Circle of Excellence winners announced
Congratulations to the quarterly Circle of Excellence winners! These employees were nominated and selected by their fellow coworkers for exemplifying performance, goals, skills and qualities that highlight and promote the mission and vision of the district.
Niki Murray, Galveston County Health District
Niki's nomination read, "As our Procurement Manager, she is hardworking and dedicated and consistently goes above and beyond to support her colleagues. Her eagerness to help others and her kindness make every day better for everyone around her. Niki’s positive attitude and commitment to excellence reflect the mission and vision of our district. Her efforts have not only driven our goals forward but have also fostered a collaborative and uplifting environment. I believe Niki deserves this recognition."
Watch Niki's Employee Spotlight video.
Itzel Nieto, Coastal Health & Wellness
Itzel received 7 separate nominations. They read:
"Itzel is a very hard worker and is always willing to help other. She goes above and beyond to help patient and co-workers."
"Itzel is a great employee taking on several duties at a time. She always comes to work with a smile and positive attitude. Itzel is a Community Health Worker and worked on SOPs for that division. She is also working closely with Dr. Grumbles and Mrs. Francine (Special Program Manager) on Home Care Based Program project. Last but not least, Itzel took over Supervisor role for Case Management while she was on Maternity Leave. Itzel will take on any project/task without hesitation or complaints. That is very much appreciated. For all these reasons I believe she deserves recognition on Circle of Excellence."
"In my short time with CHW I have seen how well Itzel responds to the frequent process changes and varying urgency of her assigned tasks. She is gracious under fire with a smile on her face regardless of who is asking the questions."
"Itzel has been instrumental in keeping the Home Based Care program flowing with multiple changes in Coastal personnel. Recently she has been integral in developing the SOP for this program and providing technical insight to the newest team members. She serves with grace and quiet dignity whether responding to the HBC patients, the providers or her new team members."
"Itzel is a very hard-working young lady. She comes in everyday with great energy and high spirits. She's always helpful and is very knowledgeable. Itzel juggles a lot here at CHW and still walks around as if all she does is water plants all day :) she is a great team player and employee."
"Itzel exemplifies strong worth ethic. She is always willing to help, take on new challenge, and is not afraid to work outside of her work scope. With her knowledge and positive attitude, she is vital asset to this organization. Thank you for all your hard work Itzel, you are appreciated."
"Itzel goes above and beyond on helping the patients and her coworkers, she is always so patient and hardworking."
Warren Murray, Galveston Area Ambulance Authority
Warren's nomination read, "Warren is our Dispatcher for GAAA. Some of his duties include training others in the proper way for how calls are handled, setting up transfers of patients from the Hospital to either their homes or retirement home, and setting up long distance transfers for patients. These are just some of the duties that Warren is responsible for. Warren demonstrates a great amount of patience in having to deal with the Case Managers from the hospitals that we service, as well as the patient, and even the patients family. While being discharged from the hospital can be chaotic and stressful, Warren does his very best to ensure that all of the parties involved a feeling of confidence, and to give them a sense of calmness. I've watch him calmly explain what will happen with the transfer, and when issues arise, his calm demeanor deescalates most issues, leaving the patient and their family feeling a sense of ease and a better understanding of the entire process.
In dealing with the medics, he explains who they are picking up, where they are taking the patient, and coordinates the time that the patient is to be picked up. He stresses to the medics who the patient is and any special instructions that they may have so that the medics are not caught off guard of said instructions. Warren keeps a detailed running log of all of the transfers for the day, as well as transfers that are set up in the coming days. In keeping the detailed log, there will be Case Managers that call in with changes to the time that the patient is to be picked up, special instructions, and even cancelations for transfers.
Inside of the GAAA suite, Warren is friendly and personable to be around and is always willing to lend a hand to help any of his co-workers. He is always there to provide a good laugh when things are stressful. With all of this said, Warren always goes above and beyond in anything that he does and it shows in the amount of pride that he takes in his work!"
Alexandra Sierra, Animal Resource Center
Alex's nomination read, "I would like to nominate Alexandra Sierra for the Employee Circle of Excellence. Her dedication to the ARC and its mission of saving lives is truly inspiring. She is a compassionate leader who shows endless patience, not just with our team but also with our fur babies. Alexandra is a team player through and through, always maintaining a positive attitude and fostering a collaborative work environment. No matter what challenges arise, she is always ready to step up and tackle anything new with grace and determination. Her passion and commitment make her an exceptional asset to our organization.”
Harvest Fun & Spooky Surprises: Fall Festival 2024
Galveston County Health District hosted a fun-filled Fall Festival for local residents on Saturday, October 26. This free event featured music, food, a trunk-or-treat, costume contests, and a variety of vendors. It was fantastic seeing everyone in their creative costumes! We hope you had a great time celebrating with us!
Meet the Team Shout Outs
Meet the team! Every week an employee from GCHD is highlighted on all platforms.
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Meet Kresha Burleson Patterson!
Kresha is a Financial Counselor for Coastal Health & Wellness, a Community Health Center under GCHD. She joined us earlier this year. She has been working in her field for ten years. She enjoys True Crime podcasts and traveling. In her off time, she braids hair and cooks.
Where are you from?
"(West) Texas City."
What is your favorite part of your job?
"My TEAM!"
What is one fun fact about you?
"I can recite most of the Shrek movies and The Cat in the Hat. Mike Meyers fan!"
What would the title be if you wrote a book about your life?
"She does it ALL"
We asked Kresha what is something you would like everyone to know about your job/ department they may not know. She said, "People hear Revenue Cycle and immediately think "collections", but we do so much more than just collect. We are here to help!"
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Meet Alma Garcia!
Alma is a County Local Registrar/PHBC Manager for Galveston County Health District (GCHD). She joined the GCHD team 34 years ago and has worked in her field since. Galveston County Vitals is one of three counties in the state of Texas that files for the entire county. Vitals has been awarded the 5-star award 21 times for excellence in record registration.
Where are you from?
"BOI Galveston"
What is your favorite part of your job?
"Homebirths. There are so many stories with all the different scenarios. Homebirths are when children are not born in a hospital setting. These babies could be born on the side of the highway, in a moving car, at gas stations, at parents’ residences, etc. I’ve encountered mothers who did not know they were pregnant or the birth occurred so quickly. The best story is about a baby who was born on the Ferry, and the parents wanted to name their baby Nemo. When interviewing the parents, they still have that shock, amazement, and joy from witnessing the birth of their child. I also enjoy customer service. I love to hear customers complement our service as being quick and efficient for being a government office."
What is one fun fact about you?
"Love to travel. I enjoy going to concerts of all genres, including theater and ballet. In my newest adventure I joined the Krewe of les Minous"
If you had to live in a different country for a year, where would you choose, and what would be the first thing you’d do there?
"Greece, and the first and last thing I would do is eat ALL the Mediterranean food and travel to all the islands."
We asked Alma what is something you would like everyone to know about your job/ department they may not know. She said, "We are an essential department that issues legal documents. A birth record is such an important record that it is needed for insurance purposes, school, employment, driver's license, passport, or to prove inheritance or genealogy. Records in the State are confidential for 75 years for birth and 25 years for deaths."
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Meet Genaro Valero!
Genaro is a Team Captain for the Galveston Area Ambulance Authority (GAAA). He joined us three and a half years ago, and has been working in the EMS field for five years. He recently got his flight paramedic certification.
Where are you from?
"Pasadena"
What is your favorite part of your job?
"Making a difference in the community."
What is one fun fact about you?
"I like cold pizza."
How long would you survive in a zombie apocalypse?
"I would survive the whole thing."
We asked Genaro what is something you would like everyone to know about your job/ department they may not know. He said, "We don’t deal with billing."
