Connect Newsletter (Aug. 18, 2026)

Closing Soon: Open Enrollment for Benefits

Time is running out to finalize your selection of benefits or make updates to your current coverage for the 2026-2027 benefits year.

Open enrollment runs through 11:59 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21. The benefits you select will be effective Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027.

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

You can find details about eligibility, plan rates and options for health, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, wellness and much more in the Benefits Guide available on the Benefits site on CookNet. The guide gives an overview of high-quality, affordable benefits that support your physical, emotional and financial well-being. You choose the coverage that fits your life best.

Current elections 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 don't take action by Friday, you'll have to wait until the open enrollment period in 2027 unless you have a major life change, such as getting married or having a baby.

What’s new starting Oct. 1? The biggest update is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) becoming our medical insurance carrier, offering access to a larger network of providers and member support through a service called Health Advocacy Solutions. Learn more about BCBSTX by watching a recorded information session located on the Benefits site on CookNet.

As always, if questions come up, we’re here to help. Contact the Benefits team by email at AskBenefits@cookchildrens.org.

BENEFITS INFORMATION SESSIONS:

Medical Center-Fort Worth - Family Support Room

• 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.

Mansfield Multispecialty

• Aug. 19: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Join Employees Care for Another Incredible Year of Impact

At Cook Children’s, we believe in the power of collaboration and generosity to make a difference.

As an employee, your job impacts patient care every day. As an Employees Care donor, you can become an even bigger part of our patients’ journeys, making their experience at Cook Children’s even more magical.

Employees Care is a special way for all of us – nurses, doctors, administrative staff and everyone in between – no matter our location, to unite for a cause that’s close to our hearts. Together, we can support those in need under our blue peaks.

Every dollar you donate helps us provide the best care for our patients, families, and colleagues. Whether it’s funding life-saving treatments, providing comforting toys, creating a magical space for play and healing, or helping fuel the Employee Crisis Fund, your generosity shines through in countless ways! Plus, you get to rock an awesome T-shirt to show others you give above and beyond your work!

Joining Employees Care is simple and rewarding. You can choose a one-time gift or set up a recurring donation – whatever works best for you. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a big difference!

Employees Care 2026 kicks off this week. Be sure to join us at one of our events, make your donation online or in-person, grab your thank you gift(s) and make a difference.

Questions? Be sure to email EmployeesCare@cookchildrens.org.

Complete Your Voice Matters Survey

It’s important for us to hear from you through the Your Voice Matters Survey. The response rates continue to rise but we want to reach a 75% response rate goal! Help us accomplish this by taking the survey by September 1 so we can have a strong picture of your work experience so we can take meaningful action.

It’s easy to take the survey: see the email you received from Press Ganey – or – go to the CookNet homepage scroll for two quick ways to get to the survey. Click here to take the survey or if you’re on a desktop computer you can click the banner and go directly to the survey. Use your employee ID # as your password. Tip – add a leading zero(s) if your ID # is less than 6 digits. Ex. 9999 = 009999

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.