New Director of Nurses at GTEC- Orange

Annie has lived in Southeast Texas since the fourth grade. She graduated from WOS high school in 2005 and received her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Lamar University in 2011.  She is married to her high school sweetheart Jared Kovatch, and the pair have settled in Orangefield to raise their two children Annalise and Maverick. Outside of work, Annie loves spending time outdoors hiking, gardening, and running. She is also an avid Crossfitter, foodie, and holistic lifestyle enthusiast. Annie and her family love to vacation together, and by 2021 the crew hopes to have a trip overseas in the works. 

Annie Kovatch, RN, BSN

Golden Triangle Emergency Center, Orange is honored and pleased to announce that Annie Kovatch R.N, B.S.N., has taken over as the new Director of Nursing; a critical position on the facility’s administrative team. Annie began her career with GTEC in 2014 at the Port Arthur facility. She quickly earned her way up to the position of Charge Nurse, and in 2017 was offered the opportunity to open a brand-new facility in Beaumont as their Director of Nursing. Her journey with the company has amassed her a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise. Orange is fortunate to have her serving the community she also calls home.

A longtime advocate for healthcare, Annie has been active in serving her community since high school. She was a member of HOSA and joined the workforce as an Emergency Room Nurse as quickly as she could in 2008. She has special training in the CVICU, is a member of the Emergency Nurses Association, and the Texas Nurses Association. She has worked closely with clubs in our community, and uses her bilingual skills to bridge communication gaps among Latino populations and their healthcare providers. 

In the next five years, Annie is looking to help GTEC expand its role in emergency care in the community. Orange county covers 380 square miles and is home to a population of approximately 82,000 people. Left without a hospital and only two free-standing ER’s to provide life-saving 24/7 emergency care, she is committed to working to ensure each citizen is aware of the resources GTEC can provide while continuing to evolve and improve on the gold standard of care the GTEC name prides itself on. “I’m so excited to learn and grow with this company in Orange County,” said Annie at her first staff meeting. “This is my home and I am proud to serve be able to serve it in this capacity.”

We are ecstatic to add Annie Kovatch to the GTEC team and are excited for the future. If you need to contact her please reach out to the facility at 409-920-4470.

Article Written by: Christina Segura

Employee of the Quarter April 2019

To receive this distinguished award we look for an employee who goes above and beyond their job requirements. Someone who is always looking for a way to better themselves, the people around them and this company. This individual has done just that.

We would like to congratulate Erica Lowe on being the employee of the quarter. She is a patient representative for GTEC Port Arthur, and has been with the company for 4 years. She graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 2001 and has worked a variety of jobs before finder her niche at GTEC. Her job entails: registering patients, quality patient care, handling inquiries about insurance and patient records, as well keep supplies and files stocked for front desk use. She goes above and beyond for this company to make other employees and patients happy and taken care of to her best ability. She is always smiling and willing to help in any way possible. Erica works extremely hard not just for GTEC but in her other jobs to make sure her kids are taken care of and want for nothing.

Erica is a mom of three, one son and 2 daughters. She loves going to the movies, eating at marble slab, reading books and movie and game night with her kiddos. Erica loves and is devoted to her kids, who have always been her biggest blessing and accomplishment.

Upon receiving this award, the employee will receive a certificate of recognition, their picture hung on the “Wall of Fame”, their own parking space for 90 days, 12 hours of paid time off, and their name is considered for employee of the year. Congratulations again Erica Lowe!

RN and LVN Scholarships Spring 2019

Golden Triangle Emergency Center is offering a Scholarship to an LVN and RN student from both Lamar State College Port Arthur and Lamar State College Orange.

To apply you must be enrolled in the Registered Nursing Program or the Licensed Vocational Nursing program, have at least a 3.0 GPA, submit a transcript, resume, and 800 word essay describing why you should be chosen for this award, why you chose nursing for your career and your plans for the future upon graduation.

