Week of November 14, 2022
Performance Excellence: Kaizens Make a Difference
As you have become more familiar with Performance Excellence, you've likely heard of a Kaizen event. The term refers to continuous improvements that involves employees at all levels and departments. Recently, the EVS team completed a Kaizen that has saved time and money, as well as helped speed up the implementation of the PARx materials tracking system. Please read this interview with EVS Lead Paula Govain about this Kaizen and see the incredible before-and-after photos.
Next week, we'll share another Kaizen story in which a team was able to cut down average medication distribution times for nurses by nearly 10 minutes.
Paul Forbes Promoted to Director of Facilities
Paul Forbes has been promoted to Director of Facilities at HMSL. Paul came to HMSL in 2017 as Manager of Facilities and has brought a wealth of knowledge and experience that was pivotal as we navigated through the ever-changing needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his new role, Paul will continue to coordinate the day-to-day operations for Facilities at HMSL and will be the primary contact for all space requests and construction activities at the campus. You can read more about his career and promotion by clicking here. Please join in sending him a warm congratulations!
Final Week: Thanks and Giving
This is the last week to collect items to donate to Magnet’s Thanks and Giving campaign. The group is collecting items for Moving Waters, a mobile shower unit to serve the unhoused in the greater Houston area. Items must be turned in by Saturday, Nov. 19. Click here for details.
United Way Campaign
Our United Way Campaign continues this week. You can stop by the table across from Main Starbucks today, Monday, Nov. 14 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and receive fun HMSL-branded items in exchange for donations. If you cannot make it out, click here to learn how to set up a payroll deduction donation in MARS.
International Fashion Parade
The International Employee Fashion Parade is Thursday, Nov. 17. Employees from across the hospital will show off their cities and countries of origin with beautiful and creative attire. It will be held in the Brazos Courtyard from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please join us for this fun event!
HMSL Holiday Party
Reservations for the 2022 HMSL Holiday Party have reached capacity. If you would like to be waitlisted, please email Caryn Goode and you will be contacted if space becomes available. Thank you to everyone who reserved a spot. We look forward to celebrating!
Rainbow Room Adopt-a-Child
A reminder that you can sponsor a child's Christmas list this year through Rainbow Room, which supports children in the care of Texas Department of Family Protective Services. Simply fill out this form to be matched with a list. We will host a drop-off and “stuff the truck” event with all of your donations on Dec. 9. Stay tuned! Click here for FAQ.
Survivor's Holiday Fashion Show
Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center at Sugar Land recently sponsored a fashion show at Dillard's at First Colony Mall. The theme was "Our Survivors Never Walk Alone" and featured six models, who were all survivors and caregivers. Thank you to the wonderful Oncology Services team for making this happen and to Betty Gonzales, Director of the NP program, for emceeing.
November is Native
American Heritage Month
The movement to establish November as Native American Heritage Month began in 1915 as an effort to recognize the contributions of Native Americans to the growth of the U.S.
Rev. Sherman Coolidge, an Arapahoe who served as the president of the American Indian
Association, issued a proclamation in 1915 that declared the second Saturday in May as “American Indian Day.” The year before this proclamation, Red Fox James, a Blackfoot, rode horseback across the U.S. to raise support for a day to honor Native Americans. New York became the first state to recognize American Indian Day in 1916. While many states designated recognition days in the decades that followed, President George H.W. Bush signed a resolution in 1990 establishing November as National American Indian Heritage Month.
Convenience Corner: Houston Museum of Natural Science Discount
We are excited to announce a special offer ahead of the holidays. Houston Museum of Natural Science Sugar Land is offering year-long memberships for 15% off for HMSL employees. This wonderful local museum is great for all ages. The membership allows you access to the Sugar Land location as well as the main location in Houston’s museum district. Here is how it works:
Membership purchases must be done at the Sugar Land location.
Discount is available on any level of membership, including the various family levels.
Employees must show their ID when purchasing.
While this offer is only good for HMSL employees, you are free to gift the membership to whomever you please.
This discount is good through Dec. 31, 2022.
We hope you take advantage of this great deal and are able to cross one more item off your gift list this year. If you have any questions, please email Eleanor Holmes.
It's Nurse Practitioner Week! This week we celebrate their commitment to patients along the health care journey. If you see one of our NP’s this week, give them a shout out! You can read more about them and others celebrating this month by clicking here.
Pandemic and Outbreak Resources
COVID-19 Pandemic
As local COVID-19 numbers continue to stabilize, we are moving to system-wide reporting of case numbers in the e-newsletter. Click here for the latest statistics.
Monkeypox Outbreak
Click here to see the Clinical Resource Guide for clinical guidance on the response to the monkeypox outbreak.
PATIENT COMPLIMENTS
Main ED Patient: "Our nurse and doctor were absolutely wonderful. They were both so knowledgeable and helped us with our concerns."
OR Patient: "Nurse George Roy was incredibly pleasant and gentle. Very professional. Nurse Princy was amazing. So helpful, and attentive to all my needs with the discomfort that I was experiencing."
Main 4 East Patient: "The Unit Clerk Ms. Adelina Rovillos was fantastic. Really all the staff was great but Ms. Rovillos went above and beyond to retrieve, save, and return my phone charger to me AFTER I was discharged from the hospital. Truly outstanding. So is my surgeon Dr. Melissa Crosby; she is professional, available, communicates calmly and clearly and shows true compassion. Again, truly outstanding."
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, November 14: World Diabetes Day Fair. More information here.
Tuesday, November 15: PALS Classes. Education Conference Room. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. More information here.
Thursday, November 17: Bring your donation for Magnet's Thanks-and-Giving to the Clinical Education office. More information here.
Thursday, November 24: Thanksgiving Day
JUST FOR FUN DATES
Monday, Nov. 14: vs Los Angeles Clippers
Wednesday, Nov. 16: @ Dallas Mavericks
Friday, Nov. 18: vs Indiana Pacers
Sunday, Nov. 20: vs Golden State Warriors
Sunday, Nov. 20: vs Washington Commanders
Monday, Nov. 14: Intocable, Arena Theatre
Friday, Nov. 18: Sinatra Under the Stars, POST Houston
Now - Nov. 20: Six: The Musical, Hobby Center
JOKE OF THE WEEK
Why did the turkey cross the road? He wanted people to think he was a chicken.