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We’re making room to provide even better care for our tiniest patients. On May 6, our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) will expand by 14 additional beds, bringing the total capacity at the Main Campus to 189.

This expansion solidifies the hospitals position as the largest NICU in Texas and aligns with long-term plans to enhance Women’s Services. As a nationally recognized Level 4 NICU facility, the hospital continues to lead advancements in neonatal care.

“We are passionately dedicated to delivering exceptional and innovative care for mothers and their babies, ensuring a healthier future for our community,” said Jasmine Sammons, director of nursing for the Newborn Center.

Our leaders project approximately 2,000 additional deliveries over the next 10 years.

“We are strategically growing our Women’s Services and expanding our NICU footprint to support the anticipated NICU volume,” Jasmine added.

With this latest milestone, Texas Children’s reaffirms its dedication to advancing neonatal care and supporting families in their times of need.

Our commitment to excellence is essential to who we are at Texas Children’s. Providing the best care, sustaining the highest level of performance and achieving the most outstanding benchmarks in quality and safety are what make this One Amazing Team extraordinary.

Our People, Performance and Preeminence (P³) Incentive Plan promotes this mission as we work towards shared targets in the areas of patient experience, quality, service, safety and access. By meeting these goals and the financial circuit-breaker, Texas Children’s can continue to maintain and exceed our high standards while rewarding you for your commitment. 

Our Q2 goals update is now available on the Texas Children’s Incentive Plan site.

To be eligible for the payout, an employee must meet all of the following criteria:

• Must be hired on or before April 15 of performance period
• Have received a “Successful” or better rating on their performance review for the current Performance Period
• Not be classified as a temporary employee
• Not be eligible for any other bonus plan
• Be actively employed on the payout date

Our volunteers do more than help the patients, families and team members of Texas Children’s. They embody selfless service and are integral to achieving excellence in patient care. Dedicating more than just their free time, they use their strengths and skills to make each day just a little brighter for those staying and working in our hospitals. 

 

Josiara Hernandez: An aspiring pediatric dentist, Josiara works in the Oncology unit playroom. She is currently a student at the University of Houston and uses her free time on Fridays to create moments of joy for those facing challenges. She has been a wonderful addition to the playroom and recognizes that even the smallest gestures of kindness can have a significant impact.

She is also an avid golfer and was thrilled to have the opportunity to volunteer for the Houston Open. Braving the heat and the rain, nothing was going to keep her away!

Branson Berry: Branson was a junior volunteer last summer and has stayed on as a regular volunteer. His special talent is the guitar. After seeing him play on the bridge over the summer, our music therapy team recruited him to be part of “Healing Notes,” a special music therapy using instruments to enhance the hospital experience. Now, Branson can use his musical talents to bring joy and comfort to patients and families at Texas Children’s.

He graduates from high school next month so if you see him around the hospital, be sure to tell him congratulations!

Margie Burka: Margie has served as a volunteer at Texas Children’s since 2009. A retired educator, you may have seen her shelving books in our hospital library. Her background in education allows her to connect with children and their families in a supportive and enriching way. Margie enjoys participating in all library activities but especially loves bringing a smile to the faces of those she serves.

Cindy Snyder: A fairly new volunteer, Cindy is already widely beloved. She pushes the tea cart, and team members love her high-energy. “If you’re ever feeling down, just be around Cindy and you’ll instantly get lifted up,” said Volunteer Coordinator, Valerie Navarro.

Cindy has been looking forward to volunteering at Texas Children’s for years, and she is thrilled to serve the employees their tea!

Ruth Cummings: Ruth first came to Texas Children’s in 1992 after being inspired by her friend and long-time volunteer, Gene Macey. Gene’s dedication inspired Ruth to give back as well, and she has been a spiritual care volunteer ever since. She is a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear for patients and families in need. Ruth often works with the Chaplains, and her calming presence is welcome anywhere and everywhere.

Our volunteers will be showered with appreciation from April 21 – 25. Each campus will celebrate their volunteers with themed events to express their gratitude.

Thank you to the hundreds of volunteers working to make Texas Children’s a special place. You are part of the life-changing difference being made each day.

As the top pediatric hospital in Texas, we are proud to provide care the Texas way: with BIG hearts and BIG compassion for our patients. Patient Experience Week is an opportunity to engage with our patients and families, showcase our commitment to providing exceptional care and recognize the amazing spirit and efforts of our team members. We hope you are ready to saddle up and have some rip-roaring fun the week of April 28 – May 2!

