February 26, 2024

Making employee health a priority with Dr. Burdine

Texas Children’s dedication to providing a work environment prioritizing employee health and wellness has led to the expansion of our Employee Medical Clinic. In addition to the locations in the Medical Center and West Campus, this summer, full-service primary care will also be available to employees at The Woodlands! With a wide range of acute care services, chronic condition management and preventive care, the EMC is a great benefit available to all Texas Children’s employees.

What brought you to Texas Children’s, Dr. Burdine?

I am excited for this opportunity to work at TCH for several reasons! I have family who work at TCH and for the past 11 years, I have heard them praise the culture here. The Employee Medical Clinic is a unique opportunity to provide convenient access to primary and urgent care visits to TCH employees. Plus, being part of the Workforce Well-Being team allows me to engage more fully in preventive health care such as social and lifestyle factors that impact health.

Are there any services provided at the EMC you want employees to know more about?

We provide many services such as annual wellness exams, well woman exams and urgent care for common conditions like urinary tract infections, upper respiratory infections, and common musculoskeletal conditions. We also manage chronic medical conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes type 2, hypothyroidism and asthma/allergies. Employees often don’t know the full scope of well-being benefits TCH provides, and we can help connect them to these programs. A great example is physical therapy, which we offer onsite at the EMC!

How can employees schedule an appointment at the EMC?

Appointments can be made by calling the clinic phone number at 832-824-2424 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 6:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Tuesday 6:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. or emailing empmedicalclinic@texaschildrens.org. Online direct scheduling and MyChart will be available soon.

As you know, February is Heart Month. What are some things TCH employees can do to promote heart health and what sort of cardiac services can employees receive at the EMC?

In addition to providing routine care like annual wellness checks, offered at the EMC, your primary care provider (PCP) works with you to prevent serious illnesses like heart disease. Heart health is directly impacted by chronic conditions such as high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, prediabetes/diabetes and obesity.

High blood pressure or high cholesterol can be asymptomatic. Lifestyle habits, like reducing sodium intake and saturated fats, increasing physical activity and monitoring home blood pressures are tools everyone can work on to naturally lower blood pressure. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic activity. The simplest way to increase your physical activity is to start walking. It’s free, easy and can be done just about anywhere!

We provide education regarding diet and therapeutic lifestyle goals to reduce cardiovascular disease risk. The EMC works with our free TCH Health Coaches to perform a thorough assessment of current nutrition, behavioral habits, exercise habits and ideal weight loss goals to develop an individualized plan for each patient. There are ongoing coaching sessions to help you stay on the path to success.

To make an appointment, email empmedicalclinic@texaschildrens.org.

January 22, 2024

Lunchdrop is an innovative program featuring a new selection of local restaurants each day for free delivery. Simply place your order before 10:30 a.m. and Lunchdrop will text you between Noon to 12:30 p.m. when your lunch arrives. Lunchdrop allows easy menu selection to meet all your dietary restrictions.

To sign up for Lunchdrop, visit https://lunchdrop.com. Once signed up, you have the option to receive daily text messages with food options. Your lunch will be dropped off at your designated Lunchdrop shelf, and a Lunchdrop team member will message you once your food is delivered.

See below for locations and designations of the shelves available at Texas Children’s:

  • Feigin Shelf: First floor, near the café
    • Shelf ID: 7N
  • Legacy Shelf: First floor, near the escalators
    • Shelf ID: 9K
  • Pavilion for Women Shelf: First floor, outside of Room F0180.05
    • Shelf ID: 6T
  • Woodlands Shelf: First floor, near Guest Services
    • Shelf ID: 3B
  • West Campus Shelf: First floor, Main Entrance
    • Shelf ID: S9
  • West Loop South Shelf: Eighth floor, in the lobby
    • Shelf ID: 9T
  • Meyer Shelf: First floor, in Meyer Market
    • Shelf IDL Z3
  • Austin MoPac: First floor, next to the Mailroom
    • Shelf ID: S2

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Well-Being team at wellbeing@texaschildrens.org.

