Blog

60 Second Sleep Tip – Sleeping in the Heat of Summer

BSA Says Thank You to Volunteers

Volunteers are a vital part of what goes on at BSA. Their passion and selflessness are inspiring, and the support they provide truly cannot be understated. Ahead of BSA Volunteer Week, we spoke with BSA Volunteer Coordinator, Nicole Bounsing, to get her thoughts on our wonderful network of volunteers.

BSA Social Worker Finds Passion in Advocating for Those with Autism

On August 17, 2007, Alanna Hepler, LMSW was told her son, Ethan, was diagnosed with severe autistic and nonverbal learning disorders.

“My husband and I were devastated and felt so alone with the uncertainty of our son’s future,” Alanna shared. “After his diagnosis, Ethan’s doctor told us we could choose a life of disappointment or we could choose to find the joy.”

Mother of Two Trusts BSA’s Pediatric Unit for Her Diabetic Daughters

When Christy Garces’ 10-year-old daughter Sophie experienced pain in her left foot followed by a fever, Christy’s first thought was to head to BSA. As a mother of two daughters with type 1 diabetes, she knew the severity of a seemingly ordinary condition could be amplified.

The Garceses are no strangers to BSA. Their family has seen doctors there for years, and the oldest Garces daughter was even diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in its pediatric unit 15 years ago. Christy knew she could trust the doctors and staff at BSA to figure out what was causing Sophie’s pain and fever.

First-Time Mom Delivers Early at BSA While Suffering from COVID-19

Clara Perez, 23, was 34-weeks pregnant when she began experiencing severe COVID-19 symptoms.

"I was having a lot of muscle pain and throwing up,” Perez said. “I wasn't able to keep anything down, not even water. I was also running a fever and had lost my taste and smell.”

Due to the severity of her symptoms and her concern for her unborn child’s safety, Perez went to the BSA Emergency Room. Once at BSA, she was given an IV and staff began monitoring both her and her baby’s vital signs.

Nurse Practitioner Becomes COVID-19 Patient

In early April of 2020, Nurse Practitioner Stan Leffew contracted COVID-19 and was admitted to BSA hospital. Needing to be intubated, Leffew required the care of his former colleagues in the BSA Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

BSA EMS Helping to Test for COVID-19 in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

As more cases of COVID-19 are being confirmed in the Texas Panhandle, the BSA Emergency Medical Services (EMS) department is doing their part to help one of our area’s at-risk populations. BSA EMS has been assigned by the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force to administer COVID-19 tests to residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The BSA EMS team is helping administer the tests in response to an executive order issued by Governor Greg Abbott.

Using Technology to Connect with Loved Ones

With hospitals and health officials still strongly recommending wearing a mask and social distancing, fighting the coronavirus can be lonely and isolating— but it doesn’t have to be.

How to Avoid Heartburn

Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach (esophagus). It can feel like a burning pain in the chest that may worsen when bent over or lying down. Getting heartburn is common and the symptoms can usually be managed on your own, however, there are some instances when heartburn could be more serious.

The Effects of Sleep Deprivation

Getting better sleep helps you lead a better life. To achieve optimal health, prioritize your sleep schedule.

“Sleep is the single most effective thing we can do to reset our brain and body each day,” explained BSA Sleep Disorders Center Manager, Jeannie Pruitt.

When you don’t get enough quality sleep, problems can arise. Poor sleep habits can be detrimental to our overall health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claims that insufficient sleep is a public health epidemic.