GATEWAYSa publication for our employees and academic partners

july2013

issueN°57

MEMORIAL HERMANN TEXAS TRAUMA INSTITUTEPARTICIPATES IN NATIONAL CLICK IT OR TICKET CAMPAIGN

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MEMORIAL HERMANN TEXAS TRAUMA INSTITUTEPARTICIPATES IN NATIONAL CLICK IT OR TICKET CAMPAIGN

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It’s been an emotional past month withthe loss of four of our city’s heroes. It

has been awe-inspiring, however, towitness the camaraderie and support thathas poured in from across the country,especially from the fire departments andfamilies of those whose loved ones serveour country. During times of tragedy, youare reminded of how many heroes we haveright here in our community.

You are one of those heroes. Youmight think you have a normal job, butwhat you do is definitely in the “hero”category. Every day, you make a lastingimpact in the lives of our patients orguests. It’s hard to put into words howmuch of a difference you make, and I wantto share an article with you that I thinkdoes a phenomenal job of explaining theimportant role you play in people’s lives.Craig Hlavaty with the Houston Chroniclewrote the story below.The real reason Houston is so great isright in front of you – Thursday, June 6The act of public service and the sacrificeinvolved has been on my mind a lot thisweek.

The Houston Fire Department lostfour family members in the line of duty lastFriday. It was the deadliest day indepartment history. Matthew Renaud,Robert Bebee, Robert Garner and AnneSullivan all died while fighting a still-unexplained five-alarm fire off 59.

On the same day as the fire, myyounger brother Jake underwentemergency surgery at Memorial HermannHospital to remove a walnut-sized tumorthat had been growing inside his brainsince he was just an embryo.

As I walked out of the hospital onFriday afternoon after the surgery,drained and fatigued, a large group ofHouston firemen were walking in todonate blood and visit their injuredcolleagues. Outside the hospital off

Cambridge, TV news crews waited to gettheir live shots for the curious folks athome.

The concept of doing for others hasweighed heavily on my mind these past fewdays. I am eternally grateful to humanswho do things that go above and beyondfor the betterment of others. Big things,small things, they all mean something.

The Pearland EMS personnel that gotmy brother — in the grip of a seizure — tothe ER just in time to save his life. The ERdoctors that worked on him to get theexcess blood off his brain. Theneurosurgeon, Dr. Arthur Day, thatperformed the super-heroic, intricatesurgery that removed the tumor, and thenthe shunt installation on Tuesday.

Then there are nurses who have helpedhim get back on the road to recovery. Theones that have run tests, bathed him,listened to my mother tearfully askquestions that they cannot always answer.The simple act of pulling up a shade to letmy brother feel the sun in his room meansso much. Talking to him like a real liveperson and not an inert being.

I spent a few minutes one night talkingto his night nurse about his own career, hiswork as a paramedic in Washington state,his time working the ER downstairs atMemorial Hermann. The things hedescribes were unreal and how hedescribed them seemed so nonchalant.

There are people who feel a calling todo things that most of us couldn’t imaginedoing. Running into a burning building tosave another life, patrolling dangerousstreets and encountering criminals, goingto war thousands of miles from home,dealing with horrific injuries in an ER,helping a grieving family lay a loved one torest, the list goes on and on.

The Texas Medical Center has a newplace in my heart, too.

So much brain power and knowledge

is located in one 1,300-acre area. Mybrother is just one of 7.1 million patientsthat come through the TMC a year. Fifty-four institutions bring in people from allover the world for expert medical care.Jake probably wouldn’t be alive today hadhe not been sent to Memorial Hermann.

When I spend the night in his ICUroom with him, I get woken up every fewhours by a Life Flight helicopter landing. Itreminds me how lucky my family has beenthis week, and I remember how it felt lastThursday as our journey began. Theparanoia and uncertainty is hard to shake.

Last Friday morning while Jake wasdeep into surgery, I thought about howmuch mental energy I had invested in beingworried about the fate of the Astrodome.Equal parts Houston nostalgia, childhoodfascination, and manufactured mania. TheDome will never fix a hole in the heart ofan infant, cure a mother’s cancer, or heal agrandmother’s broken bones. It’s fun togawk at, but I will never hold one of mynewborn children inside it.

