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In recognition of National Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re highlighting how Member Services Manager Veronica Parsons put this year’s focus ‘Be Kind to Your Mind’ into practice in her own life by partnering with her Cigna Health & Wellness Coach, Ashley Miller. Parsons was able to create lasting changes in her mental as well as physical health with Miller’s help.
Parsons began her journey to better her health by sharing her experiences with multiple surgeries between 2016 and 2019 including a gastric sleeve, hysterectomy, and a partial thyroidectomy, and the effects they had on her body. While recovering from these procedures, she regained over half of the weight she had previously lost, placing her at around 280 pounds in the beginning of 2020.
Parsons was tired and knew she wanted to make changes, but found it difficult to do so on her own – she knew she needed guidance along her journey.
Parsons took her first step by meeting with Miller, then the two began meeting regularly over the phone. Miller partnered with Parsons and guided her on creating a healthy eating plan, lifestyle and fitness routine, and provided education about stress-relieving practices.
“Ashley guided me during each call by finding out where I was and where I wanted to go,” said Parsons. “My primary goal was to discontinue my medication and increase my health – both physically and mentally. One of the very first things we addressed was the severe stress I was experiencing with work, family and personal life. After three sessions, I could really start to see change and improvement with my mental health.”
An initial assessment of Parsons’ stress level indicated she was at 4 on a scale from 0-4, but after working with Miller for one year, her stress level decreased between 0-1. “So much of my mental health is tied into my physical health; I like to think of it as completing an overall health puzzle of myself,” said Parsons. “By working with Ashley on my mental health first, I was able to be very successful with getting my health back on track.”
After Parsons learned important tools for managing her stress, she worked with Miller to establish a consistent workout routine and develop healthy eating strategies. Parsons committed to working out at least three times per week and starting the “One meal a day” (OMAD) diet. Miller also shared her own experiences with the diet as well as helpful books and other resources to help keep Parsons accountable and motivated during their calls.
“When I finish a challenging workout or incorporate a new routine, I have a sense of pride and accomplishment,” said Parsons. “There really is a chemical release of all those feel-good hormones post-workout. I am filled with more energy than I was when I walked into the gym and my mood is better, just ask my family!”
With Miller’s support and guidance, Parsons was able to lose 86 pounds over the course of one year, and remove a lot of the anxiety she faced living as a diabetic with chronic health issues. “Having my yearly blood work is no longer a sense of dread and stress,” said Parsons. “I am excited to have that reminder that I am on the right path for continued physical and mental health.”
Miller also helped Parsons identify financial stress as an area of immediate concern and put her in touch with a Cigna caseworker who helped discover a solution for lowering her husband’s high Medicare premium and the stress that was causing. The caseworker helped Parsons through the process of getting the Medicare premium covered under the National Kidney Fund, lowering the premium from $500 to less than $80 for Parsons and her family.
“I could not have been this successful without Ashley’s guidance, education, and compassion,” shared Parsons. “I knew I needed a village and she became a part of that. I cannot say enough about my satisfaction with this program and specifically, Ashley.”
Thank you to Parsons for sharing her story, and to Miller and all of our Cigna Health & Wellness Coaches for the work they do to better the physical and mental well-being of our team members.
If you are interested in working with a Cigna Health & Wellness Coach, click here to learn more about available programs.
Additional resources for putting your mental health and well-being first
Weekly digital sessions – Take advantage of any of the tools and resources offered in May including Mental Health Fairs and Wellness Wednesday Webinars, or the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Wellness Support Group in June – all located on the Mental Health Awareness website.
EAP Wellness classes – Throughout the year, EAP offers various classes to assist employees with improving overall wellness. Go to HealthStream to learn more about dates and times and register.
Questions? For questions or further assistance, please contact our EAP and Well-Being team at 832-824-3327. You can also visit our EAP website where you can find information on additional confidential programs, virtual care options and resources to support your mental health and well-being.
Have you taken the Mental Health Well-Being survey?
During the month of May, Texas Children’s employees are invited to complete the World Health Organization WHO-5 survey. For those working in remote locations or those who would like to take the survey at any time during May, you can access it here.
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May 17, 2022
From cookies delivered by a Houston Texans cornerback to self-care sessions and themed t-shirt days, Texas Children’s celebrated National Nurses Week with a variety of activities to honor our more than 3,700 nurses across the system and show how deeply valued they are.
Given how our dedicated nurses go above and beyond every day to ensure our patients and their families have the best experience and best possible outcomes in our care, it is hard to contain Texas Children’s annual celebration of the nursing profession to just May 6-12.
The Nursing Retention Council packed the week with a series of festive events and moments of recognition to express appreciation for our nurses’ hard work and resilience, including partnering with Spiritual Care for a Blessing of the Hands and Employee Well-Being for self-care sessions.
