July 19, 2021

This month’s Take FIVE recognizes that people have multiple parts of who they are, including race and gender – this is called intersectionality. Importantly, the ways these identities layer on top of one another can increase the challenges of each one. For Black women, this can create multiple opportunities for mistreatment.

  1. What is Intersectionality? Kimberlé Crenshaw describes intersectionality and powerfully highlights how it results in exclusion and erasure of African American women: https://www.ted.com/talks/kimberle_crenshaw_the_urgency_of_intersectionality?language=en
  2. Young, Gifted, and Black – and Over-Monitored: Young Black female athletes have a history of being overly critiqued, especially in relation to how they look and present to the public. Recent examples of controversy and criticism include: Responses to champion tennis player Serena Williams’ catsuit at the 2018 French Open which she wore to manage blood clots following a medically challenging pregnancy (https://www.vox.com/2018/8/28/17791518/serena-williams-catsuit-ban-french-open-tennis-racist-sexist-country-club-sport), record-breaking sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson’s style and response to family trauma surrounding the qualifying trials for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics (https://www.thezoereport.com/beauty/history-of-black-track-field-athletes-manicures), and backlash to tennis star Naomi Osaka’s decision to take a break from press conferences to protect her mental health (https://time.com/6077128/naomi-osaka-essay-tokyo-olympics/).
  3. Barriers to Advancement in Academia: Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones made headlines with the challenges, hurdles, and discrimination she faced in seeking Tenure for the Knight Chair professorship position she was offered at UNC-Chapel Hill. Her experience reflects the systemic roadblocks that Black academics – especially Black women – face in their careers (https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2021/07/09/black-women-underrepresented-tenure-university-faculty/7890102002/).
  4. Persistent, Stark Wage Inequality: Houston Chronicle article spells out the many factors that systematically lead to higher poverty in Black women. They highlight data that Black women made 61.3 cents for every dollar made by non-Hispanic White men – and that the comparison is 47.1 cents to the dollar locally. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/Gender-inequality-can-be-fixed-New-University-of-15125694.php
  5. Intersectionality and Transgender: Black transgender women are too often the victims of violence based on their intersecting identities of gender and race (https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/13/us/black-transgender-women-attacks-trnd/index.html). With a history of erasure and victimization, Black trans women have played an important role in fighting for women’s equal rights. https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a35746428/black-trans-women-fight-for-womens-rights/
May 25, 2021

May is AAPI Heritage Month! Learn more about this national celebration, AAPIs in the U.S. and within our team, and key issues affecting our AAPI communities. Read More

December 14, 2020

We heard you, Texas Children’s!

After inviting our team members to participate in the first Amplify Unity pulse survey on diversity and inclusion, more than 2,500 of you raised your voices to share how we can cultivate more open and honest conversations that build trust, respect and understanding.

Based on your votes and the algorithm used by the Waggl pulse survey platform, the top survey responses called out a need for the organization to “increase diverse representation” and “enable equality of opportunity.” You want to “include everyone in the dialogue” and provide “more education on effective communication,” particularly how to handle crucial conversations. You want to see the hiring and promotion of leaders who are “comfortable discussing diversity and inclusion,” and you want us to recognize the “value in diversity of thought” by “listening to a variety of employees” and encouraging participation from those who don’t usually contribute to conversations.

Now, we’re turning your candid and honest feedback into meaningful action that will expand our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion – moving all of us forward in the ongoing journey to ensure a workplace where every team member can feel they are valued and belong. Here’s where we plan to focus our efforts in 2021:

  • Building on Our Culture of Inclusion and Belonging
  • Helping You Navigate Difficult Conversations
  • Overcoming Our Unconscious Biases
  • Developing Our Leaders

For details on each area of focus and a full summary of the Amplify Unity pulse survey results, click here or tap the image above.

By participating in the first Amplify Unity pulse survey, our team members showed how much can be learned when we listen to each other and welcome the unique perspectives that make our organization so strong.

Look for additional updates and information about Texas Children’s ongoing movement to support diversity, equity and inclusion among our workforce throughout the coming year.

September 8, 2020

During the recent Cultural Competency Week celebration, Texas Children’s Health Plan employees had a chance to win prizes in exchange for thoughtful responses to questions posed each day.

Prize winners were:

  • Loan Lam, Senior Business Intelligence Analyst
  • Sofia Morffe, Utilization Management Specialist
  • Koby Mitchell, Utilization Management, Manager
  • Kristi Lemmert, Case Management, Manager
  • Adrian McKinney, Case Management, Manager
  • Alicia Ardon, Senior Call Center Representative

A sample of the answers are below and may offer us all ideas on how to best promote cultural engagement.

What are some ways that we can promote cultural competence in our everyday life?

  1. Get to know the community you work with. Talk to colleagues about what their weekend plans were: church, family meal, any traditions, etc.
  2. Be sensitive to colleagues who need to take time out to honor their religion/faith, family traditions – praying, religious holidays, cultural holidays, etc.
  3. Eat different cuisines with your friends and family and understand more about the specific country’s native culture/customs, why they choose certain foods (Is it indigenous, is there a cultural belief behind the food?)
  4. Encourage open dialogue. When there is a view you don’t understand or haven’t heard about, seek to understand.
  5. Create diverse networks. Establish friendships with those who are different from you.

When we practice cultural competence in health care, what are some positive results we can experience as a society?