Application deadline is April 24th for Orange and April 26th for Port Arthur. The LVN winners will receive $250 and the RN winners will receive $500. Good Luck

GTEC Annual Coloring Contest

Golden Triangle Emergency Center invites children in K-5 grade to participate in our 4th annual coloring contest. Please turn in the artwork to Golden Triangle Emergency Center (8035 Memorial Blvd Port Arthur, TX 77640) or Golden Triangle Emergency Center Orange (3107 Edgar Brown Drive Orange, TX 77630) by April 17th with the child’s name, grade, school, and phone number legible on the back. There will be a boy and a girl winner from K-2 grade and 3-5 grade. The winners will be announced on Thursday April 18th. Each winner will win an Easter Basket filled with Easter goodies that can be picked up at Golden Triangle Emergency Center.

Orange Celebrates a 4-Year Anniversary

Golden Triangle Emergency Center is celebrating four-years of providing the city of Orange with top quality emergency medical care, a service made all the more crucial after the closure of the emergency wing of Baptist Orange Hospital at the beginning of 2017. We would like to thank the community for their use of the facility and belief in our medical team. We would not have made it four years without this communities’ support.

In the four years that Golden Triangle Emergency Center-Orange has been proud to serve the community with charity programs, school presentations, and assistance with emergency relief efforts in the wake of the Deweyville flood and Hurricane Harvey. Each Year GTEC-Orange also provides scholarships for RN and LVN students from Lamar State College Orange. GTEC was recognized and awarded the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce Business Community Service of the Year Award in 2016 for their commitment and service to the community. Even when our own facility flooded during Hurricane Harvey, we were back on our feet after only one month, serving our community when they needed it most.

Golden Triangle Emergency Center-Orange is located at 3107 Edgar Brown Dr. Orange, TX 77630 in a state-of-the-art 7,000+ square foot building with on-site imaging and laboratory facility and a full range of clinical services as well as occupational oversight. We have an amazing staff and pride ourselves on patient care that starts at the top in our Medical Director, Brad Barton.

Golden Triangle Emergency Center provides concierge-level care to our local communities with state-of-the-art facilities, short wait times, and steadfast commitment to patient care. GTEC is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and treats all major and minor health emergencies. Golden Triangle Emergency Center sets the Gold Standard in emergency and industrial care. Only the Best Emergency Care for your family.

There will be no formal event but, please feel free to come out and take a tour of our beautiful facility, or contact Kari Busch, Director of Marketing, for more information at: 409-920-4470 or kbusch@gtec24.com.

Women’s Health Concerns

In a month marked by Women’s History and International Women’s Day, the health of women in the family come to the forefront of many people’s minds. Whether you’re thinking about mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, daughters, or even your health, there are certain conditions and concerns that are important for women to think about. To help all of the women in our community be aware of their unique health needs, Golden Triangle Emergency Center wants to discuss these risks.

Circulatory Conditions

While things like heart attacks and strokes are some of the leading causes of death in both men and women, these conditions are more likely to be fatal for women. In the case of heart attacks, women are more likely to die directly from them, since their symptoms can often manifest slowly or go unnoticed. Strokes, on the other hand, are more likely to occur in women due to factors involving hormonal changes which can occur before and after pregnancy, as well as post-menopausal hormonal shifts.

To help monitor and mitigate these conditions, it is important for women to talk to their doctors about any health and hereditary risks concerning heart attacks and strokes. Taking the right steps to maintain a healthy lifestyle early can go a long way towards preventing these serious conditions later in life.

Mental Illnesses

As awareness of conditions like depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues increases, so have the studies concerning who suffers from them the most. According to a 2016 publication by The Lancet, women are twice as likely to develop depression in their lifetime than men are. This can be due to a variety of genetic and environmental factors, but one of those factors often has to do with stress.

Women have generally higher stress levels, according to surveys conducted by the American Psychological Association. Stress levels in women have tended to go up in recent years, and this can contribute to mental illnesses, as well as physical health conditions. It makes monitoring stress important for women in every family.  Women need to be able to speak up about their stress levels and seek help when necessary, even if that means from a counselor or a psychiatrist.

Bone Strength

It’s no secret that conditions like osteoporosis tend to occur more often in women, but did you know that women are also more likely to suffer from arthritis? Both of these conditions, which are tied into the strength of bones and tendons over time, affect many women later in life.

