July 7, 2025
Currently more than six million Americans live with Alzheimer’s and over 11 million family and friends provide their unpaid care. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the largest event to raise funds and awareness for the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. You have the opportunity to get involved and make a difference.
Walk Details
Texas Children’s is looking for volunteers to join the team for the 2025 Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s. This event will be held on Saturday, November 8, beginning at 8 a.m. and will start at TMC Helix Park (1885 Old Spanish Trail Houston, TX 77030). You can sign up for the Texas Children’s team here.
Dan Gollins, president of TCP/UC, serves on the Board of Directors for the Houston Chapter and is the chair for this year’s walk. “This disease really hits home for me as both my grandfather and mother fought battles with Alzheimer’s. Our family is committed to supporting those in research for a cure, and I proudly serve on the board in Houston. We hope you will consider joining the walk team this year to have some fun and support a great cause.”
Learn More about Alzheimer’s
There will be a webinar on July 17 from Noon to 1 p.m. for caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s or those interested in learning more about the disease, and how The Alzheimer’s Association can provide support. Use this link to join the Teams meeting.
The Alzheimer’s Association has been an important supporter of research at the Duncan NRI and Baylor Center for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative disease. Together, the team is leading initiatives to transform Alzheimer’s disease care, integrating genetic risk predictions and more targeted, precise medicine strategies. The effort brings together clinicians, computer scientists, and basic and translational investigators to tackle this complex disease from multiple angles, drawing important lessons from our success at solving pediatric disorders.
With new treatments emerging in the fight against Alzheimer’s and all other dementia, now is the time for hope. Now is the time for action.
July 2, 2025
Thank you to everyone who participated in our June 25th “What’s New, What’s Next” Town Hall. We received a wide range of thoughtful questions, and we’re committed to addressing your feedback transparently and constructively.
In response to your thoughtful questions below, we’ve organized our summary response into four parts:
- What you asked
- How we support you today
- What we’re doing
- How to learn more or stay involved
Theme: Employee Voice in Benefit Offerings
What you asked:
Can Texas Children’s employed team members be included in reviewing benefit offerings?
How we support you today:
We welcome your input through:
- Conversations with your leader
- Questions submitted during “What’s New, What’s Next” Town Halls
- Our Employee Engagement Survey
- Direct outreach to the Benefits team at TotalRewards@texaschildrens.org
What we’re doing:
We actively incorporate employee feedback into our annual benefits review. Insights from the Engagement Survey and June Town Hall are being considered as we plan future enhancements.
How to stay involved:
Continue sharing your ideas, we’re listening and committed to evolving our programs with your voice at the center.
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Theme: Extended Illness Bank (EIB) Enhancements
What you asked:
- Can long-term employees convert unused EIB hours?
- Can EIB be used for medical appointments or family emergencies?
How we support you today:
- EIB provides income protection for your own extended illness
- We aim to keep this benefit responsive and sustainable
- To learn more please refer to the Time Off Policy in Policy Tech (Policy #4916)
What we’re doing:
We’re reviewing the EIB program to explore:
- High balance accumulation
- Broader or alternative uses of the benefit
How to stay involved:
We welcome your continued feedback as we evaluate ways to enhance the EIB benefit.
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Theme: PTO Sell Program
What you asked:
- Why is PTO Sell paid out at 75%?
- Why is it taxed at a higher rate?
How we support you today:
- Eligible team members can sell PTO up to 80 hours once or 40 hours twice per calendar year
- The program offers financial flexibility when needed
- We encourage use of PTO for rest and rejuvenation, but understand flexibility matters
- To learn more please go to www.texaschildrensbenefits.org or refer to the Time Off Policy in Policy Tech (Policy #4916)
What we’re doing:
To comply with the IRS regulations, specifically the Constructive Receipt Doctrine. Our PTO Sell Program includes a reduction payout of 75% of your base rate.
The funds withheld at 25% are currently used to support Texas Children’s Employee Wellness programs.
Additionally, PTO Sell is taxed at a flat federal rate as directed by the IRS as this compensation is considered supplemental income, which can appear higher than standard payroll withholdings.
Your feedback is helping us evaluate how this program fits into our broader benefits strategy.
How to stay involved:
We invite your continued input as we review this and other programs to better support your needs.
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Theme: Financial Flexibility During Hardship
What you asked:
Can I take a hardship loan or withdrawal from my 403(b) retirement plan?
How we support you today:
- Emergency financial assistance and resources for hardship are available through:
- The Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- The Employee Financial Assistance Fund (EFAF)
- To learn more about the EAP, please click here
- To learn more about the EFAF, please click here
What we’re doing:
We are continuously exploring opportunities to expand financial flexibility for team members facing hardship.
How to stay involved:
Your questions help guide our efforts, please continue to share your needs and ideas.
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Theme: On-Site Fitness Options
What you asked:
Will Texas Children’s offer employed teammates an on-site gym?
How we support you today:
- Free virtual and on-site fitness classes are available across the system
- To learn more about these programs and availability, please click here
- To share other feedback on our well-being offerings, you can email them directly to wellbeing@texaschildrens.org
What we’re doing:
We’re evaluating the feasibility of adding on-site gym space in the future.
How to stay involved:
Let us know what wellness resources matter most to you, your input helps shape what is considered in the future.
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Theme: On-Campus Food Offerings
What you asked:
- What is going into the old McDonald’s location in Abercrombie?
- Could you discuss potential plans to expand late-night food services?
How we support you today:
- LunchDrop Meal Delivery service is available for lunch (12-12:30pm) and evening (9-10:30pm) hot meal orders from a rotating list of restaurants.
What we’re doing:
We are excited to feature updates to our on-campus food offerings for all hospital campuses in our next quarterly town hall – stay tuned!
How to stay involved:
We welcome your continued feedback as we evaluate ways to enhance on-campus food offerings.
The Houston Business Journal is excited to announce the honorees for its 2025 Most Admired CEO Awards.
The awards program honors outstanding chief executives — and those holding equivalent titles — in the Houston metropolitan area leading for‐profit and nonprofit companies.
Click here to read the full list.
The CDC reports that one in five adults experiences depression or anxiety and 20% of teenagers experience the same. So how can you tell if your teens’ mood changes are serious? Dr. Danielle Grant, Associate Medical Director at Texas Children’s Pediatrics, joins Good Day Austin’s Katie Orth to talk about this.
Click here to watch the clip.