Houston Methodist

In this episode of Women in Surgery, our Chief Physician Executive Dr. Shlomit Schaal, MD, PhD, MHCM was joined by Dr. Nicole Tapia where she shared about her journey to become a general surgeon and critical care and trauma surgeon, and why there is no time for impostor syndrome in critical care. Hear the full conversation on YouTube: http://spr.ly/6042I4PWu

This is a second career for me. Way back when, I was in development and fundraising and special event planning and really found a lot of purpose there and enjoyed it, and then started having kids and moving around with family. My youngest daughter was diagnosed with multiple food allergies. I had always had an interest in nutrition and biology, but when she was diagnosed with food allergies, all of a sudden it was like, whoa — food that is nourishing for some, it was not so nourishing for her. So, I worked on becoming a registered dietitian, and I've really enjoyed that. I’ve been a dietician for 15 years, and I’ve been at Houston Methodist for three years in the center for Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery in Houston Methodist Sugar Land’s outpatient department. I really enjoy who I work with, my team. I love the patients too. I really enjoy the time that I get to spend with them and helping them improve their quality of life. If I can help a patient or person improve their quality of life for food and nutrition through lifestyle intervention, then, that brings me great satisfaction. I really enjoy what I do. --Wynnifred Hoodis, Houston Methodist Sugar Land registered dietician

As part of its commitment to health care innovation and strategic global partnerships, our Global Health Care Services participated in Saudi Arabia’s Health Co. Model of Care Forum 2025, themed "Care and Impact”. Cathy Easter shared the stage with Saudi and international speakers to discuss “Personalized Care at Scale: AI and Big Data in Integrated Care,” highlighting our application innovations in the hospital setting. We're a strategic partner to Ministry of Health Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Arabia health care sector and have been working closely with key partners in their journey to achieve and deliver the Kingdom’s Healthcare Transformation Strategy as part of the country’s vision 2030.

Our Director of Coronary Interventions Dr. Alpesh Shah discusses a national study of renal denervation for hypertension and our ability to now treat patients with this groundbreaking, minimally invasive, non-pharmacologic treatment option. Watch the full video on YouTube: http://spr.ly/6048xTUGY

Originally from San Francisco. Joined the Air Force when I was around 18. Spent six years there. Learned to be a surgical services specialist while I was in the Air Force, which kind of gave me my clinical background. And then after my six years in the Air Force, I was a civilian traveler for some time and, eventually, interviewed for a position in the heart center working for Dr. Alan Lumsden. I was going to school for computer programing at the time that I was working in the operating room and this was around the year 2000 when everybody had the IT fever. I interviewed for an opening in IT, and Houston Methodist gave me my first IT job. Working at Houston Methodist, I've been able to do what I do. Either solve problems or see projects to fruition, the way I think I need to do it. I've never been micromanaged. And the other thing is, I've always been recognized for the work that I do. Even though I'm on the IT side of things today, I like to think that as long as we get things right for the clinical staff, the providers, etc., then we're getting it right for the patient. -- Milton Gans, Houston Methodist Systems Architect

For the fourth consecutive year, our hospital system was recognized in Glassdoor's Best Places to Work list for 2025, which features top employers across a national range of industries. We want to extend our gratitude and thanks to the employees who took the time to share their experiences and for your service and commitment to keeping the patient at the center of everything we do. http://spr.ly/6040ahkIr

Our doctors discuss the multidisciplinary and collaborative approach of transplant oncology as well as the role of robotics in the field featuring Dr. R. Mark Ghobrial, Dr. Sudha Kodali, Dr. Constance Mobley MD, PhD, FACS and Dr. Yee Lee Cheah. Head to our YouTube: http://spr.ly/6046anqf6

Follow Fadi Abu-Shahin, MD, during an average day in the oncology clinic as he cares for patients with all types of cancer, including pancreatic and lung cancers. Watch his full story on YouTube: http://spr.ly/6044ab9k6

In this panel episode with Dr. Shlomit Schaal, MD, PhD, MHCM, Dr. Jackie Gerhart and Dr. Jordan Dale discuss how thoughtfully designed electronic health record technology results in better patient outcomes and clinician satisfaction.

I’ve been with Houston Methodist since 2010. I started working as a PRN in patient coding, and in 2015, the coding department became centralized for Houston Methodist. They were looking for a manager, so that door opened, and I stepped in. Although many people think of coding as more billing and revenue, a lot of what we do gets utilized for research as they’re going back and looking at patient outcomes. I’ve loved working for Houston Methodist. The culture here – I love it. I feel like everyone knows their job, and we just do it. Everyone has bought into the goal, and we all work together to strive to get to that goal on a day-to-day basis. The biggest reason that I would say for someone to work at Houston Methodist is if you want an organization or a job that's going to challenge you, help you grow you and invest in you. If you have an interest in anything, they are very good about touching base with you and what your career goals are. It’s something I’ve also done with my own department. -- Shaletha Joe, Houston Methodist system coding manager