May 18, 2016

51816RoulaZoghbiSmith175Roula Zoghbi Smith of Business Planning is the latest Texas Children’s Super Star leader. “I think people that are passionate about delighting those they come in contact with – through quality work, interactions, and customer service – possess a unique attribute that drives them to be true super stars,” Smith said. Read more of Smith’s interview and find out how you can nominate a Super Star.

Q&A: Roula Zoghbi Smith, April – June 2016 Leader

Your name, title and department. How long have you worked here?
Roula Zoghbi Smith, Assistant Director in Business Planning. I have worked at Texas Children’s for six years.

What month are you Super Star for?
April – June 2016

Tell us how you found out you won a super star award.
My leader, Paola Álvarez-Malo, scheduled a meeting with our Business Planning team. She seemed very serious at first as she instructed the team that she needed their help. She asked them to take down my birthday decorations because she needed them to plaster my office with stars and confetti because I had won the Super Star Leader award. I was in complete shock and disbelief! It was an incredible surprise, and I had the privilege of celebrating this great honor along with my birthday later that day with my team.

What does it mean to be recognized for the hard work you do? How has the organization helped you achieve your personal and professional goals?
It is such an honor to be recognized at Texas Children’s as there are so many hardworking and talented employees within the organization. Texas Children’s has contributed to my ability to achieve my personal and professional goals through leadership development, mentorship from leaders across the organization, and by affording me a variety of opportunities to grow in my career.

What do you think makes someone at Texas Children’s a super star?
I think people that are passionate about delighting those they come in contact with – through quality work, interactions, and customer service – possess a unique attribute that drives them to be true super stars.

What is your motivation for going above and beyond every day at work?
My motivation for going above and beyond is rooted in the incredible people here at Texas Children’s – both patients and employees. My goal is to ensure that both our patients and employees have stellar experiences within our organization.

What is the best thing about working at Texas Children’s?
The best thing about working at Texas Children’s is working with one amazing team! I feel privileged to work with the Business Planning team (Aisha, Angie, Brad, Josh, Kathleen, Megan, and Paola) on a day to day basis. They are a complete joy to work with and put a smile on my face every day. Working with them and many others highlights what incredibly bright and committed people exist within our organization.

What does it mean to you that everyone at Texas Children’s is considered a leader? What is your leadership definition?
I believe that every individual, regardless of role or title, has the opportunity to be a leader through actions and influence. Leadership is doing the right thing for your people, customers, and the organization, even when no one is watching.

Anything else you want to share?
I would like to thank all the wonderful people who have mentored me throughout my career at Texas Children’s as well as all of my team members (past and present) in the Business Planning, Pavilion for Women, and Leadership / Organizational Development teams. I would especially like to thank Chanda Cashen Chacón, Opera Wagner-Ross, Sarah Maytum, Perry Ann Reed, Diane Scardino, Mark Mullarkey, Alec King and most of all Paola Álvarez-Malo.

May 10, 2016

DeborahBurke175Deborah Burke of Human Resources is the latest Texas Children’s Super Star employee. “I have learned from my leaders that at any level you should still be able to assist someone or if you can’t help that person, get him or her to the right person,” Burke said. Read more of Burke’s interview and find out how you can nominate a Super Star.

Q&A: Deborah Burke, February 2016 Employee

Your name, title and department. How long have you worked here?
Deborah Burke, Project Analyst in the Talent Acquisition Department for Human Resources
I have been at Texas Children’s for 16 years and 3 months

What month are you Super Star for?
February 2016

Tell us how you found out you won a super star award.
My leader led me into a room of coworkers and surprised me with a cake. I thought we were going to a surprise wedding shower for her.

What does it mean to be recognized for the hard work you do? How has the organization helped you achieve your personal and professional goals?
It means a great deal to me. I really appreciate when a leader takes the time to send an email or to thank me. It makes me know that I am making a difference – that I helped. That is why I chose Human Resources. My leaders have nurtured me and guided me. I have learned from them that at any level you should still be able to assist someone or if you can’t help that person get them to the right person. Take time to listen, engage and assist. It’s amazing how much of a difference you can make by doing those three things.

What do you think makes someone at Texas Children’s a super star?
I think a super star is someone that goes above and beyond consistently. You have to enjoy what you do and live it. You don’t think what you are being asked to do is your job or not you just do it and you do it to the best of your ability.

What is your motivation for going above and beyond every day at work?
My leaders. I have tremendous respect for them and I look to them for guidance and sometimes they probably don’t even know but I am watching and listening.

What is the best thing about working at Texas Children’s?
I have been give many opportunities which has allowed me to grow and foster relationships with employees and leaders. I truly enjoy my job daily.

