April 27, 2016

42716ChildAbusePrevention640Texas Children’s Hospital hosted a child abuse awareness event on The Auxiliary Bridge in honor of Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month.

42716beyondthescale640Together with Weight Watchers, Texas Children’s is excited to introduce Beyond the Scale, a new program with a holistic approach to a healthier, happier life that encompasses the evolving needs, mindsets and science around weight management. As part of our commitment to your health and wellness, Texas Children’s is subsidizing 50 percent of the program cost.

This new program includes:

  • New SmartPoints® plan to make healthy eating simple. The new system delivers weight loss while using the latest nutritional science to go beyond both calories and the previous Weight Watchers PointsPlus system.
  • New fitness approach that fits a busy life. Members receive personalized activity goals and have access to the new FitBreak by Weight Watchers™ app.
  • Personalized program that serves each member’s lifestyle, goals and challenges. Based on an assessment, members receive daily and weekly SmartPoints targets, personalized activity goals and relevant content designed to help find and fuel inner strength.

To learn more about Beyond the Scale, check out this video.

How to Get Started:

  1. Register online at https://wellness.weightwatchers.com
  2. Use the following to login:
    1. Employer ID #10805693
    2. Passcode #WW10805693

Interested in hosting Weight Watchers At Work meetings at your location?
Group meetings are available for groups of 15 or more employees at any location. Please email wellbeing@texaschildrens.org to receive an interest survey and steps to providing At Work meetings.

We are looking to schedule weekly At Work meetings at the Leopold L. Meyer building. If you would like to participate, please complete this interest survey.

Check out our upcoming Employee Health & Wellness events in May!

April 26, 2016

52616MindfulnessMay640Here at Texas Children’s, we lead tirelessly every day at work and home. There are times that even the ordinary demands of life can cause some feelings of unease and stress which may result in mental and physical fatigue or anxiety. The simple act of mindfulness can reduce the negative impact of stress and anxiety by helping us pay attention to our thoughts and feelings in the present moment rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future.

To support you on your path to mindfulness, Employee Health and Wellness will be offering a variety of activities in May at both Main and West Campuses. These activities include the following – click here for more details.

Weekly educational mindfulness seminars
Learn how to practice mindfulness in everyday activities during the following sessions:

  • Mindful Eating
  • De-Clutter To Live Your Best Life
  • Putting Mindfulness into Practice
  • Mindfulness in Daily Life

Yoga classes
Practice mindfulness by rebooting, strengthening, and calming your mind and body during this holistic practice. All levels and abilities are welcome.

What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging one’s feelings, thoughts, and physical state. Mindfulness can be used as a therapeutic technique offering lasting benefits for mental functioning, emotional and physical health, overall well-being, and can be implemented in every aspect of daily living.

The many practical benefits of mindfulness include:

  • Enhanced well-being and stress reduction
  • Freedom from harmful patterns of thought and emotion
  • Increased ability to focus as well as clarity of thinking
  • Increased learning capacity, memory, productivity and better communication

To receive Mindful Moment text messages during May, text MINDFULNESS to 882-02. Message and data rates may apply.

42716texansautograph640The NFL Draft is this week, and pre-season games only a few months away. So football season is right around the corner, and Texas Children’s wants to help you gear up for it.

Over the next two weeks, all Texas Children’s employees will have the chance to be selected to attend an exclusive autograph and photograph session with two Houston Texans players: Charles James II, the Texans cornerback who rose to a fan favorite in last season’s Hard Knocks on HBO; and Devon Still, defensive end and recipient of the Jimmy V Perseverance Award for his daughter, Leah’s, courageous fight against cancer. Two Texans cheerleaders also will be in attendance.

To win a chance to attend the event, you must submit your definition of leadership. As you know, Mark Wallace’s Leadership Maxim no. 4 is that “We all should have our personal definition of leadership.”

We will use the leadership definition submissions to randomly select participants for the Houston Texans autograph/photograph session. We also will share some of the leadership definitions on Mr. Wallace’s On the Mark blog.

Submissions will be accepted here until Tuesday, May 3. We will select 400 people from the submissions to attend the autograph and photograph session. Those selected will be contacted by Wednesday, May 11.

Transportation to and from the stadium will not be provided, and only employees can attend. Exempt employees who are scheduled to work that day must obtain leader approval. Non-exempt employees who are scheduled to work that day must obtain leader approval and badge in and out.

“We hope everyone will take advantage of this opportunity to meet two Houston Texans players and learn more about our partnership with Houston’s hometown football team,” said Lisa Yelenick, director of Service Line, Community and Brand for the Marketing and Public Relations Department. “Good luck and Go Texans!”

Texas Children’s entered a partnership with the Houston Texans more than a year ago to inspire children to lead healthier, more active lives. The two organizations have since reached thousands of Houston-area children through camps, school programs, special hospital appearances and other events that combine fun with education.

