Week of September 16, 2024
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
As we approach the start of fall, many are thinking about pumpkin spice lattes and fall décor – but for us in health care it means the flu season. This year’s Houston Methodist flu vaccine campaign runs now through Thursday, November 7. By getting your flu vaccine, we are renewing our commitment to protecting our patients, our loved ones and ourselves. Remember, it is required.
You can easily schedule your flu shot through the Employee Health portal, and more information is available in the HR weekly newsletter. Please note that most of our locations do not accept walk-ins for employee flu shots, so it’s important you schedule an appointment. You can find answers to common questions about it by clicking here.
Please do not put off scheduling your appointment. I want us to meet our requirement early.
Now on a celebratory note, fall also means postseason baseball! While our Houston Astros are still playing for a postseason in October, our Sugar Land Space Cowboys clinched the first half Pacific Coast League title earlier this year and are headed to the Pacific Coast League Championship series next week! I personally am a huge fan of attending games at Constellation Field, and I want to make sure we support the team – so we’re giving away free tickets to the championship games! Directions on how to enter are below in the newsletter.
Hope you have a great week!
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
Ticket Giveaway - Sugar Land Space Cowboys Postseason
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys are your first half champions and are headed to the Pacific Coast League Championship Series! The team is hosting the series at Constellation Field next week and you can win free tickets! HMSL will give three employees each a four-pack of tickets. If you enter the contest, you must be available to attend the games either on Tuesday, September 24, Wednesday, September 25 or Thursday, September 26. Click here to enter the contest. The deadline to enter is 11:59 p.m. tonight, Monday, September 16. Winners will be chosen at random and contacted later this week. Houston Methodist is proud to be the official health care provider for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys.
Back & Neck Pain Seminar
Thank you to Dr. Christopher Sy with neurosurgery, Dr. Marvin Chang with pain medicine and Marcela Rojas Roman, DPT, with physical therapy for hosting a community seminar on back and neck pain. A special shoutout to Neuroscience & Spine Center's Dan Kershner for moderating. Our experts spoke about causes, prevention and treatment. Attendees were also able to ask questions about living with back and neck pain. It is always great when we get to support our community on their medical journey and we know they appreciated it!
20 Years of Quality Care in Vascular Imaging
Congratulations to the Houston Methodist Cardiology Associates team at HMSL - last week they were presented a plaque from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission, highlighting 20 years of quality patient care in vascular testing. Dr. Byron K. Ellis and some of the echo/vascular ultrasound team were on hand to receive the recognition. Congratulations again on the remarkable accomplishment and for providing unparalleled care to our patients.
HMSL Spelling Bee Champions
Can you spell first place? Houston Methodist Sugar Land was proud to sponsor and participate in the 15th Annual Literacy Council of Fort Bend County Grown-Up Spelling Bee last week and our team, Highway to Spell, won 1st place! Our spellers were Karen Carr, Ron Lewis and Peyton Villarreal. Congratulations and way to represent HMSL!
Women's Health & Wellness Event
Registration is now open for HMSL's free Women's Health & Wellness Event on Thursday, October 10 at 6 p.m. in the Brazos Pavilion Conference Center. Talk with an all-female panel of medical experts focused on the most common health matters impacting women today. Dr. Aliyya Childs with obstetrics and gynecology, Dr. Gabriela Orgeron with cardiology, Dr. Gulnur Kul Ormanoglu with primary care, Dr. Michelle O'Shea with breast surgery and Adrienne Chaddick, DPT, a pelvic floor therapist will all be participating. Click here for more information.
United Way
Our 2024 United Way campaign is officially underway and runs through Wednesday, October 2. Our goal for Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is to raise $27,000, and we need your help to do it! This year there are several ways you can give:
- Set up a payroll deduction through MARS. Under Voluntary Deductions, select United Way and fill in your desired deduction amount and frequency.
- Give a one-time gift with a credit card on the United Way website.
- Bid on items in the Houston Methodist silent auction, available Sept. 12 – Oct. 2. Items include TopGolf with our CEO, a signed Alex Bregman baseball and several fun baskets!
- Join our United Way 5-Day Challenge next week
I CARE In Action Week
Registration is now open for this year's I CARE in Action Week. Houston Methodist established I CARE in Action as a way to bring our values of integrity, compassion, accountability, respect and excellence to the greater Houston community through volunteerism. We invite you to join us for this year’s I CARE in Action Week supporting healthy neighborhoods through quality, affordable housing. Here at HMSL, we will be participating on Tuesday, October 15, Rebuilding Together Houston. Click here for frequently asked questions and additional information.
