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It was on June 19, 1865 that enslaved African-Americans in Texas gained their freedom. Freedom—what a powerful word—freedom.

Juneteenth is typically a day of celebration with loved ones, get togethers and parades. But this year looks a little different. Between the uncertainty that COVID-19 has created in our daily lives, to the state of grief and unrest that we are experiencing in our strive for justice, I encourage you all to take a moment to pause today and reflect on the freedoms we are blessed to experience—and the freedoms that we need to continue to fight for.

While the Black Lives Matter movement began in 2013, the constant struggle for equality and justice has been something that so many in our community have had to confront every day. This struggle has rightfully demanded front-page news coverage in recent weeks and months, but the need for it is not new. As Will Smith said during an interview in 2016, “Racism isn’t getting worse; it’s getting filmed.”

As I’ve said before, it is difficult to admit that racism is still prevalent in our society, but no matter how hard it is to admit, we must acknowledge this if any change is to be done during our lifetime—and it must be done. The Black Lives Matter movement is here to stay.

Racism and discrimination of any kind must end—in our workplace and in our society. This is a cultural issue and we must take action to affect change. We must be honest with ourselves and with each other to acknowledge where we are and the work we have to do. And then, we must do the work.

When I began as President and CEO at Texas Children’s in 1989, we did not have one African American on our Board of Trustees. Today, our Board is a diverse delegation of gender, race and religion—but we must continue to make progress year after year.

Texas Children’s has an important role to play and we are committed to doing our part. Not just today, not just this month, but for the long term. We have launched initiatives to address issues of racism and diversity, but I want to re-emphasize that this is not a program or a project, this isn’t a matter of creating a department to put gold stars on our letterhead and then move on to the next topic. This work needs to be addressed by each of us every day. It is our collective responsibility to be the change we want to see. We are not perfect but our culture is based on equality, inclusivity, love and compassion, and if we believe in this work, we will continue to improve.

These are difficult things to talk about, but we must talk about them anyways. It is the only way we can move forward. So in honor of Juneteenth, I encourage each of you to pause, reflect on what freedom means to you and the great progress we have made, and recognize how much more work we have to do. I asked you a couple of weeks ago what you have done today to help. Today I ask you, what will you do tomorrow?

A mere three months ago, our world changed almost overnight due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As each of us adjust to the new realities of this pandemic and continue to face unprecedented challenges ahead, there’s one thing I am reminded of every day – Texas Children’s is a sturdy and resilient organization.

As I have watched our agile team adjust and adapt throughout this pandemic, I have been inspired time and again. Inspired by our people, our mission and our collective dedication to ensuring that we will always be here to care for the children and women who need us. I have seen you all support each other by bringing in meals for your teams, making special homemade gifts, and just by acknowledging that you will be there for one another – all while still delivering the highest possible care to our patients and families. This has been difficult for all of us, but experiencing this together, has reminded us of our shared humanity and our deep appreciation of each other.

One of my maxims, “Leadership always influences or determines outcomes, not some of the time but all of the time,” has never been truer than it is today. Because of our strong leadership, we have reached many milestones together as a team. We continue to lead the way in diagnostic testing for COVID-19 and are making progress in developing a COVID-19 vaccine. In addition to these efforts, we implemented and enhanced our employee and patient screening processes, optimized e-health appointment capabilities, and ensured we have sufficient supplies to carry out our daily operations. While this is just scratching the surface, there are so many inspiring examples that show what it truly means to be One Amazing Team.

The members of our Board of Trustees have also been moved by your selfless efforts since the beginning and have repeatedly shared with me how impressed and proud they are of you. So much so, that they wanted to do something to honor every single Texas Children’s employee. Last week, the Board approved a resolution to recognize Texas Children’s staff and employees for their efforts during COVID-19, and I’m sharing it here.

The incredible acts of kindness that I have witnessed over these past several months will stay with me forever. I, along with every member of our Board, are profoundly grateful for all you are doing and giving of yourselves for our patients, families, and each other. We are all in this together and we will persevere.

With deep appreciation and respect,

Mark

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.

Note: Dr. King’s words of inspiration and passion for equality were captured in the 2019 special tribute video.

A dream realized

On Monday, our nation will honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose work was rooted in social justice.

Because of the racial injustices within his own community, King is best remembered as a champion for African-Americans’ equal rights. The admirable thing about Dr. King is that he was truly a champion for the equal rights of ALL people. He called himself a “drum major for justice” and reminded the world that a threat to justice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

During his lifetime – and still today – many injustices littered the world.

At the height of his fight, poor people suffered some of the same disadvantages in this country as people of color. Right before King’s death in 1968, he began to organize “the poor people’s campaign” in Washington, D.C. He understood that African Americans and other minority groups deserved civil rights, but they also needed economic security before they could contribute to this country in a meaningful way.

Many people also don’t realize that early in his career Dr. King began fighting for women’s rights and rallied for women to have the same opportunities for upward mobility as their male counterparts.

As I think about the men and women who have made Texas Children’s what it is today, I am extremely humbled and incredibly grateful for Dr. King’s dream. We are a team that is culturally, ethnically and economically diverse. We are a team that is more than 80% women. And we are a team that is comprised of people at all ages and stages of life. Our one amazing team is his dream realized.

I am 100% clear on the fact that we are one amazing team because of the diversity that we bring to work with us each day. And I believe that Texas Children’s is who we are today because of Dr. King’s convictions, influence and socially transformative efforts.

I know you hear me say it all the time, but leadership really does apply to everyone. We each must do our part to lead. Dr. King wasn’t wealthy. Dr. King wasn’t popular with everyone. Dr. King didn’t have a fancy political title. But what he did have was a heart to serve his community and the entire world.

We can all do the same. Right now – in 2020 – we have the perfect opportunity to serve our community by getting informed and involved in the political process as we are charged with voting for president and other elected officials in November. Given our political climate and its implications on health care, we need to be active and involved more than ever. We need to do our part to ensure that we can continue to serve all children and women, regardless of who they are.

In addition to voting in November, here are a few ways to honor Dr. King’s legacy today:

• Read the entire “I Have a Dream” speech. It is a beautifully written speech that offers insight into Dr. King’s passion for all people.
• Attend a local parade and talk with others about what Dr. King means to you.
• Watch a documentary on Dr. King’s life or the Civil Rights Movement that he led.
• Teach your children or the children in your life about his incredible legacy, so as they grow up, they can pass it on in their own way.

Thank you all for everything you do and please enjoy your holiday.