(Left to right) Larry Mattson, TJC culinary arts professor; Kortney McMillian, TJC culinary arts professor; Rebekah Pool, TJC culinary arts program coordinator/professor; Allison and Bill Hodges, pastry chefs and educators from Dallas. (Contributed Photo)

From Staff Reports

TJC professors earn state honors

Tyler Junior College’s Culinary Arts faculty members were in the spotlight during the recent Texas Chefs Association (TCA) convention in San Antonio.

Rebekah Pool, TJC professor and program coordinator, was named State Educator of the Year and East Texas Pastry Chef of the Year. Kortney McMillian, professor, was also recognized as the East Texas Educator of the Year; and Larry Matson, professor, was re-elected the State Secretary-Treasurer.

Since 2019, the TJC Culinary Arts program has provided students with the opportunity to study in a state-of-the-art facility in George W. Pirtle Technology Center on the TJC central campus, in a fully equipped commercial kitchen with a dining area, where students can develop their craft in a real restaurant setting.

The program began with one associate degree and a basic culinary certificate but has continued to grow, adding specialized credentials in baking/pastry and food service, creating more opportunities for students to advance their skills that lead to successful careers.

Beginning this fall, TJC is adding two Associate of Applied Science degrees within the culinary specialty:

Hospitality and Restaurant Management focuses on business competencies and guest interactions for successful restaurant operations.

Baking and Pastry offers advanced courses in areas including cake decorating, chocolates and confections, food service and menu management.

Basic and advanced certifications are also offered in culinary, baking and pastry, and hospitality and restaurant management.

For more information, visit TJC.edu/Culinary.

Tyler man named to landmen committee

FORT WORTH — At its 2024 Annual Meeting in Boston, the American Association of Professional Landmen installed its 2024-25 Executive Committee.

This new slate, including incoming president Nancy McCaskell, CPL, the second woman in AAPL’s 70-year history to assume the role, features seven energy experts committed to advancing the industry.

Among them is Mark Caponegro, CPL, who serves as second Vice President. Caponegro, a senior landman at Faulconer Energy in Tyler, oversees all land-related matters in East Texas and the Texas Gulf Coast, including lease maintenance and business development. He has also contributed to AAPL’s Accreditation Committee and is a member of the NAPE Operators Committee.

UT Health welcomes new physicians

UT Health East Texas is expanding pediatric services in Jacksonville with the addition of certified family nurse practitioner Jordan January, APRN, FNP-C.

“I am committed to fostering strong relationships with both young patients and their families, ensuring open communication, mutual respect and shared decision-making,” January said. “I strive to offer comprehensive and effective evidence-based care that addresses each child’s developmental stage and individual health needs, encompassing physical, emotional and social aspects of childhood health.”

January said she knew from a young age that she wanted to become a nurse, an aspiration stemming from her innate compassion for helping others and her fascination with human anatomy. Her passion for providing comprehensive care led her to pursue becoming a family nurse practitioner so she could provide care at an advanced level.

“Building on my diverse nursing background, which includes intensive care, labor and delivery, postpartum care, pediatrics and the NICU, I have developed a profound understanding of the unique needs and complexities of pediatric patients,” she said. “This experience has led me to specialize in pediatric care, where I can apply my deep-rooted passion to deliver compassionate, family-centered care that supports the growth, development and long-term health of young patients.”

January is welcoming patients at 203 Nacogdoches St., Ste. 275, in Jacksonville. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 903-541-5463.

Also, UT Health East Texas is expanding cardiology services in Tyler with the addition of certified family nurse practitioner Katie Bobbitt, APRN, FNP-C.

“My philosophy of care starts with treating my patients as if they were my own loved ones — with dignity, respect, and by ensuring that you, the patient, are involved and educated in your care,” Bobbitt said. “I thoroughly enjoy taking the time to listen and helping in any way I can, focusing on a patient-centered care approach. Effective care, combined with evidence-based recommendations, prevention and symptom management, is necessary to further current and future well-being.”

Bobbitt said her experience in ICU and medical-surgical units provided a broad, solid foundation for understanding the holistic care needs of patients.

“I believe everyone has a calling, and I’ve always loved helping others,” she said. “The healthcare field made it possible for me to converge my passion for patient care with the scientific understanding of the human body.”

Bobbitt enjoys understanding the specific details of cardiology and how the heart affects the entire body, and she is drawn to the complexity and challenge of working with the intricate systems of the heart.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to make a significant impact on patients’ lives by providing specialized care, managing chronic conditions like hypertension and heart disease, and educating patients about heart health,” she said.

Bobbitt is welcoming patients at 2608 McDonald Road in Tyler. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 903-595-5514.

Local PA receives preceptor award

The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) has announced that Peter Gergen, PA-C, will be honored as the first UTMB Physician Assistant Preceptor Excellence Award recipient.

This prestigious Preceptor Excellence award, selected annually by clinical year students, recognizes and honors a preceptor who demonstrates a commitment to excellence in the clinical education and training of UTMB physician assistant students. This is the first year for the Physician Assistant category.

According to a press release, Gergen is an exceptional physician assistant, teacher, and mentor who has dedicated nearly four decades to serving the East Texas community. Since 2013, he has provided outstanding services at the Angelina County & Cities Health District, impacting countless lives with his expertise and compassionate care while also serving as a preceptor for hundreds of student clinicians. Additionally, he has worked at various community clinics and has experience in emergency medicine.

A graduate of UTMB’s Physician Assistant program, class of 1989, Gergen began his career in San Augustine, Texas, in 1990. Since then, he has been considered a trailblazer in the field of clinicians for rural health impact, significantly contributing to improving healthcare in underserved areas.

The award ceremony will take place on Aug. 17 at the UTMB campus in Galveston. This award celebrates Gergen’s exceptional career and unwavering dedication to mentoring the next generation of physician assistants.

“We are thrilled that Mr. Gergen is being recognized with this award, and it’s a true honor to be the first,” said Kristina Childress, Administrator at the Angelina County & Cities Health District. “His commitment to clinical education and rural health has set a standard of excellence that inspires students and colleagues alike each and every day.”