Cook ChildrenÂ’s to begin health assessment survey
Cook ChildrenÂ’s Health Care System will start its Community-wide ChildrenÂ’s Health Assessment and Planning Survey on Sept. 22 to gather information on childrenÂ’s health needs within its six-county service region. The data will support planning by the system to better meet the health needs of children in the North Texas area.
“Health status data can be used by community planning organizations to develop initiatives for action on children’s issues, by foundations for determining funding priorities where children are affected and by faith-based organizations to focus outreach ministry efforts,” said Rick Merrill, Cook Children’s president and CEO.
The survey will be mailed the week of Sept. 22 to thousands of households, and the data will focus on adults with children from newborn to 14 years old. Data from Cook ChildrenÂ’s services, government and professional sources, and interviews will be considered in the assessment.
Cook ChildrenÂ’s said the project is the first known of its kind in the country to focus on identifying childrenÂ’s health needs for future solutions, and results of the project will be shared throughout the systemÂ’s service area.
UNTHSC host speaker series
The UNT Health Science Center will have its first Distinguished Speaker Series event of the 2008-2009 school year Oct. 14.
The discussion, “Racial/Ethnic Dispari-ties in Birth Outcomes: A Life Course Perspective,” will focus on a presentation from Dr. Michael Lu, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles. Lu, who is also an associate professor in the department of community health sciences at the university’s School of Public Health, has a research focus on the prevention of preterm birth, racial and ethnic disparities in birth outcomes and perinatal health services.
The event will begin at 5 p.m. in Luibel Hall at 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., on the Health Science CenterÂ’s campus. The event is free, but seating is limited and registration can be completed online at www.RegisterWithUNT.com or by calling Carol Scott at 917-735-2539.
NASCAR driver attends golf classic
NASCAR driver David Ragan and his brother, Adam Ragan, will be at the seventh annual Our Special Heroes Golf Classic, a charity tournament held by Down Syndrome Partnership of Tarrant County.
The tournament is scheduled for Sept. 29 at Texas Star Golf Course in Euless. Adam Ragan has Down Syndrome and is a member of his brotherÂ’s NASCAR racing team, and David Ragan will be the tournamentÂ’s master of ceremonies. Proceeds from the event will help the nonprofit provide resources, services and education for people with Down syndrome as well as families and professionals.
There will be a choice of morning and afternoon tee times as well as team prizes, door prizes, raffle items and on-course games. Information about playing or sponsoring the tournament and the RagansÂ’ autograph sessions are available at www.DSPTC.org or by calling 817-426-1195.
THR IT department honored
Information technology at Texas Health Resources and the people behind it were recognized as InformationWeek named the company No. 58 on its top 500 list.
InformationWeek 500 is an annual listing of the largest and most innovative users of information technology in companies of all sizes and industries, and this is the eighth consecutive time that THR has been ranked among the InformationWeek 500.
During the past year, THR has continued building a foundation for electronic health records in its hospitals; Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital will begin using the records this fall. Additionally, the company has Web portals for key stakeholders, such as a physician portal, a trustee portal and an employee portal.
Varner donates artwork to Huguley
Charles Varner, a professional artist and illustrator, will donate five custom art pieces to the emergency department of Huguley Memorial Medical Center. Three oil paintings of Texas landscapes will go to the waiting area, and two illustrations will be for the childrenÂ’s play room.
“Mr. Varner’s gift of art, specifically created for our emergency department waiting area, will provide a positive focal point for our patients and their families,” said Tammy Collier, Huguley senior vice president of patient care services.
Varner, who resides in Grandview, attended Texas Christian University and has been a professional artist and illustrator since 1970. His work has appeared in childrenÂ’s books, magazines, games and advertising for clients including American Airlines and Dr Pepper.
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