June 12, 2018

A little more than one year after opening the doors of the hospital to its first patient, hundreds of new and recent hires at The Woodlands attended their first Mark A. Wallace New Employee Pep Rally – waving red pompoms and foam fingers, nodding along to classic dance music, noshing on refreshments and enjoying the opportunity to meet, greet and even snap photos with Mr. Wallace himself.

Modeled after the Texas Children’s Hi new employee orientation, the energetic pep rally format has replaced the more traditional reception that Mr. Wallace has hosted for decades. The rally gives new employees the chance to become better acquainted with Texas Children’s and connect with executives and leaders in an informal and festive atmosphere.

“Mr. Wallace is really personable and everyone is so down to earth,” said Nicole Bolden, an ambulatory service representative II in Developmental Therapy who attended the rally with her colleague, Adina Clay. “You can see why Texas Children’s has such a good culture and reputation in the community.”

With nearly 450 new employees to be celebrated at The Woodlands and his own goal to personally introduce himself to each of them, Mr. Wallace hosted two rallies back to back.

“It means a lot to have our first pep rallies here and give our employees a warm welcome,” said Executive Vice President Michelle Riley-Brown, who also serves as President of The Woodlands. “Our first year has been phenomenal, and it’s our people and our staff who have made The Woodlands so successful for the patients and families we see every day.”

In congratulating the team for the “grand slam” success of The Woodlands thus far and describing Texas Children’s ongoing efforts to expand access and care to even more children and families at the Legacy Tower and in Austin and Central Texas, Mr. Wallace thanked the new employees for supporting each other and working so hard to meet the needs of those we serve.

He also encouraged each new employee to give serious thought to their own personal definition of leadership, reminding them of his top two maxims: that leadership always influences and determines outcomes, and that leadership applies to everyone. Leadership is the reason that Texas Children’s has grown and achieved so much in just the 29 short years since he joined the organization, he said.

“Everyone has to lead; that’s part of our culture here,” Mr. Wallace said. “You’re all leaders, not just the people with a certain title or rank. We want to create a culture of empowerment. We want to listen to you. We want your ideas. We want you to lead. This unfolding story at Texas Children’s keeps happening and we all get to be part of it.”

For Brittnie Wright, a senior administrative assistant who was part of the team that helped bring the vision for The Woodlands to life, the fun and warmth of the pep rally and meeting Mr. Wallace underscored why she enjoys being part of the Texas Children’s family.

“I genuinely love it here. I love my leaders and I love my co-workers,” Wright said. “There’s a certain pride when people see you with that Texas Children’s badge because it stands for something. It makes me feel good to know that we are here for a purpose and we are fulfilling this purpose. We are really helping people in this community.”

May 15, 2018

Texas Children’s recently participated in a large-scale exercise focusing on the transport of an Ebola-positive pediatric patient from a facility in The Woodlands to Texas Children’s Special Isolation Unit at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus.

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-designated pediatric Ebola treatment center for the southwest region, Texas Children’s was chosen to be a part of the exercise organized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to test the nationwide ability to move patients with highly infectious diseases safely and securely to regional treatment centers.

“Providing safe, high-level care for patients with highly infectious special pathogens, such as the Ebola virus, requires an incredible amount of training and preparation,” said Dr. Amy Arrington, medical director of Texas Children’s Special Isolation Unit. “We do this exceeding well at Texas Children’s Hospital, with a state-of-the-art Special Isolation Unit and incredible team of volunteer health care workers who train regularly to care for these patients. But it is also critical to practice coordinating the transport of these patients as a medical community, between health care facilities.”

More than 50 organizations throughout the nation participated in the exercise, including the Department of State, Department of Transportation, the Regional Ebola Treatment Centers, local and state health and emergency management agencies, hospitals, airport authorities, and non-government organizations.

The exercise focused on moving seven people acting as patients with Ebola symptoms in different regions of the country. At each health care facility, clinical workers simulated the collection and shipment of samples for diagnostic tests to state laboratories, which in turn practiced running the necessary laboratory tests to diagnose the patients with Ebola.

