GATEWAYSa publication for our employees and academic partners

september2012

issueN°47

Do Something Today for a Better TomorrowMemorial Hermann kicks of its annual United Way Campaign

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The definitions of inspiration include: an inspiring oranimating action or influence; a result of inspired

activity; a thing or person that inspires. The last definitionreally resonates with me.

The moment you walk into the office... for us that is thehospital… you inspire. It doesn’t matter what your role is, it’sthe fact that you work in a hospital, a place where inspirationchanges lives. It’s what keeps us going and it’s what keeps ourpatients going.

Over the past few days, I have literally been stopped in mytracks by different people with stories about inspiration.Three different encounters, but one commonality – you. Youare the reason why these individuals have been inspired. It isthe way you provide care, the way you go above and beyond forour patients. Your inspiration or animating action orinfluence has impacted them so much that they felt compelledto stop me in my tracks and share their story. Just so youknow, I love when this happens. And when this happens, I’minspired.

The first story came from a dad that I know through myson Benjamin’s elementary school. His son is being cared forin our hospital. The dad went on for about 10 minutes abouttheir whole journey from entering the ER to the patienttransport team that took them to his son’s room to the foodservices staff to their favorite nurses. He remembered everydetail and was just overwhelmed with gratitude for you andwhat you have done to care for his son.

The second “stop in my tracks” moment was quiteunique. The man who stopped me is a wonderful physicianwho practices right here on our Campus. He had been ill and

was admitted to the hospital for about a week. I ran into himin the halls and he was almost in tears as he told me his story.Initially, he was thanking me for “making the call and gettinghim special treatment” while he was here. I felt bad tellinghim that I didn’t even know he had been sick! Well, this madehim even more emotional as he realized that the “specialcare” he received was just the standard of care on thisCampus. He could not have been more complimentary of thenursing staff and everyone that cared for him. He said thatbeing in the reverse role as a patient and interacting with ournursing staff on a different level has inspired him and madehim proud to be a physician here.

The last run-in was with a dad whose daughter was in ourburn unit. I was surprised he recognized me when he stoppedto ask if I was the CEO. He shared an incredibly moving storywith me about what happened to his daughter. However, whatwas even more moving was the genuine admiration he had forher caregiver team. He said that the burn unit staff not onlyhelped her heal physically, but emotionally as well. He wasbeyond appreciative and just radiated respect and love for thestaff that cared for his little girl. It is evident that the burnunit staff truly inspired him and his daughter.

I believe that inspiration is contagious. So today, Ichallenge you to inspire. Even if you only have the opportunityto inspire one person, you have given that person an inspiringor animating action or influence that will impact their life.Today, let’s make inspiration contagious.

Talk soon,Craig E

CAMPUS MOSAIC – THE RESULT OF INSPIRATION

New YMCA classes have been added to the schedule:

• ZUMBA™7:30 a.m.Tuesdays and Thursdays

• Nite Club Cardio™7:30 p.m.Tuesdays and Thursdays

All classes now meet in the new Wellness Center, whichis located in the Jones basement. Class schedules andwaivers are available in the Employee Wellness sectionon TMC connections. Not yet a member of the YMCAthrough Memorial Hermann? Try out a class for FREE!All you need to do is sign a waiver, which instructors willhave available in class. For more information, pleasecontact Cathy Montgomery at cathy.montgomery@memorialhermann.org.

Exercise Class Update

For 90 years, United Way of GreaterHouston has been here for our

community, throughout the circle of ourlives, touching nearly one out of everytwo of us when we need it most.Thisyear, the Memorial Hermann-TexasMedical Center Campus will againsupport the venerable institutionthrough our annual fundraisingcampaign, which will take placeMonday, Sept. 10 through Friday, Sept. 21. The theme for the campaign is Do Something Today for a BetterTomorrow.

