August 13, 2024

Texas Children’s is thrilled to announce renovations to the Houston Pi Beta Phi Patient/Family Library and Barbara Adams Resource Center are complete. Still located on West Tower 16, the freshly finished space is ready for patients, families and team members!

The space features beautiful woodland murals, book nooks and rolling bookcases. It’s also outfitted with screens and projectors, new lighting and plenty of comfortable benches, all waiting to whisk patients and families into the wonderful word of books.

As a reminder, patients are welcome to check out books, board games, puzzles and DVDs. Please return any checked out items to the library after using them.

The library is open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Friday. Beginning in October, Junior League Provisionals will be working on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Library Time with Melman will also begin on Thursday afternoons in the coming weeks! Additionally, Library coordinator Catherine Zdunkewicz is excited to announce author events will be returning. On August 29 at 2 p.m., Harrison’s Heroes will bring in an author for a reading.

Stop by to say hello to Catherine and take a look at all the fantastic work done on this space!

August 5, 2024

When audiologist, EmilyAnn Duffley, meets with parents to discuss and advise them on their children’s recently-diagnosed hearing loss, she understands they are processing more than a new medical diagnosis. “When a child is diagnosed with hearing loss, it can be overwhelming for parents. Lots of times, they’re emotional. They can’t focus on what’s being discussed in the appointment.”

Understanding families often had trouble recalling the information she shared with them in their audiology appointment, EmilyAnn was motivated to create a resource parents could come back to when they were ready to think about how to manage hearing loss. She developed a video series to guide children and parents through the new reality they faced. “Hearing loss ranges in severity, and there are different coping strategies and devices that can help deal with the loss of function. Families tailor how they live, so they can help their kids.”

The videos cover various topics, including, ‘What is an Audiogram?’ (https://youtu.be/nJXUAFEja4Q)
and ‘Hearing aids Versus Cochlear Implants’ (https://youtu.be/ZYNZ7eE4TgA).” They make the important details of living with hearing loss “easier for families to digest.” EmilyAnn is thankful for the partnership received from everyone around her. “It’s been a team effort! I was really empowered by my leaders to pursue this project. Erin Cox, in Marketing, and videographer, Christopher Nocera, helped capture the content and bring the scripts to life. Families are participating in filming, and doctors are sharing YouTube links with patients. It has been such a fun, creative outlet!”

The professionally trained vocalist who initially thought she might become an engineer is over the moon about being an audiologist at Texas Children’s. “It’s such a rewarding career, and I feel so lucky to be here.”

We feel just as lucky to have EmilyAnn!

After seeing the care her niece received at Texas Children’s, Clarissa Bustillos, RRT, MSHP knew she was destined to work here. Thirteen years later, she’s gone from patient care to management and now serves as assistant director of Support Services in The Woodlands. Each new venture has taught her something new and she brings those lessons into her leadership.

What is your favorite part about your job?

I love that no two days are the same and there is always something new to learn. I started in patient care as an RT, then moved into management in the Specialty Cares. Now as AD of Support Services for the Woodlands, I am able to help behind the scenes to keep our operations running smoothly.

What patient interaction stands out as your most joyful patient experience?

It’s so hard to choose just one in my 13 years with TCH. I think I will always be most proud of my time in the West Tower NICU as part of the care team, “Graham’s Guardians.” He taught me to become a better advocate, a better listener, and overall, a better clinician who leads with heart! It deepened my drive to go into leadership to make experiences better for our patients and families.

Why do you love Texas Children’s?

The easy answer is the benefits, but the long honest answer is the culture and people within this organization. I have been blessed with such amazing co-workers, clinicians and leaders across this entire system. Being able to work beside them, learn from them, and laugh with them on the daily keeps me coming back for more!

How do you recharge your batteries away from work?

With a 5-month-old baby boy at home, my battery doesn’t recharge like it used to. It used to be by vacations, dog walks and exercise, but now my focus has become my family time. More family dinners and gatherings, and of course lots of baby cuddles and inhaling his baby scent. To add, regardless of the how, I think it’s very important to hit your reset button every day to start the next day with a fresh perspective and positivity.

Name a fun fact about you that most don’t know.

I have my class M (motorcycle) license.

Texas Children’s, part the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee National Medical Network, has been the perfect place for athlete, Jeffrey Louis, to prepare for the Olympic debut of breakdancing at the 2024 Paris Games. After determining his best chance at gold in the inaugural event would require rehabilitating an old injury, Jeffrey became a patient of Sports Medicine and Adolescent Medicine Physician, Dr. Jorge Gomez and sports medicine physical therapist, Jennifer Morgan.

Dr. Gomez took a comprehensive approach to preparing Jeffrey for Paris. “It’s important to see the athlete as a whole person,” said Dr. Gomez. “We look at any chronic medical conditions the athlete may have. We look at nutritional status and supplements he may be taking. We always ask about sleep because rest is so important for repair and training. For all our athletes – Olympians and non-Olympians, alike – we work to make sure our practice of sports medicine is uniform across the organization. We have incredibly experienced physicians and the best evaluations, therapy and treatment plans.”

Not only was Jeffrey working with the right doctor to prepare for his Olympic dreams, he also connected with the right physical therapist.

Jennifer Morgan enjoyed Jeffrey’s positive attitude and willingness to work. “He was really motivated,” she explained. “Jeffrey didn’t have to stop breakdancing. He was in great condition, even after an injury suffered several years ago. He wanted the best physical functioning to support certain “power moves,” and he wanted to avoid reinjury. We looked at what put him at risk in the first place, worked on mobility issues, incorporated strength training and made sure he did not over train. He was awesome to work with!”

We are certain Jeffrey felt the same way about Jennifer and Dr. Gomez, and Texas Children’s is rooting for our breakdancing Olympic star!