April 19, 2016

 

42016earthdaypromo640As employees at Texas Children’s, we go green every day. Our eco-friendly programs help us reduce medical waste, conserve energy, enhance recycling and save significant dollars on operational costs. But, have you ever wondered how you and your family can go green?

Then, don’t forget to mark your calendar for Texas Children’s Earth Day celebration!

On Friday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Green Team will host two exciting and informative events on Earth Day – one on The Auxiliary Bridge at Main Campus and one at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus.

Below is a preview of the Earth Day activities slated for Main and West Campuses, including some pretty cool giveaways for attendees:

Vendors
Dozens of vendors will provide eco-friendly, cost-saving tips to employees including how to become more energy efficient, tips on eating green and growing an organic garden, and ways for everyone to reduce waste and recycle more to promote a cleaner, healthier planet. At Main Campus, HEB Buddy will make a special appearance. Click here to see a complete list of vendors at Main and West campuses.

Green Team booth
The Green Team will be handing out customized Green Team water bottles and seeded confetti packets at the Green Team tables – so be sure to get there early since supplies are limited. The Green Team also will introduce Texas Children’s new alkaline battery recycling initiative that will be launched this summer. And, there will be a trivia game to test your knowledge on tips to go green for a chance to win prizes.

Safe disposal of expired medications
Pharmacy will be hosting the Medication Disposal and Medication Take Back Program. Please bring expired or unused medications for proper disposal at the event.

Tree planting

10 a.m. – West Campus President Chanda Cashen Chacon and Vice President Matt Schaefer will plant a tree on the lake shoreline about 20 feet from last year’s West Campus tree planting. A surprise guest will be part of the tree planting festivities.

3 p.m. – Executive Vice President John Nickens will plant the second tree in front of the Feigin Center on Holcombe Boulevard.

The trees for both events were generously donated by Trees for Houston.

Let the countdown begin…..

The Green Team looks forward to seeing everyone there! To reach out to the Green Team with your green ideas or ideas we should consider for the next Earth Day celebration, email teamgreen@texaschildrens.org

April 12, 2016

41316pieMOD640Last Thursday, the Facilities Planning and Development team hosted a “Pie your Leader Day” outside the Meyer Building to raise money for the March of Dimes. For $4 a pie, employees smooshed pies of whipped cream on their leaders’ faces to support a worthy cause – helping to improve the health of babies.

March for Babies Walk

You can show your support by participating in the 2016 March for Babies walk on Sunday, April 24, at 9 a.m. at the University of Houston. Whether you join a Texas Children’s team or start your own team, the five-mile walk promises to be a fun day out with people who share our passion for improving the health of babies.

Last year, Texas Children’s March for Babies team was no. 9 among corporate teams for the walk, collectively raising more than $64,000. This year, as a Signature sponsor, Texas Children’s goal is to raise $120,000 that will support the March of Dimes.

“If each hospital department/unit raises an average of about $1,500, with 35 participating teams, we will reach our goal,” said Judy Swanson, vice president of Texas Children’s Newborn Center. “Texas Children’s is off to a great start with a $75,000 contribution from the system to date.”

At the March for Babies walk, there will be family teams, company teams and people walking with friends. To donate or sign up for a Texas Children’s team, type TCH in the team search bar and select your team.

If you want to build your own team, please identify a spirited organizer in your department to be a team captain for Texas Children’s. Once identified, please send their contact information to Sharla Weindorff. Contact Sharla at Ext. 4-2011 if you have further questions.

To learn more about March for Babies, click here.

April 5, 2016

4616GirijaBabu175Girija Babu of Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women’s Mother/Baby Unit is the latest Texas Children’s Super Star employee. “Leadership in my definition is not just someone who leads a group but someone who works along with their group and helps them through their problems like their own family member,” Babu said. Read more of Babu’s interview and find out how you can nominate a Super Star.

Q&A: Girija Babu, November 2015

Your name, title and department. How long have you worked here?
Girija Babu, Registered Nurse in Pavilion for Women Mother/Baby Unit. I have been working at Texas Children’s Hospital for the past six years.

What month are you Super Star for?
November 2015.

Tell us how you found out you won a super star award.
Through an amazing surprise party arranged by my nursing leadership and my coworkers.

What does it mean to be recognized for the hard work you do? How has the organization helped you achieve your personal and professional goals?
I feel honored to know my work has made an impact on the lives of others, allowing them to choose me as their super star. It is a very pleasant news to me. This organization has allowed me to achieve the goal in my career through the support and guidance of my leadership, the team work of my colleagues, and the trust and encouragement of doctors. It is very fortunate to work with them. Without the support of them I wouldn’t have received this award.

