February 25, 2014

The latest issue of IS Technology News is now available online. Click here to view important technology news and helpful information such as:

  • How IS protects Texas Children’s against cyber security threats (and what you can do at home!)

Recent data breaches by major retailers exposed security vulnerabilities, and put millions of consumers at risk for spam, phishing and malware. Texas Children’s faces similar threats, so Information Services (IS) uses a combination of programs, policies and practices to protect both the organization and its individual employees and patients. In fact, many information security best practices can also protect you at home!

  • The IS Customer Support Portal has a fresh look and helpful new features. Check it out!
  • Enhance security and access to your favorite web sites with an (easy) update to Internet Explorer 8
  • Locked out of your computer? Never again with Password Reset!
  • Windows 7 migration benefits – they’re for everyone!

Please visit the Information Services Connect site for more helpful technology tips, updates and information.

Eight to 10 year-old African American girls and their parents are needed to participate in an eight-week online program promoting healthy eating and physical activity.

Requirements for participation:

  • Must speak and understand English
  • Access to high-speed internet
  • A personal email address
  • A parent willing to participate

There are no meetings to attend. Participation can be from the comfort and convenience of your home. A stipend is available.

This program is conducted by the Children’s Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine. Email Marilyn or call 713-798-7002 to register or for more information.

February 18, 2014

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On February 7, West Campus was awarded the top honor at the Houston West Chamber of Commerce’s 16th Annual Economic Development Summit and Star Awards. Michelle Riley-Brown, president of West Campus, accepted the 2014 Pillar Award which recognizes a business or organization that consistently and tirelessly supports the business community, exemplifies the determined spirit of the Houston West Chamber and promotes a superior quality of life in our community.

“I was truly honored and humbled to receive the highest award on behalf of Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus,” said Riley-Brown. “We have grown tremendously since we opened our doors three years ago, and we look forward to continuing to treat children and families in the West Houston community.”

The Pillar Award is voted on by the Star Award Events Committee. West Campus also served as a sponsor of the event.

Watch a video about West Campus.

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Dr. Daniel Penny, chief of Cardiology and section head and professor of Pediatrics-Cardiology at Baylor College of Medicine, will present the 12th Annual William J. Rashkind Memorial Lecture in Pediatric Cardiology at Cardiology 2014, the 17th Annual Update on Pediatric and Congenital Cardiovascular Disease. The conference, hosted by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, will take place in Lake Buena Vista, Florida February 19 through 23.

“I am honored to be delivering the keynote address at this year’s Cardiology conference,” says Penny. “This is a great opportunity to showcase the cutting edge techniques and thought leadership we practice at Texas Children’s Heart Center.”

Cardiology 2014 is a comprehensive post-graduate course for pediatric cardiologists, neonatologists, surgeons, nurses, intensivists, anesthesiologists, sonographers, perfusionists and all those involved in the care of neonates, children and young adults with cardiovascular disease. This year’s theme is “Innovations: What We Know. What We Need to Learn. Where We Need to Be.” Penny’s speech, The Quest for the Ultimate Team, will discuss the importance of assembling a comprehensive team of specialists and experts to deliver the best possible care to pediatric cardiology patients.

In addition to the keynote address, Penny also will serve as a panelist during a discussion about the management of aortic valve disease and represent Team Houston during a quiz bowl which will test his knowledge against experts in the field from around the United States. Other Texas Children’s Heart Center experts who will be giving presentations or attending the conference include:

  • Dr. Carrie Altman, medical director of Pediatric Cardiology at Texas Children’s and associate professor of Pediatrics at Baylor.
  • Dr. Paul Checchia, medical director of the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Texas Children’s and professor of Critical Care Medicine at Baylor, will present: Maximizing Success in the Coming Age of Values-driven Healthcare: Turning Things Upside Down to Get Them Right Side Up and will also represent Team Houston during the quiz bowl.
  • Dr. Silvana Lawrence, medical director, community and program development at Texas Children’s and associate professor of Pediatrics-Cardiology at Baylor.
  • Dr. Keila Lopez, pediatric cardiologist at Texas Children’s and assistant professor of Pediatrics at Baylor.
  • Dr. Kristen Sexson Tejtel, pediatric cardiologist, Center for Preventive Cardiology at Texas Children’s and assistant professor of Pediatrics-Cardiology at Baylor.

