Connect Newsletter (Aug. 11, 2026)

System Town Hall

Please join us for a Town Hall event at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Hochberger Auditorium, Medical Center-Fort Worth.

Click here to attend virtually and experience the discussion in real-time via a live stream.

These events are designed to keep all of us informed and aligned about what has been accomplished by our teams across the system and what we are looking forward to in the rest of 2026 and beyond.

For those whose schedules or locations do not permit attendance, the Town Hall will be recorded and posted on the scrolling banner on the homepage of CookNet, and emailed after the event.

Stephen Kimmel to Retire in October

After more than 12 years of dedicated service to Cook Children's, Stephen Kimmel, Executive Vice President of System Finance, has announced his retirement in October.

Since joining Cook Children's in 2014, Stephen has been a trusted leader and steward of the organization's resources, helping ensure Cook Children's could continue investing in exceptional care for children and families. He brought to Cook Children's a wealth of health care finance experience, including leadership roles at Providence Health & Services and Hendrick Health System, where he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for more than a decade. Through thoughtful financial leadership and planning, he has helped position the health system to meet the needs of a growing region while staying true to its mission.

During Stephen's tenure, Cook Children's expanded its reach across North Texas, including the opening of Cook Children's Medical Center - Prosper in 2023. The medical center brought emergency, surgical and inpatient care closer to home for families in one of the state's fastest-growing regions and continues to grow alongside the community it serves.

"It has been a profound honor and a privilege to be part of such an exceptional organization,” Stephen said. “Looking back on our growth over the last 12 years, I am deeply grateful for the dedication of our team and proud of all we’ve accomplished together in service of our Promise."

Behind many of Cook Children's most significant growth initiatives was Stephen's thoughtful stewardship of the organization's resources. His leadership helped ensure Cook Children's could continue investing in children and families, our team members, and our communities, from the opening of the Prosper medical center to the development of the West Tower, which will expand access to critical care, neonatal care, cancer and blood disorder services, surgery and imaging for years to come.

"Stephen has been an exceptional leader, trusted advisor and valued member of our executive team," said Rick W. Merrill, President and CEO of Cook Children's. "His stewardship, integrity and commitment to our Promise have helped shape a transformative chapter in Cook Children's history. We are deeply grateful for his contributions and wish him nothing but happiness and fulfillment in retirement."

Colleagues across the system know Stephen for his integrity, steady leadership and commitment to the Cook Children's Promise. As he begins this next chapter with his wife, Sherette and their family, we thank him for his years of service and the lasting impact he has made on Cook Children's and the families and communities we serve.

Reminder: Enroll Now for New Benefits Year

Open enrollment for the 2026-2027 benefits year runs through Aug. 21, and you can learn about your options at information sessions offered online and at various locations in person.

A brief overview of our new medical insurance carrier, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX), will be explained in virtual sessions that introduce BCBSTX Health Advocacy Solutions, which connects members with health advocates for personalized support. Click the date below to tune in:

• Wednesday, Aug. 12 – 11:30 a.m.
• Monday, Aug. 17 – 9 a.m.

The virtual sessions will be recorded and posted on CookNet to watch at your convenience.

Information sessions at sites across the system (see dates and locations below) are also available to help you choose the coverage that fits your life best. Our new Benefits Guide, available here on CookNet, provides details about eligibility, plan rates and options for health, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, wellness and more.

The benefits you select during open enrollment will be effective Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027.

Current elections will roll over automatically with the exceptions of flexible spending accounts, health savings account contributions and PTO sellback. These three elections are required to be made annually. If you want any of these for next year, you must actively make those elections. If you don't take action, you'll have to wait until the next open enrollment period unless you have a major life change, such as having a baby.

Enroll by going to Workday Benefits, accessing the Benefits and Pay app, and submitting the elections you make. You can also enroll by calling the Benefits Center at 833-938-4154, weekdays from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Questions? Contact the Benefits team at AskBenefits@cookchildrens.org.

