January 16, 2024

One of the many ways our Austin team is preparing for the opening of North Austin Campus in less than a month is making sure they know how to handle emergencies. Recently, the Organizational Resilience team put several staff members to the test with intense, multi-day decontamination and evacuation training.

“This is the first time since before the pandemic we were able to hold an in-person training, and the response was amazing,” said Chelsia Elmore, manager, Organizational Resilience. “So many people across different departments showed up to learn, and we appreciated their time and focus on emergency preparedness.”

The two-day training included both classroom and hands-on learning focused on different aspects of decontamination and evacuation, specifically:

  • Identifying hazardous substances and knowing the risks associated with them
  • Understanding roles and responsibilities in the Emergency Plan
  • Learning about the potential outcomes of a HAZMAT event
  • How to identify the need for additional resources
  • When and how to notify key individuals
  • Selection and use of PPE
  • Ambulatory/Non-ambulatory Decontamination

The classroom training also included learning about antidotes in a terrorist attack, which chemicals we are able to treat and our mass casualty capabilities. The hands-on training included putting employees in Level C Hazmat suits in the EC, setting up the decontamination tent and even using the evacuation sled to learn how to move someone safely down the stairs.

The response to the training was positive from participants:

  • “Doing this training made it very real.”
  • “I learned a lot and felt like I was a part of something important…that I could make a difference.”
  • “It was out of my comfort zone but made me feel empowered.”

The Organizational Resilience team will hold similar training for team members at The Woodlands Campus, West Campus and the Medical Center in the coming months.

Do you thrive on ensuring safety? Sign up to be a decontamination team volunteer – contact orgresilience@texaschildrens.com to learn more.

Right Care, Right Place, Right People. Now ranked #1 in Texas and #3 in the nation, we’re bringing the best to Austin. Click here for countdown updates, resources and more on the Austin Expansion SharePoint.

Appreciative colleague submitted the following Caught You Caring recognition for Patient Care Assistant Marcasia Robinson.

“Marcasia is such a hard worker she is always willing to pick up shifts to help out the unit. She displays a positive and fun energetic attitude throughout all her shifts. Even when it is not her patient she helps out when asked.”

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 40,000 recognitions submitted.

January 15, 2024

Texas Children’s will open the doors to our first hospital in Austin in the coming weeks. The brand new campus will cater to both children and women with a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient services – many of which are not available locally or even offered at our own community hospitals in Houston.

Come join the fun and celebrate at the Texas Children’s North Austin Campus Keep Austin Healthy Family Run & Walk. This free event will have activities for the whole family.

When
Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024

Event schedule
10:15 a.m.: Health & Wellness Village Opens
11:00 a.m.: 5K Run/Walk Begins
12:45 p.m.: Kids K Begins
1:15 p.m.: Kids Bike Ride Begins
2:00 p.m.: Event Concludes

Location
Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin Campus
9835 North Lake Creek Parkway
Austin, TX US 78717

Admission
FREE

Register
Click here to access a flyer and QR code to register.

More information
Health & Wellness Village
Opens at 10:15 a.m. Join us for the many family/kid friendly activities we’ll have waiting for you. Craft workshops, ambulance tours, photo booths, bounce houses and climbing walls are just scratching the surface!

5K Run/Walk
Begins at 11:00 a.m. The route will consist of multiple loops within the campus. Want to run/walk more than a 5K? That’s perfectly fine! Want to finish early? That’s fine too! Regardless, we’ll have an easy exit point into the Healthy & Wellness Village along the route.

Kids K
Begins at 12:45 p.m. with one amazing lap (0.8 mile) around the loop with the little ones!

Kids Bike Ride
Begins after the Kids K – around 1:15 p.m. The course will be open for bikes until the event close at 2:00. So bring the kids’ bikes (and helmets!) and let them take a spin – or 10 – around the course. No bike? Our friends from Woom will be out with their demo bikes and helmets.

Now ranked #1 in Texas and #3 in the nation, we’re bringing the best to Austin. Click here for countdown updates, resources and more on the Austin Expansion SharePoint.

 

January 11, 2024

On Mark Wallace’s blog, he honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and shares what inspires him to pursue peace for all in 2024. Read more

It’s that time of year where everyone seems to be coughing, sniffling and sneezing. We are experiencing increased upticks across the community with cases of COVID-19, flu and other respiratory illnesses. Below are a few reminders on how to protect yourselves and others against these viruses and where to get help if needed.

  • Masking. While masking remains optional, we recommend you consider masking at work. In the community, consider masking, particularly in crowded areas. Masks are strongly encouraged for those with high-risk conditions. Please note that masks are widely available at Texas Children’s hospital campuses and care locations at building entry points.
  • Hand hygiene. Clean your hands frequently and thoroughly to protect yourself and your patients. Clean your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer. Follow the Five Moments for Hand Hygiene ENG|ESP.
  • COVID-19 vaccines and staying up to date. We continue to offer the updated COVID-19 vaccine to all team members (including BCM faculty and staff) through Employee Health at our Medical Center, West and Woodlands campuses in addition to Austin Mopac. The current COVID-19 vaccine provides greater protection against more recently encountered Omicron subvariants. To schedule a free appointment at one of these locations, please click here. If you prefer to receive the vaccine at an outside provider, most medical plans cover COVID-19 vaccines at 100% under preventive care at an in-network provider. Out-of-network coverage depends on the plan in regards to cost share. Employees can visit www.myCigna.com or use the myCigna app for more information.
  • Feeling sick. Stay home if you feel sick and get tested if you have respiratory symptoms compatible with COVID-19 or flu. Note that antiviral treatments are effective if administered early enough for influenza or COVID-19. Early diagnosis and treatment also reduce spread of viruses in the workplace. Click here to review the COVID-19 Return to Work process. For non-COVID-19 related illnesses, click here to review the Illness in the Workplace Policy.
  • Employee Health Virtual Assistant. Access the Employee Health Virtual Assistant from any device, any time, on or off the Texas Children’s network for COVID-19 related guidance and support.

