April 6, 2021

After winning the Get the Vaccine to End COVID-19 Drawing, the following team members tell us why they stepped up to be vaccinated and hope to inspire others.

Maria Belvin – 8 years of service
ECHO Sonographer III, The Woodlands
I will admit I was definitely hesitant on getting my vaccine for a couple of different personal reasons. I was not on the first round due to my concerns of what I was going to be putting into my body and for sure nervous about possible reactions as I do have some food and medication allergies. I did some of my own research and also spoke with my colleagues and listened to some of the experts who I trusted to get me to where I felt I would be safe to have the vaccine. Everyone is different and we all have our reasons but me personally, I feel so much better knowing I am now part of the force out there fighting for us to get back to “NORMAL” and helping to keep my family (including my fur babies), friends, co-workers and patients safe. Thank you TCH for providing this to me and allowing me to make the choice to help fight against this pandemic.

Theresa Wester – 21. 3 years of service
Coordinator Employee Development, Pharmacy Administration Support
I am very Thankful to be given the opportunity to receive the vaccine. The vaccine is a blessing both personally and professionally. First, to be able to help protect the ones I love by being vaccinated. My husband has RA and is immune compromised due to the medication he takes on a weekly basis. Second, when I step onto campus it is no longer about me. It is about the little lives that we take care of everyday.

Lisa Scott – 21. 3 years of service
Field Relations Coordinator
First and foremost I believe in vaccinations. The reason I pushed to be vaccinated sooner rather than later is because of my family. My husband is a kidney transplant patient and my only child has asthma. I wanted to do everything in my power to protect them from me.

To date, more than 10,200 of Texas Children’s employees have received at least one vaccine dose.
If you haven’t already, schedule your vaccination appointment now, simply click here and sign up for the date and time that work best for your schedule.

Given the enormous vaccine participation from everyone, we have extended the Get the Vaccine to End COVID-19 $1,000 Drawing to Friday, April 30. Now Texas Children’s team members have multiple chances to win prizes in celebration of the vaccine breakthrough.

In addition to the $1,000 Drawing, Winner’s Choice Team Drawing kicked off on April 1, giving team members who have received at least one vaccine dose the opportunity to win some of the most sought-after electronics on the market. With the arrival of a third vaccine option and more of our colleagues and loved ones every day, this new contest is another way to express our appreciation for all those who have stepped up to lead the way. For complete drawing rules and eligibility, click here.

As we celebrate Patient Experience Month at Texas Children’s and honor our team members who make a difference every day to our patients and their families, we also kick off a year of gratitude – and encourage our One Amazing Team to find ways to express their own thanks to the colleagues who brighten their days, and the patients and families entrusted to our care.

Patient Experience Month gives us an opportunity each year to applaud every employee who helps our patients navigate their Texas Children’s journey in a positive way. Whether you serve right at the bedside, lead a team, support our caregivers or play a non-clinical role, you have an impact and make a contribution that matters.

Each of us at Texas Children’s can also point to a fellow team member whose words or actions have brought us a smile, or kept our patients and their families uplifted. This month is an ideal time to start showing that person how grateful we are for everything they do in one of countless ways. Try celebrating an achievement, performing random acts of kindness, penning a note, making a personal connection, speaking their praises or simply stopping to say thank you.

You can even send a Caught You Caring note to a colleague who deserves recognition. Sending this to a colleague is a quick and easy way to say thank you to someone who has gone out of their way to help or provide a positive experience. Just write a few sentences about their impact and a Caught You Caring will be automatically sent to the person you are recognizing and their leader.

“I’m going about my day – and sometimes it’s an arduous day – and seeing the ‘Caught You Caring’ on my email subject line instantly makes me smile. I can’t wait to open it,” said Veronica Medrano, a medical social worker. “The message always makes me feel so good, and reminds me of all those warm feelings that are the reason I’m here.”

For more resources and tips on expressing gratitude, visit the Patient Experience resource site.

For a fun visual about ways you can express gratitude in 2021, click here. Print and post the flyer at your workstation to amplify unity and help inspire gratitude in others.

Show off your photos and win a prize

Now that you’ve committed to expressing your gratitude, submit a photo of your efforts to patientexperience@texaschildrens.org. Submissions will be accepted through Wednesday, April 21, and may be displayed on Connect in the virtual Acts of Gratitude photo gallery.

When you submit a photo, you will also be entered into a weekly prize drawing to be held on April 9, 16 and 23. Prizes include an entertainment package, fitness package and outdoor package. Submit your photo early for more opportunities to win.

