March 22, 2016

BryanCardona175Bryan Cardona of Texas Children’s Gordon Emergency Center is the latest Texas Children’s Super Star employee. “I believe the people who focus their efforts on the hospital functioning at is best, and don’t care for who gets the recognition, are the super stars of the hospital,” Cardona said. Read more of Cardona’s interview and find out how you can nominate a Super Star.

Q&A: Bryan Cardona, September 2015 Employee

Your name, title and department. How long have you worked here?
My name is Bryan Cardona. I work as a clinical support technician in the Texas Children’s Gordon Emergency Center. I have worked at Texas Children’s Hospital almost two years.

What month are you Super Star for?
September 2015

Tell us how you found out you won a super star award.
I was surprised by both my former and current manager. They tricked me thinking it was just a normal routine meeting, and then surprised me with the announcement that I had won a Super Star Award.

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?
It feels really good, and I take the recognition with humility. I believe this is a stepping stone in the right direction, and I thank Texas Children’s Hospital for the award. This organization is composed of intelligent, hard-working people and being around them has helped me learn so much about life.

What do you think makes someone at Texas Children’s a super star?
I read some good quotes from a booklet John Nickens gave me. I loved this quote from Benjamin Jowett, “The way to get things done is not to mind who gets the credit for doing them.” I believe the people who focus their efforts on the hospital functioning at is best, and don’t care for who gets the recognition, are the super stars of the hospital.

What is your motivation for going above and beyond every day at work?
Colossians 3:23. “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” People ask me why I work hard, and my answer is, “because of Him.”

What is the best thing about working at Texas Children’s?
The best reason is the children. The children’s smile, joy and courage can’t be compared with anything else.

What does it mean to you that everyone at Texas Children’s is considered a leader? What is your leadership definition?
Everyone influences Texas Children’s Hospital with their own unique gifts. Leadership is exercising one’s strength to influence others.

Anything else you want to share?
I want to tell everyone that without Jesus I wouldn’t be who I am now. Have faith and don’t be ashamed of your weaknesses because in your weakness you find true strength.

March 15, 2016

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From the implementation of eco-friendly programs to reduce medical waste, enhance energy conservation and promote recycling practices, environmental sustainability at Texas Children’s touches all areas of operations within the hospital.

As the nation celebrates Earth Day next month, Texas Children’s Green Team is doing its part to reduce our organization’s environmental footprint. Over the last year, the Green Team has successfully engaged employees and staff around several collaborative initiatives to help Texas Children’s go green.

Below is a brief summary of some of these Green Team accomplishments:

Reduce medical waste – The conversion to reusable sharps containers at Main and West campuses in 2015 reduced medical waste by 15 percent. Since making the switch, the hospital has saved approximately 80,000 pounds of waste annually. Texas Children’s was spending $250,000 annually on traditional sharps containers plus disposal fees and now it expects to save $150,000 each year. The goal for 2016 is to reduce regulated medical waste by another 10 to 20 percent.

Maximize recycling – The Green Team installed more than 100 recycling bins at Main and West campuses in January 2016. Since the program’s implementation, 21,000 pounds of recyclable materials have been collected. These include aluminum cans, cardboard, non-confidential office paper, plastic bottles, newspapers, magazines and phone books. This year’s goals include standardizing office supplies to include more recycled options, optimizing the use of the toner recycle program and bolstering cardboard recycling education.

Save energy and reduce costs – Texas Children’s has reduced energy consumption by implementing a number of equipment upgrades while continually working with staff to build a culture of energy conservation system-wide.

  • Installed LED lamps in all Pavilion for Women elevators
  • Replaced 5,500 50-watt spot lamps with 7-watt LED lamps to reduce energy
  • Reduced chilled water consumption for A/C use by 20 percent to optimize better temperature control throughout the buildings
  • Reduced steam consumption by 25 percent by adjusting the heating water temperatures from 180 degrees Fahrenheit to 130 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Turned off bridge lights when enough natural light is coming through
  • Used the building automation system to turn off lighting and HVAC for unoccupied areas
  • Renegotiated electricity contract resulting in a cost savings of $670,000
  • Texas Children’s has saved more than $10 million in energy costs since 2008

Green transportation – In 2015, the Green Team unveiled Texas Children’s fleet of 12 shuttle buses equipped with an environmentally-friendly fueling system. Instead of using diesel, all shuttles are fueled by propane. Switching to this much cleaner-burning gas reduced our carbon footprint by 70 percent and makes Texas Children’s the first hospital in the Texas Medical Center to offer completely green-friendly shuttle service.

