcome to visit mctxfinance.comand easily access recent and past financial transparency documents, check registers and more to further understand why we continue to meet these high financial management standards.”

For more information about Missouri City, visit missouricitytx.gov.

 

‹Houston Methodist Sugar Land Offers Advanced Treatment for Nonhealing Wounds

For people living with diabetes, even the smallest scrape can lead to potentially dangerous circumstances. High blood sugar can damage nerves, which may cause numbness in the feet and legs, and lead to a narrowing and hardening of blood vessels, which can result in less oxygen being circulated throughout the body to aid in healing.

If you have a wound that doesn’t heal properly, early treatment can help you get back on your feet. The Houston Methodist Wound Care Program at Sugar Land uses a multidisciplinary approach for treating wounds that won’t heal.

Timothy Oppermann, M.D., board-certified surgeon with Houston Methodist Surgical Associates, encourages patients with diabetic foot wounds to take a proactive approach. “Diabetes accounts for about 60 percent of lower limb amputations not related to injury in adults, clearly illustrating the importance for diabetic patients to closely monitor their health and take quick action to provide the proper care to even the smallest wound, particularly in the feet,” Oppermann said.

Warning signs of a chronic, nonhealing wound include persistent pain in the area around the wound; discoloration of the wound’s edges; increased drainage from the wound site; and redness or swelling around or spreading away from the wound.

The program’s doctors and nurses are certified in wound care medicine, and work with patients and their primary care team to monitor, manage and treat wounds with the most advanced treatments available, including compression wraps, antimicrobial dressings, bioengineered skin substitutes and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). The program’s RN case managers bring exceptional care and compassion to their roles.

Michael Yaakovian, M.D., board-certified surgeon with Houston Methodist Surgical Associates, treats patients with diabetic foot problems and other nonhealing wounds. “Hyperbaric therapy supplies oxygen under pressure that supersaturates the red blood cells and plasma with oxygen, so when blood is supplied to the area of the wound, these supercharged blood cells help repair the wound and kill the infection, leading to the generation of new blood vessels and tissue growth,” Yaakovian explained.

For people with diabetes, managing wounds to prevent complications requires care and diligence. Take good care of your feet with the following tips: inspect and wash feet daily – with poor sensation, there may be the presence of wounds that could go unnoticed; keep wounds clean and dry to reduce risk of infection; file your toe nails – clipping may increase the risk for skin injury; wear proper-fitting shoes and socks at all times; and control your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol to slow down the progression of diabetic complications.

To schedule an appointment, call 281-275-0770 or visit houstonmethodist.org/wound-sl.

 

 

‹Ryan Johnson Receives Proclamation for 25 Years of Service

Ryan Johnson recently received an official proclamation from the State of Texas and Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick for Johnson’s 25 years of exemplary service with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Drug Enforcement Agency. Johnson and his family were honored in May at the Texas Capitol in Austin.

Johnson serves as a Fort Bend County Republican Precinct Chair, Precinct 1120.

 

 

‹Win a $5,000 Staycation from Sienna Plantation

A visit to any Sienna Plantation model home throughout the month of July could result in a $5,000 “staycation” for one lucky prospective home buyer. Visitors to any of the Fort Bend community’s 25 model homes or the Homefinder Center, 5777 Sienna Parkway, can register to win a $5,000 Staycation Package to enjoy area attractions, plus cooking, cleaning and pampering.

“Staycations are a lot of fun, especially this one,” said Allison Bond, marketing director for Sienna Plantation. “The package includes tickets to favorite attractions in the greater Houston area, but also gives prospective homebuyers a glimpse into the signature Sienna lifestyle that comes with every home purchase, both new and pre-owned.”

The package includes a $1,500 Marriott Hotels & Resorts voucher; the Woodhouse Day Spa passes; four tickets to see the Astros-v-Mariners game Sunday, Aug. 12, including a parking pass; Smart Financial Centre “Gold Circle” tickets to see Tony Bennett in concert Thursday, Aug. 23, including a parking pass; four tickets to the Galveston Pleasure Pier; four Kemah Boardwalk passes; four Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center tickets; four Houston Zoo tickets plus carousel ride passes; AMC theater passes ($100 value); Merry Maids Housekeeping (16 hours); meals delivered by A La Cart Nutrition; four weeks of fresh vegetable deliveries from Loam Agronomics; and a Bean Here Coffee gift certificate. For more information, visit siennaplantation.com/staycation. Models are open daily.