May 14, 2021

On May 14, President and CEO Mark A. Wallace and Texas Children’s Hospital leaders, supporters and special guests celebrated the groundbreaking of our new hospital serving the Austin community.

Career Opportunities now available

We are excited to share with you that we currently have leadership opportunities available for our hospital in Austin. To learn more, search our internal job openings through the Careers page on Connect. Please stay tuned for more available positions as our new hospital gets under development.

A first look at our new hospital in North Austin

Texas Children’s Hospital is excited to reveal images of its freestanding hospital for children and women in Austin, offering the public a first look at this innovative, state-of-the-art facility. The hospital is also excited to share the address of its new hospital: 9835 North Lake Creek Parkway.

Set to open in Q1 2024, this $485 million project will bring a top tier children and women’s hospital to the city. Recently, the hospital made multiple public notices as construction and building plans continue toward an anticipated spring 2021 groundbreaking.

The renderings – created by design, architecture and engineering firm, Page – give a first look at the 365,000-square-foot, 52-bed hospital. To address the need for expanded pediatric, fetal and Ob/Gyn care in the Central Texas area, the hospital will include neonatal intensive care, pediatric intensive care, operating rooms, epilepsy monitoring, sleep center, emergency center, fetal center for advanced fetal interventions and fetal surgery with a special high risk delivery unit, state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging, acute care, an on-site Texas Children’s Urgent Care location and more than 1,200 free parking spaces.

Additionally, an adjacent 170,000-square-foot outpatient building will connect patients and families to Texas Children’s numerous subspecialties including cardiology, oncology, neurology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, fetal care, and dialysis, among many other subspecialties.

Texas Children’s first entry into Austin was in March 2018 with the opening of Texas Children’s Urgent Care Westgate. This location provides high-quality, efficient and affordable pediatric-focused care after hours and on weekends. Located at 4477 South Lamar Blvd., Suite 400, Texas Children’s Urgent Care is staffed by board-certified pediatricians and nurses, with facilities and equipment designed specifically to meet the needs of children and adolescents up to age 18.

Additionally, Texas Children’s Pediatrics, the nation’s largest pediatric primary care network, currently has 10 locations in Austin, which provide full-service care for children including, among other offerings, prenatal counseling; newborn and infant care; well and sick child visits; immunizations; and hearing and vision screenings; as well as camp, school and sports physicals.

In October 2018, Texas Children’s Specialty Care Austin opened bringing the hospital’s own subspecialty pediatric care to the Austin community. Located at 8611 North MoPac, Suite 300, Texas Children’s Specialty Care helps increase access for children and families in need of allergy and immunology, cardiology, clinical nutrition, diabetes and endocrinology, ophthalmology, plastic surgery, and pulmonology, among other subspecialties.

The new hospital is yet another example of Texas Children’s commitment to expand their expert pediatric and maternal care to more conveniently serve the families of Central Texas. View our photo gallery for renderings of the hospital below. For more information, please visit www.texaschildrensaustin.org.

May 13 was an exciting day for Texas Children’s, as 12 to 15-year-olds received their first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Register for a vaccine appointment through Texas Children’s. To sign up, please visit our Plus One page.

May 12, 2021

Since its launch in 2001, Texas Children’s Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) service is the medical home for children, teens and young adults with pulmonary hypertension, a rare condition characterized by high blood pressure in the lungs.

Now, the nationally recognized program has earned a designation that reflects its incredible growth and success in providing truly comprehensive, multidisciplinary and life-changing care: the Texas Children’s Hospital Pulmonary Hypertension Center.

Like other centers at Texas Children’s, the PH program submitted an intensive application to the Board of Trustees and executive leaders to demonstrate that it deserved this distinction. The packet included letters of support from partners in Fetal Surgery, Lung Transplant Services, the Specialty Pharmacy, the Vascular Anomalies Center and the Pulmonary Hypertension Association. There was also a letter from a grateful parent about how profoundly the program and providers have impacted her daughter, who was diagnosed with PH at just 8 years old.

“There was a time I wasn’t sure [she] would start high school, but here we are in her freshman year. She plays clarinet, an instrument she has to use her lungs to work. … I now feel as though I can let myself dream of her future,” Jessica Johnson wrote. “The support we have received from the Pulmonary Hypertension team at Texas Children’s Hospital has been immeasurable. I’ll never be able to thank them for what they have given us.”

Committed to comprehensive care

After winning approval to become a center in December 2020, the PH team commemorated the milestone at a special, COVID-friendly ceremony in March.

