October 1, 2019

Texas Children’s is one of the best in the country at taking care of our patients. But we are constantly striving to be better in the coordination of that care.

So what exactly does that mean? It means that although several providers may be involved in a patient’s treatment, they each deliver care as if they are part of one big picture.

This effort – Care Coordination – is an organizational priority and is in full swing at Texas Children’s.

But why?

Many Texas Children’s patients, especially those who are medically complex, use several aspects of our services; several times throughout the year. We can take care of these families as if each one of their visits are individual occurrences; or we can actually coordinate their care so that it is more comprehensive, less frustrating and enhances value for us as an organization.

What does UNcoordinated care look like?

Before recent efforts began there were many more cases of uncoordinated care, which caused a great deal of frustration for our families.

Uncoordinated care means that patients may receive multiple phone calls with inconsistent information, they may be asked the same question when they show up in different areas of the organization, and certain duties may be duplicated by employees.

Tabitha Rice, senior vice president and administrative lead of the Care Coordination project, said she is proud of the work that has been done so far to rectify these issues. The project is already yielding measurable results. “However, high performance is in our blood at Texas Children’s and so we never want to stop getting better,” Rice said. “Care coordination is about quality and safety first. Secondly, it’s about enhancing the experience for our patients, providers and staff.”

The Care Coordination effort involves all three of our hospitals, Texas Children’s Pediatrics, Texas Children’s Health Plan, The Centers for Children and Women and all of our partners. It is a true system-wide effort.

When care coordination is done right, we …

  • Have a shared care plan that forces us to think through responsibilities and potential problems ahead of time.
  • Communicate with patients by explaining treatments, procedures and necessary follow-up actions.
  • Communicate between providers and care givers by telling all the details of the patients’ story when performing a hand-off.
  • Transition a patient efficiently between areas within our system or between their stages of care.
  • Organize a patient’s care for their convenience by taking into consideration things like scheduling, transportation, supplies, medication, etc.
  • Use community resources effectively.

Both clinical and non-clinical employees have a role in this work. Care Coordination is a priority for the system and for thousands of members of our One Amazing Team.

A shining example of Care Coordination

Deanna Courts, Texas Children’s Health Plan service coordinator, and her work with member Mark Bowden is a shining example of exceptional care coordination.

For more than two years Courts went above and beyond to assist Mark as he battled ADHD, bipolar disorder and a cancerous tumor.

With Courts leading the way, the entire Texas Children’s system had a role in providing Bowden and his family with diagnostics, chemotherapy, food assistance, psychiatric support, social support and anything else needed to work through this trying time in life.

Today, this young man is now a cancer-free, high school graduate. Thanks to our one amazing team he is currently enrolled in college at Lamar University and doing well.

Tell us your story

Do you or someone you work with coordinate care well? Tell us how by sending a note to connect@texaschildrens.org. We want to hear from you!

Amanda Garey shares how our nurses and volunteers exemplified our organization’s core values – leading tirelessly and amplifying unity – to ensure that Professional Day was a success despite the challenges encountered by Tropical Storm Imelda. Read more

Texas Children’s and the Houston Texans celebrated PLAY 60 by cheering on the football team as they played the Carolina Panthers in the 4th Annual Texans Kids Day presented by Texas Children’s Hospital.

Texans Kids Day highlights the National Football League’s PLAY 60 initiative, a campaign that encourages kids to be active for 60 minutes a day in order to reverse the trend of childhood obesity. Texas Children’s Hospital, the local presenting sponsor of PLAY 60, was featured throughout Sunday’s game including signage, gate giveaways and kids jobs.

Additionally, Kaylee Tolleson, an avid Houston Texans fan and patient at Texas Children’s Hospital’s Cancer Center, served as the Honorary Coin Toss Captain. The 9-year-old is an ovarian cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer after doctors found a tumor the size of a softball had spread to her abdominal wall. Following surgery and four intense rounds of chemotherapy at Texas Children’s, Kaylee was declared cancer-free in July. She rang the end-of-treatment bell surrounded by her parents and army of supporters. Now, Kaylee is a spunky 4th grader who loves ice skating, Girl Scouts and tracking the weather. She is a BIG Houston Texans fan and can’t wait to see her favorite player, J.J. Watt, play in person at the game.

Ten employees recognized as Unsung Heroes as well as our 2020 Catalyst Award winners, their guests and leaders got to watch the game as a thank you for their compassion and dedication to the Texas Children’s mission. The tickets to the game are one of the benefits of Texas Children’s Hospital being the official children’s hospital of the Houston Texans football team. To learn more about the Unsung Heroes, click here. The 2020 Catalyst Award winners, along with the Catalyst of the Year, will formally be announced at the Mark A. Wallace Catalyst Luncheon on October 16.

In addition to the Kids Day game, the PLAY 60 initiative was full of fun events aimed at helping further the PLAY 60 message and getting children across the Houston moving. Below is a recap of some of these event. View photos from the events below.

