Heart Walk Kicked Off by American Heart Association With Good Start

To kick off this year's Heart Walk activities, The American Heart Association hosted a CEO Leadership Breakfast. On Saturday, November 7, 2009, the annual Heart Walk will take place at Northshore Park in The Woodlands, Texas.

To support the area to take a more lively role in fighting the nation's number one and three killers, cardiovascular diseases and stroke, Heart Walk will continue with the theme "Start!" Walkers will bring in donations which go to stop disability and death from heart disease and stroke and promote public and professional awareness, let alone reap the health benefits associated with the walk.

AHA Sr. Corporate Market Director, Lindsey Mulholland, stated "The Montgomery County Division raised the bar and set its goal for this year's Heart Walk to raise $200,000. Through our goals and efforts, the American Heart Association has been able to reduce heart disease and stroke by 25 percent, resulting in saving over 200,000 lives per year. Every contribution helps us save another life!"

Serving as Committee Chair for this year's Montgomery County Heart Walk, Edgar Anderson, said the following at breakfast: "We all have been affected by heart disease in some way or another. With heart disease and stroke being two of our top three killers we must urge the community to take part and participate in the upcoming Heart Walk. We can each do our part by simply participating as an individual, becoming a team leader or by recruiting sponsors for Montgomery County's Heart Walk."

3rd Annual Baby Fair Hosted by Memorial Hermann

The Department of State Health Services and the Texas Hospital Association has chosen Memorial Hermann - The Woodlands Hospital as a 2010 Texas Ten Step Facility. This yearly title is awarded to birthing facilities that offer optimal care to advance breastfeeding outcomes.

BSN, RNC, Clinical Manager of Lactation and Perinatal Education, Jackie Stiernagle, states "We have worked very hard to earn the Texas Ten Step designation. And we are proud to be a member of these select Texas facilities that promote the healthiest outcomes for our newest Texans."

Through its third annual Baby Fair, Memorial Hermann - The Woodlands is further promoting the significance of breastfeeding for expectant, new and experienced parents in recognition of World Breastfeeding Week. This event will take place on Saturday, August 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the hospital's first floor conference center at 9250 Pinecroft Drive, and it is a free, educational event that is open to the public.

An assortment of booths from vendors and community resources such as La Leche League, Medela, Mother's Milk Bank of Austin, Woodlands Mother's of Multiples, S.A.F.E.R. Houston, Evenflow, Easy Expressions and the B.I.R.T.H. Organization will be featured at the Baby Fair. Attendees can contribute in breakout sessions on lactation, infant development, and healthy nutrition during pregnancy and after. Also, there will be chair massages for pregnant moms, tours of Women's and Children's Services, and door prizes.

New Beauty Store Opening in Market Street The Woodlands

Cos Bar, a luxury beauty boutique will be opening in Market Street in The Woodlands. It is the first time for Cos Bar to go outside of a resort market being that it is a fixture in ten resort destinations including Wailea, Aspen and Scottsdale.

Cos Bar in Market Street will give special focus on its collection of moisturizers and creams by well known brands including La Prairie, La Mer, Kanebo and Sisley. The store will also feature the finest selection of perfumes and colognes in addition of offering the lowest prices on department store lines such as Bobbi Brown, Clinique and Kevyn Aucoin.

Men will also be included in this beauty store; they will find top-of-the-line scrubs, shaving creams, sunscreen and shampoos from brands including MenScience, John Allan, The Art of Shaving among others.

A team of experienced consultants will be available at Cos Bar to assist all customers in purchasing the right make-up, skincare items and fragrances to fit their individual style.

Market Street is located across from The Woodlands Mall and also from The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

Wilshire Homes recognized as a leader in Energy Efficiency

The United States Department of Energy and the National Association of Home Builders recognized Wilshire Homes a leader in Energy Efficiency construction. They awarded them the Gold 2008 EnergyValue Housing Award (EVHA). This award is given to recognize builders for raising the bar in residential energy efficiency every year. These energy efficient homes offer higher performance and popular aesthetic features that every home buyer looks for.

This amazing builder offers great standard energy efficient features including radiant barrier roof decking, Low E3 double pane vinyl windows, tankless water heaters, whole-house HEPA filtration, 14-SEER factory matched Amana air-conditioning system among others. Wilshire Homes demonstrates their commitment to building this wonderful energy-efficient homes and is the most energy-efficient production builder in Houston.

Wilshire Homes joined with Standard Renewable Energy to build homes in The Woodlands. They teamed up to build a solar powered home in the Village of Creekside Park in The Woodlands. This is the first production builder to offer this solar powered system as a standard option. The Wilshire Model Home is located at 7 N. Arrow Canyon Circle, it is the Kensington floor plan and it features many amazing energy efficiency qualities that make it unique. This is a two story home that includes four bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths and two dining areas, a private study, formal dining room and a game room to top it off.

There are many benefits to buying a solar energy system home including tax saving opportunities. Owners of these homes will be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $2,000 for installing a solar energy system. The cost of the installation of this system can also be incorporated into the cost of the mortgage.

These new homes will be offered by Wilshire Homes in Creekside Park in The Woodlands, the prices will start from the $300's and will offer various floor plans and designs. The first production home with the solar power system in the Houston Market will offer a tour Saturday, July 19 from noon to 4 p.m. at 7 N. Arrow Canyon Circle in Creekside Park The Woodlands.

If you'd like to tour these homes, call us today at (832) 482-9367.

Source: www.thewoodlands.net

CB&I TRI coming to The Woodlands

The Woodlands Triathlon has been scheduled for May 3 of 2008 at Northshore Park. This Park is located in 2505 Lake Woodlands Drive close to The Woodlands Mall and Market Street among other attractions of The Woodlands Community.

This event has been sanctioned by USA Triathlon (USAT) and has been designated as the USAT South Midwest Sprint State Championship. It will consist of a sprint format of a 500 meter swim, a 15 mile bike and a 5K run. There will be around 850 participants, with a range from beginners to nationally ranked triathletes.

The ages will start from 14 and will go up, the registration for this Triathlon will end on April 27 at 10 p.m. This event will start at 7 a.m. on May 3 and will have a fee of:

- $85 Individual Late Registration
- $140 Relay Team Late Registration

There will be many different ways for people to volunteer, if you would like more information go to www.thewoodlandsassociations.org and find details and registration.

Source: The Woodlands Community Magazine

The Woodlands' Young Girls Group has raised $5,000 to Help fight Breast Cancer

The Memorial Hermann Hospital in The Woodlands received a donation of $5,000 for it's Breast and Bone Health Center, it came from the hard work of the Girls Run of The Woodlands. Girls Run in The Woodlands, Tx is a group of girls that live in the area and are 7 to 13 years old, they are committed to physical fitness and participate in educational programs.

The Girls Run presented a check to the Breast and Bone Health Center on January the 26th, they were specially envited to take a tour of the center and learn more about breast cancer through a presentation by Amy Nordmann, M.D., a breast radiologist with The Center.

The Girls chose the Breast and Bone Health Center and Live Strong as the charities of their choice. This group's founders are Brook Baugh and Katie Cromer who have experienced the loss of theirmother to breast cancer.

This wonderfully generous group will host the Tulip Trot fun run in late April.

If you are interested in learning more about how to participate and train for the two mile run send an email to : girlsrun@gmail.com

St.Luke's Hospital in The Woodlands performs the da Vinci surgery

The Woodlands St. Luke's Hospital is one of the few facilities around the country that offers this state-of-the-art, robotic and minimally invasive surgical procedure known as the da Vinci surgery which can result in a faster recovery and fewer pain and scarring.

This wonderful facility, St. Luke's Community Medical Center - The Woodlands, has only recently made its first surgery using this incredible system. Through the da Vinci Surgical System, surgeons are currently performing a robotic and minimally invasive surgery.
Christine M. Lee, M.D., a Gynecologic oncologist was the first doctor at St. Lukes- The Woodlands Texas to use this system when performing a hysterectomy. This surgery was followed by a prostatectomy performed by a Dr. Steven W. Sukin, an Urologist. And finally following that, Dr. Patricia E. Laden a obstetrician/gynecologist, perfomred a salphingoophorectomy (removial of the ovaries and fallopian tubes).

The da Vinci Surgical System is used by a surgeon, the doctor operates sitting comfortably at a console while viewing a 3D image of the surgical field. The master controls are grasped by the surgeon's fingers with hands and wrists positioned relative to his or her eyes. This amazing system translated the surgeon's hand, wrist and finger movements into precise movements of surgical instruments insidethe patient.

Surgical procedures being performed now by using standard laparoscopic techniques will be performed quicker and easily using the da Vinci Surgical System. This system delivers increased clinicalcapability while keeping the same look and feel of open surgery.

This is great news for the patient because he or she will benefit from this minimally invasive surgery and could result in a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, less pain, less blood loss, less risk of infection, fewer transfusions, less scarring and a quicker return to their daily activities.
Chief officer and Vice President of the St. Luke's Hospital - The Woodlands, Debra Sukin said " We are thrilled to announce the availability of the da Vinci Surgical System here at St. Luke's.

We know thatthere is a general preference amon our patients for minimally invasive surgical procedures when at all possible, and we are proud to have our surgical staff confidently utilizing such an advanced levelof technology. Furthermore, by enhancing our surgical capabilities, the da Vinci Surgical System helps to further improve our clinical outcomes and underscores our excellence in quality of care."

The St. Lukes Community Medical Center in The Woodlands Tx is located at 17200 St. Luke's Way in The Woodlands, in the southwest corner of SH 242 and I-45.