The whole time the real jewel ofHouston was sitting blocks away. It’s just ashame that it took something so traumaticfor me and my family to get that.

The memorial coverage is over, and allthe television stations have gone back totheir regular scheduled programming. Thechat shows, the paternity tests, thescreaming lawyer commercials.

But those firefighters and theirfamilies are still on my mind, and will befor some time, for running into that blazeto save another life at the risk of their own.They should all be on your mind, too.

Thanks to all of you for the heroic workyou do every day.

Talk soon,Craig E

CAMPUS MOSAIC – THE REAL JEWEL OF HOUSTON

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As the busiest trauma center in the nation, we know all too well the

importance of wearing a seat belt andrefraining from cell-phone use whiledriving. But do we always abide by thesesimple safety measures? To find out,representatives from the MemorialHermann Texas Trauma Institutelaunched a surprise inspection on June5 at the entrances of Texas MedicalCenter Garage 4 and MemorialHermann Medical Plaza Garagebetween 6 and 10 a.m. Their task was toobserve vehicles entering and exitingthe two parking structures and recordseat belt and cell phone usage. A total of3,054 cars were surveyed and the resultsmay surprise you: • One in seven drivers were not

properly wearing a seat belt.• One in five passengers were not

properly wearing a seat belt.• Three percent of drivers were

observed holding a cell phone totheir ear.

• Of the drivers that were observed

holding a cell phone to their ear, 77percent had their seat belts onproperly.

• Two percent of drivers wereobserved manipulating a cell phonewith their hands.

• Of the drivers that were observedmanipulating a cell phone with theirhands, 74 percent had their seatbelts on properly.

The data was collected as part of theTexas Department of Transportation’sannual Click It or Ticket campaign,which ran May 20 through June 2.“Safety culture is a core commitment onCampus,” said Cary Cain, R.N., M.P.H.,injury prevention and outreacheducation coordinator at MemorialHermann-TMC. “By performing theseat belt check and monitoringdistracted drivers, the Texas TraumaInstitute hopes to promote motorvehicle safety among employees andvisitors and raise awareness of theimportance of buckling up every singletime you are in a vehicle.”

Motor vehicle collisions are theleading cause of death for children andadults ranging from 5 to 34 years of age.Wearing a seat belt is the single mosteffective way to save lives and reduceinjuries when involved in a motor-vehicle collision, and by Texas law, alloccupants of a vehicle are required towear a seatbelt. If that is not motivationenough, according to the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention, risk ofserious injury or death by collision is cutin half simply by wearing a seat belt.

Click It or Ticket has been effectivein encouraging seat belt use. TheNational Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration estimates that thecampaign has saved approximately3,700 lives and prevented more than50,000 serious injuries since its launchin 2002.

For more information and statistics on seat belt usage and safety,visit www.texasclickitorticket.com orwww.cdc.gov and search “seat belt use.” E

MEMORIAL HERMANN TEXAS TRAUMA INSTITUTE PARTICIPATES IN NATIONAL CLICK IT OR TICKET CAMPAIGN

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CAMPUS CHAPLAIN LOGAN RUTHERFORD DEPLOYED TO OKLAHOMA TO ASSIST TORNADO VICTIMS

On the evening of May 20, LoganRutherford, M.Div., B.C.C.,

chaplain at Memorial Hermann-TexasMedical Center, was at home watchingbreaking news of a tornado that had juststruck the town of Moore, Okla., whenhe received a call from the AmericanRed Cross. “It was the national officeand they wanted to know if I could be ona plane to Oklahoma the next day,” hesaid.

Rutherford volunteers as a memberof the American Red Cross DisasterSpiritual Care leadership team, a groupof board-certified chaplains locatedthroughout the country who arespecially trained to respond to naturaldisasters and mass casualty events. Hehad been called twice before, first toJoplin, Mo., after the catastrophic 2011tornado there, and again last year whenHurricane Sandy struck the East Coast.

