Week of December 16, 2024
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
Have you ever heard the saying "It's not every day you get the chance to change somebody's life?" We here at HMSL get that opportunity every day, when we care for our patients and their families. And last week, Houston Methodist changed the lives of 315 employees. They were all randomly selected as “Celebrating You” winners, each receiving $10,000 and a Houston Methodist-branded suitcase. 30 of those 315 employees are on our campus. While we won't be naming our recipients, I wanted to share with you some of the heartwarming ways they'll be using the money.
- One recipient's parents are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary next year and she plans to use the money to take them both on a trip to the Dominican Republic.
- One of the recipients said she prayed hard and dreamed about winning this giveaway. As she promised in her prayers, her first check written will be to her church and the rest to help her family.
- Another recipient will be using the money for her daughter's education - we all know how easy those expenses add up.
- One of the recipients shared with me that her and her husband plan on using the money for a down payment on their first home together. She called it a true blessing from God.
- Another recipient plans to surprise her family with the news by sitting her husband and daughter down for a “family meeting.” She was going to act like it was a serious discussion, then pull out the giant check from underneath her couch. She expects her eight-year-old will ask for a trip to Disney World and I can't wait to see the photos.
There are so many other heartwarming stories and I realized quickly that all are using the money in the spirit of love. To be a part of this celebration was truly an honor. There were a lot of tears and emotions as I called out the names. I truly wish we could have given every employee that amount of money. But thankfully we've been fortunate this year to say thank you for all you do by giving all eligible employees a $750 bonus in the summer, $250 in matching funds plus an additional $100 to your Fidelity emergency savings account, a $100 DoorDash credit, a bonus day of PTO and a $100 holiday bonus - plus a few more bonuses here at HMSL!
As we near the final weeks of the year, I want us all to pause and think about this. For many, it's the most joyous time of the year. There are holiday parties, sequined outfits, wrapped presents, sweet treats, the list goes on. But for many, including those in our hospital, it is the most trying of the year. Some are celebrating their first holiday without a loved one. Some are waiting on a cure for their illness. Others estranged from family and friends. I want us all to remember our I CARE values and the basic kindness we are taught in NEO. Are you saying hello to our patients in the hallways? Are you helping lost family members find their way through our halls? Are you supporting your coworkers who might be overwhelmed during this time of year? We never know what somebody is going through. Let us all take a step back and remember kindness and compassion.
Have a great week,
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
Workplace Violence - Zero Tolerance
At Houston Methodist Hospital, we are committed to providing a safe and supportive workplace for everyone. We have a strict zero-tolerance policy for workplace violence. If you find yourself in a situation involving inappropriate or potentially violent behavior, click here to read some key strategies to ensure your safety and well-being. We encourage you to report any workplace violence incident whenever it occurs to:
- Public Safety, if immediate assistance is needed
- Report all workplace violence in TAPS/Press Ganey
- Report any incident to your leader
Additional resources are available on The HUB under the Public Safety page.
HMSL Staff Choir Holiday Concert
A big round of applause for the HMSL Staff Choir who performed their holiday concert last week! It was so great to see so many patients, families and other employees singing along for some holiday cheer. If you missed the performance, don't worry, you can watch it here. Also, the HMSL Staff Choir will be caroling on Wednesday, December 18 from 12-2 p.m. If you want to join them, meet the choir outside the Brazos chapel five minutes before noon. Anybody is welcome to join!
Growing & Developing in 2025
How do you want to grow and develop in 2025? The HMSL Clinical Education Department and the System Critical Courses Sub-Committee would like all employees and leaders to participate in a survey. The results of this survey will communicate what you are interested in learning. The survey will close Tuesday, December 31. Click here to take the survey.
Customize Your App Bar on The HUB
We will regularly share tips and tricks to help you use The HUB more effectively. You can change your application bar (the blue ribbon on the left side of your screen).
For example, if you want to change the order of the items in your app bar, you can click and drag the apps you use the most to the top. You can also add a website that you use frequently to the app bar by following these steps:
- Click on All Apps.
- Select the Add App tile.
- Give it a title and add a link to your desired URL.
- You must add an image. You can select one from the media library.
This will only be visible to you, so be sure to log out if you are using a shared computer.
Happy 'Cyber-Safe' Holidays
Keep this holiday season “happy” by staying cybersafe at work and at home. Cybercriminals use this festive (yet sometimes hectic) time of the year as their opportunity to prey on holiday distractions, your goodwill and increased online activity.
Here are three tactics cybercriminals use to target and manipulate you, red flags to watch out for and what to do if you suspect you’re being scammed:
Phishing (email scams)
- What it is: Emails that look like they’re from a trusted sender, like a brand or retailer, offering fake deals, shipping notifications or holiday giveaways. They often include malicious links or attachments designed to steal your personal information or infect your devices with malware.
- Red flags: Urgent or alarming messages, suspicious links or attachments, requests for personal/sensitive information.
- What to do: Don’t click on any links or respond to the sender. If it appears to be from a legitimate organization, independently obtain their official contact information or website and contact them directly — don’t use any of the information in the email. If it’s a phish, be sure to report the phish through the Report Phish button (work) or your email provider (personal).
- For more information review: Flight confirmation scams, gift card scams, holiday shopping scams, popular event scams, remote support scams, travel-related scams, fake invoice scams.
Smishing (text message scams)
- What it is: Text messages that impersonate legitimate senders, such as delivery services, banks or retailers, alerting you of an “urgent” issue, like package delivery or account issues.
- Red flags: Unsolicited or unexpected text messages, links to unfamiliar or suspicious websites, requests for personal or financial information.
- What to do: Don’t click on any links or respond to the sender. Even if it appears to be from a legitimate organization, independently obtain their official contact information and contact them directly — don’t use any of the information in the text message. If it’s a smish, be sure to report the smish to your mobile carrier. If the sender is impersonating someone from Houston Methodist, call the IT Service Desk immediately.
- For more information review: Smishing Lures.
Vishing (voice call scams)
- What it is: Phone calls where scammers pose as customer service agents, charity representatives, etc., tricking you into revealing financial information or account credentials.
- Red flags: Unsolicited or unexpected calls, urgent or high-pressure tactics, requests for personal/sensitive information or payments.
- What to do: Don’t provide any information over the phone. Legitimate organizations won’t call you to ask for this information over the phone. The caller may try to pressure you — stay calm and hang up. Don’t engage in any further conversations. Independently obtain the organization’s official contact information and contact them directly — don’t use any of the information provided by the caller. Be sure to report the smish to your mobile carrier. If the caller is impersonating someone from Houston Methodist, call the IT Service Desk immediately.
- For more information review: Who’s Really on the Line and Does this Call Seem Suspicious.
Virgin Pulse is Becoming Personify Health
Over the coming weeks, you will see Personify Health's name, logo and email address on Member Services pages and in other areas of the Virgin Pulse platform. With the transition, you may see either Virgin Pulse or Personify Health until their rebranding is complete. The new web address started on Monday, December 9, and the mobile app will be updated on today, Monday, December 16. You will need to sign back in to your mobile device. Learn more about resetting your password or what to do if you have trouble logging in to the website or the app.
Join the Houston Methodist Team for the 2025 ACC Texas MS 150
The Houston Methodist cycling team is back for the 2025 Texas MS 150! As proud supporters of this incredible event for our 12th year, we invite you to join us in this important ride.
Together, we’ve raised over $1 million to support the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s mission: to find a cure for MS and empower those affected by it to live their best lives. Whether you’re an avid cyclist or considering cycling as part of a healthy lifestyle, we’d love for you to join Team Houston Methodist for the 2025 Texas MS 150, taking place on April 26-27. Participants must be Houston Methodist employees, employee dependents, or affiliated physicians.
Important Details:
- Fundraising Minimum: $400 to participate
- Route Distances: Choose your distance!
- Day 1: 100, 75, 55, or 50 miles
- Day 2: 81, 79, or 50 miles
How to Join the HM Cycling Team:
- Employee Registration: Click Here
- Employee Dependents and Affiliated Physicians Registration: Click Here
By completing the 2025 Texas MS 150 two-day ride, you will receive 10,000 points toward completion of your 2025 DIY Health Track! If you have any questions about joining the Houston Methodist cycling team, please reach out to John Nguyen. Let’s make a difference together!
IMPORTANT DATES
Sunday, December 15: First day to use 2025 DEI personal day hours
Wednesday, December 25: Christmas holiday
Thursday, December 26: Deadline to open/deposit to Fidelity account to get $100 and up to $250 match
Tuesday, December 31: Last day to take 2025 Education Needs Assessment. Take survey here.
Wednesday, January 1: New Year's Day holiday
Wednesday, January 15: Last day to use $100 DoorDash credit
Monday, January 20: 2025 MLK Day Celebration
JUST FOR FUN DATES
Sunday, December 21: @ Kansas City Chiefs
Thursday, December 19: vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Sunday, December 22: @ Toronto Raptors
Friday, December 20: The Illusionists, Smart Financial Centre
Saturday, December 21: Lil Weezyana - Hot Boys Holiday, Toyota Center
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."
- Leo Buscaglia
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.