HMSL News to Know - Week of October 2, 2023

Week of October 2, 2023

Chris Siebenaler
Executive Vice President & CEO

As you may have heard, I will be leaving my role as CEO of HMSL to take on a new system leadership role as of January 1, 2024. In my new role as Houston Methodist Executive Vice President of Network Hospitals, I will have responsibility for all community hospitals. This is bittersweet for me, as I have so enjoyed my time working with each of you to serve our community. It has been a privilege to serve as your CEO since 2007. During that time I have seen up close what a tremendous job you do every day to care for our patients. Over the past 16 years, we have expanded our services and continued our tireless focus on safety, quality and service to become the leading hospital in Fort Bend County. Just last week, we announced that HMSL was once again recognized in the Vizient Quality and Accountability study, ranking third in the country in our peer group! This reflects the amazing work each of you do every day.

Over the next few months, I will work with Dr. Boom and our hospital board to hire a new CEO. This person will be incredibly fortunate to work with such a talented group of people. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve you and I look forward to continuing to work with you in my new role at HM.

October Town Hall Meetings

Mark your calendars for our final town hall meetings of the year. The HMSL Senior Leadership Team is inviting all employees to attend one session, starting October 24. They'll share campus projects and updates and there will be fun giveaways! Submit questions ahead of time by clicking here.

Tuesday, Oct. 24: 9-10 a.m. Brazos Conference Center
Wednesday, Oct. 25: 7-8 a.m. Virtual
Monday, Oct. 30: Noon-1 p.m. Virtual
Tuesday, Oct. 31: Noon-1 p.m. Brazos Conference Center

To sign up, click here and select "My Learning." In the "Find Learning" tab search for course number 1646052, select "assign to me" and then "register now." Click here for a helpful flyer. We look forward to seeing you!

Houston Astros Trophy & Ring Tour

Thank you to everyone who stopped by last week to take pictures with the 2022 Commissioner's Trophy and the official 2022 Houston Astros World Series Ring. To download your photos from the event, click here. The password is: HMSL_ASTROS_TROPHY/RING_2023!

Employee Opinion Survey

In case you missed it, Dr. Boom recently announced our 2023 Employee Opinion Survey will launch on Wednesday, Oct. 4. All employees are encouraged to participate. Unlock your voice to help influence HM's overall strategic vision and inspire change. Please complete it before the deadline on Oct. 25. And there are prizes. System-wide you could win:

237 employees will win $75 to use in an Amazon storefront
13 employees will win $350 to use in an Amazon storefront
One lucky employee will win $1,000

We'll also have local prizes at HMSL. In order to be entered into the HMSL giveaways, you need to print out the last page in the survey (the completion page below), write your employee ID on it and then put it in the drop off box in front of HR. At HMSL, there will be:

50 winners daily
If your entire department completes the survey by 10/6, your department will receive a sweet treat!
Every week there will be an additional 25 winners
If we meet our target goal of 85% completion, there will be three grand prize giveaways!

Schedule Your Mammogram Today

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Houston Methodist offers a variety of ways to help you take care of you, which includes preventive breast cancer screenings. These screenings can often detect serious illnesses long before you feel any symptoms. Not only will you be improving your well-being, you can also earn HealthyDirections+ points and receive a free water bottle after your screening! Click here to schedule your appointment today. Water bottles will only be given out to those who complete their screenings during the month of October.

2023 I CARE in Action Week

Registration is now open for the 2023 I CARE in Action Week at Houston Methodist. This year marks the 10th anniversary of this special week of service. You are invited to volunteer in our community. HMSL will be at Avondale House on Wednesday, Oct. 18, participating in crafts and games with residents. Space is limited. Click here to register.

Where Healing Happens: Living Out Magnet

HMSL became a Magnet Designated Hospital in 2017 - but do you know what that means? Our education series “Where Healing Happens: From Down the Hall to Across the System” continues with the next course titled 'Living Out Magnet'. Join Magnet Director Whitney Adams for a discussion about what it means to have this designation. This event will be held in the Brazos Conference Center on Tuesday, Oct. 24. Click here for more information.

HMSL in the Media

HMSL was recently featured on Houston Life, the lifestyle show for KPRC. HMSL Music Therapist Ashley Lundquist and HMH Music Therapist Sarah Rossi joined one of our oncology patients to discuss their new album 'Voices'. The album features 15 songs written by Houston Methodist patients bravely undergoing cancer treatment. Watch their interview and performance here. If you want to listen to the album or share it with somebody battling cancer, you can click here.

100 Top Hospitals in 2023

Congratulations HMSL for once again receiving national recognition! We just made the 2023 Fortune / PINC AI 100 Top Hospitals list. We also received the 'Everest Award'. This means that in addition to being a top performer during the study year, we were determined to be the most rapidly improving over a five-year trend. To read more about the honor, click here.

Pathway to Unparalleled

Pathway to Unparalleled (PTU) sessions have begun. All Houston Methodist employees are strongly encouraged to register for this 90-minute interactive class designed to help employees think about unparalleled safety. Employee sessions will continue through October. Click here for instructions to register.

