Almost 1,000 employees shared their Texas Health Resources memories in the Give Back Giveaway contest. We recalled some of the good times from the past 25 years here. Now, let’s take a walk down memory lane with these recollections of pulling together during challenging times.
Y2K – “The hospital disaster preparedness team had formulated workarounds to keep staff and patients safe and functional in case data and electrical systems crashed as 1999 changed to 2000. Working that New Year’s Eve, we were equipped with paper charts, flashlights, battery-operated lanterns and fail-safe telephone lines. When midnight came and went, the power and the computers showed no impact from this global fear. To celebrate, we turned out the lights as much as safely possible, turned on the lanterns and had a calm, serene and relaxed night of patient care, ushering in the new millennium with thanksgiving, sighs of relief and well wishes for the next thousand years to come.” – Beth Van Der Weert, M.Div., B.S.N., R.N., CMSRN , Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth.
Tornado hits NorthPoint campus – “In October 2019, the Texas Health Physicians Group Laboratory sustained a direct hit from an EF3 tornado that caused extensive damage to the NorthPoint campus and laboratory equipment. The resilience and teamwork that was involved to rebuild and relocate a laboratory during a pandemic speaks volumes of our leadership and staff commitment to serving patients in the North Texas community.” – Jerell Tolbert, Texas Health Physicians Group.
CareConnect One – “Being part of the on-site coding go-live team for CareConnect One at the second facility to start using the new software is one of my favorite Texas Health memories. There was something special about having to be in the office, working with my co-workers on this new software, testing it out and making suggestions that would end up helping the rest of the team. It was one of the few times working in coding I really felt like I was part of a larger movement and really helping Texas Health.” – Hunter Eblen, Texas Health System Services.
Ebola – “When Texas Health Dallas had the first Ebola case, it was a very uncertain, concerning time. But when we walked to the Main building, we saw all the letters, posters, artwork and signs with messages of encouragement covering almost every bit of wall space. They had been sent from nurses and other staff from our sister hospitals, as well as hospitals and schoolchildren across the country. It was so touching and encouraging. It literally brought tears to your eyes to see this outpouring of compassion during this difficult time.” – Cindy McConnell, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, currently with System Services.
Ice storm – “During the ice storm of 2021, I saw Texas Health Dallas teams of all types come together for the greater good. My Environmental Services leadership team stayed multiple nights on campus to ensure that the needs of the hospital were met. During the days, we had volunteers from many different departments, including senior leadership, work as housekeepers and complete daily cleans in patient rooms. It was inspiring to see the teamwork.” – Richard Patterson, Texas Health Dallas.
COVID-19 – “A memorable time was when we all stood together during what was the most difficult time in all our lives. We stood together taking care of patients when we didn’t fully understand what COVID-19 was or what it meant for us or our families, but we knew patients had to come first. So proud to be able to say that our work family grew stronger during COVID-19.” – Markesha Donnell, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano.
COVID-19 vaccination clinic – “During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was volunteering at the COVID-19 vaccine clinics, and I witnessed other Texas Health staff members from all parts of the organization exhibit compassion, comfort and love to each other and to our patients. There was a feeling of hope and family every time I stepped into a clinic.” – Karlei Carrico, Texas Health System Services.
Patient crashes into ditch – “When one of our patients lost consciousness and crashed into a ditch in front of our office, I and a group of medical assistants ran outside to check on the patient to see if he was OK. Everything happened very quickly after that; providers ran outside to help and start CPR while I ran inside to retrieve our AED machine. I’m proud to say I was part of the Sunnyvale Heroes who helped save the patient’s life.” – Aleida Tinoco, Texas Health Physicians Group.
Published December 13, 2022
