As we celebrate Patient Experience Month at Texas Children’s and honor our team members who make a difference every day to our patients and their families, we also kick off a year of gratitude – and encourage our One Amazing Team to find ways to express their own thanks to the colleagues who brighten their days, and the patients and families entrusted to our care.
Patient Experience Month gives us an opportunity each year to applaud every employee who helps our patients navigate their Texas Children’s journey in a positive way. Whether you serve right at the bedside, lead a team, support our caregivers or play a non-clinical role, you have an impact and make a contribution that matters.
Each of us at Texas Children’s can also point to a fellow team member whose words or actions have brought us a smile, or kept our patients and their families uplifted. This month is an ideal time to start showing that person how grateful we are for everything they do in one of countless ways. Try celebrating an achievement, performing random acts of kindness, penning a note, making a personal connection, speaking their praises or simply stopping to say thank you.
You can even send a Caught You Caring note to a colleague who deserves recognition. Sending this to a colleague is a quick and easy way to say thank you to someone who has gone out of their way to help or provide a positive experience. Just write a few sentences about their impact and a Caught You Caring will be automatically sent to the person you are recognizing and their leader.
“I’m going about my day – and sometimes it’s an arduous day – and seeing the ‘Caught You Caring’ on my email subject line instantly makes me smile. I can’t wait to open it,” said Veronica Medrano, a medical social worker. “The message always makes me feel so good, and reminds me of all those warm feelings that are the reason I’m here.”
For more resources and tips on expressing gratitude, visit the Patient Experience resource site.
For a fun visual about ways you can express gratitude in 2021, click here. Print and post the flyer at your workstation to amplify unity and help inspire gratitude in others.
Show off your photos and win a prize
Now that you’ve committed to expressing your gratitude, submit a photo of your efforts to patientexperience@texaschildrens.org. Submissions will be accepted through Wednesday, April 21, and may be displayed on Connect in the virtual Acts of Gratitude photo gallery.
When you submit a photo, you will also be entered into a weekly prize drawing to be held on April 9, 16 and 23. Prizes include an entertainment package, fitness package and outdoor package. Submit your photo early for more opportunities to win.
Submit a nomination for the Caught You Caring of the Year Award
You may also consider submitting a nomination for the Caught You Caring of the Year Award on behalf of a colleague who goes the extra mile in their day-to-day activities, and stands out for their caring and compassionate interactions with our patients and their families. Nominations for the Caught You Caring of the Year are due by Wednesday, April 14.
To submit your Caught You Caring of the Year Award nomination, click here.