On hand were John Paul DeJoria, co-founder of multi-billion-dollar Paul Mitchell beauty products, and Gordon Hartman, founder/chair of Morgan’s and father of Morgan Hartman, inspiration for world renowned Morgan’s Wonderland theme park and all the Ultra-Accessible, fully-inclusive ventures that have followed. The Red Carpet Greeters from the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce presided over a ribbon-cutting, with salon patrons and Morgan’s MAC staff joining in on the festivities.

 “Most people take haircuts and other beauty treatments for granted,” Hartman said, “but for those with disabilities and special needs, these treatments truly are a big deal. Morgan’s Salon values each individual’s sensory-sensitive needs by recognizing the person before the service begins and by never forcing, restraining or letting the pressure of time interfere as an individual goes through her or his salon experience.”

Hartman added that salon clients can come as they are and leave feeling empowered and uplifted. In the spirit of inclusion, the salon welcomes clients both with and without disabilities and special needs. 

Morgan’s Salon offers an array of haircuts and hair styling as well as manicures and pedicures, said Katrina Venzor-Vargas, salon manager with seven years of cosmetology experience to her credit. A complete menu of services, treatments and prices can be found at www.MorgansMAC.org/Morgans-Salon. 

“At Morgan’s Salon, we strive to enhance people’s lives by offering innovative salon services to everyone,” Venzor-Vargas said. “While experiencing our various services, patrons have our complete attention for all sensory-sensitive requests. Our stylists get to know the individual through a thorough, complimentary consultation, then we use our artistry to deliver the best results.” 

Morgan’s Salon hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and appointments can be made by calling (830) 286-3373. The salon is conveniently located in Suite 1151 on the first floor of Morgan’s MAC. 

Morgan’s Salon clients attending the grand opening offered positive reviews of the salon’s staff and services. 

For Kathy Lopez of San Antonio, who has an autoimmune condition, her visit to Morgan’s Salon was her first beauty shop appointment in four years. “Traditional salon haircutting chairs did not accommodate or make me feel safe to transition back and forth from my wheelchair,” she said. “Katrina Venzor-Vargas offered me two options that put my mind at ease instantly – stay in my chair or utilize the amazing Morgan’s Salon chair. 

“My Morgan’s Salon experience is building my confidence and helping me move forward little by little. The free parking, private-access door, salon equipment, aesthetics and space to maneuver in are all contributing factors. However, the treatment and understanding from Katrina was my favorite and most pleasing part of my experience.” 

Ileana Cam, mother of 14-year-old Cedrick Hebert of Austin, who has been diagnosed with autism and IDD (intellectual developmental disorder), also praised the Morgan’s Salon environment and staff following her son’s recent visit. 

“During previous haircutting attempts, Cedrick would be melting down and unable to finish his haircut because he was all over the place,” Cam said. “So, it was amazing that he sat still and completed his first professional haircut. The Morgan’s Salon stylist was very patient and attentive. The whole experience made the drive down from Austin worth it.” 

DeJoria, special guest for the Morgan’s Salon grand opening and ribbon-cutting, worked with hairstylist Paul Mitchell to co-found John Paul Mitchell Systems (JPMS), now the world’s largest privately-owned professional haircare company. The Austin resident continues to serve as chairman of the company. JPMS brands are available in more than 100,000 hair salons in 115 countries, and there are over 100 Paul Mitchell schools throughout the U. S., with more planned, and two in Europe.

DeJoria and Hartman became friends through involvement in the Giving Pledge, an organization of philanthropists founded by Bill Gates, Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett. Both DeJoria and Hartman are also members of the Texas Business Hall of Fame.

Morgan’s MAC (Multi-Assistance Center) is a key part of Morgan’s, the nonprofit umbrella organization that coordinates planning, fundraising, marketing and communications for the Morgan’s Wonderland “family” of Ultra-Accessible, fully-inclusive endeavors. Morgan’s MAC embraces inclusion and provides coordinated medical and non-medical solutions to problems faced by children and adults with special needs. For more information, visit www.Morgans.org.

Ultra-Accessible refers to removing both physical and economic barriers that confront children and adults with special needs. This means that those with and without special needs can come together in fully-inclusive environments for interaction and a better understanding of one another.

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SAN ANTONIO – Sandy Ethridge, with more than three decades of leadership in health care to her credit, has been named president of the Multi-Assistance Center at Morgan’s Wonderland, or The MAC, which constitutes a revolutionary new approach to helping address medical, therapeutic and non-medical drivers of health faced by those with special needs.

Located within walking distance of world-renowned Morgan’s Wonderland theme park, The MAC offers a coordinated approach to providing medical and non-medical services to children and adults with special needs and disabilities. It’s the newest addition to Morgan’s Inclusion Initiative, the nonprofit, umbrella organization that coordinates planning, fundraising and communications among the Morgan’s Wonderland “family” of endeavors designed with those with special needs in mind and built for everyone’s benefit.

“We’re truly delighted to have someone with the experience and passion of Sandy Ethridge to lead The MAC and its growth,” said Dr. Brent Fields, Morgan’s Inclusion Initiative CEO. “She has achieved great things throughout her career that began in San Antonio. Sandy will assume her new duties Sept. 5, so it will be a homecoming for her, her husband and daughter.”

Ethridge, reporting directly to enterprise CEO Dr. Brent Fields, was born in Tulia, Texas, began her career in 1993 in the radiology technology program of the Baptist School of Health Professions in San Antonio. She assumed positions of greater responsibility as her husband’s Air Force career necessitated moves to various stateside bases. Along the way, she earned a bachelor’s degree in radiologic science from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls and a master’s degree from the University of St. Francis.

She held multiple high-level leadership posts within the Baptist Health System in San Antonio before moving to Amarillo in 2019 and serving most recently as chief operating officer at the Northwest Texas Health Care System, a 500-bed medical center.

Ethridge will lead a staff of approximately 65 – including an all-female leadership team – at the colorful, three-story, 165,000-square-foot MAC that opened last October. It houses more than 30 community-based organizations and providers, our MAC partners, working together to address the multi-faceted needs of individuals with cognitive and physical special needs. As The MAC moves forward, its network of MAC Partners will expand to address an even wider range of challenges faced by those with special needs. Each client, or MAC Member, is assigned a specially-educated Navigator to coordinate care, schedule follow-up appointments and track progress.

“Knowledge gained by Morgan’s Wonderland staff through countless interactions with guests with special needs led to the creation of The MAC,” said Gordon Hartman, who along with wife Maggie built Morgan’s Wonderland and other Ultra-Accessible, fully-inclusive ventures. “Providing services in a coordinated manner through The MAC establishes a new standard of care, not only in San Antonio but across the state and nation as well as internationally. The true inspiration for The MAC and everything else we’ve been able to accomplish is our daughter with special needs, Morgan.”

The MAC is located at 5210 Thousand Oaks Drive near IH 35 in Northeast San Antonio. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Additional information can be found at www.MorgansWonderlandMAC.com.
For more about Morgan’s Inclusion Initiative, visit www.InclusionStartsHere.com or www.GoInclusion.com.

Ultra-Accessible refers to removing both physical and economic barriers that confront children and adults with special needs. This means that those with and without special needs can come together in a fully-inclusive environment for interaction and a better understanding of one another.

© The Multi-Assistance Center at Morgan’s Wonderland – Patent Pending – All Rights Reserved

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