Visit the conference’s website for more information on Cardiology 2014.

February 11, 2014

 

21214arnoldcollage640As director of Texas Children’s Simulation Center and a neonatologist at Texas Children’s Newborn Center, Dr. Jennifer Arnold is a respected health care professional. But she’s no stranger to the patient side of health care, having dealt with complications from dwarfism throughout her life.

Last year, Arnold became pregnant, and the pregnancy turned into a rare but aggressive type of cancer of the uterus. In September, Arnold was diagnosed with stage 3 choriocarcinoma. The diagnosis suddenly sent her back into the world of receiving care, rather than giving it.

“I have a unique perspective in that I’ve been a patient so many times before,” Arnold said. “But having cancer leads to a little more trepidation and uncertainty. I was in that rare position of being vulnerable and knowing all the things that can go wrong.”

Due to her short stature, Arnold’s case made it somewhat challenging for doctors to determine the correct chemotherapy dosage. Her small airway meant further complications, all of which may have been tough for an adult hospital to manage. Because of her special circumstances, Texas Children’s Physician-in-Chief Dr. Mark W. Kline decided that although Arnold is an adult, Texas Children’s should take her case.

Dr. Diaz-Arrastia of Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women and Dr. Chintagumpala from Texas Children’s Cancer Center teamed up to develop a plan that included chemotherapy and removing the primary tumor. They researched intensely to find the proper dosage and ensured there was always someone on-call who could manage Arnold’s airway. Texas Children’s Drs. Nancy Glass, Jodi Muscal, David Poplack and Kim-Phuong Thi Nguyen also played key roles in her care.

“I felt so much better than I would have at an adult hospital, because I’m a different circumstance,” Arnold said. “If I wasn’t at Texas Children’s I would have been 10 times more scared. But I know the doctors and nurses here, and I know how much they care. They were so on top of things, and I’m very appreciative of how everyone came together to help.”

The perk of being surrounded not only by family and friends, but by her work family, too, delighted Arnold. Colleagues came to visit her during treatment, dropping by to show support, and even had meetings during Arnold’s hospitalization to keep her updated on projects in the Simulation and Newborn Centers.

“I’m so blessed to have a lot of friends and colleagues at the hospital,” Arnold said. “It made me feel more connected to my life.”

Arnold also notes that it was the support of her husband, Bill, two adopted children, Will, and Zoey, and her parents, who helped keep her smiling and energized during her treatment. With six rounds of chemotherapy and the surgery behind her, Arnold is rejoicing in the news that her cancer has gone into remission. She is beginning to regain her stamina and looking forward to coming back to work in early March.

“Taking care of babies is the most physically exhausting part of my job, and I can’t wait until I’m ready for that again in a few weeks,” she said. “There are so many exciting projects that we were in the middle of when I got the diagnosis, and I’m really eager to pick up where I left off. Overall though, I’m just definitely looking forward to getting back to normal life.”

Jillian Young shares what it meant to have her child be on the receiving end of donor milk and why she hopes you will consider donating:

When you find yourself and your baby in the NICU like I did, it can be a very scary time. As a parent, you often feel helpless and aren’t really able to do much to help your child except love on him and feed him. When my body did not cooperate with producing enough milk to feed Henry every three hours, I felt so guilty. The one thing I was supposed to be able to do, I could not. Fortunately Henry was in the NICU at Texas Children’s and became a recipient of donor milk from the Texas Children’s Milk Bank. This service was offered to us once our nurse became aware that I was not able to produce enough milk to feed him every 3 hours. I jumped at the chance to have a donor supplement what I was unable to provide. With him being so tiny and every feeding really counting, I felt a great sense of relief once he was receiving donor milk for most of his feedings. I was so thankful to the lady for taking time so that Henry was able to receive such great nutrients. We live in a society right now that promotes breast milk as being the best source for babies. Given Henry’s situation I wanted to take every measure possible to make sure he got all the nutrients he needed to gain weight and strength.

