St. David's Medical Center

This summer, we recognized and celebrated Colette Graef for winning the Excellence in Nursing – Professional Mentoring Award. This award recognizes accomplishments in the field of nursing and the invaluable contribution our nurses make to our organization.

Colette has been consistently praised for her preceptorship skills for many new hires over the course of her 18-year tenure. She shows her preceptees how to prioritize their time while modeling safe and competent care. She also takes great pride in providing developmentally appropriate support while holding them accountable to ensure success and comfort in their new role.

Colleagues who work with those she trained say that they are well-prepared and possess the knowledge and skillset needed to be exceptional and compassionate nurses. Her meticulous approach to nursing ensures the highest standards of care are maintained at all times. Congratulations, Colette!

Please help us congratulate our 2024 Frist Volunteer, Lynn Harris!
Lynn has given over 2,300 hours of dedicated volunteer service at St. David’s Medical Center during the past 15 years. However, his commitment to a lifetime of service began long before that. Lynn served as a medic in the Vietnam War, demonstrating exceptional courage and a commitment to saving lives.

Lynn thrives on the enjoyment of volunteering and is deeply passionate about making human connections. He has spent time assisting with patient discharges, offering compassion and hope to others as they leave the hospital, and he has also embraced the opportunity to become a “NICU cuddler,” nurturing infants during their earliest moments and, in doing so, providing vital support to parents during times of deep uncertainty. The families he encounters welcome him as a member of their own, and he follows the journey of each child, celebrating milestones, attending birthdays and offering support to families in need.

Thank you for your time and service to our country and our community, Lynn!

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Robert Neely for winning the physician Frist Humanitarian Award! The Frist Humanitarian Award recognizes the highest achievements in serving others. The award is given annually in recognition of the caring spirit and philanthropic work of the late Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr.

Dr. Neely spends his extra time and vacation days providing care to patients in a remote African village where there is a desperate need for more cardiothoracic surgeons. He has also been involved in a variety of global healthcare outreach programs for more than 15 years. Dr. Neely regularly journeys to Kenya to provide cardiac surgical care and training. Due to the inaccessibility of healthcare for many Kenyans, rheumatic heart disease runs rampant, and the solution to the worst cases is open-heart surgery. Dr. Neely has spent years building open-heart surgery programs so that Kenyan surgeons can receive more training on these vital cases, creating an opportunity to share this valuable knowledge.

Congratulations on this well-deserved award, Dr. Neely!

: Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It can be a life-threatening condition that occurs when your body temperature gets too high from overexertion in hot, humid weather. Watch this short video to learn the signs and symptoms of heat stroke.

If you think a person may be experiencing heat stroke, call 911 or or visit www.stdavids.com/ER to find an ER close to you, and take immediate action to cool the overheated person while waiting for emergency treatment.

: Watch this short video for quick but important reminders. Please be sure to share this video with your friends and family so that everyone is safe around the pool and at the lake. In case of an emergency, call 911 or visit www.stdavids.com/ER to find an ER close to you.

: Summer is trauma season, with an increase in injuries related to extreme heat. Watch this short video about and be sure to share it with friends and family. In case of an emergency, call 911 or visit stdavids.com/ER to find an ER close to you.

Catalina Trivino, a St. David's Georgetown Hospital patient, had to navigate. pregnancy while undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

Did you know? Breast cancer during pregnancy does occur, but it is quite rare. According to Dr. Bridget O’Brien, surgical oncologist at St. David’s Georgetown Hospital and Texas Breast Specialists, about one in 3,000 women may have breast cancer during pregnancy. Trivino had a type of breast cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ. It's a breast cancer that's contained inside the milk ducts and is considered a stage 0 breast cancer.

With the help of Dr. O'Brien and staff at St. David's Georgetown Hospital, Trivino was able to pick an option that allowed her to have her surgery to remove the breast cancer and continue with her pregnancy, nurturing the baby as it developed, and then deliver the baby without any further treatments during her pregnancy. She was able to carry on in her postpartum period, breastfeed, and complete her goals as a mother.

To learn about our oncology services visit: https://bit.ly/46aAKOo

Every summer, we see injuries related to extreme heat. Watch this short video to learn tips on how to ensure that you don't leave your kids or pets in the car. Let us know in the comments if you have a unique way of making sure your backseat is clear before getting out.

In case of an emergency, call 911 or visit www.stdavids.com/ER to find an ER close to you.

Happy ! As you enjoy holiday festivities, please stay safe and celebrate responsibly.

June is . Scoliosis is a frontal curvature of the spine, typically an abnormal S-shaped or C-shaped curve. Most often, people are diagnosed with scoliosis in their youth. Early detection is key for effective treatment. With proper care, most children and adolescents will have normal, active lives.

Watch our video to learn about signs of scoliosis in kids. If you are concerned that your child may have scoliosis, make an appointment with your healthcare provider today.

To learn more about our comprehensive spine program, visit: https://bit.ly/3REggqY

June is . Scoliosis is a frontal curvature of the spine, typically an abnormal S-shaped or C-shaped curve. Most often, people are diagnosed with scoliosis in their youth. Early detection is key for effective treatment. With proper care, most children and adolescents will have normal, active lives.

Watch our video to learn about signs of scoliosis in kids. If you are concerned that your child may have scoliosis, make an appointment with your healthcare provider today.

To learn more about our comprehensive spine program, visit: https://bit.ly/3VUzkUr

? Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, emergency rooms see a surge in visits. Summer means more playtime outside, which unfortunately can lead to more accidents. Among children, traumatic injuries can double during summer months.

As you enjoy your favorite summertime activities, please remember to take care of yourself and your loved ones. These safety tips can help you make your adventures memorable for all the right reasons!

Unfortunately, even with safety precautions, accidents can happen at any time. In the event of an emergency, know where to find convenient, quality care near you: stdavids.com/ER

June is and it's never too late to start prioritizing your health! Regular checkups and screenings can help your doctor identify risk factors and create a personalized wellness plan for you. Watch our video for more about how you can stay on top of common men's health issues.

To find a doctor, visit stdavids.com/physicians or call: 888-868-2104

According to the American Heart Association, about 800,000 people in the United States suffer a stroke each year. Quick action is vital for saving lives.

Have you heard of B.E. F.A.S.T.? It's a handy acronym for recognizing stroke symptoms and taking action. Watch our video for details. Help spread the word and share this post because every second counts in stroke response!

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, call 911 and ask them to take you to St. David's Healthcare ER. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3yuAYmB

According to the American Heart Association, about 800,000 people in the United States suffer a stroke each year. Quick action is vital for saving lives.

Have you heard of B.E. F.A.S.T.? It's a handy acronym for recognizing stroke symptoms and taking action. Watch our video for details. Help spread the word and share this post because every second counts in stroke response!

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, call 911 and ask them to take you to St. David's Healthcare ER. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3ywoECh

Let's talk about something many new parents experience but may not always discuss openly: the baby blues.

Baby blues are feelings of sadness, anxiety or overwhelm that can happen after giving birth. They're incredibly common, affecting up to 80% of new parents, according to March of Dimes. They usually start a few days after childbirth and last up to two weeks. Explore ways to help manage baby blues. Remember, taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your little one.

Generally, baby blues go away without medical treatment. But, if feelings persist or worsen, don't hesitate to seek support. You can call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1.833.852.6262. It's free, confidential and available 24/7.