February 21, 2020

For Heart Health, Consider Statins

Statins, also known as Hmg CoA Reductase Inhibitors, have been in widespread clinical use as cholesterol-lowering drugs in the U.S. since their introduction in the late 1980s. Within the past 10 or so years, it has become popular, in non-credible publications to criticize statins, citing safety concerns as well as questioning effectiveness. Let’s examine the facts.

February 13, 2020

Five Ways to Encourage Love at Home

To some degree, Valentine’s Day starts and ends in your child’s classroom: the Star Wars cards, candy hearts and pink-and-red crafts only last one day. But the inclusivity, affection and love shown in the classroom starts with what we can exemplify at home. It also helps other kids at school when that love manifests into your children’s treatment of their peers. If you’re looking for new ways to demonstrate caring behavior at home, here are five ideas for your family this Valentine’s day that not only exhibit love, but have lasting benefits for your child’s overall wellbeing.

February 04, 2020

The Keto Diet and Cardiovascular Health

A ketogenic diet—or “the Keto Diet,” as it’s commonly called—is a popular weight-loss plan that involves reducing or nearly eliminating carbs, focusing instead on foods that are high in protein and fat. Dr. Scott Shurmur, a cardiologist with Texas Tech Physicians, has answered questions about this diet over the past couple of years.

January 29, 2020

Flu Vaccine Myths, Debunked

The 2019-2020 flu season is still going strong, after the CDC reported the earliest start in almost two decades—predominantly spreading in the south.

January 09, 2020

Heart Failure - a Progressive Disease That Can Affect Many Organs

More than 6 million Americans have heart failure, and more than 900,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. However, if the disease is detected early and treated appropriately, it doesn’t have to be a lump of coal in your stocking.

January 09, 2020

Towards a Positive Psychology

December 06, 2019

$100,000 Awarded to High-Performing Texas Tech Startups

Recipients of the Presidents’ Innovation Award are determined by the presidents of Texas Tech University and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

December 04, 2019

Odessa Family Doctor Wins TAFP Leadership Award

Ikemefuna “Ike” Okwuwa, MD, of Odessa, Texas, was awarded the Texas Academy of Family Physicians Special Constituency Leadership Award during TAFP’s Annual Session and Primary Care Summit in The Woodlands.

November 14, 2019

Care Beyond Recovery

Palliative Medicine is growing, especially here in West Texas. This is a team-centered approach to health care that not only helps patients maximize function amid critical illness, but helps assist them in improving the quality of their lives beyond the physical realm. Psychological, cultural, and spiritual support mechanisms are essential in effective palliative care.

November 05, 2019

TTUHSC’s Stark Enjoys Role as the Area’s Only Addiction Psychiatrist

When Amy Stark, M.D., entered medical school in 2009, she did so with the intention of becoming a surgeon specializing in breast cancer. Those intentions remained generally unchanged until the end of her third year. Now, a decade later, she is the only addiction psychiatrist in Amarillo.