February 12, 2024

Texas Children’s Hospital is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeffrey J. Kim, MD to the role of Division Chief of Pediatric Cardiology. Dr. Kim is a tenured professor with Baylor College of Medicine, internationally esteemed cardiologist and longtime leader at Texas Children’s top-ranked Heart Center.

“We are absolutely thrilled to announce Dr. Kim as the new Division Chief for Cardiology,” said Dr. Lara Shekerdemian, Texas Children’s Pediatrician-in-Chief and Professor and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor of College of Medicine. “Dr. Kim is a trusted leader, a brilliant clinician and highly respected throughout his field. I am certain that under his leadership, Cardiology will continue to reach new levels of excellence.”

Kim joined Texas Children’s in 2002 starting with fellowships at Baylor College of Medicine, and he has previously served as Director of Electrophysiology & Pacing and Chief of Strategic Operations for the Heart Center. He also currently serves as the Vice Chair of Faculty Development for the Department of Pediatrics. He is involved in collaborative translational research in cardiology, and is on faculty with the Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Department. He sits on numerous national boards and is currently acting President of the Pediatric and Congenital Electrophysiology Society.

“I am humbled and excited to serve as the next Division Chief for Cardiology…it’s an incredible team that has maintained unwavering resolve to innovate, advance the field and provide the best patient-centered care possible,” said Dr. Kim on his promotion. “The passion from this group has helped us become the world standard of excellence in lifelong care for those impacted by childhood cardiovascular disease. My hope is to find ways to make this remarkable division even better, and contribute more to our existing legacy at Texas Children’s Hospital.”

As part of an expanded leadership structure, Dr. Daniel Penny will now serve as Executive Director of Texas Children’s Heart Center. A search is now underway for his surgical Executive Co-Director.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Kim on his appointment!

Meet Benny Nguyen, surgical hospitalist physician assistant at Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin. Benny and his team will oversee a spectrum of surgical services, including general surgery, plastic surgery, orthopedics, urology and ENT. New to Austin, he’s ready to grow professionally and embark on a career-defining journey as we open our doors to the community.

What brought you to Texas Children’s?

I was born and raised in Charlotte, N.C., and from a young age, my interest has always been in sciences and medicine. I completed my undergraduate studies at North Carolina State University and then successfully completed the PA program at Wingate University, earning my Master’s degree and becoming board certified in December 2022. As I progressed in PA school and found a passion for pediatrics, I also discovered an interest in procedures and a desire for a more hands-on role. In addition to taking an elective rotation in dermatology, I also had the opportunity to complete a reconstructive plastic surgery rotation at MD Anderson, further confirming my affinity for surgery and exposing me to the remarkable Houston Med Center. After graduating, I aspired to integrate my passion for both pediatrics and surgery. Eager to embark on a new chapter in a different state, I stumbled upon news about TCH North Austin. Without hesitation, I reached out and promptly submitted my application, and officially accepted my position in May 2023.

What are you most excited about as we open North Austin Campus?

Alongside the excitement of commencing my career as a PA, I eagerly anticipate playing a key role in establishing and shaping the success and growth of the pediatric health care environment in Austin. I’m most excited about collaborating with my exceptional surgery team of APPs and surgeons and contributing to TCH history as inaugural team members of North Austin Campus.

Why did you become a physician assistant, and where do you see yourself in five years?

The versatility offered by the PA profession drew me in, and it’s precisely this adaptability that led to roles like the surgical hospitalist – it’s a testament to the ability to oversee and manage patients across multiple subspecialties. I envision myself evolving within the health care field and potentially taking on leadership roles as North Austin Campus grows and thrives. I aspire to contribute significantly to our health care system, leveraging my skills and experience to enhance patient care and make a positive impact.

What makes Austin a great place to work and live?

While my time in Austin has just started, I’m thrilled about venturing and immersing myself into new hobbies, discovering local restaurants and events, and exploring the unique shops in Austin and its surrounding districts. The city’s vibrancy, coupled with its continual evolution, makes it an exciting and vibrant place to both work and live.