To help combat this natural weakening of the bones, women should make an extra effort to be mindful of their bone health. Incorporate multivitamins and bone-strengthening foods into your diet and engage in consistent weight-training exercises. Even very light weight lifting with small dumbbells can help to strengthen joints and bones early in life and set the building blocks for a strong body later down the line.

Golden Triangle Emergency Center encourages all of the wonderful women in our community to consider their health. A woman’s health and longevity are more than just annual check-ups. Women should talk with their doctors about any family history of concerns they have concerning heart health, bone health, and even mental illness. In the case of any medical emergencies, then our staff of highly-trained doctors and nurses are on call 24/7 to give you the compassionate care you deserve.


Nutex Health, Inc supports you and your family’s health. You can depend on Golden Triangle Emergency Center or any one of our concierge-level, freestanding emergency facilities to deliver the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

5th Annual GOLF UNITED Golf Tournament 2019

All tournament proceeds will be donated to the United Ways of Mid and South Jefferson Country & Orange Country

Golden Triangle Emergency Center and the United way of Mid and South Jefferson and Orange Country are happy to be hosting their 5th Annual Gold United Gold Tournament.

Registration / Sponsorship:

To register or be a sponsor please click here.

# Available Item Name/Description Price
32 Team Sponsorship $300
18 Hole Sponsorship $125
01 Breakfast Sponsor $100
01 Trophy Sponsor $300
02 Drink Sponsor $500
01 Longest Drive $200
01 Closest to the pin $200
02 Hole in One Sponsor $500

New Employees of the Year

This blog is written by Kari Busch.

Golden Triangle Emergency Center gives an annual Employee of the Year Award per facility. To receive this distinguished award, we look for employees who go above and beyond their job requirements. These individuals are always looking for a way to better themselves, the people around them and this company. These individuals have done just that.

Michelle Dixon

Golden Triangle Emergency Center Port Arthur would like to congratulation Michelle Dixon on being their Employee of the Year. She is Lead Patient Representative and her job entails: quality patient care, overseeing of front desk employees, scheduling, lead meetings for front desk, custodial of medical records, patient advocate, calculate payment information and accept funds, hiring, and input patient information.  Michelle has been with the company since July 2014. She goes above and beyond for this company to make other employees and patients happy and taken care of to her best ability.

Michelle is a Mom of two boys and has 4 amazing little grand babies.  She likes to socialize, spend time with her family, relaxing, listening to music, dancing and working with her work family.  Michelle graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Port Arthur and went on to college at Lamar Port Arthur.  She is the founder and president of Ebony Misses Social Club who spend time helping out in the community and doing events with other women.

Jenna Mueller

Golden Triangle Emergency Center Orange would like to congratulation Jenna Mueller on being their employee of the year. By trade Jenna is a paramedic and at GTEC her job entails: quality patient care, lab lead, medication administration, diagnostic testing, and making sure everyone is prepared to do their job by creating packets and making sure everything is up to date. Jenna has been with the company Since October 2014 and just accepted the position of lab lead in January this year. She goes above and beyond for this company to make other employees and patients happy and taken care of. Jenna is a big promoter of Golden Triangle Emergency Center and just recently became a certified CPR instructor.

Jenna is a Mom of two beautiful little girls and has been married to her husband Mark for 5 years. Mark is a Fireman for Port Arthur and they met on a wreck scene. She is a chicken mom and likes to do crafting, go bike riding and pulling her kids in the bike trailer, spending time with her family, go to concerts, travel and be outside.  She has two dogs named Courage and Chrissy and cat name Lulu. She graduated from West Orange Stark High School and went to LIT to complete her Paramedic certification after she went on to help teach EMT basics at LIT. She is a volunteer member of the Buna Fire department and helped start up Kirbyville first responders’ program.

Hazel Beard

Golden Triangle Emergency Center Beaumont would like to congratulate Hazel Beard on being the Employee of the Year. By trade she is an ER Tech and at GTEC her job entails: quality patient care, evaluate and monitor patients, run diagnostic tests, restock the rooms and equipment, make sure everyone is prepared to do their daily job.  She has been with the company Since July 2014 and has worked at all 3 facilities. She goes above and beyond for this company to make other employees and patients happy and taken care of to her best ability.  Hazel is such a go getter that this is her second time to receive Employee of the Year.