Save the date – Texas Children’s Earth Day Celebration

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

Dozens of vendors will be available to provide eco-friendly, cost-saving tips to employees including how to become more energy efficient, tips on eating green, as well as ways to reduce waste and recycle more.

Two tree planting events are slated for Earth Day. West Campus President Chanda Cashen Chacón and Vice President Matt Schaefer will plant a tree at West Campus and Executive Vice President John Nickens will plant one at Main Campus thanks to the generous donations from Trees for Houston.

Stay tuned to Connect for more details about Texas Children’s Earth Day celebrations. Also, if you’d like to reach out to the Green Team with your green ideas, email teamgreen@texaschildrens.org.

March 8, 2016

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Hundreds of children recently gathered with hospital staff on the 3rd floor Auxiliary bridge of Texas Children’s Hospital and outside the main entrance of Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus to participate in one of the medical system’s most popular events – the annual teddy bear clinic.

During the clinic, children are given the opportunity to act out the roles of various health care staff such as doctors, nurses, therapists and technicians. Children pretend to perform a variety of tests, exams and therapies to diagnosis their Teddy bear’s symptoms and heal its body.

Hosted by Child Life to celebrate national Child Life Week, the event celebrates our patients and families and how the intimate world of play is used to encourage children’s learning and support children’s coping.

March 1, 2016

3216purplesongsinside640Dr. Jennifer Arnold and 13-year old Peyton Richardson, a patient at Texas Children’s Cancer Center, recently collaborated on an exciting new project – they wrote and recorded the powerful lyrics to their new song in the Purple Songs Can Fly studio.

Purple Songs Can Fly is a unique program that provides a musical outlet for children being treated for cancer and blood disorders at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers. In this program, which is the first of its kind, the children work with founder, Anita Kruse, and other professional composers to write and record their own songs. In an in-house studio at Texas Children’s, composers work with children and their siblings to write, record, and burn songs to disc within short session.

“Having gone through cancer myself and being a patient here at Texas Children’s, I had heard about Purple Songs Can Fly, but as an adult, I never thought about trying it,” said Arnold, the medical director of Texas Children’s Simulation Center. “When TCH asked if I’d like to sing with Peyton, I was 100 percent on board.”

Their song titled, “A smile and a thank you to you,” delivers a strong message that despite going through a tough time like battling cancer, it’s important to always keep a positive attitude which is only possible by drawing from your inner strength and the love and strength of those around you.

“Both Peyton and I wanted to share the appreciation of our loved ones in our song,” Arnold said.

Watch The Little Couple tonight at 8 p.m. on TLC to watch them sing their song.

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Here at Texas Children’s, we are a community that cares for each other, so as we get ready to celebrate National Nutrition Month in March, it is important to remember that healthy eating is always in season.

March is National Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme is Savor the Flavor of Eating Right. Let’s take time to enjoy your meal traditions, savor great flavors and cultivate the social experiences that food can add to our lives. To celebrate this important month, the Food and Nutrition department in partnership with Employee Health and Wellness is sponsoring several events throughout the month of March that will provide you with tips on how to develop a mindful eating pattern while enjoying nutritious and flavorful food.

Keep in mind that how, when, why and where we eat are just as important as what we eat. Develop a mindful eating pattern that includes nutritious and flavorful foods – that’s the best way to savor the flavor of eating right.

Bon Appetit!

Upcoming events:

Main Campus

My Plate Bridge Event
Date: Wednesday, March 2
Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: The Auxiliary Bridge

Dietitians and diet technicians with Clinical Nutrition Services are hosting a bridge event that will focus on creating a healthy plate that includes adding flavors and other ingredients that will improve the quality and nutrition of the food we eat. There will be games for children and lots of information for everyone.

Cooking Demos
Dates: Tuesdays, March 8, 15, 22, 29
Time: 11 a.m. (while supplies last)
Location: Pavilion for Women Fresh Bistro

We have challenged our chefs to make exciting meals flavored with various herbs and spices instead of salt. The meals – which are listed below – will be available for purchase while supplies last.

