February 10, 2025

Labor and delivery nurse Alexandra (Alex) Flaherty exemplifies the skill, resilience and compassion that is crucial in her role. Her work at our Pavilion for Women in the Medical Center goes beyond the expected, weaving joy and kindness into every patient’s experience. Filled with dedication and heart, Alex reminds us of the profound impact nurses have on countless lives.

Bringing extra love to families

Alex’s creativity and empathy shine brightest in the photographs she’s created to celebrate our tiniest patients born during holidays and special occasions. The project started simply, with a visit from the marketing team before Thanksgiving. “They mentioned taking photos of holiday babies, and I thought, ‘Well, what do we have for them to wear?’ So, I got online and bought swaddles, bows, and other cute things to make it special,” Alex shared.

During the holiday season, Alex collaborated with fellow nurse Katie Gonzales to dress and photograph newborns born on Christmas and New Year’s Day at our hospital in North Austin. “For Valentine’s Day in the Med Center, Katie and I will team up again,” Alex shared. “Even families who don’t want their baby’s photo shared publicly love having keepsakes. I’ll take pictures on their phones, so they have those memories.”

Empathy in every moment

Alex has the ability to connect with families, no matter the situation—welcoming new life while sometimes supporting them through heartbreaking losses. She carries out her work with grace and deep empathy, offering comfort in every moment. She shared the story of one particularly long day when she stayed beyond her shift to ensure a family felt supported.

“The mom had pushed for hours before needing a C-section. It was late, and she was so tired. But her family wanted a photo of their baby dressed up for New Year’s. My coworker and I stayed to make it happen,” Alex said. “The baby was perfect and let us pose her in so many ways. I’ll never forget the joy that moment brought to the family—it’s those connections that stay with me.” 

The amazing team that makes it possible

For Alex, none of this would be possible without the incredible support of her team and leadership. “The unit can get very busy with deliveries, transfers, ICU status patients and add-on inductions,” she explained. On particularly hectic days, she and her team find creative ways to lift each other’s spirits. Alex and Dr. Courtney Wang organized a unit bake-off, complete with a trophy made from a bedazzled speculum. “Sometimes we’ll do a boba run or have a cake delivered to keep our energy up,” she added. “I wouldn’t want to be surrounded by anyone else. My team has truly become my family.” 

This culture of care extends to emotional support during difficult times. Alex recalls how leadership responded after a maternal death three years ago. “They immediately organized an emotional debrief and kept checking on us afterward. They made it clear our mental health mattered,” she remembered. “I’ve never felt so supported in my career. They genuinely care about both patients and staff.” 

The difference we make together

Alex’s “labor of love” reminds us that small acts of kindness and joyful gestures leave lasting impressions, reflecting our core values and our desire to make a difference, one family at a time.

As Alex said, “Families come to us from all over the world, often for highly specialized care. We want them to feel supported and valued—not just as patients but as people. It’s about showing them that we care, in every way possible.”

In celebration of the extraordinary work happening across our organization, we want to thank all of our nurses and team members who will go above and beyond this Valentine’s Day—and every day—to show a little extra love to our patients. Your dedication is “The Difference” at Texas Children’s.

February 3, 2025

For the seventh consecutive year, Texas Children’s Hospital leads the nation in performing the most pediatric transplants, as reported by the Organ Procurement & Transplantation Network (OPTN), the country’s unique public-private registry for organ matching.

Newly released data from OPTN places the nation’s largest children’s hospital as:

  • No. 1 for pediatric liver and lung transplants,
  • No. 2 for pediatric kidney transplants, and
  • No. 3 for pediatric heart transplants in the United States.

In 2024, the Texas Children’s Hospital Transplant Services team performed 103 pediatric organ transplants – outpacing all other children’s hospitals by 14 complex surgeries.

Additionally, the team performed 11 adult transplants, for a combined volume of 114 transplants, making 2024 the program’s second-highest volume year to date. In the last decade, Texas Children’s Hospital has performed 951 pediatric organ transplants, over 140 more transplants than any other pediatric hospital in the United States.

The multidisciplinary team of transplant experts ensures each patient receives the best possible care throughout the process of waiting for an organ, performing transplant surgery, and providing lifelong post-transplant follow-up treatment. This excellent care is reflected by our exceptional outcomes – all four of our organ transplant programs have survival rates that exceed national benchmarks. This outstanding achievement is only possible through the transplant team’s commitment to helping our patients live long, healthy lives. 

In 2024, the Transplant Services team also celebrated the 40th anniversary of its esteemed heart transplant program.

“The selflessness and generosity of organ donors and their families are what make these life-saving transplants possible,” said Dr. John A. Goss, Medical Director of Transplant Services at Texas Children’s Hospital and Professor and Chief of the Division of Abdominal Transplantation at Baylor College of Medicine. “The noble gifts from donors and their families are the foundation of our program’s success, and we honor their legacy with every life we save.”

