Week of March 10, 2025
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
As Spring Break arrives, my family is spending some time in Montana, and I hope that however you’re spending this time of year, you’re able to find a moment to relax and recharge. Whether you are taking a trip, spending time with loved ones, or just enjoying a slower pace, I encourage all of you to reset. In health care, we dedicate so much of our time caring for others. It's just as important to take care of ourselves.
Here at the hospital, we also have some great ways to take a break and have fun. This month alone, there are three different events planned, and there will be more every month! These events are about more than just fun—they're about celebrating you and the incredible work you do every day. Below in the newsletter, you'll find information about our St. Patrick's Day photo booth, an Opening Day watch party for the Houston Astros and the HMSL Friends and Family photo day. I hope you are able to step away from the daily routine and take advantage of these activities.
You deserve to be celebrated. Thank you for everything you do. Have a great week,
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
DoorDash Credit
It’s been three months since we launched The HUB! To celebrate this milestone and thank you for making The HUB part of your day, we’re treating every employee to a $10 DoorDash credit! The credit is available now and will expire at 11:59 p.m. tonight, March 10. Learn more on The HUB.
HMSL Friends & Family Photo Day
Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 29. HMSL’s Friends & Family Photo Day is back in a big way. This year it’s completely free to you. Sessions will be available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and two sets will be offered: Easter and Simple Spring (non-Easter). Groups will pick one set and receive a high-resolution digital image emailed to them within three weeks of the photoshoot, free of charge.
Please note that day-of sets will be curated by a professional designer. These images serve as a theme and final set will vary based on available props and furniture. A limited number of slots are available so grab your family or your friends and sign up today! Click here for a flyer with frequently asked questions.
HMSL Blood Drive
Spring forward and donate blood. The next HMSL blood drive will be Friday, March 14 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. in Brazos Rooms BC. Eligible donors will receive a long sleeve t-shirt, 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.
St. Patrick's Day Photo Booth
We are lucky to have the best staff at HMSL! Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by grabbing someone you’re lucky to work with and snapping a photo at the photo booth! It will be set up across from Main Starbucks from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with fun props. Click here for more information.
Opening Day Watch Party
Baseball season is back! Stop by Brazos Conference Center as the Astros kick off the 2025 season versus the NY Mets at 3:10 p.m on Thursday, March 27. A limited amount of ballpark themed snacks will be available beginning at 3:00 along with an Astros-themed photobooth. This is a drop-in event, so come as you are able between 3 and 7 p.m. Night shift will have a separate allotment of snacks beginning at 6:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there! Go Astros!
Houston Methodist is proud to be the Official Health Care Provider of the Houston Astros.
Save the Date: HM Family Fun Day
Get ready for a day of fun, food and festivities! Houston Methodist Family Fun Day returns Saturday, May 10, at NRG Stadium. Visit The HUB for more information and stay tuned for more details in coming months.
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
This month is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., but it is highly preventable with regular screenings. If you are 45 or older or have a family history of this cancer, get screened every 10 years as recommended by your physician. A screening colonoscopy can detect precancerous polyps before they turn into cancer, making early detection key to saving lives. Talk to your primary care provider about screening options or call 713.790.3333 for assistance.
New Physicians Join HMSL
Dr. Cynthia Rios joined Houston Methodist Obstetrics and Gynecology Associates in Sugar Land and is seeing patients in MOB 2. She focuses on maternal health and her clinical interests include menopausal care, family planning and gynecological procedures.
Dr. Mikhail Narezkin joined Houston Methodist Cardiology Associates and is now accepting new patients. He specializes in cardiovascular diseases and interventional cardiology.
Employee Children Scholarship Program
The College Scholarship for Employees’ Children Program is now accepting applications. Houston Methodist will fund 200 scholarships for $1,000 to eligible full time employees’ children and $500 to eligible part time employees’ children. The parent must submit an online scholarship form application and applicable forms by April 30. Both new and returning applicant recipients must complete the scholarship form. This year, the documents required for the application must be uploaded at the time of submission. Submit an application today. Learn more about the scholarship program.
