December 18, 2023

It takes a team to heal the children and women we serve, and Texas Children’s volunteers are an essential part of this effort. That’s where Olga Valdez, senior volunteer coordinator at Texas Children’s Hospital – North Austin, comes in.

What brought you to Texas Children’s?

For the past seven years, I have been working with children’s nonprofits, specializing in volunteer management and event planning. I’m from Texas originally, but worked in Dallas and Scottsdale, Ariz. throughout my career. However, nothing compares to the beauty of central Texas. When I decided to move back, I was determined to find a company aligned with my values and mission. I wanted to work somewhere with a great atmosphere and culture. Texas Children’s Hospital exceeded my expectations, and I was thrilled to discover they were opening a new hospital in North Austin. I knew I had to apply for the position…it was the perfect opportunity for me to grow my career and be part of something special.

What are you most excited about as we open North Austin Campus?

I am thrilled to be a part of the opening process and meet every volunteer who walks through our doors. Volunteers are the heart and soul of our hospital, and they bring with them a range of unique backgrounds and experiences. What they all have in common is an unwavering passion and commitment to helping others. I am excited to collaborate with different departments and find new ways to enhance the experience for both patients and staff.

What does “Always Thinking Experience” mean to you?

A great patient and family experience is crucial because it’s not just about health care, it’s about making a tough time a bit easier. Bringing this culture from Houston to Austin means infusing warmth, empathy and top-notch care into every interaction. It’s about creating a supportive environment where people feel heard, valued and understood.

What makes Austin a great place to work and live?

I can’t get enough of Austin! It’s the perfect combination of great music, mouth-watering food choices and an abundance of outdoor activities. Every day is an adventure here – it’s the best balance of work and play. Whether you’re exploring the city’s vibrant culture or indulging in thrilling outdoor experiences, Austin promises to keep you on your toes and leave you with memories to last a lifetime. Some of my favorite places to eat and drink in Austin are ATX Cocina, Summer Moon Coffee and Matt’s El Rancho. I love spending my summers on Lake Travis and enjoying the outdoors. I cannot wait to continue exploring the city!

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Looking ahead, I aspire to lead initiatives that enhance volunteer experiences and promote community involvement. I am passionate about using my abilities to establish meaningful relationships with volunteers and the community, fostering a spirit of teamwork and making a positive difference.

Volunteer Services at Texas Children’s Hospital is committed to maintaining an active program of support, compassion and quality service for the community of children and families we serve, all while providing meaningful and challenging opportunities for those who volunteer. Interested in volunteering at one of our hospitals? Click here to learn more.

Right Care, Right Place, Right People. Now ranked #1 in Texas and #3 in the nation, we’re bringing the best to Austin. Click here for countdown updates, resources and more on the Austin Expansion SharePoint.

December 5, 2023

Meet Laura Guerrero, emergency center nurse manager at Texas Children’s Hospital – North Austin. When our newest campus opens in February 2024, Laura looks forward to collaborating with a talented team of providers in the EC and using her experience to care for patients and families who come to us in their greatest time of need.

What brought you to Texas Children’s?

I’ve been an emergency center nurse for 10 years and have worked in various roles, including preceptor, charge nurse and house supervisor. In 2015, I worked at St. Luke’s in Houston and had the chance to visit Texas Children’s main campus several times for patient transfer and education. The staff’s happiness always struck me; it was almost surreal. I found the diversity within leadership impressive and noticed how TCH is very nurse-driven. When I learned that TCH was planning to open a hospital in Austin, I knew I had to apply. With encouragement from my sister, I applied for and was offered an EC nurse manager position.

What are you most excited about as we open North Austin Campus?

I am thrilled that families in Austin and its surrounding area will be able to receive world-class pediatric and women’s health care. This hospital will show the community what they’ve been missing all along. It’s inspiring to see an organization that values its employees as much as its patients and their families. I look forward to embarking on this new chapter with the team at North Austin Campus and creating a positive future for nursing and health care.

What’s your leadership definition?

Influential leaders inspire individuals to work together towards a shared objective by cultivating a supportive, collaborative environment that promotes empowerment, fairness and accountability. They prioritize the growth and development of others by offering mentorship and creating opportunities for learning and advancement, ensuring everyone can reach their full potential.

What makes Austin a great place to live and work?

I was born and raised in ATX. I left for two years and came right back. Austin is the place to be if you like Texas football, music, movies, hiking, festivals and food. A restaurant I hold dear is Dirty Martin’s Place off Guadalupe. I have frequented this restaurant since I was a kid; the burgers are amazing!

Why did you choose to pursue nursing as a career?

I pursued nursing because I have a deep desire to help people. As my career progressed, I realized I wanted to care for patients and our nursing staff. Now, as a nurse manager, I can do precisely that. I have experienced unsupportive managers in the past, and I strive to ensure my team knows I am here to support them.

North Austin’s 13-bed pediatric emergency center staff will include board-certified pediatric emergency medicine physicians, nurses and advanced practice providers. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, it has two trauma resuscitation rooms and a dedicated sexual assault examination room.

Right Care, Right Place, Right People. Now ranked #1 in Texas and #3 in the nation, we’re bringing the best to Austin. Click here for countdown updates, resources and more on the Austin Expansion SharePoint.

November 27, 2023

Just in time to kick off the holiday season, the Grinch left Whoville and made a stop in Austin! Sponsored by Texas Children’s Hospital, Grinchmas at Domain Northside offered families a free, fun-filled afternoon of celebration and got everybody in the holiday spirit.

In addition to meeting the Grinch himself, participants also enjoyed holiday tunes, a Vannagram photo booth, bracelet bar, hair tinsel studio, caricature artists and face painters, letters to Santa, and the official tree lighting to close out the evening.

“Texas Children’s won Austin this holiday season with Grinchmas at the Domain,” said Dr. Bryan Vartabedian, Chief Pediatrics Officer of Texas Children’s Austin. “The line to meet the Grinch seemed to be half a mile long…it was just amazing to connect with these families and see so much energy around Texas Children’s!”

View the photo gallery below to see more from the event.

Meet Lesli Rossler, one of our incredible outpatient education coordinators in Austin. Before moving there to help open Specialty Care Austin in 2018, she managed outpatient clinics at West Campus. When North Austin Campus opens, she will be an educator for Sleep & Neurophysiology and continue serving the Specialty Care clinics.

What’s your background with Texas Children’s?

I started at TCH in August 1995, working in pediatric radiology as a late shift nurse before becoming an education liaison and eventually nursing coordinator. Next, I was a manager for the GI & Nutrition, Liver and Eating Disorder Clinics for three years – I loved this group of clinicians and providers. Then, I transferred to our Health Center in The Woodlands before leaving to be a school nurse at my daughter’s elementary school.

As West Campus was being built, I was ready to come back! I managed ambulatory clinics there before realizing my true calling was education. All of my experience throughout the years has brought me to where I am today. TCH has given me opportunities to grow and learn, and meet forever friends. I’ve been very blessed!

What are you most excited about as we open North Austin Campus?

It’s so special to me because it’s an opportunity to offer our world class care to the huge population of Central Texas that, up until now, had little knowledge of what we provide. I was shocked at the limited choices here in Austin for pediatric and women’s care, compared to all of the options in Houston. Opening Specialty Care Austin has been gratifying, the patients and families we see are so thankful for the care they receive.

What’s the best career or work advice you’ve ever received?

Make sure to maintain work-life balance. Do your best while you’re here at work for your patients and peers, but taking care of yourself and your own family comes first. If you do not take care of yourself, you will not be able to take care of anyone else. Work to live, don’t live to work. Happy employees = happy patients!

What makes Austin a great place to live and work?

When I found out the plans for Austin expansion, I was thrilled! In 2003, my husband and I purchased land in the Hill Country. Our dream was to move out here, and we were able to make it happen sooner with TCH opportunities popping up in Austin. We love live music. The balance of nature and city is what attracts me to this part of Texas. Whether floating the river, hanging on the lake or going for a hike, the Texas Hill Country is the best place to live.

Why have you stayed with Texas Children’s all these years?

I have stayed at TCH because of the culture. I am proud to work for a hospital that invests in its employees and strives to provide the best care possible. I have been able to grow and learn tremendously. I have met some outstanding leaders. Everyone has the opportunity to be a leader in any role.

Opening in February 2024, the $485 million North Austin Campus will feature a 170,000-square-foot outpatient facility – connecting patients to numerous Texas Children’s subspecialties including cardiology, oncology, neurology, pulmonary medicine, GI, rheumatology, fetal care, dialysis, urology and more. Texas Children’s Specialty Care Austin on Mopac will continue to house pediatric specialists across a wide spectrum of service lines.

Right Care, Right Place, Right People. Now ranked #1 in Texas and #3 in the nation, we’re bringing the best to Austin. Click here for countdown updates, resources and more on the Austin Expansion SharePoint.

November 20, 2023

Meet Dr. Matias Bruzoni, Associate Chief Surgical Officer and Director of Pediatric Surgery at Texas Children’s Hospital – North Austin. During his tenure at Stanford and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Bruzoni made countless clinical contributions, provided outstanding care to patients and served as an inspiring mentor to students, residents and fellows.

What is your background?

I was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where I also attended medical school and completed my general surgery residency. I then continued my training as a transplant fellow in Omaha, Nebraska. After being involved in many pediatric transplants, I realized I wanted to become a pediatric surgeon, so I continued my training at The University of Nebraska Medical Center and became the first pediatric surgery fellow at Stanford University in 2009. I was fortunate to be part of the Stanford faculty until August 2023. During my time there, I participated in the development of the minimally invasive and bariatric surgery programs, as well as surgical oncology and inflammatory bowel disease. I was the program director for the pediatric surgery fellowship program and absolutely enjoyed training the next generation of pediatric surgeons.

I think what confirmed my desire to come to TCH was the unique opportunity of joining one of the top children’s hospitals in the United States and building a pediatric surgery division in a brand-new hospital, from the ground up, and in one of the fastest growing cities in America.

What are you most excited about as we open North Austin Campus?