BENEFITS INFORMATION SESSIONS:

Medical Center-Fort Worth - Family Support Room

• Aug. 13 – 10 p.m.-12 a.m.
• Aug. 17 – 10 p.m. – 12 a.m.
• Aug. 18 – 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 3- 6 p.m.
• Aug. 21 – 1-4 p.m.

Medical Center-Prosper, Classrooms 1621 and 1622

• Aug. 20: 12-3 p.m.

Child Study Center

• Aug. 12: 3-4:30 p.m.

Hurst Multispecialty

• Aug. 13: 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Walsh Ranch

• Aug. 14: 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Calmont

• Aug. 17: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Mansfield Multispecialty

• Aug. 19: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Performance Evaluations Kick Off

Now through Sept. 14, managers will complete year-end performance reviews to support the continued growth and development of our team members.

These evaluations provide a structured way to reflect on and assess your accomplishments, contributions, strengths and development opportunities since the start of the performance year on Oct. 1, 2025. Performance and Development (P&D) helps you look back, learn and launch forward for your continual growth and success.

Managers will use a three-point rating scale to evaluate performance across several performance dimensions, including:

• Core job responsibilities
• Impact on patients, patient families, members and teammates
• Demonstration of Cook Children’s values
• Goal management and achievement (directors only)

P&D is an important part of your professional growth journey. It helps you:

• Celebrate your achievements and reinforce habits of excellence.
• Identify any challenges and potential areas for growth.
• Look ahead to career aspirations and goals.

Once evaluations are complete, team members will meet one-on-one with their manager to discuss their performance review. These conversations provide an opportunity to reflect on accomplishments and challenges, review additional feedback from peers and direct reports (for leaders), and discuss development goals and priorities for the coming year. Visit the P&D page on CookNet for more information.

Listen to Newest Podcast: For Kids’ Sake Podcast, Por Su Bienestar

For Kids' Sake is a pediatric health podcast from Cook Children's Health Care System. Each week, Cook Children's physicians, specialists and clinicians answer parents' questions, explain trending health topics and share practical guidance on children's health, development, safety and wellness.

The first episode features Pediatrician Diane Arnaout, M.D. (in English) and Pediatrician Bianka Soria-Olmos, D.O. (in Spanish) for a Back-to-School episode. Listen wherever you get podcasts or watch full episodes on the Cook Children's YouTube channel. Spanish-speaking families or employees can also explore our companion podcast, Por Su Bienestar.

Cool Down with Beat the Heat Events

Well-Being Month continues through August, and we have Beat the Heat events for you! If your team is off-site or fully remote, funds will be provided to help you coordinate a sweet treat experience of your own, because everyone deserves a moment to cool off and connect. Please see the Team Experience page to learn more about how to get these funds.
Wednesday, Aug. 12 - Fort Worth Medical Center

• Day Shift: 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Click here to view the serving location map

• Night Shift: 10-11:30 p.m. (Pruitt Plaza)

Wednesday, Aug. 19 - Prosper Medical Center

• 3 p.m.-7 p.m. (Day and Night Shift)

• Serving from the back of the hospital. In the case of inclement weather, Mr. B’s Shaved Ice will be serving from Conference Rooms 1621/1622.

Wednesday, Aug. 26 - Calmont Office Building

• 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

• Serving from the third-floor break room

To participate in the other Well-Being Month activities including self-care classes and Well-Being Bingo, see the Team Experience SharePoint page.

Retirement

Join us in congratulating staff members who are retiring from Cook Children's this summer:

• Leslie Earle, Patient Experience in Food Services, is retiring after 19 years on August 14.

To read more about Leslie along with other recent retirees please visit the Retirement page on CookNet.

Share Your Content with Us

Do you have any tips, ideas or content you would like us to know about? We want to hear from you! Please view our SharePoint site and email us at InternalCommunications@cookchildrens.org.

To find more content about our employees and news you need to know, bookmark our Connect Newsroom website.