Warren Hired as Lamar CISD School Safety Coordinator

At its regular May meeting, the Lamar CISD Board of Trustees approved the hiring of Dallis Warren to be the District’s first School Safety Coordinator. In his new position, Warren will ensure all campuses are following best practices in school safety and that all staff and students are prepared for any kind of emergency.

Warren is currently serving as the Police Chief of Rosenberg. He has been with the city since 1979 and has 40 years of experience in law enforcement, including more a criminal justice instructor at a Wharton County College and Texas A&M’s National Emergency Response And Rescue Training Center. Prior to chief, he was assistant chief of police, captain, detective and sergeant in the Rosenberg Police Department.

He is the graduate of two FBI sessions, has his master’s from Sam Houston State University and a bachelor’s from the University of Houston-Downtown.

 

‹Latifa Fakoya, D.O. joins Houston Methodist Rheumatology Associates

Latifa Fakoya, D.O., has joined the medical staff at Houston Methodist Rheumatology Associates, located in Medical Office Building 2 on the Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital campus.

Fakoya is a fellowship-trained rheumatologist who is board-certified in rheumatology and internal medicine. She earned her doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and completed her post-doctoral work at Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, as well as a fellowship in rheumatology at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

“The pain, swelling and stiffness associated with rheumatic disorders and diseases can be debilitating if left untreated,” Fakoya said. “Today, however, we have a wide range of treatment options that can help reduce or eliminate these symptoms, allowing patients to live active, healthy lives. If you suffer from arthritis or one of the other rheumatic conditions, see a rheumatologist and seek help. We can create a treatment plan that works for your individual needs and lifestyle.”

“Dr. Fakoya’s experience and knowledge will be a great asset to our team,” said Angela McCain, M.D., of Houston Methodist Rheumatology Associates. “Her background in working with patients across the spectrum of rheumatic diseases will strengthen our ability to provide care and treatment to those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, inflammatory muscle diseases, psoriatic and reactive arthritis, spondyloarthritis and more.”

“I am excited about the opportunity to begin serving the Fort Bend community,” Fakoya said, “and I look forward to helping patients better manage these serious conditions.”

To schedule an appointment with Latifa Fakoya, D.O., call 281-201-5938. To learn more, visit houstonmethodist.org/sugarland.

 

 

‹‹Lamar CISD Honors Employees at Annual Banquet

Lamar Consolidated honored employees April 25 at the annual Employee Banquet.

Each year, the District honors employees for their service to the children of our community. The honors began with employees with 5-years of experience and continued in 5-year increments, culminating in the honoring of 35-year veterans.

Exceptional service included 35-year honorees: Ella Banks and Mary Prestera; 30-year honorees: Janie Head, Cynthia Musslewhite, Nancy Valdez Alice Velasquez, Pamela Munoz, Gloria Wilson, Denise Hlavaty, Katie Clayton, Sharon Kristynik, Sandra Olsovsky, Lori Palmer and Betty Spradley; 25-year honorees: Petra Martinez, Dana Watts, Michelle Brown, Theodore Chong, Yvonne Dawson, Debra Acosta, Catherine Clark, Sheila Lofton, Michele Beard, Diane Clayton, Linda Fielder, Deborah Gresh­am, Jane Krancher and Monika Macha.

 

 

‹OakBend Medical Center First to Offer New Device to Predict Worsening Heart Failure

New technology in implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) is now available at OakBend Medical Center. Dr. Siddharth Mukerji of EP Heart implanted the first Resonate ICD, designed to not only shock a patient out of a life-threatening rhythm but to also give physicians important information to potentially reduce heart failure readmissions.

Developed by Boston Scientific and validated by the MultiSENSE study, the Resonate ICD includes HeartLogic Heart Failure Diagnostic which was shown to have a 70 percent sensitivity in detecting a potential heart failure exacerbation with an average of 34-day advance notice. HeartLogic combines data from five physiological sensors evaluating heart sounds, heart rate, respiration, activity levels and thoracic impedance collected through the implantable device into a composite index of the patient’s risk of an approaching heart failure event.

“This device has a module,” said Mukerji, “where based on certain parameters allows us to predict the onset of heart failure.”

“This is an alternative that will hopefully cut down on readmission rates,” said Dr. Mayank Parikh, whose patient was the first patient in Fort Bend County to have the implant.

OakBend Medical Center was the first to sign the contract for this new device.

 

‹Memorial Hermann Southwest and Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Announce New CEO

Memorial Hermann Health System has named Malisha Patel, FACHE, as the new Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Memorial Hermann Southwest and Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospitals, effective Aug. 1.