For the last decade, MemorialHermann has led the way for thehealthcare industry in Houston bycontributing in excess of $700,000 tothe United Way. Last year, our Campus(three of the 12 hospitals in the System)raised $127,000, surpassing its$110,000 goal. This year, our Campus’goal is to give $124,000.

Supervisors will begin distributingpledge cards on Monday, Sept. 10, whenthe campaign officially begins.Completed forms can be turned in toyour supervisor, the Security desk onthe 1st floor near the Emergencydepartment or at a campaign event.Pledges also can be made online throughInSite, with the option to donatethrough paid time off (PTO) orautomatic payroll deductions.

In addition to pledging or donatingPTO, employees can contribute bypurchasing Jeans Day and School/TeamPride Day stickers from United Wayteam captains – one day for $10 or bothdays for $15 – as well as by purchasingdrawing tickets. To participate in thedrawing for the baskets, employees canpurchase tickets ($5 for two tickets and$10 for five tickets) at the drawingtables.

In conjunction with fundraisingactivities for the United Way, ourCampus will host a special team buildingevent – a “lip dub” video contest. Alldepartments are encouraged to submit amusic video where members of the teamlip synch to a song. Detailedinformation, including submission

guidelines have been posted to theAnnouncements section of TMCConnections on InSite.

Polina Strug, event chair for the2012 campaign and director of PatientExperience, has a special tie to theUnited Way – she was one of the manyhelped by a beneficiary organizationwhen her family emigrated to the UnitedStates after fleeing the Soviet Union,which at the time was cloaked behindthe “Iron Curtain.” The United Wayagency that was responsible for herfamily’s resettlement provided themwith an apartment and furniture,English classes for her parents – whospoke only Russian at the time – andarranged for Strug to attend a fantasticschool where she also could learn

English, as well as learn more about herfaith, which was banned at the time sheand her family left Russia.

Your participation in the 2012United Way Campaign ensures thesuccess of its programs, which touchalmost half the lives in the Houston areaand truly make an impact for our city.For more information about this year’scampaign, please contact:• Polina Strug – Polina.strug@

memorialhermann.org • Ilanit Meckley – Ilanit.meckley@

memorialhermann.org• Rick Hinojosa – riccardo.hinojosa@

memorialhermann.org• Jim Maddock – james.maddock@

memorialhermann.org E

DO SOMETHING TODAY FOR A BETTER TOMORROW:PARTICIPATE IN THE 2012 UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN

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2012 United Way CampaignCalendar of Events

Monday, Sept. 10• Campaign begins | Pledge cards distributed to employees• School/Team Pride Day wristbands on sale through Sept. 14

Thursday, Sept. 13• Submission deadline for lip dub video contest

Friday, Sept. 14• School/Team Pride Day (wristband needed)

Monday, Sept. 17• Themed gift basket drawings begin, to be held daily through

Sept. 21• Jeans Day wristbands on sale through Sept. 21

Friday, Sept. 21• Jeans Day (wristband needed)• Wrap-Up Party (details to be announced)• Campaign ends

Nearly three years ago, the team ofphysicians at the Texas Trauma

Institute set in motion the first ofseveral new transfusion protocols whichtoday are significantly improving thesurvival rate of the trauma patients whorequire blood products here. Inaddition to the new protocols, researchcurrently being conducted at TheCenter for Translational InjuryResearch (CETIR), part of TheUniversity of Texas Health ScienceCenter at Houston (UTHealth) MedicalSchool, has provided insight into bloodtransfusion and the care of severelyinjured trauma patients. Thiscombination of practice and researchhas led to one astounding result –overall mortality on Campus hasdecreased by 20 percent in the last fouryears.

“We have a tremendous team inplace here,” said trauma surgeon andretired United States Army Colonel JohnB. Holcomb, M.D., F.A.C.S., director ofthe Texas Trauma Institute at MemorialHermann-Texas Medical Center, chief ofthe division of Acute Care Surgery andprofessor of surgery at UTHealthMedical School. “The initiatives thathave led to the decrease in mortalityhave all been made possible because ofthe dedication and talent of the nursingstaff, physicians across many specialties,and particularly the coordinated effortof the blood bank.”

