Sandra Yacoub of International Patient Services is the latest Texas Children’s Super Star employee. “Being recognized is the icing on the cake,” Yacoub said. “It provides me with the motivation to continue giving the best I can give.” Read more of Yacoub’s interview and find out how you can nominate a Super Star.
Q&A: Sandra Yacoub, October 2015 Employee
Your name, title and department. How long have you worked here?
Sandra Yacoub, Senior Interpreter in International Patient Services. I’ve been working in IPS for seven and half years.
What month are you Super Star for?
October 2015
Tell us how you found out you won a super star award.
It was actually a HUGE surprise. We had an International Patient Services team meeting on October 15 to which I came late because I was in another meeting that ran a bit longer than anticipated. Julia Barreda Wong, International Patient Services senior coordinator, attended the first meeting with me. I could see her getting anxious to go the second meeting but I had no clue why because we already informed Iman Shebaro, our assistant director, that we might come late. Julia was practically running to the location of our second meeting and I was running behind her. As I walked in the conference room, everyone in the room started clapping and yelling “congratulations.” I still had no idea what was going on. Ivett Shah, assistant vice president of Women Services and Joann Lee, International Patient Services and Women Services director were present. As Iman told me that I won the Super Star Award I was speechless. I had no idea that I was even nominated. It was a very emotional moment for me. I just hope I didn’t embarrass myself. There also was a lot of good food and a delicious cake.
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?
In International Patient Services we all work from the heart, we all do our best to provide our families and our care providers with an excellent service. We all support each other, and we all know that we are highly supported by our leadership. Being recognized is the icing on the cake. It provided me with that much more motivation to continue giving the best I can give. I hear horror stories from my friends and acquaintances about the difficult times and lack of support they have to deal with in their workplace, which makes me realize how lucky I am with all the support that the organization, the leadership and the team offer.
What do you think makes someone at Texas Children’s a super star?
Their heart.
What is your motivation for going above and beyond every day at work?
Knowing what’s at stake. We help international patients who are not familiar with the country or the language to have access to the best medical care they can get. Each family has a story that we become a part of. It is truly a privilege.
What is the best thing about working at Texas Children’s?
The people.
What does it mean to you that everyone at Texas Children’s is considered a leader? What is your leadership definition?
A leader to me is someone who is willing to assume responsibility and take the necessary steps to do what needs to be done. It’s SERVICE WITH HEART.
Anything else you want to share?
I’m truly grateful for this recognition, for the opportunity to be working in Texas Children’s Hospital and to be working with the International Patient Services team. It is indeed a blessing.