What does it mean to you that everyone at Texas Children’s is considered a leader? What is your leadership definition?
I think coworkers, new hires and staff members will observe how you are approaching your role at Texas Children’s and it is important to make not only a good first impression but to be consistent. Sure we all have bad days but it is how you handle that bad day which leaves an impression on others. Leadership to me is someone that takes the time to teach, explain situations and keeps everyone informed so that there is no miscommunication. Leadership is remembering those underneath you are watching and you must continue to reach out and teach and guide them.

May 3, 2016

42716DrLucyPuryear175Dr. Lucy Puryear of The Women’s Place: Center for Reproductive Psychiatry is the latest Texas Children’s Super Star physician. “It is a privilege to have patients trust that we will do our very best to care for them, as if they were our own family member,” Puryear said. Read more of Puryear’s interview and find out how you can nominate a Super Star.

Q&A: Dr. Lucy Puryear, July – December 2015 Physician

Your name, title and department. How long have you worked here?
Lucy J. Puryear, M.D. Medical Director, The Women’s Place: Center for Reproductive Psychiatry. I’ve been at the Pavilion for Women since they opened.

What month are you Super Star for?
July through December of 2015.

Tell us how you found out you won a super star award.
Dr. Belfort called me to his office unexpectedly. I at first wondered if I’d done something wrong, but when I arrived he made me close my eyes and hold out my hands. He put a red bag in my hands with the award inside and read aloud the notice of the honor I received. What a nice surprise!

What does it mean to be recognized for the hard work you do? How has the organization helped you achieve your personal and professional goals?
It feels wonderful to have your colleagues recognize all of the efforts you make to do the very best job that you can. It helps to know that those efforts are recognized, and it feels wonderful to be appreciated. It’s validating to hear, “yes, you are doing a great job, and we see it.”

What do you think makes someone at Texas Children’s a super star?
I would really have to say there are lots of superstars at Texas Children’s Hospital. I find the dedication to patient care and the mission to be the best at what we do is a consistent attitude among most people who work here, from top to bottom.

What is your motivation for going above and beyond every day at work?
I feel being a doctor is a mission to serve others. It is a privilege to have patients trust that we will do our very best to care for them, as if they were our own family member. I take that commitment very seriously. I want to be the very best I can be. I get great joy seeing the patients I treat get better.

What is the best thing about working at Texas Children’s?
I most enjoy the sense of teamwork, that we all have the same desire to improve the lives of women and children, and that treating others with kindness and compassion is who we are and how we are expected to behave.

What does it mean to you that everyone at Texas Children’s is considered a leader? What is your leadership definition?
When everyone at an institution has a passion for the same mission, and a common goal, then each member of the team is responsible for taking leadership in their own area to ensure that in their place of work they are contributing to that goal. Even if far removed from patient care, the goal of everyone who works at Texas Children’s is to be a leader in the quality and safety of the patients we care for. For me a leader is someone who keeps the goal in sight, encourages others to collaborate to achieve that goal, and is able to put aside personal benefit in order to make sure everyone wins.

Anything else you want to share?
I love my job!

April 5, 2016

4616GirijaBabu175Girija Babu of Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women’s Mother/Baby Unit is the latest Texas Children’s Super Star employee. “Leadership in my definition is not just someone who leads a group but someone who works along with their group and helps them through their problems like their own family member,” Babu said. Read more of Babu’s interview and find out how you can nominate a Super Star.

Q&A: Girija Babu, November 2015

Your name, title and department. How long have you worked here?
Girija Babu, Registered Nurse in Pavilion for Women Mother/Baby Unit. I have been working at Texas Children’s Hospital for the past six years.

What month are you Super Star for?
November 2015.

Tell us how you found out you won a super star award.
Through an amazing surprise party arranged by my nursing leadership and my coworkers.

What does it mean to be recognized for the hard work you do? How has the organization helped you achieve your personal and professional goals?
I feel honored to know my work has made an impact on the lives of others, allowing them to choose me as their super star. It is a very pleasant news to me. This organization has allowed me to achieve the goal in my career through the support and guidance of my leadership, the team work of my colleagues, and the trust and encouragement of doctors. It is very fortunate to work with them. Without the support of them I wouldn’t have received this award.

What do you think makes someone at Texas Children’s a super star?
I think we all are super stars in one way or another. Those who are hardworking, passionate towards the work, and enjoy what they do has to be appreciated.

What is your motivation for going above and beyond every day at work?
My motivation is my family and my coworkers. Those who I believe have believed in me, more than I do at times. They have allowed me to be a better person at my work and even in my personal life.

What is the best thing about working at Texas Children’s?
I cannot just choose one thing I believe is the best about Texas Children’s. Everything the hospital offers me is the best I have ever had. The wonderful people whom I work with everyday are the reason behind my smile at work.

