March 11, 2024

The Texas Medical Center Orchestra (TMCO) celebrates Women’s History Month every year with a special performance and honoree. Texas Children’s President Debbie Sukin was honored during this year’s program at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, which featured performances of Debussy’s “Fêtes from “Nocturnes,” Berlioz’s “Les nuits d’été,” and Charlotte Sohy’s “Symphony in C# Minor Op.10.”

Excerpts from the program notes read: Tonight, in celebration of International Women’s Day, we honor native Houstonian, Dr. Debra Sukin. As president of Texas Children’s Hospital, Dr. Sukin has more than 30 years of health care experience. We honor her today for her compassionate and community-minded activities that make the Texas Medical Center and Houston such a wonderful community in which to live and work.

“It was a tremendous privilege to be recognized as the honoree at this year’s concert…it was a beautiful evening filled with exceptional music,” said Debbie, pictured above with TMCO founder and artistic director Libi Lebel. “Comprising mostly of members from the Texas Medical Center community, including students, residents and physicians, these remarkably talented musicians continue to excel in music while pursuing careers in medicine, healthcare and biomedical sciences.”

The TMCO was founded in 2000 and is one of the few community orchestras with its origin in the health professions. This season, underwritten by Texas Children’s Hospital, TMCO ensembles including members of our One Amazing Team have performed at the Medical Center campus and Baylor College of Medicine to spread joy through music.

Click here to support and learn more about the TMCO, and congratulations to Debbie on her honor!

March 7, 2024

There are many reasons why Texas Children’s is such a special place to work, but the Employee Recognition Celebration is chief among them. After four years, the beloved tradition returned in style on Feb. 27 to honor over 2,500 employees, ranging from 15 to 50+ years of service, for their lasting commitment to Texas Children’s.

Minute Maid Park was bursting with joy, laughter and fun – the concourse was full to the brim with employees and leaders enjoying food and swag bags, playing arcade games and bingo, and posing for the photo booths. But the party was only just beginning.

Linda Aldred, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, took to the stage to honor the outstanding members of our One Amazing Team for their contributions, getting the crowd dancing with a “Can’t Stop the Feeling” video montage featuring Texas Children’s employees. Chief Executive Officer Mark A. Wallace made quite the entrance, riding in on a classic car following the University of Houston band. Together, the two remarked on all we have accomplished together, noting major milestones in Texas Children’s history and our exciting new partnership with the Astros Golf Foundation and PGA TOUR.

Videos of honorees captured moments from their first days at work and their proudest accomplishments along the way. In a historic moment for Texas Children’s, we honored three individuals, Karol Musher, Anita Thompson and Iretta Hunter, who marked an extraordinary 50 years of service, dedicating five decades of their lives to Texas Children’s. Two of our three 50-year honorees, Karol Musher and Anita Thompson, shook hands with distinguished Emeritus Trustee member Jodie Lee Jiles and received bouquets of flowers and endless thanks for dedicating their careers to Texas Children’s.

The program ended with a flashy fireworks display and the celebration continued on the concourse. Take a look at all the fun in the photo gallery below and click here to watch a recap video!

To all our honorees, we thank you for your longstanding commitment to Texas Children’s. You embody our core values and serve our mission nobly, and we are grateful for your devoted service! Please submit your celebration photos, including photos with Mark Wallace and other honorees, by sharing them with HRCommunications@texaschildrens.org.

March 4, 2024

The Texas Children’s Houston Open is around the corner, so don’t miss your chance to get in on the action. We’re honored to be the title sponsor of this celebrated PGA TOUR event, building on its legacy and providing a memorable experience for the city of Houston. Through our partnership with The Astros Golf Foundation, we’re thrilled to be a part of this monumental sporting event, hosting some of the PGA TOUR’s most outstanding players.

For a chance to win free tickets to the tournament, all you need to do is make a hole-in-one! Look for us at the locations below. We’ll be the ones with the putting green, waiting to cheer you on to victory. You have a chance to win a pair (twosome) of tickets for one of the tournament days – March 28-31.

