Week of March 31, 2025
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
This week marks an important deadline here at HMSL—your disaster preparedness form is due Tuesday, April 1. With hurricane season just two months away, it's critical every employee acknowledges their role in an emergency.
You can find your disaster role assignments in MARS – you will either be ride out or recovery. I also encourage you to review the Annual Disaster Preparedness Review. This guide has key steps to help you prepare, both at work and at home. By following these steps and acknowledging your role for a disaster, I know this will allow us to provide unparalleled care even during challenging times.
If you’ve already acknowledged your assignment, thank you! Your commitment helps ensure we’re all prepared. If you haven't acknowledged your assignment yet, please take a few minutes to do so today. Knowing what's expected of you ahead of time ensures that we can take care of each other, our patients and our community when it matters most.
If you have any questions, please talk to your leader. They are here to support you. Thank you for making preparedness a priority and for your commitment to completing these forms on time. Let's stay ready for whatever comes our way.
Finally, I hope Saturday, May 10 is circled on your calendar. You should have received your invitation to Houston Methodist’s Family Fun Day yesterday and I hope you are excited. A fun-filled day is planned at NRG with music, food and treats. I know my boys are excited to go and see OneRepublic and Cirque Dreams. More information on how to register is below in the newsletter. I hope you and your family join us.
Have a great week,
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
SAVE THE DATE: Celebrating Sally Shen
Mark your calendars as we prepare to celebrate our ACNO, Sally Shen. After 22 years at HMSL, Sally is retiring at the end of April. Join us on Thursday, April 24 for a come-and-go reception in the Brazos Conference Center. Stop by any time between 2-4 p.m. to wish Sally all the best in retirement. If you would like to submit a video memory for Sally click here. If you would like to submit a photo/message, click here.
Doctors' Week Celebrations
Last week, HMSL celebrated our dedicated physicians. We are so grateful for everything they do for our patients, including their commitment to compassionate care. Sunday, March 30 was National Doctors' Day. If you haven't already, please take the time to share your appreciation to our physicians.
Emergency Department Expansion
Phase two of the emergency department expansion project is now underway and is expected to continue through the end of the year. The hallway from the ED to main imaging is blocked. 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.
HMSL Bracelet Challenge Ending
The HMSL Bracelet Challenge ends today, March 31, but you have until the end of today to collect as many bracelets as possible! Submit your final tally to your leader, who will then submit them to Jim Nantz or Ellie Banks by end of day April 1. Winners will be announced in an upcoming newsletter. We hope you had fun and met new people beyond your unit or department. Have a fun or heartwarming story from your journey to collect them all? We’d love to hear it! Email erbanks@houstonmethodist.org.
Win Houston Astros Tickets
Baseball season is here and Houston Methodist wants to give you and a guest a chance to watch our Houston Astros from a ballpark suite. Click here to enter. This contest ends at noon on Thursday, April 3. Good luck!
Houston Astros Watch Party
Thank you to everyone who stopped by the HMSL Opening Day Watch Party. It was fun to celebrate a big win. Houston Methodist is proud to be the official health care provider for the Houston Astros.
Celebrating Eid Al-Fitr
Join Houston Methodist Global Health Care Services as we mark the end of Ramadan and celebrate the blessings of Eid. We invite physicians and staff who observe the holiday to a special luncheon Friday, April 4, from 2–4 p.m. in the HMH Outpatient Center first floor lobby. Although the luncheon is at HMH, all Houston Methodist physicians and staff who observe the holiday are invited. For additional information, contact Houston Methodist Global at 713.441.2340.
Register Now for Family Fun Day
Registration is now open for the Houston Methodist Family Fun Day. Enjoy a private concert with the internationally acclaimed band OneRepublic and see Cirque Dreams live! Family Fun Day is Saturday, May 10 at NRG Stadium. Click here for more information and to register.
HMSL Delirium Awareness Day
Join us for HMSL Delirium Awareness Day on Wednesday, April 9 from 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. across from the Main Starbucks. Be a super hero for your patients and use the 4Ms to fight delirium. There will be interactive learning on safety, quality care and resources for our older adult patients - plus games, prizes and snacks! Click here for more information.
Clothing Drive
Sponsored by the Women's Empowerment Alliance ERG, the second annual clothing drive is taking place now through April 9. Donations can be dropped off at the main entrance of the main hospital and the MOB 4 main entrance. We are collecting professional attire of all sizes, scrubs, gently used handbags and closed-toe shoes. All donations will go to Dress for Success-Houston Chapter. Click here for more information.