Call (936) 266-2000 for more information or visit www. stlukeswoodlands.com

Memorial Hermann, Tomball Regional Medical Center To Open

Memorial Hermann, Tomball Regional Medical Center To Open, Operate Freestanding 24-Hour Emergency Center; 11,000-Square-Foot Facility to be Located on Woodlands Parkway at Highway 2978.

Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital and Tomball Regional Medical Center today announced their collaboration to open and operate a freestanding emergency center on Woodlands Parkway at Highway 2978. The 11,000-square-foot facility, scheduled to open its doors September 2008, will house a 24-hour, full-service emergency center with ambulance access, imaging services, occupational medicine, community education and more. "Joining forces with Tomball Regional Medical Center will enable us to expand our emergency services capabilities to better meet the needs of a region that is expected to grow by as much as 20 percent over the next five years," said Steve Sanders, CEO of Memorial Hermann The Woodlands.

"This collaboration makes strategic sense as both of our hospitals seek to fully serve the outer boundaries of our shared markets while not duplicating costs and services. Our shared focus on patient centered care makes this venture a win-win for everyone," said Lynn LeBouef, President and CEO of Tomball Regional Medical Center. Preliminary plans for the facility, which will be located in The Shops at Terramont II, a multi-use development offering convenient access and on-site parking, call for eight to 10 emergency treatment rooms and space to accommodate state-of-the-art emergency medical equipment, including a CT scanner and diagnostic X-Ray and ultrasound equipment, as well as an on-site laboratory.

Additionally, attending physicians and staff will have specialized training in emergency medicine with proven expertise in successfully managing urgent situations ranging from bruises and broken bones to heart attacks and stroke. Sandy Aron of Houston-based Hunington Properties, Inc. will oversee the development and leasing of The Shops at Terramont II on behalf of a Texas LLC entity. Construction is scheduled to begin immediately.

For more information on Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital, visit http://www.memorialhermann.org/ or call 281.364.2458.

For more information on Tomball Regional Medical Center, visit http://www.tomballhospital.org/ or call 281.401.7777.

About Memorial Hermann Healthcare System
An integrated health system, Memorial Hermann is known for world-class clinical expertise, patient-centered care, leading edge technology, and innovation. The system, with its exceptional medical staff and 19,000 employees, serves Southeast Texas and the greater Houston community.

Memorial Hermann's 15 hospitals include three hospitals in the Texas Medical Center, including a level 1 trauma center, a hospital for children and a rehabilitation hospital, as well as three heart & vascular institute locations and eight suburban hospitals. The system also operates an air ambulance, cancer, imaging and surgery centers, sports medicine and rehabilitation centers, outpatient laboratories, Wellness Center, chemical dependency treatment center, home health agency, retirement community and a nursing home.

To learn more, visit http://www.memorialhermann.org/, or call 713-222-CARE.

Source: TheWoodlands.net by The Woodlands Development Company

Wellness in The Woodlands

Physical, mental, financial and spiritual well-being will be the focus of an upcoming exposition being hosted by The Woodlands Institute for Health & Wellness. Seventy exhibitors will showcase products, services and concepts at the 2008 Wellness Expo on Saturday at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center.

Dr. Mila McManus, who specializes in those issues for The Woodlands Institute for Health & Wellness, will speak on solutions to common health problems.

Besides the Institute for Health & Wellness, exhibitors at the third annual event include Mannatech, Inc., Avante Laser & MediSpa, Sedona Fitness for Women, Super Suppers, Berkeley Laser Center, Mark Chiropractic, One 30 Fitness, Clean Air Systems, Medical Aesthetics and Laser, Kroger Pharmacy, Alden Bridge Chiropractic Center, CrabbyDaddy Seafood, The Houston Spine and Rehabilitation Centers, Ameriprise Financial-Ellis & Ellis, First Victoria National Bank, Woodlands Family Institute, Natural Pawz and Golf Coast Regional Blood Center.

Financial institutions also will be on hand to address issues related to fiscal wellness. Janice Swan, office manager for The Woodlands Institute of Health and Wellness, said Ameriprise Financial will give a presentation. Another speaker will be Dr. Tom Reed, who will talk about underlying causes of illness.Berkeley Eye Center representatives will discuss laser surgery. Rodgers Steing Chiropractic Center representatives will touch on fitness issues. Some of the free health screenings offered are for cholesterol, blood pressure, antioxidant levels, body mass index, digital skin analysis, diabetes and body fat analysis. Hair analysis tests will be offered at a reduced rate.

The process involves collecting strands of hair, which are sent to a laboratory and tested for heavy metals, hormonal imbalances and mineral deficiencies. "The tests will be done all day by several specialists," McManus said. "It just depends on the demand." Registration is requested but not required, McManus said. Registrants will be able to enter a drawing for a wellness package worth $2,595.

For more information, visit http://www.twihwexpo.com/.

Source: The Villager by Lauren Hodges