Connect Newsletter (Aug. 3, 2023)

Update on Masking and COVID-19 Vaccination 

Effective Aug. 4, 2023:

Cook Children's is following the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidance and updating our masking and COVID-19 vaccination policies for employees. 

Details are listed in this article on the Connect Newsroom, but here are the highlights you need to know:
• Routine wearing of masks is no longer required for all Cook Children's employees, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status. 
• As always, employees may choose to wear a mask at their discretion. 
• N-95 masks or other isolation PPE will still be required for caring for a patient with an active COVID-19 infection. 
• COVID-19 vaccination is no longer mandatory for current employees or new hires.
 

2023-2024 Open Enrollment

Open enrollment for employee benefits begins Aug. 7 and runs through August 25. It's time to learn about all the benefits offered by Cook Children's, review your current benefits and make any needed changes. Please watch your home mailboxes now for open enrollment information.

We also want to provide you with the latest on the benefits, including what's new for 2023-2024 and links to the open enrollment newsletter, the booklet with detailed information and the benefits for professional staff (M.D., D.O., D.D.S., and D.M.D.). Click here to read more.

We're Listening: An Update on the Burnout Survey

You should have received your department/team’s results from your leader. If you haven’t received those yet, please connect with your leader.  At the System level, the Experience Committee identified the following areas as “big rocks”: compensation and benefits, inclusion, diversity and health equity (ID&E), education and workload. Over the next year you’ll hear updates on each of these areas as work progresses. 

Earlier this summer the Organizational Development/Team Experience group began working with approximately 70 teams across the System that were identified as priority teams by holding focus groups with each team. The focus groups will be completed by late September. Next steps will include working with leaders on action planning specific to each team to support meaningful change to their team’s work experience. 

The physician well-being advocates, Kirk Pinto, M.D., and Sara Garza, M.D., have completed their results sharing rounds with all physician departments. Their next step is to work with the volunteer well-being champions to work on opportunities identified for physicians. 

Burnout Resources for Staff: 
• Connect Newsroom articles 
• Mental Health Resources Available for All Staff 

We look forward to updating you periodically on this important initiative. Thank you for helping us connect the dots between the important job that you do and the fulfilling work life we want each of you to experience each day. 
 

Prosper Adds Seizure Care Service

Prosper resident and father of two Kevin Greene knows all too well the challenges of having to leave your community to seek medical care and how that impacts a family. In February, Greene, the Vice President and Administrator at Cook Children’s – Prosper, and his wife Christy, took their son Matthew to the Emergency Department at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth after he experienced what appeared to be a seizure episode at their home. Read all about the new service on the Checkup Newsroom.

Congrats Peak Performers for the Third Quarter 

Ready to be inspired? Employees and teams from across the System have nominated their coworkers for recognition under the Peak Performers program. A Peak Performer is someone who is committed to excellence and always strives for outstanding quality and safety, consistently provides great service above and beyond their day-to-day job, and contributes to the Cook Children's Promise on a daily basis. The recipients for the third quarter have been announced. 

Learn who was named a Peak Performer and read what their nominators had to say about their work.

Cook Children's Earns Second Place in Texas' Healthiest Employer Ranking

We are so thrilled to receive the distinction of being ranked the Second Healthiest Employer in Texas serving 5,000 to 9,999 employees.  Last year, we ranked 74th overall and we are eager to see how we fared nationally for this year).

Healthiest Employers is an award program that recognizes and celebrates organizations focused on taking a proactive approach to improving their employees' health and well-being. Read more about how Cook Children's earned the ranking by prioritizing employee wellness through the Healthy Me Wellness Program.

VIDEO: Prosper Readiness Drill 

Cook Children's Medical Center-Prosper recently conducted a drill to prepare to respond to the worst-case scenario – a mass casualty disaster. The drill involved participation of staff from across the medical center, local emergency responders, and even volunteers wearing mock injuries. Watch this informative, interesting and action-packed video to learn more. 
 

Congratulations Nurse Residency Graduates

Congratulations to our two most recent nurse resident cohorts for graduating from the Cook Children's Nurse Residency program - our Newly Licensed Nurse Cohort and Cohort 36. 

Thank you for selflessly caring for our patients and families throughout your first year of nursing at Cook Children’s. We are so proud of you and can’t wait to see what your pediatric nursing journey holds.

The Nurse Residency program is also excited to announce the addition of a new cohort to the program beginning in April 2024. Applications for the February 2024 cohort and our inaugural April cohort will be open from Aug. 28 to Sept. 14, 2023.

Please visit the program's website for additional information. 

 

Sign Up is Coming Soon for the Employee Craft Fair

Do you have a crafty side? You can sign up to sell your creative items at the Employee Fall Craft Fair in September. Registration starts on Monday, Aug. 7. There are limited spaces available. The Fall Craft Fair is scheduled to take place on Sept. 29 in the Atrium of the Cook Children's Medical Center-Fort Worth. Crafters donate 10 percent of sales back to Cook Children's. 

Click here for the Craft Fair Guidelines and to download an application.

Do You Have the Gift of Gab? Perfect Your Public Speaking Skills 

Blue Castle Collaborators Toastmasters Club invites you to their upcoming quarterly in-person meeting. They'll gather at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 15 in the Rosedale Office Building 5405 A&B to conduct their regularly scheduled meeting. The meeting will include two speeches delivered by club members. Table Topics will be conducted where participants practice and refine impromptu speaking, and evaluations will be given, which provide an opportunity for growth in public speaking. 

Lunch will be provided but you must RSVP. Space is limited. If you are unable to attend in person, virtual attendance is also available via Zoom. 

For more information or to RSVP, please email Kindra Blackburn. 
 

Blood Drive: Every Single Drop of Blood Counts

Blood donation is a simple act that can save lives. Sign up for our upcoming blood drive on Aug. 18 at the Rosedale Office Building (ROB). Click here for information about donation eligibility. 

Click here to find a time to donate that is convenient for you. Another blood drive is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 23 at the Fort Worth Medical Center. We will post the sign up link when it is available. 

Employees Care: Where Does My Support Go?

“Giving exemplifies our ability to care. The kids of our communities deserve our hearts and our resources. They represent 100% of our future. Invest!”   

- Stan Davis, President, Cook Children’s Medical Center-Fort Worth

When you give to Employees Care, you can choose to support one of two areas. The Children’s Fund provides resources to the areas of our greatest need. These can include charity care, Child Study Center, equipment, community programs, resources for locations across our system, and more. Children’s Fund helps us expand and to provide our top-quality care.

Designating your support to Patient Experience will provide funding for programs and activities to take the patient experience to the next level. This includes Camps for Kids, play areas, Laughter League, Tri My Best Triathlon, augmented communication devices for families, Spiritual Care and emergency family assistance, just to name a few.

Visit the Employees Care page on CookNet to make your donation today.