Recent headlines
2009 Stories
ETMC Henderson brings specialty physicians to local patients
Residents of Henderson and surrounding areas now have access to medical specialists close to home at the ETMC Henderson Specialty Clinic.
ETMC Athens offers unsurpassed technology
Richard Vasquez is a man with a message, and he shares that message with deeply-held sincerity.
Brett Kirkham named assistant administrator at ETMC Mount Vernon
Brett Kirkham, formerly of Corpus Christi, will serve as the new assistant administrator at ETMC Mount Vernon.
ETMC Tyler receives national recognition for treatment of stroke patients
ETMC Tyler has been recognized as a silver annual performance award winner for the treatment of stroke patients.
ETMC Tyler deemed a mother-friendly workplace
East Texas Medical Center Tyler has joined a growing number of cutting-edge Texas businesses by becoming designated as a Mother-Friendly Worksite.
ETMC prostate screening results are in
East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System screened 1,572 East Texas men during the 11th annual free prostate cancer screening.
ETMC construction projects on schedule
Construction of 72 new rooms for ETMC Tyler is right on schedule.
Advanced 64-slice CT scanner added at ETMC Fairfield
The new CT, a rarity in most rural hospitals across the country, features advanced technology that produces split-second high quality images, permitting doctors to see more anatomical detail in a fraction of the time needed for other tests.
Dixie Wine Co. supports ETMC Jacksonville’s mammography outreach
Women in the Jacksonville area with special financial needs may now benefit from a special gift of caring from Dixie Wine Company. Owner Jerry Collins presented Jack Endres, ETMC Jacksonville administrator, with a check for $830 on June 15. This funding represented the proceeds from a special wine a ...
ETMC First Physicians Clinic ribboncutting held
Ribboncutting ceremonies were held today during a community open house at the new ETMC First Physicians Clinic in Trinity, located adjacent to ETMC Trinity.
Henderson Memorial Hospital, ETMC sign affiliation agreement
Officials with Henderson Memorial Hospital and the East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System have announced that an agreement has been finalized for the Henderson hospital to affiliate with the ETMC system and become ETMC Henderson.
ETMC EMS division wins Florida Governor’s award
Paramedics Plus, an organization owned and managed by East Texas Medical Center EMS, has received the 2009 Governor’s Sterling Award, the highest recognition possible for performance excellence awarded by the state of Florida.
ETMC Jacksonville wins spelling bee
ETMC Jacksonville spelling bee team members were victorious at the annual Jacksonville Literacy Council Spelling Bee.
ETMC sponsors support group for burn victims
New support group for burn victims is being offered each month at ETMC Tyler.
ETMC Athens redesignated as Advanced Trauma Facility
ETMC Athens was recently redesignated as an Advanced (Level III) Trauma Facility by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
ETMC Tyler honored as top eye donor
ETMC Tyler was recently recognized as a top eye-donor hospitalpial for North Texas.
Online Doctor Rating Web Site DrScore.com Signs East Texas Medical Center
The online doctor rating Web site, DrScore.com, announced recently that it will provide patient feedback services to East Texas Medical Center (ETMC), a regional health care system of 14 hospitals with more than 150 physicians.
ETMC Wound Healing Center director honored
ETMC Wound Healing Center Director Melissa Sikes has been honored as Program Director of the Year by National Healing Corporation (NHC), a leader in disease management accounting for more than 30 percent of the nation's managed and outsourced wound healing centers.
ETMC Breast Center extends mammography services to Jacksonville
The comprehensive diagnostic services of the ETMC Breast Center have been extended to Jacksonville, with the addition of all-new digital mammography technology at ETMC Jacksonville.
Ruth A. “Raz” Cook receives ACHE Regent’s Award
Ruth A. “Raz” Cook, FACHE, administrator at ETMC Fairfield, received the American College of Healthcare Executives’ Senior-Level Healthcare Executive Regent’s Award recently at the Texas Hospital Association Leadership Conference in Austin.
CCL Leadership class visits ETMC Cedar Creek Lake
The Leadership Class of the Cedar Creek Lake Chamber of Commerce recently visited ETMC Cedar Creek Lake to learn more about healthcare services in the area. Presentations about the service of the ETMC system were followed by a facility tour and the opportunity to meet with the crews of both an ETMC.
