CHRISTUS Health

What began as a family trip to a Monster Truck show turned into a life-changing moment for Charles Johnson when he suddenly could not catch his breath. After hitting his chest several times, the symptoms would not stop, prompting his wife to call 911.
At 50, Charles learned he had AFib and began working with his care team to manage the condition. That included changing his diet and using a CPAP machine to monitor his sleep apnea. For several years, his AFib stayed under control before returning late last year and again in January. That is when he was referred to Cardiac Electrophysiologist Dr. Austin Howard, who recommended an ablation procedure.
Since having the procedure, Charles's heart rate has improved, is more stable, and he has more energy than before. He says he feels essentially cured and is thankful to Dr. Howard and his care team for giving him his life back.

Some of our smallest patients face their biggest battles in the NICU. Every day, premature and critically ill newborns rely on specialized care, advanced equipment and dedicated teams working around the clock to give them the strongest possible start. On NICU Giving Day, celebrated on Sept. 27, you can help provide comfort, hope and lifesaving resources for babies and their families when they need it most. Your gift can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our tiniest fighters. Donate today via the link in the comments below to help support the future of NICU care.

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.

Hispanic Heritage Month highlights the values of compassion, faith and personal connection that are central to many Hispanic traditions. For Veronica Alonzo, system director of ministry identity and spirituality, these values shape the way she supports others every day. “In our cultura, personalismo is foundational to how we interact with others. It means treating everyone equally and being mindful of their emotional well-being. By doing so, I build trust and respect with those around me.” Deeply inspired by her devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Veronica finds strength and comfort in her faith, drawing on the example of maternal care, healing and hope. Guided by these traditions and CHRISTUS’ core values, she brings compassion, respect and meaningful connection to every interaction.

Last week, Associates from across our ministries came together to strengthen the capabilities of our physicians and nursing Associates who facilitate simulation-based education. Through advanced, evidence-based training and hands-on skill development, participants enhanced their ability to deliver high-quality simulation learning experiences. By bringing together simulation leaders from across the system, we expanded access to educational excellence, advanced the adoption of simulation best practices and ultimately strengthened the quality of patient care.

Learn more about how we shape strong, capable healthcare teams through simulationhttps://christus.io/simulation-centers.

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.

From the sidelines to the road, our ministries are bringing integrated, accessible care directly to athletes across our communities. 🏈💜⚕️
This fall, our sports medicine and athletic training teams are supporting athletes where they need us most, providing sideline coverage at local high school and college games, bringing care closer to teams through our mobile athletic training room and connecting athletes with sports medicine specialists when more advanced care is needed.
From injury assessment and emergency care to treatment, rehabilitation and specialty services, our teams work together to help athletes stay healthy and get back to doing what they love.

Behind every NICU stay is a family hoping for tomorrow.
Across our ministries, our neonatal teams are caring for more extremely premature infants and babies with complex medical conditions, many of whom would not have survived just a decade ago thanks to advances in neonatal medicine.
These medical breakthroughs are creating new possibilities for families while also increasing the need for specialized, intensive care. This NICU Month, read more about how neonatal intensive care units across the country see growing demand in this Catholic Health World article at https://christus.io/z08b6f2j.

At just 4 years old, Amelia Perez went from complaining of a stomachache to receiving a diagnosis her family never expected: Wilms tumor, a type of childhood kidney cancer.
Amelia underwent surgery to remove her right kidney, followed by eight months of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Along the way, our multidisciplinary teams of pediatric specialists supported Amelia and her family through every step of her treatment.
On January 16, 2026, Amelia reached a milestone her family will never forget, ringing the bell to mark the end of treatment.
Today, Amelia is thriving. She's back in school, making friends, swimming and enjoying her newest role as big sister.
During this , read more of Amelia's story and learn how our teams support children and families from diagnosis through survivorship at https://christus.io/AmeliaStory

We're proud to bring the Van Gogh™ Microscopy System with Dynamic Cell Imaging™ (DCI) to our lung program at CHRISTUS St. Michael. By allowing physicians to evaluate biopsy samples immediately during a procedure rather than waiting for laboratory results, the Van Gogh™ Microscopy System supports stronger collaboration between proceduralists and pathologists, helping to drive earlier detection, reduce indeterminate biopsies, and improve patient outcomes. Technology like this is part of our ongoing commitment to advancing patient care and bringing innovative solutions to the communities we serve.