Happy New Year | COVID-19 Information | Diabetes | Welcome Dr. Ganti | Well-Being Resources
Week of Jan. 3, 2022
I want to offer my sincere thanks for your hard work and commitment to our patients and our community throughout 2021. You truly made a difference in their lives.
Over the past two years, we’ve weathered COVID surges, staffing challenges, and the stress of facing the pandemic’s impact on our own health and that of our families and loved ones.
And now, as 2022 begins, we are confronted by another challenge. The Omicron variant has hit our workforce hard, with a record number of employees who are testing positive. That, in turn, makes patient care and support even more difficult than before.
But we also enter 2022 with renewed confidence and a dedicated spirit. We have faced down the challenges of the past two years, and we will do the same going forward.
In fact, 2021 was an extremely successful year for the hospital. I’m especially proud of our No. 4 ranking in Vizient’s annual Bernard A. Birnbaum, M.D., Quality Leadership Ranking of hospitals across the nation, as well as our No. 6 ranking in U.S. News and World Report’s list of top hospitals in Houston.
We achieved those honors thanks to your unparalleled focus on safety, quality, service, and innovation – and your ongoing commitment to our I CARE values. Thanks to you, we continued to care for our community – and all too often, one another – despite the challenges.
And so, I am excited about 2022, because we’ve proven that by working together, we can continue to achieve and stay true to our mission. The challenges may loom large, but we are resilient in our calling.
Wishing you and your family a blessed and happy new year.
— Chris Siebenaler, CEO
REMINDER TO SOCIAL DISTANCE
It is important to remain diligent about social distancing for everyone's safety and to reduce COVID-19 transmission. Click here to read the eight ways to improve your social distancing.
Have a Diabetes Game Plan
Working with a diabetes health care team helps you better understand and manage diabetes and helps you avoid many of the problems associated with the disease. Learn More.
Welcome Dr. Ganti
Welcome rheumatologist, Niharika Ganti, M.D., to Houston Methodist Rheumatology Associates at Aliana located in the new Houston Methodist Comprehensive Care Center. Learn More.
Testing Positive and Return-to-Work Policy
The CDC has changed its recommendation for the amount of time asymptomatic people who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate. Click here for updated information, guidelines, and an FAQ that can help clarify our new return-to-work process.
COVID-19 Home Testing Video
To help you understand what to expect when performing an at-home COVID-19 test, here is a helpful video with more information and a step-by-step guide. Learn More.
COVID-19 Cases in the Hospital
We created a chart that reflects the confirmed number of positive COVID-19 cases in both ICU and Med/Surg through Sunday, Jan. 2. View the chart.
You can find the most up-to-date COVID-19 data for our system by clicking here. Houston Methodist has made this data public and it is updated daily on our website.
REMINDER OF MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING RESOURCES
We know these are stressful times for all of us, which is why Houston Methodist has worked to build a comprehensive package of mental health and well-being benefits. All of the information is on myhr.houstonmethodist.org and can be found on our Mental Health Options page.
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, Jan. 17 - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Houston Methodist does not observe MLK Day, but your DEI Personal Day can be used for this holiday. Learn more.