February 26, 2024

Texas Children’s is committed not only to providing exceptional care to our patients but also to fostering the growth and development of health care professionals. We believe in taking proactive steps to cultivate talent within our organization and the broader health care community. That’s why we are thrilled to announce our Surgical Technology Entrance into Practice Program (STEPP).

We’re STEPPing Up

STEPP is our latest approach to creating a pipeline of skilled surgical technologists who will enrich our workforce. Designed exclusively for students enrolled in the Houston Community College (HCC) Coleman College for Health Sciences Surgical Technology program, STEPP offers students financial assistance toward the completion of their education and opens doors for potential job placement within our hospital. This program not only benefits Texas Children’s by ensuring we have a skilled and dedicated team of surgical technologists but also contributes to the overall improvement of patient care in our community. We look forward to providing aspiring surgical technologists with the support and resources they need to succeed.

You can step up, too!

As we champion the growth and development of tomorrow’s health care professionals, we want to empower you to shape our talented surgical teams today.

Employees who refer qualified Surgical Technologist I & II candidates through our Everyone is A Recruiter Now (E.A.R.N.) program will receive a reward of $5,000 for each successful referral.

Here’s how the E.A.R.N. program works:

Refer: Share career opportunities at Texas Children’s with your network through Voyager. Ensure your referral includes your complete name under the “How did you hear about us?” section. Your referral should complete their profile, listing you as the sole referral source.

Collect Your Reward: You’ll receive 100% of the E.A.R.N. reward approximately two pay periods after the your referral’s successful hire and completion of new employee orientation. The reward will be listed under “Select Dollars” on your paycheck.

The E.A.R.N. program pays $5,000 for featured job referrals. Employees receive $1,000 for all other successful referrals. Click here for more details about the E.A.R.N. program.

February 19, 2024
Pectus Program celebrates 1,000th pectus carinatum patient.

Texas Children’s Hospital is proud to celebrate new treatment milestones for two of our world-renowned programs. Congratulations to the Motion Analysis & Human Performance Laboratory on 1,000 clinical gait studies conducted, and to the Pectus Program on 1,000 pectus carinatum patients treated.

The Motion Analysis & Human Performance Lab at The Woodlands Campus, part of our nationally ranked Orthopedics program and one of the only pediatric labs of its kind in the state, celebrated their milestone back in October and continues to grow in prominence.

The laboratory leverages the expertise of a team of physicians, therapists, biomechanists and exercise physiologists, along with state-of-the-art computer and sensor technology, to study and improve how the human body moves. There are two different clinical focuses and groups of patients served by the lab – patients who have been referred for clinical gait analysis due to a movement disorder or underlying condition affecting their ability to walk, and those seeking sports performance assessments. Click here to watch a video highlighting these services.

Texas Children’s Pectus Program is part of the Division of Pediatric Surgery and led by a multidisciplinary team treating an assortment of chest wall abnormalities. The two most common types are pectus carinatum or “pigeon chest,” which is a deformity where the breastbone and ribs are pushed outward, and pectus excavatum, where the chest has a sunken or caved-in appearance.

The standard treatment for pectus carinatum has radically improved over time – shifting from large and complicated surgeries to nonsurgical bracing. Bracing is both highly effective and free of major complications, often taking several months to two years to correct, depending on how fast and how much a child grows.

“We are incredibly proud of our team for reaching this important milestone,” said Dr. Mark V. Mazziotti, Director of the Pectus Program. “People with pectus carinatum often struggle with reduced self-esteem…successful treatment can therefore have an immediate impact on self-image, as well as on quality of life in the long run. Our Pectus Program is highly specialized and prides itself on offering individualized care – we are privileged to make a life-changing difference for so many patients across Texas, the region and the country.”

Click here to read the full story on the Pectus Program.

Appreciative colleague submitted the following Caught You Caring recognition for Ambulatory Services Representative Mithie Solis.

“Since I transferred to Austin from Houston she has been so incredibly kind and patient with me. I have worked for TCH for some time already, but when I transferred I needed to quickly learn the different work flows and the providers’ schedules of the Specialty Care office, and she has been more than welcoming. It truly set the tone of the new environment for me and I will always appreciate her.”

Caught You Caring

There are countless examples of how team members make an impact every day. Through our Caught You Caring recognition program, anyone (patients, families, colleagues, vendors, volunteers or visitors) can provide a kind word about someone who went the extra mile. Even the smallest act of kindness can brighten someone’s day. Click here to submit a recognition for a colleague. The recipient and their leader will receive an email notification. Since its inception in 2015, there have been more than 40,000 recognitions submitted.

February 12, 2024

Appreciative colleague submitted the following Caught You Caring recognition for Director Gary Brown.

“Gary came to assess a leak in my office and ended up going above and beyond to help put the finishing touch on a piece of patient-created artwork that was destined for auction at a fundraiser. I really could not have finished the final product without his (and Manuel’s) help and the artwork ended up bringing in $8,000 to help fund quality of life programming for kidney transplant and dialysis patients!”

