UT Health East Texas is expanding women’s health services in Athens with the addition of certified women’s health nurse practitioner Nicole Thompson, APRN, WHNP-BC.

From Staff Reports

Austin Bank Tyler employees honored

Austin Bank recently honored employees for their outstanding work and years of service with the company. On Dec. 19, they were recognized at the bank’s 2023 Service Award Luncheon held at the Willow Brook Country Club.

“We are proud of all these employees because they work as a team serving our friends, neighbors and businesses located here in East Texas,” said Austin Bank Chairman of the Board Jeff Austin III. “They are the key to our bank’s success. Each one takes pride in the tasks they handle in their job, and at the same time these employees continually strive to provide excellent service to our bank customers.”

This year’s annual luncheon recognized Austin Bank employees who completed five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service in 2023.

“At Austin Bank our employees are the difference and perpetuate Austin Bank’s legacy,” said Russ Gideon, President and CEO. “Each one has earned and deserves this recognition for their dedicated commitment to the bank and its customers. We are proud of their contributions and accomplishments.”

The honored group of 67 employees makes up a combined total of 841 years of experience. Tyler recipients include:

Twenty-five Year Service Award

Elena Gomez, Senior Vice President and Relationship Manager in Tyler Med Center

Fifteen Year Service Awards

Shirley Coe, Senior Vice President and Senior Loan Systems Administrator in Whitehouse

Brenda Marshall, Teller at Tyler South office

Ten Year Service Awards

Melany Garcia, Loan Assistant, Tyler Cumberland

Steve McKenzie, Loan Assistant at Tyler South

Margaret Mullinnix, Senior Vice President and Retail Market Manager for Smith County Region

Five Year Service Award

Ashley Twigg, HMDA Assistant in Whitehouse

About Austin Bank

Austin Bank, a community bank headquartered in Jacksonville, Texas, has been voted one of the “Best Companies to Work for in Texas” for the fourteenth consecutive year. With assets in excess of $2.7 billion, bank offices are located in 36 East Texas locations within 26 cities and fourteen counties. Austin Bank is locally owned and operated by the Austin Family who is celebrating 114 years of service in the Texas banking industry.

More information about Austin Bank can be found on the bank’s website at www.austinbank.com.

UT Health welcomes new physicians

Breanne Miles, APRN, AGNP-C in Canton

UT Health East Texas is expanding family medicine services in Canton with the addition of Breanne Miles, APRN, AGNP-C.

Miles is a certified adult gerontology nurse practitioner, whose goal is to work alongside each patient focusing on their individual needs, choices and beliefs. She sees patients 13 years and older at UT Health East Texas Physicians in Canton, with a specialty in adult gerontology and geriatrics.

“Throughout my childhood, I watched my mother excel in her nursing career. She motivated me to pursue the field of healthcare,” Miles said. “My passion of caring for the aging population began during my tenure as a home healthcare nurse. During that time, I felt the desire to become a more integral part of patient care and anticipate meeting the needs of my local community even more.”

Miles is welcoming patients at 406 Hwy. 243 E. in Canton. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 903-567-4784.

Kari Kennel, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC in Tyler

UT Health East Texas is expanding behavioral health services in Tyler with the addition of Kari Kennel, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC.

She is a dual-certified family and mental health nurse practitioner at UT Health East Texas Behavioral Health at North Campus Tyler. She treats adults in the intensive outpatient program for substance use and mental health disorders. Her experience and training has mostly focused on emergency medicine, outpatient clinics and hospice care.

Kennel focuses on caring for the patient and not just the disease.

“(Utilitarianism) is defined as doing the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people,” she said. “Becoming dual certified in family and mental health medicine has allowed me to reach more people and care for their needs.”

Kennel is welcoming patients at 11937 U.S. Hwy. 271 in Tyler. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 903-877-7168.

Haley Rogers, APRN, FNP-C in Tyler

UT Health East Texas is expanding cardiothoracic surgery services in Tyler with the addition of Haley Rogers, APRN, FNP-C.

Rogers is a certified family nurse practitioner at UT Health East Texas Heart and Vascular Institute in Tyler. She strives to listen to her patients and their concerns, and be an advocate through their health journey.

“I have always had a strong interest in medicine,” she said. “I decided to further my nursing education and receive my family nurse practitioner certification to continue providing compassionate and high-quality care to individuals and to be a friendly and encouraging face to them.”

Rogers also believes in educating patients regarding their current health status, so they can remain engaged in their treatment plan. She offers kind and compassionate care to all, and provides a listening ear for concerns and readily offers reassurance.

Rogers is welcoming patients at 700 Olympic Plaza, Ste. 510, in Tyler. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 903-595-6680.

Nicole Thompson, APRN, WHNP-BC in Athens

UT Health East Texas is expanding women’s health services in Athens with the addition of certified women’s health nurse practitioner Nicole Thompson, APRN, WHNP-BC.

Growing up and seeing her grandmother and mother work in healthcare, Thompson knew she wanted to do the same. From a young age, she has had a desire to serve and help others, believing in listening intentionally to each patient’s desires and keeping an open mind in evaluation and treatment.

Thompson is welcoming patients at 115 Medical Cir., Ste. 103, in Athens. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 903-677-8453.

UT Health East Texas provides care to thousands of patients each year through an extensive regional network that includes 10 hospitals, more than 80 clinics, the Olympic Plaza Tower, 13 regional rehabilitation facilities, two freestanding emergency centers, regional home health services covering 41 counties, an EMS fleet of more than 50 ambulances and four helicopters, and a comprehensive seven-trauma center care network, including the region’s only Level 1 trauma facility.

As a partner with The University of Texas System, UT Health East Texas is uniquely positioned to provide patients with access to leading-edge research and clinical therapies while training and educating the next generation of physicians and other health professionals. The nationally recognized UT System also includes UT MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, as well as three other major university medical centers located throughout the state.