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With the new application tool, recognizing your colleagues for keeping our patients and colleagues safe is easier than ever. The new tool includes a user lookup name feature, which automatically populates key information about the nominee. Click here to get started. You can also access the Forms quick link on the Connect homepage. The Shamrock Award form is located under Admin Forms.

There’s also a new SharePoint site to highlight Shamrock Award winners and Clover recipients. The site will feature winners starting in FY25. Click here to view.

The Shamrock Award was created by Chief Safety Officer Dr. Joan Shook to increase the awareness of patient safety across the hospital system. The Quality and Safety department recognizes individuals and teams/departments who have excelled in providing patient safety efforts with the monthly Shamrock and Clover Awards.

“I started the Shamrock award because wonderful things happen here every day and I believe people should be recognized and rewarded for them,” said Shook. “It is an honor to be able to recognize individuals who make our world safer and a privilege to be able to meet those people and hear their stories first hand. We have a remarkable workforce here.” 

Named after the spectacular Shamrock Hotel on the edge of the Texas Medical Center in the 1950s-60s, the award recognizes employees on a monthly basis who have done something to keep our patients and/or colleagues safe. 

Dr. Shook came to Texas Children’s over 40 years ago to do her pediatric residency. She’s held numerous leadership roles including chief of emergency medicine twice and has been the chief safety officer for the last 20 years.

Our teams around the system celebrated the holidays together with luncheons, gift exchanges and good tidings. A handful shared their photos with us. View the photo gallery below.

An understated but powerful project is transforming the lives of families across Greater Houston—one that centers on early childhood health, education and resilience. Through upSTART Community Programs at Texas Children’s and Baylor College of Medicine, parents gain access to education on early brain and language development, social support and mental health services, creating opportunities to make a life-changing difference for their families.

The Birth of upWORDS

upSTART Community Programs, which is housed in the Division of Public Health Pediatrics, launched with upWORDS in 2016 at our West Campus. Maura Dugan, assistant director of Population Health and a certified speech-language pathologist by training, saw firsthand that many of the children she was working with were entering care too late. “We wanted to give parents the tools to support positive relationships in the earliest days, when 80% of brain development occurs,” she said.

The upWORDS program addresses the “30-million-word gap”—the disparity in the number of words heard by children from different socioeconomic backgrounds before kindergarten—by providing group education on “serve and return” interactions. Research has shown these back-and-forth exchanges between parent and child are most important for brain growth, helping build foundational language and social skills that are the building blocks for literacy development. A small device called LENA, which Maura describes as a language “Fitbit,” helps parents track the number of words and frequency of spoken exchanges with their young children, improving their interactions. As one participant shared, “This program has changed our lives.”

Program Evolution and Growth

As upWORDS gained momentum, it expanded to address deeper needs within the community. Chris Greeley MD, division chief of the Division of Public Health Pediatrics at Texas Children’s and Baylor College of Medicine, emphasized that program growth was driven by feedback from families served. “We started asking, ‘What else do you need? What barriers are you facing?'” Dr. Greeley explained. “From this, additional partners and avenues for support began to emerge, and new services and programs were developed.”

• upWORDS² focuses on understanding behaviors and socioemotional development by offering parents tools for positive parenting.
• upWORDS Bridges supports families and helps streamline the process of getting speech and developmental evaluations for children experiencing delays.
• upLIFT supports pregnant women and women who have given birth within the past year, providing tools and strategies to help ease symptoms of perinatal depression and anxiety.
• upLIFT Group is for mothers experiencing depression or anxiety who have children under three.
• upREACH+ provides support for families experiencing high-risk pregnancies.
• Community Connections connects families with community resources to address basic needs.
• Additional pilot projects include Community Health Worker Certification Training and Long-Term Case Management.

The Division has secured millions of dollars in grants to fund upSTART Community programs, making a significant difference for thousands of participants across the greater Houston area.

In addition to direct services, over 14,000 Welcome Baby Bags have been distributed to provide essentials for new parents thanks to collaborations with local partners like the Children’s Museum, and more than 6,000 program educators have been trained in early childhood development.

The Strength and Future of upSTART

A core strength of upSTART is the diverse, multidisciplinary team driving them forward. As Maura explained, “We have community health workers, social workers, nurses, health educators, public health experts, former teachers and speech-language pathologists. All are committed to the families we serve and to creating safe places for them.”

As upSTART continues to evolve, our teams remain dedicated to meeting the needs of the community through compassionate, innovative approaches. Nancy Correa, director of Population Health shared, ” The families are our true north—it’s about what these families need, and how we can do a better job of helping.”