The partnership also includes involvement from players, cheerleaders and TORO in the community and at hospital events hosted by the Texans and Texas Children’s Hospital. Texas Children’s and the Houston Texans will continue identifying ways to grow the partnership and extend its reach even further within the local and regional communities.

To learn more about the partnership, go to texaschildrens.org/texans. For questions about the event, contact Kimberly Vetter at mkvetter@texaschildrens.org.

42716kidstriathlon640Thousands of families and friends gathered on April 23 and 24 at NRG Stadium to cheer on the 3,000 plus participants of the 2016 Houston Texans Kid’s Triathlon.

The Houston Texans and Texas Children’s Hospital joined forces to organize the event aimed at building a generation of healthy, active responsible children.

Click here to watch a video of the event and here to read a first-person account of the triathlon from 10-year-old participant Will Gillette. Gillette had heart surgery at Texas Children’s Hospital when he was born and has now completed two Houston Texans Kid’s Triathlons.

To learn more about the partnership, go to texaschildrens.org/Texans.

April 20, 2016

 

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Weather alert no. 9: Inclement weather expected this morning

Texas Children’s leadership and the Department of Emergency Management are closely monitoring the weather as the Greater Houston area is expecting a potential threat of heavy rainfall this morning between 9 a.m. and noon with further rainfall possible through mid-afternoon.

Rain is forecasted to begin around 9 a.m. in northwestern Harris County and reach the Medical Center by 11 a.m.

Since this line of storms is expected to remain rather progressive, the threat for heavy rainfall is expected to be much more localized than what was observed early Monday. Widespread rainfall amounts of around ½ inch to 1 inch can be expected with some localized amounts of 2-3 inches possible.

Given the significant soil saturation, even moderate rainfall may cause additional street flooding.

We urge employees to exercise caution when navigating roadways and avoid flooded areas as you head home or make your way into work. Please plan for additional travel time, and be prepared to identify alternate routes in case roadways are flooded. Also, be sure to communicate with your leaders should your arrival to work be delayed due to weather conditions.

For more information, including the latest weather, traffic and road conditions, go to the Emergency Management Connect site and the National Weather Service website.

Severe weather update no. 8: Official CARLA DEACTIVATION at 7 p.m.

Texas Children’s Hospital is formally discontinuing the CARLA activation at this time. Inpatient leadership will continue to ensure 1:1 staffing handoffs during shift changes. Nursing operations sub-command center will remain open through 7 p.m. this evening. Emergency pay practices will continue until 11 p.m. this evening.

The PFW 4th floor sleeping area will be staffed for those who would like to register until 8 p.m. Security will monitor the area for those sleeping throughout the night, and the area will close at 7 a.m.

We anticipate the weather will continue to improve later this evening. However, the Department of Emergency Management will continue to monitor the situation closely tonight and throughout the week.

Dependent care support
Texas Children’s Hospital has partnered with Bright Horizons® to enhance our Back-Up Care Advantage Program® with Crisis Care Assist.™ Available immediately, this program extends care options for employees whose dependent care arrangements may be impacted by the flooding in the Houston area. Click here for more details.

For more information, including the latest weather, traffic and road conditions, go to the Emergency Management Connect site and the National Weather Service website.

If you need to contact the Administrator on call, please do so through the page operator. The incident command center will officially close at 7 p.m. this evening.

Please continue to be safe in this weather, and reach out to your leaders if you have additional questions. Thank you all for your flexibility and resilience during this unexpected emergency weather event.

Severe weather update no. 7: Normal operations to resume (Monday, 3:33 p.m.)

New information

Severe weather is moving out of the Houston area. However, 1 to 3 inches of rain are expected over the next 48 hours with heavier rainfall possible in isolated areas.

We anticipate the weather will continue to improve significantly by later this evening, and we will continue to monitor closely and keep you well informed when we officially discontinue the CARLA.

Texas Medical Center shuttle services are back up and running, and Garages 11, 12 and 16 in the TMC are expected to reopen at 4 p.m. today. However, Metro will not resume normal service until 4 a.m. Tuesday.

Sleeping arrangements:

Sleeping arrangements are provided on the 4th floor of the Pavilion for Women. Should you require accommodations, please call Ext. 4-0150.

Food options:
The Coffee Corner in the Pavilion for Women will offer normal hours and serve food until 12 a.m. The CCC food court will offer extended hours of operation until 8 p.m. tonight.

Thanks to all of you for your great leadership. We appreciate your efforts to be here to care for our patients and their families. Pulling together at these times is critical to those entrusted in our care.

Previous information

Pay practices, parking reimbursement and financial assistance

Shuttle Service

  • Normal shuttle service is running from Garage 19 and Meyer. Service from Nabisco/NRI is also running.

