NEXUS CONNECTION - HealthBridge Children`s Hospital

NEXUS
CONNECTION
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
TNC Anniversaries
HBO Anniversaries
J.J. Gatdula, RRT........................................ 10
Sammy Vasquez, LVN ............................... 8
NSH Anniversaries
# yrs.
# yrs.
Faye Owens, Horticulture Manager............ 10
Carl Hardy, LSA II .................................... 7
Vickie Alfaro, LVN ................................... 4
Harriett Adams, LSS .................................. 3
Renee Toliver, LSS .................................... 2
HBO Birthdays
Annette Doyle, Activities Assistant ............ 12/03
Guadalupe Beltran, Housekeeper ............... 12/06
Connie Villanueva, RN............................... 12/08
Anh Tran, RRT ........................................... 12/13
Melanie Shackelly, PTA ............................ 12/17
Mercedes Chavez, RN ............................... 12/22
Denver Niño, OT ....................................... 12/24
Gabriela Chavez, Bus. Ofc. Coordinator .... 12/25
Sammy Vasquez, LVN .............................. 12/29
Jason Wandel, Housekeeper/Activities ....... 12/31
HBH Anniversaries
# yrs.
Garry Tagle, Maintenance .......................... 8
Laura Miller, LVN ..................................... 7
Nghi Luu, RN ............................................. 4
Shirley Howard, Dietary Aide .................... 3
Rekha Nair, RN .......................................... 3
Sherrie Daniels, Dir. Prof. Development .... 2
Moon-Yung Chan, Dietary Cook ............... 1
TNC Birthdays
Janice Ayers, LSS ..................................... 12/04
Samuel Elzie, Shift Leader ........................ 12/04
Danielle Lassman, LSS .............................. 12/04
Stacey Adams, Clinical Liaison ................ 12/06
Derrick Bradford, LSS ............................... 12/06
Linda J Harrison, House Manager .............. 12/08
Lanee Malone, RN ..................................... 12/09
Cheryl Fox, LSS......................................... 12/10
Maria Martinez, Housekeeper .................... 12/11
William Clay, Maintenance........................ 12/12
Jacqueline Mendoza, Case Manager .......... 12/17
Mark Novosad, LSS ................................... 12/17
Ann De La Rosa, Dir Payor Relations ....... 12/21
Jo Walker, Transportation Coordinator ..... 12/22
Titania Cleveland, LSS ............................. 12/26
Carol Schansema, Neuro Tech I ................. 12/26
Tanisha Carter, Staffing Coordinator ......... 12/30
Merle McDowell, OTA ............................. 12/30
HBH Birthdays
Deissy Garcia, Patient Sitter ....................... 12/01
Tiffany Antoine-Holcombe, Receptionist .. 12/03
Trandla Barnett, CNA ................................ 12/04
Keshonda Howard, Dietary Aide ................ 12/04
Matthew Rivera, RN................................... 12/06
Cristina Cuellar-Sendejo, RN ..................... 12/09
Brenda Schmitt, RN ................................... 12/11
Ayanna Greggs, Unit Secretary .................. 12/12
Andres Zuniga-Caicedo, Charge Nurse ...... 12/13
Joshua Greenwood, Patient Sitter ............... 12/15
Anni Wong, Pharmacist.............................. 12/18
Susanne Dean, CRT ................................... 12/26
Felicia Lindsey, RN .................................... 12/26
Prinya Charoennimuang, Pharmacist ......... 12/27
Joy Oyeka, CNA......................................... 12/27
Rafeeqat Agbesanwa, Pharmacy Tech ........ 12/28
December 2011
# yrs.
Sallie Miller, CNA ..................................... 13
Violet Stell, CNA ...................................... 6
Charlotte Dublin, Case Manager ............... 5
Caleb Mogaka, CNA.................................. 5
Gloria Primeaux. Receptionist ................... 4
Mary White, Dietary Aide ........................ 4
Claudia Rotariu, Pharmacy Tech ............... 3
Margaret Olubuyi, RN .............................. 2
Jennifer Adams, Dietician ......................... 1
Gemma Veloso, RN ................................... 1
Andrew Wright, Central Supply Tech ........ 1
Nexus named as a Houston
Top Workplace
NSH Birthdays
Bridget Thompson, CNA ........................... 12/01
