Commissioners host meeting, approve proclamations

Special to the Advance

The Board of Commissioners of the City of Pharr met for a regular meeting last Monday and considered an agenda that included various highlights.

‘Age-Friendly City Day’

Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., and the Pharr City Commission approved a proclamation declaring May 6, 2024 as 'City of Pharr Age-Friendly City Day' in observance of the advocacy initiative aimed at creating opportunities for active and friendly aging.

Active aging is a lifelong process, whereby an age-friendly community is not just“elder friendly” but also intended to be friendly for all ages while fostering environments that honor, support, and integrate older adults into all aspects of social life.

The Age-Friendly Rio Grande Valley (AF-RGV) Initiative, led by Dr. Sudershan Pasupuleti, Professor of UTRGV School of Social Work, and his team with a Seed Grant and in collaboration with LRGV Area Agency on Aging, encourages cities and counties to promote age-friendly communities throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

Dr. Pasupuleti accepted the proclamation and thanked the Pharr City Commission for their support.

'We are currently conducting a study to identify the needs of elderly people including those with dementia, and this research, which is based here in the Rio Grande Valley, will help to address the needs and create policies that benefit and support an age-friendly community for the elderly,' said Dr. Pasupuleti.

‘Pharr Police Memorial Week’

Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., and the Pharr City Commission approved a proclamation declaring the week of May 12-18, 2024, as 'Pharr Police Memorial Week' and also recognized May 15 as Peace Officers’ Memorial Day in recognition of the service and sacrifice of those law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty while protecting our communities and safeguarding our democracy.

Members from the Pharr Police Department were present to accept the proclamation, thanking the city for its support and remembering one of their own, Sgt. JL Garcia, who died in the line of duty on Aug. 9, 2013.

‘Emergency Medical Services Week’

The mayor and City Commission approved a proclamation declaring the week of May 19-25, 2024 as 'Emergency Medical Services Week' in the City of Pharr.

Emergency medical services are a vital public service with members of emergency medical services teams ready to provide life-saving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the community.

During Emergency Medical Services Week in the City of Pharr, appreciation is extended to the EMS professionals who provide life-saving care within the community.

Pharr EMS Chief Danny Ramirez and members of his staff accepted the proclamation.

'During this week, we recognize our pre-hospital professionals and all EMS personnel for the strong work they do,' said Chief Ramirez. 'Throughout this week, we are also working to encourage the new, younger, generation of EMS professionals and will be visiting several schools to encourage students to learn about the profession and the critical role EMS plays in our community.”

‘Stroke Awareness Month’

A proclamation declaring the month of May 2024 as 'Stroke Awareness Month' in the City of Pharr was also approved.

Strokes are the leading cause of long-term disability and the third leading cause of death in the State of Texas. Someone has a stroke every 40 seconds and every 4 minutes someone dies from a stroke.

In the Valley, approximately 3,600 people are hospitalized annually due to stroke and there were at least 196 deaths in 2023.

It is estimated that only about 17% of patients suffering from a stroke in the Rio Grande Valley arrive at a hospital within 1 hour of their stroke onset because the community members do not recognize stroke or understand the importance of calling 911 immediately. Stroke warning signs can be recognized using the acronym BE FAST (Balance, Eyes, Face, Arm, Speech, and Time) which include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understandings; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; and sudden severe headaches with no known cause.

Mario Lizcano, Administrator of Corporate Affairs at DHR Health, Irene Lares, RN, MSN, Vice President of Neuroscience at DHR Health, and Dr. Patricia M. Fernandez, M.D., MBA accepted the proclamation.

'We want to thank the City of Pharr for the educational support and collaboration you allow us to continue to provide the community as we work together to enhance stroke awareness,' he said.

Story Courtesy
City of Pharr