Community members are invited to attend the first presentation by Tomball Health Academy on Jan. 30. The academy is a free educational program hosted at Tomball Regional Medical Center in partnership with the Tomball Regional Health Foundation. "Our commitment to the care and improvement of human life perfectly blends with Tomball Regional Health Foundation's mission, which includes promoting wellness and enhancing access to health education, which is why we developed the Tomball Health Academy with their support," Ryan Henry, chief operating officer of TRMC, said in an email. The program offers free monthly seminars each featuring a physician-led presentation on a different health care topic as well as an interactive question and answer session, said Laura Littlejohn Lupton, director of north quadrant strategic communications for HCA Houston Healthcare. The seminars seek to give attendees a better understanding of health care, she said. Seminars are open to guests of all ages, but the content is targeted to attendees age 18 and older. "Tomball Regional Health Foundation performed a Community Health Needs Assessment in 2017, and one of the needs identified was community education on health care related topics," Lynn LeBouef, CEO of the Tomball Regional Health Foundation, said in an email. "We are pleased to partner with Tomball Regional Medical Center to improve the health status of our community and enhance access to health care." Prior to the launch of the academy, the hospital's primary connection with residents has been as patients, Lupton said. The academy allows the hospital to interact with residents before medical assistance is needed by informing them on various health care topics. "Our goal is for residents to have a greater awareness of the signs and symptoms of these subjects so that they can one day potentially identify [symptoms] in themselves or a loved one and receive treatment earlier than they may have," Henry said. Monthly seminars will be held in the Lower Level Cafe, which can be accessed from the hospital's main entrance at 605 Holderrieth Blvd., Tomball. Dinner is provided and will be served at 5:45 p.m. The first seminar, titled "Weight Loss Surgery—A Fresh Start in 2019," runs from 6-7:30 p.m. Jan. 30. Space is limited. To register, call 281-401-7777 or visit www.tomballregionalmedicalcenter.com/calendar.