April 15, 2022

In a show of support for the millions of Ukrainians who have fled their country and been displaced during the ongoing conflict with Russia, Texas Children’s is launching a week-long Ukraine Donation Drive to collect and ship items directly to the refugees who need them.

The donation effort is a unique opportunity for our team members and members of the community to put our compassion into tangible action, even though we are thousands of miles away from the warzone.

“Texas Children’s stands with the people of Ukraine,” President and CEO Mark A. Wallace said in a global email announcing the donation drive. “We will continue to pray for the refugees who are victims of this senseless tragedy. But along with our prayers, Texas Children’s promises to take bold action and tangibly assist in any way we can.”

Here’s how you can help:

  • Drop an item at a donation box at a Texas Children’s location, or donate funds to purchase items to send to Ukrainian refugees.

From April 18-23, donation boxes will be set up at employee entrances and break areas at multiple hospital, practice and clinic locations. Take a look at this list of the most requested items – including personal, dental, feminine and hygiene products – and drop off your donation at one of the boxes listed below.

To make a monetary donation, visit texaschildrens.org/UkraineDonations. All donated funds will be used to purchase items to send to Ukrainian refugees.

  • Drop by a community donation drive and spread the word to your friends and neighbors.

We’re inviting members of the community to join Texas Children’s in this effort by bringing items to a drive-through donation station at our hospital campuses in the Houston area. Volunteers will collect donations right from donors’ vehicles, then sort and prepare the items for shipping.

    • Medical Center: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday April 18Saturday, April 23
    • West Campus: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday April 18Saturday, April 23
    • The Woodlands: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday April 18Saturday, April 23

Patients with scheduled appointments at Texas Children’s Pediatric and Urgent Care locations in the Houston and Austin areas during the week of April 18 can also drop off small items or donations while they’re in the office.

  • Show your support with a bracelet or button bearing the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

This is your chance to wear your heart on your sleeve! Starting Monday, April 18, pick up a blue and gold bracelet or pin at no cost at all hospital gift shops and patient screening stations.

  • Volunteer your time. If you have personal time to spare and a desire to serve, consider these two volunteer opportunities.
    • Community Donation Drives (Open to Texas Children’s employees only in accordance with our Employee Volunteers Policy)

Click here to sign up to help with tasks like greeting donors at the drive-through stations and sorting items. We ask that you register for shifts that do not conflict with your scheduled work hours.

Hourly employees who are interested in volunteering during any portion of a scheduled work shift must submit a PTO request to cover the time spent volunteering. Please note, all team members must obtain leadership approval before registering for a volunteer shift, and approval will be based on operational needs. For questions on volunteering, email volunteerservices@texaschildrens.org.

  • Medical Bridges Partnership (Open to all groups and individuals)

Texas Children’s is proud to partner with Medical Bridges, a local non-profit organization specializing in the distribution of donations worldwide, to help sort and package the donations we collect and prepare them for shipping to Ukraine.

Volunteer slots will be open beginning the week of April 25, with both morning and afternoon shifts available. Volunteers will need to show their vaccination cards upon arrival and wear comfortable clothes and shoes. To sign up, contact Bonnie Oggero at Medical Bridges at 713-748-8131 or boggero@medicalbridges.org.

For answers to frequently asked questions about the Ukraine Donation Drive, click here.

For more information on how Texas Children’s is supporting Ukraine, visit texaschildrens.org/Ukraine.

February 23, 2022

Jaxon Berry was just 2.5 years old when he had a tragic accident at his home in Bridge City that sent him to Texas Children’s Level 1 trauma center via Life Flight. His mother and father, Meredith and Jon, carried only the clothes on their backs, her purse and a diaper bag they’d been given by a neighbor as they left in an ambulance to meet the helicopter.

Over the next 10 days, Jaxon was in and out of surgery as our Trauma Services team managed his case. His pointer finger on his right hand had to be amputated, and his remaining fingers and hand had to be reconstructed. Then, at a follow-up appointment just a week later, he was immediately readmitted for another 7-day stay to treat an infection.

The Berrys could only watch in agony as their young son was poked over and over again, his providers doing everything they could to stabilize his pain. And all the while, they had only the supplies in that purse and diaper bag to see them through – sparking an idea for turning pain into purpose by helping other parents experiencing similar circumstances.

“I knew not to blame God for this tragic event, but knew there has to be a rainbow after this terrible storm we were in,” said Meredith Berry. “Over and over my heart kept telling me to help others, which brought me to the thought of ‘Jaxon’s Journey Bags.’”

Each Jaxon’s Journey Bag is filled with things Meredith wished she’d had while they were in the hospital: toiletries, snacks, water, puzzles, a blanket, cozy socks and a notebook and pen to write down all the information they’d been given. Three-hundred bags and counting have been delivered so far.

In total, Jaxon has had 17 surgeries, numerous occupational therapy appointments and countless follow-up sessions with his Texas Children’s specialist in just less than 3.5 years. Collecting, filling and distributing the bags is one way to provide the kind of support Meredith needed to walk through the healing process – along with being someone that other parents can talk with, cry with and relate to during such a difficult situation.

“Our storms might be different, but know that with each storm comes a rainbow,” she said. “You will get through this.”

For more on trauma care at Texas Children’s, click here.

January 11, 2022

Sadly, Emeritus Trustee, Josephine Abercrombie, passed away in her sleep on Jan. 4 at 95.

