Super Star – Page 7 – Texas Children's News

November 10, 2015

Michael Cothran from the Office of Development is the latest Texas Children’s Super Star leader. “We are fortunate to have a work culture that encourages and supports employees at every level,” Cothran said. “I’ve always challenged myself and others to explore new ideas, processes and tools.” Read more of Cothran’s interview, and find out how you can nominate a Super Star.

Q&A: Michael Cothran, July – September 2015 Leader

Your name, title and department. How long have you worked here?
Michael Cothran, Development Manager, Texas Children’s Hospital Office of Development. I have been an employee at Texas Children’s Hospital since 2007.

What month are you Super Star for?
July – September 2015

Tell us how you found out you won a super star award.
I thought I was going to a staff meeting but all of my coworkers had gathered to congratulate me on the award. The Office of Development runs at a pretty fast pace so I really appreciated everyone taking a few minutes out of their day to celebrate.

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 really makes that hard work even more meaningful. We are fortunate to have a work culture that encourages and supports employees at every level. I’ve always challenged myself and others to explore new ideas, processes and tools. These efforts have consistently been supported by the organization, and I believe we have grown stronger as a result.

What do you think makes someone at Texas Children’s a super star?
There really isn’t one simple recipe. When I look around at the most successful people in our organization, I see a variety of traits and characteristics. Key among them are selflessness, enthusiasm, confidence and integrity.

What is your motivation for going above and beyond every day at work?
In my role in the Office of Development, I have the opportunity to interact with many of the top leaders at Texas Children’s Hospital. I’m always impressed by the scope of the vision that they share. While there are needs that must be answered today, there is always an eye toward tomorrow. Knowing that Texas Children’s has great plans for the future is a strong motivator.

What is the best thing about working at Texas Children’s?
The mission is very clear. It feels good to do purposeful work that will have a lasting impact.

What does it mean to you that everyone at Texas Children’s is considered a leader? What is your leadership definition?
We are all in a unique position to proactively influence the path that we are traveling. I think this is key to the ongoing success of Texas Children’s.
I believe that leadership is the ability to understand the need for transformation or preservation and then to actively support the pursuit of either.

Anything else you want to share?
I’d simply like to thank those who nominated and selected me for this award. It is a true honor.

November 9, 2015

Bench and Bedside is a digest of the previous month’s stories about the clinical and academic activities of our physicians and scientists. We welcome your submissions and feedback.

October 6

Transient hypoglycemia in newborns may affect school-age academic outcomes

A new study led by Texas Children’s neonatologist Dr. Jeffrey Kaiser found that a brief drop in blood sugar at birth, commonly referred to as transient hypoglycemia, may be linked to lower literacy and math achievement test scores in fourth grade. More

October 6

Jae named to Baylor College of Medicine curriculum committee

Dr. Andrew Jea, Fellowship Program Director, Director of Educational Programs for the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, and Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine, was recently appointed to the college’s Medical School Curriculum Committee. More

October 6

Four neurologists will receive prestigious honors from the Child Neurology Society

The Neurology division at Texas Children’s was recognized not once, but four times at the 44th Annual Child Neurology Society Meeting in Washington, D.C. on October 9. More

October 6

Division of Otolaryngology experiences tremendous growth under Arjmand

In just a little more than a year, Dr. Ellis Arjmand has turned Texas Children’s Division of Otolaryngology into the largest pediatric ear, nose and throat program in the country. Prior to his coming aboard as chief of Otolaryngology in August 2014, the program had eight otolaryngologists providing services to the entire city of Houston and its surrounding area. Now, Texas Children’s Otolaryngology has 21 physicians stationed throughout Greater Houston. More

October 13

Texas Children’s anesthesiologists contribute to leading textbook in field

Anesthesiologist-in-Chief Dr. Dean Andropoulos and several members of his medical staff helped write and edit the recently published Anesthesia for Congenital Heart Disease, 3rd Edition. More

October 13

Clinical Care Center surgery patients now receiving post-surgery prescriptions at discharge

A pilot project was launched on October 13 in the Clinical Care Center that will allow the opportunity for surgery patients to have prescriptions filled prior to discharge. More

October 13

Super Star Physician: Dr. Sunjeev Patel

Dr. Sunjeev Patel of Texas Children’s Pediatrics Lakewood is the latest Texas Children’s Super Star physician. “Being part of Texas Children’s Pediatrics has allowed me to not only see patients in the office, but it also has given me the opportunity to be involved with understanding and improving quality of care,” Patel said. Read more of Patel’s interview and find out how you can nominate a Super Star. More

