Week of September 30, 2024
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
This week, surveyors from DNV will be on campus to evaluate our Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC). As the only CSC in Fort Bend County, we take our responsibility to offer the highest level of stroke care seriously. Please recall the acronym B.E.F.A.S.T. to help you recognize the signs and symptoms of a possible stroke. Anyone who witnesses a patient, family member, or another employee with these symptoms, can activate a “CODE STROKE” by dialing 77777 from your desk phone.
I also want to remind you about several campaigns and to-dos for all employees – in the newsletter there is information about the United Way campaign, Pathway to Unparalleled and the flu vaccine campaign. Please make sure you are familiar with upcoming deadlines for all three.
This week, I’d like to tell you a touching story shared with me about Brazos 6. Some of you might have seen it on the CEO Corner page on Facebook, but is an extraordinary story of compassion and I was deeply moved.
“This past weekend, our unit on Brazos 6 had the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on a patient’s life. We admitted a young man suffering from nephrotic syndrome, who shared his challenging story of coming from Honduras without resources or money. After discussions with the doctor, he made the difficult decision to return home for treatment, but faced significant hurdles, including a lack of a passport, money and transportation. Understanding his predicament, our dedicated team sprang into action. We rallied together, contributing funds to provide him with 30 days' worth of medication and coupons. Additionally, we arranged an Uber to safely transport him to his friend’s house.
The following Monday, one of our colleagues and her husband went above and beyond by taking him to the Honduran Embassy, where he successfully obtained his passport. To ensure he could make the journey home, we organized additional fundraising efforts for his travel ticket. The staff also provided transportation to the airport. The gratitude expressed by this patient was heartwarming, and it’s a testament to the compassionate spirit of our team. We truly came together to support someone in need, exemplifying the core values of our unit. Thank you to everyone who played a role in this incredible act of kindness! With Love, Jennifer Sy, Brazos 6 Charge Nurse”
This level of commitment and kindness exemplifies the heart of our HMSL team and reminds us all of the powerful impact we can have on the lives of those we care for. I am incredible proud of the Brazos 6 team – of their selflessness, dedication and compassion. We all know care is not only at the bedside, and this is the prime example. The next time somebody asks me to share what I CARE values mean to me, this is the story I will share. Thank you to each and every one of you.
Have a great week,
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
October Town Hall Meetings
Mark your calendars for our final town hall meetings of the year. The HMSL Senior Leadership Team is inviting all employees to attend one session, starting Wednesday, October 23. Submit questions ahead of time by clicking here.
- 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!
2024 Culture of Safety Awards
The 2024 Culture of Safety Awards were announced last week and HMSL was recognized seven times for our commitment to quality and patient safety. Thank you to these individuals who went above and beyond for our patients. Congratulations to all of the winners!
Sugar Land Space Cowboys are Champions!
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys made history Saturday night, clinching their first-ever Triple-A Championship! This championship win comes just days after they secured their first Pacific Coast League title at Constellation Field. Before the postseason games, their mascot Orion stopped by HMSL to gear up for the fun. He stopped by Food & Nutrition, the OR and Case Management. Click here for more photos from Orion's visit. Congratulations to the Space Cowboys! Houston Methodist is proud to be the official health care provider for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys.
DIY Health Track Deadline Monday
The deadline to complete your DIY Health Track is today, September 30. As we wrap up Health Tracks, here’s what to expect. Any program completed in September will be submitted to Virgin Pulse no later than October 19. This date gives us the time to collect data and ensure all completed programs are submitted to Virgin Pulse. Health Track completions will be finalized in MARS by October 31. Review your final health track completion record in MARS under Benefit Details > HealthyDirections Rewards.
Wear Your Houston Astros Shirts Tuesday
This Tuesday, October 1, our Houston Astros will host the first game of the Wild Card series. You are encouraged to show your support by wearing Astros T-shirts or jerseys this Tuesday, pending approval from your manager. Houston Methodist is proud to be the official health care provider for the Houston Astros.
Opening This Week: Quick Eats
A new food option is opening up at HMSL this week and it's called Quick Eats. It features Amazon's checkout-free technology, Just Walk Out. Shoppers will be able to enter with a credit card, scan it upon arrival and then grab what they want. After that, shoppers Just Walk Out. At this time you will not be able to use your employee badge to pay. The store will be open 24/7. It opens on Tuesday and is located just outside the Garden Café. Enjoy!
United Way Campaign Continues
Our 2024 United Way campaign runs through Wednesday, October 2, and we need your help to reach our HMSL goal of $27,000. This year there are several ways you can give:
- Set up a payroll deduction through MARS. Under Voluntary Deductions, select United Way
- Give a one-time gift with a credit card on the United Way website
- Bid on items in the Houston Methodist silent auction, available now – Oct. 2
Support the Campaign via La Madeleine
On Wednesday, October 2, La Madeleine will give 20% of food sales back to United Way Greater Houston. Show the flyer (linked here) or simply mention the fundraiser to your server to have your sales counted toward the campaign.
United Way Challenge Fun
A big thank you to all who participated and donated to our United Way 5-Day Challenge. CNO Janet Leatherwood lead events including Latin Fusion, Hip Hop and Bollywood dance. And there was a hula hoop contest and a jump rope contest! Thank you for supporting a great cause!