“This is more than a renaming; it’s a recognition from the hospital of the work that we’re doing and the investments they’ve made into this program,” said Dr. Nidhy Varghese, who joined the PH team in 2011 and serves as director. “To be counted among our other recognized centers and to be among that illustrious group is an honor. It’s unbelievably inspiring, and we are grateful.”

One of the first and most significant investments came in 2015, when Texas Children’s approved the hiring of a nurse coordinator position that made it possible for the PH center to manage every aspect of our patients’ care. Any situation or need a child or family encountered on their journey could be assessed and addressed from the PH clinic on an inpatient or outpatient basis – whether it was a specialty drug, personalized diet or exercise routine, mental health support or financial resource.

A multi-talented team of experts

Today, the PH team includes two nurse coordinators, as well as pulmonologists, critical care intensivists, a cardiologist and nurse practitioner, social workers, exercise specialists, a dietitian and clinical pharmacy specialists. Each member brings an expertise and perspective that helps the program reach further and do more every day, Varghese said.

The team has mastered telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, continuing to see PH patients and families who travel from across Texas, along the Gulf Coast and around the country to receive trusted care. Dedicated research projects are also scaling new heights.

“We didn’t do this work for the promise of today,” Varghese said, reflecting on how the PH program has steadily expanded into a recognized center and destination for so many patients and families seeking help for the complex condition.

“We did this work because Texas Children’s needed us,” she said. “Our patients needed us. And so we did the work and we are going to continue fulfilling that need. We’re going to continue to provide the best care possible for our patients. That’s the oath that we’ve taken as medical providers. And it’s the promise we’ve made to the PH community.”

May 11, 2021

All Texas Children’s employees, Baylor faculty members and staff partners with a Texas Children’s issued badge can send the registration link to an unlimited number of individuals (ages 12 and older) to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at Texas Children’s.

How does the Plus One Program work?

Please see below for an overview and click here for additional frequently asked questions.

The individual can be of any relation to you – e.g. your spouse, partner, parent, child, friend, etc. Participants must be willing and able to receive the vaccine in the Houston area.
As some personal information is required, your individual(s) should complete the registration form. Simply send him/her the link below to register and schedule his/her vaccine appointments.

Registration Link

If he/she does not have internet access or a computer, we recommend that you assist in the registration and scheduling process.
Due to limited vaccine supplies, Texas Children’s will continue to use our fair and equitable approach for administrating the vaccine by assigning registered individuals into different distribution phases based on the participant’s objective risk elements, along with the number of vaccines we have available. How quickly we go through each phase will depend on how many vaccines we receive from the state. In addition to registering with Texas Children’s, we also encourage signing up at other distribution avenues and getting vaccinated as soon as a vaccine is made available by any entity. Once registered individuals are eligible to schedule their vaccination through Texas Children’s, they will be notified via email and/or phone.

 

Once your team reaches a 75% vaccination rate, you’re automatically eligible to win some of the hottest electronics on the market – just like these recipients! Read more

With more and more children seeking compassionate and reliable care to manage chronic pain, Texas Children’s has now opened the West Campus Pain Clinic to bring much-needed pain management services closer to home for families in west Houston and surrounding areas.

Frequently defined as lasting greater than 3 months or longer, chronic pain is recurrent, persistent and often affected by biological influences and psychological and sociocultural factors. Pain Medicine providers at Texas Children’s routinely see children and adolescents with low back pain, chronic daily headache, chronic pelvic pain, fibromyalgia and many other conditions that drastically affect quality of life.

Led by Dr. Laura Torres, the Medical Center Pain Clinic has been running at capacity for the last year. The ever-increasing number of patients prompted clinical and administrative leaders to consider how best to improve access to pain medicine, while also offering new options for segments of our patient population that had been underserved.

“Expert diagnosis and treatment for painful conditions in children is a major problem,” said Anesthesiologist-in-Chief Dr. Dean Andropoulos. “Although we have had a successful Pain Clinic at the Medical Center for a number of years, this patient population continues to grow and we needed to expand. West Campus is the perfect location for this new clinic because of the availability of space and time, and the presence of additional expertise.”

Opening new doors for pain management

The West Campus Pain Clinic is led by Dr. Henry Huang, an anesthesiologist with extensive fellowship training in Pediatric Anesthesiology and in Pediatric and Adult Pain Medicine. Huang is trained to perform some procedures not yet offered by the Anesthesiology Department, which will inevitably allow more patients to experience improved relief.

The clinic also includes a dedicated psychologist, physical therapist, occupational therapist and nursing staff to enhance the level of support provided.

