August 23, 2016

Running With Bulls

It’s time to get active with the Houston Texans!

TORO’s Kids 1K presented by Texas Children’s Hospital and the Running of the Bulls 5K Run and Walk presented by H-E-B and are back and registration is open.

Here are the details:

Sunday, October 9, 2016
NRG Park
Competitive 5K Run: $30
Non-competitive 5K Run/Walk: $25
TORO’s Kids 1K: $20

You’ll get the full Texans experience at the Finish Line presented by Mattress Firm by running through the Houston Texans game-day bull tunnel and finishing on the floor of NRG Stadium for a post-race party, featuring free food and drinks, live music, giveaways, autographs from Texans celebrities, and more.

To register, click here.

August 1, 2016

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On July 26, 10-year-old Joseph Fleming received a big surprise from his favorite baseball team when Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve and pitcher Lance McCullers visited him at Texas Children’s Cancer Center.

Fleming was diagnosed with a rare cancer in his liver and lungs, and his family and friends wanted to cheer him up. After his story aired on KPRC, one thing led to another before this lucky Astros fan and aspiring big league pitcher got a chance to hang out with his favorite Astros players.

Click here to watch the video.

Houston Texan’s J.J. Watt surprised one of his biggest fans, 9-year old Will Martinez, when he dropped by the family’s home for dinner thanks to the Make a Wish Foundation.

Three years ago, Martinez was diagnosed with leukemia. On July 19, he reached an incredible milestone when he rang the end-of-treatment bell at the Cancer Center.

In this ESPN video, Martinez shows Watts what it means to have “Will Power.”

July 28, 2016

Elevator maintenance is scheduled for Texas Medical Center garage 2 for the next two weekends beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday, July 30.

The west side elevators (St. Luke’s end of the garage) will be unavailable from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 30. Both elevator cars will be out of service.

The east side elevators will be in service and available during this time.

Employees who normally park in garage 2 can park in Clinical Care Tower garage 16 on weekends.

July 26, 2016

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On Friday, July 22, the Still Strong Foundation hosted a Spa Day for Texas Children’s Cancer Center patients and their families. Houston Texans defensive lineman Devon Still and his daughter, Leah, created the foundation in 2015 following Leah’s diagnosis with neuroblastoma.

During the event, patients enjoyed face painting, decorating flip flops and face masks, and spending time with Still and Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Parents relaxed with manicures and massages and shared common experiences with Still, the father of a cancer survivor.

The Still Strong Foundation provides grants to families affected by childhood cancers to allow them to spend less time worrying about non-medical bills, like mortgages and utilities, and more time supporting their child to a victorious fight against cancer.

Click here to watch the Houston Texans video highlighting Spa Day at Texas Children’s.

 

 

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Texas Children’s Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Unit hosted its first annual BMT Teen Lock-in from 7 p.m. on Friday, July 15, to 7 a.m. on Saturday, July 16. Patient played tons of games, had fun in the photo booth, had their face pained on a rock, watched movies and learned how to make Texas Roadhouse bread.

Transplant patients undergo a long period of social isolation and that’s why peer-to-peer interactions and socialization are so important. Hosting an event to foster socialization with others who are experiencing a similar life event, gives transplant patients a chance to meet and have fun with peers also experiencing some of the challenges of a bone marrow transplant.

July 19, 2016

72016PaulaMcSwain175Paula McSwain of Texas Children’s Pediatrics Baytown is the latest Texas Children’s Super Star leader. “Working for an organization that values and recognizes employees for their efforts has raised the bar for my professional and personal goals as well,” McSwain said. Read more of McSwain’s interview below and find out how you can nominate a Super Star.

Your name, title and department.
Paula McSwain, Practice Manager, Texas Children’s Pediatrics Baytown

What month are you Super Star for?
Third Quarter (July – September) 2016 for Texas Children’s Hospital

Tell us how you found out you won a super star award.
A surprise breakfast meeting was planned by my staff/providers; Kay Tittle, president of Texas Children’s Pediatrics; Pat Coleman, director of regional operations; and Claudia Cerrato Day, assistant director of regional operations.

What does it mean to be recognized for the hard work you do? How has the organization helped you achieve your personal and professional goals?
I was honored to receive this award from the organization. Working for an organization that values and recognizes employees for their efforts has raised the bar for my professional and personal goals as well.

What do you think makes someone at Texas Children’s a super star?

  • To be Committed to the values of Texas Children’s
  • To be Motivated to come to work every day looking for ways to help others.
  • To be Determined that every decision you make is centered on the patient and their families for a positive outcome.

What is your motivation for going above and beyond every day at work?
I like to know that families are receiving the best possible care for their children as I would want my own children to receive. Texas Children’s is an organization that leads health care around the world, and I take pride every morning when I put my badge on knowing that I am a part of that team.

What is the best thing about working at Texas Children’s?
Being able to help others, be it a patient, staff member or a provider. Also when I meet someone off of the job while in the community and they ask where I am employed, I proudly tell them Texas Children’s!

What does it mean to you that everyone at Texas Children’s is considered a leader? What is your Leadership definition?
I believe that part of being a leader is having the ability to influence others by your actions. I realize that every day my co-workers are watching my actions and are reacting to those actions as well. I also see the same thing going on with other staff members within the clinic daily, so we all can be leaders.

Anything else you want to share?
Over the years I have told my staff and providers that every patient should be treated as we would like our own families to be treated. Customer Service is something that I feel is very important and I strive daily to exceed the expectation of our patients and their families. I love helping people while at work and in the community as well.

72016WayneFranklin175Wayne Franklin, MD, director and founder of the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program, was recently selected to participate in The Aspen Institute Fellowship, a two-year fellowship focused on strengthening the leadership of innovators across the U.S. health care ecosystem.

Called the Health Innovators Partnership and in conjunction with South Carolina’s largest non-profit healthcare system, Greenville Health System, the Aspen Institute’s primary objective for the fellowship is to create meaningful change in health care with the help of 21 newly appointed fellows, including Franklin.

Franklin and his associate fellows were selected to innovate change and improve the health and well-being of all Americans. The team – made up of experts in pharmaceuticals, public health, biotechnology, insurance, mental health and government – will collaborate to institute the advancements of America’s health.

Rima Cohen, the managing director of the fellowship, described her excitement about the fellow’s various backgrounds, energy, and expertise as being united to “tackle our nation’s most pressing health care challenges.”