On June 25th, Courtney Knox, Texas Rx Card Representative, presented a check to CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation. Melissa Conley (left) Program Manager, and Ivy Pate (right), Regional Vice President, were pleased to receive the check donation in the amount of $818.90.

After the presentation, Courtney was given a tour of the hospital, including the newly updated NICU. Melissa and Ivy invited Courtney to participate in a call-in interview to be played during a November radio fundraiser. CHRISTUS Southeast Texas-St. Elizabeth and Texas Rx Card will continue to work together to raise awareness of the Texas Rx Card and the CMN relationship. A donation will be made to your local CMN hospital each time a prescription is processed using the Texas Rx Card. We are excited to be a supporter of CHRISTUS Southeast Texas-St. Elizabeth and all the patients they help.

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The CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation proudly announces a $125,000 grant from The Hearst Foundations. This grant will cover the purchase of seven new defibrillators for the Emergency Department at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth (St. Elizabeth).

The new defibrillators are the only model available that are specifically designed to treat children as well as adults. In addition, the portability of these defibrillators offers a major benefit to our medical staff, as many of the patients they treat must be transported internally throughout the hospital.

The new fleet of defibrillators will enhance St. Elizabeth’s work towards achieving a higher-level designation for the Emergency Department.

The Hearst Foundations are national philanthropic resources for organizations and institutions working in the fields of Education, Health, Culture and Social Service. The Hearst Foundations’ goal is to ensure that people of all backgrounds have the opportunity to build healthy, productive and inspiring lives.

The CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation was honored to host a recent site visit by George Irish, Eastern Director for The Hearst Foundations. Ivy Pate, Director of CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation, gave Mr. Irish a tour of St. Elizabeth, showing him where the new defibrillators will be housed in the Emergency Department. Mr. Irish also toured the newly renovated Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The visit to the NICU was especially meaningful for Mr. Irish as The Hearst Foundations have given past grants to St. Elizabeth for NICU equipment as well.

To date, The Hearst Foundations have given CHRISTUS $250,000 in grants.

“We are so proud to once again be a recipient of The Hearst Foundations’ generosity. Thanks to The Hearst Foundations, the St. Elizabeth Emergency Department will offer the newest and most advanced technology in resuscitation care,” said Ivy Pate.

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The 38^th Annual CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation Gala was a smashing success. The meal was delectable, the décor was stunning, and, of course, the entertainment was stellar. Each year, philanthropic-minded businesses, organizations, and individuals gather for a night of finery all in the name of the CHRISTUS mission: to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.

This year’s gala was especially meaningful as we celebrated the perseverance and unity of the CHRISTUS Health Community during Hurricane Harvey. We recognized CHRISTUS employees staying steadfast in their duties as healers during one of the worst natural disasters our community has seen in decades.

We also recognized the evening’s honorees: The Beaumont Enterprise and The Hearst Foundations. The Beaumont Enterprise – a household name in our area – has been supporting the CHRISTUS Gala since its inception 38 years ago. The Hearst Foundations have given a total of $250,000 to the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation. These generous grants enabled us to renovate the CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and purchase lifesaving equipment for the Center for New Life and the Emergency Department.

The evening culminated in a show-stopping performance by Daryl Hall and John Oates. They wowed the crowd with popular hits such as “Rich Girl,” “You Make My Dreams,” and countless others.

We want to say a big “thank you” to all the community members that make our gala such a success, and we look forward to seeing you all next year!

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On Saturday, April 7, the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System kicked off Autism Awareness Month by sponsoring Autism Awareness Day: A Sensory Event hosted by the Beaumont Children’s Museum and The Arc of Greater Beaumont. Community members were invited to experience the excitement of the children’s museum while learning about autism.

The first hour of the event was reserved for families with children on the autism spectrum, which allowed them time to get familiar with the museum in a low sensory environment with fewer people around. The museum also provided a Quiet Room that was open all day for children who became overstimulated to have a place to relax.

When the museum opened to the public, children were able to participate in activities such as making fossils, creating custom sensory bottles, and playing with sensory toys and a tactile wall. Families were also given the opportunity to play with service dogs, meet First Responders, and learn what CHRISTUS hospitals do to make ER visits for individuals on the autism  spectrum less traumatic.

Ashley Bares, Certified Child Life Specialist at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth, shared how the healthcare professionals at St. Elizabeth strive to make children on the autism spectrum more comfortable during hospital visits.

“When registering at the Emergency Room, parents of children on the autism spectrum can ask for an ASAP (Autism Spectrum Awareness Plan) or SNAP (Special Needs Awareness Plan) form,” explains Bares. “These forms help us better understand the challenges some patients face when they come to the Emergency Room so that we can do our best to make them comfortable. We can offer sunglasses for light sensitivity, fidget toys to keep their hands busy, and a weighted lap pad for those who find comfort in deep touch pressure.”

CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth is proud to provide awareness and support for our autism community and we hope to make hospital visits comfortable and stress-free for everyone who comes through our doors.

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On Thursday, March 29, board members from Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas, Laura Childress and Lisa New, presented Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals in Southeast Texas with a check for $2,270.

Each year, CMN recruits volunteers from CHRISTUS hospitals and the community to help run Mardi Gras by serving drinks, taking tickets, selling souvenirs and more. When weekend is over, volunteer hours from the 16 non-profit organizations behind Mardi Gras are added up and Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas makes a donation to each organization based on their hours.

