It Takes a Team

Mark Gilger, M.D., pediatrician-in-chief, greets colleagues at a recent physician open house.

“Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.”
– Mattie Stepanek

The physical transformation of the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio is readily apparent. But behind the construction fence, changes to the team are even more profound. The partnership with Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) and Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH) is enabling powerful changes to people and programs that are already making a difference.

“The depth of expertise and resources that are now available to our team is amazing,” said Trisha Montague, Chief Nursing Officer. “It’s opening the door to resources we never would have dreamed of having.”

A significant part of the recruiting success is due to the contributions of the Pediatrician-in-Chief, Dr. Mark Gilger, a BCM pediatrician who joined the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio team some 10 months ago. Gilger has helped secure more than 60 of the 250 physicians the children’s hospital plans to recruit as part of its transformation.

“His knowledge, his ability to interact with physicians and his talent to recruit outstanding physicians, is evidence of the strength of our partnership,” said Pat Carrier, president and CEO of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System. “We are assembling a team with some of the best and brightest minds in pediatric medicine. This is allowing us to provide top-notch care for the children of San Antonio and South Texas – a level of care this area has never had before.”

This is an exciting time for the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio! We look forward to sharing more stories about the great things this transformation is doing for our community. If you would like to make a donation to help fund the miracles happening at the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, visit us online at SantaRosaFoundation.org, or call our Foundation offices at (210) 704-2800. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do for our patients without the support of our community!

For a full list of new physicians at the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, click here.

CHRISTUS Children’s Selected Among Top Grant Recipients from The Toy Foundation

CHRISTUS Children’s is one of 20 children’s hospitals and health systems to receive funding for play projects that will improve the care and well-being of pediatric patients (APRIL 11, 2024 – SAN ANTONIO) – CHRISTUS Children’s is proud to announce its selection as a recipient of a $15,000 grant from The Toy Foundation’s (TTF) Children’s Hospital Play Grants program. The grant will expand sensory-friendly play opportunities for patients at CHRISTUS Children’s, particularly within its emergency services and behavioral health areas. The initiative aims to promote and support a calm and comforting hospital environment. Specialized toys designed for sensory engagement will be purchased and used by child life specialists at CHRISTUS Children’s to provide essential coping support. The sensory safety kits will be distributed to patients for use during their hospital stay, upon discharge, and at home. “Our child life specialists play such an important role in providing emotional and social support for patients at CHRISTUS Children’s,” said Terry Kyle, CEO of CHRISTUS Children’s Foundation. “We are incredibly grateful for this generous gift from The Toy Foundation that will allow our specialists to continue their impactful work.” CHRISTUS Children’s is one of 20 children’s hospitals and health systems selected to receive a Children’s Hospital Play Grant. TTF is distributing $389,000 nationwide, marking a significant gesture expected to bring joy and support to approximately 240,000 children. Play is a powerful tool that can significantly improve the care, well-being, and health outcomes of pediatric patients. Hospitals are reliant on external funding or donations to provide this key aspect of the holistic pediatric care model, and TTF’s Children’s Hospital Play Grants program helps fill this need. Focused on supporting hospitals that serve under-resourced communities, where 50% or more of patients rely on Medicaid, the program has delivered the benefits of play to 360,000 children since 2021. “Play has a profound impact on a child’s healing journey, benefiting their physical, emotional, and educational well-being,” said Pamela Mastrota, executive director at The Toy Foundation. “We are pleased to support CHRISTUS Children’s in providing the power of play to help their patients heal and thrive.” For more information about TTF’s Children’s Hospital Play Grants program and to see the full list of 2024 grant recipients, visit ToyFoundation.org. ### About CHRISTUS Children’s CHRISTUS Children’s became San Antonio’s first freestanding hospital solely dedicated to the care of children and expectant women. Located in the heart of downtown San Antonio, CHRISTUS Children’s is part of CHRISTUS Health. Baylor College of Medicine, one of the top medical schools in the nation, is the academic partner of The Children’s Hospital with 180 pediatric specialists affiliated with Baylor. In addition, community physicians in private practice remain a valuable partner in the care of women and children in our community. We are a health care ministry that works to continually meet the needs of the community to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, following the values and mission of our sponsoring congregations: Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word of Houston and San Antonio and the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. About The Toy Foundation The Toy Foundation (TTF) is a 501 (c)(3) children’s charity and philanthropic arm of The Toy Association. The uniting force for the collective philanthropy of the toy industry for the benefit of all children in need, TTF works with small, medium, and large companies to create a world where every child experiences the comfort, joy, and extraordinary physical, emotional, and educational benefits of play through three program areas – The Toy Bank, Play Grants, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Pipeline Program. Thanks to the toy industry’s support, TTF has delivered play to more than 31 million children in need around the world.

It Takes a Team

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