  • Tuesday, March 5 at noon: Medical Center – near Fresh Bistro Café
  • Wednesday, March 6 at noon: West Campus – near cafeteria on the first floor
  • Wednesday, March 6 at 3 p.m.: Specialty Care – Cypress-Fairbanks
  • Thursday, March 7 at 3 p.m.: TCP and TCUC Heights
  • Friday, March 8 at noon: The Woodlands Campus – Main Lobby

If you miss out on winning tickets, Texas Children’s team members and their spouses/significant others are eligible for 20% off the purchase of grounds tickets at the tournament through our partnership with The Astros Golf Foundation.

Visit the Texas Children’s Houston Open SharePoint site for details.

Under a new state law, beginning in 2024, every March 4 in Texas will be observed as COVID-19 Heroes and Memorial Day. The day was established to honor and recognize the contributions and sacrifices of Texans who played crucial roles during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes health care professionals, first responders, essential workers, and those who worked tirelessly to support their communities during these challenging times.

It was just four short years ago that Our One Amazing Team answered the call when the world shut down. Our lights stayed on as they always have and always will. Our team members sacrificed their comfort, safety and time at home with their own families to care for others.

“During a time of loss, fear and confusion, I saw compassion, determination, comradery and a spirit of resilience unlike any other. In every circumstance, you took action and chose to care for those who not only needed Texas Children’s, they needed you,” said CEO Mark A. Wallace in an email to the organization. “Each of you played a role in helping us get through the toughest times and you remain a constant beacon of hope for so many.”

Today we also remember and pay tribute to the thousands of Texans we lost during the pandemic. Our hearts go out to our team members who lost family members, friends and patients.

We express our deepest gratitude to our One Amazing Team for their unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence at all times. Thank you for being the difference in any circumstance.

Grateful mother submitted the following Caught You Caring recognition for Patient Sitter Joneal Condra.

“My name is Patricia and my daughter Joy is a patient. Joneal Condra has been her sitter for the past two days now. Joneal is the best gift that God sent to us to sit with my daughter during this difficult time. He is very caring, compassionate and a truly amazing and phenomenal human being. He uses his time to talk to my daughter like a human being, not just like a diagnosis. He asked about her school, her likes and dislikes and about life in general, to the point that when my daughter had her anxiety issues last night she kept asking for him. She said she only wants to talk to Mr. Joe because only he understands her. This is exactly what happens when one shows love and care for patients they know and remember. Thank you so much for having such a phenomenal human being called Joneal Condra to touch my daughter’s life and make her feel okay during this difficult time for my family. We need more Joneal Condras in the world to make a difference in a kid’s life. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!”

Caught You Caring

There are countless examples of how team members make an impact every day. Through our Caught You Caring recognition program, anyone (patients, families, colleagues, vendors, volunteers or visitors) can provide a kind word about someone who went the extra mile. Even the smallest act of kindness can brighten someone’s day. Click here to submit a recognition for a colleague. The recipient and their leader will receive an email notification. Since its inception in 2015, there have been more than 40,000 recognitions submitted.

February 26, 2024

Making employee health a priority with Dr. Burdine

Texas Children’s dedication to providing a work environment prioritizing employee health and wellness has led to the expansion of our Employee Medical Clinic. In addition to the locations in the Medical Center and West Campus, this summer, full-service primary care will also be available to employees at The Woodlands! With a wide range of acute care services, chronic condition management and preventive care, the EMC is a great benefit available to all Texas Children’s employees.

What brought you to Texas Children’s, Dr. Burdine?

I am excited for this opportunity to work at TCH for several reasons! I have family who work at TCH and for the past 11 years, I have heard them praise the culture here. The Employee Medical Clinic is a unique opportunity to provide convenient access to primary and urgent care visits to TCH employees. Plus, being part of the Workforce Well-Being team allows me to engage more fully in preventive health care such as social and lifestyle factors that impact health.

Are there any services provided at the EMC you want employees to know more about?

We provide many services such as annual wellness exams, well woman exams and urgent care for common conditions like urinary tract infections, upper respiratory infections, and common musculoskeletal conditions. We also manage chronic medical conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes type 2, hypothyroidism and asthma/allergies. Employees often don’t know the full scope of well-being benefits TCH provides, and we can help connect them to these programs. A great example is physical therapy, which we offer onsite at the EMC!

How can employees schedule an appointment at the EMC?

Appointments can be made by calling the clinic phone number at 832-824-2424 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 6:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Tuesday 6:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. or emailing empmedicalclinic@texaschildrens.org. Online direct scheduling and MyChart will be available soon.