If you have any questions, please contact the Employee Health Nurse Support Line at 832-VACCINE (832-822-2463), open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Team members can also email employeevaccines@texaschildrens.org.

For more information on COVID-19, please visit our COVID Command website on Connect.

January 8, 2024

Today Debra Sukin, Ph.D. starts her journey as the new president at Texas Children’s. She will oversee all administrative and clinical areas of the Texas Children’s system, including the three current hospital locations in the Medical Center, West Campus and The Woodlands Campus, as well as the North Austin Campus when it opens in February 2024. She will report to CEO Mark A. Wallace.

“I am thrilled for Debbie to join our team as we celebrate a new year and a new season for Texas Children’s,” said Mr. Wallace in an email to the organization. “I have the utmost confidence that Debbie is the perfect person for this position, and for Texas Children’s.”

Prior to joining Texas Children’s, Dr. Sukin served as Executive Vice President of Houston Methodist, where she was responsible for five suburban hospitals in addition to having system responsibility for the neuroscience service line and the Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center. She also served as CEO of Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital, and was involved in the planning and design of the Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital, which was deemed a “Smart Hospital of the Future,” integrating the latest in telehealth and technological innovations.

Dr. Sukin has more than 30 years of health care experience and serves on several prominent medical boards. She’s received numerous awards and recognition for her achievements and the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce recently named her the 2023 Healthcare Leader of the Year.

Mr. Wallace described Dr. Sukin’s journey to Texas Children’s and the process of bringing her on board as nothing short of divine destiny. Debbie’s connection to Texas Children’s runs far deeper than just her work experience in the Texas Medical Center – her mother and father worked for Texas Children’s for many years. Debbie’s mom, Dr. Judith Feigin, worked here in pediatric education and training, and her father, Dr. Ralph D. Feigin, served as Texas Children’s Physician In-Chief and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine from 1977 until his passing 2008. Dr. Sukin was also involved in the opening of Texas Children’s Angelman Syndrome Clinic, in support of a cause and rare genetic condition close to her heart and family.

“Texas Children’s has always been a profoundly special place to me, and I am truly honored to serve as the new President,” said Dr. Sukin. “I look forward to working with our One Amazing Team, and seeing how each and every individual at Texas Children’s helps to advance our mission.”

Click here to read Dr. Sukin’s full biography on the Texas Children’s website.

Meet Vanessa McElroy, sonographer educator at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women in Austin. With a passion for improving health care with data analysis and 25 years of living in the capital city, she’s part of a fast-growing team leading women’s care in the region.

What brought you to Texas Children’s?

I have been a sonographer for almost 15 years, working in women’s health and maternal-fetal medicine. I wanted to work for TCH after I heard about the Pavilion for Women coming to Austin. I was hired in August, and I am so excited to bring the latest in fetal surgical care to Austin.

How did you get into diagnostic imaging and fetal sonography?

I had a baby with a fatal birth defect, and that experience made me want to help other people going through life-changing events like this. I want to provide empathy and excellent care for those patients and hopefully make it a little easier for them, as others did for me.

What are you most excited about as we open North Austin Campus and build our women’s services offerings?

I am excited to work with our amazing fetal surgeons in a new facility with state-of-the-art equipment. You should see my new ultrasound machine, she’s a beauty! So often we have to make do with whatever equipment or materials are available and don’t actually have what we need to provide the best care for our patients. It is a great pleasure to work for an organization dedicated to giving their teams everything they need to succeed!

What makes Austin a great place to work and live?

I love Austin and have lived here since 1997, aside from my time at the University of Missouri. After college, I couldn’t wait to get back to Austin because I love the attitude here. It’s a wear-what-you-want, do-your-own-thing kind of town, which I love! The endless variety of things to do, food to eat, concerts to see and places to go makes it a wonderful place to live.

What does “Always Thinking Experience” mean to you?

I am always thinking about patient experience, because that’s what brought me to healthcare and ultrasonography in the first place. I still remember those healthcare workers who helped me in my hardest time, and it is so rewarding to be that person for others.

Our dedicated team at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women provides comprehensive care to women in every stage of life, from preconception to long after the birth of a child. With the opening of North Austin OB/GYN and Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin for inpatient care in February, the community can expect the same commitment to excellence, innovation and patient-centered care that we’re known for delivering in Houston.

Right Care, Right Place, Right People. Now ranked #1 in Texas and #3 in the nation, we’re bringing the best to Austin. Click here for countdown updates, resources and more on the Austin Expansion SharePoint.