MCH celebrate donors in honor of National Donate Life Month

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(David Gomez, News Anchor-DRB Media Communications Digital News) 

Odessa, Texas/April 9, 2026-This is DRB Media Communications Digital News. Medical Center Health System Hosted Donor Memorial Service at the Donor Memorial Gardens next to the Wheatley Stuart Medical Pavillion. Danny Barrera has the story. 

In recognition of National Donate Life Month, the Life Champion Committee at Medical Center Health System hosted its annual Donor Memorial Service. The ceremony honors both local community members and hospital employees who made the selfless decision to give the gift of life through organ and tissue donation. 

(Gracie Smith, Chest Pain Coordinator/Member of Life Champion Committee at Medical Center Health System) 

“We work really closely with Southwest Transplant Alliance, and they’re able to get us in touch with the family members of our donors. And having them here means everything. It was through their generous gift of saying yes to organ donation and allowing their loved one’s wishes to be fulfilled. Who had already signed up to be an organ donor. Um, to be so impactful and save so many lives.” 

Local and employee donors shared powerful personal stories about how organ donations have impacted their lives and the lives of their families. 

(Gracie Smith, Chest Pain Coordinator/Member of Life Champion Committee at Medical Center Health System) 

“Here in the unit in the ICU, we only get to see one side of it. We don’t get to see the full circle. We don’t get to see, um, you know, the recipients or learn more about how those family members meet the recipients, um, or get to create that bond with them. Um, you know, they’re, they get to share a special bond with, with a receiver of an organ from their own loved one and that, that loved one continues to live on. And that’s beautiful.” 

In 2025, there were 15 organ donors at Medical Center Hospital, resulting in 55 organs transplanted, and 20 tissue donors in 2025. 

(Kelli James, Representative-Southwest Transplant Alliance) 

“So as a transplant recipient, some people wait months; some people wait years for the transplant community. There’s a huge need out there, and they’re unfortunately about seventeen people who die every single day while they’re waiting for an organ transplant because there’s just not enough organ donors to go around. So really, just even by registering your decision, you’re giving hope. We hope that nothing happens anytime soon. But when that time comes and all lifesaving efforts have been exhausted, why not give that gift to somebody else?” 

The service ended with a powder cannon release in honor of those 2025 donors 

(Gracie Smith, Chest Pain Coordinator/Member of Life Champion Committee at Medical Center Health System) 

“Every year for the last four years, we set off a powder cannon for each organ donor that we have. Um, April is our windy month here in West Texas, so we all get painted a very beautiful blue and green. Blue and green are the colors for organ donation. So that’s why we use those two colors. Um, but we invited our family members to join in with our committee members this year to set off those powder cannons. And we were so grateful to Odessa Fire Rescue for being here as well.” 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

(David Gomez, News Anchor-DRB Media Communications Digital News) 

Follow us on Facebook, X Formally Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and visit drbmediacommunicationsdigitalnews.tv. I’m David Gomez. Thanks for watching. 

 

City of Odessa & Ector County EAS-IPAWS Test

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(David Gomez, News Anchor-DRB Media Communications Digital News) 

The Texas Division of Emergency Management requested that cities and counties across the state participate in a coordinated Emergency Alert System drill. Danny Barrera has the story.  

Odessa, Texas/April 5, 2026- On Thursday, April 2nd, the City of Odessa and Ector County joined agencies statewide in conducting the Emergency Alert System test. The drill was designed to ensure that communication systems are functioning properly and that critical alerts can be delivered quickly and effectively during emergencies. 

(Oscar Menchaca, Assistant Chief of Emergency Management-City of Odessa, Texas) 

“The EAS system. Basically, you had to either be by a radio and listening to the radio or watching your regular TV channels in order for you to get that message where the system that we’re using is called IPAWS, it’s integrated public alerting and warning system. It actually sends to all those things. So, you’ll get if you notice today you got a wireless emergency alert over your cell phone. Sometimes you may have received multiple of those. Then you also received or if you were watching TV, you may have noticed that. And then some radio stations also transmitted that warning message as well. And then there’s a possibility of also distributing that message over Non-weather emergency radio as well.” 

The goal of the local Emergency Management authorities for the City of Odessa and Ector County is to reduce the time it takes to activate the Emergency Alert System and deliver critical information to the community.  

(Esperanza Gochicoa, Emergency Management Coordinator-Ector County, Texas) 

“One of the reasons why we really wanted to make sure this was working was the winter storm. That would have been very helpful. Um, you know, to send out alerts to our citizens about shelters and updates and how the weather was looking. Um, as well as last year’s pleasant farms, um, the microburst disaster, that was another one that we probably could have. Um, sent out an alert once we found out. So, knowing that, um, we can now provide those answers to our citizens, um, that’s, that’s what helps us rest assured that we’re doing what we can.” 

