May 23, 2017

In support of Patient and Family Services’ Step Up for Patients First initiative, Texas Children’s Well-Being Team invites all staff to participate in the upcoming StairWELL Challenge. This well-being challenge encourages employees to make physical activity a priority while committing to take the stairs to improve the elevator experience for our patients and their families.

Challenge Details
  • The challenge is from Thursday, June 1, through Friday, June 30, 2017.
  • Participants’ goal is to complete two to eight flights of stairs each day and keep track of their progress via a tracking sheet (participants will receive this upon signing up for the challenge).*
  • To sign up for the challenge, click here.

“Stair climbing burns more calories than a traditional walk and increases your chance to achieve weight loss,” said Employee Medical Clinic Physician Dr. Irene Lomeda. The vigorous and continuous movement of your legs results in deeper breathing and increases your heartbeat, which enhances blood flow to all areas of your body. Stair climbing is also an ideal way to improve your energy, increase the function of your immune system and lower your risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and heart disease.”

During the challenge, look out for Well-Being Team and Wellness Ambassadors as they will be in the stairwells periodically to catch you climbing the stairs across all locations. They will be handing out Texas Children’s swag and fun incentives to celebrate stepping up for good health.

All Texas Children’s badge holders are eligible to participate. Commit to the challenge as an individual and encourage your co-workers to participate with you!

For more information about the challenge, visit the Well-Being page on Connect.

*In response to patient and family feedback, Texas Children’s Hospital has provided stairwell access for patients and families in the Mark A. Wallace Tower from Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. We understand taking the stairs isn’t an option for some; however, if you choose to take the stairs, this option is now available to you.

May 9, 2017

It’s appointment day. You park your car, arrive at the hospital and make a beeline to the elevators at the Wallace Tower hoping to shuttle your child to his or her doctor’s appointment on time. After dealing with traffic on your way in, you’re faced with another challenge – waiting patiently for an available elevator cab.

Based on recent Press Ganey patient satisfaction survey results, Texas Children’s Patient Experience Team has focused on several priority initiatives in FY17, one of which is to improve the elevator experience for patients and families who depend on the Wallace Tower elevators to take them to and from their clinic appointments.

“This has been a significant, on-going concern for our patient families,” said Katie Kalenda Daggett, director of Patient and Family Services. “We have partnered with Ambulatory Leadership, Facilities, Marketing, HR, Security Services and other teams from across the hospital to develop creative solutions to improve the patient and family elevator experience.”

Texas Children’s recently launched the Step Up for Patients First initiative, which encourages employees and staff to put patients and families first, from the time they arrive at work to the time they leave. This includes providing patients and families priority access to the elevators to reduce unnecessary wait times.

In the next few weeks, employees and staff will notice new, colorful wayfinding signage near the Wallace Tower elevators and stairwells, which have now been opened to patient and visitors who opt to take the stairs from Monday to Friday between 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Employees may take the stairs any time, but are encouraged to take the stairs as often as possible.

“We want our patients to arrive at their appointments easily, and we encourage all Texas Children’s employees to be part of this collaborative process to reduce extended wait times at the elevators,” Kalenda Daggett said. “Step Up for Patients First is part of a broader initiative to enhance patient experience across the hospital system.”

Texas Children’s continually receives feedback from patient families about small changes that can be made across the system to promote a positive experience. Our broader initiative will include future improvement efforts, such as encouraging employees to step up for patients who are lost and need help with wayfinding.

If you have any suggestions for improvements or any additional feedback, contact the Patient Experience team at patientexperience@texaschildrens.org.

Step Up stairwell challenge begins June 1

In conjunction with Step Up for Patients First, Texas Children’s Health and Wellness will launch an organization wide Step Up stairwell challenge from June 1 to June 30 that will challenge employees and staff to Step Up for Patients First and make physical activity a priority. The Well-Being Team will be in the stairwells periodically to encourage employees on this new culture habit while handing out swag and fun incentives to celebrate stepping into good health.

Stay tuned to Connect for more details.

May 3, 2017

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

On April 29, about 1,500 people of all abilities participated in the non-competitive 1-mile course in celebration of the April 11 grand opening of the new hospital. Following the race, participants enjoyed the H-E-B sponsored Family Fun Zone, which was packed with snacks, entertainment and 20 plus attractions.

Sarah Pepper from The Morning Mix and 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
Dr. Kristen Ernest and Susan Niles with Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands Sports Medicine, who led runners and walkers in some warm-up stretches and exercises, and members of the College Park High School Herald Trumpets, who played the National Anthem.

Prior to the race in a large tent next to the course’s start line, hospital and community leaders gathered for a light breakfast and short presentation about Texas Children’s new full-service community hospital. They then moved to the front of the hospital to cut a celebratory grand opening ribbon.

“Thirty-nine months ago, we had a tent and a shovel, now we have our campus ready to service the needs of children and families in this area,” said Dr. Charles Hankins, chief medical officer at Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands. “It’s very exciting.”

Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands President Michelle Riley-Brown agreed and said the opening of the hospital is a huge milestone for Texas Children’s and reflects the health system’s overall strategy of giving patients and families more access to quality pediatric care.

To get a first-hand look at the fun and to learn more about Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands:

  • View a photo gallery of the event below.
  • Order your race-day photos from Spring Action. You can search by your bib number or last name to find your photos (if any exist). There also are hundreds of unidentified photos to sort through in the Lost & Found section. You can also browse the entire event, if desired.
  • Click here to read more about the opening of Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands.

On April 23, 25 walkers representing Texas Children’s Family Fertility Center participated in the Walk of Hope in Sugar Land Town Square, a one-mile walk to increase community awareness about infertility.

This year, Texas Children’s came in second of the top 10 teams in Houston for fundraising. The Family Fertility Center team raised $1,700 from bake and T-shirt sales.

The name “Walk of Hope” embodies the emotion that most people living with infertility feel. The Walk of Hope is an event that represents the infertility journey – a series of small steps, each one filled with hope and a reminder that no one should walk on this journey alone.

The Walk of Hope was held in several locations across the country. Funds raised from the event will support RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association created to improve the lives of women and men with infertility issues.

The funds from the Walk of Hope will support RESOLVE programming including support groups, the most up-to-date online information, public awareness initiatives and advocacy efforts to ensure family building options are available to all.

April 27, 2017

Texas Children’s is dedicated to providing wellness programs to help you achieve optimal health and well-being. Therefore, we are pleased to now offer employees who are tobacco users the opportunity to participate in our new Tobacco Treatment Program sponsored by the Employee Medical Clinic in partnership with MD Anderson Cancer Center.

How does the Tobacco Treatment Program work?

This program offers behavioral counseling and tobacco-cessation medications at no cost to Texas Children’s employees who meet the following criteria:

  • Current tobacco user (e.g. cigarettes, smokeless tobacco) or
  • Recently quit within the past 12 months, and
  • Currently enrolled in one of the Texas Children’s medical insurance plans.
What can you expect from the program?

Program participants will attend a two-hour consultation at MD Anderson Cancer Center to discuss steps to quit smoking as well as nicotine replacement options. Your program enrollment costs and nicotine replacement prescriptions are covered by your Texas Children’s medical insurance plan. Participants will also receive up to eight, in-person or phone sessions with a tobacco-cessation counselor over a 12-week period as well as individual follow-up sessions every three months for one year.

Don’t wait, quit today! To learn more about this program, please contact Texas Children’s Health Coach Alexandra Alonso at 832-824-3068.

Do you know the benefits of quitting tobacco?

Decreased heart risks

Smoking is the leading cause of heart attacks and heart disease. Quitting can lower your blood pressure and heart rate almost immediately. Your risk of a heart attack declines within 24 hours.

Lower cholesterol

Quitting smoking will lower the levels of cholesterol and fats circulating in your blood, which will help to slow the buildup of new fatty deposits in your arteries.

Stop lung damage

It is important to quit smoking before you do permanent damage to your lungs. Within two weeks of quitting, you may notice it’s easier to walk up a flight of stairs and not be out of breath.

To learn more about the benefits of quitting tobacco, click here.

April 26, 2017

In March, employees across Texas Children’s participated in National Nutrition Month events sponsored by the Food and Nutrition Services department, in partnership with Employee Health and Well-Being. As a result, many participants were inspired to make small changes toward living a more healthy lifestyle.

Hear from a few of these employees and view a photo gallery of the various festivities held throughout the month, themed “Put Your Best Fork Forward.”

Clinical Dietitian Brittney Day – “I enjoyed participating in the Chef Challenges and even wrote a blog about how to choose a variety of low-fat or fat-free dairy products as part of meals and snacks.” Click here to view the blog.

Account Representative Alysha Grant – “I started my weight loss journey three years ago in March and to date I have lost 92 lbs. It takes a conscious decision and effort to make changes which can improve your life. Celebrate your success along the way and recognize the small steps of progress you make! I always push forward and remember I am better than I was yesterday.”

Registered Nurse Norma Terrazas – “As health care workers, we truly have to take care of ourselves first in order to take better care of others, our patients and our own families. We are the only ones who can put our best foot and fork forward. Whether you decide to dine in or eat out, every bite counts. I believe that is the spirit of National Nutrition Month.”

Did you know?

Texas Children’s offers a Health Coaching and Nutrition Consulting program at no cost to employees. Visit the Well-Being site on Connect to learn more.

April 13, 2017

Texas Children’s employees and Houston-area residents came out in full force to participate in the 5th annual Texas Children’s Hospital and Houston Marathon Foundation Family Fun Run at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus.

On April 8, more than 3,500 people of all abilities participated in the non-competitive 1K and 3K courses. Following the race, participants enjoyed the H-E-B sponsored Family Fun Zone, which was packed with snacks, entertainment and 30 plus attractions.

Sarah Pepper from The Morning Mix and Erin Austin with 100.3 The Bull kept everyone energized in their role as master of ceremonies cheering on the crowd and announcing any and all special guests, including Dr. Scott McKay with Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus Sports Medicine and members of the Katy Youth Choir. Prior to the race, McKay led runners and walkers in some warm-up stretches and exercises and members of the Katy Youth Choir sang the National Anthem.

“The Family Fun Run is a great opportunity to be here in the community to celebrate what we do for families and children,” Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus President Matt Schaefer. “It allows to interact with the community and encourage families to be together and to be healthy, which is what Texas Children’s is all about.”

Get a first-hand look at the fun by:

  • Flipping through a photo gallery of the event below.
  • Ordering your race-day photos from Spring Action. You can search by your bib number or last name to find your photos (if any exist). There also are hundreds of unidentified photos to sort through in the Lost & Found section. You can also browse the entire event, if desired.
  • Taking a look at our Facebook photo album from Saturday.

Don’t forget about the inaugural Family Fun Run event at Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands. It will be on Saturday, April 29. It will offer a 1-mile course and will be in celebration of the April 11 grand opening of the new hospital. Post-race activities will follow until 11 a.m.