HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake: A Higher Level of Community Care

October 31st, 2020

Over five decades of care for families throughout the Bay Area.

At HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake, we’re proud of our five decade commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate care to families who reside in Bay Area communities.

During this time, we’ve seen tremendous growth in our region, and have responded with expanded services, advanced technologies, and a growing team of exceptional and highly skilled physicians, nurses and healthcare professionals.

Our dedication to continuous improvement has garnered awards and accreditations in several specialty areas, including cardiology, neurology and stroke, cancer, neonatal care, bariatric surgery, wound care, radiology and pathology.

Advanced cardiology at The Heart Hospital

The only exclusive heart hospital south of the Texas Medical Center, The Heart Hospital at HCA Houston Clear Lake provides nationally-recognized care in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and recovery of cardiovascular diseases.

Last year, our heart surgeons performed their first transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure – a minimally invasive alternative to open-heart surgery – that eliminates cutting open the chest to expose the heart. We have since completed more than 200 TAVR procedures. “The FDA imposes strict requirements for hospitals wishing to practice TAVR, including successfully completing a certain number of open heart, surgical aortic valve, catheter and percutaneous coronary interventions per year,” said Todd Caliva, HCA Houston Clear Lake Chief Executive Officer. “Our Heart Hospital is the only dedicated heart hospital in the Bay Area that performs more than 1,000 heart procedures annually.”

To support the growing number of families moving to our area, The Heart Hospital is planning an expansion that will add two new heart catheterization and electrophysiology (EP) labs. The expansion will enable us to diagnose and treat more patients with cardiovascular diseases and to test and assess the heart’s electrical system or activity.

We are an Accredited Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation as designated by the American College of Cardiology and a certified Comprehensive Stroke Center by The Joint Commission

Safe emergency care when you need it most

HCA Houston Clear Lake’s ER offers comprehensive emergency care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. Our emergency departments continue to be among the safest places to seek immediate medical attention. We are proactively engaged in the safe management of COVID-19, and we have put a strong emphasis on ensuring that protections are in place at our sites of care.

Our dedicated Pediatric Emergency Center is staffed with healthcare providers trained in pediatric care and provides access to a range of pediatric health services and subspecialty care.

We also have a Level II Trauma Center staffed by board-certified trauma surgeons, neurosurgeons, and trauma-trained support staff. When a higher level of care is needed, medical air transport for adult and pediatric patients is available through HCA Houston Healthcare AIRLife.

We further serve our communities through HCA Houston ER 24/7, our freestanding emergency care centers, which are conveniently located and provide care for all types of acute injuries and illnesses.

Women’s and children’s health

At HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake, we provide specialized care for women of all ages and at every stage of life.

We deliver an average of 3,500 babies each year, and are committed to caring for both mother and baby throughout pregnancy, during labor and after delivery. Our facility provides additional specialized and comprehensive services, including:

• Perinatal navigation of comprehensive care for high-risk pregnancies

• A 42-bed Level III neonatology intensive care unit (NICU) to provide 24/7 advanced care for our most fragile babies

• Advanced minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery to treat gynecologic and pediatric conditions

• A partnership with Solis Mammography to provide mammography and imaging services

Consider HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake is your partner in a healthy lifestyle. HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake is here for you and your family, every day, all day, and offers a network of convenient emergency care centers, urgent care facilities, women’s care clinics, cancer centers and surgery centers – providing you with a higher level of care in your community.

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Houston Physicians’ Hospital Takes Joint Replacement to the Next Level

August 31st, 2020

Houston Physicians’ Hospital’s Joint Solutions Center is dedicated to helping you feel the joy of movement again. As an award-winning facility with some of the first technology of its kind offered in the Houston Bay Area, their team of knowledgeable and highly trained physicians and staff are committed to providing an unparalleled, unique patient experience.

Dr. Dan O’Neill, Orthopedic Surgeon, says “the Joint Solutions Center at Houston Physicians’ Hospital provides the most comfortable recovery in the most efficient fashion of any joint program existing today. Everyone involved with the Joint Solutions Center from Stephanie Stinson, JSC Program Manager, to the inpatient unit staff, OR staff and physical therapists are all unified in achieving superlative outcomes.”