“Logan has been a significant leaderwithin the Red Cross and we are veryproud of his work,” said Brent Peery,D.Min., B.C.C., chaplain director atMemorial Hermann-TMC. “He’s able toprovide extraordinarily skilled andsensitive care to these peopleexperiencing horrific tragedy, and theRed Cross recognizes how valuable thatis.”

Rutherford is no stranger to thedevastating effects of traumaticexperiences, which is one reason he is soeffective in disaster situations such asthese. For four years he has worked inTrauma Services at Memorial Hermann-TMC, providing spiritual andbereavement counseling to traumavictims and their loved ones. He also

volunteers with a Disaster Action Teamof the local chapter of the American RedCross, has had extensive grief trainingthrough the Association for DeathEducation and Counseling and is afellow of thanatology, which is the studyof death, dying and bereavement.

ArrivalAfter getting approval to takeimmediate leave from work, Rutherfordflew to Oklahoma on May 21 and arrivedto massive destruction on the ground.The tornado had been classified as EF5(on the Enhanced Fujita Scale) withwind speeds of 200 mph, and it wasestimated to be 1.3 miles wide at itspeak. The passage of the storm causedcatastrophic damage – entiresubdivisions and neighborhoods wereobliterated in the towns of Moore,Newcastle and southern Oklahoma City.The Oklahoma Department ofEmergency Management reported that24 people were killed and 377 injured.An estimated 1,150 homes weredestroyed, and there was at least $2billion in damage.

As a manager for the DisasterSpiritual Care team, Rutherford’sresponsibilities included setting up atracking system for condolence visits,aligning and supporting emergencyresponse vehicle workers in the field,supporting clients at the multi-agencyresource centers, and offeringemotional and spiritual support toAmerican Red Cross staff andvolunteers.

His most important role, however,was providing on-the-ground counseling

and care to community residents as theyreturned to their properties for the firsttime once the wind and rain subsided.

“Nobody knew what they wouldfind, if anything. They were looking forpets, photos — whatever they couldsalvage,” Rutherford said.

He remembers comforting onecouple that came back to the ruins oftheir home to search the rubble for theirtwo pets: a cat and dog. Miraculously,the cat was retrieved under a largeamount of debris, but the relief and joyfrom his survival was numbed by the lossof their dog.

“This dog was considered a familymember and his death was devastating,”Rutherford explained. “All this familywanted was for another person to heartheir story and to bear witness to thepain of their loss. That’s why we came toOklahoma.”

Remnants From a StormThe stories Rutherford tells about hisexperiences in Moore are chilling. Hehelped one woman search the remains ofher house for an urn filled with her son’sashes. He saw 4x4 trucks wrappedaround trees, a staircase going nowhereand surrounded by what used to besomebody’s home, photos of weddingsand birthdays scattered indiscriminatelyfrom the winds and covered in dust.People began collecting whateverphotographs they came across andputting them up on a wall at the localHome Depot for others to search. Itbecame a makeshift shrine to thememories of life in Moore pre-tornado.

“People were just so grateful to find

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anything at all – a box of memorabilia, acell phone still plugged in and working,part of a cow figurine collection, abeloved recliner – never mind they werecovered in mud and debris.”

Devastation and ResilienceIn the midst of such loss, however,Rutherford said it was impossible not tofeel overwhelmed by the resilience andgenerosity displayed by the people ofMoore. “This community is an amazingwitness to the love of humanity for oneanother. It was clear to me that one ofthe reasons there were not morecasualties was because of how close-knitand compassionate everyone in thiscommunity is.” Rutherford went on totell a story of a family who was at homeright before the tornado hit. The familydidn’t own a storm shelter, but theirneighbor from across the street – whowasn’t home at the time – called and toldthe family to use his. Just a few minuteslater, both of their homes were directlyhit. “That family’s life was spared out of

the selfless offer of concern forneighbors.”

For Rutherford, the hardest part ofhis work in Moore was providingsupport to an end-of-the-year event atPlaza Towers Elementary School, whereseven children had died in the tornado.The school itself had been completelyruined by the tornado, so the event washeld at another elementary school intown. When the children arrived, theywere given donated backpacks and othersupplies. Rutherford met many childrenand family members and listened to thestory of a student named Austin who hadbeen saved by his teacher – she shieldedhim during the tornado to keep himfrom falling debris. As a thank you,Austin’s family gave the teacher aframed picture of the two of them withmessages written around the borderexpressing their appreciation andgratitude.