Joint Pain Seminar

Thanks to Dr. Braunreiter and Dr. Kent for hosting a community seminar on joint pain. They spoke about treatment options for joint pain and answered questions from our attendees. This event was extra exciting because it marked our first in-person seminar since the pandemic. It is important to meet our community where they are in their physical and medical journey, and we could not do that without efforts like this seminar.

Manage Unconscious Bias In-Person Learning

The Office of DEI is hosting another session in their Managing Unconscious Bias learning series. Unconscious bias can affect interactions between caregivers, their patients and co-workers. The session is Thursday, Oct. 5, from 1-2:15 p.m. in Brazos Conference Room AD. Sign up through LMS with item #1605003.

Family and Friends Photo Day

There are updates to Family and Friends Photo Day happening in Brazos Conference Center on Saturday, Oct. 7. The solid gray backdrop is now a darker shade than previously shown. See the photo to the right for how that scene will look, including the new furniture. There are plenty of slots available in this background and a limited number of Christmas slots left. Simple Winter is sold out. Please click this flyer for information on how to sign up.

Employee DIY Series: Wreath Making

Sign-ups are now open for our December session of the Employee DIY Series: Wreath Making! Choose from your choice of Astros, Christmas or Welcome designs. Spots are also still open for our session this Thursday, Oct. 5 for succulent planting, as well as November for cookie decorating. Click here for a helpful flyer. We look forward to seeing you there.

2023 Fall International Fashion Show

The HMSL Fall International Fashion Show is coming up next month. Now is your time to register. Participants are encouraged to wear their cultural attire, representing their city or country, whether it reflects current fashion styles or past traditions. Click here to sign up. The deadline is Oct. 30.

Support Earthquake and Flood Victims

As the world continues to watch the impact of the deadly 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Morocco and floods in Libya caused by Tropical Storm Daniel, many feel compelled to support the affected communities. One way to do this is to donate to the American Red Cross, where you know your donation will go to help those most in need during these crises.

Flu Season is Coming Up

Flu season is around the corner and the best protection for yourself, your family and our patients is getting the flu shot. The flu vaccine is mandatory for all employees. You must receive the vaccine by Nov. 2. Read more from Dr. Boom here.

HMSL Employee Parking Changes - Registration Update

Online registration for HMSL's new parking guidelines has officially closed. If you still need to register your vehicle, please print and fill out this form and return it directly to Security. To read more about our updated parking guidelines or if you have questions about the new parking policy, please read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document here. Also, a reminder that you need your badge to access employee parking, so please have it ready when approaching the barrier arm gates in the garages. Only one vehicle can enter at a time. EZ Tag registrations are still being worked on. Thank you for your patience.

This Weekend: Race for the Cure

Houston Methodist is once again joining the Komen Houston Race for the Cure. It's this Saturday, Oct. 7 at Sam Houston Race Park. Donate to the team here.

6 a.m. - Race Day Registration opens
7:15 a.m. - Group picture at the Houston Methodist tent. Our tent is No. 13 on this map.
7:45 a.m. - Opening ceremonies and memorial bird release
8 a.m. - 5k start
9:30 a.m. - Post-race celebration

October is another busy month in our hospital - with several departments celebrating. Food & Nutrition Services celebrates Health Care Food Service Workers Week this first week of October. The team at HMSL provides nutritious meals to patients that assist in the healing process. Our clinical dietitians provide nutritious care for our patients. Our health care food service workers also provide various options for meal service for our staff and guests.

This week is also National Health Care Supply Chain Week. In short, the definition for Supply Chain Management is the management of the flow of goods and services. At Houston Methodist, our dedicated Supply Chain employees negotiate, contract, purchase, receive, inventory, count, deliver, and replenish goods to support our caregivers. They manage the Supply Chain system in MARS, facilitate the evaluation of new products, negotiate the purchase of capital equipment, contract for pharmaceuticals, and ensure compliance of contracts and services in support of all Houston Methodist departments.

During this first week of October, we also celebrate Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Week. They help see countless patients within the community for all modalities. The department consists of about 200 staff members. Click here to read about all those who are celebrating.

PATIENT COMPLIMENTS

Childbirth Center Patient: "Everything was wonderful. If I ever need future care, this hospital is the one I would choose and recommend to others."

Main 4 East Patient: "When I arrived at the hospital I was so sick. They diagnosed me with pancreatitis. I was treated so well. They encouraged me and kept my spirits up the whole time. Great place to heal. I've told all my friends and family about the excellent care I received. Thank you!"

Brazos 5 Patient: "All were very courteous: doctors, nurses and staff. I liked the response of 'my pleasure' whenever I said 'thank you'.

IMPORTANT DATES

Wednesday, Oct. 4 - Wednesday, Oct. 25: Employee Opinion Survey

Thursday, Oct. 5: DIY Class - Succulent Planting Class. More information.

Saturday, Oct. 7: Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. More information.

Saturday, Oct. 7: Family and Friends Photo Day. More information.

Wednesday, Oct. 18: I CARE in Action Volunteer Opportunity for HMSL. More information.

Thursday, Oct. 19: Women's Health & Wellness Event. More information.

Tuesday, Oct. 24: Town Hall meetings begin. More information.

Tuesday, Oct. 24: Where Healing Happens: Living Out Magnet. More information.

Tuesday, Oct. 31: Patient satisfaction bonus payout.

Thursday, Nov. 2: Deadline to comply with flu policy. More information.