For more information, including the latest weather, traffic and road conditions, go to the Emergency Management Connect site and the National Weather Service website.

Please continue to be safe in this weather, and reach out to your leaders if you have additional questions. Thank you all for your support.

Severe weather update no. 6: Pay practices, parking reimbursements and financial assistance (Monday, 12:05 p.m.)

We appreciate your efforts to be here to care for our patients and their families. It’s important to us, as your leaders, to provide you with programs and services to help you during difficult times as well. Below, we’ve outlined how we will handle pay practices and time off. In addition, we’ve provided information about acquiring financial assistance.

Emergency pay

  • An organization-wide CARLA was activated at 10 a.m. today. Emergency pay practices will be applied retroactively to 7 a.m.
  • All non-exempt employees working as of 7 a.m. will receive an Emergency differential of $5 per hour for hours worked during the CARLA. This differential will be in addition to their regular pay, including any applicable differentials and overtime.
  • Exempt employees who are working during the CARLA will be paid their regular salary.

Employees sleeping on campus

  • Non-exempt employees who are required to stay at the hospital or in designated sleeping areas during their time-off shift will be paid at their regular hourly rate for this time with overtime being calculated in accordance with FLSA guidelines (over 40 hours). No differentials will be paid during this period.
  • A maximum of 8 hours within a 24-hour period will be classified as sleep time and/or time required to be on campus but not working. Any hours in excess of 8 hours in a 24-hour period will be classified as time worked with all standard differentials applying.
  • Exempt employees will not receive additional pay for sleeping on campus.

PTO and PTU

  • Employees calling in due to road conditions will be coded as PTO.  If the employee does not have PTO, then it is unpaid time.
  • Employees calling in due to childcare limitations resulting from school closures also will be coded as PTO.  If the employee does not have PTO, then it is unpaid time.
  • Employees who called in due to illness will be coded as PTU.

Department and Clinic Closures or Employees Sent Home

  • Employees who are part of a department or clinic closure will be coded as PTO.
  • Regarding employees asked to go home after arriving for their normal shift:
    • Non-exempt employees should use their PTO accruals.  If the employee does not have PTO, then it is unpaid time. Non-exempt employees will not be charged PTO in periods of less than one (1) hour.
    • Exempt employees will be paid regular salary for their entire shift.

Parking reimbursement

  • Employees who had to park in a location for which their parking card does not provide access will be reimbursed. This includes Metro bus riders who pulled tokens.
  • Night shift employees who would normally leave the garage by 7 a.m., but had to pay because they were asked to remain on shift longer will be reimbursed.
  • You must have a parking receipt to receive reimbursement. Payments will be reimbursed through eBer. Requests must be submitted and approved by May 7.

Employee Financial Assistance Fund

  • We recognize that some of our employees and their families have suffered losses due to the weather event. Please remember that the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) may be able to help.
  • To learn more about EAP services, please visit the EAP websiteor contact the EAP at 832-824-3327 or eap@texaschildrens.org.

Severe weather update no. 5: Shuttles back in service (Monday, 11:25 a.m.)

  • Shuttle services are back in operation. Normal shuttle service has resumed from Garage 19 and Meyer. Service from Nabisco/NRI is also running.
  • We will continue to monitor the weather and bayous/bridges and report any changes.

Severe weather update no. 4: CARLA activated (Monday, 10:27 a.m.)

Texas Children’s Leadership is announcing a CARLA activation.

As such, all employees must be ready and available to arrive onsite when it is safe to do so. Your specific requirements should be discussed with your immediate supervisor.

Further information regarding Emergency Pay Practices will be forthcoming, along with other Human Resource information at approximately 12 p.m. today.

Food options are available on site in the Medical Center and West Campus at this time.

Severe weather alert no. 3: Shuttle services suspended at Meyer (Monday, 8:21 a.m.)

Shuttle services at the Meyer Building are now suspended until further notice. Security SUV’s are being sent to the Meyer shuttle stop to pick up employees heading to the Texas Medical Center.

Parking is open at the Pavilion garage only.

We will keep you posted on other further developments throughout the day.

For more information, including the latest weather, traffic and road conditions, go to the Emergency Management Connect site and the National Weather Service website.

Inclement weather causes cancellations of outpatient services (Monday, 7:23 a.m.)

All Texas Children’s Pediatric clinics, subspecialty clinics and diagnostic/therapeutic services at Main, West and the Health Centers along with the Texas Children’s Health Plan Centers and TCP Practices are closed.

  • Public transportation – Metro operations have been suspended until further notice.
  • Parking garages – All parking garages in the Texas Medical Center are closed, BUT the parking garages at Meyer are open. Shuttle services are running but may be delayed.

