01
Introduction
02
Video
03
Letter from Mark Wallace
04
The Amazing
05
Our Growth
06
The Incredible
07
People Make Us Different
08
One Community
09
Forever
10
Our Culture Definition
11
Our Values
12
Conclusion

CELEBRATING

OUR CULTURE

MARK A. WALLACE

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Ours is a culture that truly cannot be replicated.
It makes us amazing. It touches lives.
I know because I have felt it every day since 1989.

It is invaluable and the best way I know how to
give thanks for something so profound
is to make sure it lasts forever.

For all the amazing people who created our
culture, we are securing it in stone as a testament
to our infinite passion.

This is our gift to Texas Children's today, for next year,
the next 25 years, and beyond.

When people love what they do,
when they believe in what they are doing,
the results can be staggering.

We have proven that since 1954.

Ours is a community that cares for each other, that is dedicated to working together, that never gives up and breaks boundaries. We have improved the lives of countless others and reached the world. This is what infinite passion can do.

1951
We break ground on May 23, paving the way for Houston’s first pediatric hospital.
1954
We open our doors in 1954. Three-year-old Lamaina Leigh Van Wagner is our first patient, referred by her pediatrician for treatment of a kidney disorder.
1956
Mr. & Mrs. J. S. Abercrombie, our first major benefactors, with grandson Jamie Robinson. The Abercrombies donated $1 million of the $2.5 million needed to build a children's hospital in Houston – on the condition that it be "open to every sick or hurt child with no restrictions on religion, color, or whether or not they can pay."
1972
David, the Bubble Boy, born in 1971 with an immune deficiency, is placed in a specially designed bubble where he plays, sleeps, eats and attends school. Our study of his condition leads to significant contributions in the understanding of immune system disorders.
1980
Dr. Marvin Fishman and Associate Professor Dr. Huda Zoghbi in her lab.
1984
Dr. Ralph Feigin and Dr. William Shearer interact with a young patient.
1991
President and CEO Mark A. Wallace, Dr. James Hoyle and Dr. Ralph Feigin celebrate our expansion of the Abercrombie building (original hospital) and the addition of a new outpatient facility, the Clinical Care Center, and a new emergency and inpatient facility, West Tower.
1993
Sara Remington visits with Dr. John Okereke, a member of the transplant team, and Dr. Grigore. In 1984, Sara was the first infant in the world and our youngest patient (eight months) ever to receive a heart transplant.
1993
Conjoined Turner twins after their surgical separation in April.
1994
Grammy and Oscar award winning composer Richard Sherman, who wrote numerous Disney favorites, performs for patients in our Pi Beta Phi Patient/Family Library.
1994
Gene Macey, who volunteered at the hospital for over 26 years and logged over 30,000 hours, brightens a patient's day.
1998
Dr. Charles D. Fraser Jr., our Chief of Congenital Heart Surgery, checks in on his patient in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU).
2000
Beyonce Knowles from Destiny's Child visits on the first anniversary of Radio Lollipop, a fully-equipped and on-site radio station staffed 100% by volunteers who broadcast Top 40 hits, take call-in requests and put our patients "on air" to actively participate in the magic of radio.
2000
President and CEO Mark A. Wallace and Dr. Ralph Feigin view the topping out of the expanded West Tower while standing in front of the Feigin Center, which was renamed in 1997 to honor our physician-in chief and his commitment to pediatric research.
2002
Our first lung transplant recipient, Shari Melon, visits with her care team led by Dr. George Mallory.
2002
Texas Governor Rick Perry celebrates with patients at the dedication of the new Clinical Care Center.
2005
Our Kangaroo Crew prepares for transport of Tulane University Medical Center patients to Houston during Hurricane Katrina.
2008
Some of the young residents in West Houston help out with the groundbreaking of West Campus, our first community hospital.
2010
The Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, the first pediatric neurology research institute in the world, celebrates its grand opening.
2011
The honor of cutting the ribbon to open the surgery department at West Campus goes to first surgery patient, Brandon Pereyra.
2012
The Miracle Bridge lights up in blue in honor of the first born baby at Pavilion for Women, our new landmark facility providing a comprehensive continuum of family-centered care, beginning before conception and continuing after delivery, with a special focus on high-risk births.
2012
Less than two months after opening the Pavilion for Women, we deliver the Perkins sextuplets - Benjamin, Allison, Levi, Leah, Andrew and Caroline.
2013
Dr. Charles D. Fraser Jr., our surgeon-in-chief, performs the congenital heart team's 10,000th surgery since the renowned pediatric surgeon's arrival in 1995.
2013
We celebrate the grand opening of The Center for Children and Women – Greenspoint, a new community medical facility that provides state-of-the-art health care services 7 days a week for Texas Children's Health Plan members.
2013
President and CEO Mark A. Wallace enjoys some holiday cheer during the annual Tree Lighting ceremony.
2014
We celebrate our 60th birthday by breaking ground on our second community hospital, located in The Woodlands.
2014
We open our first Urgent Care clinic in the Cinco Ranch area in May.
Our Growth
https://youtu.be/CpgTYa4QriA

