Bravo Award Recipients - December 2025

(pictured, L–R top to bottom rows)

Texas Children’s Cancer & Hematology Center is thrilled to announce the December 2025 Bravo Award winners, 11 outstanding team members recognized for going above and beyond in their roles. These individuals embody excellence, compassion, and dedication to the patients and families we serve.

Diandra Barrios, Senior Coordinator, Main Campus

Diandra plays a vital role in onboarding and credentialing for every one of our faculty members, which includes over 160 existing faculty, 10-15 new hires annually, and — with the upcoming start of the Kinder Children’s Cancer Center — an additional 70-75 new faculty from MD Anderson. Along with all her work with faculty, she also supports over 70 medical students and residents as they rotate with our teams each year. She does all this with a smile on her face and is always willing to help those around her. As one of the first people new hires meet, she sets a shining example for teamwork and professionalism.

Deborah Butuyan, RN, Main Campus

Deborah is a pillar of leadership on the night shift, serving as a charge nurse, nurse educator, central line resource nurse, bedside nurse, and many other roles. She ensures safe, seamless after-hours care through steady communication and is known for her outstanding kindness, often holding birthday parties and other impromptu celebrations for her peers. Deborah is the glue that holds the night shift together, and her team rallies around her leadership and experience.

Manon Dierens, RN, Main Campus

Manon is a trusted nurse in our clinic infusion room, contributing to all areas including admissions, procedures, infusions, and clinics. In everything she does, Manon shows exceptional attention to detail, dedication, and compassion, and is always willing to step up when someone needs help. She is an invaluable member of our team.

DeKeisha Griffin, MA, Main Campus

DeKeisha provides essential support to patients, families, and staff every day. She communicates clearly and efficiently with the clinical team, and demonstrates respect, compassion, and thoughtfulness in all her interactions. Our patients and their families are fortunate to have her on their side as a smiling face every time they come to the Purple Pod.

Debbie Harrison, RN, Main Campus

Debbie is an invaluable member of our inpatient team. Always advocating for her patients, she forms deep, meaningful connections, and finds multiple ways to make a difference in their lives. These lasting impacts are what families remember when they think of the excellent care Debbie provides.

Jamee Hodges, MA, Main Campus

Jamee’s expert scheduling makes her an invaluable member of our team. She efficiently handles a multitude of requests to schedule radiology studies, often on short notice, and makes frequent adjustments to meet patient needs. She maintains calm, clarity, and respect as she communicates with families and involved staff, ensuring smooth operation of our outpatient services. Jamee's reliability and professionalism make her an outstanding asset to our service.

Clare Kosich, RN, Main Campus

Clare leads the Bone Marrow Transplant inpatient unit with warmth, flexibility, and a solutions-oriented mindset. Her strong interpersonal skills promote collaboration, and her ability to recognize each team member’s strengths makes everyone feel valued. Clare’s compassion and clinical expertise make her the guiding light for her team every single day.

Monique Ledet, RPH, Main Campus

Monique is an exceptional pharmacist who approaches every interaction with kindness, patience, and calm professionalism. She is known for recognizing colleagues’ voices on the phone and offering respectful guidance, making every team member feel valued. Monique consistently takes initiative to resolve questions and concerns, actively seeking solutions to help her team succeed. Her efficiency in processing and verifying medications ensures that patients receive timely treatment, keeping clinic operations smooth and contributing to better outcomes for everyone who walks through our doors.

Brenda Nevarez, Interpreter, Main Campus

Though Brenda has only recently joined us as the dedicated Spanish interpreter for our inpatient units, she has already become an essential part of the care team. Her presence during rounds and ability to know when to ask for clarification for families greatly enhances communication and ensures families fully understand their child’s care. She also supports patient education and even guides new families through clinic tours, all with a positive demeanor and smile on her face that brightens everyone’s day. Brenda's efforts ensure the best possible outcomes for the patients she serves.

Bertha Rodriguez, MA, McAllen

Bertha is an invaluable member of our team at the Vannie Cook clinic, helping both patients and staff daily. Her presence brings joy to all who encounter her, and she eases patients' fears with a simple “hello” and a smile. Spending a few minutes with Bertha is an automatic mood-boosting experience.

Regina Salas, MA, Main Campus

Regina’s role in coordinating imaging studies makes her one of the clinic’s most valuable team members. Her strong relationships with partnering departments allow her to optimize schedules and frequently combine sedated scans with oncology-related procedures, decreasing the need for sedation. Regina is kind, hardworking, and can always be counted on to lend a helping hand. Her work is crucial to the timely care of our patients.

Please join us in congratulating these remarkable team members!