Week of October 21, 2024
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
This week, we are excited to kick off our Town Hall meetings, and I want to personally encourage each of you to attend. These meetings are a critical part of our effort to stay connected with all staff. Your participation is more than just attendance – it’s about being actively involved in shaping the future of our hospital – a future I know is bright.
We’ll share challenges, successes and ideas to help us grow stronger. These meetings are designed to be open and collaborative, and an opportunity for you to engage directly with me and the senior leadership team.
Another way to help us continue fostering a culture of excellence is to participate in our annual Employee Opinion Survey. We want to hear your thoughts, feedback and ideas on how we can make our hospital an even better place to work. Your voice matters and we are committed to taking action based on your feedback. You can find the link from Press Ganey below, plus more information on prizes for participating.
I also want to recognize several departments who are celebrating this week as we honor National Health Care Quality Week, National Pharmacy Week, Medical Assistant Week, National Health Care Facilities and Engineering Week, National Respiratory Care Week and National Spiritual Care Week. Thank you all for your commitment and dedication to making our hospital the best place for both patients and staff.
Finally, I want to thank those of you who took part in I CARE in Action Week with me last week. We partnered with Rebuilding Together Houston to paint a home in our community. I am honored to serve alongside each of you every day, whether in the hospital or out in our community.
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
October Town Hall Meetings
The time is finally here. Town Hall meetings kick off this week. The HMSL Senior Leadership Team is inviting all employees to attend one session, starting Wednesday, October 23.
- Wednesday, October 23: 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. | Brazos Conference Center
- Wednesday, October 23: 9 - 10 a.m. | Brazos Conference Center
- Thursday, October 24: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Brazos Conference Center
- Tuesday, October 31: 2 - 3 p.m. | Virtual
To sign up, click here and select "My Learning." In the "Find Learning" tab search for course number 1658167, select "assign to me" and then "register now." Click here for a helpful flyer. We look forward to seeing you!
Employee Opinion Survey
The 2024 Employee Opinion Survey continues through October 30. Please take 5-10 minutes to complete the survey and enter to win a prize! There are prizes at both the system level and local level. This is a link to the survey. There are prizes. Systemwide you could win: $75 to use in an Amazon storefront, $1,000 cash and Bose SoundLink Max portable speaker
We'll also have local prizes at HMSL, including a Houston Astros Jose Altuve cup and jersey (while supplies last). In order to be entered into the HMSL giveaways, you need to print out the last page in the survey (the completion page), write your employee ID and name on it and then put it in the box in front of HR.
TAPS and Workplace Violence to Transition to Press Ganey High-Reliability Platform (HRP)
Houston Methodist Sugar Land will go-live on November 4 for our new event reporting platform. This transition will impact all Houston Methodist employees who submit Patient Safety (TAPS) and Workplace Violence events.
Employees are encouraged to complete the new Event Reporting Training (TAPS/Workplace Violence) #1607031 course in LMS here. Completing the LMS course will ensure staff are prepared to use the new platform, including efficient event entry, improved communication, and data transparency. Staff are encouraged to complete the course.
Join us in Teams for office hours — a series of dedicated Q&A sessions for all Houston Methodist employees who submit Patient Safety (TAPS) and Workplace Violence events. View the office hours flyer for dates and times here. If you have questions regarding the new platform, please contact your quality/patient safety team members. Additionally, you may reach out to systempatientsafety@houstonmethodist.org
New Rheumatologist Joins HMSL
HMSL is welcoming a new rheumatologist to our campus. Dr. Ruba Memon is a part of Houston Methodist Rheumatology Associates and is now accepting new patients. Her clinical interests include inflammatory muscle disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma. If you see Dr. Memon in the halls, please welcome her to HMSL.
HMSL Occupational Therapist Published
One of HMSL's occupational therapists is celebrating - she was just published in a textbook for the first time. Carrie Siemers, MS, OTR, BCPR, is featured in 'Occupational Therapy in Acute Care: 3rd Edition'. Her chapter is titled "Safe Patient Handling Techniques". This mother of two said she didn't realize the amount of time writing would take. The entire process took about three years! If you see Carrie in the halls, tell her congratulations and job well done!
