Texas Health HEB food drive donations stay in northeast Tarrant County

Sometimes, when new clients come to the food pantry at the Community Enrichment Center (CEC) for the first time, they’re in a state of shock. Many are fleeing from an abusive partner or struggling to get on their feet after being homeless. Some have just lost a job. Often, clients are disabled or battling a medical condition that prevents them from working.

Every Thursday night, I am privileged to be a part of an organization like the CEC that helps people get back on their feet. Each year, the food pantry serves more than 10,000 individuals, providing 800,000 pounds of food to residents in northeast Tarrant County. Last year, we saw more than a 15 percent increase in people coming for assistance.

The summer months are the hardest. Sometimes, the shelves in the warehouse start looking awfully lean. Children are on their summer break, so kids aren’t getting free or reduced breakfast and lunches through their schools. Unlike the winter holiday season, when we’re often reminded to give back to those in need, it’s easy to get preoccupied with vacation plans and camps during the summer months.

And, the CEC staff hand out more than food. Sometimes it’s as simple as a smile and a hug and a word of encouragement. Often, families are referred to other CEC programs, which help provide the skills participants need to land a better paying job and become financially stable. Programs include:
• Literacy for Life classes, where they improve their reading and writing skills and prepare for the GED exam
• Job Club, where participants learn interview skills, search for open positions and create a resume

Here’s where you come in!

Texas Health Resources is holding its annual Food Drive June 7-18, and Texas Health HEB’s efforts all support the CEC food pantry. Employees can give online through www.texashealth.org/texashealthgives. Of course another option is to bring in food items which all go directly back to help our neighbors.

This year, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford’s Food Drive chair, Jana McKinney, has organized two new fundraising events:
• Doctor Jail & Bail, June 9 from noon to 2 pm in the Private Dining Room
• Texas Health HEB Talent Show, June 18, noon to 2 pm in West I & II
Stay tuned for more details! If you want to show off your hidden talents at the talent show, contact Jana McKinney for more info at 817-848-4086.

“I got a job yesterday! This will be my last time coming to get food!” Those are some of my favorite words to hear from a client. Many are so thankful they return as volunteers to give back to the organization that helped them get a fresh start.

Lisa Starnes, MBA, APR
Business Development Specialist
Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford

Leading with a smile

Tammy Quattrochi, RN, OCN, takes each patient’s case to heart.

As nursing supervisor on the Oncology Care Unit at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford she often sees individuals in heartbreaking situations yet she approaches each with a smile.

Quattrochi was recently recognized as one of this year’s Great 100 Nurses. The Texas Nurses Association and the Dallas/Fort Worth Nurse Executives annually sponsor the “Great 100 Nurses,” which honors registered nurses in the D/FW area who exemplify excellence in the art and science of nursing. Nurses are nominated by their peers, and may only be named to the list once in their career.

She also was recognized in December with the oncology nurse of the year award by the Fort Worth Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society. She used the prize money from that award to surprise patients on the 13-bed Oncology Care Unit with Christmas presents – complete with a Mrs. Claus outfit and elf helper.

In all, Texas Health nurses won 35 of the 100 spots on the coveted list, accounting for more than one-third of the top nurses in the Metroplex — more than any other hospital or health system in the area.

“Tammy delivers care not only from the head, but from her heart,” her nominator said. “She is a strong patient advocate who stands up for the patient and strives for only the best care for them.”

Quattrochi originally got into nursing because of her love for helping others. “I thought what better way to help people than being a nurse,” she said. “I wanted to do something that would be challenging and rewarding.”
Quattrochi said that she is “extremely grateful and truly honored to be recognized by my peers” and that she can’t even begin to express what it means to her.

It isn’t just her compassion for the patients and their families that makes a difference though. “She lives each day to the fullest, showing an optimistic outlook,” her nominator said. “She is able to make a positive experience out of a bad thing. Her integrity plays a major part in role modeling and she is an active volunteer in many activities throughout the year.”

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.

Keeping Child Passengers Safe

My passion is helping families keep their infants and children safe while traveling in the car. Probably the most risky thing we do every day is driving our cars, and even though we do not plan for a car crash, this happens to people just like you every day-often with children in the car. Keeping yourself and your child passengers safe should be something you plan for and implement on a daily basis.

On September 1, 2009, a new law in Texas took effect stating:
“A person commits an offense if the person operating a passenger vehicle, transports a child who is younger than eight years of age, unless the child is taller than four feet, nine inches, and does not keep the child secured during the operation of the vehicle in a child passenger safety seat system according to the instructions of the manufacturer of the safety seat system.”

Since this change in September of 2009, law enforcement officials have only enforced this law with verbal or written warnings. However, beginning on June 1, 2010, officers may arrest or issue a citation/notice to appear in court to a person committing this offense. A fine of not more than $25.00 can be assessed for the first offense and no more than $250.00 for the second or subsequent offenses. Fines collected from this offense will be used to buy booster seats for children of low-income families thus the focus will be placed on education instead of punishment.

This law aims to strengthen current child passenger safety protections. Each year, nearly 1,600 children die in motor vehicle crashes. Unrestrained children are more likely to be severely injured or die in car crashes than those who are restrained. I am glad our laws are improving but really hope that parents will want to do the best thing for their children to improve their safety, regardless of the law and fines.

Children should use a car safety seat with a harness for as long as possible, to the upper height or weight limits of the seat. Most car safety seats fit children up to 40 pounds, and some fit children up to 65 to 80 pounds. Once a child graduates from a car safety seat with a harness at a minimum of 40 pounds, a booster seat may be used. Using a booster seat in the rear seat of the vehicle reduces a child’s risk of injury by almost 60%!

Tips for using a booster seat include:
1. ALWAYS read and follow the instructions for the vehicle and the booster seat.
2. A lap-shoulder belt MUST be used with a booster seat. NEVER use only a lap belt with a booster seat.
3. Always use the booster in the back seat of the vehicle and if possible, the center of the back seat is safest.
4. Teach your child to buckle up and to pull up on the shoulder belt to make the lap part snug. The lap part should be on top of the thighs or low on the hips. The shoulder part should be across the middle of the shoulder. If the should belt hits the child in the neck, you can lower the shoulder belt height adjuster in your car, or use the shoulder belt adjuster that came on the booster seat.
5. NEVER allow your child to place the shoulder belt behind their back or under their arm. This can result in very serious injury.
6. Always secure a booster with the seat belt when it is not being used. A loose booster can fly around in a sudden stop or crash and injure others in the car. Often the child will be willing to buckle in a doll, teddy bear or their imaginary friend into the booster as they are leaving the car.

So, with all that said, I encourage you to do the right thing. Buckle up, and always buckle your child or children in their child safety seats. It is the right thing to do!! If you need assistance with using your child safety seats call 1-877-THR-WELL to schedule your free appointment with one of the Texas Health Child Passenger Safety Technicians. Our next free Car Seat Check event is on June 8. Please call 1-877-THR-WELL to reserve your spot.

Julie Smith, RN, MS
Perinatal Educator
Child Passenger Safety Technician
Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford