June 29, 2026

For 23 years, Pediatric Radiology Nurse Erika McClain has cared for patients and families across our organization, building a career grounded in compassion, attentiveness and connection at the bedside. Early in her career as a NICU nurse, those qualities cultivated a relationship with one family that has lasted nearly two decades beyond their hospital stay.

Erika first met twins Michael and Joseph, along with their family, in our Level 2 NICU. As the twins spent three weeks in incubators, she monitored their vitals, assisted with their feedings and guided them toward the milestones needed to go home, while comforting their family during that challenging time.

“Nursing is more than just coming and getting an assignment,” Erika said. “It’s about comprehensively taking care of people during their most vulnerable moments.”

As the twins improved, daily clinical updates naturally turned into personal conversations between Erika and the family. During one of those conversations, the family learned Erika was from Lufkin, Texas, and that nurses often work major holidays, making it difficult for her to travel home. As the twins prepared to leave the hospital, the family exchanged contact information with Erika to stay in touch. Wanting to return the care and comfort she had provided during a difficult time and recognizing she would be away from her own family for the holiday, the family invited her to Thanksgiving dinner.

That invitation deepened their friendship, and over the years, Erika has joined the family for birthday parties, holiday gatherings and casual get-togethers.

Kim, the twins’ mother, shared that through every meaningful moment for the family, Erika’s support has remained a constant in their lives. “During our time at Texas Children’s, the connection we have created with Erika shows the commitment the hospital’s nurses and staff have for their patients,” Kim said. “It shows how much they care.”

Recently, Erika supported the family through another significant moment when she attended the twins’ high school graduation. “Going from seeing them in cribs and diapers to seeing young men graduate and head off to college, knowing I was there from the very beginning until now, that’s a full-circle moment I’ll always cherish,” Erika said.

For Erika, the special friendship she developed with the family, along with other invaluable experiences at Texas Children’s, has shaped her perspective on nursing. She has learned that a nurse’s proudest accomplishments are not always measured in recognition, but in the profound impact made on patients and their families.

“You may not ever get the plaque or the award,” Erika said. “But the fact that you have a lasting impression on a family for years and years to come, that’s the biggest reward you can receive.”

 

The future of scientific discovery is shaped by the questions researchers choose to pursue today. 

Founding Director of the Duncan Neurological Research Institute (Duncan NRI), Dr. Huda Zoghbi brought that perspective to Revolutions in Science: Discovery, Imagination, and the Future, a national symposium co-hosted by the National Academy of Sciences and the Smithsonian Institution. The event commemorated America’s 250th anniversary and challenged researchers to consider the discoveries that could define the next 250 years of science.

During the symposium, Dr. Zoghbi discussed how current scientific challenges intersect with emerging opportunities to advance human health, contributing to the broader dialogue on how fundamental research informs the future of medicine. She emphasized that meaningful discovery begins with asking bold questions that push beyond current understanding to reveal new paths toward breakthroughs in science.

Her research reflects that philosophy. From uncovering the genetic basis of Rett syndrome to identifying tau regulators that guide new therapeutic approaches for neurodegeneration, Dr. Zoghbi demonstrates how foundational inquiry reshapes understanding of neurological disease and expands treatment options.

Dr. Zoghbi also leads the Duncan NRI team with that same spirit, fostering a research environment grounded in curiosity and collaboration. The team applies this rigorous approach across a wide range of studies, turning complex biological mysteries into actionable insights.

By bridging the gap between today’s laboratory discoveries and tomorrow’s clinical reality, Dr. Zoghbi and the Duncan NRI team are driving discoveries that bring life-changing hope to patients and families around the world.

 

June 22, 2026

In case you missed the recent Nursing Town Hall, the replay video is now available. Click here to watch or you can access it on the Voice of Nursing blog. 

Soccer fans have arrived in Houston for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, turning our city into a meeting place for the world. From snapping photos at Buc-ee’s to sharing their first taste of Tex-Mex and Texas barbecue on social media, visitors are discovering everything Houston has to offer.

As the excitement continues to spread across the city, our organization has joined the celebration in meaningful ways, bringing the spirit of the World Cup into our hallways, onto the field and into patient care.

Across our campuses, team members wore jerseys representing national teams and clubs, reflecting the countries they are rooting for and the many places our community calls home.

The global game has also created special moments for our patients. Ahead of Houston’s FIFA World Cup match between Germany and Curaçao, our clinicians helped select patients to serve as official flag bearers. They carried national flags onto the field before an international audience, representing our organization on one of soccer’s biggest stages.

That same spirit reached travelers arriving at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, where a display in Terminal E tells the story of Brinnley, a patient who spent more than seven months at Texas Children’s battling leukemia. She has since completed treatment with support from her care team at our Cancer and Hematology Center and now plays varsity and club soccer again.

Our Child Life team brought the World Cup closer to our community by painting soccer balls alongside patients, while soccer ball installations across our campuses, including a giant display at Legacy Tower, gave team members a chance to pause and make new memories with colleagues.

As the World Cup continues, our organization will keep creating special moments that bring team members, patients and families together. View the photos below that capture those moments!

 

June 12, 2026

Commission Security Officer Frank Waddle has dedicated his life to serving others.

For three years, Frank has served our organization. He currently works at Texas Children’s Meyer Building, where he helps create a safe and welcoming environment for our community. Kindness, patience and integrity have guided his career and shaped the example he has set for others, including his daughter, Commission Security Officer Darla Waddle.

Darla joined Texas Children’s Pediatrics Conroe two years ago, carrying the values her father taught her into her career.