In stark contrast, however, he thenmet with the teacher who had lostmultiple children in her classroom. She

had just been released from the hospitaland could barely walk. She toldRutherford about how she had tried tosave them but that her arms just weren’tlong enough. “My heart sank for her,”Rutherford said. “I tried to help herunderstand that the parents of each ofthe deceased children knew the pain shefelt and that she had done everythingshe could. But I couldn’t stop thinkingabout the framed picture that had justbeen given to her peer, and how I hopedshe’d never have to see it. It was one ofthe most heart-wrenching events I haveever been a part of.”

For many of us, witnessing suchdevastation and tragedy would beunbearable. Rutherford explains that,“while it is emotionally challenging andpainful work, I feel it a privilege toaccompany those whose lives have beenturned upside down from the effects of adisaster. I learn from everyone I meet ondeployments about the resiliency in theface of such adversity. It’s not unlikewhat we do here at Memorial Hermannevery day. I’m proud to be surroundedby people who take care of others, atwork and outside of work.” E

Logan Rutherford, M.Div., B.C.C., chaplain at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, ispictured far right with fellow members of the American Red Cross in Moore, Okla.

Photographs found scattered amongdebris in the aftermath of the tornadoare collected on a wall at the localHome Depot.

MEDICINE IN THE NEWS: GENETIC TESTING AND CANCER PREVENTION

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In a recent op-ed in the New York Times, actress andactivist Angelina Jolie took the world by surprise by

announcing that she’d had a double mastectomy aftergetting genetically tested and learning she carried amutation that significantly increased her risk ofdeveloping breast cancer. Jolie carried a mutation in theBRCA1 gene, which forms a protein that plays a role inregulating DNA by repairing damaged DNA or destroyingcells if DNA cannot be repaired. BRCA1 is expressed athigher levels in breast tissue, and if it is mutated,damaged DNA will not be properly repaired, resulting inan increased risk of cancer growth.

The cancer risks for women who have a BRCA genemutation can be as high as 87 percent for breast cancerand 44 percent for ovarian cancer. With treatment such asa double mastectomy, risks for breast cancer decrease

substantially – Jolie, forexample, now has lessthan a 5 percent chanceof developing breastcancer. Knowing this,shouldn’t every personget genetically tested? The answer is actually“No.” Leslie NewmanDunnington, M.S.,

C.G.C, genetic counselor at Memorial Hermann CancerCenter-Texas Medical Center, explains: “Genetic testingis not appropriate for everyone. Most of the time weperform genetic tests on individuals who already havecancer or on those who are considered to have anincreased risk of developing cancer based on hereditaryindicators. In the second case, our goal is to implementscreening strategies and prophylactic measures so that wecan catch the disease early and treat it quickly.”

Individuals considered to be at an increased risk ofdeveloping hereditary cancer generally exhibit one ormore of the following:• Unusually early age of cancer onset • Multiple primary cancers in a single individual • Bilateral cancer in paired organs, or multifocal

diseases • Clustering of the same type of cancer in close

relatives• Cancers occurring in multiple generations of a family• Occurrence of rare tumors • Unusual presentation of cancer, such as male breast

cancer• Uncommon tumor histology• Rare cancers associated with birth defects, such as

Wilms tumor and genitourinary abnormalities • Geographic or ethnic populations known to be at high

risk of hereditary cancers, such as when a strongfounder effect is present in a given population (e.g.

Ashkenazi heritage and BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations). Dunnington stresses that individuals should not hesitateto talk to their physician about getting tested if they areconcerned about getting cancer. “Genetic testing holdsincredible promise for prevention and treatment ofdisease, but it is still in its infancy, and there are manyfactors to consider,” she said.

In the first place, genetic testing is expensive, andmany insurance carriers require a referral or won’t coverit at all, especially if an individual is not considered at highrisk. In addition to the cost of the actual test, preventivetreatment or surgery is not without risk, especially for adisease that may never develop. False positives or unclearresults – which are not uncommon in genetic testing – canlead to premature treatment decisions.