January 11, 2024

It’s that time of year where everyone seems to be coughing, sniffling and sneezing. We are experiencing increased upticks across the community with cases of COVID-19, flu and other respiratory illnesses. Below are a few reminders on how to protect yourselves and others against these viruses and where to get help if needed.

  • Masking. While masking remains optional, we recommend you consider masking at work. In the community, consider masking, particularly in crowded areas. Masks are strongly encouraged for those with high-risk conditions. Please note that masks are widely available at Texas Children’s hospital campuses and care locations at building entry points.
  • Hand hygiene. Clean your hands frequently and thoroughly to protect yourself and your patients. Clean your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer. Follow the Five Moments for Hand Hygiene ENG|ESP.
  • COVID-19 vaccines and staying up to date. We continue to offer the updated COVID-19 vaccine to all team members (including BCM faculty and staff) through Employee Health at our Medical Center, West and Woodlands campuses in addition to Austin Mopac. The current COVID-19 vaccine provides greater protection against more recently encountered Omicron subvariants. To schedule a free appointment at one of these locations, please click here. If you prefer to receive the vaccine at an outside provider, most medical plans cover COVID-19 vaccines at 100% under preventive care at an in-network provider. Out-of-network coverage depends on the plan in regards to cost share. Employees can visit www.myCigna.com or use the myCigna app for more information.
  • Feeling sick. Stay home if you feel sick and get tested if you have respiratory symptoms compatible with COVID-19 or flu. Note that antiviral treatments are effective if administered early enough for influenza or COVID-19. Early diagnosis and treatment also reduce spread of viruses in the workplace. Click here to review the COVID-19 Return to Work process. For non-COVID-19 related illnesses, click here to review the Illness in the Workplace Policy.
  • Employee Health Virtual Assistant. Access the Employee Health Virtual Assistant from any device, any time, on or off the Texas Children’s network for COVID-19 related guidance and support.

If you have any questions, please contact the Employee Health Nurse Support Line at 832-VACCINE (832-822-2463), open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Team members can also email employeevaccines@texaschildrens.org.

For more information on COVID-19, please visit our COVID Command website on Connect.

September 18, 2023

Your ongoing commitment to staying healthy and safe for our patients, members, their families and each other has made all the difference. We will continue to lead the way in caring for the communities we serve by requiring all Texas Children’s team members, inclusive of our employees, Baylor faculty and staff, contractors and volunteers to receive the flu vaccine this fall.

What’s new
  • Exemptions. Medical or religious exemptions obtained from Texas Children’s last year will automatically carry over to this season, so there is no need to recertify, unless the exemption was based on a temporary medical condition. Details on how to submit a new request is included below for all team members, including those who joined Texas Children’s after April 1, 2023 and want to request a medical or religious exemption.
  • Deadline. You will have until Wednesday, Nov. 1 to receive the flu vaccination or have an approved exemption to maintain employment at Texas Children’s. The timeframe to be in compliance is shorter than last year.
  • Connect button. There will be a Flu button featured on the right-hand side of the Connect homepage for easy access to the Employee Health virtual assistant tool.
What you need to know
  • Vaccine availability. There are multiple ways to receive a flu vaccine.
    • Texas Children’s Pediatrics (TCP). Team members can schedule their flu vaccine during their child’s onsite appointment at TCP, but will need to submit proof through the Employee Health virtual assistant tool.
    • Flu events. Austin, The Medical Center, West Campus, The Woodlands and TCHP will offer free flu vaccinations starting Tuesday, Sept. 19.
    • Outside provider. You can receive the vaccine through your doctor or pharmacy, but will need to submit proof through the Employee Health virtual assistant tool.
    • Employee Health. One-on-one appointments can be scheduled starting Sept. 19.
  • Employee Health virtual assistant tool. Visit texaschildrens.org/employeevaccines (you may need to refresh your browser) to submit proof and access exemption requests forms, consent form, flu event schedules and FAQs.
    • Submit proof. If you receive the flu vaccine at a TCP, doctor’s office or pharmacy, you will need to submit proof. Please upload a photo of the flu vaccination record received during your appointment. Ensure the writing is legible and includes your full legal name and birth date. You will not need to submit proof if you receive the vaccine at a Texas Children’s flu vaccine event or in a one-on-one appointment with Employee Health.
    • Exemptions. Employees who do not already have an approved exemption from Texas Children’s last year can request a medical or religious exemption from the requirement by Monday, Oct. 16.
    • Consent form. This form is required for those who wish to receive their flu vaccine at a Texas Children’s flu event or through a one-on-one appointment with Employee Health.
    • Event schedule. Receive your vaccine at one of the 58 flu vaccine events throughout Texas Children’s.
    • FAQ. Access a detailed FAQ document.
  • Contact information. If you have any questions, please contact Employee Health at 832-822-2463, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. or send an email to employeehealthfluvaccines@texaschildrens.org
September 5, 2023