The Joint Solutions Center is truly a one-of-a-kind program that is dedicated to delivering an experience like no other. You can expect an individualized plan with a joint care coordinator, access to robotic surgery, pre-operative classes, and community experiences such as reunion lunches, group therapy and a space-theme competition between patients post-operatively. Every physician with the Joint Solutions Center is board certified in orthopedic surgery and performs joint replacement procedures with some of the most advanced equipment and technology, allowing the people of the Houston Bay Area to get the expert care they need without traveling far from home.

The Data

The team at the Joint Solutions Center at Houston Physicians’ Hospital “utilizes evidence-based protocols that were developed collaboratively with surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and physical therapists,” said Dr. Anthony Melillo, Orthopedic Surgeon. “We continually enhance our program with a patient-centric approach. We invite patients back and incorporate their feedback to help us improve the program.” As a result, Houston Physicians’ Hospital is now performing the most joint replacements in the Clear Lake area.

The Joint Solutions Center focuses on every point of care and it has industry leading outcomes and data to prove it. Averaging over 600 joint replacement procedures yearly, commitment and teamwork are the core elements that have created their patient-centric approach to care with award-winning results. During their hospital stay patients walk an average of 230 feet the first time they get up to walk, which is usually less than 4 hours after surgery. Ninety-eight percent of Joint Solutions Center patients are discharged home after their hospitalization and less than 1 percent of the joint program patients experience complications.

Program results have made it easy for Houston Physicians’ Hospital’s orthopedic surgeons to become known as some of the best trained surgeons available. The patient satisfaction of the Joint Solutions Center has created such word-of-mouth marketing that our joint volume continues to increase every year – making our joint program the busiest in the Houston Bay Area.

Houston Physicians Hospital “attracts the best clinicians and surgeons,” said Dr. OmkarDave’, Orthopedic Surgeon. “The brainpower, clinical acumen and sheer surgical ability that is collectively seen in my fellow physicians at the Joint Solutions Center is commendable. We work together as a family to help each other and become better surgeons for our patients.”

Mako Robot

Houston Physicians’ Hospital was the first facility to have the Mako Robot in Southeast Houston for hip and knee surgery. Over the years joint replacement techniques and instrumentation have undergone countless improvements, Robotics is a demonstration of Houston Physicians’ Hospital’s commitment to superior orthopedic outcomes. Several orthopedic physicians utilize the Mako Robot at Houston Physicians’ Hospital, which provides precision planning, rapid recovery and a shorter hospital stay for patients. It is the most accurate and personalized approach possible to hip and knee replacement surgery.

Elizabeth Tauriello & Drew Adams, PT Tech.

Award-Winning Care

With a focus on excellence, Houston Physicians’ Hospital achieved Healthgrades 2020 Outstanding Patient Experience Award and is among the top 15 percent of U.S. hospitals for patient experience for two years in a row.

Houston Physicians’ Hospital earned a 5-star rating for patient experience from CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) and is one of only two in the Houston area to achieve such designation.

It is the first facility in Houston to earn Hip and Knee Replacement Certification from DNV and was recognized as a Center of Distinction by Stryker and recognized in the top 75th percentile for Joint Replacement for Clinical, Operations and Patient Satisfaction.

Houston Physicians’ Hospital obtained ISO-9001 certification, and was recognized as a Houston Chronicle Top Workplace in 2017.

Walter Taylor and Cody Pena, PTA.

The Culture

“I choose Houston Physicians’ Hospital simply because it offers the best in joint replacement care from beginning to end and brings hope for a healthier tomorrow for all of our patients,” states Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Terry Siller.

The team at Houston Physicians’ Hospital Joint Solutions Center is dedicated to providing compassionate care with a patient-centered focus that will get you back to your favorite activities as soon as possible. Which is why many patients find the value of aligning with physicians affiliated with Houston Physicians’ Hospital.

“I choose to work at HPH because EVERY employee shares our vision. Our hospital is more than just a place to work for us. We are a family. Our hospital provides top tier care, in a family atmosphere environment, where patient safety is our top priority. Our surgeons embrace and share the same passion for quality outcomes,” said Joint Solutions Center Program Manager, Stephanie Stinson, RN.

As a physician-owned hospital specializing in surgical services, including joint, spine, sports medicine and robotic surgery, Houston Physicians’ Hospital has a vision to be the healthcare provider where physicians choose to practice, patients want to receive care, and employees prefer to work.

Patient Testimonials

Retired U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Beret) Lieutenant Colonel Joe Stepp says “on a scale of 1-10, I’d rate the Doctors, Nurses & Staff of the Joint Solutions Center at a 10! They’re the best!”