When we practice cultural competency in health care, the individual is seen for who they are (without judgement), heard for what they say (without our interpretation of what they need), cared for with acceptance and understanding of the barriers they may face. Our job is to assess, provide information, give options and let them choose freely the actions they wish to take without coercion. It boils down to respecting the individual we are serving and all that comes with them, all that has shaped them and meeting them where they are. Cultural competence in health care is letting the person we care for be the expert in their life.

Benefits we can expect to see in society:

  • More trust
  • Self-efficacy
  • Personal responsibility
  • Improved health
  • Decreased bias
  • More respect

When was the last time you interacted with someone from another culture in a meaningful way? What did you learn from the experience?

The last time I interacted with someone of another culture in a meaningful (memorable) way was during a visit to the Sam’s Club. Even though it was some time ago, it still resonates with me today. My daughters were excited about the samples of pizza the Sam’s Club staff were providing. A Nigerian woman was one such staff member. One of my daughters, who is left-handed, stretched out her left hand to accept the pizza. The Nigerian woman became offended and began to mildly scold my daughter.

She explained that in her culture it is rude to accept food with only one hand outstretched and especially the left hand.

My daughter looked confused as to why she was being scolded. I explained to the woman that my daughter and I were not aware of her cultural etiquette and explained the differences pertaining to American culture. I told her my daughter meant no harm and thanked her for the opportunity to learn a bit about her culture. Inside I was actually offended myself that she would impose her culture in a place where it was not known or expected. However, my nursing background and training regarding cultural awareness afforded me a moment of pause to consider her feelings as well. I explained to my daughter that she didn’t do anything wrong, and how different cultures have different observances that we should respect whenever possible.

All employees of Texas Children’s Health Plan must take the state-mandated cultural competency course. It is available on HealthStream until Wednesday, September 30.

Smith Legacy Tower is lit red, white and blue – the official colors of the Houston Texans – in honor of our partner’s first regular season game on Thursday, September 10 against the defending Super Bowl Champs, the Kansas City Chiefs. Texas Children’s is the Official Children’s Hospital of the Houston Texans and local sponsor of PLAY 60, the NFL initiative encouraging kids to get 60 minutes of active play per day.

August 31, 2020

 

Each year in September, Texas Children’s Cancer Center goes gold to honor the courageous journeys of our patients and families who have been touched by pediatric cancer and to create awareness about the challenges these children and their loved ones face. It’s also a special time to honor our Cancer Center staff and everyone who plays a role in ensuring that our patients and their families get the care and support they need.

This year, awareness celebrations will be conducted differently to maintain social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We will celebrate with our families and staff in a virtual way, instead of the large celebratory gatherings across our four campuses (Main, West, Woodlands and Vannie Cook) that we have held in previous years.

“Despite the challenges we all face due to COVID-19, we have a phenomenal team of providers who will do whatever it takes 24/7 to ensure our patients and their families get the care and treatment they need,” said Dr. Susan Blaney, director of Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers. “Our Cancer Center helps children fight and defeat cancer every day. We hope you will stand with us in Going Gold for childhood cancer, so that together, we can create a healthier future for these children who need our care.”

In this video spotlight on Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Blaney shares how our teams are advancing science and research every day to find cures and give hope to the many patients and families we serve.

Virtual activities to raise awareness

Throughout September, Texas Children’s Cancer Center encourages staff to participate in several virtual activities to help shine the light on childhood cancer.

  • Patient and staff videos: Throughout the month of September, we will feature inspiring videos from patients and families sharing messages of encouragement and support to other families impacted by childhood cancer. Our Cancer Center staff will share video messages as well. The videos will be posted on Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers Facebook Page and our One Amazing Team Instagram Page.
  • Making a Mark virtual art gallery opens: Presented by The Periwinkle Foundation, the Making A Mark® exhibition will showcase art and creative writing by children ages 3 to 22 who have been affected by cancer and blood disorders. The exhibit opens each year in September and this year it will be hosted virtually on The Periwinkle Foundation website. The exhibit will feature over 130 pieces of art and creative writing made by patients and their siblings. A panel of guest judges have selected 15 purple ribbon pieces which they feel convey a positive message about childhood cancer and blood disorders awareness. Click here to access the art gallery.
  • Purple Songs Can Fly documentary – Purple Songs Can Fly, the first recording studio ever created on a pediatric cancer floor at Texas Children’s Hospital, will make its award-winning documentary, “Journey to Hope” available on YouTube September 12-30 during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. “Journey to Hope,” is an original musical production featuring six childhood cancer patients. Written and recorded in the Purple Songs Can Fly studio during their individual cancer journeys, the songs in the documentary spread messages of hope, love and resiliency.
  • Visit the Texas Children’s Blog for Cancer Center-related posts throughout the month. Stay tuned to Connect for more Texas Children’s awareness activities in September.
Virtual activities in the community

Patient Activities
The Cancer and Hematology Centers’ inpatient team is hosting a carnival and the outpatient team is hosting a variety of activities throughout the month to honor childhood cancer awareness month as well as the patient populations impacted by the diseases/disorders being honored in September.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
September 17: Houston City Hall lights up in Gold

Click here to learn more about Texas Children’s Cancer.

August 17, 2020

Texas Children’s continues to work hard with our vendor and community partners to implement new programs and opportunities to help lessen disruptions to our team members. As a reminder, check out this guide, which includes information on various topics related to schooling such as discounts, child care, distance learning and much more. Read more