As part of the exercise, each patient received a positive diagnosis. Using appropriate isolation techniques and personal protective equipment, health care workers then took steps to have six of the patients transported by air to designated Regional Ebola Treatment Centers. These patients were placed into mobile biocontainment units for these flights. The pediatric patient was placed into protective equipment and transported by ground ambulance.

“Saving lives during crises requires preparation and training,” said Dr. Robert Kadlec, Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. “A tremendous amount of coordination, synchronization, and skill is needed to move patients with highly infectious diseases safely. We have to protect the patients and the health care workers caring for those patients. This type of exercise helps ensure that everyone involved is ready for that level of complexity.”

On April 20, The Woodlands Recognition and Rewards Committee proudly presented the second-quarter Shining Star award to Esmeralda Miranda and Dr. Ammar Yamani.

The employee-recognition award was launched after the opening of Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands in April 2017 and honors those who go above and beyond to provide exceptional care to our patients, families and staff in The Woodlands.

Miranda, department secretary with Facilities Operations, was nominated by her co-workers and described as “promoting all of the core values day after day not only in her work but in all her interactions with patients, visitors, and fellow Texas Children’s Hospital workers.

“Her willingness to assist by adapting to different roles at Texas Children’s proves the type of character she is,” her co-workers said. “We need and value individuals like her who set those core examples without even knowing how much positive influence that are promoting within our Texas Children’s foundation.”

Yamani, an anesthesiologist in The Woodlands, was nominated for his holistic approach to patient care and was described as “someone who surpasses his duties as an anesthesiologist and consistently creates an environment of comfort, support, and safety for outpatients and families. He also is a joy to work and collaborate with on our multidisciplinary team in surgery.”

A huge congratulations and thank you to Miranda and Yamani for being the Shining Star and going above and beyond for our patients, families and co-workers.

May 8, 2018

Texas Children’s employees and Houston-area residents came out in full force to participate in the second annual Texas Children’s Hospital and Houston Marathon Foundation Family Fun Run at Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands.

On May 5, more than 1,500 people of all abilities participated in the non-competitive 1-mile course. Following the race, participants enjoyed the H-E-B sponsored Family Fun Zone, which was packed with snacks, entertainment and 20 plus attractions.

Professional race announcer Mark Purnell kept everyone energized in their role as master of ceremonies cheering on the crowd and announcing any and all special guests, including athletic trainer Katherine Elish and adolescent and sports medicine physician Dr. Jonathan Santana, who led runners and walkers in some warm-up stretches and exercises. Members of the Ukuele Choir played the National Anthem.

“We are so glad everyone came out and participated in the second annual Texas Children’s Hospital and Houston Marathon Foundation Family Fun Run at Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands,” said Trent Johnson, Texas Children’s Hospital assistant vice president. “It’s important for families to participate to maintain physical fitness, to connect with people in the community and to learn about what we have to offer at Texas Children’s here in The Woodlands.”

Wade Morehead, executive director of the Houston Marathon Foundation, said The Woodlands is a great running community and that he is excited about being able to reach new runners through Texas Children’s and introduce existing ones to the organization.

Lacy Dalcour, public affairs manager with H-E-B, said the Family Fun Run is special to H-E-B because it’s an opportunity to help encourage children about health and wellness.

“We value this message and partnership a great deal,” Dalcour said. “We are happy to be a part of the event in The Woodlands.”

To get a first-hand look at the fun:
View a photo gallery of the event below.
Check out free race photos taken by enmotive. Use this link and search via your name or bib number. You can directly share your images from your computer and/or mobile device. Make sure to use the hashtag #tchfunrun!

When Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands opened its doors a little more than a year ago, leaders were excited about bringing our expertise closer to the homes of the many patients and families who had been making the trek to the Texas Children’s Hospital Medical Center campus for so long. Leaders knew the hospital would fulfill a need in North Houston and beyond, and based on the hospital’s reception during its first year, they were right.

