12 Days of Cook Children's Christmas Cheer

12 Days of Cook Children's Health Care Heroes

By Ashley Antle

On the first day of Christmas, we present to you, A miracle for all, wrapped in a precious gift of two.

Team JamieLynn and AmieLynn: In January, a team of 25 medical professionals, including six surgeons, made headlines around the world after the successful surgical separation of conjoined twins for the first time in Cook Children’s 105-year history. While the surgery itself was heroic, the team’s work began months before the birth of JamieLynn and AmieLynn Finley and their arrival at Cook Children’s NICU soon after. This team worked in lock-step to provide the innovative care the girls required to support their unique growth and development needs, and to orchestrate the complicated 11-hour separation surgery. Thanks to their imagination, skill and collaboration, today, the Finely sisters are enjoying their lives together, but separate.

On the second day of Christmas, we present to you, a veteran with a heart for service, steadfast and true.

Salvador Cruz, Director of Clinical Engineering: Salvador Cruz is both an American hero and a health care hero. Having served in the U.S. Armed Forces and completed tours in the Middle East, he is a proud veteran whose heart for service continues as the director of Clinical Engineering at Cook Children’s Medical Center. It’s his job to ensure the thousands of pieces of equipment used for patient care each day, from IV pumps to Radiology machines, is safe and in tip-top shape. While primarily behind the scenes, his work is often heroic as he moves mountains to create imaginative and potentially life-saving solutions to challenges big and small. He’s the guy everyone knows they can call for help, and he always gives it without seeking any accolades in return.

On the third day of Christmas, we present to you, a maestro of magic, making wonders anew.

Martin Aguado, Facilities Appearance Manager, Cook Children's Medical Center - Fort Worth: Martin Aguado puts the magic in Christmastime at Cook Children’s. He and his team are responsible for the dazzling holiday displays that draw hundreds of merry visitors to the campus for a dose of holiday wonder and cheer. In every season, Aguado and his team work to make sure Cook Children’s is a comfortable, beautiful and safe place for our employees, patients, families and guests. They are the first on the scene when ice storms or any other act of nature attempts to cripple operations or impede travel around the campus. You’ll find them clearing, cleaning, salting and doing whatever it takes to make sure Cook Children’s does not miss a beat in doing everything for the child, even during challenging circumstances. As a servant leader, Martin prefers to be on the frontlines with his team over sitting behind a desk. You’ll know him by his smile, which he wears rain, sleet, snow or shine. He stands ready 24/7 for the planned and unplanned and goes the extra mile to make magic happen at Cook Children’s every day of the year. Thank you to Martin and his team for the opportunity to marvel at the magical holiday displays, walk the perfectly manicured gardens and enjoy any one of the comfortably serene spaces inside and outside Cook Children's campus.

On the fourth day of Christmas, we present to you, a team who ensures no arrival is missed. In sunshine or storms, they tirelessly go, greeting visitors with a warm “Hello!”

Cook Children’s Valet Team: They offer the first smiles visitors see and warm greetings guests hear when arriving at Cook Children’s. They serve with swift feet in sunshine and storms, and send patients and visitors off with the comfort of knowing Cook Children’s will welcome them again with open arms should they need to return. They are the Cook Children’s Valet Team. Sometimes, it’s the little things that make the biggest difference for the families we serve, like knowing their car is in good hands so they can focus on their child’s medical care. Wave hello next time you see a member of this hard-working team running to and fro. They’re making things easier for our guests as they come and go.

On the fifth day of Christmas, we present to you, a special group of elves, making holiday dreams come true.

Brandi Lombardo, LMSW, Director of Care Management Support Services, Cook Children’s Health Plan: Santa has lots of helpers, and Brandi Lombardo is one of them. Every year, she oversees and organizes the Health Plan’s efforts to adopt and support several Health Plan member families for the holidays. Brandi makes sure families who need a helping hand are identified, their wish lists are made, and the gifts are bought, wrapped and delivered, thanks to the generosity of her co-workers. This year, the Health Plan adopted five families, with a total of 15 people to support. They do it to spread happiness and Christmas cheer to children who might otherwise find their holiday season without the delight of unwrapping a present beneath the Christmas tree. Santa might get the credit, but we all know Brandi and her fellow Health Plan “elves” are the real heroes.

On the sixth day of Christmas, we present to you, an executive assistant so dear, supporting physicians, a guardian of cheer.

Sheri Kantner, Executive Assistant, Cook Children’s Physician Network: Sheri Kantner, BBA, started her career in the oil industry, but found her true calling when she joined Cook Children's Health Care System more than 20 years ago. She has held various positions at Cook Children's, but it’s in her role as Executive Assistant with the Cook Children’s Physician Network that Sheri feels she upholds Cook Children’s Promise. She is passionate about the support she provides the President, Chief Operating Officer, the CCPN Executive Committee and the CCPN Board of Directors. She calls it her privilege to support the over 500 physicians that she calls her angels, helping them provide the best possible care to children. Affectionately known as Momma Sheri in the office. Sheri is a mother to everyone. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and is an avid concert goer. Of her role, Sheri once said, “Supporting our physicians at Cook Children’s is one of the biggest honors and privileges I have ever had.” The privilege is all ours, Sheri.

On the seventh day of Christmas, we present to you, a master of connections for the health and happiness of those we hold dear.