Hazels nickname is GIG because she is the grandma, we all look up to and her grandkids love to call her that. She a mother 5; four boys and one girl. She has 6 grandkids and another one on the way. She loves hunting fishing, yardwork and just being outside.  Gigi graduated from Lumberton High School and went on to become certified through Christus, where her career started.  Hazel takes care of her ageing mother in law and helps watch her grand babies all the time. We are so grateful to have such a wonderful person to work for Golden Triangle Emergency Center.

All three of these women are more than deserving of this award and Golden Triangle Emergency Center couldn’t ask for better employees. All three employees received a beautiful crystal and monetary gift for their perspective facility. Thank you, ladies, for all of you hard work and leadership that you relentlessly give to make Golden Triangle Emergency Center the  best it can be!

Promoting Heart Health in Your Family

happy-family-around-the-heart

In recent years, the CDC has reported that heart disease has been the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. This statistic is frightening and taking the time to focus on heart health can be a good exercise for everyone in your family.

In honor of American Heart Month, Golden Triangle Emergency Center wants to help all of our local families learn how to talk about heart health. What steps should you take to have a healthier heart? How do you talk to your parents or kids about your concerns? The best way to fight heart disease is through healthy life changes, and it is much easier to achieve that change when you’re tackling it as a team. So, this February, let’s take a look at your family’s health habits and find new room for strengthening your hearts.

Keeping a Healthy Heart

Aside from certain genetic conditions and deformities that someone might be born with, having a healthy heart is something that is within our control. It comes down to making choices that will strengthen your heart, as well as avoiding risky choices that might damage it. Here are some of the best tips for heart health:

  • Exercise regularly: whether you’re going on long walks or hitting a hard spin class, doing some kind of cardo exercise a few times a week will work your heart’s muscles in all the right ways. When your heart is stronger physically, it will become better at pumping blood and keeping you energized. A strong heart can also lower risks of certain heart conditions later in life.
  • Eat well: with busy days at work and running the kids around to after school activities, it can be hard to find time for healthy meals. But maintaining a good diet can go a long way to keeping your whole family in good health. Try to minimize overly fatty or fried foods, while eating more fruits and vegetables. If your family struggles to find the time to prepare these meals, then try creating a weekly meal-planning schedule. Pre-cook meals on the weekends and store throughout the week for quick throw-together meals that will be tasty and promote a strong heart.
  • Don’t smoke: for years now, it has been widely known that smoking can be bad for not only your lungs, but your heart. The strain that smoke causes (be it from cigarettes, cigars, or other smoking methods), can weaken your heart. Avoiding smoke and second-hand smoke is important to keeping you and your family as heart-healthy as possible.
  • Limit drinking: another substance that can weaken your body is alcohol. While many out there enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or a beer on game-day, it is important to monitor and limit how much alcohol you drink. Certain kinds of alcohol, like red wine, have antioxidants in them which can be good for the heart. But the actual alcohol content in each drink is what can damage your body, heart included. So, making sure you drink in moderation is important to the longevity of your heart.

These four strategies for heart health can start at any age. For parents with young children, beginning these good habits early can go a long way to helping your children’s health. Try looking at your family’s routines and see where you can fit in some long walks or salads with dinner. Getting your kids engaged and excited about family health is a great way to give them a leg up in life.

Talking About Heart Health

Some parents find it difficult to talk to their kids about health and medical information. It’s one thing to remind your kids to eat their vegetables, or they can’t have dessert, but it’s another thing entirely to explain to them why they need to exercise or avoid heart-risks. Discussions like these can get even more difficult if family members get sick. For example, if a grandparent has a heart attack and your family is all planning to make dietary changes to help in their recovery, how do you talk to your kids about this without scaring them?

Open communication is important in all families, and for heart health that is no different. If your family is making changes to your diet or exercise routines, then you’ll want to talk to your kids and properly explain why. For very young kids, you can keep your explanations short and easy, telling them that it is to stay healthy and grow strong. But for older kids, who can understand more, you’ll want to treat them with respect and explain to them your concerns for the whole family’s health. This is especially true if someone in your family has suffered a heart condition, or if you have risk factors for heart conditions in your family.

