the City, Chamber and Community leaders to
Currently, the town’s population is just
promote and expand the business community
over 15,000. With nearly fifteen subdivisions
of Seagoville and work to improve the overall
built in the immediate area recently, its
quality of life therein. For additional informa-
economic development corporation identifies
tion, please visit www.seagovilleedc.com.
D A L L A S C O U N T Y P A R T N E R S
9 7
Dallas-based Parker University is a compre-
Bachelor of Science degree in Health
PARKER
hensive university with an emphasis on health
Information Management, a Bachelor of Science
sciences. Founded in 1982, this private, non-
in Anatomy, Bachelor of Science in Health
UNIVERSITY
profit, educational institution, built upon the
and Wellness, Bachelor of Science in Computer
legacy of its flagship doctor of chiropractic
and Information Systems, an online Master of
program, has established itself as a leading
Business Administration with a concentration
institution for preparing its graduates in health
in Health Care Management, a Doctor of
sciences, technology, business, and education
Chiropractic degree, and continuing education
fields. Graduates from Parker’s certificate,
specializations and certifications. Parker will
associate, bachelor, master and doctor of
continue rolling out additional degree pro-
chiropractic degree programs are well-known
grams, a part of the university’s expansion.
for establishing trends in health and wellness.
Educating students in today’s changing
Formerly known as Parker College of
healthcare landscape, the institution provides
Chiropractic, Parker University achieved uni-
an innovative, patient-centered learning expe-
versity status in April 2011 and began its
rience for students through a comprehensive
expansion as a comprehensive university.
curriculum, highly respected faculty, and
Shortly after, Parker announced its strategic
family-oriented campus environment.
plan to develop twelve new academic programs
Parker’s fully online degree programs offer
through 2017. Parker University’s leadership
an approach working students find very useful
spent months gathering insights and research
given their busy schedules. Many of Parker’s
to grow its degree offerings and found positive
programs are built specifically for part-time
data around careers in health sciences, includ-
students, with online courses allowing for
ing the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ projec-
flexibility and one- or two-month courses for
tion of a twenty-two percent job growth in the
students to focus on one subject at a time.
healthcare administration field between 2010
Parker University prepares students for
and 2020—that is a projection of 5.6 million
careers as successful professionals through a
new jobs for healthcare administrators.
unique balance of strong academics and prac-
Today, Parker University has expanded
tical hands-on experience. From first contact
degree program offerings to include both on-
with admissions to job placement through
campus and online programs. Programs were
the Office of Career Services, the emphasis on
selected based off of data demonstrating their
students’ success as a professional is evident
high demand, high salary potential, and soaring
in every aspect of Parker’s culture.
job outlooks.
Student education is more than just the
As of 2013, Parker’s academic degree pro-
classroom experience. The comprehensive
grams include: a Certificate of Massage
learning experience at Parker prepares them
Therapy, an Associate of Science in Radiologic
for success with exposure to global service
Technology, an online Associate of Science in
opportunities, in-depth involvement with
Health Information Technology, an online
industry leaders, and a variety of progressive
D A L L A S C O U N T Y : A 2 1 s t C e n t u r y M o s a i c 98
programs including assemblies led by
This attitude of service can be seen in
acclaimed experts, numerous internships,
every interaction with Parker University. Our
exposure to the latest developments and
admissions department strives to answer
advancements in each profession, and inter-
any and all future student questions. Faculty
action with alumni and industry experts.
members work one-on-one with students
These opportunities provide Parker graduates
to ensure key concepts are learned. The
with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to
alumni association works to support our
impact their communities and flourish in
alumni by providing patient referrals, while
their respective careers.
