November 26, 2019

On November 23, writer, actor, director and comedian B.J. Novak brought countless smiles to patients and families at Texas Children’s when he treated them to a special reading of his critically-acclaimed, bestselling children’s book, “The Book With No Pictures.” Following the reading, Novak spent time helping patients with their own “My Book With No Pictures,” a new activity book that lets kids fill in the blanks with their own made-up words. After his time in The Zone, the author shared the fun with patients in their rooms.

Novak is well known for his work on NBC’s Emmy Award-winning comedy series The Office as an actor, writer, director, and executive producer. He is also acclaimed for his standup comedy, his performances in motion pictures, and his New York Times bestselling book of short stories, “One More Thing.” At once perfectly simple and ingeniously imaginative, “The Book With No Pictures” inspires laughter every time it is opened, creating a warm and joyous experience to share – and introducing young children to the powerful idea that the written word can be an unending source of mischief and delight.

For more information about the book and its author, visit thebookwithnopictures.com.

Tamarah Rodriguez waited in eager anticipation for the November 20 patient move day to arrive. She and her 5-month-old son, Adriel Franco, had spent nearly a week in their hospital room on the seventh floor of the Abercrombie Building.

To ensure that her son received the best care possible, Rodriguez made the six-hour drive from her home in Edinburg, TX to Texas Children’s Hospital. Staying in one of Texas Children’s oldest buildings, she realized how small the room felt – not just for her and little Adriel – but also for her son’s care team.

“It was really hard to feel at home here,” Rodriguez said. “When we found out that we’d be moving in a newly renovated room with more space to walk around, I was very excited. And then, when I saw the room for the first time, it was simply amazing. It’s very spacious, cozy and the views are beautiful.”

On November 20, Texas Children’s reached an historic milestone when acute care services transitioned out of the 65-year-old Abercrombie Building and into 15 West Tower, which was formerly one of Texas Children’s cardiology units, and was renovated to meet the future growth of the hospital’s acute care patient population.

Beginning at 7 a.m., four specially trained clinical teams began safely transporting 33 acute care patients from Abercrombie 6 North and 7 South to their new, spacious, state-of-the-art rooms in 15 West Tower. Nine patients from Abercrombie 5 North relocated to 7 South, until the move to 7 West Tower occurs in February.

More than 50 Texas Children’s staff members were involved in the patient move to 15 West Tower, and the careful transfer of the patients took five hours, which was a lot sooner than originally anticipated due to the efficiency and effectiveness of the Abercrombie and 15 West Tower teams involved on Move Day.

The patient move involved teams from clinical support services, respiratory, facilities, security, nursing, administration, physicians, nurse practitioners, and all members of the acute care team. Patient and family services teams were assigned to each family member to help accompany and escort them from Abercrombie to the hospital’s new acute care unit. Throughout the move, the 15 West Tower Go-Live Support Center was set up in the Nursing Administration Director Workroom comprised of individuals who focused on patient move issue resolution and tracking from Abercrombie to 15 West Tower.

“The patient move was successful and flowed seamlessly,” said Rhonda Wolfe, Director of Nursing for Acute Care. “There was meticulous planning for several months leading up to Move Day which included reviewing patient move logistics, engaging staff, families and partnering with other departments to ensure roles were clearly delineated.”

Collaborating with our Facility Planning and Development partners, the 36-bed unit features larger patient suites (291 square feet), a playroom and two relaxing family rooms that give loved ones a space to gather. Dynamic features include four rooms engineered for the safety of patients with behavioral health needs and a simulation lab to provide state-of-the-art education. With these innovative technologies, 15 West Tower is well equipped to provide exceptional patient care for generations to come.

Impetus for historic patient move

The patient move is part of Texas Children’s West Tower Backfill Project, which involves transitioning patient care services out of Abercrombie. Abercrombie 7 South will remain “patient ready” and will be used as an overflow unit in times of high census. Abercrombie 5 North and 6 North will be decomissioned and designated for administrative use.

The smaller rooms (160 square feet) and limited technological capabilities in the 65-year-old building historically had presented challenges for providers, clinical care teams, patients and their families.

“When our executive steering committee looked at space planning and space management for our clinical programs, one of our guiding principles was to decrease or eliminate care in Abercrombie,” said Assistant Vice President of Nursing Jennifer Sanders. “The patient move from Abercrombie to West Tower, will enable our patient care teams to collaborate more efficiently in these new, enhanced spaces and will improve the experience for our patients and their families during their stay at Texas Children’s.”

The next phase of the West Tower Backfill Project will include moving patients from Abercrombie 7 South to 7 West Tower in February 2020. 7 West Tower will become a new 32-bed hematology and oncology unit.

 

An unprecedented future and unlimited possibilities were the talk of this year’s Health Plan Town Hall, hosted at the Bayou City Event Center on November 1.

