campus breakthroughs june/july

Houston Chronicle Salutes Our Nurses

June/July 2010

Our Week of WeeksHospital WeekIt’s was quite a week – pinnings, parties, games, good things to eat “dunking our CEO in his suit,” – and remembering that Northeast has the best health care team in the System. We hope these photos bring back lots of wonderful memories.Congratulations to our

Northeast nurses who were nominated for the Houston

Chronicle’s 2010 Salute to Nurses Award. Here is the list of Northeast nurses who were nominated: Alice Andrews – Angela Morgan – Brigida Bansuelo – Charlotte Bullock Key – Chris Bhattacharya – Donna Ash – Eddie Koh – Erin Gerfers – Gaynelle Lawry – Karen Kolar – Laurie Coleman – Linda Willis – Marietta Ervin – Nancy Curry – Pam Glazebrook – Penny Psajdl – Sally Goelz – Sarah Cothren – Sebastian Whitney – Sharla Powell – Sherrie Gilchrest – Tammy Mullins – Veronica Jefferson – MaryAnn McBeth – Candida (Candi) Dixon.

Congratulations to our “ACE” Employees

These are your co-workers who were nominated to attend Memorial Hermann

ISD’s first ACE Summit in July. ACE stands for Outstanding Application Content Expert and these individuals were selected by our nursing practice committees for being “Super Users.” And the Northeast nominees are:

• Michelle Anahu of Endo• Bonnie Bourgeois of PACU• Chrisana Williams of 4 Tower

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People NewsLinda Stephens - CNO


CAMPUS BREAKTHROUGHS page 2

Hospital Week Photos . . . continued from p. 1

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Linda Stephens has been named Chief Nursing Officer. Linda has more than 25 years of nursing

experience and most recently was chief nursing officer at Clear Lake Regional Medical Center in Webster. Previously she served in nursing administration positions at West Houston Medical Center as well as at hospitals in Austin and San Angelo. Linda earned her associate degree in nursing, her bachelor of science degree in nursing and her master’s degree in business administration, all from Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas. When you see Linda Stephens, welcome her to the Memorial Hermann Northeast family.

Ken Adams - Dir. of Surgery

Congratulations to Ken Adams in surgery. After serving as interim director for several

months, Ken has been named Director of Surgical Services. Ken earned his bachelor’s degree in nursing from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, LA. He came to Northeast in 2008 as clinical manager of our operating room. Before that he served in many nursing management capacities at Thibodaux Regional Hospital

CAMPUS BREAKTHROUGHS

2nd Annual Hospital Olympics Competition

Hospital Week Photos . . . continued from p. 2

People News . . . continued from p. 2

Chandra Jackson, RN

Chandra Jackson, RN, has returned to Northeast as Operations Administrator. Many

Northeast partners may remember Chandra as an Endoscopy charge nurse at Northeast from 2005 to 2009. Before returning to Northeast, she was a charge nurse at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. Chandra earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of Phoenix and is a certified Neonatal ICU nurse. When you see Chadra, welcome her back to Northeast as Operations Administrator (OA).

Elizabeth (Beth) Tabermejo, BSN, RN, MBA, CCRN

Elizabeth (Beth) Tabermejo has joined Northeast as director of Critical Care Services. Beth has

more than 20 years of experience in health care, much of it in critical care services. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Bicol University College of Nursing in Legaspi City, Philippines, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Healthcare Management from our Lady of the Lakes University in Houston. Please welcome Beth Tabermejo to our team!

more photos on p. 4

Chandra Jackson, RN


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2nd Annual Hospital Olympics Competition

We can’t say enough about the incredible teams who won our 2010 Hospital

Week/Nurses Week Olympics Contest. Let’s hear it for the Best of the Best:

Our MedalistsGold Medal – ER Rok StarzSilver Medal – Rad Stars (OPID)Bronze Meal – Got Dunked (Administration)

Chicken Nugget Eating Contest WinnerLouis Smith

Jump Rope Obstacle Course1st – ER Rok Starz2nd – Rad Stars (OPID)3rd – Facilities

Wheelchair Races1st – Facilities2nd Navy Seals (Respiratory)3rd – Colonics (Endo)

