Your name, title and department.
Ermelinda “Melinda” Reece, Ambulatory Services Representative in the Audiology Center.
Tell us how you found out you won a Super Star Award.
I was celebrating with my department for my 25 years of service at Texas Children’s and was presented with two boxes. One box held a commemorative pin. Then, my manager asked me to open the bigger box of the two, and when I did, I saw the Super Star Award! I was totally surprised.
What does it mean to be recognized for the hard work you do? How has the organization helped you achieve your professional goals?
Recognition of my dedication and achievements shows that others are paying attention to the impact and contributions I make to our hospital. The organization helped me achieve my goals by being flexible, so I can balance work and family life.
What do you think makes someone at Texas Children’s a Super Star?
Service with heart makes someone at our hospital a Super Star!
What is your motivation for going beyond every day at work?
I get a sense of personal satisfaction and pride. I like achieving goals, exceeding expectations and helping when needed with love.
What is the best thing about working at Texas Children’s?
I find fulfillment in the hospital’s mission to care for children and women, and in being able to make a positive impact on patients’ lives.
Anything else you want to share?
When I applied to Texas Children’s, I told my husband, “I would like to work 7 pm to 7 am on Saturdays and Sundays only.” My husband laughed and said, “Good Luck with that.”
That evening, I opened the classifieds in the Houston Chronicle looking for a job that wouldn’t take me away from my children. They had spent four months in the NICU as 24-week preemies, and now that they were in school, I was ready to work again. But I needed a schedule that allowed me to care for them before and after school.
I couldn’t believe what I saw. I read the listing three times: an opening at Texas Children’s Hospital, 7 pm to 7 am, Saturdays and Sundays. It was perfect.
I called the staffing agency after midnight and left a message. At 8 am on Monday, I called again and reached a kind representative who scheduled a same-day interview. I took a typing test, met the manager and toured the hospital. By 8 pm that evening, I was offered a job. God is good.