Water Bottles: There is a difference!

Did you know drinking from some water bottles might be safer than others?

Some plastics that are used specifically with water bottles contain bisphenol A (BPA). There is inconclusive data on the danger of BPA exposure to your health, though research is ongoing.

“All plastics are marked with a number and BPA can be identified by the No. 7 on the bottom,” said Vincent Nathan, Ph.D., associate professor at the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health.

Head of the Program in Public Health and Water Research at the school, Dr. Nathan says recommendations aimed at preventing BPA exposure also include not leaving plastic bottles in heated cars and switching to hard plastic or metal water bottles.

Stay hydrated this summer by choosing water bottles without the No. 7 on the bottom until studies are concluded.

Featured Alumnus: Jorge Leal

Jorge Leal, a 2008 Masters in Health Administration graduate, has been appointed as the assistant administrator at the East Texas Medical Center.

Leal graduated in May 2008 from the School with his masters, and in 2006 graduated from Texas A&M with an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science and Spanish. Leal is fluent in the Spanish language, something he has found crucial in his experiences with rural public health.

Leal's desire to pursue a career in public health can be seen in his interest in serving others.

"I am very excited about the opportunities for ETMC Gilmer to serve this community, and look forward to meeting and working together with the people of Upshur County," Leal said. "I have been so impressed with the fine physicians and employees at ETMC Gilmer, and I consider it a privilege to work together to enhance the healthcare services at our hospital."

Leal's academic career was distinguished, including an internship served at Uvalde Memorial Hospital, where he gathered and analyzed data preparing for the construction of the hospital's radiology oncology center, and pre-pared budget and financial data for hospital departments.

He also assisted in the creation of a program targeting the high incidence of diabetes among Uvalde County's Hispanic population, the U-Fit! Club. The recipient of a number of academic scholarships, he was chosen as the first recipient of the John F. Boff Memorial Scholarship, named for the late President/CEO of the Texas Organization for Rural and Community Hospitals (TORCH).

Upsilon Phi Delta