What does it mean to you that everyone at Texas Children’s is considered a leader? What is your leadership definition?
The friendly faculty at Texas Children’s all have great qualities of a leader. Each one of them has done a tremendous amount of great deeds to be considered as a great leader. Leadership in my definition is not just someone who leads a group but someone who works along with their group and helps them through their problems like their own family member.

Anything else you want to share?
I want to thank Texas Children’s for always being a second family for me and recognizing me with the Super Star award. I would like to thank the wonderful people I work with every day, who helped me achieve this award. Special thanks to the Neo team for their trust in me, the continuous support, and encouragement. Being the Super Star motivates me to do more and work harder. Thank you.

March 22, 2016

BryanCardona175Bryan Cardona of Texas Children’s Gordon Emergency Center is the latest Texas Children’s Super Star employee. “I believe the people who focus their efforts on the hospital functioning at is best, and don’t care for who gets the recognition, are the super stars of the hospital,” Cardona said. Read more of Cardona’s interview and find out how you can nominate a Super Star.

Q&A: Bryan Cardona, September 2015 Employee

Your name, title and department. How long have you worked here?
My name is Bryan Cardona. I work as a clinical support technician in the Texas Children’s Gordon Emergency Center. I have worked at Texas Children’s Hospital almost two years.

What month are you Super Star for?
September 2015

Tell us how you found out you won a super star award.
I was surprised by both my former and current manager. They tricked me thinking it was just a normal routine meeting, and then surprised me with the announcement that I had won a Super Star Award.

What does it mean to be recognized for the hard work you do? How has the organization helped you achieve your personal and professional goals?
It feels really good, and I take the recognition with humility. I believe this is a stepping stone in the right direction, and I thank Texas Children’s Hospital for the award. This organization is composed of intelligent, hard-working people and being around them has helped me learn so much about life.

What do you think makes someone at Texas Children’s a super star?
I read some good quotes from a booklet John Nickens gave me. I loved this quote from Benjamin Jowett, “The way to get things done is not to mind who gets the credit for doing them.” I believe the people who focus their efforts on the hospital functioning at is best, and don’t care for who gets the recognition, are the super stars of the hospital.

What is your motivation for going above and beyond every day at work?
Colossians 3:23. “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” People ask me why I work hard, and my answer is, “because of Him.”

What is the best thing about working at Texas Children’s?
The best reason is the children. The children’s smile, joy and courage can’t be compared with anything else.

What does it mean to you that everyone at Texas Children’s is considered a leader? What is your leadership definition?
Everyone influences Texas Children’s Hospital with their own unique gifts. Leadership is exercising one’s strength to influence others.

Anything else you want to share?
I want to tell everyone that without Jesus I wouldn’t be who I am now. Have faith and don’t be ashamed of your weaknesses because in your weakness you find true strength.

February 23, 2016

22416SSAngelinaRangelinside175Angelina Rangel of Nursing Professional Development is the latest Texas Children’s Super Star leader. “A super star is someone who is constantly striving to improve, constantly learning, working to be the best they can be as a person and as a coworker,” Rangel said. “Also this person takes ownership.” Read more of Rangel’s interview and find out how you can nominate a Super Star

Q&A: Angelina Rangel, October – December 2015 Leader

Your name, title and department. How long have you worked here?
Angie Rangel, MSN, RN, CCRN, LNC – Assistant Director of Nursing Professional Development. I have been at Texas Children’s Hospital for 24 years.

What month are you Super Star for?
October – December 2015

Tell us how you found out you won a super star award.
My leader set up a meeting to discuss events for the week. He asked me meet him in the conference room. When I arrived at the conference room, the entire team from Nursing Professional Development was there to surprise me with cake, food and gifts.

What does it mean to be recognized for the hard work you do? How has the organization helped you achieve your personal and professional goals?
I was touched and honored by this recognition. Prior to being employed at Texas Children’s, one of my personal goals was to find an organization where I felt good about going to work. A positive work environment gives any employee motivation throughout the day. I started my career at Texas Children’s as a registered nurse in the NICU-3 in 1991. Honestly I don’t remember a day when I did not feel valued and appreciated by my coworkers and leaders. In turn, I appreciate all of my colleagues as well. With the support of Texas Children’s Hospital’s tuition reimbursement program, I was able to go back to school for MSN/MBA and advance my career from bedside nurse to charge, preceptor, educator, manager and currently as the assistant director of Nursing Professional Development. In every role that I have held, I have felt appreciated and recognized for even the small things that I felt that really didn’t matter. Texas Children’s is a great place to work.

What do you think makes someone at Texas Children’s a super star?
Someone who is constantly striving to improve, constantly learning, working to be the best they can be as a person and as a coworker. Someone who takes ownership, and apologizes if appropriate. Someone who brings high energy, commitment and enthusiasms that causes others around them to respond positively.

What is your motivation for going above and beyond every day at work?
When one feels valued and appreciated, it is a natural motivation to go above and beyond.

