September 25, 2023

Earlier this year, President and CEO Mark A. Wallace announced the start of a search process for the next President of Texas Children’s. The Board of Trustees appointed a search committee and engaged a top-tier firm to help us carefully select the right leader to guide Texas Children’s through this next chapter. Today, we are thrilled to share the appointment of Debra Feigin Sukin, PhD, as our next President!

“We set out to fill this role with the best person for the job – one who was thoughtful, strategic and experienced but who also understands Texas Children’s and deeply appreciates the culture we have built and created together,” said Mr. Wallace in an email to the organization. “As you know, I’m a big believer in destiny, but I could never have predicted the power of destiny in this process.”

Sukin currently serves at Houston Methodist as an Executive Vice President with responsibility for four Houston Methodist hospitals and is the Chief Executive Officer of Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital, in addition to system responsibilities leading Neurosciences and the Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart Center. Before joining Houston Methodist, she was the Senior Vice President of St. Luke’s Health System in the Texas Medical Center.

“Not only does Debbie have the necessary health care leadership experience, but she has lived and breathed Texas Children’s her entire life,” Mr. Wallace added. “Both of her parents worked at Texas Children’s, and she also began volunteering at Texas Children’s at age 16. As a parent of two boys with special needs, she has spent the last two decades experiencing the world-class care, clinical research, empathy and heart of Texas Children’s.”

You might recognize Sukin’s surname – she is daughter of the late Dr. Ralph Feigin, renowned pediatrician and Texas Children’s Physician-in-Chief for more than 31 years. Her mother, Dr. Judith Feigin, worked here in pediatric education and training. Sukin was also involved in the opening of Texas Children’s Angelman Syndrome Clinic, a cause and rare genetic condition close to her heart and family.

“I am truly honored and excited to serve as the new President of Texas Children’s,” said Sukin. “Texas Children’s has always been a profoundly special place to me, and I’m humbled to have this opportunity. This is an amazing organization and I look forward to working with the outstanding faculty and staff throughout the system and leading the next evolution of Texas Children’s. Mark has been a mentor and friend for many decades and I feel especially fortunate to serve under him as he continues on as CEO. I truly cannot wait to see what we can accomplish together as a team in the months and years to come.”

Sukin will join Texas Children’s on Jan. 8, 2024. Please join us in welcoming her with open arms and our signature Texas Children’s hospitality!

Click here to learn more about this historic appointment for Texas Children’s.

Grateful colleague submitted the following Caught You Caring recognition for Guest Services Representative Rose Ascencio-Escobar.

“I have witnessed Mrs. Rose de-escalate countless patients who were visibly frustrated and were given different directions from multiple staff members leaving them still lost and wandering. Mrs. Rose was able to speak to them with compassion and even took them herself to ensure they got exactly where they needed to be.”

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.

To help our patients and their families get in the spirit of Halloween, there will be a fun-filled event with themed booths, fun activities and lots of spirit. Your department or team is welcome to sign up to host a booth. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t wait too long as space is limited. Click here for more information and to sign up.

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 31
Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: The Auxiliary Bridge

Each booth is responsible for the following:

  • Themed booth (decoration, tablecloth, etc.)
  • Interactive game/activity
  • Prizes (goodies cannot be edible, breakable or choking hazard)
  • 2-4 team members to staff the booth (team members can rotate shifts)
  • Festive attire/costumes are recommended (no scary masks or costumes, please)

Language barriers can be challenging to overcome, especially in a health care setting. Imagine not being able to understand a diagnosis or treatment from your caregiver – it can be frustrating and quite scary. This is where the valuable members of our Language Services team step in and help break down those barriers.

Interpreter Margarita Cruz went to work one morning not knowing the pivotal role she would play in helping her colleagues and a patient’s family. She is used to bridging the communications gap for staff and patients regarding discussions around care. This time, she had to assist a family when a patient passed away shortly after giving birth. This was a new challenge, but she was ready and willing to help.

In the past decade in the Pavilion for Women, there have not been any adult patient mortalities. The PACU staff wanted to do everything they could to assist the patient’s family acknowledging the importance of cultural sensitivities and emotional complexities they could face with a Spanish-speaking family. They contacted Language Services for assistance, and Margarita offered insight in how best to approach the family with empathy, understanding and support.

“It was hard to separate my emotions, but after I expressed my sympathy for the family and staff, I had to focus on my task at hand,” said Margarita. “I’m just glad I could help navigate difficult conversations, provide cultural insight and ensure effective communication during this challenging time for the family.”

On that day, she was so much more than just an interpreter, she was a source of comfort and clarity for the grieving family.

“She went above and beyond and took care of the family like they were her own,” said Chaplain Tony Lee. “She provided an avenue of connection and familiarity to the family’s culture and comfort that none of us could have.”

This is just one of many ways our Language Services team plays a role in our patients’ care. They receive more than 32,000 language requests per month – 4,000 in-person interpretations, 16,000 over the phone, and 12,000 Video remote Interpretations through mobile devices or VRIs where an external interpreter can be contacted via live video. These capabilities enable Texas Children’s to provide interpretations in about 250 different languages.