The strong tone of optimism and opportunity was only made stronger by the event’s inclusion of Mark Wallace’s 30th anniversary celebration. Wallace, who is the president and chief executive officer of the Texas Children’s system, opened the event with an organizational overview and closed the event following a special film that documents his life and leadership.

Mark Mullarkey, president of Texas Children’s Health Plan, presented a “state of the health plan” to his nearly 900 employees who were enthusiastic and energized about the year ahead.

Fiscal Year 2019 accomplishments included …

  • People and Structure: The Health Plan opened over 100 incremental positions and better leveraged the subject matter expertise of 18 senior leaders.
  • Stronger Connection to the System: The Health Plan strengthened its connection to the Texas Children’s system and became an even more integral part of our One Amazing Team.
  • Focus: Health Plan leaders rallied around four key priorities to drive process improvement and operational excellence – Customer Obsession, Membership Growth, Effective and Efficient Operations, Highest Quality Care in a Cost Effective Manner.

In 2020, the focus will be on …

  • Continued intensity on the four key priorities listed above.
  • Assisting the Health and Human Services Commission (our state funding agency) as they attempt to reach the goals outlined in their new “Blueprint for a Healthy Texas.”

Links to visit:
The top10 things you should know about The Health Plan
HHSC’s Blueprint for a Healthy Texas
All about Mr. Wallace’s 30th anniversary and his legacy as the leader of our organization

After making the 1,500-mile trek to Houston, Mary Schaeffer reflects on her journey to Texas Children’s and how this life-changing career move was the best decision she ever made. Read more

The Woodlands Campus’ therapy dog, Cohen, recently turned two years old and the campus threw him a fabulous party. Employees, patients, and their families all gathered in the campus lobby where they were able to meet and take photos with the birthday boy.

Cohen arrived to The Woodlands Campus in July of this year as Texas Children’s Hospital’s first community campus therapy dog. He is a golden retriever, doodle mix, and is the fourth therapy dog in Texas Children’s Pawsitive Play Program, which uses animal-assisted therapy to enhance the emotional well-being of pediatric patients by reducing their anxiety, perception of pain and fear of hospitalization.

His birthday festivities included a happy birthday song, games, popcorn, a cake and a host of balloons and other decorations that really set the scene.

Many leaders and executives came to wish Cohen a happy birthday, along with our President and CEO Mark Wallace.

As part of Prematurity Awareness Month in November, the March of Dimes activated “Operation NICU Parent Support” at Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, delivering 25 care packages to parents of babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

“Most parents of NICU babies are not prepared for their newborn to be in the NICU,” said March of Dimes Development Manager Christine Chapman. “The March of Dimes wanted to make sure that they have what they need so they can spend time watching over their little one.”

Throughout the month, the organization gathered and delivered care packages that volunteers helped stock and organize for the NICU in The Woodlands. Almost 10 percent of the babies born last year in Montgomery County, where The Woodlands is located, were premature. About one in 10 infants nationwide are born before their 37th week.

“We are extremely appreciative of the support the March of Dimes provides the NICU here in The Woodlands,” said Susan Romero, assistant director of the NICU in The Woodlands. “It enhances the experience of families that are going through a lot.”

The Woodlands Rewards and Retention Committee recently presented the fourth quarter’s Woodlands Shining Star winners, Roxanne Vara, Assistant Clinical Director of Acute Care and Cynthia Sanders, Nurse Practitioner for Diabetes and Endocrine Care Center.

Vara goes out of her way to support not only her team but her patients and their families. Whether it is helping take vitals and giving medications, encouraging her staff to grow professionally, or assisting families in need, she exemplifies Texas Children’s core values in her everyday actions.

“When you have a leader that is more than ready to do any job, any role, it is wonderful role modeling,” Acute Care Unit Physician, Dr. Amrita Singh stated when talking about Vara. “She also does all of it with a wonderful, ‘go getter’ attitude. When you’re around her, or you bring a problem to her, you always feel like anything is possible!”

Sanders has won the hearts of both her co-workers and patients. Her true compassion and dedication shows through her everyday interactions and is every encouraging and contagious for her team.

“The morale of the team is given a boost, and it is during those rough times, that we can think back on what Cindy has said, and feel better about ourselves,” Karen Kelley, Ambulatory Services Representative explained.

Through her support and compassion for her patients, Sanders is dedicated to making sure her patients receive the needed treatment, education, and overall excellent care.

“Cynthia truly has the heart of a nurse and serves our patients with extreme kindness, compassion, and concern,” Registered Nurse Yvonne Barham said. “She consistently demonstrates this to our patients while providing excellent care.”

Congratulations Vara and Sanders and thank you for being the shining stars that you are and going above and beyond for our patients, families, and co-workers!