Katy Lifestyles and Home magazine Jul 2009: Business News and Info

The former Katy Rehabilitation Hospital celebrated its transition into Memorial Hermann Healthcare System to become the new Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital – Katy. As part of the transition, the facility underwent an evaluation by The Joint Commission. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 16,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. The Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization ’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.

Typically, The Joint Commission grants accreditation to a hospital along with specific areas for improvement or findings. Hospitals are then charged with improving upon those areas. The Joint Commission visited Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital – Katy, and the surveyor found no areas for the hospital to improve upon.

The Houston West Chamber of Commerce honored outstanding area teachers and businesses at its 19th annual Teacher of the Year and Business Partnership Awards Luncheon at the Omni Westside Hotel. Teachers from the Houston, Spring Branch, Katy and Alief school districts were nominated, as well as private schools and post-secondary teachers from colleges in the West Houston area.

For the fifth year, businesses were also recognized for volunteer work done in area schools. Dr. Rod Paige, 7th U.S. secretary of education, gave the keynote address, and Jessica Willey, Channel 13 Eyewitness News reporter, served as master of ceremonies for the luncheon.

Winners of the Christa McAuliffe In Search of Excellence Award included: Rick Harrington, Houston Community College Northwest (Post Secondary category); Maurine Richter, Cornerstone Academy (Secondary School category); Rhonda Williams, Katy High School (Secondary School category); and Paula Gatlin, Cummings Elementary (Elementary School category).

The winners are selected based on personal interviews as well as a 300-word essay written by nominees about their accomplishments and philosophy of education.

Business Partnership Award winners were: Carmelo’s Italian Restaurant, 1-25 employees; Studio Works, 26-150 employees; No. 575 H-E-B Bellaire, 150+ employees; Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center, nonprofit category; and Houston Westchase Rotary Club, nonprofit category.

Ambassadors of The Katy Chamber of Commerce join Don Elder Jr., Katy mayor; Danique Van Dongen, M.D., Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital – Katy medical director; David Katrana, M.D., D.D.S., wound care medical director; Mark Bing, M.D., governing board member; Jenny Maxwell, executive director; and Paul O ’Sullivan, Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital COO; as Memorial Hermann Katy CEO Scott Barbe cuts a ribbon celebrating Katy Rehabilitation Hospital joining the Memorial Hermann system.

Claudia Scott, MS, RD, LD, a diabetes educator at Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital, was honored with the Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year award by the Houston Area Dietetic Association.

The Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year award is presented to a dietitian under 35 years old who demonstrates concern for the promotion of optimal health and nutritional status of the population. In addition, the recipient must display leadership in their profession.

Scott, a registered and licensed dietitian, received her bachelor’s degree in nutrition from the University of Houston and her master’s degree in nutrition from Texas Woman’s University. She is an active member of six professional health-related associations, including the American Dietetic Association, the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the National Latina Health Network. In addition to her exceptional work at Memorial Hermann, Scott serves as the assistant dietetic internship director and lecturer for the University of Houston.

Scott is the local dietitian for the NBC weight loss show, The Biggest Loser, and is co-author of “The Latina Diet,” an ongoing article for Latina Magazine.

Firethorne celebrated its third anniversary with 772 home sales in its first three years, including 92 to date in 2009. Firethorne sold 204 homes in 2008 and 218 homes in 2007. The 1,400-acre master-designed community is located in Katy/Fulshear, 15 miles west of Houston ’s Energy Corridor.

“Firethorne has been holding its own in today’s real estate market thanks to continued growth in the Katy and Fulshear areas and for being part of one of the greatest school districts in the state. There are three major Houston hospitals expanding in this area—two under construction and one on the drawing board—plus BP America and Conoco/Phillips relocating employees here,” said Firethorne General Manager Wayne Meyer.