Houston Texans Player Appearance
Mark your calendars! A Houston Texans player will be stopping by HMSL Tuesday, October 8 to take photos with staff. This event will be in Brazos AD from 11 a.m. - noon. Please note, due to time constraints, the player will not be signing autographs. Please bring your cell phone and we will take your picture! Click here for a helpful flyer. Houston Methodist is proud to be the official health care provider for the Houston Texans.
Register for PTU
Pathway to Unparalleled (PTU) sessions are now underway and continue through October. 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 Houston Methodist employees must comply with the annual influenza program by November 7. You can schedule your flu shot through the Employee Health Portal in MARS or text HM Employee Health to 45991 and complete the consent form.
Fall Education Fair
The Fall Education Fair is coming up on Monday, October 7. You are invited to stop by anytime in Brazos ABCD and F from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stations include: fall prevention, diabetes education, palliative care and much more. Click here for more information.
Employee Opinion Survey
The Employee Opinion Survey will run October 9-30. This year’s theme is “We’re Listening; Your Voice Matters.” You’ll receive an email with a link for the survey from Press Ganey on October 9. By participating, not only will you make your voice heard, but you’ll also get a chance to win exciting prizes! After completing the survey, you can opt in for a drawing to win prizes valued at $75 from our Amazon Storefront via BRAVO. One lucky participant will win a grand prize of $1,000 cash. For entities with an 85% participation rate, employees will also be eligible to win a Bose SoundLink Max portable speaker. Make sure to complete the survey and help shape the future of our organization!
"Say YES to the Breast" Event
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is just around the corner, and HSML wants to offer resources to our community to address breast cancer challenges. The Suburban Houston-Fort Bend Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is hosting 'Say Yes to the Breast: Crucial Conversations and Breast Care Resource Fair' on Saturday, October 5. The event will start at 10 a.m. in the Brazos Pavilion. Topics include early detection, diagnosis, treatment and caregiver support.
Career Development 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
The event is Wednesday, October 23 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Learn more and register today. Empower yourself with knowledge and move closer to achieving your career goals. We look forward to seeing you there!
Register for Diabetes Walk
This year’s Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes is Saturday, November 16, at Buffalo Bayou Park. Team Houston Methodist will participate, and this year we hope to have one large team representing all HM hospitals and entities. Please consider joining Team Houston Methodist by visiting the website and registering. Walkers raise awareness about diabetes and contribute to the fight to end this chronic disease. Thank you for making a difference in the diabetes community. Click here for more information.
Successful Mock Deployment of Red Emergency iPhones
Service Operations, in collaboration with HMSL facilities and emergency manager Dawn Wood, recently conducted a mock deployment of Red Emergency iPhones. These disaster recovery iPhones are pre-assigned to key leadership and staff to ensure reliable communication during emergencies, with the ability to switch between Wi-Fi, cellular and other networks if standard data or phone services are unavailable. The drill aimed to test the phones' functionality in emergency communication scenarios. This successful test underscores the readiness of the teams and technology in handling emergency situations effectively. Feedback from the exercise was overwhelmingly positive. Thank you to all who participated!
- “I loved the red phones! They were very easy to use.” - Betty Gonzales, director, nurse practitioners
- “It’s awesome to practice deploying emergency communications. It ensures we are prepared when an emergency happens.” - Paul Forbes, facilities director
- “The phones are working great in our areas and logging into Vocera Edge was super simple.” - Sarah Rodgers, patient access manager
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, September 30: Deadline to complete DIY Health Track.
Tuesday, October 1: Wear Houston Astros shirts
Tuesday, October 1 - Wednesday, October 2: Comprehensive Stroke Center survey. More information.
Wednesday, October 2: United Way Campaign ends
Saturday, October 5: Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. More information.
Monday, October 7: Last day to register to vote or to change your address
Monday, October 7: HMSL Fall Education Fair. More information.
Tuesday, October 8: Houston Texans Player Appearance. More information.
Wednesday, October 9: Employee Opinion Survey begins
Thursday, October 10: Women's Health & Wellness Event. More information.
Sunday, October 13: Houston Methodist Sugar Land Half Marathon. Register here.
Monday, October 14 - Friday, October 18: 2024 I CARE in Action Week. More information.
Monday, October 21: Early voting begins
Monday, October 21: 2024 CV Nursing Conference. Register here.
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
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
Saturday, November 16: Diabetes Walk. More information.
JUST FOR FUN DATES
Tuesday, October 1: vs. Detroit Tigers
(AL Wild Card Game 1)
Wednesday, October 2: vs. Detroit Tigers
(AL Wild Card Game 2)
Thursday, October 3: vs. Detroit Tigers
(AL Wild Card Game 3, if necessary)
Sunday, October 6: vs. Buffalo Bills
Friday, October 4: Disney Junior Live on Tour, Smart Financial Centre
Saturday, October 5: Wild N Out Live, Toyota Center
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying,
'I will try again tomorrow.'"
- Mary Anne Radmacher
Join The HMSL-CEO Corner Facebook Page
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