“As Vice President of Operations, Malisha has contributed significantly to the success and growth of Memorial Hermann Sugar Land and Memorial Hermann Southwest. She has proven to be engaged with staff and physicians, and possesses a deep understanding of the needs of each campus,” said Chuck Stokes, president and CEO of Memorial Hermann Health System. “Malisha’s passion for the communities we serve makes her a strong advocate for the needs of patients across the region.” In her current role, Patel has operational and business development oversight for both clinical and non-clinical departments, ranging from perioperative services to engineering. She has successfully led strategic planning and key operational improvements, and has advanced the Campus on its Level II trauma verification journey.

“I am honored and humbled by this appointment, and so grateful for the opportunity to serve and lead exceptional teams of dedicated, inspiring healthcare professionals who choose to work every day caring for our patients in the Southwest Harris and Fort Bend communities,” said Patel.

Patel joined Memorial Hermann in 2007 and has previously served as vice president of operations for both Memorial Hermann Sugar Land and Memorial Hermann Southwest. She is replacing current CEO Greg Haralson, who has been appointed to become the new CEO at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center.

“It has been an honor to lead our efforts to provide safe, high-quality care for our patients in the Southwest Houston and Fort Bend communities, and I am thankful to the talented employees and affiliated physicians at the Memorial Hermann Southwest and Memorial Hermann Sugar Land campuses for allowing me the opportunity to work alongside them,” said Haralson. “As I transition to a new role within our system, I have every confidence that Malisha will continue to act as a champion of excellence of our clinical and non-clinical departments. With her experience managing operations at both campuses, I have no doubt her guidance will ensure that we continue to deliver on our pledge to advance the health of the populations we serve.”

Patel has been a driving force behind the successes at each campus, including overseeing a $93-million expansion project at the Sugar Land campus that added 60 beds, an additional medical plaza and expanded services. In addition, she was the executive champion for Memorial Hermann Sugar Land’s adoption and integration of a framework for operational excellence, which resulted in the hospital earning recognition as a 2016 Malcolm Baldrige Award recipient, the highest award for performance excellence given in the country. The hospital was the first in the Houston area to earn this award. In addition, the Sugar Land campus became the first Houston-area hospital to be awarded the Texas Award for Performance Excellence (TAPE) from the Quality Texas Foundation. The TAPE award recognizes an organization as one of the best in Texas based on the Baldrige Excellence Framework.

Prior to joining Memorial Hermann, Malisha held positions with the Veterans Administra­tion Hospital in Dallas as well as with Tenet Healthcare. She has been recognized by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston as its 2016 “Young Professional of the Year,” The National Women’s Council of the National Diversity Council as one of the Top 15 Business Women in Houston, and she earned an honorable mention for the Houston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2017. She currently serves as the Chair of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce.

Patel earned her Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences from The University of Texas at Austin and her Master of Healthcare Administration from Trinity University.

 

‹BuildAid – Homeaid’s Hurricane Harvey Recovery Initiative – Receives $5.5M Grant

BuildAid, a HomeAid and GHBA rebuild initiative for pre-qualified homeowners whose homes flooded because of Hurricane Harvey, was presented a check for $5.5M from the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund (HHRF). HHRF was established by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and is administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation (@greaterhoucf). David Weekley and the David Weekley Family Foundation (DWFF), were the initial visionaries of this initiative, just days after the storm passed.

GHBA has also announced its members who have committed to partnering with BuildAid to provide construction management services: David Weekley Homes, Partners in Building, Taylor Morrison, Chesmar Homes, Trendmaker Homes and Empire Communities. The entire team is led by Chris Yuko with DWFF.

BuildAid will use the $5.5M to provide full home repair rebuilds to those homeowners who match the BuildAid requirements. A typical rebuild includes insulation, drywall, tape, float, texture, paint, cabinets, countertops, floors, doors, trim, and bathroom repairs. Saint Bernard Parish (SBP), a third party disaster preparation and recovery agency, facilitates the identification of homeowners that match the pre-qualification requirements.

“The BuildAid, HomeAid, and GHBA teams are honored to receive these valuable funds from the HHRF as we work to rebuild our community’s homes,” said Bill Dalton, president of HomeAid Houston. “Our gratitude extends to all GHBA members who have provided the construction personnel to make this massive undertaking a reality and to our many financial supporters who are making a difference.”