Dietary Run1st (Tie) – ER Rok Starz & Rad Stars (OPID)2nd – Navy Seals (Respiratory)3rd – Colonics (Endo)

Hula Hoop Challenge1st – ER Rok Starz2nd – Got Dunked (Administration)3rd – Rehab Rebels

Bed Making Races1st – ER Rok Starz2nd – Crusaders (SCU)3rd – Colonics (Endo)

Bed Pan Ball Toss1st – Facilities2nd – Skeleton Crew (Radiology)3rd – Rad Stars

Bed Pan Tank Fill1st – Got Dunked (Administration)2nd – Rad Stars (OPID)3rd – Rehab Rebels

Urinal Bowling1st – Rad Stars (OPID)2nd – ER Rok Starz3rd – (Tie) First Impressions (Patient Access) & Drug Dealers (Pharmacy)

Hospital Olympics . . . continued from p. 3

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Hospital Olympics . . . continued from p. 4

Best Dressed Team1st – ER Rok Starz Runner-up – Case Management (LOS Busters)

And top honors go to the volunteers who made our 2010 Hospital Week/Nurses Week Olympics Contest possible. Let’s hear it for the Best of the Best in volunteers:Suzanne Croft – Barb Evans – Nancy Voegtlin – Susan Nittka – Carol Huber – Laurie Samples – Luisa Portugal – Bonnie Reagan – Theresa Stewart – Jill Roberson – Rhonda Bissell – RoseAnn Carlson – Pam Johnson – Charlie Vannoy – Deric Hebert – Fabian Caceres – Carolynn Norton.

Hospital Olympics photos . . . continued from p. 4

Susan Noe (center), Rehabilitation Services manager at Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital,

receives a $350 check from Chief Nursing Officer Linda Stephens and Heath Rushing, Hospital Service Line Administrator, for being selected as winner of the Hospital’s Breakthrough of the Quarter in the “people” category. Noe, who earned her Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy from the University of Texas Medical Branch, was nominated for her leadership in the Rehab Department, decreasing turnover, increasing patient satisfaction to the 99th percentile, increasing staff morale and for her communication skills.

Susan Noe is Memorial Hermann’s Breakthrough of the Quarter Employee


‘iWOWed’ CelebrationHappy First Birthday Cath Lab In addition to our monthly Noon “iWOWed” Celebration, we also held an early

morning celebration for our 3rd shift honorees.

We celebrate the first anniversary of our first STEMI intervention in the

Northeast Cath Lab! Congratulations to the Cardiac Cath Lab team. We performed our first STEMI on June 18, 2009. After three months of intense training, Northeast’s cardiologists deemed the Cath Lab staff competent and ready to offer acute cardiac care to our community.

Since that first intervention, Northeast has performed more than 180 successful interventions, far ahead of the cases projected for our first year. The program continues to grow and develop. The Cath Lab moved from one room to two brand new state-of-the-art suits. In February, they added peripheral interventions.

The Cath Lab staff especially wants to thank the Emergency Department, the nursing units and the ancillary departments for contributing to the success of our Memorial Hermann Northeast Cath Lab.

more photos on page 7

Lucky Humble Fire Department Paramedic Wins iPod from Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital

page 7 CAMPUS BREAKTHROUGHS

18951 Memorial North · Humble, TX 77338 · 281.540.7700memorialhermann.org · 713.222.CARE · 1.877.644.CARE

“iWOWed” Celebration . . . continued from p. 6

Local Screening Event Sees Increase in Suspected Skin Cancers Compared to 2009

Physicians with Memorial Hermann Cancer Center - Northeast examined ap-

proximately 122 patients at its annual free skin cancer screen-ing event and identified 31 in-dividuals with suspicious moles or other growths requiring bi-opsy – a 127 percent increase from 2009.

“Half of all new cancers di-agnosed in the United States are some form of skin cancer and one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of their lifetime,” said Dr. Majid Mohiuddin, a radia-tion oncologist at Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital. “We hold these free screenings annually with the hope that the Humble and surrounding communities will take advantage of this great opportunity to be proactive about their health.”

Sixteen of the 31 patients requiring biopsy were suspected to have Basal Cell

Linda Wuest, RN, Memorial Hermann Northeast Nurse Navigator, and Majid Mohiuddin, radiation oncologist at Northeast, review results of the Hospital’s annual Skin Cancer Screening. The number of suspected skin cancers increased substantially over last year’s screening.


David Beck, RN (right), director of the Emergency Center at Memorial Hermann Northeast

Hospital, presents an iPod to Clifton Ferguson, FF/EMT-Paramedic, with the Humble Fire Department. Ferguson’s name was drawn from the many area emergency medical technicians (EMT) and paramedics who visited Northeast’s Emergency Center during National Emergency Medical Services Week recently. During their special week, Memorial Hermann provided snacks and special thank-you gifts to the EMTs and paramedics in appreciation for “putting their lives on the line every day.”

Local Screening. . . continued from p. 7


‘In the Pink of Health’ LuncheonHost Committee Makes Plans for October Luncheon

Carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer. Four were suspected to have Squamous Cell Carcinoma, the second most common form of skin cancer.

“Patients will very often postpone going to the doctor to have a suspi-cious mole or lesion looked at,” said Linda Wuest, Nurse Navigator at Me-morial Hermann Northeast Hospital. “A free screening event can be much more accessible for patients, and allows our physicians to help detect a possible cancerous growth at an earlier stage.”

Although most skin growths are not cancer, it’s important to check with the doctor about new growths or changes in old growths, contin-ued Dr. Mohiuddin. “When growths become cancerous, they may change in size or color, or become sores that do not heal. Regular skin self-exami-nation is a very important prevention tool.”

Doctors who participated in the cancer screening event included Dr. Steven Smith, board certified dermatologist and Dr. Chris Connor, board certified plastic surgeon - both affiliated with Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital.

Volunteers Install Officers

Northeast Hospital Volunteer Officers were installed recently at a special luncheon:

President – Dottie Braren; 1st vice-president – Art Voltmann; 2nd vice-president – Donnie Redman; 3rd vice-president – Rose Marie Hartley; Treasurer – Jim Williamson; Secretary – Betty Young; Historian – Paula McCreary; Parliamentarian – Mary Slaughter.

The Host Committee for Northeast Hos-pital Foundation’s

Third Annual “In the Pink of Health” luncheon met recently to discuss the lun-cheon fundraiser.

The group, hosted by Foundation President Nor-man Funderburk, met at Amedeo’s Restaurant to talk about goals for the luncheon fundraiser which will be held Friday, October 15, at the Houston Airport Marriott.

“You are part of an elite group, the Host Commit-tee for our “In the Pink of Health” luncheon, and I want each of you to know how much we appreciate what you’re doing for us and for the community.” said Funderburk.

The annual luncheon raises funds for the Memorial Hermann Cancer Center – Northeast and will feature actress, comedian and breast cancer survivor Marcia Wallace.

“You may not know her name,” said Funderburk, “but you’ll know the characters she’s played because Marcia Wallace has been making people laugh on television for 30 years.”

Wallace played “Carol” the receptionist on the original Bob Newhart Show and she won an Emmy for her role as the voice of Ms Krabappel on The Simpsons television cartoon show. She also is a 15-year breast cancer survivor, an advocate for breast cancer awareness and a motivational speaker.

Memorial Hermann Northeast Oncology Nurse Navigator Linda Wuest is the luncheon honoree.

“She has been a practicing nurse for 34 years,” said Funderburk, “a hospice nurse and radiation oncology nurse for the last 17 years, and, two years ago, Linda developed the Oncology Nurse Navigator program at Northeast where she serves as an advocate for cancer patients and their families by providing much-needed education and support. Last year, she also coordinated the enrollment of several hundred people at Relay for Life in the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study Three – the largest study in the world researching the causes of cancer.”

In addition to the luncheon, the Foundation also will sponsor a raffle which includes:

• “In the Pink” Entertainment Package featuring Houston Rockets tickets for four with parking, large screen tv, portable grill and two portable chairs.

• “Take Time for Yourself” Package featuring a Day at the Spa including massage and transportation, large wall clock and “In the Pink” wine basket.

• “In the Pink” Accessory Package featuring “Pandora bracelet and “hope” Miche handbag.

