Diki Garcia, FNP and Melody Langston, RN, STRMC Director of Women's Services

Addressing sensitive preteen and teen health issues with children isn’t an easy task. But thanks in part to the keynote speakers for July’s Healthy Woman seminar; many Atascosa adults are now feeling a sense of relief and empowerment.

Local healthcare providers, Diki Garcia, F.N.P. associated with the practice of Dr. L. Blair and Melody Langston, R.N., STR Director of Women’s Services, teamed up to lead July’s Healthy Woman seminar. Their presentations lead to open discussions with audience members regarding a range of health issues that are negatively impacting the lives of many of this area’s youth.

Teenage sexuality and the consequences or implications of engaging in sexually active behavior were discussed at length. The seminar gave parents and educators a forum to voice their observations and concerns, as well as an opportunity to pose questions to these healthcare professionals.

Garcia and Langston provided easy to understand statistical information about the teenage birthrate in our county, and how that demographic data compares to the state and national figures. They also conveyed data from the Centers of Disease Control to give an accurate outlook as to the prevalence of disease sharing caused by unsafe sexual practices in adolescents.

Langston gave updates on Texas law, which mandates that only abstinence programs may be taught through the Texas Public School Systems. 

Danielle Flores, Health Woman Council Member says, “Texas legislation’s current design relies heavily on parental involvement to continue any health or sexual education through the child’s home, and not the classroom. This is why it is important to have local organizations, such as Healthy Woman, who can provide educational tools and informational outlets to adults to assist in the education of their children as they deem appropriate.”

Although the event has concluded, the collaborative effort between educators and parents to positively influence adolescent decision-making for critical life choices in Atascosa County will continue.

On behalf of South Texas Regional Medical Center’s Healthy Woman Chapter, a heartfelt thank you is extended to speakers Diki Garica and Melody Langston, for participating in this event.  If you are not a member of Healthy Woman, you may register for free on-line at www.strmc.com.