Children's Health Blood & Cancer Center

12/01/2025

We've recently seen a concerning spike in severe flu complications in our community. As the holidays approach, your flu shot is the most important gift you can give!

The flu shot is safe, effective and widely available. Here’s why you need to get yours right now:

⏰ Time is ticking: It takes up to two weeks for the vaccine to provide full protection. Get it today so you are fully protected before the holiday gatherings.
❤️ Protect vulnerable loved ones: The flu shot helps create a shield around babies, the elderly and those with underlying health conditions at your family dinner.
🚫 Avoid holiday chaos: Don't let the flu ruin your travel plans, force cancellations or lead to a hospital visit!

Don't delay your defense! Find a University Health pharmacy near you and schedule an appointment today: https://ow.ly/UL9K50Xyglk.

11/28/2025

Meet Bentley! 💙🐶 He’s on a mission to spread comfort and joy one paw at a time.

Watch how pet therapy creates moments of healing for both patients and staff at University Health.

Think your furry friend could make a PAWS-itive impact? Here’s what you need to know:
✅ Certify your pet.
✅ Stay up to date on vaccines.
✅ Be confident, friendly and engaging.

Join University Health’s Pet Therapy Program: https://ow.ly/U12850XzcRT.

11/27/2025

What a great morning at the San Antonio Food Bank Turkey Trot! Thank you to everyone who laced up their shoes and ran, walked or cheered - we are truly grateful for this generous community!

Because of your participation, this year’s Turkey Trot was a huge step forward in the fight against hunger. As a proud sponsor of the San Antonio Food Bank, every registration and donation directly supports their mission to feed vulnerable families throughout South Texas. We ran off some pre-feast calories while ensuring thousands of our neighbors will have meals on their tables. 🍎💙

Happy Thanksgiving! Comment below what you’re grateful for and share this post to spread awareness of the San Antonio Food Bank’s work. 👇

11/26/2025

Big win for San Antonio heart patients! ❤️

University Health just received two top U.S. accreditations from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) after a rigorous review of our care, team and outcomes.

Why this matters:
• Best in SA: We are one of only TWO hospitals in the city accredited for life-saving catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention procedures.
• Unique Expertise: We are the ACC’s ONLY certified Heart Valve Program in Central and South Texas, specializing in non-surgical valve replacement.

Providing the best advanced care right here in San Antonio! Learn more: https://ow.ly/SFfI50XxQtl.

11/25/2025

AI is already helping make health care safer, faster and more personalized — and we’re working hard to make sure these tools stay human-centered every step of the way.

In a recent interview with Josh Archote from the San Antonio Report, our COO Bill Phillips talked about the guardrails we’re putting in place to protect patients and support our care teams.

That includes:
• Helping doctors spot issues earlier so patients get the right care sooner.
• Supporting people with chronic conditions to prevent avoidable hospital stays.
• Reducing paperwork so nurses and doctors can spend more time with you.
• Using AI to back up — not replace — the judgment of experienced providers.

And most importantly: every clinical decision will always be made by a real, human member of your health care team. 💙

We’re excited about what AI can do and we’re committed to using it responsibly to make care better for everyone: https://ow.ly/YUwH50XxbvU.

The University Health Board of Managers approved the county hospital system's first policy for adopting artificial intelligence technology.

11/24/2025

Holiday schedules get busy, and blood donations drop, but patients still rely on our support.

With your donations we are able to serve the tens of thousands of patients who need blood donations every year. This season give the gift of life by donating blood, you could save 3 lives. ❤️

If you’re able, consider making a life-saving donation this season and receive a special holiday keepsake as a thank you for helping save lives!

Every donation makes an impact.
🗓️ Schedule on our website: DonateBloodToday.com
📞 Call to schedule: 210-358-2812

11/21/2025

We are truly inspired by Mary, who was diagnosed with diabetes in 1983. Her story is a powerful testament that a long, healthy life is possible! 💖

Knowing her mom also lived with diabetes, Mary took proactive steps early on, starting simply by walking to work. That one change made a huge difference, and she shares her wisdom for a healthy life:

🍎 Doctor-guided diet: Work closely with your doctor to create a sustainable diet. Mary cuts back on fatty foods and sweets but still enjoys her favorites—in moderation!

🚶‍♀️ Start small, stay safe: Exercise doesn't need to be intense. "Start with small movements," she advises. "And always take care of your feet!"

👯‍♀️ Find your community: Every Friday, you'll find Mary walking with our Texas Diabetes Institute’s walking group. She calls the group her sisters—the support is what keeps her motivated!