Jorge Leal named ETMC Gilmer assistant administrator
Perry Henderson, senior administrator of ETMC Gilmer, has announced that Jorge Leal has been named the hospital’s assistant administrator.
ETMC EMS division wins ambulance contract in Indiana
Paramedics Plus, the for-profit division of East Texas Medical Center EMS, will become the new ambulance provider for Fort Wayne, Indiana beginning July 1.
ETMC Breast Center extends mammography services to Carthage
The comprehensive diagnostic services of the ETMC Breast Center have been extended to Carthage, with the addition of all-new digital mammography technology at ETMC Carthage.
ETMC Physician receives board certification
Dr. Evans Smith has passed the examination for Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Subspecialty Certification examination, adding certification in hyperbaric medicine to his existing certification in emergency medicine.
ETMC breaks ground on Lake Palestine expansion project
East Texas Medical Center has started construction on a $9 million facility near Lake Palestine to provide state-of-the-art fitness and outpatient rehabilitation services, as well as a new and expanded physician clinic.
ETMC Tyler celebrates construction topping out
A years-old tradition was carried out at ETMC Tyler on January 13, with a topping-out ceremony at the construction site for the two new stories being added to the north tower of the hospital.
Henderson Memorial Hospital, ETMC sign letter of intent
Officials with Henderson Memorial Hospital and the East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System have announced that a letter of intent has been signed between the two organizations and that negotiations are underway to finalize the terms of an agreement
ETMC Pittsburg recognized for 50 years AHA membership
ETMC Pittsburg celebrated 50 years of membership in the American Hospital Association today with the presentation of a 50-year membership plaque presented by the AHA’s Alex R. White, Jr., FACHE, to ETMC Pittsburg Senior Administrator Perry Henderson and the hospital’s board of trustees.
ETMC Tyler lab reaccredited
East Texas Medical Center Tyler’s laboratory has been reaccredited by the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists (CAP). The inspection form noted “very good lab and the employees are very professional and exhibit excellent customer service.”
ETMC Tyler welcomes first baby of the new year
ETMC Tyler welcomed its first baby of the New Year at 12:42 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2009.
ETMC Athens welcomes first baby of the new year
Little Jeorge Luis Fernandez may not have been born on New Year’s Day, but he still managed to achieve first-baby-of-the-year status at ETMC Athens with a January 2 arrival. The beautiful boy was born at 9:32 a.m. at 7 pounds, 2.75 ounces and 19.5 inches long.
2008 Stories
First Choice presents $20,000 check to Diabetes University
Growing Together Diabetes Day Camp received a check recently from the First Choice Co-op
Scouts at Clements Scouts Ranch enjoy visit from Air 1 helicopter
An Air 1 helicopter was sent over recently from ETMC Athens to allow scouts the chance to tour the chopper.
New speech therapy program aims to help Parkinson’s patients
ETMC Outpatient Rehab is now offering a program called Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD) to help Parkinson’s patients improve their speech problems.
Jane Todd, MD, joins ETMC First Physicians
Longtime Shelby County physician Dr. Jane Todd has announced that her clinic, Deep East Texas Rural Health Clinic, will become the ETMC First Physicians Clinic Shelby County, effective Jan. 1.
Therapet Program receives Samsung Donation
Samsung Electronics donated $10,000 to the Therapet Animal Assisted Therapy Foundation during a check presentation at the ETMC Pavilion.
New Fairfield Hospitalist program enhances patient
ETMC Fairfield will enhance the care offered to its hospitalized patients, beginning November 1, with the introduction of two hospitalists to the medical staff. ...read more
ETMC Gilmer welcomes three physicians
Three physicians have joined the staff at ETMC Gilmer, one in the ETMC First Physicians Clinic and two as hospitalists to care for hospitalized patients.
ETMC physician received MADD Difference Maker Award
Dr. Scott Norwood was honored recently with an award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
Construction progressing on ETMC Olympic Center in Jacksonville
More than 13,000 square feet of space, filled with the most modern exercise equipment available and staffed by fitness experts trained in wellness, exercise physiology, personal training, aerobic instruction and more, will be available to members when the ETMC Olympic Center in Jacksonville opens.
New Fairfield Hospitalist program enhances patient
ETMC Fairfield will enhance the care offered to its hospitalized patients, beginning November 1, with the introduction of two hospitalists to the medical staff.
