May 6, 2014

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The level of integrity of corporations has gained worldwide attention – often for the wrong reasons. But increasingly, organizations are recognizing that a strong compliance and ethics program is not just a smart idea, it’s good for business. To acknowledge the positive impact of corporate compliance and ethics on organizations, the Health Care Compliance Association and the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics have designated May 4-10 Corporate Compliance and Ethics Week. This week reminds us the importance that integrity, privacy and compliance have to our mission.

“In today’s environment, where our patients, health plan members and the government all expect us to do the right thing and protect them from harm, Compliance Week offers Texas Children’s an opportunity to focus on all of our practices to make sure we are meeting those expectations,” said Lance Lightfoot, General Counsel, Compliance Officer and Privacy Officer.

Employees work diligently to keep patients’ information secure, and it’s just as important to keep personal information secure as well. As a part of Corporate Compliance and Ethics Week, the Compliance Services Office and Records Management Department are providing employees a free, safe and secure opportunity to destroy their personal documents. Come to the Meyer Building visitor’s lot from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 7, or from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, May 9.

What should be shredded? Anything with confidential or identifying information – including old paycheck stubs, bank statements and items that list social security numbers.

Take advantage of this great opportunity as part of Corporate Compliance and Ethics Week!

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We love our volunteers at Texas Children’s Hospital. If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, visit here for more information.

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By Dr. Susan Leong-Kee

One year ago, I was on my Labor and Delivery weekend call for 24 hours at the Pavilion for Women working with new moms on Mother’s Day and thought to myself, a year from now, I will be celebrating with two new babies! What a wild and crazy ride this year has been so far!

Although I have had the privilege of caring for so many mothers as an Ob/GYN during one of the most special moments of their lives, no one can ever truly prepare you for motherhood. I know I am very early in this new role of the past eight months, but I already see how Mother’s Day is not only a celebration of love but ultimate survival. I’ve quickly learned that motherhood is a 24hr “call” that never ends – there are no more post-call naps and the baby “pager” does not turn off. The first four months after the twins came home from their 16 day stint in the Texas Children’s Hospital NICU is a blur, but I do remember a lot of shushing, swaddling, rocking, cuddling, breast pumping, sleepless nights, and unforgettable crying…from both babies and mommy! Somehow my husband and I survived double the spit-ups, the diaper blowouts, the colic, the meltdowns, the mysterious hives, the “surprise” roll off the couch, and the unbelievable Niagara Falls of drool. All the challenging times, however, are quickly overlooked when we experience the toothless, gummy smiles, the belly laughs, and the kissable chubby cheeks. Each month I think, “this is the BEST month yet,” and then am surprised the following month that it just keeps on getting better. It’s so amazing to see them develop and reach their milestones and a joy to observe them experience new things for the first time. Right now, the new things the babies are doing are crawling, eating pureed foods, and babbling and touching each other through their cribs – it’s so heart-warming to see them finally acknowledge each other and keep each other company. I think the #1 question from friends and family is if the twins are sleeping through the night. We were SO lucky to report that they have been sleeping in the same room for a full 11-12 hours since they were 4 ½ months. I think the first glorious night this phenomenon happened was life changing, and I thought to myself “Wow, we can really do this!”

One of the most wonderful experiences thus far, however, is watching my own mother progress into her new role as a grandmother. She has been essential to our survival as new parents, and I was comforted to know she would be home with the babies and my nanny when I went back to work full time. I can certainly say that she loves her role as “PoPo,” which is what we call her in Chinese for grandmother. I have always had the utmost admiration for what she has accomplished as a single mom as she raised my two sisters and me on her own after my father passed away unexpectedly. As a new mom, I have even more respect for her achievement of raising us to be accomplished women. One interesting note about my mother is the greatest joy in her life is feeding other people. She is now showing her love to the twins by making up her own “gourmet” baby food and happily watching them gobble the food down with fervor. Who else would make the most delicious leek and carrot puree cooked in homemade pork broth but PoPo? She should really bottle this stuff up and sell it! Each day I come home from work, she is excited and proud to tell me how the twins “looooved” her new concoction. It is exciting to see how she has become more active and creative than I’ve seen her a long time, and I love how she is now sharing more stories of us growing up that I’ve never heard before. We are so blessed to have her live with us and be a part of our daily lives.

