Week of May 20, 2024
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
I hope this newsletter finds you and your loved ones safe after the recent storm that has impacted our area. I know this has been a challenging time for many of you, and I want to extend my deepest gratitude for making sure our patients received the best care possible. Whether you are out of power or are in the middle of clean up - my thoughts are with you and your families. If you suffered damage, please consider applying for assistance through the Houston Methodist Employees Helping Employees program. More information on the program is detailed below in the newsletter.
While I know it's not the end I wanted for Hospital Week or Nurses Week, I do hope that you felt our gratitude for all that you do for this hospital, our patients and each other. I truly enjoyed celebrating you all. Also, a special thanks to all the folks behind the scenes who planned and executed all of the fun events.
This week I also want to highlight the importance of patient experience. A few weeks ago, we wrapped up Patient Experience Week. Dr. Boom's April President's Letter focused on the patient's perspective. While I know we all want to provide the very best care for our patients, sometimes it's the smallest efforts that make the biggest impact. I want to share a short story that Dr. Boom shared with me. Pamela Clark is an infusion nurse here at HMSL and she took the time to highlight one of her co-workers.
Yesterday, one of our every 8-week patients arrived at 1300 for a 2+ hour infusion. She's 87 years old and has three grandchildren living with her. Angela Lewis, our PCA, weighed her and noticed that she had lost 10 lbs. since her last visit 8 weeks ago. The patient asked if she could get something to eat because she hadn't eaten all day. She also mentioned that she had just given her granddaughter her last $5. Even though it was after 1300, Angela called the cafeteria and ordered some food for her and Angel, our Scheduler, went to the cafeteria and brought the food up for the patient. She really enjoyed the hamburger and fries and took home what she couldn't eat.
As Dr. Boom said - we all have a profound impact on our patients' experiences. Thank you Angela for your attention to detail, thank you Angel for helping grab the food and thank you Pamela, for recognizing when our employees go above and beyond. This is why I truly love working here at Sugar Land. Thank you once again for your hard work and dedication. It is an honor to work alongside such an exceptional team.
Michael Garcia
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Methodist Sugar Land
Financial Help Available for Employees with Storm Damage
Last week, the storm that swept through the area damaged many cars and homes. If you suffered a financial loss from the storm, you can apply for help through the Houston Methodist Employees Helping Employees program.
Employees may be approved for grants of $1,000 or less. Click here to apply for a financial grant. Responses to applications will be sent to your preferred email address within five business days. You can expect to receive the Employees Helping Employees financial grant funds within seven to 10 business days if approved.
If you would like to donate to help your co-workers during this time, go to MARS > Payroll and Compensation > Voluntary Deductions > Add Voluntary Deduction.
Hospital Week Events
We hope you enjoyed all the festivities we had for Hospital Week! Thank you again to our incredible staff!
March For Babies
Congratulations to everyone who participated in the Fort Bend March of Dimes walk over the weekend. The HMSL team has currently raised $6,875. This success wouldn't have been possible without our MOD Committee Members and all the departments who donated a raffle basket. Click here for a big shout out! There is still an opportunity to get a 2024 walk shirt. Click here to contact Michelle Smith for the donation link and delivery information.
HMSL on TV
ICU Medical Director Dr. Kabir Rezvankhoo appeared on KPRC's Houston Life LIVE show last week after making some new furry friends. He was leaving work a few weeks ago (right before his MS150 ride) and found two stray dogs. Turns out both were pregnant and he ended up with 13 puppies, for a grand total of 15 dogs. Dr. Rezvankhoo joined a rep from the Houston Humane Society to talk about fostering and adopting pets and the need in our community. Thank you Dr. Rezvankhoo for representing HMSL! To watch the full segment, click here.
Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month
The Asian Heritage employee resource group (ERG) hosts the Living and Learning in Asia virtual discussion from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday, May 20. May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. For a link to the event and more information, contact asianheritage@houstonmethodist.org.
Astros Salute to Nursing
Congratulations to Glenda Perez who was honored at a Houston Astros Game last week. Glenda was recently named the HMSL Outstanding Nurse Clinician winner. Three Houston Methodist hospitals each had a nurse honored on the field as the team highlighted the important work of our nurses. Glenda, pictured here with Chief Nursing Officer Janet Leatherwood, was also given a bat with her name on it! Way to go Glenda!
Free Space Cowboys Tickets for Nurses
In honor of Nurses Appreciation Night presented by Houston Methodist, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys are offering free tickets to their game against the Round Rock Express at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, at Constellation Field. You must use your official Houston Methodist email address to unlock the deal. Tickets for your friends and family are $13 to $19 each. Learn more. Houston Methodist is proud to be the official health care provider for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys.
Stroke Awareness Booth
This Wednesday, May 22, stop by the stroke awareness booth in the Main Pavilion, across from the Starbucks, and earn 500 points. Join Wellness, the Neuroscience & Spine Center and the American Heart Association from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. as they share information on stroke awareness. Learn how to recognize risk factors and the signs and symptoms of a stroke with BEFAST.