Ultimately, it is important to make sure your children know why certain choices are better or worse for their heart. Giving them that education early on will make them better equipped to take care of themselves throughout their lives. If you struggle to get your kids on board with heart-healthy changes, then try giving them choices in how to make these changes. You can provide options for family exercises or meal planning that will make them involved in the process. This inclusion and responsibility can make them feel more engaged with their health and feel more in control of the changes taking place in the family.

February might be American Heart Month, but your family’s heart health should be a priority all year round. Following these tips and finding new ways to integrate heart health into your daily routine can go a long way to ensuring that your whole family has a long and happy life. Grandparents, parents, and children alike can all benefit from heart health.

In the event of any health emergencies, heart-related emergencies included, Golden Triangle Emergency Center is here for you. Our concierge-level care for all ages is available 24/7 for local patients, and our doctors are ready to serve. When your family needs it most, we offer only the very best.


Nutex Health, Inc supports you and your family’s health. You can depend on Golden Triangle Emergency Center or any one of our concierge-level, freestanding emergency facilities to deliver the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Flu Season Update

women-in-flu-with-cup-of-tea

With 2019 well underway and winter chills rolling in, sniffles and coughs are spreading. Families might be noticing neighbors and children coming down with colds and fevers and wonder if this means the flu is lurking nearby. Widespread flu shots might not be advertised as often, but flu season is still here.

New reports from the CDC and Texas Health & Human Services Department are out which show the current rates of infections involving this season’s influenza. To keep your family prepared for anything the flu might bring, Golden Triangle Emergency Center will be covering these reports and telling you what they mean for your family, as well as how you can lower your rate of infection.

2019 Flu So Far…

Last year, the flu made international news with reports of severe symptoms and infection rates rising. But every year is a new flu virus, and medical scientists are constantly making new strides to improve public health. This year, the flu virus is more contained. According to the CDC’s weekly reports during flu season, the flu is less severe and less infectious than it was last year as a whole.

States, though, also conduct studies to track how the flu spreads throughout their counties, and the Texas Health & Human Services weekly flu report shows that infection rates are actually beginning to rise. To many people, this might seem worrisome since we are already so far into the flu season and having an increased infection rate now sounds scary, but it doesn’t have to be.

Luckily, Texas’s rise in infection rate is small, so even though our weekly numbers on flu infections has gone up, it is not enough to be a state-wide crisis. What these numbers mean is that Texans everywhere need to be mindful to stop the spread of germs and help keep themselves and their families flu-free.

Stopping Infection

When infection rates rise, that means that more people are getting sick. It is not necessarily an indication that the flu itself is getting more severe, but it does mean that more people are contracting the illness. The flu is a disease that is spread mainly by sneezes, coughs, handshakes, and touching an infected hand or surface and then itching your face or eating a meal. It is easy to spread the flu virus but it is also easy to stop the spread of infection and lower your risks.

To keep your risk of infection down, follow these helpful tips and tricks to navigate cold and flu season:

  • Wash your hands after using the restroom and before eating any meals. Hand sanitizer can be helpful, too, if you work with children or in an office space where you frequently shake hands and interact with other people.
  • Cover your sneezes and coughs in the crook of your elbow when tissues are not available. Sneezing into your hands puts unnecessary germs right onto your palms and makes it easier to spread illnesses between people.
  • Stay warm and hydrated with plenty of water. Cold fronts can make it easier for us to get sick and not drinking enough water can weaken your body’s immune system, so make sure you always dress appropriately for the weather and keep hydrated.
  • Get a flu vaccine if you haven’t gotten one yet. The flu vaccine can not only help you prevent flu infection, but it can also shorten the duration someone might have the flu or lessen the severity of the symptoms.

While the flu might be hitting Texas now, this doesn’t mean that there is any reason for alarm. Every flu season is different, and GTEC is here to get you feeling better! Armed with awareness and some helpful tricks to avoid the spreading of harmful germs, your family can stay healthy for all of 2019.

In the case of any severe illnesses or emergencies, Golden Triangle Emergency Center is here to help. Our facility is open 24/7 and offers concierge-level care to patients of all ages.


Nutex Health, Inc supports you and your family’s health. You can depend on Golden Triangle Emergency Center or any one of our concierge-level, freestanding emergency facilities to deliver the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.