Becoming a new mom eight months ago has truly changed the meaning of Mother’s Day for me, and it made me love and respect my mother even more. I applaud all the wonderful and loving mothers out there. It is truly the most difficult yet rewarding job. I now truly understand the quote, “being a mother is learning about strengths you didn’t know you had, and dealing with fears you didn’t know existed,” by Linda Wooten. As far as how we will be celebrating Mother’s Day this year, I am happy to report I will not be celebrating my first Mother’s Day on a 24hr call this time, and my husband says he is planning a surprise involving the perfect combination of “food and family.” Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible moms out there – you are all a true testament of unconditional love and sacrifice.

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At Texas Children’s, we see firsthand all the good that Physician-in-Chief Dr. Mark W. Kline does for our hospital every day. Now, the extraordinary work that he does all around the world is being recognized, as he was presented with the 2014 Programme for Global Paediatric Research (PGPR) Award for Outstanding Contributions to Global Child Health. Dr. Kline accepted the award in Vancouver, CA on May 3, as part of the 2014 PGPR Symposium session Global Child Health in Rich and Poor Countries: Lessons Learned from Indigenous Health Research and Practise.

The PGPR, a component of the SickKids Centre for Global Child Health in Toronto, works with researchers, societies, NGOs and governments throughout the world to address global health issues affecting infants and children. Its mission is to inform, educate, and facilitate international research cooperation and collaboration, and to advocate for research to improve the health of all children.

“Dr. Kline’s work is a wonderful example of effectively implementing health care solutions to help some of the most vulnerable children in the world, while building local capacity and ensuring sustainability,” said Dr. Alvin Zipursky, chair and scientific director of PGPR, SickKids Centre for Global Child Health.

The PGPR has presented this award annually since 2009 to a global researcher and thought leader in the pediatric field. The award is designed to honor and profile outstanding research achievements in global child health; especially work that has been conducted in developing regions.

“Dr. Kline is a globally respected leader in pediatric HIV/AIDS and deserving of this recognition for his outstanding research achievements in the field, especially in reaching populations in greatest need in the developing world,” said Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta, the inaugural award recipient and co-director of the SickKids Centre for Global Child Health.

Kline was chosen as this year’s recipient based on his hugely important contribution to changing the global child health landscape through capacity-building, leadership training and program implementation focused on revolutionizing the care of children in developing countries with HIV/AIDS.

“To be chosen by my peers, many of whom I admire greatly, is a great honor,” said Kline. “The work is far from done, but I find it both gratifying and comforting that so many outstanding health care providers are united together in this mission to improve global health and am grateful to the PGPR for this award.”

Kline’s career achievements and global efforts speak for themselves. Specifically, a long-time researcher in pediatric HIV/AIDS, Kline has been the recipient and principal investigator for more than $50 million in research grants from the U.S. National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He has authored more than 250 scientific articles and textbook chapters and has presented over 350 national and international lectures on subjects related to infectious diseases of children and global child health. He directs international research for the NIH-funded BCM Center for AIDS Research and is principal investigator for BCM’s NIH-funded Child Health Research Center and AIDS International Training and Research Program. Kline is also the founder and President of the BCM International Pediatric AIDS Initiative (BIPAI) at Texas Children’s Hospital, an ambitious program that encompasses HIV/AIDS care and treatment and health professional education and training programs across sub-Saharan Africa, Libya and Romania. BIPAI provides HIV/AIDS treatment to more children than any other organization worldwide.

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Sandi Sands received the award from Carol Santalucia and Jason Wolf of the Beryle Institute.

Sandi Sands, senior family advocate, Family Advocacy and Spiritual Care, received the Ruth Ravich award for her leadership and mentoring capabilities locally, regionally and nationally regarding advocacy. Sandi’s philosophy regarding advocacy has always been about placing an attitude of teamwork into the fabric of everything she does for the patient. She has never been about boasting about what she does simply because her area of strength is in taking care of others, especially individuals desiring to embark upon a career in advocacy and become caregivers that ultimately impact care teams! Sandi is a behind the scenes whirlwind who gets it done!

Ruth Ravich was the founder and first president of the former Society for Healthcare Consumer Advocacy (SCHA). Ms. Ravich organized the Patient Representative Department at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, was the author of numerous healthcare consumer articles, and lectured on patient advocacy both in the United States and abroad.

In 1991, the SHCA Board of Directors established the Ruth Ravich Founders’ Award, sponsored by rL Solutions, to recognize an individual whose work supported the vision of the Society – to bring the patients’ needs to the center of healthcare. The first award was presented in 1991 to Ruth Ravich, the Society’s first president, and for whom the award is named.

Sands received this award while at the Beryle Institute Patient Experience Conference (as SCHA no longer exists) for her willingness to step in and serve in the patient advocacy community of the Beryl Institute.