October 13

Finishing touches being put on Special Isolation Unit in preparation of opening

Pastel paint, shiny floors and spacious rooms equipped with the latest scientific and technological approaches to biocontainment are just a few of the features of the soon-to-be-finished Special Isolation Unit at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus. The 8-bed unit designed for children with highly contagious infectious diseases is set to open later in October. More

October 20

Vasudevan receives grant for liver cancer research

The Macy Easom Cancer Research Foundation has awarded pediatric surgeon Dr. Sanjeev Vasudevan a $75,000 grant for research into a form of pediatric liver cancer called hepatoblastoma, which is a disease that usually affects children under the age of five. More

October 20

Texas Children’s Transition Medicine team holds victory celebration dinner

Nearly 90 percent of children born with chronic or disabling conditions are surviving into adulthood, prompting the need for health care providers to develop appropriate and timely transitions of care. Texas Children’s is ensuring patients here experience a smooth transition to adult care. More

October 20

Lee Woodruff inspires packed auditorium at Department of Pediatrics grand rounds

When ABC News Anchor Bob Woodruff was injured by a roadside bomb while reporting in Iraq, his wife, Lee, became his caretaker. Recently, she visited Texas Children’s to share her inspiring patient-family story with the Department of Pediatrics at Grand Rounds. More

October 27

NRI study: Deep brain stimulation restores learning, memory in Rett syndrome mice

In a recent study led by Drs. Huda Zoghbi and Jianrong Tang, and published in the journal Nature, researchers from the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s and Baylor College of Medicine, demonstrated that deep brain stimulation of a specific area of the brain reverts learning and memory deficits in a mouse model of Rett syndrome, a leading cause of intellectual disability in girls. More

October 27

NRI researcher receives the Janett Rosenberg Trubatch Career Development Award

Dr. Mingshan Xue, a Carolina DeLuca scholar and researcher at the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s, has been awarded the Janett Rosenberg Trubatch Career Development Award. More

October 27

2016 Catalyst Leadership Award receipients named at luncheon

Five outstanding Texas Children’s employees who exemplify leadership while upholding Texas Children’s mission and core values were honored October 23 at a luncheon naming the 2016 Catalyst Leadership Award recipients and the Catalyst Leader of the Year. The award was created six years ago by members of Texas Children’s Board of Trustees in honor of Mark Wallace’s 20th anniversary as president and CEO. More

October 27, 2015

Greg Alpers from Critical Care Services is the latest Texas Children’s Super Star employee. “Because practices such as shared governance and servant leaders are ingrained in the nursing profession, the idea that everyone is a leader is a reality and not simply a buzz word,” said Alpers. Read more of Alpers’ interview, and find out how you can nominate a Super Star.

Q&A: Greg Alpers, August 2015 Employee

Your name, title and department. How long have you worked here?
Greg Alpers, Inventory Control Coordinator, Critical Care Services. I have worked at Texas Children’s for 13 years.

What month are you Super Star for?
August 2015

Tell us how you found out you won a super star award.
It was the ultimate surprise party. My manager scheduled a meeting that I thought would result in a substantial “to-do list” for myself.

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 was a big kick for me to be thanked by a group that I admire and respect. Critical Care Services is a small department that supports the Intensive Care Units. My manager is highly supportive and ensures that I have the necessary access to work effectively. I have an extremely experienced and talented counterpart for a resource. There is a seasoned unit secretary who is always generous with her extensive knowledge. I have a network of helpful people in Facilities Operations, Supply Chain, Laundry Services, Security Services, and Information Services.

What do you think makes someone at Texas Children’s a super star?
The sort of people that I am in contact with in Cardiology Beds and Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit are people that I view as super stars. From the doctors to the nurses and the patient care assistants; the dedication and focus on the patient’s well-being is absolute.

What is your motivation for going above and beyond every day at work?
I really want to support the caregiver. Their need for supplies is so that they can help others.

What is the best thing about working at Texas Children’s?
The people are the best thing about working at Texas Children’s. You would be hard pressed to find a more selfless and professional group. It’s a very caring environment.

What does it mean to you that everyone at Texas Children’s is considered a leader? What is your leadership definition?
Anyone in the nursing units, including nurses, patient care assistants, and unit support assistants, can ask me for supplies at any time. It sometimes seems that everyone is a leader except for me. When I encounter a member of leadership they sometimes tell me what I need to do. More often than not, however, it is the leader who ends up with a task to do. Because practices such as shared governance and servant leaders are ingrained in the nursing profession, the idea that everyone is a leader is a reality and not simply a buzz word. To me, a leader is someone who takes ownership.