  • 1954

    We open our doors, becoming Houston's first pediatric hospital. Dr. Russell Blattner is our physician-in-chief.

  • 1964

    Karen and Kimberly Webber were born joined at the chest in 1964. Our pioneering procedure to separate them established Texas Children's as a leader in pediatric care.

  • 1971

    David Vetter, known worldwide as “The Bubble Boy,” is born with a severe immune deficiency that leaves him unable to fight even ordinary bacteria. Shortly after birth, he is placed in a specially designed bubble. Research on his condition leads to significant contributions in the study of immune system disorders.

  • 1975

    We establish one of the first Child Life departments in Texas.

  • 1977

    Dr. Ralph D. Feigin arrives as our second physician-in-chief. He will serve in this position for over 30 years until his death in 2008 and help transform Texas Children’s Hospital into one of the largest and most acclaimed centers of pediatric medicine in the world.

  • 1989

    Mark A. Wallace joins Texas Children’s as our new President and CEO. At the age of 36, he is the youngest chief executive officer in the Texas Medical Center.

  • 1991

    Our Emergency Center becomes the first in the state to have 24-hour coverage by board-certified pediatric emergency physicians.

  • 1991

    We are the largest freestanding hospital in the nation after completing renovations to the Abercrombie building (the original hospital), a new Clinical Care Center (which consolidates all outpatient and research programs) and a new West Tower (which houses the emergency center and surgical suites as well as additional space for expansion of ICU services).

  • 1995

    We establish Texas Children’s Pediatrics, a network of primary care pediatricians in our community. And today, with over 40 locations, we have grown to be the largest primary care network in the country.

  • 1997

    We launch the nation’s first pediatric health maintenance organization (HMO).

  • 2000

    We are ranked among the top 10 Best Children’s Hospitals for the first time by U.S.News & World Report.

  • 2002

    We establish our Pediatric Lung Transplant program which becomes one of the largest in the world. We are one of only two institutions in the United States that performs more than 10 transplants per year.

  • 2003

    We receive our first Magnet recognition for nursing excellence, an honor given to only 6% of hospitals across the country.

  • 2006

    We announce a new $1.5 billion expansion campaign, the largest physical expansion program ever by a freestanding children’s hospital which includes:

    • Houston’s first pediatric community hospital and one of the nation’s largest suburban hospitals to meet the growing health care needs of the West Houston community

    • A first-of-its kind multidisciplinary research institute dedicated to collaborative basic research of childhood neurological diseases

    • An expansion of vital lab space and research infrastructure to accelerate the pace of research from bench to bedside

    • A new facility to build upon our expertise in fetal and newborn care by offering a full continuum of care for women, mothers and babies

  • 2008

    With our academic partner, Baylor College of Medicine, we open the world’s largest pediatric HIV/AIDS center in Kampala, Uganda.

  • 2009

    We become the first freestanding pediatric hospital to implant two HeartMate II ventricular assist devices in adolescent patients.

  • 2010

    We open the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (NRI), the world’s first basic research institute dedicated to childhood neurological diseases.

  • 2011

    We open West Campus, Houston’s first pediatric community hospital, built on 55 acres to provide family-centered care to one of the nation’s fastest growing pediatric populations in West Houston.

  • 2012

    We open Pavilion for Women, a 15-story, $575-million state-of-the-art hospital which is staffed, designed and equipped to be among the nation’s premier centers for women’s, fetal and newborn health.

  • 2013

    We are the first in the world to use real-time MRI-guided thermal imaging and laser technology to destroy lesions in the brain that cause epilepsy and uncontrolled seizures.

  • 2014

    We rank #6 among companies employing more than 500 employees in Houston’s Best Places to Work by Houston Business Journal. For nine consecutive years, we have been considered among the city’s Top 10 employers in Houston. We are also recognized as the #4 pediatric hospital in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

  • 2017

    Texas Children's will open its second community pediatric hospital in The Woodlands. This $300 million-plus facility will provide easy, convenient access to this community for children to receive care from pediatric specialists.

  • 2018

    We will complete our CareFirst initiative, an expansion of our facilities and programs in the Texas Medical Center to serve the needs of our most critically ill patients, primarily in the Critical Care units, operating rooms, Heart Center, Emergency and many of our Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services.

Our Care

Our Reach

Texas
World

Unique Patients Receiving Care

Our Texas Medical Center Campus Expansion

And it is all because of

OUR PEOPLE

Because of you, this is an exceptional organization that can accomplish

ANYTHING

We Are

One Community

of 13,000 team members

Click to discover more about
the teams in our community
Overview
Care
Vision
Connection
Discovery

We foster an environment of collaborative partners rather than employer and employees. It is all about the people. It is about teamwork.

Texas Children's is one community made stronger by the people on four distinct teams. No matter the team, every person has made a choice to be here and is devoted to being the very best at his or her role. With each role being connected to another, even across disciplines, we can only accelerate health care by working together.

Patients and their families are at the heart of our mission, and members of the Care team are the compassionate caregivers they need. Duty-bound by an internal desire to serve others, and along with our family of world-class health care clinical experts, you ensure every woman, mother and child receives the most outstanding medical care with the best possible quality, safety and outcomes.

You possess the courage, passion and compassion to help us exceed expectations with exceptional care and a focus on service before self. You deliver cutting-edge care, optimal outcomes, and unparalleled patient care, education and research.

Team members

Clinical staff, nurses, physicians and providers

Our Vision team, comprised of our formal leaders, shapes the future for Texas Children's and pioneers new paths in the treatment of women and children. You select and develop leaders at every level who advance both mission and medicine. You build and empower internal and external communities of leaders. Challenging the status quo, you choose to do what is right over what is easy. You set the bar high and expect your achievements to be even higher.

You run boldly to advance our mission through catalyst leadership, outreach, partnership, innovation, and communication.

Team members

Board of Trustees, executives, senior leaders and senior physician leaders

Members of the Connection team are our foundation. You establish a vital infrastructure that upholds the delivery of care every day. Your tireless and dedicated work caring for our entire community enables others to care for hundreds of thousands of women and children each year. Among the best in your field, you choose to work here because you want more than a job. You have a calling. And you know that succeeding here means that lives are changed for the better.

You focus on delivering remarkable service and exceptional performance so that, collectively, we accelerate our mission of leading in patient care, education and research.

Team members

Administrative and professional support staff and volunteers

Through research, members of the Discovery team provide a key to the future of health care. You are the bright and shining hope for those facing the cold, dark reality of diseases with no known cures. Your task is great, but it is overwhelmed by your passion, drive and dedication to the ones we serve, even though you may never see their faces.

You strive to create new paths to well-being through research, collaboration, support and education.

Team Members

Investigators, research staff and scientists

The only way to sensibly care for any patient is to have everybody communicating.

David G. Poplack, M.D.

Director, Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Centers

Our Culture Definition
Unified by infinite passion,
we lead the charge
of accelerating health care.

ROLLOVER TEXT TO EXPLORE MORE

Our Organizational Pledge

If we apply our infinite passion to every day, together we will create infinite results toward improving lives here and across the world. By living each of our values, we continually strengthen the already-strong culture we have in place.

Texas Children's greatest request of you will always be to live our values to their fullest extent. Our pledge to you is that we will always support you within every part of our organization so you can grow stronger, reach higher aspirations, and continually achieve greater success.

Click to discover more
about our process

With freedom comes opportunity.
Boundless, wide open and unknown,
it can be daunting to some,
but we recognize the potential
in the unexplored and venture forward,
blazing our own trail in the name of care.
We are driven, motivated and innovative.

 

Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute

Texas Children's Hospital comes together once again to advance the healthcare treatment of kids across the globe.

The opening of the Neurological Research Institute (NRI) marks the world's first basic research institute dedicated to childhood neurological diseases. It is a unique and visionary environment where researchers from Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine collaborate to develop treatments for childhood neurological diseases.

The NRI is led by internationally renowned scientist Dr. Huda Y. Zoghbi, whose tireless research has led to the discovery of genes that are the causes of many crippling neurological disorders. Her team's work has had far reaching impact across the neurological landscape as well as on countless lives. Their passion and dedication is a testament that embodies the spirit of the entire Texas Children's community.

LEARNING TO BE A LEADER

In life, as you grow, you realize that giving other people a chance to do what you have been doing can create greatness.

Learning to be a Leader

Thato Chris Ramotswe was diagnosed with the HIV virus at the age of 12. Maun, Botswana is not known for its innovative health care. "Receiving the news was shocking and the only thing I could think was — how did I get it?" Thato recalls. He soon learned it was transmitted through his mother at birth.

But just down the road, Texas Children's Hospital had begun a health initiative with Baylor Children's Clinic in Gabarone. He was able to find treatment there and — ultimately — inspiration.

"During my time at the clinic, hospital leaders presented me and three other teenagers with the idea to start what is called a Teen Club. The idea was to form a support group for the four of us that we are going through this in Gabarone at the time." He went on to say how effective his treatments were and how much help his Teen Club was. They stayed on their medicine, stayed away from bad substances, and had fun. "The four of us founders watched the club grow from 4 to over 200 participating Gabarone teens." All of them with HIV. As the club grew bigger, so did Thato's roll. He became a leader and an accomplished ambassador of the program.

In 2010, after five years, Thato stepped down from his leadership roll, handed over the group's responsibilities to someone younger, and used that experience to be a success. He is now in school, working a great job, and doing just fine. "I am thankful to Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine for creating the Teen Club. It has changed my life for the better."

Music From the Heart

Merging music and healing was something that makes a lot of sense to Christian Spear, even now as both a musician and a 15-year cancer survivor.

On her fourth birthday, seemingly out of nowhere, she was diagnosed with cancer. “In a sense,” she says “this is where my story began.” After four years of care at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers, Christian went into remission. This was around the same time her passion for singing and songwriting began to develop.

“As I grew older, I knew that I wanted nothing more than to share my music with the world.” And at the age of 16, Christian auditioned for Season 9 of American Idol. Making it through Hollywood Week, her story took another turn when she was sent home. “I had no way of knowing this was one of the best things that could have happened to me.”

Upon returning home, Texas Children’s Hospital invited Christian to perform an original song that she wrote about her experiences with cancer. She learned about Purple Songs Can Fly and met the Founder and Executive Director of the organization, Anita Kruse. Purple Songs Can Fly is a unique, first of its kind program that provides a musical outlet for the many children being treated for cancer and blood disorders at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers. Patients and their siblings work with Anita and other professional composers in an in-hospital recording studio to write, record, and burn songs to disc within short sessions. “I was always amazed by what Purple Songs Can Fly produces and I wanted to be a part of the beautiful work that was being done,” Christian says. As she left for college, she wondered if she would get to work with Texas Children’s Hospital again. Her true passion for writing songs and performing was beginning to take shape.

Christian spent three years at Louisiana State University searching for her calling. But Houston and the singing-songwriting that she loved were growing further away each day. “I asked God for guidance and I surrendered myself to his will.” A few days later, she received a call from Anita.

