As National Nurses Week comes to a close, Mark Wallace recognizes our nurses for their strength and resilience on the front lines and shares how each of us can encourage and lift each other up as we face new challenges ahead. Read more
May 11, 2020
As the Official Children’s Hospital of the Houston Texans, Texas Children’s receives frequent visits from the football team’s players throughout the year. These visits infuse an element of fun in what can be a long stay for many of our patients.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has halted physical visits to the hospital, it hasn’t stopped the Texans from reaching out to our patients and providing them with a dose of much-needed joy during these uncertain times.
On May 5, Texans players Greg Mancz and Tyrell Adams surprised Texas Children’s Heart Center patients with a very special virtual visit. They chatted with patients over FaceTime about everything from Texas BBQ to who can run the fastest. According to Adams, Mancz is the one with the speed.
Although these lighthearted conversations looked different because of COVID-19, they still brought many smiles to patients who are looking for ways to break up the daily hospital routine.
View photos from the virtual visit with the players below.
We all are looking forward to future visits from our partners and friends with the Houston Texans.
The Employee Financial Assistance Fund (EFAF) can assist eligible employees with monetary grants, gift cards for basic needs and priority on labor pool shifts.
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) team can also provide a list of other needed resources that may be applicable to your situation.
EFAF eligibility requirements, instructions for submitting a confidential application and more details are available on the COVID-19 Resources site under “Employee Assistance.”
Relying on each other
The following passage was written by Texas Children’s Chaplain Natalie Peters.
These hands are tired. This heart is tired. This soul is tired. But yet we keep on. I keep hearing the words unprecedented times over and over again. But I find myself wondering what unprecedented means and could also endure. Speaking for myself, I’ve been on a roller coaster of emotions. Today alone I’ve felt a huge range of emotions, including hope, hopelessness, happiness, anger, and the list goes on. To top it off, these lows are getting harder to crawl out of.
I imagine that what I’m experiencing is also being felt by several members of my fellow Texas Children’s family. The world around us is adapting to the “new normal,” yet we don’t exactly know what that is. Such uncertainty takes a toll on us but in different ways. Most of us, however, are all experiencing loss and grief at a much bigger capacity than we imagine.
In these times of extremes, we rely on each other. Prior to the pandemic, I sometimes felt like I was just scratching the surface with conversations I had with colleagues, patients and families. As the pandemic has unfolded and my routine has changed, I’ve learned to appreciate every interaction. What used to be just a wave in the hallway is now a fruitful conversation. As an introvert, I value my space but lately I find myself craving these interactions.
Finding hope gets easier at times and harder at others. Even when we smile, we can’t see the full effect. But we continue to strive on and do our jobs. We show up to work and support each other every day simply by showing up. We as a Texas Children’s family rely on each other and hold each other accountable. Mark Wallace’s Leadership Maxim NO. 8 reads “Skate to where the puck is going to be, not where the puck is.” Currently, the world around us is changing and we have to adapt. As much as I say I’m flexible, I honestly am not. But I’m getting better at it. We better ourselves. We learn from past and current mistakes and better the future.
We as Texas Children’s #oneamazingteam have watched the world around us crumble and yet stand strong as we begin the process of rebuilding. We will rebuild with resilience, grace and grit of the past and with the hopes of the future. A future we know we built together by being on the frontlines during this pandemic. We support each other, through thick and thin. While ever living in the present, we look toward the future. The saying “the future is bright” has resonated so much for me personally these past two months. Because of all the darkness and uncertainty, the bright light that is coming will be everything we could hope for, and more!
May 6, 2020
On May 6, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels conducted a spectacular 30-minute flyover across the Houston area including the Texas Medical Center to salute our health care workers, first responders and other essential employees who have been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Coinciding with National Nurses Week, the Navy jets flew in formation over several hospitals including Texas Children’s to show their solidarity and support to our frontline heroes during these challenging times.
In case you missed it, you can watch this video of the Blue Angels’ special tribute in the skies. View the photo gallery below.
May 4, 2020
Each year during Nurse’s Week, we pause nationally to celebrate nurses and their contributions to our patients and profession. The World Health Organization declared 2020 the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, which draws attention to the important role of nurses in advancing patient care and improving outcomes.
To celebrate National Nurses Week from May 6 to 12, Texas Children’s Nursing Retention Council has taken great pride in developing plans to ensure that our more than 3,700 nurses from across the system know how deeply valued they are and how much we appreciate them for their hard work, dedication and sacrifice especially during these challenging times.
“Given the current COVID-19 situation, we organized our Nurses Week activities differently this year to ensure we follow social distancing guidelines to keep everyone safe,” said Tarra Kerr, director of Nursing for the Emergency Center at Texas Children’s Medical Center Campus. “While our current situation won’t allow us to physically gather in large groups, we have developed a series of celebrations at the unit level as well as several virtual activities centered on health and well-being to remind our nurses how important it is to take care of themselves so they can provide the best care to their patients.”