Genetic testing can also create ethical or psychosocialissues such as guilt and fear. Many mothers who testpositive for the BRCA mutation worry about raisingdaughters filled with fear that one day they, too, willdevelop breast cancer.

Genetic factors are also not the only factor affectingthe liklihood of developing cancer, and getting geneticallytested is not a guarantee of prevention. For example,mutations in the BRCA1 gene are present in only 0.24percent of the population and account for only 5 to 10percent of all cases of breast cancer.

Nevertheless, if an individual does exhibit factors thatfall into a high-risk category for hereditary cancer, genetictesting can be the first step in dramatically reducing riskof developing cancer. Jolie had the test because multiplegenerations of her family were diagnosed with cancer.Because she got tested and elected to undergo preventivetreatment, her risk of developing breast cancer is nowconsiderably lower. In addition, other female members ofher family are now aware of the possibility that they, too,carry the BRCA1 mutation. Although the prospect ofcancer is daunting, those family members now haveknowledge that can help them make more informeddecisions about their health.

Because these issues associated with genetic testingcan be deeply personal and difficult to absorb, geneticcounseling often accompanies genetic testing. Geneticcounselors like Dunnington help individuals understandand adapt to the medical, psychological and familialimplications of genetic contributions to disease. Theycounsel individuals and families identified as having anincreased risk of cancer and engage in education, earlydetection strategies, and cancer prevention measures.

Memorial Hermann-TMC and the UTHealth MedicalSchool offer various cancer risk assessment servicesincluding genetic testing, education and counseling. Tomake an appointment, call 713.704.3961. E

“If an individual exhibits factors that fallinto a high-risk category for hereditarycancer, genetic testing can be the firststep in dramatically reducing risk ofdeveloping cancer”

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MEMORIAL HERMANN-TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER NOW OFFERS GREEN PLATE KITCHEN PRODUCTS

In our continuous effort to promotehealth and wellness within our

Campus and community, MemorialHermann-Texas Medical Center hasteamed up with Green Plate Kitchen tooffer healthy alternatives to sugary,highly processed baked goods.

“We are thrilled to offer Green PlateKitchen as part of our Campus-widewellness initiative,” said CathyMontgomery, R.D., L.D., director of theClinical Nutrition department atMemorial Hermann-TMC. “As ahealthcare institution, we arecontinually emphasizing the importanceof good nutrition. By offering employeesand visitors healthy options while at the

hospital, we’re making it easier forpeople to make better choices.”

Green Plate Kitchen is a health-foodcompany known for delicious yetnutritious snacks made from scratchwith all-natural ingredients. They useorganic, locally sourced, non-geneticallymodified foods as much as possible.Their foods are designed under theguidance of a registered dietitian and ateam of trained chefs. There are noadded artificial ingredients,preservatives, additives or trans fats intheir products. In fact, puréedvegetables and fruits are substituted fortraditional butter and refined sugar tomaximize vitamin and antioxidant

content while minimizing excess fat. Products offered at Memorial

Hermann-TMC include raw fruit snacksin cherry chocolate and apricotcranberry flavors, zucchini chocolateand oatmeal raisin cookies made withapplesauce and wheat germ, bananachocolate chip and super browniemuffins made with blueberries andspinach, as well as jammy bars andgranola bars. These super-food snacksare available at Café Hermann, theStarbucks inside the Café, and byrequest for catered events. Prices rangefrom $1.99 to $5.99.

For more information, please visitwww.greenplatekitchen.com. E

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HVI BECOMES AN AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION-ACCREDITED STEMI RECEIVING CENTER

The Memorial Hermann Heart &Vascular Institute-Texas Medical

Center has become an AccreditedSTEMI Receiving Center by theAmerican Heart Association (AHA) andSociety of Cardiovascular Patient Care,making it one of only two hospitals inthe Greater Houston area and one of 26nationwide to achieve thisaccreditation. The accreditationrecognizes the Institute’s compliancewith heart attack treatment criteria setforth by the AHA’s Mission: Lifelineprogram and its commitment tocontinually improving STEMI care.

