June 23, 2025

CRU, or Creating Real Unity, is a support group for teens living with sickle cell disease. It is designed to get the kids out of the hospital, where they already spend hours for appointments and receiving treatment. CRU offers teens the opportunity to find connections with others facing similar health challenges.

During frequent clinic visits and hospitalizations, teens living with sickle cell disease are provided with disease management but find difficulty navigating the impact of the disease on their lives. “So many social factors are being missed, but we’re trying to open up that space where they can find healthy ways to cope mentally and understand their diagnosis at their level,” said Chasity Woodard, a social worker in Hematology. Her vision was for there to be fun at these events, in addition to valuable learning to empower them to manage their disease independently, advocate for themselves and eventually successfully transition to adult medicine.

CRU is open to teens aged 13-19 and meets quarterly for networking and socializing, followed by a fun team-building event. As teens with sickle cell disease, they are confronted by issues such as the worsening of their disease, academic struggles that result from sickle cell complications and/or frequent absences, the desire to manage their health more independently and social isolation due to having a rare disease.

Their most recent event was at Beat the Bomb, an immersive escape room experience designed to mimic a video game. The event began with teens interacting with each other and staff volunteers from the Hematology program modeling how a team approach is necessary to provide the best care. The teens then worked together to complete a timed series of physical challenges and riddles, acting as a team to “beat the bomb” before it detonated and covered them in paint.

“I wanted to give them a space to have something outside of Texas Children’s,” explained Woodard. “The teens had a blast and were excited and engaged throughout the event. I don’t even remember them being on their phones,” said Woodard.

June 16, 2025

Kangaroo care, or skin-to-skin contact, offers widespread benefits for infants, even those in critical condition. These range from enhanced immunity, improved vital signs, better oxygenation and temperature regulation. Skin-to-skin contact can also benefit the caregiver, improving breastfeeding outcomes, supporting maternal mental health and promoting parent-infant bonding.

The Kangaroo-a-thon celebrates kangaroo care and recognizes the importance of its facilitation within NICUs across the country. Its intention is to encourage more frequent and longer skin-to-skin sessions, empower families in the NICU and standardize and elevate the use of kangaroo care as a best practice. Texas Children’s also uses this as an opportunity to educate team members to engage their patients to utilize skin-to-skin, even if it seems like it might not be possible for complex, medically fragile infants.

Our Neurodevelopmental Care Committee (NDCC) took on the coordination of this event. Co-chairs Jacqueline Bradley and Asya Ashraf raised funds and collected donations for parent and team member prizes. The team decorated, created T-shirts for awareness and came up with a contest to bolster participation. It was a great success with high participation from both families and team members.

This dedication to going above and beyond the standard of care is at the heart of what makes Texas Children’s special. Thank you to the NDCC team for coordinating an event in support of our tiniest fighters and their families.

June 9, 2025

At first glance, 10-month-old Sam Gaspard appears just like any other baby–smiling, playful and full of life. But behind his bright demeanor is a story of medical triumph and unwavering support. At only 17 days old, Sam underwent life-saving lung surgery at Texas Children’s Hospital. His mother, Katelyn Gaspard, recalls the emotional moment she learned of her baby’s complications.

Katelyn first discovered there were concerns during her pregnancy at the 20-week mark. She immediately turned to someone who had walked a similar path: her best friend, Laura Norman.

Laura’s daughter, Annie, underwent surgery in 2020 at the same hospital to remove a tumor growing from her tailbone. The ordeal left a lasting impression on Laura, who relied on her faith and prayer during the entire process. 

Texas Children’s Hospital surgeon Dr. Sundeep Keswani explained how advancements in pediatric surgery have made stories like Annie’s and Sam’s possible.

“Both of these kids now have both of their tumors out, they both have had no recurrence—one is almost five and one is almost one—and they both are going to have totally normal lives,” said Dr. Keswani. “So probably 25 years ago, outcome not so great. In some cases, they wouldn’t be with us and today they are going off to college and be totally normal kids.”

