June 3, 2014

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The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) is known around the world as perhaps the most prestigious medical publication. The peer-reviewed medical journal publishes research, editorials, review articles and case reports and is a window into the world of medicine. So when the work of three Texas Children’s advanced practice nurses was selected to be published in the journal, they were thrilled about their findings being shared with medical professionals around the world.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Amy McCay, director of Advanced Practice Providers Elizabeth “Charley” Elliott, and Nurse Scientist Marlene Walden produced an instructional video on Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter PICC placement in neonates with information on what the complications can be. “Being recognized as a nurse published in a medical journal elevates the science of nursing,” Elliot said. “The selection involves a rigorous process that evaluates manuscripts for scientific accuracy and importance.”

The three learned so much from their investigation that they wanted to share their findings in a publication that would be seen around the globe. They submitted an instructional video on PICC placement in the neonatal patient population and a written overview of the process. The nurses hoped that sharing the knowledge they gained would help other nurses learn the best method for this procedure and how to avoid complications.

“The video is innovative and offers clinicians an opportunity to see into the procedure,” Elliott said. “It brings the process together for those who need visuals and brings the work to a whole new level.”

The journal receives more than 5,000 submissions a year and only about five percent are actually selected and published. All submissions are reviewed by panels of experts that review the current literature and determine if what is being submitted is relevant to current practice and represents evidence.

For the nurses, the process of submission started in 2011 when they began to determine the patients who would be involved in the video, the information that would be presented and how to best present this procedure.

Once submitted, a panel of experts reviews for content, relevance, and best evidence available before they will consent to publish in the journal. Most of the articles published are submitted by physicians and researchers, so the nurses were honored to be selected.

As Elliot puts it, “To have a nurse published in a medical journal is big and validating.”

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Watch the newest “Super Star” video featuring Felicia Cruise in Ambulatory Services. “I have an attitude to pursue great customer service,” Felicia said. “I seek to treat people the way I want to be treated.”

Check out her video, and find out how you can nominate a Super Star to be featured in the “Super Star” section on Connect.

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The Clinical Research Center presented the Clinical Research Award for First Quarter 2014 to Catherine Loffredo, research nurse, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics-Clinical Program.

The award was established by the Clinical Research Center in collaboration with the Research Resources Office to recognize and honor individual contributions to protecting the best interest of the research subjects and compliance with applicable rules and regulations.

Ms. Loffredo’s research activities in the CRC focus on genetic syndromes.

May 27, 2014

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The Center for Children and Women has been honored by The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as the first obstetrics practice in Texas to receive the Patient-Centered Specialty Practice Recognition (PCSP). Practices that become recognized under Patient-Centered Specialty Practice Recognition have demonstrated commitment to patient-centered care and clinical quality through: streamlined referral processes and care coordination with referring clinicians, timely patient and caregiver-focused care management and continuous clinical quality improvement.

“We are proud to be the first obstetrics practice in Texas to receive the PCSP recognition,” said Dr. Lisa Hollier, medical director of obstetrics and gynecology at Texas Children’s Health Plan – The Center for Children and Women. “Our care teams work hard to provide the best, comprehensive care for our patients and to empower our patients to become healthier,” she concluded.

Earning NCQA PCSP Recognition shows consumers, private payers and government agencies that the practice has undergone a rigorous review of its capabilities and is committed to sharing information and coordinating care. Recognition also signals to primary care practices that the specialty practice is ready to be an effective partner in caring for patients.

“The Center for Children and Women is honored that our operations and healthcare team meets and exceeds the qualities worthy of the Patient-Centered Specialty Recognition,” stated Tangula Taylor, director of operations at Texas Children’s Health Plan – The Center for Children and Women. “We continue to pursue excellence as we strive to find new and innovative methods to deliver outstanding care to our patients.”

NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performances. NCQA is committed to providing health care quality information for consumers, purchasers, health care providers and researchers.

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Dr. Huda Zoghbi, professor of neuroscience, pediatrics, molecular and human genetics and neurology at Baylor College of Medicine and founding director of the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, was the recipient of an honorary Doctor of Medical Sciences degree at Yale University’s 2014 commencement ceremony this week. She was one of 12 individuals who was awarded an honorary degree for achieving distinction in her field.

Zoghbi, who also is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator, is best known for her pioneering work on Rett syndrome, a genetic neurological disease that affects young girls (males with the condition usually die in infancy). Girls born with the disease develop normally for one or two years, but then begin to show progressive loss of motor skills, speech and other cognitive abilities.

“As a pediatric neurologist, your compassion for your patients led you to the laboratory and a career as a neuroscientist and geneticist, seeking answers to the mysteries of neurological disease,” said Yale University president Peter Salovey as Zoghbi received her degree. “You have discovered the cause of Rett syndrome, a rare and severe form of autism, and of a neurologic disorder that results in degeneration of the cerebellum. Your work has helped explain brain development and function and offers hope of finding cures for debilitating conditions. You are a role model for conducting translational research – always looking for ways to apply science to understanding disease. You are a leader in the scientific community, and we are pleased to name you Doctor of Medical Sciences.”