How to Get Involved

upWORDS is accepting enrollment for new classes throughout Houston and the surrounding counties. To refer families with children 0-36 months to the program, please visit texaschildrens.org/upwords-program and complete the interest form. Referrals may also be emailed to upWORDS@texaschildrens.org.

Please complete the upLIFT referral form or visit the upLIFT Group Referral Portal to refer yourself, a patient or friend to these programs. For questions, contact upWORDS at 832-227-1828.

We are proud of our Texas Children’s and Baylor College of Medicine teams for their tireless efforts in creating healthier futures for children and families across Greater Houston and beyond. Together, we continue to make a difference every day.

In December, a sense of goodwill fills the air. At Texas Children’s, the spirit of generosity isn’t seasonal. Our Philanthropy team works year-round to inspire support from donors, businesses, and the community, ensuring life-changing care reaches women, children and families who need it most.

But behind the initiatives that fund critical programs and compassionate services is something more—an extraordinary group of people driven by their own stories, experiences and sense of purpose.

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In Tribute to Mental Health 

For Darry Hearon, philanthropy advisor with the Major Giving team, the work is personal. As a liaison for behavioral health, Darry focuses on psychology, psychiatry and developmental pediatrics—areas close to his heart.

“I knew this would be a way to shed light on her memory,” Darry said, reflecting on his great aunt’s lifelong struggle with schizophrenia. His dedication is a tribute to her and to others facing similar challenges.

With a background in music and nonprofit arts, Darry believes in the power of connection. “It’s very hard to come by someone who hasn’t been touched by mental health issues. It’s fulfilling and humbling work.” 

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A Voice Behind the Scenes

With nearly 26 years at Texas Children’s, Ann Saye, senior managing editor for Philanthropy, ensures the team’s communications are clear, compelling and consistent. From donor proposals to event scripts, Ann’s small but mighty team plays a vital role in sharing our story.

“Texas Children’s mission resonates with so many people,” Ann said. “Writing about helping families and caring for the sickest of the sick is an honor.”

Growing up with a doctor father and a mother who was a long-time volunteer for health organizations, Ann always felt drawn to the Texas Medical Center. “I knew I wanted to be here.” Her dedication shows in every piece of writing she produces.

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Bringing the Community Together 

Community Event Specialist Cameron Carlin helps bring Texas Children’s mission to life through fundraising events of every size, from lemonade stands to campaigns like Spirit Halloween, which raised half a million dollars last year.

Cameron’s connection is personal, too. “My cousin had brain cancer and was treated at our cancer center,” he shared. “The care and relationships the doctors, nurses, and staff extended to my family showed what Texas Children’s is all about.”

With a background in sports philanthropy, Cameron believes every contribution matters. “We rely on our community. They tell our story and fight for our patients and families.”

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Deepened Purpose Through Loss 

For Teresa Kaiser, major giving philanthropy advisor, her work is rooted in personal experience. After her twins were born prematurely, Teresa lost one of her daughters after just 10 days while her other daughter spent months in the NICU. She has recordings of both her girls’ heartbeats, thanks to donors and the Child Life team.

“I got to be on the receiving end of compassionate services supported by donors,” Teresa shared, mentioning the significance of philanthropic initiatives at Texas Children’s like NICU family parking support, free books from the Patient/Family library and our Butterfly Bereavement Room. “My experiences reminded me why I do what I do.” Teresa helps donors channel their experiences into meaningful impact.

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Building Connections with Businesses 

Corporate Philanthropy Advisor Jonas Chin joined Texas Children’s to build relationships with businesses that align with our mission. Whether through volunteerism, cause marketing or gifts, Jonas works to inspire support that improves care for families everywhere.

Jonas’s personal connection deepened after becoming a father to twin daughters. “It turns out that the phrase ‘It takes a village’ is quite true,” he said. “My experience gave me an even greater appreciation for the work we do here.”

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A Team That Supports Like Family 

With about 80 members, the Philanthropy team includes those on the frontlines engaging donors and many others contributing tirelessly in roles like database management, research and communications. What makes the team unique is not just their individual ‘whys’ but their collective spirit. ‘We truly are a family,’ said Teresa. ‘I’ve never seen a group come together so quickly to lend support or encouragement.’

Whether celebrating milestones or supporting one another through challenges, this team reflects the very mission they work to advance—helping families when they need it most. Their behind-the-scenes work builds a bridge of hope and care for every child and family who walks through our doors.

To the Philanthropy team: Thank you for your dedication, heart and purpose in all seasons.

You still have time to submit a question for the upcoming town hall. Click here to submit your question.