April 11, 2017

Almost a year after the launch of a program geared toward improving a baby’s language skills, parents are singing its praises, saying upWORDS has helped their children as well as themselves.

“It definitely met my expectations and beyond,” said Fylasan Hanible, whose son, Donnell David Price IV was 7 months old when he and his mother went through the program. “I didn’t know that I could increase it (language) as much as I have.”

Alexandrina Gonzalez agreed and said her 22-month-old daughter’s language skills have improved greatly as a result of upWORDS and that the program is something every parent can benefit from.

“upWORDS taught me about things I didn’t realize could help,” Gonzalez said. “As a result, everyone in my family has benefited.”

Click here to view photos from the first upWORDS class.

Developed in association with the LENA Research Foundation, the upWORDS program at Texas Children’s Hospital was launched last summer as a pilot program at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus. Since then, 20 families have completed the four-month course and another 38 are currently enrolled in classes starting this month and in June and September at West Campus and the Cy-Fair Health Center.

Available in both English and Spanish, the upWORDS program includes group classes where parents learn to use the LENA System™ to monitor their home language environment and are taught simple techniques to increase interactive talk with their child.

To measure a participant’s home language environment, the LENA System™ uses a small recorder that fits inside a vest worn by the child. The recorder measures the amount of words a family speaks to their child and how much their child responds in return. The recording is then translated into data that the parents can use to gauge how much they are talking to their child and identify opportunities to increase the level of spoken interaction they have with their baby.

At Texas Children’s, parents receive individual coaching in addition to the group classes to discuss their data results, gain the best results possible and to work through any additional obstacles that could potentially hinder their child’s development.

Dr. Christopher Greeley, chief of the Section of Public Health Pediatrics at Texas Children’s, said the initial response to the program has been impressive and shows an appetite for a program like upWORDS, which focuses on a child’s early language development.

“We conventionally think of worrying about language skills and children at 2 and 3 years of age, when they’re starting to read and learning their A,B,Cs,” Greeley said. “But the data are clear that babies, even young babies, are mindful of language and mindful of verbal and non-verbal communication even in the first few months of life.”

By the age of 3, 80 percent of a child’s brain development is complete. These first few years of a child’s life are therefore critical and provide the greatest opportunity to influence their success later in life.

Research shows that many children are exposed to nearly 30 million fewer words than their peers by the time they reach 3 years old. The upWORDS program helps parents of infants and toddlers (0 to 6 months for the pilot program) close the “talk gap” by teaching them how to talk and interact more with their babies to increase brain development and positively impact their child’s future.

To learn more about, or register for, the upWORDS program at Texas Children’s, click here.

 

On Wednesday, April 19, Texas Children’s Green Team will host our annual Earth Day celebration. But it will be slightly different than last year. We will have four locations for employees to join in on the fun.

  • Texas Children’s Medical Center Campus (The Auxiliary Bridge) – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Texas Children’s West Campus – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Texas Children’s Health Plan (large conference room in basement of Chase building) – 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands – Tree planting event only

Dozens of vendors will be available to provide eco-friendly, cost-saving tips to employees including how to become more energy efficient, tips on eating green, as well as ways to reduce waste and recycle more to promote a cleaner, healthier planet. Earl the Bear will be greeting guests at West Campus and Captain Clean Up will be at the Main Campus event.

The Green Team will be handing out customized Green Team water bottles and seeded confetti packets at the Green Team tables – so be sure to get there early since supplies are limited. Also, there will be a trivia game to test your knowledge on tips to go green for a chance to win prizes and several informational handouts will be distributed to employees.

Safe disposal of expired medications
Pharmacy will be hosting the Medication Disposal and Medication Take Back Program at Main Campus and West Campus only. Please bring expired or unused medications for proper disposal at the event.

Tree planting events
10 a.m. – Vice President Matt Schaefer and other leaders will be present for the tree planting at West Campus.

There will be a tree planting event at The Woodlands. The time and location have yet to be determined.

Stay tuned to Connect for more details about Texas Children’s Earth Day celebrations. Also, if you’d like to reach out to the Green Team with your green ideas, email teamgreen@texaschildrens.org.

March 29, 2017

Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus celebrated its 6th birthday this month with an employee bake off fit with birthday cake-themed treats.

As part of the day, West Campus leadership donned birthday hats and helped judge the employee bake off birthday celebration. The entries from various employees/departments of the hospital included tiered cakes, brownies and other creatively designed treats.

The winners of the contest were:

  • Best Taste: Deborah Parrott, Cancer Center – Westie Bestie Brownies
  • Best Presentation: Lauren Ivanhoe, Clinical Training and Development – ‘Anf Many Smores’ Cake
  • Best Theme: Sarah Schelnick, Occupational and Physical Therapy – Rolling in the Chocolate Brownies

“We had a great day here at West Campus celebrating six years of hard work,” West Campus President Matt Schaefer said. “We look forward to continuing to grow and serve those in need of pediatric care in West Houston and beyond.”

The celebration continued on March 20 at the campus’ daily operational briefing, which was attended by Texas Children’s President and CEO Mark A. Wallace as well as Texas Children’s Executive Vice President Michelle Riley-Brown.

Both Wallace and Riley-Brown, who was president of West Campus when it opened in 2010, expressed sincere appreciation to the hospital’s current leadership team for a fabulous six years.

“The work you all have done here is tremendous,” Wallace said. “Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus is doing a great job of providing the right care at the right time at the right place.”

Riley-Brown agreed and said with each passing year West Campus adds more services, staff and expertise to better serve its patients and families.

“You should be proud of your accomplishments,” she said to the leadership team.

The West Campus officially opened hospital services on March 7, 2010. Today, the campus sees more than 1,000 patient encounters per day.

March 7, 2017

Texas Children’s is committed to the health and well-being of our patients, their families and our employees. This is why all patient care providers and other employees whose duties are listed below are required to have their routine tuberculosis (TB) skin test. Testing will begin Tuesday, March 7 (click on the flier for larger view of all dates, times, and locations).

Employees who are unable to be tested on any of these dates may make appointments by calling Employee Health at ext. 4-2150.

Which Texas Children’s employees are required to receive a TB skin test?

  • Employees who work in a hospital setting
  • Employees who work in a non-hospital setting but have possible patient contact
  • Employees who have face-to-face contact with suspected or confirmed TB patients or have the potential of exposure through shared air space with infectious patients
  • Employees with a negative TB skin test history and have not received a TB skin test in 2017

Employees with a known positive TB skin test will NOT receive a TB skin test. They will receive an email with instructions to complete a questionnaire through the Employee Health & Wellness Portal. Employees located off-site will receive separate instructions from their leader at a later date.

The current risk assessment provided by the Texas Children’s Infection Control Committee states that routine skin testing will occur every two years. For more information, please see sections 8 and 9 of the Tuberculosis Exposure Control Plan Procedure or visit the Employee Health Services page on Connect.

Thank you in advance for your support in helping safeguard the well-being of our patients, their families, and our employees.

Hundreds of children recently gathered with hospital staff on The Auxiliary Bridge of Texas Children’s Hospital and outside the main entrance of Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus to participate in one of the medical system’s most popular events – the annual teddy bear clinic.

During the clinic, children are given the opportunity to act out the roles of various health care staff such as doctors, nurses, therapists and technicians. Children pretend to perform a variety of tests, exams and therapies to diagnosis their Teddy bear’s symptoms and heal its body.

Hosted by Child Life to celebrate national Child Life Week, the event celebrates our patients and families and how the intimate world of play is used to encourage children’s learning and support children’s coping.

February 28, 2017

At Texas Children’s, we are a community that cares for our patients, their families and each other, so as we get ready to celebrate National Nutrition Month® in March, it is important to remember that healthy eating is always in season.

To celebrate this year’s theme, Put Your Best Fork Forward, the Food and Nutrition Services department, in partnership with Employee Health and Well-Being, is sponsoring several events throughout the month of March. Whether you are planning meals to prepare at home or making selections when eating out, Put Your Best Fork Forward to help find your healthy eating choices. Throughout March, there will be several events and resources offered across the organization:

Celebrating National Nutrition Month Event

This event will teach you how to incorporate healthy fats into your diet, show you which foods have the most protein, provide healthy eating strategies, and much more. Our Texas Children’s health coach and registered dietitians will be present to answer your nutrition questions. We hope to see you there!

Thursday, March 16
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
West Campus, DOTS Kitchen corridor

Wednesday, March 22
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Main Campus, The Auxiliary Bridge

Well-Being Wednesdays
Join our Fresh Bistro chefs every Wednesday to enjoy a healthy meal while our registered dietitians and Well-Being Team provide nutritional facts and creative cooking tips.

  • Wednesday, March 8 – Taco Salad Bar with Chef Joseph
  • Wednesday, March 15 – Vietnamese Pho Station with Chef Kenya
  • Wednesday, March 22 – Gyro Station with Chef Dee
  • Wednesday, March 29 – Taco Salad Bar with Chef Lyle

Pavilion for Women, Fresh Bistro
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Healthy Plentiful Bowl Promotion at Fresh Bistro

Starting Monday, March 6, through Friday, March 31, if you purchase a minimum of five healthy plentiful bowls from the Wild Greens Salad Station, you will receive one at no cost. To learn more about the promotion, visit the Fresh Bistro at the Pavilion for Women.

Skinny Latte Challenge and Breakfast Meal Samples

Can you taste the difference between a regular latte and a skinny latte? Our registered dietitians will provide these latte options to see if you can tell difference. Enter for a chance to win a $50 gift card from Snap Kitchen.

Thursday, March 9
8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Clinical Care Center Food Court and West Campus DOTS Kitchen corridor

Friday, March 24
8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Meyer Building lobby
*Healthy breakfast samples will be provided!

Weekly Nutrition Tips

We are excited to announce that beginning March 1, you can receive year-round weekly nutrition and well-being tips by texting WellBeing to 882-02 (message and data rates may apply).

Check out the Texas Children’s Blog and Voice of Nursing Blog during the month of March for weekly tips about healthy eating and proper nutrition.

Resources to Support Your Nutrition

The Employee Health and Well-Being Team provides a variety of nutrition resources:
Snap Kitchen – 10 percent off purchases in store
Weight Watchers – 50 percent subsidy on membership
Health Coaching Program – no cost for Texas Children’s employees
Nutrition Consulting – no cost for Texas Children’s employees

#NationalNutritionMonth, #TexasChildrens

Use these hashtags and share pictures of your healthy meals, at work, home or while dining out, throughout the month of March. You can also submit your healthy meal photos to culture@texaschildrens.org to join our photo gallery on Connect.

For more information about proper nutrition and National Nutrition Month events at Texas Children’s, please visit the Well-being website on Connect or email wellbeing@texaschildrens.org.

As part of our commitment to our employees’ health and well-being, Texas Children’s is excited to announce the opening of an Employee Medical Clinic at West Campus.

When will clinical services be available?

Beginning Wednesday, March 1, employees at West Campus, as well as in nearby Texas Children’s Pediatrics practices, can access clinical services on the first and third Wednesday of each month. To provide convenient access, the medical clinic will share office space with the Employee Health Clinic located on the second floor of West Campus. Hours of operations will be from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. While scheduled appointments are preferred, walk-in patients will be worked into the schedule based on availability.

What services can I receive?

Dr. Irene M. Lomeda, from our clinic in the Texas Medical Center, will be the physician on-site. In addition to primary and urgent care services, the following services will also be offered:

  • Annual physicals/well-woman/well-men exams
  • Rapid strep, flu, glucose, urinalysis, and pregnancy testing
  • Chronic disease management for conditions such as diabetes and heart disease
  • Phone consultations (for established patients) for treatment of non-emergency medical issues
  • Vaccinations (meningococcal, papilloma virus, pneumococcal and shingles)
  • Travel medicine (limited)
  • Health Coaching program

Employees enrolled in Texas Children’s medical insurance plans will have a $10 co-pay per visit. Your privacy is of the utmost importance to us; your information will be secure via confidential electronic medical records, which is hosted externally.

To learn more about the services offered at the new Employee Medical Clinic at West Campus, please click here.