Wellness 10 Initiative
Are you ready to focus on your personal wellness? The Wellness 10 Initiative is for you. This video series is a resource for leaders to create dialogue about various wellness topics in their team meetings. Each video and discussion is intended to be 10 minutes total. If you are interested, get your whole team involved! For each session completed, you can be entered into a drawing for a catered team lunch. Click here for more information. Click here to access the Wellness 10 video series.
Sword Health Offers Bloom Pelvic Health Therapy
Sword Health offers Bloom pelvic health therapy for women. Sword Bloom will help women address bladder leakage, bowel disorders, prolapse and more from the comfort of home. This service is available at no charge to female employees and female dependents over 18 who are covered on the HM medical plan. Get started at no cost here.
Houston Methodist System Quality and Patient Safety Symposium
Join us for the Eighth Annual Quality and Patient Safety Symposium, “21st Century Strategies for Leading Medicine,” where health care leaders, experts and innovators will discuss cutting-edge strategies that enhance patient outcomes, reduce risks and drive a culture of safety in modern health care. The event is Friday, May 30 from 7 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. at Hilton Americas Houston downtown. Attendees will gain valuable insights from industry-leading keynote presenters and watch interactive discussions designed to provide innovative solutions for their practice. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation that is shaping the future of patient safety! Showcase Your Innovation: Submit Abstract and Pecha Kucha Presentations by April 8. Click here to learn more or to submit an abstract. Email questions to System Quality and Patient Safety Symposium.
Sign Up for the Office of Sustainability Newsletter!
Stay up to date on campus sustainability efforts, upcoming events and ways to get involved with the Office of Sustainability’s quarterly newsletter. Our next edition, arriving in April, will highlight exciting Earth Week celebrations, including special events, engagement opportunities and ways to support sustainability efforts across our hospital system. Click here to sign up to receive the next newsletter and stay informed!
IT Support Delays
From March 11 to March 31, responses to non-urgent IT requests and new initiatives may be delayed as our IT teams focus on supporting the opening of Houston Methodist Cypress (HMCY). Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work towards a successful launch.
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, March 10: Deadline to use $10 DoorDash credit. More information.
Friday, March 14: HMSL Blood drive. More information.
Monday, March 17: Houston Methodist Cypress' Grand Opening
Monday, March 17: St. Patrick's Day photo booth. More information.
Thursday, March 20: DCP Payout
Thursday, March 27: Houston Astros Opening Day Watch Party. More information.
Saturday, March 29: HMSL Friends & Family Photo Day. More information.
Monday, March 31: Bracelet Challenge ends. More information.
Friday, April 18: Good Friday
Wednesday, April 30: Deadline to apply for Scholarship for Employees' Children
Thursday, May 8: 2025 IMAGINE Nurse Quality and Innovation Symposium. More information.
Saturday, May 10: Houston Methodist Family Fun Day
JUST FOR FUN DATES
Monday, March 10: Brad Paisley
Tuesday, March 11: Zach Top
Wednesday, March 12: Lauren Daigle
Thursday, March 13: Jon Pardi
Friday, March 14: Journey
Saturday, March 15: Warren Zeiders
Sunday, March 16: Grupo Frontera
Monday, March 10: @ Toronto Blue Jays
Tuesday, March 11: vs. New York Mets
Wednesday, March 12: @ Washington Nationals
Thursday, March 13: vs. St. Louis Cardinals, @ Miami Marlins
Friday, March 14: vs. National Prospects, vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Saturday, March 15: vs. Miami Marlins
Sunday, March 16: @ New York Mets
Monday, March 10: vs. Orlando Magic
Wednesday, March 12: vs. Phoenix Suns
Friday, March 14: vs. Dallas Mavericks
Saturday, March 15: vs. Chicago Bulls
Saturday, March 15: Eddie B, Smart Financial Centre
Sunday, March 16: Deftones, Toyota Center
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.”
-Estée Lauder
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.