Week of September 23, 2024
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
Is it just me or does it feel like September is flying by? I know this is such a busy time for many of you, especially with everything happening at the hospital right now. Between PTU, flu shots and United Way, I know work life is jammed pack. But I want to ask you to specifically make time for our upcoming town hall meetings. There will be four different sessions available, so please register for one that works for you. This is a great opportunity to engage with senior leadership and get updates on important initiatives. Click here for a helpful flyer. Here are the dates for town hall:
- Wednesday, October 23 (7:30 - 8:30 a.m. | Brazos ABCD)
- Wednesday, October 23 (9 -10 a.m. | Brazos ABCD)
- Thursday, October 24 (11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Brazos ABCD)
- Thursday, October 31 (2 - 3 p.m. | Virtual)
Town hall meetings are also an opportunity to get your questions answered. Submit your questions to OfficeofMichaelGarcia@houstonmethodist.org by Friday, October 4. I look forward to seeing you all next month!
I also wanted to extend another congratulations to all of you for our Vizient rankings. In Dr. Boom's president's letter, he announced all seven of Houston Methodist's acute care hospitals were again recognized as top performers in the annual Bernard A. Birnbaum, MD, Quality Leadership Ranking by Vizient. HMSL was ranked No. 4 out of 204 hospitals in the Complex Care Medical Centers cohort. This wouldn't be possible without your dedication to providing unparalleled care to our patients.
Have a great week!
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
2024 Vizient Awards
Congratulations to all Houston Methodist entities who celebrated at the Vizient annual conference, which gathers health care leaders nationwide to share insights on advancing patient care. Pictured above is our HMSL team being honored. More pictures from the conference are below. Thank you to those who represented HMSL! Click here to read more about this year's rankings.
Sugar Land Space Cowboys Ticket Winners
Thank you to everybody who entered our postseason ticket giveaway for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. The team is headed to the Pacific Coast League Championship Series this week and three HMSL employees will be there. The mascot Orion helped us choose the winners and a big congratulations to Meghan Thibeaux, Riaellen Tatlonghari and Sonia Orozco! Houston Methodist is proud to be the official health care provider for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys.
United Way Campaign Continues
Our 2024 United Way campaign is officially underway and runs through Wednesday, October 2. Our goal for Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is to raise $27,000, and we need your help to do it! 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
- Join our United Way 5-Day Challenge this week
Silent Auction Highlight - Female Goldendoodle Puppy
There are so many amazing auction items this year, including a female Goldendoodle puppy, generously donated by Tammy Babcock in respiratory care. This little girl is a light apricot color and will be 35-45 lbs. when fully grown. Friendly and sociable, Goldendoodles make excellent family companions and are hypoallergenic. They are active dogs who are great with children and other pets. Click here for more information. Our senior leaders approve of the puppy cuddles! Good luck bidding!
United Way 5-Day Challenge
Join us for a week of fun and fitness while supporting a great cause! All events, except jump roping, will be held in Brazos Conference Rooms BC around 11:30 a.m. (time may vary due to leadership huddles). The jump rope event will be in the Brazos Courtyard. Participate and make a donation!
- Monday, September 23 - Latin Fusion Dance
- Tuesday, September 24 - Hip Hop Dance
- Wednesday, September 25 - Hula Hoop Contest
- Thursday, September 26 - Jump Ripe, Brazos Courtyard
- Friday, September 27 - Bollywood Dance
Support the Campaign via Red Robin
On Friday, September 27, Red Robin 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.
Coffee Talk: Setting Boundaries
How would you rate your ability to set boundaries? Whether it's on social media, personal or work relationships, or managing your work/life balance - setting boundaries is something we all need. Mark your calendars for Coffee Talk (formerly known as Resilience Rounds) on Friday, September 27 from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. in Brazos BC or join on Teams. Click here for more information.
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.
Say YES to Breast
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is just around the corner, and HSML wants to offer resources to our community to address breast cancer challenges. We are partnering with Suburban Houston-Fort Bend Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority to host '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!
2024 Walk to End Alzheimer's
The 2024 Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's is Saturday, October 26 at Brazos River Park. Alzheimer's Disease and dementia are growing problems. All funds raised further the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association. Click here to register or donate.
Personal Chrome Browsers Removed from HM Devices
On Tuesday, September 24, for better security, HM will no longer allow you to maintain a separate (personal) Chrome browser on any HM device (Mac/Windows/IGEL/VDI.). All personal Chrome browsers on HM devices will be removed. This means that any passwords and favorites/bookmarks saved to these browsers will also be removed.
If you have a personal Chrome profile stored on an HM device and want to save your passwords and favorites/bookmarks, you can follow these steps to import them into Microsoft Edge. To ensure this information is transferred over, be sure to do this before the September 24 deadline.
myHR Portal Has Fresh New Look
The myHR portal has a fresh new look and gives you the links you need all the time right up front. Although we will be introducing the new digital workplace called The Hub toward the end of this year, we will keep our myHR portal, so take some time to familiarize yourself with the new look.
New Web-Based Platform for Volunteer Services
Houston Methodist’s seven community hospital locations have been working together all year on a new web-based platform for volunteers which will go live today, September 23. The new platform will allow volunteers to sign in from their cell phone, update their profile, see messages and receive other pertinent information as it comes out from the hospital. Volunteers will also have access to log hours online as long as they are connected to hospital Wi-Fi from a computer, phone or a tablet. Volunteers will have to create an account to use the new platform. But, volunteers can continue to use the badge ID by using the kiosk computer at Sweetwater Pavilion or at Medical Office Building 3 to log service hours, even after this feature goes live. Volunteers will receive an email about this new option called VSys Live and how to create an account. If there are any questions, please reach out to HR.
Thanks again to all of our volunteers for all you do for Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. You make a difference, and we appreciate your service!
Introducing the Office of Sustainability Newsletter
From left to right:
Maria E. Smith, BSN, RN, NE-BC, CAPA
Manager, OPC 19 AOD
Karen Edwards, MBA, BSN, RN, CSSM, CNOR
Nursing Director
Main 3 & Dunn 6 Perioperative Services
Miguel V. Lumaque MHA/MBA, BSN, RN, CCRN, NE-BC
Manager, OPC 19 PACU
Quality Time Newsletter with Dr. Shlomit Schaal
Check out the September issue of Quality Time newsletter with Dr. Shlomit Schaal by clicking here.
PATIENT COMPLIMENTS
Cardiovascular Patient: "Huge Thank you to Dr. Apoor Patel and the incredible cardiovascular team at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital! You all took such amazing care of me during my ablation procedure. Feeling grateful for your expertise, kindness and healing hands. I'm at home resting up and feeling grateful for a healthy heart and loving family."
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, September 23 - Friday, September 27: United Way 5-Day Challenge. More information.
Friday, September 27: Coffee Talk. More information.
Monday, September 30: Deadline to complete DIY Health Track.
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.
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.
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.
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: Comprehensive Neuroscience Seminar. More information.
Saturday, November 16: Diabetes Walk
JUST FOR FUN DATES
Monday, September 23 - Wednesday, September 25: vs. Seattle Mariners
Friday, September 27 - Sunday, September 29: @ Cleveland Guardians
Tuesday, September 24 - Thursday, September 26*: vs. Reno Aces (PCL Championship Games)
*Thursday game if necessary
Sunday, September 29: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday, September 29: Sesame Street Live - Say Hello, Smart Financial Centre
Saturday, September 28: Sam Houston vs. Texas State, NRG Stadium
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it."
- Margaret Thatcher
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.