May 11, 2020 | (14) Comments

As we do each year, Texas Children’s celebrated National Nurses Week from May 6-12 to recognize our nurses for their numerous successes, accomplishments and contributions to our patients and their profession.

With more than 3,700 nurses working across the system, our nurses go above and beyond to advance care and improve the experience and outcomes for our patients and their families. Their endless compassion, comfort and desire to help others can be seen and felt across the organization. Clutching the hands of a parent who received tough news about their child. Giving up family time during holidays and weekends to spend time with patients and families in the hospital. Calming a mother’s fear as she prepares to give birth to her first child. Regardless of the circumstances, our nurses leave a lasting impression on every patient they encounter, and they are the core of the experience patients and families have while in our care – even as we face new challenges.

Nurses Week is especially meaningful this year, as we celebrated and honored our nurses who have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even during this time of social distancing, our nurses continue to deliver the same level of care and compassion that our patients need to help them heal as they navigate their illness and the anxieties and uncertainties that come with combatting this historic and unprecedented global health situation.

During these difficult times, we can draw strength and resilience from our nurses. While the COVID-19 pandemic is changing constantly, our nurses are poised to handle such challenges that come their way and still return the next day or night to do it all over again with courage and perseverance. I appreciate their hard work and sacrifice.

In celebration of our nurses here and around the world, the World Health Organization named 2020 the Year of the Nurse. This tribute was inspired by the 200th birthday of pioneering nurse Florence Nightingale – the lady with the lamp who brought hope and comfort to wounded soldiers during her nightly rounds. Nursing professionals today carry the torch of a proud tradition and have become essential contributors to healthcare. Their skill, dedication and courage touch every community and countless lives, and make an inspiring difference every day.

Nurses are on the front lines of an incredible public health crisis right now, and our appreciation of their contributions is more important than ever – often, even simple words of gratitude make a tremendous difference. A few weeks ago, Natashia Bush, an assistant clinical director for the Emergency Center at our Medical Center Campus, described in her Voice of Nursing blog post how a child life specialist’s inspiring chalk art outside the EC brightened her day and how even the smallest acts of kindness go a long way, especially during times like these when we all need a little reassurance.

Aesop’s famous quote brings new meaning in today’s world – “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” As we adapt to difficult changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, we can do our part to encourage and lift each other up. Whether it’s sending a thank you note or giving a virtual hug for a job well done, I encourage everyone to take a moment to thank our nurses and each other – because everyone here at Texas Children’s is making a difference.

Because of you, we are sturdy, we are strong, and we are #OneAmazingTeam.

April 1, 2020 | (21) Comments

My wife Shannon brought this Brene Brown podcast to me, and we listened to it together over the weekend. I reclined on the couch while Shannon sat cross-legged on the floor, and we listened intently, nodding our heads in unison and agreement with the words we were hearing.

So many of you have reached out to me expressing your feelings of fear, worry and stress, and I want to share this podcast with you today, as it was exactly what I needed to power me through this week. I hope it will be impactful for you as well.

What we are enduring is not a sprint – this is a marathon without an end in sight. In order to get through this, we need to create a new normal for ourselves and each other based on the solid information we know is true. We must bring a calm to ourselves, find a release valve for our anxiety, and shift our mindset to withstand the emotions we are all coping with in our respective ways.

We must “fill in the gap” within our One Amazing Team so that we are here to support each other through this – I hope to be at 100 percent every day, but I know that is not realistic. So I will need you to fill in the gap when I’m at 50 percent. And, I will be there to fill in your gap when you are at 80 percent, 50 percent, or 40 percent.

I encourage you to listen to this, and share it with your families at home. It is a powerful practice that will strengthen our teams, our families, and ourselves.

March 12, 2020 | (2) Comments

With the emerging and quickly changing situation around COVID-19, I’m reminded that these are the times that show and strengthen the culture of leadership at Texas Children’s, and make us even more cohesive.

I understand the spread of the virus is unsettling to many of us, but please rest assured that the medical and administrative teams have been monitoring the outbreak since its early phase in Wuhan and we are taking every precaution to keep our patients, faculty and staff safe. The health and well-being of our local, regional, national and international community remain our highest priority.

As Mayor Sylvester Turner shared during yesterday’s press conference, our community’s reach is extensive, and it is difficult to close our borders. However, the shared goal of all leaders is to contain and mitigate the spread of the virus. I agree with the city’s decision to cancel current and upcoming events such as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo as it is the best way to keep our community safe.

