The Quality and Safety Department recognizes individuals or groups who have excelled in providing patient safety with the monthly Shamrock Award.
Anesthesiologist Mary “Toni” Felberg at the Medical Center was recognized in July 2025.
Toni was caring for a healthy 5-year-old patient who was scheduled for removal of a minor lesion when she noticed concerning changes during the procedure. After first reference, Mary observed significant hemodynamic instability, ST-segment depressions on the electrocardiogram and abnormal diastolic findings that did not align with an otherwise healthy child. Although the case was considered low risk, she recognized the findings as abnormal based on years of training, experience and vigilance. Mary pressed the surgical team and the family to admit the child and pursue further cardiology evaluation, despite initial resistance. Further investigation revealed severe hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, a condition associated with sudden cardiac death in young people. Last week, the child returned to the cardiac catheterization lab for further evaluation and is doing well. He is alive today because Mary refused to ignore subtle warning signs.
West Campus Emergency Center Team was recognized in July 2025.
The Emergency Center team responded to the main hospital lobby for a patient in need of care. Upon arrival, they learned an adult patient had walked in with a gunshot wound and required emergency treatment. The team alerted the department and transferred the patient from the lobby to the medical trauma room. Working collaboratively, the team stabilized the patient and prepared for transfer. Care included placing two large-bore IVs, delivering oxygen, managing pain and activating the massive transfusion protocol. Team members also provided emotional support to the patient and family. Meanwhile, security and social workers helped maintain a safe environment for staff and visitors. A thorough handoff was completed with emergency medical services for transfer to an outside facility for continued care. The team includes Wendy McCarter Johnson and Shaine Adrielle Singson.
Emergency Room Physician Binita Patel at the Austin Campus and Medical Center was recognized in August 2025. Anita has been a strong and trusted partner in her role as interim chief medical officer. She arrived in Austin ready to listen, engage and build meaningful relationships across teams. Anita has provided clear direction and steady support as the organization advances its quality journey. Her leadership has helped align teams around shared goals and continuous improvement. Anita brought stability, rational decision-making, patience and credibility to an already high-performing team. Her presence helped elevate patient safety and quality efforts to the next level in Austin. She accomplished this while making significant personal sacrifices to support the organization. For instance, she temporarily relocated to Austin while her family remained in Houston.
Medical Center Valet, Adult Congenital Heart Disease, Security, Code Response, Emergency Center, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Pharmacy and House Supervisor Teams were recognized in August 2025.
Cardiac Intensive Care Unit Staff Nurse Elexis Torres floated to Adult Congenital Heart Disease and was discharging her third patient of the day. While escorting the patient in a wheelchair alongside the patient’s mother and personal care assistant, Elexis noted the patient was dizzy and no longer at baseline. During her rapid assessment, the patient lost pulses. Elexis immediately directed the personal care assistant to call for help, while she safely lowered the patient to the ground and began CPR. Elexis’ swift recognition and response were critical to the patient’s survival. Security ensured privacy and safety while the House Supervisors team coordinated the code response. The Emergency Center team and Cardiac Intensive Care Unit staff provided timely support, and the Pharmacy team assisted despite chart-access challenges. This event highlighted early recognition, rapid response and seamless teamwork that delivered potentially life-saving care.
Staff Nurse Emmanuella “Emma” Undie at the Medical Center was recognized in September 2025.
Emma was caring for a patient admitted for severe blood pressure elevations who had remained stable for several days. When the patient reported pink-tinged vaginal bleeding without pain, she immediately placed her on a fetal monitor. Emma identified a subtle but significant change in the fetal heart rate baseline and promptly contacted Dr. Rachel Eleazu. Within minutes of the physician’s arrival, the fetal heart rate dropped into the 70s, and a STAT cesarean section was called. The patient was rapidly prepped and transported to the operating room, where a viable infant was safely delivered. From the time Emma responded to the patient’s call light to delivery, only 27 minutes elapsed, with the physician notified within four minutes of initiating fetal monitoring. The patient was found to have a complete placental abruption. Emma was commended for her exceptional clinical judgment and patient-centered care.
Medical Center Nursing Leadership Team was recognized in September 2025.
