August 24, 2021

Despite the challenges we’ve faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, Anette Sandoval shares how a simple smile can leave a positive and lasting impression on our young patients. Read more

August 23, 2021

We’re at a critical stage in this fight against COVID-19 where everyone’s actions matter, regardless of vaccination status. As we respond to this latest surge, we need to work together and hold each other accountable for practicing safety 24/7.

  • Wear eye protection while in our clinical areas

During this latest surge, proper eye protection (goggles and face shields) is required in our clinical areas, including all in-patient, EC, WAC, peri-operative care and ambulatory environments. The most effective goggles are appropriately fitted, indirectly-vented with a manufacturer’s anti-fog coating. A face shield should have crown and chin protection and wrap around the face to the point of the ear.

  • Mask everywhere and not just at work

At Texas Children’s, universal masking is required, regardless of vaccination status. This practice should not be reserved just for work. We need to mask everywhere, all the time, including the grocery store, social gatherings and any public events (although attending large-scale events is not recommended at this time). Masking remains one of the most effective ways to limit the spread of COVID-19, particularly in the community, where infections continue to rise rapidly.

  • Delta variant and vaccination

It’s more critical than ever to protect ourselves and others. The Pfizer vaccine is now fully approved for individuals 16 years of age and above, which should bring both comfort and confidence to those still needing to be vaccinated. Vaccines protect individuals against consequences due to infection with the Delta variant. The Delta variant is highly contagious and readily transmissible among those who are vaccinated and unvaccinated. With few exceptions, vaccines are highly protective against serious illness/hospitalization and reduce the risk of transmission. Recently, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended allowing an additional dose for immunocompromised individuals, which we are administering to those who meet the guidance.

August 19, 2021

As we continue to battle through this latest wave of COVID-19, we’re reminding all Texas Children’s team members to excel at our safe practices while at work, at home and in public.

Texas Children’s remains among the safest places to work – even with a surge of positive cases in our communities – because of the precautions we’ve put in place, including universal masking, hand hygiene, daily screening and maintaining (and growing) our high vaccination rate. Although this has proven successful for us throughout the pandemic, we’re counting on you to remain diligent and to practice safety 24/7, at work and at home.

Safety 24/7
  • Continue to mask everywhere. At Texas Children’s, masking is required in both patient and non-patient care areas, regardless of vaccination status. This includes wearing a mask from the time you leave your personal mode of transportation to when you return. In addition, it is highly recommended you always wear a mask while in public, as it remains an effective way to limit the spread of COVID-19.
  • Be safe on shuttles and elevators. Capacity limits for our shuttles and elevators are continuously evaluated to ensure safe operations. Please do your part by avoiding overcrowding in these areas. For elevators, this typically means no more than 4-6 individuals at any given time. On shuttles, please do not stand in the aisles. If a shuttle is ever at capacity, please wait for another so you can be seated. If you tend to ride the shuttle during peak hours, please consider arriving slightly earlier to ensure safe transportation. Regardless of vaccination status, wearing a mask throughout your shuttle trip is required. As an additional safety precaution, please do not eat or drink while riding the shuttle to ensure your mask is worn at all times.
  • Get vaccinated. Texas Children’s now requires all workforce members to get vaccinated against COVID-19, or have an approved exemption, with the first dose required by Sept. 21. If you have not done so already, please get this highly effective protection against COVID-19 as soon as possible.
  • Practice hand hygiene. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Clean your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Please also use the hand sanitizers present at all hospital campuses and care locations.
  • Report any symptoms of COVID-19, or any exposures to a COVID positive person in which appropriate PPE was not utilized, to Employee Health – even if you have already been vaccinated.
August 17, 2021

On Aug. 12, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended its emergency use authorizations for both the Pfizer (12 years and up) and Moderna (18 years and up) COVID-19 vaccines, and on Aug. 13, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended allowing an additional dose for immunocompromised individuals.

With communities under threat from the Delta variant, these actions allow certain immunocompromised individuals to receive an additional mRNA vaccine dose to further protect against this highly contagious strain of the virus. For more details on this guidance, please see below:

  • This authorization only applies to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
  • Immunocompromised individuals who choose to receive an additional dose are recommended to choose the same brand of the vaccine they originally received.
  • Until more data is available, the additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine should be administered at least 28 days after completion of the primary mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series.
  • For those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, currently there is not data to support the use of an additional mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose after a primary J&J COVID-19 vaccine in immunocompromised people. The FDA and CDC are actively working to provide guidance on this issue.
  • At this time, all other individuals who are fully vaccinated have not been recommended to receive an additional dose.

With many of our patients considered to be immunocompromised – and at greater risk of serious illness due to COVID-19 – Texas Children’s began administering additional doses today.

If you feel you meet this new guidance for receiving an additional dose, and would like to schedule an appointment through Texas Children’s, you may do so now by clicking here. Please be sure to bring your vaccine card to your appointment.

For questions related to this new guidance, please contact our Vaccine Employee Support line at 832-VACCINE (832-822-2463).