Leading is not always easy, but in challenging times such as the one we are currently facing, it is our responsibility to make decisions that are in our shared best interest. Dr. David Persse, City of Houston Local Health Authority, could not have said it any better when he stated that if we are successful in containing this virus, it will be because of what we have done, not because it wasn’t necessary.

Whether you’re directing our daily response or making sure you are taking personal precautions – like practicing good hand hygiene – please know that your leadership at every level throughout our organization matters, and I am truly grateful for the work you’re doing to keep us all safe.

In addition to our One Amazing Team, I’m also grateful for the teams that surround us here in the Texas Medical Center. Texas Children’s is part of the largest and most resourceful medical center in the world, and we have some of the best and brightest medical experts in the country leading our collective response to this situation. All of the TMC institutions are sharing ideas, best practices, protocols, information and resources to support one another and, ultimately, help ensure a healthier community.

As the situation evolves, please continue to stay informed about Texas Children’s travel policies, visitation restrictions, vendor and volunteer guidelines, and large group meetings or events.  We have dedicated a page on our website and on Connect where information is regularly updated, and you will continue to receive global alerts from the teams leading this initiative including Dr. Jim Versalovic, interim Physician-in-Chief, Mark Mullarkey, Executive Vice President and Mary Jo Andre, Chief Nursing Officer.

In compliance with our current policies, I have made the decision to cancel my remaining film screenings of Dwelling in Possibility. I have enjoyed spending time with so many of you at those events, but the well-being of our patients, staff and employees is my number one priority at all times.  I look forward to rescheduling the screenings once we feel it is safe to lift these guidelines about large events.

While we weather the tides ahead, we must remain calm and focused. Texas Children’s, inclusive of our 106 locations across Texas as well as every one of our physicians and employees, is ready and prepared for what may come next. I understand we all have concerns, but I am confident in our ability to come together to keep Texas Children’s safe, just as we have always done.

March 2, 2020 | (73) Comments

Last week’s conviction of Harvey Weinstein marked a turning point in the #MeToo movement. As I read the news last Tuesday, I was fixated on the high stakes that would follow this jury’s decision. The significant media attention on this trial meant that the outcomes of the case would have a lasting impact on the how women’s voices are heard and respected, and how future cases are treated in the court of law—as well as in the court of public opinion.

Although there is still much work to be done, the guilty verdicts on two of the charges against Weinstein are evidence that the tide is continuing to shift in the treatment of survivors, and that we are beginning to shed light on perpetrators and calling them out on their reprehensible behavior.  The brave women who testified and refused to back down despite any backlash they received, did so because, for the first time, they felt supported and empowered by the millions of people holding them up.

The #MeToo movement was founded by sexual assault survivor and activist Tarana Burke in 2006 to raise awareness of sexual abuse and assault, and to help survivors heal. Ms. Burke intended for her social justice efforts to help remove the silent shame of survivors. What happened, though, was that #MeToo propelled a conversation that was long overdue, and put a spotlight on an issue that is shockingly common and devastating to its survivors, especially when they feel voiceless, alone or discredited. When it comes to sexual assault, victim blaming is rampant in our society. However, in cases of home break-ins, robberies or car accidents, it would be hard to imagine blaming the victim.

More than a decade later, #MeToo was reignited as revelations of sexual abuse, assault and harassment amassed in the film and media industries, politics and corporations around the world. When accusations involve powerful, well-known and seemingly respectable leaders, people often express ambiguity about right and wrong.

Let’s be clear: all people–women and men—deserve to feel safe. And more pointedly, all people deserve to feel safe, especially from sexual abuse, harassment and assault, in the workplace. All of us are responsible for creating that environment and holding each other accountable.

Here at Texas Children’s, regardless of job or title, everyone deserves to come to work or to receive care knowing that this is a safe environment where you will be respected, your personal boundaries will not be crossed, and you will be valued for your hard work and contributions. We have zero tolerance for sexual harassment – or harassment of any kind – in our workplace.

Texas Children’s inclusive and interactive culture thrives on teamwork and mutual respect. Our diverse perspectives, ideas, backgrounds and cultures are the best things about us. And my personal commitment to you is to do all I can to ensure a diverse, inclusive culture that is respectful and safe for every single one of you, every day.

Workplace Harassment Policy

Workplace Harassment Procedure