One of the many initiatives thathave led to the decrease in mortalitybegan in 2009 when the Texas TraumaInstitute team made thawed plasmaavailable for the first time in theEmergency department (ED), makingthese life-saving blood products morereadily available to trauma patients withthe most serious injuries at the point ofarrival. They quickly learned that thedecreased time to infusion led tosignificantly better outcomes.

“Although this initial step was not aformal research study, we approachedthis performance improvement (PI)initiative in an evidence-based fashion,and tracked the outcomes via our

established trauma PI process,”explained Dr. Holcomb. “We found thatthe earliest intervention possible forthose that require blood products iscrucial.” According to Dr. Holcomb, anaverage of 300 trauma patients each yearrequire a blood transfusion when theyarrive on Campus.

After the team continually sawimprovements in mortality rates for thepatients who received blood products inthe ED, they took early intervention astep further and began working onmaking transfusion available onMemorial Hermann Life Flight®. Thehelicopters began carrying bloodproducts last September, and today LifeFlight is one of only two air ambulanceservices in the country to utilize redblood cells and plasma in-flight. “A fairnumber of programs across the countrycarry red blood cells,” said Dr.Holcomb. “We are unique because wecarry both red blood cells and plasma –you need both to help stop bleeding.”

A generous gift from a private donorfunded the purchase of the necessaryequipment for in-air transfusion andblood product storage at Life Flight’smultiple bases, while several disciplinescame together to develop thecomplicated protocol. Holcomb notedthat the process was vetted throughflight nurses, emergency medicaltechnicians, blood bank personnel,emergency medicine, administrationand other members of the traumaphysician leadership team such as theprogram’s founder, James “Red” Duke,M.D. Thus far, they are pleased with theoutcomes, citing that of the patientswho have received blood products in-air,90 percent of them have requiredcontinued transfusion upon arrival.“These patients have had blood pressureof less than 50, and they are surviving,”said Dr. Holcomb.

In addition to making bloodproducts more readily available, theteam is also seeing improved outcomesafter instituting a new method of testingblood coagulation in the ED’s STAT lab.By using thromboelastography (TEG) in

the initial evaluation, trauma physiciansare now able to better determine apatient’s risk for pulmonary embolismand provide earlier intervention. “It’s afunctional test that differs from thestandard test in that it looks at all thecomponents of coagulation,” said Dr.Holcomb, who has been involved in TEGstudies for the last 10 years. “We arefinding that not only do results fromTEG come back faster, we get betterinformation and it’s less expensive.”

Most recently, Memorial Hermann-TMC served as the lead site forPROMMTT (Prospective,Observational, Multicenter MassiveTransfusion Study), which studied themassive transfusion protocols at 10leading trauma centers in an effort tobetter determine those associated withimproved mortality. Funded by the U.S.Department of Defense, and the U.S.Army Institute of Surgical Research, thestudy has been accepted for publication.Armed with the data from thePROMMTT, the team began workingearlier this month as the lead site onPROPPR (Pragmatic, RandomizedOptimal Platelet and Plasma Ratios.)This 12-center, National Institutes ofHealth-funded Phase III trial is designedto evaluate which ratio of blood productsleads to better outcomes – a 1:1:1 ratioof plasma, platelets and red blood cells,or a 1:1:2 ratio.

