Often referred to as the “Academy Awards for Admins,” The Admin Awards® is the first and only public recognition program of its kind in the country that focuses specifically on recognizing and rewarding the achievements, dedication and importance of administrative professionals.
Congratulations to four of Texas Children’s very own administrative professionals who were honored this year:
Cassandra Anderson
Assistant to the Executive Vice President, 11.4 years of service
Winner, Leadership Award
Finalist, Colleen Barrett Award for Administrative Excellence
What does it mean to be recognized for your hard work?
It means a lot to be recognized for the work we do. However, I don’t do what I do for the recognition. I absolutely love being in a support role, and I am blessed to be able to make a living at it.
How has the organization helped you achieve your personal and professional goals?
When I started at Texas Children’s Hospital, I was so excited to be here. Having great leaders who believed in me has helped me grow in my profession.
What (Who) inspires you at work? What keeps you coming back day after day?
My leader, Michelle Riley-Brown, inspires me. I get to see firsthand all that she has on her plate. She handles it all with such grace, kindness and excellence. I have supported her for seven and a half years, and being able to support her inspires me to strive for excellence. If I can make a small difference in her day then I feel like I have contributed to her success and the success of the hospital.
I come back every day with a grateful heart. I am grateful to be employed at Texas Children’s Hospital. I love the culture, the leadership, the staff and love seeing the children and their families when they come in. I used to feel like not being with patients daily was a meaningless contribution to the hospitals’ goals, but I have learned over the years, that I do make a difference and I do matter.
What does it mean to you that everyone at Texas Children’s is considered a leader?
I believe we are all leaders. When we give our all daily, we are an example of a great leader. To me a leader leads others with compassion and understanding while learning in the process.
Anything else you want to share?
As president of the Administrative Support Professionals Network (ASPN), I love working with the Administrative Assistants across Texas Children’s. I look forward to Administrative Professionals Week where all of the administrative assistants are celebrated, thanked and honored. Assistants are the glue that holds it all together. Serving as an assistant is a gift that we love giving.
Isabel (Izzy) De La Torre
Administrative Assistant, Nursing Administration, 5 years of service
Finalist, Above the Call Award
What does it mean to be recognized for your hard work?
Being recognized by my leaders for this great nomination makes me proud to be an Administrative Professional. My passion and great efforts to accomplish great results are encouraged by my leaders and colleagues each day. I am grateful for the acknowledgment of my hard work.
Texas Children’s is such an amazing organization that has truly helped me achieve my personal and professional goals. My voice is truly heard, as I like challenging myself and advancing on a personal level. My leaders allow me the ability to develop new skills that I never would have attempted on my own. It has changed my confidence level and my entire life, not just my career, and this continues to keep me motivated and get me through tough days or days where things do not go my way.
What inspires you at work? What keeps you coming back day after day?
Knowing the core values the organization represents keeps me inspired and motivated each day. As an employee, seeing the work that is done at the hospital encourages me to stay true to my work ethic. The purpose I carry leads me to want to be better each day, not only for patients and families, but also for my team. I feel appreciated knowing the work that I do is recognized by others.
Seeing hospital initiatives implemented, makes me proud knowing that I was a part of the work to help those opportunities come to life. Working in the nursing department helps me see the work that I do, impacts our frontline workers. In some way, not only do I support my team but I also support the nursing staff.
What does it mean to you that everyone at Texas Children’s is considered a leader?
I am humbled knowing we are all one family at Texas Children’s. No matter what role you have, we are all leaders. It takes a special type of person to create those connections and I believe Texas Children’s employees are no exception. Every employee has the opportunity to make an impact with patients and families and I witness these leadership connects each time I walk the hallways. With a simple greeting or asking a family how they can help them with directions, we are all leaders within.
It is also true that everybody is a leader regardless of their position, provided they deliver their best. We see several leaders emerged during tough times to navigate the world in the right direction. However, a true leader is one who makes a difference in others. Every leader has those extra elements that make them special.
Anything else you want to share?
For me, being an administrative professional at Texas Children’s inspires me to do the best each day. I do not see my workplace as a job but more like a family. The bond my team and I have created, are friendships that will last a lifetime.
