On his blog this week, Mark Wallace takes a bold stand on the movement that has captured the world’s attention. Read more
June 8, 2020
June 2, 2020
National Running Day is just around the corner and what better time than now to become more active. All across the country Wednesday, June 3 is the annual appreciation for running as a sport — and as an avenue to overall health and well-being.
Getting out and exercising — especially during this pandemic — can help keep your stress levels down and your spirits high. In a world where social distancing is becoming normal, we can still get out and exercise with peers as a way to stay connected to one another. Now more than ever it is important to know that we are not alone during this pandemic. We are encouraging you to mask up, get out for a jog and consider becoming part of the Texas Children’s running community.
“Running has such great benefits for our physical health, emotional health and mental health,” said Kelley Hernandez, running team coordinator for Texas Children’s Hospital. “As we all continue to navigate life with the coronavirus, it’s especially important that we manage our stress as well so that we can take care of ourselves and others.”
What’s even better is that you can get healthy and support Texas Children’s Hospital at the same time through the Chevron Houston Marathon/Aramco Houston Half Marathon “Run for a Reason” program.
If you are interested in running the Chevron Houston Marathon/Aramco Houston Half Marathon — Sunday, January 17, 2021 — on behalf of Texas Children’s Hospital register at texaschildrens.org/houstonmarathon.
June 1, 2020
Texas Children’s Well-Being team has launched a new series of Virtual Self-Care Sessions to help our team members focus on their own well-being, and better manage the stress that health care workers around the world are feeling during this pandemic.
Click here in to begin watching the series of short videos that explore five different self-care topics: mindfulness, deep breathing, stretching, progressive muscle relaxation and unwinding before bed. Facilitators also help viewers experience the effects of each practice by taking them through guided exercises that can be done practically anywhere, at any time.
In the Mindfulness Guided Meditation sessions, Employee Assistance Program Specialist Pilar Valenzuela Silva explains how mindfulness is the practice of actually being present in the moment – which in turn trains us to become more mindful throughout the day – and takes you through a guided meditation.
Mindfulness Guided Meditation – Part 1: https://youtu.be/Kc1bgwtl_PI
Mindfulness Guided Meditation – Part 2: https://youtu.be/ieMTWbjG-K8
Silva returns for the Deep Breathing sessions, which explain how breathing from the belly instead of the chest can induce relaxation. You’ll also have the opportunity to try out the proper deep breathing technique.
Deep Breathing – Part 1: https://youtu.be/KA0RtzmuRlM
Deep Breathing – Part 2: https://youtu.be/vhHZ97_diJ4
Relax your muscles and increase your blood flow in the Stretching sessions, where Health Coach Jackie Pacheco speaks about how stretching loosens tight muscles and leads you through some simple exercises.
Stretching – Part 1: https://youtu.be/dwchISuKIxQ
Stretching – Part 2: https://youtu.be/_rtdkEQUII4
Registered dietitian and Cigna On-Site Health Coach Staci Tobolowsky Astrein leads the Progressive Muscle Relaxation sessions, demonstrating how the practice can be used to tame stress and increase awareness of the sensations associated with tension.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation – Part 1: https://youtu.be/-S00SRQZA_A
Progressive Muscle Relaxation – Part 2: https://youtu.be/ZcLXywCEBbM
Astrein also leads the Unwinding before Bed sessions, which discuss how being mindful before bedtime can boost the quality of your sleep and help you sleep longer – while also relieving stresses during the day, and helping you fall asleep faster.
Unwinding Before Bed – Part 1: https://youtu.be/7cOZYa5LzSw
Unwinding Before Bed – Part 2: https://youtu.be/80ZF-AqlDAE
The pandemic has been a challenging time for all of us. We want you to know that you are not alone and that if you find yourself feeling stressed about the situation, there are resourses available that can help support your mental, physical and spiritual needs. If you have any questions, please contact the Well-Being Team at wellbeing@texaschildrens.org.
Texas Children’s is always looking for ways to improve the experience of our patients, families and employees during their time with our organization. We are especially sensitive to our breastfeeding moms and tube feeding parents.
To better support these groups, Texas Children’s has purchased a Mamava, which is a self-contained, mobile pod with benches, a fold-down table, an electrical outlet for plugging in a breast pump, and a door that can be locked for privacy. The 4-foot by 8-foot suite is meant for individual use, but can fit more than one person, as well as mothers with babies and other children in tow.
Named the “Baby Bistro Suite” in honor of our ongoing commitment to breastfeeding moms provided at the Baby Bistro, the pod was recently installed on the fifth floor of Wallace Tower and is now open for use. To use the pod, a visitor or employee will reserve their time using the Mamava app or request a keypad-code from guest services. Information about the suite will also be added to wayfinding signage.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer our breastfeeding moms and tube feeding parents such a comfortable, clean, distraction-free space to nourish their children,” said Nancy Hurst, director of Women’s Support Services. “I also am proud of Texas Children’s for its continued commitment and dedication to the overall well-being of these patients, family members and employees.”
Texas Children’s is the first hospital in Texas to unveil a Mamava suite at one of its facilities. Employees from several departments including, Infection Control, Facilities, Supply Chain, Contracts, Surgery, Patient Experience, Marketing and Women’s Services came together to make it happen.
The effort began more than a year ago after Patient Experience conducted some employee focus groups about ways we could improve our overall patient experience. One thing that came up was a need for more private spaces for moms to breastfeed or pump. Often times, these moms use exam rooms, which can interrupt employee workflow, or bathrooms, which are less than ideal. Other options included the Mamava.
“Our executive steering committee signed off on the idea shortly after we presented it to them, affirming that purchasing the pod was the right thing to do,” said Katie Daggett, director of Patient and Family Services. “Creating a private, peaceful space for our breastfeeding moms and tube feeding parents shows we are a family-centered organization that cares about not only our patients, but their entire family.”
Sascha Mayer, co-founder and CEO of Mamava said she is extremely excited to support breastfeeding mothers at Texas Children’s.
“We believe that all mamas deserve a clean, comfortable, and dignified place to use a breast pump or breastfeed distraction-free — anywhere, anytime,” Mayer said. “Mamava pods provide flexibility for facilities and easy access for moms.”
Mamava is an expert in lactation space design, thoughtfully designing solutions for breastfeeding moms on-the-go. With both analog and digital products, Mamava celebrates and supports the 21st century breastfeeding mama. Mamava is women-owned, made in America, and a proud member of the B Corp community. The Mamava app, free for iOS and Android, helps moms find pumping and breastfeeding friendly locations (never a bathroom!), unlocks Mamava pods through a proprietary smart technology system, and delivers useful breastfeeding content. To learn more visit mamava.com.
Need to recharge your mind and body? Try mindfulness, a practice of training your mind to focus on the present nonjudgmentally. It can help reduce stress and control anxiety.
Find a 5-minute meditation and additional stress management resources recommended by Employee Health, the Employee Assistance Program and Well-Being on the COVID-19 Resources site under “Employee Assistance.”
On his blog this week, Mark Wallace shares why we must speak up, teach our children right from wrong, lean in and have the difficult conversations. Read more
May 28, 2020
Chief Nursing Officer Mary Jo Andre shares video highlights of Nurses Week and expresses her gratitude to our internal and community partners who stepped up in very touching ways to show our nurses how much they are appreciated. Read more