Latest News

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Hey Somervell County, Sarah Here!

If your doctor has ever said “your blood sugar is creeping up,” you’re not alone. One in three adults in Texas has prediabetes, and most don’t know it. The good news is that the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) can cut your risk of type 2 diabetes by 58% overall and 71% if you are over 60 (CDC, 2024).

At Glen Rose Medical Center (GRMC), we make prevention simple. You meet one-on-one with Registered Dietitian Sarah Connelly, MS, RDN, LD. No big classroom, no Dallas traffic, no three-month wait to talk to somebody about your labs. Medicare often covers these visits for eligible patients, and many private plans do as well.

If you want to check your coverage, you can call (254) 897-2215 and our team will walk you through it in a few minutes.

Last month, Jennifer called our office. She’d turned 40. Her mother survived breast cancer. “When should I start getting mammograms?” she asked. “My mom says now. My friend says wait until 45. I’m confused.”

You’re not alone. Every year, over 42,000 women in the United States die from breast cancer. Early detection through mammography saves lives. Yet, despite its importance, most women feel confused about when to begin screening.

When should I start getting mammograms? The answer depends on your age, family history, and personal risk factors. We understand that each woman’s situation is unique, and most medical experts now recommend starting between the ages of 40 and 45. Your situation may require earlier screening.

This guide breaks down the 2025 screening guidelines from the American Cancer Society, explains why recommendations differ between organizations, and shows you exactly where to get screened in Glen Rose, Texas.

Schedule your mammogram at Glen Rose Medical Center today.

Finding the Right Heart Care in Central Texas

When chest pain hits during a family barbecue in Glen Rose, or you find yourself winded climbing the courthouse steps in Granbury, finding a cardiologist near you shouldn’t mean a two-hour drive to Dallas or Fort Worth for quality cardiac care.

Heart disease remains one of the top causes of death in Texas, according to the CDC. In smaller communities, the stakes feel higher — long drives for care, questions about what’s urgent, and worries about what can wait.

The truth is: you don’t have to wait for an emergency. Knowing when to see a cardiologist, what they actually do, and which local options are available can help alleviate the fear and uncertainty surrounding heart care.

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Nabil Aboukhair, MD, Board Certified in Gynecology, has joined our Glen Rose Healthcare, Inc. family!

Dr. Aboukhair brings over 35 years of experience in women’s health, with a specialized focus on gynecology and infertility. A proud 1990 graduate of Texas A&M University, he has dedicated his career to compassionate, patient-centered care. His primary practice is based in Cleburne, TX, and he has been a valued surgical provider at Glen Rose Medical Center for the past five years.

Dr. Aboukhair played a key role in the acquisition of the Da Vinci surgical robot, enhancing the capabilities of our surgery department and advancing minimally invasive care for our patients.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Aboukhair enjoys fishing, hunting, ranching, going on mission trips, and spending time with his wife, Ragida and their children: Sarah, Rachel, Michael, and John David.

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Dr. Aboukhair as he continues to serve our community with excellence and dedication!

MRI machines aren’t one-size-fits-all, and for many patients, that matters more than they realize. If you’ve ever felt anxious, claustrophobic, or wondered if a machine can accommodate your size or condition, you’re not alone.

Feeling anxious about whether you’ll fit? You’re not alone. In our experience at Glen Rose Medical Center, concerns about size and comfort are among the most frequently asked questions we receive.

Whether you’re a referring physician, technologist, or patient, a comprehensive understanding of MRI machine dimensions such as bore size, weight capacity, and room requirements is crucial. This knowledge can guide better decisions and significantly improve outcomes.

At Glen Rose Medical Center, we’ve meticulously designed our radiology suite with one primary goal in mind: to prioritize patient comfort and accessibility. Here’s what you need to know before your following scan.

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Glen Rose Medical Center receives Silver award from the American Heart Association.

