November 2, 2022

Many were shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic incident on Oct. 22 at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. Any news of this kind is unsettling, but this one hits especially close to home as fellow Texans and health care workers. Our hearts go out to all those impacted by these unspeakable events.

Update on safety and security measures

Texas Children’s is investing in tools, processes and protocols across the system that will proactively address and inhibit threats like these, including.

  • Planned installation of a weapons detection overlay on our video surveillance system that will allow us to detect firearms and other weapons without the use of metal detectors.
  • Installation of bullet resistant film on windows and doors in high risk locations such as emergency centers, administrative offices, etc. Leaders may request a review of their areas if they feel they are high risk.
  • All TCH security officers are being trained in the specialized management and de-escalation of behavioral health incidents.
  • Security officers will be positioned on all first floor entrance locations at all hospital facilities. Urgent Care locations are currently staffed with an officer, as well as the Meyer and West Loop locations.
  • Placing 115 additional security personnel at The Woodlands, West Campus, TCPs, Specialty Care sites and The Medical Center. Recruitment begins this week.
  • Security Services will expand the city-wide Community Patrol model from four to eight active patrols consistently checking on sites and their occupants in Houston, as well as a single patrol in Austin.
  • Implemented mitigation strategies to increase employee safety and decrease vehicle theft on community campuses to include restricted parking garage access, required identification, license plate recognition and justification for being onsite.
  • Completed seven active shooter drills and 19 active shooter simulations since August 25, 2022 with additional drills and simulations scheduled between now and December 31, 2022.
  • Stood up a Threat of Violence Task Force to assess our progress, identify opportunities and understand the employee experience as it relates to safety.

These measures will help safeguard our team members, but everyone needs to play a role in safety and security. We need to continue to take care of each other. Everyone is empowered to listen to their intuition, trust their gut and use their voice when something doesn’t feel right. No one should worry about hurting each other’s feelings when it comes to watchful safety. Our desire to be nice can get in the way of being safe. If you see something, say something.

Safety tips
  • Opt in for emergency management communications delivered straight to your cell phone by texting the word “RESUME” to our SMS code “89361.”
  • Do not prop doors open or allow others to tailgate as you pass through a secured door.
  • Request to see credentials of unknown persons accessing restricted areas.
  • Be on the lookout for unusual behaviors.
  • Call a Security Services escort if you feel unsafe (ext. 4-5400).
  • Contact Security Services (ext. 4-5400) if you or others are being threatened by an aggressive or erratic individual.
Workplace violence training in HealthStream

The Security Services and Organizational Resilience teams have been conducting active shooter training across the organization to help prepare our employees in case we’re ever faced with those situations. Since in-person training cannot be attended by everyone, a new, workplace violence training course launched Oct. 31 in HealthStream to provide an overview on what workplace violence is, how to report it, as well as how to respond to those situations with de-escalation techniques.

Employee support resources

If you are struggling to cope with this event and need help, Texas Children’s Employee Assistance Program offers confidential counseling and other services. Our new workforce chaplains are also available to talk if you need them. Please call them at 832-824-3327 or email Sarah “Tuba” Alpat: stalpat@texaschildrens.org or Cletus Aakol: ckaakol@texaschildrens.org.

Recently, our workforce chaplains hosted a webinar to introduce themselves and their services, to explain how spiritual well-being can help our workforce live as their best selves in their personal and professional lives. There are additional webinars available in the coming weeks.

  • “Spiritual Care Resilience” program, Thursday, November 17 at Noon.
  • “Grief During the Holidays” webinar, Wednesday, December 14 at Noon.
  • Six week “Grief Group” led by the Workforce Chaplains starting in January. Dates and times will be announced at a later date.
August 30, 2022

Check out this new Password Strength Meter to check the strength of your passwords. Read More

November 16, 2021

Following his dream to become a security officer when he grows up, Devarjaye Daniel was sworn in as an Honorary Security Officer by Texas Children’s Security Department. During his recognition, he received a certificate, badge as well as a uniform.

Devarjaye, often known as “Turtle” in honor of his favorite Ninja Turtles, is a patient at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center who was diagnosed with a brain tumor called ependymoma. After his tumor came back despite receiving the best available treatments, Devarjaye went on to participate in a genomic sequencing study, TX KidsCanSeq, which identified a rare and unique genetic change within his tumor. This resulted in a precision oncology strategy where Devarjaye can now take oral medication to control his tumor.

His visits are known to be filled with his jokes, laughter, and desire to serve others; his honor as a junior officer tracks right in line with his desire to contribute to his community.

January 12, 2021

Following last week’s events on Capitol Hill, Texas Children’s wants to emphasize to all of our team members that your safety and wellbeing remain our most important priority and that we are continuously taking steps to ensure our facilities are always secured and protected.

Over the coming weeks, during which our communities will be practicing increased vigilance, we ask for your support in maintaining a safe place to work for all. To do so, please take a moment to review the following guidance from Texas Children’s Security Services team:

  • Save our contact info. To get in touch quickly with Security Services at any time, please save their contact information to your phone: 832-824-5400.
  • If you see something, say something. Remember to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. If at any time you see a suspicious person or unusual activity, contact Security Services immediately.
  • Practice the buddy system. When returning to your vehicle after your shift, consider using the buddy system. For employees at our three main campuses, escorts are also available 24/7 by contacting Security Services.
  • Emergency lines. For employees in the Medical Center, remember that all TMC parking garages and surface lots have Code Blue phones stationed at elevator lobbies and other convenient locations. In the event of an emergency, please use these phones to be connected with TMC police for an immediate response.
  • Always lock your vehicle. Keep packages and valuables out of sight.