Texas Children’s second stand-alone community hospital exceeded expectations during its first year, admitting more than 2,400 patients and completing 77,000 plus physician visits, more than 42,000 radiologic procedures and close to 31,000 therapy appointments. Surgical Services and the Emergency Center saw some of the highest patient volume completing 6,222 surgeries and special procedures, and 31,852 Emergency Center visits.

“These numbers prove The Woodlands and surrounding communities needed world-class pediatric health care close to home,” said Trent Johnson, Texas Children’s Hospital assistant vice president. “Every time we’ve been in touch with families and patients, they always have positive feedback and say how much having Texas Children’s close to home has changed their lives for the better.”

“Community members and leaders also have been very supportive of the hospital during its first year, offering help whenever and wherever needed, which tells me they are happy we are here,” Johnson said.

Another group that has expressed happiness and support for the new 550,000-square-foot facility is clinicians and staff.

“The team here in The Woodlands is doing a phenomenal job,” said Ketrese White, director of Patient Care Services. “You can still feel their energy and excitement about our new hospital.”

As the demand for care grows in the area, so will Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, White added. An additional 14 inpatient beds will become available at the beginning of next year, and leadership is continuously strategizing on how and where to expand and move forward.

“We are extremely pleased with how things are going in The Woodlands and are proud to be able to better serve our patients and families in the North Houston area and beyond,” said Michelle Riley-Brown, executive vice president. “We also are looking forward to the future, which we believe is very bright.”

Located off of I-45 in The Woodlands near CHI St. Luke’s and Methodist hospitals, Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands serves children and families in The Woodlands, Kingwood, Conroe, Spring, Magnolia, Humble, Huntsville and beyond, and was built on a decade’s worth of relationships Texas Children’s has built in the community through our primary and sub-specialty care at Texas Children’s Pediatrics locations and the Texas Children’s Health Center The Woodlands.

Designed with a “spirit of the woods” theme to incorporate the lush, woodsy landscape that surrounds it, Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands offers an open and inviting setting for patients, families and staff alike.

Just inside the main entrance is a grand staircase that simulates a tree house, giving the area a safe, central location for children and families visiting Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands. As you travel throughout the campus, there are images of leaves on the ceiling, rivers on the floor and trees and 1,700 pieces of art created by children in The Woodlands community on the walls.

Some features of the facility include:

  • more than 20 areas of specialty care
  • 32 acute care beds
  • four operating rooms
  • 12 radiology rooms with two MRIs
  • Emergency Center with 25 patient rooms
  • helipad
  • more than 1,300 free parking spaces
  • 28 critical care rooms (14 NICU and 14 PICU)
  • neurophysiology sleep lab
  • EEG laboratory
  • state-of-the-art infusion center
  • dining area
  • family library
  • chapel
  • playrooms on every floor
  • state-of-the-art motion analysis lab

The hospital’s unique design recently earned a Houston Business Journal Landmark Award, which recognizes outstanding real estate projects in the Greater Houston area. Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands was recognized in the medical category.

The inpatient facility is connected to the six-floor, 210,000-square-foot Outpatient Building, which opened in October 2016 and houses more than 20 areas of specialized care including Cardiology, Sports Medicine, Neurology and Hematology/Oncology.

The Outpatient Building is a convenient, kid-friendly environment for families seeking the best pediatric care for their children. A state-of-the-art sports physical therapy gym is on the first floor, check-in and check-out stations resembling a child’s club house are at the entrance of each clinic, and spacious exam rooms and provider work stations line many of the building’s halls.

For more information about Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, click here.

May 1, 2018

This year’s Patient Experience Week celebration lived up to its theme, “A Magical Experience,” as patients and their families participated in fun and engaging activities at Texas Children’s Hospital Medical Center Campus, Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus and Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands.

Patient Experience Week was held from April 23 to 27. New this year, the Patient Experience Team launched the Compassion Challenge. Each day during Patient Experience Week, employees and staff across the organization completed a challenge that focused on the concepts of compassion, communication and connectedness. Completed Compassion Challenge forms are due Tuesday, May 1, to patientexperience@texaschildrens.org to be eligible for the prize drawing of Houston Dynamo tickets.

