Nurse Lucinda Sosa receives and gives back throughout her Texas Children’s journey. Read more
August 21, 2023
August 14, 2023
Enabling our One Amazing Team to show up as their best and most authentic selves allows us to be better in everything we do. Texas Children’s is a premier provider of women’s health care, and we want to deliver that same level of attention and care to the women of our organization through every stage of life.
This week, we are showcasing several distinctive benefits available for women at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women.
Women’s Health Resources for Team Members
- The Pavilion for Women services include: OB/GYN, The Endometriosis Center, Women’s Physical Therapy, Urogynecology, Women’s Place, Center for Reproductive Psychiatry, Family Fertility Center, Menopause Center, and much more.
- Family Fertility Center is at the Medical Center campus and The Woodlands
- Fertility benefit includes 100% coverage for infertility treatments up to $20,000 lifetime (maximum combined medical and pharmacy benefit) for employees and each individual dependent covered under a Texas Children’s medical plan. Coverage may vary depending on Place of Service.
- Menopause Center: Physicians specialize in treating menopause symptoms, conditions and related health issues including irregular periods, hot flashes, sleeplessness, night sweats, mood changes, depression, overactive bladder and bone loss.
- The Menopause Matters Discussion Series will resume in the fall of 2023. New classes will be posted under our upcoming educational events.
- Click here to see Dr. Doghor discuss managing menopause symptoms in the summer and treatments available.
- Family Fertility Center is at the Medical Center campus and The Woodlands
- Patient Education and Resources:
- The Growing Your Family Guide provides information and resources helpful to anyone expanding their family. This guide contains items such as an overview of health benefits, breastfeeding and lactation support, adoption assistance, FMLA guidance and the Return-to-Work process.
- Prenatal and Postpartum Classes (All Classes & Facility Tours) such as childbirth preparation, infant CPR, basic baby care, breastfeeding, and sleep & scheduling offer employee discounts of 20% to 50%.
- Bella Luna Boutique: All employees receive a 10% discount on select products.
- Pavilion for Women Radiology imaging services are covered at 100%* for employees and covered dependents enrolled in the Texas Children’s health insurance plan, regardless of the referring physician (upon insurance approval).
- Services include ultrasounds, bone density (DEXA), interventional radiology (biopsies, vascular procedures) and more.
- *Professional services, including the provider visit and reading of the image, are subject to your plan deductible and coinsurance.
Front Office Specialist Ciara Smalling returned to Texas Children’s to work for her pediatrician. She’s now a positive presence for parents and children. Read More
The more we know, the more we understand, the more we connect. Click to read this month’s DEI update. Read More
Impressed and appreciative family member submitted the following Caught You Caring recognition for Patient Care Technician Quiana Harris.
“Quiana made our family feel welcome and cared for during throughout our entire appointment day. We happened to be in the elevator with her on the way up to our appointment, and she spoke with us the entire way up – conveying a sense of joy at seeing our daughter and normalizing the day when others are too busy or preoccupied to engage with families. After our appointment, she happened to be the phlebotomist for our daughter. Not only did she remember us from earlier, but she seemed grateful for having her as her patient, talked us through the entire blood draw, and (demonstrating the excellence I would hope for in a TCH phlebotomist) collected the sample in one attempt, quickly, with minimal discomfort. The mark of excellent hospitality is going above and beyond at times when nothing special is expected – Quiana made our day in this regard and in her procedural excellence.”
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 30,000 recognitions submitted.
August 7, 2023
Impressed colleague submitted the following Caught You Caring recognition for Dr. Alfred Balasa.
“I was working with a patient in the PICU when Dr. Balasa came to bedside. I was immediately impressed with his incredible bedside manner with both my patient and her parents. He focused on the patient while still involving her parents, answering their questions thoughtfully, thoroughly and honestly. He explained the intricacies of this patient’s case while acknowledging he had more questions than answers at the time, but left the patient and her family confident they would know more in the coming days. I’m happy I was able to be a “fly on the wall” for this incredible encounter. Our patients are lucky to have you on their team!”
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 30,000 recognitions submitted.
Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin is another step closer to expanding our top-ranked culture of care and clinical excellence. The team recently conducted its first simulation training, a Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) course, in their new Simulation Center – featuring a high-fidelity newborn manikin aptly named “Sim-antha.”
Drawing from the expertise of simulation specialists and a full scope of resources, Texas Children’s Simulation Center (based in the Medical Center) has developed a guided process to train and educate health care professionals through clinical simulation and debriefing. They utilize a combination of innovative technologies and medical equipment used in clinical areas to simulate as real of an environment as possible, such as ventilators, crash carts, defibrillators, ECMO circuits, etc.
The need for immersive hands-on training in Austin is more important than ever as hiring ramps up, and because the hospital is not ready for staff yet, establishing a simulation center marks a critical step in the journey to open North Austin Campus. Experts from Houston traveled to Specialty Care (MoPac) in February to help the team set up two simulation theaters and a control center where trainers can watch simulations through one-way glass and control the manikins and monitors with tablets.
“The success of our inaugural NRP course is a testament to the positive partnership between Houston and Austin,” said Assistant Clinical Director Michele Boettiger. “Simulation is a vital part of safe patient care among a multidisciplinary team, and Texas Children’s will continue to provide top-notch simulation opportunities to Austin team members during the onboarding experience and beyond.”
This includes training for PALS certification, PCAs and patient sitters, trauma staff and more. Click here to learn more about the Simulation Center at Texas Children’s.
