March 21, 2017

Lois Gabriel, Clinical Product Coordinator role in Supply Chain, died March 13, 2017 at the age of 71 after an extended illness.

Lois joined Texas Children’s Hospital May 15, 1978. She worked for many years as a nurse manager in the Texas Children’s Newborn Center. In later years of her career she moved in to the Clinical Product Coordinator role in Supply Chain before retiring in 2014.

For those that knew her she was a gem with such a calming presence and a mentor and friend to many. Lois is truly missed.

Please keep her son and family in your prayers.

Dr. Gunter K. von Noorden, former chief and founder of Texas Children’s Hospital Ophthalmology, passed away February 18, 2017, at the age of 88. He was known as one of the “fathers of pediatric ophthalmology” for his contributions to strabismus surgery and overall leadership in the field for more than 40 years.

Von Noorden committed his entire career to the study and treatment of strabismus and amblyopia. He was a pioneer researcher in the area of visual neurophysiology and transferred those new discoveries in strabismic and anisometropic amblyopia into improved clinical care. Through his relentless efforts and inspiration, ophthalmologists worldwide acquired new knowledge and understanding in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus.

“Dr. von Noorden made Texas Children’s Hospital Ophthalmology Division what it is today,” said Chief of Ophthalmology Dr. David Coats. “His contributions to the hospital will forever be remembered and appreciated.”

Born in Germany in 1928, von Noorden’s family moved to Berlin in 1937. This had a profound impact on his life – exposing him to Adolf Hitler’s dictatorship and Nazi propaganda. Following his involvement in Battle of Berlin in 1945 and the end of WWII, von Noorden was determined to dedicate his life to healing others, and he worked his way through medical school at the Johann-Wolfgang Goethe University.

Von Noorden began his medical career as a resident at the University of Iowa in 1957, which was followed by a fellowship at the University of Tuebingen Eye Clinic in Germany. He then returned to the University of Iowa, spending two years as an assistant professor of ophthalmology. In 1963, von Noorden became a professor at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. In 1972, he moved to Houston to direct the Ocular Motility Service at Baylor College of Medicine.

Von Noorden was a professor of Ophthalmology and Pediatrics at Baylor, chief of the Ophthalmology Service at Texas Children’s Hospital, and adjunct professor of Neuroscience at the University of Texas at Houston from 1972 to 1995. Following an interval of retirement and appointment as professor emeritus, he rejoined the Baylor faculty as professor of Ophthalmology in July 2006, until resigning in October 2008. The Board of Trustees of Baylor then appointed von Noorden Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Ophthalmology in December 2008.

Von Noorden was charter member and former president of the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology (AAPOS), the International Strabismological Association (ISA), and the American Orthoptic Council (AOC). He also served as former president of the American Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).

In his lifetime, he published 310 scientific papers and authored four books, including Ocular Motility and Binocular Vision: Theory and Management of Strabismus. The book has been heralded as the “gold-standard text for ocular motility disorders.”

Von Noorden presented 21 named lectures worldwide and received numerous awards. His many honors included the Jackson Lecturer (American Academy of Ophthalmology – AAO), Bowman Lecturer (British Ophthalmological Society), Costenbader Lecturer (American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus – AAPOS), first Bielschowsky Lecturer (International Strabismological Association – ISA), Proctor Lecturer (Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology), and Ticho Lecturer (Israel Society of Ophthalmology).

He received the Franceschetti-Liebrecht-Award from the German Ophthalmological Society in 1984 and, in 1996, was awarded an honorary doctorate of medicine and surgery from the University of Bologna. In 2015, von Noorden was inducted in the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Hall of Fame as being “truly unique in his field and the ultimate triple threat: outstanding clinician, world-renowned teacher and author, and incredibly productive research scientist, highlighted by his path finding studies on the neuropathology of amblyopia.”

March 7, 2017

Morris Shreck, EDI coordinator, died unexpectedly November 30, 2016, at the age of 54.

Morris joined Texas Children’s Hospital in December 2002 working in the Transfer Center. He moved to account representative in Business Services and finally as EDI coordinator in the Revenue Cycle Payment Operations.

He was known as a loyal, hardworking and dedicated colleague. Everyone who worked alongside Morris will miss his sense of humor and his conversations about Houston sports teams and college football, especially the Houston Cougars. Morris and his wife of 30 years, Norma (also a Texas Children’s employee), spent much of their free time together travelling to visit their extended family.