Charlotte Dublin, Case Manager ............... 12/02
Sallie Miller, CNA .................................... 12/02
Joel Kelley, Director Dietary Services ....... 12/07
Cheryl Labor, RN ...................................... 12/10
Erin Cassidy, Assistant Administrator ....... 12/11
Gloria Primeaux, Receptionist ................... 12/12
Tammy Shelton, CNA .............................. 12/13
Camille Tarlano, Receptionist .................... 12/14
Stefanie Gowen, Manager Rehabilitation... 12/19
Claudia Rotariu, Pharmacy Tech .............. 12/19
Gemma Veloso, RN .................................. 12/19
Vicki Perkins, Administrative Assistant .... 12/22
Rosa Howell, RRT ..................................... 12/25
Rebecca Posinski, RN ................................ 12/25
Monica Abraham-Deyang ......................... 12/26
Kenneth Douglas, Dir. Respiratory ........... 12/27
Natalie Munoz, Dir. Clinical Services ....... 12/29
Shantira Stella, Dietary Aide...................... 12/29
Virginia Hunter, Dietary Cook .................. 12/30
Nexus Health Systems was named
ployee responses detailing culture,
as a 2011 Houston Top Workplace
work environment, training, opporby the Houtunities for advanceston Chroniment, compensation,
cle in Nobenefits, leadership,
vember 2011.
management communiThis industry
cation and overall satisworkplace
faction. 2011 was the
competition
first year Nexus has parrecognizes
ticipated in this recognioutstanding
tion program and the
employers
company is excited to
across all inbe noted as a top workYolander Wilson, Dietary Cook and Laura place in Houston.
dustries in
Miller, LVN, both from HealthBridge
Houston.
―Being named as
Houston, attended the 2011 Houston
Companies
one of Houston’s top
Chronicle's Top Workplace Gala held in
were ranked Houston, Texas on November 3.
places to work is a trebased on emmendous honor because
Corporate Anniversaries
Sharon Hatfield, A/P Specialist.................. 3
Houston Business Journal
Recognizes Nexus
Corporate Birthdays
The following is an exert from a press release published recognizing Nexus. The complete
press release can be viewed at www.nhsltd.com.
# yrs.
Claudett Harris, HR Assistant at Nexus
Specialty Hospital celebrated her birthday
in October!
Nexus Connection
DECEMBER 2011
Brenda Potter, Controller .......................... 12/31
Page 12 of 8
Nexus was recently named to Houston Business Journal’s list of the largest
hospitals in the region. Nexus Health Systems placed #13 on the list, which
was ranked by number of operating beds. This is Nexus’ second appear-
while this award was facilitated by
the Houston Chronicle, it really was
given to Nexus by our employees,‖
said John W. Cassidy, MD, President, CEO and Chief Medical Officer for Nexus Health Systems.
―Nexus Health Systems puts tremendous thought into the building
blocks that make up a great workplace. We conduct ongoing employee engagement surveys to gauge satisfaction and gather feedback. But
more importantly, we take action to
show employees that they are being
Continued on Page 2
(Continued on Page 2)
All about Employee Benefits,
Health & Wellness
The Apple Core:
heard and their opinions matter,‖
stated Guy F. Murdock, Vice President, Human Resources.
Examples of HR initiatives that
have sprung from employee feed(Pictured Above) Erin Cassidy, Assistant
(Pictured Above) Chris Alanis, Medical
back include enhanced Paid-TimeAdministrator, and Chris Alanis, Medical
Records Clerk; Jorge Iniguez, House SuOff programs, increased communiRecords Clerk, attended the Top Workplace
pervisor; and Joey Rivera, RN, enjoy the
cation, leadership training for all
Gala at the Hilton Americas in downtown
reception at the Top Workplace Gala. All
Houston. Chris and Erin both work at Nexfront line supervisors, the establishthree employees work at Nexus Specialty
us Specialty Hospital.
Hospital.
ment of Workplace Councils to facilitate best practice
The following employees
sharing, and greater
represented Nexus at the 2011 Houston
emphasis on workplace events so that
Chronicle Top Workplace Gala
employees can
spend time getting
John Cassidy, President and CEO
to know their
Guido Cubellis, COO
coworkers.
