January 16, 2024

Appreciative colleague submitted the following Caught You Caring recognition for Patient Care Assistant Marcasia Robinson.

“Marcasia is such a hard worker she is always willing to pick up shifts to help out the unit. She displays a positive and fun energetic attitude throughout all her shifts. Even when it is not her patient she helps out when asked.”

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.

January 11, 2024

On Mark Wallace’s blog, he honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and shares what inspires him to pursue peace for all in 2024. Read more

January 8, 2024

Today Debra Sukin, Ph.D. starts her journey as the new president at Texas Children’s. She will oversee all administrative and clinical areas of the Texas Children’s system, including the three current hospital locations in the Medical Center, West Campus and The Woodlands Campus, as well as the North Austin Campus when it opens in February 2024. She will report to CEO Mark A. Wallace.

“I am thrilled for Debbie to join our team as we celebrate a new year and a new season for Texas Children’s,” said Mr. Wallace in an email to the organization. “I have the utmost confidence that Debbie is the perfect person for this position, and for Texas Children’s.”

Prior to joining Texas Children’s, Dr. Sukin served as Executive Vice President of Houston Methodist, where she was responsible for five suburban hospitals in addition to having system responsibility for the neuroscience service line and the Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center. She also served as CEO of Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital, and was involved in the planning and design of the Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital, which was deemed a “Smart Hospital of the Future,” integrating the latest in telehealth and technological innovations.

Dr. Sukin has more than 30 years of health care experience and serves on several prominent medical boards. She’s received numerous awards and recognition for her achievements and the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce recently named her the 2023 Healthcare Leader of the Year.

Mr. Wallace described Dr. Sukin’s journey to Texas Children’s and the process of bringing her on board as nothing short of divine destiny. Debbie’s connection to Texas Children’s runs far deeper than just her work experience in the Texas Medical Center – her mother and father worked for Texas Children’s for many years. Debbie’s mom, Dr. Judith Feigin, worked here in pediatric education and training, and her father, Dr. Ralph D. Feigin, served as Texas Children’s Physician In-Chief and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine from 1977 until his passing 2008. Dr. Sukin was also involved in the opening of Texas Children’s Angelman Syndrome Clinic, in support of a cause and rare genetic condition close to her heart and family.

“Texas Children’s has always been a profoundly special place to me, and I am truly honored to serve as the new President,” said Dr. Sukin. “I look forward to working with our One Amazing Team, and seeing how each and every individual at Texas Children’s helps to advance our mission.”

Click here to read Dr. Sukin’s full biography on the Texas Children’s website.

Meet Vanessa McElroy, sonographer educator at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women in Austin. With a passion for improving health care with data analysis and 25 years of living in the capital city, she’s part of a fast-growing team leading women’s care in the region.

What brought you to Texas Children’s?

I have been a sonographer for almost 15 years, working in women’s health and maternal-fetal medicine. I wanted to work for TCH after I heard about the Pavilion for Women coming to Austin. I was hired in August, and I am so excited to bring the latest in fetal surgical care to Austin.

How did you get into diagnostic imaging and fetal sonography?

I had a baby with a fatal birth defect, and that experience made me want to help other people going through life-changing events like this. I want to provide empathy and excellent care for those patients and hopefully make it a little easier for them, as others did for me.

What are you most excited about as we open North Austin Campus and build our women’s services offerings?

I am excited to work with our amazing fetal surgeons in a new facility with state-of-the-art equipment. You should see my new ultrasound machine, she’s a beauty! So often we have to make do with whatever equipment or materials are available and don’t actually have what we need to provide the best care for our patients. It is a great pleasure to work for an organization dedicated to giving their teams everything they need to succeed!

What makes Austin a great place to work and live?

I love Austin and have lived here since 1997, aside from my time at the University of Missouri. After college, I couldn’t wait to get back to Austin because I love the attitude here. It’s a wear-what-you-want, do-your-own-thing kind of town, which I love! The endless variety of things to do, food to eat, concerts to see and places to go makes it a wonderful place to live.

What does “Always Thinking Experience” mean to you?

I am always thinking about patient experience, because that’s what brought me to healthcare and ultrasonography in the first place. I still remember those healthcare workers who helped me in my hardest time, and it is so rewarding to be that person for others.

Our dedicated team at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women provides comprehensive care to women in every stage of life, from preconception to long after the birth of a child. With the opening of North Austin OB/GYN and Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin for inpatient care in February, the community can expect the same commitment to excellence, innovation and patient-centered care that we’re known for delivering in Houston.

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 countdown updates, resources and more on the Austin Expansion SharePoint.

Impressed mother submitted the following Caught You Caring recognition for Nurse Practitioner Krystle Cravens.

“Krystle was very nice and knowledgeable. She answered all of my questions regarding the best care for my son. She sent his prescriptions to a 24-hour pharmacy, as requested, and gave me multiple locations to choose from that were convenient for me, without reading locations from a paper, which was impressive. She even gave my son a hug before we left, which was so sweet! If we have to visit urgent care again, I hope to be seen by Krystle.”

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.

January 2, 2024

Texas Children’s Hospital is pleased to announce three new division chiefs in the Department of Pediatrics:

“We are so delighted to announce Drs. Ostermaier, Palazzi and Typpo as our three new division chiefs at Baylor and Texas Children’s,” said Dr. Lara Shekerdemian, Pediatrician-in-Chief at Texas Children’s Hospital and Professor and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine. “Each one of them is a brilliant, outstanding leader who is highly respected in their fields, and I am confident that the Department of Pediatrics and Texas Children’s will continue to make a life-changing difference under their leadership.”

Click here to learn more about Drs. Ostermaier, Palazzi and Typpo.

Grateful colleague submitted the following Caught You Caring recognition for Workforce Timekeeping Manager Carlenis Marmol.

“Carlenis took the time to basically create an entire presentation with photos and screen shots to help me navigate my way through my first time card correction. She was patient and most of all kind while I fumbled my way through. Thank you Carlenis, your kindness on a stressful day was so very welcome!!”

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.