Morris is survived by his wife, Norma; step-mother, Winnell Shreck; brothers, Bill Shreck, Jr. and wife Christine, Scott Shreck and wife Maconda; sisters, Kelly Shreck, Melanie Shreck and Fayellen Russell and husband Tony.

To his many extended family and friends, he will be greatly missed.

March 3, 2017

One of Texas Children’s most recognizable buildings now has a brand new name. The Clinical Care Tower has been renamed the Mark A. Wallace Tower in honor of Texas Children’s long-time President and CEO.

The announcement of the renaming came at the culmination of a Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday evening. It was the work of the Board and a complete surprise to Wallace. As the meeting appeared to arrive at its routine close, Board Chair Ann Lents opened the doors of the board room to welcome a few guests – Wallace’s wife Shannon and the entire Executive Council. Lents then proceeded with reading the Board’s resolution to rename the building in honor of Wallace’s 27 years of leadership and service to the organization.

“When you came to Texas Children’s, our hospital was a good but regional provider,” Lents said. “Now Texas Children’s is the largest and most comprehensive provider of children’s and women’s services. You brought a sense of mission and unbounding energy and a generosity of spirit to the job that are all the more remarkable given that you’ve been at it since 1989.”

Wallace and his wife were filled with emotion as the announcement unfolded in the room of about 100 Board members and executives. Expressing his appreciation, Wallace recognized the commitment of the Board, staff and dedicated employees.

“When [late Board member] George Peterkin recruited me, he convinced me that with this Board, Dr. Feigin and this community that we could do something incredible,” Wallace said. “I never imagined anything like this. We’ve gone from one location, seven floors, 350,000 square feet and 1,400 employees to all of this because of the Board, the great medical staff and our employees. Our employees are so committed to this organization and to the children, women and families we take care of. I can’t adequately put into words how much this means to me.”

When Wallace took the helm of Texas Children’s in 1989, the hospital was still contained in a single building – the seven-story Abercrombie Building. The West Tower and Clinical Care Tower (now, the current Feigin Tower) were completed shortly after in 1991. In 2003, as part of a $345 million project, the West Tower was expanded and a new, 16-floor Clinical Care Tower was built at the corner of Holcombe and Fannin. The building houses most of Texas Children’s outpatient clinics, including Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers, Neurology and Orthopedics.

Because of the prominent location of the clinical building, it continues to be one of the most visible of the Texas Children’s medical center buildings, making it a perfect choice for the naming honor. But Lents noted that the honor is a milestone in a continuing journey.

“This is not a capstone naming, this is an interim recognition,” Lents said. “We are looking forward to many more years of your leadership.”

TEXAS CHILDREN’S BOARD OF TRUSTEES RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, upon arriving at Texas Children’s as President and Chief Executive Officer, Mark A. Wallace stated that “my goal is for Texas Children’s to be the preeminent pediatric hospital in the world”;

WHEREAS, in his pursuit of that goal, Mark A. Wallace’s visionary leadership and tireless commitment have elevated Texas Children’s to a level of excellence and preeminence not even imagined when he joined Texas Children’s in 1989;

WHEREAS, integral to the goal of preeminence, Mark A. Wallace’s vision has encompassed and supported the development of leaders at all levels, based on his steadfast belief that “leadership always influences or determines outcomes — not some of the time, but all of the time”;

WHEREAS, the members of the Board of Trustees of Texas Children’s wish to express their deep gratitude and sincere appreciation to Mark A. Wallace and honor, recognize and commemorate his inspirational leadership as well as his unwavering pursuit of excellence;

IT IS NOW, THEREFORE, RESOLVED that in recognition of his devotion and personal commitment to Texas Children’s, we hereby rename the Clinical Care Tower as the Mark A. Wallace Tower at Texas Children’s Hospital; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees looks forward to many more years of Mark A. Wallace’s commitment and extraordinary leadership in guiding Texas Children’s to continued preeminence in creating a healthier future for children and women throughout our global community by leading in patient care, education and research.

UNANIMOUSLY adopted this 12th day of January, 2017.

February 28, 2017

Twenty years ago, a young girl named Gracie was treated for leukemia at Texas Children’s Hospital. Despite the difficult circumstances her own family was facing, support from extended family and friends empowered Gracie’s parents to have the eyes to see beyond their own situation. Within the walls of Texas Children’s Hospital and the compassionate, creative mind of Erin Kiltz, Gracie’s mother, the idea for a foundation that would bring comfort to people going through similar situations was born.

