Waxahachie Community Newsletter Fall 2016 1 | Page 4

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Mother-Friendly Worksite designation supports breastfeeding employees
Baylor Scott & White Medical
Center has joined a growing number
of Texas businesses as a Texas
Mother-Friendly worksite. Created
by the Texas Legislature in 1995
and administered by the Texas
Department of State Health Services
(DSHS), the Texas Mother-Friendly
Worksite Program recognizes
employers with written policies
reflecting their support for their
breastfeeding employees.

Mother-Friendly Worksite policies
in clude work schedule flexibility
to allow milk expression breaks;
offer a private space, other than a
bathroom, where an employee can
pump or breastfeed; and ensure
easy access to a clean water
source and hygienic milk storage
arrangements. Employers recognized
as Mother-Friendly Worksites benefit
from increased employee retention,
lower absenteeism, higher morale,

greater productivity, reduced health
care costs, and improved short- and
long-term health of the breastfeeding
mother and her child.
Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites
represent a wide range of
employment sectors, settings,
and worksite sizes. Baylor Scott &
White – Waxahachie is among many
other Baylor Scott & White hospitals
honored as Texas Mother-Friendly
Worksites.

“We back our employees who are new mothers. The Mother-Friendly designation supports employees who
choose to breastfeed their infants by providing time, space, and other resources to maintain breastfeeding
after returning to work. It’s an honor to be designated as a Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite.”
– Jaclyn L. Budet, RN, Supervisor of Women and Children’s Services, Baylor Scott & White -Waxahachie

Baylor Scott & White achieves
accreditation for quality bariatric
care
Patients seeking surgical treatment for severe obesity
and its related conditions can now receive treatment at
a nationally accredited program at Baylor Scott & White
Medical Center.
The hospital’s metabolic and bariatric surgery program
has been recognized by the Metabolic and Bariatric
Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program
(MBSAQIP®) for meeting standards for patient safety
and quality of care, a joint program of the American
College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for
Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).
“Earning this MBSAQIP designation is an honor,” said
Renee O’Daniel, RN, MSN, CBN, bariatric program
manager, Baylor Scott & White. “We’ve met criteria
for staffing, training and protocols for care to support
patients with severe obesity, and the review process
leading to accreditation included an extensive visit
by an experienced bariatric surgeon. We’re proud to
serve Waxahachie and Ellis County residents with these
needed services.”
B a ylor S cot t & Whi te Medi cal C e n t e r – Wa xa h a c h ie

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News

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Fall 2016

Therapy dogs join the patient care team
Everyone needs help from time to time. It could be a word of
encouragement, advice, or a helping hand. For patients at Baylor
Scott & White Medical Center, that “hand” could be a furry paw.
Specially trained therapy dogs including Daisy, Dolly and Daisy Mae
call on Baylor Scott & White patients as part of Baylor Scott & White
Health’s Animal Assisted Therapy program. Started in 1985, today
there are more than 100 dogs, two parrots, and two ponies who visit
patients at facilities in Dallas, Frisco, Fort Worth, Irving, McKinney,
and throughout the system. Volunteer Sherry Dicks, past president
of the Auxiliary, along with now-retired employee Peggy Phelps
were instrumental in bringing the Animal Assisted Therapy program
to Waxahachie in 2008. Today, Sanford Smith is Chairman of the
Pet Therapy Program at the hospital with support from Auxiliary
President Tamie Davis.
Not every dog can become a therapy dog. The testing and
certification process is rigorous for both dogs and owners. First
of all, dogs must be between the ages of 1 and nine years. Every
dog is required to complete a formal obedience class, and canine
candidates are tested and evaluated in the hospital setting. Owners
must fill out an application with references, be at least 18 years
old, attend a health clinic for drug screening and TB testing, and
complete an orientation program.
Dogs are “man’s best friend” for a reason. They offer unconditional
love and affection. Is it any wonder that hospital patients smile and
laugh when a dog comes into the room?
Patient caring is a holistic endeavor. At Baylor Scott & White –
Waxahachie experienced hospital caregivers support patients and
families using a team-centered approach. Therapy dogs are part of
the team.

To find out more about the Animal Assisted Therapy
program at Baylor Scott & White – Waxahachie, please contact
Tamie Davis at 469.843.4200 or the Animal Assisted Therapy
Program coordinator, Linda Marler, RN, at 214.536.3151.

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