Submit a nomination for the Caught You Caring of the Year Award

You may also consider submitting a nomination for the Caught You Caring of the Year Award on behalf of a colleague who goes the extra mile in their day-to-day activities, and stands out for their caring and compassionate interactions with our patients and their families. Nominations for the Caught You Caring of the Year are due by Wednesday, April 14.

To submit your Caught You Caring of the Year Award nomination, click here.

March 30, 2021

Claims linking COVID-19 vaccines to infertility have been scientifically disproven. Doctor Mark A. Turrentine explains further in this short video.

As part of the Full Line Access and Safe Handling (FLASH) team, Ivy Lynn Ersan shares how central line resource nurses are improving patient outcomes in the Newborn Center. Read more

After winning the Get the Vaccine to End COVID-19 Drawing, the following team members tell us why they stepped up to be vaccinated and hope to inspire others.

Robert Carson – 2.7 years of service
Law Enforcement Officer, The Woodlands
We become first responders and health care providers because we care about people. I felt the best way to show I cared, was getting vaccinated to protect my family, my coworkers (HPD and TCH – Woodlands), patients and myself.

Cynthia Alejandro – 21.7 years of service
Case Management Assistant, Care Coordination
I’ve always put my Family first in my life. They are my reason. Because of Texas Children’s, I was truly Blessed to be able to receive this vaccine. I tested positive for Covid-19 on April 1, 2020, and happy to say I tested Negative June 3, 2020. I knew I had to do my part somehow. This is my way of pushing COVID out. I’ve done my best to encourage everyone I know to get the Vaccine. I’ve even made appointments for many of my family member and friends to get their Vaccine.

Blake Harrigan – 1 year of service
Sr. Project Manager, Late Effects Study
I was very excited when I learned I would get the chance to receive the Pfizer vaccine at Texas Children’s – I filled out and submitted my vaccine application form within minutes of receiving it and without hesitation. I was grateful to have the opportunity to limit the threat of personal exposure, but I was most thankful for the possibility that the vaccine would reduce the chance of me being a potential vector and spreader of the virus, especially since I have high-risk, elderly parents. Thank you so much Texas Children’s!

To date, more than 10,000 of Texas Children’s employees have received at least one vaccine dose. If you haven’t already, schedule your vaccination appointment now, simply click here and sign up for the date and time that work best for your schedule.

The Get the Vaccine to End COVID-19 drawing ends on March 26, but our celebration of the vaccine breakthrough is far from over!

With the arrival of a third vaccine option and more of our colleagues and loved ones being vaccinated every day, our hopes for a return to normal life beyond the pandemic have reached new heights – and with the launch of Texas Children’s Winner’s Choice Team Drawing on April 1, you still have multiple chances to win prizes for stepping up and leading the way.

Read on to learn more about your shot at winning some of the most sought-after electronics on the market, and click here for complete drawing rules and eligibility.

In this short video Advanced Practice Provider Director Angela Gooden shares why she received the COVID-19 vaccine, and shares a special message for colleagues who haven’t scheduled their vaccine yet.

Texas Children’s own Dr. Lisa Hollier recently traveled to the Texas State Capitol to testify on behalf of a proposed bill that would extend Medicaid coverage for low-income mothers across the state, providing them with more access to lifesaving care.

Hollier delivered her testimony to lawmakers on March 23 during a House Committee on Human Services hearing on House Bill 133, which was authored and filed by State Rep. Toni Rose.

In addition to her role as Chief Medical Officer and Sr. Vice President of Texas Children’s Health Plan, Hollier is also chairwoman of the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee. The committee released a report late last year that noted that most pregnancy-related deaths in Texas are preventable.

To help reduce the incidence of pregnancy-related deaths and maternal morbidity in the state, the committee recommended increasing access to comprehensive health services not only during pregnancy – but also in the year after pregnancy, and throughout the preconception and interpregnancy periods.

Hollier and other advocates of HB 133 agree that lengthening insurance coverage would go a long way toward saving the lives of new mothers who experience pregnancy-related complications within a year of giving birth. Currently, coverage drops off after 60 days.

“By extending Medicaid with a more comprehensive set of services, we would be able to reach more women and address their needs,” Hollier told legislators, as quoted in an article in the San Antonio Express-News.

A board-certified OB-GYN and leading expert in maternal health, Hollier is the immediate past president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). She was elected to the post in 2018 and immediately pledged to focus on reducing preventable maternal mortality during her term.

Hollier was also selected to receive the 2019 Mark A. Wallace Catalyst Leadership Award.

If you’re a Texas Children’s team member who has been asked by an advocacy group, legislative staff member or other organization/entity to provide public support or testimony on legislation, please contact Government Relations before responding or taking any additional action. You can reach the team by phone at 832-828-1021.