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Hospitals in The Woodlands area are adopting new technology and expanding services in cancer care as cases increase.

What's being done: Justin Kendrick, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center’s senior vice president and CEO, said recent technologies in lung bronchoscopy introduced at the hospital allow biopsies to be taken in hard-to-reach places. The Woodlands hospital location is also the first in the area to use the Edison histotripsy machine to treat liver cancer with targeted ultrasound, he said.

Also of note: Meanwhile, Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital is using artificial intelligence-supported tools in radiology to improve early detection, diagnosis and treatment planning, said Kerrie Guerrero, vice president and chief nursing officer.

Another detail: Among other hospitals in the area, St. Luke’s Health is also working on updates to its technology and range of providers this year, said Lisa Williams, director of patient care services.

At MD Anderson’s The Woodlands campus, Dr. Pamela Schlembach said targeted radiation treatment continues to advance, and multiple weeks of treatment are not always needed.

The full-service restaurant offers sushi lovers all-you-can-eat sushi, from specialty rolls to traditional nigiri, General Manager Phi Keum told Community Impact.

Did you know: Ema Japanese Cuisine is located off the Woodlands Parkway in the building previously occupied by Prime Beef Shabu, which closed at the beginning of June. Ema Japanese Cuisine is located off the Woodlands Parkway in the building previously occupied by Prime Beef Shabu, which closed at the beginning of June.

• Opened June 9

• 6700 Woodlands Parkway, Ste. 250, The Woodlands

During the 2025-26 school year, Conroe ISD tracked the number of cellphone-related discipline referrals across its secondary campuses. This is the first year of the district tracking and implementing disciplinary measures for cellphone usage. 

Mark Murrell, CISD assistant superintendent for high schools, presented the report to the board June 16. Some key findings from the report were that cellphone referrals were the most common disciplinary method, and that most students were one-time offenders.

Policy breakdown: The CISD cellphone policy was implemented last year in compliance with Texas House Bill 1481. The Texas Education Agency’s website states that the bill's purpose is to “prohibit students from using personal communication devices (such as cellphones, smartwatches, and tablets) on public school campuses during the school day.” 

Students caught using their cellphones would be given disciplinary referrals by their teachers and have their phones confiscated till the end of the day. After a “high amount” of referrals, the students' parents would have to come to the school to retrieve it themselves, Murrell said.  

In a new 12-year partnership with intelligent mobility solutions company Miovision, Harris County emergency medical services will now be able to develop quicker routes to destinations in the northwest area during an emergency.

The breakdown: Miovision is the provider of Opticom, a cloud-based system that recognizes first responder vehicles at traffic signals and changes signals to ensure emergency vehicles are able to clear intersections in a timely manner.

While Harris County ESDs implemented a similar system in 2007 to provide more streamlined communication between traffic signals and first responders, a number were damaged or destroyed due to multiple severe storms and weathering since 2017.

Quote of note: "When we saw Miovision’s Opticom system, it was a no-brainer. The fact that we don't need resources committed to supporting the day-to-day operation of the system is a godsend because in public safety, you never have enough money and you never have enough people," Mike Pate, project manager at Harris County ESD 16, said. 

So much news, so little time? Community Impact can catch you up to speed with a roundup of five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from June 15-19.

1. Conroe police chief addresses concerns with Flock safety cameras
2. Conroe ISD approves 2026-27 employee compensation plan at June 16 regular meeting
3. Galaxy All-Abilities Park now open in Sugar Land
4. Advanced air mobility taking flight in Greater Houston
5. HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake, League City UTMB facilities to undergo expansions