What do you think makes someone at Texas Children’s a super star?
I think we all are super stars in one way or another. Those who are hardworking, passionate towards the work, and enjoy what they do has to be appreciated.

What is your motivation for going above and beyond every day at work?
My motivation is my family and my coworkers. Those who I believe have believed in me, more than I do at times. They have allowed me to be a better person at my work and even in my personal life.

What is the best thing about working at Texas Children’s?
I cannot just choose one thing I believe is the best about Texas Children’s. Everything the hospital offers me is the best I have ever had. The wonderful people whom I work with everyday are the reason behind my smile at work.

What does it mean to you that everyone at Texas Children’s is considered a leader? What is your leadership definition?
The friendly faculty at Texas Children’s all have great qualities of a leader. Each one of them has done a tremendous amount of great deeds to be considered as a great leader. Leadership in my definition is not just someone who leads a group but someone who works along with their group and helps them through their problems like their own family member.

Anything else you want to share?
I want to thank Texas Children’s for always being a second family for me and recognizing me with the Super Star award. I would like to thank the wonderful people I work with every day, who helped me achieve this award. Special thanks to the Neo team for their trust in me, the continuous support, and encouragement. Being the Super Star motivates me to do more and work harder. Thank you.

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In honor of Doctor’s Day, Texas Children’s recognized its physicians at a March 30 luncheon at the Pavilion for Women and Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus.

The purpose of the luncheon was to thank our talented physicians for all they do for our organization and the health of the children who come to Texas Children’s each year.

Thank you!

March 30, 2016

Have you seen the fun music video starring Texas Children’s employees? Take a look at our people and the great things we do each and every day.

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The Texas Children’s Code of Ethical Behavior sets forth the guidelines that govern our interactions among workforce members, patients, and vendors, and sets expectations for our behavior, in order to ensure we achieve our purpose in full compliance with our values and the law.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does Texas Children’s have a Code of Ethical Behavior?

  • Ethics are an essential and integral part of any successful company, especially in health care. Since we work in a complex and highly regulated industry, it is essential that we have a uniform code that guides workforce members on carrying out the Texas Children’s mission ethically and with integrity, and protects Texas Children’s, its employees, and its patients.

2. What is the Texas Children’s Code of Ethical Behavior?

The general principles that guide our behavior at work. These include:

  • Following the law: Not sure about whether something is legal? Contact the Compliance and Privacy Office at 832-824-2085 or at compliance@texaschildrens.org and ask!
  • Ethical business practices: Texas Children’s values openness, honesty, and expects its workforce to adhere to the highest standards of ethical business practices.
  • Avoiding conflicts of interest: Taking part in an activity that may influence or appear to influence your decision making.
  • Following Texas Children’s policies and procedures: All Texas Children’s policies and procedures are available on PolicyTech, accessible here: https://texaschildrens.policytech.com/
  • Reporting inappropriate or unethical conduct or activity: Texas Children’s provides a confidential and anonymous way to report compliance or ethical concerns, for which regular channels may be uncomfortable or otherwise inappropriate. To make an anonymous report, workforce members can either: 1) call the Texas Children’s Confidential Hotline (1-866-478-9070) to report their concerns, or 2) make a report online at http://mycompliancereport.com (enter password TEX).
  • Maintaining confidentiality: Every Texas Children’s workforce member has a duty to safeguard the health information of our patients and members, and shall not access/use/disclose any patient/member protected health information except for the purposes of payment, treatment, or operations. No one may access a patient’s or member’s protected health information unless it relates to their work-duties at Texas Children’s.
  • Keeping accurate and complete records: It is essential that all documentation and records are accurate. When a mistake is made, Texas Children’s expects that error to be reported so it can be corrected.
  • Doing what is right, not what it easy: Sometimes doing nothing, or taking the wrong action, is easier than doing the right thing. All Texas Children’s workforce members are expected to take action and report unethical behavior, even if it is difficult.

3. To whom does the Code of Ethical Behavior apply?

  • The Code of Ethical Behavior applies to all Texas Children’s entities, and all Texas Children’s workforce members individually, including employees, medical staff, volunteers, contractors, consultants, temporary employees, trainees, or other persons whose performance of work is under the direction or supervision or on behalf of Texas Children’s, whether or not they are paid by Texas Children’s.

Remember, if you see something that you believe to be unethical or illegal, you should raise your concerns or ask questions. Thank you for your commitment to ensuring Texas Children’s continues its high standard of ethical practices in order to best serve our patients.

