April 22, 2022

It’s time to get your kids off their screens and on their feet! Registration is now open for the seventh annual Houston Texans Kids Triathlon, presented by Texas Children’s Hospital and coming to Typhoon Texas Waterpark on Saturday, April 23, and Sunday, April 24.

Follow this link to sign up for the race. You can even receive a discount on each registration as a Texas Children’s employee!

As the largest kids triathlon in the world, the Houston Texans Kids Triathlon is a sell-out each year with races for children of all ages and skill levels. Each morning will include friendly competition and appearances from the Texans’ special guests, followed by an afternoon of fun with a free waterpark pass for every participating child.

Kids aged 6-10 years old can participate in the Short Course that includes a 125-meter swim, 2-mile bike ride and 1-mile run. Kids aged 11-17 years old can take part in the Long Course, which includes a 225-meter swim, 4-mile bike ride and 2-mile run.

As the official children’s hospital of the Houston Texans, Texas Children’s is partnering with the Texans to build a community of healthy children. Together, our organizations are inspiring kids to be active and healthy while having fun and learning life skills like teamwork and discipline.

To learn more about the Houston Texans Kids Triathlon and our partnership with the team, click here.

April 15, 2022

In a show of support for the millions of Ukrainians who have fled their country and been displaced during the ongoing conflict with Russia, Texas Children’s is launching a week-long Ukraine Donation Drive to collect and ship items directly to the refugees who need them.

The donation effort is a unique opportunity for our team members and members of the community to put our compassion into tangible action, even though we are thousands of miles away from the warzone.

“Texas Children’s stands with the people of Ukraine,” President and CEO Mark A. Wallace said in a global email announcing the donation drive. “We will continue to pray for the refugees who are victims of this senseless tragedy. But along with our prayers, Texas Children’s promises to take bold action and tangibly assist in any way we can.”

Here’s how you can help:

  • Drop an item at a donation box at a Texas Children’s location, or donate funds to purchase items to send to Ukrainian refugees.

From April 18-23, donation boxes will be set up at employee entrances and break areas at multiple hospital, practice and clinic locations. Take a look at this list of the most requested items – including personal, dental, feminine and hygiene products – and drop off your donation at one of the boxes listed below.

To make a monetary donation, visit texaschildrens.org/UkraineDonations. All donated funds will be used to purchase items to send to Ukrainian refugees.

  • Drop by a community donation drive and spread the word to your friends and neighbors.

We’re inviting members of the community to join Texas Children’s in this effort by bringing items to a drive-through donation station at our hospital campuses in the Houston area. Volunteers will collect donations right from donors’ vehicles, then sort and prepare the items for shipping.

    • Medical Center: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday April 18 – Saturday, April 23
    • West Campus: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday April 18 – Saturday, April 23
    • The Woodlands: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday April 18 – Saturday, April 23

Patients with scheduled appointments at Texas Children’s Pediatric and Urgent Care locations in the Houston and Austin areas during the week of April 18 can also drop off small items or donations while they’re in the office.

  • Show your support with a bracelet or button bearing the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

This is your chance to wear your heart on your sleeve! Starting Monday, April 18, pick up a blue and gold bracelet or pin at no cost at all hospital gift shops and patient screening stations.

  • Volunteer your time. If you have personal time to spare and a desire to serve, consider these two volunteer opportunities.
    • Community Donation Drives (Open to Texas Children’s employees only in accordance with our Employee Volunteers Policy)

Click here to sign up to help with tasks like greeting donors at the drive-through stations and sorting items. We ask that you register for shifts that do not conflict with your scheduled work hours.

Hourly employees who are interested in volunteering during any portion of a scheduled work shift must submit a PTO request to cover the time spent volunteering. Please note, all team members must obtain leadership approval before registering for a volunteer shift, and approval will be based on operational needs. For questions on volunteering, email volunteerservices@texaschildrens.org.

  • Medical Bridges Partnership (Open to all groups and individuals)

Texas Children’s is proud to partner with Medical Bridges, a local non-profit organization specializing in the distribution of donations worldwide, to help sort and package the donations we collect and prepare them for shipping to Ukraine.

Volunteer slots will be open beginning the week of April 25, with both morning and afternoon shifts available. Volunteers will need to show their vaccination cards upon arrival and wear comfortable clothes and shoes. To sign up, contact Bonnie Oggero at Medical Bridges at 713-748-8131 or boggero@medicalbridges.org.

For answers to frequently asked questions about the Ukraine Donation Drive, click here.

For more information on how Texas Children’s is supporting Ukraine, visit texaschildrens.org/Ukraine.

April is the month for recognizing the deaf community; raising awareness of autism acceptance; celebrating and sharing Native culture; and ushering in spring and the beauty of new life, rebirth and growth through major religious holidays.

Is there a cultural observance this month that has special meaning to you? We want to hear about it! Send a note to Texas Children’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Team via e-mail.

You can also learn more about Texas Children’s DEI commitment on our website, which features a wide range of resources and inspiring team member stories to watch, read and explore.

April 13, 2022

This week on Mark Wallace’s blog, he reflects on the decision to bring a pediatric community hospital to families north of Houston and all that has been accomplished in the years since. Read More

CNO Jackie Ward visited staff of Women’s Place, Baylor OB/GYN, and REI Ambulatory Outpatient Clinics to congratulate them on their winning entry for our Magnet decorating contest. Read More

For Charisma Mingus, who grew up practicing gymnastics, it was her multiple injuries and countless interactions with health care teams that sparked her interest in becoming a nurse. Read More

April 12, 2022

For the first time in 33 years, three major religious holidays have all fallen in April: Passover, observed in Judaism; Easter, observed in Christianity; and Ramadan, observed in Islam.

Read on to learn how two Texas Children’s providers are observing this very holy month for millions of Muslims around the world, and send a note to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team via e-mail about your observances and celebrations for this special time of year.

Are you’re sitting down to a seder? Giving up your vices for the Lenten season? Gathering family and friends for an iftar feast? Tell us about your favorite traditions and your story and photos could be featured on the DEI website.