Caught You Caring

There are countless examples of how team members make an impact every day. Through our Caught You Caring recognition program, anyone (patients, families, colleagues, vendors, volunteers or visitors) can provide a kind word about someone who went the extra mile. Even the smallest act of kindness can brighten someone’s day. Click here to submit a recognition for a colleague. The recipient and their leader will receive an email notification. Since its inception in 2015, there have been more than 40,000 recognitions submitted.

Texas Children’s Hospital is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeffrey J. Kim, MD to the role of Division Chief of Pediatric Cardiology. Dr. Kim is a tenured professor with Baylor College of Medicine, internationally esteemed cardiologist and longtime leader at Texas Children’s top-ranked Heart Center.

“We are absolutely thrilled to announce Dr. Kim as the new Division Chief for Cardiology,” said Dr. Lara Shekerdemian, Texas Children’s Pediatrician-in-Chief and Professor and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor of College of Medicine. “Dr. Kim is a trusted leader, a brilliant clinician and highly respected throughout his field. I am certain that under his leadership, Cardiology will continue to reach new levels of excellence.”

Kim joined Texas Children’s in 2002 starting with fellowships at Baylor College of Medicine, and he has previously served as Director of Electrophysiology & Pacing and Chief of Strategic Operations for the Heart Center. He also currently serves as the Vice Chair of Faculty Development for the Department of Pediatrics. He is involved in collaborative translational research in cardiology, and is on faculty with the Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Department. He sits on numerous national boards and is currently acting President of the Pediatric and Congenital Electrophysiology Society.

“I am humbled and excited to serve as the next Division Chief for Cardiology…it’s an incredible team that has maintained unwavering resolve to innovate, advance the field and provide the best patient-centered care possible,” said Dr. Kim on his promotion. “The passion from this group has helped us become the world standard of excellence in lifelong care for those impacted by childhood cardiovascular disease. My hope is to find ways to make this remarkable division even better, and contribute more to our existing legacy at Texas Children’s Hospital.”

As part of an expanded leadership structure, Dr. Daniel Penny will now serve as Executive Director of Texas Children’s Heart Center. A search is now underway for his surgical Executive Co-Director.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Kim on his appointment!

January 23, 2024

After a years-long hiatus of one of Texas Children’s most beloved events, long-tenured team members and recipients of special awards will receive the red-carpet treatment in February when the Employee Recognition Celebration (ERC) returns with the largest number of honorees in history at a new venue.

More than 2,200 team members will be honored at the 2024 ERC, held on February 27 at Minute Maid Park for employees who reached a significant career milestone of 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 years of service in 2020, 2021, 2022, or 2023.

Team members who received a special award in 2020, 2021, 2022, or 2023 will also be honored at the ERC this February – including Best of the West, Caught You Caring, Shining Star, and Super Star recipients system-wide.

‘We’re planning a celebration unlike any other our team members may have seen, heard about, or experienced in the past, filled with the same warmth and appreciation that has always made the celebration so special,’ said Executive Vice President and CHRO Linda Aldred, who has participated in nearly every ERC since the event began at Texas Children’s more than 30 years ago.

Additional information about the ERC, including the full list of honorees and program schedule, will be provided to participants and shared via Connect as the big day approaches.

‘As our system grows to serve more communities and families, it is more important than ever to cherish the values and traditions that have made Texas Children’s an incredible place to give and receive care for generations,’ Aldred said. ‘The Employee Recognition Celebration has always reflected the best of who we are.’

January 16, 2024

Texas Children’s Hospital is excited to unveil our newly renovated Dialysis & Apheresis Center! Last week, the team officially moved into the new space on West Tower 6 and began treating patients.

The revitalized unit is tripled in size from the original, topping out at over 24,000 square feet with 23 patient care stations. The space is inviting with an abundance of natural light, and patients can enjoy the “Under the Sea” theme complete with wall art and fish tanks. It also features a dedicated patient and family support area, including a large waiting room, family lounge, play zone, and quiet space for nourishment and relaxation.

As the top-ranked program grows in volume and service offerings, leaders felt an expansion plan was needed for outpatient dialysis and apheresis to better meet the unique needs of our patients and families.

“The opening of our new Dialysis & Apheresis Center is a transformational event for the renal service, our patients and their families,” said Chief of Renal Services Dr. Michael Braun. “We are grateful to Mr. Wallace and the Board of Trustees for their commitment to the care of children with kidney disease…these facilities have set a new standard for pediatric dialysis and apheresis units in the United States.”

Click the gallery for more photos of the new Dialysis & Apheresis Center. Ranked #1 in Nephrology by U.S. News & World Report, Texas Children’s is home to one of the largest and most comprehensive pediatric renal services in the world. Click here to learn more.