In the News
Health Foundation awards $150K to East Texas Symphony
Smittee Root, Executive Director of the Health Foundation of East Texas, shares how a $150,000 grant to the East Texas Symphony will thoughtfully expand opportunities for local school children to experience the symphony.
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Faulkner Skate Park Receives Grant for Lights
Smittee Root, Executive Director of the Health Foundation of East Texas, shares how a $250,000 grant for new lights at Faulkner Skate Park will allow East Texas youth to keep skating after dark.
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Building stronger connections for Smith County youth
The Health Foundation of East Texas announces more than $1.98 million in funding for 11 new community partnerships through its Building Belonging challenge, supporting projects that help young people connect with one another, their families and their communities beyond technology.
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A Different Destiny
Following a comprehensive six-month assessment, the Health Foundation of East Texas and Blue Zones launched a six-year community transformation project in Tyler designed to improve quality of life, boost resilience, and lower chronic disease rates by making healthy choices easier across local schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.
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Living Better, Longer
Christi Khalaf, Director of Community Collaborations at the Health Foundation of East Texas, explores how the Blue Zones Ignite Tyler initiative is helping create healthier communities by making well-being an easier part of everyday life.
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Video: Tyler Leaders Review Community Health Goals at Blue Zones Assessment Event
Civic and community leaders gathered at the Tyler Rose Garden Center to review findings from a communitywide health assessment conducted by Blue Zones, in partnership with the Health Foundation of East Texas, and discuss strategies aimed at shifting everyday environments to encourage healthy behaviors.
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Smartphone Smarts for Summer and Beyond
Christi Khalaf, Director of Community Collaborations at the Health Foundation of East Texas, shares practical ways to help families delay smartphones, embrace a screen-light summer, and build healthy technology habits that foster curiosity, connection, and real-world experiences.
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Helping teens unplug and reconnect this summer
Christi Khalaf, Director of Community Collaborations at the Health Foundation of East Texas, encourages families to enjoy a screen-light summer by making more time for outdoor play, creativity, and real-world connection.
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What research tells us about kids’ phone use and health
Health Foundation of East Texas uses the latest research to help parents navigate the inevitable question from their child: “Can I have a smartphone?”
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Accreditation process of medical school in Tyler moves forward; first class likely set for 2023
The process of a medical school coming to East Texas is moving forward as the UT Health Science Center at Tyler has reached its first milestone in the accreditation proceedings.
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