May 20, 2014

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For Chief Nursing Officer Lori Armstrong the NICU is a special place. It’s where she began her career 29 years ago and where she learned the skills she now uses as a leader for the nursing team of nearly 2,500. Armstrong, who joined Texas Children’s a little more than two years ago, has already changed the face of nursing here through the reinvention of the nursing staff, advocating for more front-line managers, a reinvigorated system for retention and nurse development as well as more full time positions to focus on patient and family-centered care and improve outcomes. Her hard work and dedication was recently highlighted as she accepted the Dr. Jennifer L. Howse Award for Excellence in NICU Leadership at the annual NICU Leadership Forum in Florida.

“I am honored to have even been considered worthy of this nomination,” said Armstrong. “To be selected is overwhelming, humbling and the greatest honor of my career.

Click here to jump to the photo gallery of Lori’s journey in nursing and messages from her nursing staff

The Dr. Jennifer L. Howse Award for Excellence in NICU Leadership is dedicated to the president of the March of Dimes Foundation whose leadership and vision have helped promote research, programs and partnerships that benefit the health of babies in the NICU. Each year the award is given to a recipient who has demonstrated the vision and courage of a strong leader, has wielded significant influence within and beyond the NICU walls and leads with care and compassion for patients, families, colleagues and staff. Armstrong’s nomination letters came from three colleagues both here and outside of Texas Children’s who shared their personal letters about what Armstrong’s enthusiasm and leadership has meant.

52114armstrongawardinside640“Lori’s passion for neonatal care, leadership, and the profession of nursing make her the perfect applicant for this award,” said Shannon Holland, a former NICU leader. “Her enthusiasm for excellent family centered care and passion for continuous learning and growth are inspirational.”

The award recipient is judged on three characteristics which are highlighted by Dr. Howse including Leader Sight, Leader Care and Leader Courage. For Armstrong, each of those areas is an important part of the nursing leadership here at Texas Children’s. Armstrong explains Leader sight as the tremendous responsibility of leaders whose sight and vision for nursing galvanizes the staff, the leadership team and the physician partners which ultimately impacts the health of babies. Leader care is something she learned from a former patient family.

“A parent once told me of his amazing definition of nurses,” said Armstrong. “He defined nurses as people who care and then care some more.”

Armstrong’s definition of courage is about finding your voice and the ability to use it when caring for patients who are too small to speak, too sick to speak and too scared to speak.

Her biggest message to not only the nursing leaders but her entire nursing staff is about their contribution to the organization and the lives of the children that are cared for here.

“I want them to know that there is an inseparable link between your sight, your care and your courage and the outcomes of the tiny infants in your care.”

Howse Excellence in NICU Leadership Award

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Dr. Huda Zoghbi, founding director of the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (NRI) at Texas Children’s Hospital, has established a special fund to help young scientists launch their independent research careers.

When Zoghbi started her career 30 years ago, it was easier to pursue bold ideas. “It wasn’t as hard to get funding, and we didn’t feel the same pressures young scientists face today, Zoghbi said. “I had no research experience when I decided to learn genetics, but Dr. Arthur Beaudet took me into his lab anyway. That would be very hard to do today.”

Zoghbi, who also is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator and professor of molecular and human genetics, neurology, neuroscience and pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, wants to support the next generation of budding scientists by giving them “room to pursue creative ideas as they’re beginning to launch careers.”

“The transition to independence is the most difficult period in a young scientist’s career,” Zoghbi said. “This kind of funding gives them a measure of freedom and signals our faith in their abilities to carve out their own niche.”

To accomplish this mission, Zoghbi has created a special fund at the NRI, one of the world’s first basic research institutes dedicated to childhood neurological diseases. The fund will provide one year of support to postdoctoral fellows who want to test bold hypotheses that would not be supported by conventional grants. When Zoghbi learned recently that she’d won the 2014 March of Dimes Prize in Developmental Biology, she decided immediately that she would add the $250,000 prize to the fund.

“This is a very prestigious award, and we are so fortunate that one of our own received this prize for her work to help advance our understanding of birth defects,” said Texas Children’s President and CEO Mark A. Wallace. “But we are even more honored and excited that this prize is being donated by Dr. Zoghbi as a generous gift to the NRI to help young scientists.”

Zoghbi’s gratitude and desire to give back is driven particularly by three individuals who had a profound impact on her career.

“Dr. Ralph Feigin recruited me to the pediatric residency program at Baylor College of Medicine and taught me clinical scholarship,” she said. “He also became a second father to me. Dr. Marvin Fishman was such an exemplary clinician that I was inspired to become a pediatric neurologist, where I met the patients who changed the course of my career. When I decided I wanted to pursue basic research, Dr. Beaudet, one of the finest geneticists in the country, took me into his lab and taught me how to be a scientist.”

Zoghbi hopes that with support from this fund, combined with hard work and protected space for intellectual freedom, many young scientists will enjoy similar success.

Click here for more information on the 2014 March of Dimes Award.