In concurrence with theaccreditation, the HVI was also awardedthe American Heart Association’sMission: Lifeline Gold QualityAchievement Award for heart attackcare, which recognizes the Institute’scommitment and success inimplementing the highest standard ofcare for heart attack patients.

“Our physician partners and staffare constantly working to improve theoutcomes of our cardiac patients, and weare proud to be recognized by theAmerican Heart Association for our

excellence in cardiac care,” said PaulO’Sullivan, chief executive officer ofMemorial Hermann Heart & VascularInstitute-TMC.

Each year in the United Statesalone, nearly 300,000 people sufferfrom a ST-segment elevation myocardialinfarction (STEMI), the most severeform of a heart attack. A STEMI occurswhen a blood clot completely blocks anartery to the heart, and to prevent deathit is critical to restore blood flowimmediately, either by surgicallyopening the blocked vessel or by givingclot-dissolving medication.

To become an AHA -accreditedSTEMI Receiving Center, the Institutehad to meet the American Heart

Association’s standards for quick andeffective treatment of a STEMI.Clinicians, nursing staff, and the rest ofthe HVI team worked diligently togather the necessary information toapply for this elite accreditation. TheInstitute is already an establishedAccredited Chest Pain Center by theSociety of Cardiovascular Patient Care.

“Becoming an American HeartAssociation Accredited STEMIReceiving Center is a remarkableachievement and reinforces the HVI’splace as one of the very best heartprograms in Houston and the nation,”said O’Sullivan. E

MEMORIAL HERMANN OFFERS NEW EPAY OPTION

Memorial Hermann recently announced ePay, a newelectronic pay option for all employees. Through ePay,

employees who are currently receiving a paper check canchoose direct deposit to a bank account or one of MemorialHermann’s affiliated credit unions: Bayou City Federal CreditUnion or Memorial Credit Union. Alternatively, employeesmay register to have their paycheck directly deposited onto aVISA payroll card.

Employees who use direct deposit are already a part of thisinitiative and do not need to make any changes unless they areinterested in receiving a pay card as well.

The VISA payroll card works just like a direct deposit to abank account, but instead the money will transfer directly ontothe VISA card. It offers multiple free ways to access pay,including ATMs, banks, money orders and more. The cardprovides immediate access to funds via automatic directdeposit to the card on payday. It is not considered a creditcard, so credit checks are not required to qualify, and there isno interest or monthly fee to use the card. The only money

that can be spent is what is available in the account.Registration is open now through July 3. If you are

currently receiving a paper paycheck, or are already enrolledin direct deposit but would like to receive a pay card as well,log in to Employee Self Service (ESS), then select “Paycheck,”then “ePay Registration.” From there, you may select directdeposit, pay card, or both. Employees who currently receive apaper check and have not selected a designation by July 3 willbe registered to receive a pay card.

The last paper check and personalized payroll carddistribution will occur on July 18. The paper paycheck optionwill be replaced with a pay card beginning with the Aug. 1payday, and the first deposit onto the pay card will also occuron Aug. 1.

After the personalized pay cards are issued with the July18 paychecks, employees can log on to ESS and elect howmuch they want to put onto the cards as an additional directdeposit. E

Movie Night!

On June 5, young professionals fromMemorial Hermann Heroes inHealth and Youth Hope Associationtransformed Fondren Park into amovie theater for the pediatricpatients at Children’s MemorialHermann Hospital. Patients andtheir families watched Pixar’s “Up”and enjoyed dressing up in boas andcolorful sunglasses for the event.There was also a popcorn snack bar,and “movie buff” trophies were givento the patients, who were certainlymade to feel like movie starsthemselves that night. For patientswho were unable to leave their

rooms, volunteers went door to door handing out the fun gifts.Heroes in Health is a new advocacy group supporting Memorial Hermann and its many facilities, clinicians and

research projects. Through educational opportunities and networking events, Heroes in Health members connectdirectly to Memorial Hermann’s globally renowned doctors and researchers as well as other prominent supportersand local industry leaders.

Youth Hope Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of pediatric hospitalpatients through interactive events hosted by volunteers and Houston-based companies.