Julia Hatton, CFO
The 2012 EmGuy Murdock, VP Human Resources
ployee Engagement
Maureen Arvanetakis , VP, Sales and Marketing
Survey is scheduled
Kenyata Virgil, System Director, Human Resources
for May 2012 and (Pictured Above) Mike Gomez, Program
Sandra Robin, Assistant Controller
Director; Salina Tullos, RN; and Cheryl
will provide emErin Cassidy, Assistant Administrator
ployees additional Fox, LSA enjoyed dinner at the Top WorkChris Alanis, Medical Records Clerk
place Gala. The Gala included a Key Note
opportunity to share Speaker and the awards presentation. All
Jorge Iniguez, House Supervisor
feedback on the
Joey Rivera, RN
three employees work at Touchstone.
Nexus workplace.
Rita Guillory, RT
Twenty Nexus
Laura Miller, LVN
employees attended
Kira Guidry, Business Office Coordinator
the Top Workplace
Yolander Wilson, Dietary Cook
Gala held at the
Cheryl Fox, LSA
Hilton Americas in
Mike Gomez , Program Director
downtown Houston
Salina Tullos, RN
on November 3.
Jo Walker, Transportation Coordinator
Together along
with John W. Cassidy, MD, President, CEO and
Chief Medical Of- (Pictured Above) Kira Guidry, Business
Office Coordinator, and Rita Guillory,
ficer, the group ac- Respiratory Therapist, enjoyed the Top
cepted the award on Workplace Gala held at the Hilton Ameribehalf of all Nexus cas in downtown Houston. Kira and Rita
both work at HealthBridge Houston.
employees. The
event was attended
Sandra Robin, Assistant Controller; Salina Tullos, RN; and Guy
by over 600 people celebrating the
Murdock, Vice President of Human Resources, all joined the
outstanding workplaces in
group of Nexus employees attending the Top Workplace Gala.
Houston.
December 2011
Nexus Connection
Page 2 of 8
Holiday
Stress
Employee Assistance (EAP)
Work Life Programs
Sponsored by Humana and available to Nexus
employees free of charge.
Submitted by Nexus
Specialty Hospital,
Director of Nursing, Sandy Nelson.
Do some of these life work issues sound familiar?
Thoughts by Christoph Nauer, life
coach and expert
on stress management..
―My family problems are affecting my work!‖
―My stress levels are way too high!‖
―I seem to have a difficult time concentrating at work or home!‖
―My budget is out of control and I can’t figure out what to do?‖
―I think my teenager might be on drugs?‖
―Things aren’t as enjoyable as they once were!‖
Are you stressing out about the
holidays? Worrying about what to
buy for all your friends and relatives? Stop! Think about what
you’re concerned about! Do these
people really need more stuff?
What’s the best gift you could give
to them? What would be most valuable to them? Is it really something that can be purchased at a
store? We live in a society that
encourages us to accumulate more
and more stuff, things we don’t
really need. So we chase stuff instead of spending quality time
with our loved ones. Memories
will last a life time; stuff loses its
excitement in a week or month or
year – if you’re lucky. Why is it
that we all fall into this societal
trap every year? Deep down we all
know better. So, as you’re approaching this holiday season,
what will you focus on? Spending
quality time with your loved ones
or running from store to store
looking for the perfect gift? Will
you create memories that last a life
time or accumulate stuff?
We all have asked ourselves these questions from time-time and some of us
like to keep these issues private. To assist employees, Nexus Health Systems has benefits available to employees who would like to address these
issues but do not want to make an in-person visit to a professional.
Humana offers Nexus Health Systems employees FREE confidential
counseling benefits where employees can speak with a friendly, compassionate professional who genuinely cares about your situation, can help
clarify concerns, can offer confidential guidance, and if needed connect you
with experts who can help.
As part of the program, employees have access to a comprehensive resources. The website features hundreds of free articles, audio features, and
financial calculators to help you with budgeting and investing. You can also
listen to webinars, take quizzes, download legal forms and sign up for
newsletters.
Strict confidential services are just a telephone call away for you and
your household members; personal information about you and your household members is confidential. EAP/work life confidentiality complies with
state and federal requirements.
Access is easy! 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For information dial toll
free 1-866-440-6556 or Go to Humana.com/eap. Enter ―eapt‖ for the
username and password (not case sensitive).