Astros Postseason Tickets
The Houston Astros are currently leading the American League West, and Houston Methodist wants to give employees a chance to catch a postseason game at Minute Maid Park. If the Astros make the postseason, we will have tickets for each series they play at home. To enter, click here to fill in your contact information and answer some questions about the Astros.
We will randomly choose at least 50 winners per series, but you only have to enter once. Your answers to the trivia questions don’t have to be right for you to qualify. The contest is open to all current Houston Methodist employees, including fellows and residents. Other physicians and executives are not eligible. All entries must be submitted by 11:59 a.m. Monday, Sept. 16. Click here for a list of rules, including eligibility. Good luck and go Astros! Houston Methodist is proud to be the official health care provider for the Houston Astros.
What Links Will You Need Most on New Digital Workplace (Intranet)?
Teams across Houston Methodist are diligently working on rolling out phase 1 of our new digital workplace, The Hub, scheduled to launch later this year. The Hub will help streamline communications and feature a user-friendly design that considers your needs.
Your feedback is going to be important as we launch The Hub. Please take this survey by Thursday, September 19, to tell us what useful intranet links you want to be easily accessible on the homepage of The Hub. These are things you want to access with ease.
The Hub will help you work faster and smarter and easily find the information you need to do your jobs. The Hub will offer the following attributes:
- A personalized homepage
- Robust and intuitive search feature
- Modern look and feel
- Employee directory
- Regular quality-control reviews to ensure information is up to date
- Real-time feedback mechanism
Does your department have information that links to the current intranet or SharePoint sites that refer to the intranet? Once the new site goes live, links with the URL tmh.tmc.edu need to be updated because those will become obsolete. Don’t forget about screenshots and instructions that include how to navigate to specific content on the current intranet, such as training guides or orientation manuals. Now is a good time to take an inventory of these items so they can be ready to be updated.
In early 2025, we will start on phase 2 content. To learn more about The Hub, read this FAQ.
Pathway to Unparalleled
Employee sessions are now underway and continue through October. All employees are strongly encouraged to attend and to register as soon as possible. Click here to register for a class between now and September 19. Click here to register for a session between September 10 and October 25.
2024 Fall Education Fair
The Fall Education Fair is coming up on Monday, October 7. You are invited to stop by anytime in Brazos ABCD and F from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Some of the education fair stations include: fall prevention, diabetes education, palliative care and much more. Click here for more information.
Employee Discount: Sugar Land Half Marathon
Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine is the title sponsor for the Sugar Land Half Marathon coming up in October. 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'. If you are interested in volunteering at the event, you can register here.
Career Development Event in October - Sign Up Today
Do you find yourself wondering if getting a certificate or formal degree (or an additional one) is the key to advancing your career at Houston Methodist? Whether you're looking for ways to excel in your current role, considering how to move into a role with greater responsibilities or even considering a career shift, our event will help inform your next steps. This unique, mobile-friendly, virtual open house experience will help attendees:
- Determine when more training or education is necessary for career growth
- Explore the variety of internal and external educational options and support to help them realize their career goals
The event is Wednesday, October 23 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Learn more and register today. Empower yourself with knowledge and move closer to achieving your career goals. We look forward to seeing you there!
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, September 16: Deadline to enter Sugar Land Space Cowboys ticket giveaway. Enter here.
Now - Friday, September 20: National Library of Medicine Traveling Art Exhibit across Main Starbucks
Monday, September 23 - Friday, September 27: United Way 5-Day Challenge. More information.
Friday, September 27: Coffee Talk. More information.
Monday, September 30: Deadline to complete DIY Health Track.
Wednesday, October 2: United Way Campaign ends
Saturday, October 5: Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. More information.
Monday, October 7: Last day to register to vote
Monday, October 7: HMSL Fall Education Fair. 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: 2024 CV Nursing Conference. Register here.
Wednesday, October 23: Career Minded Webinar Series. More information.
Saturday, October 26: 2024 Houston Heart Walk. More information.
Wednesday, October 30: Deadline to sign up for HMSL Fashion Runway 2024. More information.
Tuesday, November 5: Election Day
Thursday, November 7: Deadline to comply with flu vaccine policy
JUST FOR FUN DATES
Monday, September 16 - Wednesday, September 18: @ San Diego Padres
Thursday, September 19 - Sunday, September 22: vs. Los Angeles Angels
Tuesday, September 17 - Sunday, September 22: @ Sacramento River Cats
Sunday, September 22: @ Minnesota Vikings
Friday, September 20 - Saturday, September 21: Kevin Hart, Smart Financial Centre
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.
- Aristotle
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.