Endres Elected to Statewide Board of Trustees
Jack R. Endres, FACHE, administrator of ETMC Jacksonville, has been elected to a three-year term on the Texas Hospital Association’s 2008-2009 Board of Trustees. He takes office Oct. 30 during the board’s fall meeting in Austin.
Longview man receives best birthday gift ever
Robert Vanmeter of Longview received an incredible gift for his recent 60th birthday—a new kidney. The operation was also noteworthy as it was the first procedure performed here by ETMC Tyler’s new kidney transplant surgeon and transplant program director Dr. Steven Potter.
ETMC First Physicians Clinic construction progressing
Construction to create a new 7,132 square feet First Physicians Clinic adjacent to ETMC Mt. Vernon is well underway, with a mid-November move-in date anticipated, according to ETMC Mt. Vernon Senior Administrator Perry Henderson.
ETMC offers new treatment option for Peripheral Arterial Disease
The ETMC Cardiovascular Institute now offers the Diamondback 360°™ Orbital Atherectomy System treatment option for people suffering with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD).
ETMC’s Air 1 helicopter program re-accredited
ETMC’s Air 1 emergency helicopter program has been re-accredited. ETMC Regional Trauma Director Judy England says this honor was awarded after a full review and a site visit this summer by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS).
ETMC Sleep Disorders Center in Tyler earns reaccreditation
The ETMC Sleep Disorders Center in Tyler recently received program reaccreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).
Boutique owner partners with ETMC to help make mammograms available
The owner of Kathy’s Boutique in Athens is working to help women obtain mammograms ...
ETMC Tyler’s Echocardiography Laboratory receives accreditation
ETMC Tyler’s Echocardiography Laboratory was granted accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL).
Study by ETMC physician links pesticides and Parkinson's
A recent study by physicians and researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler and an East Texas Medical Center physician indicates use of the organic pesticides like rotenone may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
ETMC Athens lead tech prepares for tour in Iraq
In October, Will Conley will head to Iraq for a month, where the current combat engineering unit on the ground will debrief him.
DEXA bone density screening now available at ETMC Fairfield
ETMC Fairfield has installed a Hologic DEXA unit, which is used to measure bone loss associated with osteoporosis.
Lymphedema management now available in Crockett
Kathy Curless, OTR, CLT, an occupational therapist at the ETMC Rehabilitation Center in Crockett, has completed studies to become a certified lymphedema therapist.
ETMC Athens boasts new digital mammography unit
There’s great news for women across Henderson County: ETMC Athens is now using a state-of-the-art full field digital mammography unit.
GI specialist Dr. Amir Ahmed available for appointments in Pittsburg
Amir Ahmed, MD, gastroenterologist, is offering digestive disease services to patients in Pittsburg, according to ETMC Pittsburg Administrator Perry Henderson.
Community reception at ETMC Athens to celebrate benefits of breastfeeding
From Noon-2 p.m. Aug. 6 ETMC Athens will host a reception in observation of World Breastfeeding Week.
ETMC Athens works to ensure nurse-friendly environment
Chief Nursing Office Rebecca Powell knows a simple truth about promoting excellent care at ETMC Athens: happy nurses are more likely to have happy patients.
ETMC Cancer Institute reaccredited with commendation
The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons has granted its three-year approval with commendation to the cancer program at ETMC.
Raz Cook to chair Texas Hospital Association’s Rural Hospital Constituency Council
Ruth A. “Raz” Cook, FACHE, administrator of ETMC Fairfield, has been named chair of the Texas Hospital Association’s Rural Hospital Constituency Section Council, effective in October.
GI specialist Dr. Amir Ahmed available for appointments in Gilmer
Amir Ahmed, MD, gastroenterologist, will be available for appointments in Gilmer, beginning in mid-July.
Gastroenterology, women’s health specialists seeing patients at ETMC Mt. Vernon Specialty Clinic
Two specialists in gastroenterology and one in women’s health have expanded their practices to care for patients at the ETMC Mt. Vernon Specialty Clinic, broadening the array of healthcare services available in Franklin County.
Terry Dickey, RN, FNP-BC receives Texas Award for Nurse Practitioner Excellence
Terry Dickey, RN, FNP-BC, of the ETMC First Physicians Clinic in Quitman, was honored with the State Award of Nurse Practitioner Excellence for Texas during the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, held in Washington, DC,
Dr. Katrina Duplechain now seeing patients in Van
Van residents needing to see an internal medicine physician now have the convenience of scheduling these appointments at the ETMC First Physicians Clinic in Van.
