Feature

Dr. Bassam Ghabach, MD, had never expected to hear his name called as the 2025 Physician of the Year. The longtime hematologist and oncologist, who has served JPS Health Network for over a decade, said the moment felt especially meaningful because the nomination came from one of his own patients.

“This award means a lot to me because it usually comes from our peers who recognize the work we do at JPS,” Ghabach said. “But what makes it extra special is that it was a patient who nominated me.”

Dr. Russell Wagner’s legacy at JPS Health Network is one of skill, service, and selfless mentorship that has shaped the future of orthopaedic medicine in Fort Worth.

Joining JPS in 1997, Dr. Wagner spent nearly three decades on the medical staff, serving as Program Director of the JPS Orthopaedic Residency for 18 years. In that time, he trained and mentored more than 80 orthopaedic surgeons, many of whom continue to serve patients in North Texas today. His leadership helped grow the residency program and set a standard of excellence and compassion that defined JPS Orthopaedics.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about breast cancer and inform individuals about their options for diagnosis and treatment. This month serves as an important reminder to get screened, but it’s also when misinformation can spread rapidly alongside accurate information.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, but it’s also one of the most treatable. With advances in screening, treatment, and awareness, more people are surviving and regaining their quality of life after their diagnosis. We sat down with Kalyani Narra, MD, Oncologist at JPS Health Network, to talk about the realities of breast cancer, from risk factors to prevention, and what she wishes more people understood.

At JPS Health Network, breaking down barriers to care is at the heart of everything we do. For patients managing complex or chronic conditions, one of the biggest hurdles can be accessing the medications they need because medications are often difficult to find or are expensive.

That’s why, in 2019, JPS opened the Specialty Pharmacy to support patients and employees with these challenges. What started as a new way to improve access has grown, in just six years, into a trusted resource that serves thousands across Tarrant County.

Every day, people across Tarrant County will have access to walk through the doors of the new JPS Psychiatric Emergency Center (PEC) seeking hope, stability, and care during some of the toughest moments of their lives. The PEC was designed thoughtfully to provide a calm, healing environment for immediate access to urgent behavioral health services, ensuring that help is available for anyone, at any hour.

JPS Health Network has been named a Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award (GEWA) winner, marking the second consecutive year our health network has received this prestigious global recognition. In 2025, just 73 organizations worldwide earned this honor, with JPS standing out as one of only 7 U.S. health systems selected.

JPS Health Network proudly hosted its 2025 Research & Quality Symposium (RQS), an annual celebration of innovation, collaboration, and academic excellence in healthcare. Held on Wednesday, May 14, the event brought together researchers, clinicians, educators, and community partners for a dynamic day of poster sessions, rapid-fire presentations, topical breakout discussions, and awards recognizing exceptional contributions to research, education, and quality improvement.

When Kimberlea Williams walked into the emergency room with a persistent cough, she had no idea her life was about to change. After multiple visits and multiple diagnoses, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and sinus infections, her condition worsened. In August 2018, she received life-altering news. She was told that she had stage four lung cancer, and it had already spread to her brain.