Cajun Steamer Bar & Grill opened June 2 at 3084 N. Eastman Road in Longview. During a ribbon-cutting ceremony, John Williams , franchise owner, cut the ribbon as community members gathered around.

 

Staff Reports

 Cajun Steamer Bar & Grill opened June 2 at 3084 N. Eastman Road in Longview. During a ribbon-cutting ceremony, John Williams, franchise owner, cut the ribbon as community members gathered around. The restaurant is known for its array of Cajun classics and original creations and features crawfish from Louisiana, shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico and oysters from the coasts of Louisiana and Texas. Cajun steamer serves lunch and dinner and catering services. It is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

 

ADDITION

Citizens National Bank announced the addition of Toby Fails as vice president and trust officer. He has taken on the role of trust and wealth advisor in Tyler and the surrounding communities. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Finance from Lamar University in Beaumont and his MBA in financial services from the University of Dallas. He also holds the Certified Trust and Financial Advisor designation.

 

AWARDED

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine awarded the Sleep Medicine Institute of Texas, PA, as an accredited sleep disorders center. To receive accreditation for a five-year period, a sleep center must meet or exceed all standards for professional health care as designated by the AASM. The Sleep Medicine Institute of Texas is directed by Dr. Ragavendra V. Ghuge, at 115 W. Fifth St. Visit sleeptyler.com

 

APPOINTMENTS

UT Health Northeast has announced two new appointments. Dr. Jeffrey Levin was appointed senior vice president for clinical and academic affairs. Levin is chairman of the Department of Occupational Health Sciences at UT Health Northeast and the Jesse H. Jones Distinguished Professor of Occupational Health Sciences. He joined UT Health in 1988. He is an adjunct professor in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at The University of Texas at Tyler and in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the Texas A&M Health Science Center. Levin is dean of Community Health and Health Professions at UT Health Northeast. He is board certified in internal medicine and occupational medicine.

Dr. Steven Cox was named chief medical officer and physician-in-chief. Cox, who joined UT Health in 1997, has served as chairman of the Department of Surgery since 2009. He is an associate professor of surgery, is board certified in surgery, and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has served as medical director of the Surgery Clinic and the Breast Diagnostic Clinic. Cox has been an instructor and preceptor — a physician who provides practical experience and training to residents — in UT Health’s Family Medicine Residency Program.

 

AWARD

Tracy H. Crawford will receive the Ronald D. Secrest Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award and the Smith County Bar Association will receive the Award of Merit at the annual meeting of the State Bar of Texas. The Award of Merit honors exceptional work accomplished by local bar associations in areas of member service, community service, access to justice, law student/young lawyer outreach, communications, and social activities.

 

ANNOUNCED

Aqueous Engineering announced Ryan McSwane as a new employee of the firm. McSwane received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Texas Tech University. McSwane joined Aqueous Engineering in 2013 as an engineer-in-training where he works on aquatic designs and general civil engineering projects. Aqueous Engineering is a consulting engineering firm in Tyler.

 

SHOWING

On Wednesday, Spinout will be holding a trunk show of fine jewelry designed by local artist Hillary Carter. The jewelry line is called “Hillary Catherine.” Ms. Carter attended Robert E. Lee High School, received her bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State and studied for a year at the Gemological Institute of America. The showing will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Spinout, at 7266 Old Jacksonville Road.

 

NAMED

Laci Laird was named administrator of East Texas Medical Center Behavioral Health. Ms. Laird began her career with BHC as director of business development before being named operations manager. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s in health care administration from UT Tyler. Ms. Laird served on the state advisory committee on inpatient mental health for the department of state health services.

 

HONOREES

Three Brookshire Grocery Co. leaders were selected as honorees in Progressive Grocer Magazine’s eighth annual Top Women in Grocery awards program.

Rae Champagne, vice president — education and communications, joined Brookshire’s in 2001 and has served in various communications roles throughout her career. Ms. Champagne received a doctorate in literature from the The University of Texas at Dallas and a master’s degree in English, as well as bachelor’s degrees in English and journalism.

Ginger McCullough, vice president — training and change management, has been with Brookshire’s for 33 years and has served in various roles in stores throughout East Texas before joining the Tyler Corporate Office as a human resources coordinator. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from LeTourneau University, a professional certification in human resources and is certified in change management.

Charlotte Weller, health services manager, joined the company in 1996 and worked as a pharmacist and pharmacy manager at several Texas stores before becoming health services administrator and coordinator. She received a doctorate of pharmacy in 2001 from The University of Texas at Austin and holds a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy.

 

RECOGNIZED

For the fourth year in a row, the Texas Economic Development Council recognized Kilgore Economic Development Corp. with the Economic Excellence Award. KEDC was one of 29 economic development organizations that earned the distinction.

“We have always taken care to provide the taxpayer with exceptional value,” KEDC Executive Director Amanda Nobles said. “It is rewarding to have others recognize our efforts.”

 

NAMED

Dr. Yong “Tai” Wang was named professor and dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at The University of Texas at Tyler, effective Aug. 1. Wang has authored or co-authored more than 40 refereed journal articles and dozens of proceedings and abstracts. He holds master’s degrees in biomechanics and exercise science from Indiana’s Ball State University and the Wuhan Institute of Physical Education in China, respectively, as well as a doctorate in rehabilitative biomechanics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

 

CONFERENCE

The annual Independence Day Youth Conference will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 2 at the Tyler Rose Garden Conference Center, at 420 Rose Park Drive. The event will be hosted by BCFS’ Tyler Transition Center. The event is a day of workshop and informational sessions for youth aging out of foster care that will help them with the knowledge, tools, and inspiration to transition successfully to independence and adulthood. The sessions will cover college, internships, banking, credit, housing, and navigating benefits provided to the youth through the Preparation for Adult Living Program.

 

REGISTRATION

Registration is open for the Bright Ideas for Leadership & Success Conference that will be held on Nov. 6 at Green Acres Crosswalk Conference Center. For more information, contact Gina Jones at gjones@uwtyler.org or at 903.581.6376 ext. 201.