 

 

‹Builders Open Six Models in Sienna Plantation

In the span of four weeks, builders have opened six model homes in Sienna Planta­tion, expanding the number of community models to 25 and showcasing a wide variety of housing styles in order to meet accel­er­ated demand in the Fort Bend community.

Home sales through April stand near 200 and represent a 37 percent increase from the same timeframe last year.

“We are on track for a stellar year, and we appreciate our builders supporting the momentum we are experiencing,” said Alvin San Miguel, general manager of Sienna Plantation. “Not only have builders opened a number of new models in 2018, but they have started 178 homes total in the community.”

Shea Homes and Chesmar Homes launched model openings April 5 with the debut of two homes in Sienna’s Village of Sawmill Lake. Shea Homes opened its second Sienna Plantation model at 10530 Lan­tana Pass to tout nine floor plans designed for 60-foot homesites. The one- and two-story designs are priced from the $370,000s.

The new Chesmar model at 10603 Lantana Pass is the builder’s second in Sienna, show­casing four designs the builder has for 55-foot homesites in the Stillwater Cove neighborhood in the Village of Sawmill Lake. Pricing for these homes starts in the $330,000s.

Coventry Homes opened its first Sienna Plantation model home April 9 at 9419 Mount Logan in the Village of Sawmill Lake. The 10 floor plans Coventry offers in Sienna are designed for 75-foot homesites and are priced from the $480,000s.

Long-time Sienna builder Newmark Homes opened its newest community model April 26 at 9423 Mount Logan. Also designed for 75-foot properties, the series of floor plans includes eight designs priced from the $430,000s. Newmark also is opening a model home for 45-foot homesites in Sienna Plantation this summer.

Darling Homes opened two new models May 2 in Avalon at Sienna. The model at 5403 St. David’s Court represents the builder’s designs for 30-foot properties. The four floor plans are priced from the $360,000s. The second model — at 5103 Galahad Court — showcases homes for larger 65-foot homesites. The six available floor plans are priced from the $480,000s.

Homes in Sienna Plantation are priced from the $250,000s to more than $1 million. Residents enjoy an active lifestyle with frequent events, water parks, 35 miles of trails, more than 100 acres of parks and much more. Six Fort Bend ISD campuses are located on-site, with a seventh opening this year. Learn more at siennaplantation.com.

 

 

‹OakBend Medical Center’s Niche Designation Renewed

For the third year in a row, OakBend Medical Center has earned the NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders) designation. This designation recognizes OakBend’s ongoing commitment to geriatric nursing care. The NICHE program is designed to upgrade the quality of care for older adult patients by increasing awareness of geriatric issues, improving staff competence in nursing care of the elderly, and supporting the implementation of hospital geriatric protocols.

NICHE’s goal is to achieve systematic nursing change that will benefit the care of older adults in all healthcare settings, and its vision is for all patients 65 and over to be given sensitive and exemplary care. The mission of NICHE is to provide principles and tools to stimulate a change in the culture of healthcare facilities to achieve patient centered care for older adults.

In December 2014, OakBend opened its ACE (Acute Care for the Elderly) Unit, the only unit of its kind in Fort Bend County. The 13-bed Unit promotes the NICHE concepts. In 2017 the unit was renamed The Jack and Billie Wendt Acute Care for the Elderly Unit.

 

 

‹Groundbreaking of Animal Services Facility – Phase 2 Expansion

Fort Bend County officials gathered on May 8 for the groundbreaking of Phase 2 of the Animal Services facility expansion on the existing facility site.

Phase 2 of the expansion involves the construction of a new 5,550-square-foot facility, which will include space for the county’s veterinarian, an office for field staff and a multi-purpose conference/training room. Also planned for the new facility are dedicated spaces for animal intake, grooming and laundry, and a surgical room equipped with a prep area and recovery cages for both dogs and cats. The facility will supply 24 indoor/outdoor dog kennels, 12 quarantine kennels, cat cages and a food storage room. The project improvements provide a 70 percent increase in available capacity. Construction will commence immediately upon receipt of the building permit and is expected to be complete at year’s end for a cost of $1,074,136. Judge Bob Hebert said, “This new facility should open by year-end. It will greatly expand our capabilities in all areas of animal services.”

 

‹FBISD Board Members Heyliger and James Sworn in to Serve Another Three-Year Term

During the May 14 Regular Board Meeting, Fort Bend ISD board of members Addie Heyliger and Grayle James were sworn into office and will continue to serve the district for additional three-year terms. Both Heyliger and James won uncontested re-election bids in the May 5 board election.