PRE-GAME PEP RALLY:
Last week, we hosted a pre-game pep rally at the hospital’s play garden to help get some of our patients excited about the game and remind them about how important it is to PLAY 60. Texans players Roderick Johnson and Peter Kalambayi, Texans Cheerleaders Sierra and Torrey, and TORO were in attendance and took photos, played games and signed autographs with patients and their families.

PLAY 60 AT THE PARK:
On September 21, Texas Children’s Hospital and the Houston Texans hosted the 3nd annual PLAY 60 at the Park event at Evelyn’s Park Conservancy to kick off PLAY 60 Week in Houston. As the local sponsor of PLAY 60, the NFL-led initiative, which encourages kids to get at least 60 minutes of active play per day, Texas Children’s invited the community to join in an evening of fun and games aimed at keeping kids healthy. Special guests included Texans Ambassadors Cecil Shorts III and Eric Brown, TORO, Houston Texans Cheerleaders and more.

KIDS JOBS:
Five PLAY 60 participants were selected to attend and participate in the Kids Day game. These participants were given the special assignments of Public Announcement Announcer, Texans Radio, Jr. Reporter on Texans Unlimited, Gameday Central Desk helper, Halftime Trophy Presenter for the Mascot Bowl.

Texas Children’s Hospital and the Houston Texans are two winning teams that share one goal – keeping Houston kids healthy and encouraging them to be more active. To learn more about our partnership, visit: texaschildrens.org/texans.

September 30, 2019

Texas Children’s Hospital has announced the two new leaders of the Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) Program at Texas Children’s Heart Center® – esteemed cardiologist, Dr. Peter Ermis, as medical director and Dr. Edward Hickey, a recognized cardiovascular surgeon, as surgical director. Beginning on October 1, they will together guide the largest ACHD program in the state.

Texas Children’s is ranked No. 1 in the nation for pediatric cardiology and heart surgery by U.S. News & World Report, but for years the hospital has also offered expert care for adults with congenital heart disease. Texas Children’s ACHD Program allows patients with congenital heart disease to receive seamless continuity of care from birth throughout adulthood. As pediatric patients with congenital heart defects transition into adulthood, the program’s multidisciplinary team of experienced congenital heart disease specialists advises them on health and lifestyle choices for their adult needs, including physical challenges, exercise options and family planning. The program offers comprehensive medical and surgical care in collaboration with colleagues at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women® and Texas Children’s Fetal Center®. The hospital’s ACHD Program is accredited by the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) and is one of only three accredited programs in Texas.

Ermis, a native Houstonian and dedicated member of Texas Children’s ACHD Program team since 2014, also serves as assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s academic partner.

“I’m honored to take on a leadership role in the program where I began my cardiology career,” said Ermis. “As this population of patients grows, it is even more important they are cared for by congenital heart disease specialists who recognize their specific needs as they transition to and live through adulthood. Our team is revolutionizing the way we care for these patients, and I look forward to continuing to do so in partnership with Dr. Hickey.”

Ermis received his undergraduate degree at Rice University. He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and went on to complete his residency and pediatric and adult cardiology fellowship at Baylor. He is board certified in pediatric cardiology, adult cardiology and adult congenital heart disease. Ermis is a fellow in the American College of Cardiology and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Texas Heart Institute Cardiac Society and the International Society on Adult Congenital Heart Disease.

Hickey, a proven leader in cardiovascular surgery, most recently served as associate professor of cardiac surgery at the University of Toronto and cardiac surgeon and chief of the ACHD program at The Hospital for Sick Children. In addition to his leadership role, he will also perform congenital heart surgeries and serve as associate professor of surgery at Baylor.

“I’m thrilled to join Texas Children’s and lead the ACHD Program alongside Dr. Ermis,” said Hickey. “Treating these unique patients requires dedication from an entire team, and it is evident Texas Children’s is paving the way in this field. I’m looking forward to joining this innovative and collaborative group as we continue to develop tailored approaches for our patients.”

Hickey received a Bachelor of Medicine degree from the University of Southampton in the U.K., where he also completed his general surgery residency. He went on to complete higher surgical training in cardiothoracic surgery and simultaneously earned his Doctorate of Medicine research thesis from Oregon Health & Science University and the University of Southampton, respectively. Later, he received the John Kirklin Fellowship from the Congenital Heart Surgeons’ Society, University of Toronto and spent two years at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. He then pursued residency training in Cardiovascular Surgery at the University of Toronto, followed by a clinical fellowship in congenital heart surgery.

Learn more about Texas Children’s ACHD Program.

To be ranked among the best children’s hospital services in the nation by U.S. News and World Report is a big deal. But when you talk to leaders within the Diabetes & Endocrinology service you get the sense that high performance is simply who they are.

“We are extremely proud of the recognition because it speaks to how hard we work,” said Curtis Yee, practice administrator of the Diabetes and Endocrinology section. “But we also recognize that we still have a lot of work left to do for our patients and families.”

