September 8, 2025

Academic medical center CEOs are at the helm of some of the most complex and influential organizations in healthcare. They balance a three-part mission that includes delivering exceptional patient care, advancing cutting-edge research, and leading world-class education. 

These executives guide institutions that serve as hubs for discovery and innovation, overseeing groundbreaking clinical trials, pioneering technologies and novel treatment models. Beyond the hospital walls, academic medical center CEOs often collaborate with government agencies, research partners and community organizations to expand access to care and improve public health.

Becker’s Healthcare developed this list based on nominations and editorial research. 

President and CEO Dr. Debra F. Sukin was named to this prestigious list. Her summary is below:
Dr. Sukin leads one of the nation’s largest pediatric and women’s health systems, setting and executing a strategy centered on clinical excellence, innovation and equitable access across four hospital campuses and a statewide network of specialty and primary care sites. She oversees day-to-day operations, resource allocation, workforce development, and compliance and quality standards. Her early accomplishments as CEO include advancing a landmark collaboration with Houston-based The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to create a world-leading pediatric cancer center, expanding access, accelerating clinical trials and bringing novel therapies to children starting in 2026. Under her leadership, Texas Children’s continues to strengthen its global reputation, integrating translational research into care, scaling access and prioritizing caregiver engagement. Texas Children’s has been ranked No. 1 in Texas and top 10 nationally in all pediatric specialties according to U.S. News & World Report. A Houston native with deep ties to the institution’s legacy, Dr. Sukin is an active industry voice through the American Hospital Association maternal and child health committee, the Texas Hospital Association board and HOSPAC board, and the Angelman Syndrome Foundation’s medical advisory board.

Click here to read the full list.

Dr. Sharon Plon at Texas Children’s Cancer & Hematology Center leads a groundbreaking research project funded by @Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Click here to see how it’s fueling research into newborn screening for cancer predisposition.

This new research project is supported by a $5 million Crazy 8 Initiative grant to advance cancer prevention nationwide. Click here to learn more about the project. 

The collaborative multi-institutional team is developing a genetic test using the heel-stick blood spot already collected from all newborns. If implemented nationwide, this test could make early detection of cancer predisposition syndromes part of routine newborn screening—offering a new path forward in cancer prevention.

The West Campus Heroes of Engagement Committee recently hosted Empower Hour: School Supply Drive to collect supplies for the Women and Family Development Center at Star of Hope’s Cornerstone Community.

Heroes of Engagement is a campus-wide committee of volunteers (WC and all specialty clinics) which organize in-house activities to bring morale, socialization and a break from everyday stresses together. Anyone is free to join, and it’s open to all departments.

September 4, 2025

In our mission to end childhood cancer, we take a moment this month to honor Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. It is a time to raise awareness about childhood cancer, support families affected by the disease and advocate for research and treatment advances. 

If you’re unable to participate in the events at our hospital campuses, an easy way to support the cause is to display a custom email signature. Follow the instructions below to add in Outlook. 

Add email signature in Outlook on PC:

  1. Go to Outlook and open a new email.

  2. In the top ribbon find Signature and click the dropdown arrow and select Signatures. 

  3. Select New signature and give it a name.

  4. Click this link to access the new Cancer Awareness signature. 

  5. Copy only the signature graphic and words. Do not copy the words from, to and subject at the top. 

  6. Go back to Outlook in the new signature you created and paste the new graphic in the empty space.

  7. Update the first and last name, title (capitalize), address and phone numbers (using dashes).

  8. Above the new signature to the right, you can select a default signature. 

  9. Click the arrow for the dropdown box on New messages and select the new signature name you created. 

  10. Push okay. You can test if it worked by opening a new message to confirm it appears. 

Add email signature in Outlook on Mac:

  1. Go to Outlook and open a new email.

  2. In the top ribbon select Signature and then select Manage Signatures.

  3. Click the plus sign to add signature and give it a name.

  4. Click this link to access the new signature in a Word document. 

  5. Copy only the signature graphic and words. Do not copy the words from, to and subject at the top. 

  6. Go back to Outlook in the new signature you created and paste the new graphic in the space to create a new signature.

  7. Update the first and last name, title (capitalize), address and phone numbers (using dashes) and click save in the top left-hand corner.

