Spring

2015
INSIDE
Meet the Doctor

pg .

Cynthia Hoff
Lives to Volunteer
IBM Grant
Helps Newborns
Make Your Will Known

pg .

Robotic Surgery
Upgrades
Seton Circle Supports
New Projects
Save the Date Berry
Creek Golf Tournament

pg .

Special Insert:
Seton Highland Lakes

setonwilliamsonfdn.org

Thanks to your support, mom walks

again before daughters birth

Amy Merida, executive director of

the Greater Round Rock Community
Foundation, and daughter Lauren.

Two Surgeries + One Baby Girl =

Happiest Ending
A newsletter for friends
of the Seton Williamson
Foundation supporting
Seton Highland Lakes
Hospital, Seton Northwest
Hospital and Seton Medical
Center Williamson

Amy Merida was pregnant, just shy of six months to be exact. She had the usual
concerns that swim through the minds of expectant mothers, but an accident while
checking the mail wasnt one of them.
It was a few days before Halloween in 2012. I was just walking to the mailbox and
lost my balance.

Read more on page 2

Two Surgeries + One Baby Girl =

Happiest Ending
Continued from Cover
Already the protective mother, she made sure not to fall down on
the baby. That made for an awkward landing and an ugly break
in the bone just above her ankle.
When the ambulance arrived, the first thing I said was take me
to Seton Williamson. I was already a fan of the hospital from a
prior visit.
With a top medical staff and the support of donors like you,
Seton Williamson is a first choice for emergency care and home
to a Level II trauma center and a modern maternity unit. All
things Amy would need. Once at the hospital, Amy was in the
expert hands of Erik Bruce, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon.
He told me the break would never heal without surgery. My first
concern was how anesthesia would affect my baby. Dr. Bruce
genuinely cared about
my fears and spent time
explaining my options.
Everyone there was just as
concerned about the baby
as I was.
Amy chose an epidural, a
local anesthesia to block
pain during surgery. She
and the baby were closely
monitored during the
successful procedure to set
her broken bonea great
relief for Amy and her
husband Martin. Now, she
was determined to recover

and walk without crutches before her

due date.
Unfortunately, Amy soon faced
another unexpected hurdle. She had
kidney stones. So many stones in fact,
that urologist Sandeep Mistry, MD,
performed surgery to remove them.
Again, Amy describes the amazing
care she received, from the surgery
team to the maternity team to her
obstetrician Ingrid Brown, MD.

Your gifts,
whether large
or small, make a
huge difference
in others lives.
They certainly
did for my
family.

Seton Williamson had it all covered. I guess I could have felt

bitter about my run of really bad luck, but I never did. I only felt
gratitude for this hospital and the people who took care of me
and my baby.
Once home, Amy put all her energy into walking unassisted
before her baby arrived. She quickly went from using a wheelchair
to two crutches to one crutch. Just one week before the big day,
she took her first steps without a crutch.
Lauren was born at Seton Williamson on February 9, 2013.
Today, she is a vivacious, delightfully talkative toddler. And shes
certainly healthyonly two small colds in two years.
Its a good thing I started walking before Lauren got here,
because shes kept me running ever since! I just cannot thank
Seton Williamson enough and the people in this community who
support this hospital. Your gifts, whether large or small, make a
huge difference in others lives. They certainly did for my family.

Meet the Doctor

Erik Bruce, MD Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine

About eight years ago, Seton Medical Center Williamson welcomed an orthopaedic surgeon from Alexandria,
Louisiana. Dr. Erik Bruce and his wife Dr. Jinnie A. Bruce, a general surgeon, had long been visiting the Hill
Country and knew this was the place they wanted to be.
Dr. Bruce says the move to Williamson County could not have been a better one. From the beginning, there
has been a talented core group of physicians, and it feels right. As a personal benefit, he also admires the
pastoral views from the hospital windows.
Dr. Bruce specializes in sports medicine, arthroscopic surgery of the knee and shoulder, and knee
reconstruction. He has brought an element of cutting-edge medicine to Seton Williamson, supporting the
hospitals goal to be a top quality, full service medical center. We cover cases that range from very complex to
very simple, he adds.
He and his wife have two sons, ages four and five. He says waking them up in the morning is the best part of his
day. He also enjoys hunting, fishing, and woodworking, but more recently has taken up cooking.
Dr. Erik Bruce, University Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Clinic,
located in Seton Williamson Medical Plaza I, adjacent to the medical center, (512) 388-BONE (2663)
2 setonwilliamsonfdn.org

Erik Bruce, MD

Wednesdays
Cant Come
Fast Enough

IBM Grant Helps Newborns

Cynthia Hoff Lives to Volunteer

On a drive with her

husband along Highway
183, Cynthia Hoff saw a
heavenly sign. It was the
Seton cross perched atop
Seton Northwest Hospital.
I felt like that cross was
calling me, and I had to
respond.
Cynthia reached out the
Seton Northwest volunteer
office where she was warmly welcomed. Since then, on just
about every Wednesday over that past 20 years, Cynthias
smiling face has greeted patients and guests at the Seton
Northwest information desk.
I tell people where to goin a nice way! she chuckles.
I like being front and center interacting with everyone.
I latch onto people and they latch onto me, and they are
comfortable sharing their stories, hurts, and joys. People
crave someone who will listen to them.
Gail Gorman, who directs volunteer services at Seton
Northwest and Seton Medical Center Williamson,
describes Cynthia as a bright ray of sunshine and a visible
reminder of Setons mission.
To Cynthia, Seton Northwest is a second homea warm
place with a homey feel and many friends. She also knows
firsthand the high quality of care offered there. She had a
bilateral mastectomy in 1995 and was overwhelmed by the
loving care of her nurses.
Cynthia firmly believes in philanthropy and the power of
helping others. Ive been blessed in my life, and I think
it is incumbent upon me to give back. And Ive taught my
children to do the same.
She adds, This work has been immensely gratifying.
Wednesdays cant come fast enough!
If youd like more information on volunteering at Seton
Northwest Hospital or Seton Williamson, please contact
Gail Gorman at ggorman@seton.org or 512-324-6052.

New equipment at Seton Northwest was made possible

through a recent IBM grant to care for newborns who
need extra help with their first breaths. Beth Tracy,
manager, IBM Corporate Citizenship and Corporate
Affairs, pictured with a baby training mannequin, visited
Seton Northwest to see the new oxygen blenders and
resuscitation carts they made possible. Thank you, IBM,
for helping us care for our tiniest patients!
Pictured with Beth Tracy are (l-r): Ed Reilly, clinical nurse
educator, Tracey Wiedenfeld, Labor & Delivery manager,
and Margaret Butler, senior director of nursing.

Make Your Will Known

In celebration of Mothers Day, consider honoring a mom in your
life with a pledge through your will or estate. Your pledge will
help ensure care for others and offer hope to those not yet born.
Give a gift that lasts beyond your lifetime and help continue the
tradition started in Central Texas by the Daughters of Charity
113 years ago.
A gift to your favorite Seton project or program in honor of your
mom, grandmother, aunt or best friend through your will or
estate plan, can help continue Setons healing ministry.
If you would like information on how to plan such a gift, please
contact Tim Aronson at 512-324-4091 or tjaronson@seton.org.
If you have already put Seton in your plans, please let us know
so we can acknowledge and celebrate your gift. Here is sample
language that can be used to make your will known for
generations to come:
I hereby direct $___________ (or percent of my residual estate) in
cash, securities or other property to Seton Williamson Foundation,
Round Rock, Texas. This gift shall be used for the further benefit
of _______( Seton Highland Lakes Hospital, Seton Northwest
Hospital, or Seton Medical Center Williamson)______. This gift
shall be used to ________(purpose)_______ .

setonwilliamsonfdn.org 3

Your gifts will keep patient care on cutting edge!

Robotic Surgery Upgrades Increase

Precision, Minimize Scarring
Shortly after Seton Williamson opened,
generous donors like you supported the purchase
of a da Vinci robotic surgical system, a gamechanging innovation in surgical precision. It was
the first hospital is Central Texas to secure the
latest generation of the da Vinci robot available
at the time.
To stay on the cutting edge of patient care,
Seton Williamson plans to secure new upgrades
for its da Vincithe da Vinci Single Site
Surgery and the da Vinci Fireflythat will
bring greater benefits to patients. And, once
again, your support will be vital.
With the da Vinci, the most complex of
surgeries can be performed through multiple
incisions the size of keyholes. But with the
da Vinci Single Site, surgeriessuch as the
removal of a gall bladdercan be performed
through a single incision at the belly button.
Theres minimal pain and virtually no scar.
The da Vinci Firefly is one of the greatest
recent enhancements to robotic surgery. The
Firefly enables surgeons to use a special video

Seton Williamson Board of Trustees

Jim Schwertner
Chairman
David Hays
Secretary
Troy Rodriguez
Treasurer
John S. Avery, Jr.
Cliff Blount
Nancy Crouse
Bob Eskridge

Bryan Farney
Dan Gattis
Ken Graham
Randy Howry
Frank Krenek
Betty Lord
Nyle Maxwell
Jim Nyquist
Laura Robinson
Jeff Rusk
Bonnie Sells
David Singleton

Life Trustees
Charles N. Avery, III
Judy McLeod
Ex-Officio Members
Harsh Babbar, MD
Sister Helen Brewer, DC
Donna Budak
Scott Fuller
Jess Garza
Ken Gladish, PhD
Brian Lidiak
Michelle Robertson
Said Soubra, MD
Community Volunteer Leadership
Amy Gantt
Seton Womens Development Board
Nancy Crouse
Seton Circle President

camera and fluorescent dye to clearly see blood

flowing through vessels and tissue during
surgery. With this tool, healthy tissue with
blood flow appears bright green, while tissue
without blood flow looks gray. Doctors also can
view the bile ducts in real-time.
Real-time, precise images will give our
surgeons the best visualization during robotic
surgery, leading to optimal results for our
patients, said Brian Lidiak, Seton Williamson
vice president and chief operating officer.
Community support, including the more
than $1 million raised for the original da
Vinci system, have put Seton Williamson on
the leading edge of technology and patient
safety. Your support of these new, top-quality
upgrades will help keep the highest level of care
available to all.
To find out more or to make a donation,
please contact Tim Aronson at the Seton
Williamson Foundation, tjaronson@seton.org
or (512) 324-4091.

Your Gifts, Your Vote

Seton Circle Selects New
Projects to Support
Gifts from Seton Circle members
totaling $12,137 will fund:
Two Quick Move patient transfer
devices
One Stryker wheelchair
Radiology accessories
Cardiac Gentle Flow Movement,
balance and strength class
Chaired by Seton Williamson
Foundation board member Nancy
Crouse, the Seton Circle is a society
of community friends and Seton
associates who donate $250 or more
annually. Members gather for social
events and annually vote on projects to
support with their generous donations.
We welcome you to join the Seton
Circle! For more information,
please contact Karen Garbaccio
at klgarbaccio@seton.org or call
(512) 324-4092.

Help others and have fun!

17th Annual
Berry Creek Cancer Fund
Golf Tournament
June 6, 2015
Berry Creek Country Club
Your support benefits cancer care in Williamson County. Proceeds from this event help
fund the cancer patient navigator position held by Cindy Fawver, RN. Cindy helps ensure
that individuals with cancer receive high quality treatment through coordination of care.Its a
personal and supportive hands-on approach during a stressful time in a patients life. Last year,
nearly $60,000 from the event went to fund the cancer patient navigator.You can help continue
this important service! If you would like to participate as a sponsor, volunteer, and/or a donor,
visit www.berrycreekcancerfund.org or contact BCCF Committee Chair Katy Quinn at
kdquinn@suddenlink.net.
The Beacon is published twice each year
for donors and friends of Seton Medical
Center Williamson, Seton Northwest
Hospital and Seton Highland Lakes
Hospital. It is a publication of the Seton
Williamson Foundation, Donna Budak,
executive director.

The Beacon production team

Your feedback and suggestions are
includes photography by Jim Lincoln welcome at info@setonwilliamsonfdn.org.
and design by onecreativegirl.com.
For more information about support
provided by the Seton Williamson
Foundation, visit setonwilliamsonfdn.org.

201 Seton Parkway Round Rock, TX 78665

P 512.324.4090 F 512.324.4657 setonwilliamsonfdn.org

A Change of Heart:
Cardio Rehab Helps Grandmother
Gain New Strength
It started out as an ordinary night. Long-time Marble Falls resident
Kay Buckley settled in to watch television with her dog Snoopy
when she felt a terrible tightening in her chest.
It was so frightening. I couldnt breathe in or out, she describes.
I used my life alert system to call for help. Thank goodness I got
the care I needed in time, including a stent to open up an artery
in my heart.
Following her surgery, Kay would need comprehensive
cardiopulmonary rehabilitationa vital piece to her recovery.
She felt fortunate to find those services close to home at Seton
Highland Lakes Hospital, and more fortunate still to receive
financial help from the Seton Assistance Program.
I really was scared to exercise. I kept thinking about having an
attack while I was just sitting watching TV. What would happen
to me while exercising?

She felt encouraged by the care team and her fellow patients
who worked side-by-side with her on the stationary bikes and
gliders. And most importantly, she felt safe. The staff was very
conscientious. They carefully monitored my progress and taught
me how to take better care of my heart. I couldnt have been more
pleased with how I was treated.
Kay graduated from the Seton Highland Lakes program in October,
and her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren couldnt
be happier.
Im enjoying time with my family and anticipating the birth of a
new great-grandbaby. I feel good. Before rehab, a walk down the hill
to my mailbox took so much out of me, but now that trip is easier.
Its those simple things that I appreciate most.

Her fears were quickly put to rest. Under constant monitoring

and the caring attention of cardiac nurses, Kay joined the Seton
Highland Lakes Cardiac Rehabilitation Program last June and
attended tailored sessions twice a week.

Your support
can save a life!

Enhancements Coming
to Cardio-Rehab Program
Seton Highland Lakes Hospital
operates the only cardiopulmonary
rehabilitation program in the
Highland Lakes area. Its a vital
resource to patients, like Kay,
working to achieve the best possible
recovery following a heart attack
or other cardio-pulmonary event.
Hundreds of Highland Lakes residents
are relieved to find these services at
home, avoiding burdensome travel.
How You Can Make A Difference

Cardio Rehab Team: (l to r) Thomas Brooks, Nancy Lewis, Charlie Fox, ACNP,
Erica Hughes, MD, and Chad Pearce.

To enhance the SHL Cardiopulmonary

Rehabilitation Program, the hospital
is raising funds for a state-of-the-art
Cardiopulmonary Telemetry
Monitoring System. For information
on how you can help, contact Becky
Fox, senior development officer, at
bfox@seton.org or (512) 715-3367.

For more information, please contact Becky Fox at 512-715-3367 or bfox@seton.org.

Youre invited!

Venetian
Masquerade
Gala
Hosted by Horseshoe Bay
Seton Associates
Benefitting Project Search at
Seton Highland Lakes Hospital

Thursday, October 1, 2015

6 to 8 p.m.
Escondido Club House
211 Plaza Escondido
Horseshoe Bay

Project SEARCH Coming to Seton Highland Lakes

Beginning in the Fall of 2016, Seton Highland Lakes will proudly welcome Project
SEARCH, an innovative best practice for preparing and training young adults with
intellectual disabilities for the competitive workforce. Through yearlong internships, Project
SEARCH offers each participant the opportunity to develop their vocational skills in a
business setting, while building a solid foundation
of professional experience.
The first of its kind in Texas, Project SEARCH
was initially piloted at Seton Medical Center
Austin in 2007 and has grown each year to four
additional sites within the Seton network.
Project SEARCH at Seton is a collaboration
involving many community partners including
Seton, the Texas Department of Assistive and
Rehabilitative Services, and disability service
providers. It is vocational rehabilitation with a
competitive edge, and is driven by business.
To date, Project SEARCH at Seton has graduated
82 interns. Of those graduates, 39 have been
hired by Seton and an additional 30 have
successfully transitioned into roles of competitive
employment with community employers.

Jack Keefer, a 2014 Seton Williamson

Project SEARCH graduate, is now
employed in the hospitals Sterile
Processing department.

Celebrating the 24th anniversary

of the Horseshoe Bay Seton
Associates!

Collectively, this translates to a competitive hire rate of 84%, a remarkable outcome as

compared to the national unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities of 79.7%
(US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Watch for further details

coming soon.

An exciting endeavor for the Seton Highland Lakes community, Project SEARCH will
focus on working with a group of 8 to12 young adults, developing the vocational skills
they need to be competitive in todays challenging workforce, and helping them achieve
a greater level of independence in the community. For questions, please contact Becky Fox,
senior development officer, at 512-715-3367 or bfox@seton.org.

Thank you for supporting

better care in Williamson County.

Your Generosity
Shines at Annual Gala
Thanks to donors like you, A Night on the Red Carpet netted more
than $468,000. Amazing! More than $353,000 raised will fund building
and equipment needs to provide excellent, person-centered healthcare
at Seton Medical Center Williamson. The Paddles Up portion of the
event raised $115,000 for Project SEARCH, a year-long internship
for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Project
SEARCH provides professional experience to interns through hands-on
training in complex, systematic internships with the ultimate goal of
competitive employment.
This annual event, hosted by the Seton Womens Development Board
featured an Oscars theme, live and silent auctions, sumptuous dinner, and
dancing.Thanks to Gala Chairs Mary Steger and Karen Cumberland,
and the hard work of our wonderful board, this years event was wildly
successful, said Amy Gantt, SWDB president. Our heartfelt thanks
to Mary and Troy Rodriguez, Emerson Process Management, The Nyle
Maxwell Family of Dealerships, and all our generous sponsors.

1
2

PHOTOS
1 - Mary and Troy Rodriguez
2 - Seton Womens Development Board
3 - Project SEARCH Graduate Jack Keefer and mother Kelly Keefer

The Seton Cornerstone Society recognizes the generosity of those

who support the work of Seton Medical Center Williamson.
These businesses and individuals are part of the legacy to further
the mission of Seton and our founders, the Daughters of Charity.

You, too, can become a member of the Seton Cornerstone

Society. For more information, please contact Karen Garbaccio,
512-324-4090, klgarbaccio@seton.org.

Thank you to our 2014 Seton Cornerstone Society Members!

$50,000 +
Mary and Troy Rodriguez
Patti and Jim Schwertner

$5,000+

$25,000+
Alpha Painting and Decorating
Company
Emerson Process Management
Nyle Maxwell Family of Dealerships
Neel Ware, MD
$10,000+
Austin Radiological Association, PA
Quen and Jess Garza
Shana and Dan Gattis
Kathleen and Chaz Glace
Nicole and Glenn Harper, MD
Carol and Steve Hickerson
Keystone Concrete Placement
Nancy and Nyle Maxwell
ReitPath Pathology
Texas A&M College of Nursing
Texas A&M Health Science Center
Texas Methodist Foundation

$1,000+

Laura and Brian Aldred, MD

Janet and Thomas Alexander
Philip Annis
Austin Foam Plastics
Judy and John Avery, Sr.
Michelle and A. Nelson Avery, MD
Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Rebecca and Ty Barho
Brenda and Don Beard
Fayruz Benyousef and Malek Ben-Musa
Patricia and Jim Bethke
Linda and Louis Bosi
Sara and Michael Bottom
Margaret Butler
Capital Surgeons Group, PLLC
Anne and Robert Castle
Haley and Troy Chapman

Advanced Pain Care

Austin CyberKnife
Austin Regional Clinic, PA
Beth and Charles Avery III
Avery Center DevCo, Inc.
Susie and Jim Awalt
BBVA Compass Bank
CapRidge Partners
Donna and Bryan Budak
Capitol Anesthesiology Association
Emergency Service Partners, LP
Sharon and Michael Daggett
Embree Group of Companies
Dr. Marsha and Bryan Farney
Amy and Jay Gantt
Eura Mae and Johnny Gantt
Javonne and Hugh Gilmore, MD
Heather and Gary Hill
Howry, Breen & Herman, LLP
IBM Corporation
Independent Bank
Nancy and Frank Krenek
Joni and Brian Lidiak
Kelly and Scott Linebrink
Lone Star Circle of Care
Betty Lord and David Dotson
Kathleen and R. Griffin Lord
Joanie and Ryan Ludwick
Mercedes Benz of Georgetown
Melissa and Bo McKinney
Quenans Fine Jewelers
Michelle and Scott Robertson
Jo Ann and Michael Stanley
Suzy and Jeff Rusk
TECO-Westinghouse Motor Co.

Comerica Bank-Texas
Nancy Crouse and Craig McCurdy
Karen and Michael Cumberland
Tricia and Richard Custer
Viet Dinh Do and Robert Bonar
Julia Davis
Melinda and Grant Folsom
Melanie and Steven Fox
Frost Bank
Diane and Scott Fuller
Valerie and Thomas Gammon
Gentiva Hospice
Kendal and Kenneth Gladish, PhD
Georgetown Health Foundation
Suzanne Hindelang
Karlene and Paul Hohlstein
Humana

$2,500+

Acadian Ambulance Service

Kathleen and Tim Aronson
Austin Skeletal Trauma Specialists, PA
Valerie and John Avery Jr.
Patricia and Robert Berryman
Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons, PA
Champion Site Prep
Clinical Pathology Associates, Inc
Extraco Banks, NA
First Texas Bank
Gail Gorman and John Fields
Tammy and David Hays
H-E-B
Judy Wolf Hindelang
Lynne Moore
Karen Kahan and MariBen Ramsey
Amanda and Lee McIntosh
Sharon and Brent New, MD
Northstar Bank of Texas
Pediatrix Medical Group of Texas, PA
Cindy and Michael Pfeifer
Nancy Rabb
Shari and John Ramming
Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union
Mary and Perry Steger
Suanna and Kenneth Tumlinson
University Federal Credit Union
Wells Fargo Bank Texas, NA

Carole and John Jebens

Ronald Jiede
Leslie and David Laverty, MD
Janet and Theodore Lobsenz
Rachel and Chris Logue
Lott Brothers Construction Company
Tracy and Mark Malone, MD
Jill and Paul Marshall
Dr. Michelle McClintock-Von Bieberstein
and Glenn Von Bieberstein
Cynthia and Tom McCord
Arlene and Terrence McKenna
Claire and Ian McLoughlin, MD
Medical Jets International
Powell Financial Partners
Crystal and Keith Odom
Heather and James Parsons
Polkinghorn Group Architects, Inc

Geovanna Ricaldi
Susan and Steven Richmond
Katherine Rinehart
RJ Precision Machining, Inc
Cyndee and David Rust
Ruth and Nolan Ryan
Linda and Ty Schmitt
Jennifer Shield
Lori Singleton
Sandy and Brad Stewart
Tasus Texas Corporation
Dollene and Donald Thompson
Turnco Tool and Instruments, Inc
Hope Van der Heijden
Wallie Lock Charitable Foundation
Jeanne and Bob Whetsell
Larry Wood
Zoll Lifevest Corporation