Betty Jones, NICU Unit Secretary at The Woman's Hospital of Texas celebrates her 50th service anniversary at the hospital along with Jeanna Bamburg, CEO of The Woman's Hospital of Texas.
Betty Jones, unit secretary in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) celebrates her “Golden Anniversary” with The Woman’s Hospital of Texas. Jones began her career with The Woman’s Hospital of Texas before the facility opened its doors in May of 1976 as a tech in the NICU before becoming the heart of the department as a unit secretary.
“For the past five decades, Betty has been a constant presence in our NICU by supporting families, keeping our unit running smoothly, and sharing her knowledge and kindness with generations of colleagues,” said Tiffany Hendershott, NICU director at The Woman’s Hospital of Texas. “If there is ever anything you need, Betty knows exactly where it is and how to get it. In fact, you can tell when she’s on PTO because suddenly everyone is asking, “Where’s Betty?”
The Woman’s Hospital of Texas was founded in 1976 by 29 physicians who recognized a need in Houston for a facility solely focused on women’s care in all stages of life. The personalized care for women is what inspired Betty to apply.
“The care at Woman’s is different,” says Jones. “My passion is helping people, and I wanted to work somewhere that I could make a difference. I heard about a new hospital just for women from a coworker, and I just felt that is where I needed to be.”
Jones has helped the hospital grow the NICU department into a 146-bed unit and was a part of the team who helped elevate the NICU to earn a Level IV Advanced Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) by the Texas Department of State Health Services in 2018, one of only 22 hospitals with this designation in Texas.
“I know it is common to say that the people you are work with are your family, but for me, after 50 years, that is truly what they are,” said Jones. “We work with our tiniest patients, and support parents through an emotional journey they weren’t expecting. That helps you create a special bond. My NICU team has been a part of my life through everything – the good times and the bad, they helped me more than they will ever know.”
The hospital celebrated Jones’ 50th Service Anniversary with a celebration fit for a queen. At the ceremony, many colleagues and neonatologists shared their favorite memories with Jones, stating she was the first person they met when they joined the NICU team.
“Betty is often the first point of contact for families, beginning their NICU journey with compassion, professionalism and calm during what can be one of the most stressful times in their lives,” shares Jeanna Bamburg, chief executive officer of The Woman’s Hospital of Texas. “From an operational standpoint, Betty is the organizational backbone of the NICU and truly the heart of the hospital. We felt it was only fitting that we gift her a “key to the hospital” during her ceremony because we wouldn’t be who we are today without her.”
Along with receiving a commemorative “Key to The Woman’s Hospital of Texas”, Jones also received a special proclamation from the Houston City Council Member Abbie Kamin in recognition of her unwavering service, generosity of spirit and steadfast support of patients and colleagues.