After months of pumping every 3 hours since Henry would only take milk from bottles, I had a new respect for milk donors. Not only are they most likely feeding their own children, a grueling task in itself, but they are taking the time and effort to pump extra milk for complete strangers! I think it is such a selfless act that impacts parents like me who feel helpless when they can’t feed their child.

With baby #2 on the way, I am praying that breastfeeding goes smoothly and she will not end up in the NICU like her big brother. However, if that is the case, I am happy to know she will be able to receive donor milk in order to help her in the beginning stages of her life. I also have every intention to donate milk myself if I am able. If I can ease a mother’s mind and take away any guilt she may be feeling, I feel it is worth the extra time and effort. After hearing Henry was a recipient of donor milk, my friend became a milk donor to Texas Children’s milk bank since she produced too much! I LOVE that she was able to do that and I hope to follow in her footsteps. If you are thinking about donating you should! Being on the receiving side of milk donation, it really is immeasurable how much it helps a family and most importantly how much it helps these tiny babies!

To find out how you can become a donor, visit: texaschildrens.org/milk

February 5, 2014

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Texas Children’s is going North. Or more specifically, we’re headed to The Woodlands. In fall 2017, Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands will begin providing specialized care to children and families in a world-class, 548,000-square-foot facility.

“We stand at the forefront of an exciting new time in pediatric health care as we continue to grow, save more lives and create better futures for children everywhere,” said Texas Children’s President and CEO Mark A. Wallace at Friday’s groundbreaking ceremonies for the new hospital. “Our next 60 years start today – here in The Woodlands – with a Texas Children’s community hospital built right on this spot.”

More than 700 Texas Children’s supporters, including many residents, leaders and donors from The Woodlands area, joined Friday’s groundbreaking events to help celebrate both the new hospital and Texas Children’s 60th birthday. Along with the ceremonial turning of the first shovels of dirt, the festivities included presentation of a birthday cake: local children, all former patients of the hospital, helped Wallace sing happy birthday and blow out the candles.

A video commemorating Texas Children’s 60 years of history was shown, and guests heard remarks from Wallace, long-time hospital supporter and Woodlands resident, Carol Garner, and from Carol Ann Demaret, mother of David Vetter, known widely as the “Bubble Boy.”

A peek inside
Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands will offer specialty pediatric care in cancer, cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, diabetes and endocrinology, urology, sports medicine, gastroenterology and nutrition, plastic surgery, otolaryngology, allergy and immunology, dermatology, adolescent medicine and physician rehabilitation.

Hospital facilities will include 24 emergency center rooms, 74 outpatient rooms, five radiology rooms, four operating rooms and 30 acute care beds at opening with plans of up to 200 beds. Ample free parking will be available with 1,000 spaces planned. Along with serving families throughout The Woodlands area, Texas Children’s anticipates serving families in counties throughout Greater North Houston including Montgomery, Walker, Grimes, Liberty, Harris, Polk, San Jacinto and Hardin.

Partnering with Nordstrom, The Woodlands
On the heels of the birthday and groundbreaking was another big announcement of Texas Children’s newest partnership. Wallace announced that national retailer Nordstrom has chosen the new pediatric hospital in The Woodlands as the beneficiary for the opening gala of its much-anticipated new Woodlands store.

“Houston has been a great home for us and we can’t wait to open our second full-line store at The Woodlands,” said Nora Cummings, vice president and regional manager for Nordstrom. “We’re honored to partner with Texas Children’s Hospital and through our opening gala support their new Pediatric Hospital in The Woodlands.”

All proceeds from the pre-opening event, slated for Wednesday, September 3, 2014, will go toward the new hospital. The new Nordstrom at The Woodlands opens Friday, September 5, 2014. Ticket information will be shared on Connect closer to the event.