“I knew in my heart that this opportunity would change my life and, more importantly, the lives of many others.” Christian is taking part in a fellowship working with Purple Songs Can Fly at Texas Children’s Hospital where she will finish her college online. Four months into it, she feels she is doing the only thing she ever truly wanted to do — inspiring children and families with her music.

 
 

Laser Focus

My nine-year-old son, Keagan, has had seizures his entire life.

His typical seizure, which would occur two-to-three times an hour, was caused by a group of cells based deep in the brain. As his condition grew from minimal to severe, so did his treatments though nothing worked. We were out of safe options and we needed a solution.

Our neurologist connected us with an epilepsy expert at Texas Children's Hospital. Dr. Wilfong was pioneering a new use for laser surgery — only being performed there — and agreed that this was a viable option for Keagan. We had our answer and put our trust in this innovative, new treatment.

That surgery was the toughest and best decision we ever made, but it was a huge success. Keagan has not had a single seizure since. We finally have the Keagan we knew was trapped behind those seizures. We feel fortunate to have found Dr. Wilfong and his colleague Dr. Curry, who could offer such a life-changing treatment for my son.

What defines us is seizing the opportunity to be first in line.
At every level, we inspire each other, bettering ourselves,
bettering our teammates, bettering our organization, and
ultimately, bettering the world. A single, small act
of leadership creates a tidal wave of progress and momentum
that grows immensely, improving exponentially, and advancing
the care of our patients in a mighty way.
We are courageous, forward-thinking, and responsible.

Our Leadership Definitions

Leadership to me is the sum of three things: Vision, Structure and People…with people by far being the most important element or ingredient in the leadership definition and equation.
Mark A. Wallace
Chief Executive Officer
Texas Children's Hospital
Leadership is a combination of motivation, inspiration and trust in the team you are leading. Leaders are able to influence people to be the best they can be, no matter what their roles are.
Michael Barbella
Manager, Ambulatory Services
Texas Children's Pavilion for Women
The ability of an individual to inspire confidence in those whom he or she leads. Leaders have motivational skills and most importantly, “talk the talk and walk the walk.” This capacity to inspire and motivate will come through integrity, and treating others with respect.
George Bisset, M.D.
Radiologist-in-Chief
Texas Children's Hospital
Leadership is a journey. Who we are as a person defines our leadership style that affects the actions and decisions we make along the way to reach our destination.
Aleli Cabali
Nurse Manager, Perioperative Services
Texas Children's Pavilion for Women
A leader is someone who can take a group of individuals, garner their strengths, temper their weaknesses and create a team that is greater than the sum of its parts.
Pamela Durham
Patient Care Manager, Inpatient Nursing
Texas Children's Pavilion for Women
To lead people, walk beside them. - Lao Tzu
Jeanine Graf, M.D.
Medical Director, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Pediatric Transport
Texas Children's Hospital
Leadership is the privilege of being in a position to influence others. Leaders do not put greatness into people but, instead, create an atmosphere in which people excel because the greatness is already there.
Flor Hernandez
Manager, Facilities Operations
Texas Children's Pavilion for Women
Leadership is complex. It inspires others because it involves innate characteristics like passion and compassion. While leaders must have knowledge and the ability to execute, they are not true leaders until others choose to follow. Leaders must be willing to dive headlong into the unknown and blaze new trails.
Lisa Hollier
Medical Director, Obstetrics and Gynecology
The Center for Children and Women, Texas Children's Health Plan
Leadership is demonstrating expectations and desired outcomes of others through one's own actions; fostering a collaborative, creative and even-handed environment; being a person worth emulating.
Jenn Jacome
Manager, Public Relations
Texas Children's Hospital
Leadership is the ability to step into any situation and improve results by focusing on people and processes.
Trent Johnson
Director, Surgical Services
Texas Children's Hospital
Leadership is enabling the people around you to turn vision into reality. Leaders work through influence and are forward-thinking. Their success is defined by the people around them.
Brandon McIntyre
The Center Practice Leader, The Center for Children and Women
Texas Children's Health Plan
Leadership ultimately requires gaining the trust of others and then trusting others to take ownership and responsibility to work within established parameters to achieve. Leadership requires flexibility in approach, tolerance, and methods, but requires uncompromising commitment to purpose and driving principles.
David K. Coats, M.D.
Division Chief, Ophthalmology - Department of Surgery
Texas Children’s Hospital
Leadership is the art of empowering yourself and others to surpass expectations and goals collaboratively. True leadership requires dedication to accomplish these goals that are purely for the benefit of others.
Jacqueline Newton
Assistant Clinical Director, Inpatient Nursing
Texas Children's Hospital West Campus
Leadership is determined by action, never rank, title or position. A leader listens, empowers and creates an environment of positive accountability.
John Nickens
Executive Vice President
Texas Children's Hospital
To be a leader is to inspire and encourage others through action and effective communication.
Kristen Parsons
Manager, Research Administration
Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute
Leadership centers around people, begins with integrity and includes the promise of vision, the courage of conviction, the power of passion and the sincere desire to serve.
Tabitha Rice
Senior Vice President
Texas Children's Hospital
Leadership is a dynamic interaction between a leader and a team. Leaders effectively communicate, influence and motivate team members to strive towards a shared vision. Leadership is leading by example and being trustworthy, fair, honest and approachable.
Pamela Saavedra
Manager, Therapy - Clear Lake Health Center
Texas Children's Health Centers
Leadership involves identifying opportunities, developing alternatives, determining the best course and inspiring action.
Matt Schaefer
Assistant Vice President
Texas Children's Hospital West Campus
Leaders influence others to make positive decisions themselves rather than having the leader make those decisions for them.
Stanley Spinner, M.D.
Assistant Vice President/Medical Director
Texas Children's Pediatrics
An effective leader possesses the ability to inspire a passion for the mission through clear and open communication. Leaders encourage personal and professional development for the betterment of the individual, the organization and the community.
Vicki Sublett
Assistant Director, Business Operations
Texas Children's Health Plan
Leadership is being committed to doing the right things for the right reasons all of the time even though your decisions may not be fully embraced by some.
Wayne Toote
House Supervisor, Nursing
Texas Children's Hospital West Campus
A leader inspires others to commit their energy to a common purpose. A leader knows when to listen and when to advise. A leader is dedicated, confident, honest and always respectful.
Ketrese White
Assistant Director, Inpatient Nursing
Texas Children's Hospital West Campus
 
EMPLOYEE SNAPSHOT

Texas Children's is a great place to work because of the learning opportunities and also just the support we get. It means a lot.

Mary Vincent
Neurology
Retired after 21 years, 11 days
 

Leading In Every Frontier

Dr. Morris Rosenthal exemplifies more than a pioneering career; for Texas Children’s Hospital, he is a leader.

The doctor defined what the word means. From his World War II service to his 55 years of Pediatric care, he was always determined and motivating.

Dr. Rosenthal was one of the first three residents on staff when the hospital opened its doors in 1954. Four decades later, he helped create and became the first to join Texas Children's Pediatrics, a network of general pediatric practices located throughout Houston.

To him, leadership also means compassion, using his specialty to help as many as possible. More than 30 years were spent working in charity, treating the children of Mission of Yahweh, a shelter for homeless and abused women and their children.

In addition to being a leader in pediatrics, Dr. Rosenthal is a dedicated family man. He has been married to his wife, Julien, for 60 years and they have 5 children, 15 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandson.

On March 1, 2010, 55 years to the day after beginning his pediatric practice career, Rosenthal’s colleagues, patients, family and friends gathered at Texas Children’s Pediatrics - Ashford to honor the true Texas Children’s pioneer and celebrate his retirement with him.

RECOGNIZING THE EXCEPTIONAL
CATALYST LEADERSHIP AWARD
Every year we recognize the leaders in our organization. We call them Catalyst Leaders. Meet this year's winners.

Here, service comes before self.
We care and sacrifice, celebrate, and - sometimes -
grieve for our patients. Beyond them, our team
becomes an extension of our own family. We work with and
for each other to create a collective atmosphere of warmth.
And while it may seem difficult, somehow it comes
effortlessly and naturally - awakened and enhanced
in the moments of greatest need.
We are warm, authentic, and selfless.

Estella Tam
Technical Supervisor
Pathology
EMPLOYEE SNAPSHOT

I am encouraged by the hospital's mission and vision finding the best way to improve the health of children through research and education.

 

In All Kinds of Weather

It was an honor and a blessing for me when I was hired. Now, 12 years later, I have had so many wonderful and extraordinary experiences. One that I will never forget was after Hurricane Katrina.

Texas Children's was set up in the Astro Arena to help those who needed it most. In this tragedy, some no longer had any possessions, others were displaced from their family, many lost their loved ones. It was amazing to see how everyone here pulled together during that time to provide excellent patient care. I felt privileged for the opportunity to serve in that capacity.

Texas Children's Hospital has made such a difference in so many lives, including my own, and I am so proud to be a part of this family.

OVER THE PAST 60 YEARS WE HAVE HAD
0
Volunteers
AGES
0 to 0
Elaine Kuper
Volunteer
COMPASSION IS CONTAGIOUS

Elaine Kuper has given of herself endlessly, amassing over 22,000 hours of volunteer service.

 

A Team Effort For An Individual Goal

After weeks of searching for a sign that she was ready for a major life change, Jennifer Neidinger, Manager of Ambulatory Clinics, got one. Or more accurately, she saw one at the Texas Medical Center campus. That sign featured Jennifer Hudson and a Texas Children's-sponsored Weight Watchers program. She knew that was it.

Support on her weight loss journey started at the organization level, but quickly grew to her co-workers and the Texas Children's community as a whole. In the weeks and months that followed, Jennifer was never alone – routinely getting messages and notes of inspiration from those closest to her and even some employees she had never met.

Ultimately, her transformation was more than her weight loss, as she now takes every opportunity she can to reach out and help someone, even if it's just as simple as an unexpected smile to brighten someone's day.

Our compassion starts with an individual spark and
ignites in unison. We depend on our team having arm-in-arm
devotion to a mission bigger than any one of us. Up and down,
side to side, outward and inward, we move collectively to share
in all we do. As individuals, we're among the brightest, but as a
team, we illuminate unimagined possibilities for ourselves,
our patients, and health care as a whole.
We are unified, inspirational, and inviting.

 

A Birthday to Remember

On my 29th birthday, an employee friend of mine had asked our Texas Children’s Hospital volunteers to surprise me with a birthday violin serenade. I was already overjoyed by the special treatment, when one of the 5-year-old neurology patients stood up, walked over, and began to sing "Happy Birthday" to me. It brought tears to my eyes to experience such thoughtfulness and courage from this little girl. Despite her illness and reasons for having to be in clinic that day, she was determined to make mine special. This little moment in my day always reminds me why I wake up and come to work every morning. The children are so special, working at this hospital is special, and the memories I form here are beyond the most special!

 
 

Go West

Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus is Houston’s first community hospital designed, built and equipped exclusively for children. In the three years since we opened the doors, we have treated more than 400,000 patients.

Our main goal has always been to provide convenient access to high quality care in the community. In one of the fastest growing pediatric populations, this is now a reality.

The hospital itself sits on 55 acres and houses 19 sub-specialty outpatient clinics, inpatient hospital services, and is the only 24/7 dedicated pediatric emergency center in the West Houston area. There are currently more than 500 passionate, hard-working team members who care for our patients each day. Our team of nurses, child life specialists, x-ray technicians and renowned physicians are specially trained to diagnose, treat and care for children.

When those children walk into our hospital, they often comment that it does not feel like a hospital. And this is exactly what we were striving for when we designed the space. Going to a doctor’s appointment or walking into a hospital can be frightening for a child, but a lot of our patients actually feel happy when they visit, due to the colorful atmosphere, calming environment, and scenic views.

When people love what they do, when they believe in
what they are doing, the results can be staggering.

We have proven that since 1954.

Ours is a culture that must last forever.

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