This year the service ranked at No. 8.

What makes a high performing team?
Ryan Breaux, U.S. News and World Report service team lead, said the heart and soul of the program’s success is the quality infrastructure of the Diabetes Care Process Team which is comprised of approximately 150 people.

“A strong team is motivated to improve outcomes for our patients. That’s the core of our work every single day and it shines through,” Breaux said. “I also give a lot of credit to Dr. Rona Sonabend who has been instrumental in building the culture of this service.”

The Diabetes care process team includes providers, nurses, diabetes educators, dietitians, social workers, data technicians, and psychologists.

U.S. News recognized several big wins for patients and families:

  • An increase in percentage of patients with Diabetes who have LDL cholesterol less than 130, which is tied directly to the physical health of patients within the service.
  • A significant increase in patient encounters with a nutritionist, certified dietitian educator, social worker, and/or a psychologist for patients with Diabetes – a marker that captures how much emphasis is placed on the overall health and well-being of patients with diabetes
  • Increased dialated retinal or non-mydriatic camera examinations in the diabetes clinics to ensure that the eye health of patients with diabetes is regularly monitored.
  • Closed out all structural related metrics in an effort to guarantee that the service has the structural and procedural framework to keep performing at the highest level possible.

In 1996, Physician-in-Chief Dr. Mark W. Kline made a trip to Romania that changed his life and subsequently the lives of hundreds of thousands of children and women across the globe.

While there on a fact-finding mission after the Eastern European country’s inhumane treatment of orphans came to the world’s attention, Kline saw children ravaged by HIV/AIDS because they didn’t have access to the life-saving medication that was readily available in the United States.

The images haunted Kline, who on his flight back to Houston roughly outlined how Baylor could intervene to help children neglected by the global public health community. Twenty years later, Baylor College of Medicine International Pediatric AIDS Initiative (BIPAI) at Texas Children’s Hospital is one of the largest global maternal and child health programs in the world.

Providing care and treatment to nearly 300,000 children, BIPAI has established public-private partnerships in 10 countries across sub-Saharan Africa as well as Latin America and Romania. These partnerships now extend beyond the scope of HIV/AIDS and tackle other conditions in the developing world such as cancer, tuberculosis, malaria, sickle cell and malnutrition.

“BIPAI and its partnership with Texas Children’s has touched so many lives, and we owe it all to Dr. Kline’s vision and leadership,” said Texas Children’s President and Chief Operating Officer Mark A. Wallace. “If it weren’t for him, BIPAI wouldn’t exist.”

BIPAI’s 20 years of success were celebrated September 29 at the fund-raising event “Through the Lens.” Presented by Chevron, the event honored Kline and featured the work of Smiley Pool, a Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist who has captured BIPAI’s life-changing work for the past two decades.

The almost 300 people who attended the event at The Revaire experienced a visual journey through Poole’s photographs from the diverse regions where BIPAI is bringing health and healing to those in need of care. Most of the photos had never been seen before and told a story of challenge, hope, triumph and connection.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to be able to document the journey of BIPAI and Texas Children’s across the globe,” Pool said. “I hope the stories of the people I have photographed will continue to inspire others to move this effort forward.”

In addition to Pool’s photographs, the event featured a World Market sponsored by AbbVie. The market was filled with goods made by the BIPAI Teen Club and were available for purchase. The event’s globally-inspired cuisine included passed hors d’oeuvres, along with six food stations where empanadas were served to honor Argentina, Romanian garlic sausage was enjoyed, and guests were treated to three variations of ceviche as a tribute to the culture of Columbia.

“Chevron is proud to be part of a partnership that has saved so many lives,” said Clay Neff, president of Chevron’s Africa and Latin America Exploration and Production. “We are extremely appreciative of Dr. Kline’s leadership and look forward to continuing to work side-by-side.”

When Kline took the stage, he humbly thanked several people in the room and appreciated gratefulness for being given the opportunity to help children and women in such need.

“This work is incredibly gratifying,” he said. “I’ve done it for the past 20 years because it’s my passion. I’m truly doing what I love.”

For more information about BIPAI, visit bipai.org. To read more about Texas Children’s Global Health Program, click here. To support these efforts across the global, click here. “Through The Lens” raised more than $400,000 toward BIPAI’s mission.

Social media is a great way to share glimpses of your life with family and friends. Engaging on social media is increasingly becoming part of our daily routines, so it’s more important than ever that everyone at Texas Children’s understands their responsibilities around social media use.

With that in mind, the Marketing/PR and Human Resources departments developed a short video about the appropriate use of social media. You can watch the video below and keep it front of mind whenever you use any social media platform.

Ultimately, every single person at Texas Children’s is responsible for how they use social media. Be sure you make informed, thoughtful decisions about what you choose to post online.

If you discover any unethical, illegal or questionable content on social media relating to Texas Children’s, please notify your immediate supervisor or call our confidential Compliance hotline at 1-866-478-9070.