The system is web-based and can be activated quickly from a cell phone, iPad, or laptop, allowing officials to respond faster during emergencies.  

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

(David Gomez, News Anchor-DRB Media Communications Digital News) 

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Texas Mutual Awards $100K to Odessa College Safety Institute

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(David Gomez, News Anchor-DRB Media Communications Digital News) 

This is DRB Media Communications Digital News. Texas Mutual recently awarded $100 thousand dollars to Odessa College Safety Institute. Here’s the story. 

Odessa, Texas/April 4, 2026-Texas Mutual Insurance Company, the state’s leading provider of worker’s compensation insurance awarded a $100,000 grant to Odessa College to continue funding for the college’s safety institute, providing workplace safety courses for employers, employees and the general public. 

(Jose Torres, Regional Safety Services Manager-Texas Mutual Insurance Company) 

“This check is utilized by the college for a number of things, but more specifically their risk management institute. It’s to enhance their training capabilities for the public and local employers to be able to send their employees out to receive safety training and get them field ready. So, when they do step out, they’re aware of the exposures and hazards that they’ll see on a day-to-day basis.’ 

In 2025, the Texas Mutual grant has supported training for 920 students at Odessa College, including 442 participants in CPR certification, 220 students in early childhood safety, with additional students completing courses focused on workplace safety and energy industry practices. 

(Dean McCann-Odessa College) 

“I’ve trained over twenty-six different rescue companies that’s come here from California, Uh, Oklahoma, North Dakota with that word of mouth. They come in here, and the Texas Mutual Insurance grant helps to fund some of that training for these companies.” 

Over a 27-year period, Texas Mutual has awarded $1.2 million in safety education. The grants are one way Texas Mutual is delivering on its commitment to build a stronger, safer Texas. For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

((David Gomez, News Anchor-DRB Media Communications Digital News) 

Follow us on Facebook, X Formally Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and visit drbmediacommunicationsdigitalnews.tv. I’m David Gomez. Thanks for watching. 

 

 

Texas Dermatology Ribbon-Cutting Event with Odessa Chamber of Commerce & Midland Chamber of Commerce

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(David Gomez, News Anchor-DRB Media Communications Digital News) 

Odessa, Texas/March 26, 20226-This is DRB Media Communications Digital News. Medical professionals and guests joined together with a new dermatology clinic for a special ribbon cutting ceremony. Stephanie Meyers has the story. 

Texas Dermatology and Facial Plastics recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Odessa Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and the Midland Chamber of Commerce.  Texas Dermatology and Facial Plastics use the latest in advanced dermatology, micrographic surgery and cosmetic procedures designed to protect, restore and refine healthy skin. 

(Dr. Smriti Prasad, Medical Director/Owner-Texas Dermatology and Facial Plastics) 

“We specialize in all sorts of things. We do all dermatology; we do cosmetic dermatology. And then I have extra training in skin cancer detection and skin cancer surgery.” 

Dr. Smriti Prasad, a 2012 graduate of Odessa High School, began her journey into the medical field immediately after completing high school. She attended University of Texas before continuing her education at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where she ultimately chose to specialize in dermatology. 

(Dr. Smriti Prasad, Medical Director/Owner-Texas Dermatology and Facial Plastics) 

“At the end of training. You know, we just had a kid, and my parents were still here. I grew up here, so we were trying to figure out where to settle. And, you know, my husband’s from Houston. I’ve lived all over the country. And we really decided there were two things that we cared about. And that was one was, you know, being in a community that we felt supported in. And the second was to, you know, be close to family. And, uh, you know, we really wanted my parents are and they’re my biggest supporters. You know, everyone always says that your parents must be so proud of you, but what they don’t know is that I’m so proud to be their daughter. So, I just felt like I had to, you know, come make try it and come back. So, uh, like, maybe like a year and a half ago, we decided to maybe try to, you know, lay down the roots of coming back. Um, we built this building from scratch, uh, ground up, bought the lot, built it up, hired staff, and kind of started from there. So that’s how we came back.” 

For information or to set up an appointment, go online at txdermclinic.com or call 432-333-9200. For DRB Media Communications Digital News, I’m Stephanie Meyers. 

(David Gomez, News Anchor-DRB Media Communications Digital News) 

Follow us on Facebook, X Formally Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and visit drbmediacommunicationsdigitalnews.tv. I’m David Gomez. Thanks for watching. 

Medical Center Health System & TTUHSC Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Diabetes Clinic

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(David Gomez, News Anchor-DRB Media Communications Digital News) 

Odessa, Texas/March 23, 2026-This is DRB Media Communications Digital News. Medical Center Health System and Texas Tech University Health Center in Odessa celebrated the opening of the diabetes clinic in the southside of Odessa with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Here’s the story. 