ETMC Tyler honored as a member of the transpalnt “Leadership Circle”
East Texas Medical Center at Tyler is being honored by Transplant Services Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center as a member of the “Leadership Circle” of top eye donor hospitals in North Texas. Through the efforts of the staff, 17 eye donations occurred in 2007.
TJC, JEDCO, hospitals join to form nursing program in Jacksonville
The Jacksonville Economic Development Corporation (JEDCO), Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics and East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System have announced an agreement to provide funding and a home for a Jacksonville nursing instruction facility, to be operated by Tyler Junior C
ETMC Athens battles to lower number of dangerous skin infections in HC
ETMC Athens staffers recently developed a poster on infections to be distributed.
Panola College, ETMC Carthage Celebrate New Nursing Simulation Lab
Ribbon cutting ceremonies were held today in celebration of a new nursing simulation lab in Carthage, the result of collaboration between Panola College and ETMC Carthage.
Jack Endres named ETMC Jacksonville administrator
Jack Endres, who has served as ETMC Jacksonville’s interim administrator since February 11, has been named administrator of the hospital, ETMC Senior Vice President for Affiliate Operations Jerry Massey announced today.
New sleep lab opens at ETMC Crockett
Do you find yourself becoming sleepy during the day? Do you doze off while reading, watching television or during other quiet activities? Have you been told you snore excessively?
New tool broadens stroke treatment options
A sophisticated set of new tools – the Penumbra SystemTM — at ETMC Tyler has dramatically broadened the treatment options for stroke patients
New sleep lab opens at ETMC Crockett
Do you find yourself becoming sleepy during the day? Do you doze off while reading, watching television or during other quiet activities? Have you been told you snore excessively?
New tool broadens stroke treatment options
A sophisticated set of new tools – the Penumbra SystemTM — at ETMC Tyler has dramatically broadened the treatment options for stroke patients.
Governor appoints Wallace to state board
Gov. Rick Perry announces the appointment of Patrick Wallace to the state board of the Office of Rural Community Affairs. Wallace, who has served as administrator of East Texas Medical Center Athens for 20 years, was appointed to a term expiring Feb. 1, 2011.
CT room enhancements completed
ETMC Mt. Vernon has completed renovations to its CT room and replaced its previous unit with a Phillips Mx8000 Dual EXP CT, which will enhance patient care at the hospital.
ETMC EMS ambulances equip the fleet with new technology
ETMC EMS ambulances recently added new features to their units.
East Texas Therapet Dog Inducted Into Texas Animal Hall of Fame
An East Texas Therapet dog is being inducted this month into the Texas Animal Hall of Fame. Aida, a golden retriever, is being honored for her work as a therapy dog throughout East Texas.
ETMC Tyler Wound Healing Center Achieves Reaccreditation with distinction
The ETMC Tyler Wound Healing Center has achieved
ETMC Cardiovascular Institute adds new Live 3D Echo
The ETMC Cardiovascular Institute has a new tool to aid cardiologists in diagnosis and planning.
2007 Stories
First Physicians Clinic announces addition of nurse practitioner Shelbi Mullins
ETMC Quitman is pleased to announce that nurse practitioner Shelbi Mullins, MS, RN, FNPC, will join Dr. Beverly Waddleton and Terry Dickey, FNPC, at the ETMC First Physicians Clinic in Quitman
Carthage gets 64-Slice CT
If your loved one needed the highly detailed images provided by a 64-slice CT scanner to diagnose an illness, how far would you travel?
Digital mammography comes to ETMC Quitman
The ETMC Cancer Institute is pleased to announce the expansion of full-field digital mammography services to Quitman, effective January 2008.
New emergency department “whiteboard” to improve patient care at ETMC
ETMC Tyler is using new technology to accelerate patient care in the emergency department. A new electronic “whiteboard,” that is commonly used in hospitals, has replaced the traditional dry erase “whiteboard” with handwritten entries. The system will improve the workflow of physicians and nurses
ETMC wins two statewide trauma awards
ETMC received two statewide honors at the annual emergency medical services awards banquet recently. Dr. William Moore won the EMS Medical Director Award and ETMC Tyler won the Designated Trauma Facility Award from the Texas Department of State Health Services.