Help yourself so you can help
others by utilizing these great
benefits offered to you from Nexus
Health Systems!
PLAN TO ATTEND!
The Apple Core:
Celebrate the holidays with
friends and co-workers!
Nexus Holiday
Events!
TIPS FOR THE FESTIVE
HOLIDAY EATER
Did you know that most people
gain 2 to 5 pounds each year
between Thanksgiving and
New Year’s Day?
California
December 16
THE HEALTHY SIDE OF
HOLIDAYS
Many foods that we associate with
the holidays are actually good for
you. Just be sure to mind your porBut don’t worry, we’ve got the food tions and look for no- or low-sugar
varieties like:
and diet tips you need in order to
• Applesauce : A good source of fikeep your festive dining in control.
ber. Remember to look for unsweetShift your focus. If you’ve been
trying to lose weight, concentrate on ened or natural applesauce.
weight maintenance. You won’t feel • Cranberry sauce (unsweetened):
Cranberries are rich in vitamin C and
pressured to lose weight during the
believed to contain excellent infecholiday season and you won’t feel
tion fighting properties. Add a minideprived as others celebrate.
mal amount of sugar or use artificial
Snack before you party. Have a
sweetener.
healthy snack before going to a holi• Fruit: Always a good snack choice
day gathering. This way you won’t
during the holidays. Packed with vitbe as hungry and will be satisfied
amins, antioxidants, and fiber, fruit
with smaller portions.
will fill you up and provide energy to
Enjoy the small things. Portion
keep you going.
control is critical to prevent weight
• Green beans: String beans contain
gain. Sample small portions of foods
vitamin K (for healthy bones), vitahigh in fat and calories. Share a desmin C, and vitamin A. Try tossing
sert and limit alcohol.
with olive oil and lemon juice for a
Keep your hands busy. Keep a
healthier alternative to butter or
calorie-free beverage in your hand at cream sauce.
cocktail parties. This keeps your
• Pumpkins: They have carotenoids
hands from mindlessly reaching into for making vitamin A and fighting
snack bowls and food trays.
free radicals. Also a good source of
Don’t stand near the buffet or
potassium and fiber.
appetizers at a holiday gathering. • Yams and sweet potatoes: Similar
Instead, survey the offerings, choose to pumpkins, yams contain carotethe best nutritional bets and maybe
noids, potassium, vitamin C, and fione high-calorie sample, put them on ber. Steer clear of the candied variety
a plate, then go sit down and enjoy
and simply bake with a bit of brown
the meal.
sugar or with artificial sweetener.
December 2011
Texas
December 10
Nexus Connection
Contact HR if you
have not received your
invite.
DO A MERRY MAKEOVER
Do a healthy makeover to your favorite dishes to help cut back on fat, sodium, and calories, but not on flavor:
• Use low-sodium broth to add flavor
to your dishes instead of milk, butter,
and salt. Use in mashed potatoes, gravy, and even in your vegetables.
• Roast your vegetables to bring out
their natural flavor. Or steam your
vegetables and add flavor with herbs.
• Cook your stuffing separately from
the turkey to prevent the turkey fat
from soaking into the dressing. Use
less butter or margarine when preparing the stuffing.
• Choose light meat over dark meat.
• Instead of dessert or candy, offer
fruit or chocolate-dipped whole
strawberries.
These tips can help maintain your
diet this holiday season. That way,
you can focus on the love and
comfort of family and friends – the
true meaning behind happy holidays.
Source: www.webmd.com
Page 10 of 8
PAYROLL
REMINDERS
PAPERLESS: Nexus Health
Systems is going paperless; please
approve your timecards after your
last shift of the pay period.
W2: It’s almost the end of the
year! Please update your home
address to guarantee your W2 will
be sent to the correct address!!
HOLIDAY BANK: The holiday
begins on January 1, 2012. Going
forward, holidays will not be automatically entered into your timecard. Employees must request the
holiday in E-time. The holiday
will be provided 4 days in advance
to ensure employees have adequate time to place a request.
Look What’s Cooking!
Watch for the Nexus Employee
Cookbook in December!
Nexus employees started gathering favorite recipes earlier this
fall and they will soon be assembled
in a cookbook that will shared with
the community during the year-end
holiday season. Over 250 recipes
have been submitted for what will
hopefully be a new Nexus holiday
tradition. The recipes are for all
types of food….appetizers, beverages, salads, meats, desserts,
breads, etc.
