Week of February 12, 2024
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
My first week is officially in the books and I want to start off by saying thank you for giving me a warm Houston Methodist Sugar Land welcome. I can’t tell you how happy I am that I was able to meet so many of you. Thank you to the hundreds who showed up to the first three meet & greets. I loved seeing you all come down in groups. Not only did I learn a lot about you as individuals, but it was amazing to see the genuine friendships as I watched you all interact with each other. I’m committed to maintaining that culture. I promised many of you conversations in the future, and I plan for those to happen as I will be going into each of your departments so that you can share with me what makes you and our wonderful organization great. I also appreciate all of your thoughtful suggestions.
We have several more meet and greet opportunities, so if we haven’t been able to shake hands, come down for a quick chat. I’ve also added another session. Here is a schedule of the upcoming times:
- Tuesday, Feb. 13 | 7-8 p.m.
- Wednesday, Feb. 20 | 10-11 a.m.
- Wednesday, Feb. 21 | 7:30-8:30 a.m. (added session)
Please also mark your calendars for tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 13. It is my first town hall meeting. My goal is for you all to learn more about me and I also want to answer some of your questions.
If you see me looking lost in the hallways, I promise I’m ok. I just want to learn the halls that you all walk, so walk with me. Thank you to those who have already stopped me for a chat over coffee and others who showed me kindness while sharing their culture in celebration of Lunar New Year. I am very fortunate.
I will continue to round on all floors and shifts. If I haven’t made it to your area just yet - know I’m coming. Like I’ve told many of you in person, it is important for me to meet the people behind Sugar Land’s success. I look forward to meeting more of you soon. For now, here are some pictures from my first week.
Finally, a reminder this Wednesday marks Valentine's Day. In the spirit of this day, I want to express my gratitude for your commitment to excellence and compassion toward our patients. May this day be a reminder of the love, kindness and empathy that we share within our hospital community.
Enjoy your week,
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
Campus Construction Alert
An upcoming construction project is going to affect traffic around Medical Office Building 4. Crews will be doing remediation work on the campus entrance off Town Center Blvd, in front of MOB 4. This area (highlighted in red on the map) will be closed for two weeks starting Wednesday, Feb. 14. Please keep this in mind if you typically use this entrance.
5S Sort Challenge
We know many of you are in the middle of your 5S Sort journey. This first phase - sorting - will continue through February and March. A reminder to enter our 'Fun Finds' competition (or scan the QR code). Categories include: oldest item found, oddest item found and most expensive item found. Remember to only keep items essential to completing tasks. Remove unnecessary items from work areas.
Breast Care Center Management Changes
Starting today, Vianne Dingle is transitioning from the Breast Care Center Manager role to a Team Lead in the breast care center. In this role, she will partner with a talented team of Mammography Technologists to increase access and deliver innovative care. We are fortunate to retain Vianne as she has demonstrated a passion for enhancing the patient experience. We are grateful for Vianne’s leadership through many operational improvements resulting in superior patient satisfaction scores. She will continue to be an integral part of the breast care center transformation.
Also effective today, Eugenio (Eugene) Ferrer, Imaging Manager, will assume managerial oversight in the breast care center. Eugene will lead our breast center staff and Team Leads (Tiffany Smith & Vianne Dingle). Eugene has a depth of healthcare experience in acute care, academic medical centers, medical clinics and outpatient imaging center environments. Eugene will continue leading Nuclear Medicine, Cardio Diagnostic, and X-ray.
We are confident the Breast Care Center will reach new heights with this new leadership structure. More Importantly, the Breast Care Center team will continue to focus on improving access to the communities we serve.
Human Trafficking Seminar
All staff who are in contact with patients are invited to attend the human trafficking seminar on Wed. Feb. 14 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. in Brazos BC. There is also a drawing where staff can help "Fight $4 Hope". Prizes include a pink Stanley cup, Kendra Scott, Kate Spade and more. Click here for more information.
Ash Wednesday
Houston Methodist wishes you a meaningful Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Christian Lenten season. It lasts six weeks and is a time for many to prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance and moderation. Chaplains will be available throughout the day to offer ashes. They will also be rounding on the clinical units. Click here for the schedule.
HMSL Blood Drive
Be a perfect match and give blood! The next blood drive at HMSL will be Friday, Feb. 16 in Brazos AD from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Eligible donors will receive a long sleeve zip shirt (while supplies last). Click here to schedule an appointment.
Graduate Nurse Summer Cohort Registration
Don't forget the deadline for the Houston Methodist Nurse Residency Program is Thursday, Feb. 15. This is an opportunity for new nurses to enhance their skills, build confidence and experience professional growth. HMSL will offer specialties in Acute Care Medical/Surgical, Emergency, Women's Services (Mother Baby) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Start dates will be June/July. Click here to register.
HealthyDirections+ Winner
Congratulations to Norma Lacroix, one of the January HealthyDirections+ winners! Employees earned points from Oct. to Dec. 31, 2023, then names were selected in a random drawing. Norma and the other winners each won $500. Senior leaders and HR staff surprised her. Keep up the good work, Norma! And don't forget, in February you can earn double points in Virgin Pulse!
Bloom Project Mural Dedication
Thank you to everyone who came out for the Bloom Project Mural dedication. Senior Leaders were on hand as the Strategic Partnerships team and Center for Performing Arts Medicine (CPAM) unveiled the employee artwork. It includes flowers drawn by 305 HMSL employees. You can see the project in the walkway between Medical Office Building 4 and Garage A.
Volunteer of the Quarter
HMSL is excited to announce Jan Kovach is the Volunteer of the Quarter. Jan consistently goes above and beyond for employees and patients. He anticipates the needs of cancer patients and is quick to make them comfortable during difficult times. Our cancer patients often compliment Jan for his ability to calm them down before their treatment. He always goes the extra mile for our patients and we are extremely grateful to have such an exemplary volunteer with a golden heart. Read more about Jan here. Congratulations, Jan, we appreciate you!
DNV Survey Window Open
Preparations for the HMSL 2024 DNV survey are in full effect. We are in our DNV survey window and surveyors could arrive at any time. Click here to read the quality newsletter featuring guidelines to avoid common nonconformances.
Football Skills Challenge Winners
Congratulations to our winners from Football Skills Day last Thursday. Ruston Pochi (outpatient PT/OT) took first place, narrowly beating Khalil Brown (laboratory services) based on the closest final score prediction to last night's big game. Reid Leopold (outpatient PT/OT) won third place on a tie breaker. Thank you everyone for coming out and having a fun time! A special thanks to athletic training leaders Chris Shaddock and Dan Cook for serving as the referees.
Community Ambassador Program 2024
The application for the 2024 class of HMSL Community Ambassadors is open through March 15. This program connects our community with information about HMSL Oncology Services and specialized access to those services. HMSL has welcomed two classes of ambassadors already, who share why they signed up:
“Both of my parents were diagnosed with cancer (my mom breast and my dad colon). When my twin sister passed away during COVID, this triggered panic attacks and I knew I had to find a way to give back, while honoring them. I’ve been a Houston Methodist employee for nearly 30 years. HM has instilled so much in me, and it was my turn to give back wholeheartedly.” Tammy Mays, Central Scheduling
To read more about the program and sign up, click here — or visit the tables in front of Main Starbucks on Thursday, Feb. 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to chat with an ambassador about the program. Interested staff must attend an orientation on April 15.
IMPORTANT DATES
Tuesday, Feb. 13: Meet & Greet with CEO Michael Garcia. More information.
Tuesday, Feb. 13: Town Hall Meeting with CEO Michael Garcia. More information.
Wednesday, Feb. 14: Ash Wednesday. Click here for schedule.
Wednesday, Feb. 14: Human Trafficking Session. More information.
Thursday, Feb. 15: Community Ambassador Program informational table. More information.
Thursday, Feb. 15: Last day for Graduate Nurse Summer Cohort Registration. More information.
Thursday, Feb 15: Employee Health Clinic closed from 7 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 16: HMSL Blood Drive. More information.
Tuesday, Feb. 20: Early Voting begins
Tuesday, Feb. 20: Meet & Greet with CEO Michael Garcia. More information.
Wednesday, Feb. 21: Meet & Greet with CEO Michael Garcia. More information.
Wednesday, Feb. 21: Hand hygiene bonus payout
Thursday, Feb. 22: Employee DIY Series: Serving Trays. More information.
Friday, Feb. 23: HMSL Digital Library Feedback survey closes. Click here for survey.
Friday, Feb. 23: Deadline to apply for 2024 Junior Volunteer Summer Program
Friday, March 1: Deadline to nominate a nurse for Salute to Nurses awards. More information.
Tuesday, March 5: Texas Primary election
Friday, March 15: Deadline to sign up for Community Ambassador Program. More information.
JUST FOR FUN DATES
Thursday, Feb. 22 - Saturday, Feb. 24: Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo World's Championship BBQ Contest, NRG Park
Friday, Feb. 23: Jerry Seinfeld, Smart Financial Centre
Tuesday, Feb. 22: @ New Orleans Pelicans
Friday, Feb. 23: vs. Phoenix Suns
Sunday, Feb. 25: vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"Love is never lost. If not reciprocated, it will flow back and soften and purify the heart.”
- Washington Irving