“Chronic pain is commonly debilitating for families and remarkably complex to treat,” said Dr. Chris Glover, division director for Anesthesia Services at both West Campus and The Woodlands. He noted that opening a clinic at West Campus proved to be the ideal solution from multiple perspectives, including the ease of wayfinding and availability of parking.

“The clinic provides an intervention-based option along with traditional-based approaches for families, which complements the current service in the Medical Center,” Glover said. “West was an easy choice in broadening our reach.”

Endless potential for growth

As with any major undertaking at Texas Children’s, the opening of the West Campus Pain Clinic was handled with a thoughtful, patient-centered approach.

“The multidisciplinary approach to care ensures that we are caring for the whole child and not just a fraction of their concerns,” said Kara Abrameit, director of Outpatient and Clinic Support Services at West Campus. “The team quickly jumped behind this opportunity by having collaborative brainstorming meetings, thinking outside of the box and challenging one another to ensure we were able to find solutions.”

Over the course of many months, the diverse group of stakeholders worked together to better understand patient needs; recruit and align the right providers, including incorporating therapists from the Clear Lake Specialty Care; identify and secure the needed space with social distancing in mind; and resolve every decision that made the clinic a reality.

“Many of our patients have to deal with chronic pain issues and should not have to drive all the way to the Medical Center to receive treatment,” said Vice President Matt Timmons. “Offering this service at West is a huge step in serving this patient population closer to home.”

With limited pediatric chronic pain clinics in the United States, many children are unable to receive the pain management services they need – and few clinics can apply the same interventions and guidance now offered at West Campus. The team anticipates more growth and success ahead.

“This is only the beginning for Texas Children’s Pain Service,” said practice administrator Kelly Crumley. “This expansion from the Medical Center out into the greater community is the first step in our growth plans. It is our priority and responsibility to care for these children’s chronic pain needs, and we will continue to creatively enhance this service and our reach to do so.”

To make patient appointments at the West Campus Pain Clinic via Epic Inbasket, use WC PPC for scheduling. Referrals can also be placed, with sooner scheduling if referrals are directed specifically to Dr. Henry Huang. To contact the clinic by phone, call 832-227-0010.

Life is busy, especially more so during the pandemic. As we continue to navigate our reconstructed future, it is more important than ever to keep healthy and strong for ourselves, and our families and friends.

As part of our commitment to your total well-being, Texas Children’s Employee Health and Well-Being teams have organized a variety of programs and resources around Women’s Health Month to help refresh your focus on your physical, mental and emotional well-being. Watch for more on Connect.

Today, we are kicking off with your physical well-being.

Well-Woman Exam: Don’t forget to schedule your annual physical with your health care provider as part of your self-care routine. This is a great opportunity to check in on your general health status and physical body as well as address any health concerns.

  • Texas Children’s Employee Medical Clinic provides full-service primary care that includes annual physicals and the well-being physical, which offers a more in-depth and comprehensive approach to understanding your key health numbers. As part of our safety protocols during the pandemic, the Employee Medical Clinic is currently conducting well-woman exams in a two-part process. The first part is a virtual appointment where you can discuss concerns with one of ours providers, and the second part is in person for the physical tests. Click here to view Employee Medical Clinic locations and hours of operation, and call 832.824.2424 to make an appointment.
  • Virtual Wellness Screenings by MDLive: If you are enrolled in our Cigna medical plans, you can also get your virtual wellness screening from anywhere via video or phone at your convenience and at no cost, as part of your preventive care benefits. First, you will schedule an in-person appointment with an in-network lab for the necessary blood work and biometrics before meeting virtually with your MDLive provider online to discuss your results. Click here to learn more about this option.

Health Coaching: Texas Children’s offers free health coaching to all employees. This is a great way to make positive long-term health changes with the advice, motivation and support of your health coach. Texas Children’s currently has two health coaches to help support your well-being needs. Please contact Staci Tobolowsky-Astrein for the Medical Center and Ashley Miller for community locations.

Movement: Daily mobility contributes greatly to your overall health by stimulating our entire body from our brains to our joints. There are various types of movements ranging from quick neighborhood walks, yoga or cycling. Frequent and consistent movement is key to reducing stress and improving circulation. Check out our new Active and Fit Direct Partnership where you have the opportunity to utilize 200 on-demand workouts at no cost. If you prefer the gym, you can join Active and Fit Direct for $25 a month and have access to over 2,500+ on-demand workouts and unlimited access to gyms that are part of the network. It is also always more fun exercising with others. Try out this fun cardio workout video with your family!