News

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.

Wrapped in Love - How One BSA Employee Gives Back

Vickie Burns, a long-standing employee at BSA, spends her time off crocheting to give back to her co-workers. A self-taught crocheter, Burns, started crocheting blankets with the intention of giving one to her co-worker who was welcoming a new baby at BSA.

Her idea of making blankets to help fellow BSA employees celebrate happy occasions started last Autumn.

“The idea came from years of volunteering in our community and deciding to make a difference right here at BSA,” says Burns.

Finding New Hope After Weight Loss Surgery

In 2012, Billie Layland’s life changed. Her health began to decline, including a weight gain she could not get rid of.

“I had many trials and errors of losing weight,” says Layland. “It just seems like the weight comes on and it does not come off. Physically, I was not doing well. I needed to take better care of myself. I tried so many different things.”

This led Leyland to consider bariatric surgery. Her brother had gone through the procedure years before and had seen great success. Seeing his transformation inspired Leyland to make her own transformation.

12-year-old patient donates gaming system to BSA Pediatric Unit

BSA’s Pediatric Unit recently received a new gaming system that patients will be able to use during their stay, thanks to a donation from a former patient.

John Hare, 12, was admitted to BSA Hospital due to a severe allergic reaction in November of 2019, just a few days after the passing of his father.

BSA Partners with Meals on Wheels to Provide Hot Meals to Amarillo Seniors

For more than 20 years, BSA Health System has teamed up with Meals on Wheels, a local nonprofit, to prepare and deliver hot, nutritious meals to seniors in need in the Amarillo area.

“Meals on Wheels is one small way we give back to our community,” said BSA Patient Nutrition Manager, Leasa Dean.

The BSA Dining Center staff prepares between 135-145 meals each day for the nonprofit. Once the meals are prepared, Meals on Wheels volunteers help package and deliver food across Amarillo.

How to Get Back Into Your Wellness Routine after the Holidays

After the holidays, getting back into a wellness routine can be a challenge. BSA Registered Dietitian, Stephanie Collins, says holiday foods and events can knock us out of our healthy routines.

“After you indulge during the holidays, the cravings for high fat, sugar and salt are strong and it can be hard to resist,” said Collins.

Collins recommends skipping the diet and aiming toward maintaining healthy habits.

Folic Acid: A Woman's Best Friend

There are many ways parents prepare for a baby. One important way moms can prepare is to get all the nutrients a growing baby needs. Folic acid is a B-vitamin essential for proper cell growth and is a great place for moms to begin their preparation.

A Life-Changing Year: A Local Woman’s Weight Loss Success

One year can make a huge difference in someone’s life. That is especially true for Piper Bennett who has lost 108 pounds less than a year after having bariatric surgery. Being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, Bennett first began looking into bariatric surgery after her physician recommended it as a way to help alleviate her symptoms and improve her health.

180 Pounds Down: A Panhandle Man’s Weight Loss Success Story

Weighing in at 390 pounds, Thomas Bryant oftentimes felt unmotivated and tired.

“I felt so out of energy and unmotivated,” Bryant said. “It got to the point where I felt like I wasn’t living anymore. I would come home from work and my wife and I would just sit and eat bad food, and that’s pretty much what we did.”

Wanting to make a positive life change, Bryant began having conversations about weight loss surgery with his coworkers. It was through these conversations that Bryant learned about BSA’s bariatric surgery options.

Oh Christmas Tie, Oh Christmas Tie: BSA Employee Continues Festive Tradition

The Christmas spirit is in full swing at BSA. That’s especially true for the Pharmacy Department, thanks to a special tradition brought forth by BSA Pharmacy Director, Luke Barnett.

For the past nine years, he has been wearing a different Christmas tie to work each December for every day leading up to Christmas.

“My father-in-law is a retired elementary school principal and he had a bunch of Christmas ties,” said Barnett. “When he retired, he told me he would never wear a tie again, so I asked if I could have his Christmas ties to wear to work.”