After implementing bold action in June to show our appreciation for our team members’ contributions, Texas Children’s has just announced a new retention program that will impact every employee below the director and physician level – including part-time and per diem team members, and Baylor College of Medicine staff based at Texas Children’s.

President and CEO Mark A. Wallace announced the 1-2-3 Retention Program this week as another step forward in the Tomorrow, Together investment that Texas Children’s has made in our people. The program is designed to celebrate our team members’ tireless work and recognize your commitment to staying with the organization to advance our mission forward.

How the 1-2-3 Retention Program works
  • Retention Payment 1 on Sept. 17, 2021: Full-time team members will receive 1% of their salary or $500, whichever is greater, while part-time and per diem team members will receive 1% of their salary or $250, whichever is greater.
  • Retention Payment 2 on March 18, 2022: Full-time team members who remain employed with Texas Children’s until this date will receive 2 percent of their salary or $750, whichever is greater, while part-time and per diem team members receive 2 percent of their salary or $375, whichever is greater.
  • Retention Payment 3 on Sept. 16, 2022: Full-time team members who remain employed with Texas Children’s receive 3% percent of their salary or $1,000, whichever is greater, while part-time and per-diem team members will receive 3 percent of their salary or $500.
  • Baylor Dates: Please note that payout dates for Baylor may vary based on their payroll schedule.

“Though our resilience may be tested, you prove time after time that our commitment to healthy women and kids will always be greater than our challenges,” Wallace said. “On behalf of our entire leadership team, please accept our 1-2-3 Retention Program as a way of honoring your loyalty to Texas Children’s, and for the compassionate care you help deliver every day for the women and children we serve.”

To download a handy chart about the 1-2-3 Retention Program, click here.

For answers to frequently asked questions about the Tomorrow, Together initiative, click here.

Transitioning from the relaxed sleep schedules of summer break to a back-to-school sleep schedule may appear daunting, but it is achievable with some preparation and patience. You would typically want to establish these school year sleep schedules at least a couple of weeks before the first day of school so your kids have time to adjust. However, do not lose heart if you begin the process later after school has begun. It’s never too late to introduce healthy sleep habits, as they are always beneficial to our kids’ physical and mental development.

Start by progressively waking up your kids 15 minutes earlier each morning and putting them to bed 15 minutes earlier than the previous day. This process will help you work towards having them ready and adjusted to sleeping the right amount while still waking up for school at the same time each morning.

Getting back on track is the first step. Now we have to maintain these healthy sleep habits throughout the school year. Here are some tips to help:

  • Be consistent. Keeping a consistent sleep schedule without changes, even on weekends, helps keep kids’ circadian rhythms (the body’s internal clock) regulated.
  • Maintain a soothing bedtime routine to wind down and relax. A consistent and relaxing bedtime routine will help signal to your kids’ bodies that it is time to sleep. Establishing “quiet time,” reading a book, hearing a bedtime story, and performing other relaxing activities such as taking a warm bath or shower can help kids prepare for bed.
  • Limit screen time before bed. Turn off the TV and other electronics an hour before bed and keep their mobile devices outside the bedroom. Studies show that the light of screens (cell phones, tablets, laptops) can confuse our bodies into thinking it is still light outside, making it harder to fall asleep.
  • Create a calm sleep environment. Having an environment conducive to sleep makes a huge difference for kids. That means making sure kids have a dark and quiet room, a comfortable bed, and a comfortable room temperature (68 – 72 degrees). White noise machines or a fan can also be effective in soothing your kids to sleep by creating a consistent and rhythmic sound. Playing soft, calming music (think classical) can also help them to sleep.
  • No caffeine six hours before bedtime. This includes sodas and other caffeinated beverages that can interrupt a child’s natural sleeping patterns.
  • Avoid big meals before bedtime. Meals with oversized portions or spicy foods can cause discomfort from indigestion and make it harder for kids to fall asleep.
  • Exercise after school. Physical activity in the afternoon can help ensure a good night’s sleep by tiring kids out during the day. Some kids find it harder to sleep if they exercise too close to bedtime, so make sure to encourage exercise a few hours before. For example, a neighborhood stroll or bike after dinner can help with digestion as well as expend any leftover energy.

As teams across the organization continue to celebrate the recent Tomorrow, Together investment in our people, Texas Children’s is launching another special program to express our gratitude for our team members’ hard work and commitment.

In addition to the 50 percent discount on all purchases made at food courts and outlets at the Medical Center, West Campus and The Woodlands campus locations, we have sweet news we want to share.

Every Friday in August, all team members will get free ice cream, or another sweet treat, at all Texas Children’s locations. Make sure to grab a treat before or after your shift, overnight hours included.

  • Health Plan Building – 6330 West Loop South Freeway, Boardroom, Room #1436
  • Medical Center – Fresh Bistro at the Pavilion for Women and Food Court at Mark Wallace Tower
  • Meyer Building – Main Lobby
  • The Woodlands – Treehouse Café
  • West Campus – Dot’s Kitchen
  • Pediatrics, Specialty Cares, The Centers, Urgent Cares and other community locations – Please see your practice leader

Show off your smiles! Send your photos with your sweet treats and details to HR Communications for a chance to see your smile featured on Connect News and our social media channels.