October 31, 2023

On Mark Wallace’s blog, he invites Texas Children’s Pediatrics physician, Dr. Desiree Evans, to help honor and celebrate the incredible life and legacy of Dr. Robert F. Austin. Read more

Meet Angela Zamora, assistant director of Ambulatory Services at Texas Children’s Hospital – North Austin. Before moving to Specialty Care Austin in 2019, she managed outpatient clinics at West Campus for five years. As we countdown to opening North Austin in 2024, Angela and her team are preparing Austin’s growing roster of specialty clinics for their biggest milestone yet.

Why did you choose Texas Children’s?
I’ve been a nurse for 13 years, seven of those with Texas Children’s, and have spent my entire career in pediatrics. Texas Children’s is known for quality and compassionate care, which speaks to my core as a nurse. I wanted to join an organization with a culture and vision aligning with my own.

What’s your leadership definition?
To empower teams to be innovative problem solvers, no obstacle is too big to overcome. To elevate all employees to be leaders in their own roles. To inspire others to deliver care with purpose so each patient feels valued.

Why are you excited about Texas Children’s growing presence in Austin?
Once again, all 10 TCH subspecialties ranked in the top 10 nationally this year. We’re so excited to bring Texas Children’s renowned quality of care to the Central Texas area. This area is rapidly growing and the patients and families need more options nearby to provide specialized care for all women and children.

What makes Austin a great place to live and work?
Austin has something for everyone. Great hiking and biking trails, live music, food trucks, sporting events and so much more. My favorite food truck is Valentina’s. Anytime we have visitors from out of town, we take them there for homemade tortillas and good BBQ.

As you look to grow and build your team in Austin, what’s top of mind?
Positivity and flexibility!

Opening in February 2024, the $485 million North Austin campus will feature a 170,000-square-foot outpatient facility – connecting patients to numerous Texas Children’s subspecialties including cardiology, oncology, neurology, pulmonary medicine, GI, rheumatology, fetal care, dialysis, urology and more. Texas Children’s Specialty Care Austin on Mopac will also continue to house pediatric specialists across a wide spectrum of service lines.

Right Care, Right Place, Right People. Now ranked #1 in Texas and #3 in the nation, we’re bringing the best to Austin. Click here for countdown updates, resources and more on the Austin Expansion SharePoint.

Information Services wants to make it as easy as possible for you to get the help you need. With the new virtual agent, TeCHy, you can get answers to quick questions or solutions for common issues without submitting a ticket or calling the help desk.

Starting Wednesday, Nov. 1, you can access TeCHY in two ways:

  • Go to the IS Self Service portal and click on the bubble icon on the lower right hand corner of the screen.
  • On MS Teams, access the ServiceNow App icon at the top left hand side in Teams. Click on the app and type HELLO to initiate an interaction with TeCHy.
What TeCHY can do for you
  • Help guide you through troubleshooting steps for a variety of different topics, including:
    • Resetting your password or unlocking your account
    • Printer toner needs
    • Requesting software
    • Connecting to Wi-Fi
  • If TeCHy does not have the answer, he can help you open a ticket and send it to our Information Services team for resolution.
  • Not only can TeCHy help you troubleshoot, but also can provide the most up-to-date status information on open Incident and Requests tickets.
  • Through TeCHy, leaders will be able to approve open tickets through the ServiceNow app in Teams.

When the Texas Children’s project team started the journey to implement the Epic software system 15 years ago, they didn’t expect to change the landscape of pediatric health care, but they did just that. Our strategy proved to be the winning formula for integrating the software system in to pediatric health care operations, and we became the Epic best practice for the industry.

“The project team set out with a goal to ensure our version of Epic would be a game changer for our patients, staff and Texas Children’s, and they certainly delivered,” said Teresa Tonthat, vice president, Information Services. “I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished together and what we’ve developed for our staff, patients and other health care professionals. This is an important milestone to take time and celebrate, but we have no plans of stopping. I’m excited for what comes next.”

Together, our IS and clinical teams approached the implementation with a goal to provide a best-in-class software platform tailored to fit the specific needs of our staff and patients. The result was a comprehensive resource with the right tools to help us provide more thorough and efficient care for our patients.

