Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

December 15, 2018 | (27) Comments

Have you heard? It’s Mary Poppins Week at Texas Children’s!

As a nod to our new partnership with Disney, our Child Life Department is celebrating the release of Disney’s Mary Poppins Returns with a whole week of fun activities for our patients at the Medical Center Campus, West Campus and The Woodlands.

As you know, earlier this year we launched a special partnership with The Walt Disney Company to provide our patients and families with moments of joy, empowerment and emotional comfort. As the very first hospital to partner with Disney on this effort, we are leading the way and co-creating an enchanted experience for children’s hospitals around the world.

The Disney Team of Heroes is embracing our culture and values, they’re listening to our insights about the unique nuances of the hospital environment, and they’re integrating our feedback into their designs. Next spring, we will begin to see their concepts come to life at Texas Children’s through reimagined spaces, personalized moments and engaging experiences. The team is also being thoughtful about how we can include an element of employee engagement to help ensure each of us has the opportunity to create magical moments with our patients and families.

This is incredibly exciting. Or more appropriately … it’s supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

In the spirit of the holidays, I couldn’t help but have a little fun with the Mary Poppins excitement myself. So I thought I’d share with you a few life lessons we can all learn from the original Mary Poppins movie released more than 50 years ago.

  1. “Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.” We’ve all been there … something difficult needs to be done or said, and we wrestle with just how to approach it. When dealing with people – whether at work or home – it’s always best done with kindness. Be true to yourself about your intent and certain that it’s for the greater good, and then be considerate with your words and actions.
  2. “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun.” In pretty much any job, there are days that are more challenging than others. This is especially true in a dynamic health care system like Texas Children’s. But what I know for certain is that when you sincerely enjoy your work, and even have a little fun with it sometimes, you bring a completely different attitude to daily challenges.
  3. “The more you laugh, the more you fill with glee.” I don’t know about you, but laughter makes me feel great. There are even times when laughing at myself is good. Maybe not literally, but figuratively laughing at yourself is a way of remembering that sometimes we make mistakes. So what do you do? Take a breath. Assess how or what you can improve: “What can I learn from this? How can I be better next time?” And then make a commitment to do just that.
  4. “Never judge things by their appearance.” This goes for people and situations. Sometimes we can be so focused on what we see on the surface or what we think we already know that we miss an opportunity to experience what’s beyond that. Be thoughtful about the situations or people you encounter. There’s often more to the story, and taking the time to dig a little deeper could help you discover a truly delightful ending.
  5. “Anything can happen if you let it.” This is probably my favorite of all the quotes from the Mary Poppins stage production, because it speaks to my belief that we should dwell in possibility. It’s especially important for us here at Texas Children’s, because we’re a source of hope for families all over the world. So dream audaciously, pursue the impossible. Having an unrelenting belief that “anything can happen if you let it” is the spark that made every miracle a reality.

Have a wonderful and joyful holiday season Texas Children’s, and let’s make 2019 magical!

Photos from our Spoonful of Sugar event

2k18-0598-AK4_1677 Tasty Tuesday-Spoon Full Of Sugar-Mary Poppins themed party 2k18-0598-AK4_1745 Tasty Tuesday-Spoon Full Of Sugar-Mary Poppins themed party 2k18-0598-AK4_1765 Tasty Tuesday-Spoon Full Of Sugar-Mary Poppins themed party

2k18-0598-AK4_1738 Tasty Tuesday-Spoon Full Of Sugar-Mary Poppins themed party 2k18-0598-AK4_1594 Tasty Tuesday-Spoon Full Of Sugar-Mary Poppins themed party 2k18-0598-AK4_1727 Tasty Tuesday-Spoon Full Of Sugar-Mary Poppins themed party

27 Responses to “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!”

  1. DK Lovick

    I absolutely adore this post. The things we do here everyday are sometimes difficult; but keeping spirits up is key! Thank you Mr. Wallace these are wonderful life lessons and very applicable!

  2. Gina Marrinucci

    Thank you for sharing this with us all. I love being able to make a difference with our guests and with our co-workers. This is by far the most “magical” of all your blogs. Merry Christmas to you and your family. You definitely make a difference and it shows here at TCH!

  3. Barbara Gonzalez

    I can’t begin to tell you how nostalgic this post has made me. As an ex-Disney employee of almost 15 years your words ring true. It’s been a pleasure working in an environment where every day I see magic being created by so many exceptional TCH employees. It’s been so much fun incorporating my Disney background and that element of fun that Miss Poppins speaks of along with the TCH core values. So thank you for the happy thoughts.

  4. Carolyn Franks

    I remember when Mary Poppins premiered! I believe I read it was 1964! My parents took my sister & I to the drive-in movie, either the one on So. Shaver or the one on Red Bluff in Pasadena. We loved it so much, my sister & I wanted to go back the next night to see it again! Anne & I learned so much from Mary Poppins & still try to live by her example today- wisdom, kindness, values, empathy, the importance of our health & above all LOVE! Thank you Mary Poppins, Walt Disney & Mark Wallace! What a special memory you’ve reminded us of.

  5. Cindy Alvarado

    I cant believe that we are the FIRST to partner with Disney!! I am such a huge DISNEY fan!! I am SUPER DUPER excited to see what great things are to come!!
    “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun.”

  6. James Denham

    I’m moved as well by the call to “dwell in possibility.” As a chaplain here, I strive to serve in faith and prayer for all the possibility these families can imagine and desire. Even when there are setbacks or futures change, I love walking the journey with them so they can see the possibility in both healing and legacy. Dwelling in possibility- a beautiful expression of parental love and staff care and journey of faith as well!

  7. Stan Spinner

    Mark,
    Thank you for sharing this with us.
    The world of healthcare is a fast-paced, challenging, and sometimes scary world, and just taking a moment to reflect on these thoughts can help all of us to remember the magic of we do every day-helping heal sick children.

  8. Karana Smith

    I love this movie, it is amazing how 50 years ago when this movie was made that it had a lot of life lessons in it. As a former elementary school teacher I used this movie with my students to teach life lessons and to encourage students that life is what you make it. Thank you Mr. Wallace for the encouragement. Merry Christmas to all!!

  9. Andrea Romay

    Mr. Wallace,what a fun blog!. Simple but very profound lessons. Disney’s focus in customer experience is a great match to Texas Children’s patient experience culture.
    Happy Holidays!

  10. Nicole Rogers, RMA

    Mr. Wallace,
    Thank you for sharing and I feel these are great lessons to learn from. In life we have to always try our best, the patients need us. It may not always be easy, but to see a patient smile or give us great feedback from their visit. That alone lets us know that we made a difference in that child’s life.

    Thank you,
    Nicole Rogers, RMA
    Texas Children’s Pediatrics- Conroe

  11. Enrique Gonzalez

    Mr. Wallace,

    Reading your blog today really brings a smile to my face. Each of the songs deliver a message we can all live by. Like you, my favorite is “Anything can happen if you let it” from the stage production, and it has been on my playlist when I need to pick myself up when I am faced with life challenges. Dwell in possibility! Practically perfect in every way!

    Thank you for sharing this with us, and being an inspiration to the people of Texas Children’s and all we serve.

    Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    Always,
    Enrique

  12. Rhonda Bolin

    Mr. Wallace, I arrived to TCH just about three years after you. I’ve watched you lead by example and look where you’ve taken us!! We are the very first hospital to have, “a special partnership with The Walt Disney Company to provide our patients and families with moments of joy, empowerment and emotional comfort”. This makes me so happy…I love to provide “moments of joy” to my patients and their families, my co-workers, and my family & friends. Thank you for leading us in a positive direction and for encouraging us to grow and thrive at TCH!!

  13. Stephanie Suarez

    Thank you So much for sharing this it definitley placed a smile on my face today because I can relate to all 5 songs! You are such a Positive and Inspirational leader please continue to encourage us to grow and be great here at TCH along with you!

    Happy Holidays!
    – Stephanie

  14. Pamala S. Pennington

    Mr. Wallace,
    Thanks for bringing back those memories of Mary Poppins. I was in 4th grade when my mother took my sister and me to see it in my hometown Temple, TX. My younger sister and I thought that we were exceptional when we quoted “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”! At the time, it seemed so challenging to repeat the phrase. I plan to see the new movie and one day share it with my grandchild who is too young to understand the movie. I appreciate you for encouraging me as well as other employees to remember our children here at the hospital. I see them in the parking lot and notice the parents maneuvering those strollers and wheelchairs. Some of the children are special needs and to just see the parents handling them makes me realize how blessed I was as a child. Going back to those days, things are much more advanced now compared to when I was a child. Hospitals did not have the conveniences to children then as they are available here at TCH. This is a blessing. I encourage anyone with a child who needs medical assistance to contact TCH for help. I am proud to say that my grandchild is seen by a TCH PCP. My daughter loves the doctor and comments on the doctor’s efficiency.
    May you and all TCH employees have a “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” holiday season.
    Thank You and Many Blessings for a Prosperous 2019 New Year!
    Pamala S. Pennington.

  15. Elaine Bennett

    Hi Mr. Wallace!
    I can not begin to tell you how very excited I am to be a part of the TCH/Disney vision! I am a HUGE HUGE HUGE TCH Fan and I am a HUGE HUGE HUGE DISNEY FAN! ha ha! Anyway, It’s exciting, and Disney isn’t just for kids!! In EVERYTHING (and at every age!) There is an element of FUN!! Thanks for sharing your heart! #ican’twait!
    Elaine Bennett

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