Art brings people together in numerous ways. Whether it’s enjoying the same piece of art or making something together, it can provide unexpected connection and joy. The process of creating art has been researched to demonstrate substantial benefits from improving self-esteem and self-efficacy to relieving stress and anxiety.

The Workforce Well-Being team is excited to introduce their new Expressive Art for Well-Being program. Each month they will offer immersive, open studio time for Texas Children’s team members to come and create something beautiful while connecting with fellow employees. These activities, through different mediums and techniques, are designed to be outlets for self-expression and stress.

Emily McElmurry, our EAP representative in Austin and the architect of these projects, has a master’s degree in art therapy and has worked in many different settings utilizing art as a tool to nurture mental well-being. “It can offer participants the opportunity to self-express and heal,” she says. “The great thing is that anyone can make art – there is no right or wrong way!”

Check the Connect calendar for a time that works best for your schedule, and drop in to make some magic with your hands! For more information on the resources and activities available during Mindfulness Month, head to the Well-Being in Action page.

Monthly Art Therapy Well-Being projects:

  • September is Mandalas – Coloring mandalas is a means of meditation with the circles being associated with restoration of the body, mind and heart.
  • October is Forest of Trees – Topiary is the art of turning living plants into sculptures. This activity is made to facilitate connect and teamwork, and will be done in a group.
  • November is Gratitude Wall – The Gratitude Wall will be a meditative art installation for team members to use slips of paper to share, read, reflect and share gratitude.
  • December is Woven Together – This project will honor our heroes and ancestors through a piece of thoughtful, memorial art.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to create and connect with your One Amazing team members!

June 7, 2023

Thursdays in The Woodlands are Wellness Walk days thanks to a group of Ambulatory Well-Being Heroes. Needing a mental break during the workday, these team members get outside and get moving. “While we get in our steps and enjoy the fresh air, we have the opportunity to meet team members from different areas and disciplines,” explained Yvonne Barham, Ambulatory Clinics Manager. “It is a regularly scheduled event on my calendar, and I look forward to it every Thursday.” Even therapy dog Cohen joins in on the fun sometimes!

These kinds of simple habits are more powerful than you’d expect. In addition to boosting your mood and strengthening your immune system, physical activities like walking and stretching can help reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases. Walking with friends or co-workers also helps to facilitate connection and can lead to lesser rates of depression and anxiety.

To help you prioritize your physical well-being and create long-lasting habits, onsite fitness classes are back at all campuses. Employees can once again take toning and yoga classes right here in the hospital.

“The afternoon fitness classes are a great fit for me because of the convenience,” said Mariah Yannerella, Financial & Special Projects Coordinator. “Before walking back to my car or catching the shuttle, I can pop into Feigin and work away the stress of the day!”

Family Services Specialist Karen Schwieterman also loves how the classes have given her the opportunity “to be more active and aware of how important it is to be living a healthy lifestyle.”

Want help starting a walking group of your own? Reach out to Workforce Well-being at wellbeing@texaschildrens.org for pointers on how to get started and nearby walking trails.

Health is wealth and Texas Children’s is here to invest in your physical well-being. Take a class or take a walk but take charge and start today.

May 25, 2023

On Mark Wallace’s blog, he invites Dr. Kirti Saxena, Chief of Psychiatry, and Dr. Karin Price, Chief of Psychology, to discuss Mental Health Awareness Month and the importance of taking care of our mental health and well-being. Read more