Save the Date: We will celebrate all week long with special events and experiences for our patients – those at the heart of our mission. In the coming week, our Patient Experience Consultants and team members will provide information and share tools on the Patient Experience SharePoint site. Our goal is to equip teams with inspiration, knowledge and resources to celebrate the kind of care that makes Texas Children’s the best in the Lone Star State!

Let’s Giddy on Up

1. Round up your creativity: Departments and units are encouraged to organize and host activities that celebrate and show gratitude to our patients and families tailored to your team’s unique environment and needs. How will you kick up some dust? Try pin the tail on the donkey, lasso practice with hay bales, line dancing, “Wanted” posters, design your own ‘welcome wagon,’ or get crafty. We will provide a list of activation ideas and themed printables like scavenger hunts, coloring pages and activity sheets!
    
2. Amplify the best of Texas care: Teams are encouraged to focus on best practices that boost our patient experiences, like intentional rounds and building authentic, heartfelt connections with our patients and families.
    
3. Shout out your shining stars: In addition to showcasing some of our stellar Caught You Caring recipients, we’re encouraging you to submit your own Caught You Caring entries to recognize team members going above and beyond.
    
4. Western Wear Wednesday: On Wednesday, April 30, team members are encouraged to show their true Texas spirit by donning their finest Western outfits, including boots, flannel shirts and hats. Please no jeans.

Announcing Texas Triumph Board Showcase Competition

We know enhancing the patient experience is top of mind, and we can see how focused our team members are on delivering experiences that shine big and bright! This year, we’re stirrin’ up some friendly competition across all clinical units to showcase the incredible impact your teams have on the patient experience.

Teams are invited to create a Texas Triumph board (bulletin board, showcase board or tri-fold), spotlighting how you deliver exceptional care, work together as a team and demonstrate compassion and kindness. These boards will be displayed April 29 – 30. We will have judges on hand and the winning team will earn a well-deserved team lunch. Full competition details and information on virtual submissions will be shared soon.

Please activate your teams and stay tuned for more information and resources. Reach out to Shazia Arroyo at suarroy1@texaschildrens.org if you have any questions.

In the world of high-risk obstetrics, where every decision carries immense weight, a dedicated team of Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) Nurse Practitioners (NPs) at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women stands at the forefront. Their expertise, compassion and commitment to patient care make them an indispensable part of the MFM team.

“Our NPs have incredible knowledge regarding high-risk pregnancies,” said Leslie Goodwin, MFM nurse manager. “They are very passionate about our patient population and optimizing care and outcomes for all of our patients and their babies. They truly are the glue that holds our MFM practice together.”

MFM Nurse Practitioners also play a vital role in coordinating and delivering care to patients with complex pregnancies. They expertly manage care plans, conduct detailed patient assessments and provide thorough patient education to empower expectant mothers. Their proactive approach helps prevent complications, enhances patient outcomes and strengthens the patient-provider relationship.

This team works seamlessly with physicians, sonographers, genetic counselors and nurses to foster a multidisciplinary approach to care. They bridge communication between specialties to ensure patients receive timely interventions and holistic care. Our NPs are also invaluable mentors, supporting professional growth through education and hands-on training.

“The team continually seeks out ways to improve processes and enhance patient care,” said Erika Fisher, director, Ambulatory Services. “They have led initiatives to streamline clinical operations, developed educational resources and contributed to quality improvement projects that have measurably improved outcomes. Their leadership in implementing evidence-based practices has elevated the standard of care across the department.”

Dr. Manisha Gandhi highlighted their essential role in high-risk pregnancy care. “Our MFM NPs are an integral part of the MFM practice,” said Dr. Gandhi. “They collaborate seamlessly with our physicians and staff to create a cohesive and supportive environment. Their extensive expertise in managing high-risk pregnancies, coupled with their unwavering dedication to our patients, ensures the highest standard of care.”

Dr. Carey Eppes expands on care. “The MFM-NP partnership in our clinic allows an optimal balance of complex medical decision-making and patient-centered care,” said Dr. Carey.

Beyond clinical care, this team is deeply committed to the organization’s mission and values. They participate in research efforts and represent the department in hospital-wide committees. Their dedication not only enhances patient outcomes but also strengthens the organization’s reputation as a leader in maternal-fetal medicine.

The Maternal-Fetal medicine nurse practitioner team exemplifies the highest standards of nursing excellence, demonstrating commitment to their patients, colleagues and the organization.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our annual engagement survey and helped us exceed our response goals. Let’s celebrate with ice cream.

Celebrations at the Medical Center, office and hospital campus locations on Tuesday, April 22 are listed below. All other locations will have individual celebrations.

You can send your celebration pictures to: TCC@texaschildrens.org.