Tickets are $10 each or 12 for $100. Host Committee members Nancy

Linda Wuest (third from left) was the special guest at a recent luncheon for the Host Committee planning the Northeast Hospital Foundation’s Third Annual “In the Pink of Health” luncheon. Wuest is the honoree. Host Committee members congratulating her, from left, are Karan Robinson, Co-chair Lynette Calfee, Wuest, Co-chair Devon Alexander, and Lynn Whitehair.



‘In The Pink’ Luncheon . . . continued from p. 8

Medical Equipment Donated to Overseas Providers

Shortsleeve and Rose Marie Hartley are in charge of the raffle. Tickets will be on sale through the Host Committee, in the Gift Shop, and through the Northeast Hospital Foundation. You need not be present to win.

Devon Alexander and Lynette Calfee are co-chairs of the Host Committee. Committee members include: Linda Aaron, Clo Berlin, Susan Curling, Ellen Grayson, Rose Marie Hartley, Sue Hearnsberger, Fran Linton, Corinn Price, Bonnie Reagan, Anna Reynolds, Karan Robinson, Nancy Shortsleeve, June Smith, Juanita Stegall, Maegan Tagert and Lynn Whitehair.

Besides President Funderburk, the Northeast Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees includes Tim Baker, Roy Hearnsberger, Mary Lea Layton Taylor, Barbara Reischmann, and Louis Smith.

“In the Pink of Health Luncheon 2010” will be held Friday, October 15 at the Houston Airport Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom. The Luncheon will feature actress, comedian and breast cancer survivor Marcia Wallace, will honor local oncology nurse navigator Linda Wuest and will benefit patient care at Memorial Hermann Cancer Center-Northeast.

Single tickets as well as tables may be purchased by calling the Northeast Hospital Foundation at 281.540.7817 or click onto the “in the Pink of Health” icon at the Northeast Hospital Foundation website.

Mary Lea Layton Taylor, a trustee of the Northeast Hospital Authority Board of Trustees, with the assistance of David Cervantes of Memorial Hermann Northeast’s Materials Management Department, reviews

some of the health care items donated recently by the Authority and Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital. Over the last 18 months, the Authority and Northeast Hospital have donated 65 beds, 95 IV pumps, two chemistry analyzers, 20 overbed tables, 10 bedside tables and 10 recliners as Memorial Hermann upgrades the Northeast campus equipment and facility. Equipment is donated to “Medical Bridges,” a not-for-profit organization in Houston that recovers medical surplus that would otherwise be discarded. Medical Bridges redistributes the equipment to hospitals, clinics and health care providers in less fortunate countries. Besides upgrading its equipment, the Northeast campus also is transforming and modernizing corridors throughout the Hospital.

“iRecruit” is Live“iRecruit” is the new applicant tracking system that, among other things, will enable Memorial Hermann employees to apply online for positions and Phase 1 is now live. Additional features will be added to “iRecruit” so look for more information about this new system throughout the new fiscal year.

Lake Houston 10K/5K & Wellness Fest

Put on your walking/running shoes and practice, practice, practice. Northeast is the title sponsor for

the first-ever Lake Houston 10K/5K and Wellness Fest. The 10K run and 5K run and walk will begin at 8 am on Saturday, August 28 at Kings Harbor on Lake Houston Parkway in Kingwood. An awards ceremony will take place at 10 am. The Wellness Fest will be held from 9.30 am to 2 pm featuring lots of fun, food and entertainment. Plan to run or walk or, even better, volunteer as part of the Memorial Hermann Northeast Volunteer Team! For more information, call Marketing at ext 7866.


The PIC TeamWe LOVE to Help our Community!Let’s Hear it for the Stroke Team!

Members of Nancy Curry’s stroke team on Four Tower recently made quite an

impression on members of the Humble City Seniors Group at the Humble Civic Center. They took blood pressures and educated more than 100 of the seniors who were attending a luncheon. In the bottom photo, Angela Morgan is testing Philomene Allen of Humble and in the top photo, Gaynelle Lowry is testing Jeanne Goss.

It’s time to recognize the members of Northeast’s PIC Team – the Partners in Caring Team, and to see how much fun they have at their annual day-long retreat.

