by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

 “We have what it takes to be the best critical care facility in the country: it’s unprecedented,” Uvalde Memorial Hospital (UMH) CEO Adam Apolinar said at Tuesday Night’s Uvalde Hospital Authority Board Meeting Tuesday night, April 23rd. 

  Several positive news reports were presented by department heads at the meeting. 

 According to Cancer Center Director Klarissa Ruiz, The Cancer Center is getting additional referrals from Eagle Pass. She stated that Eagle Pass no longer has an oncologist. “We are getting 7-10 referrals a day from Eagle Pass.

  The Center is in the process of purchasing a new linear accelerator and also looking to replace the CT scanner to meet the needs of the new physician.

 The Center welcomed Dr. Pearson to Oncology earlier this year in January. Director of Clinics Andrew Wells stated referrals have gone up citing 289 referrals for the month of March with 341 outgoing. 

Appolinar said UMH is experiencing a huge staffing crisis right now. “We just can’t find the right person.” He went on to say that registration is a very hard position to get fully trained and that personnel hired to do registration move up to billing and coding once new skills are acquired.

Apolinar also said that unlike hospitals in larger cities, UMH has an advantage in that local physicians work with the local hospital rather than competing with it. Local clinics and doctor’s offices often send their patients to UMH for blood draws, lab tests and x-rays.

Apolinar also said that due to the growth the hospital is experiencing, it could eventually grow out of the critical access care designation. 

UMH one of the top three employers in Uvalde

 In her report to the board, Human Resources Officer Charla Garcia UMH has a total of 680 employees out of which 618 are employed full time. 

UMH one of the top 5% of top hospitals in the U.S.

According to UHA board Member William “Bill” Kessler. UMH has earned the designation as one of the top 5% of all hospitals in the United States. As a 5 star rated hospital, the nearest 5 star hospital to UMH is located in North Texas. 

Shorter emergency room wait times compared to San Antonio hospitals

In a report by Chief Nursing Officer Carlos Gregorio. UMH emergency room has an average 119 minute wait time from the time of a patient walking in until the patient gets his/her prescription compared to the 3-4 hour wait times at hospitals in San Antonio.

by Michael Robinson: Uvalde Hesperian

The Uvalde City Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, August 22nd at 6PM to discuss the proposed Annual Tax Rate and City Budget for FY 2023-2024.  Council members will also vote on setting the date for a special public hearing on the proposed budget which, if approved, a public hearing will be held on Tueday, September 12, 2023.

Uvalde City Council meetings are livestreamed and can be viewed with a link posted on the City of Uvalde’s Facebook Page.

 Texas DPS Captain Tellez and Lieutenant King spoke to the Rotary Club of Uvalde members Thursday, May 11th about the Texas DPS presence in town this past year and their work in providing security for Uvalde CISD campuses and events.

  “At the end of the day, we are here to safeguard the community, ” King said. Both Tellez and King said they have been stationed in Uvalde during the school year. After graduation, Tellez will be leaving, but King will continue to be here. 

   “We knew we couldn’t just be in the school just  watching the kids providing security. We knew that being a part of the community would be a huge, huge tasking for us,” Tellez said. He continued by saying the tipping point for them to get deeply involved in the community was the Halloween parade. It was a very strong event for us and we enjoyed it and we got hit by three Jolly Ranchers. (He was referring to all the candy that is thrown during the parade.)

  The officers stated that DPS traveled with Uvalde CISD students on trips around the state when students attended school related events. “We have people from the outlying areas that extend to all branches of the state of Texas. (They say) we know that wherever there is a Uvalde school bus, there will be some black and whites behind them,” Tellez said. We have gone to Dallas, Huston, Austin, Laredo, McAllen where the school went, we went,” Tellez said. 

  According to Tellez, after high school graduation in May, DPS would have a smaller footprint but we won’t have DPS presence at every school in Uvalde, but King Lieutenant King will be overseeing school operations.

   Lieutenant King said the partnership of the community has been important. 

  “Once we came here, we made it a priority we show the love and support to the kids, the staff , the teacher and the community,” Kind said. 

  Lieutenant King told a story of when a book fair happened at Batesville school. Some of the kids didn’t have funds. Some of the troopers on their own reached into their pockets and gave two to three hundred dollars. They purchased books for kids that could not purchase books.

 During the question and answer part of the meeting, the question was asked, ” Any agency with a presence in our community should something happen, do they have the freedom to act independently? They don’t need to ask who is in charge?” Tellez answered, “No”. Tellez went on to say if Uvalde (Police) comes across something they can take care of it, but we’re going to work together.

Tellez also mentioned that before May 24th, the different law enforcement agencies could not communicate between departments, but since May 24th, a system has been put in place where different agencies can communicate with one another. 

This Saturday, May 20th starting at 9 AM, the Texas Tribune will host an event titled, Uvalde, Resilience, Recovery and Healing at the Tate Auditorium at SWTJC in Uvalde from 9:00 AM until 2:30 PM. Doors will open at 8:30 AM.

