Texas
North Texas doctor returns from medical mission in Gaza
COPPELL — It’s been six months since the Hamas terrorist group attacked Israel on October 7 killing 1200 people and triggering an all-out war in the Gaza Strip. Since then more than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza according to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health, which does not distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths.
Here in North Texas, emergency medicine physician Dr. Bilal Piracha has every medical supply he could ever need at his disposal.
But just last month he traveled to Gaza to help in a hospital there where some lifesaving medical supplies are nearly impossible to find.
“Many patients will die because of the lack of basic necessities and supplies,” said Piracha.
In March, Piracha, who owns America First Urgent Care in Coppell, traveled to Gaza on a volunteer medical mission with the organization Med Global.
“When I was about to go, I was talking to my cousin [who] is just starting psychiatry residency and she said that that is the thing, why we become doctors. And I said, ‘Yes that’s exactly what it is,’” said Piracha.
He and another doctor from North Texas were part of a medical mission to Gaza where according to the World Health Organization less than a third of hospitals in Gaza are functioning. Many hospitals have been damaged in airstrikes.
Twenty-four hours a day he worked in the emergency room at a hospital in Central Gaza.
“That hospital is a 200-bed hospital, [it] used to be a 200-bed hospital now there is 700 beds going around everywhere,” said Piracha.
Piracha and other doctors there would often treat patients with severe injuries on the floor of the ER, with the sounds of war not far away.
“It was like a normal thing to continuously hear the explosions going on the gunshots machine guns,” said Piracha.
He worked day in and day out saving lives while also teaching young doctors in the facility.
“The feeling that we are being of some help; at the same time the feeling of being helpless when you are not able to save the dying kids and women and young girls and boys, ” said Piracha. “But at the same time, it was pretty inspiring to see the people there. They will be like always smiling, always positive.”
He’s back in North Texas now but the people he met there are never far from his mind.
“There is a feeling of guilt,” said Piracha. “I just said goodbye and I came back to my good life and they are still suffering.”
He hopes by sharing their story he can help end their suffering.
“Stand up to save the people of Gaza, by sending your doctors your donations, but most importantly standing up to stop this war right now,” said Piracha.
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Texas
Coveted Transfer Portal DB To Visit Texas Longhorns
AUSTIN – The Texas Longhorns have one of the best rosters in the country heading into the 2024 season.
At nearly every level of the roster, the Horns are stacked with elite talent. Even an area that was a question mark coming out of the spring game – defensive tackle – was addressed with additional talented with a commitment from Arizona’s Bill Norton via the NCAA Transfer Portal.
However, there was also one area of the roster that took a bit of a hit following the conclusion of spring, with cornerbacks Terrance Brooks and Austin Jordan both hitting the portal and leaving a question mark at the field corner spot.
Of course, the Longhorns do have Gavin Holmes available to slide into that starting spot, as well as some incumbent, albeit unproven talent in Santana Wilson, Wardell Mack, Warren Roberson and Kobe Black. That said, they are still looking to add some talent to that spot.
And now, they may have a candidate.
According to reports from 247Sports, San Jose State standout cornerback transfer Jay’Vion Cole has set a visit to the 40 Acres in the coming weeks.
Per the report, he is also planning visits to Michigan State and Auburn, and has additional offers from Cincinnati, Miami (Ohio), South Florida and Jacksonville State
Cole, who began his career at Cal Poly, At Cal Poly was an impact player as a true freshman, finishing the season with 15 tackles, four passes defended and four interceptions.
He then transferred from Cal Poly to San Jose State last offseason, where he ended the year with 28 tackles, 100 passes defended, three picks, and a sack, being named honorable mention All-Mountain West for his efforts.
Texas
Will Texas Walmart health centers close due to rising costs?
Walmart will close its health centers that for five years, provided low-cost medical care to patients.
The retailer announced on Tuesday that it plans to shutter its 51 health clinics in five states and its telehealth business.
Walmart has eight health centers in Texas, according to its website.
“We determined there is not a sustainable business model for us to continue,” the company said in a statement. “We understand this change affects lives – the patients who receive care, the associates and providers who deliver care and the communities who supported us along the way.”
Located next to Walmart Supercenters, the health centers provide a range of services, including medical, dental and behavioral health care.
Since Walmart first introduced its health centers in 2019, 51 clinics have opened in five states across the U.S.
Walmart has not yet decided on a specific date for when each center will close, but the retailer indicated intentions to share those details as soon as decisions are made, according to a report from USA Today.
Walmart health centers in Texas
More info on the eight health centers can be found on its website.
- Fort Worth
- Garland
- Palestine
- Pearland
- Royse City
- Sugar Land
- Tomball
- Tyler
USA Today contributed to this report
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