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Clear Creek ISD students train with GCHD to 'STOP the BLEED'
Today, Medical Reserve Corps and Creek HOSA members from Clear Creek ISD were trained by GCHD public health nurses on how to STOP the BLEED and recognize and respond to opioid overdoses. After the training, students exercised their new skills on a simulated patient. To bring this free training to your organization, email [email protected].
Public health nurses provide health screenings at Lone Star Rally
Our dedicated public health nurses were on hand at the Lone Star Rally, providing essential health services to attendees. Here's a look at the impact:
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Blood Pressure Checks: 68 people served
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Blood Sugar Tests: 52 people served
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Naloxone (Narcan) Distribution: 119 kits given
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HIV Testing: 1 person tested
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Condoms Distributed: 300
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Lube Distribution: 500 packets given
We're proud to have supported the community with these important health services!
Emergency response teams also had a busy weekend, responding to a variety of incidents. Here are the totals:
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Total Calls: 38 (GAAA: 32, ESD2: 6)
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Calls in Event Areas: 25 (GAAA: 20, ESD2: 5)
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Other Rally-related Calls: 63 (GAAA: 12, ESD2: 1)
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Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA): 18 (GAAA: 15, ESD2: 3)
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Autoped Incidents: 2 (GAAA: 1, ESD2: 1)
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Fatalities: 2 (GAAA: 1, ESD2: 1)
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Transported to Medical Facilities: 27 (GAAA: 21, ESD2: 6)
The community's safety and health were a priority, with dedicated teams providing assistance throughout the event.
Honoring our heroes on National First Responders Day
On National First Responders Day, we took a moment to recognize the incredible men and women of the Galveston Area Ambulance Authority (GAAA). Every day, they are the first to answer the call when our community faces emergencies, offering care, compassion, and expertise during critical moments.
Whether responding to a medical emergency, providing life-saving treatment, or transporting patients to safety, GAAA's dedicated team is always ready to serve with professionalism and courage. Their selflessness and commitment make a difference in the lives of so many, and we are proud to celebrate their unwavering dedication.
Thank you, GAAA, for all you do to keep Galveston County safe and healthy. Your hard work never goes unnoticed.
Celebrating National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week
During Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, we were proud to celebrate the incredible staff and volunteers at the Galveston County Animal Resource Center (ARC). These dedicated individuals go above and beyond every day to provide love, care, and support to the animals in our community.
Whether it's offering shelter to stray and abandoned pets or helping match animals with their forever families, the GCARC team plays a vital role in the well-being of countless animals. Their compassion and commitment to improving the lives of animals make our community a better place.
A big thank you to all the team members who work tirelessly to ensure the safety and happiness of every animal that comes through the doors. We are grateful for your passion and hard work, and we thank you for your ongoing efforts to make a difference in the lives of so many furry friends.
Want to learn more about the amazing services GCARC offers? Watch the video below to see how they’re making a difference every day!
Enroll now in Health Insurance Marketplace
Enrollment for 2025 Marketplace coverage is now open, and Coastal Health and Wellness' certified application counselors are available to help you understand coverage options and which one will work best for you and your family's needs.
What is Health Insurance Marketplace? It's a place where you can shop for and enroll in affordable health insurance plans. You can compare different plans for coverage and affordability and get answers to questions you may have about your health insurance.
All offered plans cover essential health benefits, pre-existing conditions and preventive services including maternity care, mammograms and other care services. You cannot be denied health coverage for having pre-existing conditions including diabetes, hypertension and cancer.
What you pay for Marketplace depends on your income and your savings depend on your expected household income for the year. Navigating the different options can sometimes be overwhelming. That's where Coastal Health & Wellness comes in. Our certified application counselors are here to help walk you through the different plans, what is best for you and help you enroll. Give CHW a call at 409.949.3439 for assistance.
Enroll by Dec. 15 for coverage that starts Jan. 1. Enroll Dec. 16-Jan. 15 for coverage that starts Feb. 1.
Learn more about Open Enrollment for 2025 Marketplace.
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