Click here to read the story.

Makaila Chenier thought the lump in her neck was from a cold. It was lymphoma. As the lump in her neck grew, it became difficult for her to breathe. That’s when she knew she needed to see a doctor. 

After multiple visits, doctors transferred Makaila to Texas Children’s Hospital in downtown Houston and “a slew of specialists” visited her. The next day she underwent a biopsy and was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma. Makaila stayed in the intensive care unit because doctors worried about “the airway constriction.” 

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph nodes or the lymphatic system — a series of organs, tissues and vessels that protect the body from infection. Lymph nodes are dotted throughout the body, in the neck, abdomen, groin, armpits and intestine.

“They’re everywhere,” Dr. ZoAnn Dreyer, a pediatric oncologist at Texas Children’s Hospital, tells TODAY.com. “Typically, that’s where these (lymphomas) develop.”

Click here to read the story.

The first phase of a major four-phased renovation of West Tower was completed on June 2. This momentous occasion was marked with a ribbon cutting, signifying the conclusion of Phase 1 of a project that expands the Emergency Center by 20 beds and provides cutting-edge technology advancements to equipment and patient rooms. At the conclusion of the expansion, the EC will have 64 beds.

Additionally, the first floor now features eight behavioral health pods with innovative safety features. This will allow the EC to offer a safer environment to behavioral health patients at Texas Children’s.

West Tower 12 Now on West Tower 20

A separate launch took place in West Tower on June 3. West Tower 12 General Medicine Transplant Unit (GMTU) is now on West Tower 20, growing from 22 beds to 34 beds. This acute care expansion allows these units to improve patient flow and access to care. The 20th floor also features four behavioral health safer rooms for patients with behavioral health needs.

WT12 will remain open and operational as acute care overflow with the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit (IRU).

These expansions and updates all support Texas Children’s dedication to quality and patient care. With more capacity and better technology, we are improving access to care, decreasing boarding time and increasing patient satisfaction.

June 5, 2025

Together, we have built a community that not only provides exceptional care to women and children but also fosters a supportive and inspiring workplace.

Now you have a chance to share with Houston your pride in being part of the Texas Children’s team. The Houston Business Journal is conducting its annual Best Places to Work survey, and our organization truly deserves to be recognized for the outstanding environment we have created together. Participating in this survey will allow us to highlight the unique aspects of our workplace, the camaraderie we share, and the exceptional care we provide. It is an opportunity for each of us to help tell our story and show all of Houston why we’ve earned a reputation as a top employer and health care leader.

Taking the Survey:

The 2025 Best Places to Work Survey is now open through Friday, June 20. To participate, please click on or copy and paste this link into your web browser:
https://survey.quantumworkplace.com/bpsurvey/oc_SDJS43451

Houston Business Journal administers the survey via Quantum Workplace, Inc., so all responses are confidential and anonymous. If you have questions, please contact the Best Places to Work team directly at bestplaces@quantumworkplace.com or 1-888-415-8302. As this is an external survey, Texas Children’s IS Service Desk is unable to assist with any issues.

Thank you for your dedication, hard work and the unwavering support you provide to our patients, health plan members and each other. Let’s seize this opportunity to celebrate our achievements and let the city of Houston know why we are such an amazing place to work.

Dr. Phillip “Bucky” Ribbeck, sports medicine physician, joined the Hello Houston show on Houston Public Media to provides tips on how to prevent summer injuries.

“Some of the biggest things to look out for are the timing of the complaints of pain, so if they’re a little sore after an activity that’s reasonable. If they continue to over and over say, ‘my knee’s killing me’ those are times you want to get checked out. He suggests going to the emergency room if they’re unable to physically put weight on a limb and struggling to walk. That definitely deserves quick evaluation.

Click here to watch the clip.