Employees can receive $1,000 for referring a candidate who joins our team and $5,000 for helping to fill one of the featured jobs. Read more
September 9, 2021
September 3, 2021
Texas Children’s team members are advised to remain vigilant for ransomware attacks this holiday weekend, after both the FBI and Cybersecurity reported to organizations nationwide earlier this week that highly impactful attacks are more likely to occur during this time.
Given the potentially enormous impact a ransomware attack would have on Texas Children’s, Information Services (IS) wants our entire workforce to be aware of the increased risk and stay mindful of these tips for keeping our network protected:
- Look for the yellow bar. Ransomware typically spreads through phishing emails or by unknowingly visiting an infected website. If while on our network you see the yellow bar, it means the message came from outside of our network. Proceed with extra caution.
- Validate links. If you are being engaged to click a link, take a moment to hover your mouse over the link to see where you will be directed upon clicking.
- Be suspicious of spelling and grammatical errors. Treat these messages as a threat.
If you do come across a suspicious message, click the “Phish Alert” button located on the top tool bar of the email message or simply delete the message and notify IS Security by emailing isservicedesk@texaschildrens.org.
If you have any additional questions, please call the IS Service Desk at ext. 4-3512 (external 832-824-3512).
Thank you for your efforts to keep Texas Children’s secure.
September 2, 2021
With the Delta variant still very prevalent across our communities – and with cases of COVID-19 historically spiking immediately following a holiday weekend – we wanted to remind our employees how important it is you stay safe and protected this coming holiday weekend. We know how hard everyone is working and how much you deserve this holiday. At the same time, we urge you to keep these safe practices in mind at all times. Let’s all be part of the solution to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Safety 24/7
- Stay home as much as possible. The CDC is urging Americans not to travel, especially if they are unvaccinated. Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Also, if anyone is experiencing coronavirus symptoms they should stay home, even if vaccinated.
- Stay safe while traveling. If you do plan to travel over this holiday weekend, masking is recommended. You may also consider checking local and state requirements for quarantining or masking, as well as guidance from airlines and airports.
- Mask everywhere. Even if you’re fully vaccinated, you should continue to mask everywhere and change out your masks frequently as they become less effective when dirty or wet.
- Practice hand hygiene. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Clean your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. If traveling, pack extra bottles of hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes in the event frequent washing is not an option.
- Plan outdoor gatherings. There is lower risk of transmission when socializing outdoors. If you plan to spend time with family and friends, outside activities are a safer option. If you cannot adequately social distance outdoors, wearing a mask is recommended.
- Avoid large public gatherings. While there are likely to be celebrations or parties happening during the holiday weekend, at this time we do not recommend gathering in large crowds.
September 1, 2021
Lauren Salinas shares how our nurses are championing a new collaborative program that brings language and early childhood literacy to our young heart warriors in the Heart Center. Read more
August 31, 2021
Team members have until 5 p.m., this Wednesday, Sept. 1, to request a medical or religious exemption from Texas Children’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement.
To submit your request, complete the COVID-19 Vaccine Exemption Request Form and any required documentation by the Sept. 1 deadline. Requests will be subject to verification and approval, with a final determination of your exemption status to be communicated by Sept. 10.
In order to maintain employment, all workforce members without an approved exemption will be required to receive at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by 5 p.m. on Sept. 21, and a second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine by 5 p.m. on Oct. 19.
“The FDA’s full approval of the Pfizer vaccine last week could not have come at a better time as we are in the midst of our fight against the Delta variant,” wrote President & CEO Mark A. Wallace in a Monday morning message to employees.
“Across the country, we are seeing more hospitalizations than ever before during the pandemic, almost all of which involve unvaccinated individuals. We must remain prepared for anything the future may hold, which is why I will continue to advocate for the COVID-19 vaccine and its ability to help us overcome this deadly virus,” Wallace said.
For questions about the exemption process or Texas Children’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement, please review the comprehensive Workforce Information Guide.
August 26, 2021
The Delta variant, a highly contagious strain of COVID-19, is causing a rate of hospitalizations not seen in months. Texas Children’s is doing its part to stop the spread of the Delta variant by requiring vaccinations for all workforce members, and several of our clinical experts have shared their knowledge and experience of the variant and ongoing pandemic in national news.
Texas Children’s Pathologist-in-Chief and interim Pediatrician-in-Chief Dr. Jim Versalovic has been widely featured in recent interviews with outlets including the New York Times, NBC News and Texas Standard. Versalovic told NBC that household infections are a “major driving force” in infecting children with COVID-19, and reported to the Texas Standard that Texas Children’s has seen more than 15,000 COVID-19 cases among children this year.
He also noted to the New York Times that preliminary research has not yet indicated that the Delta variant is more severe for children – though he has seen severe cases among children throughout the pandemic.
“About 10 percent of those children do end up hospitalized and roughly a third of those hospitalized do end up in critical care. It’s very important that we take this seriously,” Versalovic said in the Texas Standard.
Separately, pediatric hospitalist and Chief Medical Officer for the Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative (BIPAI) at Texas Children’s Dr. Heather Haq made national news after detailing her experiences with pediatric COVID-19 patients in a viral Twitter thread. Haq expressed concern about the additional cases of respiratory syncytial virus, not typically seen this time of year, among patients. It’s a “surge upon surge” situation, she said.
Haq also authored an editorial in The Washington Post, published Aug. 4, about her feelings as both a doctor and a mother during this challenging time.
“What I do know is that in this moment, as the highly contagious Delta variant becomes the predominant strain circulating and we enter another COVID surge, I am more worried for children than I have ever been,” Haq wrote in the editorial.
Both physicians also expressed support masking among children as a new school year begins for children in Texas and across the country. Versalovic also provided back-to-school guidance and advice for parents on handling the Delta variant in a recent Texas Children’s video.
“I am hopeful that we’re going to be back in the classroom of in-person learning,” Versalovic told Texas Standard. “But I do think that schools need to be mindful about masking, distancing, sanitizing, having sanitizers readily available to children in schools.”
August 25, 2021
Did you know that Women’s Equality Day is observed every August? Learn about the commemoration and the nearly 80 million women in the U.S. workforce.
