Connect Newsletter (Dec. 18, 2025)

Watch our System Town Hall

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent System Town Hall. We were able to share exciting updates and address key objectives as we work to meet the explosive growth in our communities. We appreciate your collaboration and enthusiasm as we move toward the future. 

If you were unable to attend the live session or would like to revisit specific topics discussed, we have made the full recording available for you to view at your convenience.

Visit Connect Newsroom to view a recap of the event. 

Holiday Health & Wellbeing: Resources Available to Support You

As we move through the holiday season, we want to remind you that your well-being is important to us. While the holiday season can be a time of joy and celebration, it can also bring feelings of stress, heartache or loneliness. We all experience the holidays a little differently and that is completely OK.

Cook Children’s employees have access to a host of resources to help you through the holiday season. 

To see the full list of resources visit Connect Newsroom. 

Learning New Tool: UKG Workforce Management System

As shared in our earlier announcement, we are preparing to launch the new UKG Workforce Management system in February 2026. This new system will replace our current Kronos tool and will help make timekeeping, scheduling, and related activities more streamlined, consistent, and easier to manage across Cook Children’s.

To help you understand what this means for your day-to-day experience, we’ve created a “What’s Changing” guides. These guides break down updates based on your role and highlight how the new system will support you. You can now access your role-specific guide on the UKG Project Site. You can also watch this short overview video for a first look at the new system in action.

What’s Next:

UKG training is scheduled to be available next week for all employees. Training assignments will be based on your role, ensuring you receive only the lessons that apply to your day-to-day responsibilities. Lessons will be completed in ULearn— a direct link and instructions will be posted on our CookNet banner when available. 

Each lesson is 10 minutes or less and can be taken at your own pace. To help with retention, we recommend completing lessons over several days or weeks rather than all at once. You will also be able to retake lessons closer to go-live as a refresher, and Quick Reference Guides will be available for support during and after launch.

Additionally, in January we will be sharing:

• Readiness checklists to help you prepare for go-live
• Resources and quick guides you can use on day one

We are committed to ensuring every employee feels informed, supported, and confident using the new system. To support you throughout this transition, we’ve also created a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document that provides quick answers to common questions about the new system.

If you have any questions or concerns, please submit a ServiceNow ticket, reach out to your manager or Change Agent Network representative, or visit the UKG Project CookNet site for more information.

Occupational Health Clinic Christmas Holiday Hours

The Occupational Health Clinic will have adjusted hours of operation this holiday season. 

• Monday, Dec. 22 and Tuesday, Dec. 23
  • Open during regular clinic hours.
• Wednesday, Dec. 24
  • Open from 7 a.m. to noon.
• Thursday, Dec. 25 and Friday, Dec. 26
  • Closed

When the clinic is closed, if you have a work-related injury, call your campus House Supervisor and ask for a return call.  The on-call Occupational Health nurse will contact you by telephone. For more information visit the Occupational Health CookNet page.

Moments of Cook Children’s Magic in 2025

The countdown to the new year has officially begun! We want to take a moment to say a huge thank you for an extraordinary 2025.

It has been such a meaningful year of growth and connection, and we are so grateful for the journey we’ve shared. Throughout every season, our core values have been the steady heartbeat of our work. Before we begin the new year, we want to take a moment to pause and reflect on the stories that defined us this year. Each story is a reflection of the spirit and dedication you bring to our system every day. 

Visit Connect Newsroom to see the top stories this year. 

Let’s carry this incredible energy into 2026! Happy Holidays✨ 

New Creative Arts Program Coffee Table Book Available

Looking for a last-minute meaningful holiday gift?  

The Creative Arts Program is selling a patient art book, and you can purchase it for $50 at the Enchanted Castle Gift Shop. This book features powerful and inspiring artwork by our very own Cook Children’s patients. Each purchase benefits the creative arts program. 

Purchase while supplies last. 

Share Your Content with Us

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

Check our CookNet calendar for more system-wide events and to find more content about our employees and news you need to know, bookmark our Connect Newsroom website.