  8. You will need to x out of the window on the top left after you save.

  9. You will see your new signature in the existing list of signatures in the dialog box.

  10. At the bottom, you can choose your default signature for new message and replies/forwards.

  11. Once selected, close the box by clicking the x in the top left corner.

  12. You can test if it worked by opening a new message to confirm it appears. 

September 2, 2025

Nurse Practitioner Kate Hurlbut has turned her family’s tragedy into a mission of love and support for others. When Kate and her husband lost one of their twins, Ella, in the NICU in 2015, they felt blessed to honor her memory when they opened Ella’s Butterfly Bereavement Room in June 2017. 

This private, peaceful space in the Pavilion NICU is set up like a nursery where parents can take as much time as they need to say goodbye to their babies. This room also provides families with keepsake items, such as a bereavement gown to dress their babies in, baby wash, towels and washcloths, keepsake blankets and bereavement bears. Kate’s family has continued to sponsor this room and replenish any needed supplies over the years.  

For Ella’s 10th heavenly anniversary, Kate and family have found yet another way to support others in need. They were inspired to create Ella’s Butterfly Baskets after witnessing a family member lose a baby in the CICU without having some essentials on hand to get them through it. Their goal was to provide every family who loses a baby from a congenital heart defect with a basket full of comfort items, including blankets, baby wash, washcloths, hand/footprint keepsakes and bereavement bears. With nearly 100 donors, they have donated enough baskets to supply the CICU unit for over one year. If you are interested in donating, please click here.

In addition to starting these programs to help bereaved families, Kate also spends a lot of her free time on the Palliative Care Family Advisory Council at Texas Children’s. She is also a grief mentor and has led several virtual grief support groups for Texas Children’s. Click here to learn more about Kate’s journey at Texas Children’s.

Once again, businesses around Houston are joining forces with Texas Children’s Hospital to support the life-giving work of Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center during September. Throughout the month, vehicle dealerships, convenience stores and car washes will donate a portion of their proceeds to the Steering Hope campaign in honor of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. 

As an employee, you can support Texas Children’s Cancer Center when you buy, fill up or wash a vehicle at one of our supporting partners. More than 13 companies with 61 locations have agreed to donate a portion of their September sales to help us provide cancer care to children when and where it is needed most.

Car Dealerships:

Bayway Cadillac of The Woodlands

16785 I-45 Ste 101, The Woodlands, TX 77385

 

Bayway Cadillac Southwest

10150 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77074

 

Bayway Chevrolet

5719 Broadway St, Pearland, TX 77581

 

Bayway Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram

4000 Pasadena Fwy, Pasadena, TX 77503

 

Bayway Lincoln

12333 Gulf Fwy, Houston, TX 77034

 

Bayshore Chrysler Jeep Dodge

5225 I-10 E, Baytown, TX 77521

 

Keating Toyota

4233 Del Bello Blvd, Manvel, TX 77578

 

Knapp Chevrolet

815 Houston Ave, Houston, TX 77007

 

West Houston Hyundai

16803 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77094

 

Winnie Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram

125 TX-124, Winnie, TX 77665

 

Wischnewsky Dodge

151 I-45, Huntsville, TX 77340

 

Car Washes:

Brite Brothers Express Car Wash (4 locations)
 

Gas Stations:

Honeywell Farms- ExxonMobil (46 locations) 

To learn more about the Texas Children’s Steering Hope campaign and to find a participating location, click here. 

 

A Berlin dressing can be a scary and sad reminder for patients who receive Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) treatment. Instead of a constant reminder of their illness, Patient Care Assistant Dana Celestine has turned these dressings into something fun for patients. 

In her free time, she creates personalized illustrations for every patient on VAD support. Currently, 11 patients have dressings changed at least weekly. She talks to the patients and families to understand the child’s interests, including cartoon animals, princesses and superheroes to create something special for each of them. 

“Dana has gone above and beyond to bring comfort and joy to our patients,” said VAD Coordinator Maria Iraheta Ortiz. “She creates the works of art at home with her own supplies and even brings them to the hospital on her day off. Her thoughtful gesture not only brightens the clinical environment but also brings smiles to patients and their families during what can be an extremely challenging time.”

Maria continued, “Her creativity, compassion and selfless commitment exemplify what it means to truly care. She reminds us all that small acts of kindness can make a big difference.” 

Dana has taken a routine part of their treatment and made it something special. Patients have been seen smiling and even looking forward to dressing changes just to see what drawing they will get next.