December 2012 - Nexus Specialty Hospital

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
NEXUS
CONNECTION
DECEMBER 2011
HBO Anniversaries
J.J. Gatdula, RRT ........................................ 10
Sammy Vasquez, LVN ............................... 8
# yrs.
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
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
HBH Birthdays
# yrs.
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
TNC Anniversaries
Faye Owens, Horticulture Manager............ 10
Carl Hardy, LSA II .................................... 7
Vickie Alfaro, LVN ................................... 4
Harriett Adams, LSS .................................. 3
Renee Toliver, LSS .................................... 2
TNC Birthdays
NSH Anniversaries
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
NSH Birthdays
December 2011 Nexus Connection Page 12 of 8
# yrs.
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
Claudett Harris, HR Assistant at Nexus
Specialty Hospital celebrated her birthday
in October!
# yrs.
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
Corporate Anniversaries
Sharon Hatfield, A/P Specialist .................. 3
Corporate Birthdays
# yrs.
Brenda Potter, Controller .......................... 12/31
Nexus named as a Houston
Top Workplace
Nexus Health Systems was named
as a 2011 Houston Top Workplace
by the Houston
Chronicle
in November
2011.
This industry
workplace
competition
recognizes
outstanding
employers
Yolander Wilson, Dietary Cook and Laura
Miller, LVN, both from HealthBridge
Houston, attended the 2011 Houston
Chronicle's Top Workplace Gala held in
Houston, Texas on November 3.
across all industries
in
Houston.
Companies
were ranked
based on employee
responses detailing culture,
work environment, training, opportunities
for advancement,
compensation,
benefits, leadership,
management communication
and overall satisfaction.
2011 was the
first year Nexus has participated
in this recognition
program and the
company is excited to
be noted as a top workplace
in Houston.
―Being named as
one of Houston’s top
places to work is a tremendous
honor because
Houston Business Journal
Recognizes Nexus
The following is an exert from a press release published recognizing Nexus. The complete
press release can be viewed at www.nhsltd.com.
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

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 feedback
include enhanced Paid-Time-
Off programs, increased communication,
leadership training for all
front line supervisors, the establishment
of Workplace Councils to facilitate
best practice
sharing, and greater
emphasis on workplace
events so that
employees can
spend time getting
to know their
coworkers.
The 2012 Employee
Engagement
Survey is scheduled
for May 2012 and
will provide employees
additional
opportunity to share
feedback on the
Nexus workplace.
Twenty Nexus
employees attended
the Top Workplace
Gala held at the
Hilton Americas in
downtown Houston
on November 3.
Together along
with John W. Cassidy,
MD, President,
CEO and
Chief Medical Officer,
the group accepted
the award on
behalf of all Nexus
employees. The
event was attended
by over 600 people celebrating the
outstanding workplaces in
Houston.
(Pictured Above) Erin Cassidy, Assistant
Administrator, and Chris Alanis, Medical
Records Clerk, attended the Top Workplace
Gala at the Hilton Americas in downtown
Houston. Chris and Erin both work at Nexus
Specialty Hospital.
(Pictured Above) Mike Gomez, Program
Director; Salina Tullos, RN; and Cheryl
Fox, LSA enjoyed dinner at the Top Workplace
Gala. The Gala included a Key Note
Speaker and the awards presentation. All
three employees work at Touchstone.
(Pictured Above) Kira Guidry, Business
Office Coordinator, and Rita Guillory,
Respiratory Therapist, enjoyed the Top
Workplace Gala held at the Hilton Americas
in downtown Houston. Kira and Rita
both work at HealthBridge Houston.
(Pictured Above) Chris Alanis, Medical
Records Clerk; Jorge Iniguez, House Supervisor;
and Joey Rivera, RN, enjoy the
reception at the Top Workplace Gala. All
three employees work at Nexus Specialty
Hospital.
The following employees
represented Nexus at the 2011 Houston
Chronicle Top Workplace Gala
John Cassidy, President and CEO
Guido Cubellis, COO
Julia Hatton, CFO
Guy Murdock, VP Human Resources
Maureen Arvanetakis , VP, Sales and Marketing
Kenyata Virgil, System Director, Human Resources
Sandra Robin, Assistant Controller
Erin Cassidy, Assistant Administrator
Chris Alanis, Medical Records Clerk
Jorge Iniguez, House Supervisor
Joey Rivera, RN
Rita Guillory, RT
Laura Miller, LVN
Kira Guidry, Business Office Coordinator
Yolander Wilson, Dietary Cook
Cheryl Fox, LSA
Mike Gomez , Program Director
Salina Tullos, RN
Jo Walker, Transportation Coordinator
Sandra Robin, Assistant Controller; Salina Tullos, RN; and Guy
Murdock, Vice President of Human Resources, all joined the
group of Nexus employees attending the Top Workplace Gala.
December 2011 Nexus Connection Page 2 of 8
Holiday
Stress
Submitted by Nexus
Specialty Hospital,
Director of Nursing,
Sandy Nelson.
Thoughts by Christoph
Nauer, life
coach and expert
on stress management..
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
All about Employee Benefits,
Health & Wellness
Employee Assistance (EAP)
Work Life Programs
Sponsored by Humana and available to Nexus
employees free of charge.
Do some of these life work issues sound familiar
―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!‖
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!