I am very excited about the recruitment of top talent, not only in my division, but also in the other specialties, in order to build state-of-the-art clinical programs and provide outstanding care to the women and children in Austin and surrounding areas.

What inspired you to pursue pediatric surgery?

We had our first child during one of my pediatric surgery rotations. Taking care of children and their families during that time was very inspiring to me. In addition, I had amazing mentors in pediatric surgery, which sealed the deal. There is nothing more rewarding than making a significant impact on the life of a child and the dynamic of a family. I believe being a pediatric surgeon is a true privilege since it allows you to be part of such an impact.

What makes Austin a great place to live and work?

What I love the most about Austin is its people and beautiful landscape. The restaurants and music scene are also outstanding. The combination of a vibrant downtown, hills, lakes, and friendly residential neighborhoods make it an extremely desirable place to work and live.

What do you like to do outside of work? How does it help you unwind and recharge?

I like to spend time with my wife and three children. We travel together and visit Argentina every year. One of the things I enjoy most is watching my kids play competitive sports. I do my best to stay fit and healthy by playing tennis and golf whenever possible. I also find playing piano and guitar is a great way to recharge my battery. Sports and music also help me connect with other people and with myself. They are great tools to vent and unwind, especially after a tough day at the hospital.

Texas Children’s Hospital has one of the largest and most experienced Pediatric Surgery programs in the world, offering comprehensive surgical services for a broad range of diagnoses from routine to highly complex. Opening in February 2024, our North Austin Campus will offer both children and women most of the services provided in the Medical Center, including all pediatric subspecialties, in our state-of-the-art operating rooms and surgical procedure suites.

Right Care, Right Place, Right People. Now ranked #1 in Texas and #3 in the nation, we’re bringing the best to Austin. Click here for countdown updates, resources and more on the Austin Expansion SharePoint.

November 13, 2023

Texas Children’s Hospital has done it again, earning its second impressive workplace ranking in Austin this year. Fresh on the heels of its No. 6 recognition on the Austin Business Journal’s Best Places to Work list, Texas Children’s has received the honor of a No. 2 ranking in the mid-size category for Austin American Statesman Top Workplaces!

The ceremony was held at Fair Market in Austin and our team showed out in a big way, even earning the award for “Most Spirited” group in attendance. Nominated alongside many other companies in the Austin community, Texas Children’s executives accepted the recognition sporting matching TCH baseball jerseys. It was just one more opportunity to display the cohesive and supportive culture being built in Austin!

Austin American Statesman Top Workplaces lists are compiled by Energage, who provides a confidential survey to employees of nominated companies, then compiles scores based on corporate culture, amenities, benefits and retention strategies.

In a city as diverse and enterprising as Austin, there are no shortage of options for talented and caring professionals like the members of our One Amazing Team. Thank you for your commitment to making a difference as we continue to grow our presence in the Austin community!

Check out the recap video from this exciting event!

Meet Robert Ball, admissions supervisor at Texas Children’s Hospital – North Austin. Motivated by forging relationships and putting his skillset to good use, he’s always thinking about the hospital experience for our patients and families – from the moment they walk in until they’re discharged to head home.

How did you end up at Texas Children’s?

I’m originally from Louisiana and have an architecture degree, but transitioned to health care in 2009. My 15 years of experience ranges from front-end operations to consultant work and various roles across the revenue cycle. Working at a children’s hospital in Virginia, and going through cancer, motivated me to pursue pediatrics. When I was looking for a new role, Texas Children’s was a top choice based on its history and mission, and many people I encountered agreed it’s a great place to work.

What are you most excited about as we open North Austin Campus?

I can’t wait to cultivate our Texas Children’s culture and apply it with a unique Austin spin – and to build relationships with our partners, patients and families to ensure we remain one of the best in the nation.

Why are you passionate about your role, and what’s next in your career?

I’m passionate about helping and empathizing with people. Since admissions is the point of entry and exit for the hospital, I can utilize my skills to ensure our patients have a great experience from start to finish. In my past roles, the most rewarding aspects were the face-to-face interactions and relationship building. When I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and admitted to the hospital, seeing the kids in my unit push through and stay strong inspired me to enroll in PA school. I’d like to specialize in pediatric oncology.

What makes Austin a great place to live and work?

Living in Austin, I’ve learned this is an amazing place to live and work. Austin provides an array of great music, amazing food, beautiful lakes and parks, and diversity. One of my favorite restaurants is Doc B’s located in the Domain.

What’s the best career or work advice you’ve ever received?

Become a lifelong learner. Sometimes in life, we become complacent in our day-to-day work and careers, and tend to forget the world keeps on spinning and changing. With a learning mindset, we grow personally and professionally every day.

Admissions, transfers, and discharges are the three types of patient movements within a hospital. Our admissions representatives oversee all aspects of scheduling, registration, pre-admission and admission operations – ensuring the highest possible customer service, accurate data for clinical/strategic planning, an efficient billing and collections process, and compliance with state and federal laws.

Right Care, Right Place, Right People. Now ranked #1 in Texas and #3 in the nation, we’re bringing the best to Austin. Click here for countdown updates, resources and more on the Austin Expansion SharePoint.