Wingate
Wingate, TX · Health
ktxs.com
Smoke from distant wildfires hangs over Abilene
ABILENE, Texas — Residents across Abilene are reporting smoky conditions and haze in the air as wildfire smoke from other parts of Texas and Mexico drifts into the region, according to the Abilene Fire Department. Fire officials said they have received numerous calls from concerned residents about the smell...
The Abilene Reporter-News
Hendrick Medical Center earns 'A' for patient safety
Abilene's Hendrick Medical Center has earned an "A" Hospital Safety Grade from the Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit organization that grades hospitals on patient safety and hospital quality. The organization assigns a letter grade of A-F to general hospitals across the country based on 30-plus measures of errors, including accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent errors. “This rating reflects the hard work and commitment of our caregivers who make patient safety a priority every day,” said Heather Ray, the vice president of quality at Hendrick Health. “While we are proud of this recognition, our focus remains on continuous improvement and delivering safe, high-quality care for every patient we serve.” More: Abilene Heritage Square opens with new library, science center More: How Ray's Reptile Rescue helps cold-blooded critters find new homes The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings system focused solely on preventable medical errors. Grades are updated twice annually in the fall and spring. “An ‘A’ grade is a strong sign that Hendrick Medical Center is committed to protecting patients from harm,” said Leah Binder, the president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We commend the leadership, Board, clinicians,
BigCountryHomepage
Six-foot hair clog triggers sewage release in Breckenridge
BRECKENRIDGE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – A clog at a Breckenridge wastewater treatment plant led to a release of partially treated sewage into Gunsolus Creek, according to city officials, who say the incident was caused by an unusual buildup of debris in the system. City officials said that between 100,000 and 150,000 gallons of partially treated wastewater […]
The Abilene Reporter-News
Colossal Colon a gateway for Key City public health awareness
There are lots of jokes to be made about a 5K run’s passage through a 16-foot inflatable colon. But then again, colorectal cancer is no joking matter. Still, the puns were hard to resist during Saturday’s 5K Undie Run at the Texas Tech Health Science Center. Organized by the Presbyterian Medical Care Mission , Tech’s ACTION program — that’s Against Colorectal Cancer Together In Our Neighborhoods — was the event’s host. While March was National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month , it also leads into National Public Health Awareness Week . As the first full week in April, it starts on Monday. “When it comes to colon cancer and other preventative health needs, we want to encourage everybody to get a primary care doctor,” said Brady Harwell, the executive director of the Presbyterian Medical Care Mission. “Everybody needs a primary care doctor to quarterback their health care, someone in their corner to work with them on screening options not only for colon cancer but other ailments as well.” While lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths among U.S. adults overall , it’s colorectal or colon cancer that’s No. 2 and threatening to become No. 1. However, colon cancer is
The Abilene Reporter-News
Hendrick Health opens new medical center in Abilene
Hendrick Health announced Monday the opening of Hendrick Gastroenterology Center. The dual-purpose facility at 1750 Pine Street provides gastroenterology clinic visits and endoscopy procedures in one location for a streamlined patient and care team experience, Hendrick Health said in a media release. Gastroenterologists Drs. Steven Smith, Sam Davis and Patrick Ramirez have relocated their practice to the new site and began seeing patients on Monday. Hendrick Clinic gastroenterologist, Dr. Sandip Mathur, will continue to perform procedures at Hendrick Medical Center South. The new 23,493-square-foot facility includes 21 exam rooms, four procedure rooms, medication management and pre-op and recovery rooms. “This new center offers patients the convenience of seeing their gastroenterologist for office visits and having their endoscopy procedures performed in the same location,” Susan Wade, vice president and Abilene market chief operating officer for Hendrick Health, said in a media release. “By bringing both services together under one roof, we are enhancing continuity of care and improving the overall patient experience," Wade said. The new center opened in March, National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. According to Hendrick Health, colorectal cancer is the No. 1 cause of cancer-related deaths for adults younger than 50 and the second-leading cause of cancer-related death
bestfastfoodfranchise.com
West Augustine and Abilene Celebrate New Health and Rehab Centers to Serve Local Populations
Communities in different parts of the United States are seeing significant developments in rehabilitation and wellness facilities, as new centers and expansions aim to meet growing healthcare needs and provide accessible care for vulnerable populations. In West Augustine, Florida, an $8 million health and wellness center has opened its doors...
ktxs.com
West Texas Rehab Center breaks ground on $87M Abilene facility
ABILENE, Texas — For decades, the West Texas Rehab Center has helped families across the Big Country begin their road to recovery. Now, the center is moving forward with a major expansion, breaking ground on a new facility designed to broaden care for years to come. The project will...
bestfastfoodfranchise.com
West Texas Rehabilitation Center Breaks Ground on Expanded Facility to Meet Growing Demand
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – The West Texas Rehabilitation Center is embarking on a new chapter with the groundbreaking of a major facility expansion designed to meet the increasing demand for its services across the Big Country and surrounding areas. On a sunny morning, hundreds gathered on a cleared plot...
