Week of February 10, 2025
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
Once again I am starting off the week with deep appreciation. As i announced last week, our associate chief nursing officer Sally Shen will be retiring in April, after 22 dedicated years at HMSL.
Sally has always shown a deep commitment to patient care and employee well-being. Her mentorship and unwavering support of the nursing staff are evident in every conversation. She has always had their backs, ensuring they felt supported, valued and empowered to provide the highest level of care to our patients.
As I said in the announcement, we are experiencing a significant transition with Sally's and Janet Leatherwood's retirements, but we are committed to maintaining strong nursing leadership and supporting all of our nurses as we look to the future.
I know there will be many celebrations between now and April, but for now I just want to say how grateful I am for Sally's years of service. I encourage you to join me in thanking her for her dedication and wishing her the very best in retirement.
Enjoy your week,
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
DNV Survey Window
Preparations for the HMSL 2025 DNV survey are in full effect. We are in our DNV survey window and surveyors could arrive at any time. This accreditation is important because it demonstrates our dedication to our patients’ safety and care. Please make sure you and your teams are prepared for the unannounced survey.
HMSL Black Ties for Culture ERG
February is Black History Month and the HMSL Black Ties for Culture ERG is having its first general meeting today, Monday, February 10. The meeting starts at 1 p.m. and will be held virtually on Teams. Click here to join the meeting. Meeting ID: 264 370 412 972 Passcode: B6EE7SN2
Win Rodeo Concert Tickets
Get your cowboy boots and hats ready! The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo returns March 4-23, and Houston Methodist is giving you and a guest a chance to go! You can enter to win two suite tickets and a parking pass for you and a guest to watch Bun B’s Birthday Bonanza on Friday, March 7, or Parker McCollum on Friday, March 21, at NRG Stadium. To enter, fill out this form. The deadline to enter is 11:59 a.m. Thursday, February 13. For complete contest rules, click here.
New Radiology Manager for X-Ray
Kandice Hawkins has been promoted and is now the new radiology manager for x-ray. She joined Houston Methodist in 2018 and has held several different roles. She has more than 20 years of health care experience including creating, collaborating and supporting the implementation of new imaging technologies in departments like radiology, cardiology, oncology imaging and more. Congratulations Kandice!
HealthyDirections+ Winner
Congratulations to Jenelyn Sumera, one of the January HealthyDirections+ winners! Employees earned points from October to December 31, 2024, then names were selected in a random drawing. Jenelyn and the other winners each won $500. Senior leaders and HR staff surprised her. Keep up the good work, Jenelyn!
HMSL’s Top Athlete
Congratulations to Jordy Futrell, Cancer Center RN (radiation), on winning first place in HMSL’s Football Skills Day! Participants hit the turf at the HMOSM building to show off their athletic ability. Jordy scored 29 points. Second place went to Tamra Lopez, an orthopedic radiology technologist in the PO group, who scored 25 points. The third place winner, Peter Davidhizar, PT/OT, scored 24 points. Congratulations to all of our winners and thank you to everyone who participated. A special thank you to athletic training leadership for leading the games.
Jordy Futrell
Tamra Lopez
Peter Davidhizar
HMSL Celebrates National Wear Red Day
A special thanks to everyone who supported the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women initiative. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women, and raising awareness is vital to saving lives. If you’re interested in staying involved throughout February (heart month), visit Go Red For Women for more information.
2025 Summer Volunteer Program
The HMSL Volunteer Services department is excited to welcome the 2025 Summer Program for high school students ages 16 to 18. Applicants can apply now online by clicking here. The deadline to apply is Friday, February 21. If you have any questions, call the Volunteer Services Office at 281.274.7127.
Become a Community Ambassador
The application for the 2025 class of HMSL Employee Community Ambassadors is open now through Friday, February 21. Our ambassadors help people they meet or know in the community access information and answers they need, quickly and easily related to the Neal Cancer Center at HMSL. The program is open to all staff members in any department. Click here for more information.
Nominate a Nurse for the Houston Chronicle's Salute to Nurses
Nominations for Houston Chronicle’s Salute to Nurses 2025 are open. Our city’s Top 200 nurses will be honored, so please spread the word about nominating our excellent Houston Methodist nurses. Please take some time to think about the best nurses you know at Houston Methodist and nominate them for this prestigious award. The deadline to nominate a nurse is February 28.
Microsoft Copilot App Now Available
Microsoft Copilot is now available at Houston Methodist. Copilot is an AI-powered chatbot (like ChatGPT and Google Gemini) designed to enhance productivity and efficiency. It can help you with tasks like typing an email draft, creating content or an outline for a PowerPoint presentation or providing data insights. The goal of Copilot is to empower you and make your job easier and more efficient. While publicly available sites (like ChatGPT) can pose security risks and are restricted, using Copilot through HM’s Office 365 is permitted, since it’s private and more secure, but it’s critical that you only use this tool while logged into your HM Office 365 account. Learn more about the tool in last week's edition of IT Matters.
Sync Your Fitness Device At Least Once a Week
If you are wearing a fitness device such as a Max Buzz or an Apple Watch, remember to sync your device with Personify Health (formerly Virgin Pulse) at least once every seven days to get credit for your steps. To upload your data, open your Personify Health app, and your steps will sync. (Bluetooth must be connected). If you don’t sync your app for more than seven days, some of your points may not be tracked because the program only looks back for the past seven days. Check your app regularly to ensure your points are being counted for all your activities including Journeys, daily cards, participating in Noom and any other programs you participate in.
Your Favorite Reads in 2024
The data is in for the top reads in the HMSL Digital Library. Main themes include organization, personal efficiency, communication and personal development. Here is what you all read the most in 2024:
- How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis
- Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Difficult People: Over 325 Ready-to-Use Words and Phrases For Working with Challenging People by Renee Evenson
- Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg
- What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast: And Two Other Short Guides to Achieving More at Work and at Home by Laura Vanderkam
- The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Achieving More with Less by Richard Koch
How to Keep House While Drowning was a suggestion from Evie Moore, Labor and Delivery Manager. Why does she love this book? “It’s easy to read, especially for those with competing priorities. It helps find solutions that work for each individual person regardless of work, time or dedication. It’s also written by an author local to the Sugar Land area!”
The HMSL digital library is accessible via the Libby App and is completely free. Simply log in with your HM credentials in lieu of a library card. You can suggest books via the link at the bottom of this newsletter. Happy reading!
IMPORTANT DATES
Friday, February 14: HMSL blood drive
Tuesday, February 18: Hand hygiene bonus payout
Friday, February 21: Last day to apply for HMSL Employee Community Ambassador Program. More information.
Monday, February 24 - Friday, February 28: I CARE Recharge. More information.
Wednesday, February 26: Neuroscience Grand Rounds - Domestic Violence and Trauma Informed Care
Friday, February 28: Deadline for nominations for Salute to Nurses. More information.
Friday, March 7: Deadline for nominations for 2025 Nurses Week Awards. More information.
Sunday, March 9: Daylight saving time begins
JUST FOR FUN DATES
Wednesday, February 12: vs. Phoenix Suns
Thursday, February 13: vs. Golden State Warriors
Friday, February 14: Gabriel Iglesias, Toyota Center
Saturday, February 15: Kem and Ledisi, Smart Financial Centre
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style."
- Maya Angelou
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.