DCH leaders brief Kiwanis Club on hospital’s $1.3 million renovation

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Visiting the Perry Kiwanians from the Dallas County Hospital were Tonya Summerson, Chief Clinical Officer Tanya Summerson, left, Support Services Manage Julie Smith, right, and DCH Chief Executive Officer Angela Mortoza, second from right. Welcoming the DCH visitors was Perry Kiwanis Past President and four-year Kiwanis member Abi Kincade, second from left. Photo by Kiwanis Club Secretary Doug Wood

The Dallas County Hospital has been an expanding and developing as a community center and public resource for many years.

Recently, Dallas County Hospital Chief Executive Officer Angela Mortoza, Support Services Manger Julie Smith and Chief Clinical Officer Tonya Summerson stopped by the weekly lunch meeting of the Perry Kiwanis Club to discuss the latest happenings at the Dallas County Hospital.

The trio discussed the numerous services offered at the hospital. These included hosting DMACC’s hands-on training for new healthcare students; Tai Chi classes to help with balance, stretching and mental discipline; Healthy Heroes, a program focusing on healthy lifestyle choices; Walk with Ease, which focuses on arthritis; the Well and Wise Club; Diabetes Education in Spanish; the Diabetes Support Group, which helps people make better eating choices; and 28 visiting specialists who come to the hospital each month.

The DCH delegation also discussed the $1.3 million expansion and renovation project underway on the second floor of the hospital. The project started Feb. 1 and is expected to be completed by June 7.

Mortoza said the “project will allow Dallas County Hospital to introduce a new service and will accommodate the growing demand for community education programs.”

On the west side of second floor will be an Education Wellness Center, with space for 50 people. This area will be used for community education on various topics of benefit to the public and will also be used for employee education, training and required certification courses.

The second floor’s east side will also include meeting space and office space and more areas for walking. Existing offices currently being used will not be affected by the renovation.

The hospital will partner with Senior Life Solutions to offer an intensive outpatient group therapy program in the renovated second floor atrium space. It is designed for older adults over the age of 65 with depression and anxiety issues often related to aging.

The experts at Senior Life Solutions will help people experiencing any of the following common indicators or triggers:

  • Recently experienced a traumatic event
  • Lost a spouse or close family member
  • Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
  • Changes in appetite
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Loss of energy
  • Feelings of sadness or grief lasting more than two weeks
  • Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness

“Dallas County Hospital community education offerings have increased significantly in both number of classes and number of participants since 2013,” Mortoza said. “As the numbers continue to grow, more space is needed. We are excited to be extendind our services through this wonderful expansion.”

 

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