HMSL News to Know - Week of January 9, 2023

Week of January 9, 2023

Chris Siebenaler
CEO, Regional Senior Vice President

I want to wish all of you a very Happy New Year!

2022 was a big year. From our re-designation as a Magnet hospital, to our stellar Vizient score and to – once again – being named one of the best hospitals in Houston and Texas by U.S. News & World Report — our staff proved to our community what unparalleled looks like.

It was also a transformational year as we rolled out Performance Excellence. Many of the improvements that we implemented in 2022 came from you. Your voice and your ideas are being heard and I am truly excited to see their impact on our patients, families, and co-workers. In December, we decided to record many of you talking about some of the improvements. That video will be shown at town hall meetings starting January 31. Please plan to attend one of these important sessions by clicking here and selecting "My Learning." Then, in the "Find Learning" tab, search for course number 1627067, select "assign to me" and then "register now." You can pick the time and date that works for you.

As always, thank you for all that you do! I look forward to seeing you at a town hall meeting later this month.

Chris

2023 Town Hall Sessions

Tuesday, Jan. 31, 7-8 a.m., Brazos Conference Center
Thursday, Feb. 2, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Brazos Conference Center
Tuesday, Feb. 7, 10-11 a.m., Brazos Conference Center
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 4-5 p.m., Virtual
Thursday, Feb. 9, Noon-1 p.m., Virtual

COVID-19 Update: Mask Up

We are in the midst of a COVID-19 surge systemwide - both in the number of patients and employees testing positive. This uptick is due to COVID-19 variants, waning immunity, and lack of vigilance in our community about wearing masks and getting updated boosters. Because of this, we are returning to stricter measures to keep everyone safe at this time, which includes masking in all areas of the hospital - including administrative areas. Additionally, we ask that you schedule meetings to be virtual when possible. You can read a message from Roberta Schwartz about the changes and current uptick in cases. Additionally, you can read an FAQ here. Thank you for doing your part to keep patients and staff safe and healthy.

Sweetwater Lab Has Moved

Effective today, Monday, Jan. 9, the Sweetwater Lab has moved permanently. Oncology patients must now go to the 2nd floor of the Cancer Center to have labs drawn. All other patients must go to MOB 3, Suite 240. Please keep this information in mind as you are seeing patients that need bloodwork. Click here for a helpful map.

Creativity and Inspiration Ahead

Recently, we asked you for a word that captures why you want to keep improving in 2023. We are excited to deliver word cloud coloring posters to each department in the coming week that has many of those words. The Performance Excellence team hopes these serve as a de-stressor but also as constant inspiration and reminder of why we do what we do.

Book Suggestions Needed

Are you an avid reader? Or is one of your New Year’s resolutions to read more? We are excited to announce that HMSL will soon launch a digital library, free for you to use. It will feature titles from best-selling authors that are household names in genres like self-improvement, mental health, health and wellness, biography and memoir and more! We hope this is an enriching resource you can enjoy at your leisure. As we build the library’s collection before the launch, we want to know more about the bookworms at HMSL!

Please fill out this form so we can better understand what kind of workplace-appropriate books and which mediums (audiobook or e-book) you’d like to see. We look forward to sharing more about this soon!

Celebrating With Astros Hats

We hope everyone enjoyed the systemwide gift to celebrate the Astros’ 2022 World Series win! We are proud to be the official health care provider of the world champions. With the turn of the year, that means baseball is just a bit closer! Astros’ Spring Training begins Saturday, Feb. 25 and Opening Day is Thursday, Mar. 30. Go Astros!

Spreading Holiday Cheer

Shortly before the Christmas holiday, members of American Heritage Girls Troop TX1001 donated blankets and cards to palliative care patients. American Heritage Girls is a faith-based character and service program for young women. We are thankful for their compassion for our patients and the community.

Celebrating MLK Day

A systemwide in-person and virtual event will be held Monday, Jan. 16 to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to noon at the Main Atrium Water Wall featuring HM President and CEO Dr. Marc Boom and Rice University President Reginald DesRoches, PhD as speakers and music from CPAM. Please join us!

Young Professionals ERG

Have you joined the newest ERG offered across the system? The Young Professionals ERG is open to talented and enthusiastic individuals in the early stages of their career (within two years of beginning their role or title) who are seeking resources and tools to assist in building a network that will foster professional development. Click here to read more and join.

Volunteers Needed

Houston Methodist is a proud sponsor of The Woodlands Half Marathon taking place on Saturday, March 4, 2023. We provide medical support at the race while encouraging wellness and a healthy community. Houston Methodist is looking for clinical staff to provide medical/first aid support throughout the marathon course. If you are interested in helping us support this event, click here. Contact Hope Parker for more information

PATIENT COMPLIMENTS

Brazos 4 Patient: "I would like to thank the staff for the attention to my needs. Thanks for taking my illness seriously. The staff was friendly and professional. Excellent customer service!"

Lab Patient: "Raeven was my blood tech. Her skill is superb. I've had blood drawn and IVs inserted many times over the years and I can honestly say this experience had zero pain. I did not even feel the initial prick. Raeven has a wonderful demeanor as well. Thank you, Raeven!

Spine Center Patient: "Missy Baylor started out as my therapist, and is now my friend. She is truly an asset to Houston Methodist Sugar Land. She is compassionate, kind, thorough, professional and a genuinely good person! She always goes "the second mile!" Missy has made a very traumatic time in my life easier to bear."

IMPORTANT DATES

Monday, January 9: Sweetwater Lab has moved permanently. More information here.

Thursday, Jan. 12: Deadline to consent to receive W-2 form electronically

Monday, January 16: MLK Day. Celebration held systemwide.

JUST FOR FUN DATES