CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System

A cruise in Mexico would forever change Atwell Hankins's life when he slipped and landed on his back, causing his leg to fold up behind him. Having previously undergone knee surgery and ACL reconstruction, he was in significant pain—a pain he treated with ibuprofen and ice. But as numbness spread throughout his body, it became clear something far more serious was at work.

Tests revealed two disc herniations in his neck, compressing his spinal cord, resulting in a serious spinal cord injury. Eventually, Atwell could no longer move at all and faced complete paralysis. He was connected with Neurosurgeon Dr. Ross-Jordon Elliott, who performed surgery to relieve pressure on his spinal cord and stabilize his neck.

Just two days later, Atwell was walking laps around our nurses' station. A week later, he was back at work. Even more remarkably, years of hip pain he had believed was caused by arthritis had disappeared, as it had actually been stemming from his neck all along. And at four weeks, his wife, Jamie, reports he's been completely healed.

Today, she's grateful to Dr. Elliott for giving her husband his life back and to his entire staff, including Nurse Practitioner Amber Reid, whom she calls the most attentive nurse practitioner she's ever met. During National Fall Prevention Month, she encourages others to wear proper footwear and be aware of slick surfaces, especially as they get older.

When Liz Falk arrived for what she thought was a routine ultrasound, she never expected to hear that she was already in labor.
Just 24 weeks into her pregnancy, Liz was rushed for care and ultimately delivered her son, Matthew, who weighed just 1 pound, 7.6 ounces.
From that moment, Matthew’s care became a team effort — led by Dr. James Dozier, who kept Liz and her husband informed every step of the way and supported them through an experience they never expected.
For Liz, that communication made all the difference.
“I really felt like the Lord placed everybody where everyone needed to be,” she said. “The way that Doctor Dozier handled everything, and he informed us each step of the way, there wasn't any doubt.”
Matthew spent 128 days in the NICU, where he received specialized care while facing the challenges that can come with being born so early. His care extended beyond critical care, with physical and respiratory therapists working alongside his NICU team and helping Liz become an active part of her son's care.
“I cannot say enough good things about the NICU team,” Liz said. “They were just so uplifting, and they would just inform me about all the things.”
Today, Matthew is home with his family, and Liz is grateful for the physicians, nurses and entire NICU team who cared for him and supported their family through 128 days that changed their lives.
For families like the Falks, having access to specialized neonatal care close to home can make all the difference when a baby arrives far too soon.

We recently celebrated our newly renovated Cath Lab with a ribbon-cutting ceremony! Featuring upgraded equipment and state-of-the-art improvements, the new lab enhances our ability to deliver advanced, high-quality cardiovascular care with greater precision, efficiency, and an even better experience for our patients and care teams. Dr. Karthik Mekala and his team also successfully performed the first procedure shortly after, marking an exciting milestone for our Cath Lab and the patients we serve. Here's to many more!

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we are celebrating saints like Saint Juan Diego.

Born Cuauhtlatoatzin, meaning “The Talking Eagle,” Juan Diego was an Indigenous Mexican man whose humility and faith became part of one of the most beloved miracles in the Americas. After being baptized with his wife, he embraced the Christian faith deeply and was known for walking miles to attend Mass.

On Dec. 9, 1531, as he traveled across Tepeyac Hill, the Virgin Mary appeared to him and spoke tenderly in his native language. She asked that a shrine be built, and when proof was requested, Mary provided a miraculous sign: Castilian roses blooming in winter. When Juan Diego opened his tilma before the bishop, the roses fell out and Mary's image appeared on the cloth.

Juan Diego spent the rest of his life serving pilgrims at the shrine. Canonized in 2002, he is remembered as the first Indigenous saint of the Americas and the beloved messenger of Our Lady of Guadalupe. His life remains a witness of humility, faith and trust in God's call.

We’re proud to support student-athletes at schools throughout our community—from local high schools to colleges and universities. Tonight in Marshall, Dr. Grooters and Chad Booher were on the sidelines for the ETBU vs. Centenary home opener, providing high-quality care when these athletes need it most. 🏈
We’re honored to partner with local schools and invest in the health and success of student-athletes at every level!

Game night in Longview! 💜🏈 The Longview Lobos took on North Forney last night, and Team CHRISTUS was proud to be there supporting our athletes with the Mobile Athletic Training Room and our dedicated medical team.
Joining Team CHRISTUS was Dr. Trevor Wait, Dr. Britton Plemmons, Dr. Ashish Biju, Julia Tubb, Dr. John DiPasquale, and Casey Reed.
We’re proud to support our athletes and our community! Go Lobos! 🐺

Athletic trainers and physician support are an essential part of every team. From injury prevention and evaluation to immediate care, rehabilitation, hydration, and helping athletes safely return to play. Their knowledge, preparation, and quick response provide athletes with the confidence to compete at their best. Dr. Gonzalez, Clinical AT Averi, and AJ provided that outstanding sideline support during the Marshall vs. Nacogdoches game!

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a condition characterized by an irregular and often rapid heart rate, occurring when the heart's upper chambers do not beat in sync with the lower chambers. Symptoms include rapid heartbeats, shortness of breath, and extended periods of fatigue. This AFib Awareness Month, Electrophysiologist Dr. Bao Nguyen reminds us that patients who can lose 10% of their body weight can significantly reduce their chance of AFib, sometimes by as much as 50%. Risk factors for AFib include high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or aging. Dr. Nguyen says it is important to catch AFib early on, and he encourages anyone to seek medical attention if they suspect they may have AFib or are suffering from its persistent symptoms.

Our Associates made a splash! 🚣‍♀️🏁💜
We were proud to take part in this year’s Great Cardboard Boat Race with Greater Longview United Way!
From building their boat to taking on the water, our team brought creativity, teamwork and plenty of CHRISTUS spirit to the race. We’re grateful for the opportunity to join our community, connect with our neighbors and share more about the care and services we provide across East Texas.
Thank you to everyone who came out, cheered us on and helped make this year’s race such a fun celebration of community!