Newsroom Archive

JPS Health Network respiratory therapists have incorporated ultrasound technology into their work, bringing better and more efficient care to patients faster than possible before.

A patient who recently returned to the Fort Worth area from overseas was brought to JPS Health Network Tuesday morning, concerned about suspected symptoms of Coronavirus.

The case was quickly determined to be a false alarm. But not until after the plans the health network has put in place to respond to a potential outbreak in Tarrant County were tested in a real-life scenario. Hospital leaders were pleased with what they saw and used the experience as an inspiration to tweak their plans.

When it comes to diagnosing and treating lung cancer patients, speed is the key, according to Dr. Kalyani Narra, a physician at the JPS Health Network Oncology and Infusion Center.

That’s why JPS oncologists and pulmonologists have joined forces to streamline the process patients follow from their initial visit. In the last year, work to streamline the process has cut the time from first visit to the doctor to starting a treatment plan by about 25 percent. That’s a very big deal, according to Narra.

Surgery can often be the key to saving lives or making them better. A couple hours on the operating table and life-threatening issues could suddenly be a problem of the past.

But what if the patient isn’t prepared for their operation? Things like high blood pressure, complications of diabetes, smoking and obesity can sometimes make it too risky for the patient to undergo surgery. That’s where the JPS Surgical Optimization Clinic comes in.

Young doctors from across the United States covet residencies at JPS Health Network because they know there they will learn the skills needed to later land their dream job.

Patients never see their faces. But they play a key role in helping people who need surgery get care at JPS Health Network.

Called patient care coordinators, their job is what the title implies: They’re responsible for choreographing the complicated ballet of making about 1,000 surgeries a month fit into the 13 operating rooms at JPS. 

A group of 10 aspiring JPS Health Network nurses will go to school for free thanks to Reach for the Stars scholarships.

Funded by an anonymous donor, the scholarships are awarded twice a year to JPS team members, according to Jodi Bell, Learning Projects Director in the JPS Human Resources Department. They’re earmarked for team members who want to become a nurse or those who already are nurses but want to enhance their education and abilities.

Dr. Karen Duncan, MD, MBA, a board-certified pediatrician with more than 20 years of medical and executive leadership experience, has been named Chief Operating Officer for JPS Health Network.

Dr. Duncan joined JPS in 2017 as Executive Vice President of Community Health Services. She will begin her new role at the end of January 2020, when Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Bill Whitman retires.

A pair of JPS Health Network physicians has been honored as Healthcare Heroes by the Fort Worth Business Press for their groundbreaking work to save lives and make them better.

Dr. Fayette Williams, Division of Maxillofacial Oncology & Reconstructive Surgery Director at JPS and Interventional Pulmonologist Dr. Paras Patel will receive their awards January 16 at Texas Christian University.

Williams was honored for his breakthrough work perfecting an operation to replace the jaw bone of patients, who lost theirs through disease or accident, with one of their fibulas.

Pulmonologist Sherif Al-Farra has been named the Physician of the Year at JPS Health Network for 2019.

Dr. Al-Farra specializes in sleep issues. He’s created a sleep study program at JPS where more than 1,000 patients a year can find help, sometimes alleviating a long term health problem in one or two days.

“We’re always looking for ways to improve patient care,” Al-Farra said. “And sleep programs are something that have been under-recognized. Sleep apnea, if left untreated, can lead to serious health problems including heart attacks and strokes.”