84R19241 BK-D
By: Geren H.R. No. 1852
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Every hour of every day, the nurses and medical
support staff of the world render lifesaving care to those in need,
and at Dell Children's Medical Center in Austin, the professionals
with the Children's Blood and Cancer Center and in the Pediatric
Oncology Wing (4 North) have dedicated themselves unceasingly to
the well-being of patients and families; and
WHEREAS, The unit is staffed by a team of registered nurses
and nurse practitioners who balance skilled clinical practice with
a high level of attention and respect for their patients' needs; in
addition to assisting with all aspects of treatment, nurses
instruct parents on how to properly care for children at home, and
at times they serve as a much-appreciated pillar of support for
families coping with a range of emotions; their work often requires
them to retain their composure in stressful and physically taxing
circumstances, and their services are in demand throughout the day
and night; and
WHEREAS, The continuum of care provided at the hospital
relies as well on the expertise of pediatric dietitian specialists,
who are responsible for determining the specific dietary needs of
each child; furthermore, clinical assistants and respiratory
therapists monitor blood pressure, body temperature, and other
vital signs around the clock, a task that is critically important in
detecting fevers in patients who are immunosuppressed; together,
these individuals strive to ensure children every advantage in
fighting and overcoming their disease; and
WHEREAS, Child life specialists are on hand to help families,
including the siblings of patients, to manage feelings of anxiety
over the illness and hospitalization of a loved one; trained in the
areas of child development and psychology, they endeavor to ease
the concerns of younger family members in appropriate terms and to
make them as comfortable as possible during their visit; they also
offer compassionate assistance to children undergoing difficult
procedures, and they plan events, such as birthdays and holidays,
that can serve as a welcome respite for those facing long-term stays
at the center; and
WHEREAS, Social workers likewise play a significant role in
guiding families through this difficult experience; serving as a
liaison between parents and the health care system, they locate
appropriate resources, whether financial or other social services,
and make travel arrangements if a patient requires treatment at a
different facility; and
WHEREAS, These distinguished professionals deserve high
praise for the work they perform, without which the delivery of care
at Dell Children's Medical Center would not be possible, and they
may take definite satisfaction in knowing that their efforts have
helped countless children on the path to healing and recovery; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby extend sincere gratitude to the staff of the
Children's Blood and Cancer Center and the Pediatric Oncology Wing
(4 North) of Dell Children's Medical Center and commend them for the
great diligence and expertise that they bring to their duties; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the staff as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.