There is sure to
be a new favorite in the cookbook for everyone.
Thanks to everyone who
contributed a
recipe for the exciting
holiday celebration created for the
community.
Nexus Prepares for the
2012 Quality, Compliance
and Ethics Calendar
In 2011, Nexus celebrated the role
that quality, compliance and ethics
plays in our daily functions by sponsoring the Quality, Compliance and
Ethics Calendar. These attributes are
vital parts of the services that all
Nexus employees deliver. Employees are all driven to ensure the right
thing is done, every time.
In 2012, Nexus will again sponsor this special calendar. The new
System Director of Business Development,
Gene Inman, prepares the Falls Prevention Team at Nexus Specialty Hospital for
their picture in the 2012 Quality Compliance and Ethics Calendar.
Say ‘cheese’… System Director of Business Development, Gene Inman, is caught
in the act while taking photographs for
the calendar.
calendar will feature committees and
groups that work together as teams to
create, monitor and implement quality programs spanning from workplace culture to patient care programs.
A special thanks to System Director of Business Development, Gene
Inman who is taking the photographs
for the calendar.
Communications
from Conroe, Texas
EMPLOYEE WALL OF RECOGNITION
 Employee of Month  Employee of Quarter  MVP 
A special congratulations to all recognition winners!
MVP
1st Quarter
MVP
2nd Quarter
MVP
3rd Quarter
MVP
4th Quarter
Theda Pyle
Darrell Edmond
Ann De La Rosa
Mike Gomez
Asst. Nurse
Manager
Asst. Program
Director
Program
Director
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
Shellye Evans
April Walker
Latanya
McDowell
Jessica Gonzalez
Living Skills
Support
Alicia
Payne
Cheryl Edwards
Asst. Program
Director
Van Driver
JULY
AUGUST
Sam Elzie
Shift
Leader
LSA II
Shift
Leader
Living Skills
Support
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
Elisabeth
Reffett
Dee
Montello
RaToshia Keys
LVN
COTA
Stephanie
Edwards
Neuro Technician I
Living Skills
Support
Pamela
Jones
RN
1st QUARTER
2nd QUARTER
3rd QUARTER
4th QUARTER
Shellye Evans
Jessica Gonzalez
Dee
Montello
RaToshia Keys
Asst. Program
Director
December 2011
Living Skills
Support
COTA
Nexus Connection
News from the TNC Horticulture Crew
By: Faye Owens, Horticulture Manager, Texas Master Gardener
2011
Marketing
Director
Winterizing your Outdoor Plants &
Tender Vegetation
Living Skills
Support
Page 4 of 8
Spring has sprung; summer left in a
fiery blaze; fall is here with old man
winter approaching. As the temperatures begin to fall during the night
time hours, it’s time to start thinking
about how to save your outdoor
plants that survived the hot dry summer.
There are several ways to protect
your outdoor plants and/or your tender tropical plants:
Move plants to an interior room of
the house with natural light if possible.
Shelter plants under the patio;
grouped together and cover with light
blankets or sheets if needed for further protection.
Or put them into the garage. (freeze
the car, save the plants, sorry honey!)
bottle, use 2 to 3 tablespoons
of liquid dish soap with tap
water, fill bottle first with
water then add the liquid
soap to prevent a suds.
Sometimes, a chemical
spray is the most effective
means, but there are organic
insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils available that are
better when you are worried
about pets or children ingesting them. Apply a systemic
for severe infestations, only
if you must: Apply a good
granular or liquid systemic preparation (chemicals that work within the
plant) to the soil. (I recommend
Bayer Advanced /Disease Control for
Roses, Flowers and Shrubs available
at any local garden center). For best
Follow these steps if you would like effect, water plant well for a few days
prior to use. Follow label directions
to protect your outdoor plants from
carefully.
the upcoming cold:
Cooler temperatures: Most indoor
Most of these tender plants need to
tropical
plants, such as Gardenia, Hibe moved inside when three nights in
biscus, Jasmine and Abutilon prefer
a row are below 55 degrees.
cooler temperatures in the
Rinse off plants with water:
home as well as a bright,
Use a spray hose or shower to
sunny environment.
