Week of March 11, 2024
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
It is Spring Break around town and for those of you who are taking some time off, I hope you enjoy your family and friends. I myself am taking days off to spend time with my boys. Remember, when you take care of yourself, you take better care of our patients. I encourage you all to disconnect when you can. It’s important.
I also want to highlight two emails you should have received recently.
The first one is exciting news about improvements coming to our intranet later this year. In Dr. Boom’s newsletter, he announced Houston Methodist will introduce “The Hub” – a new digital workplace that meets employee needs and helps you do your job. Plus, there will be a mobile app option. We look forward to sharing news on the progress and the official launch in the coming months, so stay tuned!
The second email I want to point out to you is about your financial future. Late last week, Houston Methodist made its annual contribution to employee Defined Contribution Plan (DCP) accounts – a total of $98 million. This plan is 100% employer-funded and offers a variety of investment fund options. Click here to log onto your Fidelity account and see how much you received. This is just another benefit of being a Houston Methodist employee.
Enjoy your week, I’ll see you soon!
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
HMSL Campus Moves
MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING 4
As our hospital campus continues to grow, several practices are relocating to Medical Office Building 4. If you encounter a patient who is lost and don't know where to direct them, please direct them to an information desk for a campus map. You can also view our campus map here.
- Houston Methodist Primary Care Group is moving to Medical Office Building 4 today, March 11. They are moving to suite 600.
- Houston Methodist Oncology Partners - MOB 4, Suite 325 (moved week of March 4)
- Houston Methodist Rheumatology Associates - MOB 4, Suite 300 (moved in Jan.)
- Houston Methodist Gastroenterology Associates - MOB 4, Suite 110 (moved in Oct.)
We'll continue to share practice moves in this weekly newsletter.
BROOKS STREET
Clinical Education will be moving to our Brooks Street location - less than two miles away from HMSL. They will start offering classes in their new location starting April 8. Their new address will be:
1201 Brooks St., Suite 200.
CDC COVID-19 Guidelines
The CDC recently issued new guidelines on viral respiratory illness (including COVID-19) precautions in community settings. However, the CDC emphasized that the new guidelines do not apply to health care settings. For those not in a health care setting, the CDC is now recommending that people no longer need to isolate once they have been fever-free for 24 hours and their symptoms are mild or improving. More details are in the updated Respiratory Virus Guidance.
For us, we will maintain the same guidelines as we have since 2022. We must take extra precautions to protect our patients and each other, as we have done diligently since the pandemic started.
Why did the CDC change its guidance for people in community settings? In its executive summary, the CDC explains the main drivers that led to the change:
- Due to the effectiveness of protective tools and a high degree of population immunity, there are now fewer hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19.
- Protective tools, like vaccines and treatments, that decrease the risk of COVID-19 disease (particularly severe disease) are now widely available.
- There is a high degree of population immunity against COVID-19, with more than 98% of the U.S. population having some degree of protective immunity against COVID-19 from vaccination, prior infection, or both.
If there are changes to CDC guidelines for the health care setting, we will keep you informed. Thank you for your continued vigilance as we get through respiratory illness season.
HMSL Blood Drive
Have you signed up yet? The next blood drive at HMSL will be Thursday, March 14 and Friday, March 15 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.
Recognizing the Impact of Microaggressions
Microaggressions can lead to strained relationships and breakdowns in trust, as well as present barriers to promoting inclusivity. There will be an in-person DEI learning series on microaggressions Tuesday, March 19 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in Brazos BC. Click here to register.
Basket Donations Needed
Calling all units and departments to give back to our smallest patients! 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 April 3. Please email Michelle with the basket's theme, approximate value, list of included items and your unit/department name. Click here for more information about basket donations.
Celebrating the Holy Season of Ramadan
At sundown on or around March 10, we will begin observing the holy season of Ramadan. This is a time to purify the body, mind and spirit while focusing on charity and generosity toward neighbors. This Ramadan season, Houston Methodist Global Health Care Services is reinstating its annual Iftar. We invite physicians and staff who observe the holiday to join us as we break fast on Thursday, March 28 at 7:15 p.m. in the Houston Methodist Hospital Outpatient Center lobby. For additional information, contact Houston Methodist Global at 713.441.2340.
