Appointments are now available to receive vaccine beginning November 3. Read more
November 2, 2021
Texas Children’s affirmed its Global Health partnership with the Republic of Botswana and praised our mutual commitment to children and families during a recent visit from President Mokgweetsi Masisi and a delegation of Botswanan leaders.
Texas Children’s, Botswana-Baylor Children’s Clinical Centre of Excellence Trust and Baylor College of Medicine operate through a public-private partnership with the government of Botswana. Launched in 2003, the Trust established the first pediatric HIV/AIDS Center of Excellence in Africa at Princess Marina Hospital in the capital city of Gaborone.
Today, it provides more than 7,500 children, adolescents and families with state-of-the-art pediatric HIV, oncology and blood disorder care and treatment at no cost. The program also builds the capacity of local health care workers through trainings in emergency medicine and critical care.
“We’ve accomplished so much more than I could have ever imagined,” said Texas Children’s President and CEO Mark A. Wallace, who hosted the Botswana delegation and extended a warm welcome upon their arrival in late September.
President Masisi and a delegation last traveled to Texas Children’s in 2018 – well before the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
“We see this partnership growing from strength to strength and continuously benefiting the most vulnerable in Botswana,” said President Masisi regarding this visit. “Together we can improve the health care service delivery in Botswana and the region.”
Mr. Wallace noted that Texas Children’s was able to donate supplies and personal protective equipment to Botswana during the pandemic, and expressed excitement about expanding our partnership and work in the southern African nation for generations to come.
“We simply could not have asked for a better partner,” Mr. Wallace said. “From day one, you’ve trusted us to serve your country’s children and provide the same care we give to patients here at Texas Children’s. We do this because every child we serve in Botswana is a patient of Texas Children’s Hospital.”
Dr. Mogomotsi Matshaba, executive director of the Botswana Baylor Trust, visited Texas Children’s alongside President Masisi.
OB/GYN-in-Chief Dr. Michael Belfort, Surgeon-in-Chief Dr. Larry Hollier, Pathologist-in-Chief Dr. James Versalovic and Co-Directors of Texas Children’s Center for Vaccine Development – Dr. Peter Hotez and Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi – also participated.
From Día de los Muertos to Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, the fall and winter seasons are full of holiday celebrations and all the things that come with them: making memories with family and friends, expressing love and gratitude, and reflecting on historic events that have shaped our lives and communities across generations.
There’s often so much good energy flowing from November through January that you don’t have to recognize any particular holiday to understand what makes this time of year so special. In fact, a growing number of Americans say they don’t celebrate any holidays at all.
But whether you’re decorating with diyas for Diwali, waiting up for Santa or just enjoying a few days off work – there is still that little something in the air for many, including our One Amazing Team. Read on to learn more about some of the cultural and religious holidays observed right here within our Texas Children’s family.
You can also share your own most cherished team, family, holiday and seasonal traditions with our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team via e-mail. We’d love to hear your story and potentially feature it on Connect or our Texas Children’s social media page!
From AQPC co-chair to PCM for the Immunization Clinic, Charlotte Mathis shares how her involvement in Shared Governance opened up opportunities to grow professionally. Read more
Through our Tomorrow, Together initiative, you shared how important it is for us to support the health and wellbeing of every Texas Children’s team member. That’s why for this year’s Benefits Annual Enrollment, we are keeping your rates low, investing in new offerings and giving you multiple options to create a benefits plan that is right for you and your family.
Beginning today, Friday, Oct. 29, and continuing through midnight Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, all Texas Children’s employees will be able to participate in our 2022 Benefits Annual Enrollment. To start planning, visit TexasChildrensBenefits.org to review your benefit options for next year and select your benefit plans. In addition to paying for the majority of your medical benefits, Texas Children’s is also investing in:
No rate increases for Vision, Optional Life, and AD&D
No rate increases for Short-Term or Long-Term Disability Insurance
New identity theft protection coverage option through Allstate
No evidence of insurability required for Short-Term Disability insurance and Optional Life (if elected during Benefits Annual Enrollment)
Virtual Benefits Presentation
Join us for a virtual benefits presentation at 11 a.m., today, Friday, Oct. 29, for an overview of this year’s benefits changes and learn how to make the best elections for you. To attend, simply download the meeting link to your calendar or follow this link on the day of the presentation.
Things to Remember
Select Dollars. As always, Texas Children’s contributes the majority of the costs associated with our medical plans and also provides all full-time and part-time employees with additional money on a bi-weekly basis (referred to as Select Dollars) to help offset the cost of any benefit premiums, regardless of whether you are enrolled in Texas Children’s medical benefits.
FSAs. If you do not make any elections during Benefits Annual Enrollment, you will be enrolled based on last year’s elections, with the exception of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). To participate in either the Healthcare or Dependent Care FSA in 2022, which Texas Children’s automatically contributes $260, you must make an election during Benefits Annual Enrollment.
Enrollment. Benefit changes after Annual Enrollment are not permitted under federal regulations, except for qualified life events and certain job status changes. Otherwise, the next opportunity for you to change your benefit elections is the 2023 Benefits Annual Enrollment period.
403(b) Retirement. Texas Children’s matches 50 percent on the first 6 percent of your deferral contributions per pay period, up to a maximum of $8,700 for 2021. If you are not already enrolled in the 403(b) savings plan or not contributing at least 6 percent, you should consider doing so now. To enroll or update your contribution, please visit Fidelity NetBenefits or call 1-800-343-0860 to access your online account. If you are registering online for the first time, please click on “Register as a new user” in the log-in area. To view information on Texas Children’s contributions and vesting, please click here.