His Grace Foundation began its work on Valentine’s Day in 1997 by serving a gourmet, family style meal to the caregivers on the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. This “touch of home” type of service was inspired by the support the Kiltz family received during Gracie’s time at Texas Children’s Hospital, and the realization that their strong support system was not the norm.

Today, His Grace Foundation focuses its efforts on providing physical, emotional and financial support to patients and families on the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, ensuring a legacy of hope and care for patients and caregivers alike.

“His Grace Foundation exists to help ease the multitude of stressors faced by families with children on the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit of Texas Children’s Hospital,” said His Grace Foundation Executive Director Val Anderson. “We want families to be able to focus on supporting their child during the crucial treatment and recovery period.”

Some of the services offered by the foundation include: emergency funding, educational support and scholarships, arts in medicine programming, massage therapy, holiday and birthday celebrations, and temporary housing while families are required to maintain close proximity to the hospital. Additional services include a personalized gift basket that is given to patients when they arrive on the unit, necessities for family members, free parking for patient families, several monthly catered meals and weekly shopping runs.

Richard Daphne, whose daughter spent about 14 months on the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, said His Grace Foundation is “wonderful in so many ways.”

In addition to providing him and his wife with housing during a bulk of the time the couple was in Houston for their daughter’s care, His Grace Foundation staff and volunteers made numerous shopping runs, purchasing necessities and items their daughter simply wanted such as fuzzy socks and soft blankets. Staff and volunteers also supplied the family with plenty of smiles and hugs.

“They brought a bright spot into what was a pretty dark time,” Daphne said. “You can tell they really love what they do.”

Child Life Specialist Regina Burdett has worked on the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit for the past four years and has developed a deep appreciation for the services His Grace Foundation offers patients and families.

“The things they do go a long way,” Burdett said. “They provide things families don’t realize they need, including a fresh, friendly face and some social interaction from someone off the unit that they don’t encounter every day.”

Staff and volunteers with His Grace Foundation celebrated their 20th anniversary by doing what they do best – serving the families on the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. Throughout the day, staff and volunteers served meals, distributed goodie bags, provided massages and spread good cheer to some of those at the hospital who need it the most.

To learn more about His Grace Foundation or offer support click here. To learn more about Texas Children’s Bone Marrow Transplant program click here.

Amy Lucille Rockefeller, BSN, RN, Women’s Services, passed away on February 5, 2017 at the age of 39.

Amy began her career at Texas Children’s on November 28, 2011. She was a member of the inpatient Women’s Services Labor & Delivery team and an intensive care nurse. Amy was passionate about the care she provided for her patients and education/teaching. While an ICU nurse in L&D, she also took on the role of Training Partner. Amy was kind and known for her sense of humor and ability to get along with everyone. While Amy was passionate about her job, her greatest love was her daughter, Lyndsey. Amy was a true friend and will be greatly missed by her team and fellow employees.

Amy is survived by her daughter, Lyndsey; her father, Ralph; her brother, Michael and his wife, Regina; her niece, Julia; and grandmother, Avis Bass.

A Memorial Fund has been established through Wells Fargo Bank, “Amy Rockefeller Memorial” and all proceeds will directly benefit Amy’s daughter, Lyndsey who is a senior in high school this year.

Dr. Laura Monson, co-director of the Craniofacial/Craniosynostosis Clinic, was recently appointed Chief Surgical Quality and Safety Officer for Texas Children’s Hospital.

Monson was selected for the position after a thorough nationwide search and will succeed neurosurgeon Dr. Tom Luerssen, who has been the voice of surgery within Quality Operations Management at Texas Children’s driving surgical quality efforts at the hospital and throughout the system.

Among the many quality projects Luerssen was instrumental in establishing during his tenure are the OR-specific Surgical Checklist and the Surgical Quality Committee. Luerssen also was essential to the success of the hospital’s American College of Surgeons Level 1 Children’s Surgery Center Verification.

Surgeon-in-Chief Dr. Charles D. Fraser and Senior Vice President/Chief Quality Officer Dr. Angelo Giardino said Monson distinguished herself in the selection process as having just the right vision and passion to lead the Texas Children’s surgical quality program into the future.

“Dr. Monson has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to improving the quality of care and quality of life for her patients as evidenced by her many cleft lip and palate and craniofacial research programs,” Fraser and Giardino said. “She is continually educating herself on quality improvement and has been an internal champion for it within the Department of Surgery.”

Monson will begin her new role on Wednesday, March 1. Click here for more information about Monson and her clinic experience and interests.