John Evans recently had his right knee replaced and had to remain in the facility over his birthday. Due to the recent pandemic, visitors weren’t allowed. Evans states, “The hospital staff took it upon themselves to help me celebrate by bringing in cake and singing to me, while also allowing my family to come to the exterior window with signs and balloons. The nursing staff took pictures to help me capture the moment. The hospitality at Houston Physicians’ Hospital was wonderful and unlike anything I have ever experienced!”

”From the moment you walk through the doors on your day of surgery, you’re met and cared for by people who are the best in their field. You cannot beat the top notch quality of a 5-Star hospital like HPH.  They just do the little things that mean a lot so well”, said Stepp.

“I’m extremely satisfied with my procedure outcome and very grateful that I chose the medical professionals and facility that I did. I would absolutely recommend the Joint Solutions Center at Houston Physicians’ Hospital to family and friends and I will definitely be returning if needed in the future”, states Evans.

To learn more or find a physician, go to www.houstonphysicianshospital.com, call 281-940-3102, email [email protected].

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Meet the Women Leaders of Houston Physician’s Hospital

May 31st, 2020

More women are embracing leadership roles in their career, and that is true at Houston Physicians’ Hospital (HPH). In a historically male dominated profession, women leading in healthcare are paving the way for younger generations of female leaders. From the CEO to Surgeons, get to know some of the women in leadership at HPH:

Heather Womack

Chief Executive Officer

What made you want to go into the medical field? 

As a 4 year old, I loved going to the doctor because I thought my pediatrician was the most amazing man on earth. Ever since then I knew I wanted to work in healthcare in some capacity. At 15 years old I began working in medical records. This is when I really got exposed to the business side of healthcare and I felt like it was what I was meant to do.

A female leader that inspired you?

My inspiration came from the two most important women in my life, my Granny and my mom.  My Granny always worked full-time with four kids at home even in an era when women really didn’t do that much. My Granny raised my mom to be the same way. They both always told me that I could do whatever I wanted to do and be whatever I wanted to be.

What advice would you give the next generation of female leaders?

Decide what you want to do, and be laser focused on it. Share ideas or volunteer for projects. Look for the potential in others and help them to see it in themselves.

Dr. Laura Torres-Barre’

Orthopedic Surgeon

What advice would you give the next generation of female leaders?

We must have the perseverance and confidence in ourselves to be able to attain our dreams!

Fun Fact: My family and I love the outdoors and especially the beach.

Why do you choose HPH?

I choose HPH because of the efficiency and productivity with minimum wasted effort. Patients give me continuous compliments about their stay and satisfaction with their care.

Dr. Lauren Hinojosa

Orthopedic Hand Surgeon

What made you want to go into the medical field?

At the age of nine, I attended a “bring your daughter to work day” at UTMB. I witnessed how a doctor can make a huge difference. Even at that young age, I felt inspired to pursue the goal of becoming a doctor.

What advice would you give the next generation of female leaders?

Set your goals and work really hard at achieving them. Practice humility.

Why do you choose HPH?

My patients trust me with their care. I take that trust seriously, and I know that HPH provides the same level of attention to my patients as I do.

Dr. Marilyn Copeland

Sports Orthopedic Surgeon

A female leader that inspired you?

My mom was a female leader in her field of men engineers. She was always pushing me to be the best and to strive for the top.

Fun Fact:I love to bake using intricate recipes. I am very detail oriented, which helps with the science of baking, and I love to share the outcome of my work!

Why do you choose HPH?

It is clean, efficient, friendly, and close. The staff is amazing, the patients love it there, and it has the lowest infection rate in the area.

Dr. Deborah W. Miller

ENT

What made you want to go into the medical field?

I went into the medical field after my college roommate, who wanted to study nursing, convinced me to take an EMT class. After advancing to Paramedic, Medical School seemed to be the next logical step.

Fun Fact: When I was little, I used to play the spoons in my Grandfather’s hillbilly band.

What advice would you give the next generation of female leaders?

You have to find your unique way of balancing your life.

Patricia Ford, RN

Chief Nursing Officer

A female leader that inspired you?

As a new nurse, I experienced a humiliating clash with an orthopedic surgeon. My supervisor advised me to learn everything I could. Not only did I become more knowledgeable about the care of orthopedic patients, but one year later the doctor asked me to be the head nurse of a new orthopedic unit. That supervisor’s advice still serves me well today.

