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This message to you is likely going to be the most special and, in many ways, bittersweet communication I’ve ever shared with you. Each and every one of you knows just how much I love Texas Children’s and value all of our people. I’ve lived and breathed Texas Children’s for over three decades and even before I was appointed President & CEO in 1989, I had a longstanding connection to this incredible organization. Some may call it a coincidence, but I believe this wonderful place was my divine destiny.

I have always known that I was meant to be at Texas Children’s — to watch it grow from one building to many and to lead our One Amazing Team through triumphs and tribulations. When I began my journey, we had 1,400 employees and today we are more than 20,000 strong. How amazing! There is no doubt in my mind that I was destined to spend my life at this phenomenal, beautiful and one-of-a-kind organization.

I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on when my last day would be since announcing the search for a new President last year. I knew back then that my final chapter was beginning and I’m so happy with how everything has fallen into place. And as it always does, destiny continues to guide the way.

As many of you know, my first day at Texas Children’s was October 4, 1989, and today I’m announcing that my last day will be on October 4, 2024. I can’t think of any better way to celebrate my 35th anniversary than to mark another important milestone on the day that started it all.

My heart is and will forever remain deeply tied to Texas Children’s, the amazing work we do, and the remarkable people I’ve met along the way. I am so proud of what we have built together — a place where patients and families receive not only world-class care but also genuine compassion and support. Each of you contributes to this every single day, and I am endlessly grateful for that.

I also want to take a moment to thank the Texas Children’s Board of Trustees for their support, advocacy, encouragement and faith in me for these past three decades — it has truly been an honor to serve under their leadership.

Throughout my thirty-five-year history, I’ve witnessed countless moments of strength, teamwork and resilience. I’ve seen miracles occur and extraordinary breakthroughs take place — we have celebrated achievements, faced challenges and always emerged stronger, together.

I will fondly carry with me all the memories of our shared successes and the warmth of the incredible relationships I’ve built here. Twenty-three years ago, I met my beautiful wife, Shannon, here at Texas Children’s and I can’t begin to count the thousands of heartwarming interactions and experiences I’ve had here that have shaped my character, compassion and outlook on life. Every moment at Texas Children’s has made me who I am today and for that, I am eternally thankful.

As I embark on my next chapter — one filled with more time with Shannon and my family, friends and perhaps even a few new adventures — I leave with a full heart and deep appreciation for each and every one of you. I know that Texas Children’s will only get better and better in the years to come and I will always be cheering you on from wherever life takes me.

I leave you in the best of hands with Debbie Sukin who is fully supported by the executive and medical staff leadership teams. I’ve said before that Debbie coming to Texas Children’s was also meant to be and I am confident that she will continue to lead, exemplify and build upon the core values Texas Children’s has always been known for.

To my One Amazing Team, thank you for the immense honor of leading this exceptional organization for 35 glorious years. Texas Children’s and all of you have truly filled my life with joy. Together, we have made a real difference in the lives of countless patients and families, and I am beyond blessed and fortunate to have worked alongside all of you.

In the coming years, I know that you will continue to innovate, heal, inspire and lead because that’s who you are. As I like to say, everyone is a leader! Please keep up the amazing work, and know that all of you and Texas Children’s will forever be in my heart.

For the last time as your CEO —

All my best,

Over the summer, I had the immense privilege of visiting with a few members of the Texas Children’s Auxiliary Board. We had a lot of laughs going down memory lane, but the purpose of the meeting was truly bittersweet for us all. After 70 monumental years of serving Texas Children’s and our patient families, the Auxiliary has decided to retire the program.

When I arrived at Texas Children’s in 1989, the Auxiliary was already a staple of our legacy. They began their journey with us in 1954 when we opened our doors and from that moment on, they remained an essential part of who we are as an organization. While the Auxiliary’s role in the hospital has transformed over the years, their purpose and goal to support Texas Children’s, our staff and the community we serve has always remained the same.

There have been countless unforgettable milestones for the Auxiliary — from their very first snack bar that was located near the main lobby of the original hospital building, to their toy and gift shops, to supporting the fellowship — the Auxiliary was always incredible at not only thinking outside the box, but remaining one step ahead on how they could better support our patients and their families.

When you take a step back and look at how much they’ve grown since those very first days, it’s truly an incredible story. It’s awe-inspiring to know that this amazing group knew our founders — they worked alongside them to create the foundation we’re built upon. If there’s one thing I know to be true, it’s that Jim Abercrombie and Leopold Meyer would be so proud of the Auxiliary today.

Over the last seven decades, fundraising and advocacy have played a large part of the Auxiliary’s mission, but there was always so much more to them. Their warm smiles greeted visitors and cheered up sick patients and their gifted hands rocked our tiniest babies. In fact, I fondly remember a time many years ago when I was walking the halls of the hospital and I saw Sharon Thompson, who has been with the Auxiliary since 1996, peacefully singing to one of our babies. It was such a beautiful moment that I decided to join her and sing along. Sharon and I got to reminisce on this memory last week and I’m so grateful to have experienced moments like these with the Auxiliary during my time here.

One of the strongest sentiments the Auxiliary Board shared with me during our meeting was that just because the Auxiliary is retiring, doesn’t mean they are retiring from volunteering. They will still be just as involved as ever and will continue to play an integral role throughout Texas Children’s.

As I reflected on our rich history together and prepared to put my thoughts on paper for this blog, there was one Auxiliary member who came to mind — Elaine Kuper. Elaine was a Charter Member of the Auxiliary and spent 61 extraordinary years volunteering at Texas Children’s before she passed away last year at the age of 100. She spent more than half her life here, and even retiring in 2015, she still found ways to support us when she could. Her life of service is exactly why our Volunteer Services Office is dedicated in her honor.

Although the Auxiliary Program may be coming to a close, I assure you that its legacy is not. Not only will the spirit of the Auxiliary live on in every part of the hospital and in every person they’ve impacted, but it will soon be memorialized permanently at our Texas Medical Center Campus. Because we know how much this legacy installation piece means to our volunteers throughout the organization and because the Auxiliary’s dedication to Texas Children’s means just as much to my family, my wife, Shannon, and I are honored to make a personal gift toward memorializing the Auxiliary.

To every single member of the Texas Children’s Auxiliary, thank you for your unwavering dedication and the incredible impact you’ve made over the years. The help and support you’ve provided is immense, invaluable and it’s felt throughout the entire organization. The Auxiliary’s unmatched legacy is a testament to the profound difference that dedicated individuals can make in the lives of others and will forever be a cherished part of the Texas Children’s story.

It is such an honor to celebrate the remarkable career and upcoming retirement of Dr. David G. Poplack. Dr. Poplack joined Texas Children’s in 1993, bringing with him a passion for pediatric oncology and a commitment to patient-centered care that has defined his world-renowned career. During his 25 years as Director, the Cancer Center grew exponentially and went from seven faculty members, 42 employees and one laboratory to nearly 200 faculty members, more than 1,000 employees and over 40 laboratories today.

In 2018, Dr. Poplack decided to transition from Director to Associate Director and took on the role of Director of Global Hematology-Oncology Pediatric Excellence (HOPE) — a program aimed at improving pediatric cancer treatment in sub-Saharan Africa. Just as he impacted the growth of the Cancer Center, Global HOPE has blossomed under his leadership. When the program started, many countries did not have access to a pediatric oncologist and now, there are 26 trained pediatric oncologists and hundreds of nurses in multiple countries serving children who desperately need this care.

One of Dr. Poplack’s most significant contributions has been as a mentor, icon and role model teaching and mentoring countless young physicians — instilling in them the values of empathy and an unwavering dedication to patient care. I have no doubt that generations of physicians are changing lives for the better today because of his tireless efforts to teach and train other physician leaders.

Overall, Dr. Poplack has been a beacon of hope and healing for countless patients and their families, providing not only exceptional medical treatment but also the compassion and support that are so crucial during the cancer journey. His pioneering research and dedication to his work have truly advanced the boundaries of cancer treatment and his unique ability to connect with every patient on a personal level has left an indelible mark on the many patients and families he’s served — both in Houston and around the globe.

I cannot express enough just how much Dr. Poplack and Texas Children’s truly go hand-in-hand. He embodies our core values and our mission each and every day and I know that’s something that he will continue to do in a new capacity.

As Dr. Poplack embarks on his much-deserved retirement, we wish him all the best and remain immensely grateful that Texas Children’s played such a monumental role in the chapters he’s lived thus far. While we will greatly miss his daily presence, I know that his legacy will live on through the halls of Texas Children’s and continue to inspire us all as we care for every patient, every family and each other.

Thank you, Dr. Poplack, for your exceptional service to Texas Children’s and your patients around the world — you will always be a valued member of the Texas Children’s family.

As many of you have seen and heard over the past few days, everyone at Texas Children’s has been preparing our ‘goodbyes’ to our beloved Pawsitive Play therapy dog, Bailey, who is celebrating her much-deserved retirement.

Pawsitive Play is one of my favorite programs because I truly believe it’s one that serves both patients and employees alike. I can’t help but smile when I get a visit from one of our dogs and as I’m sure they do for many of you, simply seeing them walk the halls makes my day even better.

I love each of our facility dogs, but our sweet Bailey has always held a special place in my heart.

For those of you who don’t know, my wife, Shannon, and I provided the donation that brought Bailey to Texas Children’s — and we made this donation in honor of our dog, Cadence. Cadence brought Shannon and me so much joy for many years and in her memory, we wanted to gift a second therapy dog to our patients and their families.

Since she arrived in 2018, Bailey has been an integral part of the Texas Children’s family, spreading joy, comfort and unconditional love to all who have had the pleasure of crossing paths with her. From comforting patients during difficult treatments to providing a source of solace for our hardworking staff, Bailey has brought smiles and warmth to countless faces throughout her tenure at Texas Children’s.

The impact of Bailey’s presence simply cannot be overstated. She served as a constant source of companionship and emotional support, helping to alleviate stress and anxiety during challenging times, including the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. Her gentle demeanor and puppy-dog smile brought light into even the darkest of days for so many, reminding us all of the healing power of love and connection.

As we bid farewell to Bailey, I know we are all filled with gratitude for the countless memories and moments of joy she shared with us. While Bailey may no longer roam our halls as an official facility dog, her spirit will always live on at Texas Children’s.

To Bailey, your friends and colleagues say thank you. Thank you for your unwavering dedication, your boundless love and your tireless commitment to making Texas Children’s a better place. You have been a blessing to us all and we are forever grateful for the love and laughter you brought into our lives.

Thank you for being our furry friend, our trusted companion and for serving patients for more than five incredible years. You deserve all the pup cups and treats for a job pawsitively well done.