Week of December 19, 2022
Crowning Achievement Award for Excellence in Nursing
HMSL recently hosted the inaugural Crowning Achievement Award for Excellence in Nursing. The award is made possible by an endowment created after an anonymous donor helped establish the Crowning Achievement Centennial Chair for the system, which included an excellence award at all community hospitals.
At HMSL, 15 nurses were nominated for their excellence and commitment to patient care. The top three finalists included nurse practitioner Danielle Hardin, ICU nurse Maria Gordon and 5 West nurse Bobbi Owens. With such an outstanding group of nominees, it was a difficult selection to make, but Bobbi was the inaugural winner. She has dedicated 11 years of service to our hospital and is known as an advocate for her patients and her team. She has a pulse on the needs of the hospital and the unit and is engaged in working towards solutions.
Congratulations to all who were nominated. Your commitment to unparalleled care for our patients is what makes our hospital great.
CEO Chris Siebenaler and CNO Janet Leatherwood with nominees in attendance: (L to R) Maria Gordon, Jennifer Sy, Jennifer Ramirez, Ancy John, Michelle Moreno-Lee, Bobbi Owens, Susana Rangel, Samantha Singh, Elaina Murray, RR Aloquina, Victoria Yoneoka. Nominees not pictured: Danielle Hardin, Tracy McManaman-Bridges, Justine Perez Natividad, Awet Haile.
Holiday E-Newsletter Note
Due to the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, there will not be a newsletter sent on Monday, Dec. 26. Additionally, the newsletter for the week of Jan. 2 will be sent on Tuesday, Jan. 3. You can access important links in any past edition of the newsletter and can access the Garden Café menu via your badge buddy.
HealthyDirections Winners
Congratulations to Romilia Salazar (EVS) and Grace Handayani (Centralized Telemetry). They each won the $5,000 grand prize for participating in the HealthyDirections program. A total of 15 winners are picked each year across the Houston Methodist system. These prizes are designed to encourage you to be engaged in the HealthyDirections program and focus on improving or maintaining your health. You earn entries into the annual drawing by earning Virgin Pulse points in the program. Even if you’re not covered on the Houston Methodist medical plan, you can still earn points and be eligible for the drawing. Visit the HR Portal in MARS for more information.
Astros World Series Hats
As you read in an email from Dr. Boom last week, Houston Methodist will celebrate the Houston Astros’ World Series victory with a special gift. All employees and physicians will receive a unique World Series hat with the Space City logo. Hats will arrive later this month and HMSL’s HR team will share more information about how they will be distributed. We are proud to be the official health care provider of the world champions. Go Astros!
Happy Hanukkah
Sunday, Dec. 18 marked the first night of Hanukkah. “The Festival of Lights” commemorates the Jewish struggle for religious freedom. Hanukkah lasts for eight days, until sundown on Monday, December 26. Happy Hanukkah to all our Jewish colleagues!
New Affiliation: OB/GYN Practice
We are excited to announce that effective February 1, 2023, Southwest Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates will become part of Houston Methodist Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates at Sugar Land. Drs. Katherine Diase, Moona Haque, and Jane Starr – along with Nurse Practitioner Janine Sherman – will continue to serve patients at the same office location under the new affiliation with Houston Methodist.
Sweetwater Lab Moving
This is a reminder that the Sweetwater Lab will move permanently, effective Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. Oncology patients will go to the 2nd floor of the Cancer Center to have labs drawn. All other patients will 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.
Doctor's Day Notes
Help HMSL show our doctors our appreciation ahead of Doctor's Day 2023! Write a note to them by Friday, Jan. 6 and you'll receive an HMSL car shade as a gift. Click here for a printable flyer with a QR code to submit your note. Gifts will be distributed via your manager or director in early February. Currently sitting at the top of the leaderboard are Employee Health, MOB Housekeeping and Oncology Services. Please contact Selina Garcia for any questions.
Convenience Corner: Discounted Tickets
As the official health care provider of the Houston Grand Opera, Houston Methodist employees can receive 20% off regular price tickets to all 2022-2023 season mainstage productions. The next show is "The Marriage of Figaro," running Jan. 13 through 28. You can also receive a 20% discount on all purchases for the 2022-2023 season at the Houston Symphony. Upcoming performances include The Music of Elton John and Billy Joel, which runs Jan. 6 though 8.
To take advantage of this discount, log on to YouDecide at the top of the newsletter. If you have never used the site before, use the code MTH052 to register. Click on the Events & Theme Parks tile and select Houston Grand Opera or Houston Symphony.
COVID-19 Pandemic
As local COVID-19 numbers continue to stabilize, we are moving to system-wide reporting of case numbers in the e-newsletter. Click here for the latest statistics.
PATIENT COMPLIMENTS
MRI Patient: "Great staff. MRI staff is outstanding, as well as Dr. Maffet's staff. Everything was great with everyone."
Endoscopy Patient: "I can't remember everyone's names, but I believe Reece, the endoscopy tech, made me feel very comfortable. I love her sense of humor. Melissa or Michelle was patient with us and Honey, my recovery nurse, was really sweet and fully explained discharge instructions. Great endoscopy staff."
Nuclear Medicine Patient: "Everything went well. All the staff were very professional, kind, helpful and considerate of my needs."
IMPORTANT DATES
Sunday, December 25: Christmas Day
Monday, December 26: Hanukkah Ends
Saturday, December 31: New Year's Eve
Sunday, January 1: New Year's Day
Now through Friday, January 6: Doctor’s Day Notes. More information here.
Monday, January 9: Sweetwater Lab to move permanently. More information here.
JUST FOR FUN DATES
Monday, Dec. 19: vs San Antonio Spurs
Wednesday, Dec. 21: vs Orlando Magic
Friday, Dec. 23: vs Dallas Mavericks
Saturday, Dec. 24: @ Tennessee Titans
Wednesday, Dec. 21: David Archuletta, House of Blues
Friday, Dec. 23: Roger Creager, Armadillo Palace
JOKE OF THE WEEK
How much does it cost to park Santa's sleigh? Nothing, it's on the house!