Shannon Medical Center | Health Beat | Fall 2019

Welcome, new providers SRIKANTH PODARALLA, MD, MBA, FAAP, Pediatrics Dr. Podaralla received his medical degree from Osmania Medical College in Hyderabad, India. He completed his residency in pediatrics at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia and additional training in pediatric cardiology at Advocate Christ Hope Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois. He also has a master’s degree in health care administration. Dr. Podaralla is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. He has practiced in San Angelo for nine years, most recently with Community Medical Associates. Dr. Podaralla welcomes his current patients and is also accepting new patients at his office located at Shannon Clinic Pedi- atrics, 225 E. Beauregard. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 325-481-2287 . JESSICA SUMRALL, OD, Optometry After graduating with her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Mississippi State University, Dr. Sumrall received her doctor of optometry degree from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. She has more than five years of experience in practice and most recently served patients at Goodfellow Air Force Base. Dr. Sumrall joins Edward Grimes, OD, in providing services with Shannon Clinic’s ophthalmology department. Her office is located at Shannon Clinic Southwest, 4450 Sunset. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 325-481-2286 . SHANNON CAMPBELL, APRN, AGACNP-BC, ANCC, Neurosurgery Shannon received his master’s degree in advanced prac- tice nursing from the Texas Tech University Health Sci- ences Center and is certified as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. He has experience in hospital medicine, critical care and management of neu- rological patients. He joins the practice of Joseph Hobbs, MD, in the Shannon Brain and Spine Institute. His office is located at Shannon Clinic Magdalen, 102 N. Magdalen. For more information or to make an appoint- ment, call 325-481-2193 . REGAN DARBY, APRN, FNP-C, Urgent Care Regan received a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a mas- ter’s degree in nursing specializing in Family Nurse Prac- titioner at Angelo State University. She also attended the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and Brookhaven College, where she earned her emergency medical technician and licensed paramedic certifications. Regan has more than seven years of experience in emergency and trauma nursing and is currently a flight nurse. She is board-certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Regan will see patients at Shannon’s Urgent Care locations. For more information on Urgent Care hours and wait times, visit shannonhealth.com . AMY HARRIS, APRN, FNP-C, Hematology/oncology Amy received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in nursing from Angelo State University. She has expe- rience in inpatient acute care as well as outpatient care management. Amy joins the practice of Raj Cheruku, MD, Shan- non Hematology/Oncology. She is accepting new patients at her office in the Shannon Oncology Center on the first floor of Shannon Clinic Magdalen, 102 N. Magdalen. For more information, please call 325-481-2025 . 4 HEALTH BEAT News Catching the flu can result in misery, missed work and, in the worst cases, even a hospital stay. But you can take steps to prevent it. Foiling the flu, and its potential consequences, is doable. While there’s no guarantee, here are five strategies to try: 1 Get a flu shot every year. Public health officials urge almost everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated, ideally in the fall. Why? It’s the best way to lower your risk of the flu. 2 Wash your hands often. Clean hands are especially important during flu season. Use soap and water or, in a pinch, an alcohol-based hand rub. 3 Don’t stand so close. Try to avoid close contact with sick people and their flu germs. 4 Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands. It’s a simple trick to avoid transferring any germs you might have gotten from door handles or other surfaces to your eyes, nose or mouth. 5 Boost your immunity. Help your immune system fight off the flu with plenty of rest, exercise and healthy foods. 5 ways to foil the flu TAKE THIS NEXT STEP If you do get the flu, taking a prescription antiviral drug (ideally within two days of feeling sick) may make your illness milder and shorter. Your doctor may prescribe an antiviral if your age or other health problems put you at risk for serious complications from the flu. Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention