HEALTHY LIFESTYLE · OCTOBER 2018
SIMPLER PATHWAYS TO C IN THE RIO GRANDE VALL
Several years ago , if a child living in the Rio Grande Valley had a chronic respiratory disorder , they most likely had to set out on a long , arduous trip to San Antonio to receive therapeutic treatment .
Now , parents living in the Rio Grande Valley are able to take their children to the Driscoll Children ’ s Specialty Center- Brownsville to be seen by one of three pediatric pulmonologists . This gives families a true break from having to make long trips .
Jon Roberts , MD , Fellow of the College of Chest Physicians ; Director , Pediatric Pulmonology at Driscoll Children ’ s Hospital , said , “ We are able to see patients at the Brownsville Specialty Center twice per month rotating between myself and the other two physicians working at Driscoll in Corpus Christi .”
The other two physicians are Paul Nolan , MD , and Santiago Encalada , MD , both whom have been serving patients in the Rio Grande Valley for quite some time .
Dr . Nolan himself suffered from severe persistent asthma and chronic bronchitis as a child .
“ There is a great satisfaction in helping a child overcome breathing problems and experience activities that were previously beyond the child ’ s limits of breathing ,” said Dr . Nolan . “ I was once that child who could not breathe well ; could not run or play rigorously with my friends , yet due to the care of specialized physicians in Pulmonology and Allergy Immunology my respiratory challenges were brought under control .”
Dr . Nolan , a native of Denton , said this also led to him choosing the path of Pediatric Pulmonology so that he could help children achieve an active lifestyle , something he sees as the highest importance for the children living in the Rio Grande Valley . He spent six years as a registered nurse prior to attending medical school at Texas Tech University , then completing his residency at St . Joseph Mercy Hospital and Mott ’ s Children ’ s Hospital in Michigan . Dr . Nolan made his way to Driscoll Children ’ s Hospital in 2010 .
Coincidentally , Dr . Encalada experienced respiratory challenges himself as a child .
“ I had to overcome the difficulties of growing up asthmatic ,” said Dr . Encalada . “ I want my patients to overcome what I was able to .”
Dr . Encalada , a native of Ecuador , began his residency at Driscoll Children ’ s Hospital in 2010 . After a fellowship in Milwaukee , Wisconsin , at the Medical College of Wisconsin , he spent one and a half years working at the University of New Mexico before returning to Driscoll Children ’ s Hospital .
“ The mix of different cultures , different belief systems , multiple social backgrounds as well as an increased complexity and variety of medical cases creates some challenges in providing treatment in the Rio Grande Valley , yet this also enriches the experience of providing care to a wonderful cultural mix in the region ,” said Dr . Encalada .