Student Affairs provides on-campus support
Parker University students also benefit
and activities for students.
from workshops and services available to
In addition, Parker University includes two
provide information concerning study skills,
chiropractic wellness clinics in the Dallas-
learning strategies, time management, stress
Fort Worth Metroplex (one in Irving
management, and career resources.
and one on the institution’s campus
The institution’s philosophy is rooted in
in Dallas); a massage clinic on-cam-
the principles and beliefs established by
pus, Parker Seminars, the largest
its founder, Dr. James W. Parker. Dr. Parker
chiropractic seminar organization
created a set of principles, later known as the
in the world, and Parker SHARE
Parker Principles, which still serve as the
Products that provide innovative,
foundation of the university and the relation-
high quality products, and current
ships Parker graduates establish with patients,
information on chiropractic, mas-
colleagues, and clients around the world.
sage, and wellness. For additional
Service to others is the underlying theme for
information call 1-800-637-8337
the Parker Principles and the institution
or visit www.parker.edu. Parker
believes that this focus begins with its service
University is located at 2540 Walnut
to its students.
Hill Lane, Dallas, Texas 75229.
D A L L A S C O U N T Y P A R T N E R S
9 9
In just over three decades, Dallas Area
who, although he had spearheaded the early
DALLAS AREA
Rapid Transport, or DART as it is more
effort to launch DART, had admittedly consid-
commonly called, has helped weave public
ered giving up more than once leading up to
RAPID TRANSIT
transportation into the fabric of the nation’s
the election. It had been an arduous journey,
fastest growing region.
but his passion and determination was refueled
Children who have grown
each time he witnessed the agonizingly slow
up riding DART to the zoo or
crawl of rush hour traffic at the intersection of
museum as a part of a school
LBJ and the Stemmons Freeway.
field trip are now returning as
“That’s what we were destined to see unless
adults and looking for ways
we did things differently,” Humann was quoted
to incorporate transit into
as saying in the Dallas Morning News on DART’s
their daily lives. Communities
thirtieth anniversary in August 2013.
like Mockingbird Station and
“The naysayers…said it couldn’t be done,”
the Cedars have come to life
Gary Thomas, DART’s executive director
along rail lines and suburban
added. “But we did it. It hasn’t been without
downtowns like those in
a few passionate conversations along the way,
Plano and Carrollton are
but we did it.”
creating vibrant destinations
DART officially began operations in
centered on transit.
January 1984, just a few months after the
And it all started when residents in fourteen
landmark election, with staff wasting no time
cities and the county of Dallas endured triple-
breathing life into the largest, most ambitious
digit heat on August 13, 1983, to cast their
public works project ever undertaken in the
ballots in favor of regional transportation.
area. The mission was to create a vast $8.75
Though the issue was just about as heated
billion bus and rail network over the next
as the thermometer, a commanding fifty-eight
three decades. At first DART focused on bus
percent of voters cast 101,000 ballots which
service—assuming the operations of the
said yes to a one-percent sales tax to give life
existing Dallas Transit System—and followed
to DART. The positive results thrilled civic
with bus service improvements, which have
leader and Dallas businessman Walt Humann
resulted in a system that accounts for more
than half of DART’s nearly 70 million passenger
trips each year. Other key developments
through the first three decades have included
high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, which
today host more than 100,000 daily trips as
well as carpooling and paratransit services for
customers with mobility challenges.
But, while all those developments are
important and an integral part of the system
as a whole, the 1983 vote that gave birth to
DART was really about the rail system. Today,
the longest light rail system in the nation with
more than eighty-five miles of rail, DART Rail
combines with bus services and the Trinity
Railway Express (TRE) to move more than
220,000 passengers per day across a 700
square mile area, which includes the cities
of Dallas, Addison, Carrollton, Cockrell Hill,
Farmers Branch, Garland, Glenn Heights,
Highland Park, Irving, Plano, Richardson,
Rowlett, and University Park. A thirty-five
mile commuter rail line, Trinity Railway
D A L L A S C O U N T Y : A 2 1 s t C e n t u r y M o s a i c 100
Express is a joint operation with the Fort
is under contract to the city of Dallas for
Worth Transportation Authority. DART also
their streetcar initiatives. Separately, DART
provides express bus service under contract
continues planning for a second light rail line
with the cities of Mesquite and Arlington.