The Apple Core:
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
But don’t worry, we’ve got the food
and diet tips you need in order to
keep your festive dining in control.
Shift your focus. If you’ve been
trying to lose weight, concentrate on
weight maintenance. You won’t feel
pressured to lose weight during the
holiday season and you won’t feel
deprived as others celebrate.
Snack before you party. Have a
healthy snack before going to a holiday
gathering. This way you won’t
be as hungry and will be satisfied
with smaller portions.
Enjoy the small things. Portion
control is critical to prevent weight
gain. Sample small portions of foods
high in fat and calories. Share a dessert
and limit alcohol.
Keep your hands busy. Keep a
calorie-free beverage in your hand at
cocktail parties. This keeps your
hands from mindlessly reaching into
snack bowls and food trays.
Don’t stand near the buffet or
appetizers at a holiday gathering.
Instead, survey the offerings, choose
the best nutritional bets and maybe
one high-calorie sample, put them on
a plate, then go sit down and enjoy
the meal.
THE HEALTHY SIDE OF
HOLIDAYS
Many foods that we associate with
the holidays are actually good for
you. Just be sure to mind your portions
and look for no- or low-sugar
varieties like:
• Applesauce : A good source of fiber.
Remember to look for unsweetened
or natural applesauce.
• Cranberry sauce (unsweetened):
Cranberries are rich in vitamin C and
believed to contain excellent infection
fighting properties. Add a minimal
amount of sugar or use artificial
sweetener.
• Fruit: Always a good snack choice
during the holidays. Packed with vitamins,
antioxidants, and fiber, fruit
will fill you up and provide energy to
keep you going.
• Green beans: String beans contain
vitamin K (for healthy bones), vitamin
C, and vitamin A. Try tossing
with olive oil and lemon juice for a
healthier alternative to butter or
cream sauce.
• Pumpkins: They have carotenoids
for making vitamin A and fighting
free radicals. Also a good source of
potassium and fiber.
• Yams and sweet potatoes: Similar
to pumpkins, yams contain carotenoids,
potassium, vitamin C, and fiber.
Steer clear of the candied variety
and simply bake with a bit of brown
sugar or with artificial sweetener.
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
December 2011 Nexus Connection Page 10 of 8
PLAN TO ATTEND!
Celebrate the holidays with
friends and co-workers!
Nexus Holiday
Events!
Texas
December 10
California
December 16
Contact HR if you
have not received your
invite.
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,
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
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
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.

