Week of March 3, 2025
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
Bear with me, everyone - last week was one of the busiest since I started at HMSL! Between our DNV Survey, I CARE Recharge Week and EOS results, there's a lot to unpack.
Congratulations to our entire campus for another successful DNV reaccreditation survey. Last week, eight surveyors spent three days evaluating our hospital, and I'm proud to share we fixed all issues from last year. While they did find new opportunities for improvement, I know our teams are already working on those areas.
A huge thank you to our Quality team, leaders and all of you for welcoming the surveyors to your areas. It brings me great pride when outside experts see firsthand the dedication and passion that make our hospital such a special place. Two standout compliments: surveyors repeatedly praised our hospital’s cleanliness (be sure to thank EVS!), and one was so impressed by Jose, an endo tech, that she assumed he’d been here for 20 years—when in fact, it’s been just one! That kind of passion speaks volumes about our culture.
That leads me to our Employee Opinion Survey (EOS) results. We had an incredible 90% participation rate. At the end of January, Dr. Boom shared the systemwide EOS results, highlighting many areas where we excel. Now I want to focus on what you shared about Sugar Land:
- "It is a workplace where you can feel like you are with family."
- "Honestly working for Houston Methodist has always kept me smiling. From the people I work with to the people at the top"."
- "I like how Houston Methodist takes care of their employees in every way possible, mentally, spiritually, financially, etc."
These responses affirm what I already know: our employees feel engaged and connected to their work. At the same time, we recognize areas for growth: strengthening leadership relationships, improving communication between units and enhancing safety resources. Our executive leadership team is diving deeper into these results to drive meaningful change. Your voice matters.
Thank you all for everything you do!
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
I CARE Recharge Week Wrap
Last week we wrapped up I CARE Recharge Week 2025 with a huge celebration in the Brazos courtyard. We're glad so many of you were able to enjoy the fun as we all reflected on our I CARE values. Thank you to all the units for your hard work and creativity on your display boards. This year's winners are listed below. Also, a special thank you to our Spiritual Care & Values Integration Team for organizing the celebration!
First Place: Integrity: Med Surg Sweetwater 3
First Place - Accountability: IV Therapy
First Place - Excellence: Food and Nutrition Services
First Place - Compassion: Spiritual Care
First Place - Respect: Emergency Services
Honorable Mention: Wound Care
HM Office 365 Apps Restricted on Personal Devices
Starting tomorrow, March 4, to access HM Office 365 (e.g., Outlook (HM email), Teams, PowerPoint, Excel and OneDrive documents) on your personal computer/laptop/MacBook, you must go to the office.com website, and sign in using your HM credentials. You can no longer access this information from apps installed on your personal device — you must go to the Microsoft Office website. This helps to improve security and keep our HM data and systems safe.
Ash Wednesday at HMSL
Houston Methodist wishes you a meaningful Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Christian Lenten season. It lasts six weeks and is a time for many to prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance and moderation. Chaplains will be available throughout the day to offer ashes. They will also be rounding on the clinical units. Click here for the schedule.
2025 Nurses Week Awards
The Houston Methodist 2025 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.
Also, the 2025 Nurse Champion Award will be awarded to a non-nurse who promotes the nursing profession throughout the hospital and in the community. The nursing champion works to build a community alliance by promoting, supporting and advancing nursing endeavors. Click here to submit your nominations. The deadline is this Friday, March 7.
Celebrating Go Texan Day
Thank you to everyone who participated in Go Texan Day last week. We loved seeing the western wear, especially all of the boots! Also thank you to everyone who came out and enjoyed equine therapy. Mikey and Goliath from Reigning Strength Therapeutic Horsemanship enjoyed all of the pets and cuddles. We hope their visit provided the mental health break you needed on a Friday.
Mobile Food Ordering Option
Don't forget about the mobile ordering and pick up option at the Garden Café! All you have to do to save time and skip the line is go to myEATzapp.com. First, select HMSL for the location. Then, select the Garden Café to order your food and select your pick-up time. The pick up shelf is by the beverage cooler. Mobile ordering is available weekdays from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. at the grille and 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the deli. On weekends, mobile ordering is available from 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the grille only.
Employees Who Have HM-Provided Mobile Devices
If you have an HM-provided mobile device, upgrade requests will not be fulfilled at this time. This includes any requests that have already been submitted. In an effort to keep HM more secure, IT is working with our vendor to get the latest iPhone versions. We'll reach out to you when this is negotiated and you are eligible to receive an updated device. This doesn’t include lost/broken/stolen devices or those for new hires.
IT Support Delays
From March 11 to March 31, responses to non-urgent IT requests and new initiatives may be delayed as our IT teams focus on supporting the opening of Houston Methodist Cypress (HMCY). Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work towards a successful launch.
Houston Methodist to Add $110 Million to DCP
Houston Methodist will make its annual contributions to the Defined Contribution Plan (DCP) for all eligible employee accounts at Fidelity on Thursday, March 20. The entire contribution to employees totals $110 million. This year, your personalized retirement statement will be emailed, and the interactive brochure will have some features that help employees understand the potential value of their retirement income.
Houston Methodist Awards $10 million through Community Benefits Grant Program
Houston Methodist recently awarded $10 million in community grants to 30 local nonprofit organizations through the Community Benefits Grant Program. In 2025, the agencies receiving grant support will help more than 59,000 individuals in the Greater Houston area gain access to critical health care services, including those right here in our community.
One of these organizations is Access Health, a federally qualified health center that provides primary care, specialty care, dental, vision, behavioral health and social services along with pharmacy and lab/diagnostic testing for uninsured and underinsured patients in Fort Bend County. Houston Methodist grant funding will provide access to patient care and mental and behavioral health services through salary support for providers at Access Health. Click here to learn more about the recipients, the grants and their impact.
National Mentoring Month:
Mentors Honored and Event Recording Available
The Career Development Program celebrated National Mentoring Month with activities throughout January, including a panel discussion from seasoned mentors across the system on “Career Advice I Would Give My Younger Self.” View the recording on the Career Events page. Employees also wrote in to tell us how mentoring had positively impacted them. A big thank you to everyone who honored their mentors with a BRAVO card or special note to let them know how much they are appreciated. See who made the list of mentors receiving special recognition this year on our new Mentor Recognition page. Make sure to also visit Career Central so you can explore all the career tools, resources and programs that Houston Methodist offers to help drive your career forward within our organization.
CULTURE & ENGAGEMENT CORNER
Poll: Learn More About HM ERGs
Did you know that Houston Methodist employee resource groups (ERGs) have more than 3,400 members systemwide? CLICK HERE or scan the QR code to complete the quick poll by Friday, Mar. 14.
March Observances
Women’s History Month
Greek American Heritage Month
Irish American Heritage Month
National Disability Employment Month
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
International Women’s Day: Mar. 8
LGBTQ Health Week: Mar. 17 – 21
Neurodiversity Celebration Week: Mar. 17 – 23
Elimination of Racial Discrimination Day: Mar. 21
Interfaith Holidays
Ramadan: Mar. 1 – Mar. 30
Ash Wednesday: Mar. 5
Purim: Mar. 13 – 14
Holi: Mar. 13
Naw Ruz: Mar. 20
Eid al-Fitr: Mar. 31
Lent: Mar. 5 – April 22
Is there a heritage month or day you would like for others to learn more about? Please let us know. Contact cultureandengagement@houstonmethodist.org.
IMPORTANT DATES
Wednesday, March 5: Ash Wednesday. More information.
Friday, March 7: Deadline for nominations for 2025 Nurses Week Awards. More information.
Sunday, March 9: Daylight saving time begins
Monday, March 17: Houston Methodist Cypress' Grand Opening
Thursday, March 20: DCP Payout
Friday, April 18: Good Friday
Thursday, May 8: 2025 IMAGINE Nurse Quality and Innovation Symposium. More information.
Saturday, May 10: Houston Methodist Family Fun Day
JUST FOR FUN DATES
Monday, March 3: @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Tuesday, March 4: @ Indiana Pacers
Thursday, March 6: @ New Orleans Pelicans
Saturday, March 8: vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Monday, March 3: @ Miami Marlins
Wednesday, March 5: vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Thursday, March 6: @ New York Mets
Friday, March 7: @ St. Louis Cardinals
Saturday, March 8: vs. New York Yankees
Sunday, March 9: vs. Miami Marlins
Tuesday, March 4: Reba McEntire
Wednesday, March 5: Riley Green
Thursday, March 6: AJR
Friday, March 7: Bun B's Birthday Bonanza
Saturday, March 8: Bailey Zimmerman
Sunday, March 9: Carin León
Saturday, March 8: Blippi, Smart Financial Centre
Sunday, March 9: Dancing with the Stars, Smart Financial Centre
Sunday, March 9: Matt Rife, Toyota Center
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"Always believe that something wonderful is about to happen."
-Sukhraj S. Dhillon
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.