Veterans Alliance ERG Honors Memorial Day
The Veterans Alliance ERG will have a Memorial Day Table display at each hospital, as well as JRB and Greenbriar from May 21 – May 28. A bowl of red poppy flower pins will be available for anyone to take. Wearing a red poppy flower or poppy flower pin symbolizes remembrance for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
May is National Military Appreciation Month (NMAM). The designation was established in 1999 to recognize the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, including spouses and children of current service members and veterans.
Cereal Drive
The HMSL Gives Back drive for the second quarter is upon us! Our partners at East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry need help stocking their shelves with cereal for the summer. This helps feed children who lose access to free meals at school over the break. You can donate as an individual, as a department or both!
We encourage you to share photos on CEO Corner as you prepare for our drop off event on Friday, June 6 — you shopping, your department’s stash, someone’s full trunk. We want to see your enthusiasm for this! Our goal is 200 items donated. Click here for a helpful flyer. Thank you in advance!
Excellence in Nursing Awards
Nominations for the Good Samaritan Foundation 2024 Excellence in Nursing Awards are now open. Please take a moment to nominate your incredible colleagues. You can use previous award nominations such as Daisy, Houston Chronicle, or Nurse Week Awards to name a few. If you need help submitting a nomination, email Magnet Director Whitney Adams. Once you write your nomination please send Whitney a copy for our awards database. The deadline for nominations is May 31. Click here for more information.
Registration Open: YMCA Summer Day Camp
Houston Methodist employees can get a discount of $50 per week for summer day camp at area YMCA locations. The camps are available for kids ages 5 to 15 years, and camps are open from 7 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. You must show your Houston Methodist badge to be eligible for the discount. The discount does not include the $45 registration fee. Learn more. Note: You may need to use Chrome as your web browser to access the flyer with the camp locations.
Lung Cancer Awareness
This year, HMSL is focusing on lung nodule screening services and early detection initiatives. Lung cancer is the top cause of cancer death in the US. By catching lung cancer cases earlier, we can improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.
Lung cancer symptoms include: cough (frequently with blood), chest pain, wheezing and weight loss. These symptoms generally appear late when the cancer is advanced. Since symptoms occur late, it is better to screen for high-risk individuals as earlier diagnosis may lead to earlier treatment and perhaps better outcomes. Click here to see criteria for those who should be screened.
Prescribing Nature to Improve Your Patients' Health
Houston Methodist hosted Dr. Jason Maddock, Director of the Center for Health and Nature, on May 6. Dr. Maddock, who serves as Regent Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health at Texas A&M University, presented “Prescribing Nature to Improve Your Patients Health” which focused on the relationship between quantity and quality of time spent in nature, the effects of nature on human health and how to motivate patients to spend time in nature. Dr. Maddock discussed the benefits of just 30 minutes in nature which includes decreased blood pressure, stress, and depression, as well as resources available to physicians to start prescribing nature to patients. The Houston Methodist Office of Sustainability looks forward to continuing this partnership with the Center for Health and Nature to drive research to study the impact of nature on health. Click here to watch Dr. Maddock’s presentation.
The Center for Health & Nature is a collaboration between Houston Methodist, Texan by Nature and Texas A&M University with the goal to drive research to study the impact of nature on health with evidence-based programs that complement the full continuum of health care: prevention, treatment and recovery. This year the Center for Health and Nature plans to focus on the Parks Rx program at Houston Methodist and across the greater Houston region to develop evidence-based, medically sound methods for patients to connect with nature.
Quality Time Newsletter with Dr. Shlomit Schaal
Check out the May issue of Quality Time newsletter with Dr. Shlomit Schaal by clicking here.
This week there are several areas celebrating. It is Healthcare Documentation Integrity (Medical Records) Week, Healthcare Technology Management Week and National EMS Week.
Healthcare Technology Week promotes awareness and appreciation for the critical work of our professionals who maintain the vast assortment of health technology in our organization. These individuals must keep up with the ever-advancing complexity of medical equipment operation and applications and are responsible for the care, safety, and accuracy of this equipment. They are an invaluable resource ensuring the safety of our patients and staff. Click here to read about others raising awareness or celebrating this month.
IMPORTANT DATES
Tuesday, May 21: Staff FPR in-services available in LMS
Tuesday, May 21: Nurse Appreciation Night at Space Cowboys game
Sunday, May 26: Houston Methodist Employee Choir performs at Sugar Land Space Cowboys game
Monday, May 27: Memorial Day holiday
Tuesday, May 28: Performance documents available for self-evaluation for staff FPR
Friday, May 31: Nomination deadline for The Good Samaritan Foundation 2024 Excellence in Nursing Awards. More information.
Friday, May 31: Cancer Survivors Day Celebration
Saturday, June 1: Atlantic hurricane season begins
Friday, June 7: Cereal Drive Drop off. More information.
JUST FOR FUN DATES
Monday, May 20 - Wednesday, May 22: vs. Los Angeles Angels
Friday, May 24 - Sunday, May 26: @ Oakland Athletics
Tuesday, May 21 - Sunday, May 26: vs. Round Rock Express
Thursday, May 23: Melanie Martinez, Toyota Center
Friday, May 24: Leo Dan, Smart Financial Centre
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.”
- Melody Beattie
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.