At Texas Children’s, our team members bring more than clinical expertise to their work. They bring lived experiences of parenthood, community, service and overcoming challenges. Those personal stories often shape how care is delivered in ways that aren’t always visible but are deeply felt by our patients, families and colleagues.
For Jabez “JT” Ty, an acute renal dialysis nurse, that connection between personal experience and professional purpose became especially clear after becoming a father.
JT’s son is now two years old, but his earliest months were marked by uncertainty. Born with a genetic condition and other anomalies, JT’s son spent weeks in the NICU, where JT and his wife experienced hospital care from the other side of the bedside. For JT, that time would later become foundational — not only as a parent, but as a caregiver.
“After a decade of providing renal care to adult patients, becoming a parent of a medically complex child changed my perspective,” JT said. “Seeing my son recover from critical conditions inspired me to move to pediatrics.”
While JT was already confident in his clinical foundation in renal care, he discovered his time as a NICU parent not only sharpened his attention to detail but also his awareness of what families carry emotionally, even when they don’t put it into words.
Advocacy in the Moments That Matter
JT knows what it feels like when parents arrive eager to hold their baby before a procedure. He has stepped in to help bridge those conversations with care team members, knowing firsthand how moments that may not change lab results can make a meaningful difference for families.
“I loved to hold my own baby when I was in the NICU,” he said. “I try to advocate for those moments when I can.”
JT’s experiences have shaped how he supports families in other ways, too. He recalled an experience with a parent who needed a particularly calm approach to build trust and rapport. “I told her, ‘You’re not alone. I’m here listening to you.’”
He shared that he had walked a similar path with his own child and reassured her that her baby was in good hands. For JT, the interaction reaffirmed why he feels called to this work.
“I say this is my calling because I’m happy,” he said. “My personal values and mission align with Texas Children’s. I’m able to take care of parents as well as patients.”
Supported to Grow
The support he’s felt as a new team member is additional affirmation that JT’s transition to pediatrics was the right choice for him. After relocating to Houston and starting at Texas Children’s, he had an open conversation with his manager about navigating ongoing medical appointments for his son.
“My manager didn’t hesitate to ask, ‘What do you need?’” JT said. “That really touched me. It didn’t feel like a burden, it felt like, ‘We’ve got your back.’”
JT believes the support he’s received from his unit and leadership team, including his preceptor and renal educators, has made him a better nurse and allowed him to be fully present for patients and families. “Because I’m not stressed about my schedule, I come in ready. I have energy. I can give my best.”
It’s also given him the space to think about what’s next. Though still in his first year at Texas Children’s, JT has already been named a Central Venous Catheter Champion in his unit. He’s currently working toward additional certification and wants to pursue a nephrology nurse practitioner role in the future.
“Seeing my baby’s recovery has pushed me to keep sharpening my skills,” he said. “I want recovery not just for my own child, but for other babies too.”
Care Built Through Experience
Resilience is something JT has learned not only from parenting a medically complex child but also from experiences like volunteering with the Philippine Red Cross in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan which devastated his home city of Tacloban, training in the National Guard and spending difficult time apart from his family. “I can easily adapt to changes because of these hardships,” he added.
The challenges JT has experienced have also increased
his capacity for empathy. He understands that everyone is carrying something unseen.
“You don’t know what someone is dealing with behind doors,” JT said. “I know other nurses feel tired or discouraged sometimes. That’s why I try to help when I can. I hope sharing my story reminds others that they’re not alone. Even through hardship, there’s purpose, growth and hope.”
At his core, JT loves taking care of people. His journey is a reminder of how the care, advocacy and support we extend at the bedside and beyond is shaped by the lives we live and the empathy we bring with us to Texas Children’s each day.
Your Turn to Reflect
Many of us bring our own stories into the work we do. How have your personal experiences shaped the way you care for patients, families or colleagues? We invite you to share in the comments below.
