Whataburger

Whataburger will host “Orange Night Out” at the company’s nearly 700 restaurants from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 10, including locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The local Whataburger, 1709 W. Seventh Ave., Corsicana, will also be participating in this exciting event. Diehard customers dressed in Whataburger’s signature vibrant orange, whether it’s parachute pants or a Onesie, will receive a free Whataburger for dine-in service that evening.

“Orange Night Out” is part of “Whataburger Serves,” a new company-wide program that turns Whataburger’s caring, family culture into a service initiative benefiting customers, communities and employees during the down economy. Though this is the first glimpse for customers, employees will start the orange celebration on Nov. 8, with “Family Pride Night” where family members of Whataburger’s 21,000-plus employees receive half-price meals.

Whataburger urges customers to “show us your orange” in true orange spirit and go all out for the festive event. Customers must wear an orange piece of clothing to receive a free Whataburger. Only wearing an orange accessory (hat, scarf) does not qualify.

For more information, visit www.whataburger.com.



Urology Center of East Texas

A free prostate cancer screening clinic will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 21 in the Out Patient Surgery Department at Navarro Regional Hospital. Participants should use the rear entrance at the hospital for easy access to the screening location within the hospital facility.

The screening clinic is a joint effort of Ruben L. Garcia, M.D., and Navarro Regional Hospital.

Those who are encouraged to attend the screening clinic are all men over the age of 50, African-American males, or men over the age of 40 with a family history of prostate cancer.

The screenings are free, but appointments are required. To schedule an appointment, call toll free (877) 264-1872.

The screenings will include a physical exam and a PSA blood test. PSA stands for Prostate Specific Antigen and is a blood test that is used to screen for the presence of prostate cancer. Results of the examination and the PSA level will be sent to clinic participants three to four weeks after the clinic. Recommendations regarding the results will be included in the letter.

“Purposes of the screening clinic are to focus public attention on prostate cancer and to encourage men to have regular examinations,” Garcia said. “The screening program is intended to provide participants with a preliminary exam to detect prostate cancer.”

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer among men and the second most deadly. In general, men over 50 are at high risk for prostate cancer, as well as younger men who have a family history of prostate cancer at an early age.

“It is very important for you to know that early detection can save your life,” Garcia said. “Prostate cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer, but it must be detected early.”

Urology Center of East Texas was initiated in 1986 by Ruben L. Garcia, M.D., F.A.C.S. Garcia is a board certified urologist who received his medical training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. His residency and post graduate training were received at the University of Missouri. Garcia is a member of the American Board of Urology and the American Urological Association.

Recent staff additions to the Urology Center include William A. Elfarr, M.D., and physician assistant Paul Morelli, both of which received their training from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

Urology Center of East Texas is located at 1701 S. Palestine, Suite A, Athens. This location has allowed the facility to expand its ability to provide state-of-the-art medical care to the local area.



InStaff Personnel Inc.

InStaff Personnel Inc., a Texas-based staffing firm, celebrates its 25th anniversary of serving businesses. A leading temporary employment placement agency, InStaff Personnel Inc. has created lasting partnerships with clients by delivering a premium customer service experience. This milestone clearly demonstrates the effort InStaff has made to expand and offer staffing services to a variety of companies including many of which are Fortune 500.

Led by CEO Beth Garvey, InStaff has been recognized as the fourth largest staffing agency in DFW. In 2007, InStaff was listed on the INC5000, an annual list identifying the fastest growing companies in the United States. In addition to this distinction, InStaff has twice been listed in the Dallas 100. Co-founded by the Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship and Southern Methodist University, the Dallas 100 Awards is an annual event that identifies and honors the 100 fastest-growing privately held companies in the Dallas area.

Established in 1984 in Corsicana, as Waggoner Personnel, the company was set up to provide staffing services to small communities in Texas. The company changed to InStaff Personnel in 1998, and with organic growth, the company expanded into larger markets. In 2000, Dallas-based North Texas Opportunity Fund, LP, (“NTOF” or the “Fund”), invested in the company. NTOF is a private-equity fund established to provide equity capital and entrepreneurial assistance to underserved market sectors. Following the Fund’s commitment to the southern sector, InStaff opened its first staffing office in Oak Cliff. The community has a 19.6 percent poverty rate and is in a Housing Hot Zone, and over 42 percent of the workforce is ethnic minority or female. In the DFW area, InStaff currently has over 5,000 employees, many of which are first-time entrants into the full-time work force. This path for success has elevated thousands of employees from the community into full-time jobs with major national companies.

An InStaff celebration event was held at the Corsicana office on Oct. 30. In Dallas, a reception is scheduled for Nov. 13 at the Oak Cliff location. For more information about InStaff, contact CEO Beth Garvey at (972) 535-4950.



Navarro Regional Hospital

Navarro Regional Hospital recently named Susan Johnson as the new director of marketing. Johnson brings a wealth of marketing experience to the hospital as well as deep roots in the community.

“Navarro Regional has made great strides in connecting with the community,” said Xavier Villarreal, CEO of Navarro Regional. “I feel confident that Susan will continue this effort along with strategic planning of marketing efforts for our hospital, doctors and affiliates throughout the county.” Johnson will assume the responsibilities left vacated when Frank Martinez accepted a position as administrative specialist at Hill Regional Hospital in Hillsboro.

“I am proud to be a part of an organization that is making a positive difference in our community,” Johnson said. “Programs such as the Senior Circle and Healthy Woman are key to providing outreach and education. I look forward to studying the existing plans and marketing efforts to further develop services for the client base.

“Navarro Regional is an icon for Navarro County. Professional doctors, nurses, medical staff and volunteers who know you and/or your family provides a level of comfort close to home, family and church.”

Johnson spent most of her childhood in Corsicana, along with her two sisters Wendy and Julie, and parents David and Billie Ann Mitchell. Johnson and her husband, J.P., have twins, Cade and Claire, age 7, who attend the Sam Houston Dual Language Program.

Johnson credits her involvement with the University Medical Center in Lubbock as its account executive in 1995 while working with The Price Communications Group as her initial experience in healthcare marketing. Spending time with each division throughout the hospital to develop a comprehensive marketing plan was a major undertaking. “I worked directly with the vice president and director of communications at UMC to develop a plan for each division. The plan included television, print, PR, and event plans,” Johnson said. Later, UMC was recognized with several ADDY awards for pieces throughout the campaign.

Johnson’s education and work experience landed her “back home” in 1997. Johnson spent 10 years as the director of marketing at Navarro College overseeing all marketing and recruiting efforts. In 2006, Johnson broadened her scope of professional marketing services by opening a local marketing and promotions agency, Spark Marketing Co., with her business partner, Paul Smith. Smith will continue to operate Spark Marketing Co. under his direction.

“I truly appreciate being a part of this community,” Johnson said. “I have had the opportunity through Spark to work with many local businesses and organizations including the City of Corsicana, Navarro College, and Corsicana ISD. I can appreciate the dedication and desire to make Corsicana/Navarro County a great place to live and work. It is my desire to continue this mission through Navarro Regional Hospital.”