40th Daisy Award Winner
Main ICU Nurse Sarah Angelo is the 40th HMSL recipient of the DAISY Award. She was nominated by more than one patient for her extraordinary care. Sarah was surprised by her team in the Main ICU, who celebrated her along with senior leadership, her family and other hospital leaders. She was selected out of 105 nurses and received two nominations for her extraordinary care. DAISY Award honorees personify our I CARE values. These nurses consistently demonstrate excellence through their clinical expertise and compassionate care. Read the patient nominations here. Congratulations Sarah!
I CARE in Action Week 2024
This year's I CARE in Action Day was a huge success for HMSL. Volunteers supported Rebuilding Together Houston. Their mission is to repair homes, revitalize communities and rebuild lives. Our volunteers grabbed paintbrushes and helped give a local home a makeover. Thank you to everyone who participated. Visit houstonmethodist.org/icare and select Individual Opportunities to select your next volunteering project!
Our Pearland PCG/SPG, Sugar Land PCG and OBGYN PO leadership team also participated in I CARE in Action week. They volunteered at Project C.U.R.E., the world's largest distributor of donated medical supplies, equipment and services to doctors and nurses serving the sick and dying in more than 135 countries. The leadership team sorted, stocked and shipped medical supplies for them. The supplies sorted and packed will travel to the Live Love Clinic and the ABC Community Clinic in Malawi, Africa. Great job to all the volunteers!
Career Minded Webinar Event in October - Sign Up Today
Do you find yourself wondering if getting a certificate or formal degree (or an additional one) is the key to advancing your career at Houston Methodist? Whether you're looking for ways to excel in your current role, considering how to move into a role with greater responsibilities or even considering a career shift, our event will help inform your next steps. This unique, mobile-friendly, virtual open house experience will help attendees:
• Determine when more training or education is necessary for career growth
• Explore the variety of internal and external educational options and support to help them realize their career goals
Wednesday, October 23 | 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Neuroscience Grand Rounds
Neuroscience Grand Rounds are scheduled for this Wednesday, October 23 at noon on Teams. Dr. James Ling, Director of Inpatient Neurology and Transitions of Care at HMSL, will lead the course on Wernicke’s Encephalopathy. For more information or to receive the Teams invite, email Maureen Lall or call 281.274.7982.
Walk and Support
This Saturday, October 26, you can walk and save a life! The American Heart Association's 2024 Heart Walk is taking place at TMC Helix Park. The 2024 Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's is at Brazos River Park. Both walks start at 9 a.m., with an 8 a.m. check in. Click the buttons below for more information on how to join the HMSL teams.
2024 Fall International Fashion Show
Are you ready for the 2024 Fall International DEI Fashion Show? The deadline to sign up is Wednesday, October 30. This year, we’re raising the stakes with prizes for the top three performances. Winners will receive trophies your unit can proudly display. Let’s celebrate diversity, creativity, and fun—encourage your team to strut their stuff and represent! Click here to sign up for your chance to take home the trophy.
Rainbow Room Holiday Toy Drive
‘Tis the season to spread holiday cheer to children in Fort Bend County. HMSL will be supporting Fort Bend Rainbow Room again this year by adopting holiday wish lists for children. These children are in the care of Texas Department of Family Services due to abuse or neglect. Please consider helping make their season bright by requesting a wish list. You can submit your request via this link as an individual or as a group (department, friends, etc.). Sign ups will be open until Friday, November 1 at 5 p.m. and we will not have any extra lists to assign if you miss the deadline. We estimate that you will have your child and list assigned to you on or around Wednesday, November 13 with a drop off date of Friday, Dec 6. Our goal this year is to adopt 125 lists and we can’t do it without you! Questions? Email Eleanor Banks.
Early Voting Now Underway
Houston Methodist supports the rights of all employees to vote. Early voting begins today, October 21 and ends November 1 in Texas. Click on our Election Resource Guide to find out where to vote in your area.
Political opinions and conversations can be contentious, so remember your I CARE values. All members of the Houston Methodist family are deserving of compassion and respect, regardless of their political views.
Register for PTU
This is the last week to register for Pathway to Unparalleled (PTU) sessions. All employees are strongly encouraged to attend and to register as soon as possible. The sessions are 90-minutes. Click here to register for a session before October 25.
Flu Campaign
The flu vaccine campaign runs through November 7. All HM employees must comply with the annual influenza program by November 7. Schedule your flu shot through the Employee Health Portal in MARS or text HM Employee Health to 45991 and complete the consent form.
Compressed Gas Tank Safety is Everyone's Responsibility
Below is a quick reminder of how to safely and properly store compressed gas in areas throughout the hospital. If you find an unsecure compressed gas tank in any area of the hospital, please immediately take the compressed gas cylinder to any tank storage area. These tank storage areas can be found on each inpatient unit, as well as designated outpatient areas such as the Emergency Department, Radiology, Cath Lab, Infusion Center, Heart Center and other areas with approved tank racks.
October is a busy month for department celebrations and awareness months. This week marks National Health Care Quality Week, National Pharmacy Week, Medical Assistant Week, National Health Care Facilities and Engineering Week, National Respiratory Care Week and Spiritual Care Week.
National Pharmacy Week is a time to recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions pharmacists and technicians make to patient care. For more information on what HMSL is doing for Pharmacy Week click here.
In celebration of Healthcare Quality Week, the quality department invites you to attend an educational session focusing on safety for employees and patients. Learn how we are prioritizing innovation, best practices in health care and much more. For more information click here.
This year's theme for National Spiritual Care Week is "Spiritual Care: Chaplains Beyond Religious Roles." Many people picture chaplains praying, providing sacred texts, leading worship services or providing spiritual guidance. While chaplains do all those things, they also help with advance directives, crisis intervention, grief and bereavement support, mediation, and simply being a supportive presence or an emotional comforter when patients or employees feel like they have no one to turn to.
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, October 21: Early voting begins
Monday, October 21: 2024 CV Nursing Conference. Register here.
Monday, October 21-25: Pharmacy Week. More information.
Monday, October 21-25: Healthcare Quality Week. More information.
Wednesday, October 23: Q4 Town Hall Meetings. More information.
Wednesday, October 23: Career Minded Webinar Series. More information.
Wednesday, October 23: Deadline to request medical or religious exception to flu vaccine
Wednesday, October 23: Neuroscience Grand Rounds
Thursday, October 24: Q4 Town Hall Meeting. More information.
Saturday, October 26: 2024 Houston Heart Walk. More information.
Saturday, October 26: Walk to End Alzheimer's. More information.
Wednesday, October 30: Deadline to sign up for HMSL Fashion Runway 2024. More information.
Wednesday, October 30: Employee Opinion Survey ends
Thursday, October 31: Q4 Town Hall Meeting. More information.
Thursday, November 1: Last day of early voting
Tuesday, November 5: Election Day
Thursday, November 7: Deadline to comply with flu vaccine policy
Thursday, November 7: Wound Care Open House. More information.
Thursday, November 7: Comprehensive Neuroscience Seminar. More information.
Wednesday, November 13: Patient satisfaction bonus payout
Thursday, November 14: Open Enrollment begins
Saturday, November 16: Diabetes Walk. More information.
Thursday, November 28: Thanksgiving
Friday, December 6: Open enrollment ends
Saturday, December 14: Last day to use 2024 DEI personal Day hours
JUST FOR FUN DATES
Sunday, October 27: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Wednesday, October 23: vs. Charlotte Hornets
Friday, October 25: vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Saturday, October 26: @ San Antonio Spurs
Saturday, October 26: Jay Wheeler, Smart Financial Centre
Sunday, October 27: Sabrina Carpenter, Toyota Center
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"Think of many things; do one."
- Portuguese proverb
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.