What does providing the “Right Care” mean to you?

It goes beyond meeting standard health care norms. It involves deeply connecting with each patient and their journey, particularly as they navigate challenging times, and showing empathy during these moments. Beyond individual care, it extends to being a supportive presence for the entire family. Effectively leveraging all available resources and collaborating seamlessly with other departments and services ensures a comprehensive approach to the best possible patient experience.

Texas Children’s Hospital has one of the largest and most experienced Pediatric Surgery programs in the world, offering comprehensive surgical services for a broad range of diagnoses from routine to highly complex. With inpatient services opening next week, North Austin Campus will offer both children and women most of the services provided in the Medical Center, including all pediatric subspecialties, in our state-of-the-art operating rooms and surgical procedure suites.

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 opening updates, resources and more on the Austin Expansion SharePoint.

February 5, 2024

Last week, years of planning and hard work culminated in a special ribbon cutting ceremony and open house for employees to celebrate the grand opening of Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin. With the opening of North Austin Campus, we expand our hospital reach to four campuses, three of which are located in the Greater Houston area, including the esteemed Texas Medical Center.

The ribbon cutting just so happened to take place on Texas Children’s platinum anniversary, and with a “1-2-3, cut the ribbon!” we signaled a major milestone in our 70-year history. Afterwards, local press, community leaders, friends and partners of Texas Children’s were invited to take a first look at the $485 million, state-of-the-art, 365,000-square-foot campus through guided tours – exploring different areas of the hospital and taking in its unique design inspired by Central Texas landscape and ecology.

This changes everything in Austin

In the last 10 years, an estimated 30,000 children had to leave Austin and travel to Houston to receive specialized care. “Austin families and the surrounding communities deserve the most advanced treatment from world-renowned physicians at any given moment,” said Austin Senior Vice President Russ Williams. “Texas Children’s is doing their best to ensure this will happen now and in the future.”

Texas Children’s has been building a presence in Austin since 2018 with more than 20 locations offering pediatric, women’s, urgent and specialty care in the region. The opening of North Austin Campus – starting with outpatient clinics on Feb. 5 and inpatient services on Feb. 20 – will provide Austin families and surrounding communities with access to top-ranked services closer to home. What’s inside North Austin Campus? Here is just a highlight:

  • Five floors with 52 patient beds
  • 13-room emergency center seeking Level II designation
  • 11 urgent care rooms
  • 12-room NICU seeking Level IV designation (the highest level)
  • 10 ICU beds with room for another 14
  • Seven operating rooms (five for pediatrics and two for women’s)
  • Dedicated rooms for full L&D, recovery and postpartum stays
  • Renal/dialysis unit
  • Sleep study and epilepsy monitoring rooms
  • 170,000-square-foot outpatient building with a Texas Children’s Pediatrics clinic

“It has been a longtime goal of mine to continue the incredible mission of our founders and expand access to Texas Children’s high-quality level of care to families throughout Texas,” said CEO Mark A. Wallace. “As we celebrate our 70th anniversary as an organization, we are looking forward to serving even more children and women with one of the most elite clinical teams in the world.”

The right people make the difference

Opening a brand new hospital would not be possible without the passion and dedication of our One Amazing Team, including hundreds of newly hired employees and 75+ staff transfers who bring over 600 years of Texas Children’s experience to Austin.

After cutting the ribbon, we rolled out the red carpet for these team members and their families for an Employee Extravaganza complete with swag bags, food and beverage trucks, Terry Black’s BBQ, face painting, photo stations, live music and so much more. It was an evening to remember as more than 2,000 people filled the halls of North Austin Campus to marvel at the space and enjoy the festivities.

“It was a really fun and thoughtful event,” said North Austin social worker Claire Andrefsky. “It was nice to be able to show my family the hospital, especially because it’s been such a busy year leading up to opening.”

