Spring, TX June 11, 2026 In recognition of Men’s Health Month, Harris County ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare Medical Director Dr. Jay Kovar is encouraging men to take a proactive approach to their health by understanding the common medical conditions that become more prevalent with age and the steps they can take to improve their overall well-being.

In the latest installment of the “Hey Dr. K” video series, Dr. Kovar discusses some of the most common health concerns affecting men, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes,  obesity, and mental health challenges. He emphasizes the importance of preventive care, regular screenings, healthy lifestyle choices, and early intervention.

“Many of the health problems men face as they age can be prevented or managed through routine medical care and healthy habits,” said Dr. Kovar. “Regular checkups, exercise, proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and addressing mental health concerns are all critical components of living a longer, healthier life.”

According to health experts, men are often less likely than women to seek preventive medical care, leading to delayed diagnoses and treatment. Men’s Health Month serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about preventable health conditions and encourage men to make their health a priority.

During the video, Dr. Kovar provides practical advice on reducing risk factors for chronic disease, recognizing warning signs that warrant medical attention, and building sustainable habits that support long-term health and wellness.

The educational video is part of Harris County ESD 11’s ongoing commitment to community health education and empowering residents with information that can improve quality of life and potentially save lives.

To watch the full video click here and subscribe to our You Tube channel:   

 Dr. Kovar is here to answer your questions as well, just call 281-524-7660 for more information. As always, if you are experiencing an emergency, remember to call 911.  
 
About ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare    

ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare covers a 177 square mile area of northern Harris County with over 700,000 residents, the largest Emergency Service District in the state of Texas.  ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare receives over 65,000 calls a year and consistently ranks among the best EMS services in the country for speed of response, patient satisfaction and quality of care. The Harris County Emergency Services District 11 Communication Center, known as Control, is recognized as an ACE Accredited Center of Excellence by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch. This prestigious designation highlights our commitment to excellence in emergency dispatch services. As an ACE-accredited agency, we enjoy increased visibility in community service, enhanced support in litigation and liability management, and improved recruitment and retention, affirming the value and impact of our team’s work.   

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Contact: Miranda Sevcik, Public Information Officer 346-226-8808 

Spring, TX  April 17, 2026: Trauma is the number one cause of death for people age one to 44.  In a traumatic event when blood is lost at a rapid rate, chances of survival and recovery improve greatly with the immediate administration of blood products in the field.  In this month’s Hey Dr. K!  Harris County ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare Medical Director Dr. Jay Kovar explains the importance of ESD 11’s new plasma program.

“Our emergency pre-hospital care now includes the administration of plasma for traumatic calls,” says Dr. Kovar. “This precious resource will save thousands of lives.  Supervisor vehicles carry two units of liquid plasma in specialized coolers.  Our goal is to respond to a call with a need for plasma within 15 minutes.” 

Dr. Kovar is here to answer your questions as well, just call 281-524-7660 for more information. As always, if you are experiencing an emergency, remember to call 911.       
      

About ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare         

ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare covers a 177 square mile area of northern Harris County with over 700,000 residents, the largest ambulance-only Emergency Service District in the state of Texas.  ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare receives over 65,000 calls a year and consistently ranks among the best EMS services in the country for speed of response, patient satisfaction and quality of care. The Harris County Emergency Services District 11 Communication Center, known as Control, is recognized as an ACE Accredited Center of Excellence by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch. This prestigious designation highlights our commitment to excellence in emergency dispatch services. As an ACE-accredited agency, we enjoy increased visibility in community service, enhanced support in litigation and liability management, and improved recruitment and retention, affirming the value and impact of our team’s work.        

###  Spring, TX April 17, 2026: Trauma is the number one cause of death for people age one to 44.  In a traumatic event when blood is lost at a rapid rate, chances of survival and recovery improve greatly with the immediate administration of blood products in the field.  In this month’s Hey Dr. K!  Harris County ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare Medical Director Dr. Jay Kovar explains the importance of blood products in the field.

“Our emergency pre-hospital care now includes the administration of plasma for traumatic calls,” says Dr. Kovar. “This precious resource will save thousands of lives.  Supervisor vehicles carry two units of liquid plasma in specialized coolers.  Our goal is to respond to a call with a need for plasma within 15 minutes.” 

    
Dr. Kovar is here to answer your questions as well, just call 281-524-7660 for more information. As always, if you are experiencing an emergency, remember to call 911.       
      

About ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare         

ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare covers a 177 square mile area of northern Harris County with over 700,000 residents, the largest ambulance-only Emergency Service District in the state of Texas.  ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare receives over 65,000 calls a year and consistently ranks among the best EMS services in the country for speed of response, patient satisfaction and quality of care. The Harris County Emergency Services District 11 Communication Center, known as Control, is recognized as an ACE Accredited Center of Excellence by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch. This prestigious designation highlights our commitment to excellence in emergency dispatch services. As an ACE-accredited agency, we enjoy increased visibility in community service, enhanced support in litigation and liability management, and improved recruitment and retention, affirming the value and impact of our team’s work.        

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Spring, TX March 3, 2026: Not all chest pain is the same — but some symptoms could mean a heart attack or other life-threatening emergency. Knowing when to call 911 can save a life… maybe even your own.

This month on our continuing Hey Dr. K video series Harris County ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare Medical Director Dr. Jay Kovar is asked by  Cynthia Williams, CTE Director for Spring Independent School District what the signs and symptoms are that indicate chest pain is serious enough for a call to 911. 

“When your organs are undergoing problems sometimes it’s hard to identify exactly what’s is wrong, particularly in the chest area,” says Dr. Kovar.  “Identifying the vague discomfort, nausea, or shortness of breath its s race against time to get all of those factors corrected.”

To watch the full video click here and subscribe to our You Tube channel:   

 Dr. Kovar is here to answer your questions as well, just call 281-524-7660 for more information. As always, if you are experiencing an emergency, remember to call 911.  

About ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare    

ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare covers a 177 square mile area of northern Harris County with over 700,000 residents, the largest Emergency Service District in the state of Texas.  ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare receives over 65,000 calls a year and consistently ranks among the best EMS services in the country for speed of response, patient satisfaction and quality of care. The Harris County Emergency Services District 11 Communication Center, known as Control, is recognized as an ACE Accredited Center of Excellence by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch. This prestigious designation highlights our commitment to excellence in emergency dispatch services. As an ACE-accredited agency, we enjoy increased visibility in community service, enhanced support in litigation and liability management, and improved recruitment and retention, affirming the value and impact of our team’s work.   

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Contact: Miranda Sevcik, Public Information Officer 346-226-8808 

Spring, TX January 22, 2026: The holidays are over and no matter how joyful or stressful they were, chances are, January has you feeling down in the dumps.  But don’t worry, Harris County ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare Medical Director Dr. Jay Kovar says you are not alone. 

“We see an increased number of emergency mental health calls in the late winter months.  The cause can be a combination of post-holiday let down, shorter days of sunshine and financial stress, there is even a name for it, Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD.  But it’s important to know emergency resources are available free of charge thanks to the HART Team,” says Dr. Kovar. 

“In this month’s Hey Dr. K we introduce you to the Holistic Assistance Response Team.  (HART) is a Harris County program created to dispatch 911 directly and other calls to interdisciplinary unarmed, first responder teams that are trained in behavioral health and on-scene medical assistance. The HART program aims to improve community health and safety by quickly providing the appropriate response to community members experiencing homelessness, behavioral health issues, or non-emergency health or social welfare concerns, and to reduce unnecessary law enforcement or hospital-based interventions for non-emergent 911 calls.” 

Dr. Kovar is here to answer your questions as well, just call 281-524-7660 for more information. As always, if you are experiencing an emergency, remember to call 911.       

About ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare         

ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare covers a 177 square mile area of northern Harris County with over 700,000 residents, the largest ambulance-only Emergency Service District in the state of Texas.  ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare receives over 65,000 calls a year and consistently ranks among the best EMS services in the country for speed of response, patient satisfaction and quality of care. The Harris County Emergency Services District 11 Communication Center, known as Control, is recognized as an ACE Accredited Center of Excellence by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch. This prestigious designation highlights our commitment to excellence in emergency dispatch services. As an ACE-accredited agency, we enjoy increased visibility in community service, enhanced support in litigation and liability management, and improved recruitment and retention, affirming the value and impact of our team’s work.        

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Contact: Miranda Sevcik, Public Information Officer 346-226-8808  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE      

ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare        
harriscountyesd11.gov      
Contact: Miranda Sevcik, ESD 11 Public Information Officer 346-226-8808     

Harris County ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare Medical Director Dr Jay Kovar Explains:     
What Kind of Injuries Are Common in the ER During the Holidays?

Spring, TX December 22, 2025 :  The holidays are full of joy but they also bring a spike in ER visits. From Christmas tree and candle fires to winter frostbite, falls and stress-related issues, our crews see it all.

Harris County Medical Director Dr. Jay Kovar explains in this month’s “Hey Dr. K” video series how to avoid the common problems he sees in ERs during the holidays. 