“One of the biggest lessons my dad taught me was to treat every person with kindness and respect, no matter the situation,” Darla said. “Seeing the impact he had on patients, families and coworkers showed me that healthcare is more than a job. It’s about serving others.”

Frank shared that Darla’s decision to join Texas Children’s and be part of a mission he cherishes was a moment he will never forget.

“As a father, there is no greater reward than seeing your child find purpose in helping others,” Frank said. “Sharing that commitment makes me proud not only of the work we do, but also of the person Darla has become.”

Their shared commitment to service has strengthened their bond as colleagues and as father and daughter. “I feel most connected to him when I know we’re both working toward the same mission of caring for children and supporting families,” Darla said. “Knowing that we’re both contributing to making a difference in patients’ lives gives me a strong sense of connection and shared purpose.”

For Frank, watching Darla follow in his footsteps while building a career of her own in service has been a defining moment in his life.

“One of the greatest joys of my career has been the opportunity to serve others, and one of the greatest joys of my life has been watching my daughter grow into a caring, capable professional,” Frank said. “That is the greatest Father’s Day gift I could ask for.”

We are proud to honor Father’s Day by celebrating Frank and other fathers across our organization whose dedication to service enriches the care we provide.

Do you have a family ties story you would like to share with our community? If so, please email TCC@TexasChildrens.org.

Trust, one of Texas Children’s HEART values, can look different depending on the setting or moment, but it’s always built through shared responsibility and how teams work together.

Across Texas Children’s, this value shows up in meaningful ways. Team members Jenna Henry, Mandi Harlan and Noel Martinez each bring a different perspective, offering a closer look at how trust is built, strengthened and experienced across our organization.

Leading with Consistency and Follow-Through

For Jenna Henry, outpatient therapy manager in Kingwood, trust begins with consistency and honesty.

“It means doing what you say you will do and meaning what you say,” she said. “Building trust requires honesty, even when the message is difficult.”

Jenna builds that foundation early. She meets weekly with new team members during onboarding, not only to review expectations, but to understand how they learn, what motivates them and how they define success. That investment continues through regular check-ins, rounding and being available to her team. 

Her support often extends beyond day-to-day responsibilities. Colleagues note that Jenna consistently advocates for her team, connecting them with opportunities and resources that support their growth.

“Open, clear communication is the foundation of all of it,” she said.

Over time, trust becomes visible in everyday interactions. Team members stop by to talk through challenges, ask for advice or share concerns. Those moments reflect a culture where people feel supported, heard and confident their leader will follow through.

Creating Confidence Through Coordination

With more than 20 years of nursing experience, Mandi Harlan understands how central consistency is in pediatric care. 

“Many of our patients arrive feeling anxious or frightened, and it is deeply important to create a sense of safety and connection from the start.” 

To create a sense of stability in Austin’s outpatient neurosurgery unit, Mandi makes an intentional effort to connect with patients and reassure families by helping them move through their experience with confidence. She works closely with providers and staff to ensure each step of care is clearly and seamlessly coordinated across the multidisciplinary team. 

“My colleagues know they can trust me because I consistently follow through on commitments, communicate clearly and step in to help when questions or challenges arise,” she said. “Approaching teamwork with patience, positivity and a genuine desire to support others strengthens both morale and collaboration.”

Mandi’s experience allows her to anticipate needs, reduce uncertainty and support both patients and teammates through complex situations. The result is care that feels steady, coordinated and dependable for everyone involved.

Strengthening Trust Through Everyday Teamwork

For Noel Martinez, a medical assistant at the Gastroenterology Clinic in Austin, trust is built by embracing everyday teamwork.

“We’ve built this team from the ground up,” he said. “I know I can rely on the people around me. We support each other and lean on each other like family.”

That environment didn’t happen by chance. As part of a newer campus, Noel and his colleagues have shaped their team together through daily check-ins, shared celebrations and a consistent willingness to support one another when it matters most.

Colleagues describe Noel as someone who can be counted on, especially during busy or high-pressure moments.

“We’re all here to take care of patients and help them have a good visit,” he said. “Cooperation is key. No team member can do it alone.”

That consistency creates a team environment where people can rely on one another and step in with confidence when it matters most.

A Value We Build Together

Across these experiences, trust in each other is built over time and reinforced in everyday interactions.

Just as we build trust with families through small but meaningful moments — a warm greeting, crouching to a child’s level, remembering a favorite cartoon character, activity or a caregiver’s birthday — working in a unified way allows that trust to carry through the entire experience. 

It becomes something patients and families can rely on, not just in individual moments but throughout their time at Texas Children’s.

Where have you seen trust in action on your team? 
Whether it’s how teammates support one another or how care comes together for patients and families, share an example in the comments below. Your reflections help reinforce the trust we build together every day.

June 8, 2026

Annual Required Training (ART) reinforces the safety, compliance and workplace practices that help create a high-quality experience for patients, families and teammates across Texas Children’s. To receive credit, complete all course content and submit the attestation. 

How to Access ART

  • Texas Children’s employees: Complete ART in Voyager.
  • Medical Staff (excluding Texas Children’s employees), residents, fellows and students: Follow instructions provided through Centralized Credentialing & Medical Staff Services.
  • Baylor College of Medicine contingent workers: Follow instructions provided by Baylor College of Medicine, unless directed by Centralized Credentialing & Medical Staff Services.
  • Non-BCM contingent workers and volunteers: Complete ART as directed by their leaders.

Beginning in 2027, ART will transition to a January launch schedule to better balance required learning.

For Questions

  • Reach out to your leader

  • For technical support, contact the IS Service Desk at (832) 824-3512, press option 2