Your name, title and department. How long have you worked here?
My name is Lorenzo Benavides, Social Worker, Patient and Family Services. I have worked here for two years.
Tell us how you found out you won a super star award.
I was told by my leadership that I needed to give a presentation about a Texas Children’s Hospital event that happened earlier that month. I was nervous to present about this event as it was heavy in areas that were outside of my expertise. My manager also gave me an incredibly short window to present on such a complicated issue. I ran through the first few slides and was then eventually surprised by a new slide in my presentation that read “Congrats! You won the Super Star award!” In the moment, the audience (which I then came to realize was composed by the wonderful people I work with every day) all stood up and congratulated me. It was truly an amazing and wonderful experience to say the least.
What does it mean to be recognized for the hard work you do? How has the organization helped you achieve your personal and professional goals?
It is a very humbling experience. I work with wonderful, intelligent, and compassionate people at Texas Children’s Hospital who all do amazing, wonderful work for our patients. The core values and culture of Texas Children’s Hospital have helped me become a more confident leader, team-player, and has refreshed my understanding of what providing world-class service to others looks like.
What do you think makes someone at Texas Children’s a super star?
I believe working tirelessly for others, always being open to feedback, and above-all knowing the value of collaborating with other people and disciplines, makes someone a super star.
What is your motivation for going above and beyond every day at work?
The profession of social work, by nature, is consistently involved in the most dire and vulnerable psychosocial cases. We can help one family with acquiring the most basic access to necessities, help another family address concerns and fears, advocate for a vulnerable child, and also provide comfort to another family for the loss of a different child, all in one day. I, like many other social workers, are motivated by knowing that our work is important and meaningful, and can sometimes positively change lives.
What is the best thing about working at Texas Children’s?
By far, the best thing about Texas Children’s Hospital is the culture and level of respect we all have for one another’s profession. It is such a unique and unifying feeling to be able to walk down the hall and be greeted by a friendly smile or nod from attendings, residents, nurses, care managers, directors, child life, janitorial staff, etc. It makes me feel that we are all part of a team that truly believes in doing better for our patients.
What does it mean to you that everyone at Texas Children’s is considered a leader? What is your leadership definition?
I believe that it pushes us to become better overall. My definition of leadership is to consistently find ways to improve yourself and your profession, while also finding the beauty and joy of where you currently are. I believe that that we all have room to grow and glow, and I find that everlasting mission wonderful because it keeps life fun and challenging.
Anything else you want to share?
I want to recognize the daily hard work of my fellow social workers, the nurses on 11 West Tower, the nursing leadership, the 11 West Tower care managers, child life, activity coordinator, PCAs, unit secretary, the floor’s PA-c, all the medical teams, and all the hospital directors/assistant directors that consistently work hard for our patients and families. You guys truly make work a fun and joyful place to be.