Community Ambassador Program 2024
This is the last week to sign up to be an HMSL Community Ambassador. This program connects our community with information about HMSL Oncology Services, as well as specialized access to those services. HMSL has welcomed two classes of ambassadors already, who share why they signed up:
“I became an ambassador because a co-worker recommended that I sign up because I love to volunteer in the community. I originally thought I wouldn't be a great candidate because I don't work in the oncology department. I've since realized that this is a great learning opportunity in what our oncology services offer and that anyone can be a great ambassador.” Thu-Mai Nguyen, Neuroscience and Spine Center
To read more about the program and sign up, click here — or visit the tables in front of Main Starbucks on Wednesday, March 13 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. The deadline to sign up is March 15.
HMSL in the Media
HMSL was recently featured in a MedCentral article. Dr. Stephanie Florez-Pollack, a dermatologist with HMSL, contributed to the article about alopecia outcomes helped by laser and energy-assisted drug delivery. Click here to read the article.
5S Sort Journey
The first "S" in HMSL's 5S journey is sort - but there's another "S" joining the fun. The three winners in our Fun Finds competition will win a Houston Methodist Stanley cup! Plus, the winning department will get three more Stanley cups to raffle!
As you continue sorting through your areas, be on the lookout. We’re looking for winners in the following categories:
- Oldest item found
- Oddest item found
- Most expensive item found
Baytown, Clear Lake and Sugar Land will have one winner in every category. Those winners will compete for our grand champion titles. Enter the competition through the 5S Fun Finds form.
Tax Preparation Discounts from YouDecide
If you’re preparing to file your income tax return, you can take advantage of tax prep discounts from YouDecide. Save 20% on H&R Block Tax Software Products or DIY Online Tax Filing. Save up to an additional 20% off TurboTax online federal products. These offers expire April 15. To take advantage of the discount, log on to YouDecide. Use the code MTH052 to register.
College Scholarship for Employees’ Children
The College Scholarship for Employees’ Children Program is now accepting applications. Houston Methodist will fund 200 scholarships for $1,000 to eligible employees’ children. The parent must submit an online scholarship application and applicable forms by April 30. Learn more about the scholarship program.
Share Your Feedback About HM, Health Care via CMI Survey
If you received an external email asking you to take a survey to share your experiences of Houston Methodist and the health care industry, please take it. We partnered with a trusted third-party company to gather feedback, and we want to hear from you. Please look for the email from cmisurvey.com with a subject line that reads “Houston Methodist Wants to Hear From You!”. Follow the link included in that email to take the survey. This survey will only take a few minutes, and your responses will remain anonymous. Thank you for your participation.
IMPORTANT DATES
Friday, March 15: HMSL Blood Drive. More information.
Friday, March 15: Deadline to sign up for Community Ambassador Program. More information.
Tuesday, March 19: Recognizing the Impact of Microaggressions In-Person Learning. Register here.
Monday, March 29: Holi
Friday, March 29: Deadline to nominate a nurse for HMSL Nurses Week Awards. More information.
Friday, March 29: Good Friday
Sunday, March 31: Easter
Sunday, March 31: Final day for Birthday Bag Drive. More information.
Sunday, March 31: Final day for 5S Fun Finds Competition. Click here to enter.
Wednesday, April 3: Deadline to turn in baskets for March of Dimes fundraising. More information.
Friday, April 5: HMSL Family Science Night. More information.
Tuesday, April 30: Application deadline for The College Scholarship for Employees' Children Program. More information.
JUST FOR FUN DATES
Monday, March 11: Whiskey Myers
Tuesday, March 12: Bun B All American Takeover
Wednesday, March 13: Nickelback
Thursday, March 14: Zac Brown Band
Friday, March 15: Jonas Brothers
Saturday, March 16: Brad Paisley
Sunday, March 17: Eric Church
Tuesday, March 12: @ San Antonio Spurs
Thursday, March 14: vs. Washington Wizards
Saturday, March 16: vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Monday, March 11: WWE Monday Night Raw, Toyota Center
Friday, March 15: Dante Gebel, Smart Financial Centre
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"Today is your opportunity to build the tomorrow you want."
- Ken Poirot
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.