Fun Fact:I’ve hosted exchange students and currently volunteer with Refugee Services of Texas to help welcome and acclimate new arrivals to our country.

Why do you choose HPH?

My goal is to retire from Houston Physicians’ Hospital in 2022. At that time, I will have 50 years of nursing under my belt.

Sherry Golfarini

Director of Human Resources

A female leader that inspired you?

I have always been inspired by the female Director who hired me at a community hospital. She was an individual that was self-taught in Human Resources. She taught me everything she knew.

Fun Fact:My family and I breed golden retrievers.

What advice would you give the next generation of female leaders?

Be confident in yourself. Learn to build relationships. Continue to grow your knowledge and experience. Most of all find a work/life balance.

Nillie Djassemi

Chief Financial Officer

A female leader that inspired you?

I am so inspired by our female senior team. I am beyond grateful to see each one in action daily, because I learn so much from them!

Fun Fact:I have a travel goal to visit 50% of the world’s countries before 50. I am currently at 15%.

What advice would you give the next generation of female leaders?

Surround yourself with mentors, family and friends that will support, challenge, and encourage you through your journey.

Karen Acosta, MSN, RN, CNOR

Director of Surgical Services & Cath Lab

What made you want to go into the medical field?

My dream job was and continues to be nursing.  My mom practiced nursing for over 50 years. She set the example of caring for others.

A female leader that inspired you?

My very first nursing professor inspired me to be strong, compassionate and determined.  She exemplified the role of a nurse through care she not only gave but taught.

What advice would you give the next generation of female leaders?

Never give up on achieving your goals.  Become the role that inspires you the most, be positive in your words to others and thankful for your blessings.

Lavinia Zanaj, MHA, RN, CPHQ

Director of Quality

What made you want to go into the medical field?

I fell in love with healthcare when I was 19 when I worked in the emergency room as a registration clerk and unit clerk.

A female leader that inspired you?

A colleague who is an extremely intelligent, impressive leader, who is also approachable.

Fun Fact: I am obsessed with true crime podcasts.

What advice would you give the next generation of female leaders?

If you want something bad enough, you incorporate it into your life.

 

About Houston Physicians’ Hospital:

Houston Physicians Hospital holds a 5-star award patient experience facilities in Houston, rated by CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services). The hospital received the Healthgrades 2019 Outstanding Patient Experience Award recognizing HPH as being among the top 5 percent of hospitals nationwide for patient experience. The Houston Chronicle recognized the hospital as a Top Work Place two years in a row. As stated by Dr. Marilyn Copeland, “Houston Physicians’ Hospital truly abides by their vision statement.  To be the healthcare provider where physicians choose to practice, patients want to receive care, and employees prefer to work.

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Unicare Dental: Patients First, in Sickness and for Health

May 7th, 2020

By Xander Thomas

With a global pandemic threatening the health, mental state, finances and general way of life for just about everyone, it might be safe to say that many will be hesitant to jump back into life once things begin to subside. The way people live and businesses operate will likely be changed forever, especially when it comes to medical services. Some healthcare business owners, such as Webster’s Dr. Farid Noie, are already preparing for this.

“Post pandemic, patients expect closer attention to infection control measures, which are easy to overlook in a hectic practice environment,” Dr. Noie said.

While he has chosen to continue seeing current patients through video visits for medical necessity in the meantime, the office is closed, and he is taking this time to completely remodel and upgrade to the best sanitary equipment and procedures possible.

“Other than improving our safety protocols, we are also completely remodeling and upgrading our operatories to the most germ resistant surfaces with ease of disinfection,” he said.

Seeing patients through this, although it wouldn’t seem easy for him, as people had to remain in their car until they could go straight to the dentist chair, he says wasn’t completely unmanageable.

“We have one section of the office closed off, and everything else is being worked on,” he explained, although the office is now closed.

Patient comfort, peace of mind and especially the safety of them, as well as staff are all things he has in mind for the upgrades. Dr. Noie believes that medical professionals should be held to a higher standard, as it helps them keep up to date information, follow proper protocol, and ensure that clients receive quality care. Disinfects are certainly not the only goal.

“We’ve also purchased and are upgrading our dental chairs and delivery system to a closed circuit distilled water technology with the latest filtration system to keep our patients and staff safe from any communicable diseases,” he said.

The entirety of the revamp is for everyone’s well being, so equipment was only one thing that he sees as outdated after a global crisis.