Scooby Doo Visits Children’s MemorialHermann Hospital

Pediatric patients at Children’s MemorialHermann Hospital gathered at Fondren Park onMay 31 to participate in story time with a coupleof very special visitors. Shaggy and his famoussidekick Scooby Doo treated patients and theirparents to a reading performance of thechildren’s book How Do Dinosaurs Get WellSoon? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague. Thereading was followed by a casual meet and greetand the opportunity for individual pictures withthe mystery-solving duo. Their visit, madepossible by Memorial Hermann Heroes inHealth, Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospitaland Houston’s Society for the Performing Arts,provided a truly memorable morning for ouryoung patients.

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SUMMER FUN AT FONDREN PARK

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REMINDERS

Complete Your Performance Appraisal Self-Evaluation by July 5

The performance appraisal is one of the methods Memorial Hermann uses to ensure that employees receive thoughtfuland actionable feedback about the work they do. This year, all full-time and part-time employees are required to

complete a self-evaluation as part of their annualperformance appraisal. If you do not complete a self-evaluation, you will receive a 0.5 percent reduction inyour merit increase. Your review acts like an internalresume, so be sure to use the self-evaluation to ensurethat your feedback, accomplishments and developmentinterests are documented and discussed. To access yourself-evaluation, log on to Employee Self Service on InSite

and select Performance Appraisal. If you would like to view a recorded webinar about how to complete the self-evaluation, visit the Partners in Learning page of InSite. From there, select “My Resources,” and search under the“Performance Appraisal” section. E

Dress Code

Summer has officially arrived, and with it, Houston’sinfamous heat and humidity. For many of us, this meansunpacking the tank-tops, short-shorts and flip-flops,sometimes eschewing work-appropriate outfits forsomething cooler and more comfortable. To help youavoid any unintentional dress code violations during thesesummer months, we’ve compiled a list of friendlyreminders: • Hair must be clean and have a natural color and style

with no extreme dying, bleaching or coloring. • Undergarments should not be visible at any time.• Skirt length should be no shorter than 3 inches above

the top of the knee and may not be tight fitting.

• Pants should be worn at waist level.• Both men’s and women’s clothing should be of the

proper size – not tight fitting or baggy.• Shirts should not be low-cut or revealing. • All tattoos should be covered. • Due to infection-control concerns, direct patient

caregivers must wear shoes that are closed-toed, of asolid surface, clean and in good condition.

Thanks for helping the Campus maintain a professionaland pleasing environment. If you have any questions orconcerns, do not hesitate to speak with your manager. Wehope everyone has a wonderful summer! E

2013 PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL PROCESS TIMELINE

June 17 – July 5: Employees complete their self-evaluationJuly 8 – Aug. 9: Managers complete evaluations of their employeesWeek of Sept. 23: Performance conversations beginOct. 10: Merit increase reflected in paycheck

Robertson Loop Renovations Completed

The Robertson Loop at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center re-opened on Sunday, June 16. The entrance hadbeen closed for maintenance construction and upgrades, which included replacing the awning, resurfacing thepavement and refreshing the landscaping. Thanks to the hard work by Facilities and Engineering, the project wascompleted a week early and the entrance looks better than ever. E

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Board Approves Initial Stages ofProposed Master Facility Plan

On June 20, Campus Chief Executive OfficerCraig Cordola presented the beginnings of a

proposed Campus master facility plan to theMemorial Hermann Board. The initial stages ofthe plan were approved, and a budget of almost$50 million was released to address short-termcapacity issues by establishing a new observationunit, expanding the PACU and building out newinpatient beds and operating rooms. In addition,the project will also replace an outdated MRI aswell as an Interventional Suite.

“We are very fortunate in that our Campuscontinues to grow – all as a result of ourpartnership with our physicians. As a result ofstrong physician recruitment and programdevelopment, we are nearing capacity in manyareas. Fortunately, the Board and the System areinvesting in our Campus to give us a littlebreathing room while we plan a longer termstrategy to address the Campus master facilityplan,” said Cordola.

These initiatives will set the stage for theCampus master facility plan, a project thataddresses the 20-year plan for the Campus andincludes new programs as well as continuedrecruitment and growth. E

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.