During last week’s water disruption, Nursing Leadership team member Jessica Kelley identified a potential safety risk involving eyewash stations due to water quality concerns. Although the stations are routinely checked, sediment and water availability created a temporary safety gap. Jessica promptly escalated the concern to her team member Carmen Watrin. Carmen gathered information and evaluated appropriate mitigation options. A temporary solution using eyewash bottles was implemented. This ensured coverage for inpatient areas across Legacy Tower and the Pavilion for Women. Eyewash access is critical in healthcare settings with frequent biohazard exposure. Jessica and Carmen’s quick action closed the safety gap and protected staff during the disruption.
Endocrinologist Siripoom McKay at the Medical Center was recognized in October 2025.
During a major transition in inpatient care, Siripoom emerged as a steadfast advocate for children with diabetes and endocrine conditions. She recognized that patient safety depended on seamless communication as care shifted to the Pediatric Hospital Medicine team. With tireless dedication, she brought together endocrinology, hospitalists, population health, pharmacy, nursing and diabetes educators. Through countless meetings, she championed processes that placed safety at the center of every admission and discharge. Siripoom led the development of protocols designed to anticipate risk and prevent errors before they reached patients. Her leadership fostered true collaboration between subspecialty and hospitalist teams. Families gained confidence knowing their children’s care was delivered with precision, compassion and vigilance. Through her vision and commitment, she set a lasting model for patient-centered and safety-driven care.
Austin Campus Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Team was recognized in October 2025.
During an emergency, a patient in the Emergency Center required activation of the massive transfusion protocol and use of the Belmont Report to manage excessive blood loss. Staffing was insufficient, so providers couldn’t continue the protocol in the operating room. This prompted a request for assistance from the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit team. The team quickly coordinated a plan to support the operating room while ensuring they remained adequately staffed. Leadership from Kangaroo Crew, Acute Care Charge and Respiratory Therapy helped resource the remaining Pediatric Intensive Care Unit staff during the operating room response. Prior to entering the operating room, the team reviewed roles. The team administered blood products, operated the Belmont Report, directed which blood products to give and ordered necessary labs under the massive transfusion protocol. Other team members started an IV as the patient was prepped and administered 26 units of blood products, ensuring the patient received rapid, coordinated care. The team includes Dillon Hartley, Katherine Gonzalez, Joan Buen and Courtney Mitchell.
Morrison Food Services Contingent Worker Marie Puentes at the Woodlands Campus was recognized in November 2025.
While delivering a meal tray to the infusion center, Marie heard a child screaming near the elevators. She ran over and saw the elevator doors had closed on the child’s IV tubing, separating the child from her mother. The mother, trapped by a double-wide stroller, could not reach the doors before they closed as the elevator began to ascend. The IV line started to pull, causing the child pain and distress. Marie acted quickly, unhooking the IV line, applying pressure to the bleeding site and comforting the frightened child. When the elevator returned, the mother and child were safely reunited, and the IV line required only new tubing rather than a full replacement. Marie cleaned up, reported the incident to leadership and resumed her duties calmly and with humility. Her swift thinking and presence of mind prevented trauma, enhanced patient safety and exemplified extraordinary compassion.
The Woodlands Campus Emergency Center, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Respiratory Care and Nursing Operations Leadership Teams were recognized in November 2025.
The House Supervisor team was called to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit when a patient’s family member reported severe headaches and vomiting. The individual was found to be severely hypertensive, with a systolic reading in the 200s. This prompted an incident management team activation. An adult stroke scale was performed and concerns for a possible stroke led to rapid transfer to the Emergency Center. Upon arrival, the patient was drooling and unable to sit up, with a blood pressure of 226/128, requiring immediate intervention. Multiple providers, including Dr. Robert Johnson, performed urgent care quickly, taking the patient for a computed tomography scan that revealed a large intracranial hemorrhage with shift. Providers assisted with airway management and intubation while Robert coordinated transfer acceptance at an outside facility. Life Flight was requested, and the patient was ready for transport in under 15 minutes, ensuring rapid and safe transfer. The team’s swift action, collaboration and expertise prevented a potentially catastrophic outcome and exemplified outstanding patient care. The team also includes Dr. Christian Erickson, Steven Davis, Alexis Joynes, Skyler Gregg, Linda Canas, Chelo Bautista, Heather Luscomb, Patricia Dark, Tarannum Ali, Vickie Kimen, Ashli Aaron, Denise Coburn, Trase Foote, Craig Czyrnik, Guillermo Torres, Anna Ugaban, Ursi Green, Alyse Lindley and Colin Keller.