On the horizon, Dr. Holcomb ishopeful for continued improvements totransfusion protocols. “We justcompleted a prospective, randomizedearly whole blood study which has beengoing on for 18 months. The militaryhas been giving whole blood with goodresults in Iraq and Afghanistan, so weare eagerly anticipating those findings,”added Dr. Holcomb. “Across the board,we are showing in a data-driven fashionthat by using blood products earlier, weuse less blood, survival rates are goingup and complications are going down.We believe that our ability to stop thebleeding sooner is translating into betteroutcomes for our patients.” E

TEXAS TRAUMA INSTITUTE IMPROVES OUTCOMES AND REDUCES MORTALITY

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People in the Greater Houstoncommunity have the opportunity to be

part of a landmark clinical trial – theCentury Health Study – that may benefitsociety by proving a more efficient, cost-effective way of diagnosing, preventingand treating coronary heart disease. TheStudy is a five-year research collaborationbetween The University of Texas HealthScience Center at Houston (UTHealth)Medical School and Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center that uses modifiedlifestyle factors, preventive healthteaching and advanced heart imaging fortreating and preventing coronary heartdisease.

The Century Health Study began inMarch 2009. At press time, 610 patientswere enrolled in the program. The study’sgoal is to have 1,300 patients in theprogram. Enrollment will continuethrough 2013.

Individuals participating in the studyreceive free electrocardiograms, exercisetreadmill stress tests, diet evaluations,clinic visits and complete cholesterolprofiles. The results of these tests areprovided to the participant and his or herprimary care physician.

The Century Health Study compares two strategies fordecreasing cardiovascular events, including strokes. Onestudy group will be scheduled for dietary and lifestyleassessments once a year throughout the study. The other studygroup will be scheduled for dietary and lifestyle counseling atmonths 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 for the first year and every six monthsthereafter. Special imaging of the heart using positronemission tomography (PET) to create a three-dimensionalpicture of the heart will be performed on all patients to testwhether it guides their treatment more effectively.

“We want to find out if one group has a greater healthbenefit than the other and to see which strategy is the mostcost-effective,” said Stefano Sdringola, M.D., M.H.A., theprincipal investigator for the study. Dr. Sdringola isWeatherhead Distinguished University Chair and professor ofMedicine at UTHealth Medical School and is associatedirector of the Weatherhead PET Imaging Center forPreventing and Reversing Atherosclerosis.

You may be eligible to participate in this five-yearinnovative approach to preventing and treating heart diseaseif:• You have been diagnosed with blockages in your heart

(have had a heart attack, bypass surgery, a heart balloonprocedure or stents to your heart)

• Or you have at least three risk factors for heart disease,including: diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterollevels, smoking, a strong family history of early heartdisease, or current blockages in the carotid arteries orlegs.

The study takes place at the Weatherhead PET Center insideMemorial Hermann-TMC. All visits and tests are offered at nocost to participants who qualify.

A remarkable finding has occurred as participantsbecome more informed, educated and supported in themodification of risk factors: the study’s participants, whilegetting healthy, are also impacting their families andcommunities.

“You can spread health in the family,” said Dr. Sdringola.John Sims and Morris “Ray” Sims – siblings who signed

up for the program in 2011 – are demonstrating the dominoeffect of improved lifestyle choices that can occur when oneperson becomes a catalyst within a family or a group. John,54, was the first to enter the program and was assigned to thecontrol group that just meets once a year. Ray, 60, joined onemonth later and was assigned to a group that receives morefrequent counseling. Both men, who have always maintainedactive lifestyles, have achieved significant weight loss over thelast year by modifying their eating habits.

“Education was a big part of it,” said Ray. (Continued on page 6)

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CENTURY HEALTH STUDY TAKES INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO FIGHTING CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

(left to right) Brothers John and Ray Sims, who have a family history ofheart disease, have been participating in the Century Health Study

since 2011. The preventive health education and guidance provided bythe study’s research team has empowered both men to achieve

significant weight loss over the last year and improve their wellbeing.As part of the study, positron emission tomography (PET) scans of theheart, exercise testing and study visits are provided at no cost. For more information or to see if you meet the study criteria,

visit www.centuryhealthstudy.org.