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in Southeast Texas is proud to be one of the 16 member non-profit organizations benefiting from Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas and we are beyond grateful for our CHRISTUS associates and community members who volunteer on our behalf!

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On Monday, March 26, the beginning of Holy Week, a dedication was held for the newly renovated Prayer Room, located on the third floor of the Outpatient Pavilion.

A Crucifix, special ordered from Italy, now sets atop a stone modeled after the Golgotha, a site immediately outside Jerusalem’s walls where Jesus was crucified.  On either side of the Crucifix are stained glass windows, which were left behind in the Phelan Mansion and kept in good condition by the nuns. The stained glass windows have been restored, mounted, and up lit.

This beautiful work was made possible through the generosity of Dr. Mark Kubala, a devoted Catholic, a long-time neurosurgeon with Golden Triangle Neurocare, a dedicated supporter of the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation, and most recently a published author (The Execution of Jesus the Christ).

Dr. Kubala made a generous donation to the Foundation to purchase the crucifix, as he wanted the Prayer Room to be more representative of a Catholic facility.

Mary Williams, granddaughter of John Henry “Harry” and Johannah Phelan, spoke of the importance of the Catholic faith to her grandparents, the emphasis placed on faith during her upbringing, and stories of her childhood.

Bishop Guillory gave the dedication and Tommy Frank, Foundation Board Chairman, gave a special reading. The event culminated with words from Dr. Kubala.

“We are so grateful that patients have a beautiful, peaceful place available to pray for loved ones undergoing treatment in the hospital,” said Foundation President Ivy Pate.  “Thank you, Dr. Kubala, for your immense generosity. Your dedication to this project is awe-inspiring.”

The Prayer Room is open to people of all faiths and denominations. It is a place of peace and calm where all patients, families, and staff are welcome.

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Congratulations to our winners and thank you to everyone who participated! With your help, we raised over $30,000 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation.

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The number-one selling duo in music history, Daryl Hall and John Oates, will be taking the stage at the 38th Annual CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation Gala on Saturday, April 21, 2018.

From the mid-’70s to the mid-’80s, the duo would score six #1 singles, including “Rich Girl” (also #1 R&B), “Kiss on My List,” “Private Eyes,” “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do) (also #1 R&B), “Maneater” and “Out of Touch” from their six consecutive multi-platinum albums—’76’s Bigger Than Both of Us, ’80’s Voices, ’81’s Private Eyes, ‘82’s H2O, ‘83’s Rock N Soul, Part I and ‘84’s Big Bam Boom. The era would also produce an additional 5 Top 10 singles, “Sara Smile,” “One on One,” “You Make My Dreams,” “Say It Isn’t So” and “Method of Modern Love.” Daryl also wrote the H&O single “Every Time You Go Away,” which singer Paul Young scored a number-one hit with a cover of the song in 1985.

“We are thrilled to welcome Daryl Hall and John Oates to Beaumont. Their incredible success as a musicians, as well as their many hit songs, make them relatable to a wide range of audiences. Each year, we strive to offer the Southeast Texas community a night of unforgettable entertainment, and we believe that Daryl Hall and John Oates will help us do just that,” said Ivy Pate, CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation President.

Each year, the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation continues to raise the bar by offering world class entertainment, five-star cuisine, and elegant ambiance. Past Gala entertainers include Keith Urban, James Taylor, Reba McEntire, Don Henley, Aretha Franklin, and Harry Connick, Jr., just to name a few. The much anticipated and always exceptional Gala brings the community together to celebrate the CHRISTUS mission to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.

The black tie benefit provides an opportunity for an intimate evening of entertainment starting with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 7 p.m. followed by a gourmet meal at 8, all leading to Daryl Hall and John Oates performance at 9:30. For more information about the foundation or to reserve your table for the event please visit www.christussoutheasttexasfoundation.org or call (409) 236-7555.

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Valentine’s Day is a time to feel special – a time to feel loved. But each year, children in the hospital are forced to spend it away from their friends and fun classroom festivities due to injury or illness. This February, we asked our community to help us make sure the flu and other illnesses didn’t keep kids in the hospital from experiencing the excitement of receiving valentines.

“Spread some love this Valentine’s Day by sending a special valentine to a pediatric patient at your local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth. Fill out the form online, select your favorite card, and we will deliver your card to a patient. It’s fast, free and sure to brighten a child’s day!”

On Valentine’s Day, we had an abundance of valentines to deliver to our pediatric patients. Thanks to our community (and beyond), our youngest patients felt loved as they each received dozens of valentines and well wishes. Your special messages brought smiles to the faces of children who missed class parties and fun with friends because they were in the hospital on Valentine’s Day. Thank you for helping make miracles happen for kids in Southeast Texas!

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At CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth, the Emergency Department alone sees 8,500 pediatric patients a year. Currently, the waiting room caters to adults without any toys or entertainment for children. The Emergency Department wants to better serve the pediatric population and their families by offering a form of entertainment in the waiting room that will distract, calm, and educate. Thanks to a grant from Child’s Play, the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation is now able to provide that entertainment.

Two Touch2Play Pro touchscreen game systems will be installed in the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth Emergency Department waiting room this spring.

Many times, Emergency Department wait times can be long and anxiety filled. The Touch2Play systems will help offer comfort and normalcy in an unfamiliar environment. Each game system has the capability of accessing only the websites that the staff deems safe and appropriate. It is the perfect gaming system for all ages, from toddler to teen, offering 40 family-related games with none of the violence sometimes associated with video games.

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