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Doctor Known for Promoting “Health Literacy”; Stroke Treatment; “Telemedicine” in Valley
- Updated: April 1, 2013
HARLINGEN – Dr. Teresa Lightner, Emergency Physician and the 2012 Physician of the Year for Valley Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen, is also known for efforts to promote greater awareness of “health literacy” in the Harlingen area.
In October, Dr. Lightner served as a lead for the planning committee for the first “Health Literacy Symposium” in Harlingen, co-sponsored by Valley Baptist and the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District.
“Health literacy refers to the ability to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions,” Dr. Lightner said. “Addressing health literacy is important, to promote a healthy community.”
In addition, Dr. Lightner has been active in efforts to enhance care for the large number of stroke patients in the Valley. She has served as an Advisory Director in efforts to develop a “Hispanic Stroke Center of Excellence” at Valley Baptist. Valley Baptist was the first Valley hospital to be accredited as a “Primary Stroke Center” by the national accrediting organization for health care facilities, the Joint Commission.
Dr. Teresa Lightner, third from right, Emergency Physician and Physician of the Year for Valley Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen, poses with some of the staff members in the Emergency Dept. at Valley Baptist-Harlingen.
Dr. Lightner has also participated in several research projects, including phase 1 and phase 2 trials for “Interferon Gamma for the Treatment of Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis” for the National Institutes of Health. She also served as a co-principal investigator, along with Dr. Leonel Vela, for research for “Diabetes Screening and Early Intervention” for the Texas Diabetes Council.
In addition, Dr. Lightner has been active in “telemedicine” projects, participating in research in telemedicine for the treatment of tuberculosis, as well as stroke treatment telemedicine efforts. For more information, visit www.ValleyBaptist.net.