wash off most insects or spider
No fertilizer after Novemwebs from the leaves.
ber: Plants need a rest period
Try some of the tips below
when they finish their
to insure that you don’t bring
blooming cycle.
in any bugs that will infect
Water well throughout the
your other houseplants:
winter but don’t fertilize them until
Spray an insecticidal soap or you
March.
can use a soapy water mixture: It is
Since we live in Texas don’t
best to spray onto the leaves before
get
comfortable,
it will soon be time
you bring the plant inside. Also spray
to
move
them
back
into the warm
the underside of the leaves: this is
where insects general always go. Mix outdoors. When the car is pleading
for shingles over the sunroof and the
the soapy water mixture in a spray
plants are gasping for a breath of
fresh air and the warmth sunshine on
their leaves, it’s time to move back to
their places in the yard to show their
beauty to the neighbors.
Nexus Direct
A direct access hotline to the
Nexus Compliance Department
available to all employees,
families, vendors and visitors.
1-866-285-8528
Ring, Ring Ring…
―Thanks for calling
Nexus Direct!‖
News from Riverway!
NEXUS
WELCOMES
NEW FACES
DURING
OCTOBER
Keith Slack joins Nexus as the
Benefit/Compensation Specialist.
Keith recently relocated to Houston
from southern California and joins
the Human Resources team. Keith
will coordinate all employee benefit programs and provide assistance
with compensation programs.
Nexus welcomes Krupa Amlani to
the Nexus family!
Krupa joins Nexus as a
Senior Staff Accountant and has over 5
years of experience in
the accounting and finance field. She most recently
worked for Wood Group as a Senior Accountant.
Nexus Welcomes Ronell Myburgh
to Texas! Ronell joined Nexus in
2000 as the Director of
Nursing at HealthBridge Orange. She
accepted the HealthBridge Orange Facility
CEO/Administrator
position in 2003. On
November 1, 2011, Ronell assumes
the new role of Vice President of
Clinical Services and will be based
in the Houston office supporting all
facilities in clinical programing and
quality initiatives.
December 2011
From the Sunny Shores
of Southern California
Spooky Events!
October brought a number of fun employees
activities at the Corporate office including a
Cup Cake War, Pumpkin Decorating Contest,
A Witches Brew Potluck and a Broom Decorating Contest. And of course, no October
event would be complete without a costume
contest! The team at Riverway did not disappoint!
Funny Hat Day
To get the team in the
Halloween mood, Friday, October 28, was declared Funny Hat Day, although many of the hats
were quite lovely.
Halloween at HBO
Activity Director, Pam Klusmeyer put
together a great Halloween party for
inpatients and outpatients as well as
family members
and staff.
Volunteers helped the children
carve pumpkins and decorated the
family room. The children looked
cute in their costumes and many staff
members dressed appropriately for the day’s festivities.
Patient Accounts Representative,
Carolyn Davis-Laws was the
winner of the 2011 Nexus Cup
Cake War at the Corporate office
with her festive Halloween Celebration Cupcake.
(Left) Accounts Payable Coordinator, Sharon
Hatfield and (Right) Benefits and Compensation
Specialist, Keith Slack participated in the Halloween costume contest.
Employee of the Month
Congratulations to Skye Piper-Johnson, ST, for being chosen to win the Employee of the Month award this month based on the following comments by her peers:
• “Skye is a great asset to the Rehab team and gives and receives
constructive feedback, is flexible, and transitioned well from an
SLP to a CCC-SLP.‖
• “Although she was new, she went above and beyond to treat patients during a staffing shortage and train others as well.‖
• “She’s a team player and always puts the patients’ needs first.”
STAR Award Winner
Diana Egan, Case Manager, was selected for the STAR award based on comments from a parent whose child’s transition to HBO wasn’t smooth
and the Initial Survey reflected concerns. Since then, Diana has
On Halloween the spooky witches and the helpful
angels come together for a photo opportunity! Executive Assistant, Diana Tice and System Director of
the Business Office, Cheryl Csepke participated in
the annual costume contest at the Corporate office.
Nexus Connection
Central Business Office Supervisor, Tana Nickerson was the winner of the Pumpkin Decorating
Contest with her version of the
Little Princess Rockstar. Over 15
pumpkins were decorated as part
of the annual event at the office.