Are you ready to find your 'sisters' and get moving? Join Mary and others in our community for our free fitness classes! Learn more and register here: https://ow.ly/czaf50Xuhxs.

11/20/2025

Big news for women’s health: the FDA is officially removing the “black box warning” from estrogen hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

After years of fear based on a 2002 study that turned out to be flawed, more women may now feel comfortable trying HRT — and more doctors may feel comfortable prescribing it — to help with menopause symptoms.

Family Nurse Practitioner Jamie Cano-Gomez told KSAT 12 & KSAT.com's Courtney Friedman it’s “a huge stepping stone for women’s health.” HRT can help with hot flashes, insomnia, joint pain, irritability, weight gain and even bone density loss. Newer research also shows benefits like improved cognitive function and reduced risk of osteoporosis.

It’s not for everyone. Women should talk with their doctors, and those with hormone-sensitive cancers, a history of blood clots or stroke, or certain liver conditions can consider other options, including new non-hormonal treatments.

But overall? A big relief—and a big step forward—for a lot of women navigating menopause.

11/19/2025

Fran Yanity was healthy and a non-smoker, yet a suspicious lung nodule was found on a wellness screening. When a traditional test failed to confirm anything, her doctors turned to the advanced ION Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy System at University Health.

The ION system used 3D mapping to precisely navigate her lungs, found the tiny tumor and confirmed the cancer diagnosis. Because of this early and accurate detection, she is now cancer-free! 💙

"Because I caught my cancer early, I have a 95% long-term survival rate,” Yanity says.

Dr. Philip Ong adds, “This breakthrough technology allows us to biopsy smaller lesions, earlier and safer.”

Early detection changes everything! Know your risk: Talk to your provider about lung cancer screening if you are 50-80 years old and have a 20+ pack-year smoking history (current or quit in the last 15 years).

11/17/2025

Big day on the South Side! 🎉

The very first patients walked through the doors of University Health Vida today — so we asked them to help us cut the ribbon! We’re so excited because this marks a huge step forward for expanded high-quality health care on the South Side.

Patients Noe Garza and Andres Tapia joined Commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores, Bexar County Hospital District Board of Managers member Pat Jasso, and University Health President & CEO Ed Banos to celebrate this moment.

Commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores, Bexar County Commissioner Pct. 1, who has championed better health services on the South Side for years, summed it up perfectly: “It’s so important to have access to care close to home.”

We couldn’t be more grateful — or more excited for what’s ahead! ❤️

11/14/2025

Thank you to everyone who joined us this morning as we observed World Diabetes Day with educational events and sampling delicious food! 💙

In addition to meeting local Chef Blanca Aldaco and sampling her delicious diabetes-friendly pozole, attendees learned diabetes management tips and strategies.

If you attended, please share your biggest takeaway in the comments! If you missed it, remember that managing diabetes is a daily commitment. You can access valuable resources and information from our expert team here: https://universityhealth.com/services/diabetes-endocrinology?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=world_diabetes_day_2025&utm_content=facebook_bio_recap_world_diabetes_day_111425.

11/13/2025

Big news! 🎉 University Health has once again earned an “A” grade for patient safety and care from The Leapfrog Group - marking our fifth consecutive “A” rating and positioning us as the only 'Straight A' hospital in San Antonio! This national recognition honors our entire team’s commitment to safe, high-quality care and their dedication to every patient, every time.

This top rating validates one crucial promise: When you and your family need care, you can trust University Health to provide the safest, highest-quality experience possible.

Thank you to our incredible team for helping us maintain the highest standards of safety and trust for our community. 💙

Learn more about this achievement: https://ow.ly/gfn450XrpCc.

11/12/2025

Great news for your holiday plate: A University Health expert says NO FOOD is off limits this Thanksgiving! 🤩

That's right—you deserve to savor every single bite of that stuffing 🥔, pie 🥧 and turkey 🦃 without the guilt.

Here’s how you can enjoy every bite without regret:

• Half of your plate: non-starchy veggies like greens, broccoli, or carrots
• One quarter of plate: lean proteins including turkey, chicken, fish, or beans
• One quarter of your plate: healthy carbs like brown rice, potatoes or other starchy veggies

Desserts? Don’t give them up. Just eat small portions and check your blood sugar if needed. Top it off with a brisk walk to burn off calories and create a healthy new holiday tradition.

Watch Joel’s message and get all his holiday eating tips. 🎥