Week of March 24, 2025
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
We are all working together to become one Houston Methodist. A few weeks ago, you received an email from EVP of Network Hospitals Chris Siebenaler, reminding us of the vision to be unparalleled in safety, quality, service and innovation. To achieve this goal together, we continue to implement the Houston Methodist Business System, which is designed to foster a culture of Performance Excellence – putting the patient at the center of everything we do. It’s something this campus does so well, but now it is time for all of us to renew our commitment to this vision.
In the coming weeks, you will hear more about our HM Business System. While some of you are already familiar, others may find it new. I am confident that together, we will continue to adopt these tools and processes to drive collective progress.
One of the initial changes you will notice is our tiered huddle system. By now, you should all be participating in daily huddles. These brief meetings include reviewing key metrics specific to your area, meant to highlight our successes and areas for improvement. I expect all employees to be engaged in these meetings. In fact, you will start to see the executive leadership team and other hospital leaders visit your huddles. What happens at these meetings is crucial for the interdisciplinary huddles and the leadership huddles. This tiered system creates a daily, seamless flow of communication.
I want us all to celebrate our wins and collaborate whenever there are opportunities for improvement. You’ll continue to learn more about integrating the HM Business System into your daily work. If you have questions, I encourage you to talk to your leaders.
Let’s continue our journey towards a culture of Performance Excellence.
Before closing, I'd like to highlight several noteworthy recognitions and celebrations. March 30 is Doctors' Day, but I encourage you to stop one of our physicians this week and tell them thank you. Not only do they lead medicine here in Fort Bend County - but they provide healing, hope and comfort to so many. I'm grateful for all of our physicians and their commitment to excellence. Vizient, Healthgrades and Newsweek all recently recognized HMSL for being a leader in health care. Finally, I am thrilled to congratulate one of our orthopedic surgeons, Dr. Timothy Sitter, on a remarkable career milestone. The City of Sugar Land recently highlighted his three decades of achievements and celebrated him with his own day. He's inspired so many and it was heartwarming to see so many people honor him. For more information on these well-deserved accolades, please see the newsletter below.
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
Emergency Department Expansion
Our emergency department is now seeing patients in phase one of our newly expanded ED area, which opened this morning. Please remember the ED entrance is for emergency patients only. Staff should no longer use this entrance. Instead, employees should use either the skybridge in Garage A or the Main Pavilion side entrance facing MOB 3. Here are pictures of the new entrance and waiting room.
Looking ahead, phase two of the ED expansion will begin tomorrow, Tuesday, March 25, and is expected to continue through the end of the year. This phase includes blocking the hallway from the ED to main imaging and renovating the current ED space.
Dr. Timothy Sitter Day Proclamation
Congratulations to Dr. Timothy Sitter with Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman declared March 19, 2025 Dr. Timothy Sitter Day in Sugar Land. Dr. Sitter is retiring this year after 31 years as an orthopedic surgeon. The Mayor's proclamation highlighted Dr. Sitter's work with the Houston Dynamo, the Houston Rockets and the World Bull Riding Championships. His leadership has made a profound impact on Fort Bend ISD and countless physicians, athletic trainers and health care providers. Mayor Pro Tem Suzanne Whatley presented Dr. Sitter with his proclamation last week in front of dozens of Houston Methodist employees, including EVP of Network Hospitals Chris Siebenaler, HMSL CEO Michael Garcia and HMSL CMO/CQO Dr. Jeffrey Wood. Click here to see more photos from the event.
HMSL Honored by Vizient
Our 2024 Vizient award has officially arrived! HMSL executive leaders and members from our quality team came together to receive the Vizient Bernard A. Birnbaum, MD Quality Leadership Award. Last year, HMSL was ranked No. 4 out of 204 complex medical care centers nationally, marking our sixth consecutive year to earn recognition from Vizient. This wouldn't be possible without your dedication to providing unparalleled care to our patients. Congratulations to all!
HMSL Honored by Healthgrades
Healthgrades recently released their list of Top Hospitals for Patient Safety in 2025, and HMSL is in the spotlight. HMSL was awarded the Patient Safety Excellence Award for providing excellence in patient safety by preventing infections, medical errors and other preventable complications. HMSL was also named among the top 5% in the nation for consistently delivering clinical quality and we earned five specialty clinical quality awards. These recognitions include gastrointestinal care, pulmonary care, critical care excellence, gastrointestinal surgery excellence and outpatient orthopedic surgery excellence.
HMSL Honored by Newsweek
Newsweek just released their list of America's Best-In-State Hospitals 2025 and our hospital is recognized as one of the leading hospitals across the nation. Houston Methodist Hospital was ranked #1 in Texas again and HMSL was recognized as the #18 ranked hospital in the state. To read more about the recognition and see the full list click here.
Measles – What You Need to Know
As you may have seen in recent weeks, the Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting a measles outbreak in the South Plains and Panhandle regions of Texas. In addition, on Sunday, March 16, the Houston Health Department confirmed the third case of measles since the beginning of January. All three cases were associated with international travel. We are aware that many of you are concerned about the spread of measles and have questions about how to protect yourself and our patients. Learn more about the current measles outbreak in these frequently asked questions.
Office of Sustainability - Lunch & Learn
The Office of Sustainability is hosting a lunch and learn at noon on Wednesday, March 26. Natalia Rodriguez, MPH, project director for the Center for Health & Nature, will present the center’s ongoing projects and research focusing on the impact of health and environmental sustainability behaviors. Click here to join the meeting. The Center for Health & Nature is a collaboration between Houston Methodist, Texas by Nature and the Texas A&M Health Science Center. Click here to learn more about its initiatives.
Houston Astros Opening Day
Major League Baseball’s season is about to start, and our Houston Astros will host the New York Mets for their home opener on Thursday, March 27 at Daikin Park. You are encouraged to show your support by wearing Astros T-shirts or jerseys on Thursday, pending approval from your manager.
Don't forget to stop by Brazos Conference Center for the HMSL Watch Party. A limited amount of ballpark themed snacks will be available beginning at 3 p.m. along with an Astros-themed photo booth. This is a drop-in event, so come as you are able between 3 and 7 p.m. Night shift will have a separate allotment of snacks beginning at 6 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there! Go Astros!
March of Dimes: Basket Donations Needed
It's time for our March of Dimes fundraising campaign. Your department can donate a basket to be raffled off next month. Baskets are due to our fundraising chair Michelle Smith by Monday, April 14. Please email Michelle with the basket's theme, approximate value, list of included items and your unit/department name. Shoutout to Diane Blair for being the first person to commit to a basket! Baskets will be displayed from Wednesday, April 23 - Friday, May 9. Click here for more information.
HMSL Celebrates Certified Nurses
Thank you to all who joined the Certified Nurses Day celebration last week. This day recognizes the invaluable contributions of nurses who have pursued advanced certifications in various specialties, demonstrating their commitment to excellence in patient care. Thank you to our certified nurses for all you do!
Welcome New HMSL Community Ambassadors
We are excited to welcome 29 employees to the HMSL Employee Community Ambassador Program. They completed orientation last week. These individuals will serve our hospital and community by sharing information about the compassionate cancer care available at HMSL. This class brings us to almost 150 ambassadors. Thank you for representing HMSL in our community!
St. Patrick's Day Photo Booth
Thank you to all who joined our St. Patrick's Day celebration last week. We hope you enjoyed the fun!
New Hire Highlights
We are pleased to welcome our newest HMSL employees. Be sure to say "hello" and welcome them to our campus!
OFFICE OF CULTURE & ENGAGEMENT
ERGs Offer Professional Development
Thanks to everyone who responded to the ERG Poll distributed recently in the OCE Corner. According to the poll, gaining skills and information to advance career goals is extremely important. ERGs host many professional development events, such as:
•Lunch & Learn: Climbing the Ladder: Perspectives from the Rungs Above
•Public Speaking Workshop
•Networking Event With Michael D. Brown (HM Sr. VP, Chief Human Resources Officer)
•Annual MOMs Conference
Many ERGs also invite internal leadership guest speakers to their monthly meetings, featuring executives from different roles and departments who share insights on leadership development. Kimber Williams, program manager, system access, HMCCH, and Black Ties for Culture (BTC) member, says the group has enhanced her professional development skills in numerous ways.
“I have gained valuable leadership experience, honed my public speaking skills, and have grown my experience in project and event planning through various events, such as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration and the system-wide Juneteenth celebration. My confidence as an emerging leader continues to grow as I take on a leadership role as the treasurer of the BTC E-Board and collaborate on various initiatives that extend our reach both internally and externally.”
Taking on leadership roles within ERGs offers members the opportunity to develop skills that may not be accessible in their current positions. Examples of these skills include: budgeting for planning, communications and problem solving and decision making. Click here for more information on Houston Methodist’s 11 ERGs.
Women’s History Month Reflection
March’s recognition as Women’s History Month is a great opportunity to recognize the powerful influence of women in education, mentorship, leadership, in the community and in many other aspects of society. Michelle Chevallier, case manager, Case Management and Social Services, HMCL, and vice chair of the Women’s Empowerment Alliance employee resource group (ERG), shares what the month means to her.
“This year’s Women’s History Month theme is ‘Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.’ For me, it’s a reminder to honor the many women who’ve influenced my life by letting each of them know the impact they’ve made. It’s also a call to action to look for opportunities to uplift others.”
There are a lot of departments to celebrate this month. This week is Anesthesia Tech Week and National Doctors' Day is March 30. March is also Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Healthcare Social Worker Month, National Music Therapy Month and National Athletic Training Month. You can read more about these observances on The HUB.
IMPORTANT DATES
Thursday, March 27: Houston Astros Opening Day Watch Party. More information.
Saturday, March 29: HMSL Friends & Family Photo Day
Monday, March 31: Bracelet Challenge ends. More information.
Thursday, April 10: Joint Pain Seminar. More information.
Monday, April 14: March of Dimes basket donations due. More information.
Friday, April 18: Good Friday
Wednesday, April 23 - Friday, May 9: March of Dimes fundraiser tables
Wednesday, April 30: Deadline to apply for Scholarship for Employees' Children
Thursday, May 8: 2025 IMAGINE Nurse Quality and Innovation Symposium. More information.
Friday, May 9: March of Dimes fundraising drawing
Saturday, May 10: Fort Bend County March for Babies. More information.
Saturday, May 10: Houston Methodist Family Fun Day
JUST FOR FUN DATES
Tuesday, March 24 - Wednesday, March 25: vs. Space Cowboys
Thursday, March 27 - Saturday, March 29: vs. New York Mets
Monday, March 24: vs. Washington Nationals
Tuesday, March 25: vs. New York Mets
Friday, March 28 - Sunday, March 30: vs. Oklahoma City Comets
Tuesday, March 25: vs. Atlanta Hawks
Thursday, March 27: @ Utah Jazz
Sunday, March 30: @ Phoenix Suns
Saturday, March 29: Angela Johnson Reyes, Smart Financial Centre
Sunday, March 30: Trey Songz, Omarion and Bow Wow
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"Life has no limitations, except the ones you make."
-Les Brown
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