Page 8 of 8
worked closely with the parents to ensure that when the child
went home, the family had the training and resources needed to
care for the child. Well done, Diana! And thank you for everything you do to help our patients and their family members!
Customer Service Tip of the Month
Please remember that when speaking to parents and family members that
HBO is a place of hope. We should never express our opinions about a
child’s prognosis.
A Fresh, New Look
Thanks to Allan Komarek, our
new CEO; Director of Purchasing, John
Woodman: and
IT Services Coordinator, Garrett Santibanez,
the chairs in our
patients’ rooms
have been given a
new look.
The three men upholstered the old
ones and gave them
all a fresh new look. Thank you all
for making the environment even
more friendly and home-like!
Happenings in West
Houston!
News from Shenandoah
and The Woodlands
NSH Halloween Events!!
HealthBridge Houston
Celebrates HALLOWEEN!
HEALTH AND
SAFETY FAIR
Staff enjoyed ―smashing pumpkins‖
off the rooftop of NSH! It has become a fun annual event for all staff
to enjoy. Staff must try to throw a
small gourd into a bucket two floors
below. The winners get to smash a
large pumpkin onto the ground below. We had many overachievers
that made the large pumpkin into
the bucket!!
A NEW WAY TO
―BOB‖ FOR APPLES!
Health Information Manager, Melinda Ware;
RN, Regina Pittman; Physical Therapist, Marlene King; and Director of Nursing, Robert
Loukanis all participated in the annual costume contest at HealthBridge.
HealthBridge Houston’s 4th Annual Toy Drive
Sponsored by Westchase Tavern benefiting the patients of HealthBridge Houston
Reception: Thursday, December 8, 2011 from 5 to 8 PM
No hands allowed!! Employees
enjoyed a healthy apple snack after
the challenge . Employees shown
from top left to right, Mary Ann
Kinart, Dietician, Jorge Iniguez,
House Supervisor, Chris Alanis,
Medical Records.
2011 Costume Contest Winners:
1st Place—Diane Nordheimer,
COTA (Bee keeper & her garden!)
2nd Place—Zuleima Flores , RN
(Marge Simpson!)
3rd Place—Jeannie Davis, Unit
Secretary (Disco Queen!)
Woodlands Campus Winner:
Cheryl Toliver, Receptionist (Bee!)
December 2011
Director of Marketing, Sherrie Daniels
and Facility CEO, Joe Rafferty (dressed
as a lion!) participated in candy distributions during the Halloween celebrations
at HealthBridge Houston.
HealthBridge Houston hosted a
Health and Safety Fair to donate
helmets and promote preventative
healthcare in the community.
There was a live DJ, food, drinks,
and games for children of all ages. We also had support from
H.E.B., Fitness Connection,
Chipotle, and Radio Disney.
Nexus Connection
2011 Pumpkin Decorating Contest
Winner:
Woodlands
Campus
Day Shift
Nursing
Page 6 of 8
Participate in the toy drive by donating an unwrapped gift in the toy
bin or bring the toy to the reception.
ance on the list.
―Winning this award exemplifies
Nexus’ core values, exemplary patient care, and ability to maximize
the utilization of our resources. And
while being named to the list is an
honor, it is important to remember
what this award recognizes,‖ John
W. Cassidy, MD, President, CEO
and Chief Medical Officer for Nexus
Health Systems explained. ―It’s really about the quality of care that our
medical staff, employees and volunteers have provided to our patients
and their families.‖
―Nexus Health Systems offers
the country's only continuum of care
for neurologically injured patients. We begin the patient's care in
an intensive care unit and successfully manage their needs as they transition from a sub-acute hospital to a
residential setting. This ensures better care and better outcomes for our
patients,‖ Cassidy said. ―As a physician-led, patient-centered, family focused system, our philosophy is to
always to place the patient's needs
first and assure the people in our
community who face neurological
injury or chronic illness receive the
best care possible.‖
―With the opening of Nexus Specialty Clinic, a hospital-based wound
outpatient care facility in Shenandoah, Texas, Nexus Health Systems is
poised for continued growth in 2012.
We look forward to continuing to
serve the patients, physicians, and
families who depend on us for specialized and procedural-based care,
advanced therapies, and innovative
treatment protocols,‖ Cassidy concluded.