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Don’t forget to sign up to participate in the 2016 March for Babies walk on Sunday, April 24, at 9 a.m. at the University of Houston. Whether you join a Texas Children’s team or start your own team, the five-mile walk promises to be a fun day out with people who share our passion for improving the health of babies.

Last year, Texas Children’s March for Babies team was no. 9 among corporate teams for the walk, collectively raising more than $64,000. This year, as a Signature sponsor, Texas Children’s goal is to raise $120,000 that will support the March of Dimes.

“If each hospital department/unit raises an average of about $1,500, with 35 participating teams, we will reach our goal,” said Judy Swanson, vice president of Texas Children’s Newborn Center. “Texas Children’s is off to a great start with a $75,000 contribution from the system to date.”

At the March for Babies walk, there will be family teams, company teams and people walking with friends. To donate or sign up for a Texas Children’s team, type TCH in the team search bar and select your team.

If you want to build your own team, please identify a spirited organizer in your department to be a team captain for Texas Children’s. Once identified, please send their contact information to Sharla Weindorff. Contact Sharla at Ext. 4-2011 if you have further questions.

Timeline

  • Friday, April 8 – Walker registration due is $25 and includes a Team TCH shirt and a BBQ ticket at the walk
  • Friday, April 22 – All walker donation forms due. Each walker’s fundraising goal is $100 to earn the March of Dimes 2016 T-shirt
  • Sunday, April 24 – March of Dimes Walk, University of Houston

To learn more about March for Babies, click here.

Helpful tips to prepare for the walk

Before lacing up your shoes, Texas Children’s Employee Health and Wellness offer tips to help you prepare and become more comfortable with what to expect during the five-mile walk.

  • Fuel up before the walk. It is important to give your body ample time to breakdown the needed nutrients and allow your stomach to settle before your race. So eat something, such as multigrain bread, fruits or vegetables, about three hours beforehand.
  • Make sure to stretch before the walk. Stretching with help lengthen your muscles, give you a longer stride and prevent any injuries.
  • Always warm up by starting off your walk with a slower pace for about 5 minutes. After you feel like your muscles are warm, pick up the pace. Challenge yourself and walk at different intervals, fast for 3 minutes, slower pace for 3 minutes.
  • Dress for 15 to 20 degrees warmer. It is also important to not overdress. Check out the weather forecast and dress for 15 to 20 degrees warmer as this is how much your body will warm up once you start running. If it is going to be cold, bring expendable clothing that you are okay with not getting back, and shed these after you warm up.
  • Find your pace. Pay attention to your heart rate and breathing. Remember, this walk is for you, so don’t worry about others around you or their race times. Instead, focus on breathing and walk at a pace where your heart rate is elevated. However don’t overdo it, you should be able to walk and carry a conversation at the same time.
  • Use good walking posture. Make sure to stand up straight, head up, abdomen flat, shoes pointing straight ahead, and use an arm swing.
  • Stay hydrated during the walk. Keeping your body hydrated is essential is key to success. Be sure to carry water. As the temperatures rise make sure that you maintain your hydration. In very hot weather, add in a sports drink to help replenish your electrolytes.

Here are 7 tips on how to pick out the perfect walking shoes.

  1. A walker’s foot hits heel first and then rolls gradually from heel-to-toe. So, you will need a flexible sole and more bend in the toe than a runner. You should be able to twist and bend the toe area.
  2. Look for a shoe that is light weight and breathable. The last thing you want is a heavy walking shoe.
  3. Make sure the shoe that fits properly. Be sure your foot has enough room in the toe box. There should be a thumbnails width (or about a half inch) between your toes and the end of the shoe. The shoe should be wide enough in the toe that your toes can move freely. Your heel should not slip, and the shoe should not pinch or bind, especially across the arch or ball of your foot.
  4. Try on new shoes at the end of the day or after your walk when your feet may be slightly swollen. Also be sure to wear the same socks you will be wearing during your walks. This can make a huge difference in how the shoe fits. Try on both shoes. Your feet may not be the same size (really!).
  5. Walk around for a few minutes on a hard surface. It is worth the effort to find the right shoe for you and it is worth spending a few extra dollars.
  6. Wear your shoes in the house for a few days to try them out. Don’t venture outdoors until you are sure the shoes are going to work for you. (If the shoes are not going to work out you will want to exchange them before scuffing them up outside.)
  7. Keep track of how many miles you have put on your shoes, and replace them every 300 to 600 miles (480 to 970 km). (If you are wearing very light weight shoes, are overweight, or you are hard on your shoes stay toward the low end on mileage.) To extend the life of your shoes be sure to only wear them only for your walks. Also rotating two pair of shoes will give them time to “bounce back” between walks.