Week of October 7, 2024
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
I am excited to share some wonderful news and fun events happening this week at HMSL.
First, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved in our recent Comprehensive Stroke Certification Survey with DNV. There are too many folks involved to list them all here, but I have personally thanked each of them for their hard work and dedication. This effort reaffirms our hospital’s commitment to providing the highest quality care for our stroke patients.
In other exciting news, we are honored to welcome a special guest on Tuesday – a Houston Texans player. I always enjoy player visits and encourage you all take a quick break from your day for a fun time. More information is below in the newsletter. I hope to see you there.
Finally, this Wednesday kicks off our Employee Opinion Survey. Your feedback is essential in shaping our future, and I encourage each of you to participate. When I started at this hospital back in February, I told you all transparency was important to me. And I expect the same from you. I want to know how you feel about things in this hospital – it’s how we will continue to grow and evolve as a team. Please take the time to share your thoughts – every opinion matters. More details are below for all of the fun events throughout this kickoff week. Anybody want to dress up as twins with me?
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to excellence and compassionate care. Let’s continue to be there for our patients and our community.
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
October Town Hall Meetings
Mark your calendars for our final town hall meetings of the year. The HMSL Senior Leadership Team is inviting all employees to attend one session, starting Wednesday, October 23. Submit questions ahead of time by clicking here.
- Wednesday, October 23: 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. | Brazos Conference Center
- Wednesday, October 23: 9 - 10 a.m. | Brazos Conference Center
- Thursday, October 24: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Brazos Conference Center
- Tuesday, October 31: 2 - 3 p.m. | Virtual
To sign up, click here and select "My Learning." In the "Find Learning" tab search for course number 1658167, select "assign to me" and then "register now." Click here for a helpful flyer. We look forward to seeing you!
Fall Education Fair
The Fall Education Fair is underway right now! You are invited to stop by anytime in Brazos ABCD and F now through 3 p.m. Stations include: fall prevention, diabetes education, palliative care and much more. Click here for more information.
Houston Texans Player Appearance
Fresh off a big win Sunday, a Houston Texans player will be stopping by HMSL this week! The player will be here Tuesday, October 8 to take photos with staff. This employee-only event will be in Brazos AD from 11 a.m. - noon. Please note, due to time constraints, the player will not be signing autographs. Please bring your cell phone and we will take your picture! Click here for a helpful flyer. Houston Methodist is proud to be the official health care provider for the Houston Texans.
Employee Opinion Survey
The 2024 Employee Opinion Survey will launch on Wednesday, October 9. All employees are encouraged to participate. This year’s theme is “We’re Listening; Your Voice Matters.” You’ll receive an email with a link for the survey from Press Ganey on October 9. By filling out the survey, not only are you making your voice heard, but you'll also get a chance to win exciting prizes! Systemwide you could win:
- $75 to use in an Amazon storefront
- $1,000 cash
- Bose SoundLink Max portable speaker
We'll also have fun locally at HMSL! This week there is a different activity each day. Click here for flyer.
- MONDAY: HMSL Logo Day - Show your HMSL pride by rocking your HMSL gear!
- TUESDAY: Texans Gear Day - Show off your Houston Texans gear for our incoming Texans player!
- WEDNESDAY: Twin Day - Find a colleague and twin out your outfits!
- THURSDAY: School Spirit Day - Rep your favorite school!
- FRIDAY: Decade Day - Dress in the style of your favorite decade to close out the week!
On Wednesday, you can also enjoy Chick-fil-A! At 6:30 a.m., stop by one of these three entrances: Sweetwater Pavilion North, the sky bridge by the Childbirth Center and the Main sky bridge (while supplies last). All HMSL employees will also receive a sweet treat Wednesday, Thursday or Friday!
We will also have giveaways at HMSL including Houston Astros Jose Altuve cups and Houston Astros Jose Altuve jerseys (while supplies last). There will also be a pizza party for the first three departments to reach 100% completion! In order to be entered into the HMSL giveaways, you need to print out the last page in the survey (the completion page below), write your employee ID on it and then put it in the drop off box in front of HR. At HMSL, there will be 50 winners daily!
Win an Entry to the 2024 Turkey Trot
Enter to win an entry to the Houston Methodist Turkey Trot 5K (3.1 miles) or 10K (6.1 miles) on Thursday, November 28. This offer is for Houston Methodist employees only. Submit your entry here by Friday, October 11. If you are selected, you will be notified by Friday, October 18.