As you know, February is Heart Month. What are some things TCH employees can do to promote heart health and what sort of cardiac services can employees receive at the EMC?

In addition to providing routine care like annual wellness checks, offered at the EMC, your primary care provider (PCP) works with you to prevent serious illnesses like heart disease. Heart health is directly impacted by chronic conditions such as high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, prediabetes/diabetes and obesity.

High blood pressure or high cholesterol can be asymptomatic. Lifestyle habits, like reducing sodium intake and saturated fats, increasing physical activity and monitoring home blood pressures are tools everyone can work on to naturally lower blood pressure. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic activity. The simplest way to increase your physical activity is to start walking. It’s free, easy and can be done just about anywhere!

We provide education regarding diet and therapeutic lifestyle goals to reduce cardiovascular disease risk. The EMC works with our free TCH Health Coaches to perform a thorough assessment of current nutrition, behavioral habits, exercise habits and ideal weight loss goals to develop an individualized plan for each patient. There are ongoing coaching sessions to help you stay on the path to success.

To make an appointment, email empmedicalclinic@texaschildrens.org.

Meet Dr. Kelly Cline, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin. She understands from personal experience how an injury can change an athlete’s identity, and her goal is to provide excellent care so these patients can ultimately return to the sports and activities they love.

What brought you to Texas Children’s?

I was practicing in Austin for the past four years and when I heard TCH was coming, of course I was curious to learn more! It has always been my dream to create a true center of excellence for injured athletes with comprehensive care all in one place. Treating orthopedic sports injuries goes way beyond just fixing the injured body part. While I’m trained to perform the surgeries when needed, there is additional rehabilitation, physical therapy and nutritional components that come with recovery. We must also consider the psychological aspect – not only can athletes lose a sense of identity during an injury, but also there can be anxiety associated with returning to sport. The goal is to address all of these things within the recovery spectrum and provide a complete treatment program. The thought of building a unique program like this in Austin affirmed my decision to join the team!

With North Austin Campus now open, what are you most excited about?

I’m excited to build an amazing sports program that the athletes of Austin and Central Texas deserve and have never seen before. I think we truly have an opportunity to do something special and provide many service lines in one place, over time distinguishing ourselves as an elite sports center. I will strive to provide high quality care for these athletes, starting from their middle/high school days and even into when they are playing at a collegiate (and perhaps even Olympic) level!

What makes Austin a great place to work and live?

Austin has so much to offer! It has a great sports scene, including Longhorn sports and now Austin FC. I did my undergraduate studies at UT Austin, so I definitely bleed burnt orange. Hook ‘em! There are plenty of outdoor activities to partake in, and it’s an amazing city for live music. I’m a big fan of Hula Hut, it was my family’s go-to restaurant when they visited me in college and still is today. I also love the pancakes at Kerbey Lane!

What inspired you to specialize in orthopedics?

I chose orthopedics after experiencing a personal injury myself. I tore my ACL playing soccer during my senior year of high school, undergoing surgery for reconstruction and then doing rehabilitation and physical therapy as part of my yearlong recovery. It means a lot to be able to look at an injured patient and tell them “I truly know how you feel, I’ve been through it…we can get you back from your injury to doing what you love.” To get a patient/athlete through these low points and returned to their sport is truly special, and as an orthopedic surgeon, I unofficially become part of their team! It’s an honor and privilege to be trusted to take them through surgery and recovery.

What do you like to do outside of work to recharge and unwind?

You can probably find me at a live sporting or music event! I enjoy fun recreational sports like tennis and standup paddleboarding. I’m also attempting to learn golf – emphasis on attempting! I’m not sure if golf relaxes me or just stresses me out more, but at least it gets me outside. Being with my family and friends is the best way for me to recharge.

Orthopedic & Sports Medicine at North Austin Campus will offer a full range of services including orthopedic surgery, sports injury prevention, concussion management and more with the goal of getting athletes back to doing what they love. Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons work collaboratively with sports medicine doctors and sports-focused physical therapists and dietitians, as well as with other TCH sub-specialists when needed.

Right Care, Right Place, Right People. Now ranked #1 in Texas and #3 in the nation, we’re bringing the best to Austin. Click here for opening updates, resources and more on the Austin Expansion SharePoint.