Atascosa Health Center gives thanks

 The Grand Opening of the Atascosa Health Center on Saturday, Nov. 7, was a morning of reflecting on the past, but also looking forward to the future with a sense of excitement. AHC would like to thank everyone who helped make the event possible, as well as to everyone who has contributed to the center’s success throughout the years.

Atascosa Health Center CEO Monty Small recognized the artists, photographers and quilters who donated some of their special artwork to add charm to the new center.

At the request of AHC staff, Thelma Cardwell Cale helped coordinate a group of artists to decorate the facilities. Those contributors are: Charles and Thelma Cardwell Cale, Lee Ricks, Kay Brown, Mandy Palomo, Bruce Pearson, Janice Yow Hindes, Dawn Cardwell Murray, Mary Zirkel, Leon Zabava, Ada Castellanos and Robert Wensk e, artist and president of the South Texas Art Guild.

Cale’s painting of a windmill and oak trees can be seen when patients enter through the medical side of the building. The painting was done at the request of Small, as it represents AHC’s logo.

Current providers at the Pleasanton location are: Dr. Maryanne Arienmughare, Family Practice/ OB; Dr. Mona Rajlakshmi, Internal Medicine; Angela Karsky, PA; Dr. Ann Lam, DDS; Beth Cordero, LCSW; Gloria Gallegos, MCH-ANP; Dr. Marissa William, DDS and Dr. Noel Laurel, LCSW.

Current board members are: LaJuana Newnam- Leus (board chair), Lillian Cashmer (board vice chair), Maria D. Cruz (secretary/treasurer), Mark Pineda, Albert Labastida, Judge James Teal, Lillian Lyssy (Planning), Syndy Yanez, Sheriff Dwayne Villanueva, James Liska, Tammy Favor and Bessie Guerrero.

Special thanks to: Superior Health Plans who provided a one-time event grant, H-E-B, St. Luke’s Lutheran Health Ministries Inc., Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio, Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Benco Dental- Ryan Holliday, KSAQ Radio, Myron Repka- Center Pharmacy, Virginia Twins, Eagle Lanes, Winning Edge, American Cancer Society, East Coast Wings, Atascosa EMS, Walmart, art students of Pleasanton ISD and all the artists who donated from their collections.

Past board members and providers: Sandra Holland, the late Jesse Ramirez, Wilbur Palmer, David Lopez, Rebecca Trevino, Esther Maese, Dr. Enrique Garcia, Dr. Jaime Garcia, Dr. Armando Villarreal, Dr. Nandini Mandlik, Leigh Ann Ware, FNP, Dr. Maria Ponce, John Horner, DDS; Norma Reyes, DDS; Patricia Amerson, FNP, Dr. Beverly Gutierrez, DA Ruby, FNP; Dr. Inez Vasquez, Diki Garcia, FNP; Cynthia Hatch, LCSW; Dr. Margarita Hammeke, Dr. Lisa Blair, Marco Martinez, DDS, Dr. Jose Trevino, Dr. Raul Garcia, Dr. R. Chavez, Connie Walstrom FNP, Dr. Rudolfo Urby, Daryl Kwan, DDS; Anny Hickman, PA, Dr. Isaac Kwarteng, Lauren Massey Williams, DDS; Dr. Ricardo Montemayor; Dr. Alykhym Zartueta, Chelsea Meyers, Stacy Denver, FNP, Kita Nsamenang, PA, Dr. Nemarugommuta Nandakishore, Angelica Lozano, DDS, Hayde Garza-McCabe, DDS; Beatrice Gutierrez, Kenneth Tezino, DDS, Patty Martinez and Connie Treviño.

A representative of Congressman Henry Cuellar’s office, Ms. Nadia Islam, presented a plaque of recognition, thanking AHC for its service in South Texas.