Heyliger, who represents Position 6, was elected to the board in May 2015. She is the manager of the portfolio, release and integration office at CenterPoint Energy and an adjunct professor at Houston Community College. Her affiliations include the Partnership Co-Chair for Women in Energy Network, The United Way Young Leaders, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and The Links Incorporated. She is also a member of the Fort Bend Church. She has been a resident of Fort Bend County for 16 years and has raised two children in FBISD schools.

James represents Position 2 and was elected to the board in May 2012 and re-elected in May 2015. She is the vice president and a founding member of Go Public for the Gulf Coast region, as well as a director for the Gulf Coast Area Association of School Boards. Before being elected to the board, she volunteered at multiple FBISD schools and served on several FBISD committees, including parent, health and discipline advisory committees. She and her husband, David, have three children, who have all graduated from FBISD schools.

During the meeting, the FBISD Board of Trustees also elected its officers for 2018-19. The new officers are Jason Burdine, president; Addie Heyliger, vice president; and Dave Rosenthal, secretary.

 

 

‹Fort Bend ISD Board Approves Leadership Positions, Executive Promotion

The Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees approved several campus and leadership positions at its May 14 meeting.

Elizabeth Strodtbeck was named director of child nutrition. She comes to FBISD from the Texas Department of Agriculture’s food and nutrition where she was coordinator of school operations. She has more than 35 years of experience in the field. She earned her Bachelor of Science in institutional food service management and administrative dietetics at the University of Arizona.

Kelly Keegan was named director of extended learning. She currently serves as assistant director of extended learning. She began with Fort Bend ISD in 2012 as a family literacy program home visitor. She received her master’s from Johns Hopkins University and her bachelor’s from the University of Kentucky.

Venitra Senegal was named instructional officer for the FBISD Early Literacy Center. She most recently was an elementary school assistant principal for Alief ISD. She earned a Master of Science in educational management from the University of Houston-Clear Lake and a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies from Prairie View A&M.

Terence Hayden was named principal of Willowridge High School where he currently serves as acting principal. He began with FBISD as an assistant principal at Crockett MS and worked in both Alief and Houston ISDs. He has a Master of Education in administration and supervision from the U of H–Victoria and a Bachelor of Arts from Sam Houston State University.

Tasha Hamilton was named principal of Missouri City Middle School where she currently serves as associate principal. She began with FBISD at Garcia MS as a science teacher and department chair. She earned a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Science from Prairie View A&M University.

Carlo Leiva was named principal of Jones Elementary School. He recently served as assistant principal at Townewest Elementary. Prior to that, he served as a data specialist and a math teacher, both at FBISD. Leiva received his Master of Education from the University of Saint Thomas and his Bachelor of Science from Spalding University.

Glenda Johnson was promoted to executive director of human resources talent experience, where she currently serves as director. Johnson has 21 years of HR experience in public education.

 

 

‹Advanced Dentistry Presents Women’s Wellness Expo

Advanced Dentistry, 9920 US Highway 90 in Sugar Land, presented its Women’s Wellness Expo on May 17. Dr. Varghese John kicked off the event with his seminar regarding women’s periodontal condition and correlation to overall health. All services for the day were complimentary to all the participants and focused on improving women’s overall health. John has been practicing cosmetic/implant dentistry in Sugar Land for more than 25 years. He is a diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and earned his distinguished fellowship with the Misch International Implant Institute in 2013. The advanced studies that John completed allowed many of the participants at the Women’s Wellness Expo the opportunity to receive some very advanced screening and testing. John also invited his colleague Dr. Meskill of the CSMA Group, which deals with the devastating effects of sleep apnea, to conduct a brief seminar on signs and symptoms of sleep apnea.

All event participants enjoyed massages, oral cancer screenings, occlusal mapping (screening for TMJ concerns), periodontal evaluation (gum disease test), blood pressure, skin care analysis, sleep apnea evaluation and finished up with a makeover photo session.

 

 

‹City of Sugar Land Swearing In Ceremony

Sugar Land held its City Council regular meeting on May 15 at the City Council Chamber. There was a full house of city employees, guests, friends and well wishers in honor of the Sugar Land volunteers, Emergency Medical Services Week, National Public Works Week, and the Swearing In ceremony for the Mayor and City Council members. The Honorable Sylvester Turner, Mayor of Houston, administered the oath of office to Joe Zimmerman, the re-elected Mayor of Sugar Land. Also sworn in was Himesh Gandhi, Council Member At-Large Position 1, and Jennifer Lane, Council Member At-Large Position 2.

Photography by Linda Howell