Editor’s Note: The Kids’ Health Annual is a publication of Houstonia Custom Publishing in conjunction with Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. It is produced as a supplement to Houstonia magazine and for distribution within the Memorial Hermann system. 

Amazing things are happening every day at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. As CEO, it’s my privilege to work with our outstanding team of affiliated pediatricians, nurses, and support staff to provide exceptional care for kids. Our story began over 20 years ago and since that time, we have been making memories and miracles for our patients and their families. On these pages, we share a few of them with you. 

Children’s Memorial Hermann is one of 12 hospitals in the Memorial Hermann system, which annually welcomes one in four babies born in the greater Houston area. As a Level I pediatric trauma center affiliated with UTHealth Medical School, we treat some of the most critically ill and injured children while working to keep all the kids in our community healthy and safe. There’s something for all parents in the stories that follow, from the right way for kids to wash their hands, to the real deal on children’s nutrition, to the latest word on the safety of ATVs, to incredible accounts of doctors sealing off a child’s brain malformations with super glue, performing cutting-edge video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery to fix a baby’s heart, and safely bringing a mom with quadruplets all the way to 33 weeks. And that’s just the beginning.

My background is in pediatric nursing, and I’m also a parent. Both perspectives are indispensable to me in leading Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. It’s extremely meaningful work, and I hope that it results in meaningful service for both parents and their kids. Finally, I hope that you’re as inspired by our story as I am. 

Susan Distefano
Chief Executive Officer 
Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital