This week marks an exciting time for Houston Methodist - our new intranet, The HUB, is launching. The new digital workplace will serve as a reliable source of information needed to perform our jobs. It is meant to connect us to the content we want and need. As we all know, health care is fast-paced and staying connected is more important than ever. This new digital workplace will keep us all informed and empowered.

The HUB will launch on Wednesday morning. That means the old intranet will no longer be accessible and you'll need to update your bookmarks. I encourage each of you to explore this new tool and take full advantage of everything it offers. Whether you are looking for important HMSL updates, department-specific resources or HR tools, The HUB is here to help you work more efficiently and stay engaged. To read more about The HUB’s search feature and other key components, click here.

I understand that adjusting to a new platform may take a little time, but trust me when I tell you a lot of thought went into this powerful tool. We want your work experience to feel easier, we want you to feel more connected and efficient. 

Thank you for your continued dedication and I look forward to seeing how this new tool will help us work better as a team.

I hope you all enjoyed your loved ones during the Thanksgiving week. Let's make it a great December.

Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land

HMSL Blood Drive

The next blood drive at HMSL will be Thursday, December 12 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. in Brazos Rooms BC. Eligible donors will receive a Houston Methodist long-sleeve zipper pullover, while supplies last. You can also earn one hour credit toward your Paid Time Off (PTO awarded in four-hour increments within a calendar year). To register, click here. 

2024 HMSL Holiday Party - Join the Waitlist

There's an important update about the annual HMSL Holiday Celebration. Unfortunately, the RSVP list is full and all 1,000 slots have been filled. There is now a waiting list. If you would like to be added, click here to email Caryn Goode. You will be contacted by e-mail one way or the other, closer to the event if a spot opens up. This year the festivities will take place at Safari Texas Ranch on Saturday, December 14 from 7 p.m. - midnight. 

HMSL in the Media

Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a heart attack. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent one. Dr. B. Keith Ellis recently spoke to a reporter from Parade to share the No. 1 way to lower your heart attack risk naturally. Click here to read the article. Thank you Dr. Ellis for representing HMSL!

New Physician Joins HMSL

HMSL is adding another physician to our family medicine roster. Dr. Zeerak Qureshi joined Houston Methodist Primary Care Group in Medical Office Building 4 last month. She is now accepting new patients. If you see Dr. Qureshi in the halls, please welcome her to HMSL.

Talent Talk Tuesdays

If you want to get to the next level in your career, the Talent Talks program is for you. It is now open to ALL employees. Schedule your 30-minute session with an HR Talent Consultant. They can help with resume building, interview coaching, mock interviews and career guidance. Sessions are Tuesdays from 1-5 p.m. Click here to register.

Houston Methodist employees can receive a 50% discount on up to four tickets for select performances of The Nutcracker. Discounted performances include:

• Thursday, December 12 at 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, December 17 at 7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, December.18 at 7:30 p.m.

Holiday Decorations Safety Guidelines

It's that time of the year again! We know many departments will be putting up holiday decorations. To maintain a safe environment for our patients and our staff, we ask that you please follow safety guidelines. Some of those guidelines include: all Christmas trees must be artificial and flame resistant. Do not install any decorations within 18 inches of the ceiling. For the full list of safety guidelines, click here.