  According to the Texas Tribune website it reads, ” On May 24, 2022, Robb Elementary School in Uvalde was the site of the second-deadliest K-12 school shooting in United States history. To mark one year since this tragedy, The Texas Tribune is convening the community for a half-day event, hosted by Southwest Texas Junior College, featuring parents who experienced loss, plus mental health experts, faith leaders and educators. The event will focus on recovery, resilience and healing. “

  Those interested in attending the event and/or speaking, need to preregister on the Texas Tribune’s event page as seating will be limited. The event will also be livestreamed.

  Lunch will be provided for those who register to attend.  A schedule of the scheduled session and speakers is also available on the Texas Tribune event website. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

  Uvalde, TX, May 15, 2023 – In collaboration with local organizations and community leaders, the Texas Tribune is set to host a special event on Saturday, May 20, to engage the Uvalde community in discussions on resilience, recovery, and healing. This gathering aims to address the challenges faced by Uvalde and other communities impacted by gun violence.

  Over the past year, the city of Uvalde has drawn strength from the unity and love exhibited by its resilient residents and families. In an effort to support ongoing healing and foster collective growth, this community-centered event will bring together families, mental health experts, faith leaders, and educators to explore a path forward.

  The event will take place at the Tate Auditorium, located at Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde, starting at 9 a.m. and concluding at 2:30 p.m. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m., allowing attendees to gather and prepare for the day’s discussions. Registered participants will be provided with lunch during the event, and parking will be available in the campus surface lots.

  Recognizing the importance of broader community involvement, the Texas Tribune will live stream the event on its website, texastribune.org. This initiative aims to ensure that individuals unable to attend in person can still engage in the discussions and contribute to the healing process.

  The event will provide a safe and supportive environment for attendees to share their experiences, express their concerns, and explore potential solutions. Mental health experts will be on hand to offer guidance and support to those affected by gun violence, emphasizing the importance of seeking help and promoting mental well-being.

  Faith leaders and educators will also play an integral role in the event, offering their perspectives on strengthening community bonds and providing a nurturing environment for healing and growth. Their insights will contribute to a comprehensive approach to addressing gun violence’s long-lasting impacts.

  The Texas Tribune, known for its commitment to fostering dialogue and promoting positive change, hopes that this event will serve as a catalyst for healing and unity in Uvalde and other communities affected by similar challenges. By facilitating these conversations, the aim is to inspire new ideas and initiatives to help prevent future incidents and promote a safer society.

  Individuals interested in participating in the event must register to secure their spot. More information and registration details can be found on the Texas Tribune’s website.

  The Texas Tribune’s dedication to supporting communities in crisis has been exemplified through its informative journalism and impactful initiatives. This event marks another step in their commitment to fostering resilience and recovery among gun violence victims. Hopefully, it will provide a platform for the Uvalde community to heal and unite.

Uvalde CISD issued notice on Thursday, February 2nd, of a Training Meeting to be held at 5:30 PM in the Benson Board Room located at 601 Dean St in Uvalde.

Following the Official Call to Order including an announcement by the Chairperson of a quorum, followed by a moment of silence, then an invocation,  and the Pledge of Allegiance, a public forum period is scheduled followed by the board convening into a closed door session.

Following the closed door session the agenda states the following:

4. Reconvene from closed session for action relevant to items covered during closed session and other items listed.
A. Consideration and take possible action regarding Superintendent Search Process and Schedule.
B. Team of 8 training regarding Board member and Interim Superintendent roles and responsibilities.
5. Consider and take possible action to nominate a candidate to fill a vacancy for the Real Central Appraisal District Board.
6. Adjournment

While the public and the media can attend, most of this meeting will be done in private. It is not known how much time will be allocated for public comments to be made.

Dr. Eben Alexander will speak about the eternity of souls and the role of unconditional love in providing healing and hope.

11:00AM to 12 Noon

Free Event

Dr. Eben Alexander, author of Proof of Heaven, state: “Dying is a crucial part of the human journey that we all share. As near-death experiences and other evidence reveal, while it may be the end of our physical existence, it is only a transition related to a much larger journey . . , ” Drawing on lessons, Dr. Eben Alexander will speak about the eternity of souls and the role of unconditional love in providing healing and hope. He is an academic neurosurgeon with decades at Harvard Medical School and teaching hospitals. He experienced his own near-death experience in 2008 and will share his and other experiences. Sonja Harper, RDH and her sister Sonya Sharron, LPC, will introduce the program and talk about their experiences as counselors in Uvalde following the May 24th tragedy.

For the Love of Uvalde

Community Engaged Art for Social Change and Community Discussion

6:30 PM  

The Good News Club – a nondenominational Bible Study for children, will be meeting at 11 a.m. today in the Children’s Room. Come for stories and activities. 11:00 Am – 12 Noon

Come drum! Jorge Ochoa will be in the Children’s Room Saturday, 1/21 from 12:45 – 1:45 to conduct a Drumming Circle. Open to everyone of all ages. It’s great fun and helps relieve stress with rhythm of the drumbeats. Free.