The PIC team is made up of your fellow employees who represent the very culture of Memorial Hermann. They manage the blood and food drives, they celebrate, recognize and support our co-workers, and are committed to helping our co-workers in need through the PIC Employee Fund and the PIC PTO Fund. The PIC team strives to create a unique environment where everyone feels they are someplace special. Each of us, by the way, who keeps the needs of our customers at the heart of what we do and follows our behaviors and operating principles, is a Partner in Caring. Today, however, we honor our PIC team.

When you see these co-workers, thank them for being a part of the PIC team:Anne Bornet – Tom Broad – Franciene Calame – James Campbell – Veronica Chambers – Claudia Davila – Valerie Davis – Marie Dillingham – Jacqueline Dowell – Karen Ford – Grace Gibson – Judy Hejl – Nancy Kamal – Juanita Lambert – Ramona Maples – Martha Martinez – Hannele Miettinen – Stephanie Miller – Gloria Molinyawe – Nia Mulligan – Shannon Nimptsch – Amanda Nunez – Gina Owen – Cecylee Pierre – Sheila Polansky – Bonnie Reagan – Stephanie Reid – Ana Reneau – Orlando Reyes – Dena Ruffin – Brenda Sherwood – Jacqueline Staley – Theresa Stewart – Corina Stowell – Cynthia Sweeney – Charles Vannoy – Brenda Walker – Kevin Ware – Cameron Warren – Kristal Whittington

And our leaders: Stephanie Foster & Rhonda Dishongh.



The PIC Team photos . . . continued from p. 10


News from our Gift ShopHR UpdateEvaluate Yourself

Our trendy Gift Shop is offering Miche handbags. This is the “one bag – endless possibilities” handbag. Purchase the handbag and then purchase covers in many different styles and colors. Change the outer cover

whenever you want to change your look. It’s simple and, for a small price, you could have three or four different looks for the price of one that “high-end” handbag. Here, Miche Bag Rep Sharon Grisham demonstrates to Jackie Dowell and Rhonda Bissel how easy it is to change the look of your handbag. Remember: Everything you buy at the Gift Shop is reinvested in our Hospital and our community

Employees will have an opportunity to share feedback regarding their performance

for FY10 by completing a self evaluation in Employee Self Service (ESS). This tool will be available from June 21st – July 16th. We strongly encourage all employees to take some time to provide their Manager/Director with a summary of their accomplishments. Merit increases will go into effect on the pay period beginning September 26th and will appear on the October 14th paycheck.

What you need to know about your “flexible spending account”If you have a “flexible spending account,” here’s info you need to know:n We have a new “flexible spending

account” administrator – WageWorks.

n There are a few changes in the program

v The online access to your account is “WageWorks

v Process all claims online

v You can pay many of your claims directly on line. Go to the website to see

v You should have received a new debit card by now

v Because we are transferring to the new administrator, you will not be able to access your account until July 15

v Questions (or you haven’t received your new debit care):

• Go to InSite and click on askHR. Look for the Flexible Spending Accounts icon.

• Or call askHR at 713.456.6447, weekdays from 7 am to 5 pm

• Or call WageWorks at 1.877.924.3967

Welcome Linda StephensOur New Chief Nursing Officer



Linda Stephens . . . continued from p. 12

Memorial Hermann Northeast Employees, Physicians Honored for ‘WOWing’

These Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital employees are the “best of the best,” honored recently as the Hospital’s most “patient-pleasing” employees during May. Recognized for attaining the highest level of compliments, 16 or more, were (from left): Top row – Janet Bagwell, Dorothy Brown and Gwen Haws; bottom row – Lorraine Hurbs, Trisha Miller and Marlene Zuckerman. Not pictured – Oneyda Argueta, Paul Marinas, Trish Rizo, Carol Sheffer, Claudia Emile and Rashunda Simon.

A total of 80 Memorial Hermann Northeast and employees and physicians were honored during May for their “people-pleasing” factor and three departments were honored for their high level of patient satisfaction

during the Hospital’s monthly “iWOWed” (i’m Working On Wonderful every day) celebration.