“In addition, we plan to double our periodic safety training to deal with our new post pandemic reality.“

In the past, Dr. Noie has been accused of being a germaphobe, but now people are seeing the benefits of his meticulous caution.

“There will be a lot of fear of close proximity with anybody else. In a dental office that fear is even more,” said Dr. Noie.

Dr. Farid Noie

He has hopes that with time, will come comfort and that people will regain a normal sense of life, but with more caution. He does warn that fear can have detrimental effects.

“Avoiding any kind of a treatment out of the fear of viral infection can actually make things worse,” he said. “Lack of routine maintenance and prevention can lead to some serious conditions.”

He wants his patients to have enough confidence to seek help when needed, and is fully prepared to be there when they are ready. He says he sees a future world of medicine in which professionals utilize single-use disposable protective equipment and pay close attention to new OSHA and CDC recommendations.

“The serious nature of this virus has heightened my need to protect my patients,” he said.

Dr. Farid Noie is known as a patient oriented, compassionate professional and plans to reopen his practice, located at 20814 Gulf Freeway in Webster, on June 1, assuming it is safe and legal to do so. Visit www.drnoie.com for more information.

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Looks aren’t everything, they are the only thing

April 1st, 2019

By Sumer Dene

My mom was a model in the 1990s. I traveled with her as a baby at the height of her career. I was modeling in New York and traveling 20 years later. I had a manager in New York, a contract with MSA models in Los Angeles, and boutique agencies along the East Coast. I booked a national broadcast fitness commercial and was fortunate to be featured on the cover of magazines and a book. I flew alone on an airplane for the first time when I was 7 years old, and lived in small towns and big cities all over America. Here are some lifelong lessons and tips I learned from traveling and working as a model.

1. Less is more. If it doesn’t make you happy, get rid of it. I learned to get rid of the “junk” in my life in order to make room for what truly matters. Nothing you buy will add up to what happiness feels like.

2. Be Comfortable in your own skin. I felt like I had to fit a certain mold in order to be beautiful. We all come in different shapes and sizes, yet industry values numbers and symmetry. Much of what you see in advertising campaigns is photoshopped and curated by an industry obsessed with measurements and follower count. Is it ironic only an elite few determine the standards of beauty? People who measure value by appearance and status lead miserable lives. Be happy with who you are.

3. Just say “NO.” When you set boundaries, you respect yourself. Moreover, say no with diction. Make sure your voice is heard loud and clear. Remember, you are a product with a short shelf life. This is the reality because in modeling looks aren’t everything, they are the only thing. Know your worth and say no when something instinctively doesn’t feel right.

4. The importance of Healthcare and Skincare. I struggled with acne for years and tried every possible remedy to manage breakouts. I was prescribed expensive medicine and harsh chemicals that rarely produced positive results. Through research, I found effective and inexpensive products that personally worked for me. Nuvothera’s Super-Micronized Turmeric Curcumin is a natural supplement to maintain overall health and wellness. Nuvothera’s Turmeric combined with curcumin is super-micronized to achieve maximum absorption, potency, and bioactivity without chemical enhancers. Turmeric and its unique compound curcumin heal the gut and the body. Turmeric and curcumin reduce inflammation, help balance blood sugar levels, improve circulation, rejuvenate skin and retain moisture, as well as detox the liver. Since using Nuvothera’s Super-Micronized Turmeric Curcumin, I’ve noticed a major difference. I feel healthier, happier, and my skin is glowing. My choice of face wash is Cetaphil Facial cleanser. It gently cleanses skin without stripping natural oils. I apply a thin layer of Differin gel every night, a topical retinoid treatment that restores skin texture and prevents breakouts. These three products have revolutionized my skincare and healthcare.

5. Be prepared. No one tells models to develop self esteem before marketing items like makeup that covers the face and clothes that expose the body. This could be done by creating programs that teach young models strong core values and a positive self image. How are you supposed to know who you are when you hide behind a mask? The advice models get is to be natural. It’s easy to magnify flaws and lose sight of who you are when you live in a facade.

6. Take care of yourself. It’s just a job. It doesn’t define you. There is an obligation to be “picture perfect” in the competitive world of modeling. You are constantly sized up and celebrated by the way you look. To take care of yourself is a form of self respect, and no job is worth losing your sanity or self-worth.

7. Happiness is key. Home is a mindset, not just a location. Home is where you feel most comfortable to be yourself. You can learn from every place you visit and each person you talk to. Nothing has meaning until you give it meaning. Be happy where you are, regardless of outside circumstances.

