Denise Tanner-Brown shares creative ways we can celebrate the holidays safely this year while creating new memories with our families, friends and loved ones. Read more
November 16, 2020
With COVID-19 spiking across the country, celebrating the upcoming holidays in a safe manner will be of enormous importance in keeping ourselves and our families safe during this period of heightened activity. Although social distancing from friends and family can be difficult – especially during the holiday months – it is absolutely critical that we continue the practices that have helped to mitigate the spread of this virus. To help you prepare, please take a moment to review the following holiday guidance from both Texas Children’s and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Potlucks, parties and social gatherings in the workplace should not be held. If individuals wish to provide individually wrapped food items for team members to enjoy, this is acceptable. However, please utilize safe options (such as grab-and-go) and only when a minimum of six-foot social distancing practices can be adhered to. Although there is no evidence that COVID-19 is spread by food, people sharing utensils and congregating around food service areas pose a considerable risk of transmission.
Consider other options in celebrating the holidays with your team members. While gatherings are restricted at Texas Children’s, you are encouraged to think through alternative options for celebrating with your team members. Some ideas include facilitating a card exchange or hosting a virtual holiday party via Teams.
If you are planning on attending or hosting a holiday gathering in the community, please be advised that the CDC offers direction, and advises that you assess current COVID-19 levels in the community prior to making a determination on whether or not to host an event. Currently, the CDC recommends hosting celebrations virtually or with members of your immediate household only. To learn more, click here.
Please remember that masks are required upon entrance to a Texas Children’s facility and should be worn at all times, including in parking garages, shuttle stops and while riding the shuttle. A mask should be worn as soon as you step out of your personal mode of transportation before entering a building, and the hospital-issued mask should remain on as you leave the building until you reach your personal mode of transportation. Masks should also be worn at all times in shared office spaces, including inside cubicles or at desks that are more than six feet apart. Individuals sitting in cubicles or shared workspaces may remove masks to eat or drink if they are the only ones present. As soon as the individual is finished eating and/or drinking, the mask must be placed back on. Keep in mind that respite rooms and private rooms are available for individuals to unmask and rest in solitude, as needed.
Lastly, always practice social distancing guidelines to ensure six feet of space between people are in place at all times. This includes in elevators, common areas and while riding the shuttle. Shared spaces, such as breakrooms and conference rooms, have limited capacity (posted online and on doors) in order to maintain social distancing.
Thank you for leading the way and setting an example for your team members, our patients, their families, your families and our community.
December 19, 2019
Employees across Texas Children’s decorated their office space for the holidays. Some were simple and elegant, and some were ELABORATE! Check them out.
December 15, 2019
Patients and their families in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women received a special visit from Santa Claus last week.
Dressed in his holiday best, Old Saint Nick brought some holiday spirit to families whose babies are in the NICU this time of year. Texas Children’s Hospital’s NICU is the largest in the nation and provides level IV care, the highest level available for premature and critically-ill newborns.
Santa’s visit was hosted by the Newborn Center Family Advisory Committee and First Memories Texas, a volunteer organization dedicated to helping families whose infants are in the NICU and CVICU at Texas Children’s celebrate, honor and tell their children’s stories through photography and album-making.
Texas Children’s kicked off the holiday season with all three hospitals hosting annual tree lighting ceremonies. The ceremonies included appearances from Santa and Mrs. Claus, caroling from local high school choirs, snow, crafts and much more. Employees also talked about what makes the holidays special in their person lives and at Texas Children’s. View more
December 9, 2019
The week of December 2, Texas Children’s employees kicked off the holiday season with camaraderie and joy by participating in our annual holiday bread and wassail tradition. Please view the photo gallery below to see pictures of the festivities.
December 18, 2018
Santa Claus made his way to Texas Children’s Newborn Center last week to spread some holiday cheer – but he wasn’t the only one dressed up in red. Babies in the NICU at Texas Children’s Hospital Pavilion for Women and West Tower were dressed in their own tiny Santa hats and booties.
Vincent Michael Garza, born on December 6, was dressed in a green and white striped holiday-themed onsie when Santa walked in bellowing a spirited Ho, Ho, Ho! The days old infant gave Santa a quick newborn smile and then went peacefully back to sleep.
“I love this,” said Santa Claus, who has a personal connection to Texas Children’s – his own grandson spent over 100 days in the NICU when he was born. “It makes my day.”
Vincent’s mother, Norma Garza, said Santa’s visit meant so much to her, giving her a sense of joy, relief and normalcy during what was a longer stay at the hospital than expected.
“Everyone here has been so great,” she said. “Having Santa come by made it even better.”
Vincent and Norma got an equally as good surprise later that day – clearance from Vincent’s doctor to go home! The infant was discharged on December 12, just in time to spend the holidays at home with his family.
Stephanie Jones, a Texas Children’s employee, delivered her son, Levi, on October 8. He has been in the NICU at the Pavilion for Women ever since and might not be discharged by the end of the month. So, having Santa personally visit the infant was super special.
“Being here in general is hard,” Jones said. “A surprise visit like this helps bring peace of mind and a little bit of normalcy to our day.”
The visit from Santa was hosted by the hospital’s Newborn Center Family Advisory Committee and First Memories Texas, a volunteer group that helps families with babies in the NICU and CVICU at Texas Children’s to make memories and tell their children’s stories through photography.