This Weekend - Sugar Land Half Marathon
Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine is the title sponsor for the Sugar Land Half Marathon coming up this weekend on Sunday, October 13. If you are interested in running the half marathon, 10k or family mile, click here. Houston Methodist employees can get 10% off registration feeds with code 'METHODIST10'. Good luck to all the runners!
2024 Service Awards
HMSL recently honored more than 400 employees across the hospital with Service Awards, celebrating milestone years of working for our organization. This group of dedicated employees received recognition for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30+ years of service. Congratulations to everyone honored! Click here to see the list of names of HMSL employees celebrating.
Now Open: Quick Eats
There is a new food option at HMSL and it is open 24/7! A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held last week for Quick Eats, which features Amazon's checkout-free technology, Just Walk Out. Shoppers enter with a credit card and scan it, grab what they want and then Just Walk Out. It is located just outside the Garden Café. At this time you will not be able to use your employee badge to pay.
New Physicians Join HMSL
Last month, HMSL welcomed four new physicians and all are accepting new patients.
- Tony Zhang, MD joined Houston Methodist Sugar Land Neurology Associates
- Ashley Ngo, DO joined Houston Methodist Primary Care Group in MOB 4
- Shagufa Ali, MD joined Houston Methodist Primary Care Group in Rosenberg
- Anh To, DO joined Houston Methodist Primary Care Group in Aliana.
Tony Zhang, MD - Neurology
Ashley Ngo, DO - Primary Care
Shagufa Ali, MD - Primary Care
Anh To, DO - Primary Care
New Manager of OR Operations
Sarah Snider has been promoted and will now be the new manager of OR Operations. She joined the administration operations team in 2022 after serving as a project specialist within the Houston Methodist Primary Care Group. This year, Sarah has been the lead senior project manager for the top level improvement priority focused on OR process redesign to improve operational efficiency, quality and access. Click here to read the leadership announcement.
Employee Health Clinic - New Location
The Sugar Land Employee Health Clinic just relocated to a new space to better serve our staff’s health care needs. The clinic is now in MOB 1, Suite 320. They are open from 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. and are closed daily for lunch from 12-1 p.m. Thank you for your continued dedication to our hospital and for taking care of your health. For questions, email Employee Health.
Neuroscience Grand Rounds
Neuroscience Grand Rounds are scheduled for Wednesday, October 23 at noon on Teams. Dr. James Ling, Director of Inpatient Neurology and Transitions of Care at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, will lead the course on Wernicke’s Encephalopathy. For more information or to receive the Teams invite, email Maureen Lall or call 281.274.7982.
Successful United Way Campaign
Our 2024 United Way campaign has officially wrapped up. We are happy to announce HMSL is approaching $20,000 raised! Thank you to all who contributed. We know this money will go to helping Houstonians build better futures. You can still set up a payroll deduction through MARS. Under Voluntary Deductions, select United Way and fill in your desired deduction amount and frequency.
2024 Fall International Fashion Show
Are you ready for the 2024 Fall International DEI Fashion Show? Time is ticking - don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to showcase the unique styles and cultural diversity of your team! The deadline to sign up is Wednesday, October 30. This year, we’re raising the stakes with prizes for the top three performances. Winners will receive trophies your unit can proudly display. Let’s celebrate diversity, creativity, and fun—encourage your team to strut their stuff and represent! Click here to sign up for your chance to take home the trophy.
Register for PTU
Pathway to Unparalleled (PTU) sessions are now underway and continue through October. All employees are strongly encouraged to attend and to register as soon as possible. The sessions are 90-minutes. Click here to register for a session before October 25.
Flu Campaign
The flu vaccine campaign runs through November 7. All HM employees must comply with the annual influenza program by November 7. Schedule your flu shot through the Employee Health Portal in MARS or text HM Employee Health to 45991 and complete the consent form.
HMSL Staff Choir Practice
It's that time of year again! The HMSL Staff Choir will begin rehearsals for their Christmastime performance starting Tuesday, October 15 in the Brazos Chapel and will continue every Tuesday at noon until the performance. The holiday performance will take place on December 10 at noon near the Atrium. Music selections will include traditional and contemporary Christmas tunes and winter songs. If you would like to join the choir, please fill out this form. If you have questions, please contact Ashley Lundquist.
