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Videos

Review our collection of videos covering health information topics

Halloween Safety

Bindi Naik-Mathuria, MD, Pediatric Surgeon, emphasizes keeping children safe on Halloween by maximizing their visibility so drivers can see pedestrians crossing the street. Pedestrians should also use crosswalks and be mindful of how masks can prevent a costumed person from seeing approaching cars. Children should learn to look left, then right, then left again before crossing streets, use sidewalks, and watch for cars reversing or turning. According to Safe Kids, twice as many children are killed while walking on Halloween than any other day of the year.

 

This piece was originally produced in conjunction with our partners at i45Now. View the original post on their page.

Closing the loop on breast cancer

UTMB Health nurse practitioner Jill Resendez helps patients close the loop on breast cancer, one strategically placed tattoo at a time. She and her former patient Tina Herring joined Meagan Clanahan of Houston Moms for a recent chat where Herring shared her personal story and how reconstruction helped in her healing process as a cancer survivor.

Jill Resendez, MSN, RN, AGACNP-BC

Jill Resendez is a nurse practitioner with Plastic Surgery. In addition to traditional cosmetic and filler work, she also assists with reconstructive work for breast cancer survivors.

Reconstructive Surgery

Nipple tattoos bring patients closure, help them feel whole

UTMB Health Nurse Practitioner Jill Resendez plays an important role in the lives of breast cancer survivors who opt for reconstructive services through the UTMB Health Division of Plastic Surgery.

To help bring closure to the journey these patients have undergone while fighting for their lives, Resendez offers nipple and areola tattooing services. The goal: help patients feel whole again.

Resendez had wanted to be a fashion designer. But watching her own mother fight and lose her own battle with breast cancer motivated the then high-school senior to go into health care. She got the idea to offer this service when she graduated as a nurse practitioner just as the world was shutting down due to COVID.

With traditional training programs on hold because of the pandemic, Resendez perfected her technique at a local tattoo shop during an eight-month apprenticeship before providing the service to patients. Today, she regularly has the privilege of closing the breast cancer chapter for UTMB Health breast reconstruction patients like Norma Garcia.

“I forget when I look in the mirror that there’s even reconstruction going on,” Garcia says. “She made me feel very whole.”

UTMB Health patient Christal Kuehler just reached what she calls the end of her journey this October, when Resendez completed her tattoos. Just before the procedure, Kuehler had only one thought. “I’m going to be complete,” she said.

Declining Vaccine Rates

Lauren Raimer-Goodman, MD

Dr. Raimer-Goodman is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Texas Medical Association. She has a special interest in pediatric advocacy and global health.

Pediatrics

Mommy Makeovers 101

Kathleen Kroger, MD

Dr. Kroger is a board certified dermatologist who focuses on general, pediatric, complex medical and cosmetic dermatology (Botox, fillers, and lasers). Dr. Kroger is the Medical Clinic Director of Bay Colony Dermatology Clinics.

Linda Phillips, MD

Dr. Phillips is the Truman G. Blocker, Jr., M.D. Distinguished Chair; Chief, Division of Plastic Surgery in the Department of Surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. Dr. Phillips specializes in the healing of difficult wounds; body contouring after massive weight loss; reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgery; cosmetic facial and body contouring of all types.

Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics

Pediatric Eye Care 101

While annual vision screenings conducted at school and during annual checkups are great, the American Academy of Optometry recommends children between the ages of 6 and 17 years old have an annual comprehensive eye exam.

Dr. Ashton Ehlers covers that and more in this interview with Houston Moms.

Pediatric Eye Care

Ashton Ehlers, OD, FAAO

Dr. Ehlers' clinical interests include pediatric optometry including amblyopia, strabismus, myopia control, special needs eye care and post-brain injury vision rehabilitation.

Pediatric Eye Care

Puberty, Adolescence & Birth Control, oh my!

Beth Auslander, PhD, MS

Dr. Auslander is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the department of Pediatrics and specializes in Teen Health. She received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Florida State University, division of Adolescent and Behavioral Health. Dr. Auslander completed internships in Psychology and in Adolescent Psychology at Baylor College of Medicine.

Adolescent Medicine

Emily Calasanz, MD

Dr. Calasanz is an active member of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Harris County Medical Society, Houston Gynecological & Obstetrical Society, and Texas Medical Association. Dr. Calasanz’ professional interests include all aspects of obstetrics and gynecology, especially adolescent gynecology and the first well-woman exam.

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Seasonal Allergies 101

Jennifer McCracken, MD

Dr. McCracken is a board-certified provider and an assistant professor in the UTMB Department of Internal Medicine, specializing in Allergy and Immunology. Dr. McCracken cares for patients with a variety of allergic and immunologic diseases and has particular interest in nasal allergies and immunotherapy (allergy shots), asthma, drug allergies and chronic hives/angioedema.

Allergy and Immunology