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SEPTEMBER

RTS Bereavement TrainingSept. 13 – 14, 2012The nationally recognized RTSBereavement Training is coming toChildren’s Memorial Hermann HospitalThursday, Sept. 13 through Friday, Sept.14. The comprehensive two-dayprogram will provide attendees withtakeaways to care for bereaved parentsand families experiencing perinatal loss. For more information, please contactGina Jones atgina.jones@memorialhermann.com or visit www.bereavementservices.org.A flyer and registration form for the

program have been posted to theContinuing Education Opportunitiessection of TMC Connections on InSite.

OCTOBER

Third Annual Advances in Oncology: From Clinical Science to ClinicalPracticesFriday, Oct. 12Physicians, nurses and researchers areinvited to learn about new approaches tocancer care and how they can be used inconjunction with standard-of-therapycare. The event will take place in theHermann Pavilion Conference Centerfrom 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Breakfast andregistration are at 7:30 a.m. Parking is

complimentary. This activity provides7.75 contact hours of nursingcontinuing education. Onlineregistration is available atwww.utcme.net.

Faculty researchers, basic science andclinical science research groups,fellows, residents, medical students andbiomedical science students are invitedto submit an abstract to be consideredfor a poster session. Abstracts can besubmitted to Susmitha Gadde atsusmitha.gadde@memorialhermann.org. The abstractsubmission deadline is Friday, August 17. E

CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

(Continued from page 5)

John, an employee benefits consultant, became aware ofthe Century Health Study during one of Dr. Sdringola’spresentations at an industry luncheon. John’s primary carephysician had been after him for years to make significantchanges that would help him with his back issues (a disk hadherniated three times), high cholesterol and elevated bloodpressure.

“When I saw Memorial Hermann and UTHealth – bothindustry leaders – were behind the Century Study, I knew thequality was there. And the idea of getting pretty expensivetesting (PET scans can run about $3,000 each) for nothing wasdefinitely an attraction. So I submitted a pre-screening formto see if I was eligible.”

As it turns out, his brother Ray was a qualifying factor –Ray had a heart attack in 1989 at age 37 and a bypass in 2000.John encouraged Ray to enroll.

When Ray did his initial exam for the study, he found outthat he was clinically obese. “Not overweight – obese,” saidRay. “That and two major heart episodes were a big wake upcall.”

Since joining the study in May 2011, Ray has remainedcommitted to eating lean and healthy foods – very little redmeat. His diet is low fat, low carb, high fiber and high protein.The results have been pretty dramatic: Ray has lost 40 pounds.Also, since Ray started the study, his wife has lost 40 poundsbecause she, too, now adheres to Ray’s healthy new eatinghabits.

His sibling John also has enjoyed weight loss success, andhas achieved his goal weight – 190 pounds – after starting the

program at 225 pounds. “When I came home from workstarving, I used to grab the first thing I saw and that wasusually potato chips. Now I keep fruit on hand,” said John.

“I feel great! It’s fun to go in for check-ups at theWeatherhead PET Center now. I get a big head from all thecompliments. The whole team has been incrediblysupportive,” said Ray. “Being part of the Century HealthStudy has been a life changer. Outside of my relationship withChrist, my marriage and my children, this has had more of animpact on my life than anything.”

The only adverse side effect for the Sims brothers? Theamount of money they have had to spend on purchasing newclothes as a result of their weight loss. “I’ve had to get mysuits redone, all new pants,” said John. “My kids can’t believethe difference.”

“There is a diet for getting sick and a diet for stayinghealthy,” said Dr. Sdringola. “It’s important that we think ofour health as something we need to cherish, not as a given.”

“Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of Americans. It affectsthe entire family and is the greatest cause of personalbankruptcy in the United States. What’s most astonishing isthat 90 percent of cardiovascular events are preventable.Through our study, we hope to save lives and help individualsin our community prevent these unnecessary tragedies byempowering them to make healthier choices.”

