Week of June 24, 2024
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
Believe it or not, summer is officially here. As we embrace these sweltering temperatures, I want to touch on two crucial aspects of our physical and mental health.
First, COVID-19 numbers are once again increasing. I urge each of you to continue prioritizing your health. By taking care of ourselves, we are able to take care of those who depend on us – our patients and our coworkers. Click here to read the Houston Methodist COVID-19 update from Executive Vice President Roberta Schwartz, which includes our policy if you test positive.
Second, our well-being includes taking time to rest and recharge. I encourage everyone to take advantage of your well-deserved vacation days. Whether its reconnecting with family, visiting friends or catching up on your favorite shows at home, it’s important to take time for you.
Also – don’t forget our virtual Houston Methodist Career Week 2024 kicks off today. With the theme "Building Your Career Momentum," attendees can participate in several sessions curated by our HR leaders on enhancing your professional reputation, expanding your support network and preparing for your next role. You can find more information below.
Thank you for your dedication to our hospital and community. Let’s make it an awesome summer.
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
HMSL Campus Moves
As our hospital campus continues to grow, several practices are relocating. If you encounter a patient who is lost, please direct them to an information desk for a campus map. You can also view our campus map here. We'll continue to share practice moves in this weekly newsletter.
MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING 4
- Houston Methodist Neurology Associates and Houston Methodist Department of Neurosurgery are both moving to MOB 4, Suite 500
- Houston Methodist Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Associates - MOB 4, Suite 225 (Dr. Elias will continue to also see patients at HMOSM)
- Houston Methodist ENT Specialists - MOB 4, Suite 400.
- Houston Methodist Primary Care Group - MOB 4, Suite 600
- Houston Methodist Oncology Partners - MOB 4, Suite 325
- Houston Methodist Rheumatology Associates - MOB 4, Suite 300
- Houston Methodist Gastroenterology Associates - MOB 4, Suite 110
MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING 2
- Houston Methodist Endocrinology Associates - MOB 2, Suite 461
HMSL Nurse Scientist Nationally Recognized
Deltra Muoki, a nurse scientist at HMSL, is being recognized on the national level. She is one of only eight members across the country who were just appointed to the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses' (AMSN) Digital Content Committee. She will be sourcing and reviewing information for a new digital content platform, which provides an opportunity to share the work of our nursing leaders and frontline staff in medical-surgical nursing. For more information on Deltra's new role, click here. Congratulations Deltra, and thank you for representing HMSL!
Last Day: Employees Helping Employees Giving Campaign
Today is the last day for our annual Employees Helping Employees campaign. This campaign seeks to raise funds for Houston Methodist employees experiencing unexpected financial hardship. If you would like to donate to help your co-workers during the EHE campaign, give online or to make a payroll deduction, go to MARS > Payroll and Compensation > Voluntary Deductions > Add Voluntary Deduction. For more information on this year’s EHE campaign and to explore frequently asked questions, click here.
Drive Your Career Forward with Career Week
Shift your career into high gear with Career Week 2024 (June 24-28). This year's theme is Building Your Career Momentum. Attendees can look forward to driving their career forward with sessions devoted to building your professional reputation, building your support network for growth and building readiness for your next role. In daily online sessions, hear colleagues share their path to internal career growth, get advice from system experts, and learn about the tools and resources available to help steer your continued development. Each entity will also offer career pitstop programming for local employees. Explore how you can get your career momentum rolling by visiting our Career Week 2024 site or texting CareerWeek2024 to 45991.
How to be an Ally to LGBTQIA+ Community
LifeMatters, our employee assistance program provider, is offering a free webinar on How to Be an Ally to the LGBTQIA+ Community from 12-12:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 26. This session will help you define what it means to be an ally and describe challenges the LGBTQIA+ community faces.
- Join the training session.
- Enter your name and email address
- Enter the session password: pxJzGjh5D82
- Click Join Now and follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
To join by phone only: Join the training session. To receive a call back, provide your phone number when you join the training session, or call 844.621.3956 and enter the access code 2660 346 4917.
2024 Houston Pride Parade
Houston Methodist employees are invited to participate in the 46th Annual Houston Pride Parade through downtown Houston. It will be Saturday, June 29 at 6 p.m. Houston Methodist is a sponsor of this year’s parade. For more information, email: communitybenefits@houstonmethodist.org.
HMSL Juneteenth Celebration
Thank you to those of you who joined in HMSL's Juneteenth celebration. About 30 people participated in the Music History Watch Party. If you are interested in the Black Ties for Culture ERG, click here.