Glen Rose Medical Center would like to recognize Ashley Rabel, ER Director, the entire ER nursing staff and our ER docs for the quality of care given to all of our patients.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

7/22/2025

CONTACT:

Lisa Andersen Public Relations Director

[Glen Rose Medical Center] awarded for efforts to improve rural stroke care

The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Rural Recognition SILVER award recognizes efforts to address the unique health needs of rural communities

SOMERVELL COUNTY— People who live in rural communities live an average of three years fewer than urban counterparts and have a 40% higher likelihood of developing heart disease and face a 30% increased risk for stroke mortality — a gap that has grown over the past two decades. , Glen Rose Medical Center is committed to changing that.

For efforts to optimize stroke care and eliminate rural health care outcome disparities, Glen Rose Medical Center has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Rural Recognition SILVER award.

The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, recognizes the importance of health care services provided to people living in rural areas by rural hospitals that play a vital role in initiation of timely evidence-based care. For that reason, all rural hospitals participating in Get With The Guidelines – Stroke are eligible to receive award recognition based on a unique methodology focused on early acute stroke performance metrics.

“We are proud that our team at Glen Rose Medical Center is being recognized for the important work we do every day to improve the lives of people in Somervell County who are affected by stroke, giving them the best possible chance of recovery and survival,” said Michael Honea. “As a hospital in a rural community, we deal with characteristics, such as extended interfacility transportation times, and limited staffing resources. We’ve made it a goal to make sure those hurdles do not affect the standard of care our stoke patients receive.

“Rural communities deserve high quality stroke care. I’m proud of our team for their commitment to stroke care excellence and this achievement.”

The award recognizes hospitals for their efforts toward acute stroke care excellence demonstrated by composite score compliance to guideline-directed care for intravenous thrombolytic therapy, timely hospital inter-facility transfer, dysphagia screening, symptom timeline and deficit assessment documentation, emergency medical services communication, brain imaging and stroke expert consultation.

“Patients and health care professionals in Somervell County face unique health care challenges and opportunities,” said Karen E. Joynt Maddox, M.D., MPH, co-author on the American Heart Association’s presidential advisory on rural health. “Glen Rose Medical Center has furthered this important work to improve care for all Americans, regardless of where they live.”

Glen Rose Medical Center

About Get With The Guidelines®

Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 14 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.

When Maria from Granbury heard she needed an MRI scan, her heart sank. At 250 pounds with claustrophobia, she canceled her first appointment twice. If you’re researching wide bore MRI vs open MRI options, you’re not alone. Research shows that approximately 13% of patients experience anxiety during MRI scans, with some studies indicating up to 37% report moderate to severe anxiety.

The good news? Modern MRI technology offers comfortable alternatives that make these essential diagnostic scans much easier than you might imagine. For residents of Glen Rose, Granbury, and surrounding Somervell County and Hood County communities, understanding your MRI options helps you make confident decisions about your healthcare.

This article provides educational information to help you understand your options. Always consult with your healthcare provider about what’s right for your specific situation.

By Head Radiologist at Glen Rose Medical Center

Feeling nervous about an MRI? You’re not alone. Many people worry about tight spaces or discomfort during scans. At Glen Rose Medical Center, our wide bore MRI is designed to make imaging comfortable and stress-free, providing a sense of relief from anxiety. This guide explains what a wide bore MRI is, how it helps, and why it’s the best choice for high-quality care close to home in Glen Rose, Texas.

Dr. Erck Retirement Letter

We appreciate Dr. Erck’s service to Glen Rose Healthcare and to his patients. We wish him a very happy retirement, we are going to miss him. Happy Retirement Dr. Erck.

Latest News

Diabetes Prevention Program Glen Rose – Wellness Visits & Nutrition Support

When Should You Start Getting Mammograms?

Cardiologist Near Me: When Heart Specialists Are Needed in Glen Rose And Central Texas

Finding the Right Heart Care in Central Texas

Dr. Nabil Aboukhair, MD, Board Certified in Gynecology, has joined our Glen Rose Healthcare, Inc. family!

Are you worried About Fitting in an MRI Machine? Here’s What You Need to Know

GRMC Receives Recognition From The American Heart Association

Wide Bore MRI vs Open MRI: Complete Guide for Anxious Patients

Wide Bore MRI at Glen Rose Medical Center: Comfortable Imaging Without Claustrophobia

A Letter From Dr. Mike Davis

A Letter From Dr. C. Stephen Erck