Over the past few weeks, we’ve been busy celebrating a significant milestone in our history — Texas Children’s 70th anniversary. To make this anniversary even more special, the very day we celebrated 70 years, we also held our ribbon-cutting ceremony for our newest hospital, Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin Campus. This facility is our fourth hospital, but our first outside the Houston area.
To celebrate these two monumental occasions on the same day is nothing short of destiny and at Texas Children’s, many moments were just simply destined to be.
Destined to lead
When talking about destiny, I can’t help but think of my own story and my personal connection to Texas Children’s. When I was a child growing up in Oklahoma, my father worked for Cameron Iron Works, which was founded by Jim Abercrombie. For those of you who may not know, Mr. Abercrombie would also become the founder of Texas Children’s Hospital. He paved the way and set the tone for how this organization would provide care to millions of patients around the world. When I sit back and look at how everything in my life — from my father talking about Mr. Abercrombie at our dinner table to my trips to Houston — led me to Texas Children’s, I’m simply amazed.
Another example of Texas Children’s divine destiny is the story of our new president, Debbie Feigin Sukin. Debbie has been connected to Texas Children’s for several decades through her mother, Dr. Judith Feigin, and her father, Dr. Ralph Feigin, who both made a profound impact on Texas Children’s during their time working here. In fact, her father was the man who hired me. He was an undeniable force in my life and it was an honor to have learned so much from him. It was also an honor that three decades after working alongside him, I was a part of the team who hired Debbie.
The Texas Children’s family
Debbie and I share remarkable stories of destiny, but what makes them even more incredible is that we’re not alone. Hundreds, if not thousands of our employees, were connected to Texas Children’s through a family member or by being a patient themselves long before they ever worked here.
That’s one of the many things that makes Texas Children’s culture and our bond with each other so sturdy. Working here and being a part of this team wasn’t a happenstance, it was the result of generations of decisions and connections guiding our individual journeys to Texas Children’s.
What the future holds
So here we are — celebrating 70 years, opening our first hospital outside the Houston area, preparing for a bright future ahead with our newest leader, and all the while, continuing our commitment to the patients and families we serve. Amidst the celebrations, I’ve been asked time and time again — what’s next, is this where you stop?
The answer is no.
I see a bright future for Texas Children’s — one defined by endless growth, cutting-edge innovation, dedicated research and excellence in patient care. We recognize the importance of community engagement and collaboration and strive to be more than just a health care provider. We aim to be a trusted partner and resource for every community we serve and the ones we’ll serve in the future.
Texas Children’s is filled with examples of connection and destiny, and I have no doubt that some of our greatest stories and most historic moments have yet to take place.