Anything else you want to share?
My wife was a registered nurse for 36 years. She obtained her state certification when she was nineteen, made nursing a career, and even added duel Masters Degrees to her resume. I was always proud of her accomplishments. My esteem for her increased many times after I began working at Texas Children’s Hospital.

October 13, 2015

Dr. Sunjeev Patel from Texas Children’s Pediatrics Lakewood is the latest Texas Children’s Super Star physician. “Being part of Texas Children’s Pediatrics has allowed me to not only see patients in the office, but it also has given me the opportunity to be involved with understanding and improving quality of care,” said Patel. Read more of Patel’s interview below, and find out how you can nominate a Super Star.

Q&A: Dr. Sunjeev Patel, January – June 2015 Physician

Your name, title and department. How long have you worked here?
Dr. Sunjeev Patel, pediatrician, Texas Children’s Pediatrics Lakewood. I am the site leader and lab director for the practice. I also am the chair for the Quality Advisory Committee for Texas Children’s Pediatrics. I have worked for Texas Children’s Pediatrics since 2002. I started in the Float Pool and joined Lakewood in 2004.

What month are you Super Star for?
January – June 2015

Tell us how you found out you won a super star award.
It was announced at our monthly office staff meeting.

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 am very honored to have received this award. I could not do what I do without the support of my office staff and Texas Children’s Pediatrics. Being part of Texas Children’s Pediatrics has allowed me to not only see patients in the office, but it also has given me the opportunity to be involved with understanding and improving quality of care.

What do you think makes someone at Texas Children’s a super star?
Being a hard worker who is passionate about what they do.

What is your motivation for going above and beyond every day at work?
Doing the best that I can for my patients. Watching the kids grow up and seeing parents become more confident in their ability to care for their children is a great motivator.

What is the best thing about working at Texas Children’s?
Working with two great teams – my office and Texas Children’s Pediatrics Quality.

What does it mean to you that everyone at Texas Children’s is considered a leader? What is your leadership definition?
A leader is someone who can inspire and motivate others.

September 29, 2015

Shawnda Kelly from Orthopedic Surgery is the latest Texas Children’s Super Star leader. “To be a Super Star at Texas Children’s Hospital is to be someone who is passionate about whatever role they are in,” said Kelley. Read more of Kelley’s interview, and find out how you can nominate a Super Star.

Q&A: Shawnda Kelley, April – June 2015 Leader

Your name, title and department. How long have you worked here?
Shawnda Kelley, RN, BSN, Patient Care Manager, Orthopedic Surgery – Outpatient. I have been with the department for three years but have been with Texas Children’s Hospital for eight years.

What month are you Super Star for?
Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2015

Tell us how you found out you won a super star award.
My leader Binta Baudy told me that we needed to meet urgently to discuss the budget. She told me that I could only hire one employee for the year after there was a decision to bring other employees on board. When I arrived to the room all the staff were there waiting, and they surprised me.

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?
To be recognized for your hard work is an amazing feeling. The catch to that is you do not even realize the impact that you have on families and staff members. Texas Children’s Hospital has played a vital role with assisting me in achieving my goals by offering leadership classes, the mentor program and a plethora of awesome leaders who lead by example and provide the needed support and guidance.

What do you think makes someone at Texas Children’s a super star?
To be a Super Star at Texas Children’s Hospital is to be someone who is passionate about whatever role they are in. I feel as though if one has a passion for what they do, they will always go above and beyond. From providing the utmost patient care to being a shoulder for staff members and colleagues to lean on, that passion is what drives us to be super at what we do.

What is your motivation for going above and beyond every day at work?
I have two awesome boys at home, and whether it is developing a new process or speaking with a family, I always ask myself “how would this affect my children if they were in this situation.” We are here to provide the best care to patients and families and seeing the difference that I make allows me to continue to provide that care.

What is the best thing about working at Texas Children’s?
The best thing about working at Texas Children’s is the patients. We see a variety of patients from all walks of life and just knowing that I was there to help a patient get through a diagnosis, surgery and post-op care means everything to me.

What does it mean to you that everyone at Texas Children’s is considered a leader? What is your leadership definition?
I am very humbled that others consider me as a leader and look to me to lead. I have always wanted to be an inspiration to others so that they know with hard work they can accomplish great things. My leadership definition is “To Inspire Individuals To Do Great Things!”

Anything else you want to share?
I am very fortunate to be a part of the Texas Children’s family and work alongside some of the best physicians and staff. It has been a pleasure to be a part of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and even more so, to be a part of Ambulatory Nursing. I want to thank my leader, the staff members and both physicians and mid-levels for being great at what they do!

September 15, 2015

Tamila Holland from the Child Protective Team is the latest Texas Children’s Super Star employee. “If I can somehow put a smile on a child’s face, or bring comfort to a parent’s heart and mind: that is my constant motivation at work,” said Holland. Read more of Holland’s interview, and find out how you can nominate a Super Star.

Q&A: Tamila Holland, July 2015 Employee

Your name, title and department. How long have you worked here?
Tamila Holland, LVN with the Child Protective Team for seven years.

What month are you Super Star for?
July 2015

Tell us how you found out you won a super star award.
My boss, Lisa Creamer, and the Child Protective Team masqueraded a mock meeting to present me with the 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 was truly hard to be recognized, because I absolutely have a passion for what I do and it doesn’t ever seem like hard work to me. This organization (CPT Team) is such a positive influence and motivator in my professional goals and endeavors. This team is constantly pushing and encouraging educational improvement as well as personal skills to increase my aptitude in this profession.

What do you think makes someone at Texas Children’s a super star?
I honestly feel we all are “Super Stars.” The dedication and devotion I see each and every day with my peers and how they interact with our young patients are a continual reminder of how special and super our staff is.

What is your motivation for going above and beyond every day at work?
If I can somehow put a smile on a child’s face, or bring comfort to a parent’s heart and mind: that is my constant motivation at work.

What is the best thing about working at Texas Children’s?
Texas Children’s Hospital has provided me with ongoing opportunities and incentives to learn, develop and grow. I work with an awesome team and great mentors.

What does it mean to you that everyone at Texas Children’s is considered a leader?
While the formal definition of leader is: “one who leads or commands a group, organization or company.” I am inclined to believe that Texas Children’s employs leaders because this organization continues to be an inventive and constantly has a new and improved vision.

What is your leadership definition?
Concluding that a leader is one whom creates an inspiring vision of the future, leadership motivates and inspires people to engage with that vision.

Anything else you want to share?
I would just like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for endowing me with this grand acknowledgement as Super Star. It is so hard to obtain this award without sharing it with the grand persons I work with every day. I am on a great team, and this is a great place to work.

September 2, 2015

Santana Gibbs-Marks from Diabetes/Endocrine Care Center is the latest Texas Children’s Super Star employee. “The best thing about working at Texas Children’s is the compassion of my fellow coworkers and to see the children smiling even when they are sick,” said Gibbs-Marks. “That puts a smile on my face, and it makes me remember how thankful I am.” Read more of Gibbs-Marks’ interview, and find out how you can nominate a Super Star.

Q&A: Santana Gibbs-Marks, June 2015 Employee

Your name, title and department. How long have you worked here?

Santana Gibbs-Marks, Lead Ambulatory Service Representative in the Diabetes/Endocrine Care Center. I started at Texas Children’s Hospital in 2008 has a contractor, and on June 15, 2009 I became a permanent employee. As of June 15 I’ve been at Texas Children’s six years.

What month are you Super Star for?

The month of June.

Tell us how you found out you won a super star award.

We had a graduation ceremony for our fellows and right afterwards they said we had a mandatory meeting. My director Ryan Breaux came in and start talking about AIDET and then walks in my mom and husband. I was very surprised when he announced that I had won the Super Star award for the month of June.

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?

The Super Star recognition means to me that the work that I do daily is noticed and that someone sees a bigger picture of me and I am all so grateful. This organization has contributed to my success in so many ways. I am thankful for my leaders who have helped me reach some of my goals and going. I’m not finished. This is only just the beginning.

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

Consistently going above and beyond without being asked to do so. Thinking outside of the box and having a strong passion and love for what you do every day.

What is your motivation for going above and beyond every day at work?

My motivation for going above and beyond is seeing these beautiful kids and their families smiling at the end of their visits. I am most of the time the last person they see before they leave our clinic I LOVE to see a sense of ease, and that they have been well taken care of at the end of the day.

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

The best thing about working at Texas Children’s is the compassion of my fellow coworkers and to see the children even when they are sick smiling. That puts a smile on my face and it makes me remember how thankful I am.

What does it mean to you that everyone at Texas Children’s is considered a leader? What is your leadership definition?

To me it means everyone plays a part in leadership because in some form we all have someone looking up to us and we are guiding each other. A leader in my opinion is one who leads by example, so that others are motivated to follow.

Anything else you want to share?

I would like to thank my leaders and coworkers in my department and all the doctors for believing and trusting in me.

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