The Nursing Retention Council partnered with The Employee Well-Being team and our chaplains to create virtual support during this unprecedented time. Click here to view a flyer highlighting virtual activities – self-care sessions and blessing of the hands – that will be offered multiple times during Nurses Week.
2020 Nursing Excellence Awards
To kick off Nurses Week from May 6 to May 12, Texas Children’s recognized our 2020 Nursing Excellence Award honorees for their commitment to improving nursing care and patient outcomes. Since a formal ceremony could not be held this year due to COVID-19, leaders hosted their own recognition celebrations on their units.
Congratulations to this year’s Nursing Excellence award recipients. Excerpts from their nominations are included below.
Staff Nurse of the Year: Julie LaSalle (Staff Nurse, CICU) “Julie is one of the smartest, most compassionate individuals I have ever met. It is no exaggeration to say that she is universally adored and respected by all disciplines who work in the CICU. Julie listens to her staff when she charges and is eager to jump in and help in any situation; whether it is resolving issues with an upset family, helping out in a code situation, or even just holding an upset baby. Many registered nurses on the unit refer to Julie as “The Mama Charge Nurse.” She is tender and kind, but also direct and stern when need be.”
Nurse Preceptor of the Year: Jan Neuhoff (Staff Nurse, IRU) “Jan exemplifies the definition of a dedicated preceptor…Jan devotes herself to her orientees to ensure they have a true understanding of not only nursing at Texas Children’s but what a rehabilitation nurse is…Jan is a true gem and asset to the IRU.” A former orientee had this to say about Jan: “She gave me the confidence I needed to become an efficient rehab nurse once I got off orientation. She always made sure that I understood the rationale behind the nursing skills that I needed to learn…When I felt unsure, she was always there, assuring me that she would be there to guide me…She is an awesome nurse!”
Nurse Resident of the Year: Kaitlyn Pawelek (Staff Nurse 1st Year, NICU 2) “Kaitlyn is a very fast learner, who pays great attention to detail. She is very compassionate and tender with her patients but is very quick to think and is prompt in action in times of crisis… Her clinical judgement and time management skills are impeccable. She is incredibly quick and retains what she has learned enthusiastically, always keeping the patient’s safety and best interest at the forefront… Some of her other great assets include her patience and communication skills. Kaitlyn is a great advocate for her patients who are unable to speak for themselves as they are infants. She consistently strives to provide the best care for her tiny patients…Her positive attitude, passion for working with newborns and their families, the ability to thrive in the high-pressure, fast-paced environment of the NICU….and the ability to be a team player makes her stand out among the other GNs.”
Nurse Leader of the Year: April Lyle (Patient Care Manager, BMT) “April’s diligence, perseverance in challenging times, professionalism, passion and smile are some of her qualities that I admire. She will ensure a project or task is completed to its fullest before submitting, she remains steadfast and loyal throughout changes and she never gives up – she always sees any challenge through to resolution. Her work ethic and commitment to work together as a team are exemplary.
Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year: Linda Brock (Clinical Lead II/PNP, Otolaryngology) “As a leader, Linda has worked tirelessly to implement onboarding processes that improve the work environment and allow her staff to transition successfully into practice. Linda goes above and beyond to ensure that her team members are heard, and she is attentive to their individual needs… Linda has established herself as a dedicated leader who is committed to the professional values, collaborative relationships, leadership, and family-centered care that are the cornerstones of advanced practice.”
Advanced Degree Nurse of the Year – Karla Abela (AD of Clinical Practice, PICU) “Karla is an authentic leader with a passion for service. She leads by example and sets the tone for clinical practice, education, and research in the PICU. In her role as Assistant Director of Clinical Practice for PICU, Karla is able to make a difference every day by influencing outcomes for our patients… Karla is dedicated, passionate, and is able to influence others toward common goals. Mr. Wallace’s Maxim #6 –Leaders lead people; managers manage an asset, process, or thing – describes Karla very well. She often leads system-wide projects and is able to pull people together and gain commitment while keeping focus on our patients and desired outcomes. Her ability to influence has impacted outcomes related to pain management, infection prevention, and staff satisfaction.”
Friend of Nursing – Marsha Zimmerman (Org Development Consultant Sr.) “Marsha consistently goes above and beyond her regular job duties and personifies the Texas Children’s values in all that she does… I cannot underscore enough the value of Marsha’s presence and contributions to our work…Marsha encourages an atmosphere where nurses feel supported and comfortable sharing their perspectives. She is a great mentor and never misses an opportunity to interject with a teaching moment.”
