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Sonia found compassionate care

close to home at Vickery Health Center

onia Tamez doesn’t know what she
would do without Parkland. She has
been receiving care at locations
throughout the health system since
she moved to Dallas at age 11. And when
she got married and moved into the Vickery
Meadow neighborhood, she knew she
needed to find a way to continue managing
her health.

“I was looking for someplace to go and
there was Parkland right in the
neighborhood,” said Sonia, who has called
the Vickery Health Center her medical
home since that day in 2002. “There’s
nowhere I would rather be. Parkland is
a good place for me.”

Sonia manages multiple medical conditions
every day. At the age of 3 she lost sight
in her left eye due to cataracts and Parkland
ophthalmologists now monitor the health
of her right eye. She takes medication for
high blood pressure and is working to lower
her cholesterol. And she is diligent about
receiving preventive procedures such as
mammograms due to a family history of
breast cancer.

“Parkland has been the
place that I can come to

and be seen,” added Sonia.

because of the trusted relationship she has
“Without it I’d be lost. with Sentayehu Kassa, MD. DR. KASSA GREETS SONIA with a hug at Parkland’s
Vickery Health Center. The center in Vickery
I wouldn’t know where to Meadow is one of 12 primary care clinics that
provide high-quality, affordable and accessible
go or what to do. I’m “I don’t think Dr. Kassa looks at me or medical care throughout Dallas County. The
others as only patients. I think she sees us
program provides a medical home for patients to
glad I have it.” as people,” said Sonia. “She’s very build strong, long-term relationships with their
thorough and wants to make sure I’m in physicians and other care providers.
good health for my granddaughter,
After moving to another neighborhood daughter, husband and sisters. If she sees
in Dallas County, Sonia continues to return something that doesn’t look right, she
to the Vickery Health Center for care follows up to make sure everything is ok.”

Legacy of President

Kennedy celebrated

in new park

The John F. Kennedy Park for Hope and Healing at Parkland
hospital will celebrate the president’s life, while offering a
place of hope, healing and history for patients and the
community. President Kennedy long championed the needs
of the underserved and Parkland’s mission to provide
compassionate care aligns with those same values.

The park is intended to act as a living, breathing, moving
testament of the president’s ideals of unity and inclusion.
Each element was thoughtfully considered to provide not
only a monument for remembrance, but also to complement
the evidence-based healing aspects of nature found
throughout the new Parkland campus.

Watch the park video and learn how you can help
at www.IStandforParkland.org/JFKPark