“Nurses are dedicated to providing the highest quality, safest care possible to our patients. We must be up to speed at all times with accurate information at our fingertips. Having the right information available from one source at bedside has been a huge advantage,” Jennifer Sanders, vice president and associate chief nurse executive. “Epic helps us be more efficient, better informed and in the best position to deliver exceptional care to our patients.”

The Epic system is comprised of 54 modules our clinical teams use to help them make informed decisions on patient care. There are a handful, which have had the biggest impact, including:

  • MyChart Patient Portal. Allows patients to access their medical records, schedule appointments and communicate with their doctors online. It’s help make it easier for patients to be involved in their own care and have a better understanding of their health.
  • Mobility. Epic Rover has become an indispensable tool for healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, in various clinical settings. By providing secure and mobile access to patient information and streamlining critical processes like medication administration, specimen collection and infusion pump management, Epic Rover enhances patient safety, reduces errors and improves the efficiency of healthcare delivery.
  • Interoperability. This has allowed different healthcare systems to share information with each other making it easier for doctors to get the information they need to make informed decisions about their patients’ care. This proves especially beneficial to parents and patients when they need to transition care or seek a second opinion at Texas Children’s.
  • Telemedicine. Using telecommunications technology to provide medical care from a distance has made it possible for patients to receive care even if they live in rural areas or have difficulty getting to a doctor’s office.

“When the system went live, I saw immediate value in the first clinic session. I had a patient with ear infections and because I could see all her Texas Children’s Pediatrics notes and medication history in Epic, I was able to make a surgical recommendation without requesting outside records,” said Dr. Carla Giannoni, chief medical information officer. “Today we use it for so much more, and Epic adds new modules and features every few months.”

Giannoni continued, “Epic has streamlined data collection so we can improve our operational processes, and that has resulted in added efficiency and convenience. I also absolutely love that I can get most of the Epic data I need on call through the mobile app, Haiku. I can see OR schedules, my team’s patient list as well as my schedule, and chat securely with the bedside nurse.”

Click here to view a video about the Epic anniversary. Congratulations to everyone at Texas Children’s for 15 years of Epic success.

You can make a difference for yourself and your family with the available benefits in 2024, including our new Paid Parental Benefit!

We are excited to bring you Week 2 of 2024 Annual Enrollment, featuring our interactive Benefits Fairs! From Tuesday, Oct 31, through Friday, November 3, Benefits team members and benefits vendors will be onsite to share our offerings and answer your questions – including those about our new Paid Parental Benefit.

The new inclusive Paid Parental Benefit provides eligible team members time to bond with their new child! Some key details of this benefit include:

  • Up to 4 weeks paid parental time
  • Covers births, adoptions and foster placements
  • Available to eligible full-time and part-time team members with 6 months or more of continuous employment
  • Retroactive coverage for eligible employees with a birth, adoption or placement on or between October 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023.
  • Availability to use up to twelve (12) months immediately following a birth or placement.

Visit the What’s New page at texaschildrensbenefits.org to view the Benefits Fair schedule and to access more details on the Paid Parental benefit.

Join in on 2024 Annual Enrollment, and choose better health for yourself and your family.

QUESTIONS? NEED HELP?
  • CONTACT AN HR TEAM MEMBER ABOUT THE NEW PAID PARENTAL BENEFIT

An HR team member can help you understand all of the important details.

  • ASK EMMA, YOUR PERSONAL DIGITAL BENEFITS ADVISOR

Available 24/7 in both English and Spanish from any desktop or mobile device, Ask Emma offers confidential guidance and advice to help you select the right benefits for you and your family.

  • TEXAS CHILDREN’S BENEFITS TEAM VIRTUAL AND PHONE SUPPORT

Our Benefits team is available to help by phone or web chat from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 4. Spanish language assistance is also available via phone and web chat.

    • Phone 832-824-2421 (select option 1 and then option 1 again for Benefits)
    • Web chat (located at the top of your Benefits homepage)
    • Virtually via Teams for 30-minutes by appointment from November 8 – 10. Click here to reserve your desired time slot
  • DEDICATED ON-SITE SUPPORT

Receive dedicated on-site and support from vendors and Benefits team member during one of the scheduled Benefits Fairs. Click here to access onsite schedules.

