DeTar Healthcare System Teams Up with Victoria Police Department for Community Lunch and Learn
11/26/2025
On November 19, DeTar Healthcare System was proud to partner with the Victoria Police Department for its monthly Lunch and Learn event. Family nurse practitioner, Jessica Heller, and diabetes educator, Leslie Kubecka, spoke to more than 40 attendees, offering education on common respiratory illnesses and practical prevention strategies.
“The goal of these lunch and learns is to build bonds with the senior community in Victoria and address their health and safety concerns,” John Turner, community engagement officer with the Victoria Police Department, said. “While geared towards seniors the program is open to everyone.”
This was a great opportunity for community members to meet providers like Heller and educators like Kubecka in a non-medical setting. Kubecka shared helpful holiday tips on managing and preventing diabetes and taught residents how to be aware of pre-diabetes symptoms.
Representing DeTar Medical Group Primary Care Clinic, Heller provided timely information to help residents navigate flu season and protect vulnerable loved ones during upcoming holiday celebrations.
At the dining table, around the Christmas tree and snuggled up in the living room, Victoria’s most vulnerable residents, seniors and young children, will be in close quarters with family and friends who might be carrying a respiratory illness. What might be a common cold for one person could be a grave illness for another.
At the Victoria Police Department Lunch and Learn, Heller offered education on common respiratory illnesses and practical prevention strategies. Heller’s presentation covered the most prevalent seasonal respiratory illnesses—including Influenza A & B, pneumonia, COVID-19, RSV, allergic rhinitis, upper respiratory infections (URI), strep throat, and adenovirus.
She explained the causes, signs and symptoms, how each illness is diagnosed, and who is most at risk. Heller also highlighted the critical differences between bacterial and viral infections—an important distinction as communities strive to reduce antibiotic overuse and prevent antibiotic resistance.
“As we head into the holidays, prevention is key,” Heller said. “Understanding what symptoms to look for, when to seek care, and how to avoid spreading illness can make a tremendous difference for families.”
Prevention strategies she emphasized included staying up to date on vaccinations, practicing good hand hygiene, avoiding close contact with sick individuals and seeking appropriate testing when symptoms appear.
A Provider Deeply Rooted in Victoria
Heller recently joined the DeTar Medical Group Primary Care Clinic East on the Texas A&M University–Victoria campus, bringing more than 30 years of experience in healthcare—including eight years as DeTar’s director of education. Her background in both clinical care and professional training shapes her holistic, prevention-focused approach to primary care.
“Instead of only treating acute illness, I want to help patients prevent or medically manage conditions successfully,” Heller said.
Brett Maxfield, CEO of DeTar Healthcare System, praised Heller’s transition to her new role. “Jessica has been an integral part of the DeTar team for many years. Her experience, compassion, and commitment to excellence make her a tremendous asset to the patients we serve.”
At the DeTar Medical Group Primary Care Clinic, Heller provides primary care services including preventive care, chronic disease management, sick visits and patient education. Located at 2810 N. Ben Wilson Street, Suite 100, the clinic is easily accessible to Texas A&M-Victoria students, faculty, and community members.
Heller is now accepting new patients. Same-day appointments and walk-ins are welcome.
To schedule an appointment, call 361-305-6500 or visit mydetardoctor.com.
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