Coping with Cancer Magazine Highlights HMSL
HMSL is in the national spotlight again, making the cover of Coping with Cancer magazine. The picture on the front cover shows our National Cancer Survivors Day celebration from earlier this year. HMSL has been featured in this magazine since 2017. We have been on the front cover twice, in 2017 and now in 2024! The Coping with Cancer website and magazine is written by and for the cancer community that educates and inspires. It provides knowledge about living with cancer, hope, and inspirational topics. Congratulations to everybody involved in this amazing event!
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Sugar Land Town Square Takeover
HMSL is once again partnering with the Sugar Land Town Square for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This entire month you'll be able to see awareness messaging, reminding women why an annual screening mammogram is so important. Plus, every night the Town Square will shine bright with pink lights. Other events include:
- Saturday, October 19: Dia de los Muertos Celebration (12-5 p.m.)
- Friday, October 25: Music on the Square: Earth, Wind & Fire (7:30 - 9:30 p.m.)
- Saturday, October 26: Movies on the Square: Hocus Pocus (7:30 - 9:30 p.m.)
Breast Ultrasound vs. Mammogram
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we’re sharing facts about the disease each week. How is a breast ultrasound different from a mammogram? Why might your doctor recommend both? Learn more from Dr. Kelli Ha, a breast radiologist at Houston Methodist in the On Health blog. On the Houston Methodist medical plan, all mammograms (preventive, diagnostic and advanced 3D) and breast ultrasounds are offered for free at all HM facilities.
Donate to Hurricane Helene Relief
Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic damage spans hundreds of miles and has uprooted lives and communities. More than 1,000 Red Cross disaster responders are working around the clock to get help to those in need across Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. Efforts to support affected communities have just begun and already the Red Cross has provided more than 18,000 overnight shelter stays, countless meals and snacks. Click here to donate and support the Red Cross as it helps communities recover from this disaster. For questions, email Community Benefits.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and IT is hosting a “Catch a Phish” tournament! Each week in October, if you report a phishing email you will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win an HM-branded backpack. IT will be phishing heavily this month to make you aware of the different tactics cybercriminals use in their attacks. If you receive a suspicious email, don’t click any links — even the unsubscribe link — or reply back to the email. While deleting the message is good, it is strongly suggested you use the buttons below to report the phish.
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, October 7: Last day to register to vote or to change your address
Monday, October 7: HMSL Fall Education Fair. More information.
Tuesday, October 8: Houston Texans Player Appearance. More information.
Wednesday, October 9: Employee Opinion Survey begins. More information.
Thursday, October 10: Women's Health & Wellness Event. More information.
Sunday, October 13: Houston Methodist Sugar Land Half Marathon. Register here.
Monday, October 14 - Friday, October 18: 2024 I CARE in Action Week. More information.
Monday, October 21: Early voting begins
Monday, October 21: 2024 CV Nursing Conference. Register here.
Wednesday, October 23: Q4 Town Hall Meetings. More information.
Wednesday, October 23: Career Minded Webinar Series. More information.
Wednesday, October 23: Deadline to request medical or religious exception to flu vaccine
Wednesday, October 23: Neuroscience Grand Rounds
Thursday, October 24: Q4 Town Hall Meeting. More information.
Saturday, October 26: 2024 Houston Heart Walk. More information.
Saturday, October 26: Walk to End Alzheimer's. More information.
Wednesday, October 30: Deadline to sign up for HMSL Fashion Runway 2024. More information.
Wednesday, October 30: Employee Opinion Survey ends
Thursday, October 31: Q4 Town Hall Meeting. More information.
Thursday, November 1: Last day of early voting
Tuesday, November 5: Election Day
Thursday, November 7: Deadline to comply with flu vaccine policy
Wednesday, November 13: Patient satisfaction bonus payout
Saturday, November 16: Diabetes Walk. More information.
JUST FOR FUN DATES
Sunday, October 13: @ New England Patriots
Monday, October 7: @ Utah Jazz (preseason)
Wednesday, October 9: @ Oklahoma City Thunder (preseason)
Sunday, October 13: Clasico de Mexico: Chivas v. Club America, NRG Stadium
Sunday, October 13: Christian Nodal, Smart Financial Centre
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Join The HMSL-CEO Corner Facebook Page
If you are an HMSL employee, you can join the employee-only Facebook page. Join us as we celebrate promotions, graduations, hospital events and more! Click here to join the fun.