“It has been an absolute privilege to know Josephine for many years,” said CEO Mark Wallace. “The gift of having her witness Texas Children’s growth, from the very first hospital building – named after her father and our founder, James S. Abercrombie – to where we are today is something I will forever be grateful for. She was very close with her mother and father and I know that Texas Children’s meant the world to her.”

As a pillar in the community and a generous philanthropist, Josephine served on Texas Children’s Board of Trustees for 45 years. For more than four decades she staunchly supported Texas Children’s through her advocacy and heartfelt, steadfast contributions.

Notably, Josephine’s love for horses which began as a child carried through in her work alongside her father as he helped create and establish the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show.

Wallace remembers, “In addition to her incredible talent and records held through horse shows and competitions, one of the most unique – and one of my favorite things about Josephine – was her love and passion for boxing. Many people don’t know that side of her, but she was an expert at developing champions in the ring as a boxing promoter and founded the Houston Boxing Association. Looking back, her investment in the sport and the athletes she took under her wing spoke volumes about who she was as a person – Josephine was a dedicated and unwavering fighter.”

Josephine fought for what she believed in and what she knew was right, according to Wallace, who said he has no doubt that these qualities were instilled in her by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Abercrombie. After their passing, Josephine continued to live by their mission of living to help others.

“I remain eternally grateful for her impact and support, and I am comforted in knowing that her spirit and her family’s legacy will live on throughout the halls of Texas Children’s,” added Wallace.

Josephine will be deeply missed by everyone at Texas Children’s, while her inspiration to fight for tomorrow will continue. Bless you and thank you, Josephine!

May 12, 2020

Known for its philanthropic spirit, the Houston community rallies around those in need when times are tough. And in the wake of COVID-19, the circumstances have been no different.

As soon as news spread of the pandemic’s possible impact on our region, local businesses jumped at an opportunity to support our employees. Mostly recently — and overwhelmingly — Texas Children’s Hospital was gifted more than 2,000 cases of Coca-Cola products.

Coca-Cola’s monumental gift is at the top of a long and notable list of companies that includes HEB, Papa John’s Pizza, Salata, Southern Ice Cream and Frito Lay, just to name a few. More than a 1,000 employees at all three hospitals have benefited from the charitable donations.

Facilities Operations in partnership with the Office of Philanthropy are responsible for receiving corporate donations and distributing them to the intended department.

“Texas Children’s makes a strong impact on our community,” said Bert Gumeringer, senior vice president for Facilities Operations. “In times like these people want to help us. Large corporations reach out, but also small businesses and grateful parents who may be struggling themselves. I wonder how they do it. It’s incredible.”

Gumeringer added that many corporate sponsors also target their gifts. Some companies may want to feed employees who work at the loading dock or in housekeeping or on the nursing units. “It’s completely their choice and we are so appreciative.”

If you are contacted by a local business that would like to give a gift, please see the guidelines spelled out on the COVID-19 Connect page under Food/Meal donations guidelines. All food items are inspected for the safety of our employees. All food items are inspected for the safety of our employees.

May 6, 2020

On May 6, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels conducted a spectacular 30-minute flyover across the Houston area including the Texas Medical Center to salute our health care workers, first responders and other essential employees who have been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Coinciding with National Nurses Week, the Navy jets flew in formation over several hospitals including Texas Children’s to show their solidarity and support to our frontline heroes during these challenging times.

In case you missed it, you can watch this video of the Blue Angels’ special tribute in the skies. View the photo gallery below.

 

April 20, 2020

From delivering much needed meals and supplies to sharing heartfelt messages that inspire others, the compassionate support and solidarity from the community during the COVID-19 pandemic is easily palpable. Local communities and businesses are showing their appreciation to the entire medical community for their hard work and sacrifice during these challenging times – and the commitment from our frontline employees and staff at Texas Children’s has not gone unnoticed.

On April 10, H-E-B delivered 600 meals to frontline staff at Texas Children’s Hospital. For the next five weeks, a total of 3,000 H-E-B meals will serve our employees directly engaged in COVID-19 efforts. Katarra Watkins is one of those employees benefiting from H-E-B’s generous gift. As a member of the Environmental Services team, Watkins cleans and sanitizes the hospital every day to ensure a safe, healing environment for our patients, their families, and our health care teams.

“This is a blessing,” Watkins said. “I am so thankful to H-E-B for everything they are doing for us. It means so much to me and my co-workers.”

“We are grateful for the generous outpouring of support that H-E-B is providing to our staff while they deliver high quality care to our patients during this difficult time,” said Texas Children’s Assistant Vice President Trent Johnson. “Like Texas Children’s, H-E-B is standing strong and has kept its doors open to ensure that our community has access to essential services during this time of need.”

H-E-B plans to deliver 75,000 meals to hospitals across Texas to show their support for health care workers who are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re all extremely grateful for the dedication of our health care workers who are saving lives and making personal sacrifices for others,” said Winell Herron, H-E-B Group vice president of public affairs, diversity and environmental affairs. “We want to express some well-deserved appreciation and hope these meals will provide a bit of comfort during these trying times.”

This is not the first time H-E-B has partnered with Texas Children’s. Since 2014, H-E-B has been our exclusive sponsor for our annual Family Fun Run and post-race Family Fun Zone events at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus and The Woodlands. H-E-B has also partnered with Texas Children’s and the Houston Texans to promote healthy eating messaging for children including this year’s Dishing with Texas Children’s video series. Click here to watch an episode.

March 3, 2020

On his blog this week, Mark Wallace addresses the Harvey Weinstein verdict and the power of the #MeToo movement. Read more