Melissa Vaesa Falcon
Sr. Administrative Assistant, West Campus, 18 years of service
Finalist, Administrative Excellence in Public Service Award
What does it mean to be recognized for your hard work?
It means a lot to be recognized! I was invited to attend the in-person Admin Awards gala in February of 2020 and was blown away by the community of companies from every industry who were not only recognizing the administrative professionals but truly celebrating the efforts and the value they bring to their organizations and their leaders.
What inspires you at work? What keeps you coming back day after day?
In 2001, I sought out employment at Texas Children’s because of receiving phenomenal care for my son when he was admitted to the NICU. Three days after birth – when we are about to be discharged from a nearby hospital – my son had seizure/coded and was immediately transported to Texas Children’s Hospital via the AMAZING Kangaroo Crew. This was the worst day of my life. I know that without the Kangaroo Crew’s comforting support which was elevated by every single nurse, technician, therapist, cleaning crew, and physician, we would not have managed as well as we did. Thirty days later, my son was discharged from the NICU and I made a personal goal to one-day join the team at Texas Children’s. Nearly two years later, I joined our One Amazing Team and flash forward to now proudly celebrating 18 years or service.
I am constantly motivated by the same reasons that compelled me to join 18 years ago, which is to provide a safe place that brings outstanding care to the children and the families we serve. Although I am no longer in patient care area, I realize that my role as an administrative professional contributes to the success towards our mission. Families choose to come to Texas Children’s and allow us to care for their children and with that we all hold great responsibility.
What does it mean to you that everyone at Texas Children’s is considered a leader?
At Texas Children’s Hospital we received the message that “we are all leaders” and by sending that message it empowers all of us to lead the way! We are able to lead by example in doing the right thing, being in the right place and at the right time, as well as making decisions to enable the system to work efficiently.
I love Mark Wallace’s maxim on leadership and 100 percent agree that, “Leadership determines outcomes, not some of the time, but all of the time.” Over my 18 years I have worked with various leaders – and this absolutely is on point – as I have been blessed to work with amazing leadership, who lead the people, across the organization. Watching their growth has been wonderful and makes me proud to have worked with them.
Anything else you want to share?
The administrative support team at Texas Children’s are often the backbones in their areas and beyond. I would like to thank all my peers for the efforts and let them know we see them embracing freedom, leading tirelessly, living compassionately and amplifying unity. We are small albeit mighty team of administrative professionals at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus and value our peers across the system. We truly are #OneAmazingTeam.
Brittnie Wright
Senior Administrative Assistant, Texas Children’s The Woodlands, 5 years of Service
Finalist, Achiever Award
What does it mean to be recognized for your hard work?
It means a great deal! I feel incredibly honored. This organization has provided me with a positive and encouraging work environment that has pushed me to be and do my best. It has also created a culture that I am proud to be a part of. I have all of the tools and trainings I need to be successful in my role, in addition to benefits available to me to further my education and grow in my career.
What inspires you at work? What keeps you coming back day after day?
I am inspired by the work that Texas Children’s as a whole does to help the children and families of Houston. I am thankful to have a front-row seat in seeing the wonderful impact we have made for those families, and am thankful that I get to have a part of that care. That is what inspires me to keep going: providing excellent assistance to my leaders so that they, in turn, are organized, equipped, and have the freedom to provide excellent care to our patients.
What does it mean to you that everyone at Texas Children’s is considered a leader?
I think it’s so vital that everyone grasps that understanding. Leadership comes in all roles. You don’t have to have the big title, or numerous people working under you, to be considered a leader. Everyone is a leader in his or her own right, as we our individuals and we are charged with leading ourselves. Leadership to me means being a person of integrity, humility, and passion. Inspiring those around you to be their best while providing them with the right tools, knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in their roles and add value to their organization. I also believe that an effective leader provides mentorship and fosters an environment of trust and reliability for their team members to make their own decisions, and use their creativity and individuality to forge new paths for those coming after them.
Anything else you want to share?
I truly appreciate this moment, and am so thankful for the love and support provided to me during this special time. Thank you!