Congratulations to our Transplant Services team on this outstanding achievement!

Starting a career in health care is an exciting yet daunting experience. For Blair McGhee, a nurse in acute care at The Woodlands Campus, it also meant moving halfway across the country to pursue her dream. Since joining our team in July 2023, Blair has embraced the challenges and opportunities of working at one of the nation’s leading pediatric hospitals, finding a strong sense of community and purpose along the way.

Taking the leap to Texas 

Originally from Michigan, Blair completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in May 2023. However, nursing wasn’t her initial career goal. Her first bachelor’s degree, in biomedical sciences, was part of a pre-med track. But working as a medical scribe in an emergency room reshaped her plans.

“I realized I wanted to focus on hands-on patient care and build relationships with patients,” Blair explained. “That’s what led me to nursing.”

Blair had never been to Texas when she applied for jobs, but the state’s warm climate and the reputation of Texas Children’s Hospital stood out. After being accepted into the Nurse Residency Program, she packed her belongings and moved—sight unseen—to start this new chapter with just her dog as her companion.

“Moving to a new state and starting my first nursing job was a big step, but it’s been the best decision I’ve ever made,” Blair said. “I absolutely love my job, my coworkers, and the culture here.”

A supportive start 

Transitioning to her role at Texas Children’s was a rewarding experience thanks to our Nurse Residency Program and the welcoming team at The Woodlands. Blair recalls the apprehension she felt as a new graduate, knowing many nurses face difficult transitions at other hospitals.

“You hear stories about older nurses not welcoming new grads, but my experience was the complete opposite,” she shared. “My preceptorship was about nine weeks, and I had so much support. The buddy system here is amazing, and there’s always someone willing to help or answer questions.”

Blair quickly noticed the emphasis on safety and teamwork at Texas Children’s. Whether it was patient assignments or collaborative problem-solving, she felt her colleagues truly cared about setting everyone up for success.

Finding fulfillment in Acute Care 

Now a night-shift nurse in acute care, Blair cherishes the bonds she builds with patients and families. She recalls one particularly memorable patient, a young girl who often visits the hospital and struggles with anxiety.

“She was so skittish at first, but by the end of her stay, we were best friends,” Blair said, smiling. “She even made me a thank-you card. Moments like that remind me why I chose this profession.”

Blair approachable and upbeat personality helps her connect with patients. Whether it’s explaining procedures to calm a frightened child or simply taking time to listen, she focuses on creating positive experiences.

“As nurses, we can make or break a family’s experience,” she noted. “It’s important to me that every patient and family feels cared for and supported.”

Building a life in Texas 

Outside of work, Blair has embraced life in Houston. From exploring new restaurants to mini-golfing on a Tuesday night, she appreciates the year-round opportunities for outdoor fun—a stark contrast to the snowy winters she left behind in Michigan.

Although she moved to Texas without knowing anyone, Blair has found a support system in her coworkers and friends. “It’s been so rewarding to step out of my comfort zone,” she said. “I’ve built a life I truly love here.”

Looking ahead 

As Blair continues to grow in her role, she’s already thinking about her next steps. Inspired by colleagues who transitioned from RN to nurse practitioner (NP), she hopes to follow a similar path in the future.

“Seeing others pursue advanced practice roles while staying at Texas Children’s has been really encouraging,” Blair said. “Right now, I’m focused on building my skills and confidence as a nurse. But when the time comes, I know this organization will support me in reaching my goals.”

The values that make Texas Children’s a special place to work and receive care are demonstrated by Blair’s determination, adaptability and gratitude. She’s proof that bold leaps of faith can lead to making a difference in incredible ways.

Put on your boots and round up your family & friends – it’s time to Rodeo in Houston! From March 4 – 23, you can enjoy live entertainment and festivities at the world’s largest livestock exhibition and rodeo. 

A proud supporter of this spectacular event, Texas Children’s will once again host a drawing limited to Texas Children’s employees only to purchase discounted Rodeo Concert tickets. 

Don’t let the opportunity to attend the best tradition in Houston slip through your lasso! Access the purchase details here, then take action by entering the concert ticket drawing by February 14 or purchasing your tickets to the other events.

All team members, (including BMC faculty and staff), are able to conveniently purchase World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, half-price carnival packs, carnival food cards and ground admissions directly from the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.

Click here to purchase tickets directly from the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo for the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, half-price carnival packs, carnival food cards and ground admissions.

For assistance, please email totalrewards@texaschildrens.org, or call Total Rewards at 832-824-2421, (select option 1 for Benefits and then press 2,) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.