through downtown Dallas as well as future
In addition to relieving traffic congestion,
passenger rail services on the DART-owned
DART Rail has delivered a particularly robust
Cotton Belt corridor which extends from
economic impact of more than $5.3 billion in
Collin County to Tarrant County, north of
private real estate development along the
DFW Airport.
rail corridors, making the system not only
Dallas Area Rapid Transit operates on a
successful at transporting people, but also
twenty year system plan, which helps identify
transporting prosperity into its service area.
priority projects such as those referenced above
And the system continues to expand and
as well as a twenty year financial plan that
generate economic activity. For example, the
establishes which of the projects can be
forty-five mile Green, Orange and Blue Line
completed and when. The organization reviews
DART rail expansion spawned billions for
its financial plan and it is approved annually in
the area economy between 2009 and 2014.
an ongoing effort to serve the largest number
Most recently, DART began construction
of customers as efficiently as possible. The
on a five mile extension of its Orange Line
majority of funding—seventy-one percent to
light rail to connect with Terminal A of
be exact—comes from sales tax revenues from
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
participating cities, each of which vote to join
(DFW). Slated to open in Fall 2014, DFW
DART, with the remainder coming from fares,
will be one of the few American airports
federal funds and other avenues.
with a direct passenger rail connection.
For more information on Dallas Area Rapid
Simultaneously, the system is building a
Transport (DART) and its ongoing plans to
Blue Line extension south from its Ledbetter
be the preferred choice of transportation
Station in South Oak Cliff to the Dallas
now and in the future, be sure to visit
Campus of the University of North Texas and
www.dart.org.
D A L L A S C O U N T Y P A R T N E R S
1 0 1
Her name is not Cindi and she is not Jewish,
CINDI’S N. Y.
but Anh Vo owns five Jewish delicatessens at
various locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth
DELICATESSEN
Metroplex called Cindi’s N. Y. Delicatessen
Restaurant & Bakery.
When Anh entered the United States thirty-
RESTAURANT &
five years ago, she and her husband, Hong Tran,
arrived as political refugees from South Vietnam.
BAKERY
Hong was first lieutenant in the South Vietnamese
Army. Married just six months, the Viet Cong
raided their home and took her husband to a
prison camp in the mountains of Vietnam.
Over the next three years, Anh would travel
from camp to camp looking for her husband.
Eventually she found him and began paying
bribes to a prison guard from what was left of
her dowry over a number of months before he
was released.
Neither Anh nor Hong spoke much English
Reunited, the couple decided to leave their
when they arrived in the United States. Theirs
home to find freedom and a new life in the
was a long, slow journey to even being able to
United States. Just before they left Vietnam,
communicate with neighbors and much later,
Anh gave birth to their first child, a baby girl
becoming business owners.
they named Minh-Hai.
At first, Anh took in sewing and Hong went
Three weeks later, they boarded a small boat
to work for an electronics company, working
with their nineteen-day-old daughter along
for minimum wage. Her business grew into
with 200 other passengers to begin a two-week
contract sewing, and Hong became a Xerox
odyssey that would take them to Singapore,
technician. Their family grew as well, with the
Above: Anh Vo.
Hong Kong, Indonesia, and would feature four
addition of another daughter and two sons.
pirate raids.
Anh and Hong will be celebrating their fortieth
Top, right: Anh Vo and Hong Tran.
Using a government program that allowed
anniversary this October.
families to fly to the United States and
Three years after arriving in Dallas, the
repay the cost of their flight later, the family
couple saved enough money to buy a grocery
immigrated to the United States and settled
meat market and deli in Lake June. Eventually,
in Dallas.
the business grew and prospered, allowing them
D A L L A S C O U N T Y : A 2 1 s t C e n t u r y M o s a i c 102
where she learned how to cook an
American staple—the hamburger.