Inpatient staff are conducting 1 to 1 hand offs to ensure safe staffing levels.

All administrative support staff should consult with their leaders regarding their need to report to work.

We urge employees to exercise caution when navigating roadways and avoid flooded areas as you head home or make your way into work. Please plan for additional travel time, and be prepared to identify alternate routes in case roadways are flooded. Also, be sure to communicate with your leaders should your arrival to work be delayed due to the inclement weather conditions.

For more information, including the latest weather, traffic and road conditions, go to the Emergency Management Connect site and the National Weather Service website.

Inclement weather expected through Tuesday (Sunday, 10:10 p.m.)

Texas Children’s leadership and the Department of Emergency Management are closely monitoring the weather, as the Greater Houston area is expecting heavy rainfall and severe storms.
We anticipate rainfall will intensify throughout the Houston area between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. Monday. Widespread rainfall of 4-6 inches is expected, with isolated areas receiving up to 10 inches of rain. Rain is expected to continue through Tuesday morning.

We urge employees to exercise caution when navigating roadways and avoid flooded areas as you head home or make your way into work. Please plan for additional travel time, and be prepared to identify alternate routes in case roadways are flooded. Also, be sure to communicate with your leaders should your arrival to work be delayed due to the inclement weather conditions.

For more information, including the latest weather, traffic and road conditions, go to the Emergency Management Connect site and the National Weather Service website.

Summary information

Weather

  • Texas Children’s leadership and the Department of Emergency Management are closely monitoring the weather, as the Greater Houston area is experiencing heavy rainfall and severe storms. Additional, widespread rainfall of 4-6 inches is expected throughout the day, with isolated areas receiving up to 10 inches of rain. Cumulative rain totals are exceeding 12” in many areas, causing widespread flooding.

CARLA activation

  • Texas Children’s leadership announced a CARLA activation at 10 a.m. today. As such, all employees must be ready and available to arrive onsite when it is safe to do so. Your specific requirements should be discussed with your immediate supervisor.
  • Further information regarding Emergency Pay Practices will be forthcoming, along with other Human Resource information at approximately 12 p.m. today.

Outpatient closures and Inpatient staffing

  • All Texas Children’s Pediatric clinics, subspecialty clinics and diagnostic/therapeutic services at Main, West and the Health Centers along with the Texas Children’s Health Plan Centers and TCP Practices are closed.
    Inpatient staff are conducting 1-to-1 hand-offs to ensure safe staffing levels.

Food options

  • Food options are available on-site in the Medical Center and West Campus at this time.

Parking

  • Public transportation – Metro operations have been suspended until further notice.
  • Parking garages – All parking garages in the Texas Medical Center are closed, BUT the parking garages at Meyer are open. Shuttle services are running but may be delayed.
April 19, 2016

 

42016earthdaypromo640As employees at Texas Children’s, we go green every day. Our eco-friendly programs help us reduce medical waste, conserve energy, enhance recycling and save significant dollars on operational costs. But, have you ever wondered how you and your family can go green?

Then, don’t forget to mark your calendar for Texas Children’s Earth Day celebration!

On Friday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Green Team will host two exciting and informative events on Earth Day – one on The Auxiliary Bridge at Main Campus and one at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus.

Below is a preview of the Earth Day activities slated for Main and West Campuses, including some pretty cool giveaways for attendees:

Vendors
Dozens of vendors will provide eco-friendly, cost-saving tips to employees including how to become more energy efficient, tips on eating green and growing an organic garden, and ways for everyone to reduce waste and recycle more to promote a cleaner, healthier planet. At Main Campus, HEB Buddy will make a special appearance. Click here to see a complete list of vendors at Main and West campuses.

Green Team booth
The Green Team will be handing out customized Green Team water bottles and seeded confetti packets at the Green Team tables – so be sure to get there early since supplies are limited. The Green Team also will introduce Texas Children’s new alkaline battery recycling initiative that will be launched this summer. And, there will be a trivia game to test your knowledge on tips to go green for a chance to win prizes.

Safe disposal of expired medications
Pharmacy will be hosting the Medication Disposal and Medication Take Back Program. Please bring expired or unused medications for proper disposal at the event.

Tree planting

10 a.m. – West Campus President Chanda Cashen Chacon and Vice President Matt Schaefer will plant a tree on the lake shoreline about 20 feet from last year’s West Campus tree planting. A surprise guest will be part of the tree planting festivities.

3 p.m. – Executive Vice President John Nickens will plant the second tree in front of the Feigin Center on Holcombe Boulevard.

The trees for both events were generously donated by Trees for Houston.

Let the countdown begin…..

The Green Team looks forward to seeing everyone there! To reach out to the Green Team with your green ideas or ideas we should consider for the next Earth Day celebration, email teamgreen@texaschildrens.org