October 10, 2023

Grateful parent submitted the following Caught You Caring recognition for Pathology Patient Care Technician Amber Greer.

“It was my daughter’s first time getting blood work done, she had two unsuccessful attempts and we had come back for a redraw. We had seen Amber previously and we felt comfortable going back and seeing her. She was very personable and professional. She remembered we needed to use the heel warmers on her arms to get a good vein. She was able to get it on the first try and we were all thankful! Getting blood is never fun for anyone but Amber made it as smooth of a process as possible for baby, mom and dad! Will definitely will be asking for Ms. Amber for any future blood draws.”

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.

October 2, 2023

We are saddened to share the passing of our dear friend and beloved former volunteer, Elaine Kuper, who died Sept. 26, 2023, at the age of 100. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, Oct. 8 at Congregation Beth Israel Memorial Garden – click here for more information.

Elaine, who celebrated her 100th birthday last November, was the epitome of a dedicated volunteer who truly lived and breathed Texas Children’s Hospital. Originally from Buffalo, New York, she moved to Houston when she was 12 and began volunteering just two weeks after we opened our doors in 1954. With every passing day, Elaine grew more and more in love with our patients and their families – and in return, they grew more in love with her.

“I just loved being with people,” Kuper told USA Today in a touching story they produced earlier this year to commemorate her life of service. “It’s the best. There’s no hospital like [Texas Children’s].”

Elaine was a charter member of The Auxiliary to Texas Children’s Hospital and completed over 18,000 volunteer hours in her lifetime. She spent 61 incredible years as a volunteer and was a mainstay at the information desk for over 45 years. She enrolled in Spanish lessons to help navigate Spanish-speaking families around the hospital, and also assisted with mail delivery and facility tours. The Volunteer Services suite was named in her honor at her retirement celebration in 2015.

“I consider it a blessing to have known such a giving, dedicated and purely genuine person,” said President and CEO Mark A. Wallace of Elaine’s passing.

Elaine taught us all what it means to care for others selflessly. She will be deeply missed by all of us here at Texas Children’s, and our thoughts are with her family and close friends.

Click here to view photos.

Appreciative parent submitted the following Caught You Caring recognition for Staff Nurse Lauren Baer.

“Lauren welcomed us with a warm smile and was so kind during our visit. Macie was nervous about having her fracture looked at and Lauren made Macie feel so comfortable and happy. Thank you for a great experience!”

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.

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.

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

Appreciative patient submitted the following Caught You Caring recognition for Practice Manager Felicia Sneed.

“Mrs. Felicia Sneed ALWAYS goes ABOVE AND BEYOND for patients at the Palm Center! She’s incredibly dedicated to our community and always finds ways to help and give back to everyone in big or small ways, we always appreciate everything she does for us! We LOVE Palm Center!”

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.