5S Journey - SHINE Phase
The SHINE phase in our 5S Journey is wrapping up. This third phase, SHINE, is meant to give our workplaces a fresh start and set a standard we can continuously work toward. Make it clean, keep it clean. Click here to learn more about the SHINE phase.
10,000 for the Troops: Thanking Our Service Men and Women
Houston Methodist Sugar Land is participating in an initiative headed by 100.3 The Bull and Grammy's Cookie Convoy to honor our troops. The goal is to collect 10,000 thank-you cards by June 25 for our brave service men and women around the globe and provide these notes to our troops along with a cookie on July 4. HMSL is hoping to collect 500 cards! If you would like to pick up a card to write an encouraging note, please contact Mother/Baby Nurse Manager Amber Ross or stop by the third floor of the Childbirth Center in Sweetwater Pavilion.
Coffee Talk: Setting Boundaries
How would you rate your ability to set boundaries? Whether it's on social media, personal or work relationships, or managing your work/life balance - setting boundaries is something we all need. Mark your calendars for Coffee Talk (formerly known as Resilience Rounds) on Friday, July 12 from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. in Brazos BC or join on Teams. Click here for more information.
Narration of Care Program
Attention all RNs and PCAs: the 'Narration of Care' program is designed for you. The program provides best practices on how to effectively apply narration of care principles for an unparalleled patient and family experience. There is a 10-minute video module in LMS. The second is an in-person open discussion. Click here for more information and to register.
Scholarship Opportunities
Applications are now open for both nursing and non-nursing scholarships. We want you to have the opportunity to pursue further education and training. The eligibility requirements are the same:
- Be employed with HMSL for at least 6 months
- Be accepted into an accredited program related to your desired profession
- Have a 3.0 GPA or higher
- Be in good standing with your department/unit
The deadline to apply for both scholarships is July 19. Part-time students can receive up to $6,000 and full-time students up to $12,000 in scholarship funds for the school year.
HMSL in the Media
Oncology Nurse Navigator Joan Burnham was interviewed for an article in MedPage Today, answering questions about a new clinical trial focused on using electronic cigarettes and varenicline for smoking cessation. Click here to read the article titled: Vaping, Chantix Show Similar Benefit for Quitting Cigarettes, in the Short Term. Thank you Joan for representing HMSL!
Ask IT Walk-Up Station
The new Ask IT support station is now up and running in the Sweetwater Pavilion (near HR). This provides you with another convenient way to get support when you need it. If you have IT equipment or application issues or questions, simply stop by for help anytime between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Ask IT can help you with:
- Network or application access
- Password and multifactor authentication (MFA) updates
- Application support
- Workstations, laptops, printers (and associated accessories)
- Mobile phones
- Account support
- General inquiries
- And more!
No question is too big or too small! If the Ask IT team can’t resolve your issue, they’ll connect you with someone who can. IT is committed to serving you, so you can focus on what matters most, our patients.
Quality Time Newsletter with Dr. Shlomit Schaal
Check out the June issue of Quality Time newsletter with Dr. Shlomit Schaal by clicking here.
June is National Safety Month. Preventable injuries, known as “accidents”, are the fourth leading cause of U.S. deaths. While safety is important year-round, June highlights the efforts to prevent injury and death in the workplace and at home. Click here to read about others raising awareness or celebrating this month.
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, June 24: Career Week begins. More information.
Saturday, June 29: Houston Pride Parade sponsored by Houston Methodist
Sunday, June 30: Agreement submission deadline for employees who telecommute
Monday, July 1: New PTO accrual limit begins
Thursday, July 4: Independence Day holiday
Friday, July 5: Deadline for staff to complete self-evaluations
Friday, July 12: Coffee Talk: Setting Boundaries. More information.
Sunday, July 14: Disruptive/Violent Flag scheduled to go live. More information.
Friday, July 19: Deadline to apply for 2024 HMSL Nursing Scholarship. More information.
Friday, July 19: Deadline to apply for 2024 HMSL Non-Nursing Scholarship. More information.
Tuesday, August 6: Patient satisfaction bonus payout
Friday, August 23: Deadline to complete bariatric sensitivity module in LMS
JUST FOR FUN DATES
Tuesday, June 25 - Wednesday, June 26: vs. Colorado Rockies
Friday, June 28 - Sunday, June 30: @ New York Mets
Tuesday, June 25 - Sunday, June 30: vs. Tacoma Rainiers
Monday, June 24: Copa America Colombia vs. Paraguay 2024, NRG Stadium
Friday, June 28: Gilberto Santa Rosa, Smart Financial Centre
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"Courage is very important. Like a muscle, it is strengthened by use."
- Ruth Gordon
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.