Methodist Health System Blog

It’s a fact — social distancing lessens your risk of catching COVID-19. But some of us define social distancing as social isolation. “Physical distance” is more accurate. Even at a distance, we can be social. Samuel Cullison, MD, vice president of Graduate Medical Education at Methodist Health System, explains that humans are social creatures; our connection to others helps u ...

Methodist Health System announced plans today to break ground on a major three-story addition to Methodist Charlton Medical Center. A new 40,000 square foot Emergency Department (ED) located at Wheatland Road and Bolton Boone Drive will almost double the size of the current ED and increase the number of beds from 45 to 70. Fran Laukaitis, President of Methodist Charlton Medica ...

I have had the privilege of working and mentoring Jessica Pena and Katherine “Katie” Cacioppo for the last six months on 6 Medical. These two young women are unique to Methodist Richardson Medical Center because their story began in the year 2000, when they first met in kindergarten. Katie was shy and reluctant to go into the classroom. But the outgoing Jessica invited her to c ...

As COVID-19 affects every aspect of our lives, it’s more important than ever to focus on enhancing our physical and mental health. Staying well not only improves your immunity but also keeps you mentally sound during times of uncertainty and stress. Like now. In honor of Employee Health and Fitness Month, I encourage you to ask yourself what you can do to stay healthy during t ...

Methodist Health System, as the name implies, has its roots in the United Methodist Church. The idea for the first Methodist hospital, in fact, came out of a Sunday school class nearly a century ago. So Methodist’s healing mission is the direct result of its founders’ faith. These days, the chaplains at Methodist hospitals are busy assuaging the fears and anxieties of our staf ...

On the wall in my office hangs a quote by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy.” This quote reminds me that our character and integrity are best determined when life’s circumstances go against our normal way of functioning and not when ...

Many say that nursing is one of the most honored careers to have. Nurses care for patients and their families both in and out of the clinical setting, and transplant nurses care for patients in all stages of the transplant process. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019), there are 75,000 people actively waiting for an organ but only around 8,000 dece ...

I’ve been at Methodist Charlton Medical Center my whole nursing career. That’s 15 years. Not once have I ever felt that I needed to look elsewhere. My career started when I was hired as a nursing extern after completing two semesters of nursing school. Methodist Health System has a great program for nursing students. You basically shadow a nurse, so you get to perform some of ...

Is it even possible to ease stress, fear, and anxiety during this pandemic? I believe so. As a nurse, Registered Yoga Teacher, Mayo Certified Health Coach, and certified Mindfulness Trainer, I help people minimize stress and maximize wellness every day. And I know it can be done. It just takes a bit of focus and practice. For example, let’s say that you’re a mom or dad, you ca ...

In 1970, less than 10 percent of medical students were women. In 1972, Title IX of the Educational Amendments passed prohibiting discrimination based on sex in educational programs that receive federal financial assistance, thus opening the door to more opportunities for women. When I matriculated in 1979, the number of women entering medical school had more than doubled to 1 i ...

Nurses are truly the face of healthcare. They are the clinicians who spend the most time with patients. They’re caregivers who consider their job a calling. They’re the people who go the extra mile for patients and families. No wonder nursing is the most trusted profession in America. Every year since 2012, D Magazine’s Excellence in Nursing awards has honored a select number ...

  How’s your work-life balance? With the new year, and a new decade, upon us, it’s a good time to assess it. The topic interests me because in human resources I constantly look for ways to help employees feel great about their work. I think about it in my own life, too. For me, it’s harmony I prefer to think of it as work-life harmony because I recognize that at no given tim ...