“This month we partnered with Cypress Creek Fire Department to show just how quickly a dried-out Christmas tree can become a blowtorch in your living room. We also address the importance of the proper smoke detector for different parts of your home.  Keep your entire family safe this year and watch this video.”  

Dr. Kovar is here to answer your questions as well, just call 281-524-7660 for more information. As always, if you are experiencing an emergency, remember to call 911.     

About ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare       

ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare covers a 177 square mile area of northern Harris County with over 700,000 residents, the largest ambulance-only Emergency Service District in the state of Texas.  ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare receives over 65,000 calls a year and consistently ranks among the best EMS services in the country for speed of response, patient satisfaction and quality of care. The Harris County Emergency Services District 11 Communication Center, known as Control, is recognized as an ACE Accredited Center of Excellence by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch. This prestigious designation highlights our commitment to excellence in emergency dispatch services. As an ACE-accredited agency, we enjoy increased visibility in community service, enhanced support in litigation and liability management, and improved recruitment and retention, affirming the value and impact of our team’s work.      

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Contact: Miranda Sevcik, Public Information Officer 346-226-8808 

Thanksgiving is a busy time for emergency rooms, with some sources reporting an estimated 36,000 visits on Thanksgiving Day in one year. Statistics and doctor estimates suggest ER visits can spike by 5-12% during the holiday period, due to issues like food poisoning, alcohol-related incidents, burns, cuts, and an increase in other seasonal illnesses like the flu.

Harris County Medical Director Dr. Jay Kovar explains in this month’s “Hey Dr. K” video series how to avoid the common problems he sees in ERs during the holidays for people and their pets. 

“This month we partnered with Cypress Creek Fire Department to address not just the common food borne illnesses and cuts we see in the ER every year but also the burn-related injuries caused by the increasing popularity of frying turkeys,” says Dr. Kovar.  “We also address common gastrointestinal poisoning veterinary ERs see from people who feed pets from the table.  Keep your entire family safe this year and watch this video.”  

Dr. Kovar is here to answer your questions as well, just call 281-524-7660 for more information. As always, if you are experiencing an emergency, remember to call 911.     

About ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare       

ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare covers a 177 square mile area of northern Harris County with over 700,000 residents, the largest ambulance-only Emergency Service District in the state of Texas.  ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare receives over 65,000 calls a year and consistently ranks among the best EMS services in the country for speed of response, patient satisfaction and quality of care. The Harris County Emergency Services District 11 Communication Center, known as Control, is recognized as an ACE Accredited Center of Excellence by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch. This prestigious designation highlights our commitment to excellence in emergency dispatch services. As an ACE-accredited agency, we enjoy increased visibility in community service, enhanced support in litigation and liability management, and improved recruitment and retention, affirming the value and impact of our team’s work.      

###  

Contact: Miranda Sevcik, Public Information Officer 346-226-8808  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare      
harriscountyesd11.gov    
Contact: Miranda Sevcik, ESD 11 Public Information Officer 346-226-8808   

Spring, TX October 6, 2025: Every second counts when lives are on the line. This month in our Hey Dr. K video series, Dr. Jay Kovar, Medical Director for Harris County ESD 11, breaks down Texas laws about how and when to yield to ambulances.

Learn what Texas law says about yielding to emergency vehicles, when to pull over and when to stop, and learn the common mistakes drivers make and how to avoid them.

“Yielding properly to ambulances traveling with lights and sirens can save lives,” says Dr. Kovar.  “According to Texas Transportation Code § 545.156, failure to yield can result in serious fines, penalties, and delays in emergency response. Don’t be part of the problem, be part of the solution and learn exactly what to do when lights and sirens are behind you.”

Dr. Kovar is here to answer your questions as well, just call 281-524-7660 for more information. As always, if you are experiencing an emergency, remember to call 911.   
About ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare     

ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare covers a 177 square mile area of northern Harris County with over 700,000 residents, the largest ambulance-only Emergency Service District in the state of Texas.  ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare receives over 65,000 calls a year and consistently ranks among the best EMS services in the country for speed of response, patient satisfaction and quality of care. The Harris County Emergency Services District 11 Communication Center, known as Control, is recognized as an ACE Accredited Center of Excellence by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch. This prestigious designation highlights our commitment to excellence in emergency dispatch services. As an ACE-accredited agency, we enjoy increased visibility in community service, enhanced support in litigation and liability management, and improved recruitment and retention, affirming the value and impact of our team’s work.    

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Contact: Miranda Sevcik, Public Information Officer 346-226-8808