Joint Pain Seminar
Register now: our joint pain seminar is less than two weeks away. Thomas B. Rivers, M.D., Nish L. Shah, M.D. and physical therapist Kristine Neelon, all with Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at Sugar Land, will host a seminar focusing on joint pain on April 10 at 6 p.m. in the Brazos Pavilion Conference Center. The event is free and the community is invited. Click here to register.
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.
Workplace Violence Quarterly Tip
At HMSL, we have zero tolerance for any level of workplace violence. We want you to be safe and feel safe while at work. Recently, one of our own employees was in a patient room and a family member stood in the way of the door, blocking the employee from exiting. Inpatient rooms in our hospital have a panel on the wall with the capability to alert PBX and security personnel. Click here for more information on these panels.
HMSL in the Media
Cancer Survivorship Program Manager Yolanda Lopez returned to KPRC to talk about breast cancer awareness. She joined the group SurviveHER to raise awareness in our community. Yolanda talked about the hospital’s commitment to supporting cancer patients on their journey and did an amazing job. Thank you Yolanda for representing HMSL! To watch the full segment, click here.
Colon Cancer Awareness
March is colorectal cancer awareness month. Last week, The Black Ties for Culture ERG partnered with Oncology Services and hosted an informational booth in front of the Main Starbucks. They played trivia and handed out fliers, healthy snacks and prizes to all who stopped by.
HMSL Friends & Family Photo Day
Thank you to all who took advantage of Friends & Family Photo Day! We loved seeing everyone get together with their loved ones to capture a lasting memory. One staff member said it had been nearly three decades since her large family had a photo together. A group of staff even stopped by for a friend group snapshot. We look forward to the possibility of offering this again in the future!
Check Out the First Quarter of 2025 CIO Quarterly Report
Be sure to read the latest CIO Quarterly Report. The issue contains updates on the HMCY launch, details on the AI tool Copilot, strides we’re making in clinical communications, the new cybersecurity "Good Catch" program and updates on the service we are delivering to you.
OFFICE OF CULTURE & ENGAGEMENT
Calling All Leaders: Be a Preceptor and Make a Difference
The Office of Culture & Engagement (OCE) is seeking leaders to participate as preceptors in the 2025 Fall Scholars Program, an initiative dedicated to providing individuals with disabilities meaningful work experience, mentorship and professional development opportunities. The program is open to individuals who:
- Identify as a person with a disability (ages 18-35)
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Can work with limited support and perform essential job functions with reasonable accommodation
As a preceptor, you'll play a critical role in guiding scholars through an immersive 8-week experience by providing mentorship and insights into health care career opportunities and enhancing their personal and professional growth. The program's second year launches in fall 2025. If you’re interested in serving as a preceptor, click here. For more information, contact Nazia Imrose.
Click here to read more from the Office of Culture & Engagement this week.
There are nearly two dozen celebrations in April. This week is Patient Access Week. This month is National Autism Awareness Month and Head & Neck Cancer Awareness Month. You can read more about these observances on The HUB.
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, March 31: Bracelet Challenge ends. More information.
Thursday, April 3: Deadline to win Houston Astros tickets. Enter here.
Wednesday, April 9: HMSL Clothing Drive ends. More information.
Wednesday, April 9: HMSL Delirium Awareness Day. 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
Thursday, April 24: Sally Shen retirement celebration. More information.
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. More information.
Tuesday, May 13: Patient satisfaction bonus payout
JUST FOR FUN DATES
Monday, March 31 - Wednesday, April 2: vs. San Francisco Giants
Thursday, April 3, Saturday, April 5 - Sunday, April 6: @ Minnesota Twins
Tuesday, April 1 - Sunday, April 6: @ Durham Bulls
Monday, March 31: @ Los Angeles Lakers
Wednesday, April 2: vs. Utah Jazz
Friday, April 4: vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Sunday, April 6: @ Golden State Warriors
Friday, April 4: Kevin Gates, Smart Financial Centre
Friday, April 5 - Saturday, April 6: FoodieLand, NRG Park
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"As important as it is to have a plan for doing work, it is perhaps more important to have a plan for rest, relaxation, self-care, and sleep.”
-Akiroq Brost
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.