March 18, 2024

 

Hear how our One Amazing Team embodies The Difference daily.

Think back to the day you decided to work at Texas Children’s. What did you consider in your decision? There’s no doubt things like pay, location, benefits and the role stand out – but what else drew you in?

For many of us, it was the promise of something bigger. Not just for our careers but in what we get to do for the people who trust us to lead them and care for them every day.

Lately, you’ve seen The Difference in our marketing, social media and event collateral but you also feel it every day you work here. Today we are pleased to share more ways you can proudly wear The Difference as an ambassador of our great culture.

The Brand in Your Hands

Starting tomorrow, we’re getting the word out across the system. Get ready for a series of lively pop-up events in Houston complete with games, free swag, entertainment and energy. Here’s where you can find us:

  • Tuesday, March 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Medical Center The Auxiliary Bridge
  • Wednesday, March 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: The Woodlands Campus Lobby
  • Thursday, March 28, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: West Campus Cafeteria Corridor

You should also be on the lookout for our team to pop-up at local pediatric and urgent care practices in the coming weeks – you can keep track of us on social media, and request a pop-up in your location!

Be an Ambassador

Show your Texas Children’s pride on social media for a chance to win free gear. Here’s how:

  • Update your LinkedIn banner to show the world The Difference (see link)
  • Follow and like @TexasChildrensPeople on social media
  • Sport your exclusive “I am the Difference” merchandise – available now at hospital gift shops
  • Join the conversation using hashtag #iamthedifference

You are a beautiful blend of experience and potential and can be proud of the work we are doing together. We hope each of you can see yourselves in this brand because you are the inspiration behind it.

March 7, 2024

There are many reasons why Texas Children’s is such a special place to work, but the Employee Recognition Celebration is chief among them. After four years, the beloved tradition returned in style on Feb. 27 to honor over 2,500 employees, ranging from 15 to 50+ years of service, for their lasting commitment to Texas Children’s.

Minute Maid Park was bursting with joy, laughter and fun – the concourse was full to the brim with employees and leaders enjoying food and swag bags, playing arcade games and bingo, and posing for the photo booths. But the party was only just beginning.

Linda Aldred, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, took to the stage to honor the outstanding members of our One Amazing Team for their contributions, getting the crowd dancing with a “Can’t Stop the Feeling” video montage featuring Texas Children’s employees. Chief Executive Officer Mark A. Wallace made quite the entrance, riding in on a classic car following the University of Houston band. Together, the two remarked on all we have accomplished together, noting major milestones in Texas Children’s history and our exciting new partnership with the Astros Golf Foundation and PGA TOUR.

Videos of honorees captured moments from their first days at work and their proudest accomplishments along the way. In a historic moment for Texas Children’s, we honored three individuals, Karol Musher, Anita Thompson and Iretta Hunter, who marked an extraordinary 50 years of service, dedicating five decades of their lives to Texas Children’s. Two of our three 50-year honorees, Karol Musher and Anita Thompson, shook hands with distinguished Emeritus Trustee member Jodie Lee Jiles and received bouquets of flowers and endless thanks for dedicating their careers to Texas Children’s.

The program ended with a flashy fireworks display and the celebration continued on the concourse. Take a look at all the fun in the photo gallery below and click here to watch a recap video!

To all our honorees, we thank you for your longstanding commitment to Texas Children’s. You embody our core values and serve our mission nobly, and we are grateful for your devoted service! Please submit your celebration photos, including photos with Mark Wallace and other honorees, by sharing them with HRCommunications@texaschildrens.org.

March 4, 2024

The Texas Children’s Houston Open is around the corner, so don’t miss your chance to get in on the action. We’re honored to be the title sponsor of this celebrated PGA TOUR event, building on its legacy and providing a memorable experience for the city of Houston. Through our partnership with The Astros Golf Foundation, we’re thrilled to be a part of this monumental sporting event, hosting some of the PGA TOUR’s most outstanding players.

For a chance to win free tickets to the tournament, all you need to do is make a hole-in-one! Look for us at the locations below. We’ll be the ones with the putting green, waiting to cheer you on to victory. You have a chance to win a pair (twosome) of tickets for one of the tournament days – March 28-31.

