I began my academic career as a photojournalism major. Three years in, however, I started taking photos of children, some of them sick. That was an important moment for me. I became consumed by the desire to do more than simply document the world—I wanted to make it a little bit better. I switched my major and pursued a nursing degree, just as my mother had done.

My career as a pediatric nurse was excellent preparation for my role, later in life, as CEO of Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, where, in the nearly 30 years since its inception, our affiliated pediatricians, nurses, and support staff have been working to effect change every day. Having provided care at the bedside level, I’m filled with deep respect for our medical staff doctors’ unparalleled level of expertise, to say nothing of the entire staff’s strength of spirit and empathy for children and parents, which, I think, is largely responsible for yet another year of impressive growth for Children’s Memorial Hermann. From our flagship hospital in the Texas Medical Center to the Children’s Memorial Hermann programs on the campuses of Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital, and Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital, Children’s Memorial Hermann is providing expert care for kids across the Greater Houston area and surrounding communities.          

This second edition of our magazine includes stories about everything from childhood happiness, concussions, and the antibiotics debate, to a pair of awesome conjoined twins separated at our hospital, pregnancy at 40, and a revolutionary in utero treatment for spina bifida. I hope it sheds a light on the miracles large and small that take place on our campuses every single day.

Susan Distefano
Chief Executive Officer 
Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital