Week of May 1, 2023
Chris Siebenaler
CEO, Regional Executive Vice President
Thank you to everybody who joined us Friday for our 25th Anniversary celebration. It was wonderful to share this time together! Our system CEO, Dr. Marc Boom, reflected on our 25 year journey, remarking that our commitment to the I CARE values and our faith basis are what distinguishes Houston Methodist. More than 1,000 employees picked up the anniversary gift. If you were unable to pick up this special gift, don't worry! We're coordinating with your director or manager to pick them up and distribute the gift to you sometime this week.
But wait, there’s more! The fun continues this Saturday at Houston Methodist Family Fun Day. Then, the following Monday we'll start celebrating National Nurses Week and National Hospital Week. Watch out for next week's newsletter for those details. I can give you one small hint: tacos.
Finally, I want to thank each and every one of you for all you do to make a difference in the lives of the people we serve. Everybody, every day!
25th Anniversary Celebraton
Thank you to everyone who made it to our 25th Anniversary celebration Friday. The event was a huge success. It was nice to hear the stories from long-serving employees who have seen HMSL grow into what it is today. Here are some photos from the event. You can view more photos by clicking here.
Employee Parking Reminder
As Houston Methodist employees, we are committed to keeping our patients at the center of everything we do, which includes parking. Recently, however, we’ve received numerous complaints from patients having trouble finding parking. You are encouraged to park in one of three parking garages (Garage A - formerly known as Main Garage, Garage B - formerly known as MOB 4 Garage and Garage C - formerly known as Sweetwater Garage) highlighted on the map below. Employee parking is designated on the third floor and above in all garages. If you do park in a surface lot, please only park in the areas highlighted below. Our newest garage, Garage B, opened in March.
Did you know it takes just seven minutes to get from Garage B to MOB 3? We hope you take advantage of the new parking garage!
View of skywalk from Garage B on floor 2
From the skywalk, you'll access a skybridge in Garage A.
You will still take the skybridge to get to MOB 3
Parking in the new garage saves you time! Try It!
Family Fun Day Wristband Pickup
This week is your last chance to pick up wristbands for Houston Methodist Family Fun Day. If you registered, you received an email with pickup information. You can pick them up Monday, May 1 - Wednesday, May 3. You will need these wristbands to enter NRG on Saturday. Read more about the event here. Wristbands will not be sold at the gates. Gates open at 3:30 p.m. Disney Jr. Live On Tour is from 5-6:15 p.m. and Stevie Wonder performs from 8-9:30 p.m.
Symphony Family Concert Giveaway
The Houston Symphony is hosting Fairy Tales for Kids on Saturday, May 6 at 10 a.m. and we are excited to give away a family four (4) pack of tickets. The concert features musical selections from popular fairy tales and Disney movies in a symphony setting. Kid-friendly activities will also be offered before the concert. Houston Methodist is proud to be the Official Health Care Provider of the Houston Symphony. Click here to enter by Wednesday, May 3.
Managing Unconscious Bias
The Office of DEI is kicking off their Managing Unconscious Bias learning series for HMSL employees. Unconscious bias can have a detrimental impact on interactions between caregivers, their patients and co-workers. The goal of this learning series is to reduce bias in attitudes and behaviors at work. The in-person session is Thursday May 4, from 2-3 p.m. in Main AD Conference Room. Click here to register.
New Director of Endoscopy Services
Congratulations to Candy Salazar, MSN, RN, who has been promoted to Director of Endoscopy Services at HMSL. She has been with our hospital since 2015 as a Nurse Manager. In her new role, Candy will gain additional responsibility for the Endoscopy Ambulatory Surgery Center located in Medical Office Building 4. Read more about her promotion here.
Motherhood and Leadership
Please join the Moms of Methodist ERG for a chat with Roberta Schwartz, Houston Methodist's executive vice president and chief innovation officer, for a discussion about motherhood and leadership. Hear her advice on how she makes time for herself. The Zoom discussion will be May 4, from Noon-1 p.m. For more information, click here.
Three HMSL Employees Finish MS-150
HMSL is proud to recognize three employees who finished the MS-150 ride this past weekend. Ray Henson (left), Norma Lacroix (center) and Rommel Reyes (right) are true champions! The trio joined about 50 more riders from the Houston Methodist Hospital system to promote awareness, research and ultimate cure for Multiple Sclerosis. If you see them, congratulate them! Check out more pictures in Chris' Corner on Facebook.
Houston Methodist Employee Choir Shines at Astros Game
The Houston Methodist Employee Choir recently took the field at Minute Maid Park. About 50 employees from HMH, HMSL and HMB performed The Star Spangled Banner and O Canada at the Astros vs. Blue Jays game last month. There were 17 singers from HMSL. Watch their amazing performance below. To learn about the Center for Performing Arts Medicine, click here.
Our March of Dimes (MOD) fundraising campaign is in full swing. Remember, your department can still donate a basket to be raffled off. The deadline to turn those in is Wednesday, May 3. Please email Michelle Smith with a fun basket title, approximate value, list of items included, your department/unit name and the contact person to pick it up from and when. The baskets will be displayed on May 8 at the hospital and on Chris' Corner. You can still join us for the March for Babies the morning of Saturday, May 6 at Constellation Field.
Here's a preview of the fun baskets already submitted. More baskets to come!
- Movie Night – Medical Records/HIM
- Lottery $$ - Respiratory
- Wine and Picnic – Education Department
- Boredom Busters – NICU
- Casino – Labor & Delivery
This month, there are more than 20 health care celebrations honoring several departments across our hospital. May is Oncology Nursing Month. The oncology nursing specialty seeks to reduce the risks, incidence and burden of cancer by encouraging healthy lifestyles, promoting early detection, improving the management of cancer symptoms and side effects throughout the disease trajectory and leading the coordination of complex care needs. Thank you to all of those who work in Oncology and Infusion Services. Click here to read about others celebrating this month.
PATIENT COMPLIMENTS
Main 6 East Patient: "I felt all my nurses were friendly, very helpful, cautious & answered any questions I had. If you had to be in a hospital, Houston Methodist Sugar Land is the best."
Brazos MICU Discharge Patient: "We are blessed to have the excellent care of Methodist Hospital so close to home. Houston Methodist physicians are incredible and have saved my life once again. Thank you.
Main 6 West Patient: "I was so impressed by the communication of all the staff. Everyone on all levels of my care understood my needs and seemed genuinely concerned about my comfort and welfare. The entire staff was courteous and kind - from the doctors down to the food service. This stay was a pleasant experience that exceeded my expectations. I will definitely choose Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital again for care in the future."
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, May 1 - Wednesday, May 3: Wristband pickup for Family Fun Day. More information.
Saturday, May 6: Houston Methodist Family Fun Day. More information.
Saturday, May 6: March for Babies - Fort Bend Walk at Constellation Field. More information.
Saturday, May 6 - Friday, May 12: National Nurses Week
Sunday, May 7 - Saturday, May 13: National Hospital Week
Sunday, May 14: Mother's Day
Tuesday, May 16: Patient satisfaction bonus payout
Thursday, May 25: Payout for 100% PTO Sell
Monday, May 29: Memorial Day
Now Through Saturday, May 20: Comfort and Safety Open Discussion Course for Nurse Leaders. More information.
JUST FOR FUN DATES
Monday, May 1 - Wednesday May 3: vs. San Francisco Giants
Friday, May 5 - Sunday, May 7: @ Seattle Mariners
Tuesday, May 2 - Sunday, May 7: @ Albuquerque Isotopes
Friday, May 5: Tom Jones, Smart Financial Centre
Sunday, May 7: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, 713 Music Hall
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"When the week begins, think of how you will end it. Start your week with joy."
-Ernest Agyemang Yeboah