Feature

As influenza begins circulating in the community, health experts encourage people to get vaccinated. Kimberly Wolfshohl, MD, a family medicine physician at JPS Health Network, said an annual flu shot remains one of the best ways to reduce the risk of illness and serious complications, especially since flu viruses change from year to year.

Awaiting a cancer diagnosis is not easy. Everything goes quiet. The room feels still. Nothing matters except the next few words you know will change everything.

"We have reviewed the results of your biopsy and can confirm that you have breast cancer."

For most people, those words are unimaginable. For Awla Lax, they became reality twice.

Her first diagnosis came in 2014, after a routine mammogram ordered by her primary care provider revealed a mass. Lax said the news was devastating.

Patients, families, team members invited to connect with the officers who serve the JPS community

JPS recently hosted its first National Night Out, an initiative led by the Tarrant County Hospital District Police Department (JPS Police Department). The event brought team members, patients, families, and community partners together for an evening of entertainment and connection with local law enforcement.

JPS Health Network recently hosted its fourth annual NICU Read-A-Thon from September 14–24 as part of Babies with Books, an effort to support babies and their families and help make the NICU experience a little more comforting. More than 20 families participated, sharing books and special moments with their little ones. This year, the JPS NICU logged 93 total reading sessions.

This week, JPS Health Network is celebrating Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Week, recognizing the highly trained clinicians who play an important role on the care team and help patients connect to the care they need.

Patients may see a variety of letters after a clinician's name. Those credentials reflect specialized education, training, and expertise. Knowing what those letters mean can help patients better understand the roles and qualifications of the healthcare professionals who make up their care team.

With flu season approaching, JPS Health Network is reminding patients that one of the best ways to protect yourself and those around you is to get your annual flu shot.

Flu shots for the 2026–2027 flu season are now available. Patients can schedule an appointment through MyChart or by calling 817-702-1100.

Prevent the Flu

A few simple steps can help reduce the spread of flu and other illnesses:

Thousands of miles from home, eight nursing students from Nagaoka, Japan, spent a day of learning and cultural exchange at JPS Health Network, where they witnessed how a major teaching hospital prepares the next generation of caregivers and delivers care to a growing community.

One year ago, JPS Health Network moved its Psychiatric Emergency Center (PEC) from the 10th floor of the hospital to a new, expanded facility, making behavioral health care more accessible in Tarrant County and giving patients and families a dedicated setting for care during a crisis.

Connor Maxon's journey with JPS Health Network began long before he became a SHINE participant. As a teen volunteer, he discovered a passion for helping others and gained his first glimpse into the world of healthcare. That experience inspired him to take the next step by joining JPS’ inaugural cohort of SHINE (Students in Healthcare for Individual Empowerment) in 2025.

For many children and teens, mental health concerns do not start with a diagnosis. They begin quietly. A child may experience changes in appetite or suddenly withdraw from friends. A teenager may have trouble focusing or be consumed by anxiety that is difficult to explain.