As a surprise, Houston Texans cornerback Terrence Brooks kicked the week off with visits to several units in West Tower, the Heart Center and the Emergency Center at the Medical Center campus, where he thanked our nurses and passed out boxes of cookies.
There were also “Show Your Pride” days where our nurses could wear their favorite t-shirts representing themes like TCH Family Day, Sports Teams Day and Wild West Day, and the council arranged for grab-and-go breakfasts and late-night ice cream treats.
Check out the photo gallery for snapshots from Nurses Week 2022!
Congratulations, scholarship recipients!
During Nurses Week, Texas Children’s recognized the 2022 recipients of several different nursing scholarships. Read on for more on the scholarship winners, and scroll through the gallery to see their photos.
Molly Mae LeBlanc Nursing Scholarship
Named in memory of Molly Mae, a beloved former patient at Texas Children’s, the scholarship provides tuition assistance to patient care assistants (PCAs) and RNs who are pursuing BSN or MSN nursing degrees. The first scholarship was awarded in 2018. Since then, several scholarship recipients have graduated from their degree programs and are now working as nurse practitioners.
Ashlee Knapp is a staff nurse in the Legacy Tower PICU. She started at Texas Children’s in October 2020 and is enrolled in the MSN program at Texas Tech University. She plans to graduate in May 2024.
Schennel Pereira is a PCA at Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands. She started at Texas Children’s just over a year ago and is enrolled in the BSN program at Chamberlain University. She will be graduating in December 2022.
David and Polly Roth Nursing Scholarship
Established by Dr. David Roth and his wife, Polly, the scholarship provides tuition assistance to Texas Children’s employees in certain roles (like PCA, medical assistant) that are pursuing professional nursing/BSN degrees. The first scholarship was awarded in 2017. Several previous scholarship recipients work as RNs at Texas Children’s today.
Tiffany Clark is a surgical tech at The Woodlands campus and has been with Texas Children’s since April 2018. She is enrolled in Chamberlain University’s BSN program and plans to graduate in early 2024.
Jacqueline Gutierrez is a UCA at the Medical Center campus. She began at Texas Children’s in December 2015 and plans to graduate in May 2023 from the BSN program at the University of Texas at Arlington.
Brenda Orellana is a PCA at The Woodlands campus and has worked at Texas Children’s since April 2018. She will be graduating from the Chamberlain University BSN program in May 2024.
Len Slusser Nursing Scholarship
This scholarship provides tuition assistance to Texas Children’s registered nurses who are pursuing an advanced nursing degree (DNP or PhD), or financial assistance to registered nurses to attend a professional nursing conference.
Elise Whalen is a nurse practitioner for the Pulmonary Department at the Medical Center campus and has been with Texas Children’s since 2015. She is enrolled in the DNP program at the UTHealth Houston Cizik School of Nursing and plans to graduate in 2023.
Simone Chov is a staff nurse in the Women’s Services Department at the Medical Center campus. She joined Texas Children’s in 2009 and plans to attend the Association of Women, Health Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) Texas State Conference this year.
Flo McGee Nursing Scholarship
Recipients of this scholarship – the newest at Texas Children’s – will receive assistance in the form of tuition assistance towards attaining an advanced professional degree (MSN for RNs), or financial assistance towards virtual/in-person attendance at a professional nursing conference.
Thomas Torres is a staff nurse at Texas Children’s Specialty Care Sugar Land. He plans to graduate from the University of Texas at Arlington with his MSN in 2024.
Erika Guillen is a staff nurse at the NICU at the Medical Center campus. She joined Texas Children’s in 2009. She is enrolled in the MSN program at Houston Baptist University and plans to graduate at the end of this year.
Amy Cole is an education coordinator at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus and has been with Texas Children’s since 2019. She plans to attend the ANCC Magnet Conference later this year.
Brenda Morales is a staff nurse at the NICU at the Medical Center campus and has been part of the Texas Children’s family since 2016. She is excited to attend the National Association of Neonatal Nurses Conference later this year.
Additional awards and recognitions
Texas Children’s also recognized during Nurses Week the recipients of the Nursing Excellence Awards and our Houston Chronicle Salute to Nurses honorees, four of whom were honored as Greater Houston’s Top 15 Nurses of the Year.
For a complete list of these award recipients, click here to read the first story on Nurses Week.
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Armed Forces Day is observed on the third Saturday in May to pay tribute to the men and women who serve across all six branches in the United States military. This year’s observance falls on Saturday, May 21.
Some get this national holiday confused with Memorial Day (May 30) or Veteran’s Day (November 11). Armed Forces Day was first created in 1949 to celebrate those currently in uniform, including the Army, Navy and Air Force, while Memorial Day honors those who have sacrificed their lives while serving our country and Veteran’s Day celebrates all those who have served and continue to serve.
Texas Children’s is honored to provide care to current and previous members of the Armed Forces and their families. In honor of Armed Forces Day, take time to thank those in your life who protect and serve our country. Thank you for your service!