EMPLOYEE WALL OF RECOGNITION
2011
Employee of Month Employee of Quarter MVP
A special congratulations to all recognition winners!
JANUARY
Shellye Evans
Asst. Program
Director
JULY
Sam Elzie
Shift
Leader
MVP
1st Quarter
Theda Pyle
Asst. Nurse
Manager
FEBRUARY
April Walker
Living Skills
Support
AUGUST
Elisabeth
Reffett
LVN
1st QUARTER
Shellye Evans
Asst. Program
Director
MVP
2nd Quarter
Darrell Edmond
Asst. Program
Director
MARCH
Alicia
Payne
Van Driver
SEPTEMBER
Dee
Montello
COTA
2nd QUARTER
Jessica Gonzalez
Living Skills
Support
Communications
from Conroe, Texas
MVP
3rd Quarter
Ann De La Rosa
Marketing
Director
APRIL
Latanya
McDowell
LSA II
OCTOBER
Stephanie
Edwards
Neuro Technician I
3rd QUARTER
Dee
Montello
COTA
MVP
4th Quarter
Mike Gomez
Program
Director
December 2011 Nexus Connection Page 4 of 8
MAY
Cheryl Edwards
Shift
Leader
NOVEMBER
RaToshia Keys
Living Skills
Support
4th QUARTER
RaToshia Keys
Living Skills
Support
JUNE
Jessica Gonzalez
Living Skills
Support
DECEMBER
Pamela
Jones
RN
Winterizing your Outdoor Plants &
Tender Vegetation
News from the TNC Horticulture Crew
By: Faye Owens, Horticulture Manager, Texas Master Gardener
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!)
Follow these steps if you would like
to protect your outdoor plants from
the upcoming cold:
Most of these tender plants need to
be moved inside when three nights in
a row are below 55 degrees.
Rinse off plants with water:
Use a spray hose or shower to
wash off most insects or spider
webs from the leaves.
Try some of the tips below
to insure that you don’t bring
in any bugs that will infect
your other houseplants:
Spray an insecticidal soap or you
can use a soapy water mixture: It is
best to spray onto the leaves before
you bring the plant inside. Also spray
the underside of the leaves: this is
where insects general always go. Mix
the soapy water mixture in a spray
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
effect, water plant well for a few days
prior to use. Follow label directions
carefully.
Cooler temperatures: Most indoor
tropical plants, such as Gardenia, Hibiscus,
Jasmine and Abutilon prefer
cooler temperatures in the
home as well as a bright,
sunny environment.
No fertilizer after November:
Plants need a rest period
when they finish their
blooming cycle.
Water well throughout the
winter but don’t fertilize them until
March.
Since we live in Texas don’t
get comfortable, it will soon be time
to move them back into the warm
outdoors. When the car is pleading
for shingles over the sunroof and the
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!‖

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 Health-
Bridge Orange. She
accepted the Health-
Bridge 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.
News from Riverway!
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!
(Left) Accounts Payable Coordinator, Sharon
Hatfield and (Right) Benefits and Compensation
Specialist, Keith Slack participated in the Halloween
costume contest.
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.
Central Business Office Supervisor,
Tana Nickerson was the winner
of the Pumpkin Decorating
On Halloween the spooky witches and the helpful
Contest with her version of the
angels come together for a photo opportunity! Executive
Assistant, Diana Tice and System Director of
Little Princess Rockstar. Over 15
pumpkins were decorated as part
the Business Office, Cheryl Csepke participated in
of the annual event at the office.
the annual costume contest at the Corporate office.
December 2011 Nexus Connection Page 8 of 8
Funny Hat Day
To get the team in the
From the Sunny Shores
of Southern California
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.
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
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!

NSH Halloween Events!!
News from Shenandoah
and The Woodlands
Happenings in West
Houston!
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!
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.
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
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.
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!)
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 Pumpkin Decorating
Contest
Winner:
Woodlands
Campus
Day Shift
Nursing
December 2011 Nexus Connection 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.