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Healthcare Nation

December 1st, 2018

By Sumer Dene

Change is constant, and culture is changing. A society’s principles and policies represent a nation’s way of life. We all have freedom of choice, the natural rights inherent to all. According to the United Nations, Human rights include the right to life, freedom, liberty, work, education and even to enjoy the arts. However, in our Democracy, do we have the right to truth and transparency in public and private institution? What is the price placed on quality of life and well-being?

A ‘conscious corporation’ succeeds by recognizing a need in society and satisfying that need in the most effective, responsible way. Consumer expectations evolve as we empower each other and find true purpose for the greater good. In the media age, there is no gap between corporation and consumer and no limit to how far we can go together. There is no room left for egos and agendas as we face fundamental issues across the nation, within industries and throughout humanity. Difficulties stem from misunderstanding of ourselves and others, misleading claims in media and advertisements, and insufficient research sponsored by parties of interest. We are inundated with information as we search for innovative ways to discover life-changing medicine, communicate shared value systems, and allocate resources efficiently. If people are confused and distracted, it’s far more difficult to think critically and make imperative, conscientious decisions. Marketing is everything. How something is presented to you determines what you see.

A study from BBC indicates pharmaceutical companies spend more on marketing drugs, in some cases twice as much, than they do on developing them. BBC concludes profit margins are often much larger than money spent on research. Furthermore, companies have been faced with multi-billion dollar fines for malpractice and misbranding unsafe drugs. According to Reuters, an international news agency, “U.S. prices for the world’s 20 top-selling medicines are, on average, three times higher than in Britain.” In America, prescription costs are based on economic incentive and marketable value. Although, by being innovators and leader in research and technology, we help subsidize the rest of the world’s drug costs. The FDA works closely with pharmaceutical companies to determine which drugs can be marketed to the public. In recent years, FDA regulations are not as rigorously regulated. Competition and variety in a free market, in theory, would help lower prices of medication and encourage Americans to be more involved with their health. However, Consumers pay for brand names, not the effectiveness of drugs and the strained relationship between patients and healthcare providers lead to an overmedicated, mismanaged system.

America spends the most per capita and GDP on healthcare, yet has less than average life expectancy rates and higher rates of chronic conditions, obesity, and infant mortality. The U.S. Government mandates outdated dietary guidelines that advise a low-fat diet, which is linked to poor mental health, hormonal imbalances, inflammation and higher risks of insulin resistance and diabetes. The Food and Drug Administration allows companies to market processed, chemically engineered food that is highly addictive and unhealthy, not to mention cheap to produce. A recent study at the 2018 Experimental Biology conference examined the biochemical effects of artificial sweeteners on the body.

Data suggests artificial sweeteners alter how the body ‘processes fat and obtains energy.’ Top researchers at the Center for Science in the Public Interest agree, “Artificial colors pose risks of cancer, allergies and hyperactivity in children and should be banned.” Factory-farmed animals are cramped in small cages and injected with artificial hormones and antibiotics. If one animal becomes sick, they all are treated with antibiotics in order to reduce need for individual care. However, unnecessary use of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic-resistant organisms that propagate in dangerous numbers and enter the food supply. In the US National Library of Medicine, researchers conclude Antibiotic resistance is an emerging public health crisis and the effect on human health is yet to be determined. Experts agree, “Given divergent stakeholder interests and inadequate research to date, public policy discussions of this issue are often contentious and highly polarized.”

A change of perspective begins with grassroots effort. The goal is to spread knowledge and build a connection that links individuals, international policy and industry to global needs. Consumers want dedicated research, consistency and transparency in public and private industry as well as honest, sustainable product development. After all, people are far more important than profit, and we’re all people looking to make a difference while making a living.

Academic institutions, government agencies, non-profit organizations and industry lead the way to a future of preventative medicine, technological development, educational programs, and breakthroughs in research. Organizations can change culture through collaboration and honest communication. They can create a value system that measures value and outcome on a large-scale by setting a criteria and specific goals. Professionals from many backgrounds could develop teams to measure progress and cost-effectiveness, working together is simple when you speak a universal language.

For the holiday season, I encourage you to continue to be active in festive activities and involved with your health. Communicate with friends and family and do your own research to improve health and wellness. Eat good food but be mindful of what you’re consuming. Most of all, be grateful and give thanks for all of the blessings in your life. Let happiness, love and spirit follow us into the new year.

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