ETMC recognized for high organ donation rate
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services presented awards in October to 392 of the nation’s hospitals for their successes in increasing organ donation rates.
Plans unveiled for a new ETMC Pittsburg
Ceremonies unveiling plans for ETMC Pittsburg's new hospital also marked the beginning of a community fundraising campaign to benefit the ETMC Pittsburg Building Fund.
ETMC Quitman ends OB program due to physician team relocation
The relocation of one of the two physicians who provide obstetrical services at ETMC Quitman has led to the decision to close maternity services at the hospital, effective December 31, according to Chris Stipe, ETMC Quitman chief executive officer.
ETMC Athens offers medley of childbirth, childcare classes
ETMC Athens offers five baby classes. The two newest classes are Grandparenting Today and Super Siblings.
ETMC Quitman adds faster fluoroscopy equipment
New fluoroscopy equipment in the radiology department at ETMC Quitman will offer imaging patients faster studies with much higher image quality.
ETMC completes record number of catheterization procedures
The ETMC Cardiovascular Institute recently reached a milestone by performing a cardiac catheterization.
ETMC screens 1,500 plus men for prostate symptoms
East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System screened 1,502 men during the ninth annual free prostate cancer screening.
ETMC Tyler earns Level I Trauma Facility redesignation
East Texas Medical Center Tyler has been redesignated by the Texas Department of Health as a comprehensive Level I trauma facility.
ETMC named Most Wired for eighth year
ETMC has again national recognition for leadership in bringing medical communications and information technology to the people of East Texas.
ETMC Tyler recognized by AHA for stroke care
ETMC Tyler is recognized as a silver-award-inner for stroke care by the American Heart Association in the U.S. News and World Report annual hospital issue.
ETMC Carthage Well Child Clinic now open
Children's preventive healthcare needs, including well child exams, immunizations, and physicals for sports, camp or daycare, will be conveniently available at the new ETMC Carthage Well Child Clinic, which opens July 9.
ETMC Athens distributes medication cards throughout Henderson County
ETMC Athens is working to see that people across Henderson County have...
ETMC Tyler adds ortho surgery navigation system
A new system is providing knee replacement surgery patients with state-of-the-art accuracy in the ETMC Tyler surgery department. When patients undergo knee replacement surgery with the Ci System from DePuy, a Johnson & Johnson company, surgeons now have a 3-dimensional view of the knee joint.
OB Clinic at ETMC Athens good for mom and baby
Several years ago, the staff in the ETMC Athens OB department became aware of a growing problem. More and more women were coming to the hospital to deliver babies without having seen a doctor beforehand.
Neuro Institute welcomes American Parkinson Disease Association Coordinator
Kelly Pierson recently joined the ETMC Neurological Institute as the American Parkinson Disease Association Inc. Information and Referral Center coordinator.
ETMC Carthage welcomes new pediatrician
Pediatrician Prakash Malviya, MD, a new ETMC First Physician, has joined the medical staff at ETMC Carthage.
Older articles
ETMC Carthage adds nuclear medicine camera
Carthage becomes latest location to enhance diagnostic capabilities
ETMC Gilmer installs nuclear cameras
Nuclear cameras at ETMC Gilmer enhance diagnostic capabilities.
ETMC Athens nurses learn from the masters
Mentoring program proves effective for Athens nurses
100th deep brain stimulation procedure performed
The ETMC Neurological Institute reached a milestone in February by performing its 100th deep brain stimulation procedure.
ETMC Tyler offers digital mammography
Now East Texas women can benefit from new digital mammography technology added to the comprehensive diagnostic services of the ETMC Breast Care Center in Tyler.
ETMC Jacksonville Honored By Texas Hospital Association
East Texas Medical Center Jacksonville has been honored as a long-time member of the Texas Hospital Association. The hospital was one of four throughout the state to receive 75-year membership awards from the Association in 2006.
ETMC Athens has plenty of class(es) when it comes to baby
Little Miss Justleigh Harrison would hardly budge from in front of the parenting information booth at ETMC Athens Education Celebration Jan. 24...
Advanced 64-slice CT scanner added at ETMC Pittsburg
Technology rarely found in rural hospitals will help diagnose certain diseases earlier.
ETMC Athens gets 64-slice CT
The 64-slice computed tomography scanner is absolutely the top-of-the-line in producing detailed images of the body's anatomy.