If you are interested in participating in thiscomprehensive research study to test the most advancedcardiac care, call 713.500.5200 or fill out a “pre-screening”form online at www.centuryhealthstudy.org to see if you meetthe study criteria. E

WEDDING IN FONDREN PARK BRINGS JOY TO PATIENTS AND STAFF

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Ayoung couple, whose 4-month-old son arrived at ourPICU in July, were recently engaged and dreamed of

having their new little joy present for the upcoming wedding.As the baby’s health deteriorated, so did the wedding plans.

However, due to the commitment and above-and-beyondattitude of Memorial Hermann-TMC employees, the couple’sdreams came true when our Campus offered to host thewedding in the hospital so the baby could take part in thespecial day.

This gave volunteers two days to coordinate a wedding.And on July 20, 2012, volunteers and staff members fromvarious disciplines joined forces to make this last-minutewedding a reality.

Social worker Kristen Soudelier, case management, firstlearned of the couple’s wedding plans while visiting withthem. She came up with an idea and shared it with herdirector, Betsy Johnson.

Johnson said, “Kristen went the extra mile to make alasting impact on this couple and on their experience atChildren’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. She made time to sitdown and talk to them on a personal level, allowing the coupleto feel comfortable with sharing their concerns and thoughts.This is what great patient care is all about, and I couldn’t bemore proud of Kristen for providing that.”

Soudelier was so moved by the couple’s story that she tookon an extra job – wedding coordinator! Johnson continued,“She was integral in planning the wedding and coordinatingwith fellow employees to make everything come togetherbeautifully.”

Other key individuals that helped make the weddingpossible are Glenda McDonald, manager of chaplaincyservices, and James Jay, manager of catering services.McDonald served as the chaplain at the wedding andperformed the ceremony. She allotted extra time in herschedule to meet one-on-one with the bride and groom as wellas the couple’s parents. She coached them through theceremony and calmed the to-be-expected wedding day nerves.

Jay played a key role in the wedding not only withcatering, but also with decorating. He provided a beautiful

wedding cake for the reception and collected personal linensand decorations from home to use for the wedding.

Soudelier said, “This wedding could not have happenedwithout James’ help. When the bride told us she wanted a purple theme, James took it upon himself to find all thedecorations and spent two nights steaming all of the linens athis home. He also got us a sound system for half the price!”

In addition to Jay’s help with catering, Darrell Roy, teamleader in food services, spent the entire day tending to all ofthe catering needs and ensured the reception went off withouta hitch.

When it came to shopping for the wedding, Soudelier gavethe “best wedding-shopping skills” award to Richard Weir,director of Child Life services. Weir used his personal time togo around town picking up decorations and other importantneeds for the wedding. He and members of the Child Lifeteam also donated their time to set up and break down theentire wedding.

In addition to Soudelier, Lorraine Wright, seniorexecutive assistant, was integral in coordinating the weddingdetails, going above and beyond to help the couple. Wrightcontacted local stores to get a bouquet, and hair and makeupdonated to the bride. She made all of the appointments for thebride and played chauffeur, driving the bride and her mom toall of the appointments. She also arranged for parking on theday of the wedding.

Soudelier’s co-worker Carly Wagenheim, social worker,had one of the most sentimental tasks, asking her family todonate rings and a carpet runner for the ceremony. Also, staffat the Ronald McDonald House reserved a room for the brideto change in and for the couple to spend the night of thewedding.