Another of her early triumphs was
chicken and dumplings, still a mainstay
on her deli menus.
In 1989, Anh and Hong took a culinary
turn northward when they took over the
lease of a defunct Cindy’s Deli & Pancake
House on the North Central Expressway.
They were very fortunate to be able to hire
the deli’s old employees, which made the
transition into the business easier.
Soon after they bought the business,
however, construction on the North
Central would commence that prevented
access to their premises. Anh took her deli
on the road, during that time, to the area’s
office buildings and complexes—taking
orders to keep their business in the black.
They changed the restaurant’s name
from “Cindy’s” to “Cindi’s,” retaining its
New York-style deli look-and-feel.
Owning widespread businesses soon took
its toll so they decided to sell BJ’s.
Four years later, they bought the Bagel
Emporium, located in Richardson, where
they had been purchasing their bread
and bagels. Hong assisted with the
management of the bakery, which not
only supplied their deli but also sold
its products to area hotels and country
clubs. The bakery has since been
relocated to the original Cindi’s location,
where bagels and pastries are baked from
scratch everyday.
In the ensuing years, Anh would
expand her operation to five locations in
the Metroplex, while Hong focused his
energies at home raising four growing
children but helping with the business
to purchase a convenience store on Inwood Road.
as needed. If anything, the reason for their
The profits from that financed the purchase of
success as New York-style deli owners lies
a Southern cuisine restaurant called BJ’s.
in their determination to create menus and
Over the years, people have asked why
places that fulfill their customers’ expectations
she did not start a Vietnamese restaurant. Her
of what a Jewish deli is.
answer was that she did not do much cooking
Her deli menus range from chicken noodle
in Vietnam, where she focused on her studies
soup to matzo-ball soup; from corn beef on rye
and helped her mother with her fabric business
to hamburgers; and bagels and challah and,
in Saigon.
yes…chicken and dumplings and pancakes.
Anh first dabbled with Southern cooking
For additional information or a location
at the Lake June store and more so at BJ’s,
nearby, please visit www.cindisnydeli.com.
D A L L A S C O U N T Y P A R T N E R S
1 0 3
Since its beginning more than 110 years ago,
In 1939, Baylor established one of the
BAYLOR
Baylor Health Care System, a nonprofit support-
world’s first blood banks to freeze-dry blood
ing organization with more than 370 patient
plasma, making it possible to transport blood
HEALTH CARE
care sites, has been a leading provider of safe,
across long distances without refrigeration.
quality, compassionate healthcare in North
This revolutionary invention brought world-
Texas. Founded as a Christian ministry of heal-
wide attention to Baylor and helped save
SYSTEM
ing, Baylor exists to serve all people through
many lives on the battlefields of World War II.
exemplary healthcare, education, research and
In 1976, Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer
community service. It is built on integrity, ser-
Center opened a campus to consolidate all
vanthood, quality, innovation and stewardship.
cancer treatment resources in one building,
Rich in history, Baylor began
a far-reaching concept at the time. Today, with
with the establishment of Texas
a $350 million expansion adding Baylor T.
Baptist Memorial Sanitarium in
Boone Pickens Cancer Hospital and building
1903. As Dallas City officials
a new Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer
struggled to meet the demands
Center, Baylor is home to North Texas’ first
of healthcare and sanitation con-
dedicated cancer hospital and largest outpa-
trol, Dr. Charles Rosser saw an
tient cancer center. These two fully integrated
opportunity to develop a new
facilities offer quality care with staff trained in
corps of qualified and well edu-
all aspects of cancer treatment. Baylor contin-
cated physicians by establishing
ues to make its way toward being a national
a medical school but the new
destination center for cancer care with seven
medical school students lacked a
cancer programs in the Dallas/Fort Wor