Can’t make an on-site event? Drive up to receive your flu shot instead! Read more
September 28, 2021
Our Texas Children’s people are riding high about the Tomorrow, Together investments that we’ve made to put meaningful action behind our endless gratitude for their hard work, contributions and commitment.
The first part of Tomorrow, Together was announced in June, when Texas Children’s increased each employee salary by 2 percent and provided an additional week of highly-deserved paid time off. The bold investment will continue in September with the launch of the 1-2-3 Retention Program, which includes a series of payments through 2022 that recognize the loyalty and resilience of our One Amazing Team.
Team members across the organization are coming together to celebrate our growth, recognize the contributions we’ve made and look forward with enthusiasm to the bright future ahead of us – complete with balloons, confetti, colorful signs, costumes, pom-poms, sweet treats and plenty of our signature Texas Children’s spirit.
Scroll through the gallery below to see snapshots of the fun festivities taking place system-wide.
Show off your excitement!
How is your team recognizing each other and our Tomorrow, Together in this very special moment at Texas Children’s? Send your photos, videos and details to HR Communications for a chance to see your celebration featured on Connect News.
For answers to frequently asked questions about this initiative, click here.
For a helpful chart about the 1-2-3 Retention program, click here.
Please note: The team celebration photos featured in the gallery were taken from June 2021 through present. They reflect Texas Children’s masking and social distance guidance at the time the events were held.
September 24, 2021
Dear colleagues,
The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control have now authorized COVID-19 booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine for individuals as follows:
Fully vaccinated with Pfizer vaccines only and six months have passed since receiving a second dose
Individuals 65 years of age and older
Individuals 18 through 64 years of age with any underlying condition
Individuals 18 through 64 years of age who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting, based on their individual benefits and risks
This authorization was provided following extensive research, which determined booster doses achieve heightened immunity against COVID-19. As a result of this guidance, Texas Children’s is now making booster doses available to all our team members beginning tomorrow at 7 a.m.
All Texas Children’s workforce members regardless of their job function, who have been fully vaccinated with Pfizer vaccines, and have received their second dose at least six months previously, can receive their booster dose at Texas Children’s. Receiving a booster dose is encouraged to provide further protection against COVID-19.
If you are eligible and would like to receive a Pfizer booster through Texas Children’s, please click here.
Additional Guidance
When receiving your booster, please bring your COVID-19 vaccination card to your appointment.
Lost your vaccine card? Please click here for guidance.
At this time, those who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines are not eligible for the booster dose. However, booster doses for those vaccines may be available in the near future.
If you have questions related to this new guidance, please contact our Vaccine Employee Support line at 832-VACCINE (832-822-2463).
Thank you for your attention and for your continued efforts to protect yourselves and our communities against COVID-19.
CNO Jackie Ward encourages all nurses to complete a brief survey that will guide the development of the 2022-2024 Nursing Strategic Plan. Remember, your feedback is important! Read more
September 23, 2021
Texas Children’s is one of the best hospitals in the world for both pediatric care and neurosurgery, according to a new ranking just released by Newsweek.
Based on a global survey of thousands of medical professionals in more than 20 countries, the 2022 World’s Best Specialized Hospitals lists the top facilities in 10 different fields.
Texas Children’s came in 12th in the Pediatrics category among the best 150 pediatric institutions worldwide that surveyed participants – including medical doctors, health care professionals and hospital managers and directors – said they would recommend.
Of the pediatric hospitals on the list, Texas Children’s is the only institution in Texas to rank in the top 15 among others from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.
Texas Children’s is also the only institution from Texas featured in the Neurosurgery category, which includes 125 of the most highly recommended adult and pediatric hospitals from countries across Asia, Australia, Europe and North and South America.
In a recent Voice of Nursing blog, Tanya Hilliard MHA, MSN, RN, CPHON, shared why she decided to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and encourages everyone who is eligible to consider getting theirs too to protect themselves and each other.
Being a nurse and nurse leader during the pandemic has been a struggle – both physically, emotionally and mentally. I had many sleepless nights concerned about myself, my family, my nursing staff and the patients we care for at Texas Children’s. However, during this difficult time, I have learned to be creative, adaptable, and most of all, appreciative of the little things in life that we enjoyed doing before COVID-19 hit – like giving each other high-fives, eating lunch with colleagues, or having an in-person staff meeting. Adjusting to the new normal has been hard to say the least; however, all of us – you, me, our colleagues and the entire Texas Children’s system have been resilient during COVID-19.
Why did I get vaccinated?
When the day came for me to get my first COVID-19 vaccine, I had butterflies in my stomach but I knew I had to do the right thing for myself and get this vaccine. When I arrived at the Pavilion for Women, there was an overwhelming energy of joy and excitement. I knew most of the people working there so I forgot all about the nervousness. I was ready to protect myself against the unrelenting COVID-19 virus.
I didn’t have any side effects from the first vaccine except some soreness in my arm, which was no more than when I receive the flu vaccine. When I received my second shot, I was a little more nervous based on what I had been told about potentially having a few more side effects from it. To be honest, I had a couple of mild sweating episodes; however, no fever. One night I had mild chills with no fever. Aside from that, I was and still am trudging towards winning this battle against COVID-19. Protection is key.
Why is it important for our nurses to get vaccinated?
Everyone chose nursing as a profession for a reason. It is our duty to protect the human race no matter creed, color, or religion. We are in a pandemic and if receiving the vaccine is what I have to do to protect myself, our patients and their families, and my family and friends, then I am going to do just that.
I know many people are concerned about the side effects of the vaccine; however, every time there is an opportunity to receive the vaccine and someone waits, they are putting themselves at risk of potentially getting COVID-19. My advice is to stay away from what is on social media and other naysayers. I would highly encourage my colleagues to educate themselves and consider opting-in for the COVID-19 vaccine.
One thing that helped me in my decision to get vaccinated was leveraging Texas Children’s COVID-19 online resources that are readily available to all employees and staff. I would advise my nursing colleagues to take advantage of these resources so they can make an educated and informed decision.
I am ready to get back to normal. Like everyone else, I miss hugging my colleagues, I miss our staff celebrations, I miss being able to get in the elevator or pass someone and not have to act as though everyone has COVID-19. Texas Children’s mission and vision is to do what is right. That is why I will continue encouraging my colleagues and friends who are eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Take Action
Appointments are available at our Texas Children’s Community Outreach vaccination events. Please register as a patient when creating your MYChart profile.