On the day of the wedding, Lindsey McReynolds and GregArrendondo from transport services helped move the baby toand from Fondren Park, and Robin Kralovetz, respiratorytherapy, and Shauna Hill, human resources, donated theirphotography skills. Orlando Parra, interpreter services, andhis wife donated their talents by singing and playing the guitarthroughout the entire ceremony. Other volunteers thathelped with the wedding, include Christian Erikson, M.D.,the baby’s physician, Becky Wiersma, social work intern,Stacey Neblett and Kimmie Bayliss, both Child Life, andKristin Thome, PICU charge nurse. E

Our Campus would like to specially thank the followingbusinesses for donating to the wedding and making adifference in the lives of our patients and guests:• Rose Gallery Florist for the bouquet• Beautique Day Spa & Salon for hair, makeup,

manicure and pedicures for both the bride and her mother

• Roy and Adrienne Wagenheim with R. WagenheimJewelry Studio, Inc. for making and donating the rings

• David's Bridal for helping the bride pick out a dressand for having it ready and pressed in one day

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Upcoming Events

SEPTEMBER

Book FairWednesday, Sept. 5 - Friday, Sept. 7 Books are FunTM will be selling books and gifts from7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the skybridge, next to BriocheDoree. A percentage of the proceeds will benefitCampus improvement programs implementedthrough Volunteer Services.

Caring for Cancer 3rd Annual Patient and Caregiver SeminarSaturday, Sept. 8Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer andtheir caregivers are invited to attend a freeeducational event led by physicians and specialistsaffiliated with Memorial Hermann Cancer Center–Texas Medical Center and The University of TexasHealth Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)Medical School. The event, which takes place inthe Hermann Pavilion Conference Center from 8a.m. to 3 p.m., will give participants an overview ofthe personalized care provided and details on therole of pathology, radiology, surgery, radiationtherapy and systematic therapeutics duringtreatment. Complimentary breakfast, lunch andparking will be provided. Space is limited. Toregister, call 713.222.CARE (2273).

$5 Jewelry SaleWednesday, Sept. 19 - Friday, Sept. 21Masquerade Jewelry will host a costume jewelryand accessories sale from 8 a .m. to 5 p.m. in theCullen Lobby. A percentage of the proceeds willbenefit Campus improvement programsimplemented through Volunteer Services.

Town HallMonday, Sept. 24 – 7:30, 9 and 11 a.m.; 3 and 7:30 p.m.Tuesday, Sept. 25 – 8 a.m.Wednesday, Sept. 26 – 3:30 p.m.Join Craig Cordola, Victoria King and Cheryl Olsonat a special Town Hall around our Campus' journeyto Magnet. The all-employee forums will take placein the Hermann Conference Center andrefreshments will be served.

Hydrocephalus Association WalkSaturday, Sept. 29Often called "water on the brain," hydrocephaluscan cause patients’ heads to swell toaccommodate excess cerebral spinal fluid. Itaffects all ages. On Saturday, Sept. 29, Children’sMemorial Hermann Hospital and MischerNeuroscience Institute are sponsoring a team forthe Hydrocephalus Association Walk. There is nocharge to participate in the walk. Those interestedin joining team “MNI/Memorial Hermann-TMC” are encouraged to register online atwww.hydroassoc.org.

OCTOBER

Partners in Caring (PIC) Golf TournamentFriday, Oct. 5PIC’s annual golf tournament benefiting the PICEmployee Fund is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 5 at theCypresswood Golf Club. On the day of the event,registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and thetournament begins at 9 a.m. This is PIC’s biggestfundraising event and your support will help ensurewe can continue to help our employees during theirtime of crisis. The registration form is available onthe PIC Web page of InSite. The deadline to signup for the tournament is Monday, Sept. 17. Don’tmiss your chance to play and help your colleaguesthrough this worthwhile cause!

pg 9

Transplant Center Donates Uniforms for Transplant Olympics

In July, transplant recipients, living donors and the loved ones ofindividuals who chose to provide the gift of life came togetherduring the Transplant Games of America in Grand Rapids, Mich.In support of the event, the Transplant Center at MemorialHermann-Texas Medical Center donated the uniforms for thevolleyball and basketball teams from Texas.

The Transplant Games of America is a multi-sport festivalevent for athletes who have undergone life- saving transplantsurgeries and living donors. Competition is open to anyone whohas received a solid organ transplant or bone marrow donation.More than just an athletic event, the Transplant Games ofAmerica highlights the critical importance of organ and tissuedonation, while celebrating the lives of organ donors andrecipients.

The next Transplant Games will take place in 2014. For more information, go to www.transplantgamesofamerica.org.

On National Book Lovers Day (Aug. 9), Samir Rahi, Rafe Chaumette and Rayhan Nariman (center, holding Kindles) –high school freshmen from Sugar Land, Texas – stopped by Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital to drop off fourKindle Fires they purchased with money raised through the LiveSmart Initiative, Inc. (www.livesmartinitiative.org), anonprofit organization created and run by school-age children. Through the donations of the Kindles, the teens – amongthem LiveSmart’s founder Rahi – wanted to offer pediatric patients in extended care access to an endless, virtual libraryof books as well as ensure kids could stay connected with friends, family and schoolmates while in the hospital.

Kids Helping Kids: Teen-Created Nonprofit Donates Wi-Fi Tablets to Children’sMemorial Hermann Hospital

pg 10

At a Campus with more than 5,300 employees, effectiveinternal communications is one of the key enablers ofemployee engagement. Our Internal Communications(IC) team is adept at getting the word out using the bestpossible communications channels for a message,taking context and the timeframe intoconsideration. By going through ICto promote upcoming events ornews items, you can ensure thatthe end product – signage, emailblasts, print publications, intranetpostings, etc. – adheres to brandstandards and helps our Campus putits best food forward. Remember, themore lead time you provide, the moreoptions IC will have to promote yourevent and news items. For moreinformation, please contactmedicalcentercommunications@memorialhermann.org.

Have an Upcoming Event or Story Idea? Internal Communications Can Help Get the Word Out

Back to School Safety Tips

• Ensure that your child is up to date on his orher vaccinations.

• If your child bikes to school, make sure he orshe wears a helmet.

• Talk to your child about bullying andencourage him or her to come to you if theyexperience online or in-person bullying.

• Keep sick children at home, versus sendingthem to school – especially if they have afever or flu-like symptoms.

• Explain the importance of paying attention –versus playing handheld games, listening toloud music or texting – while walking,especially when crossing the street.

On Aug. 13, representatives from Campus Leadership and Education, along with Army veteran James “Red” Duke, Jr.,M.D. (left) and Saleem Khan, M.D. (right), a captain in the U.S. Navy Reserves, held a celebration for the first

graduates of the Patient Care Technician (PCT) program. The program , which provides on-the-job skills to militaryveterans, is an initiative developed by our Campus as part of a concerted effort to recruit veterans. At press time, six

veterans – one from TIRR Memorial Hermann and five from Memorial Hermann-TMC and Children’s MemorialHermann – have completed the program. Among those honored were Army veterans Kourtney Jones (middle left),

who works in the STICU and Tonya Joyner (middle right), who works in General Medicine.

Patient Care Technician Program Celebrates First Graduates

pg 11

4 East Jones Rehab Olympics

Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded andproudly received by patients on 4 East Jones fortheir athletic talents during the unit’s inauguralRehab Olympics held in July. The waiting roomserved as an arena for games, such as ladder toss,soccer, bean bag toss and mini-basketball hoopdunks. Patients’ family members served as theofficial cheerleaders.

6411 Fannin | Houston, TX 77030 | 713.704.4000 | www.memorialhermann.org

Affiliated with The University of TexasHealth Science Center at Houston

(UTHealth) Medical School

Gateways is a publication for employees of the Memorial Hermann-TMC Campus, a leading healthcare facility that proudly stands at the gateway to the world-renowned

Texas Medical Center.

We welcome your suggestions and comments. If you have news to share, concerns to address or questions you’d like answered, please send an email to

medicalcentercommunications@memorialhermann.org or call 713.704.1222.