The team has 28 interpreters dispersed across several campuses with Spanish being the most requested language for interpretation followed by Arabic, Vietnamese and Chinese-Mandarin.

They don’t just assist with clinical care. In a recent Caught You Caring recognition, Melanie Vasquez was praised for helping a patient and family who spoke Arabic only. She went out of her way to coordinate with My Dining to figure out what was Halal on the menu for them. She took it a step further and translated all of the Halal options into Arabic for the family.

If you need assistance from Language Services, you can reach out via email: languageservices@texaschildrens.org or by calling 832-824-5200 to review their resources and availability.

 

September 18, 2023

Texas Children’s continues to see growth and success in our efforts to support a positive working environment, bring awareness to organizational needs and transform the way we make improvements.

Highlights
  • Culture Rounds was featured during the Joint Commission Survey as a best practice for prioritizing the organizational focus on safety, quality and experience.
  • Cross-departmental leaders took action to resolve several technology concerns, including fixing and replacing several TVs in prominent patient locations.
  • IS helped resolve several action items identified during rounds including improved internet connection in CVICU, fixed printers and resolved MyCheck issues in MyChart.
  • After TICU/PICU families candidly shared challenges regarding long hospital stays and obtaining basic necessities, Volunteer Services partnered with a local Girl Scout Troop to create a new (and ongoing) hospitality cart with toiletries and comfort items.
  • Caught You Caring achieves milestone with over 11,000 submissions this fiscal year – click here to read a few special submissions!
  • Team members were thrilled to learn we’re investing in several new shuttle buses.
  • Upon learning a patient recovering from surgery wanted to meet the Chick-fil-A Cow, Culture Rounds made his birthday wish come true with a special visit!
Phase V Schedule & Tips

Executive teams and unit leaders will continue rounding and building relationships with patients, families and team members. Phase V will conclude Wednesday, Nov. 15.

  • Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. are designated by Texas Children’s as protected time for Culture Rounds, with the exception of rounding on our evening workforce.
  • Teams are encouraged to reschedule sessions on Oct. 4 in light of a system-wide leadership meeting.
  • Continue to utilize Cipher reports to drive action item resolution, and work as a team to help provide solutions!

Click here to read the full Culture Rounds newsletter update and share with your teams! Please email culturerounds@texaschildrens.org with any questions or suggestions.

Your ongoing commitment to staying healthy and safe for our patients, members, their families and each other has made all the difference. We will continue to lead the way in caring for the communities we serve by requiring all Texas Children’s team members, inclusive of our employees, Baylor faculty and staff, contractors and volunteers to receive the flu vaccine this fall.

What’s new
  • Exemptions. Medical or religious exemptions obtained from Texas Children’s last year will automatically carry over to this season, so there is no need to recertify, unless the exemption was based on a temporary medical condition. Details on how to submit a new request is included below for all team members, including those who joined Texas Children’s after April 1, 2023 and want to request a medical or religious exemption.
  • Deadline. You will have until Wednesday, Nov. 1 to receive the flu vaccination or have an approved exemption to maintain employment at Texas Children’s. The timeframe to be in compliance is shorter than last year.
  • Connect button. There will be a Flu button featured on the right-hand side of the Connect homepage for easy access to the Employee Health virtual assistant tool.
What you need to know
  • Vaccine availability. There are multiple ways to receive a flu vaccine.
    • Texas Children’s Pediatrics (TCP). Team members can schedule their flu vaccine during their child’s onsite appointment at TCP, but will need to submit proof through the Employee Health virtual assistant tool.
    • Flu events. Austin, The Medical Center, West Campus, The Woodlands and TCHP will offer free flu vaccinations starting Tuesday, Sept. 19.
    • Outside provider. You can receive the vaccine through your doctor or pharmacy, but will need to submit proof through the Employee Health virtual assistant tool.
    • Employee Health. One-on-one appointments can be scheduled starting Sept. 19.
  • Employee Health virtual assistant tool. Visit texaschildrens.org/employeevaccines (you may need to refresh your browser) to submit proof and access exemption requests forms, consent form, flu event schedules and FAQs.
    • Submit proof. If you receive the flu vaccine at a TCP, doctor’s office or pharmacy, you will need to submit proof. Please upload a photo of the flu vaccination record received during your appointment. Ensure the writing is legible and includes your full legal name and birth date. You will not need to submit proof if you receive the vaccine at a Texas Children’s flu vaccine event or in a one-on-one appointment with Employee Health.
    • Exemptions. Employees who do not already have an approved exemption from Texas Children’s last year can request a medical or religious exemption from the requirement by Monday, Oct. 16.
    • Consent form. This form is required for those who wish to receive their flu vaccine at a Texas Children’s flu event or through a one-on-one appointment with Employee Health.
    • Event schedule. Receive your vaccine at one of the 58 flu vaccine events throughout Texas Children’s.
    • FAQ. Access a detailed FAQ document.
  • Contact information. If you have any questions, please contact Employee Health at 832-822-2463, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. or send an email to employeehealthfluvaccines@texaschildrens.org
September 14, 2023

To kick off the countdown to the Texas Children’s Houston Open, our fearless leader took to the mound to throw some heat. Our team members proudly wore Astros gear in support. Read more