March 8: Chef Achim will be serving savory herb crusted tilapia with tomato/lime vegetable fettuccine.
March 15: Chef Lyle will be serving quinoa crusted fish tacos with whole wheat tortilla, Spanish brown rice and cilantro black beans.
March 22: Chef Kenya and Chef Joseph will be serving lemongrass chicken wraps with Asian slaw topped with sriracha sauce.
March 29: Chef Holley will be serving grilled chicken breast, roasted chayote, chipotle black bean cake, avocado and corn salsa.

Well-Being Brown Bag with Registered Dietitian Amy Kennedy
Date: Wednesday, March 23
Time: noon to 1 p.m.
Location: Feign Center, 18B

Amy Kennedy will provide educational tips on how to develop healthy, mindful eating patterns. She also will talk about how to infuse flavor while reducing sodium, sugar and unhealthy fats while cooking.

West Campus

Cooking Demo
Date: Tuesday, March 15
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Luby’s DOTS Kitchen

Chef Joe will cook a dish from Luby’s Livin’ Smart recipes, which have 600 calories or less, less than 30 percent of calories from fat, and more than 3 grams of fiber. The meal will be available for purchase while supplies last.

Cooking Demo with Samples
Date: Tuesday, March 22
Time: 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location: Luby’s DOTS Kitchen

Chef Joe will cook a dish from Luby’s Livin’ Smart recipes, which have 600 calories or less, less than 30 percent of calories from fat, and more than 3 grams of fiber. Samples of the meal will be provided while supplies last.

Texas Children’s Blog Post
Check out Texas Children’s blog during the month of March for periodic posts from our dietitians about healthy eating and proper nutrition.

Resources to support your nutrition
The Employee Health and Wellness team supports our staff in achieving optimal well-being by providing a variety of nutrition resources.

  • My Fit Foods, 15 percent off purchases in store, register for discount card here.
  • Snap Kitchen, 10 percent off purchases in store
  • Weight Watchers, 50 percent subsidy on membership
  • The Employee Medical Clinic provides free nutrition counseling and health coaching. Call Ext. 4-2150, opt. 2 for more information.

For more information about proper nutrition and National Nutrition Month events at Texas Children’s, please visit the Wellness website on Connect or email wellbeing@texaschildrens.org. And, to learn more about healthy eating opportunities at Texas Children’s cafes and eateries, click here.

February 16, 2016

21716Texansinside640On February 10, in honor of Heart Month, Houston Texans Brian Peters and Jon Weeks, Houston Texans Cheerleaders and TORO brought smiles to patients at Texas Children’s Heart Center. The players, cheerleaders and TORO also got into the Valentine’s Day spirit as they posed for shots in a photo booth, made cards, signed autographs and brought smiles to patient families. To see more pictures from the Texans visit, see below. To watch a video of the visit, click here.

Texas Children’s wants its employees to know their service and long-term contribution to the mission is appreciated. That’s why once a year at the annual Employee Recognition Celebration the organization rolls out the red carpet and pampers those who have been with Texas Children’s for 15 plus years.

This year, the event was held on February 9 at the Bayou Event Center amid a sea of round tables decorated with candelabras and 3-foot-tall flower arrangements. As the more than 500 honorees arrived, they fanned out across the ballroom, mingling, posing for photos and noshing on a sit-down lunch before the official program began with a performance from the Bayou City Brass Band.

“Happy Fat Tuesday!,” President and CEO Mark A. Wallace told the crowd. “It is amazing to look around the room and see so many familiar faces who have been an integral part of Texas Children’s tremendous growth and success.”

“Did you know that all of you together in this room equates to nearly 9,000 combined years of service at Texas Children’s,” Wallace asked. “I am humbled by this staggering number but it does not even begin to measure the infinite passion you deliver for our mission each and every day.”

In addition to Wallace, honorees heard words of thanks and encouragement from Pathologist-in-Chief James Versalovic, Senior Vice President Linda Aldred and Board of Trustee Member Jodie Jiles before being led down the red carpet and on to a stage where leaders shook their hands and thanked them for their 15, 20, 25, 30 and 40 years of service to Texas Children’s. Recipients of the Best of the West, Mark A. Wallace Catalyst Leadership, Smiles and Super Star awards also were recognized.

“I’m proud to be part of this organization,” said 20-year honoree Richard Nguyen. “It’s all about the people and that’s what I really like.”

Congratulations to all of the honorees!

A copy of the event’s program can be found here and a photo gallery of the celebration can be found below.