Merry Christmas!

Oncology nursing supervisor Tammy Quattrochi donned Mrs. Claus attire and delivered gifts to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hurst-Euless-Bedford oncology patients Tuesday afternoon.



Quattrochi said that her goal in purchasing the gifts was to put a smile on the patients' faces. "It did put a smile on their faces so it accomplished what I wanted to do," she said afterward.




She was assisted by elf, and oncology nurse specialist Jenny Ellis, R.N.

Bringing Christmas to cancer patients

For Tammy Quattrochi it really is all about the patients.

Earlier this month, the registered nurse was awarded the nurse of the year award by the Fort Worth Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society. But the Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford nurse didn’t go out and buy a Christmas present for herself or even use the money to pay off Christmas bills. Instead, she decided to buy Christmas presents for her patients.

Originally, Quattrochi said she thought about hiring someone to come in dressed as Santa Claus to deliver presents, but she ultimately decided it would be fun to dress up and visit with the patients on the 13-bed unit herself.

As a nursing supervisor on the unit, colleagues say Quattrochi is frequently quick to pitch in when other nurses can’t come in.

And it isn’t just within Texas Health HEB’s walls. Quattrochi often attends the annual Bluebonnet Retreat for adult cancer patients, participates in community fundraisers like Relay for Life and assists with community screenings. Also, she currently is participating in the University of Texas at Arlington’s RN to BSN program.

But for those oncology patients who face Christmas away from home and in the hospital, Quattrochi is simply a caring nurse going above and beyond her duties to make them smile.

Check back this afternoon for photos of Tammy delivering the Christmas presents!

The 12 Days of Fitness

Personal trainers and other professionals from the fitness center donned holiday attire and presented “The 12 Days of Fitness” at the annual member appreciation day.

On the first day of fitness, my trainer gave to me:

A free pass for personal training (Yippee!)

On the second day of fitness, my trainer gave to me:

Two cardioversions (What a shock. Literally.)

On the third day of fitness, my trainer gave to me:

Three push ups (Not so hard. Look at how strong I’m getting.)

On the fourth day of fitness, my trainer gave to me:

Four jumping jacks (Heart is pumping, glad I don’t need to be shocked again.)

On the fifth day of fitness, my trainer gave to me:

Five squat-thrusts (Whole body working. Boy I wish I’d skipped the Christmas cookies.)

On the sixth day of fitness, my trainer gave to me:

Six knees a tucking (My abs, my abs, but I’m feeling the burn.)

On the seventh day of fitness, my trainer gave to me:

Seven gliding swimmers (Shoulders aching, but ahead of the game for swimsuit season.)


On the eighth day of fitness, my trainer gave to me:

Eight reps of roping (Heart rate rising.)


On the ninth day of fitness, my trainer gave to me:

Nine counts of JR dancing (Ballroom classes coming in 2010!)

On the tenth day of fitness, my trainer gave to me:

Ten floor-to-ceilings (Why am I paying this trainer again? Oh well, will help me fit my skinny jeans.)

On the eleventh day of fitness, my trainer gave to me:

Eleven air squats (Will this song ever end? My legs are on fire.)

On the twelfth day of fitness, my trainer gave to me:

Twelve drummers drumming (Finally no exercise!)

As if “The 12 Days of Fitness” wasn’t enough, fitness center members then were treated to a command performance of the “Beach Ball Ballet,” performed by Fitness Center Director Mike Lofland and Fitness Center Supervisor Mike Moore. The ballet, performed to “The Nutcracker Suite,” showed what happens when fitness and a little ingenuity collide.





Alongside the staff performances, members also brought holiday goodies and signed up to showcase their talents, marking a great start to the holidays – especially for the bystanders enjoying the show.

If you’re still looking for a present for a loved one, the fitness center is running a personal training special of four sessions for $99, to be used in December. For more information about the fitness center, visit www.texashealth.org/hebfitness or call 817-267-9191.

Cardiac Step-Down Unit Cares For All Aspects of the Heart

On a typical day in the hospital, our patients think about how good it would be to be in their own home and look forward to getting back there. When the holiday season comes around, many times patients not only think about home, but also the family and special events that they’re missing. They think about times of decorating, shopping, baking, special meals and maybe even a loved one who is no longer present in their lives. This added grief does not go unnoticed in the Cardiac Step-Down Unit (CSU) at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital HEB.

Beth Rotert, BSN, and all her colleagues in the CSU, strive even harder to be available for patients to talk if they need to or to brighten their day however they can during the holidays. Beth says it is not unusual to find small Christmas trees in a patient room or other decorations during the holidays. “When we sense that someone is having an especially difficult day, staff knows they can make a difference not only in healing their body, but also their mind and spirit by listening and being sensitive to their patient’s struggle .”

One common experience between patient and caregiver is the experience of human struggle. Although staff members may have never been in the hospital themselves, every person knows what it feels like to feel a little out of control and wishing their situation was better. Beth says “No matter what we’ve been through, everyone on staff can identify with the grief of their patients in needing to know they are not alone.” Sharing patients’ pain is part of our job in healing the body, mind and spirit. Sometimes talking about our sadness or unrest helps to identify where the hurt is coming from and can actually open a door toward feeling some relief. Our vulnerability is also our strength. Acknowledging human struggle touches and brings healing to our hearts. Our CSU is doing just that during this holiday season.

Linda White
Chaplain
Texas Health HEB

Round out your holiday shopping list

Having trouble finding the perfect present for someone on your list?

Check out the Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford Auxiliary’s book sale on Friday, Dec. 4. The sale will run from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Edwards Cancer Center West I and II meeting rooms.

Books for all ages and interests will be available alongside gift ideas and stocking stuffer presents.

Proceeds will benefit the Auxiliary’s pledged donation to the oncology unit.