Twelve hospital employees were singled out for reaching the highest level – the Glow level – for receiving 16 or more compliments from patients and family. They are: Dorothy Brown and Trisha Miller of Cardiopulmonary Department; Lorraine Hurbs of Surgical Services; Oneyda Argueta, Paul Marinas and Trisha Rizo of the Cardiac Care Center; Carol Sheffer and Marlene Zuckerman of the Surgical Care Unit; Claudia Emile and Rashunda Simon of the Medical Surgical Unit; Janet Bagwell of Patient Access; and Gwen Haws of Radiology.

Outpatient Patient Access and Outpatient Physical Therapy both were honored for having a satisfaction rating in the 99th percentile – the two Hospital departments with the highest patient satisfaction scores.



Hospital Employees and Physicians Honored by Department

‘WOWing’ . . . continued from p. 13

The Medical Surgical 4 Unit was honored for showing the most improvement, moving from the 24th percentile to the 70th percentile, and the Medical Surgical 4 Unit selected the Case Management Department for being the most supportive. There are four levels of recognition in the “iWOWed” celebration, all based on how often an employee or physician is recognized:

• Glow for more than 16 compliments in the last three months.• Gold for 10 to 15 compliments in the last three months.• Silver for six to nine compliments in the last three months.• Bronze for three to five compliments in the last three months.

CardiopulmonaryBronze- Denitra Dunn, Mark Geddings, Alexandria ParksSilver- Parries ThomasGlow- Dorothy Brown, Trisha Miller Surgical ServicesBronze: Sandra Brazier, Benjamin Pack, Joanna SavoySilver: Ken AdamsGlow: Lorraine Hurbs Emergency CenterSilver: Angela RouseGold: Chay Ratliff, Bonnie Reagan IMCUBronze: Margaret Golik, Kari Miller MICUBronze: Maribeth Walker, Catherine Worley MS3/CCCBronze: Precious Balangay, Ktanya RodriguezSilver: Jean Ayacko, Porscha Thompson, Gold: Allaine Abellana, Kelly Sciba,Glow: Oneyda Argueta, Paul Marinas, Trisha Rizo SCUBronze: Mary Johnson, James Miller, Ugalda Rodriguez, Jayme ScarfoSilver: Thao Le, Bridie NdundaGlow: Carol Sheffer- Marlene Zuckerman MS2Silver: Gloria Alexander MS4Silver: Connie BallGold: Agnes YolloGlow: Claudia Emile, Rashunda Simon Women’s ServicesBronze: Josanne Hart, Eleanor Lyke, Vale TomasikSilver: Dawn GaareGold: Debbie Baker, Emma Daugherty, Stephanie Johnson, Sandy Tucker LabBronze: Angel Germany




Hospital Employees and Physicians Honored by Department . . . continued from p. 14

Nursing SupportBronze: Lyda Jimenez, Myrna OsunaGold: Jennifer Lableu OA/StaffingBronze: Lula Lee Healthcare ImprovementBronze: Fran Cykala Case ManagementBronze: Mona Maples Materials ManagementGold: Charlie Vannoy Patient AccessSilver: Alma BredesonGlow: Janet Bagwell Revenue IntegrityBronze: Cynthia Sweeney AdministrationSilver: Susan Nittka Cancer CenterBronze: Mary Ann Mcbeth Chandra Prosper EVSBronze: Rachel RodriguezSilver: Denise Turner FacilitiesSilver: Karen Ford Deric Hebert FANS/DieticiansBronze: Malcolm Gaines, Judy Hejl, Nakia Jones, Clementine Nelson, Debra WilsonSilver: Carolynn Norton, Joe Williams Human ResourcesSilver: Stephanie Foster, Laurie Samples RadiologySilver: Nancy Del Rio,Gold: Lynn Bihm, Chris BowserGlow: Gwen Haws SecuritySilver: Josh Phipps

‘WOWing’ . . . continued from p. 14


18951 Memorial North · Humble, TX 77338 · 281.540.7700memorialhermann.org · 713.222.CARE · 1.877.644.CARE

campus breakthroughs june/july

Documents

northeast nominees

northeast partners

list of northeast nurses

chief nursing officer

nursing management capacities

nursing practice committees

years of nursing experience

masters degree