The week began with an inspiring speech from Houston business owner and community leader Jim McIngvale, also known as Mattress Mack. In front of a packed auditorium in the Abercrombie Building, McIngvale shared his insight about the importance of serving others and how he builds his business on these core values.

“Helping people is what I was put on this earth to do. It is what we all were made to do,” said McIngvale. “No one helps children like Texas Children’s Hospital. It is beyond amazing how you do it.”

The week also included a speech from Kelly Fuhlman from the Disney Institute who shared the magic behind the customer experience created at Disney parks and resort locations throughout the world.

Hundreds of people attended patient and family experience events across Texas Children’s three campuses. The events provided many fun children’s movie themed activities along with sweet treats and photo booths.

“These kids go through so much every day, and when we have an opportunity to make them laugh and smile, it’s exciting,” said Nazish Ahmad, West Campus Ambulatory Clinic manager. “Especially as leaders, we don’t normally have that face-to-face interaction all the time, so to be in such a fun environment and make the kiddos smile just makes the day.”

Caught You Caring (CYC) Awards ceremonies were also held at the Medical Center Campus, West Campus and The Woodlands Campus to recognize our 2018 recipients who have gone above and beyond to show compassion to our patients, families and co-workers.

The CYC program’s idea was brought to life after a physician read a heartfelt letter written by the mother of one of our patients. She described the care and compassion her whole family received during her son’s admission. Since then, CYC was conceptualized, piloted in our surgery areas in 2015, and has been launched system-wide with more than 6,000 CYC cards received. CYC boxes are located throughout all campuses so that anyone can recognize a staff member or a colleague.

A panel of judges scored each nomination to select the top employees and this year’s winners received a CYC award, a T-shirt, and the highlight of the ceremony – tickets to an upcoming Houston Texans event.

Texas Children’s Hospital Medical Center Campus:
Hilda Andrade, Lead Tech for Environmental Services
Yaneth Arrue, Unit Support Assistant in Abercrombie
Shatovia Cerf, Patient Care Assistant on 14 West Tower
Krista Miller, Staff Nurse in Labor and Delivery
Sandy Rodriguez, Front Office Specialist in Partners in OB/GYN at the Pavilion for Women
Erick Talamantes, Surgery Patient Liaison in West Tower

Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus:
Rosy Alvarado, Ambulatory Services Representative in the Urology clinic
Melissa Starner, Staff Nurse for West Campus 5th floor inpatient

Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands:
Lisa Carr, Staff Nurse in the Woodlands Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Melanie Johnson, Ambulatory Services Representative in the Neurophysiology department

Overall, the Patient Experience events were a success at reminding employees, patients and families that care at Texas Children’s goes beyond the bedside. It has to do with how we treat our patients and their families from the moment they call to schedule an appointment with us to the point they leave our care.

April 19, 2018

On April 18, Olympian Kristin Armstrong and Scott Schnitzspahn, vice president of Elite Athletics, USA Cycling, met with employees and visited with patients during a tour of Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands. Armstrong, a three-time gold medalist, and Schnitzspahn brought smiles to many of the patient’s faces and were enjoyed by the many employees and leaders who got to meet them.

Armstrong is the winner of the women’s individual time trial in 2008, 2012 and 2016.

At the 2008 Summer Olympics in China, Armstrong completed one of the biggest achievements of her career by winning the gold medal in the women’s road time trial competition. Finishing in under 35 minutes, Armstrong was 25 seconds ahead of silver medalist Emma Pooley from Great Britain and with Karin Thurig from Switzerland, who took the bronze.

Armstrong successfully defended her Olympic title in the individual time trial at the 2012 Olympics in London and became the oldest rider to win an Olympic time trial, finishing 35th in the women’s road race.

In August 2016, Armstrong made history again at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janerio after coming out of retirement to win the gold medal in the women’s individual time trial and becoming the first rider ever to win three gold medals in the same discipline. She also became the oldest female cyclist to win an Olympic medal.

In September 2017 Armstrong joined USA Cycling as Endurance Performance Director.