BigCountryHomepage
West Texas Rehabilitation Center starts new chapter with groundbreaking ceremony
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – The West Texas Rehab Center has broken ground on a new facility to counter the growing need for its services throughout the Big Country and beyond. Hundreds gathered around a line of golden shovels in an isolated patch of dirt to celebrate the groundbreaking of a brand-new facility for the West […]
BigCountryHomepage
Abilene mother hospitalized in Mexico dies
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – An Abilene mother who was hospitalized in Mexico after becoming critically ill just before Christmas has died. Julie Spicer became sick while attending a family event in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where she was admitted to a hospital and later fell in and out of a coma. Her family confirmed to KTAB/KRBC […]
ktxs.com
Hendrick Medical South to close birthplace, centralize services by 2026
Abilene, Texas — Hendrick Medical Center South will close its birthplace on May 31, 2026, as part of a plan to centralize obstetric and neonatal services at the main campus on the north side of town. Hospital officials cited a decline in births at the south campus as the...
BigCountryHomepage
BirthPlace at Hendrick Medical Center South to close, new $27M+ center coming to north campus
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – The BirthPlace at Hendrick Medical Center South is going to close this summer to make way for a new center that will cost more than $27 million coming to the north campus. Hendrick Health made the announcement Thursday, saying the hospital is going to build a centralized obstetrical and Neonatal Intensive […]
FOX West Texas
Hendrick Health plans $27M maternity care facility for West Central Texas
ABILENE, Texas — Hendrick Health plans to close The BirthPlace at Hendrick Medical Center South next summer as part of a broader effort to centralize maternal and neonatal care at its north campus, hospital officials announced. The health system will build a new BirthPlace at Hendrick Medical Center North,...
BigCountryHomepage
Leading through change: A chief nursing officer & mom of 3
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – The Abilene Chief Nursing Officer for Hendrick Health, Precilla Camacho, joins “On Time for Mom Time,” hosts, Brittany Pelletz and Stacie Lopez, to talk about a major announcement for Hendrick Medical Center and its changes to labor and delivery services in south Abilene. While Camacho shared details about the centralization of maternal and neonatal […]
ktxs.com
Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital honored as top small employer in Texas
ABILENE, Texas — Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital in Sweetwater has been recognized as the 2025 Small Employer of the Year and Local Employer of Excellence for West Central Texas. The hospital was nominated by Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas for its significant contributions to the Texas workforce system.
Breckenridge Texan
Local hospital, medical clinics close during Breckenridge water crisis
Stephens Memorial Hospital announced this morning, Wednesday, Dec. 10, that it is closing all non-essential services as the city of Breckenridge enters its second day without water due to a water main leak and other problems with the water system. SMH also will delay opening on Thursday, Dec. 11, until...
The Abilene Reporter-News
Voice Institute of West Texas goes silent as doctor retires
Veta Gilchrist said Dr. Austin King has saved her life more than once. “He saved my life three times,” the 82 year-old patient said. “I'm a three-time cancer survivor.” King, an otolaryngologist, which is a physician who treats the ear, nose and throat, is the last to retire from the Voice Institute of West Texas, an interdisciplinary nonprofit founded by him and two other professionals. It was the first and only such clinic in West Texas before its closure this week. Joining King originally were Charles Nelson, a professor of vocal pedagogy at Abilene Christian University — basically, the science of healthy singing and vocal use — and Jon Ashby, an audiologist and fellow ACU professor in speech-language pathology. Gilchrist said she was sad to see King, and the institute, go. “The last time he released me, I cried,” she said, recalling the completion of her treatment. “Abilene and the surrounding areas are going to miss him.” Sketching the future In the history of paper napkins, more empires than you might think got their start as sketches on the back of one. Such was the case for the voice lab back in 1984. “Charles was an artist-in-residence at ACU, a
ktxs.com
First Voice Lab in Texas history to close after 40 years
ABILENE, TX — After 40 years of groundbreaking work, the Voice Institute of West Texas is preparing to close its doors on December 10. The Abilene-based clinic was the first voice lab ever established in Texas. It was founded in 1985 on the campus of Abilene Christian University by Dr. Austin King, Dr. Jon Ashby, and Dr. Charles Nelson.