Cancer Survivors | Safety Measures | Stroke Care Milestone | Nurse Rescues Family from Ukraine | Antepartum Baby Shower | Pride Month
Week of June 6, 2022
Celebrating Cancer Survivors
During the month of June, we celebrate cancer survivors and their bravery in the face of a scary disease. Throughout the month of June, you will see the lights of HMSL lit up purple to honor them. The American Association of Cancer Research estimates there are 16.9 million Americans that identify as cancer survivors. On Friday, June 3, HMSL hosted the annual Cancer Survivors’ Day celebration. Nearly 200 people attended the event, hosted at the Houston Marriott Sugar Land. Thank you to all who made this event possible. For information about our cancer services, click here.
A Workplace Safety Message
There have been multiple violent attacks recently at hospitals in the United States. It is concerning to hear, especially after the tragedy that happened in Uvalde, just a few hours from our hospital. Houston Methodist has strong measures in place to protect all employees, physicians, patients and visitors. You can read a message about workplace safety from Dr. Marc Boom here.
Security Alert: Bank Jugging
HMSL security wants to make sure everyone is aware of a current criminal trend known as "bank jugging" that is rising in the Houston area. "Bank jugging" is when a suspect or suspects observe customers entering and exiting a bank or credit union using the drive-thru or accessing the ATM. The suspect(s) then follow the customers they believe are in possession of large amounts of cash and look for an opportunity to burglarize their vehicles or rob them directly.
Click here for tips to help prevent becoming a victim of this crime. HMSL is dedicated to the protection of all people and property on the hospital campus. Contact security at 281.274.7112 to report suspicious activity or concerns.
Newsletter Scavenger Hunt
This week is the final week for the Newsletter Scavenger Hunt. Somewhere in this newsletter is your last chance to enter. Have fun hunting and thank you to those who have participated!
New Graduate Nurse Cohort
The application for the fall cohort of graduate nurses is now open. It will close June 15. Click this link to share with those you think would be a good addition to the HMSL team.
HMSL Stroke Care Milestone
The HMSL Stroke Committee is pleased to announce that we have completed all service and process preparations to expand stroke care in the community. We are the only facility in Fort Bend County to provide the highest level of stroke care, including 24/7 neuroendovascular procedures and mechanical thrombectomies.
The team, led by Dr. Tsz Lau, Director of Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery, has already performed four thrombectomies for patients with acute stroke and will be pursing Comprehensive Stroke Center certification in the coming years. Congratulations and thank you to all who made this possible!
Antepartum Baby Shower
The Childbirth Center hosted a baby shower for one of their antepartum patients. The woman has been a patient for about six weeks and is expected to deliver on June 11. The staff brought the baby shower right to her bedside to celebrate the baby boy on the way. Thank you to everyone who made this possible and your commitment to unparalleled care.
Houston Methodist Nurse Rescues Family From Ukraine
An HMH nurse recently spent a month working to rescue her two young cousins from Ukraine. This incredible story first appeared in the HMH Employee Newsletter sent by CEO Roberta Schwartz, PhD, and you can read it here. It is inspiring and we felt compelled to share with the HMSL family.
Celebrating Pride Month
June is Pride Month, which commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City when police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in Greenwich Village. Read more about Pride Month's history and how Houston Methodist is celebrating.
DEI Meet and Greet
The Office of DEI will host an information table at the Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital on Tuesday, June 7 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in main atrium across from the Starbucks. Please stop by to learn more about our exciting initiatives, how you can get involved and provide feedback on how we can support your campus programs. For information, contact theofficeofdei@houstonmethodist.org.
Sweaty Summer Selfie Challenge
Employee Wellness is kicking off the Sweaty Summer Selfie Challenge throughout the month of June! Simply take a selfie after a workout in one of the Houston Methodist Fitness Center, submit it here once a week, and you can earn 500 points per photo. That’s a total of 2,500 points up for grabs towards your Health Track.
PATIENT COMPLIMENTS
From an Imaging Patient: "The CT folks were absolute perfection. It was an unpleasant procedure because of the liquid I had to drink. I have a tendency to throw that sort of thing up. They placed me in a dressing room across the hall from a bathroom, gave me warm blankets, and checked on me often. It really eased my anxiety. I dozed for much of the time I waited. The technologists were quick and efficient. Good job guys!"
From a PT/OT Patient: "Firstly, everyone goes out of their way too be helpful. Gigi, my therapist, is excellent. Very informative, works with my pain, listens to me and answers all my questions. Everyone makes you feel they are concerned for you. I would recommend to anyone."
From a 4 Main West Patient: "The ER staff was the 'bomb.' They treated me like a friend, they were very friendly and caring."
IMPORTANT DATES
Tuesday, June 7: Skin Cancer 101: Prevention in Action. 2,000 Virgin Pulse points available. Click here for registration information.
Wednesday, June 8: Bioethics Grand Rounds: Genetically Modified Humans? Join at Noon via Zoom.
Thursday, June 9: Celebrating Pride Month. Join the LGBTQ+ Allies ERG via livestream with music, interactive art, and more. Join at Noon via YouTube.
Friday, June 10: Evidence Based-Practice and Quality Improvement Workshop. This workshop is critical for RNs planning to apply for RN III. However, the workshop is open to all HMSL employees and requires manager approval to attend. More information here.
JUST FOR FUN DATES
Monday, June 6 - Wednesday, June 8, vs Miami Marlins
Friday June 10 - Sunday, June 12, vs Miami Marlins
Tuesday, June 7 - Thursday June 9, @ Oklahoma City Dodgers
Friday, June 10 - Sunday, June 12, vs Las Vegas Aviators
Friday, June 10: Machine Gun Kelly, Toyota Center
Friday, June 10: Cheer Live 2022, Smart Financial Centre
Tuesday, June 14: Backstreet Boys, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Never follow anyone else’s path.
Unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost and you see a path.
Then by all means follow that path."
- Ellen DeGeneres