“I am most excited about all our services being in one place, it makes my job to help families navigate the healthcare system so much easier to simply send them down the hall for lab work and other important testing,” added Andrefsky. “I think it will reduce delays in care, and improve long term health outcomes for our patients.”

See photos from both grand opening events below.

 

January 23, 2024

If you have consented to receive your 2023 W-2 electronically, it is now available in Voyager.

Follow these steps to access:

  • Visit Connect and select Voyager in the gray resources box
  • Log in to Voyager using single sign on
  • Select Me on the top navigation menu
  • Click the myADP US Tax Statements and Garnishments app and follow the instructions

If you have not consented, it will be mailed to your home address as listed in Voyager.

If you would like to print a copy, you may download your W-2 and forward it to your personal email address to print at home. Please note, this action may trigger our Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Policy due to the personal information in the W-2, but it will be released within 24 hours.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact the Payroll Department at 832-824-6868 option 3 or payroll@texaschildrens.org.

Meet Michael Brantley, renal and apheresis education coordinator at Texas Children’s Hospital – North Austin. He started his career in renal medicine as a unit clerk at a local dialysis clinic, but knew working in pediatrics was always the end goal.

What brought you to Texas Children’s?

I’m originally from Albuquerque, N.M., where I graduated from the University of New Mexico with my BSN. I eventually moved to Austin to work at a local children’s facility, and during that time, I had the opportunity to utilize Texas Children’s as a resource and start developing a network with the hospital. Whether at conferences or camps, TCH always set the standard and its people shared a passion for bringing the best care to their patients. Once I heard about TCH expanding in Austin, I wanted to be a part of that legacy.

What are you most excited about as we open North Austin Campus?

I am most excited about the opportunity to serve Austin and its surrounding areas. We get to extend the TCH legacy and bring it to a new city while creating our own unique culture.

What’s the best career or work advice you’ve ever received?

‘Lead by example in any situation you are in’ and ‘treat people the way you want to be treated.’

What does providing the ‘Right Care’ mean to you?

It means having the knowledge to provide excellent services and resources, advocating for our team and patients, and going above and beyond with every single interaction.

What makes Austin a great place to work and live?

Austin has been an amazing place for my family and myself. There are countless things to do for all ages. We love to go hiking, catch a good movie or go downtown for concerts. We love going to ACL Live for shows!

Ranked #1 in Nephrology by U.S. News & World Report, Texas Children’s is home to one of the largest and most comprehensive pediatric renal services in the world. The Renal and Apheresis Services department at North Austin Campus has multiple modality offerings, like in-center and home hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and apheresis services.

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.

January 16, 2024

Texas Children’s Hospital is excited to unveil our newly renovated Dialysis & Apheresis Center! Last week, the team officially moved into the new space on West Tower 6 and began treating patients.

The revitalized unit is tripled in size from the original, topping out at over 24,000 square feet with 23 patient care stations. The space is inviting with an abundance of natural light, and patients can enjoy the “Under the Sea” theme complete with wall art and fish tanks. It also features a dedicated patient and family support area, including a large waiting room, family lounge, play zone, and quiet space for nourishment and relaxation.

As the top-ranked program grows in volume and service offerings, leaders felt an expansion plan was needed for outpatient dialysis and apheresis to better meet the unique needs of our patients and families.

“The opening of our new Dialysis & Apheresis Center is a transformational event for the renal service, our patients and their families,” said Chief of Renal Services Dr. Michael Braun. “We are grateful to Mr. Wallace and the Board of Trustees for their commitment to the care of children with kidney disease…these facilities have set a new standard for pediatric dialysis and apheresis units in the United States.”

Click the gallery for more photos of the new Dialysis & Apheresis Center. Ranked #1 in Nephrology by U.S. News & World Report, Texas Children’s is home to one of the largest and most comprehensive pediatric renal services in the world. Click here to learn more.

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.