Love takes many forms at Texas Children’s, from the compassion shown to patients and families to the dedication team members bring to their work each day. This Valentine’s Day, Texas Children’s is recognizing couples who work across the organization and share both a professional calling and a personal connection.
From Pharmacy to the PICU, these team members navigate demanding schedules, meaningful work and shared goals while supporting one another along the way. Their stories highlight the power of partnership and the role teamwork plays in caring for others inside and outside our hospital.
Ashley Wolf-Roberson: Senior Volunteer Coordinator, Austin Campus
Dwain Roberson: Assistant Director of Support Services, Austin campus
How did you first meet? Was it through work or outside of work?
We met outside of work through a mutual friend. At the time, neither of us imagined that our personal story would eventually intersect so closely with our professional lives in healthcare. What started as a personal connection quickly revealed a shared commitment to service, purpose and people.
What brought you both to Texas Children’s?
Texas Children’s represented more than a job opportunity; it represented a mission we could both stand behind. We were drawn to the organization’s unwavering commitment to patient and family-centered care, operational excellence and servant leadership. Whether it’s supporting clinical operations behind the scenes or creating meaningful experiences for patients and families through volunteer services, we both wanted to be part of a system where every role matters and every decision is rooted in improving outcomes for children and families.
What’s it like working at the same hospital as your partner?
Working in the same hospital creates a unique sense of alignment and mutual understanding. We both understand the pace, complexity and emotional weight that comes with healthcare work. There’s a shared appreciation for the operational challenges, regulatory demands and mission-driven decisions that define our days. It also reinforces a sense of pride knowing we’re contributing to the same organization from different angles, all in support of the same patients and families.
What’s one thing you’ve learned from each other professionally?
We’ve both learned that excellence in healthcare shows up in many forms. From operations and support services to volunteer engagement and family experience, every role contributes to quality, safety and compassion. We’ve learned from each other how to lead with empathy while maintaining high standards, and how a shared passion for service can elevate both individual performance and team impact.
What advice would you give to other couples who work together (or might someday)?
Our advice would be to respect professional boundaries while supporting one another’s growth. Celebrate each other’s wins, understand the demands of healthcare leadership and remember that alignment on values is more important than alignment on titles or departments. Most importantly, keep the mission at the center; when patient care and organizational purpose come first, everything else tends to fall into place.
Which HEART value best reflects your partnership at work, and why?
The HEART value that best reflects our partnership is Trust. In healthcare, trust is the foundation of every successful team, and it is essential to delivering safe, reliable and compassionate care. Professionally, trust strengthens how we collaborate within our respective roles, whether supporting operational readiness, enhancing the patient and family experience or empowering volunteers to serve with purpose. It enables us to rely on one another, especially during demanding times, and reinforces our shared responsibility to uphold the highest standards of excellence.
Jennifer Kuan: Staff Pharmacist, Medical Center Campus
Sherman Kuan: Clinical Pharmacy Informaticist, Medical Center Campus
How did you first meet? Was it through work or outside of work?
We met as students at the University of Texas at Austin. We were both pursing our pharmacy degree.
What brought you both to Texas Children’s?
We were both drawn to the mission and values at Texas Children’s. It gave us the opportunity to grow professionally during the first half of our careers, and now, as new parents, that mission resonates even more. We’ve seen firsthand the high-quality care this hospital provides, and we appreciate that Texas Children’s continues to grow while listening to the needs of its team members.
What’s it like working in the same department as your partner?
Working in the same department is genuinely fun. We get to occasionally carpool, eat lunch together and sneak in boba breaks to catch up on what’s going on at work and in life. It makes the workday more enjoyable and creates a natural space to connect, reset and support each other while still staying focused on our roles.
What’s one thing you’ve learned from each other professionally?
Even though we don’t work in the same area, being in the same department has still shaped how we support each other professionally.
Jennifer: From my husband, I’ve learned the importance of staying calm and steady under pressure. He is great at keeping perspective, especially on busy or stressful days. We both remind each other that at the end of the day, patient care comes first and having that shared mindset makes us better professionals and partners.
Sherman: From my wife, she has a great way of adapting her workflow as things change. She keeps me up to date on new processes and often helps me see improvements I might not have known otherwise. Working with her has reminded me that the best ideas often come from the people doing the work every day.
What advice would you give to other couples who work together (or might someday)?
Working together can make it hard to leave work at work, so be intentional about listening to each other and giving space when it’s needed. Some days are tough for each other, but that’s okay. When that happens, we take a detour to our favorite sushi spot and reset together. A little understanding (and good food) goes a long way.
Which HEART value best reflects your partnership at work, and why?
Accountability and Respect best reflect our partnership at work. Our roles require us to be responsible for making the right decisions for our patient population. We hold ourselves and each other accountable for the quality and safety of those decisions, while maintaining mutual respect for each other’s expertise and perspectives. By relying on one another and our team, we ensure we are consistently providing the best possible care to our patients.
