Learn how compassion motivated Tyler Giess to become a part of Texas Children’s twelve years ago and how that same compassion is leading him in his new role for Austin. Read more
January 12, 2022
Learn from Senior Vice President of Facilities Planning and Development Jill Pearsall, and other leaders to come, on what’s headed to Austin. Read More
January 11, 2022
Sadly, Emeritus Trustee, Josephine Abercrombie, passed away in her sleep on Jan. 4 at 95.
“It has been an absolute privilege to know Josephine for many years,” said CEO Mark Wallace. “The gift of having her witness Texas Children’s growth, from the very first hospital building – named after her father and our founder, James S. Abercrombie – to where we are today is something I will forever be grateful for. She was very close with her mother and father and I know that Texas Children’s meant the world to her.”
As a pillar in the community and a generous philanthropist, Josephine served on Texas Children’s Board of Trustees for 45 years. For more than four decades she staunchly supported Texas Children’s through her advocacy and heartfelt, steadfast contributions.
Notably, Josephine’s love for horses which began as a child carried through in her work alongside her father as he helped create and establish the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show.
Wallace remembers, “In addition to her incredible talent and records held through horse shows and competitions, one of the most unique – and one of my favorite things about Josephine – was her love and passion for boxing. Many people don’t know that side of her, but she was an expert at developing champions in the ring as a boxing promoter and founded the Houston Boxing Association. Looking back, her investment in the sport and the athletes she took under her wing spoke volumes about who she was as a person – Josephine was a dedicated and unwavering fighter.”
Josephine fought for what she believed in and what she knew was right, according to Wallace, who said he has no doubt that these qualities were instilled in her by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Abercrombie. After their passing, Josephine continued to live by their mission of living to help others.
“I remain eternally grateful for her impact and support, and I am comforted in knowing that her spirit and her family’s legacy will live on throughout the halls of Texas Children’s,” added Wallace.
Josephine will be deeply missed by everyone at Texas Children’s, while her inspiration to fight for tomorrow will continue. Bless you and thank you, Josephine!
January 2, 2022
Texas Children’s and Baylor College of Medicine announced on December 28, that CORBEVAX, a protein sub-unit COVID-19 Vaccine, whose technology was created and engineered at its Center for Vaccine Development (CVD), has received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to launch first in India, with other underserved countries to follow.
Commenting on this historic news for Texas Children’s, Mark Wallace said, “I cannot begin to express how monumental this is for Texas Children’s, Dr. Peter Hotez, Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi and their teams – but even more so, how monumental this is for the entire world. In the U.S., we have had access to the COVID-19 vaccine for a year – but around the globe, many countries are desperately waiting for the tool they need to overcome the pandemic, and the emergence of the Omicron variant emphasizes this dire need.”
Large-scale, fast and low-cost production
Dubbed “The World’s COVID-19 Vaccine,” CORBEVAX uses a traditional recombinant protein-based technology that will enable its production at large scales making it widely accessible to inoculate the global population. Because the vaccine uses a conventional production platform that has been in use for decades, it can be easily and quickly produced in existing manufacturing facilities around the world at a very low cost. The two-dose vaccine also relies on standard refrigeration storage conditions, making delivery of massive quantities of this vaccine to remote, rural populations possible.
More about the vaccine development and testing
The initial construct and production process of the vaccine antigen was developed at Texas Children’s Hospital CVD, led by co-directors Drs. Maria Elena Bottazzi and Peter Hotez and in-licensed from BCM Ventures, Baylor College of Medicine’s integrated commercialization team, to Hyderabad-based vaccine and pharmaceutical company Biological E. Limited (BE). After completing two Phase III clinical trials involving more than 3000 subjects, CORBEVAX was found to be safe, well tolerated and immunogenic.
“This announcement is an important first step in vaccinating the world and halting the pandemic. Our vaccine technology offers a path to address an unfolding humanitarian crisis, namely the vulnerability the low- and middle-income countries face against the delta variant,” said Dr. Peter Hotez, Professor and Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor and Co-Director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development. “Widespread and global vaccination with our Texas Children’s-Baylor-BE vaccine would also forestall the emergence of new variants. We have previously missed that opportunity for the alpha and delta variant. Now is our chance to prevent a new global wave from what might follow.”
Keep an eye on the national news as this exciting announcement is shared with the world.
December 28, 2021
Please watch a video from our President and CEO as he discusses the Kronos outage, his gratitude for or One Amazing Team and his response for employees.
December 16, 2021
The Voyager Project Executive Steering Team wants to recognize and thank our One Amazing team for their continued patience and partnership as we all work through the impacts of the ongoing Kronos outage. Although this event was out of Texas Children’s control, our teams are working tirelessly to ensure our employees are compensated on time and accurately, while also correcting any underpayments as quickly as possible.
As compensating our workforce remains Texas Children’s highest priority during this Kronos outage, we have determined there is an increased risk of further payroll disruptions if we were to transition to our new HR and Payroll systems in Voyager on our current timeline of Jan. 4. As a result, we have decided to delay the launch of Voyager for HR and Payroll to a later date. Leadership is working diligently and quickly to determine a new Go-Live plan and will communicate this as soon as we know more.
Many successful missions encounter bumps on the road. Even this week, NASA made a decision to delay the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope. For us, this was a difficult decision, but simply put: we are not willing to take chances when it comes to paying our employees.
What this means for you
MOLI has agreed to delay retirement and continue operating as our HR and Payroll system. You will continue accessing your employee and pay information in MOLI for the time being. This includes your W-2, W-4, pay slips and direct deposit information. All dates and action items associated with this change are on hold.
Stay tuned for more updates in the coming weeks.
December 8, 2021
Chief Nursing Officer Jackie Ward shares a special message for our nurses as we get ready for our virtual Nursing Town Hall scheduled for next Thursday, Dec. 16. Read more
