April 18, 2023

When her husband was unable to work due to medical treatments, Texas Children’s team member, Lisa Scott, was uncertain how her family would manage without his income. She turned to a resource she learned about from her co-workers: the Employee Financial Assistance Fund (EFAF).

Established and managed by the Human Resources – Employee Assistance Program, the EFAF provides financial help to eligible employees experiencing unexpected, unforeseen, or unavoidable emergencies. In a true example of what it means to live compassionately at Texas Children’s, the fund is maintained through generous donations from our employees – colleagues supporting colleagues in their time of greatest need.

While working with the EAP, Lisa learned of a new partnership between EAP and Fidelity to provide one-on-one financial counseling for employees. Participants meet with Fidelity Workplace Financial Consultants for 4-6 sessions and review their finances while working together to create a budget, pay off bills or debt, understand their credit score, and start an emergency fund.

Lisa enjoyed the program and would recommend it to others saying, “I had to create a budget, and it was certainly eye-opening to see what comes in and what needs to go out. Once you put everything down on paper, it becomes more real.” Talking through her finances with her counselor, Danielle, she felt like a weight was lifted off her shoulders. Lisa said, “After working on the exercises she gave me, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Danielle was supportive and did not make me feel like a failure.”

Fidelity is readily available to assist with any of your financial needs. To help you through your financial journey, we encourage you to schedule a free one-on-one financial consultation session with Fidelity.

For more information on applying for the Employee Financial Assistance Fund, please visit the EFAF page on the Sharepoint site. Additionally, if you are in a financial position to donate even one dollar to the Employee Financial Assistance Fund, all donations are greatly appreciated.

April 13, 2023

The more we know, the more we understand, the more we connect. Click to read this month’s DEI update and stay in the know! Read more

April 11, 2023

Texas Children’s continues to lead the industry in health information and technology. The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) recently awarded the organization with a rare triple Stage 7 designation after a rigorous two-day validation process on March 28-29.

HIMSS Stage 7 demonstrates IS, clinical and operational excellence – highlighting our ability to transform health care by innovating and advancing patient care, improving outcomes and maintaining operational efficiencies on a global stage.

The validation process for HIMSS AMAM Stage 7 (and revalidating for EMRAM and O-EMRAM, the inpatient and ambulatory adoption models) involved team members from across the system; to no surprise, demonstrating how our One Amazing Team comes together to optimize workflows and drive insights did not go unnoticed.

“It was wonderful to hear from our own providers on how they leverage digital platforms and data insights to improve outcomes,” said Vice President, Associate Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer Teresa Tonthat. “This accomplishment is only possible because our clinicians are empowered to leverage technology to do what’s best for the children and women we serve.”

Committed to embracing technology, together

Texas Children’s is the first organization in the state of Texas to receive Stage 7 designation for analytics (AMAM); the first in the Texas Medical Center to hold dual Stage 7 inpatient and ambulatory validations; and the only in the nation validated at Stage 7 across all three mediums – Analytics, Inpatient and Ambulatory.

“What stood out most was the organization’s true commitment to embracing technology,” noted HIMSS reviewers. “Texas Children’s showed intense collaboration, and that’s particularly impressive.” The reviewers also complimented our strong clinical builder program, calling it “both impressive and amazing.”

“You often see golden threads in Stage 7 organizations, which are excitement, enthusiasm, teamwork and a clear vision – and Texas Children’s certainly has that,” said lead HIMSS reviewer Philip Bradley in his closing statement.

Texas Children’s Senior Vice President and CIIO Myra Davis agrees. “Fostering an environment of collaboration over two decades is a testament to the great outcomes being achieved by leveraging technology,” she said. “Every partner playing a different role, each voice sharing a unique perspective, all culminating in unequivocal patient care. It’s truly like music to your ears!”

Congratulations to all on achieving this incredible milestone! Click here to learn more about our journey to HIMSS triple Stage 7 validation.

Each day, Texas Children’s social workers help break down barriers that prevent our patients and families from getting the support they need in the face of illness and hospitalization.

The Medical Center’s Social Work department recently gathered for a Luau-themed bash to celebrate Social Work Month and a very exciting milestone – reaching 100 team members! From longest-tenured to newly-hired, our One Amazing Team of social workers connected over food and drinks and were treated to custom t-shirts, flower leis and special words of acknowledgment from their leaders.

“We’re so excited to be here celebrating this team that has grown to 100 employees,” said Michelle Lawson, director of clinical support services. “There are so many aspects to patient care, and it’s critical to help families deal with life as it impacts their health journey. I love that I get to support and work our social workers – we figure it out together, and get our patients what they need.”

Like many teams, social work staff numbers took a hit during the pandemic – just when it felt like their services were needed most.

“Having more social workers on staff means we don’t have to pick and choose which families get a consult, and we don’t have to rush to see as many people as we can,” said Maggie Lampe, assistant director of social work. “We want to spend all the time we need with each individual, and now that we have more social workers we can do just that.”

Social worker Porschea Wilson (The Woodlands) was recently recognized for going that extra mile when she set aside more time out of her schedule to color a picture with an acute care patient.

“The patient’s mother stated Porschea was very patient with the child and spent as much time as she could with her until she had another call to go to,” reads Porschea’s Caught You Caring submission. “Thank you for making such a BIG impact for this patient’s first hospitalization and setting her up for a positive experience!”

Texas Children’s social workers are professionals who have earned a master’s degree and are licensed by the state of Texas. They are vital components of the multidisciplinary care team – helping families locate community resources, assisting in crisis interventions, providing counseling, educating families on a child’s diagnosis, and so much more.

Click here to learn more about Social Work at Texas Children’s. A social worker can be contacted 24/7 by calling the hospital page operator at 832-824-2099.

The third annual list spotlights 50 top leaders who are leveraging technology to transform their companies and the role of CIO. Read more

April 5, 2023

Anette Sandoval shares a touching patient encounter to remind us of the importance of trust. Read More

At Texas Children’s, consistent hand hygiene is a priority and studies show it reduces the risk of infection. All workforce members must adhere to hand hygiene practices. For clinical areas specifically, the Five Moments of Hand Hygiene as defined by the World Health Organization must be followed. For convenience, hand sanitizer and handwashing stations are readily available throughout our facilities to consistently practice hand hygiene.

Accountability is key

Partnering with team members can help ensure hand hygiene best practices are followed. Please review the Five Moments of Hand Hygiene flyer and FAQs.

For more information on hand hygiene, including how to improve and increase this important practice across your unit, please contact Kandice Bledsaw, Director of Infection Prevention and Control.