May 12, 2022
Seven days a week, 363 days a year, Texas Children’s Urgent Care (UC) teams make pediatric health care possible at times that may otherwise be impossible – afternoons, evenings and weekends. Urgent Care Week, May 9 through 15, honors our dedicated UC team members and highlights their work providing the most compassionate care for patient families who have non-emergency yet pressing health care needs or questions.
UC team members will be unleashing their UC spirit all week with fun activities: team jersey Monday, crazy sock Tuesday, crazy headband Wednesday, twin Thursday, PJ’s and pizza Friday, Disney Saturday, and Superhero Sunday. Show your appreciation by celebrating along with them and thanking them for their wonderful work all year!
“I believe Urgent Care Week is a great time to celebrate the services we offer, but also to highlight the amazing care that our teams deliver every day,” said Terry Yen, Medical Director, Texas Children’s Urgent Care. “We know that the last couple of years have been incredibly difficult for many families, and it has been our honor and a privilege to continue to provide high quality patient care for the children of the greater Houston and Austin communities throughout this period. Acute illnesses and injuries often occur at the most unexpected and inconvenient times, and we strive to be there for families as an after-hours option and on the weekends to provide access to pediatric health care during their time of need – and when other services may be unavailable.”
“As part of Urgent Care Week, I also wanted to take a moment to praise our patient care teams,” Yen added. “Everyone has shown remarkable perseverance and dedication by stepping up during the pandemic despite their own personal hardships, and by working extremely long hours into the late evenings and on weekends to ensure that every child is cared for. They have truly exemplified our core value of ‘living compassionately’ by shifting the focus back to our patients during this unpredictable time.”
One Amazing Team serves growing pediatric urgent care needs of Houston and Austin communities
Texas Children’s Urgent Care sites are located at all three hospital campuses – Medical Center, West and The Woodlands, with seven locations throughout the Houston community (Pearland, Heights, East Houston, Kingwood, Cinco Ranch, Fairfield, Vintage) and at one location in South Austin.
These pediatric-centered spaces are designed to put kids at ease, with the same fun, brightly-colored, child-friendly décor seen throughout Texas Children’s. Board-certified pediatricians, advance practice providers, nurses and diagnostic technicians, along with front office and support staff build relationships with the families they serve for common pediatric illnesses and injuries including fever, cough, sore throat, ear pain, minor burn, sprain or strain. The urgent care locations perform procedures such as antibiotic injections, X-rays, stitches and sports physicals. Virtual care visits are another convenient option for parents. All services can be found on the Texas Children’s Urgent Care website.
By providing immediate care for common conditions, Texas Children’s UC teams help improve patient flow at our hospital campuses as well. Families seeking basic procedures will be triaged by a nurse and given the option to be seen at Texas Children’s UC for more convenient care that can be provided in a more cost effective setting for the patient. During COVID surges, UC teams were able to help ease the volume at our Emergency Centers by taking more patients and extending hours until 3 a.m. with our Virtual Care team.
“We operate together as a team,” explained Director of Urgent Care Clinical Operations Gary Macleod. “No matter what tool is in hand (mop or stethoscope), each team member plays an essential part in providing high-quality care for our Urgent Care patients and families.”
UC team members are passionate about working in a dynamic environment. Many of their stories about how they care deeply for patients and why they love their work have been shared on the Texas Children’s People website. There you can learn how their unique training and experience helps them thrive in an environment that involves practical listening and medical skills along with lots of smiles, quick thinking and de-escalation skills for situations that can arise when families are challenged with unknown circumstances.
“If you’ve ever visited one of our urgent care locations, you’ve experienced world class care, in a child friendly environment from team members who are passionate about providing exceptional care to our patients,” said Assistant Vice President of Urgent Care Kara Abrameit. “They have a unique ability to quickly develop relationships with our patients and families, making an often scary situation a pleasant experience. I am grateful for this #OneAmazingTeam who choose to share their time and talents with Texas Children’s Urgent Care and truly make a difference every day.”
As more bright, young physicians, nurses and other Texas Children’s medical staff find their career paths in pediatric urgent care, they have the opportunity to learn from our veterans who built our centers from the ground up. Together, they continue to provide excellent and innovative service in our unique settings geared toward children and young adults through the age of 18. Future plans include opening a second location in Austin in February 2024.
Each May, the Urgent Care Association of America (UCAOA) celebrates National Urgent Care Awareness Month and Urgent Care Week to highlight the invaluable services that urgent care centers provide to consumers.
“The COVID pandemic further proved the importance that urgent care centers can have in the community, playing a key role in helping keep low acuity emergency center volumes down, so the higher need patients can be seen more timely,” added Dan Gollins, President of Texas Children’s Pediatrics and Urgent Care.
Thank you Texas Children’s UC team members, for the excellent care you provide to our patients. Happy Urgent Care Week!