Eunice Lacuzong-Rios: PICU Patient Care Assistant, Austin Campus
Francisco Lacuzong-Rios: PICU Patient Care Assistant, Austin Campus
How did you first meet? Was it through work or outside of work?
Eunice: We met outside of work at a small restaurant and lounge. At the time, Francisco was working there as a security guard, and I attended a friend’s birthday celebration. What makes our story special is that neither of us had planned to be there that night; other plans had fallen through for both of us. We truly believe God aligned our paths in that moment. He ended up at work, and I ended up celebrating with friends at the very place he was assigned to that evening. What started as a simple encounter turned into a connection that changed both of our lives, and we often say it was meant to be.
What brought you both to Texas Children’s?
Francisco: We relocated from California to Texas in search of better opportunities and a brighter future for our children. Initially, Eunice found employment at another hospital, but when Texas Children’s Hospital in Austin was announced, she was immediately drawn to it. She had researched Texas Children’s and was inspired by its strong reputation for excellence in pediatric care, commitment to innovation and dedication to supporting staff growth and development. The idea of joining a brand-new hospital and helping build something meaningful from the ground up was especially exciting to her, so she applied as soon as positions opened.
A few months later, I joined Texas Children’s as well, starting in the EVS department. When an opportunity became available in the PICU/CICU where Eunice was already working, she encouraged me to apply. It felt natural to pursue a place where teamwork, professional development and patient-centered care are truly valued. Now, we’re fortunate to be working together again, just as we did back in California, but this time in a hospital that continually invests in its people, prioritizes exceptional pediatric care and feels like a community we’re proud to be part of.
What’s it like working in the same department as your partner?
Most couples would say that they couldn’t work with their partner. But for us, we truly enjoy it. It allows us to see each other’s strengths not just as husband and wife but as professionals. We’ve learned to communicate effectively, support one another during busy or stressful moments and celebrate each other’s accomplishments. Working together has strengthened our teamwork, built deeper mutual respect and given us greater appreciation for the dedication we each bring to our roles. While it requires balance and clear boundaries, it has ultimately brought us closer both personally and professionally.
What’s one thing you’ve learned from each other professionally?
One thing we’ve learned from each other professionally is the importance of teamwork and communication. Working together as a husband and wife has taught us how to support one another’s strengths and recognize when to step in during challenging situations. We’ve learned to balance professional responsibilities with mutual respect, patience and encouragement, which has strengthened both our work performance and our relationship.
What advice would you give to other couples who work together (or might someday)?
One piece of advice we would give to couples who work together is to establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. It’s important to communicate openly, respect each other’s professional roles and avoid carrying workplace stress into home life. Supporting one another’s strengths, practicing patience and making time to reconnect outside of work help maintain both a healthy relationship and a productive professional partnership.
Which HEART value best reflects your partnership at work, and why?
The HEART value that best reflects our partnership at work is Respect. Working together as spouses requires a strong commitment to respecting each other’s roles, boundaries and professional identities. We make a conscious effort to separate our personal relationship from our professional responsibilities, communicating openly and listening to one another without undermining authority or decision-making. By valuing each other’s perspectives, strengths and limitations, we create a supportive and professional environment that benefits not only our partnership but also the team and those we serve. Respect allows us to collaborate effectively while maintaining professionalism, trust and mutual support in the workplace.
Dr. Bandana Paudyal-Nepal: Nephrologist, Austin Campus
Dr. Manoj Kumar Nepal: Pediatric Hospitalist, Austin Campus
How did you first meet? Was it through work or outside of work?
We met in medical school. Our friendship grew naturally at first, and over time it became much deeper. We have been working together ever since.
What brought you both to Texas Children’s?
We were both drawn to Texas Children because of its unwavering commitment to excellence in pediatric care and its culture of supporting both patients and providers. We wanted to be part of an institution where we could grow as clinicians and leaders.
What’s it like working in the same department as your partner?
It’s been a positive experience. We support one another and have a deep understanding of the challenges and joys of our work because we’re connected to the same mission every day. We’re intentional about maintaining professionalism at work and preserving healthy boundaries at home. Overall, it’s truly been a privilege to grow in our careers together. Our children and family also see this as meaningful role modeling, which makes the experience even more rewarding.
What’s one thing you’ve learned from each other professionally?
Dr. Bandana: Professionally, we’ve learned a great deal from each other. Manoj brings a calm, steady leadership style that anchors fastmoving clinical situations, while I bring a systems thinking approach focused on long-term quality improvement. Our strengths balance one another, enhancing how we support our teams and our patients.
What advice would you give to other couples who work together (or might someday)?
Working together is rewarding — we share the same mission, victories and impact, which is a rare privilege. You don’t have to be the same; you must support each other so both can thrive. Staying professional, communicating openly, setting boundaries and valuing each other’s strengths make it work.
Which HEART value best reflects your partnership at work, and why?
Respect defines our partnership because we honor each other’s expertise, communicate openly and support one another’s growth both at home and in the workplace.