Alli D’Acosta, Manager of Donor Relations, Cook Children’s Health Foundation: Alli D’Acosta is a master at connecting the dots. In her role with the Health Foundation, she ensures Cook Children’s donors understand the link between their support and the health and well-being of the children and families we serve. Thanks to her expert event planning and storytelling, donors experience the type of interactions with the organization that lead them to make Cook Children’s their charity of choice. She recently managed to turn an under-construction shell space on the 7th floor of the Dodson Specialty Clinic’s building into an elegant dinner venue where donors were celebrated for their generosity. Few could believe how she transformed the space. She also organized the Jane and John Justin Institute for Mind Health ribbon-cutting event for donors and system employees. When Alli is not planning events, she is writing beautiful impact reports, gift acknowledgments and donor impact stories for those who choose to support Cook Children’s. Or, you might find her making beautiful bows — another unique talent of Alli’s that she uses to bring a moment of magic to every gift she wraps for friends, donors and supporters. Her dedication to the community goes beyond the walls of Cook Children’s as she is an active member of the Fort Worth Junior League and this year’s Leadership Fort Worth class. 

On the eighth day of Christmas, we present to you, a voice of assistance, so thoughtful and kind, in her dedication, support you’ll find. 

Betsy Wilson, Special Projects Coordinator, Cook Children’s Health Foundation: One step ahead. That’s how Betsy Wilson’s co-workers describe her. She has been a member of the Cook Children’s family for 15 years. Often the first person you’ll speak to when calling the Health Foundation’s main line, Betsy answers the phone eager to help those on the other end. Because of her thoughtfulness, attention to detail, methodical nature and ability to anticipate needs, she has saved the Health Foundation time and countless frustrations. She makes sure the team has anything and everything they need to perform at a high level, and her dedication to success ensures they are well prepared for everything from special events to daily work in the office. Betsy is a gift to the Health Foundation. Her support makes it easy for generous donors to support Cook Children’s as we do everything for the child.

On the ninth day of Christmas, we present to you, two heroes collaborating their dedication never sways, ensuring little ones go home in healthy, happy arrays. An educator with one goal, her impact profound, like a nurturing soul.

Mouhammad Alwazeer, M.D., endocrinologist, and Megan Bensinger, nurse and diabetes educator

Teamwork makes the dream work, and these two are a collaborative duo. 

Over the last 11 months, both Dr. Alwazeer and Megan have helped create the new onset diabetes protocol for Cook Children’s - Prosper, which reduces the amount of days children with diabetes spend in the hospital. It’s taken sacrifice, and neither have hesitated to give of their personal time to ensure patients are discharged home safely. 

It’s not uncommon for Dr. Alwazeer to return to Cook Children’s - Prosper from the Fort Worth medical center on his post call days to care for patients and families. Dr. Alwazeer is a part of Cook Children’s QI team as well as one of the IT medical directors. 

This duo’s efforts to educate the Prosper nursing and hospitalist team on the management of new onset diabetes ketoacidosis helps Cook Children’s - Prosper provide seamless, well-coordinated care to this patient population. And they have done it all while growing their outpatient practice volumes and caring for a full patient load.

Lucinda Berent, RN- Clinical Practice & Adv Education Specialist

Whether they know it or not, every single family cared for at Cook Children’s - Prosper since it opened in January has been impacted by Lucinda Berent. It’s her job to educate and onboard medical center employees - over 400 in the last year! 

She’s always striving and pushing her team to create more education opportunities for the quality and safety of staff, patients and families, and looking for ways to bring education opportunities on campus to keep staff local. 

Thanks to Lucinda, the Prosper medical center team is well-educated and well-prepared to safely and respectfully care for patients.

On the tenth day of Christmas, we present to you, a guiding light making Cook Children’s a workplace so bright. 

Jamie Redic, Human Resources: Transitioning Cook Children’s to the Workday platform was no small feat, but Jamie Redic made coordinating and managing the hundreds of meetings it took to get there look easy. Perhaps it was her constant smile and positive attitude or her cool, calm demeanor, which is her staple. Jamie’s signature kindness puts the “human” in human resources. Often the first to greet a caller to Human Resources, she is hard-working, eager to help and energetic. Jamie’s dedication to serving the Cook Children’s workforce makes employees feel like family and Cook Children’s a best place to work.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, we present to you, a mentor so grand, guiding with warmth and a supportive hand. Initiative and leadership that goes beyond the call, for patients and peers, giving it all.

Heather Herrera, Warehouse Manager, Cook Children’s Home Health - Allen: Heather Herrera is both a manager and a mentor to other managers. In addition to her own workload, she often takes the time to onboard new managers and support their day-to-day administrative tasks such as audits, open orders and preventative maintenance activities, all while championing the Cook Children’s culture. When a manager for the Austin location was on leave, Heather helped cover managerial responsibilities there. Her personable nature, adaptability, imagination, keen understanding of departmental needs, accountability, responsiveness and support for her peers and leadership have won the respect of her team and all who work with her.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, we present to you, one who faces challenges with solutions strong.

Kelly Rand, Manager, Cook Children’s Neighborhood Health Clinics Patient/Family Support Services: When Kelly Rand sees a challenge, she meets it with a solution. When a lack of cribs was identified as a common barrier to safe sleep for Cook Children’s Neighborhood Health Clinic’s (NHCs) littlest patients, Kelly implemented a program to provide Pack ‘N Plays for crib-less families. She also coordinates collection efforts for diapers and teen hygiene kits that are distributed to all NHCs. 

Kelly responded to the behavioral health crisis with an initiative to embed mental health providers into the NHCs as well as several other efforts to increase behavioral health support for clinic families. Kelly always looks for ways to recognize her peers, frequently submitting Peak Performer nominations and sharing NHC success stories with Cook Children’s Physician Network leadership. She recently took on a new challenge as interim practice manager for Renaissance Medical and Dental Clinic and, in true Kelly fashion, is already demonstrating a positive impact to practice efficiency and staff morale.