Texas Children’s stands ready to respond, and has plans in place, in the event of an emergency. With your help, we can further ensure a safe and protected working environment for all of our employees.

January 6, 2020

Texas Children’s patient John Weekley has a passion for firefighters, police officers and all those who put on a uniform to protect us.

During one of his recent trips from his hometown in Alaska to Texas Children’s Neuroscience Center where he receives care, John got the chance to meet one of his heroes in person

Molly Weber Berg, the house manager for the Ronald McDonald House Houston where John and his family stay when they are in Houston, reached out to Texas Children’s security team to ask for a Protection Officer patch for John to commemorate his time here in the city. In return, Sergeant Derek Ausseresses went above and beyond.

Instead of just passing along the patch to Berg, Ausseresses invited John to a ceremony at Texas Children’s Hospital where he made him an honorary Texas Children’s Security Officer and provided him with a security patch to add to his growing collection.

John, his family and Berg were thrilled, and Ausseresses was happy to have the opportunity to make a positive impression on one of our patients.

October 29, 2019

The West Campus Security Department has recently added an autonomous employee to their team. Texas Children’s is always looking for new and innovative ways to improve patient experience, and with the advancement of technology, the possibilities are endless. The new security robot has officially been deployed, and can be seen roaming the West Campus parking lots.

“I am extremely excited. This has been a team effort from the very first day,” West Campus Security Manager Rick Robertson said. “West campus leadership has been supportive of our efforts from the beginning to help this happen. I’m very grateful for everyone’s efforts in this regard. I think it’s another example of how Texas Children’s Hospital is willing to go the extra mile and do the things that we need to do to provide for everyone’s safety and security.”

The robot is not a replacement for security officers, but a tool they can use to help strengthen security tactics. Houston Police Department says that they are going to continue to work closely with the hospital and provide any additional support needed.

“Texas Children goes above and beyond to make its patients and employees feel safe,” Houston Police Department Northwest Patrol Division Commander Frank Fernandez said. “This is just another example of that. It frees up officers and security officers from doing some of the more regular routine tasks to be able to respond to something if an emergency happens.”

The security robot is over five feet tall, weighs 400 pounds, and is equipped with lights, sound, and a patient friendly design that can be seen anywhere in the parking lot. In addition, the robot has 360-degree cameras, an intercom, heat detection, license plate recognition, a siren, and a strobe light.

View a gallery of photos below.

The robot was provided by Knightscope, a security technology company that was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Mountain View, California. The goal of Knightscope is to reduce crime and improve public safety by designing, building and deploying Autonomous Data Machines, which are used to monitor malls, parking lots, and neighborhoods, and in our case, children’s hospitals.

“Hospitals are one of our fastest-growing segments and Children’s is one of the leading innovators in Texas,” Executive Vice President and Chief Client Officer Stacy Stephens said. “When we started Knightscope in 2013, we dreamed of reducing crime by up to 50 percent anywhere we deployed a robot in five to ten years. Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine that within a couple of years, we would have clients reporting back to us a 100 percent reduction in crime.”

Prior to the official deployment, there was a two-week installation process. This also included setting up charging stations, and giving the robot the freedom to roam the outpatient parking lot and become more familiar with its future work environment when it’s time to patrol alone.

“It’s all very intuitive,” Knightscope Robot Deployment Lead Daniel Coleman said. “Security Officers receive information through the robot’s included browser-based user interface and they’re able to determine everything about the robot – where it’s going, what patrol zone it’s currently patrolling, the battery life percentage – all of these and more are all viewable on a computer, laptop or mobile device.”

This robot is brand new to the Texas Children’s system and is a pilot program for the organization. If the program is successful we may see more Texas Children’s Hospital deployments to not only protect and serve, but also bring joy to patients and their families.

“We’ve already seen that our children are very excited about it and want to come up and say hello to the robot,” Robertson said. “I think that’s something that your typical security devices don’t bring to the table, an effective security tool that’s child friendly and fun! We’ve already had a naming contest that involved our patients, families and staff. ROSIE was chosen as our new team members name in a very close vote. We look forward to working with her.”

April 4, 2018

Texas Children’s Security Services was informed of an alleged armed robbery in Garage 21 at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women on Saturday, March 31, and immediately communicated the information that we had to all physicians and employees to allow individuals to take additional safety precautions.

After a thorough investigation of the alleged incident, authorities have concluded that the report was falsely made. There was no robbery and no weapon.

At Texas Children’s, the safety and security of our patients, families, employees, providers, volunteers and visitors is of the highest priority. Although this report was not accurate, please continue to be vigilant about your safety. As always, Texas Children’s Security officers are available to escort employees to their cars. For escorts, call the Service Response Center at ext. 4-5400 or ask an officer for assistance. Please be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity by calling 911 or the Texas Medical Center Police Department at 713-795-0000.

We regret any undue concern caused by the communication informing individuals of the alleged robbery.

Sara Montenegro
Administrator-On-Call