Houston Chronicle’s Salute to Nurses
Each year, thousands are nominated for the Houston Chronicle Salute to Nurses award and 15 outstanding nursing professionals are chosen to be honored as greater Houston’s Top 15 Nurses of the Year. Donna (DK) Lovick, a transition coordinator in the Heart Center, and Jenny Tcharmtchi, patient care manager in the PICU, were among the top 15 award recipients. Baylor College of Medicine nurse Stoney Snider from the Transition Medicine Clinic was also on the Top 15 list. Click here for more on the Houston Chronicle Salute to Nurses honorees.
In addition to the two nurses honored in the top 15, a total of 15 Texas Children’s nurses were recognized as being among the top 150 in the Greater Houston area.
Loralie Arzadon (West Campus – Nursing Operations Leadership) Nicole Corso (Emergency Center) Kimbereley Edwards Fitts (General Medicine/Transplant) Leah Garza (Cancer Center and Hematology Center) Kellie Leake (Ob/Gyn) Donna (DK) Lovick (Legacy Tower – Heart Center) Jennifer Mauney (Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit) Karen Morales (Transport Services) Kerri Phelps (Acute Care) Rhoda Phillips (Cancer Center) Diesa Samp (Renal and Transplant Services) Clarisete Scota (The Woodlands – Acute Care) Drew Sikes (Ob/GYN) Stoney Snider (Baylor/Transition Medicine Clinic) Jenny Tcharmtchi (Legacy Tower – Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) Jackie Ward (Associate Nursing Chief/Vice President of Nursing)
Congratulations to our nurses! Happy Nurses Week!
Nursing Excellence Awards photos
When Kirsti Clifford found out she was pregnant with her second child, she was excited beyond belief. She was grateful to be giving her daughter a sibling and she was looking forward to pregnancy and delivery more so than with her first child because she knew what to expect. Then the pandemic happened and Clifford’s anxiety rose right along with it.
“There is so much unknown.” Clifford said. “I have felt much more uneasy this time and am trying to be really careful. I am limiting my exposure, social distancing and not going out unless I have to.”
To reduce the anxiety of expectant moms like Clifford, and to lower their risk of COVID-19 exposure and infection, Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women has opened a drive-through prenatal clinic at our Medical Center Campus.
A group of Texas Children’s obstetrics and gynecology physicians in consultation with the American College of Obstetrician Gynecologists (ACOG) came up with the idea while discussing how to adequately care for pregnant mothers while reducing their risk of contracting COVID-19 while traveling to hospitals or clinics for a prenatal exam.
“Providing access to prenatal health care while limiting exposure of both obstetric health care professionals and patients to COVID-19 is challenging,” said Dr. Mark Turrentine, a Texas Children’s obstetrician and gynecologist. “Although reductions in the frequency of prenatal visits and implementation of telehealth interventions provide some options, there still remains a need for patient–health care professional visits.”
The drive-through prenatal care clinic at Texas Children’s allows pregnant women who do not need to be seen in the clinic to remain in their vehicles while being assessed by a health care professional, thus reducing potential patient, health care professional, and staff exposure to COVID-19.
View photos of the drive-through clinic below.
The drive-through visits include key elements of a prenatal exam such as blood pressure measurements for evaluation for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, fetal heart rate assessment, and selected ultrasound-based measurements or observations, as well as face-to-face patient–health care professional interaction.
“Patients using the drive-through clinic feel reassured that they can actually see a health care provider and hear their baby’s heartbeat without having to come into our facility and risk being exposed to the virus,” Turrentine said. “Our providers like it as well. They enjoy being able to provide patients with an option that might better suit their needs during these unprecedented times.”
Clifford said she used the drive-through clinic at the Medical Center Campus for her 30-week appointment because she didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks, and that it turned out to be a great decision. She said she got her blood pressure taken and that, more importantly, she got to hear her baby’s heartbeat.
“I appreciated the setup because we can still get some of the important monitoring that we need to feel reassured,” Clifford said. “It’s a creative solution that I would opt to use again.”
In conjunction with Turrentine and other Texas Children’s obstetrics and gynecology physician, Obstetrician and Gynecologist-in-Chief Dr. Michael A. Belfort recently published a paper about the drive-through prenatal clinic in Obstetrics & Gynecology, the official publication of ACOG. In that paper, Belfort said the drive-through model is projected to reduce the number of in-person clinic visits by 33 percent per patient compared with the traditional prenatal care paradigm, using equipment and supplies that most obstetric clinics in the United States can access.
“What we have seen so far at Texas Children’s is that the concept of a drive-through prenatal clinic works,” Belfort said. “They are reducing patient anxiety without compromising quality of care. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.”
Texas Children’s is also using drive-through capabilities for a variety of services including per-operative COVID-19 testing at all three of our hospital campuses and will expand these options as we continue to refine how we care for our patients.
