Many of you have asked how I feel, how I’m doing, how it’s going – and my answer as I begin my third week here at Sugar Land is I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. I’m pretty sure I’ve met more than half the staff now – whether it be while rounding, the CEO meet & greets or the town hall meeting. It's been amazing to hear how excited you all are about the future. For those of you who were unable to attend my first town hall, click here to read a transcription of my presentation and the Q&A portion of the meeting. I’m looking forward to seeing you all in April for our next town hall meeting. If we haven’t been able to shake hands, there are two more meet and greet opportunities. Come down for a quick chat in Brazos Conference Rooms AD.

• Wednesday, Feb. 20 | 10-11 a.m.
• Wednesday, Feb. 21 | 7:30-8:30 a.m. (added session)

I’m really focusing my time right now learning about the people who care for our community. Please stop me in the halls if we cross paths. You can also click here to email me a question, a message or to provide feedback.

There is also some great news to share this week. Houston Methodist was just ranked in the top 10 of Forbes Best Large Employers list – for the second year in a row! We ranked seventh this year. You can click here to learn more. I’ve always been proud to work for a such a wonderful organization, and national recognition like this reminds me that you all love your work too. I know we are privileged to be able to call our co-workers ‘family and friends’ because that isn’t the case for every company. So, thank you for coming to work and giving your all to our patients and to each other.

If you’ve seen the news recently, it’s been difficult to digest the shootings both here at home and across the country. I want to take a moment to acknowledge the fact that your safety and the safety of our patients is my top priority. While you might not hear about it daily, please know there are several members of our team monitoring vulnerabilities and assessing the needs of our staff. I do want to ask all of you for your help with something that most of us  learned in school: see something, say something. It can make a difference.

Finally, as many of you know, February is American Heart Month. Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans. If you see somebody who works in our cardiology department, or somebody who supports cardiovascular health, stop them and say thank you. Let’s celebrate their hard work.

Enjoy your week,

Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land

Annual Hand Hygiene Bonus

Eligible employees will receive the hand hygiene bonus on Wednesday, Feb. 21. View the amount for your entity. Employees must have been employed by Aug. 14, 2023, and have continued working in an eligible position through Nov. 17, 2023, to be eligible. You also must be an active employee on the date of the payout. 

Fresh Sushi at HMSL

We're excited to roll out a delicious new option at the Garden Cafe - sushi! On Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, you'll be able to buy flavorful sushi rolls, made fresh daily. The sushi will be at the grab & go section.

Show Your Texas Pride on Go Texan Day

It’s almost time for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and Houston Methodist will observe Go Texan Day on Friday, Feb. 23. You can wear work-appropriate Western clothing to show off your Texas pride. Attire may include boots and neat jeans (with no tears, fraying or excessive embroidery).

HMSL 2024 Nurses Week Awards

The Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital 2024 Nurses Week Awards will be awarded to nurses who represent the highest qualities in nursing. Prospective candidates for these awards strive to advance the nursing profession throughout the hospital and local community and also seek excellence through fostering accountability, demonstrating, leadership, promoting collegiality, and participating in continuous learning.

Serving the Fort Bend community with education and access to cancer care is at the heart of the HMSL Community Ambassador Program. As an ambassador, you’ll be equipped with the information and resources to connect the people you know or meet with the Neal Cancer Center in their time of need.

To read more about the program and sign up, click here — or visit the tables in front of Main Starbucks on Wednesday, Feb. 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to chat with an ambassador about the program. Interested staff must attend an orientation on April 15. The deadline to sign up is March 15.