  • Tuesday, March 5 at noon: Medical Center – near Fresh Bistro Café
  • Wednesday, March 6 at noon: West Campus – near cafeteria on the first floor
  • Wednesday, March 6 at 3 p.m.: Specialty Care – Cypress-Fairbanks
  • Thursday, March 7 at 3 p.m.: TCP and TCUC Heights
  • Friday, March 8 at noon: The Woodlands Campus – Main Lobby

If you miss out on winning tickets, Texas Children’s team members and their spouses/significant others are eligible for 20% off the purchase of grounds tickets at the tournament through our partnership with The Astros Golf Foundation.

Visit the Texas Children’s Houston Open SharePoint site for details.

February 26, 2024

Texas Children’s is committed not only to providing exceptional care to our patients but also to fostering the growth and development of health care professionals. We believe in taking proactive steps to cultivate talent within our organization and the broader health care community. That’s why we are thrilled to announce our Surgical Technology Entrance into Practice Program (STEPP).

We’re STEPPing Up

STEPP is our latest approach to creating a pipeline of skilled surgical technologists who will enrich our workforce. Designed exclusively for students enrolled in the Houston Community College (HCC) Coleman College for Health Sciences Surgical Technology program, STEPP offers students financial assistance toward the completion of their education and opens doors for potential job placement within our hospital. This program not only benefits Texas Children’s by ensuring we have a skilled and dedicated team of surgical technologists but also contributes to the overall improvement of patient care in our community. We look forward to providing aspiring surgical technologists with the support and resources they need to succeed.

You can step up, too!

As we champion the growth and development of tomorrow’s health care professionals, we want to empower you to shape our talented surgical teams today.

Employees who refer qualified Surgical Technologist I & II candidates through our Everyone is A Recruiter Now (E.A.R.N.) program will receive a reward of $5,000 for each successful referral.

Here’s how the E.A.R.N. program works:

Refer: Share career opportunities at Texas Children’s with your network through Voyager. Ensure your referral includes your complete name under the “How did you hear about us?” section. Your referral should complete their profile, listing you as the sole referral source.

Collect Your Reward: You’ll receive 100% of the E.A.R.N. reward approximately two pay periods after the your referral’s successful hire and completion of new employee orientation. The reward will be listed under “Select Dollars” on your paycheck.

The E.A.R.N. program pays $5,000 for featured job referrals. Employees receive $1,000 for all other successful referrals. Click here for more details about the E.A.R.N. program.

February 19, 2024

Appreciative colleague submitted the following Caught You Caring recognition for Ambulatory Services Representative Mithie Solis.

“Since I transferred to Austin from Houston she has been so incredibly kind and patient with me. I have worked for TCH for some time already, but when I transferred I needed to quickly learn the different work flows and the providers’ schedules of the Specialty Care office, and she has been more than welcoming. It truly set the tone of the new environment for me and I will always appreciate her.”

Caught You Caring

There are countless examples of how team members make an impact every day. Through our Caught You Caring recognition program, anyone (patients, families, colleagues, vendors, volunteers or visitors) can provide a kind word about someone who went the extra mile. Even the smallest act of kindness can brighten someone’s day. Click here to submit a recognition for a colleague. The recipient and their leader will receive an email notification. Since its inception in 2015, there have been more than 40,000 recognitions submitted.

February 12, 2024

Put on your boots and round up your family & friends – it’s time to Rodeo in Houston! From February 27 – March 17, you can enjoy live entertainment and festivities at the world’s largest livestock exhibition and rodeo.

A proud supporter of this spectacular event, Texas Children’s will once again host a drawing for Texas Children’s employees to purchase discounted Rodeo Concert tickets.

All team members, (including BCM faculty and staff), can access a convenient, contactless purchase experience for the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, half-price carnival packs, carnival food cards and ground admissions – and buy directly from the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.

Don’t let the opportunity to attend the best tradition in Houston slip through your lasso! Access the purchase details HERE, then take action by entering the concert ticket drawing by February 15 or purchasing your tickets to the other events. Click here to see the lineup.

For assistance, please email totalrewards@texaschildrens.org, or call Total Rewards at 832-824-2421, (select option 1 for Benefits and then press 2,) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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.