At Texas Children’s, our commitment to creating a culture of ethics, integrity and compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and policies is directly tied to upholding our organizational mission. We hold our workforce to a high standard of ethical conduct, and encourage team members to lead by example and always do what is right.

Compliance and Privacy Week is November 5–11 and you’re invited to “Be a Compliance Champion!” by engaging with the Compliance and Privacy team and shredding your documents on Shred Day.

Coffee with Compliance: Have questions or want to learn more about how you can help? Stop by to chat and enjoy some coffee with a representative from the Compliance and Privacy Office. Participants will be entered for daily drawings and giveaways!

  • Monday, Nov. 6: Meyer Garage 19 (6 a.m. – 9 a.m.)
  • Tuesday, Nov. 7: West Campus – First Floor (6 a.m. – 9 a.m.)
  • Tuesday, Nov. 7: Meyer Building – Lobby (12 p.m. – 2 p.m.)
  • Wednesday, Nov. 8: Medical Center Campus – The Auxiliary Bridge (6 p.m. – 8 p.m.)
  • Wednesday, Nov. 8: Health Plan – 14th Floor Board Room (8 a.m. – 11 a.m.)
  • Thursday, Nov. 9: Feigin Tower – First Floor Lobby (6 a.m. – 9 a.m.)
  • Thursday, Nov. 9: Pavilion for Women – Fourth Floor (11 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
  • Friday, Nov. 10: The Woodlands – Main Lobby by Donor Wall (6 a.m. – 9 a.m.)

Shred Day: We are partnering with Iron Mountain to provide all employees a free, safe and secure opportunity to shred personal confidential documents on-site. This includes any personal documents with confidential or identifying information like old mail, checks, receipts, tax reports, credit card statements, etc. Plastic, metal or other non-paper items will not be accepted. Click here for a printable flyer.

Shred Day Drive-Up Event

Saturday, Nov. 11 (8 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
6330 West Loop South, Bellaire, TX 77401

Click here to learn more. Need additional help? Contact the Compliance and Privacy Office at 832-824-2085 or compliance@texaschildrens.org.

October 24, 2023

Meet Michele Boettiger, Assistant Clinical Director, NICU, at Texas Children’s Hospital – North Austin. When our newest campus opens in early 2024, Michele looks forward to collaborating with a multidisciplinary group of highly educated and talented care providers who will be the perfect partner for families that need extra-special care in the beginning.

Why did you choose Texas Children’s?
As a graduate nurse, I was honored to start my career at Texas Children’s. Magnet designation, developmental resources and research opportunities all aligned with my long-term career goals. But the real reason I wanted to be part of the TCH family is the mission and vision to provide compassionate, quality care to ALL patients and families.

What’s your leadership statement?
Lead with integrity to optimize outcomes with a focus on quality, safety and innovation. Nurture compassion, respect and inclusiveness as inspiration for all to strive for meaningful productivity and purpose.

Why are you excited about Texas Children’s growing presence in Austin?
Texas Children’s Hospital will bring amazing opportunities to the families in Austin and surrounding areas. My team has cared for patients from all over the world. Austin deserves world-class service and care. As Texas Children’s brings that unparalleled care to the Austin area, many lives will benefit.

What makes Austin a great place to live and work?
Austin is a friendly place to live and work with a pleasant vibe. The smiles are contagious! I also love the outdoor activities that are available in Austin. My family likes to take long walks with our dogs. Sunsets are gorgeous in the Hill Country.

What makes your team so special?
Fun fact: Our talented nursing team has an average of 11 years of experience across seven different states, including Hawaii. As the NICU team grows, the Texas Children’s legacy will strengthen. Together, we will provide the best care possible for tiny patients who are the future leaders of Texas!

Ranked #3 in Neonatology by U.S. News & World Report, Texas Children’s NICUs care for more than 1,800 infants each year, making us one of the largest and most experienced programs in the country. Texas Children’s Hospital – North Austin will offer the community a Level IV NICU, designated as the most advanced level of care available for premature and critically-ill newborns. Only two other Austin area hospitals are Level IV-designated.

Right Care, Right Place, Right People. Now ranked #1 in Texas and #3 in the nation, we’re bringing the best to Austin. Click here for updates, resources and more on the Austin Expansion SharePoint.