Medical Center Health System, along with Texas Tech Health Sciences Center in Odessa, recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new MCH Clinic on West Clements, located on the south side of Odessa across from Ector College Prep Middle School. The clinic is dedicated to providing specialized care and support for individuals living with diabetes, aiming to improve health outcomes through focused treatment, education, and ongoing management services. 

(Sylvia Rodriguez-Sanchez-Medical Center Health System, District 3) 

“So, because of the demographics that we have, after doing careful consideration and, um, going through all of the files and seeing where are these people coming from? They’re coming from Pleasant Farms; they’re coming from the west side. Let’s put something at the south side, where it is mostly identified as the diabetic clinic being needed.” 

In 2024, the MCH Clinic on Clements Street provided care to more than 500 patients, most of whom were being treated for diabetes. One of the biggest challenges facing older adults is a lack of knowledge about the disease and its treatment. Without proper care, diabetes can lead to serious complications, including nerve damage, foot problems that may result in amputations, and other long-term health issues. 

(Dr. Devi Suravajjala, MD, Program Director for Endocrinology-Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center/Odessa, Texas) 

“Periodic checkups with the doctors is really important. And coming to this clinic. So, this clinic is for uninsured patients who otherwise might not have accessible medical care. So we diagnose the patients when they come with the concern for diabetes. Or patients might already had a known diagnosis of diabetes. So we check on them and we provide free treatment including insulin and the glps, which are one of the advancements in the recent advancements in the diabetics and offers them for free. And we do the blood work too completely. The general screening for the blood work like annual physical exam, and that’s offered for free from medical center hospital as well. And we schedule them every three months. Um, if we make like a major changes in the plan or starting them on the new treatment, we ask them to come back in fifteen days or one month. And we also are trying to provide the free sensors, the continuous glucose monitors for those patients, because most of them don’t want to poke themselves too often. So we wanted a little bit of their glucose data to follow on the diabetes. So whatever samples we can get in our clinic, we are bringing it to the free clinic and distributing for the patients who are in need of them.” 

Rising medical costs have led many residents on the south side of Odessa to delay or avoid seeking treatment for diabetes. To address this growing concern, the federal government has provided funding for this clinic, allowing it to offer care to low-income and uninsured individuals. 

(Dr. Joseph Shayeb,MD, Chairman, Department of Internal Medicine- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center/Odessa, Texas) 

“It’s funded by the federal government, and a lot of patients don’t have the funds or the insurance to get to have access to care. Um, the healthcare disparities are increasing, especially in this area and other areas of Texas. So, this clinic provides care either free or discounted.” 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

(David Gomez, News Anchor-DRB Media Communications Digital News) 

Follow us on Facebook, X Formally Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and visit drbmediacommunicationsdigitalnews.tv. I’m David Gomez. Thanks for watching. 

BCCPB Annual Business Mixer Hosted by St. James Missionary Baptist Church

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(David Gomez, News Anchor-DRB Media Communications Digital News) 

This is DRB Media Communications Digital News. The Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin held their annual Business Mixer. Danny Barrera has the story. 

Odessa, Texas/March 22, 2026- The Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin hosted its annual Business Mixer, bringing together member businesses and new entrepreneurs looking to connect and grow within the organization. The event, held at Saint James Missionary Baptist Church in Odessa, provided an opportunity for networking, collaboration, and strengthening ties within the local business community. 

(Chris E. Walker, President & CEO-Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin) 

“They may not be familiar with one of the other businesses, and it gives them an opportunity to meet and greet and kind of learn about other businesses.” 

The mid-morning event showcased a diverse mix of businesses, ranging from established institutions like Texas Tech Health Sciences Center in Odessa and well-known insurance providers to emerging startups offering unique products such as flavored pickles. 

(Chris E. Walker, President & CEO-Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin) 

“We’re always looking for new members and potential members. So, we we have every opportunity in the world for small businesses and individuals that would like to become a part of the chamber.” 

The Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin is gearing up for an active season, with events lined up from early spring through the summer—and it doesn’t stop there. The organization continues to build momentum by creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs, professionals, and community members to connect, collaborate, and grow. 

(Chris E. Walker, President & CEO-Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin) 

‘We were rolling to April with our blood drive, and then we will do our community cleanup, and then we will go into our bowling tournament, which is in July, which is July the eighteenth, and then we’ll go into our golf tournament, which is August the fourteenth, and then we’ll finish up with our Ebony Bar Awards, which will be in October, and then our turkey leg tussle, which will be in November.” 

As the months roll forward, expect even more engagement—because if there’s one thing this chamber is doing, it’s keeping the calendar busy and the community moving forward. For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

(David Gomez, News Anchor-DRB Media Communications Digital News) 

Follow us on Facebook, X Formally Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and visit us at drbmediacommunicationsdigitalnews.tv. I’m David Gomez. Thanks for watching.