Roth. Remember that you can contribute pre-tax or Roth after-tax through the 403(b) savings plan. Your contributions to a Roth 403(b) and traditional pre-tax 403(b) cannot exceed the IRS limit.
Pension Plan. The Pension Plan is designed to provide a foundation for your retirement and is fully funded by Texas Children’s. You are automatically enrolled in the plan on April 1 or Oct. 1 once you reach 21 years of age and have worked 1,000 hours or more during the 12 consecutive months after your initial date of hire. To access your account, please visit LifeWorks or call 1-800-752-8230. To view information on Texas Children’s contributions and vesting, please click here.
Question? Need help?
Ask Emma, Your Personal Digital Benefits Advisor
Available 24/7 in both English and Spanish from any desktop or mobile device, Ask Emma will offer confidential guidance and advice to help you select the right benefits for you and your family.
Texas Children’s Benefits Service Center
Our Benefits team is available to help from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday – Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, Oct. 30 and Nov. 6.
To reach the team by phone, call 832-824-2421 (select option 1 for Benefits and then option 1 again). Spanish language assistance is also available.
To reach the team via web chat, follow the link at the top of your Benefits homepage.
You can access all of your benefits in one place, make your 2022 benefit selections or learn more about this year’s Annual Enrollment, including a schedule of events to promote our benefit offerings. Visit the 2022 What’s New page at TexasChildrensBenefits.org
You’ve worked hard all year to further our mission and provide the best care for our patients. Now, it’s time for us to plan your Tomorrow, Together. Review your benefit options today.
October 29, 2021
In honor of her dedicated service to Texas Children’s Pediatrics (TCP) and long-held commitment to foster access to quality care and education, Texas Children’s is renaming the Community Care Center at Corinthian Pointe for retired physician Dr. Cheryl Hardin.
President and CEO Mark A. Wallace unveiled the new Dr. Cheryl L. Hardin Community Care Center at TCP Corinthian Pointe in a surprise announcement at Hardin’s retirement celebration, where he also presented her with a commemorative plaque.
“Dr. Hardin left a remarkable impression on her many patients around the Houston community. Because of her dedication, her legacy will certainly live on through the lives she touched during her time at Texas Children’s,” Mr. Wallace said. “While Dr. Hardin will be tremendously missed, we are all excited to see her enter this new season of life, and remain grateful for the impact she made throughout the organization.”
Hardin initially joined TCP through her residency with Baylor College of Medicine in 1990, ultimately serving in various roles across a 16-year career. Most recently, she was a pediatrician at the Corinthian Pointe community care clinic, where she had a special affinity for specialty care areas that included allergies, breastfeeding, safety and health and wellness. Corinthian Pointe is a community-based collaborative health and wellness center that provides an accessible medical home to children and families.
Hardin has seen more than 47,000 patients since April 2008, and has also served on the TCP/Texas Children’s Urgent Care Board of Directors for seven years. She received a resolution of gratitude for excellent service on the board.
“Dr. Hardin has been a devoted advocate for the needs of our patients and the community, and her selfless spirit will be truly missed,” said Daniel Gollins, President of Texas Children’s Pediatrics and Urgent Care. “The entire Texas Children’s Pediatrics family is inspired by Dr. Hardin’s legacy and grateful for her contributions to improving access to quality health care for all.”
As the medical director of Reach Out and Read Texas and contributor to numerous organizations, Hardin is deeply involved in furthering the advancement of health care access to medically underserved populations.
Her memberships include the National Association of Clinicians for the Underserved and the Neighborhood Centers Head Start Health Advisory. She is also a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Mary Susan Moore Medical Society, Texas Pediatric Society and Association of Clinicians for the Underserved.
In November 2009, Hardin became the third recipient from Texas Children’s of the KHOU-TV/Cadillac Texas Spirit Award for her outstanding patient care and service at TCP Corinthian Pointe – an honor she shares with Mr. Wallace.
Hardin earned her medical degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine and holds an undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis. She completed her residency at Texas Children’s and Baylor College of Medicine.
The revamped and redesigned 2021 Annual Required Training (ART) is available in HealthStream through Sunday, October 31, giving Texas Children’s entire workforce an opportunity to stay up-to-date on the essential patient safety and quality of care information at the heart of our mission.
Have you done your part to help Texas Children’s reach the goal of 100 percent completion across the organization? Check out how your campus location/entity is progressing below and encourage your fellow team members to get going with ART today.
By the Numbers: ART completion rates across the organization
Texas Children’s Health Plan
Assigned: 840
Completed: 749
Not Completed: 91
Percent Complete: 89 percent
Helpful reminders for ART 2021
All members of Texas Children’s workforce are required to complete the training, which consists of four modules with a fresh new look and relevant content for 2021. If you were hired after January 1, 2021 you are exempt from completing the course.
For credit, you must review all the slides and pass the test at the end of each module.
Employees who are on leave of absence must complete ART within 30 days of their return to work.
Contractors and volunteers will complete the alternate ART course, which will be administered by their leader instead of through HealthStream.
Contact your leader for instructions.
Leaders can receive their HealthStream dashboard to track completion results for the team members in their cost center(s).
How to access ART in three easy steps
Click on the “ART/Learning Academy/HealthStream” link on the Connect homepage under the “Quick Links” heading.
Log into HealthStream using your Texas Children’s e-mail and password.
On the “To Do” tab in HealthStream, click on the “Start” link next to the course labeled, “2021 Texas Children’s Annual Required Training.”
Need assistance?
For problems accessing HealthStream, contact the IS Service Desk at 832-824-3512, Option 2.
If the course is not giving you the correct completion status or allowing you to advance through the modules, you may need to clear your browsing history. Follow these instructions.