What is the best thing about working at Texas Children’s?
As social beings, we naturally seek support from our peers and seek to belong to a group. I found the sense of unity with every team that I have had the privilege of working with at Texas Children’s. A strong team spirit. I appreciate the acceptance and tolerance of differences in perspectives and working styles between team mates. I especially am blessed to be working alongside my current teammates and leaders. There is such cohesiveness among this team.

What does it mean to you that everyone at Texas Children’s is considered a leader? What is your leadership definition?
It means that everyone has a voice. It means leading a life of action. Taking action in your own life, and making the changes that you want to see and focusing on the things you can control. Leadership is a style of persuading. It is about setting an example of inspiration and service. A true leader is a servant, ethical and authentic.

Anything else you want to share?
     Many years ago my father told me “if you want to be a leader, you need to be a servant”. Although at that time, I didn’t understand his statement. But later I understood exactly what he meant. The idea of servant leadership isn’t new. Robert K. Greenleaf first coined the term servant-leadership in a 1970 essay.
     In his works, Greenleaf discusses the need for a better approach to leadership, one that puts serving others – including employees, customers, and community – as the number one priority. Servant leadership emphasizes increased service to others, a holistic approach to work, promoting a sense of community, and the sharing of power in decision making. In his works, Greenleaf discusses the need for a better approach to leadership, one that puts serving others – including employees, customers, and community – as the number one priority. Servant leadership emphasizes increased service to others, a holistic approach to work, promoting a sense of community, and the sharing of power in decision making.
     Some of the characteristics of the servant leader are what I see in the leaders that I work with at Texas Children’s. I have seen the servant leader characteristics in the staff from environmental services to Mr. Mark Wallace. That is why this organization is where it is today. I thank God that I am part of this great organization with leaders who exhibit the philosophy and model of a servant leader. Some of the characteristics of the servant leader are what I see in the leaders that I work with at Texas Children’s. I have seen the servant leader characteristics in the staff from environmental services to Mr. Mark Wallace. That is why this organization is where it is today. I thank God that I am part of this great organization with leaders who exhibit the philosophy and model of a servant leader.

January 12, 2016

SandraYacoubinside175

Sandra Yacoub of International Patient Services is the latest Texas Children’s Super Star employee. “Being recognized is the icing on the cake,” Yacoub said. “It provides me with the motivation to continue giving the best I can give.” Read more of Yacoub’s interview and find out how you can nominate a Super Star.

Q&A: Sandra Yacoub, October 2015 Employee

Your name, title and department. How long have you worked here?
Sandra Yacoub, Senior Interpreter in International Patient Services. I’ve been working in IPS for seven and half years.

What month are you Super Star for?
October 2015

Tell us how you found out you won a super star award.
It was actually a HUGE surprise. We had an International Patient Services team meeting on October 15 to which I came late because I was in another meeting that ran a bit longer than anticipated. Julia Barreda Wong, International Patient Services senior coordinator, attended the first meeting with me. I could see her getting anxious to go the second meeting but I had no clue why because we already informed Iman Shebaro, our assistant director, that we might come late. Julia was practically running to the location of our second meeting and I was running behind her. As I walked in the conference room, everyone in the room started clapping and yelling “congratulations.” I still had no idea what was going on. Ivett Shah, assistant vice president of Women Services and Joann Lee, International Patient Services and Women Services director were present. As Iman told me that I won the Super Star Award I was speechless. I had no idea that I was even nominated. It was a very emotional moment for me. I just hope I didn’t embarrass myself. There also was a lot of good food and a delicious cake.

What does it mean to be recognized for the hard work you do? How has the organization helped you achieve your personal and professional goals?
In International Patient Services we all work from the heart, we all do our best to provide our families and our care providers with an excellent service. We all support each other, and we all know that we are highly supported by our leadership. Being recognized is the icing on the cake. It provided me with that much more motivation to continue giving the best I can give. I hear horror stories from my friends and acquaintances about the difficult times and lack of support they have to deal with in their workplace, which makes me realize how lucky I am with all the support that the organization, the leadership and the team offer.

What do you think makes someone at Texas Children’s a super star?
Their heart.

What is your motivation for going above and beyond every day at work?
Knowing what’s at stake. We help international patients who are not familiar with the country or the language to have access to the best medical care they can get. Each family has a story that we become a part of. It is truly a privilege.

What is the best thing about working at Texas Children’s?
The people.

What does it mean to you that everyone at Texas Children’s is considered a leader? What is your leadership definition?
A leader to me is someone who is willing to assume responsibility and take the necessary steps to do what needs to be done. It’s SERVICE WITH HEART.

Anything else you want to share?
I’m truly grateful for this recognition, for the opportunity to be working in Texas Children’s Hospital and to be working with the International Patient Services team. It is indeed a blessing.